Cat Lover

Making Your New Cat Feel At Home

So the big moment is finally here! You've just adopted a new cat or kitten from your local shelter or rescue, rampaged through the pet store to stock up on supplies, toys and goodies, and visited the vet for a health-check, shots, and neutering. Now its time to introduce kitty to her new home and the rest of the family. With just a little planning and patience, you can ensure that your cats adjustment period will be as rapid and stress-free as possible. Home Is Where the Catnip Is: Cats are, by nature, highly territorial, which means that having a place to call their own is extremely important to their emotional well-being. Your new cat is already in a state of stress from having been in a shelter or being given up for adoption, and being brought to a strange new home only increases that stress. Your goal is to help make your new cat feel comfortable as quickly as possible. When you bring your new cat home, confine it to a single room for at least the first few days (with food and litter, of course!). Although this may seem cruel by human standards, it is actually a great kindness to allow your cat to claim ownership of a small new territory at its own pace and without competition. Some shy cats may hide under the bed for as long as a week; others will be ready to come out into the house and go exploring after just a day. The important thing is to let the cat emerge whenever it feels ready. You should spend as much time as possible in the room with the cat, but you should never try to force it out of hiding. The cat will let you know when its ready to begin exploring more of the house. Be sure to leave fresh food and water out at all times, and check that it is being consumed. Even stressed cats like to eat, so no food for 24 hours or more is possibly a sign of illness and warrants a trip to the vet. Meeting the Family: Naturally, everyone in the family, especially the kids, will be excited about the new arrival. Children should be invited to visit the new kitty in her room, one at a time. Try to keep your children quiet and seated on these visits, so they do not frighten the cat if he's not used to kids. If the cat is friendly and approaches, have them offer an outstretched hand to sniff. If the cat accepts this, they can gently pet the cat. As the cat becomes familiar with the child, they may play with a cat toy on a string or stick. NEVER let your children encourage a kitten to pounce on their fingers (or yours, for that matter). It may seem cute at first, but a full grown cat jumping on and biting a hand in play can be very painful or cause bleeding. Teach your children how to properly hold a cat: with one hand under the rump and one hand on the back, held up against their bodies. And don't leave small children unsupervised with your cat. Reassuring Jealous Cats: Cats are like children in many ways, so its not surprising that your older pet may be jealous of a new arrival. He may be fearful of losing territory or worried that he is about to be replaced. Extra love, attention and patience during this transition will help to reassure your pet that it is still the center of your universe! Be prepared for it to take from a week to a month before the new cat is accepted by the resident cat. Before bringing home your new cat, make sure that both old and new cats are healthy and current on their vaccinations, including Feline Leukemia. Let your cat continue to have run of the house while the new cat is confined, so that he understands he is not being pushed out of his territory. Allow him to sniff or paw under the door with your new cat, and exchange items to familiarize each animal with the others smell. When the time comes for the two cats to meet face to face, try to give them short periods of contact, slowly increasing the time as they adapt to one another. Be sure to supervise their visits until you're sure they are okay alone, and be prepared for some hissing and growling, which is quite normal for cats that are getting to know one another. Do not yell at or discipline either cat for hissing or growling, and in the unlikely event of a fight breaking out, break it up with a spray from a water bottle or a thrown towel, not your hands. Prevent the new cat from sleeping in any of your old cats favorite places (for example your bed) and provide each with separate food and water bowls and litter pans. They'll probably use each others, but will appreciate having their own. Try to keep your older cats routine intact, and take every opportunity you can to pet and praise your older cat. Above all, be patient, and one day you will find your new cats grooming each other when they think you're not looking! Friendly Like Cats and Dogs: Most of the same advice applies to introducing cats and dogs. Again, let the dog have run of the house, and sniff at the cat under the door and exchange scented items during the first few days. You may wish to put up a baby gate in the doorway of the cats room or bring the cat into the house in a carrier so the animals can see each other before they actually meet. Make sure the first visits in the house are supervised, with the dog on a leash if you are unsure about how friendly he will be. Encourage you dog with gentle praise if he is friendly. If the cat runs from your dog, do not allow the dog to chase it, and don't force a cat that seems uncomfortable to be in the same room with the dog. Keep the first visits brief, then extend them as the animals become familiar with each other. Be patient, give them time, and they'll soon learn to get along.

