The care and companionship you provide for your cat can improve its quality of life. In some cases, it can even save a life! Millions of cats are out there and need a home. You can find out how to adopt your kitten by continuing to read this article.
If your cat is misbehaving, you can influence its behavior in a safe and humane way by using water. Fill a small squirt gun or a spray water bottle with plain water. Give your cat a few light squirts of water when you catch it misbehaving and it will soon learn to stop doing the unwanted behavior.
Avoid eye contact to make friends with a cat. Ever wonder why cats seem drawn to the person who likes cats the least? The answer lies in cat body language. To cats, staring is “rude” and can be considered a challenge. Looking away shows that you respect their space and are not going to be a threat. So next time you are looking to meet a new feline friend, look away and let them approach you.
Keep your cat away from boredom. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching post.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Ideally, each cat should have its own box. This prevents the box from becoming overfilled or crowded. An unappealing shared litter box sometimes causes cats to take their bathroom business elsewhere in your house. As you can imagine, this can be quite a nasty surprise!
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
Despite popular belief, you should never give your cat milk to drink. Cats’ digestive systems lack an abundance of lactase, the enzyme used to break down dairy products. The reality is that this can cause your cat to experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort. In this case, milk does NOT do a body good!
When you’re smitten with your kitten, it’s tempting to dole out treats generously. However, treats are meant to be just that. They lack the nutritional value of regular cat food. Treats should not make up more than 5 percent of your pet’s daily diet. Any more than that may prevent your cat from receiving the nutrients it needs for good health.
Cats have a keen sense of smell and notice the smallest things. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Don’t worry if the cat isn’t happy with the items when you first bring them home. Once your cat becomes accustomed to this smell, he or she will begin to like it.
Successfully caring for a cat is a difficult but rewarding thing. Not only that, but you are giving another creature a chance at a better life. You can look forward to many years of companionship with your cat. Properly caring for your cat will ensure that this loving bond remains intact.
