Feral cats are those without a home. There are many abandoned cats like these, and they can be a huge problem. Dealing with this issue costs businesses a lot of money due to lost customers.

Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Hide the cords for safety sake.

TIP! Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores.

If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.

Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.

It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. The majority of veterinarians possess scanners that can read your chips. Because these chips are placed underneath your cat’s skin, they won’t get lost.

TIP! The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower.

Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.

Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. Long hair encourages hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.

Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Be sure to read the ingredient label. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.

TIP! Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down.

Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. A cat’s bones can be quite fragile and they need to be treated gently.

If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Make sure your children know where in the house the cat is permitted to be. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. This will ensure nothing bad happens.

You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. This isn’t safe for your cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.

TIP! If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in.

Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Even older cats like to play. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.

You should now be able to step outside of your residence and defend against stray cats invading your yard. Cats can harm other pets, damage gardens and summon other cats. It takes a certain level of basic preparation and know-how to handle a cat properly. You may even discover a stray cat that makes you smile!