Cats need to eat good quality food to keep them healthy. The problem is that so many different kinds of wet and dry cat foods on the market are expensive. Here are some ways that you can feed your cat without resorting to feeding them unhealthy foods or table scraps.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
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.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Most veterinarians recommend that you feed your cat food that is in the can as opposed to the dry varieties in the box or bag. This is because the canned food contains more water, fat and protein than the dry variety. It is also easier to consume for cats with dental issues.
Playtime is important for kittens as well as older cats. The best games are those that involve hunting and chasing. Try to think like your cat, choosing toys like feathers on string. The cat is attracted to the movement of the toy, so he will love to chase it if you pull it along without him seeing you. It is important to let your pet win occasionally, to keep him interested.
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.
When it comes to cat litter, you should scoop out all of the waste on a daily basis. Cats will not use a litter box that is overflowing with waste, and they will start looking for somewhere else to use the bathroom. Change the entire box at least once every few weeks.
Feed your cat a regular dose of dry food. Kittens need the wet food, however, due to their small teeth. Once they grow up though, dry, harder food will strengthen their teeth and keep them clean. Try also mixing together dry and wet food if you’ve got a picky cat.
Feed your kitten a variety of cat foods to avoid a finicky cat later. Pick different textures and different brands on a regular basis and your kitten will learn to enjoy new tastes. This can also avoid feeding problems if your usual brand is no longer available in your area.
It is important that you treat your cats with tick and flea medications year-round. There are many different varieties of monthly drops that have proven to be quite effective. Fleas and ticks can cause disease in your cat, and using one of these medications is the best way to prevent that. Be sure you’re going with something that is only for cats so the animal can safely use it.
Always provide your cat fresh water. Although you may not realize how much daily water your cat drinks, there is nothing more important than water for a healthy cat. Clean the water dish daily, and always make sure it is easily accessible for your pet.
Compared to other animals, cats are especially susceptible to dehydration. Most canned foods have a water content of around 75 percent, so cats eating this type of food will drink less. If you feed your cat dry food, however, it is even more important that you provide sufficient water at all times. Even a 15 percent loss of water in the body is enough to cause death. Remember this during the hotter months.
You get out of your cat what you put into it. If you give your cat the best, you get the best behavior, and the best level of health from your cat. Cat food can be expensive, but you don’t have to let this discourage you. Use these tips and feed your cat for less.
