felines friends

the cat and the rat

2011-04-26T12:37:00.001-07:00

dog rescues cat

2011-04-26T12:35:00.001-07:00

a few cute pictures.

2011-04-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

2011-04-23T07:43:00.001-07:00

A pretty little girl named Suzy was standing on the sidewalk in front of her home.

Next to her was a basket containing a number of tiny creatures; in her hand was a sign announcing FREE KITTENS.Suddenly a line of big black cars pulled up beside her. Out of the lead car stepped a tall, grinning man."Hi there little girl, I'm Mr. Ignatieff. What do you have in the basket?" he asked."Kittens," little Suzy said."How old are they?"

asked IgnatieffSuzy replied, "They're so young, their eyes aren't even open yet"."And what kind of kittens are they"?"Liberals", answered Suzy with a smile.Ignatieff was delighted.

As soon as he returned to his car, he called his PR chief and told him about the little girl and the kittens.Recognizing the perfect photo op, the two men agreed that Mr Ignatieff should return the next day; and in front of the assembled media, have the girl talk about her discerning kittens.

So the next day, Suzy was again standing on the sidewalk with her basket of "FREE KITTENS", when another motorcade pulled up, this time followed by vans from CBC and CTV.Cameras and audio equipment were quickly set up, then Ignatieff got out of his limo and walked over to little Suzy."Hello, again", he said,

"I'd love it if you would tell all my friends out there what kind of kittens you're giving away".

"Yes sir", Suzy said. "They're CONSERVATIVES".Taken by surprise, Mr. Ignatieff stammered, "But... but... yesterday, you told me they were LIBERALS"!Little Suzy smiled and said, "I know. But today, they have their eyes open".

2011-04-12T17:20:00.001-07:00

2011-04-03T13:01:00.001-07:00

Make Traveling with Pets Simple and Easy

Author: Maggie Williams

Traveling with pets is quite often something of a hassle as they are difficult to control and can get very excited when separated from their owner, even for short periods of time. This difficulty can be an extremely trying experience for you and your family to try to go anywhere, especially flying, with your favorite animal. While there are certainly difficulties involved in the trip, there are certain steps that you can take to minimize the effect on your pet. If you have a dog, you might very well wish to muzzle your k9 friend, as even friendly pets can become defensive and lash out at strangers when in certain volatile situations. Along with keeping them in a kennel, there are all manner of methods of calming your pet so that they can travel safely. Since they will quite often be kept in a luggage area, it is a good idea to lavish them with affection and make sure that they are well fed ahead of time, before boarding and before putting them into the cargo area. For those flying on an airline, it is a lesson in separation anxiety to attempt to put a pet through cargo at checkout. The pet does not like it, quite often the pet owner is not wild about the idea and all manner of bizarre circumstances can arise from this type of behavior. It is certainly not normal to put a pet on an aircraft, and the pet is well aware of this fact. By allowing them to experience as much of a calm and serene atmosphere as possible before boarding, you can ensure that they are at least somewhat calm and have every reason to believe that they will be relaxed during the flight. In many cases, owners prefer to let their pets run and play as much as possible just before boarding so that they will be exhausted and hopefully sleep through much of the flight. Besides the direct handling of the pet itself, it is important to make sure that the cargo plane ticket that is affixed to the kennel is firmly attached and clearly labeled as to the location destination. Getting your baggage sent to the wrong airport is bad enough when it is only inanimate objects such as clothing, but having your pet sent to the wrong airport can be quite an ordeal. Even though they might be well fed and well rested before the separation, it can occasionally take quite some time to recover your cargo, meaning that your pet will be alone in a strange place for an extended period of time. Until you can reclaim him, he will very likely be upset and nervous, causing all manner of odd behavior. For this reason, you should take every possible precaution in making sure that your pet arrives safely at his destination. While it isn't always possible, many pet lovers will take the time to actually follow the cargo onto the tarmac and ensure that their pets are loaded onto the same plane that they are getting onto. In this way, you can ensure that there is no doubt as to what plane that they are flying on and what their destination is. By eliminating this one particular doubt, you can soothe the greatest anxiety that most pet lovers have; that of separation. By making sure that you are both on the same plane, you have eliminated one of the biggest hurdles to traveling with a pet that exists in the modern world. While packing extra food, water (ice cubes work wonders), and favorite toys, it's wise to take a minute to locate the closest veterinarian to where you'll be staying. Finally, if you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto product retailers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/make-traveling-with-pets-simple-and-easy-4527501.html

About the Author

Travel and save with one of our cheap flights or opt for a vacation package. Flights.com® has cheap tickets for domestic and international travel including hotels, car rentals, and cheap airline tickets to Europe and beyond.

2011-03-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

Kitten care- what to do Before Sending Your Kittens Home

Author: Donny Mckenzie

What to Give to eat Young Kittens
That is crucial query that you just will have to ask in kitten care and by way of now, you will have to most no doubt be introducing your kittens to wet food. in kitten care it's your responsibilty that you should now not only give them the additional vitamins and nutrition they want, however to also paintings them gently towards the weaning process.

First meals is the crucial step within the kitten care tips ,

first meal at week 4 can merely be moistened kitten dry kitten food. Mix three parts of the meals to 1 part of water and permit it sit down long sufficient to get in reality comfortable and mushy. this step will not take a lot of the time however most certainly it's going to take around half-hour, so plan your day around about 4 of those feedings.

Giving your kitten nutritious food is very important step in kitten care , At five weeks vintage, you'll handiest need your kitten food approximately ½ rainy and ½ crunchy. Once you add water to the dry food, handiest let it take a seat for about 10-15 minutes till it's moistened approximately part manner through. This may get your little kittens used to chewing. By means of 5 weeks old, you'll begin unfastened feeding, but don't upload kitten milk substitute into the food, just water. By way of 6 weeks antique, they are able to begin eating totally dry food. All over these kind of occasions, be sure that they have got water available all day lengthy . converting their habbits slowly is essential in kitten care.

Educating Kittens to Play
Through four weeks antique, your kittens will get knowledgebale about things arund them and they're going to be already desiring toys to play with and scratching posts to scratch and climb on. They already know that a mouse is the enemy and love to play with toy mice and balls. but dont be expecting like tom and jerry show "hahaha" simply kidding Avoid catnip toys at this early age.

Some other vital side of kitten care is You should be operating on Muddle Field Coaching?
By way of five weeks antique your kitten gets much smarter , your kittens should be wandering to the muddle box and using it all via themselves for this you should see our litter field training methods so that it will indisputably make your kitten to use the muddle correctly . Remember that to only use clay litter until they're approximately 6 months old.

Absolute best part of kitten care is Socializing Kittens

Don't tiptoe around your kittens or be afraid to make noise.
Elevating Kittens Underfoot
Via 6 weeks antique, you can let the kittens get started wandering the home when they may be able to be supervised. it has being studied and confirmed that kittens raised underfoot are a lot more confident and outgoing! The more you introduce them to early on, the fewer skittish they will be while they are older in other phrases in long term they will not cause any kind of hassle .

Beginning the Weaning Procedure
It's your accountability that you simply should allow your kittens to visit their new houses at eight weeks old, it would be best to start weaning them via 6 ½ to 7 weeks old. Shorten their time spent with their mommy should you can. She will even do her section in starting to wean them. By means of 7 ½ weeks antique, separate them from mommy so that they have a couple of days of not nursing. This may increasingly help them regulate before leaving your home, and it's going to also help mommy's milk begin to dry up slowly.

