When you are caring for a cat, the most important things are to be patient and loving. Cat care and training are not difficult but there are some basics you should know. Cats are quick learners but require patience from you. Cats respond to praise rather than punishment. If, for example, your cat pees on the floor instead of in the litter box, and you shout and place her in the litter box immediately afterwards, she will view the litter box as punishment and be even less likely to use it. If you reward her with strokes and maybe a cat treat after she successfully uses it, she will learn much faster. In the article below you are bound to find a cat care tip that will help you.

Cat Care Tip 1 - Training

There are surfaces in your house where you don't want kitty to go, such as tables, kitchen counters and, obviously, the kitchen hob. How do you train a cat to stay on the floor? Cats are naturally inquisitive and like to explore every area they can get into. A firm "no" and a loud clap of the hands can work wonders. Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle filled with cold water. Spray the cat once while saying "no" loudly. You might need to give her a gentle push in the direction of the floor, so she knows what you are objecting to. If she goes up again, the mere sight of the spray bottle should be enough to make her jump down. Never leave food sitting on the kitchen counters if you are not in the room. Even a cat trained to stay on the floor will have her curiosity piqued by the interesting food smells.

Cat Care Tip 2 - Grooming

Cats are very clean animals and groom themselves every day. They have rough tongues which are ideal for this job. The problem with grooming is that sometimes cats swallow too much loose fur, which can lead to hairballs. Hairballs are uncomfortable for the cat and, in bad cases, might need a removal operation carried out by a veterinarian, which is distressing both for your feline friend and for your wallet! If you have a cat, you will need a cat brush. Even if your cat has short hair, she is still at risk of hairballs. Most cats enjoy being groomed but, if she doesn't seem to, just start off slowly and gently and brush her for a couple of minutes, increasing the time the next day. Grooming is a great bonding experience for you both.

Cat Care Tip 3 - Scratching

Scratching is natural for cats. De-clawing is widely frowned upon, since it causes pain and discomfort and will leave your cat unable to protect herself if she gets outdoors or if another animal enters your home. The easiest way to protect your furniture is to invest in a scratching post. The ideal cat scratching post should be sturdy enough to remain upright when being scratched and coated with coiled rope, carpet or sisal. To encourage your cat to use it, dangle a shoelace from it or rub some catnip on the scratching post. If your cat still seems to prefer the couch, you can clap your hands and say "no" in a firm voice, or place the scratching post in front of the part of your couch the cat scratches. The worst thing to do is pick your cat up and place her paws on the post. This will put her off using it. Sometimes pretending to use it yourself is all the encouragement she will need!

If you follow the above cat care tip guide, you are well on your way to having a happy, loving kitty.