There many reasons why cats make great pets. They’re fun to pet, play with and watch sleep, plus they get rid of mice. People often underestimate how helpful a kitty can be, and how much one can do to get rid of pests.

A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.

Give your kitty lots of love. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Like humans, cats want to feel wanted and needed. They need to feel as though they are an important part of the family, as well.

Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant.

Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.

If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. It can be unsafe. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.

TIP! Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home.

Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.

Cats do not need to be taught how they should use the cat litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Drinking Fountain

TIP! It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them.

Get your cat a drinking fountain. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.

Cats aren’t the same as owning a dog or other pet; however, the rewards to be had can be greater for you. Cats will go for the kill, unlike dogs. The continuing popularity of the humble house cat is no surprise when one considers all that they’re capable of.