Friday, March 29, 2024

How To Keep Cat At Home

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How To Keep Feral Cats Out Of The Yard With Coffee Grounds

How To Weigh Your Cat At Home: PDSA Petwise Pet Health Hub

Coffee grounds can also work as an excellent ground cover in your garden, and not just because its a top-notch fertilizer. Just as cats paws are sensitive, so is their sense of smell. One scent they dont like is coffee.

Coffee grounds work best if theyre used, as they have a stronger scent. So, the next time you make coffee, re-use your grounds by tossing them in your garden or any other area where curious cats have been hanging around.

How To Keep Cats Away From Your House Using Coffee

It turns out that cats are no caffeine connoisseurs. Coffee is a natural cat-repellant.

If its scent pleases us, for cats the scent of coffee is one of the worsts. Their sensitive sense of smell finds it repulsive.

Do you want to make your place cat-free? Sprinkle generous amounts of ground coffee in the yard.

How To Keep Your Home Alone Cat Entertained

A cat makes a wonderful companion they are full of mischief, love to play, and are comforting to cuddle up with. But many of us must go out to work to earn an income, which means your feline friend has many solitary hours to fill in while you are away. Most city cats live indoors, rarely moving outside the walls of their home. This situation can lead to boredom as they are confined to the home while their owners are away.

What will they do when you are not at home? This is a question that intrigues many owners. Do the cats just snooze in the sun? Are they getting into things they really shouldnât? Do they roam from room to room, counting the minutes until you return?

To prevent your cat from being bored, anxious, or from getting into trouble and possibly hurting themselves, it pays to think ahead and provide your cat with some healthy and safe options to keep them busy during the day.

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Moving House With Your Cat

Cats are very sensitive animals, and often struggle more with a move than any other household member

Moving home is a stressful time for everyone, but it can be easy to forget how big an impact settling a cat into a new home can be they are very sensitive animals, and often struggle more with a move than any other household member. Their life is based around routines and familiarity, with territory and scent being a huge part of them feeling comfortable and settled.

Disruption to their lifestyle and comfort zone can be very difficult for them.

For the challenge of how to settle a cat into a new home, our simple strategies can help make moving house with your cat easier and safer for you both, leaving you both free to enjoy your new home!

If you are worried about the moving process and your cat’s new home, read our expert advice below or book an appointment with your local vet.

Interact With Your Cat On Their Own Terms

How to Keep Your Cats Busy When They are Home Alone

When interacting with your cat, or any cat, try and give them choice over when and how they want to interact with you. For example, always allow them to make the first move by initiating any contact with you. Cats like to feel in control so interacting with them in ways that are gentle and on their terms is the best approach. Doing this wont stop you from giving attention to a cat that wants it, but it will help you to ensure that youre not overwhelming your cat or making them feel stressed or frightened. For more information take a look at how to stroke a cat and interact with them.

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Common Problems Of Indoor Cats

Obesity: cats who dont have the ability to exercise can quickly become overweight and unhealthy. Monitor your indoor cats food intake and make sure they have ample opportunities to climb and play.

Stress: cats spend a lot of their time resting and sleeping, and they need quiet spaces to do this. When a home is busy and there are few areas available to get that rest, cats become stressed.

Anxiety: indoor cats exist in a small environment and do not cope as well with change as those who go outside. New people, changes in furniture and the addition of new pets or babies can upset an indoor cat more.

Needy: indoor cats do not have the opportunity to explore the world on their own terms and rely on their owners for support. This can lead to over-dependence, and lead to stress when their owners go away on holiday.

Damaging the home: a bored cat is often a destructive cat. If an indoor cat doesnt have enough stimulation they will likely seek entertainment on objects in the home .If your cat has suddenly started showing a problem behaviour, the first port of call should be your vet. They will check your pet for any physical health issue that might be causing problem, and refer you to an animal behaviourist if needed.

Page last updated 23/08/2021

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Make Them Walk For Their Meal

Another way to leverage your cats love of food is to make them work for their meal. If your cat is like mine, she most likely runs to the kitchen when she hears the can or bag open and follows you around at your heels, excited in anticipation. Place your cats food in their bowl, but dont put it right down. Go up and down a flight of stairs with it. Jog down the hallway with it, inviting them to chase you. Do this for a couple of minutes to help get them moving before putting their food down.

