Cats are curious by nature. They act like they don’t need you; however, they enjoy being around you. They can be confusing sometimes, but there is nothing like a purring cat on your lap. Here are some things you can do to make sure you’re caring properly for your cat.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. This can keep your cat alive.

TIP! Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. Even if she spends her time indoors, it is possible for her to escape while in heat, causing an unwanted pregnancy. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.

Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. These products can be fatal for your cat. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.

TIP! Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck.

Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.

Speak to others about your cat problems. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.

TIP! Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs.

Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. Cats need meat, not vegetables.

Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.

When a dog wags its tail, the reason is because it is happy for some reason. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, be prepared to loosen your grip!

TIP! Don’t allow your cat become bored. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case.

Put a collar on the cat that lists your name, address, and phone number on it. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.

Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. Don’t be discouraged if your cat decides to ignore these items at first. Your cat will begin using it as soon as he is used to its smell.

Be aware of any panting. Panting in dogs is perfectly normal. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. Be sure you get in touch with a vet, especially if your animal has had problems with breathing before.

TIP! Make sure that you never neglect your cat. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back.

Try to feed your cat dry food as much as possible. Small kittens do well on wet food, since their teeth are small. Feeding your cat some dry food will help it grow strong teeth. Try combining both dry and wet food together should you have a finicky feline.

Sticky Tape

Apply sticky tape to your furniture. Cats will avoid scratching furniture if it is equipped with sticky tape. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. Get your cat out of this bad habit by doing this and supplying a scratching post.

TIP! Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs.

Cats are very interesting creatures and you could spend the rest of your life trying to figure them out. Use what you have learned here to ensure that your cat is healthy and happy in your home. Caring for a cat is one of life’s great pleasures.