A little furry ball of fluff came into your life, so what are you going to do with it? A cat is a wonderful companion for anyone, but you’ve got to know how to handle one. They aren’t dogs, after all! Here are some great tips for dealing with felines.
Make sure to keep your cat’s litter box clean at all times. Most cats do not like to use a dirty litter box, much like you would not want to use a dirty toilet. Scoop it at least once a day. Empty and give it a good cleaning once a week or more if needed.
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.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
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.
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.
Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Is your home covered in your cat’s fur? Cats shed a ton, so they must be brushed frequently. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. This will lessen the amount of hair around your home and it will keep them from getting knots in their hair if they have medium or long hair.
You should worry if your cat is no longer using its litter box. Your cat might have a hard time using the litter box because of a health condition. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
If your cat is refusing to use his litter box, you should try putting it in a different location. Just like humans, cats can be sensitive to where they eliminate, so choose a private location if possible. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.
Do you offer your cats inexpensive food, thinking that it will last longer, and you get more for your money? The truth is, cheaper foods usually lack the proper nutrients and protein cats need in order to stay healthy. Instead, they contain fillers, such as corn, to bulk up the food. Cats need to eat more of cheaper foods, but will require less of a protein-rich food that will keep him healthier in the long run.
If your cat has a problem with frequent hairballs, he may end up with digestive problems, retching and vomiting. The best way to avoid hairballs is to keep your cat well-groomed, brushing him daily to remove loose hair. Less hair means less hairballs. Another benefit of frequent brushing is that is great for bonding with your cat. Most cats love to be brushed and groomed.
Now that you’ve read this article, you have some ideas for how you can best take care of your cat. These unique creatures can enrich your life, but only when they’re happy. Your cat may never seem satisfied, but if you use the tips in this article, he may purr a few times!
