Cats don’t have to compete with any other animal and they are great to have around your house because of a few reasons. Cats are lots of fun, and they also rid the house of mice and similar pests. You might be surprised at how many ways a cat can improve your life.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.

TIP! If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters have great pets available for adoption, and the fee isn’t that high.

Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. Give them an alternative. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.

A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. 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 minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.

You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. If you are buying cat medicine often, you can usually save up to 50% online.

TIP! Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems.

If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.

Younger children can be a little rough with cats sometimes. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.

TIP! Spay your female cat. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands.

Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Even older cats love a little play, just not as rough. Playing with your cat will help you to form happy and cherished memories to look back on.

Litter Box

TIP! If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home.

Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. There are a number of health conditions that can make your kitty urinate and go to the bathroom in places other than the litter box. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Therefore, whenever you notice your cat not using its litter box, call your veterinarian.

Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. Cats wag their tail as well, but have different reasons psychologically. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.

Though a dog is typically considered a better hunter, cats actually will go out of their way to track down small nuisances. Cats are actually excellent hunters and often get the kill. These skills are one of the many reason cats make such wonderful pets.