Being a responsible cat owner demands a certain level of care and attention. When it comes to grooming, feeding, and care, cats are a world apart from other household pets. You have to provide extra attention in making sure they are clean and looking good. This article will show you some tips for everything about cat care.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.

TIP! If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This could save your cat’s life if the collar gets caught in some branches.

If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Keep your cat from having a shocking experience by spraying electrical cords with bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.

TIP! If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.

Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

TIP! It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them.

There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can be very unsafe for your cat. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This also makes sure that the two don’t fight over water.

TIP! Get a microchip for your cat. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window.

Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.

Grooming is the main factor in making your cat look great. It is your job to do what you can to keep your feline friend healthy, happy, and comfortable. Your cat will love you for grooming them, and it’s a good time for bonding together. These tips can be used to make your cat happy.