Feral cats are ones that don’t have a home and live on the streets. It is important to learn as much as you can about these creatures to assure you have the best relationship possible. Dealing with these cats is a problem that costs businesses thousands and loses customers all year long.

Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.

TIP! Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis.

To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Change it regularly if you need to.

Flea Products

Avoid using dog products on cats. Cats can have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog. Flea products can be especially harmful. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

TIP! Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Put it inside an old towel, then place it beneath the cat’s bed.

Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. This will make you and your cat happy.

Give your cat plenty of love and affection. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. Make her feel like she is part of your family.

Cats frequently groom themselves. Hairballs are very common for long-haired cats. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.

TIP! The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.

Be sure to brush or comb your cat’s fur on a regular basis. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow. It will also remove loose hair. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

Take a cat who pees all over the house to the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.

Litter Box

Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.

You are now ready to protect your home and pets from feral cats. Cats are prone to a number of issues, but with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to handle all of them. Cats need to be loved and treated with care. Do your best to be a considerate and responsible cat owner.