Cats are a great animal to keep in your home or apartment. Apart from the affection they give, cats also serve a practical purpose by keeping pests out of the house. To learn more about properly caring for your cat, keep reading.

If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

TIP! Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay.

If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.

Electrical Cords

Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If that doesn’t work, cover those cords up however you can. Tuck loose cords into old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having.

If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Choose a low magnesium food. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.

If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Try turning down your tunes or keeping it off to make your cat’s trip better.

Sometimes children get too excited when playing with a new cat and may mishandle them. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.

TIP! Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This isn’t safe for your cat. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.

A cat may not be just like a dog, but they are a great addition to a family. Cats are quite good at all they do and do not mind sharing their life with you. These skills are one of the many reason cats make such wonderful pets.