Tristan Andrews writes useful articles about cats and kittens. Discover and explore the feline world. Find out how to better care for, train and live with your cat at http://www.i-love-cats.com

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How To Name Your Cat With Ease

Pet cats hold a very special place in the hearts of their owners. Wouldn't it be nice to give a pet cat the loveliest name one can think of? Wouldn't it be great to give a pet cat a name that would reflect its personality as seen by the one who owns it or a name which would give recognition to the cat's breed? There are actually a lot of names to choose from in books or in the internet. But generally, how can an owner choose a name which he will find fit for his cat? Many cat owners name their pet cats with human names. Actually, a whopping fifty percent of pet names are those of persons. This primarily is because there are owners who are enamored with a certain name and actually desire to christen someone, or something for that matter, with that favorite name. Another basis for names is personality or appearance. In this category, examples are Midnight (should the pet be a black cat), Fluffy (obviously, if the cat is fluffy or has long, soft and bouncy coat) and Whitey (of course, if the cat is white). Pet names based on appearances or personality make up an amazing twenty percent of all pet names. However, unlike human infants where the parents can opt to wait for a few weeks to see the baby's personality before naming the child, cats must be named more quickly. So how does an owner actually name his pet cat? Here are some tips which cat owners can give some thought. First off, keep in mind that the name that the owner chooses for his pet cat will not only reflect the cat's character but also how the owner views his relationship with his pet cat. As much as it says a lot about the cat, the name given by the owner will tell much about the owner himself. It can then be seen how the name can portray an image of the characteristics of the cat. Many cat names give either a positive or negative impression of the cat. So, it is important to choose a name which will best convey the proper image of the pet. A cat's name is for keeps. No matter which name the owner chooses, the cat's name should be that for the rest of his life. It is absolutely not fair to change the cat's name every two weeks just because the owner finds another name he thinks he might prefer. If the cat already recognizes the sound of its name it should not be changed. Although the cat won't mind any name its owner may wish to use, it is just not fair to give the cat an embarrassing name. While the cat would not mind being named "Ooga Booga", it would be embarrassing for the owner to actually use this name. Imagine a person calling out "Ooga Booga" at least eight times a day every time he is looking for his cat. The cat's owner should find his pet a name which he will be proud to use. Also please remember to pick a name which will be appropriate when your cat is full-grown. A large tabby cat with a silly name like Mimi or Kitten seems ridiculous. A name with two syllables will do best. The response of animals is better to two-syllable names. A cat owner may decide to give his pet a long name as well as a nick name. However, the longer name inevitably would be shortened, and this would probably ruin the effect the cat owner originally sought. The cat's breed heritage may provide great ideas for names. For instance, if the cat owner owns a Siamese cat, why not name it Siam? If the cat is a Russian Blue, it would be nice to give it a Russian-sounding or Russian inspired name such as Sofia or Chekov. Speaking of inspiration, there are a lot of things out there from which you can gain inspiration. As was said earlier, the name the owner gives his cat will speak just as much about himself. So why not pick a name for the cat which is derived from the owner's likes, hobbies and favorites? If the owner were passionate about world history, maybe the names Isis, Genghis, Voltaire or Osiris would sound very classy. If the owner were an avid fan of the Greek mythology the names Zeus, Athena, Hercules or Jason would be sure to make a good first impression on other people. On the more contemporary side, names of characters from favorite movies, cartoon series, TV programs or bands will do just as well. Huey, Louie and Duey would sound cute as well as Bonnie and Clyde. A more posh touch would be naming your cat after signature designers. Tommy, Donna, Karan, Calvin and Gianni would not sound so bad for cats--just as long as they are well groomed as their names imply. Naming cats is not the easiest task there is, honestly. But it can be a lot of fun if these considerations and suggestions are always kept in mind. Then no doubt, that perfect name will come easily. Wouldn't it be great for an owner to call his pet cat a name which is close to his heart and a name he will be proud to call out no matter what time of the day?

