Cats are the most curious of creatures. They can get by on their own but still enjoy the company of humans. It is so calm and peaceful to have your cat sitting calmly on your lap. Check out these tips to help you better understand and help your furry little friend.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. Cats require frequent brushing or combing. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.

TIP! Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats are social animals and will thrive when they are included in daily activities and life. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Give your cat foods that are low in magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.

TIP! Ensure your cat remains groomed. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis.

Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.

Litter Box

If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.

TIP! If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.

If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. When it is in this condition, cats tend to like it the most. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.

Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.

TIP! Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up.

Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. There are a number of health conditions that can make your kitty urinate and go to the bathroom in places other than the litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Consult with your veterinarian when your cat refuses to use its litter box.

It is important to designate a big and comfortable area for your cat to deliver her kittens. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. If the time has surpassed six hours and your cat is not finished, take a trip to your vet.

If your feline just won’t use the litter box, try moving it to a different location. A cat knows that when it’s going to the bathroom it’s in a vulnerable situation, so you should make sure the box is in a calm, secure location. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

TIP! Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs.

Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even house cats run the risk of getting loose. If this happens, ensure there’s a way they can find home again.

Indoor Cats

Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Only indoor cats should be declawed. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.

TIP! Get a microchip for your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window.

Don’t give table scraps to your cat. People food is bad for cats, given its ingredients, preservatives and common cooking techniques utilized. If you really want to treat your cat, try a tablespoon or so of cooked chicken or beef, or a little egg. However, if you’re feeding your cat the right food, he is getting the correct nutrition.

Think about having your cat just be indoors. Most cats that reside outdoors tend to lead shorter lives, and are more easily apt to get a disease that could seriously harm them. Certain feline diseases can actually be passed to humans, so it is good for you to keep your cat inside for that reason. To make a cat feel like it is outdoors, ensure you have a room with plenty of natural light in it for your cat to enjoy.

Cats aren’t simple creatures, but they are great friends once you get to know them. The article that you just read will help you to deal with these circumstances. Cats are great for everyone, and if cared for correctly, a cat will be a happy, loyal companion.