If you were given the opportunity to rescue an animal, would you take it? Millions upon millions of cats are searching for a home. To save a life, consider adopting one of these lovely animals and giving it a loving home. This article will teach you how to care for that new cat once you bring him home.

Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Try using one veterinarian consistently. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.

TIP! Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Cats don’t like dog products. This definitely applies to flea products. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.

Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. They can scratch the post instead. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.

TIP! If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes.

Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. They love to be able to look around from up high. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.

Litter Box

Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. This will keep both you and your cat happy.

TIP! Keep your cat amused. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case.

Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Choose a low magnesium food. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.

If you need cat medication, consider searching online instead of using your veterinarian in order to find a better deal. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.

If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.

TIP! Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back.

Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Always watch a kitten around small kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.

Cats love to be high up. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.

TIP! Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats.

Adopting a cat is a wonderful thing to do. You are offering your love and your home to an animal desperately in need of it. You’re making a friend for the duration of their life. Take care of your cat and your cat will take care of you.