Cats are a lot of fun to have around, but they are often quite finicky! Every decision you make regarding your pet’s care has a consequence, be it good or bad. Read on for ideas and insights that will benefit you, your cat, and your entire household.

Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

TIP! Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. This helps them keep their precious coat properly clean at all times. Also, this can eliminate the constant shedding that you will deal with. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.

Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.

TIP! Avoid using dog products on cats. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat.

It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats love being up high so that they can see. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.

Medication Online

TIP! Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online. You can save as much as fifty percent on the stuff you regularly use.

Always watch a kitten around small kids. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. Brushing will also help to remove loose hair. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

TIP! A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Therefore, place your cat’s favorite toy into its career. Leave the carrier open in a location that your cat frequently visits. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.

If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.

Your cat should be given food from a can. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Speak with your veterinarian before making any major changes, however in general, canned food is better for your cat.

TIP! It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs.

Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Brushing your cat regularly can fight the constant shedding that often can occur. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. This can also prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled.

Your cat should be kept healthy so that it can live a longer life. This can be done by making sure the cat is checked on by a vet and it has its shots. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.

It may seem easy to take care of your cat, but perhaps you don’t know everything you need to know just yet. You can care for your cat best with the tips in this article. In the end, your efforts will be worth it.