Cats are very interesting animals and you will love yours right away if you decide to adopt one. To give your cat a happy and healthy life, you owe it to your pet to find out all you can about taking care of him properly. Go over this article to find out more about how you can care for your cat.

Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. You can even switch it out every few hours.

TIP! A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need.

If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.

Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.

Before you consider buying a kitten for your children, make sure clear boundaries are set before you bring the kitten home. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. They need exercise and they get it through play.

Watch kittens around kids. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.

Brush your pet often. This will help stimulate blood flow. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.

Litter Box

TIP! Make sure that you never neglect your cat. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out.

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!

Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Streaming water is your best bet. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.

Canned food is an excellent choice for cats. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Speak with the vet, but food in cans tends to be better.

TIP! Cats enjoy climbing on things. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play.

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.

As you know already, it can be very rewarding to be a cat owner. To make sure your cat stays happy and healthy, you need to learn all you can about caring for them peoperly. Keep these tips in mind as you take care of your cat. Your pet cat will love you!