There’s no denying that pet cats are inquisitive, interesting little creatures. They seem really independent, but they love human interaction as well. They may also engage in erratic behavior. The following advice will help you care for your pet.

Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. Such practices help keep cats’ coats clean. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.

TIP! Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.

You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

Cat Owners

TIP! 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.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Brush your cat at regular times. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. It will also remove loose hair. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

TIP! Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues.

While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.

Your cat deserves a high quality food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.

Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.

TIP! Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Though cats may be confusing, they can also become your best friends. Use the advice you have just read to give your cat the care it deserves. Being a cat owner can be great, and if you take care of your cat properly your happy cat can be a wonderful pet.