For as long as people have kept pets, cats have been one of the most popular choices. Musicals, books and even movies have been written about cats. It’s easy to understand why they feel that they’re in charge. By reading this article you can learn a few things that can help you to care for your cat.

It can be hard to stop your cat from coming on your counters. Cats love being up high so that they can see. Give them an alternative. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.

Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.

The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Try and put it in an isolated area away from the cat bowl. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your kitty will thank you.

Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Look over the label. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.

Do you own a dog and a cat? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.

Litter Box

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. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.

Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.

Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

Feed canned food to your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. This food is easier to chew for old cat. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.

Is there cat hair everywhere? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat is shedding a lot, you should brush them more frequently. Brushing will also keep their coat in good shape.

Some food you eat isn’t good to feed your cat. Onions, garlic, grapes and green tomatoes are among these foods. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Too much milk can also be a bad thing for a grown cat.

Phenol is a dangerous chemical to use around your cat. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.

Your cat may act like it’s the owner of your house, and it could even think it’s the ruler of the universe. However, if you use the tips provided, they will soon learn who is really in charge. Cats are great animals to have around; learn more about them so that you can enjoy them even more.