A cat can be powerful, beautiful and extremely bright, compared to other domestic pets. Felines are possibly the most common of household pets and roam the streets of major cities. Caring for a cat is very rewarding. Read here for excellent ideas on how to handle your hardheaded animal.

Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. You’re literally saving their life.

TIP! Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped.

Make sure your cat is always groomed. They need to be brushed every day. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.

Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.

Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

Flea Treatments

Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Flea treatments made for a dog can be fatal to a cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.

Put a collar on any cats which go outside. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.

TIP! Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. It is necessary for them to play and get exercise.

Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.

Put the litter box in an ideal location. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Not only will your cat appreciate it but you will too.

Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Cats need social time with the family just like people do so that they know that they are valued. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.

TIP! You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency.

Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.

Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.

When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Setting rules in advances ensures understanding.

TIP! If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. Separate eating spaces are a must to avoid fights between your pets.

If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.

Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This is very important for indoor cats. Cats can be very curious and they may escape out of a door or a window. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.

TIP! Create a tablecloth for the feline. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl.

You cannot be the boss of you cat, it’s hopeless! Cats will learn some basic things, like where they’re allowed or not allowed to be. While they’re not as easy to train as a dog, they can be well-trained and be made into well-mannered companions for their owners.