If you’re familiar with how to take care of them properly, cats are great pets. To be a responsible cat owner, you need to educate yourself on the best ways to care for your cat and find the best advice to make sure your little feline friend enjoys many great years with you. This article is going to provide you with smart advice about caring for your cat.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.

You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats don’t like dog products. Flea products are a great example of this. These products can be fatal for your cat. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.

Never let a cat become bored. It is necessary for them to play and get exercise. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Boredom can beget illness. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.

Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. This will make you and your cat happy.

Sometimes children get too excited when playing with a new cat and may mishandle them. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

Do you have a cat and a dog? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.

Litter Box

Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.

Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. They prefer encouragement instead. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.

Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.

Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.

Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? Cats shed a lot, so it is important to brush them often. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.

Taking your cat to the vet regularly to get proper vaccinations and check-ups will ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life with you. Your cat needs these periodic checks and particular immunizations in order to stay healthy. Your cat is part of your family, and you should treat him as you would any other well-loved member of your household.

One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats may wag as well, but the meaning can be quite different. Tail-wagging in a cat usually means a conflict or that they’re deciding to flee or pounce regarding a situation. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your cat’s tail when you’re holding it. If you see it start to move, it’s time to put your pet down before you wind up getting scratched!

Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Indoor cats typically live longer than those who live outside. 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.

Never have a declawed cat to spend time outdoors. Your cat may be seriously injured or killed because they are not prepared to defend themselves against another animal who may attack them. Indoor cats are the only ones that may be declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.

Cat Care

Cat care starts with a good education. As a responsible cat owner, take the time to read through this article a few times and utilize all of the great cat care information that it contains. With proper care, your cat will live a healthy and vibrant life.