Feline Magic: Cat Tips You Simply Have To Know

Cats provide endless hours of companionship and entertainment. However, it also takes lots of work to take care of a cat. Cat owners need to know of the responsibilities that come with having a feline. The article presented here has a lot of useful (and even vital information) for anyone who has or plans to get a cat. Read them to keep your cat strong and happy.

You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This is incredibly dangerous as it could be fatal for your cat. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.

Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.

Groom your cat. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.

Make sure your cat is not too bored. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Cats that are frequently bored may develop OCD, depression or other harmful conditions. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.

Cats love to be clean. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.

Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.

If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Try to find a cat food that has a low level of magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.

You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. But, for routine medications, this can be a budget-saver.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You may love loud music, bit it might be bothering your cat. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.

If you cat is overly vocal, try to figure out exactly why he or she is making so much noise. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. By listening to your cat, it will be easier to know what they want.

You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It is dangerous in today’s society. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.

Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. It can be unsafe. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.

Use care if you have kids and a cat. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. When they mature, they can spend alone time with the kitty.

Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Brush your cat’s fur regularly. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.

Litter Box

Be sure to carrier train your cat. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. You should place a toy or a blanket inside the carrier and place it in an area where it will be noticed by your cat. 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.

You should never punish your cat for not using the litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.

Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.

Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. This is very important for indoor cats. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. The tag should have your phone number on it. This is especially true for cats with medical conditions.

Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.

Does it feel like your home is overrun with your cat’s hair? Since cats shed so much, you must remember to brush them regularly. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. This will make your cat’s coat nice and smooth.

If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.

Carefully consider where you will place your friend’s litter box. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. Cats tend to be finicky so you need to give them an environment that isn’t off-putting or inconvenient. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.

Make sure your cat’s collar has important information, such as your address, phone number and name. Even an indoor cat can get out. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.

If you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, be sure he gets his shots when he is supposed to an take him for a yearly check-up. Immunizations can prevent your cat from attaining viruses or diseases. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.

Your cat should remain indoors and near your home. Free-ranging cats who spend most of their time outdoors have a shorter lifespan than those that are raised and accustomed to indoor living. A cat that is properly exercised indoors won’t be at high risk of attack or disease like cats that remain outdoors.

Dogs usually wag their tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. If you see a cat’s tail moving like that, it is an indication that they are agitated or don’t know what to do. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!

Pay attention to panting from your cat. With dogs, this is something that is common. Panting can indicate overheating or anxiousness; however, it can indicate health issues as well. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.

Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Your cat may be seriously injured or killed because they are not prepared to defend themselves against another animal who may attack them. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Don’t take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.

Cats can contract many illnesses that you do. You know your friend’s habits, and you should be able to tell when they’re not feeling well. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.

Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. You shouldn’t be disappointed if your cat avoids new items at first. They’ll get used to it given time.

As mentioned earlier, you benefit from having a cat. You definitely need to take care of the feline so that it lives a great and healthy life. Using the information provided here will be a big step in making your cat a happy addition to your life.

If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. Mixing the pumpkin up with water drained from a can of tuna (again, one teaspoon’s worth) may also help. It is also possible to get help from cat food varieties containing fiber and other ingredients.