While you begin weaning, buy some small crammed animals to your kittens to play with. Ahead of Sending Your Kittens House
Your vet could have his or her personal suggestions, but once you start the weaning procedure at 7 weeks vintage this is very important in kitten care as it is very important consider vaccinations. Some vets wait until the kittens are eight weeks vintage however others will need to start vaccinations earlier than the weaning process is complete. You'll additionally wish to speak about worming along with your vet, as this is done between period of 6 and 8 weeks old as well.

treat your kitten like your circle of relatives member , dont deal with them like you're taking them into granted , dont allow them to feel that they're left out as this can lead to poor conduct of your kitten , supply love to your kitten up to you can , this will cause them to to act undoubtedly in different phrase this will cause them to to act the best way you want.

kitten care - Teaching Kittens to Play
kitten care - Beginning the Weaning Process

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/kitten-care-what-to-do-before-sending-your-kittens-home-4355630.html

About the Author

hello everybody if you are a fan of cats and kittens then you can visit my awesome site http://www.kittenstraining.com/

2009-06-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

4 Fun, Cheap Things to Do With Your Kitty (And How to Save Your Furniture in the Process!)

Author: Susan Roberts

Nothing is worse than a bored cat, particularly when they take that boredom out on, say, your new sofa. Keep kitty interested, and you'll keep your furniture and feet intact. Bonus points for doing it with things you have around the house!

1. Mirrors
Particularly fun if your cat has never seen its reflection, as cats tend to go nuts the first time they see a mirror. Lean a mirror on the wall or place it on the floor and watch the cat go nuts. If its hair rises on end when it looks at itself in the mirror, avoid touching it, since that's a good way to get your hand mauled!

2. Ping Pong Balls
If you have a hard floor (not carpet, it doesn't work quite as well) bounce a ping pong ball on the floor. The noise instantly attracts cats, and they're fascinated with them. Make sure to pick up the ping pong ball afterwards, or you'll be woken up at three in the morning to the sound of ping pong balls bouncing around your house.

3. Empty Boxes
Working from home, I get a lot of packages in the mail. I discovered that if you leave a box open on the ground, cats like to sit in or on the box. Any sort of carton works great for this, especially those with hand holes on the sides for them to look out of.

4. Shoelaces, String, Yarn
Pretty much a staple of cat toys. Drag the shoelace on the ground, and cats will chase after it. Hold the shoelace in the air, and watch the cat jump and try to catch it!

About the Author:

There are plenty of other ways you can keep your cats happy and well trained. Ultimate cat secrets is one of the most informative guides I've ever read on connecting with your cat and making your relationship with kitty a wonderfully happy one!

4 fun things to do with your kitty

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 4 Fun, Cheap Things to Do With Your Kitty (And How to Save Your Furniture in the Process!)

2009-02-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

Human Training For Your Maine Coon Cat

Author: Jonathan Charles

Having a pet gives you lots of opportunities to talk with other pet owners on the subject of training, but when you own a Maine Coon Cat, everything is turned on its head. The talk is not about training your pet but actually it's about training you.

The first thing you'll notice is that your maine takes careful note of your sleeping habits, when you go to bed and when you wake up, and if you try to deviate from these times your cat just will not put up with it. You will be told in no uncertain terms what you're sleeping and waking times are and you must keep to these times or else...

You will soon discover that your Maine is a creature of habit and that he likes his breakfast and lunch and dinner at the same time each day, and you can be sure that he knows exactly where the food cupboard is. It will soon become clear to you that the best thing to do is to keep to a set schedule and stick with it day by day.

Your cat will never tire of making sure that you do exactly what you are supposed to do and this means that he will be checking up on all of your duties both in the house and indeed outside the house. Friends will be vetted and even you will be checked to make sure that you have washed and dressed properly.

You will need to develop the habit of going on regular walks with your cat but please make sure that you know how to use the lease and harness correctly so that you can have an enjoyable and safe walk.

We have spoken a bit about training and much of this will be learned as you go along and as you get to know your cat more and more. A lot of it is just plain common sense for instance make sure you don't leave easy access to your toilet paper otherwise you may find the toilet paper is not just in the bathroom but in the rest of the house as well. Just common sense really.

Space is something that is vital for your Maine Coon cat. Whether you're sitting down relaxing in front of the television or whether you're attending to some household chore your Maine Coon will want to be with you and so you must ensure that there is sufficient space for him or her to join you. You just need to remember that although you may think you own a Maine Coon, they actually own you!

Finally just to say that Maine Coon Cats are a very unique breed of cat, unlike any other domestic cat. If you already own one you will know that to be true.

Unlike most other cat breeds, the Maine Coon is a highly sociable cat, and in many ways similar in sociability to a dog.

And so keeping your Maine Coon Cat happy and contented requires much more than simply keeping it fed and watered. They need lots of love and attention from you as well, and you need to be prepared to give this if you want a happy, well balanced cat.

About the Author:
Before you go anywhere else make sure you read about John's book on Maine Coon Cats

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/human-training-for-your-maine-coon-cat-759686.html

Incontinence in Cats or Inappropriate Urination? How You Can Tell the Difference

2009-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Incontinence in Cats or Inappropriate Urination? How You Can Tell the Difference

Author: Darlene Norris

Has this ever happened to you? You're noticing that your cat is urinating in places other than his litter box. People automatically assume that inappropriate urination in cats is because of a behavior issue, or it's because their cat is getting older.

However there could be a medical problem causing incontinence in cats to be a problem for your feline friend. A trip to the vet is always in order for a cat who suddenly starts showing signs of feline incontinence.

Feline Incontinence Versus Inappropriate Urination

An incontinent cat has no control over his bladder at all. He may urinate when he's lying down, or sleeping, or even dribble as he walks around. The usual cause is a weak sphincter muscle. This is not a very common condition in cats, although it's sometimes seen in spayed females who are somewhat overweight.

Incontinence in cats may also be a symptom of feline diabetes. Diabetes causes your cat to be extremely thirsty. If he's drinking lots more water, he may not always make it to the litter box in time.

If your cat is incontinent when he's resting, you should have him checked for feline leukemia. Both male and female cats who are positive for this virus are sometimes incontinent.

While inappropriate urination is sometimes a behavior problem, it can be a result of feline lower urinary tract disease.

Feline Cystitis Is The Most Common Reason For Urination Outside The Litter Box

A cat with a feline bladder infection has an inflammation of his bladder. This causes him to need to empty his bladder frequently. If you use clumping cat litter, you should see a few big clumps of urine when you scoop it. If you find many small clumps, this is a sign of cat urinary problems.

Other symptoms include crying out in pain as he tries to use the litter box. You may see him crouching over, straining to pass urine. Many cat owners mistake this for constipation, which can be a fatal mistake if he has a urinary blockage. A blocked cat is a veterinary emergency. Your cat will die within a day or two if he's completely blocked.

What Your Vet Needs To Know

Your vet will ask the following questions:

Has your cat been under a lot of stress lately? Have you moved, or added a new person or pet to the household? Have you changed his diet?

Where is your cat urinating? In a corner? On your bed? Where he sleeps?

Is he drinking more water than he usually does?

Is he dribbling urine or is he just urinating more often than usual?

Does he have blood in his urine?

Has your cat ever been injured?

Your vet will check your cat for a urinary blockage that could be caused by cat bladder stones.

Treatment For Feline Cystitis

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to clear up any infection. What you need to do at home is to increase the amount of water your cat is taking in. The easiest way to do this is to switch him over to canned food, which has a much higher moisture level than dry. It's been found that the key to preventing feline bladder infections is to increase the amount of liquid going through your cat.

