Fun, furry, and finicky: three words that perfectly describe cats. There are so many things you need to know if you’re going to own a cat. The article below has the information you need.

Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.

Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.

Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.

Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.

Keep an eye on early warning signs of health issues in cats. Cats usually display warning signs if they are struggling with health issues. Some common signs to look out for include eating habit changes, sleeping habit changes, not being able to groom properly, changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping habits, depression, sneezing, increased thirst, watery eyes, changes in behavior, hiding, and vomiting. If they display these symptoms, take them to a vet right away. The sooner you take, them the better.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.

Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

Consider adopting multiple cats, especially it will be spending a significant amount of time alone. One cat can do fine alone, however two are not much more work or expense than one, and can keep each other company and entertain each other. This will stave off boredom, especially if you work long hours.

When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.

Cats’ curiosity often puts them in risky situations. Something as simple as a necklace, window pull, or phone cords can cause your pet to become injured or even killed. These items should be bound securely so that they are not a source of temptation for your inquisitive pet. Many childproofing aids work just as well for your kitten.

Never assume that a fence will keep your cat from leaving your yard. Unless the fence is specially designed to keep cats from escaping, it’s safe to say that your cat will find a way out. Also, remember that your fence must be able to keep other animals from entering your backyard and harming your pet.

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. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. If a cat you are holding starts flicking his tail, then it is time to put him down.

If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. Studies have shown that cats that live outdoors tend to have shorter lives than cats that stay indoors. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.

Taking care of cats may seem simple at first, and if you’re lucky enough to get one that doesn’t present any issues they are, but most require a lot of attention, TLC and a few vet check-ups. By using this information, you can take the best care possible of your cat. Doing some research will make things go better in the end.

Cats are known for interfering with people’s allergies and if you find yourself living with a cat, it can quickly become a poor experience. Luckily, there are few easy solutions for keeping your home clean and free of excessive dandruff. Review these paragraphs and implement the ideas if you find yourself suffering from too much cat fur in the air.

If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.

Be careful when treating your cat for fleas. Be sure to consult with your vet before using natural alternatives to control your cat’s fleas. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils and many herbs. Your vet will probably recommend you use a prescription flea treatment, which is usually best for cats.

Have your kids help you take care of the cat. Assign daily jobs such as feeding the cat and cleaning the litter box. Not only will taking care of the cat teach them responsibility, it also gives you a break from these tasks. This means that you can spend more time cuddling with your cat.

Keep dangerous chemicals away from your cat. Just like children, cats need to be kept away from items like cleaning materials since they could harm them. These chemicals are basically poison and if your cats consumes some or gets some on them, they could get very sick, get burned, or possibly die. Store these items in a place where your cat can’t find them or use a child-proof lock on their location.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.

Get a scratching post to keep your cat from tearing up your carpet. If you can, get a post that does not have the same type of carpet that is on the floor of your home, so your cat doesn’t associate the two. Instead, get a post that is covered in cardboard, sisal, or thick rope.

If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.

It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. Special food can help. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.

Cats and small children may not always mix. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.

Give cat box liners a try. These may not work for everyone, but they can be helpful if they work for you. Line the litter box with one of these liners, and then put cat litter in as usual. If it works correctly, you should be able to gather the liner and dispose of the litter. Unfortunately, sometimes cats just scratch the liner to pieces as they are doing their business.

You should keep wet cat food in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Bring it to room temperature before serving it to your cat, because it will smell more enticing to them and be less likely to cause an upset stomach. If you like, place it in the microwave for a bit to warm it up.

When you bring home a new cat for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming for both of you. Instead of granting access to your entire home, introduce your pet to its new environment one room at a time. For example, you might place your cat’s carrier in your study or den. As long as the carrier door is open, you should be in the room with the animal.

If you have a pregnant cat ready to birth her babies, be sure she has enough space. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.

