Protect Your Cat With These Excellent Ideas

Cats, like most pets, require plenty of responsible care. Cats aren’t groomed in the same way that dogs or other pets are groomed. Keeping your cat clean, well-fed and happy will expand their life span. This article contains suggestions on how to groom your cat.

Groom your cat. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. This leads to a cleaner cat. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This will help you save your cat’s life.

It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Your cat should have regular well visits, as well as all the recommended vaccinations for his age. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat’s history.

Spay your female cat. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.

If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.

Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.

You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats don’t like dog products. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. In fact, it is a good idea to separate your cat and dog for a few hours after your dog has taken flea medication.

Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.

Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Look over the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.

Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.

Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.

Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. Cats love them! 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.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Get your cat a drinking fountain. Cats like their water to move. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. You may have noticed that a dripping sink faucet quickly attracts their attention. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.

Why is your cat meowing? If you live with a cat for any amount of time, you will soon start to understand what your cat wants when she meows. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. Be aware of the cues your cat gives you, and the two of you will have a better relationship.

Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This is very important for indoor cats. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. Make sure the collars have tags with your contact information and your veterinarian’s information as well. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.

Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Cats come to harm outside every day. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.

When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.

Is your cat peeing all the time, sometimes in places that it shouldn’t? If so, you should talk to your veterinarian. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.

Brush your cat’s coat often. This will spread a cat’s oils from their fur and help blood flow from within their skin. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.

If you have a pregnant cat ready to birth her babies, be sure she has enough space. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. You should take your cat to the vet if deliveries lasts for more than five or six hours.

When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. This sort of behavior is common among cats with UTIs and other health problems. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.

Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. These foods are healthy for humans, but they can make cats very sick. Milk could also lead to an upset stomach if the cat drinks it.

Prior to adopting any long-haired cat, make sure you understand the extra work involved. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Also, give them the right food which is anti-hairball.

Once you have taken great care of your cat, it can be a better pet. It is up to you to take the necessary steps so your cat looks happy and healthy. Anything you can do in terms of grooming that cat will definitely appreciate. Read here about how to be successful in keeping your cat groomed in a healthy, productive way.

If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. A UTI or kidney infection may be the reason for its bathroom problems. You should take your cat to the vet if you think there is something wrong with your pet.