1 An older cat will really appreciate it if you raise her food and water dishes off the floor a few inches. Many pet supply stores sell low racks for pet dishes. They make things much easier on your cat's neck and back.

2 Teach your cat to fetch. This may be easier than you thought, or it may be impossible, but you'll both have fun trying. Throw a small toy for your cat, and when he pounces on it, call him to you with the enticement of a little cat treat. If he brings the toy to you, give him the treat. Then toss the toy again and say "fetch." He'll catch on after a few more repetitions, and the play will become its own reward. If he drops the toy and just comes running over for the treat, you go get the toy, toss it again, and try calling him again with a treat. He may catch on, or you may end up fetching the toy.

3 "I have a great solution for cats on the countertops. I've been using this one for years to train my many cats, and it's a no-fail, no-harm solution. I use spray adhesive on some old newspapers and lay them open, sticky side up, on the forbidden counters and tables. The cat will only jump onto this sticky surface a couple of times before he stops! The paper can easily be picked up and relaid when you need to use the counter, and this solution is useful even when you aren't there to enforce the law. Cats just don't like the tacky feeling on their paws, yet once the adhesive is dry, it won't stick enough to harm your kitty -- it will just creep him out."

4 Cats crave routine. Serve your cat her daily meals at about the same time each day, and schedule regular play time and regular cuddle time. You'll soon find you're both looking forward to the routine.

5 "I have a beautiful male three-year-old cat. For months he would pee in the corner of the bedroom carpet and anywhere else in the bedroom. I broke the cycle by mixing a whole bottle of 100 percent lavender essential oil with water and spraying it every five weeks on his favorite spots. Now my cat never pees on the carpet."

6 A short piece of toilet paper tied to a string makes a great cat toy. Make the toilet paper "fly" in slow circles just above your cat's head and watch her go crazy hunting that "bird." This is a one-time-use toy -- just throw it away after the play session -- but it's so cheap that who cares?

7 "I was raised with a female Siamese cat, whom my mother trained to jump up into her arms. When I got my current cat (also female and Siamese), she was so active that I decided to try to teach her the trick. To my surprise, it was easier than I expected. It's simply a matter of encouraging her with treats to first stretch up and take increasingly larger leaps as she grew. Now almost seven years old, she will leap into my arms whenever she wants a kitty treat and eat it from my hand while I hold her. I don't know how many cats can be taught this, but it's a fun way to interact with your cat."

8 Cats prefer to eat their food at room temperature or slightly warm. But if your cat doesn't finish off a whole can of cat food in about 20 minutes, the rest should be stored in the refrigerator. So how do you warm the cold food? Try stirring in a few spoonfuls of hot water (stir it well, so there are no hot spots in the food). You can also microwave the food, but start by using the low "defrost" setting for just 30 seconds. Your cat doesn't want the food to be hot, and neither do you -- cat food sometimes explodes in the microwave when it gets hot.

9 Clean your cat's food and water dishes with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly every day. You wouldn't want to use dirty dishes for your own food and water, and neither does your cat.

10 Warts, bumps and lumps are usually nothing to worry about, but sometimes they can be the first sign of cancer in pets. Regularly give your cat a full body rub, and you'll know what's normal and what's not for his body. If you find anything unusual, call your vet.

11 Sing a duet with your cat. The next time he meows, answer him back in your best imitation of his sound. As his meow changes, change yours to match. Your cat may decide to exchange only a word or two, or he may try to teach you a whole song. Cats love this kind of attention, whether it's face to face or across different rooms in the house.

12 The bolts that hold together a cat tree tend to loosen up over time, making the tree wobbly and unstable. Once a year, take out your wrench and tighten up all the hardware on your cat's tree. You may have to partially take it apart to make sure everything is tight and secure, but your cat will really appreciate it.

13 It's OK to tell kitty when she's doing something wrong, but never hit or swat at your cat. There's no need to yell, either, since cats have excellent hearing. Instead, if your cat is doing something wrong, make a sound like a cat hiss -- and only use that sound to express your displeasure with your cat. She'll soon learn that when you make that sound, she should stop what she's doing.

