Intelligence, grace, and occasional affection. These are some of the great characteristics of a cat. They can be a tricky pet, which means this article is for you. In this article, you will find some useful tips for owning a cat that will make your life together with your cat a happy one. Read on.

Groom your cat. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.

TIP! Groom your cat. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.

Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.

Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.

TIP! Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. If they have to wear a collar then there may be a risk because your cat could end up getting stuck.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As kids age, you can then determine whether they are mature enough for small pets.

Litter Box

TIP! If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is 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.

You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.

TIP! Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day.

Every cat loves to have lots of play time. As a matter of fact, exercise is crucial for all animals. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? Cats shed a lot, so it is important to brush them often. You should brush your cat quite a bit of they are prone to shedding. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.

Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. Kidney, bladder and infection issues can make this occur. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.

TIP! Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. Should the time run to six hours, and you think more kittens are due, get the cat to the vet immedietely

You now are aware of some excellent cat-care tips. You can really become a better pet owner. When your cat is properly cared for, it will be happier and you will be able to enjoy each other’s company much more. Put these tips to use and enjoy the results.