Feral cats are felines that wander the street. When you give one a home, you change it’s life forever. Dealing with the problem of feral cats can cost a great deal of money.

Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.

TIP! You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need.

When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.

Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.

Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.

TIP! Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous.

A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. This can lead to a big clean-up. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.

Try and figure out why kitty is meowing. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Pay attention to her cues, and you can understand your cat that much more.

Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs love to eat cat food! This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Litter Box

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. They respond better to encouragement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.

TIP! Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. These are very painful and expensive to treat.

Feed your pet canned food. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Speak with a vet, but know that wet food is normally much better for your pet.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. Your cats will grow used to the presence of the other animal and will eventually get along.

A cat’s life isn’t complete without play. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. An aging cat may not have as much energy as a kitten, however it will still enjoy a little light playtime. Make sure you and your cat are thoroughly enjoying each other.

TIP! Why is your cat meowing? After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside.

Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Even if you own an indoor cat, it’s possible he or she might escape. If this occurs, you should ensure you do all you can to get your cat back.

Certain foods may be fine for you to eat daily, but not for your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Your cat can get sick after eating these foods. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.

You can now work against those stray cats and defend your residence. Cats can make great companions. Obviously, cats are living beings and you should always be considerate to the extent that is safe for you. You may even bond with a stray cat that comes your way.