Felines are a lot of fun, so much fun that you can really lose track of the day playing with them. Whether you’re simply observing your cat or taking an active role in its escapades, you’ll enjoy your feline friend’s company immensely. This might not even mean spending a penny! The following article will give you some great ideas that both you and your cat will love.

If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. Be sure that the pet’s name and also your home number are on the tag.

TIP! Groom your cat. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.

Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. It is important to show your child how to approach and handle a cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.

Cats love heights. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.

TIP! A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

You should brush your cat very regularly. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.

Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.

If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.

TIP! Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. You shouldn’t keep it near your pet’s food, and you shouldn’t keep it in an area people walk through a lot.

Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? Cats shed a ton, so they must be brushed frequently. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. This will lessen the amount of hair around your home and it will keep them from getting knots in their hair if they have medium or long hair.

Litter Box

Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.

TIP! Adore your cat! Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Cats are social animals and will thrive when they are included in daily activities and life.

If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. A cat will be more inclined to use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet and safe area in your home. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.

Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats wag their tails for very different reasons than dogs though. When a cat is wagging its tail, it’s actually feeling threatened and mulling over the classic question of fight or flight. If your cat starts wagging its tail while you hold it, you might want to set it down to avoid getting scratched and swatted.

Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. Phenol is found in common products such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, and various other cleaners. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.

TIP! Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs.

Do not let a declawed cat outside. Your cat cannot defend itself, rendering it helpless against other animals. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. Even in the case of indoor cats, you should only declaw the front claws. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.

Cats are really good at smelling, and that means they’re good at figuring out if something in their environment has changed. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Don’t be upset if the cat does not take to these items immediately. Eventually the cat will get used to the smell and things will go back to normal.

Before you let your cat be an outdoor cat, consider the dangers of fleas, fungus and rabies. Indoor cats almost never get these ailments.

TIP! Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled.

While reading this article, did you notice any areas for improvement in your own home? If so, it’s time to take action. These tips won’t work for every cat, but most felines will find them to be favorable. A cat that’s happy and healthy is going to live longer and be more active during his lifespan.