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Cat Whisperers Do Exist

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.

Tristan Andrews writes useful articles about cats and kittens. Discover and explore the feline world. Find out how to better care for, train and live with your cat at http://www.i-love-cats.com

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Cat Furniture - Your Royal Kitty Needs A Castle

You have a true friend if you own a cat. Your kitty will love you know matter what you might do to him. Your kitty may have been your companion now for many years. Considering this, a cat is dependant on you for each and every thing he needs. Sometimes a cat can seem pretty independent but at the end of the day, they will always come purring back to you. Cats do so much to enhance our lives; it is good to know that we can make their lives more comfortable. Cat furniture was designed for the sole comfort of our beloved pets. Cats come in many shapes and sizes and there are many different styles of cat furniture to accommodate them. The cat litter box is on of the most important items you can get for your cat. Cat boxes are made in several varieties of shapes and have many colors. Because of the private nature of you cat, cat boxes often have a lid and a door to go in and out of. The best litter box you can get your kitty is a cat litter cabinet. This cat litter furniture is a cat box hidden in a cabinet. It looks just like an end table so no one knows it realy for your cat! Beside the litter box the first piece of furniture you should think of is a scratching post or cat tree. This allows your cat to sharpen their claws without tearing your furniture apart. If you cat is de-clawed, you will find that your cat will use it out of instinct. These types of cat furniture are usually constructed out of wood that is covered with carpet and cats of all shapes and sizes go wild playing on them. A scratching post can be horizontal or vertical and if you are really creative, you can design one for yourself. Another function of a cat tree is to provide a cat or kitten with a place to play. This is great for people who go to work everyday and leave their cat home alone. A cat gym is a piece of cat furniture that is similar to a cat tree, only is has more for a cat to play with. It has multiple tiers for your cat to frolicking on and often has toys or feathers to play with. You might also be interested in a cat house. This type of cat furniture can come in many different configurations as well. Some cat trees have a house at the bottom or at the tip top. Others have a cat litter box concealed at the bottom with the cat house up on top. Some take the shape of a round cat condo. The main reason for the cat house is to give your kitty a suite, private place to rest and relax. If you have a cat up in years cat furniture can be a big help to him. While some may have special needs or are handicapped cat furniture can assist them in different ways. An older cat can benefit from Pet steps or a quiet cat house to rest up in. A small cat tree or scratching post can give needed exercise to a kitty that does not get out much. So remember every kitty is special and needs a castle to call home. With all the choices out there, you can find that special

David Lee is the owner and designer of http://www.AceCatFurniture.com and http://www.AceCatHealth.com

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Your Female Cat In Heat? How to Tell When She Is and What You Can Do

