Cats are wonderful pets, but it can be expensive to care for them. Between vet bills, cat food and litter and cat toys, you may need to reconsider if you can afford a cat. You should keep reading to learn more about properly caring for your cat.

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. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!


Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. This will also cut down on shedding and can reduce issues with hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.

Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Your cat should have regular well visits, as well as all the recommended vaccinations for his age. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.

If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

TIP! If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is old enough. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet.

Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.

It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.

Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. If this occurs, you will have a mess on your hands. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.


If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. It is dangerous in today’s society. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.

Cats have a love affair with heights. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. You can have a cat tree or even a strong wall shelf. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.

You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.

TIP! You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window.

Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.

A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. Make sure the collars have tags with your contact information and your veterinarian’s information as well. This is crucial if your cat requires special medical attention.

If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.

TIP! Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor.

Take a cat who pees all over the house to the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.

Litter Box



Despite their independent nature, cats are no less expensive than any other pet. They need a lot of help, and it can be just like caring for a small child at times. Clearly, it really is possible to economize without sacrificing your cat’s care.