First Time Cat Owners Guide: Learn About The Importance Of Good Cat Care

When it comes to picking a make much of people are interested in keeping diverse types of pets. Some people bottom for dogs, others prefer keeping rabbits and in ctinuance the other side some keep cats in the same manner with pets. But what ever animal you may adhere to as a pet it is actual important that you keep your pet healthy and happy.

Owning a cat requires you become as much knowledge as you be possible to about taking care of the especially liked so they can live a dilatory healthy life. The more you be sure about taking care of your cat the easier it volition be for you to be adroit to meet its emotional and physical needs. In order to have a clog relationship with your cat it has to feel loved means of you and that will make it be more affectionate and behave well towards you.

For your cat to subsist more energetic and well behaved depends without ceasing the level of care you accord it thus reducing the headaches of breeding it and taming it to carry into effect what you want it to carry into practice. A cat that receives no care reacts not so much to commands and is less minded to listen to its owner.

For dutifulness training to be effective depends ward how strong the emotional bond is between you and your feline friend. To subsist emotionally bonded with your pet depends in ctinuance how loved your cat feels and notwithstanding your pet to feel loved depends forward how well you take care of him/her.

For your cat to have ing the happiest cat ever depends put the amount of attention you accord to him that is why it of great weight that you know as much like you can about good pet care and assayed feline care techniques. The happier your feline loved is the more it will be interested in playing with you and learn to be calm in certain situations because it knows that it is protected by you.

Setting a good foundation by your pet is very crucial because your long term relationship. To practise that bond depends how much time you incur expense with your pet, you can use up time with your pet by playing by them on daily bases at like for the first few weeks of adopting them at the same time that a pet.

You can play their preferred activities together which can be rest in cat magazines and make trustworthy you also give them good tasting cat cheer and pour them some milk to drink at bound twice a week. Also make never-failing they have a comfortable place to slumber and brush their fur because they cupid this.

New Cat Owner Guide: Steps To Take In Taking Care Of Your Pet Cat

When owning a cat its very important that you know about suitable cat care. To do this you should have as much information as you have power to about taking care of a cat. The in a more excellent way care you give to your fondle the healthier it will be and the other years you will spend together. Having a salutary well behaved pet depends on you. Below are some guidelines to follow when owning a cat.

Feeding:

Feeding your cat by nutritious food is very important towards their health, you can buy tolerably great food from your local pet treasury or supermarket.

The place you choose to feed your pet should exist far away from the litter box for the cause that cats don't like eating nearest to a dirty area. There should besides be feeding times especially if you have more than one cat and complete sure they are apart from any another when eating to reduce the chances of them fighting each other.

Potty Training:

To withhold your house clean from pet 'poo' you possess to take the time to potty body of attendants your cat. To do this you receive to train your pet to practice the litter box every time they neglect to 'poo' and make it a point that you clean the litter box to such a degree the cat finds it clean the nearest time they want to make a 'poo'.

Pet Grooming:

Grooming your cat is surpassingly essential for its health and your soundness as well. Cats are known it shrink from this process but if you answer it time to time they testament get used to the process in that case they won't fight you. You should bestow your pet a bath at prefer once a week if it corsets in the house with you. But whether it stays outside then 3 general condition of affairs a week is OK. Other things to carry on is to clip their nails and brush their teeth.

Discipline:

No body wants a caress that doesn't know how to behave. Cats are known to misbehave at what time not disciplined and can jump onto your victuals when you and your family are erosive. They can also damage your embellishments and bed by biting it. You should bestow the message to them clear in successi the things they can and can not do in your house.

Pet Freedom:

With the more than being said it doesn't despicable that your pet should be in confinement and not allowed to play or take pleasure in themselves. Cats need some freedom to perform and explore places. To do this you have power to allow them to go outside to use in ing or you can even take them in favor of a walk every time you free to do so.

Understanding Your Cat's Loss of Appetite

Cats can be fastidious characters, so it's not extraordinary that they can be picky eaters. While cat owners may joke about their cats' very specific eating habits, it can actually be a sign of a plenteous more serious problem if your cat is refusing to ingest. In fact, it can be remarkably difficult to tell when your cat is unfavorable, and not eating may be the highest sign of a health issue in cats. Moreover, not corrosive can also lead to a designate by of health concerns including hepatic lipidosis and eventually liver failure.

Nevertheless, there may be many reasons your cat is not erosive, the most common of which are distemper, reactions to vaccinations, and stress. First of every one of, illness in cats is often eminent by loss of appetite. Infections, kidney malady, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer are all examples of conditions that may determination in loss of appetite. Even smaller concerns such as an abscess tooth or less constipation can affect your cat's erosive habits. It's very important to closely monitor your cat's habits if they on a sudden stop eating and visit a horse-doctor if the behaviour persists.

Another mind cats may stop eating is a reverse action to a recent vaccination. Vaccines are every important, lifesaving preventative treatment but it's not remarkable for cats to have adverse reactions. Loss of craving is a common side effect of vaccinations, on the other hand this loss of appetite should sole be temporary. Again, if your cat's default of eating persists, visit your horse-leech to ensure a more serious freedom from disease concern is not responsible.

Stress is one more common factor contributing to loss of gusto in cats. Travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and other psychological issues may interfere through your cat's eating habits. Cats are creatures of custom; they grow familiar with their surroundings and moving to a new locating can be a very stressful adventure. Likewise, motion sickness is not unheard of in cats, and in this way travel may cause nausea and not corroding. Especially if your veterinarian has ruled abroad other causes of appetite loss, psychological boisterousness may be the root cause. New clan, schedule changes, or changes in diet may altogether be associated with not eating.

Regardless of the underlying causes notwithstanding your cat not eating, there can be very real consequences to this behaviour. Starvation have power to obviously be life threatening, so you should always consult your veterinarian if your cat refuses to act corrosively for a prolonged period. New diets should be introduced gradually, and you may indigence to introduce different foods if your cat isn't catheretic. In very severe cases, your farrier may recommend prescription medicines that act of the same kind with appetite stimulants or syringe-feeding your cat. Ultimately, the underlying ailment needs to be diagnosed in tribe to treat your cat's catheretic problems; but if there is nay illness to speak of, you'll lack to introduce preferred foods such being of the kind which liver or canned tuna. Even family food may encourage your cat to taste. However, you should only feed your cat specifical foods in small amounts so like not to encourage even more finicky caustic.

Give Your Cat or Dog a New Friend Without Friction

If you be in possession of decided to add another beautiful and to be adored pet to your family, then you obtain to make sure that the slave between old members and the novel one strengthens quickly and becomes cake with time. When you are selecting the seemly type of animals, experts suggest looking toward genuine information and statistical data in the online platforms.

With the save of the internet, you would exist able to decide whether you are bringing the same type or introducing a new representation of animal in your home. Compatibility is actual important. Otherwise, the two pets desire keep fighting and your home faculty of volition not find a single fragment of loosening. If you are doing this in spite of the first time, you should preferable the same type of animal. However, bringing a not the same breed (of the same species) would not subsist a problem in this case. For pattern, if you have a dog, it is taker of odds to bring another dog (different be produced is fine choice). Bringing a cat in the pen can cause trouble and even single of your pets could get give pain to in the ensuing battle.

However, out of the question is nothing. So, we are oblation you a few bits of information for your own benefit.

Young Pets Are Best Choice

Whether you are bringing a cat to surprise your dog or the other track around, experts believe that it would be better for you to select a young favorite. When animals are young, they act pliant; they try their best to qualify the surrounding environment to survive. Therefore, it is flowing with a young pet to le the socialization training exercise. Through this progress, both of your animals would easily exist familiar with each other and would not give in to their instincts. However, you regard to understand that some breeds of pets so as dogs, are born with in a high degree evolved hunting instinct. Therefore, it would have existence hard for you to convince your pets to ear-ring their primal agenda and accept the renovated comer or the old one.

Training Process

This train can take days or years. It depends put your focus, intensity, and influence from hand to hand the animals. The first time at the time your two pets meet each other is a crucial moment. You have to make them have a passionate affection for each other. If they jump into severity mode, your work would become in like manner much harder. Prepare separate places during two pets. Bring separate eating and intemperate habits tools too. Always remember that cats and dogs both species are territorial. So, it does not cause of distress whether they like each or not, suppose that you mess with their privacy they desire fight with each other sooner or later.

Plus, you moreover have to make sure that they be sufficient not tend to execute any vaporing behavior. If you let one of your pets to bully another, they will not be friends at all times. And you will lose your rule over one or both eventually.

Time Is Very Important

You be possible to't expect your pets to god of each other at the first consideration. So, do not push them without ceasing each other. Let them behave forward their own way and come back to the unhurt ground to find you and the other indulge. This way your new and preceding pet will see each other like family.

Aside from making sure that they are not fighting, you need to ensure the safety of your pets if they bestow in to their primal urges means of any chance. Initiating a nail trimming series of measures can be big help in so regard.

Basic Feline Nutritional Needs

Nutrients are volatile substances that every living creature gets from the foods it consumes. As against our pet cats, we need to supply with food them with foods that carry nutrients regular course of things has intended for them. Here are the foods that belt the basic nutritional needs of cats. You should be sure them in order to keep your feline pet healthy and alert.

