The cat is a valued family member. Do everything in your power to help your cat stay away from ticks, fleas and other things. Things like these can harm your cat. Continue reading for some great tips.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.

TIP! You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health.

Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.

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. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.

Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.

TIP! Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

Use care if you have kids and a cat. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.

Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. You can often get great advice from friends and family. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

TIP! Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Dogs and cats will respond differently to punishment. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. This will make it easier to mobilize your cat.

A battered appearance isn’t a good reason to discard a beloved cat condo or scratching post. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Aired Cats

TIP! Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats need to exercise and play.

If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.

Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.

Dogs are known to way their tails. This means they are content or excited and is normal dog behavior. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.

TIP! The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. You shouldn’t keep it near your pet’s food, and you shouldn’t keep it in an area people walk through a lot.

There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. These foods include grapes, onions green tomatoes and garlic. If your cat eats these things then it can become ill or even die. Milk is another food to stay away from.

Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. However, you should still only remove the cat’s front claws. Don’t cut the back claws because they won’t scratch up your furniture or floors.

If your cat is prone to regular hairballs even after brushing regularly, keep reading for some great tips that can help you out. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. Mixing the pumpkin up with water drained from a can of tuna (again, one teaspoon’s worth) may also help. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.

TIP! If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level.

Cats, like many other pets, are susceptible to different parasites. Such pests can linger if untreated. Prevention is often the key to successful treatment. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.