Though cats are really independent animals, they still need our help. The main thing to keep in mind is that they can’t tell us about their problems. But don’t worry: wise vets and owners have already figured out some rules on universal care that can make your cat’s life brighter and happier.
Bright Side wants all cats to be safe and sound. Let’s discuss the most common pet care mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A cat’s food bowl should be wide enough so that the cat’s whiskers don’t touch its walls. A bowl’s depth also matters: if a cat has to reach deeper to get to their food, it experiences discomfort. In the end, the cat will start carrying its food out of their bowl.
Pay attention to the way your cat eats. Some open their mouths really wide to grab as much food as possible. For such cats, owners should buy very wide bowls. Otherwise, a cat could hurt its teeth.
Cats prefer fresh, cold water. Wild cats always try to drink from rivers and streams which is why your cat’s water should always be clean. To keep it clean, don’t put it next to a bowl of food. Otherwise, food and fur particles can get in the water.
Some pets drink from the toilet or a sink. It’s a sign that the water in their bowl is getting dirty too fast.
If a cat gets cold, it usually climbs on the cable box. Thanks to their tactile sensitivity, cats can stay near a heated object for a long period of time.
But you shouldn’t let your pet do this, especially if you have a shorthair or hairless cat. Long-lasting contact with a heated object may result in the internal organs overheating. On top of that, obese cats are more prone to overheating than slimmer animals. If your cat gets cold, put a blanket on the cable box in advance.
Be careful when it comes to home-based shelters. You have to look through as many real people’s reviews as possible. Some owners interbreed animals who are actually each other’s relatives. Kittens often look healthy on the outside, but as a rule, they suffer from different congenital genetic diseases. Such pets are usually offered at half-price.
Also, keep in mind that sometimes owners are simply fooling their customers. For example, instead of Maine Coons, they sell ordinary big kittens with similar fur and tassels on their ears. So when you want to buy a pet, go to reliable breeders only.
Cutting fur is really stressful for a cat. Cut your cat’s fur only if it’s really needed like if your cat has hairballs or if you’re prepping them for surgery. To reduce shedding fur, it’s recommended to groom your cat.
A cat with cut fur won’t be able to lie in the sun for a long time as there will be a risk of getting a sunburn. And even calm wind can make a cat feel freezing. Aggressive pets get their haircuts under general anesthesia, which is also harmful.
Constant snoring indicates that an animal is experiencing several problems with their respiratory system. There are some other signs such as sores on the nose, the open mouth, and an extended neck which means your cat can’t breathe well. In such cases, it’s recommended to take your pet to the vet.
It’s recommended to choose a micro-ventilation mode. Vertically open windows are dangerous for cats, especially for those that don’t leave the house. Your cat may just try to get outside and become stuck in the window.
In many countries, declawing cats’ paws is banned. Under general anesthesia, a cat gets its claws and even phalanxes amputated. Then later on, animals will experience pain while walking. They also won’t be able to jump or climb trees anymore.
The food’s original packaging keeps it from drying out and losing its useful substances. It’s not recommended to put cat food in a different bag or to buy food that is stored in strange packaging.
Many cat owners get birds, lizards, or fish and post pictures of their pets hanging out together. But experts say that cats can’t be friends with their potential food. Sooner or later, a cat will start hunting this new family member. If it happens, there’s no sense in punishing your cat; it’s all about their instincts.
If you have 2 or more cats, each of them should have a set of their own “personal belongings” including bowls, beds, toys, litter trays, and so on. Otherwise, one cat will try to dominate the other and they’ll fight every day.
A friendship between a cat and a dog is a rather controversial concept, especially if one of them is adopted earlier. Experts claim that there’s a small chance a cat will get along with an old dog or a fighting dog like pit bulls, bulldogs, mastiffs, and so on.
If a pet suddenly stops using its litter tray, its owner faces a real challenge. Perhaps your cat is just angry with you. In this case, you have to find out the reason and resolve the issue.
Sometimes it happens if you move to a different home or if a new family member appears (whether it’s a human being or an animal). In either of these cases, there’s no sense in punishing your cat. You simply have to wait until your cat calms down.
Cats love freedom and need as much open space as possible. These animals feel much happier when all interior doors are open. By the way, it’s one of the reasons your cat tries to open the door when you’re in the bathroom. They’re just trying to control their territory.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, before going to the vet, record a video of them. Animals may not show their ailment at the vet’s office as they’re nervous and the video can help the vet diagnose your furry friend.
Do you have any universal pet care tips to share with us? Leave them in the comments!
At least one cat mystery was open for me today :)
My uncle's cat always carries his food out of his bowl, and we have always thought it was just a funny feature of him. But now, as I think about that, his bowl is actually small!
I will have to inform my uncle
I have always thought that declawing a cat is an animal abuse, because this is something natural that animal has and it should be removed, especially under anesthesia.
We have always put cats good in the plastic boxes, toorganize them better. I didn't know the food could get dry. I will try to make an experiment and see if it actually works like this.
Good article, thank you Bright Side for mentioning how terrible declawing cats is. I like that this article focuses on what is best for cats and makes them happiest, not what is best for their people. Only thing I’d change is instead of referring to the cat as it, use he/she. Overall an excellent article⭐️❤️?
You need to edit the one regarding "fighting breeds" because there is no such breed! That behavior is taught/learned and NOT NATURAL!!
