Learn The Fun and Easy Way To Care For Your Cat

The poet T.S. Eliot once said that households depend on cats, and there may be some truth to this. A cat is often a valuable member of the family, especially if it is healthy and happy. Unfortunately, cats aren't always the easiest creatures to live with. You should keep reading to learn how you can become a better pet owner.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. A collar like this could save your cat's life.
Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.
You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. If that doesn't work, cover those cords up however you can. You can hide away any cords inside the rolls that come inside paper towels. Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. They can scratch this instead. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Cats frequently groom themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hair balls. Buy special food in order to help that problem. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hair balls, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat's hearing is more sensitive than yours. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.
When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. This will ensure nothing bad happens.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. Most of them simply aren't mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. When your children age, you will realize when they're able to deal with a pet.
It's very rewarding to own a cat, though it's not always easy. The tips you've read can help you build a better bond with your cat. Soon, the purrs will become more frequent than the meows.

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Automatic Cat Litter Box - New Litter Robot Odor Control Features

Automatic and self cleaning cat litter boxes are becoming increasingly popular. The Litter Maid is a well known brand that has mixed reviews. There is also the Cat Genie that washes the litter. The Litter-Robot II has a unique design that reliably sifts litter via a rotating globe. After a thorough evaluation of features and trade-offs, we became convinced the Litter-Robot II is the best auto cat litter box available.
We purchased our first Litter-Robot II in June of 2007. Recently, we upgraded to the new version that has the odor control feature. This article compares the features of three top automatic cat litter box brands and discusses our experience with the new Litter Robot II odor control feature.
The Litter Maid uses a rake to comb through the litter. The rake separates clumps from litter and deposits them into a special receptacle. Receptacle refills must be purchased separately. They are not very large and cost a lot. They are sold 12 in a box for about $19.99. For just one cat, they need to be changed every 5 days. That adds up to $120.00 per year. Over a typical 15 year cat life span, the cost is $1800. Many users have reported problems with the Litter Maid rake getting clogged. It needs to be cleaned often. The Litter Maid reduces the effort of scooping, but requires maintenance of the rake and costs $1800 over the life of one cat for special receptacles.
The Cat Genie is an interesting concept. It uses special cat litter that is washable. The unit connects to plumbing in your home. After the cat completes his business, water enters the litter area, the litter is washed and solid waste is pushed through a grinder before exiting the unit to the sewer. The cat gets his own toilet, literally. Now for the down side. Just like a toilet, the Cat Genie's grinding mechanism can clog. This is very disgusting to clean out. Another down side is the special litter and sani solution for washing the litter.
The Litter-Robot II has an ingenious design. A removable globe sits atop a base having a very large removable drawer. Inside the globe is a sturdy, heavy duty filter that sifts litter from waste as the globe rotates. A trap door rotates around until it reaches the bottom. The waste reliably falls through the trap door to the waste drawer below, that is lined with any type of plastic bag. A cat sensor detects the presence of the cat. There is a timer that does not start the globe rotating until 7 minutes after the cat is gone. This also allows the clumps to solidify, enabling extremely reliable performance. The cat sensor also detects if the cat comes back while the globe is rotating. The globe stops for 15 seconds.
There are only a few negative things that can be said about the Litter-Robot. One is that the Litter-Robot II is not recommended for tiny kittens or cats less than five pounds. Tiny kittens and very small cats may not set off the cat sensor and could get hurt by the trap door. Second, it is not recommended for diabetic cats since urine clumps may be too large. Third, it is not recommended for cats larger than 15 lbs, although users having cats up to 20 lbs have reported successful Litter-Robot II adoption.
Other Litter-Robot benefits: The first is the globe itself. The shape of the globe is ideal for minimizing the amount of litter the cat can kick out. The opening is just large enough for the cat to enter. The globe is lined with a thick rubber material and the screen is coated with the same material. The rubber material prevents and reduces odor absorption by the globe.
The second benefit is easy cleaning. The globe easily lifts off the base. We have found it rarely needs to be cleaned. The screen has never clogged. Once every few months we have found it necessary to empty the remaining litter and clean the globe. Since the globe has no electronics, this is easily done with a hose or in the bathtub. You could take it to a self car wash if you live in an apartment. Similarly, the drawer is easily cleaned by a hose or in a laundry tub.
The third benefit is the Litter-Robot's sturdy construction. It is very solidly built and intended to last a long time. At $329, it may seem like it costs a lot, but if you consider that you are buying an appliance rather than a throw-away consumer product, the price is very reasonable. It's about the same cost as a dishwasher or washing machine and meant to last as long. The warranty is 18 months, 50% longer than standard 1 year appliance warranties.
The odor control features are two-fold. First there is a soft breathable ring that fills the space between the globe and the base. This traps odor inside without allowing odor to build up. Then there is a replaceable carbon filter at the front of the drawer. The drawer step has odor breathing holes to prevent odor build-up. Now the odor must travel through the carbon filter to exit the holes. The odors are effectively neutralized before exiting. The manufacturer recommends replacing carbon filters every 6-8 weeks, or when necessary. We have not changed ours in five months and still do not feel it needs to be changed.
The first Litter-Robot II we owned did not have odor control; odor was not too bad. However, we noticed a significant difference once we upgraded our Litter-Robot. Now we find the odor is not noticeable unless the cat had just used the box, even when standing next to it.
We give the Litter-Robot II a five star ***** review. In our opinion, it is the best self-cleaning cat litter box available.

