Cat ownership will be hard sometimes. To our dismay, cats don’t talk, and each animal has unique, individual wants, needs, and preferences. Thank the feline gods we now have vets!
Catster’s vet team got here together and put forth the 11 senseless cat owner sins to stipulate some things that cat owners should never do, attempt, and even take into consideration doing. Regardless of what social media or your neighborhood cat lady says! These acts are dangerous and will cause harm to your cat or, in rare cases, result in death.
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First up, meet our team of world vets!
Dr. Paola Cuevas – Catster’s Senior In-house Veterinarian
Dr. Amanda Charles – Catster Veterinarian Editor
Dr. Karyn Kanowski – Catster Veterinarian Editor
Dr. Lorna Whittemore – Catster’s Senior Veterinarian Editor
Dr. Luqman Javed – Catster In-House Veterinarian
Dr. Maja Platisa – Catster In-House Veterinarian
Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca- Catster In-House Veterinarian
The 11 Senseless Cat Owner Sins
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The 11 Senseless Cat Owner Sins With Safer Alternatives
1. NEVER give your cat any human or other pet medications.
Giving medicines not prescribed to your cat by your veterinarian will be dangerous and even deadly.
INSTEAD:
- Speak to your veterinarian in case your cat isn’t well.
- Only use the medicines your vet prescribes for the cat’s particular health issue.
- Follow the dosage, frequency, and route of administration fastidiously.
- Maja Platisa, DVM MRCVS CertAVP
Image Credit: Elnur, Shutterstock
2. NEVER clip your cat’s teeth
Clipping a cat’s teeth isn’t the identical as trimming their claws. Clipping teeth could cause everlasting damage and be very painful for them.
INSTEAD:
- If you happen to are concerned about your kitten’s teeth being misaligned, visit your veterinarian, who will assess their teeth and provides skilled advice and help.
- In case your cat is biting, get a check-up along with your vet to rule out health problems, and so they can direct you to a professional behaviorist.
- Lorna Whittemore, BVMS, MRCVS, GPcertFELP
3. NEVER let your cat have access to lilies
Lilies, amongst other plants, are toxic to cats. Cats are curious and might chew on this plant if you could have it in your own home.
INSTEAD:
- Research cat-safe plants and flowers to brighten up your own home and garden.
- Know that every one parts of lilies, including the pollen and vase water, are toxic to cats.
- Contact your vet immediately in case your cat has eaten or come into contact with lilies.
- Amanda Charles, BVSc MRCVS GPcertDerm
4. NEVER make your cat go vegan or vegetarian
Realize that cats are obligate carnivores, and you will need to cater to their dietary needs. Feeding them a vegan or vegetarian weight loss plan is unhealthy and puts their life in danger.
INSTEAD:
- Adopt a herbivorous pet in the event you’re keen on having a pet that follows such a dietary restriction.
- Contact your veterinarian for more details about your cat’s dietary needs and acceptable foods for them.
5. NEVER play rough along with your kitten
It may be cute after they’re little, however it teaches them that scratching and biting is okay. Plus, you might be much larger than a kitten, so you might hurt them.
INSTEAD:
- Fill up on chaser toys, interactive toys, and wand-type toys.
- Two is best than one! Two kittens will get all their rough play, skirmishes, and mock fighting out of their system with one another, leaving cuddle time for you.
- In case your cat starts to play rough with you, just stand up and walk away.
- Karyn Kanowski, MRCVS, BVSc, BSc (Zoology)
Image Credit: Kyryk Ivan, Shutterstock
6. NEVER dress your cat in costumes
It’d make an awesome photo, but with only a few exceptions, they hate it and can resent you. Some costumes may be uncomfortable for them.
INSTEAD:
- Use Photoshop so as to add some flare to a photograph.
- Create fun props and dioramas for them to play in and get naturally posed memories.
- Karyn Kanowski, MRCVS, BVSc, BSc (Zoology)
7. NEVER place your cat in a carrier you could have not properly checked
The chance of your cat running away or getting lost could be very high. This scenario could be a nightmare for each you and your cat.
INSTEAD:
- Before using the carrier, check that the zippers work and all locks are in place.
- Check that the lid and the bottom of the carrier fit properly.
- Purchase a carrier that’s secure and fit to your cat.
- Marta Vidal-Abarca, BVSc MRCVS GPCertOphthal
Image Credit: NDanko, Shutterstock
8. NEVER ignore your cat’s change of their urinating habits
Regardless of how subtle, changes in urination could mean health issues.
INSTEAD:
- Watch your cat closely in the event you notice any abnormality around their toileting behavior, corresponding to not using the litter box in any respect, frequent trips to the litter box, spending more time than usual of their litter box, urinating small amounts, or vocalizing while urinating.
- Be acquainted with your cat’s routine and know the way they show signs of illness.
- Contact your veterinarian whenever you notice any changes of their toileting habits.
- Marta Vidal-Abarca, BVSc MRCVS GPCertOphthal
9. NEVER feed your cat ONLY dry food
Hydration is incredibly necessary for cats, and an exclusively dry food weight loss plan doesn’t offer enough moisture to assist them be healthy.
INSTEAD:
- Offer your cat a moisture-rich weight loss plan, corresponding to a whole and balanced fresh or wet food weight loss plan. In case your cat prefers dry food, offer a minimum of a 50/50 mix.
- Ensure your cat’s weight loss plan has enough proteins and moisture to mimic their natural food.
- Offer your cat a water fountain and take into consideration creative ways to entice them to ingest enough water.
- Paola Cuevas, MVZ, Behaviorist
Image Credit: TarasBeletskiy, Shutterstock
10. NEVER put your cat on a sudden extreme calorie-restricted weight loss plan
Restricting your cat’s caloric intake overnight will be very dangerous. Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis, often called fatty liver syndrome.
INSTEAD:
- In case your cat must reduce weight, start by reducing only 10% to twenty% of their each day calorie intake. Weight in and recalculate every couple of weeks.
- A slow but consistent weight loss plan plan is preferred. Get your veterinarian involved.
- Feed a healthy, balanced weight loss plan and increase your cat’s physical activity with each day interactions.
- Paola Cuevas, MVZ, Behaviorist
11. NEVER leave your hair ties across the house
Ingestion of hair ties is a standard occurrence in playful cats. Unaware cat owners normally only discover after emergency surgery.
INSTEAD:
- Keep your hair ties secure and away from the reach of your cats.
- If you happen to buy a packet of hair ties, please only use separately so you don’t leave it across the house where your cat can grab it.
- Never allow your cat to play with them or objects which can be small and stringy, which they’ll ingest.
- Paola Cuevas, MVZ, Behaviorist
Image Credit: Charise Wilson, Shutterstock
Summing It All Up
Responsible pet owners never wish to put their pets at risk intentionally. And a few of these sins can seem harmless—but that is much from the reality. Our vet team hopes they’ve make clear some practices that folks might do to or with their pets, whether it involves their weight loss plan, safety across the home, or fiddling with them. Now that you already know about these sins, you’ll be able to take steps to avoid them.
Featured Image Credit: masary78, Shutterstock