Want To Know More About Your Cat? Read On!

A lot of people out there just don't know what goes into taking care of a cat. These are great animals to have and don't take quite as much maintenance as other animals. That doesn't mean you shouldn't learn a few things about them. Read this article to help you care for your cat better.

Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.

To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. One way to deal with this issue could be to devote certain high spaces for your feline friend to sit in. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.

Refrain from giving your cat any food that is spoiled. This can lead to indigestion and food poisoning, which can cost you a trip to the veterinarian. Always buy your food fresh from the store and be sure to check the expiration date before you feed it to your cat.

Cats like to chase birds and catch them. This helps cats to build and deliver crucial hunting skills. But what if you have an indoor cat? You can find cat toys at the pet store that will help you simulate a bird flying around. Your cat will love it, and love you for it.

Feed your cat top quality food. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.

Feed a kitten proper food. A developing kitten survives exclusively on their mother's milk for the first four weeks, a commercial formula if the mother isn't around. When moving to regular food, feed them specially formulated kitten food until they reach maturity at the age of one. Kittens need plenty of protein while they are developing.

Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.

If you have ever given your cat a bath, then you know how much they shiver when it is over. This is because their wet fur provides them with no insulation. You can help your cat out by using your hairdryer to dry the hair fast. Just remember not to hold it too close and burn your cat.

When taking your cat or kitten to the vet, or to other places that involve a car ride, it is wise to socialize him to this situation. Try taking your cat, always in a carrier, on short rides, adding time to the ride every so often. Getting your pet used to the car can mean the end of his fear and frustration, as well as yours.

If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.

If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. Using the bathroom outside of the litter box is linked to a number of cat health issues. A bladder infection is often at the root of the problem. You should take your cat to the vet if you think there is something wrong with your pet.

Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? Mix one teaspoon of pumpkin into your cat's regular food. You can also try a teaspoon of water used to pack tuna mixed with the pumpkin. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

You do not have to spend a bunch of cash on fancy toys for your cat to play with. Simple things like feathers and string are great for them to play with, and they are very economical. While you can still buy fancy toys if you like, you may get more benefit from them than your cat does.

When adopting a cat, consider adopting two. Cats are social creatures, and they prefer to be in the company of other feline friends. Having two will help to keep your kitty occupied, and it can make it easier to take care of your new pet. If owning two is not an option, make sure to spend extra time giving your cat love.

As you can see, there is quite a bit that goes into having a cat. The main thing you need to have is some patience. Now that you've read this article you should have no problem caring for your cat. Use what you have learned here and everything will be a lot easier for you.