Now that you have a cat in your home, what are you going to do with him? Cats can be mysterious creatures, so you aren’t ever sure how to handle them. You might not be able to make them happy, but you can make sure that you’re taking care of them. Here are some tips to help you.
Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
As your cat gets older, changes in behavior may signal pain. If your cat doesn’t like to jump or climb any more, it may be in pain. If your cat stops taking care of grooming or stops using its litter box, pain may be the cause. Be sure to have your older cat checked out by your vet if you notice behavior changes.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.
Cats are partially nocturnal
This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Wash your cat’s bed at least once a week to remove all of the bacteria from it. Even if the bed looks like it is clean, it will usually have toxins in it that can cause your pet to become sick. Replace the bed every six months to keep your cat in a sanitary environment.
Make sure that you never neglect your cat. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
You should do regular checkups of your cat between veterinarian visits. A good time to do this is when you are petting the animal. Check the entire body for things like scabs and lesions. Also look in and around the ears for any discharge, which can be a sign of ear mites. Check the cat from head to tail.
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.
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. All that hair will be literally everywhere. Do not choose a long-haired cat unless you can commit to the added cleanup. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Has your cat stopped using its litter box? If so, consider moving the box into another location. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. For example, your basement, laundry room or other room away from household activity should suffice.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
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If your cat is nursing a litter of kittens
It is vital that she have plenty of food and water near her nesting area. Mother cats are very protective, and do not want to leave their kittens for long lengths of time. Your cat can become dehydrated or malnourished just because she does not want to leave her kittens to eat and drink.
Search for holes in your house that you don’t want your cat to get into. Cats have the ability to get through small spaces. Kittens are even more apt to get into these holes. Keep this in mind when introducing a new cat to your home. Seal up all holes no matter how small they might seem.
When the weather turns treacherous, remember to bring your cat indoors. This extends to windy, cold and rainy conditions. Cats are going to need a place to get away if there is bad weather and they may hide under vehicles or even in them. If you let them stay outside in bad weather, after it’s over you may lose them.
Even if you aren’t sure how you can make your cat happy, or figure out how to make them purr, you can take care of him. The tips laid out here will help you to make sure that you’ve done everything you can to care for your cat. Happiness is more elusive.