Abyssinian or Himalayan? Choosing a cat breed to meet your lifestyle assures a perfect fit.

Cats come in an amazing variety of breeds (The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 39). Here's how to tell a Siberian from a Selkirk Rex.

If you've thought feeding dry food is the antidote to brushing, think again: Only brushing is the solution. When you brush your cat's teeth, use a circular motion over the back and front of the teeth, spending about 30 seconds per side.

Getting a kitten from a shelter would, in many cases, save a life, so even if you find a cat elsewhere, consider going to your local municipal shelter to adopt a second one, so you have two -- two kitties are twice the fun and, for a kitten, the best toy is ... another kitten!

Pay attention to the mucus membranes of your pet's eyes and gums, which should be pale pink. If they're very light in color, it could be an early sign of a heart or other circulation problem.

When cats play with each other they play bite -- but our hands are a lot more sensitive than a cat's paw. Get a large sock and fill it with crumpled paper and catnip to distract your cat and encourage him to play with that instead of you.

To prevent destructive behavior, make your furniture unattractive by using cat repellent and double-sided tape and provide a strong scratching post scented with catnip as an attractive alternative.

Although cats are less likely to beg than dogs, once they become aware of the possibility of a tableside snack you might find them pacing round and round at dinnertime, demanding to share. Your best bet: keep the human food on the table during meals.

When dealing with an overly-sedentary cat, toys are great, but the best motivator for a bored, lazy cat might just be to introduce another cat into your household.

Interspecies match-ups can work depending on the personality and age of the animals to be introduced. The AKC's Lisa Peterson offers some tips to consider when introducing a new dog to your cat.

A rubber massaging tool such as Kong's Zoom Groom gently massages your cat while removing loose hairs.

Most cats hate baths and many never need them. The key to successfully bathing cats, or any animal, is to start when they are very young, so they grow up accustomed to the process.

Whenever available, ask your vet for liquid medicine. Better yet, use the flavored liquids from compounding pharmacies and cats will happily lick from the spoon. For hints on pill-giving, click on the link below.

This easy-to-make scratcher will satisfy your cat's destructive urges and can help preserve your drapes and upholstery.

The holidays serve up a host of ways for your cat to get into mischief or even harm's way. Make sure you're prepared with the tips below.

Cats are naturally intrigued by Christmas trees, especially with all those glass bulbs to break. Try leaving the tree up for three full days without decorating it to allow your pet a good amount of time to get acquainted with it. Hopefully by the time you get to decorating it, your pet will be bored by it.

Cats are known for being clean and tidy, but their food can get messy. Martha contains spills by placing her cats' food dishes in a tray. A galvanized one for plants, available from garden centers, does the trick nicely. The system will keep your home neat and make cleanup easy. This works well for your canine friends, too.

Clipping a cat's nails is necessary because nails can curl into your cat's footpad, causing infections or painful abscesses. Trim nails regularly to keep your cat comfortable.

View Even More Photos of Cats

• Cat Toys
• Martha's Cats
• Easter Cats