Cats have been the companion of humans for hundreds of years. These animals have been portrayed in musicals, movies, and poems. Cats think that they are independent and in charge at all times. Through this article you can make sure your cat knows who the boss really is.
Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots. If there are obvious issues with your cat, it needs to see the vet immediately. Don’t wait!
Microchip your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Collars or tags can identify your cat, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.
Give your kitty lots of love. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.
Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Go over the label carefully. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. A cat’s bones can be quite fragile and they need to be treated gently.
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This can compromise your cat’s safety. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
If you’re like many cat owners, your pet is the center of your universe, or at least your home. By using the tips from above, you’ll soon teach your cat who is actually the boss. Cats work well as pets, especially if you follow the advice listed here.