For many new cat owners, the first time a cat goes into heat is usually a worrying situation. As a cat in heat exhibits behavior which may be similar to a sick cat or a cat in pain, many cat owners think their cat is unwell, when in fact their female cat is simply in heat. Are you surprised if I tell you that your female cat will be in heat for most of her life, until she is spayed? A cat reaches sexual maturity by 5 months of age and from then on, will be in heat for the rest of her life, unless she is spayed, old or unwell. The only time a healthy female cat is not in heat is when she is pregnant. She will stay in heat until she is mated. Once she is mated (usually with several toms), ovulation takes place (shedding of the egg from the ovary, 1 egg per kitten). Pregnancy lasts between 56 to 63 days. Cats go into heat more often during the warmer months, from February through September. However, in countries where there are no seasonal cycles, a female cat can be in heat throughout the year in between pregnancies! SIGNS THAT YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT
There is a distinct change in behavior when your cat goes into heat. You will find her meowing and yowling in a tone you have never heard before. She may also not eat as well as her usual appetite and may act as if she's in pain. Some cats in heat are excessively friendly and will roll around on the ground when you play with her or pet her. When rubbed on her back, she will raise her hindquarters and tread with her hind limbs. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT This really depends on what you are keeping your cat for. Is she a pet companion for you or are you keeping her in order to breed cats? Keeping Your Cat As A Pet
If you are keeping her as a pet, do consider spaying her. The main considerations for doing this is whether you have the resources to take care of a new litter of kittens every few months. Are you able to find her kittens good homes and if not, are you able to take care of them yourself? Many kittens are put down by humane organizations because cat owners are unable to take care of them or to find homes for them. If you are decide against spaying, then simply allowing your female cat outdoors will attract a roaming tom cat that will mate with her. Your female is likely to mate with a few toms before she goes out of heat. Do be prepared for the fights (which will probably keep you up for quite a few nights) happening between 2 or more tom cats for the right to mate with her! Keeping Your Cat To Breed
If you are keeping your cat for breeding, try to delay the mating until she is at least one year old. Breeding is usually better if a cat is allowed to mature first. If your cat is pedigree, make sure to keep her indoors. Tom cats from miles away (some of dubious pedigrees) are attracted by the yowling of a female cat in heat and will wait outside your home for the first chance to mate. Consult a registered breeder to arrange for a suitable mate for your female cat. Do take a look at the tom before sending your cat to him. Ensure that the tom is vaccinated and certified free from disease. It is advisable to bring your cat to the tom, as some toms may be distracted by an unfamiliar environment. Your cat in heat may also attack toms that are suddenly introduced to their territory.

For more information on giving the best cat care, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com

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How Much Do you Know About Cats?

There are several things that you might not know about your cat. Why is your cat behaving in
a certain way? Why is your cat always sleeping? There are so many question coming up if you are
a new cat-holder. Cats are wonderful animals and they are even healthy for us humans.
Research shows that having cats as pets could really lighten up a person’s physiological, emotional and psychological side. These benefits can heal the wounds of solitude, age, stress and depression. In addition, cats are affectionate but less demanding, low maintenance and it would surely be very suitable for those who have a modern lifestyle. According to the Society for Companion Animal Studies, patients recover or live longer through animals. It has been discovered that having pets would definitely ease the cases of physiological or psychological impairment in people. Some more facts acts about cats: - Cats have been associated with humans for more than 9000 years - Cats can be trained to obey simple commands - Grown pet cats weight between 2 and 8 kg, but some breeds like the Maine Coon can reach up to 20 kg. - Cats usually live between 14 and 20 years, but there are cats older than 30 years - Cats can move each ear independently of the other - It's in a cat's nature to scratch vertical surfaces. They do so to clean the claws and to strech their muscles - Cats as pets do also relieve you from stress - Cats need to sleep very long. They sleep 16 hours or longer - There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world - A cat's heart beats twice as fast as a human heart - Cats can "read" peoples mood. - An cat has 1 up to 8 kittens per litter and up to 3 litters per year. - 21% of the U.S. households have a cat - Cats need five times more protein than dogs do - The fastest land animal is a cat, the cheetah can reach 60 mph It can be very enjoyable to have a cat. They sometimes do funny things or thy help us to relax. Having a cat means
having a good friend. Cats are very intelligent, they notice if you are feeling good or stressed. Having a cat also means that you will have some extra work to do. You need to feed your cat, play with it, take care
about the litter box... There are many things you need to take care of to provide your cat a nice home to stay.
If your cat does not feel comfortable it will get sick or even leave you. There are certain things that you should never do to a cat: - declawing: Don't even think about that, it is like amputating your toes! In Germany and other European countries declawing is forbidden by the law. - never punsh or kick your cat, don't be crual to your cat in any way. They won't forget... - never leave little children alone with cats - don't bath or shower your cat, they can clean themselves - don't annoy your cat with loud music, their ears are much more sensitive than ours If you are uncertain about things go to your veterinarian, he has the answers to your questions.

Guido Nussbaum, a 28 year old cat-friend from Germany. I have 2 cats (brother and sister) that are 13 years old. My website http://www.caturine-cleaner.com deals with cat urine cleaning products and cats in general.

