Keep Your Kitty It Top Health With These Handy Tips

Cats can be a handful. The following piece offers great insights into feline dietary needs, vet requirements and a number of other key issues.

TIP! Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her.

Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.

TIP! If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds.

You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Change it regularly if you need to.

TIP! Think hard before allowing your cat outside. The outside world is very dangerous for cats.

Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.

TIP! High areas are ideal for cats. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. One way to deal with this issue could be to devote certain high spaces for your feline friend to sit in. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

TIP! If your cat relieves itself somewhere other than its litter box, it shouldn’t be punished. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box.

It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.

TIP! Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.

TIP! Purchase high quality food for your cat. Beef, fish or chicken, all great protein sources, should head the list of main ingredients.

You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It is dangerous in today’s society. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.

TIP! Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home.

Do you own a dog and cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. This will also prevent squabbles between them.

TIP! Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? You have to brush your cat to avoid their shedding. If your cat is shedding too often, you should brush it more regularly.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

TIP! If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house.

Though caring for a cat can seem like no big deal, there are actually a lot of things to consider, including veterinarian visits and giving them extra amounts of attention. With the suggestions provided above, you’ll be in a better position to address your feline friend’s needs and even anticipate them before they can cause problems. Everything you learn will improve the quality of your life and of your pet’s!