In case you are unfamiliar with the word, feral cats are the population of cats that live wondering along the street. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. Dealing with the problem of feral cats can cost a great deal of money.

You should be bringing your cat to their vet for a check-up regularly. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.

TIP! Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.

A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.

Litter Box

TIP! Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Cats can have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog.

Location is key when placing a litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. You need to establish some clear rules for your pet and ask everyone to follow them.

Brush your cat’s coat often. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.

TIP! Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. They give us love, and we need to return it to them.

Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. Punishment can make your cat fearful in your presence.

Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.

Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.

TIP! Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive.

Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. Older cats find it easier to eat, too. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.

If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.

Cat Properly

TIP! Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach.

Now you know how to care for your cat properly. Cats can harm other pets, damage gardens and summon other cats. It takes a certain level of basic preparation and know-how to handle a cat properly. Maybe you’ll find one you fall in love with.