Cats are magical critters. They are great house pets, seeing as they are so independent and smart. Taking care of a cat can be a challenge, however. You can educate yourself about helpful tips to care for your cat and keep him happy and healthy by reading this article.

You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.

TIP! Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required.

If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. Change it frequently if you like.

Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. They can scratch this instead. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.

TIP! Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down.

Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Be sure that you read the label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Cat Owners

TIP! Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Cats like to make a mess when they eat.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.

You should not train your cat to use a litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.

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! Are you a cat and dog owner? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach.

Long-haired breeds are pretty, but understand how much work they are before you get one. That hair will truly get everywhere! Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.

Cats are unique creatures who can make wonderful pets if you learn all you can. Study these tips carefully. Put everything you’ve learned to use to keep your cat happy and healthy.