Cats are very smart, loving and fun animals but they require some attention. These felines are one of the most common household pets and flood the streets of every major city when active. It may be difficult to live with a cat for the first time. These beautiful animals require special care.

Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This may harm or kill them. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.

TIP! Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. 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. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.

Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.

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.

Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.

Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.

Do you have both a dog and a 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. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

TIP! If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out.

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.

Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. Even if your cat is a house cat, this is still a good idea. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.

It’s important that cats get play time. After all, everyone likes to play. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Have as much fun time with your cat as possible.

TIP! Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost.

The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to 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. Your cat is a member of your family, so treat them like any valued member of your home.

Now that you’ve read this advice, you should better be able to outsmart your feline companion. Soon, you will have your cat understanding where his limitations are. Cats can become well-trained if you put in the effort necessary.