Cats are truly very finicky creatures; however, they can make great pets. There is a ton you need to know, and this article provides you with great advice.

Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.

Contact Information

A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Cats need social time with the family just like people do so that they know that they are valued. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.

TIP! If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care.

If you cat is overly vocal, try to figure out exactly why he or she is making so much noise. After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.

If you’re having an issue with your cat, try to get some input from other cat owners. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.

You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.

Cats Prefer Running

Invest in a cat friendly fountain. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.

If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.

TIP! Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. A kitty tower can really save your furniture.

Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.

Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats shed quite often, so make sure that you brush them a lot. If your cat is shedding a lot, you should brush them more frequently. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.

Litter Box

TIP! Location is key when placing a litter box. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas.

Take note if the cat ceases using its litter box. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Therefore, whenever you notice your cat not using its litter box, call your veterinarian.

Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. The kittens will arrive within three or four hours, so try to be patient. If your cat has still not given birth to all her kittens after six hours, get her to a vet right away.

There are some options for a cat with hairballs. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). Try also mixing in some water from tuna with the pumpkin. It is also possible to get help from cat food varieties containing fiber and other ingredients.

TIP! Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it.

Your cat should be fed food that’s dry on a regular basis. Kittens need wet food, though. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. You can also try mixing dry and wet food until you get the consistency your cat prefers.

Looking after a cat is a lot of work, but you will also find that owning a cat is a very rewarding experience. Use the advice you’ve been given to make sure you’re a good cat owner. Do more research on the different things you can do to keep your cat happy and healthy.