Cats are interesting and amazing animals. They have a loving nature at times, and yet are strangely intelligent and independent. But, cat care is not always simple. Continue reading to learn more about taking great care of your cat.

Make sure that your cat is well groomed. A cat’s fur must be brushed or combed on a regular basis. This helps them keep their precious coat properly clean at all times. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

TIP! Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.

If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.

Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.

TIP! Microchip your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door.

Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Boredom can beget illness. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.

Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case.

If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. You may love loud music, bit it might be bothering your cat. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.

Do you happen to own both a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.

Cats are truly the center of the household. Study these tips carefully. Keep reading, and use these tips to take proper care of your pet.