There isn’t any animal that compares to a cat and they are great pets for several reasons. Cats offer lots of entertainment, while also ridding the home of rodents. Having a cat can help you make sure rodents don’t enter your home.

Drape Cords

TIP! Don’t let your cat near drape cords. These are not great play toys for cats.

Keep drape cords away from cats. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. It is highly recommended that you keep all drape cords pinned in such a way that the cat can’t see them so as to prevent any accidents.

Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

Get a microchip for your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.

TIP! If you want to have the love of a cat, get one from a shelter. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.

When you get a kitten for kids, you have to set up a few rules first. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. This could be harmful and unsafe. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

TIP! Make sure your cat is always groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat.

Cats enjoy heights. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.

Litter Box

Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. A UTI or kidney infection may be the reason for its bathroom problems. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.

TIP! Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. Understand that a female cat will require three or four hours in order to give birth to every kitten. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. Pine-Sol and Lysol contain this ingredient. Cats hate the smell of phenol, and for good reason. Long term exposure to it can cause cats to have live issues.

Cats have shockingly sharp noses, which means they can spot changes in their home with ease. This can be troublesome sometimes if you’re trying to feed the cat new food or give it new toys. Your cat may not initially appreciate a new pet. Once your cat becomes accustomed to this smell, he or she will begin to like it.

TIP! Cats are nocturnal animals. They get very active at night.

There are some options for a cat with hairballs. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.

Don’t feed your cat too much since this may cause them to acquire health issues later on. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Be careful to feed your cat the proper portion amount, and also make sure that his food is packed with vital vitamins and nutrients.

Think about keeping your cat entirely indoors. Studies show that outdoor cats don’t live as long, and going outside exposes your cat to diseases and injury. You may even find that their diseases can affect your family members. Make sure that any indoor cat has a location to sit in sunlight.

TIP! While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet.

Your cat should always wear a collar with tags. Cats are smart and will try to get out whenever they get the chance. If there is a tagged collar on your cat, it’s more likely she’ll be returned to you if she gets lost.

A cat may not be just like a dog, but they are a great addition to a family. A cat is an excellent hunter and almost always makes the kill, sometimes much easier than the dog. With these benefits, you can have a truly great companion.