Cats are fascinating pets. They are independent and have a busy life, even if you’re not at home all the time. Apply the wonderful cat advice in this piece and make certain you have a happy and healthy cat.

Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.

Scratching Post

Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Your cat will certainly appreciate your efforts, and you will too!

TIP! Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. They get very active at night.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Tell them how to be gentle. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.

You should create a tablecloth for the cats in your home. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This makes quite a mess. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.

TIP! Do not isolate the litter box in a distant place. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.

Vary your cat’s diet just a tiny bit to keep them from being picky. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.

TIP! Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs.

Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.

Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. Issues like a kidney infection are often behind such behaviors. Contact your veterinarian if your pet abandons its litter box.

When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. Tail-wagging in a cat usually means a conflict or that they’re deciding to flee or pounce regarding a situation. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!

TIP! Cat medications can be bought affordable online. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. Garlic and onions are popular examples. If your cat eats these things, they could become very sick. Milk also often upsets your cat’s stomach.

Pet cats should not be allowed to spend time outdoors or away from its home for long periods of time. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.

Be on the lookout for panting in cats. With dogs, this is something that is common. Panting sometimes means your cat might be overheated or perhaps anxious, but it also can sometimes mean something even more serious. Contacting your veterinarian is a good idea, particularly for cats that have built up a history of respiratory difficulties over time.

TIP! There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat.

If your cat gets hairballs often and you have been brushing her regularly, there are other things that may help. You can try blending a spoon of pumpkin into her food. In addition, you could use one teaspoon of water for packing tuna and mix it with the pumpkin. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.

Your cat should be fed food that’s dry on a regular basis. Kittens need wet food due to the size of their teeth. When they get older, their teeth benefit from harder dry foods. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.

Cats are intelligent, loving and independent, and they can be a great pet. Educate yourself to make sure your cat is properly taken care of. Use the above tips to become a great cat owner. This way, your cat can enjoy a fun and fulfilling life.