A cat can make a welcome addition to your family. It is important to know how to properly care for your cat, so that it can enjoy a long and happy life. Make sure your cat gets the right food, enough exercise and has no parasites. Keep reading to find out how to keep those critters away from your cat.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.

TIP! Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous.

It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.

Contact Information

You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.

TIP! Never use something that is intended for a canine on your feline. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat.

Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. Cats that are frequently bored may develop OCD, depression or other harmful conditions. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. If they stay indoors make sure they have a scratching post for climbing.

Litter Box

You should be sure to place your pet’s litter box in a good location. Put the litter box in a secluded area, and make sure that it is not near the cat’s food. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Your cat and you will appreciate it.

TIP! Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post.

Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. Most cats crave the same warmth and companionship they give their owners. Similar to people, cats like to socialize and feel as if they are important to their family. They need to feel as though they are an important part of the family, as well.

Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.

TIP! Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything.

Cats, like many other pets, are susceptible to different parasites. A parasitic problem will not fix itself. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to eliminate parasites, or to keep them away from your cat completely. Saving your cat from these pesky creatures will benefit your cat and your peace of mind.