14 Make up a song about your cat. My friend Maryjean Ballner (author of the book Cat Massage from St. Martin's Griffin) calls this "voice massage." Cats really enjoy the melodic quality of singing (no matter what your voice sounds like), the face-to-face attention when you sing to them, and the repetition of their name as part of the lyrics.
15 Chat with your cat using your "cat voice." Don't even try to deny that you have one, because we all do. And research has shown that cats really like to hear a soft, high-pitched voice and respond with pleasure and affection.

16 Location matters when it comes to your cat's litter box. Put it someplace that's easy to get to (not in a dark and cold basement, for example, deep in a closet, or outside in the garage) and in an area that is not too busy. Your cat feels vulnerable in the box, and may not want to use it if there is always a lot of action going on around her.

17 Never give a cat aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or any other anti-inflammatory medication made for humans. Cats lack the enzymes needed to metabolize these drugs, and they can be life-threatening. If your cat accidentally ingests one of these drugs, seek veterinary care immediately.

18 Cat toys that move in unpredictable ways are more stimulating than toys that follow a regular pattern. You provide the motion for the most unpredictable toys, of course. But when you're not home, toys with erratic movement are more likely to excite and entertain your cat.

19 Cats are very stoic animals, and they often don't show they're sick until things have really gotten bad. That's why any sudden illness, change in eating habits, or change in behavior needs immediate veterinary attention. This is especially true for older cats.

20 Daily Cat reader Hazel writes in that when she looks after her friend's cat, the visitor is often nervous when meals are served (she's afraid Hazel's resident cats might steal her food) and therefore tends to eat erratically. Hazel solved the problem by making sure each cat in the house has a "sanctuary" spot where he can eat alone. One cat has his meals served under a bookshelf in the hallway, one eats in an elevated storage crate in the lounge, and so on. This way, every cat feels secure at mealtimes and enjoys his food.

21 Got a shy kitty? Give her a safe haven in every room, so that she can always be in the same room with you without being exposed. Small cardboard boxes with low sides work well. You can start by covering part of the box with a towel, so she can get into her "tent" and be invisible.

22 There are many reasons why a cat will change litter box habits, but very often a physical problem is the culprit. It's important to always check out the medical reasons first, by taking your cat to the vet for a check-up.

23 Cats don't need to have food available all day. Don't feed your cat more than the daily amount your vet has recommended -- no matter how much she asks. Break the daily ration down into two or three small meals, and that's it. Your cat may howl, but that's habit talking, not hunger. Pudgy cats are definitely not healthy cats.

24 Do you spend most of your evenings on the couch watching TV? Sit on the floor instead, and play with your cat while you watch. You and kitty will enjoy the commercial breaks a lot more if you spend them playing together.

25 Cats love rituals. Get into a routine where your cat has a few minutes of special snuggle time every day, perhaps when you come home from work or after you finish your dinner. Sit down in the same place each time, call your cat over to you, and just scratch her behind the ears, talk to her, or do whatever else she likes. Soon you'll both be looking forward to your special time together.

26 When your cat reaches out with his nose to sniff something you're holding, hold it down for a moment and let your kitty examine it (unless it's something dangerous to the cat). One way cats learn about objects in their world is by sniffing, and there's no harm in letting a curious cat explore interesting new smells. Everyone likes to check out new things, including your cat.

27 Grow some catnip in your garden. The bright green leaves and purple flowers are lovely additions to the foliage, and catnip is easy to grow (it's in the mint family, after all!). Just make sure you don't spray any pesticides near the catnip crop. Your cat will appreciate a few fresh leaves all summer, and you can cut down the plants and dry them in the autumn for a home-grown winter supply.

28 Looking out the window is like watching feline TV for your cat, especially if your window faces a yard or garden. Give your cat a comfy spot to enjoy the view at the window with an easy-to-attach perch, a carefully placed cat tree or even a folded towel on a wide windowsill.

