Purring like a motor in a car. These are the rewards of cat ownership. Those furry little bodies can be a handful though, which is why you need this article. It contains tips you need to know in order to keep your cat happy so you can be happy, too. Read on!
Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This could kill them. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
Feed your cats proper food. Remember that cats must eat meat. Only give your cats cat food to eat. Do not feed them or let them eat dog food. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs and some of the ingredients in dog food could harm your cat. Feeding your cat dog food for food could also lead to malnourishment, among other issues.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Look over the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
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.
Give cat box liners a try. These may not work for everyone, but they can be helpful if they work for you. Line the litter box with one of these liners, and then put cat litter in as usual. If it works correctly, you should be able to gather the liner and dispose of the litter. Unfortunately, sometimes cats just scratch the liner to pieces as they are doing their business.
Entertain your cat with simple “toys” made from household objects. Many cats enjoy exploring boxes, such as those that hold 12-packs, small appliances, or other products. Before allowing your pet to play with a box, you should be sure that the animal cannot get stuck in small openings or tight spaces. This would be dangerous and very frightening to your pet!
Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Your cat will use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet place and away from smells your cat does not enjoy. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.
Don’t buy a closed litter box without first considering the disadvantages. True, it’s nice that you don’t have to see the contents of the litter box. However, odors tend to build up in closed boxes, making it necessary to clean it more frequently. Covered litter boxes also constrict your cat’s movement, which is a problem for larger pets.
Buy a pet drinking fountain to prevent dehydration. Cats are attracted to running water, so a pet drinking fountain may help to encourage your cat to drink more. Proper hydration can cure and prevent a large number of feline health problems. Therefore, a pet drinking fountain could improve the health of your cat and reduce vet bills.
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
If you have a cat who is pregnant, make sure that you give her a private spot that is closed away from other animals and has room for her to move in easily. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.
This article gives you many different techniques to use with your cat. They can better you as a cat owner. When you take care of a cat properly, the cat will be happier and you may enjoy each other much more. Ensure you utilize these tips.