Intelligence, grace, and occasional affection. Those are the qualities that define a cat. It is important to learn as much as you can about cats if you own one or are thinking of owning one. The tips below will lead to a happy cat. Don’t turn away!
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.
Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
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.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
Feed a kitten proper food. A developing kitten survives exclusively on their mother’s milk for the first four weeks, a commercial formula if the mother isn’t around. When moving to regular food, feed them specially formulated kitten food until they reach maturity at the age of one. Kittens need plenty of protein while they are developing.
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.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
The location of a litter box is very important. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. Understand that cats are extremely picky. If its litter box is not in a convenient location, then your cat might not use it. Keep this in mind when deciding on the permanent placement for your best friend’s potty.
Don’t buy a closed litter box without first considering the disadvantages. True, it’s nice that you don’t have to see the contents of the litter box. However, odors tend to build up in closed boxes, making it necessary to clean it more frequently. Covered litter boxes also constrict your cat’s movement, which is a problem for larger pets.
When your cat first gives birth to her kittens, resist the urge to pick them up. This is a crucial time for kittens to bond with their mother and learn some basics, so leave them alone. You should be able to have more interaction with the kittens after about a week.
Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. A cat may look like it is wagging its tail, but it is completely different than what a dog does. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your cat’s tail when you’re holding it. If you see it start to move, it’s time to put your pet down before you wind up getting scratched!
Placing sticky tape on your furnishings can be a helpful trick. Cats naturally like to claw things and often your furniture is what they use. The tape will help prevent this. Many pet shops sell this sort of tape. Place sticky tape on your furniture and install a scratching post in order to kick this bad habit.
You might be leery about having your cat fully vaccinated, especially when they are strictly indoors. Rabies shots are important because you never know what critter might sneak into your house. Talk to your vet about the other vaccines. They will be able to help you determine what is healthiest for your cat.
Feed your cat nutritionally balanced foods and always make sure they have fresh water. The best way to have a happy and healthy cat is to give them the nutrition they need to be healthy. Talk to your vet about the best kinds of foods available and the proper amount to feed them.
Now that you have read this article, you can better take care of your cat. You will become a much better cat owner once you start applying these tips. You now have the right tools to care for your kitty. Using these tips will show you the way.
