A few purrs, a smart animal and a delightful companion. These are just some of the characteristics of a cat. Cats can be a lot of work, in which case you will need some advice. This article has a lot of useful information in good cat ownership. So read on to discover them!

Groom your cat. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.

Dog Products

Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.

Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Encourage them to scratch that instead. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.

TIP! Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs.

It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. It is necessary for them to play and get exercise. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Boredom can beget illness. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. An indoor cat needs a good scratching post.

Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.

TIP! Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost.

There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.

You should brush your cat very regularly. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.

Animal Protein

Treat your cat to a good quality cat food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.

Consider getting your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Cats react better to a moving water stream. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. A fountain will allow a cat to drink naturally and is better for the environment.

TIP! Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. They need exercise and they get it through play.

After you read the above information you should have a wealth of cat knowledge at your disposal. This will ensure you are an effective cat owner. A loving cat will improve your quality of life. Ensure you utilize these tips.