Cats make great animal friends, but they’re not exactly maintenance-free. Veterinarian bills, cat food, cat toys and kitty litter all add up. You should keep reading to learn more about properly caring for your cat.

You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Replace it every three hours or so.

TIP! When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. This definitely applies to flea products. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.

TIP! Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.

Litter Box

It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.

TIP! Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues.

Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.

You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. You are surely tempted to put it where the smell will affect your surroundings the least. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.

TIP! The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post.

Pets can take a lot of money to care for properly, and this includes cats. You should care for your pet like you would care for a child. You can reduce your expenses while still taking the best care for your kitten.