When cats are awake, they need to be kept busy. If cats get left alone they will climb on everything and scratch things up. This can be prevented by offering cat toys. You can find more suggestions on dealing with cats below.

Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.

TIP! Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits.

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. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. 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). Store electronics when they are not in use rather than leaving them plugged in.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This can result in you having to clean up food outside its bowl if you don’t use a tablecloth. Simply place a cloth placemat that will grab at the food under their plate and then shaken out over the trash. You can put a vinyl one underneath that can be picked up wiped down easily if you prefer.

TIP! Your cat needs to be groomed properly. Cats require frequent brushing or combing.

Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. By listening to your cat, it will be easier to know what they want.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.

Regularly brush your cat’s hair. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.

TIP! Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease.

Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Cats love them! Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.

Identification Tags

Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This is even true for indoor cats. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. Your cat’s identification tags should provide your contact info and that of your veterinarian. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.

TIP! You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes.

When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. A potentially serious illness may be able to be treated by inexpensive antibiotics.

Litter Box

Think about where you want to put the litter box. 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. It is important to locate the litter box where your cat can easily get to it. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. Keeping litter boxes on cement floors that are cold can be remedied by placing a rug or mat under it.

TIP! Give your kitty lots of love. They want the same level of companionship that they give to you as their owner.

Cats are very energetic and you can help them expend that energy by giving them toys. Keep cats amused and entertained. Use the recommendations of this article to give your cat toys and prevent damage to your favorite items.