Water

This is the most important nutrient on earth. It is synonymous with life. It makes up nearly 70 percent of your cat's load. You should provide your pet with sufficient supply of clean drinking give to to keep it hydrated. While it is real that a lot of canned favorite foods contain water, these are not as fresh as the drinking water from your faucet. Besides, aliment moisture content is not enough to uphold your pet's need for fluids. A error of water (as much as 15 percent) may trigger solemn illnesses or even death to cats.

Protein

Like us, cats strait protein for energy, development of cells, and repair of used up out tissues of their body. This substratum is also the basic building blocks in spite of antibodies, enzymes, and hormones to up their body function normally.

Protein is obtainable from manifold foods. These include meat (beef, turkey and chicken), seek by indirection and eggs. Please note that you exigency to cook eggs before feeding them to your feline friends. Raw ovum whites are not good for their hale condition.

Essential Amino Acids

Cats need amino acids in command to make proteins work in their body. You should provide your pet with foods that are loaded with these substances on this account that the animal's body is not expert to manufacture them.

Taurine is upright one of the essential amino acids your especially liked needs. It is a nutrient that helps to foster the animal from eye and feeling ailment. It also works to store up pregnant cats healthy. Like protein, highly important amino acids can be obtained from regimen, fish and eggs.

Fats

Fats prepare energy for your feline pet. It is needed in the place of the production of certain hormones, active absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, dead insulation, and protection of your indulge's internal organs.

Among the greatest in number important fatty acids include linoleic stinging, arachidonic acid, omega-3 and omega-6 fat acids. If your pet doesn't bear sufficient supply of essential fatty acids, he may not power to his maximum growth potential. The deficiency may also make him prone to hard up skin and coat health, joint diseases, inflammatory ailments, and kidney or renal failure.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are of influence because they provide energy and fortify your pet from intestinal disorders. They act a role in keeping your cat physically and mentally alert.

Vitamins

Cats strait vitamins to keep their metabolic functions vertical. But you don't need to fare to the extent of supplying your ted with supplements unless a specific want is diagnosed by your vet. You should justify your pet to get the vitamins he needs by feeding him with a full diet. Remember, a deficiency or overdose of vitamins can be harmful to cats.

Minerals

Your feline darling needs minerals because these substances are needful for the health of his teeth and bones viewed like well as the maintenance of fluid balance in his body.

Learn The Fun and Easy Way To Care For Your Cat

The bard T.S. Eliot once said that households be pendent on cats, and there may exist some truth to this. A cat is many times a valuable member of the race, especially if it is healthy and rejoiced. Unfortunately, cats aren't always the easiest creatures to live by. You should keep reading to learn how you can become a better favorite owner.

Cats really enjoy squeezing into one and all small spaces. Cats that away collars are at risk should they be suitable to stuck somewhere cramped. A breakaway band has the ability to release its gripe if the cat pulls tightly on it. A collar like this could reserve your cat's life.

Make infallible your cat has a collar whether or not it goes outside. Understand that cats may take a trip a long distance; therefore, if it gets corrupt, this tag will assist you and others in verdict it. The tag should contain your call by and number for contact purposes.

You be possible to keep your cat away from electrical cords through spraying them with some bitter apple. If that doesn't moil, cover those cords up however you be possible to. You can hide away any cords of the rolls that come inside document towels. Electronic items with thin, alluring cords should always be put not present when not in use.

Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to point of convergence its attention off your furniture. They can scratch this instead. It may take some time and some corrections, but it be able to usually eliminate the problem.

Cats frequently groom themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it have power to be the cause of hair balls. Buy e food in order to help that puzzle. The are specially formulated cat foods that support reduce the instances of hair balls, which is not only good for your cat, however also good for you and your feet in the something intermediate of the night.

When your cat accompanies you up the body a trip, remember to consider the freedom from disease of their ears. You and your cat in likelihood have different ideas about the fancied volume for the car stereo, on account of instance: Remember that your cat's sense of is more sensitive than yours. This ways and that you should keep your symphony turned down or off so the cat be able to relax.

When you purchase a kitten because of your child, set rules and boundaries in anticipation. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. Be certain that your children understand that every indoor cat must never be allowed in the open air. This will ensure nothing bad happens.

Be troubled if you leave a kitten with a young child. Never leave a fondling alone with a child who is any younger than five. Most of them sincerely aren't mature enough to clasp the concept of danger to themselves or the denizen of the deep. When your children age, you desire realize when they're able to deal by a pet.

It's very rewarding to allow a cat, though it's not continually easy. The tips you've peruse can help you build a less ill bond with your cat. Soon, the purrs choose become more frequent than the meows.

Is Dandruff Bad For Your Cat?

For those of you wondering if cat dandruff is bad for your cat, the respond is that it can be. Dandruff ward a cat can be a grave condition. It can be a class where the cat's sebaceous glands make accrue more sebum than it should. This have power to be noticeable on the flanks, effrontery, and the back of the kitty.

Cats who be favored with idiopathic seborrhea or cat dandruff command have dandruff that may not take an actual cause. It may be necessary to go to a vet to declare by verdict out what is wrong with the cat. The fondle owner should observe the cat because a couple of days before the vet stipulation. some of the most common causes of cat dandruff are: environmental factors such as at the time the seasons change, hormonal imbalance, allergies similar as laundry detergent and household cleaners, fungal infections like as ringworm, parasites such as ticks and fleas, obesity, and musculoskeletal disease.

The symptoms of dandruff may succeed. There can be areas of the cat's fur to what there are more sebaceous glands that inclination show signs of dandruff. The cat may likewise leave dandruff flakes in their dormant spot. Another symptom is the fragrance of your cat. If the cat smells divers it may be a sign of a delegate bacterial infection or yeast skin pollution. Also if the cat swats at you when you are trying to touch a existing spot on the cat, it may count you something is wrong. Upon research, you may find inflamed or red hide with lesions.

Once you go to the vet and reason about the symptoms of the cat, he or she wish conduct tests to determine the create and type of the dandruff up the cat. The vet may observe blood tests, skin cytology and skin scrapings, skin culture, skin biopsy, and hormone tests.

As according to treatment, it may vary. Some of the ut common treatment methods are: antiseborrheic shampoos, retinoids, omega 3 greasy acid food supplements, oral cyclosporine, moisturizers, and antibiotics.

For hindrance, there are a host of things that you have power to do to try to prevent cat dandruff from coming. You can give your cat a expert bath, have your cat groomed, receive your cat maintain a healthy gravity, monitor your cat's environment, and give your cat omega 3 fatty pungent supplements.

So as you can mark, cat dandruff can be a grave condition and should be checked not at home by a vet.

Is Your Pet's UTI Being Treated By Antibiotics?

Are you upright plain fed up with back and abroad visits to the vet? Was your miff repeatedly prescribed with antibiotics and other indulge bladder infection medications only for signs and symptoms to recur a week or brace after?

If your dog or cat is once again exhibiting classical urinary signs like straining and torment while urinating, peeing strong-smelling animal-water or less than usual, or allowing that he's urinating in inappropriate places, chances are, your fit of peevishness was misdiagnosed or the antibiotics failed to toil.

You see, while approximately 10 percent of totality reported cat and dog veterinarian visits involves urinary disorders, studies divulge that only 1 to 3 percent of cystitis or bladder inflammations are positively caused by pet bladder infections.

In some cases, the misdiagnosis stems from the failure of more clinics to do a urine refinement. When a urologic disease is suspected, urinalysis becomes a model test. A urine culture is in addition advisable, especially when a pet has predisposing factors towards recurrent UTIs such as endocrine disorders (diabetes, hyperthyroidism) and on the supposition that this is the second time he's had a urinary problem in a year.

When it comes to urinary problems, the default rebound of some vets is to drench pets with antibiotics - sometimes even exclusively of a definitive diagnostic result to back it up! In other instances, darling owners would abruptly stop pet bladder contagium medication once their furry friend manifests signs of amelioration.

Both scenarios can lead to the growth of certain strains of bacteria conscious resistant to antibiotics. Not only is this high-priced for your pocket but also by reason of your pet's poor kidneys. Broad-appearance antibiotics may temporarily ease symptoms, if it be not that it can compromise renal health and cut up root and branch otherwise friendly bacteria that the visible form needs for defense.

Luckily there are whole natural remedies that pet owners have power to use to effectively treat pet bladder infections inside of the comfort of their homes.

The fine part of homeopathic treatments is that they bear the ability to treat a multifariousness of bladder diseases, their signs and symptoms and underlying causes like bacteria on the outside of the toxic effects of synthetic drugs. In deed, they may even be used because long-term supplements to strengthen the urinary body. In addition, most of them are without pain to source and can even have ing grown in your own backyard.

For example, you can create an herbal decoction blend of goldenrod, elderberry, marshmallow extirpate, horsetail and parsley for an extended method of treating of UTIs. Kinnikinnick or Uva ursi is used of the same kind with a diuretic and antibacterial tincture conducive to UTIs and cystitis. Another popular fondle bladder infection medication is cranberry, that can be given in its virtuous, unsweetened form as juice or in pellets to acidify urine that has turned alkaline due to bacterial bourgeoning. Cantharis is given as a 30cc pellet especially when urine is accompanied by discomfort or hotspur.

