Cat Care Quick And Easy
Posted: Monday, August 22, 2011
by Octavia Hansen
Octavia Hansen
Cats are self contained, they hang around people because they want to. Much like an oven, they are wonderfully self-cleaning. I did wash a kitten once because of fleas, it was a trick but it can be done. If you own a cat, sit with a cat or take care of one while the owner is away, here are some helpful cat tips.
Make sure there is plenty of water. Not just one large bowl but a couple of smaller bowls in cat places (near their bed, maybe a corner in the kitchen) make it easy for tabby to be hydrated. For my own peace of mind, I change the water every day. Do you drink water from yesterday? Last week? Same thing for the cat. I allow my cat on any surface not food related, so there are water bowls around everywhere for him. He loves looking at running water so there's a small bowl near the bathroom sink and one in the shower stall. In summer, I don't think anyone, human or beast, drinks enough water.
Feed the cat at the same time each day. It gives the cat a sense of schedule and security and cuts way back on meow time. This means he probably won't wake you during your afternoon nap, making both of you happier animals.
Save treats for something special. Every good animal trainer knows this. Can't train a cat? Not like a dog, but they can learn a few things and treat reinforcement is the key. I cut my cat's claws with a large toenail clipper, just the ends to keep the furniture safe. After any clipping (sometimes only one claw, sometimes all) he gets a treat. Now, when he sees the clippers come out, he starts purring and snipping is easy.
Get a pet brush and brush the fur, especially in the Spring and Fall when their coat changes. This cuts way back on fuzzy tumbleweeds around the house and coughing up fur balls for the feline. A human hair brush will NOT do, a pet brush will catch those fine hairs and keep them until you clean out the bristles. Again, if you give him a treat directly after, they will associate the brush with a good time, so every time gets easier.
Pet your cat. This may seem obvious but it's not. Perhaps some people only keep cats as a decoration, a throw pillow that changes position. As you pet your cat, get to know his body . . . Any lumps? Any injury? Do the ears look clean? Are the teeth healthy? Do all the feet look okay? My veterinarian said it's amazing when she asks how long an animal has had a lump or a scratch that most owners do not know. On your own pet, know if something is regular or something is unusual and for how long.
As a funny aside, I have been teaching my cat a simple trick. Every morning, right before I put down the food, I have the cat turn around clockwise. He's still fuzzy on what's happening -- he follows the food as I lead him with the plate, then he gets his meal. This has been going on for almost six months and he's getting the message. A few times, he has turned around without my coaxing, I waited with the plate in hand. In about a year, he'll do it every time. After years of morning training, one of my gal friends taught her cat to roll over before feeding. This took a while but the cat got it. Now, when she sleeps late and he's really hungry, he lays down at her bedroom door and rolls all the way across the hall, through the den and into the feeding area, meowing all the way. It's a wonder to see! She has the beginnings of her own cat circus. Who can't use a laugh first thing in the morning?
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Marvelous detail and a real fun read. I have never heard of an oven and a cat compared - ahah. Self Cleaning. We have three neighborhood cats that use my highly treed yard as their jungle for mice catching. It's great. My yard is their possession. And I am only feeding them in an indirect manner.
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