Being a cat owner isn’t as easy as it may seem. Many people adopt a cat because they don’t feel they have the time or energy for a dog, but most cats actually require quite a bit of attention and activity to stay happy. Just as with any other family member, if you have a cat in the house, you really need to put in the effort to take care of them.

While cats usually do their own thing and aren’t necessarily as obedient as dogs, they can, in fact, be trained to do certain things and avoid certain behaviors. Adopting a cat is work, but if you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t have to be very hard. Whether you’re looking to bring a furry friend into your life or learn more about how to take care of your cat, these 30 life hacks are sure to help.

Give them a two-syllable name

While giving your cat a name like Princess Rainbow Fluffypants can be awesome, you probably also want to have a nickname that you’ll actually use to call them. Cats tend to only respond to shorter names, so stick to one or two syllables, preferably ending in an “ee” sound. For Princess Rainbow Fluffypants, for example, you could go with “Fluffy.”

Invest in a scratching post

In order to save your furniture from your cat’s claws, make sure you have a solid scratching post. Cats use scratching as a means of keeping their claws shorter, and a scratching post is a good place to redirect them when they start scratching anything they’re not supposed to.

Use green tea or baking soda to reduce litter box odor

Litter boxes can really stink up a room, particularly if you have more than one cat. If the litter you’re using isn’t cutting it, consider adding just a little bit of baking soda to the bottom of the litter pan or some dried green tea leaves to help reduce the smell.

Give your cat a treat after playing with a laser pointer

Laser pointers are popular as cat toys, but cats are natural hunters and can get frustrated and filled with pent-up energy in a game where they never catch their prey. To end a game of chase with the laser, give your cat a treat to give them a sense of accomplishment and a job well done.

Give your cat some climbing space

Contrary to popular belief, most cats need to stay active. A great way to keep your indoor cat active, particularly if you live in a smaller home, is to put up some shelves or towers for them to climb. Cats also appreciate having the higher ground, particularly if they’re the territorial type.

Put a box on your desk when working

Many a cat owner can attest that cats love getting in the way when you’re trying to do some work at your desk. If you find that your cat has a propensity to sit on your book or keyboard or in front of your monitor as you attempt to use it, place an open box on your desk big enough for your cat. If there’s one thing cats love more than sitting on keyboards, it’s sitting in boxes.

The best toys are simple household items

Just as cats tend to love boxes more than the toys that come in them, they love many other simple objects around the house. You can go ahead and buy some great cat toys, but many cats will find great joy in playing with items such as empty toilet paper rolls, crumpled receipts, straws and socks.

Trim your cat’s claws or get them claw covers

Many cat owners seem to not worry about this, but it’s a good idea to lend your cat a hand with claw care. Learn to trim your cat’s claws or, if that’s too much, buy claw covers (they come in multiple colors!) that a vet or groomer can help you learn to put on. Whatever you do, however, don’t declaw your cats. Akin to amputating someone’s fingers at the first knuckle, it’s extremely cruel and illegal in many countries outside the United States.

Touch their paws

Most cats will give you a hard time when it comes to trimming their claws or putting on claw covers. Touch and play with their paws as much as you can when they’re in a relaxed mood or cuddling with you. This will keep them from associating you touching their paws with you trying to trim their claws, so they’ll be less likely to resist once you do try to.

Put food on a plate if your cat eats too fast

If your cat scarfs down food at mealtime, that’s not a good thing. Eating too quickly can cause your cat to throw it all back up. Put their food on a shallow plate so that your cat will take longer to eat. This also has the added benefit of preventing “whisker stress,” which occurs when a cat’s whiskers rub against the sides of their food bowl too much.

Give your cat running water

Cats need hydration, and the best way to get them to drink water isn’t by putting it out in a bowl. This is because cats can’t see still water very well but can hear running water, so your best bet is to buy a pet water fountain.

Keep your cat’s food bowl away from the water

Another way to encourage your cat to drink more water is by making sure that you place their food bowl away from their water bowl. In the wild, cats don’t like to eat their prey near water as it can pollute it. They’re also less likely to drink water if there’s a delicious snack right next to it.

Try to vary feeding times

This is particularly relevant to morning feedings. If you feed your cats at the same time every day, they will learn to expect food at that exact time and make sure to let you know. In fact, if you feed your cat after waking up every day, many will try to train you by waking you up earlier and earlier every morning. Make it so that your cats are fed when you’re ready to feed them to prevent them hassling you beforehand.

Try to stick to wet food as much as possible

In order to keep your cat as healthy as possible, try to stick to wet food. Cats who eat only dry food are more likely to have health complications such as diabetes and dehydration. These foods also tend to contain high levels of carbohydrates, which aren’t good for cats. At the very least, try to give your cat both — with the dry food ideally being grain-free — in order to make sure they’re getting the best nutrition possible.

Keep dry food in a plastic jug or cereal container

If you do feed your cat any dry food, keep it in a cereal container or a plastic jug with a lid. Not only will this make it easier to pour out into your cat’s food bowl, but it’ll also keep the dry food from going stale.