6 cares you need to have with your cat and tips to not make him stressed
Keeping a healthy cat takes time and
dedication on the part of the owners. It is necessary to be attentive to
the physical conditions of the animal without leaving its psychological health
aside. Therefore, many tutors wonder how often they should take their pets
to the vet, how to bathe a cat and how to keep them stress-free, for example,
in order to prevent the cat's well-being from being put at risk.
Thinking about it, we have separated
some guidelines that can make all the difference when taking care of the pet.
Check out!
1-
Prevent the cat from getting stressed
Anyone who has a kitten at home
knows that felines are beyond temperamental. The animal has a unique physiology
that makes it very susceptible to problems such as stress. Small changes
in the environment, including a change of residence or the arrival of a new
member of the family, are already capable of altering the psychological state
of the cat.
It is important to understand the
behavior of the species to make the space more and more comfortable for the pet
and, consequently, to avoid stress, which can have physical or environmental
causes. Here are some tips to prevent the disorder:
- Take advantage while the cat is
still a puppy to get used to different situations, such as traveling and
socializing with other animals, for example.
- Don't skimp on toys that can keep
the kitten entertained. Scratchers suitable for the size of your
- A substance called catnip, also
known as “cat grass”, can also help reduce stress in cats. In addition,
the product contributes to the functioning of intestinal transit.
- Try to take time out of your day
to dedicate attention to the kitten, whether with games or affection.
- Keep the litter box always clean
and located in an area that can be considered quiet by the animal.
- Invest in free furniture and
shelves so that the cat can walk around and observe the environment from a
privileged point of view.
- Always be aware of the behavior
and functioning of the pet's body to identify possible health problems.
Is
my cat stressed? Learn to identify the symptoms!
Even doing everything right, it is
possible that the animal shows signs that it is stressed for some
reason. The signs will depend on the type of stress affected, which can be
physical or behavioral. Know how to understand the painting by recognizing
the symptoms of each one!
Symptoms of physical stress:
- Apathy
- Severe itching
- Flaws and hair loss -
Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of environmental stress:
- Excessive licking, causing skin
lesions
- Urination outside the sanitary tray
- Loud and prolonged meowing
- Aggressiveness
- Territorial marking
- Constipation or diarrhea
If you notice that your kitten is
showing any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to pay a visit to the
vet. The professional must identify the cause of the problem and, from
there, come up with the best solution for the unwanted evil.
2
- Regular visits to the vet are essential. Know the correct frequency!
Make regular appointments with a
vet, especially if your cat is already elderly (ages seven and up)
Speaking of which, many cat owners
have doubts about how often they should take their cat to the vet's
office. This periodicity can be influenced by several factors, such as the
health status and age of the animal.
From the first eight weeks of life,
felines already begin to lose the antibodies acquired during breastfeeding
and must be vaccinated . Most veterinarians recommend that these
vaccines receive repeated boosters at three to four week intervals. When
in doubt, always consult a professional! The specialist will certainly be
able to guide you in this regard.
In the case of adult cats, it is
important to maintain regular annual clinical examinations. Elderly cats
require even more frequent care and general check-ups. It is worth
remembering that a cat is already considered elderly from the age of seven, ok?
3
- Don't forget to trim the claws: how to cut cat's claw?
Trimming cats' nails is important to
prevent them from scratching themselves or destroying furniture in the house.
Although it is a relatively simple
mission, cutting a cat's nails requires patience and tranquility on
the part of those who perform it. Care can be introduced from two months
of age and should be weekly or every fortnight. Check out some foolproof
tips for this moment:
- Insert the habit into the cat's
routine from a puppy
- Choose accessories suitable for
the animal, such as clippers suitable for cats
- Make sure the animal is
comfortable during the procedure
- Press the pads (or pads) of the
feline's paw so that the nails pop out
- Pay close attention not to reach
the inner pink tissue of the animal's nails
- At the end of the process, reward
the cat's good behavior with some pleasure
4 - Hygienizing the ears: how to
clean a cat's ear? Never use a cotton swab for humans
To clean the cat's ear, never use a
cotton swab! Prefer a cotton and be careful at the time of the procedure
It is not uncommon to find tutors
who overlook this detail. However, make no mistake: it is very
important to keep the pet's ears clean to avoid possible diseases and
discomforts. Cleaning the ears of cats can be done once a month,
preferably after bathing.
Never, ever, under any circumstances
use a cotton swab in this cleaning ritual. The most advisable thing is to
choose cotton, always being very careful not to hurt the kitten. A great
way to ensure the efficiency of the procedure is to use an ear solution
developed specifically for cats. Drip the chosen product onto the cotton
and then clean the area. Oh, don't forget: ear wax has a protective
function in the region, so it's not necessary to remove it completely.
5
- Brushing the cat's teeth is also very important!
Brushing your cat's teeth is
important to prevent the accumulation of plaque, which can cause gingivitis in
pets.
Just like people, cats should also
have their teeth brushed daily. When not properly removed, the bacterial
plate can lead the feline to the formation of dental calculus and
gingivitis. Before starting the process, choose an animal-appropriate
toothpaste and opt for an ergonomically comfortable brush for the
pussy . It is important to make sure that the accessory will fit in
the animal's mouth without causing any kind of pain or injury.
Brushing movements are very similar
to what humans do every day. Remembering, of course, not to use too much
force and always keep the process calm and patient. It is essential that
this ritual is not traumatic or stressful for the pet.
6 - Bathe your cat: warm water and patience are the key to success!
Forget the myth that cats don't need
a bath and insert this process into your pet's hygiene routine!
Many cat parents believe it is not
necessary to bathe the felines. However, this is just a myth! It is
true that kittens are hygienic by nature and most of the time they are able to
clean themselves. But make no mistake: some types of dirt will only be
completely removed through a real shower.
The water used must be lukewarm, so that
the animal does not run the risk of getting sick or developing skin problems
caused by a temperature that is too cold or too hot. Wet the pet calmly,
taking care not to get water or shampoo (suitable for animals) in the
eyes. Rinse the pet well and, when drying, avoid hot dryers and prefer a
soft towel.
The interval between each wash has
many variables, from the type of coat of the feline to its routine of
activities. On average, it is recommended that this time period varies
between 5 weeks to 6 months.