Cats can make totally delightful pets, if you know the proper care techniques. Every owner should learn the ways to care for a cat. You will love the amount of cat advice that has been provided to you here.

If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.

TIP! Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

Cats are partially nocturnal. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. This will keep them from attacking your toes.

Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Read the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.

TIP! It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat.

Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. Setting rules in advances ensures understanding.

Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.

Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. Usually this is a sign that you haven’t cleaned the box recently. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.

TIP! Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost.

You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.

Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. Kids need shots, and so do cats. A cat is a member of the family, and therefore, is entitled to the same treatment as other loved ones.

Litter Box

TIP! Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window.

Check your cat if they suddenly stop using their litter-box. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. Issues like a kidney infection are often behind such behaviors. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.

Let your cat give birth in a large space. Understand that a female cat will require three or four hours in order to give birth to every kitten. If more than five or six hours have passed, and you think that kittens still remain inside, then you must get in touch with your vet.

Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. 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.

TIP! Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly.

Dogs are known to way their tails. This means they are content or excited and is normal dog behavior. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.

Cats are able to smell very well and will notice changes to their environment. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. Don’t get discouraged if you find that your cat is not interested in these things right away. As the new items starts to smell like your house, your cat may give it a try.

Overfeeding a cat is a bad idea. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Therefore, ensure you provide the proper food portions to your cat, and keep its diet healthy and well balanced.

TIP! Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down.

Cats are great pets, but they need proper care. Cat owners should read this article and use all of its great tips. If you care for your cat properly, you are giving your cat the gift of a long, healthy life.