Cats are fantastic pets, but they may be very finicky. The following piece offers great insights into feline dietary needs, vet requirements and a number of other key issues.

Don’t let your cat near drape cords. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. Hide the cords for safety sake.

TIP! Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering.

Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Breakaway collars are designed to release in these situations. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.

If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.

It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.

TIP! If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You may like music loud and booming, but a cat will prefer lower volumes as their ears are more sensitive. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!

Try to figure out why your cat meows. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

Brush your cat regularly. This will help stimulate blood flow. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.

TIP! Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary.

You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.

Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats are inquisitive and will explore an open door or window if it is presented to them. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. This is very important if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical needs.

It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. Actually playtime is very common for all animals, especially cats and people despite their age. Even a mature cat that isn’t as spry anymore it still loves to play around. Have as much fun time with your cat as possible.

Litter Box

Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. This will keep your cat as happy as possible. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.

Caring for a cat is sometimes quite involved. Use what you learned here to be the best you can be. The effort expended will be well worth it, and will be rewarded in many ways.