If you own a cat, or want one, you know how special they are. Cats are enjoyed as pets by millions, but they need to be taken care of properly. If these organisms are on your cat, they are at risk of infection. You can learn how to keep your cat safe from them in this article.

Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.

TIP! A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes.

If your cat is female, then ensure you spay her as soon as you can. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Towel Rolls

Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If your cat plays with cords, put them up and out of the way, or you can hide them in old paper towel rolls. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.

TIP! If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season.

Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.

Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. After you have lived with your cat for a while, you will come to know what she wants by her meow. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. Watch their cues to learn more about them.

Litter Box

TIP! Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible.

Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.

It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. Play is necessary for all mammals no matter the age or species. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Therefore, be sure you set some time for playing with your cat.

Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. If this happens, you are advised to take your cat to the vet.

TIP! Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. This means that they’re going to be running around more when it gets dark.

If your cat is refusing to use his litter box, you should try putting it in a different location. Cats feel vulnerable when relieving themselves, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. Pine-Sol and Lysol contain this ingredient. 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.

Don’t ever declaw cats that go outdoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.

TIP! Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible.

You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.

Cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell which makes it difficult to change anything in their environment without their knowing about it. This may cause a problem if you give them a new bed, scratching post or food dish. Do not be concerned if your cat does not accept these new items immediately. You cat will adjust as the smells of the new items as they become a regular part of his daily routine.

If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. To ensure they’ll stay happy while you’re out of the house, you should consider getting a second cat.

TIP! Sometimes children get too excited when playing with a new cat and may mishandle them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care.

Do not give your cat too much food, as this can result in digestive problems. The extra weight can directly cause health problems now and in the future. Feed your cat only as much as the packaging suggests.

The best way to protect your cat is to ensure that it is properly cared for at all times. Such pests can linger if untreated. Use some of the solid ideas in the article above to make sure your pet cat stays healthy. You cat will thank you when you do.