There’s no denying that pet cats are inquisitive, interesting little creatures. They seem really independent, but they love human interaction as well. They are hard to figure out, but they also bring much joy. The following advice will help you care for your pet.

Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.

TIP! Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. A cat’s fur must be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.

Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

Flea Products

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog. Flea products can be especially harmful. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.

TIP! Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations.

You should be sure to place your pet’s litter box in a good location. Try and put it in an isolated area away from the cat bowl. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.

Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.

TIP! It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

Purchase good quality food for your cat. Look over the ingredients in the food, and be sure there is some kind of a protein source in the food. Look for foods that do not have corn or elements that aren’t protein. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Canned Cat

Use canned food for your cat. Dry food is less expensive, but there are added benefits to be had in canned cat food. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.

TIP! Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses.

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.

Litter Box

Take note if the cat ceases using its litter box. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, get him to a vet for a visit.

TIP! Are you a cat and dog owner? Dogs won’t hesitate to eat food from your cat’s bowl. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to.

If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born. If it drags on for six to eight hours, call your vet immediately to talk to them about it.

It is possible that placing the litter box in a new part of the house will help your cat to bond with it. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. Good examples are laundry rooms, basements and other areas away from the hustle and bustle of the home.

Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. It is still best to just remove the front claws. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.

TIP! You should brush your cat on a regular basis. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur.

If your cat is prone to regular hairballs even after brushing regularly, keep reading for some great tips that can help you out. Consider mixing a little pumpkin into your cat’s food. You can mix the pumpkin with a bit of water from a can of tuna. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.

Cats can be a strange and mercurial breed, but they are most definitely good companions if you get close to them. Use the information in this article to help make their life more comfortable. By properly caring for your cat, you can help ensure that he is a happy cat.

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