Your cat is part of the family. You have to keep them from becoming infested with bugs. They can really affect a cat’s well being. Keep reading to find out how to keep those critters away from your cat.

Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.

TIP! Good grooming is important for cats. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat.

Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. They can scratch this instead. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.

TIP! Small places are spots cats love to get into. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck.

You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won’t get lost.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. This will make you and your cat happy.

A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

TIP! To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

Cats love high spots. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. Encouragement is a much better strategy. You should place a toy or a blanket inside the carrier and place it in an area where it will be noticed by your cat. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.

TIP! Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required.

Splurge on your cat’s food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.

Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. Even if it’s an indoor cat, this is important. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.

The possibility of fleas are something that every cat owner needs to be aware of and prepared to fight. You have to remedy the problem. Use some of the solid ideas in the article above to make sure your pet cat stays healthy. Your cat is sure to thank you.