The Benefits Of A Cat Tree or Scratching Post

All cats instinctively need to scratch something to clean their claws and mark their territory. This is especially true for indoor cats, who can't maintain their claws by scratching a tree or fence in your garden. You will never stop your cat from doing this natural behaviour but it's possible to tempt them away from your expensive sofa, carpet or wallpaper, by providing them with a suitable cat scratching post or cat tree.

Giving your cat or kitten a scratch post or activity centre will save you money and your furniture from your cat's claws! This harmless kind of natural scratching behaviour will provide them with essential stimulation and hours of fun.

What are the main benefits of a cat tree?

Sharpens and removes worn out claws

Allows your cat to mark its territory without damaging your furnishings

Provide your cat with essential stimulation and hours of fun

There are a multitude of scratching posts, climbers, activity centres and cat trees available. They all will encourage natural scratching behaviour. The design, colour or size you decide to purchase will likely be decided by your budget and the available space you have. But you should choose one which features catnip, tough sisal for scratching and playing and a post for claw maintenance. Other features can include high places to allow your cat to rest and observe its surroundings, snug hide-aways to provide some quiet time, or dangling balls to stimulate play.

Location - It's recommend that you place your cat scratching post or activity centre in a room that is used by all your family or where your cat spends a lot of time. Place the post where your cat likes to scratch - such as near a sofa, chair or curtains.

Size - The scratching post should be tall enough for your cat to stretch out and claw on. This works the muscles of your cat and keeps them in shape. The post should be secure so that it doesn't topple over! So best to choose a heavy or large cat post if you have a large cat.

It's easy to encourage your cat to use a scratch post. They will likely use it instinctively but you can entice your cat into using it by playing with them by the cat post. Rubbing catnip into the post or rewarding your cat with a treat is another good tip. Attaching toys around it will make scratching the post much more enjoyable and will definitely capture their interest.

Lastly, as well as the benefits a cat tree or activity centre gives to your cat, what could be more entertaining and rewarding than seeing your loved pet enjoying themselves at rest and at play around a cat activity centre?

God's Feral Cats

The story begins with a pregnant female feline. I had seen her many times, circling around the empty house across the street, searching for any type of food that would fill her insatiable appetite in order to nourish her oncoming litter. I watched her from my house, scavenging for any type of sustenance. My heart went out to her, as she was apparently an abandoned housecat.

I heeded the age-old warning of not feeding wild animals. After watching her for a few months, suddenly one day I was startled by a single little striped kitten scratching on my window screen, trying to gain entry into my house. Mama was sitting patiently beside him, just waiting and watching over him.

The weather had turned ugly, with torrential rains plummeting the area and the winds whipping with hurricane force. I feared the little kitten would be blown away, so I went outside, picked him up and brought him into the house. His mama immediately left him with me as guardian, and returned to the outlying field that was affording her protection.

He was a good little fellow, friendly with my cat and dog. I named him Einstein. Being a believer of neutering any cat that came into my house, the finances were not available at the time, so he grew into a beautiful young male with all of his breeding faculties intact. Mama would come daily to my door checking on him, and then return to the bushes.

I must admit that I started feeding the mama cat. Suddenly, out of an adjoining field, another female and her four babies appeared. This cat was apparently Einstein's sister. Of course, mama eventually gave birth to four more young ones, totaling nine babies.

Einstein grew into a virile young male, and fathered a litter of three surviving kittens. Now the family consisted of two moms, Einstein, and twelve growing cats. They wait for me to feed them, and follow me down the street as I walk my dog. It has become rather embarrassing, but my house is clear of frogs, salamanders, snakes and spiders, for which I am grateful.

While waiting for mama (now a great-grandmother) to birth her last litter, I realize neutering is the final option. The cats have become very tame, and I can mingle within their family. They never fight, always snuggle into each other at night, graciously cooperate and share in a community feeding, and lovingly nuzzle and clean themselves fastidiously. Both males and females are the caretakers and it is hard to tell just who is the parent and who is the child. Einstein proudly protects them all.

Above all else, they are kind to each other. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if all people acted accordingly?

