Cats are pretty awesome. They are wonderful pets because they are smart, independent, and very loving. You do have to take great care of your pet, though. You should go over this article to learn more about the different things you can do to take care of your cat.

Look a local animal shelters for cats. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

TIP! Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health.

Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Keeping your cat nicely groomed will keep him and your home looking their best.

If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.

Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away.

Cats appreciate all the affection you can give. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. 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.

TIP! Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure your children know where in the house the cat is permitted to be. If you want your cat to stay indoors, then the children must understand the seriousness of never letting it out. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.

Do you happen to own both a dog and a cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. They like responding to encouragement better. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.

TIP! Cats are partially nocturnal. In other words, they’ll be up and about late into the night.

It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. This is essential even for indoor cats. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.

When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Give them a bit more time to begin to get used to each other face to face, too.

Unique and magical creatures, cats make terrific house pets, provided that you are willing to take the time to educate yourself on proper cat care. Carefully read over the advice found in this article. Once you use the things you’ve learned you’ll have a feline friend that is happy and has a great life.