The purring sounds and gentle and quick movements that are exhibited. You get this when you get a cat. With all these wonderful things also comes a major responsibility. This article should help. In this article, you will find some useful tips for owning a cat that will make your life together with your cat a happy one. Keep reading!
If you have outdoor cats, be sure to discourage pests such as coyotes, possums and raccoons by bringing cat food indoors at night. Feed your cats first thing in the morning, and make sure there is no food left at nightfall. This will keep your cats safe from attack and illness.
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.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
If your cat goes outdoors a lot, the chances are good that they come home filthy once in a while. When your cat is especially dirty or smelling like a skunk, you should make an appointment with the local groomer. Groomers will be gentle with your cat, resulting in a less traumatic experience.
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.
Do not try to hold a cat when they are clearly trying to get away. This will not make the cat feel any closer to you and it may prompt them to start avoiding you in the future. Pick the cat up gently and lay him across your lap. If you feel him wiggling to get away, let him go.
When you introduce a new cat into your home, you have to be careful with how your other cat reacts. Try giving the new cat a little space in one room at first, and then introduce him to the rest of the house. Make sure to have different litter boxes at first too. If you ease the new cat in, it will go more smoothly for everyone.
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.
You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
Put some thought into where you place the litter box. Many people want it in an out of the way spot. 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. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.
Despite popular belief, you should never give your cat milk to drink. Cats’ digestive systems lack an abundance of lactase, the enzyme used to break down dairy products. The reality is that this can cause your cat to experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort. In this case, milk does NOT do a body good!
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
Try and incorporate dry food into your cats diet. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. As the adult teeth grow in, hard food can help to clean and strengthen the teeth. If you have a picky eater, you might want to try blending wet food with dry food.
One of the most important and rewarding things you’re able to provide for your cat is to have it spayed or neutered. Cats are known for their curiosity. Indoor cats can slip out through a cracked window or door left open a little bit too long. Even a short visit outside can lead to unwanted kittens down the road. A huge number of cats are euthanized annually due to overpopulation.
Cats will generally do whatever pleases them, and this is fine, just as long as it doesn’t destroy your property. A little training can go along way in keeping your items safe. Be gentle with your cats, and don’t scream, yell, or use violence with them. Whistles and squirt guns can alert your cat that they’re doing something wrong.
You now are aware of some excellent cat-care tips. Use the tips above to help you be a good cat owner. When you take good care of your cat, they’ll love you that much more. Keep up with these tips, and you’ll definitely see the difference.