If you’re familiar with how to take care of them properly, cats are great pets. As a cat owner, it is important that you take the time to educate yourself on all of the best cat care tips and advice to ensure that your feline friend enjoys a great life. Keep reading for some great tips every cat owner should know about.

Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.

TIP! Your cat needs to be groomed properly. Cats require frequent brushing or combing.

Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.

Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

TIP! Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up.

If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. But, for routine medications, this can be a budget-saver.

Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You may prefer loud music as you drive down the freeway, blasting your stereo, but your feline friend likes softer sounds better. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

TIP! Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats can have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog.

Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. If this occurs, you will have a mess on your hands. 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.

If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. 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.

Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. Cats come to harm outside every day. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.

TIP! An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you.

Are you a cat and dog owner? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.

Cats love high spots. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.

It’s important that cats get play time. It is pretty normal for all different types of species to have an inner desire to play. An aging cat may not have as much energy as a kitten, however it will still enjoy a little light playtime. Enjoy some playtime with your cat.

Haired Cats

Long haired cats take extra grooming time, so think about that before choosing one. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. It should also be noted that long haired cats are much more susceptible to hairballs.

Cats can be awesome pets, though they do require proper care. Be sure and use the information in the article below if you are serious about taking care of your cat. With a little TLC and effort, your cat can have an amazing life.