The Cat and the Canary, The Great Escape

The cat came to me as an orphan, rejected and unwanted. Since I was such a bleeding heart, I felt sorry for the little thing so I took it in as my new pet. I lived by myself and I supposed the cat could be welcomed company. Since it was black with a spot of white on its chest, I decided I would call it 'Tuxedo' or 'Tux' for short. Tux and I seemed to adjust quite well. This smart and affectionate animal slipped into my routine like an adult child coming back home to roost. (an well oiled glove at a proctologist's.)

Tux slept obediently at the foot of my bed on his blanket. In the morning, when he sensed I'd be waking up, he'd tip toe (cats only tip toe) up the bed and curl up on my chest. We'd start the day with this 10 minute ritual, nose to nose, purring and patting. One thing I really liked about Tux was that he never wailed early in the morning. I think he sensed his life would be in danger if he did. So life was good. And then I got the canary.

I had a very kind friend who thought I should have the song of a canary fill up the silence in my home. He was convinced I would love it. I was a bit hesitant at first because cats are hunters and they hunt birds and I had a cat. I mused that the chirping of a canary might be the closest sound to what God must sound like if he had a voice. Once that image took hold in my imagination, I came to support the idea with enthusiasm. My sister, Susan, had a huge bird cage which she no longer needed for her budgies because, much to her delight, they died.

I had an extra bedroom in my bungalow which I dedicated to the bird. I refrained from calling him "God" so as not to offend anyone, although I really thought it apt. I settled for "Happy'. I rigged up an automatic door closer on Happy's bedroom door thereby outsmarting my cat. There was no way now that Tux could have access to the singing prey. I fixed up the old bird cage and was quite pleased with the results. If Happy couldn't be flying free in the tropics, he would be quite content in his new home. The mirror convinced him he had a buddy, you see,birds' brains are VERY small. He loved his buddy and he sang to him with the voice of an angel, or perhaps even the voice of God. I felt endless pleasure listening to his melodious song fill the quiet, empty spaces in my house.

Then the inevitable happened.

I was only half awake at the time and still can't remember the reason I got up out of bed in the middle of the night to go into Happy's bedroom. It was dark and whatever I needed to do took less than a minute. I climbed back into bed and slept till morning. When I awoke, I thought it a bit odd that Tux wasn't on the bed so I got up to look for him. I dreaded opening Happy's door, although I knew it would have been next to impossible for Tux to have gotten in. Ewww, there he was, on Happy's cage, traumatizing the little bird. He had apparently, slipped into the bedroom in that split second that the door was opened. He should have been sleeping at that time of the night, but I suspect his radar was on 24/7 and he wasn't going to, and didn't, miss the chance to get at Happy. Tux, looking smug, was perched on top of the cage and Happy was sitting on the bottom of the cage, trembling. I took Tux, henceforth referred to as 'the cat', and unceremoniously, threw him out of the house. I called the vet, wrapped up happy in a small blanket and was on my way. But Happy didn't make it to the front door. I was heartbroken. Shortly thereafter this psychic cat of mine, knew our relationship was over. I glared at him. He glared back. He no longer slept on my bed. He started howling at 5:00 in the morning. This cat was done.

I called Susan with the sad news of Happy's demise and asked her if she'd like another cat for the barn. She reluctantly agreed. I dressed 'the cat' in his Sunday best, a purple velvet color with rhinestones. We decided the transaction would take place like this. The family was meeting the next day at my Mother's retirement home for a luncheon. I'd bring 'the cat' in a cat box to the residence and Susan would transfer it to her truck and the dirty deed be done.

But, once there, as I was leaving my car in the parking lot, I had a brain fart. I'd call it an idea, but it turned out to be such a bad idea that I have to refer to it as a brain 'fart'. If I have many more of these, my skull will cave in. For a tiny instant, my compassion for 'the cat' came back and I felt badly leaving 'it' in the cage for two hours and got the brilliant idea to tie it on a long cord attached to the car. So this I did. When I came back from lunch, the cat was no where to be seen. The rope was taut. I followed it to the engine of the car. I still could not see it. I opened the hood and looked in the crevices of the engine compartment. There they were, two large green eyes staring at me. But 'the cat' would not come up, 'the cat' would not come down. I cajoled it from above and crawled under the car to coax it down. It would have none of this. I checked the motor for moving parts and none seemed to be around it. I figured if I turned the ignition on for a second, this might inspire 'the cat' to leave its hiding place. I proceeded to do so, for a short second - a convincing move, you must agree. Well, need I tell you, I didn't even see it flee into the nearby woods. It was gone.

