Cats are definitely mercurial creatures. They can ignore you for hours, only to suddenly demand your undivided attention. It is so calm and peaceful to have your cat sitting calmly on your lap. Check out these tips to help you better understand and help your furry little friend.

To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.

TIP! If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only.

Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. Make them feel at home.

Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. The bones of a cat are weaker than a dogs, therefore, they should be handled with care.

TIP! Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots.

Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.

Feed your pet canned food. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.

It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.

TIP! Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him.

The location of a litter box is very important. It’s tempting to keep it in an inconspicuous place where it won’t be seen or smelled. However, if you hide it from your pet he might not try very hard to find it when he needs to go to the bathroom. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.

Litter Box

One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats feel vulnerable when relieving themselves, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.

TIP! If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. A few unhealthy food items for cats are green tomatoes, grapes, garlic and onions. When a cat eats these items, they can get very sick. Milk could also lead to an upset stomach if the cat drinks it.

Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.

Cats have a keen sense of smell and notice the smallest things. This may cause some problems when introducing new beds, scratching posts, or food dishes. Be prepared for your cat to be wary of the new item initially. Once the cat gets used to the smell of the new item, quickly he or she will get accustomed to it.

TIP! Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture.

If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Dogs pant and that is the norm. If a cat is panting, it might indicate simple anxiety or overheating. On the other hand, it may a symptom of a more serious health problem. You should be speaking with a vet in case there is a respiratory issue.

If your cat was adopted while you were not working, your cat will get lonely when you go back to work. If this is proving to be a problem, consider getting another cat to keep them company while you’re gone.

Think about keeping your cat primarily inside the house. Cats that go outside tend to live shorter lives and often contract illnesses. Some of the illnesses can actually be passed along to members of the household. To make a cat feel like it is outdoors, ensure you have a room with plenty of natural light in it for your cat to enjoy.

TIP! You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. Your cat will probably be very active during the night.

Cats are often hard to understand, but they still make wonderful pets. Use the information in this article to help make their life more comfortable. Being a cat owner can be great, and if you take care of your cat properly your happy cat can be a wonderful pet.