Although cats can be great pets, they can be quite expensive to take care of. Veterinarian bills, cat food, cat toys and kitty litter all add up. You should keep reading to learn more about properly caring for your cat.

If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. There are so many great cats at shelters. The fee you will have to pay typically includes vet care. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.

Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. When it comes to flea products this is particularly true. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.

Litter Box

The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Your cat will certainly appreciate your efforts, and you will too!

Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.

You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Keep in mind that the two animals have separate dietary needs, and dogs will try cat food if given the chance. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.

Cats have a love affair with heights. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Cat Owners

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Look over the ingredients in the food, and be sure there is some kind of a protein source in the food. Corn and other such protein-free fillers are things you want to stay well away from. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. They will probably hide from each other, hiss or even attack each other. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.

If you desire a long-haired cat, it’s best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. All that hair will be literally everywhere. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.

Be mindful of where you place the litter box. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If you are going to put the litter box in a room without carpet, put a mat beneath it to keep the box warm.

Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Not unlike kids, kittens require vaccinations and check ups every so often so that they do not get sick. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.

As you can see, cats are not an exception when it comes to the necessity of spending money on on your pets. With the amount of care that goes into them, it can be compared with caring for a small child. Fortunately, now that you are more informed by the knowledge presented here, you can save money and enjoy a better cat.