Cats are one of many animals that clean themselves. Although this works for the cat in many instances, there is only so much that cat can do. You have to step in and groom the cat to keep it healthy. Here are some useful grooming techniques to use on your cat.
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.
Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.
Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.
Put the right amount of cat litter in the litter box. Some people try to get out of cleaning the box by putting too much litter in there. Cats don’t like walking on sand dunes! Two inches or so should be sufficient for the cat’s needs, and you just have to be vigilant about cleaning the box out.
Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. Older cats also find it easier to chew up. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
If you suspect your cat has sprayed in your home but can not find the area, there is hope. Purchasing an inexpensive black light can save you from having to rip up your carpets. Your cats urine will glow under the black light, showing you exactly where to clean.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.
Carefully consider where you will place your friend’s litter box. You may want to hide it away. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. Keeping litter boxes on cement floors that are cold can be remedied by placing a rug or mat under it.
Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. If your cat consumes these particular foods, it can get really sick. Too much milk can also be a bad thing for a grown cat.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. The cat is defenseless against other animals, which may lead to injury or possibly death. If your cat is an outside cat, do not have it declawed. Only take out the front claws. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.
A cat that is clean and well groomed will be happy, healthy, and good looking. Remember, the cat can’t do all of the grooming work. It’s up to you to give it a little extra help. Use as many of the provided grooming techniques on your cat and see how good it looks.
