See Eight things you should never do to your cat

With a cat or two in the house, even the most dedicated pet parent can relax and take Kitty’s presence for granted. Even simple neglect can have serious consequences for your cat’s well-being and quality of life. Here are 8 things you should NEVER do to your pet cat.

1. Skip the flea treatment

Cat scratching with a blanket Your cat stays indoors and rarely comes into contact with other animals. Why bother with indoor cat flea treatment? Believe it or not, fleas and ticks can easily enter your home and cause problems for cats. You may walk home with fleas after visiting a friend’s dog or bring a tick on your clothes after a walk in the woods. Cleaning your cat of fleas and ticks has never been easier with a wide range of products available. (Not so fun fact: If your cat ingests a flea, it can develop a debilitating tapeworm infection that can live in its small intestine for years.)

2.Take your cat outside unsupervised

Cat out in the Garden Think your cat wants to explore the splendor of spring on his own? Hey, he knows where he lives and he would never get lost, right? Wrong. Your indoor cat’s reaction to being outdoors may be curiosity, confusion, or fear. When a strange dog approaches, it may jump out of traffic or sink under a bush. Keep Kitty safely harnessed and calm with your outdoor activities to ensure her and your peace of mind.

3. Leave the windows open

The cat looks out the window Even protected windows can be a danger to curious cats. The thrill of Robin flying by can cause your fluffy gringo to accidentally clip off the screen and fall to the ground. If you are at work when an incident occurs, it may be hours before you realize that your cat is injured or missing. Choose sturdy double screens and limit window openings to about one inch when you’re not around to keep an eye on Kitty.

4. Stop vet visits

Your cat looks healthy. He is eating well, looks good and has not changed his activity level. But cats, like all of us, can experience subtle health changes, from vision to kidneys. Cats know how to hide their problems and make up for problems. Regular veterinary check-ups can identify the beginning of health problems and treat minor problems. “At least you have a reference when problems arise, The cat’s medical history is documented, so there should be fewer surprises.”

5. Hold your cat while driving

Cat stretches on top of car Most cats don’t like to travel and resent being put in a carrier, but a free cat can become fearful. fur missile in a moving vehicle. A loose cat annoys the driver and is prone to injury or escape. If your cat is loose and ping-ponging around the car, your end goal is disaster. So strap on a secure cat carrier for a safe trip.

6. Throw your cat off the counter

A cat lying on the kitchen counter A curious grunt sticking her nose into a roast chicken cooling on the counter may be annoying, but she doesn’t deserve to be treated like a cat frisbee Grabbing and throwing your cat in frustration can harm your cat both physically and mentally. Always treat your cat gently and the cat will respond to your wishes.

7. Forget to brush your cat’s teeth

The cat with a toothbrush ​​​Cats don’t like someone touching their precious pearly whites, and your cat’s reluctance to open wide was convincing. you that his teeth are healthy enough to protect Kitty’s smile. But plaque from food and saliva can turn into tartar, which can lead to tooth loss. Professional cat teeth cleaning is expensive, so brush your cat’s teeth yourself daily or at least a few times a week to keep Kitty’s gums and teeth healthy.

8. Ignore those furballs

Close-up of a cat coughing or yawning Cats groom themselves, and their ever-busy tongue picks up loose hair and dead skin particles.

If they take over the ball of fur, you’ll probably just let it go out of annoyance – that’s what cats are, right? – and you clean up the mess. However, grooming can significantly reduce the amount of hair your cat eats, meaning there is less to handle or spit out. Cats don’t like to throw these furballs any more than we do to remove them from the living room carpet..