Cats are as much a part of the family as anyone else. Therefore, you need to make sure your cat is well-behaved and sanitary. They can really affect a cat’s well being. Keep reading here to discover some excellent tips to help keep these pests away.

Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. The cats will start playing with the cords and they can easily wrap around their necks. This accident could trap or injure your cat, or even be fatal. Pin the cords of your drapes up where your cat can’t get to them.

TIP! If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors.

Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. This leads to a cleaner cat. It also stops hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can help to save a couple of your cat’s nine lives.

TIP! A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting.

Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.

Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.

TIP! Cats are nocturnal animals. They are often active at nighttime.

Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.

A battered appearance isn’t a good reason to discard a beloved cat condo or scratching post. Cats love them! If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.

Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? When a cat sheds a lot, brushing is very important. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.

TIP! Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high.

Many foods that are fine for humans are not good to give to your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. When a cat eats these items, they can get very sick. Milk is another food to stay away from.

Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. It causes liver problems in felines.

A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.

TIP! Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet.

Be aware of any panting. Dogs pant and that is the norm. Cats often pant when they are anxious or overheated, but this may also signal a more serious issue. Be sure you get in touch with a vet, especially if your animal has had problems with breathing before.

Veterinarian visits are expensive, though often necessary. Consider purchasing cat medication over the Internet to save money. These can be delivered right to your doorstep, immediately. This can be convenient and cheap if your cat has to take medications regularly like once a month.

It’s best to keep your pet cat indoors. Outdoor cats usually do not live as long, and they are at higher risk in contracting many diseases. Some of the illnesses can actually be passed along to members of the household. To make a cat feel like it is outdoors, ensure you have a room with plenty of natural light in it for your cat to enjoy.

TIP! Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet.

Cats can have medical problems, just like humans. However, if you utilize proper strategies, such as the ones provided here, you can raise a healthy cat. Get rid of these parasites by using the tips below. Your pet will be glad you did.