In the wild, cats have a natural ability and instinct to care for themselves. House cats, on the other hand, depend on humans for care and feeding. They require a considerable amount of attention. Bookstores and local humane societies can provide cat owners with a plethora of educational materials on the responsibility of cat ownership and the care of cats.

Some people have the misperception that cat’s can’t be trained. That’s not true. Cats can be trained through gentle, positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with a treat. Try to ignore bad behavior, if your cat’s bad behavior illicit a reaction from you that is attention, which the cat considers a reward.

Even though cats are relatively clean, it’s good to bathe your cat about every three weeks. You can use a mild soap which you have at home, or purchase a specialty product made just for cats. Some cats are difficult to bathe. Prevent bath time from becoming difficult by bathing your cat from the time it is a kitten. When bath time is over, reward your cat with a snack.

Don’t yell, hit, or otherwise punish your cat during the bath process. You should keep bath time as easy and comforting for your cat as possible. Tension will only make your cat apprehensive about the bath.

Use a q-tip to gently clean and dry your cat’s ears and nails after bathing. Do not use a hair dryer because your cat’s skin is much too sensitive and can easily be burned. Not only that, but the noise and strong, hot air will probably cause your cat to freak out and try to run away. Towel dry your cat and finish with a good, gentle brushing.

It’s a good idea to buy your cat its own bed. While it is common for cats to sleep with their owner, your cat will be just as satisfied sleeping beside your bed. This will keep your clothes and bed linens from always being full of cat hair. Some people are allergic to cat hair, and you don’t want to have to choose between your cat and your sleeping mate.

It’s best to place the litter box where the odor will not bother the family. Keep the litter box clean or your family may not appreciate you or your cat!