Cats are really quite magical. Cats make great house pets because they are smart, loving, and independent. As a cat owner, you need to be responsible and make sure your cat is well-taken care of. Get some advice here on how to care for your cat in a productive and affordable way, making his life better overall.

Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.

Make sure your cat is always groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. It also stops hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won’t get lost.

Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. The cat might want something to eat, or just to go outside. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

Never make the mistake of leaving a kitten in a room alone with small children. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. They aren’t mature enough in order to handle the potential dangers of a kitten. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.

Cats enjoy high places. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.

Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.

If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.

Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.

If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.

If you were unemployed when you got your cat, but are now heading back to work, your pet will probably have issues with loneliness. You can avoid both boredom and loneliness by getting another cat.

Make sure that your cat is eating dry food when possible. When cats are young, they require wet food due to the fact that their teeth have not grown in yet. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. A picky cat might like dry and wet food mixed together.

Overfeeding a cat is a bad idea. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Make sure your cat’s diet is well-balanced.

Cats can often get the same illnesses as you can. Your cat is part of your family, and you know if your cat isn’t quite feeling that great. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. It can be dangerous to avoid taking your cat to the vet when it is sick because there may be serious conditions that need checking. A vet can check for these.

Unique and magical creatures, cats make terrific house pets, provided that you are willing to take the time to educate yourself on proper cat care. Take the time to absorb the ideas about cats and insights you have learned here. Put everything you’ve learned to use to keep your cat happy and healthy.