Would you save the life of an animal if you could? Millions of cats are out there and need a home. When you plan to adopt one, read this article to learn how to care for it.

Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.

TIP! Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.

Electrical Cords

You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.

TIP! Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Wrap the tile inside an unneeded towel and place it under your kitty’s favorite resting spot.

It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.

Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. This means that they will be the most active at night time. If your cats keep you up late at night, you should close the bedroom door. This will prevent them from entering your sleeping space and awakening you.

Make sure your cat gets lots of love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.

TIP! If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. An easy solution to this problem is a placemat underneath the food dish, or a piece of fabric you can easily wash.

Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.

Your cat should like their carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. They are much better with encouragement. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.

TIP! Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs.

You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. This is a more natural way for them to drink.

Let your cat give birth in a large space. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.

Put a collar around your cats neck that contains your name, address, and number. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. It is important that you provide a way that they can get back home if that should happen.

TIP! Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them.

Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. Refrain from serving onions or garlic, as these foods are too strong for your cat. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.

Being a good cat owner is something to take pride in. You’ve given it a safe home in which it is loved. You will develop a strong bond with your cat that will last a lifetime. Properly caring for your cat will ensure that this loving bond remains intact.