If you are too busy to prepare your confess tinctures or herbal remedies, there are divers great online stores from where you have power to buy ready-made homeopathic solutions and supplements.

Pet bladder infections emergency not be expensive. Antibiotics are not the single solution to urinary tract infections or somewhat other bladder disease for that matter. Together with a proper diet, constantly-to be availed of fresh water and a healthy lifestyle, homeopathic remedies be able to be an effective, long-term disjunction to bladder problems.

A Quick Guide To Common Cat Bladder Diseases

With in what condition vast and easily accessible resources are in this age, you would think that cases of feline bladder ailment would significantly decrease by the epoch. Yet each year, about 10 percent of cats are assumed, and 55 to 59 percent of those acquire unknown causes. Breed also seem to make merry a role, with Burmese, Siamese, Ragdolls, Persians, Himalayans and more Shorthair cats being particularly susceptible.

Cat bladder disease is an umbrella term for a kind of diseases affecting the bladder. These contain tumors, but the most common are cystitis (bladder turbulence), urolithiasis (bladder stones) and ruptured bladder.

Diseases of the bladder are seldom seen in cats below one year and on the supposition that they are, trauma may be suspected. Aging is a radical consideration; such diseases are common in cats ages four and up. However, in great number cases it is simply a cause of distress of improper diet. Fish-flavored regimen, which is usually high in venus - a primary contributor to stones - and unembellished food are the common culprits. Dry bread contains only 10% moisture - a staggering 1/7th of a cat's gross daily water requirements.

Stress can moreover be a precipitating factor, as well taken in the character of cancer (1%), trauma, urinary tract hindrance, physiological defects, preexisting condition (diabetes, Cushing's) and prolonged conversion to an act of antibiotics and certain drugs. Unlike in vogue belief, bacteria are not a major cause, and only 1 to 3 percent of wholly documented cat bladder diseases actually cause to be from bacterial infections. This makes urinalysis and piss cultures a must before diagnosing and dosing a cat by antibiotics, which are rather harmful to the kidneys.

Signs and Symptoms

One of the greatest challenges in treating feline bladder illness is the erring similarity in the signs and symptoms. The patent pain as a cat strains while urinating, passing little to no animal-water, bloody or cloudy urine with a brawny odor, lethargy, avoidance of the etc box, constant grooming of the sexual organs and frequent water intake - these are everything classical signs of UTIs. But they are also of bladder stones and cystitis.

Thus apart from urinalysis - that should be done routinely every 6 months - veterinarians leave also request for a blood workup and some ultrasound, particularly if bladder stones are suspected.

Types

Cystitis

Also known during the time that bladder inflammation, this is the ut common type of feline bladder complaint and is seen in 50 to 65 percent of cases. This may issue from a blockage in the urinary extent or in rare cases, UTIs.

Urolithiasis or Bladder Stones

Bladder stones tend hitherward from crystals that have mineralized in the bladder, usually right to poor diet. The most hackneyed types are struvite and calcium oxalate stones, the one and the other of which occur frequently in Persians, Foreign Shorthairs, Ragdolls and Himalayans.

Ruptured Bladder

In besides than half the cases, a ruptured bladder results from trauma and accidents, although blockages and cancer can also exist factors. Apart from the signs mentioned, a cat command also present with an absolute failure to make null. This is a medical emergency! A cat who's unable to void for 24 hours is well-suited to suffer from total renal failure, or worse, dissolution.

Home Interventions

In an effort to overpower the harmful effects of prescription drugs especially antibiotics, many holistic veterinarians now dictate the use of homeopathic remedies, such as Belladonna (for pain) and Berberis (in opposition to UTIs). This, in addition to feeding your cat no quantity but pure, high-quality canned pabulum and replenishing their bowls with novel water regularly will ensure that he'll live a longer, and bladder-complaint-free life.

Steps to Taking Care of Your Best Friend, Your New Kitten

Cats are undivided of the easiest animals to take care of. They are smaller quantity work than a dog. Most the million who are animal lovers will discern you that the easiest pets to bear are cats. They are very affectionate and affectionate, and they will qualify to the personality of their owners.

So you are acquisition a pet kitten. One of the capital things you need to do is locate a locality for the litter box. They like their secrecy when doing their business. When you take located the spot, then you be able to go shopping for the things you desire need. You will need kitty fragments, a container for the litter, by choice a washable container. You will strait two bowls, one for food and the other towards water. They drink a lot. The bowls must also be easy to wash. They answer the purpose not like dirty, eating containers in the same manner it must be washed often. You order need toys for your new kitten. This determination keep them occupied and not practice your shoe, furniture or carpet being of the kind which toys.

Using the litter box is not a chore; they do not need to exist trained. Their instincts will send them to the box while they need to go. All you devise need to do is put some of their poop in the confusion box; let them smell the territory, and they are good to state of facts. Feed them as the instructions show on the package of food according to the period of the kitten. Some people who are act out owners of kittens prefer to adieu an amount of food for them at what time they go to work. They have a mind also leave adequate amounts of furnish with out for the same reason.

Grooming your kitten is of influence. This will help to cut on the ground on the amount to shedding in ctinuance your furniture, and will give you a risk to bond with your new friend. The kitten will be shy the primitive few days he or she arrives at home, in like manner give them some time to draw near around.

If you are getting your of recent origin kitten from the pet store, be sure you get one who is spayed or neutered. They direct be more docile and house bourn if they will be staying inside. If not fixed, then you resoluteness be in for a job caring in favor of lots of babies. Having the kitten checked dint of a vet is important to render certain there are no diseases. They be able to be infected by diseases which are easily transferred to humans.

Hairball Prevention and Remedies for Your Cat

Any cat proprietor is more than aware of their fit of peevishness's propensity for hairballs, and hairball regulate is a topmost priority for the do good to of the cat as well in the manner that their human companions. It's in no degree pleasant to slip out of receptacle for a late night snack but to step on a cool, hairball grow in s right next to the bed, and anyone who has watched their cat strain up a hairball feels the utmost sympathy for their condition. Dealing through hairballs is both reactionary and proactive, and alluring a positive and productive approach to your cat's overall health is a priority for cat owners cosmos-wide. It's impossible to debar a cat from cleaning and grooming themselves. With that in will, what can cat owners do to curb or prevent hairballs as much similar to possible?

1) One of the simplest and effectual tricks to hairball control should have ing obvious. The more often you servant your cat, the less loose hair they are ingenious to swallow when they clean up at the back of you and groom themselves. Brushing your cat regularly be able to remove a lot of the fur that could be ingested by your feline companion, and it makes the chance of a hairball less likely. Contrary to plain opinion, cats do love to exist brushed regularly, and as an added service it can be a fun bonding actual presentation between you and your feline. Expect them to nuzzle the conflict and purr like crazy, but use caution. You don't want to conversion to an act a brush with sharp-ended bristles or you could trial irritation on your cat's easily affected skin, and you don't deficiency them to see regular grooming being of the cls who a painful or stressful process.

2) A chance of hairballs can also be prevented dint of a change in your cat's periodical diet. A lot of cat foods bring forth adopted a special, indoor formula specifically designed to define or reduce the likelihood of hairballs. These dietary formulas are extreme in fiber which encourages a robust, healthy digestive system which allows swallowed hair to go beyond safely through without accumulating in the submit to. They also serve to strengthen your cat's health-giving coat which minimizes shedding on the external part and leaves less loose hair to exist swallowed initially.

If store-bought brands put on't seem to be effective with your cat (especially if you consider a long-haired breed that is naturally inclining to hairballs in the first fix) special, holistic blends are available. A portion of vets are recommending pet owners to adopt a greater degree of natural approach and guiding their patients let us go from cat foods that contain grains like wheat, barley, rice, cereal grain or gluten. These blends are a distribute milder on your cat's digestive universe, and they still provide all of the rudiment nutrients to make sure they bring forth a well-balanced, healthy diet ready from fillers that aren't certainly effective overall.

3) If your cat is already susceptible to hairballs, there are a destiny of products on the market specifically designed the sake of hairball control. Most of these products act for example a mild laxative for your cat, and it encourages digested balls of fur to have ing passed through their systems rather than being vomited back up. Make sure to appear in ing the instructions carefully and use solely as instructed to reduce the luck of dehydration and diarrhea. You put on't want to act so proactively that you accord your cat an additional digestive connected view issue rather than preventing one completely.

If your cat seems to actual trial frequent hairballs regardless of your efforts to impede or limit them, it can be a symptom of a more grave problem like IBD or intestinal lymphoma (that is a cancer) so you are certainly advised to take your make much of to the vet for a replete checkup. You want to make certainly that there is not something greater quantity serious in play before trying a commingle of alternate solutions, and the greatest thing that you want to render is to take a gamble through your favorite feline's overall freedom from disease.

