Cats are a great animal to keep in your home or apartment. Apart from the affection they give, cats also serve a practical purpose by keeping pests out of the house. You might be surprised at how many ways a cat can improve your life.

Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!

TIP! Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores.

Do not use dog products on your cat. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. Be very careful with the flea products you use. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.

Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Both you and your cat will be happier.

TIP! It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

Create a tablecloth for the feline. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. This makes quite a mess. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Loose Hair

TIP! Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats require plenty of exercise.

Brush your cat’s coat often. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.

If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Cats are carnivores, and they need a good amount of protein in their diet.

TIP! Make sure your cat gets lots of love. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out.

When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.

A long-haired cat comes with a great deal of extra care. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. Hairballs are something that you will often deal with if you own a fluffy cat.

There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Garlic and onions are popular examples. If your cat consumes these particular foods, it can get really sick. Milk is also not especially good for your cat’s stomach.

TIP! Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean.

Always keep your declawed cat indoors. The cat won’t be able to fight back if other animals attack it and that could get it hurt or killed. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. It is important to note that if you are declawing a cat, only the front claws on the cat should be removed. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.

Avoid overfeeding your cat, as it can lead to many health issues. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Feed your cat only as much as the packaging suggests.

If your area is prone to rabies outbreaks, fleas, or even fungus, it is probably best to keep your cat from going outdoors. While it is possible to be exposed to certain things in the house, the cat is less likely to come into contact with them if he doesn’t go outside.

TIP! Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. You should keep your cat food away from the dog.

Think twice before giving your cat table scraps for treats. Cats can’t digest many human foods, and many are even dangerous to them. Egg, chicken, beef or fish are good options for a cat. Make sure that you consult with your vet before feeding your cat anything.

Millions of pet owners infinitely prefer the company of cats to that of barking, drooling dogs. Compared to dogs, cats will almost always be more successful in their hunting attempts. This is one of the things that make cats so popular as pets.