The joys of owning a cat are endless. Having said that, if you are a cat owner, understand that it requires some work. Cat owners need to know of the responsibilities that come with having a feline. Thankfully, the following article will tell you all you need to know. Keep reading to discover some great tips on caring for your feline companions.

Keep your cat properly groomed. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.

TIP! Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter.

If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Cover with a small blanket or towel, then place it beneath your pet’s bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.

Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.

Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” Long hair encourages hairballs. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.

TIP! Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.

If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. Setting rules in advances ensures understanding.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Litter Box

Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. 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.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. They prefer encouragement instead. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. This takes the hassle out of traveling with your cat in its carrier.

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost.

Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. It can take as much as about 4 hours for all the kittens to be born after labor starts. If, after six hours, you think there are still kittens stuck inside your pet, a trip to the vet is in order.

One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats feel vulnerable when relieving themselves, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.

As mentioned earlier, you benefit from having a cat. That said, it brings many responsibilities, too. If the thought of having a cat has crossed your mind, use the given information.