Only other cat owners know how strange and wonderful it can be to have a pet like a cat. Cats can present unique challenges and unique rewards. As their owner, you have special responsibilities to your cat, even though they seem as if they can get along without you. Here are some ideas for taking care of them.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
If your cat has a tendency to eat your plants, you can stop him. You can either purchase bitter apple spray and spray the pot, or you can put a bit of clove oil on a cotton ball and bury it a bit in the soil. Your cat will avoid both.
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.
If you are adding a kitten to a household that already contains a dog, it is important to socialize the kitten to the dog at an early age. At first, constant supervision is essential. Let the kitten and dog spend time together while you hold the kitten, letting them explore and get used to each other’s smells. When socialized early, cats and dogs can live happily and peacefully together.
You should keep wet cat food in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Bring it to room temperature before serving it to your cat, because it will smell more enticing to them and be less likely to cause an upset stomach. If you like, place it in the microwave for a bit to warm it up.
Kittens should never be taken from their mothers before they are eight to ten weeks old. During this time, kittens learn most of their social and instinctive behaviors, and removing them from the mother too soon can cause future behavioral issues the mother cat could have taught them had they not been removed too early.
If your cat has been scratching things that they should not have, do not think of declawing them as a good way to deal with the issue. While this surgical procedure would stop them from causing any more damage, it is a very painful procedure and it is pretty difficult to recover from.
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.
Even though no two cats are the same, certain breeds are known to possess unique characteristics. For example, bengals and other exotic breeds are notoriously active, especially at night. They have high energy levels and are less cuddly than other domestic cats. Bring home a bengal if you love a unique look and are willing to actively engage your pet.
Most cats love to spend time outdoors, but indoor-only cats rarely enjoy this opportunity. While it’s not safe to allow your indoor cat to roam freely outdoors, there are other options. For example, you can use a leash and harness to take your pet outdoors. It’s a rare sight, but it certainly isn’t impossible. You are most likely to be successful if you start leash training as a kitten.
Some cats have aversions to certain types of litter. If you find that your cat is not using their litter box, try switching the type of cat litter that you are using. Only do this if there is a problem. Cats do not like change. The cat may stop using the litter box if you change the type of litter you use.
Watch your pet carefully for signs of illness. If you see your cat suddenly eating less, drinking more, seeming increasingly lazy or hiding from people that she normally loves, this could be a sign that something is medically wrong. In such cases, visit your veterinarian to get your kitty checked out as soon as possible.
Taking care of cats can be an interesting pasttime. The ideas in this article can help make things easier for you. It is not always easy being a cat owner, but if you are like most cat owners you wouldn’t have it any other way. Try the information in this article and see how well you do with your cat.