Cats can be fun and frustrating. There is a ton you need to know, and this article provides you with great advice.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.

TIP! Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops.

A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat’s history.

Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. They can scratch the post instead. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.

TIP! Cats will try to get into many different crevices. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar.

It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.

You may get much better prices on medications online. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.

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.

While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Tell them how to be gentle. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Make a tablecloth for your cats. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. They may want outside or may be hungry. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

Litter Box

Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.

Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.

TIP! Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them.

Your cat deserves a high quality food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure meat tops the list. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. 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.

Caring for a cat is sometimes quite involved. Use what you learned here to be the best you can be. The more you know, the happier both of you will be.