You need to give your cat the care and attention it needs. That said, it isn’t like grooming a cat. You have to do extra in order to make sure they’re clean and look their best. The following information will help you learn more about all aspects of cat care.
Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Look over the label. Avoid fish products.
If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.
Sometimes children get too excited when playing with a new cat and may mishandle them. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. They respond better to encouragement. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Cats react better to a moving water stream. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
Good care will keep your cat happy and healthy. It’s up to you to tend to your cat’s needs and take the necessary steps to keep it healthy. Anything you do to groom it, the cat will appreciate. Use this article to learn how to do that.