People have had cats as pets since the beginnings of recorded time. Cats have been the focus or muse for poetry, music and even cinema. It’s easy to see why, after all this time, cats still think that they’re the ones in charge. The following article will show you how to best care for your feline friend.

Drape Cords

TIP! Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat.

Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. They could be seriously hurt or even killed. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.

If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.

Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.

TIP! Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free.

If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is old enough. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.

Dog Products

It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.

TIP! Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill.

Though a veterinarian will almost always have a supply of medications that your cat needs, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them from online venues. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.

A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.

TIP! Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. This will ensure nothing bad happens.

Unlike most humans, cats love heights. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.

Speak to your peers about your cat issues. Advice from other people can be very beneficial for you. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.

TIP! Don’t let your cat outside. The outside world is very dangerous for cats.

Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. Cats are naturally curious and a door or window that’s open invites exploration. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. Include medical issues if appropriate.

Dogs wag their tails frequently when they are happy or excited to see their owners. A cat may look like it is wagging its tail, but it is completely different than what a dog does. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, be prepared to loosen your grip!

Cats have shockingly sharp noses, which means they can spot changes in their home with ease. This can sometimes cause difficulties when you buy a new scratching post, cat bed or food dish. Don’t fret if your cat doesn’t use the items right away. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.

TIP! Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go.

Cats sometimes fall victim to similar illnesses to humans. Pay attention to changes in your cat’s mood and behavior as they may be a sign your cat is feeling poorly. Take your cat to the veterinarian. It can be dangerous to avoid taking your cat to the vet when it is sick because there may be serious conditions that need checking. A vet can check for these.

Be wary of any small spaces around your house that you want to keep your cat out of. Cats can squeeze into very tight spaces. This is very true of kittens. Know this when bringing another cat into your home. Cover up or repair any sizable holes you find.

The cat in your home may think it owns the place. Though with the advice from this article, you can help your cat recognize your rightful place in the relationship. People enjoy cats because they’re great as pets, and you can use the above advice to make sure you’re giving your pet a great life.