Cats are in a class of their own when it comes to animals. They are by far one of the best pets for the home. A cat will bring joy to your household and also help you get rid of rodents and other pests. Having a cat can help you make sure rodents don’t enter your home.

It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Your cat will be more comfortable if you continue using the same vet. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.

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

Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.

If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.

Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Encourage your cat to scratch where you want them to. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.

TIP! Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.

If you need cat medication, consider searching online instead of using your veterinarian in order to find a better deal. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.

Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window.

If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This isn’t safe for your cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.

Litter Box

Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.

TIP! Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs.

Brush your cat often. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Take your cat for checkups and vaccinations on a regular basis to keep him healthy and strong. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. You love your cat, so take the best care of him as possible.

Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.

TIP! Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money.

Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.

While cats lack the ferocity and imposing mass of dogs, they’re still capable hunters and loyal defenders of your home. Cats have any number of ways to contribute to family life, from providing love and affection to keeping vermin populations down. This is one of the things that make cats so popular as pets.