What to Do When Your Cat Bites?

There are definitely a whole lot of people all over the world who have an eternal attraction for cats. After all, these are just some of the most delightful four legged creatures you may ever have as an unofficial member of your home. But, there will a few times where you in fact fondle or stroke your cat's fur or neck, and they may end up biting you instead. Why does a pet cat do that? However, with a little help from research, you will get to see that there are numerous factors why this occurs and what you need to do, of which 4 will be discussed below:

- A whole lot of animal pros have come up with a theory that petting is something that cats are not actually accustomed to. This makes them drastically different from the more social dog. Of course, that may be changed simply by educating your pet kittens to interact with individuals at a very early age. Granted you spend enough time being in contact with your kitten, it'll soon learn to depend on you more and show more love to your petting. Naturally, this is just one possible reason.

- Another possibility is that some cats are more receptive than others, and petting them has led you beyond their threshold. Naturally, initial human contact may seem satisfying to them, but overdoing it can cause them to become disturbed. Biting you is their manner of saying that they have had enough petting for the moment. In such cases, best leave them for the time being. Give them their personal space.

- You might not know this, but every now and then when you pet your pet, they become irritated because of the static electricity caused by caressing their fur coats way too much. This could cause hurting to their nervous system. You may also wind up stroking a pretty responsive area on their bodies which may ultimately trigger some sort of aggression in them. Always be cautious when you stroke your cat, as they're pretty delicate creatures.

- There's also the reason that, once your pet cat has woken up from quite a nice nap, your manner of caring and being affectionate may lead them to believe that you're in fact confining them. This would then cause them to bite out of instinct and run before you actually get a hold of them. at times cats would like to be in full control and not have any human being interfere with that. They would wish to be petted at times, and left alone in others. It's significantly necessary that you avoid being all touchy-feely with your cat always, and give them some of their own personal time.

Cat Health Problems - Some Common Ones

If you have only recently added a cat to your family, it may come as news to you that some cat health problems are quite common. Regardless of breed, even if you own a moggie, you can expect health issues from time to time. In thoroughbred cats, some ailments can be inherited while all the common cat health problems can be prevented.

Hairballs: Hairballs are extremely common, particularly in long haired cats because when they groom themselves, they swallow loose hair and this compacts into a hard ball in their digestive system. If it is very large, the cat won't be able to pass the hairball and the only alternative is to cough it up. There are a few things you, as the owner, can do to help with this. Firstly, you can give your cat kitty malt regularly; most cats love it so it shouldn't be a problem to give just about an inch on your finger for the cat to lick off. Alternatively, there are treats which can be given which are designed to prevent hairballs and you can groom your cat too. However, if your cat seems to have constipation and coughs rather a lot then see your vet who will probably dose him with liquid paraffin. Usually, this will do the trick but if not, your cat may need an operation to remove the blockage.

Worms: Worms are particularly common in cats which spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly if they hunt and catch rats, mice, voles and birds. There are various types of worms but in general, they will appear as white flecks in your cat's faeces and your cat may become rather thin. See your vet straight away if you suspect that your cat has worms and he will be able to treat them. However, prevention is better than cure and you can give your cat worm medication every three months so the worms won't get the chance to develop.

Urinary tract infection: This frequently occurs in male cats which haven't been spayed although females can contract a urinary tract infection. Symptoms include the cat not being able to pass urine or very strong smelling urine. Again, veterinary treatment is essential; a course of antibiotics is usually enough or one long lasting injection.

To prevent avoidable cat health problems, visit your vet at least once a year to have him give your cat a check up and the necessary vaccinations, worming tablets and so on.

The Controversy of Declawing Your Cat

Declawing your cat is a very controversial subject. This is because most declawing procedures are quite brutal and can cause lasting damage to your cat. A standard declawing procedure actually amputates the cat's first joint on every toe. This causes a lot of pain, and can also cause the cat to lose their natural gait.

Declawing cats is actually illegal in many countries, including England. There is an active campaign in the United States for its ban as well. In Australia they say it is a cruel and unneeded procedure. Obviously there are some strong feelings on the subject.

