How To Keep Your Cat Happy And Strong.

Cats are very pleasant and loving animals if you take good care of them. Education on the best way to care for a cat is the most important step in cat ownership. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. This helps them keep their precious coat properly clean at all times. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. 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.

It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. If you find a vet you are comfortable with, use them for the duration of your cat’s life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. They can scratch the post instead. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. A spayed cat is a safe cat.

You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.

It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.

Never let a cat become bored. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Many owners just don’t have time. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.

If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.

Place a “tablecloth” under your cat’s food bowl. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.

You can often find better deals for cat medicine online rather than buying them from the 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. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.

If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.

Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.

Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If they have to go outside, make sure it’s a small area like your lawn or backyard.

Cats enjoy high places. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.

Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.

Carriers are great devices for you to have as a cat owner. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. Never allow your cat to nibble on garlic, onions or green tomatoes. Grapes, which seem harmless enough, are also a no-no. These foods are healthy for humans, but they can make cats very sick. Milk can also end up giving your cat an upset stomach.

It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. All animals of all ages need to play and a cat is no different. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Enjoy some playtime with your cat.

Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. These chemicals can have a devastating impact on your cat’s liver.

Keep your cat healthy, and ensure him a longer life, by keeping him up-to-date on his vaccinations and health check-ups. Immunizations can prevent your cat from attaining viruses or diseases. 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.

Do not give cat medications intended for humans. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.

Panting is something that you may encounter with your cat. Panting is normal for a dog. While panting can be a sign that your cat is overheated or anxious, it can also be a sign of something much more serious. Be sure to call your vet, particularly if your pet has suffered from respiratory issues.

Apply sticky tape to your furniture. If you have a cat that scratches your upholstery you need to place tape on that as well. There is specific tape for this purpose. Booby-trapping furniture and getting a scratching post can help you break your cat of this habit.

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. A teaspoon of tuna water mixed with pumpkin can also work. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.

If you buy another pet, and you own a cat, it may be initially fearful of the new animal. To reduce the drama, separate the new animal from your cat. Let the cat grow accustomed to the new scents. Then gradually introduce the new pet to the cat. Take it slow so your cat does not get upset.

Put sticky tape on furniture. If they scratch the upholstery up, place some tape on it to keep them from doing it. There is tape available that is specifically designed for this. The tape throws the cat off when it starts to scratch the furniture. In addition, buy a scratching post to satisfy the cat’s instinctual need to scratch.

Cats should always be brought inside during bad weather. Examples of times to keep your cat inside are during cold snaps, storms and periods of high wind. They may look for places to hide, often under a warm car, dangerously near the engine. By letting them out during bad weather, you may end up losing your cat.

Make sure you know of any holes in your home that your cat might get into. Cats can fit into very small spaces. This sort of behavior is particularly common in kittens. Be aware of this when you are bringing a new cat into the home. Get holes repaired or covered up as you find them.

Beware of the curiosity of a cat at Christmas. Cats are often curious, and climbing a tree can cause you some problems. Keep them separated, and make sure your ornaments don’t have small pieces that could be digested.

You cannot keep a cat as a pet if you are not prepared to properly care for it. Good cat owners will review this piece often and take its advice to heart. Applying the insight learned in these tips will help to ensure that your pet has a happy life and provides wonderful companionship.

In order to maximize the chance that your cat will be returned to you if it gets lost, have a microchip implanted. If your cat is missing, you may look online and see where they are so that you can easily get them back.