Provided that you know how to properly care for them, cats make absolutely delightful pets. If you own a cat, you need to educate yourself about tips and information to make sure your cat lives happily. The following cat advice will be of great help.

It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.

TIP! Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe.

If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet. Spaying a cat can prevent this.

Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. This definitely applies to flea products. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.

Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all. Making a place high-up for your cat can solve this issue. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.

Contact Information

Get a microchip for your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.

Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. An easy solution to this problem is a placemat underneath the food dish, or a piece of fabric you can easily wash.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this.

Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.

Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. They respond better to encouragement. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Get your cat a drinking fountain. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. Actually, certain cats like to drink right from the sink faucet as it runs. This is a more natural way for them to drink.

TIP! Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture.

If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.

Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats are big shedders, so you should brush them frequently. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. Brushing will also keep their coat in good shape.

Litter Box

TIP! It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them.

Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. You are surely tempted to put it where the smell will affect your surroundings the least. However, if you hide it from your pet he might not try very hard to find it when he needs to go to the bathroom. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. If the litter box is on a hard surface, make sure to put something soft underneath it.

Don’t give your cat medicine intended for humans. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.

Keep your cat on a diet of dry food if at all possible. Little kittens need moist food since their baby teeth can’t handle much else. As an adult, the harder texture of dry food keeps their teeth strong. If your kitty is especially finicky, you can try feeding him a mix of dry and wet food.

TIP! Microchips are an increasingly popular form of pet protection. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window.

Cats are enchanting animals, but you need to understand how to care for them. If you’d like to do more for your pet, read this article with care and take advantage of the suggestions it provides. With a little TLC and effort, your cat can have an amazing life.