A cat will usually be very stubborn at times. Sometimes, it is very difficult to really figure out your pet and his desires. With the right techniques, you can improve your abilities as an owner. This article is your go-to source for pet care information.
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.
Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
Cats are great pets, but their litter boxes can be unsightly and have an odor. If you can’t stand the sight of your litter box, then it is time to go shopping. There are many different styles of litter boxes on the market. Some are even disguised as fake potted plants. Not only does it look better, it controls the smell as well.
There’s always a chance that you cat can slip outside your home and become lost. This can be prevented with a breakaway collar. The collar includes an ID, featuring your name, phone number, and address. If the cat is found, anyone can easily contact you and return the cat to you thanks to the information on the collar.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. These children just do not possess the maturity to handle a kitten. They aren’t aware of the danger that they can cause to it. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
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.
Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.
Get your cat all the necessary vaccinations. There are a number of them and you should talk to your veterinarian about the proper schedule. Many are given at the early stages of a kitten’s development, then given annually thereafter. These vaccinations prevent such problems as feline leukemia, rabies and respiratory problems.
Feed your cat as much dry food as you can. Kittens need some wet food because they have very small teeth. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. If your kitty is especially finicky, you can try feeding him a mix of dry and wet food.
When adopting a cat, consider adopting two. Cats are social creatures, and they prefer to be in the company of other feline friends. Having two will help to keep your kitty occupied, and it can make it easier to take care of your new pet. If owning two is not an option, make sure to spend extra time giving your cat love.
Though cats are not easy to please, this advice can be of assistance. Keep them in mind as you care for kitty. The your cat may finally start to be a little more welcoming. Maybe!