A new cat is very similar to a new child. One of the hardest parts of raising a new kitten is keeping them entertained whenever they want to play. A young kitten isn’t afraid to wake you up while tangling themselves in your hair. Still, there are better ways to keep these little felines entertained.
If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat’s history.
Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.
Have your kids help you take care of the cat. Assign daily jobs such as feeding the cat and cleaning the litter box. Not only will taking care of the cat teach them responsibility, it also gives you a break from these tasks. This means that you can spend more time cuddling with your cat.
If you replace an old scratching post, your cat may be unhappy with the new one. Save money on scratching posts. Wrap your old scratching post with some sisal rope to spiff it up. Your cat will be happy not to lose its favorite old post. You will save a little cash.
Attend cat shows for tips about your cat. A cat show only costs a few dollars to attend. But when you attend one, you see vendors selling cat items, and show pet owners that give their cats the best of everything. You can get ideas for best brands to feed your cat, as well as ideas for grooming and caring for your cat.
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
Give serious thought to spaying or neutering your cat. Your vet can give you the pros and cons of both, but if you plan to keep your cat for a long period of time you should consider this operation. Cat overpopulation is a real problem, and you can do your part.
It is important that you do not feed your cat too much food from the table. Cats do not digest human food the same way that your does. It can also lead to your cat becoming overweight. If your cat is carrying around too much weight, it will be hard for them to jump up on furniture and get around.
Most cats love to lounge right on your lap. As cozy as this can be, it is not always convenient. If your cat has a favorite spot, such as on your lap at the computer it can be hard to get things done. Getting a pet bed for your cat and perching it right next to your chair can help satisfy your cats need to be near you.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
When you bring home a new cat for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming for both of you. Instead of granting access to your entire home, introduce your pet to its new environment one room at a time. For example, you might place your cat’s carrier in your study or den. As long as the carrier door is open, you should be in the room with the animal.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Don’t let this discourage you. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You can also try a teaspoon of water used to pack tuna mixed with the pumpkin. Some cat foods include hairball fighting elements, such as fiber, that may be useful.
The key to entertaining kittens is simplicity. Most cats love some of the same little games and gestures, while other cats are incredibly unique with their own ideas for fun. If you don’t want your kitty to grow into a grumpy, old furball, then let it have fun and play around like a kitten should.