So, why do people still get their cats declawed? Often, it is simply a case of not knowing. Many people do not understand just how brutal this procedure really is. Also, there are many veterinarians who downplay the procedure, and offer two-for-one deals with declawing and neutering. When people see the procedure offered so nonchalantly, they assume it must be completely safe.

Another reason why people still get the procedure done is because it can be nearly impossible to train some cats not to scratch people and furniture. Declawing may be a last resort, but it is better than giving up the cat, many people rationalize this way.

So, if you have a cat with a scratching problem, what should you do about it? There are actually a few options. The first is to simply train the cat not to scratch bad things, and giving it a good thing (scratching post) to scratch. There is obviously more to this method, but you can find it with a quick Google search. Another option is claw caps. These are plastic caps which glue onto your cat's claws so that they do not do any harm when scratching.

Most of the time, these alternatives will work if you are willing to spend some time working on them. I do not think these cats should be placed in shelters, but I also do not think they deserve to be mutilated. Make sure you do your research into these things.

There is a new, alternative procedure, which uses a laser to remove the claw. This has been deemed safer and more humane.

Scratching in cats is a natural, instinctive behavior, we have to accept that cats are going to scratch and work around it. We need to alter our lives to suit the cat, not the cat's body to suit our lives.

How to Choose a Safe Product for Our Feline Friends

I've often encountered questions like what is the safest cat food or cat grooming product to use on pet cats. With an enormous number of products being sold out there, it could be quite confusing to know which one is really safe for our cats. Being owned by 4 finicky cats and having years of cat care experience, it is through trial and error that I have learned which products are really safe.

Now it is easy to get swayed by your friend or acquaintance saying "Hey, this is the best cat food. My cat loves it!" or "This is the best shampoo, it works for my cat." What you have to remember is their cat is not exactly like your cat. Certain shampoos, food or other products work specifically for a special breed of cat. You have to take into consideration that cats come in different varieties such as long and short hair kinds, exotic and mixed breeds etc. If you share the same breed or type of cat, chances are the effects of using the similar product may be the same but not in all cases. There is also the age difference, individual metabolism of the cat, temperament, etc that you do have to consider before you really decide if that is safe and good for your pet.

Trying on a new product, let's say like cat food, is basically a trial and error process. In my experience, my cats did not prefer the expensive brands that market themselves as fully nutritional for the cats. I ended up spending so much on a particular brand of cat food that they didn't want to eat. The lesson here is before investing your money on a new brand of cat food, read the label and read a lot of product reviews about it. You may come across some other cat parents who claim their pets experienced vomiting or some adverse medical condition after consuming the product. This may or may not happen to your cat but it does pay to put attention to it. Every cat has their own preferences when it comes to food, so what may work for one cat won't work for the other.

The best thing to do is to check the ingredients on the label and see if the product has the approval of EPA and FDA. Avoid cat food products that are rich in grain and fillers. A cat's metabolism is not built to digest ingredients made out of these and it can cause bad effects on your cat's health in the future. When it comes to grooming and pet products, avoid those that contain harmful ingredients like essential oils such as tea tree and Pennyroyal. These ingredients are not only harmful, they are toxic and can cause severe effects, at worse feline death.

If you must try a new product, buy them in small packages first. Observe your cat for at least one week to see if they do like the food or if the shampoo or Flea powder that you used is causing any good or adverse effects on their health. Most importantly, check with the FDA website for the products that they have approved to be safe for use. It pays to do your homework when it comes to cat care and safety. Ask your vet if the product is safe to use or consume if you are not confident enough with what you have researched so far.

An Honest Review On Cats' Physiology

Cats have a particularly flexible skeleton of more than two hundred and thirty bones, in which the forelegs can turn in almost any direction without strain, the head can turn almost completely through one hundred and eighty degrees and the spine is very mobile, especially the tail which can bend in any way it wishes. The skeleton is linked by more than five hundred well-developed muscles, which are especially strong in the lumbar region and the legs, to give them a powerful spring, and in the neck shoulders, to enable them to strike their prey. The cerebellum, that part of the brain which coordinates muscular movement and controls balance and direction, is also highly developed, giving the cat very fast reactions and enabling very rapid movement of its' lithe and agile body. The cat thus has the power and the fluidity of movement it needs to be a successful predator, but its chest cavity is small for its size,and consequently it has a small heart and lungs, which means that it is easily tired. In fact a cat's life consists of bursts of great activity interspersed with comparatively long periods of rest and recuperation. The space saved by the small chest is taken up by large digestive organs to allow for the alternating periods of gorging and fasting which make up the life of a carnivore in the wild. Like man, the cat has a collar-bone; it is the only domestic animal to have one-though it is small and does not hamper freedom of movement. Its limbs and digits, however have developed in a quite different way.

