Cats are as much a part of the family as anyone else. It is important to know how to properly care for your cat, so that it can enjoy a long and happy life. Parasites can compromise your pet’s health. Continue reading to learn some excellent cat-care tips.

Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!

TIP! It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.

If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. This way, if your cat gets lost and is found by a stranger, that person will know how to contact you. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally. Choose a low magnesium food. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.

TIP! The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used.

Cat medications can be bought affordable online. Naturally, some stuff won’t be available online. 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.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online.

When you get a kitten for kids, you have to set up a few rules first. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.

Brush your cat daily. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It will also remove loose hair. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.

TIP! Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Dogs and cats will respond differently to punishment. They need positive reinforcement. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.

Consider buying your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. They are more likely to get plenty of water when it is running. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. This is a more natural way for them to drink.

Cats need to play! No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. A cats energy might fade over time, but that does not mean that it no longer likes to play. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

TIP! Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats.

Dogs usually wag their tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. If your cats tail is wagging, it could indicate that the animal is facing a fight-or-flight situation. It also suggests possible conflict or uncertainty. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.

There are certain foods that you might eat everyday that are not healthy for your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These foods can make your cat very ill. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.

Do not give cat medications intended for humans. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. Providing your cat with a human medication can seriously harm them, and it just might kill them.

TIP! Don’t buy cheap cat food. Look over the ingredients in the food, and be sure there is some kind of a protein source in the food.

Your pet cat, like all others, runs the risk of attracting parasites. You have to remedy the problem. By using the advice shared here, you can help your pet to remain parasite free. Your pet will be glad you did.