Does a cat reside in your home? If you are a cat owner, than you know just how special cats are. Your cat needs tons of care and love. Fortunately, this is not a hard thing to accomplish. Keep reading for some excellent cat care tips.

Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

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

Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. If your cat has this issue, try changing his food. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.

Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose a low magnesium food. Consult the ingredient list. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.

TIP! Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations.

You should brush your cat on a regular basis. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. It will also remove loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.

Identification Tags

As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is even true for indoor cats. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.

TIP! If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes.

Put some thought into where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. The thing to remember is that your cat must have easy access to the box. Understand that cats are extremely picky. If its litter box is not in a convenient location, then your cat might not use it. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.

Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. You can exercise your cat by playing with it.

If your cat is prone to hairballs and additional brushing has no effect, you may be able to resolve the problem in other ways. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). A teaspoon of tuna water mixed with pumpkin can also work. There are cat foods that have anti-hairball components in them, like extra fiber, that can help.

TIP! Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations.

Beginning a new job out of the house can have an impact on your cat. One tried-and-true way to keep a cat from getting lonely is to pair it up with another cat.

Cats can get sick in some of the same ways you can. You will probably be able to tell if your cat isn’t at 100 percent. You should take your cat to the vet for an examination. Tis will set your mind at ease, ruling out the most serious diseases and illnesses.

You cat should wear a collar with tags. Cats are intelligent and may escape at any time if you’re not careful. Cats with collars and tags are much more likely to come home safe and sound if they get lost.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window.

Your cat may not like it if you add another pet to your family. In the beginning, make sure the two animals stay away from one another. The new smell is something your cat will need to adjust to. After some time has passed, you can then let the animals meet each other to see how things work out.

A cat might seem like a good gift, but people are so busy around the holidays that it is not the ideal time to get a new pet. Instead, it is a much better idea to take your child to the pet store or shelter and involve them in the selection of the new pet.

Make sure that you spay or neuter your cat as soon as he or she becomes old enough to tolerate the operation. Cats tend to be very curious. Even a happy indoor cat will attempt to get outside. When your cat escapes for just a minute, they may impregnate another or become pregnant themselves. Numerous cats are put to sleep every year due to overpopulation.

TIP! Cats are usually more active during the night. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat.

Even if your cat seems to stay near your home, a person, bad weather, a dog or some other animal could scare them off at any time. This means your cat needs to be microchipped. If your cat is missing, you may look online and see where they are so that you can easily get them back.

Although cats can be difficult, they are very sweet creatures that need love. After reading this, you should have a better idea of how to care for your cat. Your cat should be a beloved part of the family that you give your best love and care to. Loving your cat will cause them to love you back.