Many cats think they rule the world, or at least your household. They can be an enigma from the moment they enter your home. You need a little knowledge to understand them better. Read on for ideas and insights for caring for your feline friend.

Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.

TIP! Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death.

Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.

A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

Buying Online

TIP! Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option. For more routine situations, saving 50% by buying online is quite possible.

You should create a tablecloth for the cats in your home. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. They may want outside or may be hungry. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

TIP! Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues.

Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.

If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats sometimes exhibit this type of behavior when they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. A potentially serious illness may be able to be treated by inexpensive antibiotics.

Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.

TIP! Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free.

Taking your cat to the vet regularly to get proper vaccinations and check-ups will ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life with you. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.

Relocating the litter box can often help curb a problem with cats that refuse to use it. Cat’s sometimes just don’t like the location you’ve picked for the box. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.

Give your cat a collar that features your contact information. Even a house cat may get outside. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.

TIP! A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.

Keep an eye out for panting. Panting is completely normal in dogs. Panting can indicate anxiety or overheating, but it can also mean something quite serious. Make sure you contact a vet, especially if your cat has had respiratory problems in the past.

Cats share a lot of diseases with humans. You need to pay attention to your cat and make sure they are in good health. It is important to have your cat checked out at the vet. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.

TIP! Cats are nocturnal animals. Your cat will probably be very active during the night.

Think about restricting your cat to only indoors. Cats that go outside tend to live shorter lives and often contract illnesses. Some of these diseases can even be passed on to your family. Let your cat rest in a room with a lot of light; this will help satisfy his or her outdoor needs.

Many people want their cat to be groomed and clean, so they bathe them. This definitely isn’t a fun task, so you’ll be pleased to know it generally is not necessary except in unusual circumstances. Cats spend much of their time grooming themselves, using their barbed tongues to clean dirt and debris from their fur. Cats are really picky about their appearance.

Be mindful that bringing another animal into your home can upset your cat. To avoid the stress and possible altercations, separate the animals for a period of time. Let them get used to the new pet’s smell. Once a few days have passed, give your cat some supervised time with your new pet.

TIP! If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet.

During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it may not be a good idea to give the gift of a new kitten or cat. Let your child select their next pet in the store.

You may not always know what your cat wants, but you can still care for him properly using the information in this article. Put these tips to use so you can make your cat happy. If you are lucky, he might even start being nice. It might happen!