Cats combine strength, grace, and intelligence to a superlative degree. A new pet could be a great addition to your household but keep in mind that a cat is also a responsibility. Living with cats indoors is a big challenge. They’re powerful, smart, and agile, which makes them hard-headed. You’ll need advanced techniques to deal with them.

Keep your cat groomed. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger.

It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.

Litter Box

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. To help control odors place the litter box in a well ventilated area. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.

TIP! Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems.

Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.

Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. An easy solution to this problem is a placemat underneath the food dish, or a piece of fabric you can easily wash.

TIP! Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck.

Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.

Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.

TIP! Do not use dog products on your cat. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.

If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.

Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. For example, the behavior may be caused by an infection of the kidneys or bladder. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.

TIP! Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them.

If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. If the time has surpassed six hours and your cat is not finished, take a trip to your vet.

After you read these tips, you will be able to outsmart your cat easily. Cats will learn some basic things, like where they’re allowed or not allowed to be. Although it may be difficult to train a cat, in actuality they are just as likely to be well-behaved and trained as your typical dog.