I spent a couple of hours calling it and searching for it amongst the woods and neighboring homes but to no avail. An ad in the local paper produced two results. The first one was not the right cat, but the second one was more promising. As I was making my way to the front door, a neighboring lady approached me to tell me how much this woman who had found 'the cat', was so happy with it as she had just lost her own cat. I said, "Aww, really?" thinking all the while, 'Oh good, this'd be great'.

I knocked on the door and a nice lady answered. She invited me in and went to get 'the cat' for identification. The purple collar was the definitive calling card, so I was sure it was the right cat. She called and called, but 'the cat' was not showing its face. She insisted, "But he was right here a minute ago". This happened on two more occasions and I came to deduce that 'the cat' knew the sound of my car, or at least my voice, and didn't have any desire to risk seeing me. It was content in its new found digs and I was glad it could spend his other 8 lives far away from me.

The Kitten That Found Me

Several years ago I had been undergoing several surgeries for joint problems. During one of my recovery periods my wife were sitting in the living room when we heard a faint "meow" outside of the patio door. We went to investigate and found a small kitten that had taken up residence in a cavity by the porch.

It was cold outdoors so we attempted to corral it and bring it in the house. Well the kitten managed to evade our capture that night. The next several days I would put out some food and milk and the kitten would sneak up and eat the food and lap up the milk. Finally one day I left the patio door ajar and the kitten came in and had ruled the house ever sense.

I have always been a dog person but after finding BooBoo my first cat I learned that I rather like having a cat. BooBoo is a jet black female short hair with a white spot on her chest and belly. For the most part she is a normal loving cat that on occasion will dart out the patio door to just roll around on the drive and grab a few nibbles of grass.

My wife and I liked having BooBoo so much that we got another female kitten from my brother about a year after finding BooBoo. Tiger is a Calico colored cat with thick fluffy hair. She has a distinctively different personality than BooBoo.

Tiger has always been more adventurous than BooBoo. When Tiger got to be about a year old she developed a fascination for climbing the curtains and walking across the curtain rod. She loved to do that and would get up there and just sit for a while then climb her way back down.

We have found that just as people are different so are cats. One loves to chase the laser pointer and the other could care less. Tiger likes to use the cat trees that we have bought and BooBoo prefers the top of the kitchen cabinets.

One thing that they both love is Catnip. I will get a towel and spread some out on it and the cats will just roll around in it and have a blast. My wife gets mad because it gets in their fur and thus gets spread throughout the house.

The Feline species are tender adventurous loving animals that would just love for you to stroke their back all day long. They are very animated and at times very funny. Especially when you are painting the living room and they jump up on the table where they normally do to only find a pan filled with red paint.

There was red paint all through the house and guess I should have been mad about the whole mess but watching BooBoo run around half crazy made me laugh so hard I thought I would have a stroke.

The other odd thing is that we also keep our dog Lucky in the house and he owns the king size chair in the living room. However he will not look the cats in their eyes. Even though he is probably 50 pounds heavier than BooBoo or Tiger he acts as though he was the smallest of the three.

Cats are one of God's special creatures and I will always treasure the two that I call my friends.

Strategic Positioning of Cat Beds

It is not enough for you to take a pick from some of the most attractive and most comfortable cat beds out there. You must also know where to put the cat bed of your choice and of a good quality too.

In the case of cat condos, you have to know where your cat likes to scratch, stretch and exercise. Similarly, you must also know where your cat likes to snuggle, rest and sleep. Like you, your feline friend would appreciate it if you assign it a place where it is already comfortable in. A cat will be ready to sleep in any comfy cat carrier but position its bed in the wrong place and it may just stay awake.

Even if your cat does not have a lot of preferences, you must make sure that it is resting on a spot that is neither too cold nor too hot. Your cat must also be placed where it won't be disturbed by all sorts of noises or won't get hit by banging doors or falling jars.

Also make sure that the cat bed is positioned on sturdy ground. Safety should, of course, be a huge consideration when looking for a spot for cat beds.

