Cats are an integral part of any household. He described them as creatures that the house depends on, and there is some truth to that. A cat that is healthy, well-mannered, and happy can make an excellent addition to your home. There are, however, many reports of cats being difficult and temperamental. Keep reading for some valuable tips on cat care.

A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat’s life. They will learn your cat’s history best.

TIP! Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.

Litter Box

TIP! If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. 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.

Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.

Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This could be harmful and unsafe. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.

TIP! If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? A dog may enjoy eating your cat’s food when he has the chance to do so. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This also makes sure that the two don’t fight over water.

Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Small children don’t have the mental capacity to understand that certain activities are dangerous to the kitten. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.

Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

TIP! When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used.

Brush your cat’s coat often. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.

Aired Cat

TIP! Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices.

There is a lot of responsibility involved with a long-haired cat. While long haired cats are soft and look great, understand that there will be a lot more fur around the rest of the house. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.

Caring for a cat can be a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth it. Whether your cat is a lazy ball of fur or an active ball of hair, it needs proper care. You’ll better your relationship in no time.