Cats are one of the most popular household pets for many different reasons. They are very amusing and can protect the house from small pests as well. To learn more about properly caring for your cat, keep reading.

To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.

TIP! Good grooming is important for cats. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often.

Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.

The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Both you and your cat will be happier.

Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Look for cat food that is designed to minimize hairballs to keep you and your cat happier.

TIP! Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need.

Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. Simply place a cloth placemat that will grab at the food under their plate and then shaken out over the trash. You can put a vinyl one underneath that can be picked up wiped down easily if you prefer.

Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. Obviously, this is particularly important for pets who have special health concerns.

Play is something that all cats need to do. No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. Even older cats like to play. Play with your cat and give them the fun time it needs.

TIP! Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed.

Prior to adopting any long-haired cat, make sure you understand the extra work involved. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. Also, give them the right food which is anti-hairball.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.

Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. Milk is something that can hurt your cat’s stomach, so beware of that too.

TIP! Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch.

An indoor cat is a healthy, happy cat. Indoor kitties typically live longer than the outdoor variety. You should go outside with your cat every day to play and exercise.

Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. Don’t be discouraged if your cat decides to ignore these items at first. As the new items starts to smell like your house, your cat may give it a try.

Keep an eye out on panting. Dogs love to pant. Panting could mean the cat is hot or scared, or something much worse. It is important to speak to your vet, specifically if your feline has suffered from respiratory issues.

TIP! When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of 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.

Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? You can try blending a spoon of pumpkin into her food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Find a cat food with some extra fibers or another anti-hairball ingredient to get rid of this problem.

If you are planning to go back to work after being home with your cat all the time, it’s possible he may get quite lonely there without you. If your cat is going to be home alone often, then you should consider adopting a second cat.

Your kitty may love table scraps, but they aren’t cat friendly. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. Give your cat chicken or beef if you must feed it human food. But if you are following the feeding instructions on the food you feed your cat according to his age and weight, his diet is complete.

TIP! When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in.

Cats often require a visit to your veterinarian, but that can get very expensive. A great idea is to order your cat medication from an online website to save money. There are several companies that are able to deliver your cat’s medication right to your front door. This will save you both time and effort.

Although cats may not be considered man’s best friend like dogs are, they can make excellent household pets. Cats are actually excellent hunters and often get the kill. Use all the tips from your article and learn more about the different things you can do to properly care for your cat.