Cats can be difficult to please. From the moment they prance into your house, cats can be indecipherable. However, with the right tips, it’s easier to handle a cat properly. This advice will assist you in giving your cat the care he or she requires.

If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.

TIP! Your cat needs lots of affection and love. Cats need companionship as much as we do.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. It can really be a life saver for your cat.

A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.

TIP! Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs.

Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

Dog Products

Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This happens a lot with flea products. Flea treatments made for a dog can be fatal to a cat. After your dog receives a flea treatment, keep your cat away for at least a few hours.

TIP! Don’t let your cat outside. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat.

If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.

You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.

Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

TIP! Do you have both a dog and a cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.

Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

TIP! You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help.

Cats have a love affair with heights. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. Make sure that this area is comfortable for your cat.

Litter Box

Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.

TIP! Regularly brush your cat’s hair. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow.

Even if you’re not able to make your cat happy, you can still be a great cat owner with these tips. Put these tips to use so you can make your cat happy. You never know…perhaps cats CAN be impressed by humans. Could be!