Cats can make totally delightful pets, if you know the proper care techniques. A cat owner like you should take time to learn about proper cat care and to use this advice to help your cat live a wonderful life. You can find the information that you need to know in this article.

You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.

TIP! When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee.

Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You may love loud music, bit it might be bothering your cat. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.

Do you own a dog and cat? Dogs will generally try to eat the cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.

Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.

TIP! Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems.

Cats like to be up high. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If you don’t want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. Brushing will also help to remove loose hair. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.

Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! Cats prefer used scratching posts. Cats may well try scratching something else entirely (like your furniture!) if you replace their beloved toy with something unfamiliar.

TIP! A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses.

Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats like their water to move. Cats usually like to drink from a water stream. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Installing a drinking fountain for your cat is a more eco-friendly way to provide it with some running water.

Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even an indoor pet should have this. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. Your cat’s identification tags should provide your contact info and that of your veterinarian. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.

Your cat needs good play time. Many animals like to play, and that includes humans and cats. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

TIP! While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat.

Help your cat live a longer life by keeping them healthy and keeping them current with check-ups and vaccinations. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Your cat will be a valued member of your family, which means treating it just as you would other loved ones.

Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.

Always keep your declawed cat indoors. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. The only cats that should be declawed are indoor cats. Remove only the front claws. Don’t take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.

TIP! When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let them know which rooms and areas your cats should not be in.

Cats are great pets, but they need proper care. As a responsible cat owner, take the time to read through this article a few times and utilize all of the great cat care information that it contains. If you care for your cat properly, you are giving your cat the gift of a long, healthy life.