A cat can be hard to please. They are beautiful but mysterious creatures. But even if you don’t know how to make your cat happy, you can take excellent care of them if you know what you’re doing. You want your pet to have the best care possible and for them to be happy.

Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could even choke them to death. Hide the cords for safety sake.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them.

Groom your cat. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. Keeping your cat nicely groomed will keep him and your home looking their best.

If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. You can do this simply with a terra cotta tile measuring a square foot. Heated in your oven around 200 degrees, it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. You can even switch it out every few hours.

Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Cats can have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog. When it comes to flea products this is particularly true. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. After your dog receives a flea treatment, keep your cat away for at least a few hours.

TIP! Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place.

You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. The majority of veterinarians possess scanners that can read your chips. Because these chips are placed underneath your cat’s skin, they won’t get lost.

Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.

Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

TIP! You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees.

Try not to let your cat go outside. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.

You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. You can often get great advice from friends and family. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Cats do not need to be taught how they should use the cat litter box. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.

Litter Box

You should never punish your cat for not using the litter box. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Cat usually respond well to streams. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.

TIP! Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours.

It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. Even an indoor pet should have this. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. This is very important if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical needs.

Anytime you get a new pet, you must introduce them to your cat slowly to help to avoid problems and let the cat get used to it. Keep them separated for at least two weeks, but let them sniff at each other under a closed door. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.

These tips will help you look after your cat and keep her happy. Apply this advice to properly care for your cat. If you do, you might see a positive change in your cat’s behavior. This is only a remote possibility though!