Cats can make totally delightful pets, if you know the proper care techniques. If you own a cat, you need to educate yourself about tips and information to make sure your cat lives happily. You’ll pick up more than a few great tips on caring for a cat in the article below.

Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these. The cords may be looped and a cat may get them wound around their neck. This could hurt or kill them. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.

TIP! Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat.

You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.

If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.

Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.

TIP! Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in.

Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.

Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.

TIP! If you want to let your cat outside, think again. Cats come to harm outside every day.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.

Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. This is essential, even for indoor pets. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. This is especially true for cats with medical conditions.

Litter Box

If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. Basements, laundry rooms and other quiet spots are best.

Many foods that are fine for humans are not good to give to your cat. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Refrain from feeding your cat dairy products as well.

TIP! Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky.

Pet cats should not be allowed to spend time outdoors or away from its home for long periods of time. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. That’s because they are not exposed to harmful diseases that run amok, and they aren’t as prone to dangerous wildlife.

If your cat’s been declawed, you should never let them outside. Your cat may be seriously injured or killed because they are not prepared to defend themselves against another animal who may attack them. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.

You cannot keep a cat as a pet if you are not prepared to properly care for it. If you’d like to do more for your pet, read this article with care and take advantage of the suggestions it provides. With the proper care and love, your cat will live a long, healthy life.