For as long as people have kept pets, cats have been one of the most popular choices. Cats have also inspired countless works of art, including songs, plays, and films. It shouldn’t be surprising then why cats feel like they are the ones running the show! The article below contains some great advice for handling and caring for your cat.

Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.

TIP! Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats need play and exercise.

Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Be sure your cat has something they can climb and something they can scratch if they stay inside.

When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Like many people, cats need to socialize with people so that they feel like they are an important part of their family’s lives. Cats want to feel loved and needed.

TIP! Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you.

Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Under five, the child needs to be watched. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.

Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Litter Box

Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.

TIP! While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats.

Your cat may feel that they rule your home or the universe. However, by utilizing these tips, you can regain control over your house and show your cat who’s in charge. People understand that cats make great pets, and this article will make that experience even better.