Your cat may not be a picky eater, but that’s no excuse for feeding it processed can foods during each meal. Focus on setting up a customized diet with your veterinarian that works well with your cats individual physical needs. This guide was written to help organize this diet along with other health-conscious activities that you should be apart of.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters have great pets available for adoption, and the fee isn’t that high. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
If your dog and cat are best friends, be sure to keep them separate after flea treatment. Your dog’s flea products are very hazardous for cats. Cats that come in contact with dog flea products often die. Be sure to use only cat products on your cat and only dog products on your dog.
Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.
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.
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.
Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.
Never let a cat become bored. Cats need to exercise and play. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Bored cats can really be a problem. They can have health issues, OCD, and even depression. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.
You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They aren’t mature enough in order to handle the potential dangers of a kitten. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Cats enjoy climbing on things. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. Make it extra comfortable by adding a blanket or cushion.
Have patience with your cat. Remember that your cat is not a dog, and may not be as easily trainable as one. However, if you are being clear in your commands and gently encouraging them, you’ll find that your cat responds the way you want him to. Just be patient.
Treat your cat to a good quality cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Don’t give your cat foods that have corn or other elements that have no protein. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. Bladder troubles, kidney ailments, or infections can all cause this sort of behavior. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.
Cats have their own body-types much like humans and they face their own problems while whipping that body into shape. Make a point to take your cat outside every day and practice a few of these activities to help burn the fat away. Once your cat is lean and healthy, you can turn your focus towards keeping it at that stage.
