Although cats can be great pets, they can be quite expensive to take care of. Vaccinations, toys and check-ups can set you back a lot of money. These tip can help you keep your cats and save some money while you care for them.

Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Pin the cords of your drapes up where your cat can’t get to them.

TIP! If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. There are so many great cats at shelters.

It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. To help your cat out with this problem, try buying him special food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.

TIP! Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need.

Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Be sure that you read the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.

Cat medications can be bought affordable online. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option. For ongoing medical issues, you can buy ahead and save a substantial amount of money online.

If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point.

Your cat should like their carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.

Scratching Post

While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. The cats loves it the most in this condition. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.

TIP! Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat.

By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. Your cat needs these periodic checks and particular immunizations in order to stay healthy. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.

One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. Tail wagging in a cat usually means he is thinking of attacking or running away. If you’re snuggling your kitty and you see its tail wag, it’s a sign you should put it down before you get scratched.

A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. The cat will have difficulty playing with other animals and may get hurt. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.

TIP! When you get a kitten for kids, you have to set up a few rules first. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into.

Do not give human medications to cats. If your cat is sick, take it to the veterinarian and use the medication recommended. You could unintentionally kill your beloved pet if you use medications designed for humans.

Act fast if you cat is panting. Panting in dogs is perfectly normal. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Be sure and make an appointment with your vet if you notice any respiratory problems with your cat.

If you previously adopted a cat when you were home all the time, and now you are away much more, your cat might get lonely. Therefore, in order to keep your cat happy and active, you need to consider obtaining another cat.

TIP! Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing.

If you worry about your cat getting rabies, fleas or getting exposure to fungus, don’t allow them to go outside. Although an indoor cat can be affected by a few of these things, they will be more prone to experiencing these issues if they are outside a lot.

Cat Needs

Cats should not be made a vegetarian as this diet can be tough to survive on. Your cat needs healthy sources of proteins. Taurine, which is something in animal proteins, is a necessary ingredient that your cat must have in order to avoid blindness and problems with their heart. Your cat needs to eat meat at every meal.

TIP! Do you own a dog and 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.

Any pet can be a constant price tag, and cats are certainly no different. It can feel as though you’re actually caring for a child. The information here should have helped you see that you can lessen costs, but still give you the ability to give your cat tip top care.