Lots of people have difficulties along the way after they adopt a cat. Getting pets before properly preparing is a disaster. But because they are curious creatures, some mishaps will still occur even with planning. The following tips can put you in the best position as a caretaker.
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.
If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, its important to schedule regular visits to the vet. Not only are regular checkups good for catching problems early, but regular visits can insure that your cat keeps up to date on its vaccinations. If you don’t know when the last time your cat had its shots, schedule an appointment for booster shots as soon as possible.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Refrain from giving your cat any food that is spoiled. This can lead to indigestion and food poisoning, which can cost you a trip to the veterinarian. Always buy your food fresh from the store and be sure to check the expiration date before you feed it to your cat.
You may want to try different types of cat food. Cats can easily become finicky eaters. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
Ensure that your new cat is spayed or neutered. This is important even if your cat will not be outdoors or around cats of the opposite gender. Studies show that spayed cats are less vulnerable to uterine, mammary, and ovarian cancer. Neutering your male cat decreases his risk of developing prostate cancer. Another benefit of neutering is that your cat will not feel compelled to mark his territory by spraying.
If you have ever given your cat a bath, then you know how much they shiver when it is over. This is because their wet fur provides them with no insulation. You can help your cat out by using your hairdryer to dry the hair fast. Just remember not to hold it too close and burn your cat.
Be mindful of where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. This will keep your cat as happy as possible. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.
If you’re tempted to load up on litter to cut back on cleanings, think again. Some people believe that the more cat litter they use, the longer they can go between emptying the litter box. Actually, this is a waste of your litter! Many cats refuse to use a litter box with more than 2 inches of litter on the bottom. Some prefer to dig to the bottom of the box before doing their business.
When your cat first gives birth to her kittens, resist the urge to pick them up. This is a crucial time for kittens to bond with their mother and learn some basics, so leave them alone. You should be able to have more interaction with the kittens after about a week.
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.
Brushing your cat more frequently is the most common way to combat hairballs. If it doesn’t work, though, you have other options. Use pumpkin in your cat’s food to help with digestion. Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Another solution may be to use a cat food that has anti-hairball properties added.
The tips you just read over can help any cat owner, no matter what their cat’s breed is. These are tried and true ideas that have been proven to help raise a cat properly, however there are always individual instances where things change. Remember to have plenty of fun and give your cat plenty of love and attention.