Cats are incredibly fun-loving creatures and you will soon find yourself losing track of time playing a part in their feline games. Sometimes it’s a good idea to provide some extra stimulation with a fun toy, unique game or interesting activity. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot to keep them busy, though. Keep these tips in mind as you care for your cat in the best way possible.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. Electronics with thin cords must be put out of reach when they aren’t being used.
If your cat tends to be antisocial and anxious with company, try giving it a catnip toy a few hours before company arrives. Many cats become very mellow when exposed to catnip. Even if your cat does not want to socialize after catnip exposure, it will probably be happier and less anxious.
Cats frequently groom themselves. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
Consider those expensive cat litter boxes. There are cat litter boxes now that allow you to have minimal interaction with them. This can be great for anyone who is tired of cleaning a litter box. But be careful, as they may not work as easily as they claim to. If you can, make sure there is a return policy and don’t lose the receipt. You may find you prefer the old-fashioned style!
Cats and small children may not always mix. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
If you have more than one cat, you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats. If too many cats have to share the same litter box, it can mean disaster! The cats may choose not to share their eliminating space, instead, using other areas, such as clean laundry or hidden corners of the home to do their business.
As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is essential, even for indoor pets. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
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.
Happy dogs wag their tail. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. Tail-wagging in cats may indicate conflict. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
There are things you can eat that your cat cannot. Refrain from serving onions or garlic, as these foods are too strong for your cat. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Milk also often upsets your cat’s stomach.
If possible, clip your cat’s toenails once weekly. If the nails grow too long, your pet cannot retract the claws. This causes your pet to experience discomfort. Regular trimmings also prevent the claws from snagging carpet fibers, clothing, and other fabrics. If you cannot do this, you should at least provide scratching toys and posts for your cat.
Try your best not to feed your cat any table scraps, even if you are sure this would be better than throwing the extra food away. Once you feed your cat this type of thing, they will no longer want to eat the cat food that you give them regularly.
You can deter cat scratching with something as simple as tape. This type of tape helps prevent your cat from scratching your furniture if it does this constantly. You can find this specific material at your local pet store. Taping your furniture can save you money and teach your cat not to scratch the material.
Are you now better informed as to how you can enjoy time with your cat? Though every cat does not like the same things, certain things are popular amongst them. The healthier your cat is, the longer it is likely to be around in your life.
