Why buy cat food and other supplies online, when you can see the merchandise in your local stores? This, of course, is a personal choice, but there are factors you should consider before choosing which way to go.

Convenience
Sometimes the perfect product is only available online. Also, most online merchants provide searchable databases for their products so you don't have to spend hours going from store-to-store to find that perfect kitty art print or poster, or wait in line for a harried salesperson to explain the differences in cat food ingredients.

Save Wear-and-Tear on Your Auto
The stop-and-go driving that's the norm in some areas is just exacerbated by holiday crowds. That's the hardest kind of driving that affects your car's longevity. The savings on gas alone should be an incentive.

Avoid Wear-and-Tear on Yourself
If you are disabled, elderly, pregnant, have to tow along several kids, or simply hate everything having to do with shopping malls, online shopping was meant for you. A few clicks of the mouse for doorstep delivery, and you have more time to play with your cat.

Precautions to Take
Although giving your credit card information to a merchant in a secure server is about as safe as handing the card to a salesperson in a "brick and mortar" store, there are some things you should know.

• Make sure the merchant's check-out page is secure. Most browsers feature a little closed padlock as an indicator.
• Know your merchants, by experience or reputation. (mySimon offers merchant ratings by Gómez.)
• When you register with a merchant, do click the box for receiving special offers. You can easily set up a free online mail account to use for just that purpose.
• Read the merchant's "Privacy Policy." It contains important information.
• Make sure you understand the merchant's return/refund policy.
• Take advantage of shipping discounts. Some online stores even offer free shipping promotions.
• Print out your order receipt and file it in a safe place in case you need to track a shipment.