Your kitty is a big part of your family. That is why it is important to know all you can about its care. No cat wants this sort of problem. Keep reading to better care for your cat.

If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.

TIP! Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. Keeping a cat groomed properly can help them and your home look great.

Flea Products

Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This definitely applies to flea products. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.

TIP! To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.

Litter Box

TIP! Cats can really scratch up your home. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post.

Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. They are much better with encouragement. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Cats are natural explorers and sooner or later he will check it out. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.

If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They may hide from one another, hiss, or even swat each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

TIP! If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed.

Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? Cats are big shedders, so you should brush them frequently. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. Doing this will also make sure they don’t get a matted or tangled coat.

When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. You should take your cat to the vet if deliveries lasts for more than five or six hours.

You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. Even a cat you plan to keep indoors can sometimes get out or get lost. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.

TIP! You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. Your cat might not be safe outside.

Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. This chemical is usually in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other house cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.

You should always try to keep your cat in your home as much as you can. Indoor cats live longer and have less illness and pests than outdoor cats. While cats can get their exercise roaming the neighborhood and squaring off against other cats, they can also get diseases and injuries this way. Vigorous indoor play with an owner is a preferable way to get exercise.

Declawed Cat

TIP! Brush your cat’s fur regularly. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow.

A declawed cat should not be outdoors. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. However, you should still only remove the cat’s 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.

Cats have shockingly sharp noses, which means they can spot changes in their home with ease. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Don’t let this discourage you. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.

Brushing your cat more frequently is the most common way to combat hairballs. If it doesn’t work, though, you have other options. Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food. You can also mix in a little water from a tuna can with the pumpkin. Some cat foods include hairball fighting elements, such as fiber, that may be useful.

TIP! It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs.

Cats, like many other pets, are susceptible to different parasites. If you do not take action to ensure your cat’s health, the results can be disastrous for both of you. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to eliminate parasites, or to keep them away from your cat completely. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.

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