Cats 101: Everything You Need To Know

Cats are one of the most popular and companions. Those who have never owned a cat before would be wise to read the article below. Below are some great tips and tricks that will help any cat owner coexist with their new feline friend.

Don’t let your cat near drape cords. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

TIP! Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill.

Check out your local animal shelter before you have plans to get a cat. Shelters always have tons of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.

Be sure your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Cats need routine annual check-ups and wellness checks just like people.Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.

Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.

TIP! Cats love to be clean. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs.

It can be hard to make your cat stay off the countertops. Cats love being up high so they can see what’s going on around the house. You may be able to battle this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out.

Cats can tend to be more often than not. This means that they will usually be quite active during the night. This will reduce the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

TIP! Place a “tablecloth” under your cat’s food bowl. Cats like to make a mess when they eat.

Give your kitty lots of attention and love. Cats need just as much companionship as they offer to humans. They want to know they are a valuable part of your family.

You can often find better deals for cat medication online rather than getting it from your veterinarian. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, this might not be possible. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, this can be a budget-saver.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

TIP! You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough.

Cats are great family pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile.Teach your kids how to handle a cat. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to properly pick your cat up. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.

Create a tablecloth for your cat. Cats will sometimes pluck food outside of their bowl. This means food on the floor outside their bowl that you will have to clean later.

Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.

TIP! Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Read the ingredients, and make sure a source of protein, like fish or chicken, is near the top.

When you get a cat for your kids, set boundaries beforehand. Make sure everyone understands which areas of the house the cat is not allowed in. Setting the rules ahead of time can help your children understand.

Try to figure out why kitty is meowing. After a while, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

Play is something that all cats need to do. Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Even older cats love a little play, just not as rough. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

TIP! You need to carefully consider where you put the litter box for your cat. You may really want to hide that box from everyday life.

Be careful about allowing children to be alone with your children. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a pet. They don’t know what harm they can potentially do to kittens. As kids age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.

Scratching Post

Give your cat a collar with your contact information. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.

TIP! Don’t give your cat medicine that is meant for humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide.

Don’t toss an old scratching post. This is the time when your cats most appreciate. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.

Choosing a cat is an excellent decision. They are a source of comfort and reduce stress. However, it is important to know the basics of cat care in order to live peacefully with your feline. Be sure to use the advice above so that you and your cat can coexist for years and years.

Overfeeding your cat can dramatically affect its future health. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.