It isn’t easy to adopt a cat and quickly get up-to-speed on how to care for it. Pets are great, but adopting one on the spur of the moment, without any preparation, is a bad idea. Although, preparation may not be enough to fix every cat problem. A great idea for you is to read the suggestions here and add a few more tidbits to your list of expectations.

Ensure your cat remains groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. This will also reduce things like shedding and hairballs because it keeps them from having extra hair. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

TIP! Make sure your cat is not too bored. It is necessary for them to play and get exercise.

You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.

TIP! If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet.

Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.

The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Your cat and you will appreciate it.

Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways. Similar to people, cats like to socialize and feel as if they are important to their family. They should feel like a valued family member as well.

TIP! If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours.

Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. Try turning down your tunes or keeping it off to make your cat’s trip better.

While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.

A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

TIP! Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat.

Cats enjoy being high up. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Those quality-training tips are perfect for all breeds of cat, regardless of age or location. These are key concepts you must know when raising a cat, but each person will make individual variations based on tastes and needs. The number one thing you should do is enjoy having your cat around.