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Understanding Why And How To Stop Your Cats Biting.

Cats look cute and adorable. That is until they start biting poor unsuspecting human beings. Cats need to be taught good behavior. A lot of biting that is done by cat is a result of uncorrected bad behavior. Keep in mind that cats came from the wild. Even though now cats have been domesticated and live in close contact with humans, their instincts remain the same. They are born hunters and are equipped with the natural tools designed to hunt a prey. Cats have predatory instincts Biting is a part of a cat's defense mechanism. They do this when they feel threatened. Since biting is a cat's way to protect themselves, humans have to be careful that their cats don't think they are threatening them in any way when they are playing with their cats. Remember that cats are predatory by nature. They exhibit this trait by playfully pouncing and biting the hands and feet of their owners. It's important for owners not to tolerate this behavior. Otherwise, their cats will think it is acceptable. Cat owners should not encourage their cats to think that their hands and feet are play things. A lot of cat owners who tolerate this behavior have scars to prove this unfortunate mistake. Look for the cause Sometimes cats exhibit bad behavior such as scratching and biting when they are ill or have an injury. They also do this when they feel anxiety or fear. Cat owners need to pay close attention to the health of their cats. They also need to examine their cat's environment to assess if there's something about their surroundings that is causing their cat's bad behavior. Train your cat When training a cat, owners should reward their pets for their good behavior and obedience! This encourages the cat to maintain a good attitude. You can do this by giving them treats, or showering them with affection. Fun activities Sometimes cats bite when they get listless. When a cat starts to scratch and bite, owners can put a stop to this by distracting the cat with a fun activity. Give the cat a toy to play with. This will get the cat's attention, and keep the cat preoccupied. Cats are wonderful pets to have. Not only are they clean creatures- they keep themselves clean by licking their fur. But they are also very useful. The Ancient Egyptians used to keep cats to catch rodents. But first things first, cats need to be trained and taught the rules of the house. Luckily for cat owners, this means, no more biting!

Cat Care Secrets is an excellent place to find cat links, articles and resource. For more information on Cats visit: www.catcaresecrets.com

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Desired Cat Condos & Trees

If you own a cat then you must be aware that cats have an innate urge to scratch. According to the expert veterinary doctors, scratching on a sisal scratch post acts as a form of therapy or stress release for your feline. Otherwise, your cat scratches your bed and furniture. To avert such a saddening situation it is wise to buy cat condos and cat beds. If you don’t provide your feline with a scratching post, you may witness various negative results on your sofa or your favorite carpet. This is the reason why people nowadays prefer to buy separate cat condos and cat trees so that cats can get some privacy and can also use that place for scratching. Cat condos and cat trees provide your cat a perfect place for claw-sharpening. Apart from that it also acts as a source of entertainment and exercise, for your cat can play, climb, hide and scratch. Last but not the least cat condos provide your feline friends a place to relax. Seeing its real worth and importance nowadays you can find various types of cat condos and cat trees, and the internet is the best place to find various types of cat condos and cat trees available in different sizes, colours, fabric and material. If you are looking for the best cat condos and cat trees then Pet Supply Factory is the best place to get one of the best and most comfortable cat condos. Furthermore, it also offers various types of cat furniture like cat beds and even a cat gym. Your cat deserves a great place to laze and enjoy life. That’s why buying the best cat condos and cat trees becomes the obvious and best solution. But prior to buying any cat condo or cat tree, try to keep various checkpoints in mind. While buying any cat condo or cat tree, make sure it is sturdy in order to avoid any accidents. After safety, it’s durability. Durability is something which can’t be ruled out while selecting a cat condo. Thus make sure that your bought cat condo is durable and you get true value for your money. Thus, if you want to provide your cat maximum comfort then simply buy one of the best cat condos and cat trees from Pet Supply Factory. For more information on cat condos, cat trees, cat furniture and cat beds please visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.

