T.S. Eliot, the famed poet, once likened cats to creatures that a household depends on, the there is some truth behind his words. Eliot said that a household will depend upon a cat. A cat enhances any household. Unfortunately, cats can be hard to live with sometimes. These tips can help you and your cat exist better together.

Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This is especially true of flea products. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.

Litter Box

Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.

Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.

TIP! When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services.

Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This makes quite a mess. Place a piece of fabric or a place-mat under your cat’s bowl and then simply shake it over a garbage can for quick and easy clean up.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.

TIP! Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls.

Cats enjoy heights. To make your cat really happy, give it a place to safely survey its area. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Cat Owners

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.

TIP! Cats like to be up high. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings.

Brush your cat’s fur regularly. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. Aging cats find it makes it much easier to chew. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.

A cat’s life isn’t complete without play. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. An older cat may not be as energetic as when it was younger, but still enjoys light play. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.

TIP! You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents.

If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. These problems are generally related to the kidneys and/or bladder. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.

If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. If six hours have gone by and you think there are still more kitten inside the cat, take her to a vet immediately.

Caring for a cat can be difficult, but it is very gratifying. Whether your cat is a lazy ball of fur or an active ball of hair, it needs proper care. Before long, you’ll be seeing positive changes in your cats.