Care Tips For A Healthy, Happy Cat

Feral cats are felines that wander the streets. These cats are overpopulated and can be a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. Keep reading for the cat care of your pet.

Make sure your cat sees a vet regularly to maintain their good health. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.

TIP! Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs.

Don’t let your cat get bored too often. Cats need to play and exercise. Bored cats tend to develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them toys and a large number of toys. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching posts.

Cats sometimes will spend a ton of time grooming themselves to perfection. Hairballs are more common for long-haired cats. There is a special food on the market that can ease this issue. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.

TIP! You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

Be considerate of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, but they enjoy softer sounds. To ensure your cat’s trip is pleasant, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

Cats are great family pets, though small kids may be too rough. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a cat. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.

If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.

TIP! Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level.

When you get a cat for your kids, set boundaries beforehand. Let your children know what rooms their cat can be in. Setting the rules ahead of time can help your children understand.

Try to figure out why your cat meowing excessively. After you have lived with your cat for a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. By taking note of your cat’s cues, it will be easier to know what they want.

Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! Installing a drinking fountain for your cat is a more eco-friendly way to provide it with some running water.

Cats love high up. You could even place a blanket on the shelf to make your kitty some comfort.

Speak with other cat troubles. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, advice from other people with cats can be a big help.

It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. Sometimes, abnormal urination habits indicate an infection of the urinary tract. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.

TIP! A long-haired cat comes with a great deal of extra care. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home.

Take time to make your cat to go into a carrier. Cats don’t respond like dogs do. Encouragement is usually a much better way to get your cats to perform. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier then leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. The cat will eventually get into it and feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. This will make it easier later.

If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.

Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. 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! If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. Your cat might have a hard time using the litter box because of a health condition.

Consider getting your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats usually like a water stream better. Cats will even drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the tap if they can! A fountain will allow a cat to drink naturally and is better for the water moving without letting any go to waste.

Play is an essential element of a cat’s life. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat.

Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. Exercising every day with the owner doesn’t come with the risks of disease or attack that other cats face roaming the wild.

TIP! Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger.

Are you having a hard time getting rid of cat hair in your home? Cats are known for shedding, it is very important you brush them frequently. If your cat is a big shedder, you need to brush it more often. This will also stop their coats from getting tangled up.

After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of your cat’s needs. A cat can be a constant companion or just a decent neighbor – if you know how to treat it right. You should still be considerate of a cat’s sensitivities when interacting with it. Perhaps you will fall in love with a feral cat.

Avoid overfeeding your cat because this can cause many health issues. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Take care to feed your cat the correct portion sizes. A balanced, nutritious diet is important.