When cats are awake, they need to be kept busy. When cats area alone, they can scratch everything and climb on the furniture. In order to combat this, you need to be knowledgeable on cats’ behavior. You can learn about a lot of great ones in the following post.
Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Look over the label. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Use short words when you want to express displeasure with your cat. A short ‘no’ will be remembered, even if not always followed. A lot of people think that cats don’t listen to anything, but short word commands are certainly understood by cats, and they will respond to those commands if you are consistent with them.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
Use your cat to teach your children responsibilities. A pet demands care that the whole family can participate in. Each child can take different day to feed the cat, for instance. Same thing for litterbox care. You can make a schedule and post it on the refrigerator. Then, everyone knows what they are responsible for.
Do not try to bathe a kitten that is less than four weeks old. It is not very easy for a young kitten to regulate the temperature of their body. This may result in the kitten getting a chill. To be on the safe side you should wait between 12 and 16 weeks after they are born to bathe them for the first time.
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt small prey. This can sometimes be a problem if you have other small animals in your home. Make sure that bird cages are hanging from the ceiling. If you have a gerbil or hamster, make sure their cages are secure and up high out of your cats reach.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
Your cat should like their carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. This takes the hassle out of traveling with your cat in its carrier.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. A fountain keeps the water moving without letting any go to waste.
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.
Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.
It might seem like a little much for an animal, but you should comb your cat’s hair as often as possible. Combing the hair helps prevent the cat from licking loose fur and building a furball to spit up later. Different cats shed at different rates and some require a lot more maintenance than others.
Phenol is a dangerous chemical to use around your cat. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. The smell offends cats, and it can lead to prolonged illnesses.
Cats often are very energetic and toys can help channel the energy effectively. Prevent damage to your furniture and belongings. Take some of this article’s toy recommendations into consideration and keep your cat away from your favorite items.
