An animal expert breaks down seven common mistakes cat owners make, from poor socialization and skipping vet visits to overfeeding and not neutering. Learn what's actually harming your cat's behavior and health.
Are you determined to adopt a cat? You already live with one, but you think you're making some mistakes? Cats are very affectionate and fun animals that can bring you a lot of happiness if you know how to care for them correctly. Although cats are relatively easy animals to care for, it is important to know what the typical mistakes are when caring for a feline to avoid unwanted behaviors. Therefore, in today's video by Animal Expert, we are going to explain the seven most common mistakes that cat owners make. Unlike dogs, cats in the wild are solitary hunters, and although they can form social groups with a defined hierarchy, in general they are more independent than dogs. Therefore, and although there are cats that are much more submissive and affectionate than some dogs, if you are looking for an extremely loyal companion animal that shows unconditional affection and obedience, a cat is not the right choice. In this case, it is better to adopt the dog to avoid disappointments and frustrations. Only when a cat seeks human company and affection does it mean that it truly desires that attention. Cats are more difficult to train than dogs. Creating a bond with the animal is essential, and to do this, it is important that the cat sees its human as something positive and associates their presence with good stimuli for it. On the other hand, to train dogs, it is necessary to give fair, coherent and simple orders. To educate cats, it is necessary to gain their trust. Playing with the cat regularly and correcting it when it does something wrong, with clear orders and without using violence or force is essential. Cats also respond well to positive training, although it is not as easy as with dogs. One of the most common mistakes is adopting a kitten very soon after it is born. Ideally, this should be done once weaning is complete, which should occur naturally and never before it is one month old. Although it receives all the necessary care and adequate nutrition, it is always better for the animal's health to be with its mother throughout the lactation period period. Socialization begins with the mother and its siblings, and the cat begins to learn all the typical behaviors of the species. Another very common mistake when caring for a cat is not providing the veterinary care it needs because it is thought that by staying indoors it will not be able to catch diseases or have parasites. The risks for a cat that lives indoors are not the same as for a cat that has access to the outdoors, and for this reason there are specific vaccination protocols for each situation. Consult a veterinarian and define a vaccination program adapted to the characteristics and lifestyle of the animal. Regarding deworming, it is recommended to deworm internally every three months and apply a monthly anti flea and tick product, especially in the summer months. The breeding season for these animals can bring some behaviors that are uncomfortable for humans in addition to some health risks for the kitties. It is in spring and summer that female cats go into heat for approximately one week. During this period, many males try to escape when they perceive that a female cat is in heat and may even become aggressive towards other males. Neutering reduces this behavior and the associated risks. Female cats that have access to the outdoors should be sterilized, otherwise it is very likely that they will soon have numerous and perhaps unwanted offspring. In addition, sterilization can prevent diseases and helps avoid behavioral problems such as urine marking. In general, there are not many mistakes made in relation to cat feeding, but one of them is not using a specific product to prevent the formation of hairballs in these animals stomachs. Cats are very clean animals that groom themselves regularly and can ingest large amounts of hair which can cause hairballs to form and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Fortunately, there are malt based products available in veterinary centers and specialty stores that are very useful for preventing this problem. There are even specific foods to prevent problems caused by hairballs. Another big mistake some cat owners make is not controlling their weight, especially in sterilized animals. Neutered cats have a tendency to gain more weight due to hormonal issues, so it is recommended to provide them with a low calorie diet. In any case, even if you use a light food, you should still offer your cat the amounts recommended by the manufacturer. Despite being a low calorie food, if your cat continues to eat an uncontrolled amount, they will continue to gain weight and that's the end of today's video. We hope you found it useful and learned something new. If you enjoyed it, don't forget to give it a like. Subscribe to our channel and check out all the cat videos we have. Until next time, experts.
