When cats aren’t napping, they need to be kept occupied. If not, they may find entertainment in tearing up your home. Having cat toys around can help prevent this. Read on to find many more great tips.

Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. Pin back drape cords to avoid this type of issue.

TIP! Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care.

Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. Flea products can be especially harmful. These products can be fatal for your cat. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.

You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. If your cat plays with cords, put them up and out of the way, or you can hide them in old paper towel rolls. You can hide away any cords inside the rolls that come inside paper towels. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.

Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. Encourage your cat to scratch where you want them to. This approach takes time, but it usually works.

TIP! Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Your name and the best way to contact you can be encoded on the chip, which is tiny. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.

Give your cat plenty of love and affection. They want the same level of companionship that they give to you as their owner. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. Make them feel at home.

Cat Owners

TIP! Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. Also, it helps manage loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.

Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. It may not look as nice, but cats love a scratching post with some wear and tear. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.

TIP! Get a microchip for your cat. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window.

You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

Keep your cat from being destructive within the home by providing forms of distraction. Keeping cats busy can keep them from tearing up your house. Use the advice in this article to help pick out toys for your cat so that they don’t become bored and bother your own personal items.