10 Cat Care Tips You Ought To Know
Kurt Schmitt
Cats and people come from very different worlds. As such, it's amazing that we can live together so well. These cat care tips cover subjects such as bringing out your kitty's hunting instincts, and preventing litter box problems. Following these tips will help you and your kitty to better bond and enjoy each other's company.
1. Lay your hands on your cat often - some cats just don't like to be picked up no matter what. But, if you can start handling your cat often when she's a kitten, chances are good she'll better accept it later in life. She'll also do better when it comes time to get checked by the vet or have her claws trimmed.
2. Check your cat for health problems - use weekly (or more often) grooming sessions to examine your cat for common health problems. Check your cat's teeth, gums, eyes, ears, skin, and limbs for obvious problems. Check for fleas, ear mites, and signs of pain, swelling, or injury.
3. Let your cat sunbathe - cats love heat. In fact, domestic cats love warmth so much that they've been known to singe their fur on a hot stove. Cats love to sunbathe, so provide a bed for your cat by a window so she can have her place in the sun.
4. Make kitty and indoor cat - following the recommendation from every major cat care organization, keep your cat indoors for better health, safety and a much longer life. Cats can live out a healthy life indoors. They can get the level of exercise they need, and survey their territory from a nice spot in front of the window.
5. Your cat wants to hunt, so let her - I'm not talking about rats. Get a few treats and spread them around the house to bring out the hunting instinct in your kitty. Also, try throwing dry food bits and watch her chase them down. This will make feeding time more interesting for both of you.
6. Provide enough litter boxes - follow the one plus one rule - one box for each cat in the house plus one more. This ensures that there's a fresh, available box to use at any given time. Some cats don't like using a box that was recently used, even if they were the one to use it.
7. Clean the box morning and night - clean the litter box twice a day and change out the litter completely every few weeks. When you do, thoroughly clean the box and disinfect it with bleach. Keep the box sparkling clean, and this will help prevent any possible cat litter box problems that might arise.
8. Cat play - play games with your cat on a regular basis. Play fetch, or dangle toys for your cat. Get your cat exercising every day and you'll help lower risks of diabetes, heart conditions, and other diseases. I highly recommend you chase your cat around the house whenever you can.
9. Provide interesting cat toys - rotate the cat toys so that you keep it interesting, but always leave your cat's favorites accessible. With most cat toys, however, you should not leave your cat unsupervised as injury can occur. Also, a belt or a shoe lace, if used safely, can make a great interactive toy and provide exercise for your cat, and fun for both of you.
10. Get your cat a housemate - two cats are more than twice the fun of one. Plus, your cats will be able to give each other attention when you can't. A second cat around the house will offer comfort, reduce boredom, and encourage exercise. This will help prevent possible behavior problems as well, as bored kitties are more likely to get into trouble.
Keeping your cat indoors will help keep her safe, and ensuring she exercises will keep her healthy. Nurturing your cat's instincts, and paying more attention to her will make your kitty a better adjusted family member. The cat care tips concerning the litter box may prevent future headaches, and the health check is just a good habit for the two of you.
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