Gail Jones is a staff writer and expert in home automation products. She works for Paradise Robotics, a Chicago Area company that specializes in products that make life better.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1274381

Cat Urine Trivia - 5 Facts About The Odor And 3 Solutions For It

There are over 80 million household cats in the United States alone, so it comes as no surprise that cat urine odor is high on the list of most searched-for terms. If you are struggling with this issue, here are 5 facts that may help understand and ultimately triumph over the odor.
1. It contains ammonia. And breathing these fumes can cause acute flare-ups for those who suffer with allergies and asthma.
2. It has a higher acid content than that of many other animals. This was designed to ward off predators, and for cats that are still allowed outdoors to find food, this is a huge aid in self-defense.
3. It glows under a black light. This happy fact makes it easier to find the offending spot and neutralize it.
4. It contains 95% water.
5. Urine contains the protein Fel D1 like dander and can also cause a skin reaction for those who are sensitive to it.
So now that you know all of these interesting facts, you're probably still wondering how something that is mostly water can literally cause such a stink, and how you can deal with the odor effectively. Here are 3 steps to take to literally clear your air.
Find and Neutralize The Spot---Finding the spot is sometimes the hardest part. What you can't see can hurt you and as you are probably now aware from personal experience, it can smell really bad. Sometimes the stain is evident, and sometimes you feel the wet spot under your feet--Yuk.
If you are having trouble finding it, use your nose particularly if you think it's on the furniture or the bed. You can also use number 3 above and shine the black light.
Neutralizing the spot will mean that your cat will be less likely to come back and repeat the inappropriate behavior, at least in the same place. There are all kinds of products on the market that are designed to remove the odor. One of the most natural is a solution of white vinegar as immediately after the accident has occurred as is possible.
Keep The Litter Box Clean---As discriminating as we might think our noses are cats have an even keener sense of smell. So keeping the litter box absolutely pristine will encourage your feline friend to go where it's supposed to go when it feels the urge.
Filter the Air---Even the best odor remover can sometimes not prevent a faint smell from continuing to occur especially if there is moisture introduced to the air. As cat lovers it is easy for our noses to turn a deaf ear to the smell because we are around it so much. Relatives and friends are less likely to ignore the smell so continually filtering the air is an effective and low maintenance way to keep the air smelling fresh.
An effective cleaner will not only need a carbon filter, but the carbon will need an additive that is specifically designed to remove the ammonia. A motor that allows 24 hours cleaning, as well as various sized filter for the wide range of particles cats can produce is a good idea as well.

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Bad Breath in Cats - Controlling Cat Bad Breath

Sometimes it is a bit difficult to tell if your cat has bad breath or not. When you think about it, your cat's breath is going to smell when she has just eaten her food, so how noticeable does bad breath in cats need to be before you have to take action?
As I say, you would expect your cat's breath to smell of the food she has just eaten, but that won't be a foul, obnoxious smell. If you can smell something worse than this coming from your cat, over a period of time, then you need to do some investigating into the cause.
Just like us, cats can suffer from bad breath due to gum disease or tooth decay. A visit to the vet will clear the problem up for you. The vet will check your cat's teeth to see if there is any sign of plaque or build up of tartar. If it has been a year since the cat last had its teeth cleaned then it is time for them to be cleaned again.
This is done under anaesthetic at the vets surgery. Decaying teeth can be removed and the rest of the teeth will be scaled and polished.
You can have a quick look at your cats teeth any time, by giving them a quick visual check. If they look yellowish, and you can see tartar, the teeth need cleaning.
Of course there is always the possibility of other causes of the cats bad breath, but if you take her to the vet, he or she will be able to tell you the cause of the smell. Feeding your cat wet cat food can make its breath smell bad. Try changing to a dry food and see if this makes a difference.
Diet and dental hygiene are the two key areas in controlling cat bad breath.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4381419

