After getting their first cat, many families encounter unexpected issues. It is not a good idea to go into a cat adoption blind. You can’t ever be 100% prepared when you own a pet. The best thing to do is to read this article, but be ready for anything.

Make sure your cat is always well groomed. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It also stops hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

TIP! Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. Entice them to scratch those items rather than your belongings. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. 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.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If you feed them only one type of food, they may refuse to eat anything else. However, stick with the same brand, and just vary the flavors because cats can have stomach problems if you vary the food too much.

TIP! Though things may appear to be fine, you should always schedule regular medical checkups for your feline pet. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems.

Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.

Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? Since cats shed so much, you must remember to brush them regularly. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.

Litter Box

TIP! Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck.

Put some thought into where you place the litter box. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. It is important to locate the litter box where your cat can easily get to it. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. If your litter box is on a cold surface, place a rug or mater underneath it.

Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. If your cat is not using the litter, kidney or bladder problems and infections may be the problem. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.

If possible, make sure your cat is always indoors. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. Indoor cats don’t face the diseases and other risks that outdoor cats do.

TIP! Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Cats need routine shots and wellness checks just like people.

Beware of panting. Panting is normal for a dog. Your cat will pant if it is nervous or overheated but it could also be the sign of a more serious health problem. Be sure to talk to a vet, particularly if the cat is prone to respiratory issues.

There are many dangers, such as fleas, rabies or fungus, that you should consider before you let your cat outside. Although an indoor cat can be affected by a few of these things, they will be more prone to experiencing these issues if they are outside a lot.

Cats often require a visit to your veterinarian, but that can get very expensive. If you are looking to save money, buy your medications from reputable sites on the web. There are a few companies that will deliver the medications right to your house. This can be great for monthly medications and flea treatments.

TIP! Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture.

Keep kitty inside. Most cats that reside outdoors tend to lead shorter lives, and are more easily apt to get a disease that could seriously harm them. You may even find that their diseases can affect your family members. Give your indoor kitty a sunny location, like a window or sun room, to sit in daily in order to help meet his desire to be outdoors.

You cat should wear a collar with tags. Cats are intelligent creatures and will use any opportunity to wander outside. If their collar has a tag, you have a better shot of them coming back if they escape.

Bad Weather

TIP! Microchips are an increasingly popular form of pet protection. You never know when your cat could get away from you.

Cats should always be brought inside during bad weather. Types of bad weather include extreme periods of rain, wind and cold. Cats can even take shelter in dangerous places. Keeping a cat outside during such weather events increases the chance that the cat might become injured or die.

If you are worried about your outdoor cats stray too far away from home, you should consider having a microchip inserted inside under the skin. If you notice your cat’s gone missing, you can hope online and track their location exactly, making it much easier for you and your pet to be reunited.

Your cat should not be a vegetarian. Even if you eat no meat, your cat still needs it. Taurine is something that can only be found in the protein of animals, and if your cat doesn’t have it, it could have eye or heart trouble. Ensure your cat consumes a diet with an abundance of meat to keep it healthy.

TIP! Keep your cat amused. Cats need to exercise and play.

The tips contained here are great for any cat. You have learned basic information that makes raising a cat much easier. Remember though, everyone’s cat and circumstances are different requiring certain adjustments. Remember to enjoy your new kitten because that’s the most important part of the process.