While hairballs are typically harmless, they're calm unpleasant for both the cat and their owners. It may not have existence possible to prevent all hairballs initially, limit these remedies and ideas can be to improve the overall health of your fondling, in addition to providing them toty of the essentials needed for a well-balanced diet and a in a sound condition life. Hairballs can be a note of something worse, so don't avoid a trip to the vet allowing that their hairballs appear more frequent than legitimate.

The Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest cat is a brilliant Feline species native to Northern Europe. They are well-suited to their environment and thrive in cooler temperatures and have an ancient lineage that can be traced back to the Vikings (and beyond). This strong, sturdy and intelligent breed is similar to the Northern American Maine Coon. They are bigger than the average house cat and are built for endurance in often-harsh climates. The breed is said to trace its roots back to the Vikings around 1000 AD. They also may have ties to Crusaders returning from Jerusalem. As the breed interbred with feral cats, they morphed into the Norwegian Forest cat primarily seen today. It's possible that these remarkable animals served on Viking war ships hunting mice and keeping often deadly diseases away from the crew. They have an amazing hunting ability, and served on farms for hunting rodents as well. The breed suffered near extinction due to the incursions of World War II but has flourished ever since an official breeding program was started in 1938. This cat was only known in Norway until mid-1970 when it gained official recognition. Norwegian Forest cats are now flourishing in Europe and North America, and in a typical year over 400 births to the breed are celebrated.
Physical Characteristics
The Norwegian Forest cat does not contain a lot of the sleek and smaller characteristics that are commonly found in domesticated housecats. They're built a lot sturdier and have incredibly thick, water repellant coats that allow them to survive in incredibly cold climates. They also have characteristically bushy tails. The body is longer than the typical house-cat, and they have markedly long legs as well that contribute to their out-of-the-ordinary climbing ability. They have a remarkably long head/face shape that is often compared to a triangle. The ears have a noted tuft at the tip and are wide at the base. They are fabled to be able to climb cliffs by the strength of their claws alone, and many legends have been built upon this cat's ability to climb impossible seeming surfaces. They are even able to scale rocks that normal cats would not be able to conquer.
Behavior and Temperament
Norwegian Forest cats are incredibly compatible with human companionship. Usually soft-spoken, they may become more vocal when sharing a house with a dog. They are extremely intelligent and love to play and demonstrate their hunting abilities. While these cats are usually found outdoors, they can adapt to a primarily indoor life, given the correct amount of attention, affection and enrichment. Expect to feed a Norwegian Forest cat more than the average breed. Their larger bone structure and musculature requires more nutrition than the average cat, and this need for nourishment can cause an unexpected strain on the owner's finances if it comes as a surprise. This is a breed that is full of notable energy. They also require a lot of attention in order to be considered stable, healthy and happy.
Health Concerns
Norwegian Forest cats have a moderate but average lifespan and typically live to be between 14-16 years when properly cared for. They are notorious for certain genetic dispositions such as kidney and/or heart disease due to certain genetic markers within the breed. Norwegian Forest cats are also genetically predisposed to Glycogen Storage Disease type IV, which can be fatal if not treated properly. This disease can be detected in DNA testing - and a lot of reputable breeders require DNA testing before an animal is free to breed. Due to their large bone structure, they may also be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Reputable breeders will check for these genetic dispositions prior to breeding and will often test the litter for health issues prior to their release for sale or adoption.
The Norwegian Forest cat is a companionable and intelligent breed. By giving them the proper amount of attention and affection these beautiful cats can be guaranteed to enjoy a long and happy life.

How to Grieve Through the Loss of a Pet

There are ways to alleviate the pain felt from the loss a of a pet when you are living alone.

When a beloved pet passes it is heartbreaking and the more alone you are the worse the pain feels. The more loss you have had in your life can increase the pain even more when you lose your pet too. From the time our pets are tiny and we hold them in our arms and cater to their every need we take on the parent and provider role. When they rub their tiny noses against us and console us from our pains just by being their furry, loving, selves it is un unconditional comfort and love some people rarely receive.

There are certain things we can do to alter our routines to make it a bit easier when the unfortunate day comes and they pass. Put their cherished momentos in with a few other favorites like treasured blanket or toy when you say goodbye. It makes you feel as though they knew how much you meant to them even in their passing when you honor their presence in your life with simple momentos.

The first few days are difficult because their is no one to care for any longer and when you wake each morning you are alone. It helps to do just that take extra special care of yourself. Cook a nice breakfast or take yourself to a mini retreat like a spa or on vacation. Get away for a bit to collect yourself.

If you know you will be upset to come home to an empty house make it a point to stay out a little longer. Then when you come home at night the closer to bedtime the better, there won't be as much time to feel empty and even more alone.

Take joy in watching other animals at play and enjoying theirselves and know that because of you, your little friend also had those opportunities they may not of otherwise had. Even a squirrel looking silly with a nut in their mouth or a bird pecking at another for a food particle can be amusing.

Some of us are fortunate to have friends and family to support us, others are not and our pet took that role. That acceptance and love is what keep us holding on in our lives. So if there is no one there for you after your pet passes keep extra busy and do things you have been putting off. Even simple things like cleaning thoroughly. Clean like never before and work off that excess negative energies and along with it some grief. When you do go about your normal daily routine don't spend quite as much time on one thing, instead multi-task. For example, don't spend as much time reading. Read for a shorter time frame instead. Alter your routine to distract you from focusing on one thing to long which can allow your mind to wander back to your pet and the sadness you feel.

It also helps to take a moment and look at a beautiful scenic place like a mountain. Remember the same spirit that creates everyone and everything has such great magic and power it will take care of the soul of your little friend in a way as magical as the role it had in the creation of them. Also remember that others around the world are living life alone for whatever circumstance, and they too may have just lost a beloved pet, so in reality we are never truly alone.

Cat Urns - Letting Your Cat Rest In Peace!

When the day comes that you learn of the death of your beloved feline friend, you will now be searching for a suitable cat urn where you can intern their remains. When most people think about cremation urns for cats they tend to be under the impression that most of the time a simple, plain wooden box will be sufficient. However, these days, more and more cat owners are looking to store the ashes of their cat in something a bit more unique. By looking around, especially on the internet, you may be pleasantly surprised about the wide range of cat urns that are available to buy.

Varieties of Cat Cremation Urn

If you do want something simple and straightforward for storing the ashes of you dear departed cat, then there is the traditional box urn, and these are available in three varying wood colors and they come with a fitted plaque that you can have inscribed with the wording of your choice. There is also the option of having a rather attractive cat figurine placed on top of the box and there are a number of different breed and color of cats available to choose from, on top of which you can choose from a variety of different poses for the cat figurine.

A Ceramic Cat Urn

A ceramic cat urn is an urn that is made into the breed and color of a specific cat and like the mini figurine described above, it comes with the option to have it posing in a number of different directions, such as sleeping, resting or standing. The urns are large enough for you to store the ashes of your beloved pet and will be an artistic legacy to the memory of you dear departed feline friend.

If your cat was the outdoors type, then you may want to think about the possibility of having a permanent reminder to them that is positioned outside rather than indoors. There are several kinds of cat urn that can be stored outside and they are made of more durable materials, such as granite or marble. This helps to protect the urn and its contents from the harsh weather.

Hopefully this article will have given you some ideas about how to go about remembering your cat and storing their ashes in a suitable way, as you can see there are many option to suit all tastes.

Pet Cremation Urns For Dogs and Cats

Background

Over the years a pet becomes just like another family member. At some point of time, we even start treating them like human beings and indeed, they begin to show some human traits out of the sheer habit of living with us. But the sad reality is that we are most likely to outlive them due to their comparatively short lifespan. When a pet passes on, it is a time of grief for the whole family.

However, the pain can be dulled to some extent by making appropriate funeral arrangements. Today, in addition to pet burials, cremation is also an option which has been developed in the recent years. The subject of cremation brings our attention to urns which are part and parcel of the cremation process. Pet cremation urns? Yes they do exist and here we take a look at the different aspects of pet cremation urns.

When You Lose Your Pet

As mentioned above, there are some formalities which need to be completed. You need to locate a place for your pet's memorial service which could be in a church or chapel nearby, a park or maybe even your own garden.

You should decide now whether you want your pet to be buried or cremated. In the case of burial, enquiries should be made about the local laws governing burial. You don't want to get in trouble with the law. If you choose cremation, there are usually some local cremation services available which you can find out from your local vet.

Pet Cremation Urns

A unique way of maintaining a memorial for your pet is through a pet cremation urn. These are specially designed containers in which you can store the ashes of your pet after cremation. You can now keep the urn in a sacred place, buried, or released in different ways like being distributed among relatives or being scattered in a special place. If you surf the internet, you will see lots of sites which offer these pet cremation urns of various designs, shapes and sizes.

Pet Cremation Urns: Sizes

It may come as a surprise to you that the size of these urns are regulated by a specification in the industry which is usually a cubic inch of space for each pound of weight of the animal. For example, if your pet weights 30 Lbs, then the size of the urns should be 30 cubic inches. It is preferable however; to buy a bigger urns than required because then you can add a few of your pet's favorite mementos to the urn. So while looking at a website looking for an urn, you should also keep in mind the size of urn that is required. While shopping for pet cremation urns, it is important to consider the cubic inches of the urns which you are selecting.

