Cats are wonderful pets. Due to their independent and self-sufficient natures, cats make excellent companions for busy owners who can’t watch over them around the clock. Utilize the advice that has been given to you here in order to keep your cat happy.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.

TIP! You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Take your cat to the vet regularly to make sure they remain in good health. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.

A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. Give them an alternative. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.

It is a good idea to microchip your cat. 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. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won’t get lost.

TIP! A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires.

Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

Put your cat’s food on a tablecloth. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.

Cats love being up high. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.

TIP! Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring.

Treat your cat to a good quality cat food. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.

Drinking Fountain

You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.

TIP! If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season.

Your cat should remain indoors and near your home. Indoor cats live longer and have less illness and pests than outdoor cats. That’s because they are not exposed to harmful diseases that run amok, and they aren’t as prone to dangerous wildlife.

Dry food is best for adult cats. Small kittens do well on wet food, since their teeth are small. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. For picky cats, mixing dry and wet food together is a great option.

Use sticky tape on your furniture. Cats naturally like to claw things and often your furniture is what they use. The tape will help prevent this. Many pet shops sell this sort of tape. By protecting your furniture and providing a scratching post, you can break this type of habit.

TIP! Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots.

Make sure that your cat wears a collar with a tag on it at all times. Cats are intelligent and may escape at any time if you’re not careful. If your cat has a tag on its’ collar, then you will have a better chance of it coming home to you if it gets out.

Cats are great to have as pets because they’re smart and can find things to do on their own. When you’re well educated, your cat will be happy. Keep the advice from this article in mind to become the best cat owner you can be. This can help your cat enjoy a greater life.