Are you a cat owner? If so, then you understand just how precious it is. Cats need a lot of care and love. Thankfully, a bit of knowledge will help you succeed. Keep reading for some great advice that will help you care for your cat.
Check your cat for ticks and fleas every week. If your cat does have fleas, there is a good chance that you also have fleas in your home. You might need some flea bombs or premise-control sprays, along with treating the cat, to get rid of the issue. If you don’t know what products to use for controlling ticks and fleas, talk to your vet for some safe options.
Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
Do you have more than one cat? If so, then you should have more than one litter box as well. Having one for each of your cats will give them multiple spots to go. If the odor gets too much you can add a little baking soda to the litter to freshen it up.
Get your cat a breakaway collar. Make sure it has tags that reflect a phone number, even if you are uncomfortable with an address. Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don’t want to worry that you’ll never see your cat again. Make sure that there is adequate information so you can be reached.
Do not try to bathe a kitten that is less than four weeks old. It is not very easy for a young kitten to regulate the temperature of their body. This may result in the kitten getting a chill. To be on the safe side you should wait between 12 and 16 weeks after they are born to bathe them for the first time.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.
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.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
While cats can be finicky, you should not encourage this behavior. A cat will eat the exact same cat food their whole life if it is tasty and nutritious. You do not need to mix up the flavors. Doing this can encourage the cat to skip certain foods they previously ate and wait for another.
Turn out the lights and use a black-light to identify the source of that mystery cat urine smell. Cat pee contains phosphorus, which glows brightly under this type of light bulb. This is especially useful because otherwise you might not be able to see the exact area to be treated. Use a piece of chalk to lightly trace the outline of the stain so you can see it when you turn the regular lights back on.
Give your cat a collar with your contact information. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.
Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. If your cat eats these, it may cause him to get really sick or even worse. Milk also often upsets your cat’s stomach.
Make sure to provide your cats with toys. Many people consider toys a need for dogs, but they do not feel the same about cats. Cats need stimulation throughout the day to remain healthy both mentally and physically. Toys can provide this. Keep your cats from boredom by remembering this tip.
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.
You should never feed your cats human food while you’re dining at the table. People food is bad for cats, given its ingredients, preservatives and common cooking techniques utilized. Egg, chicken, beef or fish are good options for a cat. These treats are by no means necessary. If you comply with the feeding directions for your cat’s food, you are good to go.
Your kitty is a member of your family that you should want to take good care of. Since you’ve read the advice above, you should have lots of ideas on how you can better care for your pet. These ideas will keep your cat as healthy as possible. Give your cat love, and enjoy the love it gives to you.