The sun's heat could easily streak down on it during the day. The cold can also go through glass easy enough because the material is not really a good heat insulator. Besides, windows can also be dangerous places. What if someone throws a ball from the neighbors? The ball could go through the glass window and hit your pet.

So, cat beds should then be positioned in safe places that will not go through extreme temperature changes. The spot should also be somewhere your cat has always been comfortable, even with the absence of the bed.

The case for comfortable beds is very clear. You have to make sure that your cat will find itself as snug, warm and comfortable as it would be in your couch or bed. Your cat, after all, may have a tendency to jump on your bed for some relaxation from time to time. There is also a strong case for style, though. Just imagine buying a comfortable but ugly-looking pile of mattress and treat it as your cat's bed.

While your cat may be happy enough with the warmth and softness, you may not be happy to see the makeshift bed littering your hallways.

Don't Tell the Cat - I've Got Some Medicine for Him

You've probably already discovered that your cat somehow seems to have a "sixth sense" when it comes time to get ready for the "medicine distribution"- as he immediately takes a "deer-in-the-headlight" stance, and then magically disappears!

Surely you know that once your cat sees you with the medication in hand, whether it's a topical medication, or something else, he has an inkling of what's about to happen. Especially, if you and he have had similar rounds with the medication in the past.

They are so wise!

So when it comes time to give or to apply the medication, get a clue:

Hold your cat in the "medication stance" (whatever that is for you and him) - but don't hold him "that way" only when you give him the medication. Make it a point to regularly give him some loving by holding him "the medicine way" as well.

It takes two; things go better with two; tea for two - you get the picture. Applying salve or dropping a pill into a mouth will go much better if you have someone to help you; one to hold kitty, the other to do the medicine thing. And between the two of you, you can take turns doing the "soothing".

Get ready, get set, go! If you're going to give the medicine, apply the drops or rub on the salve, it's really best if you have the medicine applicator out and open and ready to apply BEFORE you hold your roundup and/or restrain your cat. Otherwise, you risk a "jump down, run off"!

Be cool, be calm, be collected. Move at a gentle pace and talk with your kitty as you set out to do whatever it is you're going to do at medicine time. Talk softly and be soothing; your kitty will take a "page out of your book" and not get nervous or excited as you're applying the cream or giving the pill or drops. (And cross your fingers prior to, just in case!)

Out of sight, out of mind. If your cat has to have medication in the form of a cream or an ointment, put it on her back just below her neck. It's an ideal place as she won't be able to reach there and lick it off.

I've watched "The Boys" (my three little fur "men") many times as they go about taking their baths. It seems they all have a good "stretch" to their necks and can reach around quite far and all over.

Thus, they wouldn't be thwarted by any "cool" medicine tricks to the back of their necks for long!

Choosing the 'Purrfect' Cat Toys for Your Pet

Cats can never have enough toys. Whether they're big, small, noisy or fluffy, cat toys will keep your fury friend amused for hours and are a great way to exercise them both physically and mentally, whilst still having fun.

Kittens are especially playful and at this young age it's vital for them to develop various skills and learn how to act upon their natural instincts, all of which can be done through play. If not kept amused or exercised sufficiently, cats can develop bad habits or, in more severe cases, an aggressive behaviour. This means they will probably be more likely to use their claws on you and your furniture.

Instead look at playtime as bonding time between you and your cat and a chance to get to know each other better. It's also an effective way to combat your cat's behaviour problems, should they have any, as well as help them become more trustful towards you.

There is a wide selection of cat toys available to choose from. If you're not sure which ones are best for your moggy, here's a quick breakdown of your options;

Noisy toys

Toys with sound effects are immediately attention grabbing to cats. Whether they are squeaky or have a bell attached, your cat will soon learn that if they toss their toy about they will be rewarded with a fun, exciting sound.

Fluffy toys

These toys are often covered in things like feathers to resemble other small animals such as mice or birds that your cat can stalk and roll around with. Cats usually love to chew on these toys or run around with them in their mouth.

Interactive toys

Toys that move or hold treats require your cat to make a certain action in order to receive a reward. Little bouncing balls are a fantastic way to exercise your cat as are toys attached to a long stick that require your cat to chase around as you reel it back.

