Cats are usually hard to please. Their moods and actions can be quite a mystery. Being informed on cats can make the cat care process easier. Read on for ideas and insights for caring for your feline friend.

If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.

TIP! Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.

It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. Give them an alternative. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.

Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Cats need play and exercise. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them toys and things to do. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching post.

TIP! Small places are spots cats love to get into. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place.

The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

Create a tablecloth for the feline. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side. This habit means you will end up with cat food on the floor to clean up. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

TIP! Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let your kids know where the cat can go. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. A child under five should not be left alone with a pet. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.

Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.

TIP! If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet.

These tips can help you ensure your cat is healthy. Keep them in mind as you care for kitty. This will lead to the possibility that your cat will be friendly with you. It’s possible but not a given.