The cat is a valued family member. You should do your best to keep them in good health and take good care of them. These pests can affect your cat’s health. Keep reading to learn some great information about cat care.

Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. If you want, change it now and then so the warmth continues.

TIP! You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues.

If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. A spayed cat is a safe cat.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. If your dog has been treated for fleas, keep him away from your cat for at least three hours.

Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.

Scratching Post

A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. Sooner or later, they’ll love to use it.

It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.

TIP! A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture.

Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won’t get lost.

Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.

You should be sure to place your pet’s litter box in a good location. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.

Online Sources

If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet. You can’t always get it online. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

TIP! When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into.

Try not to let your cat go outside. This could be harmful and unsafe. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.

Get your cat used to a carrier. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. They respond better to encouragement. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. Once the cat is comfortable with the carrier, you can transport it easily.

Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell is pretty offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver damage.

TIP! Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught.

Your cat, along with every other living cat, is susceptible to many different parasites. These pests stay on the cat until you treat it with a parasite removal product. Use some of the solid ideas in the article above to make sure your pet cat stays healthy. Follow these guidelines, and everyone is sure to benefit.