Having a cat in your home can be a wonderful experience. Owning a cat is a challenge, however. There are special needs that a cat owner should be aware of, even if they have had other pets. Cats are not the same as other animals. Read this article thoroughly to pick up some great cat tips.

Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

TIP! When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. There are so many great cats at shelters.

If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. To ensure your cat’s trip is pleasant, turn off the music or keep the volume low.

Consider all the options before you let your cat be an outdoors cat. This can be very unsafe for your cat. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

Brush your cat regularly. This will spread a cat’s oils from their fur and help blood flow from within their skin. It also gets rid of shedding hair. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

Litter Box

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. Cats love them! Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

TIP! If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost.

Purchase good quality food for your cat. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Look for foods that do not have corn or elements that aren’t protein. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.

Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Cats respond well to this stream of water. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.

If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. They might hide from each other or hit each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

TIP! 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.

Understand that all cats need exercise and play time. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Enjoy your cat every day.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.

Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.

TIP! When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in.

As you’ve read, a cat can be a wonderful companion. You should always keep educating yourself about the different things you can do to care for your cat. Read on to learn all of this information. Your cat will love you more for this!