Catnip toys

Catnip is a type of herb that is completely safe for your cat to use. Although only around 70% of cats are said to respond to catnip, those that do will have extra fun and respond in ways such as rolling and rubbing after exposure. The herb is non-addictive and can be rubbed it into your cat's bed or onto their favourite toys - catnip toys are also available and are a real, special treat for feline catnip fans.

Be sure to have plenty of cat toys lying around to keep your cat entertained and ensure they are happy, healthy and feel part of the family.

Tips for Rehoming a Cat

If in an unfortunate position to need to re-home a cat, say, for instance you are moving and unable to take a pet with you, then there are several steps and precautions that need to be taken to guarantee the best possible outcome for a beloved pet. It also helps to give plenty of time to re-home a pet as it shouldn't be something that is rushed into.

Re-homing a cat is often achieved using one of these methods -

• Local Advertisements - Place an advert in local vets' surgeries and groomers - in fact anywhere you're likely to find pet lovers. In the advert include as much detail as possible - including the type of home you're looking for and were permitted include a picture. Also, if there is more than one cat, state this and make it clear that the cats cannot be split up. This route offers a perfect way to market a pet yourself which can eliminate a need to reply on a short-term fostering service.

• Animal Charities - An animal welfare charity or cat shelter is often the first place people go if needing to re-home a pet. Although, these charities can soon become inundated with requests to help so it is best to avoid leaving things until the last-minute. You can try to find a no kill shelter or even a rescue that will rehome your pet directly from your home.

Be wary of some of the un-official websites where you can place an advert for re-homing a pet, as a worrying trend is for people to scout these sites in an attempt to take in a free cat and then to immediately sell it on for profit.

If you are lucky enough to find someone to express a keen interest, it is always a wise precaution to vet a potential new owner by asking several questions relating to prior pet ownership and also to do a quick home-inspection. Make sure you are completely satisfied with the would-be living conditions before agreeing to re-home. It also helps to give the new owner information on the cat's character, eat habits and health history to ensure it gets the best possible start in their new surroundings. If a cat is ID chipped, remember to have the details updated, this often needs to be done by the original owner.

Also before attempting to self advertise an adult cat it is important to make certain that he or she has already been neutered. However, as this isn't possible for kittens, the best you can do is to make certain that the new owner has the ability to cover the cost of neutering once old enough. A reference from their current vet, if applicable, may be a good idea.

Questions and Answers About Cat Health

Cats make wonderful pets, and can be a great addition to your family. If you are a cat owner, however, it is very important that you learn about the health of your feline friend and that you make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep your cat healthy. Cats need regular medical care, just like people do, and they can get sick just like people can. This means that you should learn how to take care of your cat and you should learn about the signs and symptoms of some common problems in order to be sure that you are giving your cat the very best care possible. To get you started on being a good cat owner, here are a few questions and answers about cat health.

1: Should I declaw my cat?

This is a question that new cat owners sometimes ask, especially as they see their cat tearing into the sides of furniture to have a good scratch. In general, this decision should not be taken lightly. Declaw is an amputation of the last segment of the toe, so there is some significant degree of discomfort associated with this procedure.

Most veterinarians will advise trying scratching posts and engaging in play with the kitty as much as possible to try to avoid scratching behavior and in turn avoid the procedure. In many cases, cats will not develop the itch to scratch furniture or other valuable surfaces when given an alternative, especially when presented at a young age.

If all fails and it comes down to declaw or the kitty must go, then be certain to find a veterinarian who is proactive and vigilant about peri-operative and post-operative pain management. Ideally if you can find a veterinarian who declaws by cutting laser, post-op recovery tends to be less traumatic and healing times are faster using such a device.

2. Should I allow my cat to be an indoor/outdoor cat?

While every family has to make this decision on their own, there are a number of risks associated with allowing your cat to be an outdoor cat. Diseases including FIV can be contracted through contact with infected animals and your cat may become the prey of coyotes or other animals that wish it harm. Keeping your cat in your home can be a far better choice to ensure your cat's safety.

3. Does my cat need vaccines?

Cats should be vaccinated against common and dangerous medical conditions including rabies, feline leukemia, herpes virus, calicivirus, and panleukomenia [herpes, calici, and panleukopenia typically come bundled in one vaccine]. A commercial FIV [feline immunodeficiency virus] is commercially available, but it has overwhelmingly been rejected by the veterinary community as ineffective. Vaccine protocols and vaccines should only be tailored and administered by a licensed veterinarian.

