Your kitty is a big part of your family. That’s why you need to do what you can to keep them safe from harmful things like fleas and parasites. Keeping your cat healthy is important. Keep reading to learn how you can take care of your beloved cat.

Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This may harm or kill them. To prevent this from happening, keep any drape cords pinned away from any eyes.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. It also stops hairballs. Keeping a cat groomed properly can help them and your home look great.

Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.

It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.

TIP! Groom your cat. A cat’s fur must be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

It’s important that you don’t forget your cat and allow them to become bored too easily. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Give them enough space to exercise in, with fun toys to keep them entertained. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.

Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Like humans, cats want to feel wanted and needed. They should feel like a valued family member as well.

Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though. You can save as much as fifty percent on the stuff you regularly use.

TIP! You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Let your kids know where the cat can go. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. 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.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. They may want outside or may be hungry. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too.

Brush your cat’s coat often. This will help stimulate blood flow. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.

If your cat or kitten begins to urinate frequently or in places other than his litter box, a trip to the vet may be in order. Cats sometimes exhibit this type of behavior when they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. A course of antibiotics often does the trick.

Cat Sheds

TIP! Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money.

Does it feel like your home is overrun with your cat’s hair? When a cat sheds a lot, brushing is very important. If your cat sheds a lot, you probably need to brush it more often. This will also help their coat from getting tangled or matted.

The location of a litter box is very important. You may really want to hide that box from everyday life. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. If you are going to put the litter box in a room without carpet, put a mat beneath it to keep the box warm.

Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.

TIP! Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. There are many dangers to your cat outside.

Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. The only cats that should be declawed are indoor cats. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.

Cats, like many other pets, are susceptible to different parasites. When this happen, you should help your cat get rid of the pests. Owning a cat can be an incredible experience. By staying educated, you can have a wonderful cat.