Its legs have similar components to those of human limbs, but its wrists and ankles appear to be halfway up the leg-only when a cat is sitting does its hind "foot" rest on the ground in human fashion. Its elbows and knees appear much closer to the body. The leg joints are arranged at closed angles which, coupled with their muscle power,gives them the ability to make great jumps. The cat walks upon its toes, of which there are normally five on each forefoot and four on each hind-foot, although extra toes are not uncommon. The soft fleshy pad of paws absorb any sudden shocks and protect the cat's weight-bearing bones. With their downy covering, and the tufts of fur between the pads, the paws make a cat's stealthy tread very quiet indeed-but by no means inaudible to other cats. Naturally outdoor cats wear off the down on their paws, which become tough and leathery, but do not lose their sensitivity, which is acute, or more so,than that of out fingertips. Although the cat's digits have not developed into the versatile fingers of the human hand, its front paws are used for an enormous range of activities. They will hold things down and lift things up, cupped they become a scoop, clasped together they will lift things between them, they can be dipped into cream at the bottom of a jug where no tongue can reach, they can test temperature and texture, pull, pummel, swat, fondle and clout, as well as act as a sponge for washing places where the tongue cannot stretch. Although a cat will normally carry things in its mouth, it will often first pick them up with its front paws which are much more flexible than most people imagine. The rear paws do not have such flexibility, but they are larger and stronger, and are used in fighting as well as providing the pushing power for running and jumping.

A Complete Review Of The Cat's Behavioural Patterns

If it is in cover it will freeze at the slightest smell, sound or movement that suggests danger or quarry and focus its senses to give the best possible information on its cause. Stealthily it will investigate the situation further, often following a roundabout route to ensure that it is undetected. It will move in short, sharp bursts with its body kept close to the ground, unless it knows itself to be behind good cover. As it approaches its quarry it will conceal itself as much as possible, moving slowly and pausing frequently to check the situation. Taking up position ready to attack, a tremor will run through it as it prepares every muscle-all quickly stilled if the moment is unpropitious or frozen into concentration the instant before it springs. Then,suddenly, it will pounce with outstretched paws, teeth and claws grasping the creature at the same time. Mice and other small rodents form the greater part of the cat's prey, although other mammals, birds, reptiles and even garbage are also eaten. Rather more unusual, in view of the widely held belief that cats do not like water, are those cats who have taught themselves to fish. There are many recorded cases of cats having learned to scoop fish out of ponds and shallow streams with their paws. Some cats have been reported to dangle the tip of their tail in the water to act as a lure for the fish.

Almost all cats seem to be partial to insects-especially grasshoppers when they are available, although a surfeit can make them sick. Flies too are easy meat.As a cat concentrates on a fly which has settled upon the window pane it will often let out an involuntary chatter like a machine-gun rattle-a noise also made at birds, particularly if they are not accessible. Is this sound the expression of excitement that cannot be contained, a sportsmanlike challenge or simply an explosion of frustration at the creature being out of reach? Perhaps all three-and a warning for the prey as well! Although cats reared together will learn to share their home, they nevertheless have strong feelings about territory and will resent any encroachment by an outsider.

Even among themselves a dominance pattern will usually emerge which is most evident in appropriation of sleeping places and the maintenance of feeding privileges. Out of doors,although the cat does not rely upon the prey within a certain area, it nevertheless lays claim to its own territory, even if it is restricted to a garden or back yard, and will not happily tolerate intrusion unless deference is paid to its proprietorship. These territorial limits, usually marked by spraying urine-although a pet trained to a litter tray may not do this-can be very rigid. A cat may accept another on the garden wall or on a common path through the shrubbery, but will chase it out if it dares to go a step beyond. Human territories are far more difficult to establish. How do you prevent a cat from, for example, going up stairs, sitting on a particular chair or jumping on the table. Humans do not consciously mark forbidden territory with their smell, but token "defence" or repulsion from a certain place will have its effect for future occasions when you are present. Like all animals cats have patterns of behaviour to prevent violence, adopting aggressive warning action or submissive postures, according to the circumstances, and they will often adopt these when faced with a human challenge as much as with another animal.

