7 common mistakes when raising a cat

1.Think that a cat is like a dog

Unlike dogs, in the wild cats are solitary hunters, and although they can form integrated social groups with a defined hierarchy, cats are usually more independent and less hierarchical than dogs.

Therefore, and although there are cats much more submissive and affectionate than many dogs, if you are looking for an extremely faithful pet that shows a unconditional love and obedience should opt for a dog, to avoid disappointment and frustrations.

On the other hand, we must not forget that when a cat seeks the company and the owner's carino is because you really want this attention and because he feels comfortable with him, not because his instinct forces him or because he considers it a reference figure, and this is something that cat owners very positively appreciate .

2.Neglect cat education

Cats are much more complicated to educate than dogs, since they are much less hierarchical animals, as mentioned. Creating a link with the animal is essential, and for it is important that the cat see its owner as something positive and assimilate its presence to a pleasant state.

In many cases, taking advantage of the sense of the hierarchy that dogs have, to have an educated dog and balanced just give him just, coherent and simple orders, but to cats "you have to win them".

Play regularly with him, correct him at the precise moment that he does something wrong with clear orders and without resorting to violence is very Beneficial.Cats can also respond well to positive training, although it is usually not as easy and effective as in the case of dogs.

3.Pick it up when you're too young

One of the most common mistakes made when raising a cat is adopting it very soon , sometimes almost as soon as it is born, when the ideal is to do it once the Weaning the kitten naturally (from the month of life).

Although extreme care and providing adequate food (they sell special milk for lactating cats) should not be major problems, it is beneficial for health of the animal being with his mother in that period, which is also the one that can best teach him the behaviors typical of his species.

On the other hand, we must not forget the importance of socialization period [1] [2] of these animals, which takes place between two and seven weeks of life of the animal, in which it is convenient to present the stimuli that you will know during your life so that he doesn't recognize them later as something new and dangerous.

That a puppy has not finished its vaccination period Ion does not mean that it must become an asylum "bubble cat" in the world, and that people or animals cannot be invited home while the cat that lives in it is a puppy without vaccinating.

Of course, if other animals come to the house where the kitten is, it is necessary to make sure that these are not aggressive, are not sick and are properly vaccinated and wormed.

4.Do not vaccinate or deworm the cat

Another common mistake when caring for a cat is not giving him the health care he needs, thinking that since he doesn't leave home and eats almost exclusively, I think he can't get diseases or harbor parasites.

Although it is true that not having access to the outside is more difficult than sick, it is also that this is not entirely impossible, so it is advisable to prevent these problems.

Obviously the risk in cats that live at home is not the same as in cats with access to the outside and there are vaccines that are not necessary to administer in the first ones, therefore it is necessary to go to a veterinarian who should establish a program of vaccination for cats specific to the life characteristics of each animal.

As for external deworming (against fleas and ticks, especially) and the internal deworming (against intestinal worms), although it may be less strict than in the case of dogs, it is convenient to deworm internally every 3 months and apply a flea and tick repellent product, especially in dogs.months of summer .Find out more about deworming in cats.

In addition, in some places the Law requires vaccinating against certain diseases and maintaining a minimum frequency in internal deworming.Yes, for example, in Spain it is currently mandatory to vaccinate rabies cats and also to deworm internally, once a year, with an effective product against Echinococcus (a type of tapeworm).

5.Do not assess the possibility of sterilizing the cat or cat

The breeding season of these animals can lead to uncomfortable behaviors for cat owners, as well as dangers to the health of the cats.This season occurs in spring-summer, in which cats (poliestric) seasonal) jealousy of approximately one week long , with breaks of one or two weeks.

In cats that live inside the home, this time can last much longer since, being the lighting and the temperature of the house more or less constant, it is difficult for the organism of the animal to detect the changes of season.

In this period, many Males tend to escape when they detect a cat in heat and can be aggressive with other males sometimes causing peels that can have serious consequences.This can be corrected in part by castrating the animal.

In cats that have access to the outside of the house, sterilization is necessary Aryan, otherwise its owner could soon find a offspring as numerous as unwanted.

In addition, sterilization can prevent diseases (such as deutero or ovarian tumors, for example) and help avoid behavioral problems such as urine marking.

6.Do not avoid swallowing hairballs in cats

Generally, you don't usually make big mistakes in cat feeding, but one of them is not to provide a product to prevent digestive problems caused by swallowing hairballs .

As explained in our post about hairballs in cats, cats are very clean animals that groom themselves regularly and can ingest hairballs, and this can end up causing vomiting and constipation or diarrhea .

Fortunately, there are products available in veterinary centers and specialized stores, based on malt, which are very useful.Another option equally successful and more comfortable is to buy a specific feed to prevent problems caused by hairballs.

7.Overweight in neutered cats

The other mistake that can occur when raising a cat is not controlling its weight , especially in sterilized animals .Castrated animals tend to gain weight for a hormonal issue with which it is recommended to provide a low calorie feed or a specific one for sterilized cats, which already contemplates this fact in its composition.

Anyway, even if a feed is used light , you have to measure the amount of the same that is given to the cat, following the manufacturer's instructions, since having less calories the animal will eat more I think that if a normal one was given with what I will continue to gain weight.

If you want to know more about being overweight in cats, we recommend you read our post on obesity in cats.

If you want to read more articles similar to 7 common mistakes when raising a cat , we recommend that you enter in our Basic Care section.

References

Horwitz D., Mills D., 2012.BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine .Houpt A.2011. Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians&Animal Scientists .5th ed Wiley-Blackwell.