Cats are incredibly fun-loving creatures and you will soon find yourself losing track of time playing a part in their feline games. You should also provide them with entertainment like a new activity, game, or toy. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot to keep them busy, though. By taking this advice, you will be well underway towards the kind of care your cat deserves.

Your cat needs to be groomed properly. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. It will also cut down on shedding and hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. That’ll keep kitty safe.

You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Wrap the tile inside an unneeded towel and place it under your kitty’s favorite resting spot. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.

Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Encourage your cat to scratch where you want them to. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.

Make a tablecloth for your cats. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.

If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. This can be very unsafe for your cat. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.

You should brush your cat on a regular basis. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.

Purchase high quality food for your cat. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Don’t choose a food which is mainly corn. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.

Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. Older cats also find it easier to chew up. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.

Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. The birth will take place over the span of several hours. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.

Has your cat stopped using its litter box? If so, consider moving the box into another location. A cat knows that when it’s going to the bathroom it’s in a vulnerable situation, so you should make sure the box is in a calm, secure location. Good examples are laundry rooms, basements and other areas away from the hustle and bustle of the home.

You could enjoy your cat more using these tips. These are activities and tips that are popular with cats, but you may need to experiment and find out what your cat really enjoys most. Just keep them happy and they’ll stay healthy, too.