A genuine care for your new cat and good intentions are very important, but not always enough in when in the moment. Accidents may occur where you don’t have the right equipment, another animal takes their food, or you were prepared with the wrong information. Great advice that teaches you how to prepare and react during situations like these is always welcomed.
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.
Your cat might not come running when you call, but most cats enjoy cuddling on their terms and time. Cats love to have their heads and backs pet. Not all cats like their tummies rubbed so be careful. Spending quality time with your cat will make lasting memories to look back on someday.
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.
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.
Make sure to keep chemicals and dangerous substances away from your cat. Chemicals like antifreeze have a sweet taste. This encourages the cat to drink it, most often resulting in fatal consequences. Keeping your chemicals locked up in a cabinet will help to ensure that your curious cat does not end up ingesting poison.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. If you are buying cat medicine often, you can usually save up to 50% online.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
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.
Cats love heights. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.
You now have a few more obstacles that you can confidently prevent by applying the advice you read above. Similar scenarios are likely to come up before long and your relationship with your cat may benefit from them. Handle each problem just like the tips suggested and watch where the band goes.
