Cats are wonderful companions that you can spend hours playing with. The bond you can create with your cat is very unique and fulfilling. It is not necessary to go overboard with spending to keep your cat amused. Take care to follow these guidelines for a better time with your cat.

Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death. This could cause injury or death. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits.

Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.

Dog Products

It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Cats don’t like dog products. Flea products should not be used on cats in any circumstance. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. After your dog receives a flea treatment, keep your cat away for at least a few hours.

TIP! You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. 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.

Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. If they’re inside kitties, get them a post or something else that they can scratch and climb.

Create a tablecloth just for your cat. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

TIP! Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck.

Do you have dogs and cats? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.

High quality cat food is important to your cat. Read the ingredients, and make sure a source of protein, like fish or chicken, is near the top. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. 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, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.

TIP! If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands.

Give your cat canned food. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.

Do you feel like everywhere you turn you are surrounded by your cats hair? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. If your cat sheds a lot, you probably need to brush it more often. This will ensure your cat’s coat is tangle-free and not matted.

A declawed cat should not be outdoors. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. The only cats that should be declawed are indoor cats. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.

TIP! It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs.

While reading this article, did you notice any areas for improvement in your own home? If so, it’s time to take action. While no two cats are the same, most felines do enjoy the tips provided here. Take care of your cat, and your cat will reward you in so many ways.