Smart, graceful, and stealthy are all things cats are. That’s what you get when you own a cat. However, it is not always easy, so keep reading. The following article will give you some helpful advice, to assist you in getting to know your cat better. Don’t turn away!

Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This could cause injury or death. It is highly recommended that you keep all drape cords pinned in such a way that the cat can’t see them so as to prevent any accidents.

TIP! Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck.

Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.

A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Replace it every three hours or so.

Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.

Contact Information

It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.

Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Hairballs are very common for long-haired cats. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.

TIP! If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged.

If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.

Think hard before allowing your cat outside. Your cat might not be safe outside. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.

Cats love to be high up. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If you don’t want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.

TIP! Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can.

Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.

Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.

You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Beef, fish or chicken, all great protein sources, should head the list of main ingredients. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.

TIP! Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings.

If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.

Your cat needs good play time. No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.

Haired Cats

TIP! Make sure that you never neglect your cat. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same.

Long haired cats take extra grooming time, so think about that before choosing one. While long haired cats are soft and look great, understand that there will be a lot more fur around the rest of the house. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.

When your cat is close to giving birth, provide a spacious area for her. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. Should the time run to six hours, and you think more kittens are due, get the cat to the vet immedietely

Now that you have read this article, you should have a few ideas you can start using in your home. You can really become a better pet owner. By properly caring for your cat, you will enjoy a happier and healthier cat that you can thoroughly enjoy for many years. Use these tips to see for yourself.