Feline Familes Should Consider These Care Tips

TIP! If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee.

Owning a cat can bring you tremendous joy. However, it also takes lots of work to take care of a cat. There are quite a few responsibilities that any cat owner must know. The following article will explain to you those responsibilities. Keep reading to learn all you can.

TIP! If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season.

To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point.

You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.

Electrical Cords

TIP! Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach.

Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. An inexpensive way to hide electrical cords is to thread them through used paper towel rolls. If you own electronic devices with thin cords, you should keep them out of your cat’s reach when you’re not using them.

TIP! Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. This is especially true if your child is less than five years old.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Cats require plenty of exercise. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.

TIP! Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats.

It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.

TIP! If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents.

If you need cat medication, consider searching online instead of using your veterinarian in order to find a better deal. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.

TIP! Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.

TIP! Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way.

Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

TIP! Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

TIP! Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even indoor cats should have identification on them.

Brush your cat at regular times. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

Haired Cats

TIP! Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. When your cat has health issues, they should be taken to their vet, who will give them any medication they need.

There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While long haired cats are soft and look great, understand that there will be a lot more fur around the rest of the house. You must be willing to spend more time cleaning your home. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.

TIP! Cats get sick from many of the same things as humans. They’re a part of your family, so you should know when they’re not feeling well.

When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. Cats move their tails too, but it’s not for the same reason. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. Along the same line, if your cat wags its tail while you are holding it, you should put it down to avoid getting scratched.

TIP! Never let your cat venture outside if something like rabies, fleas or fungus makes you nervous. This is not saying indoor cats cannot be affected by some of the same things, but outdoor cats are more susceptible.

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. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk can also end up giving your cat an upset stomach.

TIP! Inspect your home for holes that could possibly be dangerous for your cat. Cats can fit into very small spaces.

An indoor cat is a healthy, happy cat. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.

TIP! You may want to avoid treating your feline with table scraps. Some foods we eat aren’t healthy for a cat.

Panting is something that you may encounter with your cat. Dogs pant and that is the norm. If your cat is panting it may be overheated or having anxiety. It may also be something that is a lot more serious than those things. Take your cat to see the vet if you notice it is often panting.

TIP! You should always get your animal spayed or neutered. Inevitably, your cat will venture out to explore its world.

As you’ve read, owning a cat can be a great benefit. But to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy, you must give it the care it needs. Take the advice below into account if you’re thinking about becoming a cat owner.