Cats are amazing creatures. Their independence and intelligence can create such a fun-filled house pet experience. But, it’s not so simple to take proper care of a cat. You can educate yourself about helpful tips to care for your cat and keep him happy and healthy by reading this article.

Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.

TIP! If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.

Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.

Litter Box

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. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. You and your cat will greatly appreciate this.

TIP! You should not use products designed for other animals. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products.

Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Consider all the options before you let your cat be an outdoors cat. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.

Cats Prefer Running

Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Streaming water is your best bet. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. A drinking fountain designed for your cat is the ideal solution to keep the cat happy.

You should feed your cat food out of a can. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. Your cat can get more water, fat and protein from canned food. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.

TIP! Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course.

You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.

Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Lysol, Pine-Sol and many other products contain this chemical. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.

Panting is something that you may encounter with your cat. Dogs pant and that is the norm. If your cat is panting it may be overheated or having anxiety. It may also be something that is a lot more serious than those things. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.

TIP! You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position.

If you have a cat with frequent hair ball problems, and brushing has provided no relief, the following tips might be useful. Mix in pumpkin (a teaspoon’s worth) into the cat’s food. In addition, you could use one teaspoon of water for packing tuna and mix it with the pumpkin. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

Cats make amazing pets for you and your family, as long as you know how to take care of them. Use the things you’ve learned in this article to help you out. Use what you’ve learned to enjoy your time with your cat.