Smith 
There is no end to the joys of cat ownership. With great animals comes great responsibility, however, and you are obligated to take care of your pet. You must be aware of the responsibilities of being a cat owner. The article below has the information you need. Keep reading to learn all you can.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. If that doesn’t work, cover those cords up however you can. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.
Most cats are very nocturnal. Thus, the bulk of their activity will occur at night. If you are having a hard time sleeping because of your cats, close the door. This will keep them from attacking your toes.
When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. That’s why you should place your cat’s food in a place which is hard for your dog to reach. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.
Brush your pet often. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. 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.
Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. If your cat does get out, make sure that it can get home.
A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.
Keep an eye out for panting. Panting in dogs is perfectly normal. Your cat will pant if it is nervous or overheated but it could also be the sign of a more serious health problem. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.
You should look for holes in which your cat could hide. Cats are extremely agile; therefore, they can easily fit into small holes that you thought were impossible for them to fit into. Kittens can also be very creative in their explorations. Beware of this as you bring a new kitty into your home. Cover all holes.
Do not allow your pet to go without a tag and collar. Cats are intelligent creatures and can easily find a way to get outside. Cats with collars and tags are much more likely to come home safe and sound if they get lost.
Some people who own cats may believe their cats need bathing in order to stay clean. In their ordinary day-to-day lives, though, cats seldom get dirty enough to require bathing. Cats actually groom themselves quite often, using their tongues which are barbed to remove debris and dirt from their fur. Cats can be picky about how they look!
Tick and flea medication is something you should use on your cat. There are drops that should be applied monthly and they are quite effective. These kinds of medications will help your cat be free from parasites that suck blood from the pet and can lead to diseases. Be sure you’re going with something that is only for cats so the animal can safely use it.
Houseplants can be extremely tempting to indoor cats. This can be a problem for you and for your cat if it’s a poisonous plant. You could also have cat waste in the prized pot. Stowing plants on shelves or ledges won’t keep cats away. Try hanging your plants instead, making sure they are located far from possible launching pads, like bookshelves or cabinets.
In conclusion, there are many benefits from being a cat owner. In order to provide a home that a cat will find comfortable, stable, and healthy, you need to be prepared to take responsible steps. Be sure and use the information provided if you are considering making a cat a part of your life.