Jim is a well known author and has been writing content for Pet Products available online for so many years. His content is worth reading as it gives you an insight about different aspects of purchasing furniture for your pets. For more information visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.

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Cat Sensations

We understand the world around us through our five senses and so do our cats. Using sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, we observe, learn, navigate, and experience. Your cat's senses evolved from those of the wild cat, a long line of hunters and predators, and are designed for the purpose of stalking, hunting and killing. Almost all of your cat's five senses have heightened ability when compared to humans. So, how do we stack up, sense wise, to our feline companions? A cat's vision is superior at night to ours but inferior in daylight. Cats have a slightly larger field of view than humans. We have a similar range of hearing at low frequencies, but cats can hear much higher-pitched sounds. A cat's sense of smell is about fourteen times better ours. Cat’s tastes are specialized, as a carnivore, preferring meat and fat. They are lacking a gene that allows them to taste, or enjoy sweet - which might help with dieting ;-). Sight Cats have excellent night vision. They can distinguish objects well even in a badly lit environment, though they cannot see in total darkness. The cat's retina has two types of cells: one to perceive vertical objects and one to perceive horizontal ones. Cat’s vision is especially well tuned to detecting motion; they can see movements that are too fast for our eyes, yet find it hard to focus on very slow movement. This capability in addition to the night vision makes him a successful noctural hunter. A unique feature a domestic cat’s eyes are the slit shaped pupils. He can see in the dimmest of lights because his pupils can open about three times as wide as the human pupil. Cats also have an inner eyelid that helps clean and protect the eye. This third eyelid is called the palpebra terria. It is a fold of tissue covered by a specialized mucous membrane. We don't know for sure what kind of colors cats can see, but scientific tests indicate that cats can recognize at least some of the colors that we do. Sound Cats have sharp ears, adapted especially for the high sounds. The ears are fairly large relatively to their head and have the ability to move sideways so that sound can be captured more accurately. Cats' ears are uniquely designed to draw sound into the ear canal, which enables them to hear sounds like a mouse rustling in the brush 30 feet away. Cats can rotate their ears up to 180 degrees. They also can detect the tiniest variances in sound, distinguishing differences of as little as one-tenth of a tone. This discrimination capability helps them identify the type and size of the prey emitting the noise or quickly find a mewing kitten. Smell Cats rely heavily on their sense of smell. A cat will always sniff its food before eating and scent marks are an essential part of feline communication. A cat’s sense of smell is far better than a human’s, but not quite as good as a dog’s. A cat uses scent to find food, mates, enemies, and to seek out his own territory. Cats also have a unique mechanism at the top of their mouth, which enables them to make a special analysis of air molecules. A pair of organs, called Jacobson's organs, allow the cat to analyze air that is inhaled through the mouth rather than the nose. There are several hypotheses about how the cat uses his Jacobson’s organs including: finding food, helping predict unusual occurrences, e.g., earthquake, and perceiving sexual odors or pheromones. Taste Compared to humans, the cat's sense of taste is weak. Where we have 9,000 taste buds, cats have only 473. Therefore, most of a cat’s sense of taste is really his sense of smell. Cats use their sense of taste to determine which foods are good for them. As they are true carnivores, their sense of taste is geared towards identifying protein and fat. Cats are also not very sensitive to the taste of salt or sweet. Food straight from the refrigerator doesn't appeal to a cat; whose wild ancestors ate freshly killed prey. Try heating Kitty's food to intensify the aroma if he is not eating well. SEE THE COMPANION ARTICLE ON FEEDING YOUR CAT Touch Like their human companions, cats have touch receptors all over their body. The Sense of Touch is especially keen on the foot pads and at the whiskers. These nerve cells transfer sensations of pressure, temperature and pain from any point to the brain. The most sensitive places on the cat's body are the face and the front paws. The cat's whiskers are the most sensitive of all. The special hairs, called vibrissae, are set deep within the skin and provide the cat with sensory information about the slightest air movement around it - a valuable tool for a nocturnal hunter.

