Similar to people, cats have to eat healthy foods with nutrients. If your cat has a poor diet it can negatively affect his health. Learn more about caring for your cat by reading the following article.

Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If they have to wear a collar then there may be a risk because your cat could end up getting stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.

TIP! To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.

Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.

You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.

TIP! Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats love being up high so that they can see.

Cats are partially nocturnal. This means that they will usually be quite active at night. If your busy kitties are keeping you up into the wee hours, try simply closing your bedroom door. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.

Your cat needs lots of affection and love. They want the same level of companionship that they give to you as their owner. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.

When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

TIP! Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats.

Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. Cats come to harm outside every day. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Your cat could be injured by other animals, people and vehicles. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.

Litter Box

Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.

TIP! Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible.

Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Drinking Fountain

You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. Streaming water is your best bet. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

TIP! If you have to travel with a cat you should remember their ears. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs.

If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They may seem like they’re fighting all the time. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

A cat’s life isn’t complete without play. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.

TIP! Never make the mistake of leaving a kitten in a room alone with small children. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision.

Help your cat live a longer life by keeping them healthy and keeping them current with check-ups and vaccinations. As with children, cats have to be immunized. Wellness checks are important to avoid diseases and health issues. Your cat will be a part of your home and that means it should be treated as good as you would treat a family member.

As you’d expect, your cat’s health is very dependent on its diet. Eating the wrong foods or not eating enough or too much can shorten your cat’s life span. Provide your cat with nutritious foods that give them the opportunity to live a long healthy life.