The Best Dry Foods for Diabetic Cats

Owning a diabetic cat proves to be a rather frustrating affair for several people, especially when it comes to finding the proper diet for them. Considering that you may not have the slightest idea on what to feed your cat, you will have to look for a lot of resources that can educate you on how to provide proper cat care.

There are definitely a lot of processed foods available, and these don't really amount to a whole lot of health benefits for your furry feline friend. In such cases, you will have to make some extra effort in finding the best choice with which you can feed your cat. Below are just a few of these choices to consider:

Royal Canin - This is dry food which is specifically made for diabetic cats. This actually promotes the reduction of the effects of diabetes. Its manufacturers invested a lot of time and effort in the research of providing cats with such a condition not only a healthy but also delectable diet. This type of cat food is filled with a lot of protein content as well as a low carb count, which is essential in keeping them as healthy as possible. Royal Canin is a brand that is officially approved by several veterinarians all over the world, However, it is extremely important that you get a prescription from them in order to buy it. The reason for this is that this cat food is highly effective and is meant to be fed only to cats that are diabetic. In a nutshell, Royal Canin affects the way your feline friend reacts to insulin, so it is essential for you to closely observe them after starting on a Royal Canin diet.

Purina - Though considered to be rather expensive, this type of dry cat food is proven to be highly beneficial for your pet. This comes in a can, and offers a lot of benefits which aim to improve your cat's condition. It is infused with omega fatty acids and is also rich in Vitamin E. This means that your cat's skin and fur will be a lot healthier than before. You will also need a prescription to purchase Purina.

These are just two of the best dry food options for cats with diabetes. If you want to ensure proper cat care, purchase either of the two and see just how beneficial it can be for your lovable feline pet.

How To Set Up Your Home For Your New Ragdoll

Before you can bring home your new Ragdoll kitten, you must make sure that your home is ready to receive it. You would want to ensure that your new addition to your family will find its new home welcoming, safe and comfortable.

Here is a breakdown of 5 places in your home that you should kitten-proof:

Bathroom

The bathroom can be place of danger for any kitten because more often than not, water can be left unattended in a bathtub or in a bucket. If your Ragdoll kitten gets thirsty, it may wander to the bathroom and try to drink from the tub or bucket. Your kitty could possibly fall into either the bucket or the tub so to avoid that, be sure to keep your bathtub drained and have a lid to cover buckets filled with water. Always keep the toilet seat covered, too.

Outdoors

Cats, by nature, love to explore and the outside world is just as fascinating to them as the inside of your home. However, Ragdoll kittens should not be allowed to go outside the confines of your home or apartment. You should also check which plants you have in your home that can be poisonous to your new pet. Do what's necessary to keep them away from it.

Kitchen

As a place where you cook and prepare food, kittens love hanging out in the kitchen. You have to be watchful of your new Ragdoll kitty around kitchen appliances, their wires and other electrical appliances. Try to keep your sink drained of water to avoid having your pet fall into it. Keep cleansers, soaps, liquids and powders that they can open and spill or even ingest in high cupboards or cabinets with child-safety locks to avoid poisoning.

Living Room

Ragdoll kittens like to play on the floor but will also like to play on sofa, chairs and tables. It would be best to have a scratching post or a cat tree around so they have a proper place to relax or have fun. You should also put away your favorite breakables in another cabinet that is far from your new kitten's reach.

Bedroom

To avoid choking, personal items that include needles, pins and other small objects should be kept in a drawer. Your Ragdoll kitten is curious about everything and will try to taste or swallow those small items. Curling iron, blowdryer and other accessories should also be hidden away after use to avoid burning and other accidents. Cats also find laundry baskets appealing so it would be good to have a cover for your laundry pile.

Effective Techniques in Calming Your Pet Cat

Although it is hard to believe but cats can be stressed also like human beings and they need an avenue to de-stress themselves to return to their normal routine and to feel good.

