For those who don’t know, feral cats live in the streets. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. You can learn how to deal with these cats before they cost you money.

If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.

It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all. Give them an alternative. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.

Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside 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. Your name and the best way to contact you can be encoded on the chip, which is tiny. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.

Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. Hairballs are very common for long-haired cats. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.

You may get much better prices on medications online. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. But, for routine medications, this can be a budget-saver.

Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Something as simple as a place mat can help make cleanup easier.

Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. Once you become familiar with your cat and its needs, it will become easier to determine what he needs when he meows. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Listen to what’s she’s trying to tell you, and you’ll begin to understand her cues.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.

You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. Under five, the child needs to be watched. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.

When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. You can locate forums about cats online if you search for them. On these forums you can ask for advice, or you can just speak with a vet.

Litter Box

When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.

Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. You have a carnivorous cat, and a diet consisting of animal proteins is essential.

Stray cats should no longer be a problem after reading this article. Cats are very loving creatures, once you get to know them. It takes a certain level of basic preparation and know-how to handle a cat properly. Perhaps you will fall in love with a feral cat.