Make sure that you change your cat’s food and water on a regular basis. Just like humans, cats want to eat fresh food and drink water that is clean. Feed them at the same time each and every day if you want them to get into a regular feeding routine.

When it comes to cat litter, you should scoop out all of the waste on a daily basis. Cats will not use a litter box that is overflowing with waste, and they will start looking for somewhere else to use the bathroom. Change the entire box at least once every few weeks.

You can now breathe easy without suffering from serious allergies and breaking down into a snotty spectacle. Keeping the house clean means you can live indoors with a feline and never suffer any side effects. Most allergy sufferers are victims of dandruff or fur that drifts around the room, accumulating until cleaned.

You might have already raised a pet in the past. You might have even said that you would never raise another pet, but it’s never too late to look towards the future and adopt a lonely kitten. Adopting cats at the local shelter helps get them off of the streets and back in a healthy home. You should keep a few key questions in mind while visiting your local shelters.

Watch the amount of treats that you give your cat. Like humans, cats can easily overeat junk food. This can cause them to gain weight and may lead to some health problems like heart issues and diabetes. If you do give your cat treats, give them a small amount and make it a special thing instead of a regular routine.

Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.

Make sure to keep your cat’s litter box clean at all times. Most cats do not like to use a dirty litter box, much like you would not want to use a dirty toilet. Scoop it at least once a day. Empty and give it a good cleaning once a week or more if needed.

Let kittens and cat-friendly pet dogs get to know each other slowly. Put up a baby gate to keep dogs in one room while your new kitten gets used to its surroundings. Supervise carefully when the kitten ventures to the gate to meet the dogs. When the kitten feels safe, it will climb the gate. If it feels threatened, it will pop right back out to safety.

A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.

Take your cat to the vet periodically. A lot of cat owners tend to avoid the vet because it can be harder to get a cat ready to go anywhere she does not want to go! It is also easy to avoid the vet because cats seem so self-reliant. However, it’s smart to get your cat to the vet to avoid any problems.

A cat’s nails can grow really quickly. They sharpen their nails by scratching on different surfaces like a scratching post. You can help avoid your cat destroying your furniture by clipping their nails often. This will help to discourage your cat from scratching at different things around your house.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.

Most veterinarians recommend that you feed your cat food that is in the can as opposed to the dry varieties in the box or bag. This is because the canned food contains more water, fat and protein than the dry variety. It is also easier to consume for cats with dental issues.

Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.

Never assume that a fence will keep your cat from leaving your yard. Unless the fence is specially designed to keep cats from escaping, it’s safe to say that your cat will find a way out. Also, remember that your fence must be able to keep other animals from entering your backyard and harming your pet.

Sometimes it seems as if your cat is sleeping all of his 9 lives away, however, this is perfectly normal. It is not unusual for cats to sleep up to 16 hours per day, and even more. Much of their sleep is light sleep, an instinct that keeps them ready in the event that a predator is nearby. About 25 percent of their sleep is deep sleep, where they dream and conserve energy. Cats love to sleep-a lot!

If possible, make sure your cat is always indoors. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. You can exercise your cat by playing with it.

When you are looking to finally adopt a new kitten, but don’t want to spend big bucks on an expensive bloodline, you should investigate your local shelters. Most animal shelters offer dogs and cats that need a home badly, regardless of their heritage or costs.You may be able to find a similar cat with a different cost.

If you are thinking about getting a new kitty for your family and you have small children, make sure you talk to the kids about how to handle the new pet. Teach them to be gentle with the new kitty. Do not let them play rough with the cat or pull its’ tail.

Be sure to keep fresh water available for your cat at all times. Though you may not see your cat drinking often, it is critical that water is constantly available. The water dish should be cleaned on a daily basis and should be somewhere that your pet can reach it.

Shelters are not the only source of local pet adoptions. You can find classifieds in the papers or online where citizens are offering cats, kittens, and everything else in between for little-to-no cost.. Many times, these people are giving these pets away for free in hopes of giving them a good home.