TIP! You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls.

Do you want a pet that is quick and nimble, with a bright mind and a fun personality? These are just a few of the positive features of cat ownership. It is important to learn as much as you can about cats if you own one or are thinking of owning one. In this article, you’ll find plenty of great advice that will make you a more responsible cat owner. You should keep reading to make sure you are properly taking care of your cat.

TIP! A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post.

If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.

TIP! Get a microchip for your cat. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.

TIP! Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” Hairballs are very common for long-haired cats.

Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.

TIP! If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. You may like music loud and booming, but a cat will prefer lower volumes as their ears are more sensitive.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.

TIP! Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to.

Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your cats keep you up late at night, you should close the bedroom door. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.

TIP! Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten.

Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

TIP! Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable.

Try not to let your cat go outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. There is the possibility they may get injured by another animal, even people and cars too. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.

TIP! Brush your cat’s fur regularly. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow.

This article has provided you with a plethora of ideas. You’ll be a better person for it. There is no denying that the quality of your companionship is improved greatly when your cat receives the care it needs. Apply these tips, and you can’t go wrong.

TIP! Make your home dog-proof. You need to look for hazards around your home that your dog might run into.

Dogs are known for being great companions. Some say that they’re better friends than humans. With all the love and affection they give to their owners, dogs deserve to be treated with the utmost responsibility and care for their well-being. The tips included below will help with the discovery process.

TIP! While you can hug your dog, you should avoid kissing your dog. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people.

You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year. Because your dog is unable to speak, you may not know for sure when your dog feels sick or has an injury. A checkup every year can make sure that issues are caught before he is suffering too much.

TIP! If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Swallowing even one pill can end very badly, with a sick or dying dog.

Get your dog neutered. Research has shown that by doing this you can be sure your pet can have a longer life and not be at risk for things like cancer. A spayed or neutered dog is also less likely to stray from its home, meaning it won’t risk getting lost or winding up in a street accident.

TIP! Anti-flea products are dangerous. A lot of them can cause cancer in children.

Dogs don’t talk so you should learn his non-verbal language. If your pet hesitates when approaching a person or a pet, don’t push them to go near them. One of the animals could become aggressive. You need to keep your eyes open for these signs.

TIP! Use hand signals when training your dog along with verbal commands. Using signals such as these, your dog may learn things more easily.

You should talk to your vet about the foods you give your dog. Certain brands may not be right for a small pup and could cause him to get a stomachache or become sick. Be cautious of what you feed your dog.

TIP! Take your time to teach your dog what kind of behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. If you let it fester it can only make the problem much worse and eventually the dog becomes extremely difficult to train.

Giving your dog a good brush every day will definitely do more than lower their amount of shedding. Brushing your dog every day helps its coat become beautiful and shiny. The brushing motion will distribute the oil through the dog’s fur.

TIP! Exercise your dog frequently. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy.

Make sure that your dog’s nails are trimmed weekly. If they start to curl, your dog may feel a lot of pain. Nails can easily be clipped. Your local pet store will have the tool you need. It is best to take your dog to the groomer if you do not want to do it yourself.

TIP! Don’t buy cheap dog food. After a while it’s good for the dog if it has been eating nutritious and high quality food.

If you wish to get a dog, but don’t know if you can commit to it, try getting a foster dog. There are plenty of animals sitting in homeless shelters who desperately need a home due to over-crowding and limited shelter resources. Fostering is a great way to help a dog and get a feel for what having a dog is like.

TIP! Take your new dog to the vet. This should be done as soon as he is adopted.

Owning a dog is a wonderful experience that is very rewarding and offers tremendous companionship. What any person that wants a dog should do is learn whatever they can about caring for one before they start caring for it. Even if you have a dog already, you need the knowledge you just read. Keeping the advice from this article in mind will help ensure that your dog grows up happy and healthy.

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TIP! Spay or neuter your dog. It is a known fact that doing this will lessen the probability of your dog getting cancer.

Do you wish the grocery store had more choices when it comes to what you feed your dog? There are many dog owners who feel that they have nowhere to turn for helpful pet care advice. Many dog owners have decided to something about it. You can do a great job as a dog owner yourself; just take a look at the hints below.

TIP! If you are going to taking your dog on vacation, take a pic of him on your phone. This will help in the rare situation that you get separated from your dog.

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs a dog house. Particularly if his feet get wet, extended exposure to extreme temperatures causes stress and can lead to health complications. Your dog needs a space that is dry and provides him with adequate shelter.

TIP! Be sure to keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Dogs can have very negative side effects from even small amounts of medications intended for humans.

Avoid trying to force things into your dog. For instance, don’t force it to eat a treat that it appears to hate. Learn what he likes and what he doesn’t.

TIP! Never allow your dog to leave your yard without a leash even if he seems very trustworthy and calm. A dog might run after an animal and get into trouble, or it might get into a fight with another animal.

Train your pet on how to behave correctly when leashed. Your dog should know how to heel and not behind you or ahead of you. Doing this will not only be easier on you, but it will also keep your dog safe. Even if you still use the loose leash walk at times, helping your dog to understand this command is a good idea.

TIP! It is a good idea to use hand signals when you are trying to train your dog, instead of just relying on verbal commands. These types of signals are sometimes easier for a dog to learn.

Your dog should not be left outside in the yard by himself for the entire day. Understand that dogs need to interact with other people and animals. Especially if it’s only one dog, it can get very lonely. You need to bring your dog inside the house when it is inclement weather outside.

TIP! Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing.

If you have a dog with extreme separation anxiety, you can help reduce it by playing music or leaving the television on whenever you leave your home. This will help him feel more secure and provide him with a little company. This can significantly help reduce its anxiety.

TIP! If your dog behaves badly, correct the behavior immediately. If you ignore it, it will be hard to contain it later.

Give your dog plenty of exercise for both his body and his mind. You can even teach your dog useful tricks such as fetching the newspaper for you. He will always feel useful and a part of the family, while the constant reinforcement of training will keep his thinking skills sharp.

TIP! Make sure your dog knows how to properly walk while it’s leashed. Your dog should walk beside you, not lag behind or run ahead, and should obey the command “heel.

Be cautious with female dogs in the heat. If you aren’t, you may have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. Males can detect the scent from miles away. The end result of letting an in heat dog run free is not only an unwanted litter, but also a dog who is prone to fighting and the resulting injuries.

TIP! Prevent matting on your dogs paws by keeping the area well trimmed. You ought to use a comb as a means to straighten it before trimming.

Don’t skip your dog’s annual checkup. The vet can spot things like thyroid problems, kidney issues and diabetes way before you detect it. Annual exams can prevent lots of unneeded expenses later on.

TIP! If your vet prescribes medication, always carefully follow the provided instructions. They might not be fond of having a cone attached to their head, but your vet recommended it.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. Your vet will give your dog an annual exam with any vaccines that your dog might need. If your dog is younger, make sure that you go to the vet often. It is also important to visit a vet immediately after seeing signs of injury or illness.

TIP! Some dogs are more likely to suffer from health problems and so you should know what to look out for in your dog. Find out what health problems to expect and learn how to prevent those that your dog is prone to developing.

If you already have a dog at home, take your existing dog to meet the potential new one. Dogs are usually social creatures, but sometimes they just won’t get along. If you can find compatible dogs, it will save you a lot of trouble and anguish.

TIP! Know any canine laws that might affect your ownership. Look to see if your local government is passing laws which limit dog owners’ rights.

Owning a dog is both a privilege and a pleasure, especially when you make yourself a well-educated owner. There is more than just food when it comes to dogs. In this article, we provided you with information that will help you give your dog an amazing life.