If you are seeking an excellent house pet, then a cat is an excellent choice. Those that haven’t owned cats before should read the article below. There are lots of great tips here that will help you have a great life with your new kitty.
Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. Whenever you aren’t using any thin, electronic cords, you should store them away.
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.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
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.
Give serious thought to spaying or neutering your cat. Your vet can give you the pros and cons of both, but if you plan to keep your cat for a long period of time you should consider this operation. Cat overpopulation is a real problem, and you can do your part.
If you want a cat that is well-behaved and not prone to biting and scratching, make sure that you do not try to adopt one when it is too young. It takes 12-16 weeks for a kitten to learn proper cat behavior from their mom and all of their siblings.
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.
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.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
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.
Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. A kitten is not so different from a child. It needs properly-scheduled check-ups and immunizations to prevent medical complications down the road. Your cat is a family member, so treat them like anyone else you love in your home.
Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. There are many health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. A UTI or kidney infection may be the reason for its bathroom problems. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.
If you are expecting a child, this is more than enough reason for you to have your pet spayed or neutered. Some cats get very aggressive when they see little ones in the house. After having this procedure done it is less likely for your cat to do anything to harm the baby.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. Lysol, for example, has many harmful agents that can harm your cat. The smell from this chemical is disliked by cats. Also, when exposed to phenol for too long, it can cause issues with their liver.
Encourage your child to play with cats by using toys, not by using their fingers and hands. Choose toys that put distance between the child’s hands and the cat’s teeth and claws. During a vigorous play session, an excited kitten is more likely to accidentally scratch its playmate’s skin. For example, you might use a long wand-type toy with a dangling feather or bell.
A cat can make a great pet. They bring great comfort to their owner. You have to give them all they need to he happy and healthy, though. Make sure to utilize the tips above in order to live in peace for a long time.