Cats Coat Maintenance That Aids in Achieving a Clean and Healthy Pet

Some pet lovers adore cat more than dogs. It is simply because they are cuddly and lovable, so much so that these pets provide happiness and joy to the one rearing them. More so, cats are an excellent companion at home and do not need special attention unlike other pets. However, it is but natural for a pet lover to be affectionate towards their pets, so providing protection and proper grooming comes readily without heft. Surprisingly, these pets even have trendy dresses to wear and are provided with their own veterinarians when sick. Cats also have its coat maintenance tools that aids in achieving clean hairs.
Cats are independent but they still need to have proper care and attention particularly with their health by a person. Cats cannot do bathing, grooming, or any personal hygiene on their own. Remember to check on them daily for any symptoms of illness as part of its grooming routine. Check their body for lumps, wounds or hair tangles. Nevertheless, it is necessary to see a veterinarian for vaccinations to prevent any diseases to develop.
Fostering a cat also means giving them a comfortable way of life. Allow them to roam around the garden or patio every now and then. It will help them exercise and get a chance to associate with other animals. Give them opportunity to play by providing them some playing accessories. The lesser chances of playing may bore your cat and possibly weaken their health, or worse, succumbed to illness.
Another thing to consider is the food they need to eat and water to drink. You can find healthy foods in pet stores or in veterinarian clinics. There are certain dishes that cats may be allergic to, so it is best to know about these particulars to avoid problems from arising. For instance, onions, garlic and even chocolates may cause problem in their stomach. Keep in mind that cat's meals may depend on their age. Do not allow them to eat leftovers or food that needs to be disposed. It is important to provide healthy food and not the spoiled ones, better yet, ask your veterinarian for some do's and do not's in feeding your pets to avoid any complications.
It is also necessary to provide them a proper place for resting and sleeping as well as a place for taking its meals, and the appropriate place for waste disposal. Keeping them clean as well as their surrounding area will protect them from sickness. So much so that providing your cat, coat maintenance aids are excellent in achieving a clean and healthy pet.

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Cat Health - Preventing Cat Illness

The incredible pleasure of companionship given by your feline friends comes with certain responsibilities and obligations. Continuing your joy of keeping them company would greatly depend on how well you understand and provide for their needs. Learning about proper cat health care is important for all cat owners. Giving them love, proper care and attention will not only ensure great health for your cats. It also ensures a long and happy life.
General Needs
Your cat has several needs, which you need to pay close attention to. It needs to receive proper nourishment, proper grooming, the right medical attention in the event of a cat illness and the right pregnancy care for female cats later in its life. Not only does proper cat health care demand time and attention, it also demands a certain amount of budget to sufficiently and timely provide for all your cat's needs.
Feeding
The key to health is getting the right food. The same rule applies in ensuring optimum cat health. Putting it under a good diet and giving it the best cat food you can obtain will not only protect your cat from getting any common cat illness. It will also yield huge savings on veterinary bills. Hence, compromising the quality of cat food over value is poor economy. Investing on your cat's health means trusting the name of American Association of Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) approved cat food manufacturers. You can consult your veterinarian on this regard so you can give your pet the kind of food that is appropriate for its age, breed or health condition.
Grooming
A kitten is born with the innate ability to groom itself. You see mother cats licking her kittens soon after they were born to help them breathe. Grooming is something that comes natural among cats. For the most part, your cat can answer to its grooming needs. However, there are a number of reasons why you should use some grooming techniques for your cat. Long-haired cats need extra help to prevent getting matted fur. Occasionally combing your cat's fur prevents parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks from settling on the fur. Some cat owners even enjoy occasionally bathing and trimming the claws of their cats. Some would even go to the lengths of brushing the cat's teeth. Aside from giving them a pleasant experience with their best pets, it also prevents the onslaught of common cat parasites.
Common Cat Health Problems
From simple inconveniences, cat illness, to life threatening accidents, the concern about common cat health problems is an experience shared by all cat owners. These problems range from simple inconveniences to life-threatening illnesses. Noticing a cat illness coming is extremely helpful in limiting the risks involved. The following should guide you through your pet care experience.
Hair Balls
You cat is likely to experience a problem called hair ball. The condition is caused by the accumulation of fur inside the cat's body due to its grooming habits. The accumulated fur or hair ball usually becomes a source of irritation when the cat fails to eliminate it on the litter box or through coughing. Once the hair ball compacts with the undigested food in the intestines, it needs to be surgically removed to avoid serious health complications. Noticing symptoms such as dry and hacking cough, vomiting after meals, hair entwined with feces, constipation, diarrhea, poor appetite and weight loss means that your cat suffers from hair ball. A veterinarian's instructed use of mineral oil or petroleum lubricants and other petrochemical products may be used to relieve these symptoms.
Plant Poisoning
Cats love to chew on things, especially green things. Your cat's fondness for your indoor as well as outdoor plants can be very dangerous especially when you are using pesticides on these plants. As you cat chews on its leaves, it might ingest the chemicals you have applied on your plants. Also, there are some ornamental plants that are toxic in nature and can possibly harm your naughty cat.
Infections
Viral and other infections answer to majority of the causes of common cat health problems. Depending on the severity and nature of the infection, a particular infection can lead to complications that can compromise your cat's health. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and Feline Leukemia Virus are the known plagues of a cat's health. Thankfully, there are vaccinations and treatments that are available for these serious infections.
Parasites
Common cat parasites include fleas, worms, ticks and lice. Fleas and lice not only cause chronic itching and infections but also deliver parasites such as worm larvae inside your cat's body. The worms thriving in the intestines can cause anemia, weakness and weight loss. Proper grooming and the use of powders, pest sprays, lotions and shampoo can help remove these parasites. Ask a veterinarian for the most suitable product that can help you eliminate common parasites.
Caution
Loss of appetite, dull coat, more frequent grooming, excessive itching or constant scratching, not grooming after eating, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling and display of unusual behavior are tell-tale signs of a sick cat. Familiarizing yourself with these symptoms of cat illness is important in ensuring the health of your feline friend. Upon noticing these symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian.