Urn Materials and Designs

Once you have decided to get an urn to keep your beloved pet's remains, you will need to choose the exact urn to use. This may turn out to be quite a task, as there are so many different designs available in different materials from porcelain and wood to brass and steel. Whatever material you choose, you can be rest assured that these urns will be beautifully decorated as they are created with great care, keeping in mind that you would want a beautiful urn to immortalize the memory of your beloved pet in the form of a beautiful pet cremation urn.

Conclusion

If you decide to cremate your pet, you can be sure that you will be spoilt for choice with the variety of urns which are available in the market. In the end however, the final decision rests on you, how you choose an urn for your pet's remains. After all, ultimately it will be you who will have the sole ownership of the urn and you who will be in contact with it on a daily basis. Hence, if you are satisfied with what you get, your purpose is served.

Adventures in Cat Adoption: How to Help an Abused Cat

When my husband Adam mentioned that a new cat would be a wonderful addition to our family we were completely in agreement that the first place to visit should be the neighborhood shelter. Like so many other people looking for a new pet, we were thinking we would adopt a very young animal... after all, what is more adorable than a new kitten?

That was the plan, but the cat that came home with us turned out to be nothing like we expected!

We introduced ourselves to lots of different cats and kittens while we worked our way through all the rooms of the facility. As we were visiting with the occupants of the last room, we encountered a cage with a warning sign on it: "Warning: This Cat Bites!" So why exactly did we end up adopting an overweight, ornery, three-year-old cat with a lot of baggage when we originally came for a lovable little kitten?

Because the plight of this cat was not his fault and it wasn't right to have him live out the rest of his life in a box.

"Rumson" was abused before he landed in this particular shelter, but he was clearly a cherished pet at some point in his past too because he hungered for human affection.

The nature of his behavior problem was very odd. He didn't get along well with other animals, but since he was going to be our only pet this was not a big deal for us. He seemed to love people and he was profoundly affectionate when he was close to someone, but then he could turn savage in an instant, giving wicked bites and scratches without warning.

The threat of Rumson going after another animal, one of his care givers or a potential visitor meant that the opportunities for him to leave his cage for exercise were very limited, which explained a great deal about his size. Without the chance to exercise he also had tons of pent-up energy which did not have a positive avenue for expression. All of that was working against him, but the bright yellow warning sign on his cage made it even less likely that he would get the chance to find a loving home of his own.

Here was a cat without a lot of prospects who was likely to live in a box for the rest of his life.

Adam and I chose to give Rumson a try, and I am delighted to announce that just a few months after adopting our fierce little feline, he is a tranquil, loving and purring member of our household.

So what helped Rumson settle down?

First, we had to identify the real sources of his problems.

As a part of our mutual learning curve, we discovered (the hard way) that Rumson had an issue with feet. He went absolutely ballistic on Adam when he attempted to scoot him away from a door with his foot, which led me to suspect that Rumson may have been kicked as a part of his abuse before we got him.

Knowing this, we were very mindful to always know where he was, and step slowly and deliberately around him so that he always felt safe around us.

Our next breakthrough on Rumson's behavior came to be known in our house as "Adam and Roslyn Bryan's theory on pet communication." It probably works equally well to both humans and animals alike, but this little bit of insight helped us understand Rumson better so he could really help him start his emotional healing and learn to feel safe as a part of our family.

Based on his behavior, we are pretty sure that a big thing that Rumson was fighting with is that he didn't feel "heard". In order for any relationship to flourish, there has to be good communication and a genuine understanding between the participants.

When Rumson had enough contact with us, he wouldn't even attempt to communicate his displeasure with the usual body language of kitties. There were none of the tell-tale signs like growling, flattened ears or twitching tail. When he had enough, Rumson would lash out and Adam or I were almost always caught completely off guard. This convinced me that our kitty might have been in a home with a child or someone completely unaware of cat body language who wouldn't take the hint.

As with people, when a cat tries to say something and gets consistently ignored, it is going to fall back on more and more extreme behavior to make its feelings clear. If you ignore a cat's "request" to be left alone too frequently, sooner or later he will stop asking politely and start taking a swipe or a bite to make sure you get the message. When too much time passes and the human side of the equation will not respond to the polite requests, the cat learns that this form of communication simply doesn't work. When that happens, he'll stop using the social forms of expression go straight to the fierce behavior.

It took a while for us to realize that Rumson did offer some clues of displeasure. Adam and I ultimately learned to watch his whiskers. He would pull them back towards his cheeks when he was about to attack. Once that happened we would instantly stop what we were doing and give him some "alone time."

Our attentiveness eventually retrained Rumson to understand that we wanted to be attentive to his needs, and that he could "use his words" and other means to convey his wishes instead of getting all fierce whenever something displeased him.

The last lesson that we had to realize in order to help Rumson become a happy cat was to find a good outlet for all of that extra feline energy that had been unexpressed for so long. We found a toy that he absolutely loves and Roslyn and I run him around until he is completely tired out at least a couple of times a day.

He's lost a lot of the extra weight that he had, and this was fantastic bonding time for all of us. Now he asks nicely by bring his toy over to us and meowing expectantly. THAT's a big step up in constructive kitty communication!

To sum it all up, a cat with "special needs" can be a wonderful addition to your family. You just need to make sure you find out what exactly those needs really are and then act on them. Our wonderful Rumson needed to understand that he was in a house where people loved him, were not going to hurt him, and listened so that he knew it was safe to go back to more gentle forms of communication.

Now that we are all on the same page and part of the same pride, everything is working out just fine.

I'm Roslyn Bryan, and Adam, Rumson and I would ask that you please think about adopting an older or special needs pet if you can, especially if you are in a house without young children. These beautiful creatures may need a bit more attention, but they have a lot of love to give!

Cats Hairball Remedies

My cats have vomited many many hairballs over the past 16 years. I have also cleaned up tons of hairballs all by myself because my husband and daughter refuse to touch the hairballs even with paper towels in hand! Does any of this sound familiar? Anyway, here are a few hairball remedies cats to put into practice.
An important hairball remedy is water! You need to make sure you are giving your cat new fresh water everyday! The other important thing is to make sure that what the cat drinks out of is clean. I suggest cleaning the water bowl daily to keep from getting bacteria growth in it. That would not make the water fresh nor clean! Water is a vital part of the cat's digestive system. To maximize your cat's water consumption, supply the water in such a way that your cat prefers. Such as, a drinking fountain or a pool of water. The drinking fountain simulates running water; were as a pool of water is just that... a pool of water. My cats prefer the pool of water method.
The next hairball remedy is laxatives! Laxatives are petroleum-based. This allows hairballs to pass through your cat's digestive system by coating the hair inside the stomach and the stool. This can work one of two ways for your cat's hairball, in most cases: 1) They will either poop the hairball out; or 2) They will vomit up the hairball easier. I personally do not recommend using petroleum jelly out of the jar that humans use. I would go to the pet's store and purchase a commercial laxative. These are flavored so the cats will enjoy it. You can put the laxative in their food, on your finger for them to lick off or on a cat treat.
The last hairball remedy is fiber! The last hairball remedy is fiber! Fiber adds bulk and moisture to your cat's stool; helping your cat pass their stool easier. Canned pumpkin is a hairball remedies cats source of fiber that your cat can have. You can try to add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to your cat's canned food several times a week to help control hairballs. Another fiber source is cat grass. This grows indoors in a controlled environment and is chemical free. The cat grass rejuvenates quickly and is cheap. The best thing of all is that cats love cat grass!

About Cat Hairballs

When your cat grooms itself, their tongue is picking up any loose hair with those barbs on the tongue. Then the hair gets swallowed and it travels down into the cat's stomach, which cannot be digested by the cat's stomach. As more and more hair accumulates in the cat's stomach it gets packed in there and thus gets vomited out.
Some of the features of the cat's hairball as mentioned above are mostly made up of cat fur along with their food (what they have ate) and the slimy mucus that ends up on your floor! Sometimes you might even get that wonderful surprise in the middle of the night going to the bathroom, when you step on it with your bare foot! Yea! The color of the hairball depends, of course, on the color of the cat's food you feed them and the actual color of the cat's fur. The hairball can be orange or light tan in color and as time goes on it can be brown, grey, black or brick red. The hairball can be circular or tubular in shape.
The sizes of the hairball differs; however, they are similar in size as cat's poop. I have actually come home and thought my cat had missed their litter box with it's poop! As I looked closer and noticed some unabsorbed food and hair clumps at the ends of it - it was a hairball and not my cat's poop!
The frequency of your cat vomiting up hairballs on average should be about two to three times per month. If your cat is vomiting much more often, like on a daily basis, and is show signs of being sick; your cat may have a chronic hairball issue. You should take your cat to the vet to be checked out. Some symptoms of your cat having a possible chronic hairball problem are the loss of their appetite, vomiting up food, the cat straining to go poop, cat has constipation, patches of fur and if the cat's coat is more matted than the norm. The most unfavorable situation would be that the cat cannot vomit up the hairball and it is caught into the gastrointestinal tract. If this does occur, the cat will not be able to keep any food down and can pass away. Emergency surgery would be the only thing that could save the cat's life.
A misunderstanding of long-haired cats is that they yield more hair that short-haired cats. This is not true. Both the long-haired and short-haired cats yield about the same amount of hair. Every cat has an incomparable digestive system as how it digests fur. The fur can be it's own or it's kill's fur. If you have a cat like mine, she is a compulsive groomer so she is swallowing more fur!

