Cats are great pets to have around and they need to be taken care of. You don’t groom a cat the same way you would a dog or another type of pet. You must take additional care to ensure they remain clean and well groomed. This article will provide you with some tips on how to groom your cat.

Though things may appear to be fine, you should always schedule regular medical checkups for your feline pet. Your cat should have regular well visits, as well as all the recommended vaccinations for his age. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.

TIP! It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues.

Cats can get into even the tiniest of spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.

Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.

TIP! Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them.

Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.

TIP! Cats are generally nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night.

Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.

Speak to others about your cat problems. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency.

Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishment can make your cat fearful in your presence.

Cats Prefer

Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

TIP! Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat.

If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.

Play is essential to your cat’s life. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. A cats energy might fade over time, but that does not mean that it no longer likes to play. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. This is good but can cause issues when you introduce something new to the home, like a new cat bed or scratching post. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.

TIP! Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side.

Your cat will be much happier if you apply the tips from this article. You have the power to do whatever it takes to keep your cat looking like a healthy animal. Anything you can do in terms of grooming that cat will definitely appreciate. Remember these tips for a happy and healthy cat.