Some people believe cats are magical. Their unique intelligence and independence combined with their loving nature make them ideal as house pets. Therefore, it is difficult sometimes to take care of your cat. Read this article to educate yourself on several helpful cat care tips, and apply what you learn to ensure that your cat stays happy and healthy.

Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops. This could kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

TIP! The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. It can really be a life saver for your cat.

Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.

Younger children can be a little rough with cats sometimes. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.

TIP! Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet.

Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.

Cat Owners

TIP! Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency.

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. You can locate forums about cats online if you search for them. On these forums you can ask for advice, or you can just speak with a vet.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.

TIP! Think hard before allowing your cat outside. The outside world is very dangerous for cats.

Cats are magical and unique creatures that are perfect for homes if you take time to learn how to care for them properly. Carefully read over the advice found in this article. Use this information to take proper care of your cat so that it remains healthy for many years.