If you could save a cat’s life, would you? There are plenty of cats who need a home. The only thing you need to do is bring one home and take good care of it, something the tips below will help you do.

You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. They could be seriously hurt or even killed. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.

TIP! Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health.

If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. If necessary, change this out every few hours.

If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.

Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Flea treatments made for a dog can be fatal to a cat. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.

TIP! Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.

Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.

The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. They can scratch this instead. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.

TIP! Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up.

Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.

Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. It can be painful to pass these crystals and your vet bill will be priced accordingly. Choose a low magnesium food. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.

Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Tell them how to be gentle. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

TIP! You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.

Litter Box

Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.

TIP! Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost.

You should be proud about caring for your cat. Afterall, you have opened your home to a cat that needs your love and care. A bond is formed that will last forever. Properly caring for your cat will ensure that this loving bond remains intact.