Cats are a lot of fun to have around, but they are often quite finicky! Whether your cat needs a special diet or hates to be groomed, you’ll encounter a number of issues while caring for your pet. In the paragraphs below, you’ll find suggestions on how to provide your pet with all it needs.

Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Many shelters are overcrowded with lovable and adoptable cats. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

TIP! Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them.

Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.

A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.

Flea Products

TIP! If you want to have the love of a cat, get one from a shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home.

Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. This happens a lot with flea products. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.

Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.

Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.

TIP! Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog.

Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.

Give your kitty lots of love. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. Like most folks, cats have the need to socialize to feel like part of the family. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.

Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Choose a low magnesium food. Be sure that you read the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

TIP! If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found.

Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.

If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.

Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Cats come to harm outside every day. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.

TIP! A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post.

While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. Use the information in this article to become a great cat owner so you can enjoy the experience fully. Do more research on the different things you can do to keep your cat happy and healthy.