The Best Cat Owner’s Survival Guide Online

TIP! You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due.

Owning a cat is a lot of fun. Make no mistake, though: Being a responsible cat owner involves putting in quite a bit of effort. There are quite a few responsibilities that any cat owner must know. This article is packed with tips and ideas that make it easier for you to fulfill your responsibilities to your pet. Keep reading and discover valuable tips that will improve your pet ownership experience.

TIP! Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats don’t like dog products.

Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.

TIP! If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you.

Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.

TIP! A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Indoor cats can slip out an open door.

Your cat needs love and attention. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways. Like humans, a cat has to be around people in order to feel special. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.

TIP! Don’t allow your cat become bored. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case.

If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option.

Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

TIP! If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds.

Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.

TIP! You should not train your cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat.

There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

Outdoor Cat

TIP! Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same.

Reconsider having an outdoor cat. This can compromise your cat’s safety. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.

TIP! If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections.

Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.

TIP! Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. It’s sometimes tempting to put the box somewhere that you don’t have to smell or see it.

Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.

TIP! Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical.

There are so many reasons why cats are such popular and beloved pets. But to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy, you must give it the care it needs. Apply what you’ve learned here, if you’re thinking of adding a cat to your life.

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