Cats are wonderful pets. Their independence makes them perfect if you are not always at home due to a busy schedule. Utilize the advice that has been given to you here in order to keep your cat happy.

Keep your cat groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

TIP! Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care.

If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.

TIP! You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations.

If your cat is excessively meowing, try to figure out why. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. Separate eating spaces are a must to avoid fights between your pets.

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can.

Brush your cat’s fur regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It will also minimize hair loss. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.

Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. They have more water, protein and fat too. It is easier for older cats to chew. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.

Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This applies even to indoor cats. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This precaution is especially important when your cat has an existing medical condition.

TIP! A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture.

If your cat uses the bathroom more than normal, or if they suddenly stop using the litter box, think about taking them to the veterinarian. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.

Your diet isn’t necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren’t good for them. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Too much milk can also be a bad thing for a grown cat.

It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. Indoor cats live longer and have less illness and pests than outdoor cats. Cats who live indoors are less likely to contract a disease than those who live outdoors.

TIP! Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming.

Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. An indoor cat can be declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. There is no need to remove the back claws since the cat does not use them when clawing furniture or fabric.

If your cat was adopted while you were not working, your cat will get lonely when you go back to work. Provide them with something to do while you’re gone, or consider adopting another cat.

Do not allow your cat to eat from your hand or under the table. Some foods we eat aren’t healthy for a cat. If you want to make a special treat for your cat, it will like a small amount of eggs, beef or chicken. Cat food, though, can make your pet’s diet complete.

Outdoor Cats

Consider making your cat an indoor-only friend. Outdoor cats usually have shorter lives and can catch many diseases. Some diseases that outdoor cats acquire can also be passed along to humans. Let your indoor cat have a place where it can look out a window so that they can get the feeling of the outdoors from an indoor location.

Equip your cat with a collar and tag as soon as possible. Cats can escape. If your cat is wearing the appropriate collar with tags, you’ll have a good change of finding it.

TIP! Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean.

Cats can make great pets. As a responsible cat owner, however, you must educate yourself on the proper way to care for your kitty. You should use the tips you read in this article to look after your beloved new cat. Your cat will enjoy a full and comfortable life.