How To Properly Care For Your Cat
How To Properly Care For Your Cat
Cats are some of the most lovable creatures a person can own as a pet. However owning a cat comes with a lot of responsibilities. The following article will help teach you exactly what you need to know about owning a cat. Be sure to read and learn what it takes so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not a cat is a good idea for your household.
Make your own enclosed litter box from a large tote box with a lid. Use a coffee can lid as a pattern to cut a door in one side of the tote. Place the coffee can lid fairly high up on the side of the tote. Trace around it with a permanent marker. Cut out the circle with tin snips or a box cutter. Add litter. Put on the lid.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she's out of the house it can save her.
Cats can really be so much more than pets, they can be lifelong companions. It has been proven that cats can decrease your blood pressure, lessen the symptoms of depression and help you to live a longer happier life. If you feel like something is missing in your life, you might just need a cat.
Use your cat to teach your children responsibilities. A pet demands care that the whole family can participate in. Each child can take different day to feed the cat, for instance. Same thing for litterbox care. You can make a schedule and post it on the refrigerator. Then, everyone knows what they are responsible for.
It's important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it's not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. 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.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Speak with a vet, but know that wet food is normally much better for your pet.
Owning a cat is not easy. It is going to require a lot of work on your part to make sure your cat remains happy and healthy. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, there is no reason why you can't be a wonderful owner to your feline friend.