A lot of new cat owners are not sure about what they should expect. Never make the mistake of getting a cat without doing some research and planning first. However, it is impossible to anticipate every problem that can arise when you bring home a frisky feline. You should keep reading to learn more about how you can properly care for your cat.
Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. If you treat your dog for fleas, make sure you keep the cat away for several hours following the application.
Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats love being up high so that they can see. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. The chip will never be lost because it is under the skin and it can easily be read by any shelter or vet.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Do you own a dog and cat? Dogs love to eat cat food! Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This will also prevent squabbles between them.
Always watch a kitten around small kids. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They don’t know what harm they can do. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.
Feed your cat quality cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
Drinking Fountain
Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They may fight with each other initially. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Those quality-training tips are perfect for all breeds of cat, regardless of age or location. These are the fundamental concepts involved with raising a small feline, but the individual circumstances in which they apply will change from one person to the next. Remember to enjoy your new kitten because that’s the most important part of the process.
