You may not know this, but most cats are actually lactose intolerant. Giving them cow’s milk could cause significant health issues in the long run.

“Milk is not necessary for cat nutrition and though you may think you’re giving your pet a tasty treat, many cats will suffer stomachaches or other related problems when given dairy,” says veterinarian Gary Richter.

Choose water for hydration purposes, or give your cat a small, low-calorie pet treat.

You can spoil them with treats, but milk should be at the bottom of that list.

Not unless your vet says otherwise.

Overfeeding will result in weight issues such as diabetes, joint disease, and heart problems.

Cats will get fatter, making them less mobile, more lethargic, less active, and eventually sick.

Avoid overfeeding your cat, and make sure they get all the proper nutrients they need.

It’s common for families who have more than one diabetic cat, since the tendency is to overfeed their pets.

Animal nutritionist with PurringPal and former veterinary technician Jaimee Alsing advices against yarn, as it is an unsafe toy for cats.

“Ingesting yarn or string can cause what veterinarians call a linear foreign body. Intestines become scrunched and knotted as they attempt to pass the yarn. This results in the death of sections of the intestines that must be surgically removed,” said Alsing.

Look for toys that have been certified as cat-safe. Feline fun shouldn’t be dangerous so consult your vet if you’re unsure about the toys you currently have for your pet.

Cats love to swat at things that move their way, but owners should avoid using their own hands as lures during playtime.

“Owners should never ‘hand play’ with their cats. This is because cats are hardwired to chase and hunt prey. When humans teach their cats that hands are appropriate objects to be hunted, the outcome is generally unpleasant and potentially dangerous for both the human and the cat,” says a veterinarian.

When it’s time to play, use an inanimate object like a toy as the go-between.

That avoids the risk of injury and it teaches your cat to go for toys instead.

Plants look great and can brighten up a home but do a little research first to see if they’re safe for your cat.

“Never bring plants or flowers into your house without first checking to be sure they are not poisonous to cats. Lilies, which are often found in flower bouquets, are highly toxic to cats and consumption of any part of this plant can lead to kidney failure and death,” veterinarian and author Ruth MacPete says..

Lilies are toxic to cats that even a sip of the water in a vase can cause kidney damage.

A complete list of plants that are poisonous to cats can be found on Animal Poison Control Center.

Cats should not be gnawing on fish skeletons or other animal bones.

“Bones pose a serious danger to both cats and dogs. Poultry bones, in particular, are very dangerous because they can splinter and get stuck in a cat’s throat, stomach or intestines,” says MacPete.

When feeding your cat fish or meat, be sure that the treat is completely free of bones. They can be a choking hazard or even cause digestive issues.

Call your vet immediately if your cat has ingested a bone and is showing discomfort.

Cats are very private animals so having multiple cats means getting them their own separate litter box each.

This lets a cat go to the bathroom in the security of his own private space.

Cats, unlike dogs, are not pack animals. Siblings from the same litter will still have each one wanting her own space.

Sharing the same litter box can be stressful for some cats.

There should be the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats, plus one extra box, so for two cats, there should be three litter boxes.

Never back a cat into a corner. Be sure to provide them an escape route in any situation, since they can become aggressive and even lash out when needed.

A cat may end up being nervous or stressed out, and that can cause changes in their behavior.

They can lash out, scratch, or bite you out of fear or even aggression once their instincts to survive kick in.

Declawing is the amputation of the last bone of each toe. The standard method is amputating with a scalpel or guillotine clipper.

The wounds are then closed with stitches or surgical glue, while the feet are bandaged.

Some also resort to laser surgery, where a small, intense beam of light cuts through tissue by heating and vaporizing it. Both of which causes lasting physical problems for cats.

This then puts your cat at a disadvantage once they have to defend themselves, so use other methods to deter scratching, like specially designed tapes and sprays.

Your indoor cat has to be supervised when outdoors.

Cats who are not used to being outdoors can react out of curiosity, fright, or even confusion.

When indoor cats go out for the first time, they are scared and will not know what to do. The first instinct is to hide someplace safe.

If they have escaped before, they will run in the same direction and hide in the same place they did before.

Cats may also run into traffic and get into an accident.

Avoid exposing your cat to secondhand smoke. It’s dangerous both to humans and to animals.