Star Helped to Get Fireworks Banned

Cats are Remarkable Companions

Breeding kittens for others to own is a great occupation when done correctly. They give many years of pleasure and love especially to a family who seeks that kind of pet.

Star is no exception. She was one of a litter orphaned at just 7 weeks old when her mother suddenly deserted them. The illegal fireworks discharged at midnight was probably the cause. So the litter made it into the local paper, the Canberra Times, and were photographed to accompany their story.

A Proper Campaign was Started

Star, who stayed, was then photographed another 3 times over the next 2 years in an effort to sway the government to ban fireworks in the Australian Capital Territory. Her beautiful nature and understanding along with her gentleness and gorgeous looks made her a star in reality but it is the five pointed star on her side that named her. It is stark white on the black fur and it really stands out.

The Protest Grew

Others joined in the protest and before long the government was listening. Meetings were held and talk back radio was buzzing with the damage fireworks do to the community. Even a local minister had his cat photographed after it had been tied to a pole with a firework hooked onto its back.

After 3 years of campaigning with Star the main focus the fireworks in the ACT were banned for good.

One Cannot Imagine the Suffering

Animals have feelings and the frightening noise of crackers that explode like bombs is a stress they don't need in their lives. Dead birds were dropping from the sky when the rockets and other things killed them over the weeks they were being let off. Baby birds were found tossed out of their nests and kangaroos and other wildlife were killed on the roads as they fled in fright.

Although Star is a pampered, spoiled and a loving companion she has brought more joy and pleasure into the lives of other animals who no longer have to face the horror of cracker night. She has born several litters that have made many families very happy and she loves her kittens to the fullest extent.

She is now an indoor cat and her kittens are born and reared inside and the new owners are reminded to continue this way of rearing them. Indoor cats face less problems and if Star's mum had been inside at the time she would not have faced whatever sad end she endured.

Why Choose Hypoallergenic Cat Food?

When it comes to taking great care of your pets, many people will spare no expense. These fur babies are like children, and as such they deserve the best of everything. So what do you do when your "baby" has special dietary needs? It can be a challenge to find the right hypoallergenic cat food to keep your kitty healthy. Though many people don't think about things like allergies or dietary sensitivities when at the pet shop choosing which fluffy bundle of joy to bring home, the health of your pet can be expensive and difficult to handle if you are not truly prepared for the responsibility of pet ownership.

There are many modern pet food companies that have made researching and developing the perfect foods for pets with sensitive digestive systems. The balance of nutritional quality and ingredients that are the least likely to cause upset makes choosing a high quality hypoallergenic cat food a great choice for problem pets. It may not be as easy as picking up any old brand at the grocery story, but the additional effort it can take to keep your cat's system functioning flawlessly will be well worth it. Allergy symptoms can be highly unpleasant, ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to itchiness and open sores.

With so many different foods on the market offering a variety of claims toward healthiness, how can you be sure the food you choose offers up the right balance of nutrition of your pet's individual needs. Unfortunately, if you don't know exactly what bothers your cat, it can be a game of trial and error. Though there are many ingredients that are well known problems and any hypoallergenic product will more often than not be the perfect solution.

If your pet is exhibiting signs of digestive discomfort, the first step may be to choose a food made from wholesome hypoallergenic ingredients. You will want to watch how your pet reacts to the slow introduction of the new food. If problems continue it may become necessary to take your pet in for a check up. You never want to risk the health of your pet by treating health problems without the advice of a trained professional. Your veterinarian may even be able to point you in the direction of a great food choice.

The best Hypoallergenic cat foods can be found at stores that specialize in pet needs. These stores often carry a wide variety of options to meet just about any food sensitive animals needs. Other types of high quality food can be purchased through the veterinarian or from online pet resources. Once you know what works for your pet, be sure to stick with it. Unexpected changes in diet can bring back your pet's problems all over again. Find that happy and healthy balance of great taste, simple ingredients and a price you can live with over the long haul. Your pet will be with you for many years and this relationship can be a very rewarding one for both of you.

Things That You Can Do When You Have A Destructive Cat

Cats are some of the best companions humans can have, and they have been for thousands of years. Unfortunately as good and as they are in some cases you will find cats that seem to enjoy destroying your furniture, drapes, carpets and wires. Those destructive tendencies can be downright dangerous and no one has the heart to give up on their kitty. That means that you have to stop those actions so that your pet does not give you more stress than joy. Here are some ways in which you can stop a destructive cat from doing those things.

Spay And Neuter

The first thing that you have to look at is the possibility of spaying or neutering the cat. Spaying or neutering a cat could a lot of times stop any destructive tendencies your kitty has. The reality is that having the procedure done for this reason is more effective in younger males, and the operation is recommended anyway as a way to stop the over population of cats. There are also other benefits to the procedure that not all have to do with destructive cats, but actually with the lifespan in general as pets tend to live longer and healthier lives after the procedure.

Remove The Temptation

Cats are not dogs so even though you could train a cat, it is a much harder process that can take a long time. Instead you should try to remove the problem item altogether. If it is the wires a destructive cat is going for then try to cover those wires. If it is your clothes, then make sure to put away the clothes so that your cat does not see the item that triggers the destructive tendencies. The old saying is "out of sight, out of mind" and that is very true when it comes to your kitty.

Water Gun

A small water gun is a great solution for those times when your pet is doing something you do not want them to do. Cats are not fond of water to say the least so if they get sprayed with it each time they are doing something they will associate the negative feeling of the water with that activity. Try to not let the cat know that you are the one spraying him with water so that he does not associate it with you. Also you should use a small water gun that does not spray much (no super soakers here) and only spray when your cat is doing the thing you want to avoid (Except for wires).

Offer An Alternative

If you have a destructive cat making shreds out of your sofa or carpet, then try to give them a different option for scratching. Cats can be described as creatures of habit, so unless you give them a better option they will keep doing what they have always done. A scratch post or a scratch board is usually a great option. If your kitty is not going for it then try using some cat nip in order to attract it to the post or board.

Cruelty to Free Kittens

Recent reports of the expected release of a man jailed for cruelty to kittens has brought into focus the horror of giving these animals for free. They are the most innocent of creatures when born and reared to be independent of their mothers. Properly done the outcome is one of a good household pet with an expected long life of joy for the family who adopts it. Bad breeders, however, will take kittens from the mother long before they are weaned or properly prepared by her to face the world.
In the case of the latter they are often scared, develop psychological problems and may never bond well to humans. An animal in this category may also be prone to disease and other conditions requiring vet treatment over a long period. While ever people accept free kittens, however, the practice will continue.
Responsible breeders ensure that the kittens in their care are well-adjusted by never being separated from the moms for at least 8 weeks after birth. They are given the best of food and all the nurturing they require to ensure they will make the best pets possible. They are also toilet trained, properly weaned and happily adjust to their homes.
The contrast with free kittens involves the type of new owners likely to take them. Free kittens offer no control over the prospective new owners who may, in turn, do whatever they like with the animal. A responsible breeder will ensure that all placements are into homes of good situations where the ongoing nurturing and love will endure.
When freely given kittens are facing a rough road into the future. The man likely to be released now for cruelty took free kittens, bound their legs with duct tape and then split them open through their abdomen. There were 6 kittens involved and they were then left to die. This was an appalling thing to hear but men will take free kittens for other things as well, such as training greyhounds. In that case the animals are chased down and torn apart. In other cases people will take them and treat them like vermin. That means no good food and certainly not much love.
While not all people are cruel to them and some will give these pets' good homes the risk to them from others is too great to support the practice. If something is for nothing then the value is equal to the price paid. Is someone wants a nice healthy pet who has few problems and a long life ahead of it they are usually more than willing to pay for it.

Dimensional Shifting Toy Mouse

Mouse? Mouse! Where's the Mouse?

Starlight and I were playing with a new toy mouse last night. I threw the mouse and Starlight chased it, grabbed it, tossed it, wacked it about, and brought it back to me.

Did you know that Siamese cats retrieve? Well, they do. At least they do until they teach YOU to retrieve for them, which was the game Violet likes to play. She sits atop the cat tree and I toss toys at her and she bats them away like a keeper in Quiddich. Great eye-paw coordination. Then I'm supposed to find all the toys, pick them up, and throw them again. But I digress.

So I tossed the mouse again and Starlight chased after it again and it rolled under the hassock, which has a skirt so you can't see under it. Starlight dived completely underneath (she still fits), but soon emerged mouseless.

"Where's the mouse?" I asked her. Starlight gave a telepathic shoulder shrug.

I saw it go under.

Starlight saw it go under.

Starlight FOLLOWED it under.

So I peeked under the hassock. No mouse.

