If you understand good cat care, you will have yourself a wonderful pet. You need to learn more on how to properly care for your beloved cat to make sure it is safe and healthy. The following cat advice will be of great help.

Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This could kill them. Pin the cords of your drapes up where your cat can’t get to them.

TIP! Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.

It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. Making a place high-up for your cat can solve this issue. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.

It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. 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.

Litter Box

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.

Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

TIP! It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Brush your cat often. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.

TIP! Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Cats need to exercise and play. Sadly, many cat owners do not understand the importance of this.

Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. Cats who eat the same food day after day either grow tired of it, or it becomes the only food that they will eat.

A battered appearance isn’t a good reason to discard a beloved cat condo or scratching post. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.

As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This applies even to indoor cats. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.

TIP! Adore your cat! They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family.

When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.

Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.

Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? Since cats shed so much, you must remember to brush them regularly. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. This also prevents matting and tangling.

TIP! Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally.

Cats are popular pets but they need to be cared for properly. If you’re going to own a cat and be responsible about it you should reread this article and use the information that is in it. Using proper love and care, your cat can enjoy a healthy and great life.