The Definitive Guide To Caring For Your Cat!

TIP! An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever.

Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, loved by millions of people. Adopting a new kitten is a great way to help keep this population of wild animals down and you will find that a cat is a great pet to have. Keep reading for the cat care information that you crave.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls.

Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.

TIP! Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need stimulation.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

TIP! Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. Over time, you will pick up on the reasons why your cat is making this gesture.

A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. Microchips are minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.

TIP! If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. Your cat might not be safe outside.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.

TIP! Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

TIP! You should not train your cat to use a litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally.

Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. If you have spent any significant amount of time around your cat, you will quickly find you can figure out what he wants when he cries. They may want outside or may be hungry. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.

TIP! Brush your cat’s fur regularly. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow.

Do not throw away your cat’s scratching post because it is starting to look very old and worn. The cats loves it the most in this condition. Something new is not necessarily better for a cat, and it may lead them to scratching the furniture.

TIP! Your cat should like their carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs.

You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.

TIP! Keep your cat healthy, and ensure him a longer life, by keeping him up-to-date on his vaccinations and health check-ups. Cats need to have vaccines and check-ups just like children.

If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They might hide from each other or hit each other. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.

TIP! If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born.

If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.

TIP! If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it.

Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

Litter Box

TIP! Dry food is best for adult cats. Kittens have small teeth so they need soft food.

Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. If the littler box is on cold, hard floor, try placing a rug beneath it.

TIP! Place sticky tape on pieces of furniture. If the cat tends to scratch your upholstery, some tape may stop the practice.

If your feline just won’t use the litter box, try moving it to a different location. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.

TIP! Keep an eye out for places you want the cat to stay away from. Cats are able to squeeze into tiny gaps.

Happy dogs wag their tail. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!

TIP! Give your cat a parasite treatment often. Monthly drops are available and they’re very effective.

If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.

TIP! Be mindful that bringing another animal into your home can upset your cat. Prevent animal drama by separating your cat and new pet.

After reading this article, you should have a working knowledge on how to care for your cat. Learn as much as you can about proper pet care and incorporate it into your life. Of course, you have to remember that cats can be sensitive so they need to be carefully cared for. You could even end up bonding with one of the feral cats.