Cats are amazing and make great pets. To give your cat a happy and healthy life, you owe it to your pet to find out all you can about taking care of him properly. Carefully read over this article to learn some excellent tips on raising a cat successfully.

Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.

TIP! Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out.

Cats like sneaking into small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.

Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. It is dangerous in today’s society. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.

TIP! If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost.

Unlike most humans, cats love heights. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.

Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are carnivores, and they need a good amount of protein in their diet.

Canned Foods

Give your cat canned food. Dry foods are cheaper but canned foods are richer in vitamins and nutrients. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. Aging cats can chew this easier. Go ahead and talk to your vet, but canned food is favorable for cats.

When your cat is due to deliver babies, ensure that she has a comfortable area with some space. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. If, after six hours, you think there are still kittens stuck inside your pet, a trip to the vet is in order.

TIP! Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food.

Never give your cat a medication that was formulated for humans. Only use medicine that has been prescribed or recommended by a vet. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.

Cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell which makes it difficult to change anything in their environment without their knowing about it. This may cause some problems when introducing new beds, scratching posts, or food dishes. Don’t get discouraged if you find that your cat is not interested in these things right away. As the smell takes on the smell of your home, your cat will warm up to it.

Cats are excellent pets but being a cat owner comes with certain responsibilities. To help you cat stay happy and healthy learn the proper procedures for caring for your new pet. Read and re-read the advice above to find the information you need to do your best to care for your cat. Your cat will shower you with thanks!