Would you save a pet’s life if you could? Cats and kittens are often found in shelters, just waiting for a loving family to adopt them. Simply bring one home, make a friend for the rest of the cat’s life, and use the advice in this article.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.
Avoid being kept awake by your cat romping through the house at night. When you first get your kitten, establish a habit of putting it to bed in a comfortable crate with a nice bed, litter box, food and water at night. If you start this early, your cat will appreciate having its own safe, cozy room.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, its important to schedule regular visits to the vet. Not only are regular checkups good for catching problems early, but regular visits can insure that your cat keeps up to date on its vaccinations. If you don’t know when the last time your cat had its shots, schedule an appointment for booster shots as soon as possible.
Avoid eye contact to make friends with a cat. Ever wonder why cats seem drawn to the person who likes cats the least? The answer lies in cat body language. To cats, staring is “rude” and can be considered a challenge. Looking away shows that you respect their space and are not going to be a threat. So next time you are looking to meet a new feline friend, look away and let them approach you.
Keep your cat’s coat healthy by giving them a supplement of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is an inexpensive supplement that can be found in most health food stores. Simply sprinkle a little bit on your cat’s dry food, or mix it in with their wet food. Not only do they love how it tastes, but it’s full of protein and vitamins that will keep them looking their best!
Attend cat shows for tips about your cat. A cat show only costs a few dollars to attend. But when you attend one, you see vendors selling cat items, and show pet owners that give their cats the best of everything. You can get ideas for best brands to feed your cat, as well as ideas for grooming and caring for your cat.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
Do not wait too long to scoop any waste that has accumulated in a cat litter box. When left dirty for too long, bacteria can grow and it can cause health issues for you and your kitten. It is best to do this every single day so you avoid any issues.
Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Try omitting non-protein based foods such as corn from your regular diet. Your cat is a carnivore, and for proper nutrition, he should have a food high in animal protein in order to keep him at his best.
If you’re tempted to load up on litter to cut back on cleanings, think again. Some people believe that the more cat litter they use, the longer they can go between emptying the litter box. Actually, this is a waste of your litter! Many cats refuse to use a litter box with more than 2 inches of litter on the bottom. Some prefer to dig to the bottom of the box before doing their business.
Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. This is something that’s often in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other popular cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
A declawed cat should not be outdoors. The cat won’t be able to fight back if other animals attack it and that could get it hurt or killed. Only declaw your cat if you are serious about keeping them indoors. It is important to note that if you are declawing a cat, only the front claws on the cat should be removed. Don’t cut the back claws because they won’t scratch up your furniture or floors.
Caring for a cat is an accomplishment to be proud of. Not only that, but you are giving another creature a chance at a better life. The bonds that you form with your cat will last a lifetime. Be sure you properly care for your cat, and it will also take care of you.