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Is Dandruff Bad For Your Cat?

For those of you wondering if cat dandruff is bad for your cat, the answer is that it can be. Dandruff on a cat can be a serious condition. It can be a condition where the cat's sebaceous glands produce more sebum than it should. This can be noticeable on the flanks, face, and the back of the kitty.

Cats who have idiopathic seborrhea or cat dandruff will have dandruff that may not have an actual cause. It may be necessary to go to a vet to find out what is wrong with the cat. The pet owner should observe the cat for a couple of days before the vet appointment. some of the most common causes of cat dandruff are: environmental factors such as when the seasons change, hormonal imbalance, allergies such as laundry detergent and household cleaners, fungal infections such as ringworm, parasites such as ticks and fleas, obesity, and musculoskeletal disease.

The symptoms of dandruff may vary. There can be areas of the cat's fur where there are more sebaceous glands that will show signs of dandruff. The cat may also leave dandruff flakes in their sleeping spot. Another symptom is the smell of your cat. If the cat smells different it may be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection or yeast skin infection. Also if the cat swats at you when you are trying to touch a certain spot on the cat, it may tell you something is wrong. Upon examination, you may find inflamed or red skin with lesions.

Once you go to the vet and talk about the symptoms of the cat, he or she will conduct tests to determine the cause and type of the dandruff on the cat. The vet may perform blood tests, skin cytology and skin scrapings, skin culture, skin biopsy, and hormone tests.

As for treatment, it may vary. Some of the most common treatment methods are: antiseborrheic shampoos, retinoids, omega 3 fatty acid food supplements, oral cyclosporine, moisturizers, and antibiotics.

For prevention, there are a host of things that you can do to try to prevent cat dandruff from coming. You can give your cat a good bath, have your cat groomed, have your cat maintain a healthy weight, monitor your cat's environment, and give your cat omega 3 fatty acid supplements.

So as you can see, cat dandruff can be a serious condition and should be checked out by a vet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8030071

7 Signs Your Cat Loves You

Cats show affection to you as an owner in many different ways. Some cats will show a lot of affection while other cats will show less. They have body language that you can pick up on that tells you how they are feeling. Here are some ways cats show affection for you.

Slow Blinking of Eyes

A cat may show affection to you by slowly blinking their eyes at you. This is a sign of affection but not many people realize it when the cat does it. Watch your cat for a while and see if this happens.

Grooming

Cats send a lot of time grooming but this isn't always about keeping clean. They use this to bond with you and to relive stress. If your cat comes over and licks you it's a sign you are a part of their "cat family". The cat will do this as a way of showing you affection but it's another one that we often don't pick up on as actually a sign of cat affection.

