Things You Must Know If You’re Caring For Cats

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations.

The sound of a cat purring is a delight sound to behold. This is relaxing for both you and your cat. The easiest way to get your cat to purr is by taking good care of him. The following tips can elicit lots of purrs.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away.

Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.

TIP! While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Teach your kids how to treat a cat.

You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. They will learn your cat’s history best.

TIP! Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side.

Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.

TIP! Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught.

Do you have dogs and cats? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Cat Owners

TIP! Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.

Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.

TIP! Don’t buy cheap cat food. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list.

You should not train your cat to use a litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.

TIP! Give your cat canned food. It is usually more expensive than dry food, but it is more beneficial.

Brush your cat regularly. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. Furthermore, it helps reduce all the loose hair. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.

TIP! Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? Cats shed considerably; therefore, it is very important you brush them frequently. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed.

You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. They need positive reinforcement. Place the open carrier in an area that your cat visits often and outfit it with a favorite toy and blanket. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.

TIP! You may often eat things that are quite bad for cats. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions.

To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. If you start them off eating the same type of food all of the time and you never change it up, this will most likely be the only food they will eat in the future.

TIP! Do not use cleaning supplies with phenol in them if you have a cat. Lysol, for example, has many harmful agents that can harm your cat.

Don’t buy cheap cat food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure meat tops the list. Corn and other such protein-free fillers are things you want to stay well away from. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.

TIP! If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.

TIP! If the thought of your cat getting rabies, being subjected to fungus or catching fleas worries you, do not allow him to go outside. While it is true that even an indoor cat can contract illnesses, they are more prevalent with cats who frequently go outdoors.

Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? Since cats shed so much, you must remember to brush them regularly. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. Doing this will also make sure they don’t get a matted or tangled coat.

TIP! Be aware of holes around your home that your cat can get into. Cats can get through minuscule gaps.

Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Not unlike kids, kittens require vaccinations and check ups every so often so that they do not get sick. You love your cat, so take the best care of him as possible.

Litter Box

TIP! Make sure you keep up on flea and tick meds. There are plenty of drops that will easily take care of the problem.

Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.

TIP! Watch out for your cats when they are playing around Christmas trees. Cats get curious and will want to climb your tree, which can be disastrous.

Pet cats should not be allowed to spend time outdoors or away from its home for long periods of time. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.

TIP! Houseplants are extremely atractive treats when you are a cat. Sometimes, plants will be harmful to your cat.

Make sure that your cat is eating dry food when possible. When cats are young they are going to have to have wet food due to having small teeth. When they grow, they need to eat dry food to have stronger teeth. You can also try mixing dry and wet food until you get the consistency your cat prefers.

TIP! Stop a cat which attacks humans. This behavior is usually seen as being normal and cute, but the reality is that the kitty is misbehaving.

Be wary of any small spaces around your house that you want to keep your cat out of. Keep in mind that a tiny gap is enough for your cat to go outside. This is very true of kittens. Be especially careful about this if you’re bringing a cat home for the first time. Repair or cover up any holes.

TIP! When shopping for cat food, know which ingredients are good and which to avoid. Watch out for recipes that include fillers like corn or chemical preservatives.

A happy cat means a cat that purrs, so that is why all cat owners must take of their cats the best they can. Cats are graceful, beautiful animals and it can be easy to care for them if you implement the tips here. Use these tips to boost your cat’s purring.