Check Out These Great Tips About Cats!

You probably look at your cat as a family member. That’s why you need to do what you can to keep them safe from harmful things like fleas and parasites. Keeping your cat healthy is important. Keep reading to learn some great information about cat care.

Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.

When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.

Good grooming is important for cats. Cats should have regular combings. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

Make sure your cat is always well groomed. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.

If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.

Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.

Litter Box

An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.

Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Your cat and your nose will thank you for the effort.

Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.

Give your cat plenty of love and affection. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Cats are social animals and will thrive when they are included in daily activities and life. They should feel like a valued family member as well.

Give your cat lots of attention and love. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.

Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.

Cats enjoy being in high places. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.

If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.

Brush your cat regularly. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.

Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.

To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. If you feed them only one type of food, they may refuse to eat anything else. However, stick with the same brand, and just vary the flavors because cats can have stomach problems if you vary the food too much.

Don’t buy cheap cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.

If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.

You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.

Use canned food for your cat. While dry food is less expensive, canned food is healthier. It has water content, which is good for cats with bladder issues. For older cats, canned food chew easier. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.

Is there cat hair everywhere? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat is shedding a lot, you should brush them more frequently. This will help to prevent tangling and matting.

Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.

Do not use cleaning supplies with phenol in them if you have a cat. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat. It causes liver problems in felines.

Pay attention if you cat does not use the litter box. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. Issues like a kidney infection are often behind such behaviors. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.

Cats’ powerful olfactory abilities mean that they can smell changes in their home. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. Don’t fret if you can’t get kitty to use a new item right away. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.

With dogs, tail wagging is a sign they’re in a good mood, or glad their owners are around. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.

Your cat may be lonely if you return to work after adopting them. One possible solution to ending your cat’s loneliness is to adopt a second cat.

Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. Sometimes this causes problems if you introduce a new food dish, bed, or scratching post. Don’t get discouraged if you find that your cat is not interested in these things right away. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.

The possibility of fleas are something that every cat owner needs to be aware of and prepared to fight. Such pests can linger if untreated. By using the methods listed above, you’ll be able to rid your cat of and prevent parasites. This will make your cat very happy!

If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Dogs love to pant. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Be sure and make an appointment with your vet if you notice any respiratory problems with your cat.