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Can I Keep A Cat On Vegetarian Food

Are you a vegetarian and want your cat to be one too? If you want a vegetarian pet that wont challenge your beliefs, then it would be better to get a rabbit a cat is a carnivore first and foremost, and looks and behaves as it does for just this reason. A cat is what is called an obligate carnivore it has an absolute need for some of the nutrients found in meat and all of its senses of smell and taste are atuned to being a carnivore it would be unfair and very dangerous to health to even attempt keeping it as a vegetarian.Feeding your cat or kitten

Thank You For Providing A Loving Home For Your Feline Friend

How to Cat Proof Your Home

Whether youâve just adopted a new cat or kitten, or areconsidering how best to care for your existing cat, this guideis for you. The idea that all cats need to roam outdoors haschanged many owners now provide a safe and suitable environmentfor their cat at home all day, every day.

Keeping your cat safe at home is important, especially as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Cats who are safely contained at home are at less risk of injury from cars, dogs and other cats.

If your cat is injured, having to leave home to seek veterinary treatment is a risk that could have been avoided. Keeping your cat happy at home means providing for all their needs, including many that may previously have been met by being outdoors.

Meeting these needs in other ways requires forward thinking and a little imagination and commitment. But you neednât go it alone: weâre here to help explain how you and your cat can live at home together in harmony.

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Why Keep Your Cat At Home

There are many reasons why you might choose to keep your cat at home, and for many owners their cats safety is their main concern. ‘Stay at home cats enjoy longer, healthier lives, and are significantly less likely to encounter a number of risks including car accidents, poisons, parasites, disease, and other animals who might fight or attack them. Stay at home cats will not get lost, stuck or injured and you will be able to monitor their behaviour and health more closely.

Your circumstances may also be an important factor in whether you choose to keep your cat at home. If you live near a busy road, or are the owner of a cat with special needs – such as being deaf, blind or missing a leg – we recommend keeping your cat at home to ensure they are safe.

Another reason you might choose to keep your cat at home is to prevent them from causing harm to other animals, in particular, native wildlife. Keeping your cat at home is a foolproof way to ensure they do not pose a threat to New Zealands sensitive biodiversity.

Every cat is different, and some will adjust to a ‘stay at home’ lifestyle more easily than others. For many people who successfully keep their cats at home, the key is starting early. Most kittens will adapt well to life at home if started at an early age. If your cat currently roams, the best way to help them settle into an at-home lifestyle is to introduce it gradually.

Do Cats Miss Their Owners

Cats form very strong bonds with their human companions and family members. Even though they may play it cool, they will notice youre gone and they will miss your attention. If your cat starts meowing loudly when you leave the room, thats one sign they miss you.

Other symptoms may include clinginess, loss of appetite, depression, anxiety, vomiting and diarrhea, and house-soiling.

If you notice these signs, talk to a vet to determine if theres a health condition to address. And please, dont get mad at your cat if they urinate on your clothes. It is their way of saying that they miss you.

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Its 10pm Do You Know Where Your Cat Is

If your cat, like many of the domestic felines living in New Zealand, is free to roam, then the chances are the answer is no. Cats are busiest during the nighttime after all!

But what if you could know where your cat was all the time safe from traffic and predators, happy and healthy in the comfort of your own home?

With a large portion of the population now living in cities and densely populated urban environments, keeping your cat at home and preventing them from roaming from your property is an increasingly common practice for pet owners concerned about their furry friend running into trouble out in the big wide world.

Keeping your cat at home is a very effective way of minimising their chances of coming into harm’s way. Just as dogs are required to be kept inside or within a fenced area, so too can cats be kept at home.

While most cat lovers would not disagree that there are numerous threats posed out in the big wide world, many are also not sure if they could or if they should try to keep their cat at home. For those who have grown up with cats who roam, it might even seem impossible to keep your curious, adventurous furry friend happy from running free!

Leaving A Cat Alone Overnight

How To Keep Cat Entertained At Home

If your feline is healthy and you can ensure a safe environment, leaving a cat alone overnight should not cause big problems. Food, fresh water, and at least a couple of litter boxes are a must. But, if your cat has health issues or separation anxiety, try to find other options. Petcube Play 2 will give you an opportunity to watch your cat and see how they are faring while you are away.

