The Best Advice For Keeping Your Cat Happy

 Pets are never as easy to handle as they seem at first. You gain many new responsibilities when you adopt a cat and it's even harder if you don't know what they are. This article covers those basic responsibilities and a few other tips that will help your new life with your new cat be more enjoyable.

Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat's reach.

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.

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!

Make sure you have a good pet carrier or basket for transporting your cats from one location to the next. A proper carrier or basket should have enough room for them to turn around in comfortably. It should also be easy to clean. Make sure that it is lined with a blanket, cushion, or towel to help it stay comfortable and cozy for them when traveling.

If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat's litter kicking problem.

Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.

Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don't do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.

Give cat box liners a try. These may not work for everyone, but they can be helpful if they work for you. Line the litter box with one of these liners, and then put cat litter in as usual. If it works correctly, you should be able to gather the liner and dispose of the litter. Unfortunately, sometimes cats just scratch the liner to pieces as they are doing their business.

Many people do not realize that it is perfectly normal for you to take cats on walks so they can get exercise and fresh air. There are special harnesses made for you to use with your cat. If you use the type that were made for dogs, there is a chance your cat can get away.

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.

If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.

Let your cat give birth in a large space. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. If six hours have gone by and you think there are still more kittens inside the cat, take her to a vet immediately.

Your kittens don't want dirty mouths either, so take a toothbrush and clean those gums everyday before breakfast. Without proper brushing, cats can catch diseases, infections, and suffer serious side effects. A few minutes daily keeps these teeth healthy, strong, and sparkling. You should ask a veterinarian how to properly brush your cat's teeth.

If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. Cats without claws cannot stand up for themselves if they encounter another animal. The result could be injuries or death. Indoor cats are the only ones that may be declawed. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.

Once your cat starts to age, they may have to go to the vet more often than they did before. To make sure that your senior cat is in optimal health, you should take him to see the vet at least twice a year. Make sure that you follow any advice given to you during the visit.

It's tempting to give your cat a bath to get them all fresh and shiny again. This definitely isn't a fun task, so you'll be pleased to know it generally is not necessary except in unusual circumstances. Cats groom and clean themselves all throughout the day with their tongues. Cats are persnickety when it comes to appearance. If you are searching for a top cat breed, you can visit Topcatbreeds.com.

As you can clearly see, there is a lot of work to be done all of the time. This can be overwhelming for some, but for others it is the chance of a lifetime. By using these tips, you can raise your new feline in a happy, healthy home where it is loved dearly.