You need to give your cat the care and attention it needs. Grooming a cat is quite different than grooming a dog, however. You need to brush them, but not bathe them often. Read through this article if you would like to know how to take better care of your cat.

Look a local animal shelters for cats. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care. You’re literally saving their life.

Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This can keep your cat alive.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.

Normally cats are nocturnal animals. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If your busy kitties are keeping you up into the wee hours, try simply closing your bedroom door. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.

While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.

Watch kittens around kids. Up until your child is five, children shouldn’t be alone with your pet. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.

Litter Box

You should not train your cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. Aging cats will find it easier to chew. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.

Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. Actually playtime is very common for all animals, especially cats and people despite their age. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If you believe your cat is still giving birth after six hours, you should immediately drive to the vet’s office.

If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.

Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.

Any chemicals that have phenol should be kept away from your cat. This chemical is usually in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other house cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol, and for good reason. Long term exposure to it can cause cats to have live issues.

Don’t ever give your cat medicine created for humans. Some people incorrectly give cats human medications thinking it will be okay in small doses, but it can kill him or her. If your pet has any issues, take them to a vet for proper pet medication. If you give a pet something that it shouldn’t take, you could injure it or even kill it.

Cats have a very sensitive nose and can easily detect any changes to their environment. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. Don’t fret if your cat doesn’t use the items right away. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.

If you are lucky enough to have a cat that has a lot of hairballs, and brushing doesn’t seem to be helping to lessen them, then the following tips might help. Use pumpkin in your cat’s food to help with digestion. In addition, you could use one teaspoon of water for packing tuna and mix it with the pumpkin. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.

Your cat will look and feel its best with the proper care. You have the power to do whatever it takes to keep your cat looking like a healthy animal. Whatever grooming you do will be appreciate by the cat. Follow this post, and spend time grooming your cat regularly.