29 After washing your cat's litter box, dry it in the sun if you can. The direct sunlight actually kills many germs, and the fresh air gives the box a cleaner scent without adding perfumes -- which most cats hate. Apartment dwellers can dry the box on the windowsill (make sure you have secure screens, so the cat and the litter box don't fall out the open window).

30 Keep the lid closed on your toilet bowl. Even if you don't use "drop-in" cleaners (which are toxic), residue from toilet cleaning products can still make your cat sick if she decides to drink the water. Cats can also fall into the bowl, and may have a very hard time getting out. If your cat drinks often from the toilet bowl, or seems to prefer it, it's a sign that she wants cleaner, fresher water. Change the water in her dish more frequently, or consider a feline fountain.

31 Looking out the window is like cat TV, especially if your window faces a yard that has birds, squirrels, and other fascinating critters. Make sure your cat has a comfortable place to sit by the window and watch the world go by. Place a tall cat tree by a window that faces a tree. Or you can get a window perch that attaches to your windowsill.

32 Many cats like to be picked up and held, but usually they only like it for a very short time. The instant your cat begins to fuss or struggle, put her down. (Some really can't bear the feeling that they've lost control, and you should respect their wishes.) Always support a cat's hindquarters when you pick her up. A comfortable way to hold her is to rest her against your body with her front paws on your shoulder and your arm under her rump.

33 Cats have evolved to get their energy from protein, not carbohydrates, and can survive without any carbohydrates in their diet. Look for cat foods that have more meat products than grain products to satisfy your cat's unique needs.

34 Cats just love to sit in boxes. Feline behaviorists aren't sure why, but they know it's true. The next time you get something by mail order, put the box on the floor for a few days and let your cat leap in and out. You'll be amazed at how much she'll enjoy a simple cardboard box.

35 Even ordinary cat toys can have the allure of catnip if you store them in the same container where you keep the catnip. Every time you take the toy out, it will be infused with that heavenly scent. When kitty has finished his play session, pick up that special toy and place it back in the catnip jar for next time.

36 The next time you feel like giving your cat a treat, make her work for it. Show it to her, and then slide it under something or toss it across the room so she must do a little work to get it. Cats have been working for their food for thousands of years, and they don't mind at all!

37 Most cats enjoy a little face-to-face conversation-as long as it's not in-your-face. Place yourself at cat's eye level, a few feet from your cat, and just look gently into kitty's face. Say his name and whatever else comes to mind. Go ahead and use your "cat voice," because studies show cats do prefer a softer, higher-pitched voice. Most cats love the direct attention, and will gradually maintain this kind of contact for longer and longer periods.

38 Catnip loses its potency over time. Good catnip, the kind that will drive your cat wild, should smell minty and fresh. To keep kitty's catnip toys fresh, store them in a plastic container and take them out for a special play session two or three times a week. When your cat is finished playing with her catnip toy, put it away for next time. This will also mark the catnip toy as something special, and avoid catnip boredom.

39 Toys may be a lot more enticing when they disappear under something. Lay out an old towel or a piece of newspaper on the floor, and slowly pull one of kitty favorite toys under cover until the toy disappears. Let it pop out again, then sneak back under. It's just like chasing a mouse into the grass!

40 What's the best way to keep cat hair off your couch? Brush your cats regularly -- at least once a week. Brushing has so many other advantages, too: it helps control hairballs, keeps your cat's skin healthy. keeps kitty's coat smooth and free from mats (those little clumps of fur that sometimes form), and gives you both a chance to cuddle and bond.

41 Cats take in as much information by smelling things as we do by reading the newspaper. Give your cat something new to "read" every day by putting something unfamiliar down on the floor for him to smell. It can be as simple as tossing your junk mail on the floor for 15 minutes or setting your grocery bags down for a good cat scan before you put away the shopping.

42 Many cats like a bit of salad to nibble on. Growing a pot of grass for your cat will satisfy this craving, and will help keep kitty away from your houseplants. Many pet supply stores and farmers' markets sell pots of "cat grass," or you can simply grow a pot of backyard grass indoors for your cat. (Make sure you don't use any pesticides or chemical fertilizers on your kitty's salad.)