Butting and Head Rubbing

A cat loves to walk around your legs and rub its head or butt against you. This is a sign of marking you as property. The face of a cat has pheromones and these are rubbed onto you so the cat feels comfortable around you. Each cat has different pheromones so they can recognize you easily. They do this a lot when sitting on your lap and when you go to pet the cat they may want to rub their head against you. This is a sign of affection to you.

Following You

If the cat likes to follow you from room to room in the house they are showing interest in you and want to be in the same place that you are. A cat that doesn't show other kinds of affection may just follow you around and give you affection that way.

Gifts

No one likes to see a dead birds or a snake in the house but the cat is showing you affection this way by presenting gifts to you. It's not the right move to scold the cat when the animal does this because it's a sign of affection towards you. The cat is hoping that you'll be pleased with the gift brought to you.

Excitement

If you have been gone a long time, the cat may act exited when you get home and may run around more than normal or be a bit of a pest. This is normal and it's a sign of affection towards you.

On the Belly

A cat that rolls over and show you their belly is showing you that they trust and care about you. A cat won't do this in the wild because the animal would be attacked. If your cat does this the animal is showing you that you're important.

These are some of the ways that your cat will show affection to you as the owner. Your cat may do all of these or just a few it all depends on the mood of the cat and how they feel towards you.

So, does your cat love you? If your cat shows some signs that we mention above, then you can be sure your feline friend cares about you. If you live in UK, please checkout essential cat supplies from our site: pet supplies uk reviews

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Keeping Your Home Safe for Kittens

When you have finally decided to take care of a kitten you must select the ones that you can bring home. Be sure to have enough stock for your kittens and have the room prepared for its shelter.

However, for your kitten's homecoming, here are few more steps that you could do to help keep your kitten safe inside your home. These steps cover those things inside your home that could pose a threat to kittens.

Kittens are naturally curious. That's one of the reasons for their relentless pouncing from one place to another regardless of the height. They can even squeeze themselves into places that are small and hard to reach. Keeping pets safe can be time consuming, but it's well worth the effort.

Here are a couple of things you need to look out for when bringing home a pet kitten.

What to Get Rid Of

Detergents, medicines, chemicals, and toxic materials are some of which that you should get rid of or keep away from the kitten's reach. You can move them to a cabinet with a handle that's difficult for kittens to grasp. Some kittens are surprisingly clever that they are able to turn a door handle and pry it open.

Other things that you should consider

Other stuff that you need to watch out for are stuff that could easily fall into your pet such as free standing furniture, curtain, table lamps and most especially power cords. They naturally love to fret on things which usually happens when they are teething. This is one of those phases when you need to be extra careful. You should always tuck away electrical items such as power cords. You can use tools to tie them together or to tie them to shorten their length when not in use.

Paper or plastic bags can also be perilous as they can stifle or choke them when not properly kept. Kittens can also climb on a number of furniture so you can make use of table cloths for that matter. Now, if you have a flower vase at home, you have to keep it away if possible.

Things to Remember

Remember that kittens are to be kept inside your house until such time that they get older and would be able to handle themselves well. Therefore, closing the doors is a great idea to prevent them from freely wandering around. In cases where they can go out and escape, you have to prevent them from being able to jump out.

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Declawing Your Cat - Manicure or Mutilation?

Are you considering declawing your cat? Do you realise what that entails, or do you think it's just a simple procedure to remove the nails? Does it remind you of your own manicure?

To put it simply - declawing is an amputation of the last joint of a cat's toe. It would be like having each of your fingertips cut off at the first joint, below the nail.

Did you know this practice is considered so barbaric, it has been banned in many countries?

Pain is a definite post surgery issue, while infection, tissue death, bone spurs, nerve damage, joint stiffness, arthritis, lameness, and claw re-growth are all possible post surgery complications.

Your cat may become stressed because he isn't able to jump and play normally, or hold on with his claws the way he used to.

Regular litter cannot be used for several days after surgery, so shredded newspaper is typically a substitute. This unfamiliar litter, combined with the pain of scratching in the litter box, may lead to some cats stopping to use it entirely.

With their main defence mechanism taken away, cats may become aggressive and even bite, as they find new ways to defend themselves.

Getting rid of the cat - a sadly unforeseen consequence

I personally don't think most people considering declawing have any idea what's involved in the surgery, and I question how many vets give them the details.

They think the surgery will solve their problem, but in fact it may create others. If the cat stops using the litterbox, and/or becomes aggressive, what do you think will happen to the cat?

That's right - he will end up either banished to the basement, put outside, or dumped at the local shelter.

How many adoptable animals do you think make it out of shelters alive? What do you think the chances are of your cat being one of the lucky ones?

This cat will likely be killed, and whose fault is that?

