Cats are awesome pets, but they are also very finicky felines! From nail clippings to specific diets, there are many things you must consider. This article will give you advice on how to properly care for your cat.

Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Rescuing a cat can end up making a big difference in both of your lives.

TIP! Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees.

Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.

Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots.

Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Cats are social animals and will thrive when they are included in daily activities and life. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.

Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Check the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.

Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They don’t know what harm they can do. As they grow, you will be able to decide when it is the right time for them to handle a cat or kitten without supervision.

TIP! Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog.

It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. A potentially serious illness can be prevented with some inexpensive antibiotics.

Long-haired breeds are pretty, but understand how much work they are before you get one. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.

Litter Box

TIP! Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet.

Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. You may want to hide it away. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. Keep this in mind when deciding on the permanent placement for your best friend’s potty.

If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. You can care for your cat best with the tips in this article. The research will reward you both!