What Is Feliway Spray?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.



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