Cats are incredibly fun-loving creatures and you will soon find yourself losing track of time playing a part in their feline games. They provide a lot of entertainment for you and your family. This might not even mean spending a penny! Keep these tips in mind for a good outcome.

Properly groom your cat. Cats should have regular combings. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.

TIP! Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger.

In order to be sure your cat is healthy, take them to their vet regularly. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.

Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.

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. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.

TIP! When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.

Cats enjoy being in high places. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.

TIP! If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes.

You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. You can locate forums about cats online if you search for them. On these forums you can ask for advice, or you can just speak with a vet.

Scratching Post

Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.

TIP! Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant.

Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Cats respond well to this stream of water. Actually, certain cats like to drink right from the sink faucet as it runs. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.

Litter Box

TIP! Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs.

Be mindful of where you place the litter box. It’s tempting to keep it in an inconspicuous place where it won’t be seen or smelled. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.

Your cat should be kept inside whenever it can be near the person who owns it. Indoor kitties typically live longer than the outdoor variety. Roaming around the house doesn’t cause as much risk as roaming the wild.

If the cat has constant hairballs and brushing more isn’t helping, this may help. Use pumpkin in your cat’s food to help with digestion. You might even want to try to add a teaspoon of tuna water mixed together with the pumpkin to see if that helps. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.

TIP! Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting.

Be on the lookout for any small holes in your home that you do not want your cat to crawl into. Cats are able to fit into gaps that are tiny. Kittens especially can fit into small spaces. Remember this if you bring a new cat or kitten home. Repair or cover any holes or openings that may attract a cat.

Don’t give table scraps to your cat. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. If you wish to treat them, try giving them a tablespoon of cooked beef or chicken, or even a bit of egg. If you go by the feeding instructions that are on your cat’s food based on their weight and age, then they have a complete diet.

You could be having fun with your cat right now, playing one of the games listed above. The techniques provided here will bring much joy to life with your cat. Keeping your cat healthy enables them to live a longer and happier life.