What are the causes of cat stress?

Like human beings, there are things and events which serve as stressors for cats such as:

- Traveling
- House relocation
- Visiting the veterinarian
- Presence of other cats within their territory
- Scary noises
- New pet in the house
- Strong scents
- Fleas

- Loss of companion

Like humans, cats also show signs of stress like scratching on the furniture, their tails become full, persistent urinating in places other than their litter box, loss of appetite, overeating, irritability, persistent meowing, bedding, eating of plants, unusual behavior, frantic running around and biting. If your cat shows these symptoms, then you should de-stress your pet immediately because like humans, stress is harmful to their health also.

Some pet owners bring their pets immediately to the veterinarian due to fear that something bad will happen to their beloved pets. Nevertheless, there are other ways that you can de-stress your cats without bringing them to the veterinarian. Some pet owners fear that stress in cats will cause detrimental health effects like hair loss, urinary problems and eating disorders. Before you initiate a move to de-stress your pet, you should evaluate the stressors first.

Ways to de-stress your pet cats:

- If the stressor is other pets in the house, then you should keep the cat away from other pets or cats.

- Avoid feeding or doing immediate fix when your cat is violent or stressed because it reinforces their bad behavior. However, you can give them reward for their good behavior.

- When stressed, you can speak to them in calm voice and avoid yelling at them because it will make them more stressed.

- You can give your cat her favorite cat food to calm her down. You can also massage her to relax her and to help her to sleep.

- You can provide a hiding place for your cat to give him some privacy when relaxing and resting. Bear in mind that cats too need to cool their anger down before they can interact and can socialize with other cats and other people. You can either give her a cat box or a quite room which serves as their resting haven.

- If your pet is stressed with loud noises, you can turn off loud music and put on soothing music to calm her down.

- You can give your cat her favorite toys to play, to distract her or to give her exercise.

By following these simple tricks, you can de-stress and can relax your stressed cats in no time.

Why Do Cats Urinate in the House?

There are many reasons why your cat might be peeing in the house, anything from cleanliness, change of territory and the scent of another cat. Let's look at why cats urinate in the house and what you can do to make it stop.

Making your cat stop urinating on the carpet is easier than it seems. Many cat owners cannot keep an eye on their pet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it becomes difficult to see what they are doing, where and why they are doing it. I want to run through some real life situations that have happened to me, and how I stopped the constant urinating on carpets.

Why do cats urinate in the house, and what you can do to make it stop.

One of the many reasons cat owners find themselves in this predicament is down to health issues. A couple of years ago my male cat was starting to pee just outside his litter tray, and then over a few days, he spread to other rooms and before I knew it, the house was starting to smell of urine. He had never done this before, he was always clean and never missed the spot when it came to doing his business.

Over the next couple of days, I made more of an attempt to follow him, only to find he wasn't peeing as normal. The short story is, he had a urinary infection, and the vet mentioned that he might be associating the pain he felt when he urinated to his litter tray, and so he avoided going in. I don't want to scare you, but if this sounds like something that could be happening to your cat, then either give your local vet a call, or take him in for an examination.

If the above is not something you think is happening, then lets run through another couple of reasons of why cats urinate in the house.

A change of territory is also another reason for random urinating, as they are simply marking their new home with their smell. You may see this happen for only a couple of days, but if it continues, then there might be other issues to look at.

Cleanliness is something I must mention, because it has happened to me in the past. If you have an indoor cat which uses only a litter tray, then having a dirty box is something of a no go area for many cats. Daily cleaning is essential, and the urinating in carpets will start to fade within days. Make sure your cat has easy access to his tray when it is cleaned.

These simple steps above may sound obvious, but many people have busy lives and forget that the simple things are usually the problem. If you think your cat has health issues, then don't waste anytime in having the vet give him a health check.

How to Clean Cat Urine From Furniture

If you are having problems with your cat urinating on your furniture, then having a surefire way of cleaning away the stain and smell is essential. Are you embarrassed because your house smells of stale cat urine, and whatever you do to get rid of the smell does not work? Lets look at some easy ways to clean cat urine from furniture.

