Follow Good Ideas About Cats In The Article Below

Cats make wonderful companions. As an owner of a pet cat, it is important that you educate yourself on all of the best cat pet care tips and advice. This article is filled with great pet care information designed to ensure that your kitty-cat enjoys a wonderful life and stays healthy well into old age.

You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat's overall health and diagnose any problems they find. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet's life. You won't have to worry that the vet won't have all of your cat's medical records.

If you have outdoor cats, be sure to discourage pests such as coyotes, possums and raccoons by bringing cat food indoors at night. Feed your cats first thing in the morning, and make sure there is no food left at nightfall. This will keep your cats safe from attack and illness.

If your cat is picky about drinking water, invest in a cat fountain. These battery operated or plug in fountains keep water circulating and aerated. Many cats prefer this. A cat fountain will help keep your cat out of the kitchen sink and the toilet. It will also help prevent your cat from pawing water onto the floor in search of fresh water.

Although depicted in countless movies and cartoons, milk is not the best source of nutrition for your cat. Once cats have grown, they do not need milk as a regular part of their diet. Milk can cause stomach distress and bloating. Instead of giving your cat milk, always have fresh, clean water available to them instead.

Don't be pushy when you are getting to know your new cat. Cats prefer to be in control and take things at their own pace. Make sure your new cat is comfortable and safe. Let your cat take its time exploring its new environment. When your cat feels at home, it will be more likely to try to make friends with you.

Nice furniture and cat claws don't get along very well. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. It doesn't happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.

Cats enjoy being high up. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. Make it extra comfortable by adding a blanket or cushion.

If you want a cat that is well-behaved and not prone to biting and scratching, make sure that you do not try to adopt one when it is too young. It takes 12-16 weeks for a kitten to learn proper cat behavior from their mom and all of their siblings.

While it is perfectly normal for a dog to pant a lot of the time, you should be alarmed if you notice your cat doing it. It may only be a small case of anxiety, but in some cases it is something much more serious like cardiovascular or respiratory distress.

Vary your cat's diet just a tiny bit to keep them from being picky. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Streaming water is your best bet. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.

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.

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.

Understand your cat's sounds. Meowing is a form of communication, often for food or to get your attention. There are other sounds, though. Hissing usually indicates fear or anger, so you should stay away. Cats also make certain sounds when they see prey. This often sounds like a chirp. Purring may indicate contentment, but sometimes it means nervousness.

Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.

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.

Your diet isn't necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren't good for them. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Your cat can get very sick from eating these foods. Milk also often upsets your cat's stomach.

As was discussed in the opening of this article, cats make perfect pets. As great as cats are however, it is necessary for you as a cat owner to educate yourself on cat care and learn all of the ins and outs. Take advantage of the info in this article to ensure that your beloved kitty stays healthy and happy.