You may also want to consider a natural remedy for feline urinary support. Look for one that contains both herbal and homeopathic remedies that support bladder health in animals. Uva ursi and barberry, along with Cantharis and Staphysagria have stood the test of time in humans, and they can be very effective for cats, too.

Your next step? To take what you've just learned and determine what's causing feline incontinence in your furball.

About the Author:

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Learn more about solving the problem of incontinence in cats, and find feline urinary support information at http://NaturalPetUrinaryHealth.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/incontinence-in-cats-or-inappropriate-urination-how-you-can-tell-the-difference-751439.html

2009-01-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

What is Kennel Cough and what are the symptoms?
Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that often affects animals that are kept in a confined space such as boarding kennels, dog shows or veterinary hospitals.

Symptoms include a persistent dry hacking cough or bouts of deep harsh coughing often followed by gagging, which may produce a foamy mucus.

What is the conventional treatment?
Mild cases may improve without treatment. Conventional treatment of kennel cough often involves antibiotics which tend to relieve the animal's symptoms fairly quickly, but also have a general weakening effect on their immune system, which can cause further problems, especially in the long-term.

Vaccinations to prevent kennel cough are also often recommended. But research indicates that frequent vaccination or over-vaccination may unnecessarily stress a pet's immune system.

How can natural remedies help?
As part of a holistic approach to treating your pet, natural remedies can help to build and strengthen your pet's immune system, encourage the elimination of toxins and generally improve the overall health of your animal.

Natural remedies can also help to relieve specific symptoms such as upper respiratory infections and coughs without the accompanying toxin build-up caused by conventional treatments.

What is PetAlive KC-Defense?
KC-Defense combines herbal and homeopathic ingredients with selected biochemic tissue salts for the treatment and prevention of Kennel Cough and other respiratory tract infections in pets.

It may be used preventatively (especially before visits to the vet, kennels, cattery etc) or acutely to treat an active infection.

What are the ingredients of KC-Defense?
PetAlive KC-Defense contains the following 100% herbal and homeopathic ingredients:

Plantago lanceolata: is an herbal remedy well known for treating dry coughs. It is also an effective expectorant and anti-catarrhal and helps to expel mucus build up in the lungs. This medicinal herb is also approved by the German Commission E for internal use to ease coughs and mucous membrane irritation associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Clinical studies have supported its effectiveness in the treatment of bronchitis.

Bryonia (C6): is a proven homeopathic remedy which is very effective for the treatment of coughs and dry mucus membranes, as well as the clearing of mucus from the chest.

Echinacea purpurea: is one of the top selling herbs for the treatment of colds, flu and other viral infections. Clinical trials have proved its effectiveness in a variety of settings. Studies have shown that Echinacea works by preventing the formation of hyaluronidase - an enzyme that is known to break the cell barriers between healthy tissue and pathogenic organisms like viruses. This immune boosting herb has also been successfully used to restore immune functioning in patients who have undergone chemotherapy and during recovery and convalescence from major illness.

Ferrum Phosphate (C6) (Ferrum Phos.): is one of the most important biochemic tissue salts to use when there is any infection or inflammation in the body. It helps to distribute iron and oxygen throughout the body, strengthen cell walls and fight infection

Kalium Sulphate (C6) (Kali. Sulph.): This biochemic tissue salt is essential for distributing life giving oxygen throughout the body and keeping cell membranes in peak health. It is often called the 'natural antibiotic' of the tissue salts and together with Ferrum Phos. can treat both the initial, secondary and third stages of infection. Kali. Sulph. is used for a variety of chest infections, including chronic cough, asthma, bronchitis and even pneumonia.

Magnesium Phosphate (C6) (Mag. Phos.): is a natural painkiller and antispasmodic and is very helpful for bronchial spasms and other forms of spasmodic cough.

Lactose: (inactive ingredient)

(PetAlive KC-Defense contains no gluten, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives)

How has PetAlive KC-Defense helped others?
"I can recommend the KC-Defense as an effective remedy to help with kennel cough. It has worked for our dog very quickly and I thank you!" - WLG

"After successfully treating my Afghan with KC-Defense, I will not send her to the kennels without it! At least I can be confident that she is protected as her system is very sensitive and she easily picks up infections from other dogs. This product is great! Once again I have been very impressed by your service and your products!" - Brent

"We adopted our baby Boxer from a pet store where she had contracted kennel cough, and was still not doing okay after a plethora of antibiotics for over a month! When she got home we continued her antibiotics, and she still was not recovering at any noticeable rate. But once I took her off the antibiotics, and switched to your KC-Defense, in combination with the Immunity & Liver Support, she was noticeably better in 1-2 days! Thank you PetAlive! And just say NO to antibiotics--they actually weakend the immune system!" - Sharon, MD, USA

"We rescued a very sick 9 week old male pom. He was very weak and had kennel cough, with signs of pneumonia, and underfed. After literally weeks of treatment with antibiotics and other strong meds, Cujo was still racked with a bad cough and phlegm discharge. The vet was ready to send him to A&M for help. We decided to just give KC-Defense a try. Within just two days we saw immediate results. Now at 3 weeks, all symptoms cleared up. THANK YOU!! He is now a robust little guy that is so much fun." - Patricia, TX, USA

"KC-Defense is incredible! When we adopted a puppy from the pound, we didnt know she had kennel cough, or that she would pass it to our 7 year old dashund mix. I gave them both hourly doses of KC-Defense, and by the 3rd dose the terrible, hacking cough had disappeared! By the end of day one, they both looked happier, and no more sneezing! I will definitely recommend this to my friends." - Becky M., CA, USA

View Testimonials

Add your own! »

How do we use KC-Defense?
DIRECTIONS:

KC-Defense comes in convenient dissolvable granule form. The tiny granules are easy to administer to pets of all sizes and personalities and are simply sprinkled on the back of the tongue and left to dissolve. No fuss and bother!

Cats and very small dogs: Large pinch of granules sprinkled into the mouth.
Small to medium dogs: Two pinches sprinkled into the mouth.
Medium to large dogs: 1/4 cap of granules sprinkled into the mouth.

Preventative: KC-Defense may be given for up to a week at 3 - 6 month intervals for the prevention of Kennel Cough and other respiratory disorders. This is highly recommended before a stay in kennels or a cattery or for 5 - 7 days before a visit to the vet. Respiratory infections are contagious and your pet will be vulnerable whenever there is contact with other animals.

Acute: Administer every hour for up to 10 doses or until symptoms subside. Thereafter administer three times daily for 14 -21 days.

How long until we see results?
When KC-Defense is taken prophylactically (preventatively) your pet will be protected from respiratory infections. If an infection should occur, this will be much milder and will resolve far easier.

For animals who have contracted Kennel Cough or any other viral respiratory illness, KC-Defense should help to clear symptoms quickly and improvement is usually noted within one or two days.

Treatment should be continued for 14 - 21 days after this to prevent relapse.

How long does one bottle last?
One bottle of KC-Defense will last for 15 - 30 days, depending on the size and needs of your pet.

A 45-90 day supply of 3 bottles is offered at a discount see the Buy 2 Get 1 FREE special below.

