Cats’ naturally intelligent and playful nature makes them one of the most popular pets. In addition to being fun and entertaining, having a cat will prevent rodents and other pests from getting in your home. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. A spayed cat is a safe cat.

TIP! Ensure your cat remains groomed. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.

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. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.

TIP! Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. Cats need companionship as much as we do.

A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.

Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

Litter Box

TIP! Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs.

Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.

You should brush your cat very regularly. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow. Furthermore, it helps reduce all the loose hair. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

Don’t buy cheap cat food. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats are carnivores so it is important for them to get enough animal protein in their diet.

TIP! Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high.

You want your cat to be wearing a collar with ID tags on a full-time basis. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. This precaution is especially important when your cat has an existing medical condition.

Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. Cats move their tails too, but it’s not for the same reason. If you see a cat’s tail moving like that, it is an indication that they are agitated or don’t know what to do. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!

Cats are great mousers. There is no doubt that a cat has wonderful hunting skills, and can be a lot more agile than their canine friends. There are so many reasons that cats maintain a high popularity.