Beautiful movements, intelligence and many different noises. These are just some of the things you’ll get when you decide to get a cat. Taking care of a cat can be awful, however, so you need the right advice. It contains tips you need to know in order to keep your cat happy so you can be happy, too. Read on for more information.
Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.
Keep your cat indoors. Unlike dogs, it is nearly impossible to confine a cat to a yard. This can lead to many dangers for your cat, from cars, dogs, diseases from feral cats, and simply disappearing to parts unknown. Loose cats also be a nuisance to others, often killing songbirds and leaving unwelcome “deposits” in neighbor’s gardens. If your cat really enjoys the outdoors, they can be trained to wear a harness and leash or you can invest in a specialty cat fence or screened-in porch.
Adore your cat! Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. The bones of a cat are weaker than a dogs, therefore, they should be handled with care.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
Having a hard time giving your cat a bath? 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 do don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you to pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.
Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. They do not need as much attention and one-on-one time as dogs do. Cleaning the litter box is one of the most dreaded chores in the house. Investing in a good self-cleaning litter box can help to reduce the amount of times you have to clean it out.
Do not try to bathe a kitten that is less than four weeks old. It is not very easy for a young kitten to regulate the temperature of their body. This may result in the kitten getting a chill. To be on the safe side you should wait between 12 and 16 weeks after they are born to bathe them for the first time.
If your cat bothers your Christmas tree or other plants, try beating him at his own game. Make his favorite chewing and climbing areas unattractive to him by placing the peelings of oranges, lemons or grapefruit around the places you wish for him to avoid. Cats hate citrus, and this is a natural way to keep them from getting into trouble.
A long-haired cat comes with a great deal of extra care. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. Don’t take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.
Don’t give your cat medicine intended for humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.
Encourage your child to play with cats by using toys, not by using their fingers and hands. Choose toys that put distance between the child’s hands and the cat’s teeth and claws. During a vigorous play session, an excited kitten is more likely to accidentally scratch its playmate’s skin. For example, you might use a long wand-type toy with a dangling feather or bell.
Now that you have read this article, you can better take care of your cat. You will become an improved owner. When you take responsibility to take care of your cat in the way it needs to be cared for, your cat can enjoy life more. It will also help you to enjoy a happier cat. Use the tips that you learned here and soon you’ll see how much happier your cat really is.