What else can I do to help my pet?
Ensure your pet is eating a balanced, high quality diet with plenty of raw and unprocessed food (preferably organic).
Use Immunity and Liver Support capsules to boost your pet's immune functioning and resistance against disease and infection
Avoid exposure to toxins and chemicals as much as possible including pesticides, herbicides, commercial flea collars, flea powder, insecticides and second-hand cigarette smoke.
If going to boarding kennels causes your pet undue stress, consider investigating other options. Stress can weaken your pet's immune system and make him more susceptible to infection.
Talk to a holistic vet before immunizing your pet. Over-vaccination may stress the immune system unnecessarily.
Regular exercise will help to keep your pet's immune system in tiptop form.
Small doses of ready-made herbal cough mixtures may ease your pet's cough.

Cat Diabetes-And How You Should Treat It

2009-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

If your cat has diabetes then cat care is important to your pets health. You will need to take the appropriate steps to make sure your pet can lead a normal life. It is unfortunate that pet cats have there own form of diabetes. It is important as a pet owner you learn how this will affect your pet and how you can help your cat lead a normal healthy life.

There are two types of cat diabetes, that could affect you pet. The first type is caused by the lack of production of insulin, while the second type is the inability of the cats body to process insulin as it should do. just like in humans, diabetes can affect a cat at any age. But it normally appears in a pet in its later years.

Your cat will start to display symptoms that will tell you there is something wrong. These symptoms are very similar to the one in humans, You would start to notice your cat would require more fluid and would also urinate more. Because of your pets inability to process any glucose, then you will start to notice some weight loss.

Other symptoms you may see your cat are vomiting, loss of appetite and general weakness. Diabetic cats also start to have poor skin and coat condition, as well as breathing problems

If your pet cat starts to display the above symptoms, it would be very wise of you to take your pet to your local vet. This way you can have your cat tested for sugar levels in there blood as well as in their urine. it is better to have both tests done, because any cat that feels under any form of stress, will show a spike in there blood sugar levels. By having both tests done, you will be able to confirm if your pet cat really has diabetes.

There is no cure for your cats diabetes as of yet. There diabetes can be controlled through a various means, and for cats it is done by diet and weight control. Giving your pet a diet high in fiber and carbohydrates would be ideal for diabetic cats, especially if they are over weight.

By using this type of diet, you will control your cats weight and blood sugar levels. There are also some oral medications available that your trusted vet may recommend. These should help to maintain a suitable blood sugar level.

Owners of diabetic cats, also will need to monitor their pets glucose and insulin levels. This is for those pet owners who will have to give there cats insulin injections for their diabetes. But be warned, you need to be carful to avoid giving an overdose of insulin as this will be fatal to your pet.

Cat care and diabetes should always go together, this will ensure that your pet can lead a normal healthy life. If you provide the right care for diabetic cats, then you will still have many happy years to come with your pet.

For further Free information on Cat Care try visiting Caring For Your Cat….

Cat Eye Care-Why It Is Important?

2009-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

Cats eyes have often been used in horror films. But as a pet owner, you will know that the cats stare is really the complete opposite of what is portrayed in films. That is why cat eye care, is so very important for you to know.

How do cats say I love you? well this is through their eyes, of course. This is why you should never be frightened by there gaze. So how does this work? First of all, the cat stares at you for a long time. And after that, it blinks its eyes slowly. Some people call this the cats kiss. But you should also know that this is your cats way of showing you that it loves you.

But how do you return the favor? This is easy, all you need to do is follow your cats lead. Stare at it for a long time and then slowly blink your eyes. See? Cats eyes have also be used for romantic films as well.

Do not believe the horror films you see. Cats do not and never have had a third eye. Their eye sight is really far better than a humans. Instead of a third eye, what cats have is a third eyelid. This is called a nictitating membrane.

This inner eyelid protects the eyes of the cat from harm and also from dryness. You will always notice that when a cat is sick, this membrane will be some what closed. This should always alarm enough for you to call your vet or get your cat to them fast as possible.

But this third eyelid will also show once a cat is happy. So you will know what kind of mood your cat is in just by looking at the membrane.

You should always observe the pupil of your feline friend. A change in size of one of the pupils can often be an indication of an inflammation. It can also be a sign of a kind of a neurologic, disorder, this is called Horner’s Syndrome. Or worse, it can also indicate tumors or injuries in the central nervous system.

Never believe what others say that cats are color blind. They do see some colors. They may not see them as clear as human do, but its not true that they cannot see any colors at all.

Cats can also see clearly over long distances. There vision is very different from peoples. There vision will blurry if they are looking at objects that are very close to them.

Yes it is true, cats do have the nocturnal vision. But they can not see in complete darkness. Do you see the muscles on their iris that surround the pupils of their eyes? They are constructed in a way that it narrows into a vertical split when they are exposed in the bright lights. And it opens fully when they are in a quite dim light.

This feature of the cat may be traced back to their roots. They can use this feature to hunt for food during the night, that is if they were left out in the jungle or left with no one to care for them.

So you must forget about the horror movies that you have seen. Now it is time to put some effort into your cats eye care. Never let a minor ailments worsen. Always call your vet immediately when you think there is something not right or amiss. You do not want your cat to lose their sight or even worse lose their lives. Just remember it is always better to be safe than blind.

For further Free information on Cat Care try visiting Caring For Your Cat….

What Is Feliway Spray?

2009-01-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

While Feliway sounds like something to get rid of felines, it is in truth a pheromone scent created to prevent felines from inappropriate unrination. When your cat decides to pee outside the litter pan, you do have a issue, since cat pee is one of the highly awful pet odors. Feliway uses the facial pheromones to prevent litter box issues, but also Feliway Spray has a pronounced relaxing effect for calming anxious felines.

How Does Feliway Work?
Feliway Spray is consists of the cat Pheromones combined with an ethanol spray. These exact same facial pheromones are used constantly by all cats in order to demonstrate their territory. Other felines in the area can sense such pheromones from a distance and find out about claimed territory. Felines won’t to urinate to claim territory when it’s already been marked, so this will prevent inappropriate urination. Kitties place these pheromones onto objects by rubbing their cheek or foot pads against them. If you’ve ever had your cat rub their chin against you, now you know specifically what was really happening. When people say their moggies own them, that’s exactly the case. Feliway essentially duplicates this effect.

What Will Feliway Fix?
Urinating outside the litter pan
Spray marking of territory by non-spayed/neutered pets
Helps calm those who are stressed out
Can stop constant disagreements
Helping bring in cats to new places
Common view by pleased people who tried it on the net are that it’s a incredible product. Keep in mind however that these inappropriate urination can come about from disease, so you recognize that Feliway for cats isn’t a wonder solution though it should prevent the symptoms. Pets can behave like aliens sometimes that we may not grasp how to correct, but it’s a risk-free bet that Feliway will help.

How To Find Cat Insurance The Easy Way

2009-01-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

No matter where you look for cheap cat insurance, it is important to gather information about what you should buy. As with any anything that you buy, there is always the chance that you can make the wrong choice in choosing a cheap cat insurance which will not cover the high bills that can come in the case of an emergency.

There are certain questions you will want to ask when you are looking for the right cheap cat insurance. The first question you will want to ask yourself is how stable the company is? There are some companies which have only been in existence for a short period of time. You will want to see that the company is stable because you do not want to pay premiums faithfully to find that the company went out of business shortly after you are about to make your first claim.

What conditions are covered? Some companies will not cover all conditions so it is best to ask which breed-related or health-related conditions are not covered. Another good follow-up question is to ask about age-related conditions that may apply. Some cheap cat insurance companies may cover and some may not. A good example of this is that some insurance companies will consider this a routine care so it would not be covered underneath the policy. This can obviously differ from company to company whether this may be covered.

It is also important to ask if all veterinarians are covered. With some companies providing cheap cat insurance, only certain veterinarians may be able to be visited. Others allow all veterinarians to be used. This obviously will vary depending upon the insurance company.

