Cats make wonderful pets, but they are expensive to take care of properly. Caring for a cat properly means providing it with proper nutrition, adequate stimulation, health care, and many other necessities; this can become expensive. You should keep reading to learn more about properly caring for your cat.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. Change it frequently if you like.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. To help control odors place the litter box in a well ventilated area. Both you and your cat will be happier.
Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. A meow could signal anything from hunger to a desire for affection. Listen to what’s she’s trying to tell you, and you’ll begin to understand her cues.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. This could be harmful and unsafe. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
High areas are ideal for cats. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Give your cat a good brushing regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.
If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. When this occurs, it is probably just a sign that the litter box wasn’t properly taken care of. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. By feeding the cat the same kind of food over and over again, they become used to that specific food. Good luck getting it to try something new!
Any pet can cost a lot to properly care for, and that is also true of cats. The care they need is similar to that of children. You can reduce your expenses while still taking the best care for your kitten.
