Cats are one of the leading choices for family pets in America. Their popularity isn’t there for no reason at all, people love to raise cats and enjoy the experience associated with owning a feline. You are probably ready for a cat yourself, but you shouldn’t rush out and adopt one without reading these tips first.
If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.
Make sure to keep your cat’s litter box clean at all times. Most cats do not like to use a dirty litter box, much like you would not want to use a dirty toilet. Scoop it at least once a day. Empty and give it a good cleaning once a week or more if needed.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.
Make a free toy for your cat by placing a little dry rice or a few dry beans inside an empty pill bottle. Close the lid and roll the rattly toy across the floor. Most cats can’t resist the sound and motion. You can also tie a length of twine around the neck of the bottle to make a pull toy or a dangly toy.
For a healthier, happier cat choose plain litter over scented litter. Cats like nice, clean, clumping cat litter. Scoop your cats litter box daily and change it completely every three days or so. When you change the box, wash it out with water and dish soap. Don’t waste your money on liners as cats tend to destroy them.
Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. Making a place high-up for your cat can solve this issue. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.
Take your cat to the vet periodically. A lot of cat owners tend to avoid the vet because it can be harder to get a cat ready to go anywhere she does not want to go! It is also easy to avoid the vet because cats seem so self-reliant. However, it’s smart to get your cat to the vet to avoid any problems.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don’t do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
Cats love high spots. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. Aging cats can chew this easier. Speak with a vet, but know that wet food is normally much better for your pet.
When you bring home a new cat for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming for both of you. Instead of granting access to your entire home, introduce your pet to its new environment one room at a time. For example, you might place your cat’s carrier in your study or den. As long as the carrier door is open, you should be in the room with the animal.
Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.
This is only enough to help you get started with raising your new kittens. From here forward, you will need to seek advice from your friends, family, and other proud parents. The internet is also a great source of feline facts that come from every source and every walk of life.
