Like humans, cats require many things, even a proper diet. Without such a diet, your cat can either be malnourished, or become obese. This article will provide you with great diet advice for your cat.

Keep drape cords away from cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these. The cords may be looped and a cat may get them wound around their neck. This could even choke them to death. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.

TIP! Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering.

If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.

Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Boredom can beget illness. Give them exercise space and a lot of toys. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.

TIP! Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes.

Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Long hair encourages hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.

Cat Medicine

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. If you are buying cat medicine often, you can usually save up to 50% online.

TIP! Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs.

Try and figure out why kitty is meowing. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. Be aware of the cues your cat gives you, and the two of you will have a better relationship.

If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.

Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. By feeding the cat the same kind of food over and over again, they become used to that specific food. Good luck getting it to try something new!

Feed your pet canned food. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. Go ahead and talk to your vet, but canned food is favorable for cats.

New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They may seem like they’re fighting all the time. Give them a bit more time to begin to get used to each other face to face, too.

TIP! Make a tablecloth for your cats. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat.

If your cat uses the bathroom more than normal, or if they suddenly stop using the litter box, think about taking them to the veterinarian. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Antibiotics will often do the trick if it is an infection.

Diet is a very significant factor in the health of your cat. If your cat doesn’t eat right it’ll be in bad shape. It may even reduce life expectancy. Do right by your cat and make sure it has a healthy diet.