Cats are pretty awesome. They are intelligent and independent, while being loving. However, taking care of your feline friend is not to be taken lightly. Read on to find out how to properly care for your cat.

Groom your cat. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. It also stops hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.

TIP! Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.

Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. Give them a cat tree to play with.

TIP! Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck.

Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.

Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. It can be unsafe. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. In doing so, you prevent spats and spitting over competition for water.

TIP! If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch.

Cats enjoy being in high places. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.

Keep old, worn scratching posts. This is the condition that cats like the most. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.

Purchase good quality food for your cat. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Try omitting non-protein based foods such as corn from your regular diet. Cats are carnivores, so if you want them to be as healthy as possible, you need to be sure they’re eating enough animal protein.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered.

Your cat should be given food from a can. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.

Play is an important part of a cat’s life. Really play is something that all mammals share, no matter the age. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

If you desire a long-haired cat, it’s best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. That hair will truly get everywhere! Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Also, give them the right food which is anti-hairball.

TIP! A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower.

Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat sheds often, you will need to brush him just as much. This keeps the coat from matting, too.

If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. You should take your cat to the vet if deliveries lasts for more than five or six hours.

Litter Box

TIP! Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Your cat needs plenty of exercise.

Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.

Your diet isn’t necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren’t good for them. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. If your cat eats these, it may cause him to get really sick or even worse. Even a commonly fed food, milk, can make your kitty ill.

Cats are neat animals. If you learn as much about them as possible, they also make great pets. Read this article again if it helps. Use these tips to ensure your cat is healthy and happy.