For those who don’t know, feral cats live in the streets. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. Feral cats are pests that can drive customers away from businesses, costing them a great deal of money.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.

TIP! Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Make sure you give them lots of toys and room to play. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.

Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.

TIP! You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis.

While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.

Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Let your kids know where the cat can go. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.

TIP! Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous.

Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.

Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.

Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts. If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.

Drinking Fountain

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. A drinking fountain will be good for the environment and can help the cat to enjoy its water more.

Consider the placement of your cat’s litter box. Many people want it in an out of the way spot. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.

TIP! Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in.

If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Great suggestions include your basement and laundry room.

Every cat should have a collar with his name on it, the owner’s name, and a phone number. You may have an indoor pet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever get out. When your cat gets outside unexpectedly, it’s your responsibility to enable others to help your cat find their way home again.

It should now be possible for you to come out of your house and fight any stray cats that are trying to invade your yard. Cats can harm other pets, damage gardens and summon other cats. Of course, cats are still sensitive animals and should be handled with care! You may even discover a stray cat that makes you smile!