Helpful Cat Tips Can Be Found In The Below Article

Cats are the most curious of creatures. Although they tend to want their own space, at times they don’t mind being close to you. They can be difficult to understand at times, but nothing compares to a cat purring. Read on to find out what makes them tick.

Make sure your cat is always well groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.

Groom your cat. Cats should have regular combings. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.

Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.

You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.

Take your cat to the vet every year. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. There are foods which help combat this problem. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.

When your cat is riding with you in your car, ensure you keep their ears in mind. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!

Put the litter box in an ideal location. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. This will keep both you and your cat happy.

Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.

Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. The bones of a cat are weaker than a dogs, therefore, they should be handled with care.

Be sure to carrier train your cat. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. They respond better to encouragement. Therefore, place your cat’s favorite toy into its career. Leave the carrier open in a location that your cat frequently visits. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Never make the mistake of leaving a kitten in a room alone with small children. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.

Get a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats will respond more positively to streams of water. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

Litter Box

Feed canned food to your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. Your vet can give you more information specific to your cat, though canned food is usually better.

Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.

With dogs, tail wagging is a sign they’re in a good mood, or glad their owners are around. Cats also wag their tails, but for totally different reasons. For cats, tail-wagging usually indicates some type of conflict or that he is deciding whether or not to attack or flee from a situation. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.

Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.

It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.

Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. Cats like their water to move. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. A fountain will allow a cat to drink naturally and is better for the environment.

Do not give cat medications intended for humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Giving your pet medication that was meant for you can hurt them pretty seriously and it may even cause death.

If possible, always choose canned cat food. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Ask your vet, though canned food is often better for your cat.

Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. This is why it is sometimes difficult to get them to use something new, like a bowl or cat toy. You shouldn’t be disappointed if your cat avoids new items at first. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.

It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. Even an indoor pet should have this. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.

Overfeeding your cat can result in serious health issues as he ages. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Monitor your cat’s meal portions, and be sure he is getting a well balanced diet.

If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.

Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. If they scratch the upholstery up, place some tape on it to keep them from doing it. Your local pet store may carry tape for this. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.

Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.

It is important that you treat your cats with tick and flea medications year-round. Most only need to be applied monthly. These particular medications will help prevent harmful ticks and fleas from leeching onto your pet, which can cause many illnesses. Be sure to use something made just for cats to keep your pet safe.

Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. It is especially important that you get good vet care for kittens so they get all the shots they need. When you have a cat, it becomes a member of your family, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.

Bringing another pet into the home can end up initially upsetting your cat. Prevent animal drama by separating your cat and new pet. Let your cat learn what the new animal smells like. After a while, introduce the new pet to the family cat.

If your cat is refusing to use his litter box, you should try putting it in a different location. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.

While you might think that a cat is the ideal holiday gift for your child, it’s simply too hectic of a time. Try bringing your child along with to assist in the pet selection process.

Cats aren’t easy to understand, but they sure are loving. Let what you have read here sink in so you can take better care of your furry friend. Having cats can be a great thing for anyone, and when you care for them properly, a happy cat is a great friend.

Since Christmas trees are seasonal, they are a source of curiosity for cats, so keep an eye on them around the tree. Cats are extremely curious creatures; therefore, whenever you place Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree in your home, cats may attempt to claw the decorations and climb up the tree. Keep all ornaments up high and the cat away.