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4 Easy Tips To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

Your kitten will thank you later.

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Ensuring that your cat is happy and healthy is a top priority as a pet parent. The good news is, it’s easy to do on a daily basis. Here are four pet care tips for cats that include soothing a bee sting, fixing their constipation troubles, and preventing them from scratching the wall.

Soothe a kitty’s bee sting.

While exploring your yard, your poor kitty got stung! The fast save: Swaddle her in a towel, then gently scrape the area with a credit card if the stinger is visible. Next, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste, and apply to the sting. The alkalinity of the baking soda will neutralize the acidity of the bee venom, reducing pain. (Note: If you notice swelling, Kitty may be having an allergic reaction. Check with your vet, who may advise administering Benadryl to treat the problem.)

This prevents wall dings.

Crating your pal is part of your daily routine, but it’s so frustrating that every time Buster gets in and out of the crate, it bumps up against the wall — soon enough, it will require a fresh coat of paint! To the rescue: a pool noodle! Simply cut the length of the noodle to fit over the part of the crate that rests closest to the wall. Then slice it lengthwise and place over the crate’s sharp edges. The soft bumper will prevent the crate from touching your wall, ensuring it stays nick-free!

Easy key to keeping Mittens inside.

It never fails: As soon as you arrive home and open the door to greet your sweet cat, she tries to run outside! Hinder her antics by making the area unappealing with a small citrus sachet — cats detest the scent, so Mittens will steer clear. To do: Place a handful of citrus peels in a cheesecloth or old hosiery leg, tying the end shut with some string. Hang it on the door and freshen up as needed by adding a few drops of citrus-scented essential oil. Your feline friend will avoid the area near the door, and your entryway will smell amazing!

How to fix a cat ’s constipation.

Your poor sweetie has been jumping in and out of the litter box, a sure sign she’s constipated. Here, readers share how they help ease their cats’ straining:

55 percent love this idea! Since dehydration is a likely cause, place a Ping-Pong ball in her water bowl, says Erin Konnecke. She’ll dab at the ball, lick her paw and get more water.

45 percent this idea! Add coconut oil to her food, says Gina Stark. Hair balls can constipate cats, so the slick oil will help move them out.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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