Content by-Best McCain
Cats aren't cheap to keep healthy and happy. Caring for a cat properly means providing it with proper nutrition, adequate stimulation, health care, and many other necessities; this can become expensive. These tips will help you own a cat without spending a fortune.
Watch the amount of treats that you give your cat. Like humans, cats can easily overeat junk food. This can cause them to gain weight and may lead to some health problems like heart issues and diabetes. If read page do give your cat treats, give them a small amount and make it a special thing instead of a regular routine.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat's nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat's claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
Make sure to keep chemicals and dangerous substances away from your cat. Chemicals like antifreeze have a sweet taste. This encourages the cat to drink it, most often resulting in fatal consequences. Keeping your chemicals locked up in a cabinet will help to ensure that your curious cat does not end up ingesting poison.
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.
Check your cats ears frequently for ear mites. You may notice your cat shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot if they have them. They are tiny parasites that look like coffee grounds in your cat's ears. If you have more than one cat, they can also travel from cat to cat. See a vet before using any medication on them since their ears need properly cleaned first.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. Understand that a female cat will require three or four hours in order to give birth to every kitten. If your cat has still not given birth to all her kittens after six hours, get her to a vet right away.
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. They do this by nature and don't need to be taught. Many people think rubbing a cat's paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
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If there is a place where your cat likes to use the bathroom other than the litter box, there is a simple way to deal with this. There are sprays formulated to be very offensive to cats. If you apply this spray in these areas, the cat will stay away from there.
When the weather turns severely bad, do not leave your cat outside. Bad weather includes times of extreme wind, cold and rain. Cats look for places to hide in these types of weather and that may include underneath a car hood. You could lose your pet if the owner suddenly turns on the car.
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You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This comes naturally - you can't teach it. Many people think rubbing a cat's paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren't as finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they'll eat later on.
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Feed your kitten a variety of cat foods to avoid a finicky cat later. Pick different textures and different brands on a regular basis and your kitten will learn to enjoy new tastes. This can also avoid feeding problems if your usual brand is no longer available in your area.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
Keep your cat protected from fleas and ticks. There are plenty of drops that will easily take care of the problem. https://ktla.com/news/coronavirus/health-care-workers-wearing-ppe-are-still-3-times-more-at-risk-of-covid-19-infection-new-study-finds/ keep harmful parasites away from your cat. Make sure to get a brand specifically for use on cats in order to keep your friend safe.
When the weather turns treacherous, remember to bring your cat indoors. Bad weather can include times of unusual cold and heat, as well as constant rain and windy periods. Left alone outside a cat's natural instinct will be to hide, and they won't always choose a good hiding place. Keeping a cat outside during such weather events increases the chance that the cat might become injured or die.
Cats aren't exactly the cheapest pets on the planet. Food bills alone are expensive enough, and when you add medical bills and more, things get even more expensive. If you take this article's contents into consideration, you won't have to worry about emptying your wallet in order to make sure your cat has the best.
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