The joys of owning a cat are endless. It must be remembered that owning cats requires plenty of work. As the owner of a cat, you have many very important obligations to your pet. This article highlights some of the jobs that you will have. Keep reading and learn a little something about caring for your cat.

Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

TIP! You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease.

Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.

Microchips are an increasingly popular form of pet protection. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.

Litter Box

TIP! Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. Long hair encourages hairballs.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. This will keep both you and your cat happy.

Give your cat lots of attention and love. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.

Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.

TIP! Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet.

When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.

Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.

Cats enjoy heights. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.

TIP! Cat medications can be bought affordable online. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though.

Your cat should like their carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.

The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it’s worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. A cat is a serious responsibility as well, though, and you should do your best to take care of its needs. If you’re ready to take the plunge and adopt a feline companion, keep this article’s information handy!