Provided that you know how to properly care for them, cats make absolutely delightful pets. As a cat owner, it is important that you take the time to educate yourself on all of the best cat care tips and advice to ensure that your feline friend enjoys a great life. The following cat advice will be of great help.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
Let kittens and cat-friendly pet dogs get to know each other slowly. Put up a baby gate to keep dogs in one room while your new kitten gets used to its surroundings. Supervise carefully when the kitten ventures to the gate to meet the dogs. When the kitten feels safe, it will climb the gate. If it feels threatened, it will pop right back out to safety.
Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.
Get a pet water fountain. Cats can be prone to dehydration, and running water entices them to drink. It is an evolutionary habit that developed because in the wild, running water is less likely to be contaminated than a stagnant pool. Your pet will enjoy the water more, and will drink more often.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
Where did you put the litter box? You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. However, if you hide it from your pet he might not try very hard to find it when he needs to go to the bathroom. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
When your cat has kittens, it can be tempting to get rid of them as soon as possible, but you should wait a reasonable amount of time. A kitten needs to learn a few things from mom before going off into the world alone, so give him six weeks to learn all he can.
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.
Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.
You can use certain scents to discourage your cat from going into certain areas of your home. Aloe gel, citrus peels, and citrus juices smell wonderful to us, but cats don’t feel the same way. Soak a cotton ball in one of these liquids, then place it on top of a piece of foil to prevent the liquid from staining your surface. Place the foil and cotton ball near the off-limits area.
Protect your cat and your kid by demonstrating the proper way to show affection for the animal. Few things are more appealing to children than the sight of a soft, fluffy cat, and they might be tempted to hug or squeeze the animal. Instead, teach your child to allow the animal to come to you rather than pursuing it. Tell them to use a light touch and avoid making direct eye contact with the cat
Cats are popular pets but they need to be cared for properly. In order to become a good cat owner, check out the advice contained in this article and take it to heart. With the proper care, your cat will be able to live a long life in great contentment.
