Cats are pretty independent animals as far as pets go. Regular visits to the vet and the right food are good starting points but not a lot of people know what not to do with cats.
We’re talking about things that can leave cats emotionally scarred, hurt, or worse, so read on and learn about our feline friends.
Never push a cat off the counter
Cats are very inquisitive but do avoid pushing them off the counter.
Try to redirect their attention instead, or just remove them from the counter or whatever is causing their curiosity.
They mean no harm and will appreciate you treating them with the utmost care and respect.
Never forget to clean that water dish
Simply replacing or refilling the water in your cat’s dish is not enough.
Always remember to scrub the bowl and rinse it out first to remove mold and other unhealthy substances from the side of the bowl.
Don’t overfeed your cat
Overfeeding will result in weight issues such as diabetes, joint disease, and heart problems.
Avoid overfeeding your cat, and make sure they get all the proper nutrients they need.
Get them spayed or neutered
Have your cat spayed or neutered before the age of five months. Not unless you plan on having kittens.
These procedures will also help cut down on the spraying cats often do to mark their territory.
Insure your cat
There are a lot insurance companies offering insurance for your pets.
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of sickness, or even worse ones that will burn a hole in your wallet.
It is cheaper to pay for insurance as compared to the mounting medical bills if your cat gets sick.
Do not punish a cat
When disciplining your cat, it’s important to handle with care. Punishing cats can have several negative consequenes such as:
- Instilling fear and anxiety
- Teaching aggressive behavior
- Avoidance and and hiding from you
- Litter box issues
Skip the yelling and opt for positive reinforcement instead. Reward good behavior with treats to encourage positive habits. Redirect their attention to help them burn off excess energy and show them lots of affection.
Allow them to have some exposure to the outside world
Your indoor cats do like watching those birds outside.
Allow your cats plenty of exposure to the outside world simply by opening the window shades so they can look outside.
Leave the window slightly open for some fresh air too.
Don’t let multiple cats use the same litter box
Cats are very private animals so having multiple cats means getting them their own separate litter box each.
This lets a cat go to the bathroom in the security of his own private space.
Never back a cat into a corner
Do not back a cat into a corner, and make sure to provide them an escape route in any situation.
Cats can become aggressive and even lash out when needed.
Your cat may end up being nervous or stressed out, and that can cause changes in their behavior.
Do not declaw your cat
What you are doing is removing the upper parts of a cat’s toes.
This puts your cat at a disadvantage when they have to defend themselves, so use other methods to deter scratching, like specially designed tapes and sprays.
Don’t leave an indoor cat outside without supervision
Your indoor cat has to be supervised when outdoors.
Cats who are not used to being outdoors can react out of curiosity, fright, or even confusion.
You don’t want your cat to run into traffic, unaware of the dangers involved.
Don’t expose them to second hand smoke
If you smoke, then avoid exposing your cat to secondhand smoke. It’s dangerous to humans and to animals.
Not to mention that secondhand smoke is also linked to the development of cancer.
Never throw your cat
Some people actually think it’s funny, while others are just mean to cats, but throwing a cat can seriously injury them.
Always treat animals gently and with respect.
Your cat may not get physically hurt, but you could damage her mentally.
Regular visits to the vet are important
Bring your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. This avoids problems in the future, and can even detect early ones like a reduction in vision, before it becomes a major issue.
Never leave them in the dark for extended periods of time
Nobody likes living in a cave, and the same goes for our pets. Make sure they have lots of light within your home, including both sunlight and artificial light.
This is important if you need to leave your cat for an extended period of time. Leaving them in complete darkness can make them feel abandoned.
Don’t ignore those hairballs
Hairballs and cats are a common thing for us humans, but frequent hairballs can be a sign of gastrointestinal problems for your pet.
You can buy medicine to help them cut down on the frequency of hairballs being spit out.
Clean that litter box
Like us humans, cats want a clean area to use the bathroom. A dirty litter box will have your cat going in other areas around your home.
So scoop that litter box at least once a day, and be sure to change it out every week.
