Cats are a very common house pet but there is also a wide population of wild cats. These cats are abandoned and make up almost half of the whole cat population. Dealing with this issue costs businesses a lot of money due to lost customers.

Make sure that your cat is well groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.

TIP! Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.

Try to figure out why your cat meows. After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.

Litter Box

Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.

Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. The cats loves it the most in this condition. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots.

Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.

When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.

The location of a litter box is very important. You may want to hide it away. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. Cats tend to be finicky so you need to give them an environment that isn’t off-putting or inconvenient. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window.

If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, take note. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. Issues like a kidney infection are often behind such behaviors. You should take your cat to the vet if you think there is something wrong with your pet.

Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. If your cat does get out, make sure that it can get home.

Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. Common foods that are poisonous to cats include: garlic, grapes, onions and tomatoes. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Milk is another food to stay away from.

TIP! Do not isolate the litter box in a distant place. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals.

Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. If your cat is an outside cat, do not have it declawed. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.

You should have a better idea of how you can take good care of your cat after reading this article. Cats often attack other pets and tear up your gardens if you don’t watch out. Of course, you have to remember that cats can be sensitive so they need to be carefully cared for. Maybe you’ll find one you fall in love with.