Beautiful movements, intelligence and many different noises. Cats are absolutely wonderful animals and make excellent pets. Don’t be fooled, cats may be cute but they do come with their fair share of problems. This article contains cat tips that are essential to your cat’s happiness, and therefore your own. Read on.
If your dog and cat are best friends, be sure to keep them separate after flea treatment. Your dog’s flea products are very hazardous for cats. Cats that come in contact with dog flea products often die. Be sure to use only cat products on your cat and only dog products on your dog.
If you replace an old scratching post, your cat may be unhappy with the new one. Save money on scratching posts. Wrap your old scratching post with some sisal rope to spiff it up. Your cat will be happy not to lose its favorite old post. You will save a little cash.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
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.
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
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.
If you are adding a kitten to a household that already contains a dog, it is important to socialize the kitten to the dog at an early age. At first, constant supervision is essential. Let the kitten and dog spend time together while you hold the kitten, letting them explore and get used to each other’s smells. When socialized early, cats and dogs can live happily and peacefully together.
Do you feel like everywhere you turn you are surrounded by your cats hair? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat sheds a lot, brush it a lot. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. Your cat cannot defend itself, rendering it helpless against other animals. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.
Do you offer your cats inexpensive food, thinking that it will last longer, and you get more for your money? The truth is, cheaper foods usually lack the proper nutrients and protein cats need in order to stay healthy. Instead, they contain fillers, such as corn, to bulk up the food. Cats need to eat more of cheaper foods, but will require less of a protein-rich food that will keep him healthier in the long run.
If you are bringing a new kitten into a home with one or more cats, purchase an extra litter box so that your other cats do not have to share right away. It may take some time for your established cats to become used to the new scent in the house.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
You do not have to spend a bunch of cash on fancy toys for your cat to play with. Simple things like feathers and string are great for them to play with, and they are very economical. While you can still buy fancy toys if you like, you may get more benefit from them than your cat does.
Avoid overfeeding your cat because this can cause many health issues. If your cat gets more food than he needs, then he will quickly become obese which can lead to more serious health issues. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
Make sure to feed your diet pet food specifically made for cats. While a bag of dog food might be cheaper pound for pound, it will not contain the necessary vitamins, minerals and especially protein content to keep your cats healthy. Giving a cat dog food on a regular basis can also cause kidney failure and other serious illnesses.
Using flea and tick medicine on your cat is very important to your cat’s well-being. There are a few different medications available. This will prevent toxins and bacteria from affecting your cat. Ensure you select a brand that is specifically meant for cats. Never use a brand meant for dogs because this can be dangerous for your furry feline.
Now that you have read this article, you can better take care of your cat. This will make you an amazing cat parent. Your cat will soon be happier and in better shape thanks to the efforts you put into caring for it. Follow the guidelines above to help ensure your cat remains content.
