Cats are fascinating animals and make great pets. Cats are very independent animals, but they still need you to take good care of them. The tips below will ensure your cat is as happy as it can be.

If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these. The cords may be looped and a cat may get them wound around their neck. This may harm or kill them. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.

Groom your cat. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It will also cut down on shedding and hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.

Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. You can hide away any cords inside the rolls that come inside paper towels. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.

You may get much better prices on medications online. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.

Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This can result in you having to clean up food outside its bowl if you don’t use a tablecloth. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

Be sure to carrier train your cat. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.

Your cat deserves a high quality food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Don’t give your cat foods that have corn or other elements that have no protein. Your cat is a carnivore, and for proper nutrition, he should have a food high in animal protein in order to keep him at his best.

If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.

Is your cat shedding like a madman? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. The more hair you see on the ground, the more you should pull out the brush. Brushing will also keep their coat in good shape.

Pay attention if you cat does not use the litter box. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. Call the vet if your cat refuses to use the litter box.

Put a collar your cat with your contact information on it. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, there is that small chance he or she might get out one day. They have to be able to get home again.

If your cat’s been declawed, you should never let them outside. Your cat may be seriously injured or killed because they are not prepared to defend themselves against another animal who may attack them. Only declaw your cat if you are serious about keeping them indoors. Even with that, only their front claws should be removed. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.

Overfeeding a cat is a bad idea. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Keep your cat eating healthy and consistent at all times.

You can deter cat scratching with something as simple as tape. Whenever your cat scratches any upholstery, sticky tape is a great way to dissuade them from doing it again. Check a pet store for this kind of tape. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.

Cats are independent and intelligent house pets. However, you must know how to properly care for them. This article has provided you with a great base of information. Then, your cat can really enjoy a full and fun life.