Cat owners find endless joy with their pet. That said, they’re not easy to care for. There are quite a few responsibilities that any cat owner must know. The article presented here has a lot of useful (and even vital information) for anyone who has or plans to get a cat. Keep reading and discover valuable tips that will improve your pet ownership experience.

Groom your cat. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. Your cat should be kept groomed so that they look great and you’ll also make your home look good.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Always use the same veterinarian if possible. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

Female Cat

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.

Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. This approach takes time, but it usually works.

Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Every cat needs exercise time and play! The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them enough space to exercise in, with fun toys to keep them entertained. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.

Cats are usually more active during the night. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.

Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Look over the label. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.

Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You may like music loud and booming, but a cat will prefer lower volumes as their ears are more sensitive. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.

Why is your cat meowing? After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. The meows may indicate hunger, happiness, or a desire to go exploring. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

Feed your cat top quality food. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.

You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats like running water for drink more than water that is just sitting there. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.

You should feed your cat food out of a can. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Canned food is usually a great option for your cat, but talk with your vet.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.

Litter Box

If you notice that your cat isn’t using its’ litter box anymore, you need to take note. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.

As was stated in the beginning of this article, you can benefit a great deal from owning a cat. However, if you want your cat to live a long and happy life, you have to take proper care of it. If you see cat ownership in your future, put these tips to good use!