Is there a feline member of your family? If you are, then you consider your cat precious. Cats are animals that require a great deal of affection and attention. You are well-situated to provide for the many needs of your cat. Read on to learn more on how to properly care for your cat.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This will help you save your cat’s life.

TIP! Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home.

Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.

Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Whenever you aren’t using any thin, electronic cords, you should store them away.

Scratching Post

TIP! Keep your cat from having a shocking experience by spraying electrical cords with bitter apple. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered.

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. Boredom can beget illness. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.

TIP! Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Cats like to make a mess when they eat. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Cat Owners

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

If you plan to add a second cat to your household, be sure to allow two to three weeks for your resident cat and the new cat to get used to each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.

TIP! You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online.

Does it seem like cat hair is everywhere? Cats are known for shedding, so good grooming habits are a must. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. This will lessen the amount of hair around your home and it will keep them from getting knots in their hair if they have medium or long hair.

Take your cat for vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. When you have a cat, it becomes a member of your family, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.

Happy dogs wag their tail. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.

TIP! Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours.

Your cat is a beloved pet that you want to ensure you are taking care of. You are now more educated on how to properly care for your cat. Use the above tips to be sure your cat lives a happy, healthy life. If you love your cat, you will receive much love back.