Cats living in a smoky environment are at greater risk of developing asthma and lung cancer since they have short noses.

But regardless of their nose length, felines that inhale secondhand smoke have a higher incidence of lymphoma.

Secondhand smoke is linked to the development of cancer so do keep them away from the smoke.

There are some people who think it’s funny, and others are just mean to cats, but throwing a cat can injury them.

Always treat animals gently and with respect.

Your cat may or may not get physically hurt, but you could damage her mentally.

The end result may be a cat that doesn’t trust you or is afraid of you.

Be very careful when punishing your cat. Avoid yelling and try using positive reinforcement instead, rewarding them with treats for good behavior.

If your cat begins to misbehave, ignore them or redirect their attention elsewhere to burn off that energy.

Inappropriately applied punishment causes fear, anxiety and owner avoidance. Punishment is the least desirable tool for changing behavior.

Remember that you are punishing the behavior, and not the cat.

Nobody likes living in a cave, and the same goes for our pets. Make sure your cat has lots of light within your home, including both sunlight and artificial light.

This is important if you need to leave your cat for an extended period of time. Leaving them in complete darkness can make them feel abandoned.

Remember to leave a clean litter box and a dish of food and water if you really must leave, but in general, this is a practice to avoid.

Hairballs and cats are a common thing for us humans, but frequent hairballs can be a sign of gastrointestinal problems for your pet.

You can buy medicine to help them cut down on the frequency of hairballs being spit out.

As a general rule, cats should produce a hairball approximately once a month. It may be more frequent when cats are shedding, such as during seasonal changes.

Like humans, cats want a clean area to use the bathroom. A dirty litter box will have your cat going in other areas around your home.

Scoop that litter box at least once a day, and be sure to change it out every week.

Cats can be finicky about their bathroom habits, so keep their litter box up to their standards. It is very important to cats.

Your schedule for cleaning out a litter box may also change depending on your cat’s habits.

Cats with lion-like haircuts can be cute, but shaving a cat isn’t exactly healthy, unless otherwise stated by your vet.

“Cats’ hair helps them self-regulate their body temperature to remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so there is no reason to shave your cat. Shaving actually lessens their ability to regulate their own body temperature,” Richter says.

A vet may advice you to shave some or all of your cat’s fur for medical reasons, but it isn’t advisable to give them a closely cropped hairdo just for your own pleasure.

Pulling on a cat’s tail can cause injury to their nerves and spine.

This is evident in older cats who usually lose muscle mass as they age, so injury is more likely to happen.

Pulling on a cat’s tail can cause problems with their bladder and kidneys.

The tail houses nerves that affect the tail’s muscles, including their control of urination and defecation.

Pulling can also cause nerve damage, and though that may heal over time, it can often be permanent.

Avoid medication as a first solution to a problem you find.

Certain veterinarians won’t hesitate to recommend anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications as a solution to your cat’s behavior.

Medicines have chemicals that are processed by their liver and kidneys, and it’s important to understand what this does to cats.

Over time, chemically medicating cats can lead to degeneration of vital organs.

More often than not, your cat just needs a little more love and affection.

Just like humans, cats can develop dental problems if their teeth are not taken care of the right way.

And that includes regular brushing.

Brush your cat’s teeth at least once a day, or at least a few times a week, so as to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Use a circular motion and focus on the gum line. Concentrate on the outside surfaces of the teeth, and under the lips.

Then just work your way up to all of your cat’s teeth. Spend around 2-3 minutes brushing your cat’s mouth.

Be sure to give your cat lots and lots of love and affection. But if you have multiple cats, the need for attention is not as great.

Spend at least some time each day to give your cat the attention it needs, especially if you only have one.

Cats display affection with mutual grooming, so may also extend this to humans by using their tongue to lick them as they would their own fur.

It’s their way of mingling scents and it’s the ultimate gesture in how cats show affection.

Many people think its cute dressing up cats but it’s a practice that has to stop.

This makes for awkward interactions with other pets, plus it can harm them. Restrictive costumes can impede proper blood circulation.

If an outfit does not look comfortable, and if your cat does not look comfortable, then it probably isn’t.

Put your pets safety and health first before attempting to put an outfit on your cat.

It does seem fun and harmless but this can lead to frustration on the part of your cat.

