One of the most unique animals is a cat. They have a loving nature at times, and yet are strangely intelligent and independent. But remember that cats need proper care, and it’s not effortless. Keep reading to learn more about proper cat care so that your cat will remain healthy and happy.

If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.

TIP! A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat.

The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. 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. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. A cat tower near the kitchen will ensure that cats won’t lay on your counter.

You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. If you are buying cat medicine often, you can usually save up to 50% online.

TIP! If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape.

When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.

Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. 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.

Reconsider outside time for your cat. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.

TIP! Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

It can be vastly rewarding to own a cat as long as you realize the commitment involved and are willing to put in the time and energy required. Study the tips in this article very carefully. Keep reading, and use these tips to take proper care of your pet.