Cats are wonderful pets, but it can be expensive to care for them. Vaccinations, toys and check-ups can set you back a lot of money. These tip can help you keep your cats and save some money while you care for them.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.

TIP! Keep your cat properly groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.

Flea Products

Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. This happens a lot with flea products. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.

TIP! You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations.

It can be hard to stop your cat from coming on your counters. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.

Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. 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. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Know what your cats cries mean so that you’re able to understand the cat more.

TIP! Spay your female cat. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having.

Cats love heights. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.

Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.

Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.

TIP! Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. Cats need routine shots and wellness checks just like people.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

You may want to try different types of cat food. Cats can easily become finicky eaters. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.

Cats can be a very expensive animal to take care of. Taking care of your cat can sometimes feel like looking after a child. As you’ve seen here, your cat expenditures can be reduced while still allowing you to take good care of your cat.