If you were able to save a pet's life, would this be something you'd do? Cats and kittens are often found in shelters, just waiting for a loving family to adopt them. The first step is adopting, and the second is learning to care for it.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Boredom can beget illness. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you're busy, too. An indoor cat needs a good scratching post.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Keep your cat's diet low in levels of magnesium. Check the label. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
Even if your cat seems to stay near your home, a person, bad weather, a dog or some other animal could scare them off at any time. This means your cat needs to be microchipped. If your cat goes missing, you will be able to log in to a website and track their location.
While the holidays might seem like a nice time to gift a pet to a child, they are quite hectic and sometimes not great for spending a lot of time getting to know a new furry friend. It is a better idea to allow your child to help pick out your new pet.
Properly groom your cat. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won't be experiencing a ton of hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.
Don't give a cat a dog's product. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. Flea products should not be used on cats in any circumstance. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. After getting the dog treated, keep the cat away for many hours.
Get your cat a drinking fountain. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Cats react better to a moving water stream. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
Make sure your cat is treated with flea and tick medicine. There are a few different medications available. These medicines can protect your pet from blood-leeching parasites that can cause diseases. Be sure to use something made just for cats to keep your pet safe.
There are many great benefits that a cat brings to the table. In order to provide a home that a cat will find comfortable, stable, and healthy, you need to be prepared to take responsible steps. Make certain to apply your new-found knowledge if you are thinking about adding a feline to your family.
