When cats aren’t sleeping, they have to do something to pass the time. If left alone, cats can scratch up all your furniture. This can be prevented by offering cat toys. Learn about those and additional cat tips from the article below.

Any drape cords should be hidden so the cat cannot grab hold of them. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This may harm or kill them. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.

TIP! Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck.

Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.

Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.

You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.

TIP! Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are.

Cats enjoy climbing on things. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

You should brush your cat very regularly. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Your cat should like their carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.

Litter Box

Really consider where you place the litter box. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. Keeping litter boxes on cement floors that are cold can be remedied by placing a rug or mat under it.

TIP! Do not isolate the litter box in a distant place. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used.

If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.

One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats move their tails too, but it’s not for the same reason. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If your cat starts wagging its tail while you hold it, you might want to set it down to avoid getting scratched and swatted.

Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. Common foods that are poisonous to cats include: garlic, grapes, onions and tomatoes. These items can make your cat very ill. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.

TIP! Cats appreciate all the affection you can give. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways.

Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. This may cause issues if they have a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. You should give your cat time to adjust to new items in his world. Eventually the cat will get used to the smell and things will go back to normal.

Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. 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.

Dry food is a good choice for your cat. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. Hard, dry food is best for grown-up cats because it helps keep their teeth healthy and strong. Dry food and wet food can also be mixed together for a really finicky cat.

TIP! Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey.

Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. It can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health related problems. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.

Use sticky tape on your furniture. Cats naturally like to claw things and often your furniture is what they use. The tape will help prevent this. You can find this specific material at your local pet store. If you provide a scratching post along with tape-trapping your furniture, you’ll soon have your cat scratching only where you want it to.

Cats generally are pretty energetic, and you have to know how to get on their level to care for them. Stop your cats from destroying your furnishings and other items. You should take cue from this article and do not let your cat destroy your property.