How to Keep Your Cat Content and In Good Health Always
- Author: Chris Remington
- Posted: 2024-09-07
It is essential to ensure that your cat remains content and healthy always. You can do that through a few tips, which you can incorporate into your daily routine. Experts believe that you should start on the right foot to provide your cat with the best care. Also, you need to follow proper good habits from the beginning. The following tips will enable you to provide your pet with the best care and love for a content and healthy life:
Comb the Cat Daily
It would be best if you brushed your pet every day to prevent the development of hairballs. Since cats love grooming themselves, you may not understand the need for brushing. It helps remove all the loose hair on the cat's fur. The best way to bring a cat to cooperate while brushing its fur is by incorporating happy moments when doing it. For example, you may consider combing the cat before a meal since it will associate the act with the delicious food.
Avoid Giving Your Pet Large Quantities of Dry Food
Cats are different from dogs; they can be vegetarians. Their main meal should consist of meat. Dry foods contain too many carbohydrates, which are not suitable for cats if taken in large portions. They can make the cat develop obesity or diabetes. Although treating your cat as you would a dog may be tempting, you should not feed dog food to cats. Dogs can comfortably feed on carbs, which is not the case with cats.
Give Your Cat Access to Fresh Water at All Times
Cats don't have the same thirst drive as dogs. They get most of the water from what they eat. Most of the foods that cats feed on have a high percentage of water. However, cats' dry food contains below 10% water. Since you may not know when your cat gets thirsty, providing it with fresh water is advisable. Furthermore, cats drink more water after consuming dry food.
In addition, please pay close attention to nursing and elderly cats because they are more vulnerable to dehydration than others. If you notice panting in your cat or sunken eyes, those may be signs of dehydration. Contact a vet to provide the pet with the needed care and avoid further complications.
Place Enough Litter Boxes at Different Locations
Experts recommend that each cat has its litter box and an additional one. Hence, if you have four cats, you should place five boxes. It is essential to choose the best places to put the boxes. Although most people would prefer tucking the litter boxes away from where they spend their days, cats may not love such places. For example, a cat may not be willing to walk to the basement to use a litter box. They love seeing whatever may be happening around them during that vulnerable position; hence, they are unwilling to use a covered litter box.
If You Find Your Pet Peeing Outside the Litter Box, Don't Assume
It can be frustrating when your cat ignores the litter box and pees elsewhere in the house. Many reasons could cause the behavior. Hence, it would be best if you did not assume that the pet is sick. It would be best to take the pet to the vet to check for any sickness, such as a urinary tract infection, that could trigger the cat to act that way.
If there are no signs of illness, check whether the litter boxes are your pet's favorites. Have different types of boxes and find out which one your cat prefers. Also, ensure to scoop the box daily to remain clean always. In addition, put the litter box in a quiet place that your cat can easily access.
Find a Good Vet
Ensure to find a friendly vet for your cat. Since cats may be scared to spend time with dogs while waiting to see a vet, choose one with a separate waiting area for cats. Although that's the best thing, not all vets have separate spaces for cats and dogs. If your vet doesn't have such an arrangement, request them to call you when it's almost your time to enter the examination room.
You should always provide your cat with care to remain happy and healthy. You can do that by incorporating the tips provided above into the pet's routine. They will provide you with knowledge on how best to treat your cat for its satisfaction and good health.
