Like people, cats require balanced diets with good nutrition. Without these basic needs, you could have an unhappy and unhealthy cat. Read the following tips to ensure a long life and healthy relationship with your pet cat.

Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. There are so many great cats at shelters. The fee you will have to pay typically includes vet care. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

TIP! Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them.

Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Your cat should have regular well visits, as well as all the recommended vaccinations for his age. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.

When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. This will make you and your cat happy.

TIP! If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.

TIP! If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.

Cats enjoy heights. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. Make sure that this area is comfortable for your cat.

New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.

TIP! Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots.

Are you having a hard time getting rid of cat hair? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.

Your cat’s diet is very important to the overall state of his health. When your cat is not properly cared for, its life span decreases significantly. Do what is best for your pet and it will live a healthy and happy life.