A well-tended cat is a family member, just as beloved as the two-legged variety. Cats are enjoyed as pets by millions, but they need to be taken care of properly. No cat wants this sort of problem. Keep reading to better care for your cat.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Do not let your cat play with these.

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. They love to be able to look around from up high. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.

Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats need to exercise and play. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.

TIP! The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Put the litter box in a secluded area, and make sure that it is not near the cat’s food.

If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. Over time, you will pick up on the reasons why your cat is making this gesture. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.

Fellow Cat Owners

TIP! You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.

If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.

Litter Box

Move the litter box if your cat won’t use it. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it. Basements, laundry rooms and other quiet spots are best.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. These foods are healthy for humans, but they can make cats very sick. Milk is another food to stay away from.

TIP! Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean.

If you previously adopted a cat when you were home all the time, and now you are away much more, your cat might get lonely. Provide them with something to do while you’re gone, or consider adopting another cat.

It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. If your pet eats much more than it should, it may become overweight, which can lead to a number of illnesses. Therefore, ensure you provide the proper food portions to your cat, and keep its diet healthy and well balanced.

Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. A little strategically-applied tape can discourage your cat from tearing upholstery and scratching furniture. You can find tape specifically made for this at many pet stores. Place sticky tape on your furniture and install a scratching post in order to kick this bad habit.

TIP! You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. This is especially true if your child is less than five years old.

Cats may be affected by the same illnesses humans get. Your cat is an important family member, so it is up to you to know when he/she is not feeling well. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. That will ensure that it is a small infection, rather than a serious issue.

Your cat is subject to rabies, fleas and fungus if let to go outdoors. Bacterial problems usually occur when a cat is outside.

It’s best to keep your pet cat indoors. Cats that go outside tend to live shorter lives and often contract illnesses. You may even find that their diseases can affect your family members. Instead of sending them outdoors, give your cat a nice sunny location inside.

TIP! Cats feel safest in an elevated location. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings.

Some people who own cats may believe their cats need bathing in order to stay clean. In their ordinary day-to-day lives, though, cats seldom get dirty enough to require bathing. Cats are meticulous about grooming themselves, and their tongues (with their raspy barbs) are ideally suited to keeping their fur clean. Cats have been known to be a bit particular on how they look.

Cats can acquire parasites, despite good quality care. Unless you take measures against them, these pests aren’t going anywhere. Ridding your cat of fleas is not hard and prevention is even easier. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.