Similar to humans, cats should have a good diet full of nutrients. Without a proper diet, you cat may end up malnourished or overweight. Read the suggestions in this article to learn how to best feed your cat.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.

TIP! Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care.

If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.

Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. Tuck loose cords into old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.

TIP! Cats are often nocturnal creatures. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat.

Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. They love to be able to look around from up high. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.

Cats enjoy being in high places. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.

Brush your cat regularly. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. Brushing will also help to remove loose hair. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.

Litter Box

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.

Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. This makes transporting much easier.

TIP! Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out.

If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. To your cat the post is just right. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.

Drinking Fountain

Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. So a drinking fountain makes a smart investment that’s both environmentally friendly and loved by your feline.

TIP! Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money.

Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. Aging cats find it makes it much easier to chew. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.

Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? When a cat sheds a lot, brushing is very important. If your cat sheds a lot, brush it a lot. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.

Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.

TIP! If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. You may like music loud and booming, but a cat will prefer lower volumes as their ears are more sensitive.

Relocating the litter box can often help curb a problem with cats that refuse to use it. Cats know that during the elimination process they are left somewhat vulnerable, so moving the box to a more private area should help. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.

The diet a cat eats is integral to good health. If your cat doesn’t eat right it’ll be in bad shape. It may even reduce life expectancy. Buy the right kind of cat food for your cat’s age so they live well.