Helpful Cat Tips

Smoking Perils

• Quit smoking. Smoking is a dangerous habit for humans and their household pets. Cats are susceptible to illnesses through second-hand smoke because of their low body weight and their inborn habit of licking themselves to groom their fur. The particulate matter in second-hand smoking that affects both cats and humans consists of poisonous chemicals such as DDT (a banned pesticide), arsenic and formaldehyde. Second-hand smoke toxins cause respiratory diseases in cats and a cancer called feline lymphoma. Third-hand smoke, particulate matter that settles onto furniture, carpets, clothing and animal fur, presents a hazard because cats can ingest the toxins while grooming. Eating the tobacco from abandoned cigarette stubs is also a hazard to cats.

Declawing

• Do not declaw your cat. Removing a cat's claws makes the animal defenseless and afraid. Declawing a cat will create behavior problems such as spraying urine and defecating outside the litter box or biting behavior. Teach your cat how to use a scratching post by gently patting the cat's paws on the post. Show your cat scratching motions on the post. Add praise and a treat to the lesson. Cut your cat's claws or take your cat to a grooming salon to have the cat's claws manicured. Claw caps are an option to cutting. Squirt citrus on the area where you do not want scratches or place double-sided tape on furniture.

Litter Box

• Keep your cat's litter box clean. Cats find dirty litter boxes offensive and they will defecate or urinate outside the box if it contains old waste. Make sure that you use mild soap and water to clean the litter box. Harsh chemicals such as bleach, perfumed litters and citrus scents offend cats.

Play

• Play with your cat. Cats become bored, temperamental and slothful if no one plays with them. There are simple games you can do with your cat that will keep it entertained. Crumpling up paper or using a small rubber ball to bat back and forth with your pet gives it paw and eye coordination. A thick string chased around the floor can provide necessary cardiovascular exercise for the animal.

Human Food

• Do not feed your cat most human foods. It is tempting to sneak human treats to your pet, but many of these are not healthy for your feline friend. Never allow your cat to eat chocolate or drink caffeinated beverages. Be also careful about the human food you put into your cat's dish. For example, egg whites and raw yolks are dangerous for cats because whites contain avidin, a chemical that destroys B vitamins. Raw eggs can harbor salmonella bacteria. However, boiled egg yolks given in moderation provide your cat with biotin or a B vitamin that contributes to healthy skin and fur.