Cats can make wonderful, loving pets. Without a healthy diet, your cat can become overweight or improperly nourished. Learn more about caring for your cat by reading the following article.

Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!

TIP! It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health.

Take your cat in for regular vet exams. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This one vet will be aware of the cat’s history.

Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.

Keep your cat amused. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Make sure you give them lots of toys and room to play. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.

TIP! Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck.

When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Your cat should like their carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. The cat will enter it on its own. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.

TIP! Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses.

New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They may fight with each other initially. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.

What a cat eats is critical to his health and well-being. When your cat is not properly cared for, its life span decreases significantly. Do what is best for your cat by giving them the right care.