If you feel like something is missing from your life, consider getting a cat. There are literally millions of cats who are stuck in shelters through no fault of their own, and they need a loving forever home. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about adopting and caring for a cat.

Don’t let your cat near drape cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This could really hurt or possibly kill them. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.

TIP! If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal.

Keep your cat groomed. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. This leads to a cleaner cat. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. It can really be a life saver for your cat.

If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. Ensure that you at least put the name of your cat and your personal phone number on this tag.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots.

Cats are partially nocturnal. In other words, they’ll be up and about late into the night. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Look for cat food that is designed to minimize hairballs to keep you and your cat happier.

Try to figure out why your cat meows. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

TIP! The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home.

You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.

Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.

Litter Box

TIP! Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on.

If the cat stops using their litter box all of a sudden, keep an eye on this. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Therefore, whenever you notice your cat not using its litter box, call your veterinarian.

If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.

Certain foods may be fine for you to eat daily, but not for your cat. These foods include grapes, onions green tomatoes and garlic. If your cat consumes these particular foods, it can get really sick. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Indoor cats can slip out an open door.

Chemicals containing phenol shouldn’t be anywhere near your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.

If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Don’t remove the back claws. This will help ensure that your cat remains safe in case it gets outside, and back claws will not scratch any furniture.

Adopting a cat is a wonderful thing to do. You are sharing your home with an animal that really needs your love. You will develop a strong bond with your cat that will last a lifetime. Take great care of your cat and it will be rewarding.

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