In case you are unfamiliar with the word, feral cats are the population of cats that live wondering along the street. By learning how to properly care for a cat, you can ensure that they remain healthy. You can learn how to deal with these cats before they cost you money.

Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.

TIP! Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can.

Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. Sooner or later, they’ll love to use it.

Cats are nocturnal animals. This means that they’re going to be running around more when it gets dark. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.

TIP! It’s important that you don’t forget your cat and allow them to become bored too easily. It is necessary for them to play and get exercise.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.

Use care if you have kids and a cat. This is especially true if your child is less than five years old. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.

Cats love to be high up. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

TIP! Cats are generally nocturnal. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night.

Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. You should place a toy or a blanket inside the carrier and place it in an area where it will be noticed by your cat. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. This makes transporting much easier.

Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. When it is in this condition, cats tend to like it the most. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

Litter Box

Think carefully about where you put the litter box for your cat. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. Cats tend to be finicky so you need to give them an environment that isn’t off-putting or inconvenient. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.

If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, take note. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. A bladder infection is often at the root of the problem. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.

TIP! If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care.

Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Even house cats run the risk of getting loose. When your cat gets outside unexpectedly, it’s your responsibility to enable others to help your cat find their way home again.

After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of your cat’s needs. You will find that a fun cat is a great addition to your family. Cats need to be loved and treated with care. You might even surprise yourself and decide to take a member of the feral litter home with you!