A cat is a very complex creature. They can be very mysterious, even from the moment they enter your home. That said, if you know what you are doing, you’ll get better outcomes, even if you don’t completely understand what your cat wants. The advice below will help you give your pet what it needs.

Groom your cat. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.

TIP! If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. This way, if your cat gets lost and is found by a stranger, that person will know how to contact you.

Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.

When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.

Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats love being up high so that they can see. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

TIP! Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords.

Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Read the label on any food you choose. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.

Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.

Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Canned Cat

If possible, always choose canned cat food. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Speak with the vet, but food in cans tends to be better.

If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.

TIP! The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food.

It is important for a cat to have play time. All mammals love to play. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Make sure you and your cat are thoroughly enjoying each other.

Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.

You may not always know what your cat wants, but you can still care for him properly using the information in this article. Even if he doesn’t want to come cuddle, a healthy cat is a happy cat. Use the tips in this article to ensure that he or she is happy. He may even like you afterwards. Never say never!