Ways to Make Your House More Comfortable for Your Cat on a Budget

 

Every pet owner always wants the best for their pet's health and safety. Lots of owners are always on the lookout for items or ways of improving the lives of their pets. This can sometimes prove to be a bit costly yet there are also budget solutions to your issues. Besides, sometimes investing in items for your pets can prevent future health problems that may cost you more in the long run in the form of vet bills.

If you want your cat to live a long and satisfying life the way that your house is set up matters. Anyone who has owned a cat for a while or had one as a family pet growing up has noticed that they tend to get into all sorts of trouble or damage furniture in the house. This is completely normal behaviour for a pet and it can be avoided if you offer them the proper care.

Because of this budget pet items are very popular. By following a few simple steps and setting up a proper area for your pet you can help them live a healthy and fulfilling life without having to spend a fortune.

Finding a Good Cat Scratching Post

A very common question is what makes a good cat scratching post? While it might seem like a simple choice there are actually a lot of factors that go into making the right choice. Do not be inclined to buy the first item that you see as it might cause you some trouble later down the line. You would be surprised by how many items people end up buying on a whim only to put them in their storage and forget about them.

A good first step in making the right choice is thinking of your pet’s items as a piece of furniture in your house. For example a cat scratching post will be more aesthetically pleasing and not stick out like a sore thumb if you consider how it will match with the rest of the colours in your room. Placement is also important so you should check how much space you have where you want to put the cat scratching post before shopping. While these might seem like obvious things they are often overlooked.

The material that pet items are made out of is extremely important as it has to be safe for them. They might swallow bits of material or hurt themselves while scratching or biting it if it is not specifically pet safe. Materials such as carpet, cardboard and sisal rope are recommended as they are very pleasant for your cat to scratch. It is best that you have a cat scratching post made out of different materials from the rest of the items in your house so that you do not encourage the cat to scratch your furniture.

While boards seem like a better option for your budget they might not be as satisfying for your cat to use. They need a slightly taller item to scratch on so that they can stretch and get exercise in. It is very important that your cat is always able to stretch and that it has vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces. Remember to look for that when you go shopping for pet items so that your cat can get the most use out of that item.

Benefits of a Cat Scratcher

There are lots of benefits that a cat scratcher can provide for your pet which makes these items a necessity for every cat owner. As mentioned previously cats always need to stretch and require some form of exercise. A cat scratcher can help them do that easily throughout the day without you having to worry about it.

Another benefit of a cat scratcher is that it helps with your cat's claws. They need to scratch regularly in order to keep their claws from growing misshapen and they help them shed the sheaths on them. It is best that you regularly check your cats’ claws in general so that you keep them healthy. While some people usually go for trimming or even de-clawing these can be extremely painful for your pet and greatly impair their movement. Trimming is generally only considered fine if the cat’s claws are overgrown.

Additionally, a cat scratcher can also help your pet destress. Scratching is natural and a common pet behaviour that you should always expect from it. Every cat owner has to accept this and offer it a designated spot to do so. It fulfils multiple regulatory functions for your pet so a healthy cat will always scratch things.

Other Items for Your Cat

There are lots of items that pet owners can purchase in order to improve their lives or make certain tasks easier. For example your cat might not like its scratching post at first and might not approach it the first few days. You can use some catnip items on the post so that you get the cat to use it.

Another important thing is keeping your cat well-groomed. Pet groomers can sometimes be expensive but you can purchase special gloves or brushes to help you brush out the stray bits of fur from your cat's coat. This also prevents your cat from choking on its fur and it helps keep your space clean. You can also purchase pet shampoo to bathe your cat if needed but you should also look up an online guide beforehand for tips.

You can also purchase toys for your cats to keep them entertained. It does not have to be something big or expensive it just has to be engaging and safe to use for your pet. Playing is very important for pets in general as it helps them use their instincts and exercise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a lot of reasons why you should get dedicated cat items. If you want your pet to live a healthy and fulfilling life you shouldn't only pay attention to their food but also to their environment.