Anyone who has ever spent an extended period of time with a cat knows they are notorious for finding the one single thing in the house that they should not touch, play with, or eat.

If you have wicker furniture there is not much advice to offer. Chances are, your cat's claws will tear them apart in no time. The best chance you have is to get your cat used to a scratch post for those times where they have the sudden urge to dig their claws into something that will give a bit.

Wild cats have to hunt for their food, which is both mentally and physically stimulating. There are a couple of ways you can make feeding time more challenging for your cat. My favorite way is to hide either healthy treats or spoonfuls of their dried food in various locations around a room. I remember where I have hidden the food so that I can check afterwards and make sure that they found it all. Once the food is hidden I let my cat in the room, and since we do this every morning, he instinctively runs in and begins to 'hunt'.

A big difference between cat trees and condos is that condos are not very stable if you have a cat that likes to jump; most do not have a base that extends beyond the edge of the condo. Trees are designed to remain upright while the cat climbs and jumps. If you are thinking of buying a cat tree, verify it is going to stay up by trying to tip it. If it tips easily, it is not safe for your cat.

Sure, you can go out and buy countless toys of every size, style, and even flavor, and they can be thrown helter skelter anywhere and everywhere, but if by chance you inadvertently dropped a stray rubber band behind your desk in the corner of your home office, have no doubt that your cat will find it. And sometimes, he or she will eat it.

Kittypod has several cute options, including the Prrounge and the Couchette, which are made of recycled cardboard materials. I also use Kittypod as an impromptu footrest and drink holder, and the cute kitty-tunnel design doesn't take away from the rest of the living room.

As for litter trays, follow the '1 each, plus 1' rule. Scratching is a way of cats marking their territory, using scent glands on their paws, so they should not be expected to share the same scratching post. Since scratching is a way of marking their territory make sure that the scratching post is not tucked away in a corner somewhere as they may not use it. Cats like to stretch when they scratch so make sure the scratching post is nice and tall. They also like something that offers some resistance when they scratch so your post should be nice and sturdy. You can also rub cat nip on it to peak their interest.

Based on my personal experience, do not keep any yarn, string, loose wires, ribbon, twine, or thin chains out. Once a cat starts chewing on one, they are not eager to stop.

I also like to buy interactive treat and food dispensers. Your cat has to problem-solve in order to access their meal. My favorite one is SlimCat by PetSafe, which is a ball with holes that you fill with dried food. As they nudge it with their paws and nose the food falls out. It slows down their eating and provides them with both entertainment and exercise.

Not only does regular grooming keep your cat's coat healthy, prevent matting and reduce the amount of hair that ends up either all over your house or as a fur-ball, it provides a chance for you and your cat to have some one-on-one bonding time. Many cats enjoy being groomed, especially if it is done from a young age, and they enjoy the attention and pampering that comes with a brushing session. If you and your cat have a close bond don't be surprised if they try and groom you back!

Use animal-safe insect repelant. Commercial roach and ant poison will kill cats if ingested.

Leaving office supplies and other small items around can lead to disastrous consequences. Put all rubber bands, paper clips, thumb tacks, balloons, tinsel, and other small articles away in containers.