A cat is a in incredibly deadly animal in the wild of some countries. Today’s domesticated breeds can seem equally as ferocious or wild if they aren’t properly cared for from the beginning. These paragraphs cover many of the responsibilities you can expect to handle and a few ideas for making them easier.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
Keep your cat properly groomed. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. This can keep them clean. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes 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.
Although depicted in countless movies and cartoons, milk is not the best source of nutrition for your cat. Once cats have grown, they do not need milk as a regular part of their diet. Milk can cause stomach distress and bloating. Instead of giving your cat milk, always have fresh, clean water available to them instead.
Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals. To help control odors place the litter box in a well ventilated area. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Tell them how to be gentle. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
When the cat’s litter box starts to become rough and worn at the bottom, it is time to replace it. If you leave it this way, it will cause waste to accumulate in damaged areas. Your cat may be very offended by the odor and decide to use the bathroom somewhere else in the house.
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.
When a cat doesn’t learn the right lessons growing up, it can become an aggravating mess of hair and claws. Pamper your kitten using these tips and take care of their appearance as they grow older. A cat can become a lifelong friend if it is treated the right way.
