If you could save a cat’s life, would you? Millions of cats are out there needing a loving home. Simply bring one home, make a friend for the rest of the cat’s life, and use the advice in this article.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Both you and your cat will be happier.

TIP! Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. A cat’s fur must be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Certain kinds of cat food are made to decrease hairballs. As a result, you and your cat will be happier.

You may get much better prices on medications online. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They should have a routine check-up once a year or more if important shots are due.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Do you happen to own both a dog and a cat? Keep in mind that the two animals have separate dietary needs, and dogs will try cat food if given the chance. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Cats Prefer Running

TIP! It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him.

Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.

There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.

Litter Box

TIP! Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. A kitty tower can really save your furniture.

Carefully consider where you will place your friend’s litter box. You may want to hide it away. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. This will keep your cat as happy as possible. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.

Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. Cats hate the smell, and it can do sever damage to a cat’s liver if left near it for prolonged periods.

Your cat should be kept inside whenever it can be near the person who owns it. It has been proven that indoor cats have a much longer life span than cats that live outdoors. Exercising every day with the owner doesn’t come with the risks of disease or attack that other cats face roaming the wild.

TIP! Give your kitty lots of love. They give us love, and we need to return it to them.

Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. A visit to the veterinarian will ensure that your pet receives the proper medication. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.

Cats’ powerful olfactory abilities mean that they can smell changes in their home. This is good but can cause issues when you introduce something new to the home, like a new cat bed or scratching post. Don’t fret if your cat doesn’t use the items right away. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.

If you are lucky enough to have a cat that has a lot of hairballs, and brushing doesn’t seem to be helping to lessen them, then the following tips might help. Consider mixing cat food with a single teaspoon of pumpkin. Flavor the pumpkin with a teaspoon of the water from a can of tuna. Some cat foods include hairball fighting elements, such as fiber, that may be useful.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency.

Caring for a cat is an accomplishment to be proud of. You’re offering your home and love to an animal that desperately needs it. Your cat and you will build a great bond relationship that will last a lifetime. Give your time and affection to your cat, and it is almost certain that you will receive the same in return.