4. Why is my cat coughing up hairballs?

Your cat licks himself or herself as part of his/her grooming routine. In some cases, this can lead to your cat coughing up hairballs or to your cat vomiting up hairballs. You can help to resolve this problem in some cases by having your cat regularly brushed (especially if your cat's fur is becoming matted or knotted) and by feeding your cat food that is designed to help with hairballs.

5. Why is my cat spraying urine?

Cats spray urine in order to mark their territory. While this behavior is normal- especially in multi-cat households, it is not to be encouraged. Try to minimize or eliminate the stress in your cat's environment and be sure to clean up all marking sprays thoroughly to avoid future spraying. Do not use ammonia-based products when cleaning up urine, as the ammonia can have a smell similar to urine and cause your cat to mark again.

Speaking to a Vet

These are just a few of the common cat health questions that cat owners may have. The best way to get your questions answered is to speak with a licensed veterinarian, either online or in person, for information about caring for your cat properly and meeting your cat's health needs.

Cat Food Reviews for Overweight Cats: Tips to Help You

It seems we are seeing more and more overweight cats for whatever reason. I'm not the only one who has noticed this, believe me. Cat food companies are seeing this and have already determined that there is huge potential to make money off of it. Now, all over you see specially marked cat food indicated as 'diet food' or 'low carbohydrate' food. They can mark it that way all they want, but it doesn't guarantee that the ingredients are all that different or healthy.

There are many ways to review cat foods to determine what are the healthy, legit brands and those that are not. For overweight cats, these two sections that follow are important to comprehend if you want to pick out a cat food that may help your furry little friend lose weight.

Guaranteed Analysis

This little box of percentages and numbers can be so important, yet overlooked quite often. This isn't the be all and end all of counts, as it is usually inaccurate. It will, however, give you an idea of the protein, fat, and carbohydrate percentages found in the food you are interested in. Let me explain: I have a can of wet cat food and it states that the crude fat minimum percentage is 9%. Now, it is the MINIMUM percentage. Who knows what the maximum is? To really know what the maximum is, you'd have to get into contact with the manufacturer. Anyways, the minimum will tell you that at the very least your cat is getting that much fat source.

So after I do calculations on the guaranteed analysis section I find that the 9% translates into 39.1% fat. This is a good indication for me to know how much percentage of the food is a fat source. I can do the same for protein and carbohydrates, and then I have a better understanding of what my cat is putting into his/her body.

The Ingredients

One of the important aspects to look at is the ingredients listed. Say we looked at the guaranteed analysis section and we feel that the carbohydrate, protein, and fat counts are where they should be. Next step is to see where these sources are coming from. Are these sources coming from high quality, real meat sources? Or are they coming from sources such as 'by-products' or plant based sources? This difference will help you determine if your cat will be able to efficiently digest the food and use it appropriately.

Plant based sources are difficult for your cat to digest. Think of it as feeding your cat McDonalds every day. Over time, that stuff is going to store up in the form of fat and then you will notice that your cat has gained weight. So then you are wondering 'well, the carbohydrate levels are normal I don't know what happened.' What happened was, as mentioned, these carbohydrate sources are difficult, thus slower, to digest. Real meat sources are what cats, by nature, are used to. So make sure that these meat sources are listed and listed close to the top.

As you can probably see, it is a little tricky to determine what exactly is in these so called 'diet' foods. A diet food can be low in carbohydrates, yet still be high in calories and vice versa. There are cat food review tools and programs out there that can assist you and help you determine what would be the right food to give your cat. As with anything though, becoming more knowledgeable and committed to the topic is the most important aspect in helping your cat lose weight.

Reduce Cat Dander - 5 Steps That Will Help Minimize It

Cat dander affects millions of people by triggering symptoms that range from irritant to debilitating. Continuous exposure to high amounts of it can cause acute and/or chronic respiratory conditions to develop.

Dander is dead flakes of skin that are constantly being shed to make way for newer healthier skin that is more able to protect from disease and infection.

This shedding process will continue throughout your pet's life and so learning to deal with it effectively with allow you to live a healthier lifestyle while being able to enjoy your cat more.

