They say you’re either a dog person or a cat person, but there’s often a crossover between the two as well. This particular blog is for all you cat people out there. For cat lovers, they like the company of their feline friend, and the knowledge that they are more independent than their long-time rivals. While it’s important to have a trusted vet who can help out with any problems your cat may have, there are a few things you can do yourself to keep him or her happy and healthy. Here are a few tips to follow.
The Right Food and Drink
Try not to overfeed your cat by leaving down too much cat food. Many cats will eat everything that is put before them, so you need to be the one to stop them from stuffing their faces too much. Consult your vet on the best type of diet for your cat. Too much dry food is not usually a good idea as it contains a lot of carbs which may not be good for them. Make sure they have clean, fresh water down on a regular basis. Despite commonly being thought of as perfect for cats, it’s not a good idea to leave milk which can cause stomach upsets.
Brush Your Cat Regularly
As cats groom themselves, hairballs can become a major problem for them. You can help prevent this by brushing them on a regular basis. Depending on the personality of your cat, they may either love or hate this activity. If they are not a fan, try brushing them close to mealtime so they start to associate the activity with something positive. For cats, this is nearly always food!
Train Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
It can be frustrating when you buy a brand new scratching post for your cat, and yet it still insists on scratching up the furniture. There are a couple of things you can do to encourage your cat to use the scratching post. Put it in the center of the room rather than tucked away in a corner so your cat will not be able to ignore it so easily. Use some catnip to encourage your cat towards it. After a few times, it should become more of a routine and you can even move it back to the side of the room.
Travel Safely
When you are taking your cat to and from your veterinary surgeon or any other destinations, you should make sure they are safe by keeping them in a cat carrier. Not only will they be safer, prevent them from roaming freely in the car and distracting the driver. You should also never leave them alone in a parked car as they can become very uncomfortable, very quickly and the whole situation could get dangerous.
Keep A Close Eye On Them
It is often very difficult to tell if there is something wrong with your cat so make sure you keep a close eye on them and bring them to the vet if you notice clear changes in their behavior.