Getting a pet sitter is the best solution if you have a kitten or a grown-up cat with medical problems. The sitter will ensure your pet is safe and cared for and your house remains clean. Having a friend or a family member over will also give you peace of mind and reduce the cost of hiring a pet sitter.

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What Time Of Day Is Best To Go Outside

It is far better to let your cat outdoors in the morning, rather than at night, when they are more likely to be involved in a road accident because of poor visibility. Ideally adopt scheduled meal times, rather than allowing free access to food, for some weeks before allowing your cat outside. If you let your cat out shortly before feeding time, hunger will encourage your cat to comeback at meal times. You can also train your cat by using a sound – such as a bell, or jangling keys before offering meals or food based treats. Making that sound tells your pet that you are in the vicinity with a food based reward. Simply shaking the food bag may result in lots of cats coming running! Leaving food outdoors can work but does not always help as it can attract neighboring cats that your own cat might be afraid of, further reducing the chances of them coming home.

Consider Using A Pheromone Diffuser

Your cat might also benefit from a calming pheromone diffuser such as a Feliway® Classic Diffuser. These plug in to an electrical socket and emit a synthetic version of a pheromone that cats produce naturally from scent glands in their cheeks. Installing one of these in your cats settling room at least 24 hours before their arrival will help reduce their stress and make your cat feel safer and more secure.

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How Long Is Too Long

How long you can leave a cat home alone really depends on the individual cat and your relationship with your feline friend. If you’ve just adopted a new kitty, she will need time with you at home to learn your schedule, get into a daily routine and know what behaviors are appropriate in your home. PAWS notes that you should supervise any interactions with other household pets during the first few weeks with a new cat to make sure your fur family is adjusting to the addition. The first few weeks are also a crucial time for you and your cat to bond and develop a relationship.

Cats who have been in your household for a few months or years may be perfectly happy home alone for 8 or 10 hours, but they may also become bored, lonely or stressed. Keep an eye out for signs like overgrooming or going to the bathroom outside the litter box, and talk with your veterinarian if your cat’s eating or litter box habits change.

Cats need a steady supply of food and fresh water just like any animal, so any pet left alone will need access to both, as well as a clean litter box. In addition to these basics, your kitty will appreciate safe ways to amuse herself like jingle toys, a cat tree to perch on or even a rustling paper bag.

Indoors With An Outdoor Enclosure

How To Raise A Kitten

Providing a secure outdoor area is a great way of expanding your catâs environment. This can be attached to your catâs indoor space via a window or cat flap, or you can build a free-standing enclosure. Make sure the enclosure is both escape-proof and animal-proof .

Having an outdoor run linked to the indoors means your cat can choose where they spend their time. They can retreat into the house if something outside scares them, and there is less risk of accidental escape than if you are moving them into a separate enclosure. If you have a balcony or veranda which can be made escape-proof, this is a great option for you.

If you build a separate outdoor enclosure, remember your cat will need the same essential resources they have indoors. A variety of platforms at different heights, hiding places, scratching posts, food, water, more than one litter tray, and adequate protection from the weather and extremes of heat and cold will all make the enclosure a more attractive and comfortable place for your cat.

The enclosure needs to be located somewhere safe, where dogs, other cats or predators will not be a threat. Your cat should be protected from seeing other animals that may scare them even if the other animal cannot actually get to your cat. Providing places for your cat to hide in the enclosure is essential as it will help them to feel safe and secure.

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What To Do When Your Cat Dies At Home

Franny Syufy is a cat expert with over two decades of experience writing about feline anatomy and medical conditions. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers’ Association, won the prestigious PurinaOne Health Award for her writing, and authored two books on cat care.

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When facing the imminent death of a terminally ill beloved cat, or when a feline companion has suddenly died, the disposal of the remains is a hard topic to contemplate. However, planning ahead for the inevitable is important and helps avoid making hasty emotional decisions that you may regret later.

Start By Providing A Watching Platform

Your feline friend is a nosey little creature they like to see whatâs going on in the yard, what the neighbour is doing, meow at nearby birds, and observe what is going on around them. A cat tree that is placed in a strategic position will pay dividends. They will feel safe being up off the ground, and the clear view to the outside world will keep them enthralled for ages. Some cat trees have toys attached that your cat can play with, plus the platform makes an excellent snoozing place. If you donât have a cat tree yet, check out our in depth guide. The beauty is that you can move the cat tree around to give them variety.

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