Cats are wonderful to have around, but they aren’t always easy to live with! With so many needs ranging from vet visit to nail clipping, they require you to know a lot of things. This article can teach you all about basic cat needs.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. They will learn your cat’s history best.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves.

If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.

Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.

It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

TIP! Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

Get a microchip for your cat. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Although collars and tags are beneficial, some cats may even wiggle out of them. Your name and the best way to contact you can be encoded on the chip, which is tiny. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.

Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.

Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side. This makes quite a mess. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.

TIP! Spay your female cat. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having.

If your cat is excessively meowing, try to figure out why. Learning about your cat’s meows will be easier the longer you know her. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. By listening to your cat, it will be easier to know what they want.

If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. It is dangerous in today’s society. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.

While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. Use what you learned here to be the best you can be. The more you know, the happier both of you will be.