Feral cats are ones that don’t have a home and live on the streets. Cats come with many issues from health issues to overpopulation. Use the information from this article to help guide you along your pet care journey.

You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.

TIP! If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.

Flea Products

Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. This is especially true of flea products. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. In fact, it is a good idea to separate your cat and dog for a few hours after your dog has taken flea medication.

TIP! Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place.

Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.

It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

TIP! If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs won’t hesitate to eat food from your cat’s bowl. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.

You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.

Brush your cat often. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots.

By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.

Defend yourself against cats that are intruding. Cats can attack your other pets, tear up gardens, or call for their friends. Cats are very sensitive of course, and you should treat them with care. Do your best to be a considerate and responsible cat owner.