If you could save a cat’s life, would you? There are literally millions of cats that need a good home. It only takes some knowledge and commitment to care for a cat. Read here about how to approach the process properly.

Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

TIP! Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up.

Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. Keeping your cat nicely groomed will keep him and your home looking their best.

If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even if she spends her time indoors, it is possible for her to escape while in heat, causing an unwanted pregnancy. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.

Flea Products

TIP! Avoid using dog products on cats. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction.

You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him. This is especially true of flea products. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.

Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.

Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. They may want outside or may be hungry. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

TIP! A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats love being up high so that they can see.

Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.

Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Being a good cat owner is something to take pride in. You’ve given a good home to an animal in need. You can look forward to many years of companionship with your cat. Give your time and affection to your cat, and it is almost certain that you will receive the same in return.