The main source of irritation is a protein in the dander called Fel d1 (Felis Domesticus 1). It is also found in saliva and urine. Symptoms from exposure include itchiness, watering eyes, closed throat, congestion, and frequent sneezing.

And while there is no way to eliminate it completely as long as you have your pet, here are 5 things you can do to keep it to a minimum.

Create A Cat-Free Zone---If you are just adopting a kitten you can set the ground rules from day one. Make the bedroom one of the places where your pet is not allowed to go. Keep the door closed so that the floors, bed, and chairs are less likely to have hair and dander.

If you already have a pet that is use to lounging in your bedroom, this may be a little bit tougher to enforce. Close the door to your room and thoroughly clean walls, carpets, and linens.

Your kitty may express great displeasure at being displaced. Scratching at the door and meowing may continue for a while. But stay strong. This one step could be the difference between being able to manage your allergies/asthma and enjoying your pet or having to find another home for it.

Reduce Fabrics---Anything that is woven is a haven for particulates. That includes the cat-related ones like hair and dander, but also other more normal particles such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollen. All of these are well known allergens that can wreak havoc with those who are sensitive to them.

It would be nice to think that you could just wave a wand and totally redo your interior. And that's great if you can, but for many it will take an awareness of what needs to go and replacing things as the need occurs.

Replace draperies with blinds that can be wiped clean; wood floors, linoleum, and tile trump carpet because they can easily be damp mopped. Area rugs that can be washed make them easy and low cost to clean frequently.

Clean Your Home---Vacuuming frequently will help remove particles that have fallen to the floor that are likely to have dander attached to them. A cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) filter will keep those particles from being blown back into the air.

Don't forget to wipe down the legs of chairs and tables that cats tend to like to rub against. Wash their favorite toys, rugs, and bedding at least once a week as well.

Bathe Your Cat---If this is done with a kitten from the time you bring it home, it will get use to the routine and it will make life easier for both of you. Starting a new regimen like this with an older cat is likely to be tougher. Regardless of age, check with your veterinarian first to determine the right frequency and the best products to use.

Filter The Air---Using a cleaner with a variety of particle filters including a HEPA will continually minimize the amount of airborne dander that is available to be inhaled.

Cats - Are They Useless or Not?

Nine times out of ten, one or more of our cats will be so infuriated about there being no food dished out for them by 6.00am when they are hungry, they will gently paw me on the face, presumably to wake me up. Of course I just turn over and mumble at them to go away. This would not seem to be the thing to do as far as they are concerned. Totally unacceptable, after all, they are hungry. The gently pawing at the face takes on an altogether more menacing tone. The claws come out. Now the situation has turned around, this behaviour has now become totally unacceptable for me! By the time I've managed to shoo the cats I'm totally awake. I might as well just get up. Sleeps now over.

Now, do the cats

get my breakfast for me? No!

bring in an income? No!

cost money to feed? Yes!

leave messes around the house? Yes!

always want to sit on the computer keyboard? Yes!

cause expensive vet bills? Yes!

cause worry? Yes.

Why on earth then do I have cats? It would seem to be such a stupid thing to do, what with all the negative things about them.

I suppose I'd better try and think of some positive things I guess.

I ponder this question on a cold but fine and sunny morning, as I sit with my cup of tea on the concrete seat by the shed. I glance around and notice there are 5 cats also sitting around me, just quietly sitting. That's nice. No demands, no meowing for food, no head butting for pats. Just sitting around. It's quiet pleasant actually. Like we're all sharing the morning. Oh, I suppose that's a positive isn't it.

Oh yes thinking about it I guess there are sometimes I enjoy the cats.

When I'm watching TV my little girl Hope will jump up on my lap, find a comfortable position and just sit there., purring away. I find myself unconsciously petting her, it's very pleasant and relaxing, and I can see she enjoys it, I guess I enjoy it to.

When I arrive back home after being out there's often a mass arrival of cats coming to met me. They each line up for a pat as though to welcome me back home. I enjoy that, makes me feel wanted and appreciated.

When I go out to the letterbox to get the paper, there's a string of cats following me, just hanging out with me, sharing the day.

They always take an interest in any gardening going on around the section, apart from the lawn mowing of course, that's far to noisy.

