If you own a cat, it is a beloved family member. Do everything in your power to help your cat stay away from ticks, fleas and other things. They have needs that are different from dogs, and they should not be treated the same way. There are many more great tips below, so read on.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
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.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
Make your own enclosed litter box from a large tote box with a lid. Use a coffee can lid as a pattern to cut a door in one side of the tote. Place the coffee can lid fairly high up on the side of the tote. Trace around it with a permanent marker. Cut out the circle with tin snips or a box cutter. Add litter. Put on the lid.
If you have a kitten, a very important part of raising him is to get him socialized. This means making sure he is comfortable in many situations. These include: handling by humans, grooming and nail care, vet visits, and other social situations. The time to do this is between ten and twelve weeks of age.
You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
Your kittens don’t want dirty mouths either, so take a toothbrush and clean those gums everyday before breakfast. Without proper brushing, cats can catch diseases, infections, and suffer serious side effects. A few minutes daily keeps these teeth healthy, strong, and sparkling. You should ask a veterinarian how to properly brush your cat’s teeth.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
Protect your cat and your kid by demonstrating the proper way to show affection for the animal. Few things are more appealing to children than the sight of a soft, fluffy cat, and they might be tempted to hug or squeeze the animal. Instead, teach your child to allow the animal to come to you rather than pursuing it. Tell them to use a light touch and avoid making direct eye contact with the cat
It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. They can develop diabetes or heart disease, just like humans. Keep your cat eating healthy and consistent at all times.
Vets are important, but the bills can be rough! Keep money in your pocket by ordering your medicine online. Some companies will even deliver the medication right to your front door. This is ideal for monthly heart worm pills and flea treatments that your cat needs.
Watch your pet carefully for signs of illness. If you see your cat suddenly eating less, drinking more, seeming increasingly lazy or hiding from people that she normally loves, this could be a sign that something is medically wrong. In such cases, visit your veterinarian to get your kitty checked out as soon as possible.
When fur starts to fly, your cat is at risk for more than scratches and bites. Fights are one of the most common means of transmitting feline immunodeficiency viruses and others. If not identified early on, these conditions can lead to rapid deterioration of your pet’s health. This could very well mean death. Protect your pet by keeping it outdoors. Do not allow it to roam the neighborhood.
Cats can be prone to different illnesses, one of them being diabetes. Luckily, diabetes can be treated by the vet. With regular insulin injections your cat’s diabetes can be regulated. This means that your cat will end up living a long and healthy life. Eventually, your cat will get accustomed to the injections to make things easier on you.
Your cat, just like every other cat in the world, is susceptible to getting many different parasites. These pests stay on the cat until you treat it with a parasite removal product. The techniques mentioned above can help you eradicate and prevent them. This will make life happier for your cat and you, too.