When you care for a cat properly, it will bring you much joy. As a cat owner, it is important that you take the time to educate yourself on all of the best cat care tips and advice to ensure that your feline friend enjoys a great life. You can find the information that you need to know in this article.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. This could save your cat’s life!

Flea Products

You should not use products designed for other animals. Cats don’t like dog products. This particularly applies to flea products. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. In fact, your cat should be kept away from your dog for several hours after the dog has been treated for fleas.

Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. An inexpensive way to hide electrical cords is to thread them through used paper towel rolls. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.

Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.

Do you own a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.

Litter Box

You should not train your cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.

Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.

Drinking Fountain

Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Cats respond well to this stream of water. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.

Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. Put a rug under it for cleanliness, too.

It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.

Don’t give cats human medication. Only use medicine that has been prescribed or recommended by a vet. Giving pets medicine that is intended for humans can harm them, and possibly cause death.

If your cat is prone to hairballs and additional brushing has no effect, you may be able to resolve the problem in other ways. One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

Cats are enchanting animals, but you need to understand how to care for them. As a cat owner, you have great responsibilities, so read this article several times to learn helpful information on caring for cats. With the right tender loving care you can ensure that your kitty enjoys a terrific, healthy life.