Cats are wondrous creatures and are fantastic pets. Cats are so independent, which works out great for you if you’re not home all the time. If you have a cat or are considering getting one, take a look at the handy advice below so that you can be a better owner and give your pet the quality care it deserves.

Drape Cords

TIP! Make sure you don’t allow your cat to be around drape cords. Do not allow your cat to play with these.

Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.

It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Cats are known to have severe negative reactions when exposed to products designed for dogs. This is especially true of flea products. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. Keep your cat away from your puppy after treating it with some flea products.

If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.

TIP! Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee.

Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. Close your bedroom door if your cat is driving you nuts at night. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.

Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Read the labels. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.

TIP! Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they have to wear a collar then there may be a risk because your cat could end up getting stuck.

Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.

Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They aren’t mature enough in order to handle the potential dangers of a kitten. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.

Litter Box

TIP! A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

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. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.

While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.

There are so many reasons why people love to keep cats as pets. As a responsible cat owner, however, you must educate yourself on the proper way to care for your kitty. Read this article again and again until you have these tips memorized. This way, you and kitty will enjoy a very special bond.