Cats, like many other pets, require regular grooming. That said, it isn’t like grooming a cat. A little extra care and attention is needed to keep them looking good. Read on for useful tips for cat care.

Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This could even choke them to death. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.

TIP! Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health.

It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.

Scratching Post

Cats can really scratch up your home. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. Sooner or later, they’ll love to use it.

TIP! Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck.

You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.

Look online for cat medicine. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

Cat Owners

TIP! Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.

Use a brush on your cat regularly. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. Also, it helps manage loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.

Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. Cats who eat the same food day after day either grow tired of it, or it becomes the only food that they will eat.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Your cat needs plenty of exercise.

If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.

Does it feel like your home is overrun with your cat’s hair? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. If your cat sheds, it’s important to brush then frequently. Doing this will also make sure they don’t get a matted or tangled coat.

Litter Box

TIP! You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level.

If you notice that your cat isn’t using its’ litter box anymore, you need to take note. There are a number of health issues that can lead a well-trained cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.

If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. It can take as much as about 4 hours for all the kittens to be born after labor starts. If more than five or six hours have passed, and you think that kittens still remain inside, then you must get in touch with your vet.

Dogs are known to way their tails. This means they are content or excited and is normal dog behavior. A cat may look like it is wagging its tail, but it is completely different than what a dog does. Tail-wagging in cats tends to suggest conflict or anxiety. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!

TIP! Do you have dogs and cats? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach.

Don’t give your cat medicine that is meant for humans. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. Providing your cat with a human medication can seriously harm them, and it just might kill them.

Cats have a great sense of smell, which allows them to be more perceptive. This is why it is sometimes difficult to get them to use something new, like a bowl or cat toy. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. They’ll get used to it given time.

Be aware of any panting. Panting is quite normal for dogs. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Take the cat to a veterinarian, especially if they’ve experienced previous breathing problems.

TIP! Give your cat a good brushing regularly. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow.

Once your cat has had the best grooming possible, it can look good. It is up to you to provide the proper care for your pet. Cat’s generally appreciate the extra attention that grooming provides. Follow this post, and spend time grooming your cat regularly.