Cats are magical critters. A blend of inquisitiveness, autonomy, and intelligence creates a charming companion. However, it’s not easy caring for a kitten properly. Read on to find out how to properly care for your cat.

Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. Breakaway collars are designed to release in these situations. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.

TIP! Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

Cats are often nocturnal creatures. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.

Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.

Cat medications can be bought affordable online. You can’t always get it online. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.

If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

TIP! Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them.

Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Cats have a love affair with heights. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.

Brush your cat daily. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.

TIP! A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. They may seem like they’re fighting all the time. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

TIP! Cats and small children may not always mix. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats.

Take your cat for checkups and vaccinations on a regular basis to keep him healthy and strong. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Your kitty is a member of your family, so you need to treat him like one.

Make sure your cat stays inside as much as it can, near to both its home and its owner. Indoor cats live longer and stay healthier. You can exercise your cat by playing with it.

The unique and intelligent cat makes a great pet if you educate yourself about how to care for it. Take the time to absorb the insights you have learned here. Use these tips to ensure your cat is healthy and happy.