Do you have a cat? Cats are a very popular pet, loved all over the world. The cat is a pet that requires a great deal of care and love. Fortunately, this is not a hard thing to accomplish. This article will offer you some great tips and advice that will help you to meet all of your cats needs.

Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats should have regular combings. This can keep them clean. It also stops hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.

TIP! Any drape cords should be hidden so the cat cannot grab hold of them. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death.

Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.

Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

TIP! Make sure your cat is always well groomed. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Cats who become bored often have issues that can affect them in a big way. Some of these issues are obesity due to eating out of boredom, OCD issues, fighting with other pets and depression. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.

Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This will ensure you sleep much better, without cats jumping into bed with you.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.

TIP! A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Look over the label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.

You should create a tablecloth for the cats in your home. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.

Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. Encouragement is a better way to get your cats to perform. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.

TIP! Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape.

You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.

Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. You have a carnivorous cat, and a diet consisting of animal proteins is essential.

Your kitty is a loved member of your family that you’ll want to take great care of. Now that you’ve read this, you should know much more about proper cat care. These ideas will keep your cat as healthy as possible. Give love to your cat, and the love will be returned.