Many people have cats as pets, but often the cats won’t behave how their owners want. The cats may jump all over the furniture and steal food from other family members. If this sounds like your cat, then something needs to be done. Check out this article for some tips related to cat behavior.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, its important to schedule regular visits to the vet. Not only are regular checkups good for catching problems early, but regular visits can insure that your cat keeps up to date on its vaccinations. If you don’t know when the last time your cat had its shots, schedule an appointment for booster shots as soon as possible.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
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!
Save your furniture with scratching posts and pads. It is natural for cats to want to stretch their claws out and scratch. This does not mean that a cat owner must have damaged furniture. Provide your cat with places that it is okay to scratch and redirect them there if they decide to try out your sofa. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and materials and some cats prefer a particular type so it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination for your kitty.
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.
Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. Make them feel at home.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. Buy special food in order to help that problem. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.
Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. 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.
Find a litter that your cat enjoys. Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to find a litter that he is generally comfortable with using. Cats generally like to keep things the same though, so don’t experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box.
Give cat box liners a try. These may not work for everyone, but they can be helpful if they work for you. Line the litter box with one of these liners, and then put cat litter in as usual. If it works correctly, you should be able to gather the liner and dispose of the litter. Unfortunately, sometimes cats just scratch the liner to pieces as they are doing their business.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
If your cat has recently given birth, be sure she has a safe, private area to take care of them. Mother cats can become frightened by strangers or loud noise, sometimes leading to decreased milk production. They may also hide the kittens in places where you cannot find them, such as closets, or under beds.
Put a collar on the cat that lists your name, address, and phone number on it. An indoor cat should also have a tag with this information because he or she can sometimes escape. If this occurs, you should ensure you do all you can to get your cat back.
Cats are nice, but they aren’t perfect. Sometimes cats will do things that will seem abnormal and downright rude to us. You don’t have to get rid of the cat, just help it learn how to behave. This article can act as a guide for you while you help your cat behave better.