So

Yes, my cats are a problem at times, I have to feed them, worry about them, clean up after them, take them to the vets and all the other things that take time and money.

But

For all that, I would not wish it be any different. As far as I am concerned, having the cats is an enriching experience, and I believe I am the better person for it.

Discover Safe and Effective Worming Treatments With Drontal for Cats

Treating pets at home can sometimes be a difficult task. Dogs and cats have a mind of their own and will rarely be willing to sit through health treatments complacently. This means using products like Drontal for cats for worming your pets may not always be the easiest task.

Safe and Effective Worming Techniques

It is important to choose a safe worming product like Drontal for cats. To eradicate worms you will need to use quite strong chemical agents. If you choose a reputable brand then you can be sure these treatments have been fully tested and are safe for pets whilst still being effective at getting rid of worms.

- Drontal for cats has been tested thoroughly and is one of the safest and most effective worming treatments on the market.

- Drontal contains powerful agents such as praziquantel. This works quickly to destroy intestinal worms such as tapeworm with the minimum side effects for your pets.

- If you have had problems with other worming products making your pets ill before then Drontal for cats is a good option.

- This does not contain nitroscanate which is a common ingredient in other wormers. This problem with this nitroscanate is that it frequently causes side effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea. This type of wormer also requires you to starve your pet before application.

- This can be very unpleasant for pets and can put you off worming your pets in the future. With Drontal the chances of these side effects are minimal and this means you can carry out successful and stress-free worming for your pets.

- There is also no need to starve your pets before using Drontal products for worming.

- Drontal for cats is sold in user-friendly applications that make it quick and easy for you to protect your pets against worm parasites.

- The tablet and Spot On applications are a good choice for cats. These animals can be notoriously difficult to treat with topical applications.

- If you add tablets to your cat's food in most cases they will swallow them without even realising they are even there.

- The Spot On is also very easy to use and all you will need to do is squeeze a few drops on the back of your cat's neck.

- For the best effects, you should make sure your pets are protected all-year round. If you worm your cats with Drontal every 3 months or so this should protect them all the time from these nasty parasites.

- Don't forget you need to protect kittens from worms as well. They can easily come into contact with microscopic worm eggs even if they have not yet been outside.

- You can start worming kittens from 6 weeks using the tablet or Spot On versions of Drontal.

How to Buy Cheap Brand Name Cat Flea Treatments Online

These days you can buy almost anything you need for your pets online. This includes some top of the range cat flea treatments that can get to work fast on eliminating these blood-sucking parasites.

It makes sense to shop online when it comes to pet health products. You can often find some really good bargains from pet supply websites that could save you a lot of money. It is also so easy to buy online and you will be able to shop 24/7 from the comfort of your own home.

How to Buy Online

If you have never bought pet supplies online then there has never been a better time to start. This is a booming market and you can find some great deals on cat flea treatments and other pet health products. To help you get started here are some top tips on how to buy safely and securely online.

1. Brand Name Products

There are many different cat flea treatments out there. If you are buying online then you will not be able to see the product in person before you make your purchase. This is why it is a good idea to choose a brand name that you know and trust. Buying quality cat flea treatments will help ensure that you get good value for money. For example Frontline is widely available online and offers reliable and effective treatment in the prevention and elimination of fleas.

2. Use well-established and reputable suppliers

It is important when you shop online to find pet health suppliers that you can trust. These will be well-established providers that have a good reputation in the industry. Look for providers that can offer you professional, fully functional websites with top onsite security (including secure online e-payment portals) and comprehensive customer services (including direct telephone helpdesks).

You could also get recommendations by visiting pet owner forums and seeing which online pet health suppliers other people can recommend.

3. Pay instantly with your plastic cards

If you are buying online then it is a good idea to make use of the secure online payment facilities that reputable suppliers can offer. These will provide you with a fast, safe and easy way to pay for your order.

- If you do want to pay instantly online then you will need a valid credit or debit card. These details will need to be input into the secure payment pages after you have reached the online checkout.

- Some websites may also be able to offer other secure instant online payment options such as PayPal.

- Remember you should never send confidential payment details via email as this is not a secure form of communication.

- If you cannot pay online then phone the company directly to provide further payment details.