Cats have interesting personalities. Your cat might enjoy your company, but it is usually on his terms. Cats are mysterious, fascinating, and also very comforting animals. These ideas can help with your cat friend.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.

TIP! Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed.

Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.

If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.

You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. If you have spent any significant amount of time around your cat, you will quickly find you can figure out what he wants when he cries. A meow could signal anything from hunger to a desire for affection. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away.

Acclimate your cat to a cat carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.

Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.

TIP! It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Cats are endlessly curious and may head out an open door or window. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.

If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.

It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

Litter Box

If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, try moving it to a new location. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Basements, laundry rooms and other quiet spots are best.

When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. If you hold your cat and it starts wagging its tail, you should put your cat down right away.

TIP! You can often find better deals for cat medicine online rather than buying them from the veterinarian. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment.

Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. When you offer a new feeding bowl, cat condo, or bedding, your cat may resist. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. You cat will adjust as the smells of the new items as they become a regular part of his daily routine.

One easy way to prevent a lot of potential feline health problems down the road is to refrain from over-feeding your cat. Overeating can cause your cat to get very sick, in addition to becoming obese. Don’t overfeed your cat and ensure that his diet is healthy.

Place some sticky tape on your furniture. A little strategically-applied tape can discourage your cat from tearing upholstery and scratching furniture. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.

TIP! Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Spend time instructing your children on cat care.

You should reconsider a choice of providing table scraps to your cat. People food is bad for cats, given its ingredients, preservatives and common cooking techniques utilized. However, many cats relish a small cube of cooked, unseasoned beef or chicken. Eggs are also welcomed. So long as you are feeding your cat the correct food according to their weight and age, their diet is good.

Cats can be difficult to learn about, but after a while they will become your best friends. Use what you have learned here to ensure that your cat is healthy and happy in your home. Caring for a cat is one of life’s great pleasures.