Everyone knows that cats make great pets. However, not everyone understands what it takes to care for your cat correctly. While they are famous for being independent, there is still much work on the owners’ part. The article below will illustrate what every cat owner needs to know.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
If you have a male cat, it is essential to have him neutered before going into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat, and you might have kittens! A spayed cat is a safe cat.
If you find your cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be boring. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
Save your furniture with scratching posts and pads. It is natural for cats to want to stretch their claws out and scratch. This does not mean that a cat owner must have damaged furniture. Provide your cat with places that it is okay to scratch and redirect them there if they decide to try out your sofa. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and materials, and some cats prefer a particular type, so it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination for your kitty.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or wiggled out. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice holds all the contact information your cat needs. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and the chips can’t be lost.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out how much food your cat should be eating from your vet. Many owners do not do this and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t have an overweight kitty.
Have a hard time bathing your cat? Try this. Take an old window screen and put it in your sink or bathtub. Put your cat in, and he will claw the screen and stay there. Then start washing, but don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.
There’s always a chance that your cat can slip outside your home and become lost. This can be prevented with a breakaway collar. The collar includes an ID featuring your name, phone number, and address. If the cat is found, anyone can quickly contact you and return the cat to you, thanks to the information on the collar.
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do, and teaching is not required. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
When getting a tiny kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first, they usually play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take it faster.
Cats love to climb trees. This natural tendency can be problematic for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb more safely and less destructively.
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. It would be best to go outside with your cat every day to play and exercise.
If you are bringing a new kitten into a home with one or more cats, purchase an extra litter box so that your other cats do not have to share right away. It may take some time for your established cats to become used to the new scent in the house.
If your cat could stand to lose a few pounds, choose foods that help the animal to feel complete. If the cat acts like it is hungry all the time, you will be tempted to feed (and overfeed) it. Look for cat foods that contain higher amounts of protein and fiber. This also promotes a healthy digestive system, which contributes to weight loss.
Cats are some of the most lovable and comforting pets a person can own. However, a great deal of responsibility comes with being a cat owner. Be sure and use the advice mentioned in the article above so that your cat can live a long and healthy life.
