Consider your cat as a family member. Do whatever it takes to keep your cat free of parasites. The article below can help you in caring for your cat. There are many more great tips below, so read on.

Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. If you brush cats on a regular basis, it will keep their coats clean and attractive. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.

TIP! Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. These are not great play toys for cats.

Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.

Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.

A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Cover with a small blanket or towel, then place it beneath your pet’s bed. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.

Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. This approach takes time, but it usually works.

TIP! Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cats like to make a mess when they eat. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. Simply place a cloth placemat that will grab at the food under their plate and then shaken out over the trash. You can put a vinyl one underneath that can be picked up wiped down easily if you prefer.

When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.

TIP! Spay your female cat. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet.

If you have a cat who is pregnant, make sure that you give her a private spot that is closed away from other animals and has room for her to move in easily. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.

Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. This can sometimes cause difficulties when you buy a new scratching post, cat bed or food dish. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. As the smell takes on the smell of your home, your cat will warm up to it.

If your cat gets hairballs often and you have been brushing her regularly, there are other things that may help. Add one teaspoon of pumpkin to your cat’s food. Add in an extra spoonful of water if the mixture is too thick. There are foods that inhibit hairballs which have fiber in them. They might take care of the issue.

TIP! Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups.

Make dry food the foundation of your cat’s diet. When cats are young they are going to have to have wet food due to having small teeth. Once they grow up though, dry, harder food will strengthen their teeth and keep them clean. You can also mix wet and dry food together if your cat is really picky.

Cats that go outside can contract fleas and illnesses like rabies. If this is a serious concern then keep your cat indoors at all times. Indoor cats can experience these problems, but it is much more likely in an outdoor cat.

Make sure you regularly use a flea and tick treatment on your cat. There are many monthly drops that are quite effective. These medicines can protect your pet from blood-leeching parasites that can cause diseases. Ensure you select a brand that is specifically meant for cats. Never use a brand meant for dogs because this can be dangerous for your furry feline.

TIP! A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged.

Cats can acquire parasites, despite good quality care. When this happen, you should help your cat get rid of the pests. The techniques mentioned above can help you eradicate and prevent them. Every effort you make will result in the increased happiness of your cat.