Cat provide many hours of joy for owners. However, caring for a cat can be a lot of work and time-consuming. There are a variety of important responsibilities that all cat owners must understand. This article is packed with tips and ideas that make it easier for you to fulfill your responsibilities to your pet. Keep reading and learn a little something about caring for your cat.

Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Change it frequently if you like.

TIP! To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. Flea products especially. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. Long hair encourages hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Certain kinds of cat food are made to decrease hairballs. As a result, you and your cat will be happier.

Speak to others about your cat problems. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

TIP! It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point.

Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.

Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.

If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.

TIP! Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs.

Your cat needs good play time. It is pretty normal for all different types of species to have an inner desire to play. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Make sure you and your cat are thoroughly enjoying each other.

Litter Box

Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. You may really want to hide that box from everyday life. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.

TIP! Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Teach your kids how to treat a cat.

Keep your cat healthy, and ensure him a longer life, by keeping him up-to-date on his vaccinations and health check-ups. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. Your cat is part of your family, and you should treat him as you would any other well-loved member of your household.

If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, take note. Your cat might have a hard time using the litter box because of a health condition. Kidney, bladder and infection issues can make this occur. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.

As you’ve read, owning a cat can be a great benefit. That said, it brings many responsibilities, too. Be sure to use this information if you want to make a cat part of your home.