A cat can make a welcome addition to your family. If so, it’s important you do whatever it takes to keep your cat healthy. Keeping your cat healthy is important. The following techniques and tips can help you take care of your cat efficiently.

Keep your drape cords away from your cats. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This could hurt or kill them. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.

TIP! When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help.

If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.

Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.

TIP! Make sure your cat is always groomed. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat.

Cats are often nocturnal creatures. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. If you are having a hard time sleeping because of your cats, close the door. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.

When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Cats like to be up high. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.

TIP! Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. It will be simpler to transport them using the carrier.

If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

Feed your cat top quality food. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.

TIP! If your cat experiences major problems, don’t be afraid to talk to other cat owners. You can often get great advice from friends and family.

Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.

If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.

Outfit your cat with a tag and collar containing your address, phone number, and name. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. When your cat gets outside unexpectedly, it’s your responsibility to enable others to help your cat find their way home again.

Indoor Cats

Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. It can’t defend itself with no claws. Only indoor cats should be declawed. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Don’t take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.

Do not give human medications to cats. If you have a sick cat it is best to take them to someone who specializes in animal sickness, such as a veterinarian. Drugs and medicines designed for human consumption can cause serious health problems for cats, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

TIP! Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even if it’s an indoor cat, this is important.

Any difference in the environment of your home is easily detected by the keen sense of smell that your cat possesses. This may cause issues if they have a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. You shouldn’t be disappointed if your cat avoids new items at first. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.

Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food. You can also try a teaspoon of water used to pack tuna mixed with the pumpkin. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.

Give your cat varieties of dry food whenever possible. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. As they get older and get adult teeth, they will have stronger teeth by eating dry food. If your cat happens to be a picky eater, mix up the dry food with wet food.

TIP! If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. They’re trying to tell you something is wrong.

All animals are capable of getting parasites. Your cat is no exception. These pests will stay on your cat unless you do something about it. The techniques mentioned above can help you eradicate and prevent them. This will make your cat very happy!