If you know what to do to care for your cat, then the cat makes a great pet. When you are a cat owner, you should educate yourself about the best tips for taking good care of your feline friend, and ensuring it has a great life. The following cat advice will be of great help.

Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This is incredibly dangerous as it could be fatal for your cat. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.

TIP! Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products.

Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.

Why is your cat meowing? Learning about your cat’s meows will be easier the longer you know her. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost.

If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. This can be very unsafe for your cat. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. There is the possibility they may get injured by another animal, even people and cars too. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.

Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.

Brush your pet often. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.

TIP! Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

Play is essential to your cat’s life. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Take time and play with your cat regularly.

Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? When a cat sheds a lot, brushing is very important. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.

If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.

TIP! Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this.

If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. The only cats that should be declawed are indoor cats. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.

If you have a cat with frequent hair ball problems, and brushing has provided no relief, the following tips might be useful. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). You can also mix one teaspoon of tuna water in with the pumpkin. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

Consider your cat if you are going to make a schedule change. Therefore, in order to keep your cat happy and active, you need to consider obtaining another cat.

TIP! The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food.

Make sure you know of any holes in your home that your cat might get into. Cats are able to fit into gaps that are tiny. This definitely applies to kittens. You should consider this when you have brought a new cat home. Repair any holes, or change furniture arrangements in problem areas.

Make sure that your cat wears a collar with a tag on it at all times. Cats are very effective at getting outside whenever they find the opportunity. If your cat gets lost, your chances of getting it back will be much higher if she has a collar and a tag.

Cats can be wonderful animals to keep as pets, but you need to properly care for them. If you’re going to own a cat and be responsible about it you should reread this article and use the information that is in it. With a little love and effort, your cat is sure to have a happy and healthy life.