Having Cat Health Problems? Try These Tips

Would you save the life if you could?There are plenty of cats out there who need a home. You only need to adopt one and take care of it, and the article below will teach you how.

If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

TIP! Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs.

Ensure that you groom your cat remains groomed. Cats have regular combings. Doing it constantly can help them keep their coat clean. It also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs.

Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Spaying your cat can prevent this.

Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. Be sure that you read the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

TIP! Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down.

Don’t try using dog food or products for your cats ever. Cats can have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. This is especially true of flea treatments. Flea products that are intended for a dog can be fatal to a cat.

Your home furnishings and belongings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. It might take a little while, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.

Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Guide your kids in handling a feline. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.

TIP! You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors.

Think about putting a microchip inserted in your pet. Even indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all your contact information.

Cats are often nocturnal in their habits. This means that they will usually be quite active during the night. This will keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.

Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.

TIP! To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.

Make sure that you never neglect your cat gets lots of love. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship as they give out. They want to feel like a valuable part of the family.

Cats sometimes will spend a ton of time grooming themselves. Hairballs are more common for long-haired cats. There are special food on the market that can ease this issue. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.

You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A fountain keeps the water moving without letting any go to waste.

TIP! You want your cat to be wearing a collar with ID tags on a full-time basis. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat.

You may be able to find better deal on your cat’s prescription online rather than buying them from the veterinarian. In some situations, however, for instance. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.

You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with your cat. You may try to handle it yourself, but you may need advice from other cat owners.

Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. All animals of all ages need to play and a cat is no different. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Take time and play with your cat regularly.

TIP! Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box.

Your cat should always wear a collar. This is even to indoor cat. Cats are curious creatures and they may escape out of a door or a window. This is very important especially if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical issues.

Frequent or misdirected urination may indicate a visit to the vet is required. This may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. A quick course of antibiotics often does the trick.

If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.

TIP! Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. While cats are also prone to tail wagging, they do it for very different reasons.

You should feel proud about your ability to care for your cat. Opening your home to someone in need is a selfless act, whether it is a person or an animal. As a pet owner, you can bond with your new cat in a mutually beneficial relationship. Be sure you properly care for your cat, and it will also take care of you.