Why cats need their claws

Clawing is not a behavioural issue, nor is it vengeance. It is just something cats do naturally.

Research suggests the main reason for clawing is communication. By repeatedly scratching the same few objects, they leave highly visible marks for other cats to see. The fact that cats have scent glands in their paws, means their smell is left behind as well.

Scratching helps remove the dead outer layer of their nails.

Clawing is part of how they fully stretch their backs and legs, and exercise the muscles in their toes.

Scratching and licking prevents their fur from matting, and removes dead skin and hair.

Protection from predators is a critical use. An outdoor cat cannot be left defenceless, and what happens if your indoor cat escapes?

There are alternatives you know!

Training

Yes, cats can be trained. Try saying "no" when he does something you don't want him to.

A little squirt of water from a spray bottle, as you tell him no, is also something to think about.

Keep nails trimmed

While shorter nails won't stop him scratching, it will minimise the damage. Have the vet or groomer do it, or let them show you how.

Scratching posts and climbing trees

They come in lots of styles, sizes, surfaces and prices, and all will give your cat something to scratch.

Don't hide them in the basement. They need to be visible, preferably in more than one room of the house. You can't expect him to go searching for a post when he's in the mood to scratch.

A little catnip sprinkled on it, may help get him interested.

Other deterrents

Special tape is available for use on items your cat likes to scratch. It's safe for all furniture, but an unpleasant feel for your cat.

Tin foil, or the sharp side of plastic carpet runners can be put on the furniture, until he learns.

Plastic nail caps

These plastic caps cover the claws, allowing them to scratch, without causing damage. They're temporary, so need to be replaced on a regular basis. Your vet can put them on initially, then you can do it.

Conclusion

You've read about the cruelty of declawing, and how painful and unnecessary this surgery is. You've also read about the alternatives available.

Please make the humane choice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8077978

Cats Make Perfect Pets

With three beautiful female cats demanding my attention for most of the day one has to say that they are a lot more than just good company. They are lovers that cuddle into me when I am in need of some gentle care and they are quite when peace is called for. They don't need walking like a dog or make that much of a fuss when left alone.

Because they produce wonderful kittens they are full-time mums. The babies are pampered and adored and are sold to families who likewise will appreciate them.

The kittens are normally around 2 ounces when born but quickly grow and put on weight. By the time they are five weeks old they weigh around half a kilo and have adorable ways of looking at people. Their eyes are always blue, as are all babies in the first weeks of life. Their fur also quickly grows to cover their tiny bodies in protective blankets provided by nature.

They make few demands except to have fresh water, their litter trays emptied, and their food bowls full. The blankets and cushions they sleep on are washed every few days and the room where they are kept is cleaned regularly with the floor mopped over.

Cats are far more accommodating in a house situation than dogs or other pets. They are very clean and wash themselves rather than having to be bathed. They leave no smell in the house and once toilet trained they are very fussy where they do their little jobs. For older people as well as the youngest child they have a way of adapting and loving whatever situation they find themselves in.

Responsible breeders usually ensure that the homes they go to are suitable. They are vet checked to ensure good health and micro-chipped, which is now law in parts of Australia. That ensures that if they are lost or stolen they can be returned to their rightful owners.

Of all the pets one can have the cat is definitely high on the list as one of the best. There is no better companion than a warm, snugly, purring bundle that will take over the key board when you are typing, talk to your phone call visitor, nudge you awake when you accidentally fall asleep in your chair or curl up and sleep with you. They don't bark and are generally fairly quiet making little noise as their padded paws hit the floor.

My kittens are always in high demand because they are too hard to resist. My cats are all great but Star & her kittens make a great story with beautiful images

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8088103

Solve Cat Behavior Problems Today With Cat Furniture

There are 2 major things that all cat owners should think about. One is to provide enough space and equipment for their kitty to play, and the second is to protect their furniture from scratches. Buying toys such as cat condos can really assist in tackling both these issues. These specially designed cat toys are made in such a way that your pet can easily fulfill all its playing and exercising needs.

One primary cat behavior is scratching. You will soon find your feline friend scratching anything that she finds accessible. Generally, household furniture takes the brunt of such attacks and cat scratch posts can rescue you from these unpleasant experiences. These wooden posts are great toys for your kitty where she can scratch and get rid of her older sheaths.

You may also like to purchase a cat house as this could be a great place for your kitty to have a rest and keep her toys. Cats love to hoard, but normally a household cat does not have a secret place to hide or hoard her favorite toys. A cat house would provide her with that option. At the same time, you will be able to keep your room clutter free.

