Cats have been with human companions for centuries. There are many different novels and plays that have cats as the main theme. So, it’s easy to understand why cats think they rule the world. The below article will help you take control over your cat’s care.

Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. They need to be brushed every day. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. Also, this can eliminate the constant shedding that you will deal with. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

TIP! Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them.

Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Breakaway collars are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. That’ll keep kitty safe.

Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. You can even switch it out every few hours.

You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.

TIP! Properly groom your cat. Cats require frequent brushing or combing.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. Sadly, many cat owners do not understand the importance of this. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If they’re inside kitties, get them a post or something else that they can scratch and climb.

Cats are often nocturnal creatures. Thus, the bulk of their activity will occur at night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.

Litter Box

TIP! Give your kitty lots of love. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways.

The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas. Additionally, the litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. This will make you and your cat happy.

Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. A child under five should not be left alone with a pet. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.

You should brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It also gets rid of shedding hair. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.

TIP! Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs.

When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.

If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.

Keep an eye on your cat if he or she is panting. For dogs, panting is typical behavior. Panting could mean the cat is hot or scared, or something much worse. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.

TIP! Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Teach your kids how to treat a cat.

There are some options for a cat with hairballs. Add one teaspoon of pumpkin to your cat’s food. A teaspoon of tuna can water can be mixed with it for flavor’s sake. Some cat foods have components, such as fiber, that prevent hairballs.

If you are planning to go back to work after being home with your cat all the time, it’s possible he may get quite lonely there without you. If you want to keep them from getting bored while you are away from home, you should think about getting another cat.

Give your cat varieties of dry food whenever possible. Kittens need wet food, though. Hard, dry food is best for grown-up cats because it helps keep their teeth healthy and strong. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.

TIP! Try to figure out why your cat meows. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean.

Line your furniture with sticky tape. A little strategically-applied tape can discourage your cat from tearing upholstery and scratching furniture. You can find special tape in most pet stores. If you provide a scratching post along with tape-trapping your furniture, you’ll soon have your cat scratching only where you want it to.

It is common for cats to get the impression that they rule the world at large, and especially their own environment. Apply the knowledge you have learned here in order to set proper boundaries and put your cat in its proper place. Cats are great pets when they are trained properly.