Cats are creatures that love fun and can help you lose track of your time if they play games with you. They provide a lot of entertainment for you and your family. This might not even mean spending a penny! Use these ideas and you will have good times ahead.

Take your cat to the vet regularly to make sure they remain in good health. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.

TIP! If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care.

Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. Flea products especially. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.

TIP! Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups.

It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.

TIP! Cats are nocturnal animals. Your cat will probably be very active during the night.

Cat medications can be bought affordable online. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.

Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.

It is good to have a variety of games and activities to play with your cat. Though every cat does not like the same things, certain things are popular amongst them. This can help them become happier and live longer.