Humans and cats have been beloved companions for many centuries. Cats have found their way into poetry, movies, musicals and more. It shouldn’t be surprising then why cats feel like they are the ones running the show! In the following paragraphs, you’ll find tips on how to be a better cat owner.

If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.

TIP! You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. You never know when your cat could get away from you.

Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. They get very active at night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.

Put the litter box in an ideal location. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. This will make you and your cat happy.

Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Choose a low magnesium food. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.

TIP! Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night.

If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.

Try figuring out why the cat is purring. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

TIP! You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option.

Do you have both a cat and dog? A dog may enjoy eating your cat’s food when he has the chance to do so. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You can often get great advice from friends and family. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Feed your cat quality cat food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats need meat, not vegetables.

TIP! Create a little tablecloth for your cat. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.

Litter Box

Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. If this happens, you are advised to take your cat to the vet.

TIP! If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat.

If you have a pregnant cat ready to birth her babies, be sure she has enough space. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

It is common for cats to get the impression that they rule the world at large, and especially their own environment. However, if you utilize the advice above, you can show your cat who’s really in charge. Although cats are stubborn, they can be incredible pets. The advice found here will assist you in raising a great cat.