The final question this article will look at is what kind of annual cap there is on benefits. As with any insurance policy, there is a maximum amount that can be spent by the insurance company and you will want to see what this is. Many companies will set a limit around $20,000 and you will want to check on this.

These are different beginning questions to think about when you are comparing similar insurance companies to use. This is what is exciting about cheap cat insurance is that you are not tied to certain companies but rather have the open marketplace in which you can have companies compete for your business. This can keep your overall costs down.

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About the Author: Finding cheap cat insurance can be a tricky business. That is why we've created this free website with free pet insurance advice for pet owners. For more information on pet insurance and wellness plans check out the site at www.petinsurancepro.com.

Top Methods to Train your cat

2009-01-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Submitted by alain23
Thu, 19 Jun 2008

When most people think about animal obedience work, cats are not usually the first candidates to spring to mind.

We usually associate cats with words like distant, autonomus, and laid back ; they like doing what they want, pretty much as and when they feel like it.

You might be excused for thinking that way, this is not really the right training material!

However ; many are deriving a great deal of pleasure from training their cats in basic and advanced obedience work and tricks (from sit, stay, come to jumping through hoops, twirling, and high-fiving) - and they are completly convinced cats love it, too!

The benefits of training your cat

Only because cats lead solitary, individual lives does not mean that they necessarily want to do so.

In fact, cats are fabulous affectionate and loving by nature ; they just need you to demonstrate your leadership and initiate the rapport-building process.

Cats are often undervalue when you want to train them, simply because most of the owners has very little need to attempt any sort of training at all. Unlike with dogs (whose ability to learn is very well documented) there is no need to train cats in the basics of pet protocol like house training and bathing.

So few people do not know of their cat's abilities in this area.

Training your cat is a fantastic way to enrich cat's life:

- It develops a strong conection between you and your cat
- Because training emphasize your authority (your cat has to do what you want to get what he wants), it helps to curb dominant behavior
- It keeps your cat's mind active and stimulated
- It's fantastic reciprocal play, and teaches good social skills
- Eager and highly-strung cats get quiet and alleviate by the effect of quotidian training

how do I train my cat?

There are two popular methods of training a cat: target training and clicker training.

- Target training is where you attract your cat's attention and then obtain desired behaviors through the use of a designated tool. For example, during the beg command, a particular target training tool called a training wand is used to attract the cat's attention upwards, and to encourage the cat to rise up on his haunches and beg.

- Clicker training is a form of operant conditioning (which is where the animal is taught to form a conscious association between a specific behavior and a result.) A small mechanical noise-maker (the cliker) is used by the owner to make a short, distinct noise. The clicker is clicked at the precise moment that the cat performs a desired behavior; for example, during sit, the clicker is clicked at the very instant that the cat's bottom touches the ground. Right after the click, the cat is fed a small and tasty treat. With repetition, the cat gassociates the click with the food, and recognizes his ability to earn treats by performing the desired action on command. The clicker is a particularly valued training tool because it allows the trainer to pinpoint the exact behavior that is being rewarded: without the clicker, it is too easy for the cat to form associations between the treat and a completely unrelated behavior .

Practical tips for training your cat

- Remember you must be patient. Your cat like any other animal has his own abilities and preferences. He will learn some tricks quickly, but may have problems learning others. Make allowances for his personality, and do not lose your temper if it does not go exactly where you want.

- If you are free-feeding your cat (leaving food out at all times for him to eat as and when he feels like it), stop doing this. Enforcing a feeding schedule has two main benefits: it increases the reward-value of food treats as training devices, and also introduces a semblance of routine into your cat's life (which, believe it or not, most cats actually prefer.)

- Train smart. If you are using food treats (which is highly recommended to achieve the desired results) then schedule training sessions for just before mealtimes: your cat is natural desire for food at his regular mealtime will sharpen his focus and increase his desire to obey you (so he can get a treat.)
- Take baby steps. When training your cat, it is best to build up a solid foundation of the basics before attempting to expand his repertoire.

- Cats have pretty short attention spans, and low boredom thresholds. Keep lessons short and interesting; and always try to end on a positive note.

An example of successful cat training in action

Training your cat to sit on command

Sit is a great basic command for your cat to know, because it serves as the foundation for a number of other, more advanced tricks and commands .

- Make your training wand extra-effective by smearing the tip in a little tuna oil, and use it to attract your cat's attention (wave it around, trail it past his face, etc.)

- Once he is come over to you, place the wand just over his head, so that it is slightly behind the crown of his head.

- He will tilt his head back to keep his eyes on it. When he does this, he will naturally sit down (since otherwise, his neck can not bend back far enough to allow him to keep watching the training wand.)

- As he sits down, say the word Sit, which will be the verbal cue for this command (your cat will grow to associate the command with the act of sitting, and eventually will learn to sit down whenever you ask him to.)

- As soon as his bottom touches the ground, click the clicker. It is important that you time this precisely.

- Directly after clicking, give him a small food treat. Make sure it is cut up very small; if it takes him more than two seconds to eat it, he will forget why you gave it to him.

- Repeat this process a few more times, and over the next few weeks, keep doing so until he is comfortable with what is expected of him. When he is able to sit down on command, you can phase the clicker out ; but still give treats sporadically .

About the Author
Alain Matos is a successful article writer and entrepreneur
For step-by-step advice on how to train your cat in a huge variety of other obedience commands and tricks check out the Complete Cat Training book ; it is full of training how-to, as well as a huge amount of detailed information on solving problem behaviors, cat psychology, and how to develop a more rewarding relationship with your cat

Kitten-Proofing Your Home

2008-12-27T16:56:00.001-08:00

Nothing beats a kitten for fun. But the feline "wonder years" can also be the most frustrating and dangerous time in your kitten's life. Do not let his sweet, innocent face fool you. Behind those twinkling bright eyes is a mind brimful of curiosity, and the boundless energy to try and satisfy it. Kittens have a way of turning the most innocuous situation into a disaster. Whether you survive with your sanity intact and whether your kitten survives at all depend on you kitten-proofing your home.

Kitten-proofing is done to make the house safe so that your kitty does not hurt himself. It also prevents him from laying waste to your house. First, try to think like a cat. Invest in knee pads, get down on all fours, and tour your house at kitten level. But jumping and climbing kittens rarely stop at floor level, so you also need to kitten-proof the heights.

Kittens do not have hands. Instead, they use patting paws to explore their world and they stick their tiny noses into everything. Anything left within reach is fair game, so place anything breakable out of feline range. The more intelligent the kitten, the more ways he will find to get into trouble.

Protect your kitten from houseplants and vice versa. Chewing on houseplants like pothos and English ivy can cause toxic reactions. Kitty may even lick off the poison when he grooms his claws after shredding the plant. Keep plants out of your kitten's reach by hanging them or placing them on shelves. Choose nontoxic plants like the jade plant, the prayer plant,or the begonia.

Kittens do not tend to chew as much as puppies, but they do play-attack and bite nearly everything. Electric cords can be particularly tempting, and bitten cords can result in severe burns or even death. Get rid of as many electrical cords as possible, and check remaining wires regularly for signs of chewing. Tape cords to the floor to keep them from moving.

Keep garbage away from your kitten. Although cats are generally more fastidious than their canine counterparts, the smell of scraps may tempt them to scrounge. Your kitten might be poisoned by eating chocolate or he might end up with an upset stomach that results in a predictable mess.

