Cats are some of the most lovable creatures a person can own as a pet. However owning a cat comes with a lot of responsibilities. The following article will help teach you exactly what you need to know about owning a cat. Be sure to read and learn what it takes so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not a cat is a good idea for your household.
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.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. To ensure your cat’s trip is pleasant, turn off the music or keep the volume low.
Cats can really be so much more than pets, they can be lifelong companions. It has been proven that cats can decrease your blood pressure, lessen the symptoms of depression and help you to live a longer happier life. If you feel like something is missing in your life, you might just need a cat.
When bringing a new kitten home, take it slow. It is tempting for children to want to play with the new addition to your home immediately. But the young cat will likely be scared. Give the cat time to acclimate itself to your home and to get comfortable with everyone.
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.
Sometimes you need to give your cat a pill. Some cats are harder than others, but you should trim their nails first. Then hold the head, open the mouth, and put the pill in. Then blow on the cats face. This will likely make the cat lick its nose, and the pill will go down naturally.
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.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.
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.
You should keep wet cat food in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Bring it to room temperature before serving it to your cat, because it will smell more enticing to them and be less likely to cause an upset stomach. If you like, place it in the microwave for a bit to warm it up.
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.
If you have more than one cat, you should give them names that do not sound anything alike. You want your pet to be able to recognize their name when you call, and giving them similar names can make this very difficult. Choose names that are distinctive and reflect your cat’s personality.
Do not be in a rush to let your kitten roam around all parts of your home. They may get lost somewhere and become very frightened. Keep all of the toys, food and litter in one area and keep them there for a while. Once they start to grow you can give them more freedom.
Owning a cat is not easy. It is going to require a lot of work on your part to make sure your cat remains happy and healthy. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, there is no reason why you can’t be a wonderful owner to your feline friend.
