Cats are a great animal to keep in your home or apartment. Cats are energetic and a constant source of information. They’re also excellent defenders against household pests, like mice. By preventing pests from getting into the home, it is safe to say cats are real heroes.

A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap the tile inside an unneeded towel and place it under your kitty’s favorite resting spot. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.

TIP! Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger.

Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.

Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.

You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.

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.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.

Cat Owners

TIP! If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. It isn’t fair to punish a cat for wanting a clean area to do its business, and you don’t want to make the cat wary of you.

You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.

Drinking Fountain

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! Installing a drinking fountain for your cat is a more eco-friendly way to provide it with some running water.

When compared to dogs, cats may not seem like top hunters, but cats pay close attention to smaller creatures. Cats are great hunters and can make kills more frequently than dogs at times. This makes cats extremely popular with owners.