If you are not familiar with the term, feral cats are those that live out in the street. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. Read on to find out how to care for him.

Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. This will help you save your cat’s life.

TIP! If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter.

Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.

Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.

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 your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. An inexpensive way to hide electrical cords is to thread them through used paper towel rolls. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.

TIP! Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Cats need play and exercise. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Bored cats can really be a problem. They can have health issues, OCD, and even depression. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.

When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it’s best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Let your kids know where the cat can go. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.

Cats enjoy being in high places. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.

Litter Box

It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.

Brush your cat regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.

TIP! It’s often cheaper to buy medicine for your cat on the Internet instead of through your vet. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though.

After reading this article, you should have a working knowledge on how to care for your cat. You will find that a fun cat is a great addition to your family. You should still be considerate of a cat’s sensitivities when interacting with it. You might even take to one of the feral cats.