Cats are some of the most lovable creatures a person can own as a pet. However owning a cat comes with a lot of responsibilities. The following article will help teach you exactly what you need to know about owning a cat. Be sure to read and learn what it takes so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not a cat is a good idea for your household.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. Replace it every three hours or so.
It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Keep your cat indoors. Unlike dogs, it is nearly impossible to confine a cat to a yard. This can lead to many dangers for your cat, from cars, dogs, diseases from feral cats, and simply disappearing to parts unknown. Loose cats also be a nuisance to others, often killing songbirds and leaving unwelcome “deposits” in neighbor’s gardens. If your cat really enjoys the outdoors, they can be trained to wear a harness and leash or you can invest in a specialty cat fence or screened-in porch.
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.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.
To make sure your kitten is properly socialized to humans, begin early in his life, about ten to twelve weeks of age. Be sure that he is handled and petted by humans in his family and by others as well. When he is older, he will be a calmer, friendlier cat.
You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. To your cat the post is just right. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.
If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. This sort of behavior is common among cats with UTIs and other health problems. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
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.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. Not only do cats intensely dislike the smell, the chemical can also cause liver damaged if they are exposed to it for a lengthy time.
Kittens should never be taken from their mothers before they are eight to ten weeks old. During this time, kittens learn most of their social and instinctive behaviors, and removing them from the mother too soon can cause future behavioral issues the mother cat could have taught them had they not been removed too early.
When you are looking to finally adopt a new kitten, but don’t want to spend big bucks on an expensive bloodline, you should investigate your local shelters. Most animal shelters offer dogs and cats that need a home badly, regardless of their heritage or costs.You may be able to find a similar cat with a different cost.
Owning a cat is not easy. It is going to require a lot of work on your part to make sure your cat remains happy and healthy. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, there is no reason why you can’t be a wonderful owner to your feline friend.
