Feral cats are felines that wander the street. If you are going to be a cat owner, you must learn how to take care of your cat. This problem can cost your business thousands and cause you to lose customers.

You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Pin back drape cords to avoid this type of issue.

TIP! Groom your cat. They need to be brushed every day.

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Electrical Cords

Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

TIP! Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Look over the label. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.

While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.

When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. This will ensure nothing bad happens.

TIP! Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots.

Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.

Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. You can locate forums about cats online if you search for them. On these forums you can ask for advice, or you can just speak with a vet.

You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.

TIP! If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost.

Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.

If you desire a long-haired cat, it’s best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.

Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Kids need shots, and so do cats. Your cat is part of your family, and you should treat him as you would any other well-loved member of your household.

TIP! Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home.

You should now know more about having a pet cat. This article’s advice will point you in the right direction, so use it well. Keep in mind that all cats are very sensitive and require a lot of care. Maybe you’ll find one you fall in love with.