Get your cat microchipped
Microchipping will ensure that your cat is returned to you if he gets lost.
If taken to a shelter, they can scan your pet to learn its name and phone number through the registry of that particular brand of chip.
This also keeps them from giving your cat to someone else, or worse, euthanizing your pet.
Do not pull a cat’s tail
Pulling on a cat’s tail can cause injury to their nerves and spine.
This is evident in older cats who usually lose muscle mass as they age, so injury is more likely to happen.
Pulling on a cat’s tail can cause problems with their bladder and kidneys.
Never overmedicate a cat
Avoid medication as a first solution to a problem you find.
Certain veterinarians won’t hesitate to recommend anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications as a solution to your cat’s behavior.
More often than not, your cat just needs a little more love and affection.
Do remember to brush their teeth
Just like us, cats can develop dental problems if their teeth are not taken care of the right way.
And that includes regular brushing.
Brush your cat’s teeth at least once a day, or at least a few times a week, so as to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Give them lots of love and affection
Be sure to give your cat lots and lots of love and affection. But if you have multiple cats, the need for attention is not as great.
Spend at least some time each day to give your cat the attention it needs, especially if you only have one.
Don’t dress up your cat
Many people think its cute dressing up cats but it’s a practice that has to stop.
This makes for awkward interactions with other pets, plus it can harm them. Restrictive costumes can impede proper blood circulation.
Never tease with a laser pointer
It does seem fun and harmless but this can lead to frustration on the part of your cat. Your cat may get anxious and become more destructive.
Instead, try to use a physical object with a treat inside to give your cat a sense of achievement.
Do not scare them intentionally
Scaring your cat adds unnecessary stress and may even lead to behavior issues.
Especially true when you put a foreign object behind your cat to surprise it.
Cats do not know what a joke is so they may hurt themselves when trying to get away.
Don’t hold your cat while driving
Don’t hold your cat when driving since he could get unruly, create a distraction, and cause an accident.
With that said, don’t let the cat roam around inside your car either.
Keep your cat properly buckled in a cat carrier when you drive out with them.
Take note of your cat’s body language
Cats express themselves through body language, telling us when they are happy or sad, or if they feel like being picked up or not.
Pay attention to how your cat is acting and learn to respond appropriately to them.
Don’t rough play with your cat too much
Try not to play too rough with your cat even though they enjoy a good tussle.
Throwing or slamming them around can hurt cats, and that will have them avoiding you in the future.
Do remember to trim their claws
Trim your cat’s claws occasionally. This is for you, and their own comfort.
This helps you avoid pain when a cat starts kneading into your arm or leg when they get clingy.
It also helps prevent broken nails on their part.
Never skip treatments
Bring your cat in so they can be treated for heartworms and fleas, even if they do not play outside your home.
Fleas are easy to bring home, especially when you have friends with pets, and they can carry heartworms.
Mosquitoes are also able to get in your home and they carry heartworms as well.
Don’t leave windows open
Be careful when leaving windows open, especially when you leave for work.
If you must leave them open, check the screens to make sure they are in place. You don’t want your cat taking an unintended fall.
When you leave the house, limit window openings to only about an inch or so.
Take note of your cat’s bathroom habits
Try to see if your cat starts to exhibit weird habits when going to the bathroom.
If your cat goes to areas other than the litter box, then it could be a dirty litter box or perhaps your cat is stressed or depressed.
Keep your volume down around your cat
When you are with your cat, try to avoid making loud sounds around them since they can be jittery.
Loud frequent sounds around cats can have them avoiding you in the future.
Never assume your cat is fine
Cats, like humans, have the ability to mask their problems so we think everything’s fine.
Pay attention to your cat’s energy levels, eating habits, and body language.
If there is a sudden change, bring them in for a checkup at the vet to see if there’s a problem or not.
Grooming is very important
Grooming helps your cat cut down on hairballs while keeping their fur looking great.
You want a handsome kitty after all.
For a longhaired cat, experts recommend grooming at least one to two times a day, while a short-haired cat will need grooming at least one to three times a week.
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