If you own or are considering owning a cat: congratulations! Animals of the feline persuasion are some of the most amazing companions you can find anywhere. The following article will provide you with expert tips on managing life with your cat and in taking care of him. Read on for fun and helpful information.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat. Flea products are a great example of this. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.
Get a scratching post to keep your cat from tearing up your carpet. If you can, get a post that does not have the same type of carpet that is on the floor of your home, so your cat doesn’t associate the two. Instead, get a post that is covered in cardboard, sisal, or thick rope.
Consider adopting multiple cats, especially it will be spending a significant amount of time alone. One cat can do fine alone, however two are not much more work or expense than one, and can keep each other company and entertain each other. This will stave off boredom, especially if you work long hours.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
If you’ve just met a cat, don’t look at them in their eyes. Cats do not like being stared at by people they don’t know. That’s why they are more comfortable if you are not looking at them. They are more likely to approach you that way, and more likely to kindly regard you in the future.
Cats’ curiosity often puts them in risky situations. Something as simple as a necklace, window pull, or phone cords can cause your pet to become injured or even killed. These items should be bound securely so that they are not a source of temptation for your inquisitive pet. Many childproofing aids work just as well for your kitten.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
While cats can be finicky, you should not encourage this behavior. A cat will eat the exact same cat food their whole life if it is tasty and nutritious. You do not need to mix up the flavors. Doing this can encourage the cat to skip certain foods they previously ate and wait for another.
If your cat is not getting trained to use the litter box as fast as you would like, there are sprays available that can make things a bit easier. These sprays have a scent that will attract your cat to the box, which means they will be more likely to go there when they need to use the bathroom.
Your cat’s choice to potty outside the litter box could signal something more worrisome than misbehavior. There are a number of health issues that can lead a well-trained cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. For example, the behavior may be caused by an infection of the kidneys or bladder. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.
Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.
Cats are said to be very intuitive and sometimes more helpful as companions than even other humans! If you own one, you already know this! Hopefully this article has given you answers to the questions you have about cats and set you straight on important issues. Enjoy your cat for many years to come.