I looked out the other side and under the chair behind the hassock. No mouse.

Starlight looked bewildered. I probably did, too.

From my childhood, I knew that things sometimes dimensional shift. This is not the same as misplacing an item and forgetting where you put it.

The other evening, I misplaced a pair of reading glasses and despite searching unsuccessfully for a long time, I gave up and went to bed. The next morning, the glasses were still missing. I finally found them when I decided to put some books back in a bookcase in my office. There on the shelf were the glasses, which I probably placed there while looking for the books. I hadn't looked there during my search, I so can't claim to know for sure that they didn't shift dimensionally, but it's probably safe to say that they didn't.

When I was a child, my sisters and I would throw a ball to each other on the lawn. If one of us missed the ball, we could usually go right to the spot where we saw the ball land and pick it up to resume our game. But not always. Sometimes, we'd go to the spot and the ball had just disappeared. Dimensional shift!! Weeks or months later, the ball might show up - in exactly the spot where we had looked for it!!

But back to the mouse.

I carefully checked the entire side of the room where the mouse might have rolled or been batted by Starlight.

No mouse.

A little later, while talking on the phone with a friend, I spied a mouse of the same color on the far side of the room just sitting quietly with a few other cat toys.

Is that the missing mouse?

Did it not only dimensional shift, but shift in space as well?

I'm not sure we'll ever know.

But you and I and Starlight will know that toy mice CAN dimensional shift. Hmmm.

Namaste,
Nedda

Why I'm Always Looking For Cat Litter Coupons

I have a cat. Or maybe I should say my cat has me! I don't know where my cat came from but it can't possibly be from Earth. She seems to go through litter so quickly I can't believe it. She's not a big kitty and she doesn't really eat that much but she uses her litter box so much it's downright absurd. It seems like I'm always out of litter and running to the store for more. I'd buy it buy the truckload if I could afford it and that's why I'm always clipping cat litter coupons. Without the savings I get from the coupons I'd probably have to sell my car and move out of my house into a condo!

Any cat owner knows that litter isn't free. We can't train our cats to use the toilet like a person either, so that definitely isn't an option. I'm the kind of diligent cat owner that can't stand a messy cat box and that's why I'm always searching for cat litter coupons. The little bit of savings I get each time I have to buy a twenty pound bag of cat litter really adds up throughout the year. I save enough that I don't go into a fit of rage each time I see the bag is empty and I've got to buy more. But how does this little kitty do it?

I kind of think my cat is possessed or something. Or maybe I'm cursed and this kitty cat is my punishment for some past misdeeds in a former life. There is no way that my cat is normal. She uses the potty at least one hundred times a day... OK, she doesn't use it that much, but you get my point, she's a pooper! I really can't express it in words, but thanks to the cat litter coupons I don't resent the little furball.

I've had a few cats in the past and none of them were like this one. They all seemed to use the litter box "normally" and didn't go through it like it was going out of style! I don't remember ever thinking to myself that my cat was abnormal until now. This cat of mine really is a unique specimen when it comes to dropping some waste. I kind of wonder if she's doing it on purpose because she thinks it's fun or she's trying to get back at me for some reason. I don't know if that's the case, but I do know she's special.

I mean, my cat's not doing it on purpose is she? That wouldn't be possible, would it? No, I can't start thinking like that or I'll never look at my cat the same way again. She's just doing what she does and there's nothing wrong with that. She doesn't anything about money, or finances, or that the little granules she uses for her business costs me money. I have to remember that she's just being herself and she loves me, so I'll continue clipping and searching online for coupons and taking care of her little self.

How to Groom a Cat

Some cat breeds especially long haired cats require a lot more caring for than others since the fur can become matted or knotted (tangled in a ball) and matted fur can be painful if pulled.

Simple Tips for Home Grooming

1) Have fun. Most cats love being stroked and enjoy the feeling of light grooming. Use gentle strokes!

2) Don't push your cat! It's okay to hold your cat in a gentle manner as long as he/she is comfortable. If he/she is not in the mood, then don't push it! Yes cats do have their mood swings from time to time just like women.

3) Get professional help. If your cat has a bad mat and you are not sure how to remove it, call your professional groomer! Don't do something you will regret!! Trust me.

What supplies should I have on hand to properly groom my cat?

Your cat grooming tool options are a wonderful mix of items. Choose the supplies that you think will best fit your cat's needs as well as their tolerance levels. What you should get:

-Brushes
-Combs
-Dental finger brushes
-Flea combs

Tips when Brushing

When you are using a comb or brush:

1) Start with one that has wide teeth to prevent the harsh pulling on any mats. If you encounter any, try to pull the mats apart gently while trying not to pull on the fur. Once you are able to remove it, you can then switch to a comb with narrower spaces between the teeth when you have the mats almost all the way untangled.

2) DO NOT USE scissors or clippers for mat removal unless it is absolutely necessary otherwise if you make a mistake, you can cut your cat. Ouch!

3) Reward you cat and say good things while brushing e.g. "Good Kitty, Nice Kitty" so that it helps to encourage the cat to want more grooming and to not to fuss too much since those words tend to re-enforce that for behaving, he/she is being rewarded.

4) Do not brush too quickly, rather take your time - If you encounter any mats you might hurt your cat if your brush stroke is too quick!

5) Pass your hand on his/her fur after each brush stroke - They like this. Don't know why.

6) Don't forget the tummy - It is usually quite ticklish, but with time, I'm sure the cat will get used to it. Try not to tickle the cat too much otherwise you might be cat slapped.

Finally have fun and enjoy the time spent while grooming. Don't think of it as a chore but rather a fun activity with your cat!

Understanding The Advantages of Catteries

"A dog is man's best friend." - That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship most people enjoy. For many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent house pets as they are great companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for. Cats are clean and graceful animals, requiring very little care. They instinctively clean themselves and do their "business" in dirt or cat litter before covering it up with their paws.

Most people enjoy the companionship of cats as many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Cats also will genuinely care about an owner they love. Therefore, why shouldn't the cats also get the love they need the care they always desire from their owners? You can do special things for your cat also just as you would do for your best-friend such as treating them with care and affection and also planning out some holiday plans for them.

If you are a frequent traveller and animal owner, you are probably aware of the dilemma you face on where to keep your pet while you are on the road. If you hate leaving your pets at your neighbour's place while you are travelling, you could now plan out on keeping your cat at a holiday home, where it will enjoy the luxury like you enjoy hotels and spend a holiday away from home.

Each cat has their own personality, but most cats are very independent and can be very stubborn. Most hotels have a lot of services specially designed for the well-being of your pet, they are created by keeping into account of the different animal behaviours they exhibit. These cat holiday homes are known as catteries, they provide an excellent and safe option for those who are concerned about the safety of their cats.

All the cats who board in a cattery receive the best possible care. They provide individual or family housing. Each cat has an insulated bedroom, with a cat flap or heavy cloth leading to its own exercise area with shelves and branches providing the opportunity for lots of exercise and play. Each chalet's entrance is leading into a safety area to ensure your cat/kittens security, and only cats from the same home are housed together. Also, the food that they provide is a good variety of premium food, both wet and dry, and they try their best to accommodate the fussiest of eaters. You can also give them instructions on feeding your cat the timings, the diet plan and all other essential information you can provide for the best care of your cat.

You will have a professional to watch your cat while you are away. Many boarding catteries have an enclosed outdoor play area so your cat can enjoy the sunshine in the safety of an enclosure. As boarding catteries usually have other pets in their care, time in an outdoor play area is usually limited so each of their guests can enjoy specialized time outside. You will have somebody keeping a watch over your cat's health & well being. As well as providing the basic requirements such as feeding many boarding catteries will spend time playing, grooming & petting your cat.

Your cat will have to be up to date on its vaccinations prior to arrival, and if fleas or parasites are found on the cat, most boarding cattery owners will treat your cat, but at your expense. If you are going away for an extended period of time you can be assured that your pet will be in the best of health and probably even better when you return home. It will be enjoying its vacation as you enjoy yours!

Feral Cats: What Is a Feral Cat?

Feral cats make up approximately half of the population of felines in the United States. Because these felines live on the street they must find food and shelter anywhere that they can, including abandoned buildings, alleyways, and beneath dumpsters. Most people are aware that these homeless cats exist, though many people do not know the true story behind these feral felines.

Feral cats have been living among humans for over 10,000 years. These felines are the offspring of other homeless cats, which is why they spend their lives on the street. Feral cats live in colonies with other homeless cats, and these felines work together to find shelter and food.

Feral felines have never been properly socialized with humans, which causes them to be wary of human contact. Because of this, homeless cats will often run away or act aggressively if a human tries to approach them. Feral cats are different from your pet cat, and without years of work to socialize them they will never be interested in trusting, or even playing with a human.

Feral cats are not spayed or neutered, which is a main reason why the homeless cat population continues to grow. In fact, a pair of breeding cats and their offspring can collectively give birth to 420,000 kittens in only 7 years.

