Once a cat is adopted, many obstacles may present themselves to the family taking on the new pet. No one should get a pet without taking the steps to prepare. Even with the most preparation, it can still be tough to anticipate everything a cat might do or need. All you can do is research as much as you can and hope for the best.

To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Replace it every three hours or so.

If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Getting your cat spayed is a great way to stop this from going on.

Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.

Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. Be very careful with the flea products you use. These products can be fatal for your cat. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.

Scratching Post

Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.

Microchip your cat. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. While a collar with a tag is useful, remember that your cat may be able to escape from the collar while they are away. Collars can also harm your cat if they get caught. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.

You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

You should brush your cat very regularly. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. Also, it helps manage loose hair. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.

Litter Box

Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.

Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.

Feed your cat quality cat food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Give your cat a water fountain. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. This is a more natural way for them to drink.

Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. Many people want it in an out of the way spot. However, if you hide it from your pet he might not try very hard to find it when he needs to go to the bathroom. Felines can be finicky. This means you must give them the right location and make sure it is inviting. If the litter box is kept on a cement floor, then place a rug or mat underneath it.

If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. This process can take up to five hours. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.

Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These items can make your cat very ill. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.

All the tips of training which you learned here apply to every cat breed, no matter how old or where they reside. Though certain aspects of having a cat remain the same, all cats differ, so what applies to one may not apply to another. Always keep in mind that it’s good to enjoy your cat while using the above tips.