There is a quote by a famous author that broke down how important cats are. Eliot described felines as a being that all households are dependent on, and that’s true. Make sure that your cat is healthy so that it can stay energetic. Having said that, living with a cat is not necessarily easy. This article can help you figure out how to get along well with your cat.

Make sure you don’t allow your cat to be around drape cords. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This could hurt or kill them. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.

Most cats are very nocturnal. In other words, they’ll be up and about late into the night. If your cat’s activities are keeping you awake at night, try keeping your bedroom door shut. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.

Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. If your cat has this issue, try changing his food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.

Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.

Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. Turn down the music and let the cat rest.

Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.

Outdoor Cat

If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.

Litter Box

Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Dogs and cats will respond differently to punishment. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

Your cat deserves a high quality 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. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.

Use canned food for your cat. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. There is more water, more fat and more protein in it. It is easier for older cats to chew. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.

You should think carefully before getting a long-haired cat. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. There will be hairball issues as well.

Caring for a cat can be a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth it. No matter how active your cat is, there is always room to improve our relationship with your pet. If you have a happy cat, you will probably be happy too!