The decision to own a cat should never be taken lightly. You may think that you are getting an independent animal, but you are getting a lot more. You are getting an opinionated roommate that expects the best! Here are some tips to make sure that you keep your cat happy.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
Give your cats easier access to a window in order to keep your curtains from getting scratched. Putting vertical blinds up will allow the easiest access for your cat, but if you need to keep your curtains, use a lightweight rod that will fall if your cat attempts to climb the curtains. It will keep both your curtains and your cat safe.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. For more routine situations, saving 50% by buying online is quite possible.
When bringing a new kitten home, take it slow. It is tempting for children to want to play with the new addition to your home immediately. But the young cat will likely be scared. Give the cat time to acclimate itself to your home and to get comfortable with everyone.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
Cats have a love affair with heights. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. This makes transporting much easier.
Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. This is very important for indoor cats. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. Tags that list your contact number and vet’s name need to be worn. This is especially true for cats with medical conditions.
Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
Despite popular belief, you should never give your cat milk to drink. Cats’ digestive systems lack an abundance of lactase, the enzyme used to break down dairy products. The reality is that this can cause your cat to experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort. In this case, milk does NOT do a body good!
If you have a long haired cat, regular grooming is an essential tool. Grooming helps to keep your kitty clean and well cared for. It can help to prevent shedding and skin disease too. While bathing your cat is not required more than every so often, make sure to brush him daily and tend to any mats in his coat.
Make sure you know of any holes in your home that your cat might get into. A cat can squeeze through incredibly small openings. Be especially careful with kittens. Be aware of this when you are bringing a new cat into the home. Make immediate repairs on any holes that you locate.
While the holidays can seem like a perfect time for your child to get the gift of a cat, it is a very hectic time to be able to give the new cat all the attention he needs. The better way would be to involve your child in picking out their new cat at a pet store or your local shelter.
Keeping your cat satisfied is the biggest challenge of any cat owner. A cat is not always easily pleased, so you need to do your best to give them the life they want. The information laid out here can help you to do that, and when your cat is happy you can be happy too.
