Cats are very curious. As independent as your cat may seem, he or she probably enjoys your company. Their odd behaviors might be confusing, but their loving natures are a lot of fun to have around. The following advice will help you care for your pet.

Keep your drape cords away from your cats. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This may harm or kill them. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.

TIP! If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens.

If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters have great pets available for adoption, and the fee isn’t that high. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.

If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.

Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.

TIP! If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged.

Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. If you own electronic devices with thin cords, you should keep them out of your cat’s reach when you’re not using them.

Scratching Post

Cats can really scratch up your home. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.

TIP! Keep your cat from having a shocking experience by spraying electrical cords with bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.

Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Give your cat foods that are low in magnesium. Read the label. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.

You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.

TIP! A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident.

Don’t let your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. It could be injured via a vehicle or another animal. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.

Cats like to be up high. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.

Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Place the open carrier in an area that your cat visits often and outfit it with a favorite toy and blanket. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.

TIP! Cats are generally nocturnal. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night.

A battered appearance isn’t a good reason to discard a beloved cat condo or scratching post. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.

Feed canned food to your cat. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. For older feline’s, it’s also quite a lot easier to chew. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.

If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.

TIP! Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl.

Give your cat a collar that features your contact information. You may have an indoor pet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever get out. If this occurs, you must be sure that your animal can find its way home.

Cats aren’t easy to understand, but they sure are loving. Let the suggestions in this article help you to make their lives more comfortable. Cats are great for everyone, and if cared for correctly, a cat will be a happy, loyal companion.