If you could save the life of an animal, would you? Millions upon millions of cats are searching for a home. It only takes some knowledge and commitment to care for a cat. Read here about how to approach the process properly.

Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.

TIP! Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place.

Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. Also, this can eliminate the constant shedding that you will deal with. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.

Electrical Cords

TIP! If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is old enough. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape.

Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. They love to be able to look around from up high. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.

TIP! You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They don’t know what harm they can do. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.

If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

TIP! Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem.

If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Your cats will grow used to the presence of the other animal and will eventually get along.

You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. If your cat were to escape, it’s important for them to get back home safely.

Taking care of a cat is something that should make you proud. You’re providing affection and shelter to a create that needs it badly. Your cat and you will having a lifelong bond. Take great care of your cat and it will be rewarding.