It is also a good idea to purchase a bed for your cat. Generally, cats spend a large part of their day sleeping. You should invest in a bed that you think would be most comfortable and appropriate for your kitty. This will also help you to confine the cat hair within a very small space. If you are planning to keep your cat outside in outdoor cat enclosures, you might want to consider placing a cat tree inside. This would help your kitty to climb and at the same time also scratch the trunk of the tree.

Some pet owners prefer to purchase play houses for their cats as this will be able to address a number of feline behaviors. The cats can freely indulge in activities such as jumping, climbing and scratching. Having a play house will also solve the problem of counter jumping to some extent.

You should always pay good attention to the sturdiness of any cat toy or furniture you purchase. A well built toy will have to bear the weight of your cat even when it grows up, and at the same time should not collapse causing injury to your pet.

In brief, buying cat furniture is a great way to handle basic feline behavior more efficiently.

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Why Do Some Cats Bite When You Pet Them?

Many of us who are parents to cats notice that when we pet them, they sometimes turn around a bite our hands. Why do cats do that? Dog parents smugly state that their dogs wag their tails, pant and lick their hand. They claim that dogs don't bite the hand that pets them. While this is not a competition between cats and dogs, I'll give the dogs this one. I had a beautiful dog for many years (she passed away at 12) and she never bit me when I petted her. However, each and every cat (except one) has nipped at my hand.

So, why do cats bite the hand that pets them? As usual, I decided to do a little research to see if I can find the answer. From what I can tell, it looks like experts do not agree on the reasons for this pet-then-bite behavior, therefore many theories abound regarding what is called petting-induced aggression.

One theory is that unlike dogs, which are more social, petting may be something outside of a cat's normal instinctive behavior. A suggested remedy is that cats need to be socialized to people as very young kittens. Even 5 minutes of human contact each day of a cat's life up to 7 weeks of age will produce a much more trusting cat than those cats that did not have human contact until they were older than 7 weeks. However, this remedy does not explain all petting-induced aggressive behavior since properly socialized cats can still display this behavior. And this remedy does not help those of us who adopted adult cats.

Some experts theorize that a cat may bite once the petting exceeds her sensitivity threshold. While the cat enjoys the human contact at first, the repetitiveness of the petting becomes irritating and the cat turns and bites as a way of saying "Enough". Another theory is that the petting not only causes irritation but that it may also cause static electricity or actual pain because of the cat's nervous system. Or, sometimes the cat may have a pain in a particular area and your touch or even the belief that you will touch that area may trigger the aggressive behavior.

Sometimes cats may find petting so pleasurable that they actually fall asleep (with open eyes). If they wake up suddenly, they may not recognize that they are being petted and may believe that you are trying to confine them. Instinctively they may bite and run before they are fully aware that they were being petted. The final theory I found is one of control. Some cats need to control the situation where they determine when the petting starts and when it stops. What is perceived as petting-induced aggression is a way for the cat let you know who is in charge. I think behavior is more in line with my experience.

No matter the reason for the petting-induced aggression, there are some things that you can do to decrease the chance your cat will suddenly bite you while being petted.
It is important to find out if your cat has a medical condition that may cause pain when he is being petted, therefore take him to the vet for a thorough examination. Petting may cause the pain to worsen or the cat to become anxious that you may touch a painful area.

Like it or not, we just need to realize that some cats simply do no enjoy being petted. Cats are unique and while some cats enjoy human contact, love to cuddled and petted, others do not like human-initiated contact. These cats may enjoy some human closeness like sitting on your lap, but they don't want to be picked up and petted. We need to understand that just like you cannot change the basic personality of humans with whom we interact, you will not be able to change the basic personality of your cat and need to accept him as he is.

While we may miss the warnings, cats seldom suddenly turn and bite. An observant cat parent will notice the following clues before the aggressive behavior starts:

• ears may go flat or back
• stiffening of the body
• twitching of the skin or tail
• dilated pupils
• a low growl
• unsheathing of the claws

If you see any of these signs, stop petting immediately and allow the cat to leave.

Once you are aware of the warning signs, you can begin to predict your cat's petting tolerance level. Begin by timing from when you begin to pet your cat to the first instance of the warning signs. You can do this over the course of a week or so. Then, the next time you pet, make sure that you do not exceed this time limit. However, while timing may provide a good guide you still need to watch out for the warning clues.

You can also change the way in which you pet your cat. Some cats may prefer to receive short small strokes; others prefer to be scratched under the chin or between the ears. Not all cats enjoy whole-body petting. Try to pet you cat using the different methods. It should become pretty clear very quickly which methods are tolerable and which are not.

