Many people have cats as pets, but often the cats won’t behave how their owners want. The cats may jump all over the furniture and steal food from other family members. If this sounds like your cat, then something needs to be done. Check out this article for some tips related to cat behavior.
Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.
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.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.
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.
If you have more than one cat, you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats. If too many cats have to share the same litter box, it can mean disaster! The cats may choose not to share their eliminating space, instead, using other areas, such as clean laundry or hidden corners of the home to do their business.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Some cheap antibiotics can get rid of some dangerous illnesses.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.
While cats can be finicky, you should not encourage this behavior. A cat will eat the exact same cat food their whole life if it is tasty and nutritious. You do not need to mix up the flavors. Doing this can encourage the cat to skip certain foods they previously ate and wait for another.
If your cat is not getting trained to use the litter box as fast as you would like, there are sprays available that can make things a bit easier. These sprays have a scent that will attract your cat to the box, which means they will be more likely to go there when they need to use the bathroom.
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.
Never assume that a fence will keep your cat from leaving your yard. Unless the fence is specially designed to keep cats from escaping, it’s safe to say that your cat will find a way out. Also, remember that your fence must be able to keep other animals from entering your backyard and harming your pet.
It is crucial that you never make the mistake of giving your cat any medications that are meant for human use. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Giving the cat medication that wasn’t meant for them can really hurt them or even kill them.
Make sure to feed your diet pet food specifically made for cats. While a bag of dog food might be cheaper pound for pound, it will not contain the necessary vitamins, minerals and especially protein content to keep your cats healthy. Giving a cat dog food on a regular basis can also cause kidney failure and other serious illnesses.
If you have a cat that goes outdoors, consider having him micro chipped. A micro chip will help someone to locate you if they ever find your pet. This is especially important if your pet lands in a shelter, as shelters give pets a limited time if they cannot locate the owner easily.
Do not be in a rush to let your kitten roam around all parts of your home. They may get lost somewhere and become very frightened. Keep all of the toys, food and litter in one area and keep them there for a while. Once they start to grow you can give them more freedom.
Cats are nice, but they aren’t perfect. Sometimes cats will do things that will seem abnormal and downright rude to us. You don’t have to get rid of the cat, just help it learn how to behave. This article can act as a guide for you while you help your cat behave better.