A cat is a in incredibly deadly animal in the wild of some countries. Today’s domesticated breeds can seem equally as ferocious or wild if they aren’t properly cared for from the beginning. These paragraphs cover many of the responsibilities you can expect to handle and a few ideas for making them easier.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.
Keep your cat indoors. Unlike dogs, it is nearly impossible to confine a cat to a yard. This can lead to many dangers for your cat, from cars, dogs, diseases from feral cats, and simply disappearing to parts unknown. Loose cats also be a nuisance to others, often killing songbirds and leaving unwelcome “deposits” in neighbor’s gardens. If your cat really enjoys the outdoors, they can be trained to wear a harness and leash or you can invest in a specialty cat fence or screened-in porch.
Feed your cats proper food. Remember that cats must eat meat. Only give your cats cat food to eat. Do not feed them or let them eat dog food. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs and some of the ingredients in dog food could harm your cat. Feeding your cat dog food for food could also lead to malnourishment, among other issues.
Keep your cat amused. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. But many cat owners ignore that need. A bored cat runs the risk of developing depression and obsessive compulsive disorders that may harm them or something in your home. Make sure you give them lots of toys and room to play. Be sure your cat has something they can climb and something they can scratch if they stay inside.
If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.
Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. They do not need as much attention and one-on-one time as dogs do. Cleaning the litter box is one of the most dreaded chores in the house. Investing in a good self-cleaning litter box can help to reduce the amount of times you have to clean it out.
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 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.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Cats react better to a moving water stream. Running sink water is another alternative that you can use. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.
Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. The cat has to be able to easily access the box. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. If you are going to put the litter box in a room without carpet, put a mat beneath it to keep the box warm.
If you’re tempted to load up on litter to cut back on cleanings, think again. Some people believe that the more cat litter they use, the longer they can go between emptying the litter box. Actually, this is a waste of your litter! Many cats refuse to use a litter box with more than 2 inches of litter on the bottom. Some prefer to dig to the bottom of the box before doing their business.
Give your cat a collar with your contact information. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. If your cat were to escape, it’s important for them to get back home safely.
When a cat doesn’t learn the right lessons growing up, it can become an aggravating mess of hair and claws. Pamper your kitten using these tips and take care of their appearance as they grow older. A cat can become a lifelong friend if it is treated the right way.