If your cat does bite during petting, please do not physically correct her as this may cause more aggression. However, you can reward your cat for not biting; you can give your cat a treat after each stroke she tolerates. Over time, your cat may associate the petting with treats and, barring any pain, may experience an increased petting tolerance threshold.

In the end, only you know your cat and while you can try all of the suggestions, you may have a cat that simply does not like to be petted. While it is hard to resist that fuzzy little belly, chin, neck, etc., you may simply have to find another more mutually enjoyable way of expressing your affection to your cat.

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How to Overcome Your Fear of Cats Watching You

Some people think cats are cute, others (usually including cats themselves) think they are superior beings. And some people are unfortunate enough to suffer from a fear of cats or - slightly more unusual - a fear of cats watching them. Cats can get creepy like that and they don't have the same social skills we have to know that it's not the done thing.

So, what can you do if you suffer from a fear of cats watching you? It's not like you can do that thing from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and hide behind a towel. That would just look weird.

And cats don't react the same way as dogs, who tend to break eye contact if you stare back at them.

Possibly the best thing to do is ignore the feline that's eyeing you up. If you're able to do that, it's certainly what I'd suggest that you do first.

Next, if you're able to move away from the cat, that will obviously work. But often the creatures are found at friend's houses so that isn't always a good option.

Obviously keep your distance from the cat as much as possible. A lot of our fear comes from the sharp claws and teeth that these supposedly domesticated creatures have and - more importantly - are quite happy to use on anything within easy reach.

If your cat-caring friend is open to persuasion, you could talk to them about cats being one of the main ways that humans get exposed to toxoplasmosis. But most cat lovers won't hear a word said against their supposedly friendly creature, so the chances of that working are slim. But at least it gives you a reason for your fear that is grounded in science and may cause a few of your friends who are sitting on the decision fence about whether or not to look after a cat (since no-one really owns these surprisingly independent creatures) then that may help by not increasing the chances of you encountering a cat.

Another option is to reduce your fear by using a technique such as hypnosis.

This works by you either visiting a local hypnotherapist or, as is increasingly common nowadays, just downloading a pre-recorded MP3 and playing it to yourself a few times.

Hypnosis works with your mind to change how you react to cats. You're unlikely to end up being a cat lover just by listening to a hypnosis track but that's not really the idea of doing so - it's more to get you so that you don't freak out if one of those felines deems to be in the same room as you.

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Understanding How Cats Sweat

A lot of people assume that most animals do not sweat. But when there is a really hot day you cannot help but to wonder, do cats sweat? On a 90 degree hot and humid day, you will see your dog panting, tongue out, drinking a lot of water while your cat can be in the corner as if the weather could not bother him at all. The surprising answer is that yes, cats do sweat. But how can you ever see that sweat?

Different Type Of Sweat
Think of the way that a human sweats and then picture your cat; it is a completely different process. Cats sweat but not as humans do throughout the whole body. Your sweat serves to control your body temperature. When your body brings moisture to your skin that gives you the cooling feeling as the sweat evaporates. You have sweat glands all over your body and cooling happens at the surface of your skin. Cats, on the other hand will not show the sweat in the same way. You will not see them panting or sweating but you will see them grooming.

How Do They Sweat Then?
Cats sweat through a very small surface area which is in their paws. That is all they do. Vets will tell you that this type of sweat is not effective in regulating body temperature. You should not expect the simple act of sweating through the paws of your cat to be enough to cool them down. In fact, this type of sweat does almost nothing at all. Another reason why you do not see the sweat on your cat is because they will groom their paws as soon as they feel the sweat coming.

So How Do You Keep Them Cool?
On a hot summer day you still need to keep your cat cool to prevent dehydration and a trip to the Veterinary Hospital. Even though cats sweat you will still need to make sure that they are cool during the summer. You can give your cats a shady spot so they can rest. If you have hardwood floors or tile that may be the perfect location to keep your cat. You will notice that they will lie on the hardwood floors during the hottest days. They will also seek the shady spots around your home.

How Does A Cat Stay Cool?
A cat's body temperature depends on what its brain tells it. If there is a spike in the temperatures or if a cat has been playing or exercising the brain will tell the body to lose some of the body heat. Some of the methods which they will use include panting, dilating its blood vessels which allows the heat to leave the cat when the blood is closer to the surface. Though cats do not like water, on really hot days, they will seek it and get wet. When cats sweat, they will stretch the body and that also helps them keep cool. If a cat cannot cool down by itself, you should take it to your veterinary.