Graceful movements, a quick brain and purring. These are just some of the characteristics of a cat. It is important to learn as much as you can about cats if you own one or are thinking of owning one. When your cat is happy, you can be happy. Read on!

Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.

TIP! When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Many shelters are overcrowded with lovable and adoptable cats.

Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats require frequent brushing or combing. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.

Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.

TIP! Keep your cat properly groomed. They need to be brushed every day.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.

Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.

Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

TIP! Cats can get into even the tiniest of spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free.

Watch kittens around kids. A cat should not be left alone with a child under five years of age. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.

Cats enjoy high places. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.

Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.

TIP! It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. Your cat needs to get some shots regularly to prevent different illnesses and parasites. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.

Make sure your cat’s collar has important information, such as your address, phone number and name. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. Fitting your cat with a tag and collar greatly increases the chance that your cat will make it home safely.

It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. It is shown that cats trained inside that then spend the majority of their lives inside tend to live longer than cats free to roam the neighborhood. Outdoor cats can be attacked by other animals and exposed to many harmful influences. Play with your cat daily to give it adequate exercise.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. It is still best to just remove the front claws. Don’t take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.

If your cat gets hairballs often and you have been brushing her regularly, there are other things that may help. Consider mixing cat food with a single teaspoon of pumpkin. You can also mix in a little water from a tuna can with the pumpkin. There are cat foods that have anti-hairball components in them, like extra fiber, that can help.

Did you obtain cat when you did not have a job and you are now returning to work? If so, then your cat is very likely to get bored and lonely. Get another cat if you would like to be certain your cat isn’t bored.

TIP! Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime.

Your cat needs to eat dry food most often. As kittens, cats need moist food to accommodate small teeth. As the adult teeth grow in, hard food can help to clean and strengthen the teeth. Your cat might enjoy eating more if you mix dry and wet food.

Now that you have read this article, you should have a few ideas you can start using in your home. This will improve your competency as an owner. When you take care of a cat properly, the cat will be happier and you may enjoy each other much more. Use these tips to see for yourself.