Cats are kind of like humans because they need to be fed and taken care of properly. Without a healthy diet, your cat can become overweight or improperly nourished. This article will teach you how to properly care for your cat.

It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.

TIP! Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops.

Keep your cat away from boredom. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Boredom can beget illness. Give them plenty of room to exercise and a wide selections of toys. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.

Litter Box

You should be sure to place your pet’s litter box in a good location. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. Your kitty will thank you.

TIP! If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.

Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Try to find a cat food that has a low level of magnesium. Read the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. 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. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.

TIP! A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let them know which rooms and areas your cats should not be in. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.

Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.

Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window.

Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.

If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.

TIP! Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night.

Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. Cats need to have vaccines and check-ups just like children. This can help to prevent diseases. A cat is a member of the family, and therefore, is entitled to the same treatment as other loved ones.

If your feline just won’t use the litter box, try moving it to a different location. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Areas away from high activity are a good choice, such as basements and laundry rooms.

Your feline friend should always wear a collar and tags with your name and contact information. This should be done even with an indoors cat. The animal could get out. If this occurs, you should ensure you do all you can to get your cat back.

TIP! When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat.

You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.

Panting is not a normal response for a cat. Panting is dogs is normal. Panting can indicate overheating or anxiousness; however, it can indicate health issues as well. Be sure and make an appointment with your vet if you notice any respiratory problems with your cat.

If you are planning to go back to work after being home with your cat all the time, it’s possible he may get quite lonely there without you. In order to prevent them from becoming too lonely whenever you’re away, consider adopting a second cat.

TIP! Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. Once you become familiar with your cat and its needs, it will become easier to determine what he needs when he meows.

A cat’s diet is important to its overall health. Eating too much of the wrong foods, or too little of the right foods can put your cat in terrible shape, and even cut their life span. Do what is best for your pet and it will live a healthy and happy life.