Cats are awesome! If you own a cat, then you need to inform yourself on how to properly care for your cat to ensure it is healthy. Read this article thoroughly to pick up some great cat tips.

Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.

TIP! Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard.

If you want to have the love of a cat, get one from a shelter. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. Taking a cat home with you means that a life has been saved.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.

When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.

TIP! It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. They love to be able to look around from up high.

Cats can really scratch up your home. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.

Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Consult the ingredient list. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.

TIP! A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.

Anytime you get a new pet, you must introduce them to your cat slowly to help to avoid problems and let the cat get used to it. Keep them separated for at least two weeks, but let them sniff at each other under a closed door. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.

Pay attention if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box properly. It may be the sign of an underlying medical issue. This sort of behavior is common among cats with UTIs and other health problems. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.

TIP! Never let a cat become bored. They need exercise and they get it through play.

There is a lot of responsibility involved with a long-haired cat. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.

Litter Box

If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.

TIP! Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high.

As stated earlier in this article, cats are great pets. You need to know all you can about cat care to ensure the happiness of your pet. Keep the tips you’ve read here in mind and enjoy your feline friend. Your pet cat will love you!