Is a cat a part of your family? If you are, you know just how awesome it is. You will need to care for your cat often as they require your attention and love. Thankfully, a bit of knowledge will help you succeed. Continue reading to learn excellent cat-care tips in order to raise an excellent cat.

You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. Be very careful with the flea products you use. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter.

If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. They can scratch this instead. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.

TIP! Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.

Cats love high spots. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.

Cat Owners

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.

Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Your cat is a carnivore, and for proper nutrition, he should have a food high in animal protein in order to keep him at his best.

You love your cat, and you want to make sure you’re giving it the best care you can. After reading this article, you should have a good foundation of knowledge on how to care for your pet. You should apply the tips you just read in this article to make sure your cat is happy and healthy. If you show your cat love, you can be certain it will return the favor.