Securely fasten lids on trash containers, or store them under the sink or in the garage where he cannot reach them. Never leaving sharp knives, food processor blades or other utensils out on counters where he might try to lick them clean and cut her tongue.

Like children, kittens have a tendency to swallow small nonfood items like coins, erasers and paper clips. Anything left out is fair game for the cat. Carefully cap all medications, and put them away. Pills are fun to bat around the floor, but if swallowed can be poisonous.

Christmas is a wonderful yet dangerous time of year for kittens. The tree seems meant for climbing, and the blinking lights and swinging ornaments tempt the most stoic kitty to indulge. But broken ornaments, extra electric cords, metal hooks or tinsel, sprayed lead-base "snow" and tree needles all pose dangers. Avoid placing decorations on the bottom branches, be sure the tree is securely anchored, avoid tinsel, and use ribbon to hang nonbreakable ornaments.
Carefully inspect cat toys and remove small eyes or tails that come loose and may be swallowed. Put away sewing baskets and tackle boxes. Kittens love to play with thread, string and yarn, but unsupervised games can lead to accidental strangulation, swallowed needles, cuts from fishing line or embedded fish hooks.

Cats can swallow several yards of ribbon or string, which will require surgical removal. Tie up curtain cords out of his reach, or purchase breakaway cords. The standard double cords on window blinds can hang and strangle a kitten. Always check cupboards and dresser drawers before shutting them to be sure your kitten is not hiding inside.

Keep appliances closed or he may think he has found the perfect warm hidy-hole to sleep in, until the appliance is turned on. It may sound funny at first, but kittens die every day by being accidentally shut inside a dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer or stove.

This free article is provided by the FreeArticles.com Free Articles Directory for educational purposes ONLY! It cannot be reprinted or redistributed under any circumstances.

Giving Your Cat the Safest Place to Come Back To

2008-12-06T06:54:00.000-08:00

When one thinks about cats as pets, the image that comes to mind is of a big furry cat lying down in his cat bed with a big plate of milk by his side. Cats have been known to be lazy, aristocratic interior house pets but that is not necessarily a rule. Most cats are very active, natural born hunters, who like to wander freely. For those, you might want to consider acquiring outdoor cat houses.
Many owners, when they have the habitation facilities for it, choose to give their cats the liberty to live outside and enjoy the freedom of having somewhere safe and comfortable to come back to when they feel tired of wandering. A great way to keep your cat coming back after his adventures is by providing them with comfortable outdoor cat houses. If you own a big house with a spacious garden, outdoor cat houses might be the way to provide with cat with proper housing in a safe environment.

Outdoor cat houses should be very sturdy and safe; preferably made of durable non toxic materials. They should protect your cat from rain, cold, wind and snow if it comes to that. On the other hand, they should not be excessively warm and they should be able to adapt to warmer weather. Remember that the cat should always feel conformable inside his own house, so he won’t need to wander outside in order to find a comfortable place to stay.
Most outdoor cat houses are made of isolated wood, which should have received a specific treatment to make them water and wind proof. They usually contain vinyl doors, in order to make it easy for your cat to go in and out and still keep the outdoor cat house warm and protected.
The floor should also be taken care of in a proper way, in order to isolate the complete house. If you really want to add a special treat to your cat, you will be amazed at the amount of outdoor cat house toys you can find, to put inside your new cat house and give your cat another good reason to keep coming back to his safe place.

Other popular outdoor cat houses include models made of synthetic materials that are specifically fabricated to withstand very cold or very warm weather. When buying synthetic outdoor cat houses make sure they are not made of toxic materials and that they are actually safe for your cat.
There are several outdoor cat houses available in the market today, and by doing a market research you will see you can find the perfect one within your budget as they come in all sizes and types of finishing’s. You can go for a more modest version or, if you have the financial means, there are several luxury outdoor cat house models available.

Cats are free and independent animals. They are feline hunters by nature and they were not made to be kept inside the house at all times. Keep your cat happy by providing him the opportunity to be free and safe at the same time. If he knows that by coming back he will find a perfect and safe place to be, he won’t need to go wondering for comfort. Outdoor cat houses are a great choice for the true cat lovers.

Source: Free Articles

Common Cat Health Problems

2008-12-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that cat health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common cat health problem. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common cat health problem. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some cat health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of cat health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.

Test Your Feline Felicity

2008-12-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

1. The Cat Family, or the family Felidae, includes at least 35 species of cats that are similar in physical characteristics. Which is NOT a member of the Cat Family?
A. Kodkod
B. Margay
C. Ocelot
D. Fox

D. Fox
TBD: Did you know that cats are regarded by many biologists as the most highly developed carnivores?

2. Do you know how many breeds of domestic cat there are?
A. 20
B. 40
C. 60
D. 80

B. 40
TBD: There are about 40 varieties, or breeds, of domestic cats recognized internationally.

3. Cats became objects of worship in Egypt for what reason?
A. The dog was already worshipped by the Assyrians.
B. Egyptians worshipped the sun and recognized the cat's affinity for the sun.
C. Their ability to keep down the rodent population in Eygpt's economically-important grain fields along the Nile.
D. Their grace and beauty.

C. Their ability to keep down the rodent population in Eygpt's economically-important grain fields along the Nile.
TBD: A very practical notion.

4. What is the collective name for a group of cats?
A. Sleuth
B. Murder
C. Gang
D. Clowder

D. Clowder
TBD: The other answers are collective names as well. You have a sleuth of bears, a murder of crows, and a gang of elks.

5. Cats are indigenous to all continents except which two?
A. Antarctica and Australia
B. Eurasia and South America
C. Antarctica and North America
D. Australia and Eurasia

A. Antarctica and Australia
TBD: This was new to us, too!

6. Who or what was Bastet?
A. The first domestic cat.
B. Egyptian cat goddess with the body of a woman and the head of a cat.
C. Egyptian goddess of war who was assisted by a magical cat.
D. The Egyptian pharaoh who declared that cats were sacred.

B. Egyptian cat goddess with the body of a woman and the head of a cat.
TBD: She was the goddess of love and fertility.

7. All cats are digitigrade which means they walk on their toes with the back part of the foot raised. Which cats do NOT have claws that are completely retractile?
A. Geoffrey's Cat
B. Cheetah
C. Jaguar
D. Little spotted cat

B. Cheetah
TBD: Actually the Cheetah is the only cat, including all the other large cats, with this distinction. Who knew?

8. Which is NOT a way that the Egyptians used the cat?
A. Retriever for birds
B. Racing animals
C. Object of worship
D. Hunting animals

B. Racing animals
TBD: It was true that cats were trained to retrieve birds brought down by their masters!

9. These breeds are all lacking something, what is it (respectively)? The Manx, Cymric, and Sphynx.
A. Tail and hair
B. Ears, hair, and tail
C. Claws, tail, and hair
D. Tail

A. Tail and hair
TBD: The Sphynx is a hairless cat while the Manx and Cymric are shorthaired and longhaired cats without tails.

10. Which region CANNOT claim a breed of rex?
A. Selkirk
B. Devonshire
C. Wales
D. Cornwall

C. Wales
TBD: There is a Selkirk Rex from Wyoming's Selkirk Mountains, a Devon Rex from Devonshire, England, and a Cornish Rex from Cornwall, England, but no Welsh Rex.

11. What is the scientific classification of the domestic cat?
A. Felis catus
B. Felis domesticus
C. Acinonyx jubatus
D. Panthera leo

A. Felis catus
TBD: That was too easy! By the way, The QuizQueen made Felis domesticus up, Acinonyx jubatus is the cheetah, and Panthera leo is the lion.

