Are you the owner of a cat? Cats are a very popular pet, loved all over the world. You will need to care for your cat often as they require your attention and love. Fortunately, you can provide all this for it. This article describes how you can become a great owner.

Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. It can really be a life saver for your cat.

TIP! Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care.

It can be hard to stop your cat from coming on your counters. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. A cat tower near the kitchen will ensure that cats won’t lay on your counter.

You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.

TIP! You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease.

Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. They get very active at night. If your cat is keeping you up at night, you should close the door to your bedroom. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.

Litter Box

The litter box for your cat needs to be positioned in the right place. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas. Additionally, the litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water. 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.

TIP! Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free.

Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Tell them how to be gentle. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.

If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.

Cats love heights. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.

TIP! If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should ensure it wears a tag collar. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost.

Regularly brush your cat’s hair. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.

A battered appearance isn’t a good reason to discard a beloved cat condo or scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. There is more water, more fat and more protein in it. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.

TIP! It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up.

It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.

Although cats can be difficult, they are very sweet creatures that need love. After reading this article, you should have a good foundation of knowledge on how to care for your pet. Implement these ideas to create a safer, happier home for your cat. If you love your kitty, he will certainly love you in return.