Some people believe cats are magical. They are great house pets, seeing as they are so independent and smart. Caring for cats in proper ways, though, it not always that simple. Read on for more information about cats and cat care in general. Take what you learn, and use it to help your cat live a happier life.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This can keep your cat alive.

Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.

You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.

Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. They are social creates which need reassurance. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.

Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

Use care if you have kids and a cat. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You can often get great advice from friends and family. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.

Litter Box

Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This is natural to them and does not 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.

You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. This is the condition that cats like the most. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.

Long-haired breeds are pretty, but understand how much work they are before you get one. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.

Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. You may really want to hide that box from everyday life. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Felines can be finicky. This means you must give them the right location and make sure it is inviting. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.

Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. A bladder infection is often at the root of the problem. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.

Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Even a commonly fed food, milk, can make your kitty ill.

Be on the lookout for panting. Panting is normal behavior for a dog, but that is not always the case for cats. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. Be sure you get in touch with a vet, especially if your animal has had problems with breathing before.

A cat can be a wonderful addition to the family, as long as you make the effort to learn about taking care of them properly. Read this article again if it helps. Use these tips to help your beloved cat enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.