I would first like to explain what not to use to clean up, after your cat has urinated on the furniture or carpet. You may think that using anti-bacterial spray is a good way of getting rid of the smell, but you would be wrong. These types of spray can actually attract cats back to the affected area. Cleaning solutions that contain ammonia will also attract your cat, as cat urine contains ammonia also.

What can I use to clean cat urine from furniture?

There are many solutions that you can make from home, and you will probably have the ingredients in your home, so you can get started right away. The following is a tried and tested way of cleaning away cat urine stains, and also the odor.

You will need an equal solution of distilled white vinegar and warm water. The best way to use this easy to make solution is placing it in a spray bottle. You can also make the solution in a small bucket and simply apply with a cloth, both work well. You may want to test the solution on an area that cannot be seen first, to make sure it doesn't affect the furniture material.

If the cat urine is fresh, use paper towels to soak up as much of the urine as possible. This will prevent the cat pee from being spread over a larger area. Once you have soaked up as much as you can, simply spray the area with the white vinegar and water solution, soaking the area. Once the solution has soaked in, either use a gentle brush or soft cloth to work it into the fabric. This homemade spray also works well on carpets too.

You may find a couple of treatments are needed to clean away the stain and stale odor for good. Once you have tried this easy to make solution, you will finds it works better than anything you can buy in your local supermarket.

There is a problem with this however, and that is you are not getting to the root cause of why your cat is urinating on your furniture or carpets. There can be many reasons for why they are doing this, and its important to get to find out the problem, instead of constantly cleaning up after they have an accident.

Tips About Detoxing - For A Healthy Cat

Diet is definitely an important part of any detox program, be it for you or your favorite pet. This is because many of the foods that our pets and we eat contain chemicals and ingredients that are toxic to our bodies. With commercial pet food, toxins found in the food will cause more damage to your pets than you would believe. This is because pets are smaller than we are, and their organs have to work a lot harder to get rid of toxins. It is important to detox your pet if you want it to live a long life. Still, one of the things that people often forget about detoxing any animal is that diet is only half the equation.

Diet Detox - The First Steps

It is true; however, that diet will count for a major part of your pet's detox. If you do not stop most toxins from entering your pet's body, you are not able to actually get rid of the toxin build up. The first thing that you are going to need to do is to wean your pet off commercial pet food. Commercial pet food has a slew of ingredients that take a major toll on a pet's digestive system, including ingredients like diseased animals, road kill, and fillers that actually are not quality protein for a cat.

Food is a good start, but you are forgetting another thing that your pet regularly ingests - water. The tap water that comes out of your faucet might have toxins that you do not know about. You need to purify and filter your water; otherwise, your pet might be taking in fluoride, chlorine, and heavy metals. Because a cat is so much smaller than humans are they are more susceptible to these chemical toxins that over time will cause disease and death.

Just Like Humans, Animals Need To Get Rid Of Their Toxins

Animals and humans both get rid of toxins the same ways - through their body's naturally occurring functions. Skin, muscle tissue, and fat trap the toxins and will only be removed through exercise. The easiest way to get your pet detoxed is to help them sweat out the toxins. Engage your pet in an hour or so of play a day.

Another major method of toxin elimination comes in the form of your digestive system. Unfortunately, even the most active animal cannot get rid of the toxins that get stored in their bodies through digestion. With small animals, the amount of toxins they get from food often gets stored in their livers, kidneys, and sometimes even in their intestinal tract. Without help, those toxins will never get out. Both humans and pets alike occasionally will need a boost from herbs and nutraceuticals that kick the digestive system into overdrive.

It is also a very good idea to get liver support supplies for your pet while they undergo detox. Detoxing will put the liver under a lot of strain due to the amount of elimination that occurs. This also applies to the pet's kidneys. There are some very effective herbal tonics available from quality online herbal stores.

You Need To Avoid Toxins Outside Of Food, Too

Food is not the only source of toxins. You will need to make sure that your pet avoids chemicals that you often use. This includes outdoor pollution, chemical cleaners, flea products, and even pet shampoos. As a basic rule, if you think that a chemical or product is not healthy for you, than it is not healthy for your pet. Learning more about detoxing your pet can help you prevent an early pet death, and it can make your pet's detox a lot more effective.