How To Take Care Of Your Cat In The Best Ways

Cats are great pets. As the owner of a cat, you have the special responsibility to provide adequate attention, so they can be healthy and live longer. Read this article thoroughly to pick up some great cat owner.

You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. This will also cut down on shedding and can reduce issues with hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

TIP! 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.

Cats really enjoy getting into small spaces to fit into.A breakaway collar will let go if pulled on it. This can save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.

A cat’s claws can do a lot of damage to your home and belongings. It might take a little while, but will be worth the effort and expense.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. Flea products are a prime example. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.

TIP! Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. In other words, they’ll be up and about late into the night.

Think about having a microchip for your feline friend. Even cats may get out a window or door. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. A microchip will hold your contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice.

Be especially mindful of your cat’s preferences while traveling. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, turn off the music or keep the volume low.

Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Like humans, cats want to feel wanted and needed. Make her feel like she is part of your family.

TIP! While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Teach your children how to handle a cat.

Create a tablecloth for your cats can use. Cats sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This may make a big mess that you must then clean later.

When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat can be in. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your children understand.

Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. She could be signaling that she is hungry, or she might want to go outside. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.

TIP! Do you own a dog and cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go.

Take time to train your cat to go into a carrier. You cannot punish a cat the same way you would a dog because they react differently to punishment. They respond better with encouragement. Put a nice blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat is most often. The cat will eventually get into it and feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. This takes the cat in its carrier.

Make sure your cat always wears identification and a collar all the time. This is essential even true for indoor cats. Cats are curious creatures and they may escape out of a door or a window. This will be important if you have a cat has special medical needs.

Cats love high spots. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.

Litter Box

Pay attention if your cat does not use their litter box. There are a number of health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. A UTI or kidney infection may be the reason for this. Speak with your vet if you have a cat that has these issues.

Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. Cats prefer used scratching posts. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.

TIP! Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well.

If you have a female cat that is in the process of giving birth, be sure she has enough space. The birth process can last up to four hours, so you must exercise patience. If it drags on for six to eight hours, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Try relocating your litter box somewhere else if the cat won’t use it. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot.

Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. However, it is important to keep their litter box in an area they can easily get to. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.

TIP! Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life.

Dogs wag their tails as a sign of joy. Cats move their tail for a different reason. A cat that is flicking its tail when it is upset.If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, putting him down keeps you safe.

As you can now see, cats make outstanding pets. Take the time to learn the best way to take care of a cat so that you can fulfill your obligation as its owner. Keep the tips you’ve read here in mind and enjoy your feline friend. Your cat will thank you!

If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.