Do you have a cat that appears to be a little on the chunky side? Does your cat feel heavy and is hard to lift? There are many fat cats out there that could use a little weight loss. If you want to get your fat cat back in shape, look at the tips in this article.

It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. 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. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

Clip your cats nails regularly. Cats do have to scratch. However, when cats scratch, their nail sheaths come off and their sharp, pointy claws are exposed. Clipping your cat’s claws every two to three weeks keeps them blunt and helps keep harm to furniture, humans, and other pets to a minimum.

It’s often cheaper to buy medicine for your cat on the Internet instead of through your vet. You can’t always get it online. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.

Having a hard time giving your cat a bath? Try this. Take an old window screen and put it in your sink or bathtub. Put your cat in, and he will claw the screen and stay there. Then start washing, but do don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you to pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.

Put the right amount of cat litter in the litter box. Some people try to get out of cleaning the box by putting too much litter in there. Cats don’t like walking on sand dunes! Two inches or so should be sufficient for the cat’s needs, and you just have to be vigilant about cleaning the box out.

Your cat should like their carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. They like responding to encouragement better. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. This makes transporting much easier.

While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. When it is in this condition, cats tend to like it the most. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.

If your cat bothers your Christmas tree or other plants, try beating him at his own game. Make his favorite chewing and climbing areas unattractive to him by placing the peelings of oranges, lemons or grapefruit around the places you wish for him to avoid. Cats hate citrus, and this is a natural way to keep them from getting into trouble.

Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.

If you live in an area that is populated by wild animals, such as coyote and fox, you may need to make you cat an indoor cat. Wild animals pose a real threat to cats, and to avoid the loss of a beloved pet, it is sometimes best to keep them indoors for the course of their lives.

Buy a pet drinking fountain to prevent dehydration. Cats are attracted to running water, so a pet drinking fountain may help to encourage your cat to drink more. Proper hydration can cure and prevent a large number of feline health problems. Therefore, a pet drinking fountain could improve the health of your cat and reduce vet bills.

If you are a responsible pet owner, you need to keep your cat indoors. The outdoors is no place for your pet. There are lots of dangers out in the world. Your cat can be injured by wild animals, hit by a car or get infested with bugs and diseases if you let them roam free.

Most cats love to spend time outdoors, but indoor-only cats rarely enjoy this opportunity. While it’s not safe to allow your indoor cat to roam freely outdoors, there are other options. For example, you can use a leash and harness to take your pet outdoors. It’s a rare sight, but it certainly isn’t impossible. You are most likely to be successful if you start leash training as a kitten.

Most cats love the smell of a fresh can of moist cat food. Humans, on the other hand, tend to be less tolerant of the pungent odor. If your cat does not eat all of its moist food, do not allow it to continue sitting out. Discard the uneaten food after 20 minutes. Leaving the food out encourages bacterial growth, which can cause your cat to become ill.

If you choose to make your own cat food, make sure you are supplementing it properly. Cat food that is homemade often lacks in essential nutrients, such as taurine, amino acids, fats and carbohydrates. It is important to ensure you are balancing the food properly in order to keep your cat healthy. Look for a recipe online or discuss this with your veterinarian.

Your cat may be fat, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Just like humans, cats can pack on a few pounds under certain conditions. Help you cat out and make sure it loses those extra pounds with the tips from the article. Your cat will have more energy and will be able to move around more freely.