The decision to own a cat should never be taken lightly. You may think that you are getting an independent animal, but you are getting a lot more. You are getting an opinionated roommate that expects the best! Here are some tips to make sure that you keep your cat happy.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
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.
Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.
Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don’t do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
Put the right amount of cat litter in the litter box. Some people try to get out of cleaning the box by putting too much litter in there. Cats don’t like walking on sand dunes! Two inches or so should be sufficient for the cat’s needs, and you just have to be vigilant about cleaning the box out.
If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.
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.
Play is essential to your cat’s life. All animals of all ages need to play and a cat is no different. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Enjoy your cat every day.
Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.
If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Good examples are laundry rooms, basements and other areas away from the hustle and bustle of the home.
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.
When choosing what type of cat to bring home, consider your lifestyle. Do you travel often? How long are you at home? If you will not spend a good deal of time in the company of your new pet, adopt a more mature cat. Kittens require considerable care and are easily frightened when alone. A mature cat requires care as well, but should fare well when you aren’t at home.
Before you are tempted to give your feline bits of food from your table, think about how it may affect his health. Cats need special food of their own, which contain certain vital nutrients specifically beneficial to cats. You can put a small amount of egg, or cooked beef or chicken on a spoon as a treat. So long as you are feeding your cat the correct food according to their weight and age, their diet is good.
Keeping your cat satisfied is the biggest challenge of any cat owner. A cat is not always easily pleased, so you need to do your best to give them the life they want. The information laid out here can help you to do that, and when your cat is happy you can be happy too.
