It is easy to spend time playing with your cat, if they will let you! They provide a lot of entertainment for you and your family. You don’t need to spend any money to enjoy some playtime with your cat. By taking this advice, you will be well underway towards the kind of care your cat deserves.

Take your cat to the vet every year. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. If there are obvious issues with your cat, it needs to see the vet immediately. Don’t wait!

TIP! Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots.

If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.

Cats frequently groom themselves. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. To stop this from happening, make sure your cat’s food doesn’t have much magnesium in it. Check the ingredients list on the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this.

If you want to let your cat outside, think again. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.

Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.

Litter Box

TIP! It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything.

Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Put the carrier in a comfortable place and fill it with treats and toys. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.

Purchase good quality food for your cat. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.

TIP! Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window.

Keep a collar with ID on your cat. This applies even to indoor cats. Cats are endlessly curious and may head out an open door or window. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.

Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.

Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. Should the time run to six hours, and you think more kittens are due, get the cat to the vet immedietely

TIP! Most cats are very nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night.

Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. 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.

You are going to be having a great time with your cat now that you’ve read the tips here. Though every cat does not like the same things, certain things are popular amongst them. Take care of your cat, and your cat will reward you in so many ways.