T.S. Eliot, the famed poet, once likened cats to creatures that a household depends on, the there is some truth behind his words. He said that cats were designed in a way that a home depends on them, and that is a true statement in a way. A healthy, well behaved cat can be a boon to any household. Cats are definitely not the simplest creatures to share your home with. The following advice will help you get along better with your cat.

Keep your cat properly groomed. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.

Cat Needs

Keep your cat away from boredom. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. An indoor cat needs a good scratching post.

Make sure your cat gets lots of love. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways. Like most folks, cats have the need to socialize to feel like part of the family. They’ll know they are accepted as members of the family if they get plenty of loving attention.

Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.

Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course. For ongoing medical issues, you can buy ahead and save a substantial amount of money online.

If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.

Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.

Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. There are two ways to do this. You can either put a placemat under the food bowl or use some stray fabric that you have lying around. Either way, you can easily get rid of debris by dumping them in the garbage.

There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.

Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. These children just do not possess the maturity to handle a kitten. They aren’t aware of the danger that they can cause to it. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.

Be sure to carrier train your cat. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. You should place a toy or a blanket inside the carrier and place it in an area where it will be noticed by your cat. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.

There is a lot of responsibility involved with a long-haired cat. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. If you can handle the extra grooming and cleaning time, then a long haired cat might be a good choice for you. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.

It’s very rewarding to own a cat, though it’s not always easy. If you have an active cat, or one more on the laid back side, the tips in this article can help you get along better with your pet. Sounds of contentment are bound to arise more often.