Felis Catus And You, A Guide For Cat Lovers!

TIP! Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care.

Cats are great animals and intelligent pets. As the owner of a cat, it is important that you learn how to properly care for them, so they can be healthy and live longer. Read this article thoroughly to pick up some great cat tips.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due.

If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.

TIP! An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. This way, if your cat gets lost and is found by a stranger, that person will know how to contact you.

Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. Store electronics when they are not in use rather than leaving them plugged in.

Scratching Post

TIP! Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency.

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.

TIP! Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This will be something that the cat does on its own and it usually is not learned fro another.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

TIP! Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog.

Keep your cat amused. Every cat needs exercise time and play! But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. Boredom can beget illness. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.

TIP! Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. Shedding is a major issue that you will have to face.

Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. Keep your bedroom door shut if your cats make too much noise at night. This will keep them from attacking your toes.

TIP! Put some thought into where you place the litter box. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants.

Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” Long hair encourages hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.

TIP! Take your cat for vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems.

Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. Turn down the music and let the cat rest.

TIP! Every cat should have a collar with his name on it, the owner’s name, and a phone number. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open.

Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.

TIP! Certain foods may be fine for you to eat daily, but not for your cat. Common foods that are poisonous to cats include: garlic, grapes, onions and tomatoes.

Use a brush on your cat regularly. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It will also remove loose hair. Hairballs can be prevented this way, which often lead to choking. There will be little need for self grooming and hair build up.

Litter Box

TIP! If your cat gets a lot of hairballs, the following tips should be useful. Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food.

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

TIP! Cat owners sometimes want to bathe their cat. But know that you don’t need to bathe any cat unless they are extremely dirty.

As you’ve read, a cat can be a wonderful companion. To ensure that your cat stays healthy and happy it is imperative that you educate yourself on proper cat care-taking. Read through this article a couple of times to soak up all of the info it contains. Your cat will be grateful!

Do not allow yourself to be frustrated when you are just starting out. There are plenty of resources that can help you learn even more about helpful hints. This article will be able to provide you with a great beginning into your experience. Use what you’ve learned to find success.