If you had the chance to save an animal’s life, would you do it? There are literally millions of cats who need a good home. If you need to know more about caring for your new cat, keep reading.
Small places are spots cats love to get into. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. Replace it every three hours or so.
Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.
Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Cats are generally nocturnal. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.
Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
Cat Outside
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs love to eat cat food! Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.
You should feel proud about your ability to care for your cat. The love you give to a cat fulfills one of its basic needs. You will develop a strong bond with your cat that will last a lifetime. Be sure you properly care for your cat, and it will also take care of you.
