A lot of people out there just don’t know what goes into taking care of a cat. These are great animals to have and don’t take quite as much maintenance as other animals. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn a few things about them. Read this article to help you care for your cat better.
If you replace an old scratching post, your cat may be unhappy with the new one. Save money on scratching posts. Wrap your old scratching post with some sisal rope to spiff it up. Your cat will be happy not to lose its favorite old post. You will save a little cash.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Encourage them to scratch that instead. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.
Make sure you have a good pet carrier or basket for transporting your cats from one location to the next. A proper carrier or basket should have enough room for them to turn around in comfortably. It should also be easy to clean. Make sure that it is lined with a blanket, cushion, or towel to help it stay comfortable and cozy for them when traveling.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.
Use short words when you want to express displeasure with your cat. A short ‘no’ will be remembered, even if not always followed. A lot of people think that cats don’t listen to anything, but short word commands are certainly understood by cats, and they will respond to those commands if you are consistent with them.
Use your cat to teach your children responsibilities. A pet demands care that the whole family can participate in. Each child can take different day to feed the cat, for instance. Same thing for litterbox care. You can make a schedule and post it on the refrigerator. Then, everyone knows what they are responsible for.
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.
If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? Keep in mind that the two animals have separate dietary needs, and dogs will try cat food if given the chance. Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.
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.
If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. These problems are generally related to the kidneys and/or bladder. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
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.
Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.
As you can see, there is quite a bit that goes into having a cat. The main thing you need to have is some patience. Now that you’ve read this article you should have no problem caring for your cat. Use what you have learned here and everything will be a lot easier for you.