Your cat is part of the family. Therefore, you should do all you can to properly care for it. Make sure your cat gets the right food, enough exercise and has no parasites. Read on for some of the best methods for keeping pests off your cats.

Drape Cords

TIP! Keep your cat properly groomed. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling.

If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This could really hurt or possibly kill them. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.

Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. The advantage to a breakaway type collar is that if enough pressure is put on it, it will just let go rather than strangle the cat. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.

Scratching Post

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.

Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Look over the label. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.

TIP! Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home.

A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. An easy solution to this problem is a placemat underneath the food dish, or a piece of fabric you can easily wash.

High quality cat food is important to your cat. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

Play is essential to your cat’s life. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. While older cats have less energy than their younger counterparts, they can still play a little. Take time and play with your cat regularly.

TIP! Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Every cat needs exercise time and play! But many cat owners ignore that need.

Cats are able to smell very well and will notice changes to their environment. Sometimes this causes problems if you introduce a new food dish, bed, or scratching post. Your cat will probably not like these items immediately; therefore, be patient. As the smell of your home gets onto the items, they’ll warm up to them.

Consider your cat if you are going to make a schedule change. To improve your cat’s mood, consider adopting a second cat. They can then keep each other company while you are absent.

Cats can get sick, too. They’re a part of your family, so you should know when they’re not feeling well. A trip to the vet is worth the time and money in these cases. This will save you from bigger problems down the road.

TIP! Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. You can’t always get it online.

Parasites can be a problem for most cats, and that includes your cat, too. Unless you take measures against them, these pests aren’t going anywhere. By following the above advice, you can keep your cat clean and healthy. Saving your cat from these pesky creatures will benefit your cat and your peace of mind.