How To Take Care Of A Cat

Having a cat can be a rewarding experience. They are smart, gorgeous animals that dont take much work, as far as having pets go. However, they still require attention and care in order to stay healthy and satisfied. Here are some cat care tips to help you with this great pet.

Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Put a breakaway collar on instead. It can really be a life saver for your cat.

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet. If your cat has been spayed, however, you wont have to worry about this happening.

Exercise

A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.

Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who dont properly exercise their cats. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching post.

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.

Nutrition

Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most "popular" commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.

Although depicted in countless movies and cartoons, milk is not the best source of nutrition for your cat. Once cats have grown, they do not need milk as a regular part of their diet. Milk can cause stomach distress and bloating. Instead of giving your cat milk, always have fresh, clean water available to them instead.

Dont scrimp when it comes to your pets food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. 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.

After reading this article, you now have an idea of what your cat needs to remain a happy feline. Just put the tips in this article into your daily practice, and you will discover that your cat is even easier to take care of. Then, you will have even more time to enjoy your cat.