Taking care of a cat is complex. They can be an enigma from the moment they enter your home. With the right techniques, you can improve your abilities as an owner. This article is your go-to source for pet care information.

Properly groom your cat. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.

If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. You can do this simply with a terra cotta tile measuring a square foot. Heated in your oven around 200 degrees, it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.

Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.

An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

Cats frequently groom themselves. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.

Cat medications can be bought affordable online. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though. If you are buying cat medicine often, you can usually save up to 50% online.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.

You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It can be unsafe. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.

Brush your cat regularly. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It also gets rid of shedding hair. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.

Play is an essential element of a cat’s daily life. All animals of all ages need to play and a cat is no different. A cats energy might fade over time, but that does not mean that it no longer likes to play. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.

Litter Box

You should worry if your cat is no longer using its litter box. Using the bathroom outside of the litter box is linked to a number of cat health issues. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Therefore, whenever you notice your cat not using its litter box, call your veterinarian.

If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Areas away from high activity are a good choice, such as basements and laundry rooms.

Tail Wagging

With dogs, tail wagging is a sign they’re in a good mood, or glad their owners are around. Cats may wag as well, but the meaning can be quite different. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.

Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Even a cat you plan to keep indoors can sometimes get out or get lost. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.

If your cat was adopted while you were not working, your cat will get lonely when you go back to work. Get another cat if you would like to be certain your cat isn’t bored.

You may not be able to impress your cat, but proper care will certainly not go unnoticed. Make sure you use these tips to make your cat healthy and happy. You never know…perhaps cats CAN be impressed by humans. It’s possible but not a given.