Most families encounter a lot of unplanned obstacles shortly after adopting their first cat. You should not adopt a cat until you are better prepared. Sometimes problems will arise no matter what you do. But to lessen the issues early on, use the advice shared here!

You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.

TIP! If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Many shelters are overcrowded with lovable and adoptable cats.

A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This will help you save your cat’s life.

A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. If you want, change it now and then so the warmth continues.

TIP! Your cat needs to be groomed properly. Cats require frequent brushing or combing.

Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. In fact, your cat should be kept away from your dog for several hours after the dog has been treated for fleas.

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.

It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.

TIP! You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires.

Why is your cat meowing? If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.

Brush your cat’s coat often. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.

Scratching Post

While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. When it is in this condition, cats tend to like it the most. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.

Play is something that all cats need to do. Play is important for all mammals, even people, regardless of their age. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Take time and play with your cat regularly.

TIP! Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs.

Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. There will be hairball issues as well.

Take your cat for vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. Treat your cat as if it were a member of the family.

Take note if the cat ceases using its litter box. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.

TIP! It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all.

Avoid overfeeding your cat, as that may lead to health concerns in the long-term. Overeating can cause your cat to get very sick, in addition to becoming obese. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.

Don’t let a cat out if you don’t want it to get fleas, feline AIDS or other diseases. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, you run the risk of more when you offer outside as an option.

The excellent advice provided here is helpful for any cat regardless of its breed or age. There are raising concepts that are shared among cats, but there can still be some variation. Most importantly, enjoy your cat.

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