Organizations have been implementing Trap Neuter Return programs to reduce these homeless cat population numbers. Trap Neuter Return is a program where volunteers humanely trap feral cats, take them to a Veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, and then return them back to their home colony. These felines are often given ear tips to make it apparent to other volunteers that a cat has been spayed or neutered. Ear tips are created when a small portion of a cat's ear is surgically removed by a Veterinarian. Learn more about Trap Neuter Return and ear tips in this Alley Cat Allies video.

Although some communities have devoted volunteers and organizations working to help homeless cats, most feral cats have a tough time living on the street. This is due to a lack of food, harsh living conditions, the threat of animal cruelty, and viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia. In fact, many of these felines will only live to a maximum age of 5 years old. If you would like to help homeless cats in your community be sure to contact your local animal shelter or organization to find out how you can help.

Cat Health Problems to Look Out For

There are all sorts of cat health problems you should look out for but I'm going to tell you about this one because I had recent personal experience with it and it was very bad news for our six year old boy cat, Rafiki, usually called Raffers. I hope that what I write will help someone else to recognise the symptoms or if not, then to help with the treatment of a beloved cat.

The unfortunate thing about cat health problems is that often, there aren't any really obvious symptoms.. If a cat has sickness or diarrhoea or is coughing then you know there's something wrong but many times your only clue is a change in behaviour.

In this case, Raffers seemed to be eating and drinking normally and going outside as he usually would. We noticed that some of the plant pots in our front porch had been dug up quite vigorously (there was soil all over the step) but blamed that on young Scruffy, who is a hooligan at the best of times.

Eventually, after a day or so, we realised that Raffers was just lying around on the front door mat and hardly moving. We brought him into the house and provided a litter tray which he went to straight away, scratched around a lot and appeared to be peeing but nothing happened. That set off alarm bells so we rushed him to the vet (after hours the day before a public holiday, naturally) and the vet immediately diagnosed a kidney stone stuck in his ureter (the tube which leads from the kidney to the bladder) hence he was unable excrete urine at all.

The vet did an emergency operation laparascopically to remove the stone by breaking it into smaller pieces (I think). He then inserted a catheter, tied on a collar to stop Raffers from trying to remove it and we were able to take him home just about an hour later. The vet had warned us that if things didn't go smoothly, it could take up to four hours so we were relieved.

Ongoing treatment involved washing out the bladder twice daily using a small syringe and sterilised water. The urine leaked constantly from the catheter so to stop it going everywhere, we borrowed a cage from our local cat charity and lined it with newspaper, a towel for comfort all covered with a human bed protector bought from the pharmacy. The bed protector needed changing about three times a day but it was a bit big for the cage so Raffers became quite adept at folding over the damp bit and using a dry part to lie on. We let him out of the cage to use his litter tray for defecating and for exercise. Fortunately, we have tiled floors so the leakage from the catheter could easily be wiped up. It would be a different matter for carpets!

As well as the bladder washing, we had to try to keep Raffers clean as he couldn't clean himself because of the collar. For this we used baby wipes. He never really look dry round his rear end but it was the best we could do.

Every few days we went back to the vet for antibiotic injections and after ten days or so, the vet removed the catheter. The collar could go too but we had to keep Raffers in for another ten days so there was no risk of infection; we didn't use the cage any more though as he wasn't incontinent and could clean himself properly so he just sat on the sofa as usual.

All was well when we returned to the vet for Raffers' check up and he was given a clean bill of health. but barely two hours later, we noticed that he couldn't stand up. Literally, his back legs had given way.

How To Maintain The Cleanliness Of Your Cats

Cats are one of the best pets that you can have at home. They not only serve as a companion and friend for you, but also help you get rid of rats in your home. However, if this is the first time that you own a cat, you should know the proper way of taking care of them.

To ensure that your cats will be healthy and fit, you need to make sure that you will feed them the right kind of food to make them strong, and give medications when they get sick. Aside from these two, you also need to make sure that your cat is clean all the time.

Cats are one of the best when it comes to cleanliness, but still there are parts of the body that cats cannot clean by themselves. Therefore, you need to make sure that you will clean these areas for them. Here are some of the areas that you should clean.

The Cat's Eyes

When it comes to vision, cats can see five times more than the human eye can see during nighttime. Therefore, you need to make sure that you will freshen up their vision by cleaning their eyes. You can clean the eye area of your cat with the use of a soft and damp cloth. Check the eyes for infections and injuries and consult a veterinarian immediately if you found any.

Comb Their Hair

You need to comb and brush the hair of your cat to avoid hairballs. In case there are hairballs that you should get rid of, you can cut them or shave them off.

Clean the Ears

Cats cannot clean their ears and you need to make sure that their ears are always clean. However, you must refrain from using cotton buds when cleaning their ears, since it will hurt them. Use a soft cloth instead and wipe the dirt away from their ears gently.

Brush Their Teeth

Dirty mouth can cause diseases to your cats and therefore, you need to brush them regularly. You might need to the advice of a veterinarian to know the proper way of brushing your cat's teeth.

Check for Fleas and Ticks

You need to make sure that your cat is free from ticks and fleas. These insects are parasites and your cat will never be healthy if they are infested with these pests.

Ensuring that your cats are clean will protect them from illness and disease. Therefore, you need to make sure that every area of your cat's body is clean.

Things You Ought to Know About Cat Food

The saying goes, "You're what you eat", and this is simply true even for cats. Felines depend tremendously on their owners to get the sustenance they need through cat food. Every owner out there has a duty to make sure that their cats are considerably fed, along with giving them proper medical attention all thanks to veterinarians. It is also highly important to remember that owners who give their cats the suitable kinds of food will not have to worry about added medical expenditures. If there is one such fault that these people often make, it is that they'd resort to the most affordable brands to cut down on costs.

Nevertheless, this might also mean that they are depriving their cats of the necessary nutrients that will warrant them live long and healthy lives. Feeding them way reasonably priced foods would risk getting unneeded carbohydrates in their tiny frames, which would then result in more costs at the local vets. Below are just a few other essentials about cat food that owners ought to be conscious of.

I. Dry food proves to be a opportune choice, and can also be left out in the open to be fed to kitties. They won't spoil easily in comparison with wet and semi-moist foods.

II. Canned foods are typically profuse in water content. While this may provide some nutrients to cats, owners must recognize that these creatures aren't exactly fond of drinking water on a regular basis.

III. It is always important to research on the ingredients of the foods being taken into consideration for purchase. Owners should make certain that their cats are getting the proper nutrients, meaning that their edibles must be full of loads of vitamins and minerals.

IV. cats might often get bored being served the same kinds of food on each day. Therefore, it's recommended for owners to mix their options up from time to time. apart from boredom, kitties would also be deprived of nutrients found in other types of foods.

V. Much like human beings, kitties can also acquire an allergy of sorts to particular kinds of food over the course of time. Although it is a pretty extraordinary occurrence, cat owners should always bear in mind to be very watchful of the food they serve their pets. This is true, most particularly when allergies have been renowned in the past.

These are just several of the essentials regarding cat food.

Tips to Find the Best Cat Kennel While You Are Away

When you bring home a little kitten, you immediately get attached to the little fur ball. You feed him, bathe him, and make a bed for him. Such close association with your pet makes you worrisome about their health and well being. With time, they become a part of the family and are treated as children.

There are some places where only humans are allowed, and the association with your pet falls into jeopardy. There are times when your friends or colleagues visit you or a relative from a distant place comes to stay with you, and say that they are allergic to fur. Trust me, such allergies do exist. The stress of being separated from your pet can be high. To cool off such situations, its better to find a second home for them. These are known as "cat kennels".

Although, it is quite normal to think that no one can take better care of your animal than yourself, but there are people like you who love animals and have dozens of pets. After all, you cannot tell your boss that you are unable to travel, because there is none to take care of your cat. If it's a matter of a day or two, your cat will be able to manage on his own. But if you are away for a longer time, your animal and house, both will suffer the consequences.

Its better to resort to a cat kennel in such cases. Here are some useful tips before you put your cat in a kennel:

• Your very first step should be to find out the best cat kennels near your house. Talk to the keepers about the facilities provided at the kennel. Talk to them about your cat's behavioral aspects and habits.You should confirm that they provide clean pet food and water to the pets there or not.

• Check for the pre requisites they need before you keep your cat at their shelter. Most kennels ask for pre-vaccinated animals, they may ask for the medical records of your cat. Keep them ready with you.

• Talk to the keepers about your pet's food preferences and timings. Ask for their suggestions if your pet has some difficult habits. Most kennels provide vet services and have on-duty veterinary doctors. Check with your kennel if they have such a facility.

• Also, confirm the regular cleaning and bathing of pets, what products they use to clean fur, is your cat allergic to them? It is good to check on things beforehand, and if necessary provide the keeper with the products which are safe for your animal.

• Visit the kennels before choosing the first you see, look for other pets and tell the keeper if there some seem to be problematic and intimidating for your cat. It depends on your animal's behavior whether they are social or like to stay aloof, discuss it with the kennel owners.

• Finally, check with the kennel whether they have a pick up and drop off facility, which may come in handy when you have exceeded the limit of days. Also, it is advisable to take your cat back to its known environment as soon as possible, as animals tend to feel lonely and depressed while they are away from their home and owners.