This text is sponsored by Whisker, a world chief in progressive U.S.-made expertise for cat homeowners, together with the Litter-Robotic. Discover out extra about their merchandise right here.
As a vet, I see many cat homeowners making the identical errors—definitely not as a result of they aren’t devoted to their cat’s care, however as a result of they’re simple to make. Many don’t understand they’re making errors in any respect. Nevertheless, some actions or inactions can have long-term penalties on the cat’s well being and happiness. The excellent news is that they’re simple to repair as soon as what they’re.
On this article, we cowl the seven commonest errors cat homeowners make, why they matter, and the right way to keep away from making these errors sooner or later.
7 Widespread Errors Cat Homeowners Ought to Keep away from
1. Overfeeding
The commonest mistake I see is cat homeowners feeding their cats an excessive amount of meals per day. Over half the cats I see every day are chubby, and this development is barely growing as cat mother and father overfill the meals bowl, go away the bowl full and accessible all day, and neglect that treats contribute to the cat’s complete each day calorie consumption.
Feeding is a big a part of your relationship together with your cat—and, from a cat’s standpoint, there’s no such factor as an excessive amount of. However being chubby considerably reduces a cat’s high quality of life, making them extra liable to growing ailments. Even being reasonably chubby can shorten their lifespan.
Giving your cat the correct amount of meals is among the most vital issues you are able to do to assist them reside an extended, wholesome life. In case your cat is chubby, try our information on placing a cat on a food plan.
Additionally Learn: The ten Finest Cat Meals in 2023
2. Not Visiting the Vet Repeatedly
It’s simple to overlook small modifications in habits or look once you see your cat daily. For this reason common vet visits are so essential. As a vet, it’s devastating to search out an issue in a cat I haven’t seen for a very long time, realizing that I may need been capable of assist had I seen them sooner.
Visiting your veterinarian a few times a yr permits professionals to assist determine any well being or medical issues. Throughout a routine go to, we are going to weigh your cat, present annual vaccinations, and carry out a full bodily examination. In case your cat is older, we’d additionally suggest further assessments that assist us spot frequent issues in older cats, corresponding to kidney illness or hypertension, earlier than they present indicators of being unwell.
We frequently determine issues throughout examinations that cat homeowners wouldn’t be capable of discover at dwelling—and the sooner we discover them, the extra efficiently we will deal with your cat.
3. Not Cleansing the Litter Field Sufficient
Cats want the litter field to be clear each time they use it. This implies cleansing after each use or no less than a few occasions per day, which is usually laborious for cat homeowners to handle.
An unclean litter field could make your cat reluctant to make use of the lavatory. They could maintain it in, which might result in severe well being issues, or they might select to go outdoors the tray—a difficult behavior to repair.
Self-cleaning litter packing containers such because the Litter-Robotic 4 supply an excellent answer. They scoop your cat’s waste routinely after each use, so cat homeowners solely have to empty a waste drawer.
My greatest concern with different automated litter packing containers is they might make it laborious to note vital modifications in your cat’s litter field exercise. Modifications like this may increasingly point out severe well being points like kidney illness, diabetes, and urinary tract illness, so it’s essential that what’s taking place in your cat’s field.
That’s why I want sensible automated litter packing containers just like the Litter-Robotic 4. This product not solely self-cleans but additionally screens your cat’s litter field utilization, waste, and weight by the Whisker app. This real-time monitoring provides you vital insights into your cat’s well being that you’d in any other case miss.
Of all the automated litter packing containers the Cats.com staff has examined, the Litter-Robotic 4 gives the cleanest, quietest biking and finest compatibility with quite a lot of litter merchandise.
Your cat is more likely to find it irresistible as a lot as you do.
Click on right here to be taught extra or purchase the Litter-Robotic 4.
4. Altering Meals All of a sudden
Cat abdomen illness and diarrhea are frequent causes for vet visits. Usually the wrongdoer is a sudden change of their food plan. It’s a standard mistake as a result of not all cat homeowners understand how delicate cats’ stomachs are to new meals.
