Cats are often viewed as feminine animals, but the truth is that there are plenty of cats perfect for becoming mans next best friend. Different breeds and bloodlines make an impact on how your new cat looks, behaves, and is cared for. Use this article to find some of the breeds that you find most entertaining.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.
An indoor cat who gets a taste of the outdoors will forever want to go outside. If you know your cat will always be an indoor cat, do your best to keep them from sneaking out. You can try to train your cat to stay in your yard when you are outside.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
Be sure to brush or comb your cat’s fur on a regular basis. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.
There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise.
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.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
Overfeeding your cat can dramatically affect its future health. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
When choosing what type of cat to bring home, consider your lifestyle. Do you travel often? How long are you at home? If you will not spend a good deal of time in the company of your new pet, adopt a more mature cat. Kittens require considerable care and are easily frightened when alone. A mature cat requires care as well, but should fare well when you aren’t at home.
One of the most important and rewarding things you’re able to provide for your cat is to have it spayed or neutered. Cats’ reputation for curiosity is well-deserved. Indoor cats will sometimes try to slip out of your home. Whenever your cat is successful in getting itself outside, there is a possibility that it will come back pregnant, or if it’s a male, impregnating another cat. Numerous cats are put to sleep every year due to overpopulation.
Make sure your indoor cat has something to occupy him while you are gone during the day. While your furry friend will spend a lot of time sleeping, he also needs something, or someone, to play with and stimulate his mind. Leaving him without toys or the company of others can quickly turn him into a trouble maker who destroys your house.
If you have a Christmas tree at home, watch your cat closely. It may see that tree and climb it. That can be a big problem. Keep in mind that ornaments can chewed on or eaten and this could make your cat sick or uncomfortable.
These cats are only a small part of the feline family and your options are nearly limitless. A budget and a location is all that is inhibiting you from bringing home the biggest and meanest tiger in the jungle. Animal adoption shelters are a great place to find these breeds and many more.
