Cats are wonderful and unique pets. They are among the most popular pets and can be seen roaming the streets of many towns and cities. Living indoors with cats is a different thing completely. These smart and feisty creatures can be hardheaded and often require advanced care.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have 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. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.

TIP! Properly groom your cat. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.

Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats love being up high so that they can see. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.

Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This will also prevent squabbles between them.

Cat Owners

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Splurge on your cat’s food. Look over the ingredients in the food, and be sure there is some kind of a protein source in the food. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.

TIP! Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them.

A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.

Do you see cat hair everywhere you look? Cats are known for shedding, so good grooming habits are a must. If your cat sheds often, you will need to brush him just as much. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.

Litter Box

TIP! You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Even indoor cats get out sometimes.

If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. When your cat stops using the litter box regularly, a call to the vet is definitely in order.

If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.

Some human foods you enjoy often are not good for your cat. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. If your cat consumes these particular foods, it can get really sick. Milk is something that can hurt your cat’s stomach, so beware of that too.

TIP! Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog.

Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. These chemicals can have a devastating impact on your cat’s liver.

Claws Removed

Don’t let a cat that’s had its claws removed go outside. Your cat cannot defend itself, rendering it helpless against other animals. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. Make sure that only the front claws are removed. Don’t have the back claws removed, since cats don’t use them to scratch up your house.

If you work, your cat can get awfully lonely while you’re away. To help avoid boredom, consider bringing another cat into the household.

Make dry food the foundation of your cat’s diet. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. As they grow older, dry foods ensure that their teeth are strong. If you have a cat that is a picky eater, try combining dry cat food with a wet version.

Make sure you know of any holes in your home that your cat might get into. Cats can get through minuscule gaps. Kittens are even more apt to get into these holes. You will want to especially be wary of these when introducing a new cat to your home. Cover all holes.

TIP! Feed your cat top quality food. Always look at the ingredients first.

Keep a collar and tag on your cat. Cats are intelligent and may escape at any time if you’re not careful. If your pet is wearing a tag and collar, it’ll be easy for anyone who finds it outside to bring it back to you.

Spaying or neutering your cat is a great decision. Cats just get around sometimes. Indoor cats will sometimes try to slip out of your home. Your cats can get pregnant if you let them escape for a short period of time. Millions of wonderful cats die each year simply because of overpopulation.

Getting the upper hand with the cat will get easier after following this advice. In a short time, they will understand where they should be and what they need to avoid. Although cats cannot be trained quite as easily as dogs, the majority of cats can be trained to be well-behaved pets.