The poet T.S. They bring warmth and a sense of happiness to the house. Happy, healthy cats can make life complete. Unfortunately, cats aren’t the easiest pets to live with. Here are some things you need to know if you’re going to be living with a cat.

Get a microchip for your cat. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.

TIP! If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors.

Adore your cat! Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

TIP! Keep your cat away from boredom. Cats need to exercise and play.

Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. Cats come to harm outside every day. They may acquire fleas or much worse things. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs won’t hesitate to eat food from your cat’s bowl. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.

TIP! Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food.

Make sure your cats always have identification tags on. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Cats are curious creatures, and you never know when they might wander off to explore. The tag your cat wears should display your number and your veterinarian’s information. Veterinary information is essential if your cat needs medication.

Understand that all cats need exercise and play time. All mammals love to play. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

Caring for a cat can be difficult, but it is very gratifying. You need to get to know your cat better so you can focus on the kind of attention it needs the most. Sounds of contentment are bound to arise more often.