If you are not familiar with the term, feral cats are those that live out in the street. There are many abandoned cats like these, and they can be a huge problem. You can learn how to deal with these cats before they cost you money.

Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.

TIP! If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled.

Keep your cat properly groomed. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.

Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.

Keep your cat amused. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Sadly, many cat owners do not understand the importance of this. Boredom can beget illness. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.

TIP! If you own a female cat, you should have her spayed when she is old enough. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season.

Cats will be up during the night more often than not. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. This way, they can’t disturb you while you sleep.

Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. 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.

Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.

TIP! Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords.

You should create a tablecloth for the cats in your home. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This can lead to a big clean-up. The best thing for you to do is to have a place mat underneath the cat’s bowl.

Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. That’s why you should place your cat’s food in a place which is hard for your dog to reach. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.

If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.

TIP! Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. This means that they will usually be quite active at night.

Defend yourself against cats that are intruding. Cats can get unruly and ruin many things we love. Of course, cats are still sensitive animals and should be handled with care! When you discover the perfect cat to join your family, you had best be ready for it!