Only other cat owners know how strange and wonderful it can be to have a pet like a cat. Cats can present unique challenges and unique rewards. As their owner, you have special responsibilities to your cat, even though they seem as if they can get along without you. Here are some ideas for taking care of them.
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.
If you have outdoor cats, be sure to discourage pests such as coyotes, possums and raccoons by bringing cat food indoors at night. Feed your cats first thing in the morning, and make sure there is no food left at nightfall. This will keep your cats safe from attack and illness.
Your cat might not come running when you call, but most cats enjoy cuddling on their terms and time. Cats love to have their heads and backs pet. Not all cats like their tummies rubbed so be careful. Spending quality time with your cat will make lasting memories to look back on someday.
Make sure to keep chemicals and dangerous substances away from your cat. Chemicals like antifreeze have a sweet taste. This encourages the cat to drink it, most often resulting in fatal consequences. Keeping your chemicals locked up in a cabinet will help to ensure that your curious cat does not end up ingesting poison.
Get a microchip for your cat. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
While it is perfectly normal for a dog to pant a lot of the time, you should be alarmed if you notice your cat doing it. It may only be a small case of anxiety, but in some cases it is something much more serious like cardiovascular or respiratory distress.
Entertain your cat with simple “toys” made from household objects. Many cats enjoy exploring boxes, such as those that hold 12-packs, small appliances, or other products. Before allowing your pet to play with a box, you should be sure that the animal cannot get stuck in small openings or tight spaces. This would be dangerous and very frightening to your pet!
Some food you eat isn’t good to feed your cat. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Your cat can get very sick from eating these foods. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
Do not give cat medications intended for humans. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Your cat should be fed food that’s dry on a regular basis. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. Feeding your cat some dry food will help it grow strong teeth. If you have an extremely finicky cat, you could mix dry and wet food together.
When choosing what type of cat to bring home, consider your lifestyle. Do you travel often? How long are you at home? If you will not spend a good deal of time in the company of your new pet, adopt a more mature cat. Kittens require considerable care and are easily frightened when alone. A mature cat requires care as well, but should fare well when you aren’t at home.
Look out for holes around the home you would rather your cat didn’t get into. Cats can fit into very small spaces. This definitely applies to kittens. When you bring a new kitty home, keep this in mind. Cover all holes.
Do not give your cat any products that were made to get rid of fleas or worms if you know that she is pregnant. While you want to get rid of these pests once and for all, it is not worth placing your cat’s health in any type of jeopardy.
You might think that bathing your cat will improve the condition of its fur. Bathing your cat is generally not necessary unless they’re really dirty or a mishap has occurred. Cats groom and clean themselves all throughout the day with their tongues. You could almost say cats are vain about their appearance.
Much like people, cats have been known to develop food allergies later in life. Any time you introduce a new type of treat or food into your pet’s diet, watch them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. These include shortness of breath, hives, and erratic behavior. If possible, determine which ingredients are the culprit and ask your vet for recommendations.
Taking care of cats can be an interesting pasttime. The ideas in this article can help make things easier for you. It is not always easy being a cat owner, but if you are like most cat owners you wouldn’t have it any other way. Try the information in this article and see how well you do with your cat.
