Cats can sometimes be high maintenance. As soon as you obtain a cat, you discover that figuring them out is a life long process. However, with the right knowledge, you can easily take proper care of them and ensure their happiness. These tips will ensure your cat gets the proper care it needs and deserves.
If your cat is picky about drinking water, invest in a cat fountain. These battery operated or plug in fountains keep water circulating and aerated. Many cats prefer this. A cat fountain will help keep your cat out of the kitchen sink and the toilet. It will also help prevent your cat from pawing water onto the floor in search of fresh water.
To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!
Cats are hunters by nature. They love to chase mice and other small animals and insects. Buying little fuzzy mice filled with catnip and batting them around with your cat is a great idea. Your cat will feel as though they are really hunting prey. This will also help you to connect with your cat better.
Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.
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.
If you notice that your cat is not using the litter box as much as usual, you should go and take them to a vet right away. There are several health problems that can cause the cat to stop using the box. These issues include bladder problems, constipation and diarrhea.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Cat usually respond well to streams. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. They have more water, protein and fat too. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Do not choose a long-haired cat unless you can commit to the added cleanup. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.
Is there cat hair all over every surface in your home? You have to brush your cat to avoid their shedding. If your cat sheds often, you will need to brush him just as much. Brushing will also keep their coat in good shape.
You need to carefully consider where you put the litter box for your cat. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Ideally, each cat should have its own box. This prevents the box from becoming overfilled or crowded. An unappealing shared litter box sometimes causes cats to take their bathroom business elsewhere in your house. As you can imagine, this can be quite a nasty surprise!
Clean your cat’s eyes as frequently as possible because their vision is extremely important and extremely sensitive. Cats interpret five times as much visual stimuli during their day and the smallest particle can become stuck and cause damage. A pair of thumbs and a damp cloth are perfect for clearing the eyes and keeping your cat clean.
If you’re tempted to load up on litter to cut back on cleanings, think again. Some people believe that the more cat litter they use, the longer they can go between emptying the litter box. Actually, this is a waste of your litter! Many cats refuse to use a litter box with more than 2 inches of litter on the bottom. Some prefer to dig to the bottom of the box before doing their business.
The things that this article has taught you should have you taking the best care of your pet you possibly can. Take advantage of what you’ve learned so that you’ll be certain your pet has all that it needs. The your cat may finally start to be a little more welcoming. Well…maybe.