A cat owner is a special person. Not everyone can live with an animal that can be as finicky and contrary as a cat can be. But if you own a cat, you know that there are plenty of rewards, too. Here are some cat tips that will make life with your cat smoother. Don't let your cat near drape cords. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This may harm or kill them. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat's reach. Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them. If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is old enough. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. Spray your cat so that this does not occur. Check your cat for ticks and fleas every week. If your cat does have fleas, there is a good chance that you also have fleas in your home. You might need some flea bombs or premise-control sprays, along with treating the cat, to get rid of the issue. If you don't know what products to use for controlling ticks and fleas, talk to your vet for some safe options. Make your own enclosed litter box from a large tote box with a lid. Use a coffee can lid as a pattern to cut a door in one side of the tote. Place the coffee can lid fairly high up on the side of the tote. Trace around it with a permanent marker. Cut out the circle with tin snips or a box cutter. Add litter. Put on the lid. Wash your cat's bed at least once a week to remove all of the bacteria from it. Even if the bed looks like it is clean, it will usually have toxins in it that can cause your pet to become sick. Replace the bed every six months to keep your cat in a sanitary environment. Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Read the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less. Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she's out of the house it can save her. Give cat box liners a try. These may not work for everyone, but they can be helpful if they work for you. Line the litter box with one of these liners, and then put cat litter in as usual. If it works correctly, you should be able to gather the liner and dispose of the litter. Unfortunately, sometimes cats just scratch the liner to pieces as they are doing their business. There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise. If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. You must be willing to spend more time cleaning your home. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats. If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat's breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control. Buy a pet drinking fountain to prevent dehydration. Cats are attracted to running water, so a pet drinking fountain may help to encourage your cat to drink more. Proper hydration can cure and prevent a large number of feline health problems. Therefore, a pet drinking fountain could improve the health of your cat and reduce vet bills. Laser Pointer A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills. Having a cat is not easy for everyone. But when you have a cat, you realize how special they are. The tips here can help you to take care of your cat and to make things run smoothly. Give each of them a try, and see how successful they are for both you and your cat.