Cats are very pleasant and loving animals if you take good care of them. A cat owner like you should take time to learn about proper cat care and to use this advice to help your cat live a wonderful life. You’ll pick up more than a few great tips on caring for a cat in the article below.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
Play with your cat using proper cat toys. Cats love toys that help them feel like the predators that they think they are. Try sticking with toys that help them dance around or jump. This can also help them use extra energy by pouncing on toys instead of people’s feet.
If your dog and cat are best friends, be sure to keep them separate after flea treatment. Your dog’s flea products are very hazardous for cats. Cats that come in contact with dog flea products often die. Be sure to use only cat products on your cat and only dog products on your dog.
Don’t allow your cat become bored. They need exercise and they get it through play. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Bored cats can become depressed and inactive, causing harm to their well-being. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
Cats like to chase birds and catch them. This helps cats to build and deliver crucial hunting skills. But what if you have an indoor cat? You can find cat toys at the pet store that will help you simulate a bird flying around. Your cat will love it, and love you for it.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. They aren’t mature enough in order to handle the potential dangers of a kitten. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Sometimes you need to give your cat a pill. Some cats are harder than others, but you should trim their nails first. Then hold the head, open the mouth, and put the pill in. Then blow on the cats face. This will likely make the cat lick its nose, and the pill will go down naturally.
If your cat bothers your Christmas tree or other plants, try beating him at his own game. Make his favorite chewing and climbing areas unattractive to him by placing the peelings of oranges, lemons or grapefruit around the places you wish for him to avoid. Cats hate citrus, and this is a natural way to keep them from getting into trouble.
Keep a collar with ID on your cat. Even if your cat is a house cat, this is still a good idea. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. Tags that list your contact number and vet’s name need to be worn. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.
Cats’ curiosity often puts them in risky situations. Something as simple as a necklace, window pull, or phone cords can cause your pet to become injured or even killed. These items should be bound securely so that they are not a source of temptation for your inquisitive pet. Many childproofing aids work just as well for your kitten.
Cats have a keen sense of smell, which makes it simple for them to feel out changes in their environment. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. You shouldn’t be disappointed if your cat avoids new items at first. As the new items starts to smell like your house, your cat may give it a try.
Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. Mix some pumpkin into your cat’s food. Flavor the pumpkin with a teaspoon of the water from a can of tuna. It is also possible to get help from cat food varieties containing fiber and other ingredients.
When looking for a new kitty, do not forget to check your local shelters to find your friend. Shelters are overrun with cats, and many are put to sleep on a regular basis because they do not have homes. These cats make great companions, and they are very much in need of loving homes.
If you are introducing a new pet into a home that already has a pet, it is best to try to socialize the animals gradually. Both dogs and cats are territorial. If you introduce a newcomer to quickly, the animals may never adjust. Keep the animals separate for a majority of the time and introduce them gradually over a few weeks.
Don’t use a newspaper to swat at or hit a kitten in order to make them behave. Not only is this a form of abuse, this will also make your car fear you. The optimal correction is a quick sprinkle or squirt of water to get their attention when misbehaving.
If your female cat has recently given birth, be sure to check the kittens from time to time to be sure they are getting enough to eat. A cat, for one reason or another, sometimes does not produce enough milk for her kittens, endangering their health. If you notice the kittens crying often or trying to nurse frantically, take the mother to the vet to be sure she is producing sufficient milk for the kittens.
While cats are awesome pets, you have to make sure you take care of them properly. Use what you learned here for a happy and healthy cat. Applying the insight learned in these tips will help to ensure that your pet has a happy life and provides wonderful companionship.

