Do you own a cat? Chances are, you know just how remarkable a cat can be. Cats are living beings that requite care and affection. Thankfully, a bit of knowledge will help you succeed. Continue reading for great tips on how to care for your cat.

To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. Change it frequently if you like.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled.

If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.

Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.

Cats are often nocturnal creatures. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. One way to deal with a kitten’s playful activity at night is just to shut your door. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.

TIP! Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly.

Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. Certain cat foods are formulated to lower the amount of hairballs.

Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.

Try not to let your cat go outside. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.

TIP! Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments.

If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.

You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. They are much better with encouragement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. The cat will enter it on its own. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

Drinking Fountain

TIP! Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups.

You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

Does your home feel inundated with balls of cat fur? Cats shed quite often, so make sure that you brush them a lot. You should brush your cat quite a bit of they are prone to shedding. This also prevents matting and tangling.

Litter Box

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost.

If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.

One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. Tail-wagging in cats tends to suggest conflict or anxiety. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.

You want to make sure that you are taking good care of your beloved cat. After reading this, you should have a better idea of how to care for your cat. Make the most of the tips here to keep your cat happy and healthy. If you love your kitty, he will certainly love you in return.