It’s not always easy to keep a cat happy. Sometimes, it is very difficult to really figure out your pet and his desires. Learn more about cats and how you can properly care for them. The following tips can help you care for your own cat.

Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any 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! When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat.

Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. You can hide away any cords inside the rolls that come inside paper towels. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

TIP! Take your cat to the vet every year. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This will also prevent squabbles between them.

You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.

Litter Box

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.

Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If your punish your car, he or she is just going to become scared of you.

TIP! Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. The cat will enter it on its own. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Corn and other such protein-free fillers are things you want to stay well away from. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.

Drinking Fountain

You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Streams of water will attract your cat. Running sink water is another alternative that you can use. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.

Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. This is crucial if your cat requires special medical attention.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option.

The information from this article can help you care for your cat. Keep them in mind as you care for kitty. Your cat just might start playing nice! This is a possibility!