A Guide To Caring For Your Cat

TIP! Keep your drape cords away from your cats. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard.

Cats are terrific, but are quite particular. Whether your cat needs a special diet or hates to be groomed, you’ll encounter a number of issues while caring for your pet. In the paragraphs below, you’ll find suggestions on how to provide your pet with all it needs.

TIP! Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.

TIP! It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill. This is especially true of flea products. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost.

Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.

TIP! It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats love being up high so that they can see.

If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This isn’t safe for your cat. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

TIP! Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Cats need play and exercise like other pets.

Do you own a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.

TIP! Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you.

Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

TIP! Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. If you live with a cat for any amount of time, you will soon start to understand what your cat wants when she meows.

It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. Veterinary information is essential if your cat needs medication.

TIP! Use a brush on your cat regularly. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has.

If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.

TIP! Acclimate your cat to a cat carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment.

Though caring for a cat can seem like no big deal, there are actually a lot of things to consider, including veterinarian visits and giving them extra amounts of attention. Consider the tips presented here to help you become a better pet owner and feel prepared for whatever your cat has in store for you. The research will reward you both!