Pets are never as easy to handle as they seem at first. You gain many new responsibilities when you adopt a cat and it’s even harder if you don’t know what they are. This article covers those basic responsibilities and few other tips that will help your new life with your new cat more enjoyable.
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
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.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
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.
Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
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.
Most cats love to lounge right on your lap. As cozy as this can be, it is not always convenient. If your cat has a favorite spot, such as on your lap at the computer it can be hard to get things done. Getting a pet bed for your cat and perching it right next to your chair can help satisfy your cats need to be near you.
Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.
If possible, always choose canned cat food. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. Your cat can get more water, fat and protein from canned food. It is easier for older cats to chew. Can food is generally better, but consult your vet first before feeding it to your cat.
If you live in an area that is populated by wild animals, such as coyote and fox, you may need to make you cat an indoor cat. Wild animals pose a real threat to cats, and to avoid the loss of a beloved pet, it is sometimes best to keep them indoors for the course of their lives.
Is there cat hair everywhere? When a cat sheds a lot, brushing is very important. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
You need to carefully consider where you put the litter box for your cat. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
As you can clearly see, there is a lot of work to be done all of the time. This can be overwhelming for some, but for others it is the chance of a lifetime. By using these tips, you can raise your new feline in a happy, healthy home where it is loved dearly.
