Agility, intelligence, and the sound of purring. These are only a few of the wonderful things about pet cats. Cats can take a lot of work and this article can help you out. In this article, you will find some useful tips for owning a cat that will make your life together with your cat a happy one. Read on for more information.

Drape Cords

TIP! Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. The cats will start playing with the cords and they can easily wrap around their necks.

Don’t let your cat near drape cords. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. 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. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. That’ll keep kitty safe.

If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

TIP! Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Cats require plenty of exercise. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Give them plenty of room to exercise and a wide selections of toys. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.

Cats frequently groom themselves. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. There are special foods you can give to your cat to reduce this problem. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.

TIP! Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats don’t like dog products.

Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.

A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.

If your cat is excessively meowing, try to figure out why. You need to learn what their meows mean. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

TIP! Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

High areas are ideal for cats. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.

Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.

TIP! Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. These are very painful and expensive to treat.

You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.

Cat Needs

Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Check out the ingredients, and make sure meat tops the list. Avoid foods like corn or other items without protein. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

TIP! When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs.

Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. That hair will truly get everywhere! You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. There will be hairball issues as well.

If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. Great suggestions include your basement and laundry room.

With this article, you’ve got some excellent ideas that will help. When you take the time to learn about them, it helps to make you are more responsible owner. And with the right care, you’ll see that your feline is much happier and that you’re happier too! Keep up with these tips, and you’ll definitely see the difference.