43 A while ago, we ran an article that suggesting getting a plastic cover for your toilet paper holder if your cat likes to unroll the paper. But several readers had trouble finding the covers. Daily Cat reader Todd says he made one himself. "I use kitty litter that comes in a plastic container, one of those with the handle on the top. I cut off the top and bottom, leaving me with a roughly six-inch-wide piece of plastic. Imagine what a thick rubber band looks like, but it's a rectangle, not a circle. I then cut this in half from top to bottom on each of the two long sides. I now have two roughly equal lengths of plastic, each one resembling a U if you turned them sideways. I took one of them, put double-sided mounting tape on the long edge of one side and taped it to the top of my ceramic toilet paper holder. I now have a plastic cover that fully covers the toilet paper, is flexible so I can easily get the paper out and, in all honesty, doesn't look all that bad."

44 Why not get your cat some new ceramic or stainless steel bowls? Plastic food and water dishes harbor bacteria, even after they have been washed. In addition, some cats develop allergies to plastic and can end up with pimples on their chin. Be sure to wash your cat's dishes every day.

45 If you live an apartment building, consider letting your cat play in the hallway now and then. She may find the change of scene and scent very intriguing. This must be supervised time, of course. Choose a time when there aren't a lot of people coming and going, and make sure all the doors to the stairwell, garbage room, etc., are closed. Now prop open the door to your apartment so your cat can get back to the "safe" territory of your home whenever she wants to. Let her explore on her own as you stand there and encourage her. Maybe even toss a few treats just outside the door. You can simply let her explore while you watch, or you can toss toys down the hall for her to retrieve.

46 When you're making the bed, fluff up the bedspread a few times so your cat can get underneath and watch it float gently down around him. Making the bed can be a fun game for you both.

47 There is no substitute for talking to your veterinarian. If you suspect a there's a problem, give your vet a call. Cats are very good at hiding their illnesses, so by the time you notice a change, your cat could be really sick. If it's enough to make you worry, it's enough to make you call the vet. Don't be afraid to ask him or her questions.

48 Encourage your cat to play by accepting her play overtures whenever you can. You know from your cat's body language when she wants you to toss a toy or chase her around the house or tickle her with a feather. Take her up on the invitation, and you'll both get more exercise and have a great time together!

49 Time to put up the Christmas tree? Make sure the bottom branches have cat-safe ornaments -- cardboard or plastic -- with no sharp edges and nothing that will break. Cover the water dish you set the tree in, because kitty can get sick if she drinks from it. If your cat likes to climb the tree, keep her away by scattering pine cones around the base -- it's festive, seasonal, and best of all, cats won't walk on them.

50 Keeping your cat's litter box spotlessly clean is the best way to head off out-of-box eliminations. It will also keep your house smelling fresh and keep your cat happy and healthy. Boxes should be scooped at least once a day and emptied and washed periodically. How often that is depends on the litter you use, but a good general rule is that if the box still smells after you have scooped it, it's time to empty, wash, and put in new litter. It's just not fair to expect your cat to use a stinky box.

51 Make sure your cat has a soft, sunny spot for his nap. Most homes get full sunlight in about the same place every day and your puss will notice that. She will be eternally grateful if you make sure there is a couch, upholstered chair, bed, window perch, tall cat tree, or snuggly cat bed in that spot. Sleeping in the sun is a cat's idea of heaven.

52 Is it a struggle to get your cat into her carrier? It should not be so stressful for kitty, or for you. And there may come a time when you have to get her out of the house quickly. It's simple to teach your cat to get into her carrier. Start by leaving it on the floor and open all the time, so it becomes a nice little bed for your cat. Now, toss in a treat and, as your cat goes in after it, pair the action with a word: "inside" or "carrier" perhaps. Praise her and just leave the door open. Toss in a treat once a day, paired with the word. Eventually, you'll be able to say the word first and then toss in the treat. As your cat gets the idea, close the door for very brief periods and then open it again. That wasn't so bad, was it?