Consider your cat as a family member. That is why it is important to know all you can about its care. Knowing more about cat care can make your relationship more enjoyable. Keep reading to learn some great information about cat care.

Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This will help you save your cat’s life.

If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.

TIP! Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog.

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.

Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. Turn down the music and let the cat rest.

TIP! If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal.

Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.

Before you consider buying a kitten for your children, make sure clear boundaries are set before you bring the kitten home. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. 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.

Speak to others about your cat problems. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.

TIP! If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds.

Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This is very important for indoor cats. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. Obviously, this is particularly important for pets who have special health concerns.

Litter Box

TIP! Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Tell them how to be gentle.

Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. Your first instinct will be to put it in a nook or cranny so that you won’t see or smell it. However, it is important to keep their litter box in an area they can easily get to. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If your litter box is on a cold surface, place a rug or mater underneath it.

Parasites can be a problem for your cat, just like most cats. Unless you take action, your cat will not be free of these pests. The techniques mentioned above can help you eradicate and prevent them. Your pet will be glad you did.