Being a responsible cat owner demands a certain level of care and attention. It is important to take good care of your cat, including grooming, feeding her properly and of course giving her plenty of attention. You need to ensure that your cat stays clean and looks good. Consider this article when it is time to groom your feline friend.

Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

TIP! Make sure you don’t allow your cat to be around drape cords. 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.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.

Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.

TIP! Your cat needs to be groomed properly. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently.

It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.

Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. Because of this, night time is when they are most active. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.

Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.

Litter Box

Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!

Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Even older cats love a little play, just not as rough. Enjoy some playtime with your cat.

TIP! A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found.

Is cat hair getting into everything you own? Cats shed a lot, so it is important to brush them often. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.

The location of a litter box is very important. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. If the littler box is on cold, hard floor, try placing a rug beneath it.

If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. This could be a side effect of a health problem. Issues like a kidney infection are often behind such behaviors. When your cat stops using the litter box regularly, a call to the vet is definitely in order.

TIP! Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If that doesn’t work, cover those cords up however you can.

Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat. Not only is the smell offensive to cats, but exposing them to this chemical for prolonged periods of time can lead to problems with their liver.

Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. That’s because they are not exposed to harmful diseases that run amok, and they aren’t as prone to dangerous wildlife.

Keep your eyes open for any signs of panting in your cat. For dogs, panting is completely normal. Cats often pant when they are anxious or overheated, but this may also signal a more serious issue. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.

TIP! A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident.

Your cat will look and feel its best with the proper care. The ability to make your cat look and feel healthy and happy lies with you. Anything you help your cat with in terms of grooming is going to be appreciated. You should apply the tips you just read to keep your cat happy and healthy.