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Knowing the three basics of the cat world can make life happier for you and your cat: catnip, hairballs and claws.

“The first thing to know is that not all cats react to catnip,” said Dr. John August, a veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. “While some cats may go crazy, others will not respond at all.”

If the cat does not respond, do not worry. Try giving it toys or playing games with it to keep it entertained. Some cats may not want to play at all, and just like to lie around the house.

If your cat does respond to catnip, you can also try other products that have the same effect. When cats rub their head on your leg or a piece of furniture, it produces a facial pheromone that has a calming effect.

Hairballs are another basic cat issue that owners need to know about. Although hairballs are seen more frequently in long-haired breeds, short-haired cats will get them occasionally as well.

Insufficient grooming of the cat is the main cause of hairballs.

If the cat is not brushed, excess hair is digested during grooming time. Once digested, these hairs are churned around in the cat’s stomach into one big ball.

“Also, if cats have itchy skin, they will continuously lick themselves,” August said. “When they lick obsessively, too much hair is digested and a hairball is coughed up.”

August recommends changing the cat’s diet if it repeatedly coughs up hairballs after regular combing.

Ask a veterinarian for the best option and make sure to purchase a hairball formula food, he added. These special formulas contain extra fiber to help move the hairballs through the cat’s body.

Home remedies are also common among pet owners. A variety of lubricants help to ease digestion and passage of hairballs. But again, ask your veterinarian which is the safest and most effective.

As for cat claws, it is not necessary for all cats to be declawed. For example, outside cats should definitely keep their claws for protection.

“When pet owners ask how old the cat should be before undergoing a declawing procedure, I like to tell them the younger the better,” August said. “I recommend between 3 and 4 months old. The recovery for younger cats is a lot shorter than older cats.”

With the proper pain control, recovery should only be about three to five days. If the cat is not back to normal by then, it is a good idea to visit the veterinarian again.

Risks associated with declawing are minimal. Occasionally there is infection or nerve damage, but only in rare cases, August said.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at www.tamu.edu/tamunews/.