Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. This article gives information about some ways you can keep your cat while saving money.

Small places are spots cats love to get into. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.

TIP! Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care.

If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.

In order to be sure your cat is healthy, take them to their vet regularly. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.

Do not isolate the litter box in a distant place. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your kitty will thank you.

TIP! Spay your female cat. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat.

Your cat needs lots of affection and love. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Cats need social time with the family just like people do so that they know that they are valued. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.

Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.

Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Be sure that you read the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.

TIP! It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats love being up high so that they can see.

Are you a cat and dog owner? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.

Brush your cat often. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.

Be sure to carrier train your cat. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are.

Your cat deserves a high quality food. 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 avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Cats can be a very expensive animal to take care of. Cats have complex requirements, which leads many people to compare their needs to those of a small child. You should apply the tips you just read, and do your best to be a responsible cat owner.