Cats can be difficult to please. You need to get to know your pet better and do your best to keep it happy and healthy. However, with the right knowledge, you can easily take proper care of them and ensure their happiness. The below article contains excellent advice on how to properly care for your cat.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. They need exercise and they get it through play. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them toys and things to do. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.

TIP! Groom your cat. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often.

Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. They want warm companionship since that’s what they provide to you. Like many people, cats need to socialize with people so that they feel like they are an important part of their family’s lives. Cats want to feel loved and needed.

Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.

Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape.

Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. A cat should not be left alone with a child under five years of age. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.

Speak to others about your cat problems. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.

There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.

TIP! Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots.

Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. They are much better with encouragement. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.

Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. By giving them one kind of food all the time, it will be all they want to eat.

Cats need to have play in their life. All mammals love to play. An aging cat may not have as much energy as a kitten, however it will still enjoy a little light playtime. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.

TIP! If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost.

Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.

Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.

Litter Box

TIP! Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture.

Really consider where you place the litter box. It’s sometimes tempting to put the box somewhere that you don’t have to smell or see it. The cat has to be able to easily access the box. Understand that cats are extremely picky. If its litter box is not in a convenient location, then your cat might not use it. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.

Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. This could be a side effect of a health problem. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. Consult with your veterinarian when your cat refuses to use its litter box.

It is important to designate a big and comfortable area for your cat to deliver her kittens. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.

TIP! Cats will be up during the night more often than not. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping.

If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.

You may not always know what your cat wants, but you can still care for him properly using the information in this article. Use them to make sure your cat’s health and needs are handled, so that you can be sure that all his needs are being met. Your cat will be in better health and much happier if you are a good pet owner. This is a possibility!