If you own a cat, or want one, you know how special they are. Do everything in your power to help your cat stay away from ticks, fleas and other things. They can really affect a cat’s well being. There are many more great tips below, so read on.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.

Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.

Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If they stay indoors make sure they have a scratching post for climbing.

TIP! If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.

Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Read the label on any food you choose. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.

Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. 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. But if you have to regularly buy pet medicine, you can save 50% or more on some medicines by buying online.

TIP! Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. Purchase a scratching post to stop your cat from destroying your home.

You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

Cat Outside

If you want to let your cat outside, think again. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Your cat could be injured by other animals, people and vehicles. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.

TIP! It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. They love to be able to look around from up high.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

Brush your cat regularly. This will help stimulate blood flow. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.

TIP! Cats enjoy heights. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area.

The best way to protect your cat is to ensure that it is properly cared for at all times. These pests stay on the cat until you treat it with a parasite removal product. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to eliminate parasites, or to keep them away from your cat completely. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.