Cats are interesting, unique and make for a family member to share your home with. They’re great because they’re able to take care of themselves mostly. Use the things that this article will teach you, and you’re going to have a cat that is happy and healthy throughout its life.

Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.

TIP! Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. You can regularly brush or comb your cat.

If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Every cat needs exercise time and play! This is sadly overlooked by some cat owners. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. Give them a cat tree to play with.

Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. The result is that they active while you’re sleeping. If your cat’s activities are keeping you awake at night, try keeping your bedroom door shut. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.

TIP! Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues.

Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.

It’s often cheaper to buy medicine for your cat on the Internet instead of through your vet. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.

Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.

TIP! Consider having your cat fitted with a microchip. Even indoor cats get out sometimes.

Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.

Be sure to brush or comb your cat’s fur on a regular basis. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

Litter Box

TIP! Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls.

Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. However, it is important to keep their litter box in an area they can easily get to. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.

If the cat stops using their litter box all of a sudden, keep an eye on this. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. If your cat is not using the litter, kidney or bladder problems and infections may be the problem. Speak with your vet if your pet stops using the litter box.

Don’t give your cat medicine that is meant for humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Refrain from giving cats any medication not intended for them.

TIP! Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat.

Cats may be affected by the same illnesses humans get. Your cat is part of your family, and you know if your cat isn’t quite feeling that great. Bring him or her to the veterinarian if this is the case. A seemingly minor illness might really be something far more serious.

Don’t offer table scraps to your cat as a treat. Because of the additives and cooking techniques used in human food, you should avoid feeding it to your cat. However, it is safe to give them a small spoonful of meat that does not contain garlic or onion, and a little bit of cooked egg is fine, too. This is not necessary, though. If you feed them the right food appropriate to their size and age, they need nothing else.

Think about keeping your cat inside all the time. Outdoor cats have been proven to have shorter lifespans, and they are easily prone to catching many diseases. These diseases are bad enough for the cats and they can also be passed along to humans. Instead of sending them outdoors, give your cat a nice sunny location inside.

TIP! Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything.

Cats are wonderful pets due to their independence and intelligence. However, you must know how to properly care for them. You should use the tips you read in this article to look after your beloved new cat. This way, your cat can enjoy a fun and fulfilling life.