Owning a cat may seem like an easy job In the end, they are notorious for being independent However, if you're a first time cat owner, there are numerous things you have to know The next article is filled with tips and tricks that ensures you as well as your cat live happily together
 
 In case you have multiple cats, cut costs on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes You can usually get a package of three for a dollar They are sturdy and come in pretty colors They look nice in your kitchen, plus they are the ideal size for cat food
 
 Take your cat to the vet every year Cats should go to a vet at least one time each year for a check-up, and more frequently for required shots If there are obvious issues with your cat, it requires to see the vet immediately Don't wait
 
 Avoid eye contact to make friends with a cat Ever wonder why cats seem attracted to the person who likes cats the least The answer lies in cat body gestures To cats, staring is "rude" and will be considered a challenge Looking away demonstrates you respect their space and so are not going to be a threat So next time you are looking to meet up a new feline friend, look away and let them approach you
 
 Don't be pushy when you are getting to know your new cat Cats would rather be in control and take things at their own pace Ensure that your new cat is comfortable and safe Let your cat take its time exploring its new environment Whenever your cat feels in the home, it will be more prone to try to make friends with you
 
 It might be hard to make your cat stay off the counter Cats instinctively desire to be at a higher vantage point to allow them to survey their surroundings You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights to allow them to use A cat tower near the kitchen will ensure that cats won't lay on your own counter
 
 Male cats can form crystals that form within their urine, so prevent this with the right food The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction because of this is costly To avoid this from happening, make sure your cat's food does not have much magnesium in it Consult the ingredient list Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods
 
 Should you go out with your cat, make sure that she actually is wearing a collar with tags This way, if anything happens and you also two become separated, anyone will get her and understand how to reach you Your cat may not like the collar at all times, but when she's out of the house it could save her
 
 Get your cat a breakaway collar Make certain it has tags that reflect a telephone number, even though you are uncomfortable having an address Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don't desire to worry that you'll never see your cat again Ensure that there's adequate information to help you be reached
 
 Are you experiencing both your dog and a cat Dogs will eat a cat's food any moment they're given the chance This is why you should have a feeding area for the cat that is too high for the dog to attain This will help you to make sure that the animals won't fight on the water either after they've eaten all their food
 
 Find a litter your cat enjoys Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to locate a litter that he is normally comfortable with using Cats generally prefer to keep things exactly the same though, so don't experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box
 
 A cat's nails can grow really quickly They sharpen their nails by scratching on different surfaces just like a scratching post You can help avoid your cat destroying your furniture by clipping their nails often This can help to discourage your cat from scratching at different things around your house
 
 Don't teach the fundamentals of using a kitty litter box Cats instinctively understand what to accomplish and teaching is not required Don't force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them
 
 You should ensure that your cat always has fresh water available You need to refill your cats water dish everyday with clean water There are drinking fountains that provide your cat with a constant stream of fresh water, and that means you don't need to worry about changing it normally
 
 Use canned food for the cat Although dry food is usually less costly, canned food is way better for your cat It has water content, which is good for cats with bladder issues Aging cats will find it better to chew Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind
 
 In the event that you suspect your cat has sprayed in your house but can not find the area, there's hope Purchasing a cheap black light can help you save from having to rip up your carpets Your cats urine will glow beneath the black light, showing you wherever to clean
 
 If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls Place them far apart so that each cat has their space If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it could cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones
 
 As was mentioned earlier in the following paragraphs, being truly a cat owner is a lot more work than you might have believed Be certain and use the information provided when you are considering obtaining a cat The advice will benefit both you as well as your new feline friend for a long time to come