Cats are very unique and fun animals. That said, they need to be entertained. Money isn’t something that you need to have a good time with your feline friend. Use this advice and enjoy the days ahead with your cat.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. That’ll keep kitty safe.

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care.

If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.

A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Read the label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.

Look online for cat medicine. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.

TIP! Ensure your cat remains groomed. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat.

Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. You’ll learn her cues quickly.

Litter Box

TIP! Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do.

Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.

If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.

Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Avoid foods like corn or other items without protein. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Drinking Fountain

Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Streams of water will attract your cat. Actually, certain cats like to drink right from the sink faucet as it runs. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.

If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. Cats know that during the elimination process they are left somewhat vulnerable, so moving the box to a more private area should help. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

TIP! You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost.

Refrain from cleaning or using chemicals in the vicinity of your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. The smell offends them and being exposed to it for several hours can cause liver problems.

Pay attention to panting from your cat. Panting is normal for a dog. Panting can indicate anxiety or overheating, but it can also mean something quite serious. Contact your vet right away, especially if they’ve had respiratory issues a while back.

If you take advantage of this advice, you can start having happy times with your cat this instant. Though every cat does not like the same things, certain things are popular amongst them. The more you concern yourself with the health and happiness of your cat, the longer you can enjoy each other’s company.