Sharing your life and home with a cat is a very rewarding experience. From an amazing sense of humor to a whole lot of love and affection, cats give us so back so much in return for taking care of them. Use the following expert advice to give your cat everything it needs and more.
Do not assume that because a medication is okay for you to take, that it is safe for your cat as well. Many medications made for humans are lethal to cats, such as acetaminophen containing drugs and aspirin. Always check with your veterinarian before you give your cat anything.
If your cat tends to be antisocial and anxious with company, try giving it a catnip toy a few hours before company arrives. Many cats become very mellow when exposed to catnip. Even if your cat does not want to socialize after catnip exposure, it will probably be happier and less anxious.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.
Give your kitty lots of love. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. Make them feel at home.
When your cat is riding with you in your car, ensure you keep their ears in mind. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don’t do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.
Most veterinarians recommend that you feed your cat food that is in the can as opposed to the dry varieties in the box or bag. This is because the canned food contains more water, fat and protein than the dry variety. It is also easier to consume for cats with dental issues.
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.
It’s important that cats get play time. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.
Do not place the cat litter box in the same area where you place the bowl your cat eats from. Cats want a clear separation between the two areas, so make sure you give it to them. It is not likely you would want to eat in the same place where you use the bathroom, so give your cat the same courtesy.
A kitty door is a great way to allow your cat to go in and out, without any help from you. You can also use kitty doors on doors inside your home. This can be great if you have a dog or small children, to keep them out of the room with the litter box.
Kittens should never be taken from their mothers before they are eight to ten weeks old. During this time, kittens learn most of their social and instinctive behaviors, and removing them from the mother too soon can cause future behavioral issues the mother cat could have taught them had they not been removed too early.
You schedule your doctor’s appointments on a regular basis and you should do the same with your new cat. Cats need regular checkups to make sure they haven’t caught any bugs or infections in the wild. Many cats actually deal with obesity as well and a vet will be able to point this out.
Cats have a very sensitive nose and can easily detect any changes to their environment. It can occur when something new is introduced to the home, like a new water bowl, scratching post or bed. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. Once the cat gets used to the smell of the new item, quickly he or she will get accustomed to it.
Most people who say they don’t enjoy the company of cats have never actually owned any! The truth of the matter is that they are some of the most amazing companions on the planet. Hopefully this article addressed your needs as a cat owner or would-be cat owner and you and your feline friend will be happily ever after.
