Would you save a pet’s life if you could? Consider all the homeless cats in shelters or feral colonies that are in desperate need of homes. If you need to know more about caring for your new cat, keep reading.

Drapery Cords

TIP! A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. Your cat should have regular well visits, as well as all the recommended vaccinations for his age.

Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This could kill them. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.

Properly groom your cat. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.

It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This happens a lot with flea products. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.

TIP! Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Cover with a small blanket or towel, then place it beneath your pet’s bed.

It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.

Cats are nocturnal animals. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.

Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

TIP! You may get much better prices on medications online. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency.

Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.

If your cat experiences major problems, don’t be afraid to talk to other cat owners. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Litter Box

TIP! If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this.

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.

Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If you start them off eating the same type of food all of the time and you never change it up, this will most likely be the only food they will eat in the future.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. But, eventually, they will get used to the idea, and begin to tolerate, and even enjoy, each other’s company.

TIP! Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it.

Your cat needs good play time. All mammals love to play. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Play with your cat and give them the fun time it needs.

Is your cat shedding like a madman? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.

When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.

TIP! Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them.

Giving your love and attention to a cat is an admirable pursuit. You’ve given it a safe home in which it is loved. The relationship between you and the cat you care for can last a lifetime. Properly caring for your cat will ensure that this loving bond remains intact.