Cats have been the companion of choice by many for hundreds of years. Cats have found their way into poetry, movies, musicals and more. It shouldn’t be surprising then why cats feel like they are the ones running the show! This article will help your cat live a happier life.

Make sure your cat gets lots of love. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. They are social creates which need reassurance. Make them feel at home.

TIP! Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up.

You may get much better prices on medications online. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Tell them how to be gentle. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.

TIP! A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors.

You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.

Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.

Litter Box

TIP! Give your kitty lots of love. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out.

Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.

Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Therefore, place your cat’s favorite toy into its career. Leave the carrier open in a location that your cat frequently visits. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.

Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.

TIP! You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though.

Anytime you get a new pet, you must introduce them to your cat slowly to help to avoid problems and let the cat get used to it. Keep them separated for at least two weeks, but let them sniff at each other under a closed door. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.

If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.

If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.

TIP! If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears.

Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Studies have shown that cats that live outdoors tend to have shorter lives than cats that stay indoors. Exercising every day with the owner doesn’t come with the risks of disease or attack that other cats face roaming the wild.

If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. Leaving the back claws are important so that your cat can scratch themselves.

Sometimes, cats may think they know it all. However, if you use the tips provided, they will soon learn who is really in charge. People love cats because they make great pets, and this advice can help your relationship with your animal.