A lot of people out there just don’t know what goes into taking care of a cat. These are great animals to have and don’t take quite as much maintenance as other animals. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn a few things about them. Read this article to help you care for your cat better.
Be careful when treating your cat for fleas. Be sure to consult with your vet before using natural alternatives to control your cat’s fleas. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils and many herbs. Your vet will probably recommend you use a prescription flea treatment, which is usually best for cats.
As your cat gets older, changes in behavior may signal pain. If your cat doesn’t like to jump or climb any more, it may be in pain. If your cat stops taking care of grooming or stops using its litter box, pain may be the cause. Be sure to have your older cat checked out by your vet if you notice behavior changes.
Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
Check your cats ears frequently for ear mites. You may notice your cat shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot if they have them. They are tiny parasites that look like coffee grounds in your cat’s ears. If you have more than one cat, they can also travel from cat to cat. See a vet before using any medication on them since their ears need properly cleaned first.
Consider those expensive cat litter boxes. There are cat litter boxes now that allow you to have minimal interaction with them. This can be great for anyone who is tired of cleaning a litter box. But be careful, as they may not work as easily as they claim to. If you can, make sure there is a return policy and don’t lose the receipt. You may find you prefer the old-fashioned style!
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
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.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. This is something that’s often in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other popular cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
If your cat has been scratching things that they should not have, do not think of declawing them as a good way to deal with the issue. While this surgical procedure would stop them from causing any more damage, it is a very painful procedure and it is pretty difficult to recover from.
To keep your cat using the litter box, always keep it clean. No matter what kind of scented or special formula litters you may use, nothing is a substitute for removing clumps and used litter several times a day. Keep your litter box in a quiet area of your home.
Be wary of any small spaces around your house that you want to keep your cat out of. Cats can squeeze into very tight spaces. Kittens are especially good at it. You will want to especially be wary of these when introducing a new cat to your home. Seal up all holes no matter how small they might seem.
You might be leery about having your cat fully vaccinated, especially when they are strictly indoors. Rabies shots are important because you never know what critter might sneak into your house. Talk to your vet about the other vaccines. They will be able to help you determine what is healthiest for your cat.
As you can see, there is quite a bit that goes into having a cat. The main thing you need to have is some patience. Now that you’ve read this article you should have no problem caring for your cat. Use what you have learned here and everything will be a lot easier for you.