If you wish to change your cat’s meals, do it steadily. Introduce a small quantity of the brand new meals every day and enhance the quantity slowly. It’s best to intention to be on 100% new meals after 7-10 days, assuming your cat isn’t exhibiting any indicators of tummy upset.
Additionally Learn: The 8 Finest Cat Meals for Delicate Stomachs
5. Considering Indoor Cats Can’t Get Fleas
Usually once I see a cat with itchy pores and skin, the proprietor is adamant it isn’t fleas as a result of they’ve an indoor cat—after which they’re shocked once I disclose that the wrongdoer is fleas.
Fleas are specialists at entering into your home, whether or not they are available in on the coats of different animals or your garments. Generally they’re already in your carpets or comfortable furnishings. So whereas it’s true that indoor cats are much less more likely to get fleas, it’s definitely not unimaginable.
Fleas typically make cats itchy and sore, however additionally they carry nasty ailments that may have an effect on each you and your cat. Sadly, fleas aren’t simple to eliminate. Due to their lifecycle, fleas require common therapy to be eradicated. You additionally have to deal with different animals and the home. All the course of can take a few months.
Cat homeowners can forestall this subject by guaranteeing their cat receives common flea therapies from their vet. This preventative measure can prevent and your cat from an extended, extra anxious therapy course of.
6. Lacking Indicators of Ache
Whilst you would possibly assume your cat would vocalize or limp in the event that they have been in ache, the indicators are sometimes extra refined. Cats are good at hiding ache as a result of, within the wild, they’re prey in addition to predators. As you can guess, it’s not an excellent survival technique to broadcast that you just’ve acquired an issue.
Sadly, this implies the indicators of ache are simple to overlook, which is what number of cats undergo for longer than they should. Listed here are the refined indicators you possibly can look out for that point out your cat is uncomfortable or in misery:
- Sleeping extra
- Being withdrawn, irritable, or much less playful
- Not leaping up on issues they used to
- Decreased urge for food
- Favoring one aspect of the mouth when consuming
- Decreased grooming
- Not desirous to be touched or picked up
In case you discover any of those modifications, take your cat to your veterinarian.
7. Forgetting to Replace ID Info
Some of the heartbreaking (and avoidable) conditions I see is a misplaced cat with out an ID tag or microchip. If we’re fortunate, typically we do discover identification, however the info isn’t updated.
It’s simple to neglect to replace your cat’s ID once you transfer or change your cellphone quantity. However keep in mind that within the worst-case situation, this activity may very well be the distinction between being reunited together with your cat or not.
Do indoor cats want a microchip or tag? It’s nonetheless frequent for indoor cats to get misplaced in the event that they discover their means outdoors—particularly as a result of they don’t seem to be as streetwise as out of doors cats. They’re additionally extra more likely to change into spooked by environmental components and wrestle to search out their means dwelling.
Additionally Learn: The 7 Finest Cat ID Tags
Regularly Requested Questions
What ought to a cat proprietor not do?
Maybe one of the vital vital tasks isn’t letting your cat change into chubby. Holding them slim will scale back their danger of sickness and even assist them reside longer. Keep away from overfilling the meals bowl, and keep watch over what number of treats your cat is getting.
What’s the primary behavioral criticism from cat homeowners?
A prime criticism is cats not utilizing their litter field and as an alternative going elsewhere within the dwelling. This habits may very well be occurring for a number of causes. Cat homeowners will need to rule out a bodily drawback earlier than making an attempt to coach the cat.
Is it anxious proudly owning a cat?
Proudly owning a cat is an enormous accountability, and so they do want numerous time, information, and—let’s face it—cash. However spending your life with a cat brings you laughter, companionship, and a lot extra. In truth, research present that petting a cat for simply 10 minutes a day can scale back your stress ranges.
