Cat ownership can be joyful and rewarding. Make no mistake, though: Being a responsible cat owner involves putting in quite a bit of effort. Cat owners have many responsibilities. Thankfully, the following paragraphs will give you the knowledge you need. Continue reading to learn some excellent approaches to caring for your feline friends.

Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This is incredibly dangerous as it could be fatal for your cat. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.

TIP! Groom your cat. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy.

Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.

The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. They can scratch this instead. This approach takes time, but it usually works.

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out.

Cats will be up during the night more often than not. This means that they will usually be quite active at night. Keep your bedroom door shut if your cats make too much noise at night. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.

TIP! Microchips are an increasingly popular form of pet protection. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window.

Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.

Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.

Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.

TIP! Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.

Litter Box

Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.

TIP! Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same.

As you can now see, cats can bring you much joy. However, you must properly care for your cat in order for both of you to be happy. Use the information that has been given to you if you plan on having a cat as a pet.