The companionship between cats and humans traces back for centuries. Cats have found their way into poetry, movies, musicals and more. It shouldn’t be surprising then why cats feel like they are the ones running the show! Read on to get some input on how to establish yourself as the one in command of your household. You may even pick up a few other essential tips as well.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
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.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
Give your cats easier access to a window in order to keep your curtains from getting scratched. Putting vertical blinds up will allow the easiest access for your cat, but if you need to keep your curtains, use a lightweight rod that will fall if your cat attempts to climb the curtains. It will keep both your curtains and your cat safe.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
Think twice before letting your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. They may acquire fleas or much worse things. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. Do not choose a long-haired cat unless you can commit to the added cleanup. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.
Consider the placement of your cat’s litter box. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.
If you’re like many cat owners, your pet is the center of your universe, or at least your home. However, it is possible to get a cat to realize that it is actually you who is in charge. Cats are great animals to have around; learn more about them so that you can enjoy them even more.