Cats provide endless hours of companionship and entertainment. However, as with any pet there is a lot of care involved when looking after a cat. There are various responsibilities that cat owners must know. Here you’ll see exactly what those are. Read them to keep your cat strong and happy.
Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. You can do this simply with a terra cotta tile measuring a square foot. Heated in your oven around 200 degrees, it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Cover with a small blanket or towel, then place it beneath your pet’s bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Consider having your cat fitted with a microchip. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
Brush your pet often. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. It will also minimize hair loss. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
As you read, having a pet cat can be very beneficial. However, if you want your cat to live a long and happy life, you have to take proper care of it. Take heed of the advice you’ve just been given if you’re going to bring a kitty home.