12. Which is NOT a characteristic of the cat?
A. The ability to taste sweet things
B. The ability to hunt in the dark
C. Using its sensitive whiskers to sense changes in the environment
D. Papillae to clean the flesh from the bones of animal prey

A. The ability to taste sweet things
TBD: This was new to us, too!

13. Two pigments form the basis for all coat colors in the modern domestic cat. These two pigments may be combined with each other or with white (the absence of pigment). What are the two pigments?
A. Black and orange
B. Black and white
C. Black and blue
D. Orange and blue

A. Black and orange
TBD: Scientists believe the domestic cat's original coat color was probably greyish-brown with darker tabby stripes, a color that provides excellent camouflage in a variety of environments. All other coat colors are the result of genetic mutations.

14. How many vocal sounds does a cat have?
A. 10
B. 50
C. 100
D. 150

C. 100
TBD: Most dogs have only about 10.

15. When a famous cartoon Cat and Mouse made their debut in 1939, what was the Cat's name?
A. Tom
B. Jerry
C. Jasper
D. Morris

C. Jasper
TBD: In later cartoons, they would become Tom and Jerry, but in Puss Gets the Boot, the feline co-star was named Jasper.

You can enjoy more trivia created by Deanna Mascle at Trivia By Dawggone, http://funtriviaonline.com">Fun Trivia Online, and Trivia Tidbit.

Article Source: http://www.ArticlesandAuthors.com - THE Premier Site for Articles AND Authors

About this Article Author:

You can enjoy more trivia created by Deanna Mascle at A Trivia Break, The QuizQueen, and Trivial Topics.

How Do I Trim My Cat's Claws And What Else Do I Need To Know?

2008-11-28T05:41:00.001-08:00

Why Should You Trim Your Cat's Claws?

Cat claws are naturally sharp, and can do a lot of damage to both yourself and your furniture. The best way to deal with destructive cat behavior is to understand your cat's behavior and train him not to scratch and claw at you and your furniture. However, even at the best of times, kitty can become over-excited and fall back into his natural behavior. At times like these, you'll be glad if your cats claws have been blunted.

There are three main ways to minimize the damage from cat scratching:

Trim kitty's claws

Apply a soft cover over your cat's claws

Cat declawing

Trimming kitty's claws is one of the best and cheapest ways to go. You basically trim off the sharp, hooked tip of your cat's claws so that they can't cause as much damage when the scratch you or your furniture. Depending on the amount you trim, you may need to do this every fortnight, or even monthly. How much you trim off every time depends on both kitty's comfort level and your comfort level. It's best to start slow, until you build up a high level of trust.

Besides trimming cat claws, you can also apply a soft cover over the claws. Normally, you'll need to apply a special glue to stick these covers over kitty's claws. Of course, over time these soft covers will come off, so you need to replace them regulars. Check with your local pet store for the best brand for your breed of cat.

Declawing your cat really means that the vet will cut off the first joint of your cat's toes. As you can guess, this is not only very traumatic to cats, it permanently prevents them from defending themselves. It even prevents them from climbing trees and other high places to escape from danger. In many cases, cat owners have reported behavior problems following this operation. Nowadays, this operation is illegal in many places.

What Is The Best Way To Trim Cat Claws?

If you are trimming kitty's claws for the first time, it is best to go to a vet. Ask him to show you how to do it right. However, here are the important steps to note:

Make sure you have good lighting available

Support kitty firmly and securely in your left arm

Hold his front paw in your left hand

Extend his claw by pressing firmly but gently on the pad area

Examine the claw to find a pink area - this area contains blood vessels and nerves, and is called the quick. It is critical to avoid this area when you do the trimming

Quickly snip off the tip of the claw with a pair of clippers

Repeat until you finish

If you only have one cat, you may want to schedule a regular appointment with your vet. Most vets charge in the range of $10 to $20 to do this. If you ask for regular appointments and pay for everything up front, he should be willing to give you a discount.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Trimming Kitty's Claws?

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

If your cat struggles, you can wrap him up in a thick bath towel with only the paw extended. Another way is to wait until he is asleep

You can use nail clippers for people, or buy special clippers from your pet shop. Note that there are different sizes, so you want to buy one which fits your cat's claws

Normally you hold the clippers parallel to the flat part of the claw. But if you find that this splinters kitty's claw, rotate the position 90 degrees so that it is vertical

Initially, only clip off the sharp tip of the claws. Once you build up a greater degree of trust, you can clip off more if you want to

Do only one paw at a time, unless kitty is really comfortable with the procedure

Usually, you don't need to trim the back toenails. It may even be undesirable if yours is an indoor-outdoor cat

Give you cat a treat to distract him or as a reward

This bears repeating - avoid the "quick"

As you can see, trimming cat claws is not a difficult task. It can really cut down on the amount of damage they do when playing with you or scratching your furniture. The first time you do it, it is best to ask the vet to show you the proper way.

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About the Author: Do you face problems with your cat scratching you? Or does your cat scratch furniture? Click here to learn more about cat behavior problems and how to eliminate cat scratching problems

2008-11-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

Cat Care

By: Erik Willis

Below are some cat care tips we’ve compiled that will make life for both you and your cat happier and healthier.

Handle your cat frequently. Some cats just don’t like to be picked up. If you can start handling your cat when it’s a kitten, chances are better that it will enjoy the handling later in life. It will also be easier when it comes time for check ups at the vet, having claws trimmed, etc. Also make sure you massage your cat’s feet and toes often so your cat gets used to having it’s paws restrained.

To prevent hairballs, improve the look of your cat’s coat, and give yourself an excuse to check on your cat’s well being, groom your cat at least once a week. Most cats learn to enjoy the grooming process, although some will become over excited by it and can only take so much.

Use weekly (or more frequent if possible) grooming sessions to examine your cat for common health problems. Check your cat’s gums, teeth, eyes, ears (look for signs of ear mites), skin, and limbs for possible problems. Check for signs of pain, swelling or injury. Clip your cat’s nails regularly. If your cat’s claws get too long, they may curve back into the toe pad. It’s also more likely that your cat’s claws will get caught on something if they’re not trimmed.

Every major cat care organization recommends keeping your cat indoors for safety, better health and a longer life.

One of the most important cat care tips is regarding the litter box. Place the litter box in a place your cat likes. The number one reason adult cats are brought to shelters is for unresolved litter box problems. Place the box in a relatively quiet area that your cat likes to frequent and make sure there are multiple escape routes. Also make sure to provide enough litter boxes for your cat. We suggest following the one plus one rule one litter box for each cat in the house plus one more.

Play with your cat daily. Play with dangle toys and chase your cat around the house as much as possible. Get your cat exercising daily and it will help lower risks of diseases and minimize vet bills.

Give your cat at least 10 minutes of physical attention every day. Take time to pet, stroke, scratch or brush your cat for at least 10 minutes daily. It will calm and relax both not only your cat but you too. Recent evidence shows that contact with cats may actually reduce your risk of heart attack by as much as thirty percent! What a great bonus for giving good cat care!

Allow your cat to choose favorite spots to hang out around the house, then make them more comfortable with blankets and pillows..

Feed your cat premium cat food. High quality cat foods meeting AAFCO cat food standards will ensure that your cat gets a balanced diet with the right nutrients. Feline diets deficient in certain nutrients can cause diseases, including blindness.

Take your cat to the vet for a check up at least once a year.

For more information visit http://www.animal world.com.

Author Resource:-> http://animal-world.com/ will strive to provide accurate and timely information. The knowledge we have today will surely be expanded upon and modified as new studies and discoveries uncover new facts. For more information on cat care visit http://www.animal-world.com/.

