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.
Keep your cat healthy and non-finicky by introducing a varied diet. Always purchase several different brands of food and rotate them. In this way, your cat will be used to trying and accepting new tastes. If one food brand goes out of business, you will always have lots of other acceptable choices to offer.
Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.
Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats can become depressed and inactive, causing harm to their well-being. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
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.
When you get a kitten for kids, you have to set up a few rules first. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. Setting rules in advances ensures understanding.
To make sure your kitten is properly socialized to humans, begin early in his life, about ten to twelve weeks of age. Be sure that he is handled and petted by humans in his family and by others as well. When he is older, he will be a calmer, friendlier cat.
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.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.
If you are expecting a child, this is more than enough reason for you to have your pet spayed or neutered. Some cats get very aggressive when they see little ones in the house. After having this procedure done it is less likely for your cat to do anything to harm the baby.
Despite popular belief, you should never give your cat milk to drink. Cats’ digestive systems lack an abundance of lactase, the enzyme used to break down dairy products. The reality is that this can cause your cat to experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other types of gastrointestinal discomfort. In this case, milk does NOT do a body good!
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.
If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Panting is dogs is normal. Panting in a cat possibly indicates something serious is going on. Make sure you contact a vet, especially if your cat has had respiratory problems in the past.
Feed your cat a regular dose of dry food. Kittens need wet food, though. Once they grow up though, dry, harder food will strengthen their teeth and keep them clean. For picky cats, mixing dry and wet food together is a great option.
Consider purchasing a self cleaning litter box if you are not good about scooping your box regularly. A self cleaning litter box will automatically rake the box every time your cat goes to the bathroom. This can result in a cleaner box, meaning your friend will use it more regularly and you will be left without odors in your home.
Do not be in a rush to let your kitten roam around all parts of your home. They may get lost somewhere and become very frightened. Keep all of the toys, food and litter in one area and keep them there for a while. Once they start to grow you can give them more freedom.
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.
