Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. Medical expenses, toys, food and cat litter can quickly add up. Here are a few ways that you can still keep your cat and save money while caring for them.

Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. Also, this can eliminate the constant shedding that you will deal with. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.

TIP! Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous.

Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. Your cat can preserve a few of his nine lives with this.

To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.

Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.

TIP! Avoid using dog products on cats. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all. Give them an alternative. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.

Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. This means that they will usually be quite active at night. If you have trouble sleeping because of cats, you may want to close the door to your bedroom. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.

Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.

TIP! Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.

Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. Place a piece of fabric or a place-mat under your cat’s bowl and then simply shake it over a garbage can for quick and easy clean up.

Cats love to be high up. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.

TIP! A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture.

Pets can take a lot of money to care for properly, and this includes cats. There are a lot of responsibilities that you will have. Now that you read this article, you know what it takes to properly care for your feline.