Some people believe cats are magical. Their independence and intelligence can create such a fun-filled house pet experience. However caring for cats is not always easy. Get some advice here on how to care for your cat in a productive and affordable way, making his life better overall.

When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.

TIP! Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe.

Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Cats need routine shots and wellness checks just like people. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.

Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. They can scratch the post instead. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.

TIP! Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.

Keep old, worn scratching posts. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. Something new is not necessarily better for a cat, and it may lead them to scratching the furniture.

Feed your cat quality cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Don’t give your cat foods that have corn or other elements that have no protein. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.

TIP! Look online for cat medicine. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance.

Take a cat who pees all over the house to the vet. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.

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. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make sure you have fun with the cat whenever you can!

Your diet isn’t necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren’t good for them. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.

TIP! If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat.

Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. If your cat needs medication, then you should take your cat to the vet. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.

Cats are very unique animals, and as long as you educate yourself on their behaviors, they can make incredible pets. Study the tips in this article very carefully. Make use of it so that you can enjoy a happy and healthy cat.