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Cat Whisperers Do Exist

2008-11-21T06:48:00.000-08:00

A cat whisper is somewhat similar to a dog or horse whisperer, although cat whisperers relate quite well with cats. These types of people are unusually lucky and very successfully with cats. In most cases, a cat will be abandoned or just show up at someone's door. In this event, the cat will adopt this individual as the cat whisperer.

Often times, alley cats and black cats will show up at someone's door and decide to move into their homes. This can be a result of abandonment, or the cat's family moving away and simply leaving the cat behind. Sometimes, the cat may decide that he likes someone else's home better and decide to move there instead of staying with his owner.

A lot of people will tell you that a cat whisperer can be thought of as a therapist for cats. Almost all cat whisperers haven't have any type of training, what they know just seems to come to them naturally. These types of people understand the way a cat thinks and knows how to work with the cat to achieve the results they want. Even though many think of a cat whisperer as a therapist, it actually couldn't be further from the truth.

Cats who have been abused or mistreated, often times won't respond to anyone but a cat whisperer. Although others may have tried to help the cat, it will only make matters worse by making the cat feel scared and afraid. In most cases, these cats will end up in a pound. This is very tragic, as the cats have already endured more than they ever should have. A majority of the cats who have been abused were once loved pets. Along the way, they were abandoned, mistreated, attacked by dogs, and in some cases tortured.

Cats who have been treated unfairly often times won't trust anyone. They are often times confused, in a lot of pain, and not sure what they should do. Like humans, cats feel pain. Those that have been physically abused are a sad sight indeed. Emotionally damaged cats may appear to be in perfect health on the outside, although their emotions are a wreck. Emotionally abused cats are much harder to get through to, especially if they were stray cats to begin with.

Cat whisperers on the other hand, can communicate with physically and emotionally abused cats. Cats know who they will choose to be their cat whisperer, which is normally an individual they sense trust with. Cat whisperers are common with cats, although most people have never heard of them before. Even though a cat whisperer may be able to communicate better with cats, it will still take time to heal a cat that has been abused.

Source: Free Articles

Information Regarding the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

2008-10-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a viral disease-causing agent that is often recorded in domestic cats around the world. The pathology that it causes is known as Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a long-term disease marked by lowered resistance of the animal's defense system, leading to various opportunistic infections.

This virus, also known as FIV, is often recorded in free roaming outdoor cats. Once the virus enters the victim's body it spreads to the lymphatic system. Next it may lead to feverish condition and other relatively mild symptoms before becoming dormant, just like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, for a long time. After a period of several months or years, the virus may finally reemerge and attack the body's protective white blood cells - lowering their numbers and as a result weakening the diseased animal's defensive capability to a degree that makes it quite exposed to opportunistic illnesses.

Even with the illness and risk of death associated with FIV, exposure to it is not always lethal. Often the cats act as carriers and with a nutritious diet and good veterinary care, they can live a normal and healthy life for some time. Alongside the added care it is important that the feline be sterilized and not go outdoors where it may infect other cats or acquire other illnesses. If there are other felids in the vicinity, they may be separated. Usually though the risk of transmission to other house cats is low in a normal household. The virus does not infect other animals and people. Therefore there is no need to euthanize a cat that has been diagnosed with FIV. The Association of Feline Practitioners recommends against it and advises routine checkup and care.In order to prevent your pet from contracting this disease, make sure that it doesn't go outdoors unsupervised for long periods of time. Spayed or neutered cats and the ones that stay indoors are the ones least likely to come into contact with the virus. A vaccine is available that is said to protect against FIV but its efficacy is not firmly established at the moment. Therefore, at the moment, prevention is better than cure!

About the author:

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

How to Teach YOUR Cat to Use a Litter Box

2008-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with a cat that doesn't use its litter box. Yet, patience is the key to creating litter box success. A positive introduction when young, and simple housekeeping on your part will solve most problems.

Most cats instinctively use the litter box. However if you see your kitten crouching or sniffing in a corner lift her and place her in a litter tray - this is a sign of oncoming urination. If your kitten is not using the litter box you should place her in the box every morning.

It is important for your cat to be able to easily access the litter box. If you have a large home, put litter boxes in more than one place. If your house has many levels, make sure each floor is equipped with a litter box. As in real estate, location is crucial to your cat successfully using the litter box. The best spot offers your cat a certain amount of privacy, but not so out of the way that you forget to clean it. Some people put the litter box in a seldom-used closet. Be sure, however, to use a hard-rubber stop to keep the door, or install a pet door so your cat can go in and out whenever she wants.

If you need to move a litter tray you should move it by only a few feet at a time. If the cat stops using it you have probably moved it too far.

If your cat doesn't use her litter box study the situation carefully for the reason(s) why.

Some cats will avoid a "dirty" litter box. Scoop out feces and wet litter daily. Completely empty and replace the litter at least once a week. Don't be too generous with the litter; most cats prefer a shallow layer of about two inches.

If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Cats are very particular and won't eliminate in a "used" litter box. The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat.

Location, location, location; sudden noises, or lack of privacy can scare a cat from using a litter box. Try moving it to a different spot.

Never punish your cat for having an accident. She won't make the connection unless you catch her in the act. Even then, punishment only creates fear of you, not a desire to change behavior. Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove the smell of the accident. This will help prevent future soiling in that spot as the smell of urine will make the cat think its OK to go there.

If you notice that accidents happen in the same place over and over, try putting a litter box there. Perhaps your cat prefers this spot for reasons you'll never understand. If accidents tend to happen when your cat has free run of the house or while you are away, keep her confined to one room until you can watch her. Be sure to provide food, water, and that all-important litter box in whatever room you place her in. If your cat uses the litter box successfully for several years, then begins to have accidents, have your veterinarian examine her for a possible urinary tract or kidney infection.

About the Author
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Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care"

2008-10-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from their humans, and advances in veterinary medicine. Most experts consider a cat's "senior years" to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her owner, Miss Kitty might enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.

Just as with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they age. This often goes unnoticed by owners, who might chalk their cat's lack of response to typical feline aloofness. Without keen hearing and vision, however, an older cat is more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street. It is best to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, make sure you supervise her in a protected area.Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat's senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Adding moist food and warming her meals will amplify the scent and make it more tantalizing. Moist food will increase the amount of water in your cat's diet.

It is important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Take note of about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, contact your veterinarian.Remember that there have been huge advances in medical care for cats in recent years. Online shopping for cat medication has become popular, but remember that there is no substitute for regular check-ups with your veterinarian.

Common problems owners see their geriatric cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and not sleeping well.Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat's kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats. Because it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she'll begin to pack on the pounds. The extra weight adds to her discomfort, making her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken. It is important to encourage an older cat into some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.

An older cat spends less time grooming herself than in her youth. As a result, her hair becomes dry and painfully matted. Regular grooming from her owner is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful. Daily brushing removes loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.As your cat gets older its important that she is comfortable. You should ensure that your cat has a comfortable, warm bed that she can stretch out on. Cushions and hammock bed on radiators are popular.

About the Author
Pet Medication Supplies http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net can help you get the best possible supplies for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.

Green Eyes Cat T-shirt

2008-10-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

Rose Cats Pink Sweatshirt

2008-10-12T20:37:00.001-07:00

Red Tabby Cat Throw and Toss Pillow

2008-10-09T13:52:00.001-07:00

Cat Stop Electronic Repellent

2008-10-07T07:45:00.000-07:00