Instead, try to use a physical object with a treat inside to give your cat a sense of achievement.

Cats are natural predators so they often have a high prey drive. The instinctual drive to catch rodents, birds, and bugs.

It’s the reason a cat stares at small bugs crawling on the floor before pouncing on them.

Using a laser pointer improperly can make a cat get anxious and become more destructive.

Scaring your cat adds unnecessary stress and may even lead to behavior issues. This is especially true when you put a foreign object behind your cat to surprise it.

Cats do not know what a joke is so they may hurt themselves when trying to get away.

Doing so can cause long term damage to their psyche, plus it can also be a detriment to you if your cat can’t trust you anymore.

You should be your cat’s safe place, the one they run to when they’re stressed.

Don’t hold your cat when driving since he could get unruly, create a distraction, and cause an accident.

With that said, don’t let the cat roam around inside your car either.

Keep your cat properly buckled in a cat carrier when you drive out with them.

It’s also a good idea to brush up on driving laws in your area, especially if there’s a part that covers driving with pets.

You don’t want to end up in any more trouble.

Cats express themselves through body language, telling us when they are happy or sad, or if they feel like being picked up or not.

Pay attention to how your cat is acting and learn to respond appropriately to them.

They can walk slow, fast, jump, or simply be lazy. Cats will also hide, or be extra affectionate, or even playful.

These are all ways to communicate with you so learn how to bond with your pet.

Try not to play too rough with your cat even though they enjoy a good tussle.

Throwing or slamming them around can hurt cats, and that will have them avoiding you in the future.

All it does is teach them that biting and grabbing on human body parts is acceptable. Humans are much bigger than them, so wrestling will make them go on the defense.

Use your hands to show affection, and never for rough housing.

Trim your cat’s claws occasionally. This is for you, and their own comfort.

This also helps avoid pain when a cat starts kneading into your arm or leg when they get clingy.

It also helps prevent broken nails on their part.

Those claws are great assets but they do need to be kept in check as well.

Claws improve a cat’s speed and balance, and allows them to grip objects like prey and toys.

Bring your cat in so they can be treated for heartworms and fleas, even if they do not play outside your home.

Fleas are easy to bring home, especially when you have friends with pets, and they can carry heartworms.

Mosquitoes are also able to get in your home and they carry heartworms as well.

Bringing your cat for a general checkup is always a good idea since that helps catch potential problems.

A clean cat is a happy cat.

Be careful when leaving windows open, especially when you leave for work.

If you must leave them open, check the screens to make sure they are in place. You don’t want your cat taking an unintended fall.

When you leave the house, limit window openings to only about an inch or so.

Cats can be very inquisitive and will leap out to investigate what their senses pick up.

Not to mention animal control may end up grabbing your cat should a neighbor complain.

Try to see if your cat starts to exhibit weird habits when going to the bathroom.

If your cat goes to areas other than the litter box, then it could be a dirty litter box or perhaps your cat is stressed or depressed.

Reading their body language comes into play, so any sign of discomfort should be a cause of concern.

An average adult cat defecates once every 24 to 36 hours, which is a good starting point for observation.

When you are with your cat, try to avoid making loud sounds around them since they can be jittery.

Loud frequent sounds around cats can have them avoiding you in the future.

Loud music can also cause hearing loss if they are exposed for long enough.

Short-term exposure to 120 dB of noise and long-term exposure to 80 dB of noise can lead to temporary and even permanent hearing loss.

Cats, like humans, have the ability to mask their problems so we think everything’s fine.

Pay attention to your cat’s energy levels, eating habits, and body language.

If there is a sudden change, bring them in for a checkup at the vet to see if there’s a problem or not.

Some cats may show facial expressions when in pain, while others may be more subtle.

A cat may squint or close their eyes or their ears may look slightly flattened or pressed to the sides.

The mouth, nose and cheeks can look tenser and more compressed.

Grooming helps your cat cut down on hairballs while keeping their fur looking great.

A clean and presentable cat is a happy cat.

For a longhaired cat, experts recommend grooming at least one to two times a day, while a short-haired cat will need grooming at least one to three times a week.

Cats may groom themselves throughout the day but grooming sessions at least once a week are important to help keep your cat’s coat in good condition.