What makes Quality Cat Resources different? Knowledgeable tips and original articles on cat health and behavior. We also profile interesting cat resources. Everything from toys sure to keep your cat amused to local pet sitters.

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Common Cat Mishaps and How to Deal With Them Without Going Crazy

Inevitably, in the life of every pet owner, there are unexpected behavioral problems here and there that need dealing with. It pays to be understanding and patient with your cat, as many times the issue is fully fixable and just a matter of understanding pet behavior. Here are some of the most common problems owners report having with their cats, and suggestions on how to handle them. Soiling outside the litter box.
This is something that many cats will do when the litter box is not kept clean. Like us, they want to relieve themselves in a clean environment. If you have a multiple cat household like I do, buy more than one litter box, use scoopable cat litter and strain it frequently to keep it clean as possible. I have one robotic cat box that automatically cleans a few minutes after one of the cats leaves it. It does a great job but it must be kept clean or it will malfunction. The bottom line is, keep the litter box clean. Wherever the cat has soiled outside the box, make sure the area is cleaned thoroughly with appropriate cleaner. You can buy cat repellant sprays at the pet store, those work pretty well. If you don't have any, spray the fully cleaned area with potent perfume, cats usually hate perfume and will avoid the area totally to avoid the smell. Throwing up on the carpet.
If you think your cat is sick, ask the doctor by phone if the symptoms are worth bringing in kitty for a checkup. Cats barf, it happens. They get hairballs from cleaning themselves, or they eat too fast and hurl it back up afterwards. If I see blood in the vomit, that is when I know to call the vet and bring kitty in, especially if he isn't eating. Don't delay if that happens. But for everyday barfing up hairballs or overeating, those I prevent as much as I can through their diet. I buy dry food that is for "Sensitive systems" or "Hairball management". Ask a vet other tips on supplementing kitty's nutrition so he won't feel the need to hurl so much. Surely there are more ways to prevent this, but watching my cats' diets has cut down on their needing to vomit, considerably. You bring home a new cat, and the new cat doesn't like it.
Cats are territorial, and it takes some adjustment for everyone when a new pet is added in. Cats naturally react with hissing, maybe growling and swatting one another when really mad. I introduced a new cat into my household a year ago and he instantly got along with one of my cats but hates the other one. But, they have learned to tolerate eachother, and I bet when I'm not looking they may actually be buddies deep down. How I acclimated them to eachother is, at first I used a cat pheramone spray called Feliway in the room, which is a natural calming medium for some cats. It calmed my more hyper cat down somewhat. Also, a spray bottle filled with water works great if they swat at or get nasty with eachother. One good squirt of water, and cats will scatter. Basically, you are re-training them to live with eachother. By rewarding good behavior and quickly, calmly responding to unwanted behavior, they learn to mellow out and co-exist. After 30 plus years of cat ownership, I know all cats can get along eventually. I grew up with cats and we always listened to hissing and mayhem when introducing new ones. If they get really nasty, put one in the bathroom, and let them sniff eachother under the door. Gradually put the two cats together more and more until they are more tolerant of one another. Even now in my household, there is a hiss here or there, or a swat, but nothing catastrophic. Make sure to pet both cats when you bring a new cat in, so the they both see that you "approve" of them. Be patient and don't lose your temper, as anger will make everything worse, not better. Don't stir fear into the picture, stay calm and let them go through their meowfest until they calm down. They will, trust me. Kitty likes to sharpen his claws on your couch and other things he shouldn't touch.
Buy a scratching post, and a cardboard cat scratcher (found in pet stores). Put dried catnip on the scratching post to attract the kitty and he'll be climbing all over it in no time. The cardboard cat scratcher comes already infused with catnip, and absolutely no cat will refuse that thing when they smell it. Put your fingers on the post as they are looking at it, and pretend to scratch. I know, it sounds dumb, but it works. Cats mimic their mothers when they show them to hunt, so they can mimic you, the human parent, as you "scratch" at the post. Praise them profusely when they do what you do and start to scratch. If you can afford it, get a kitty condo or cat tree. There are some great ones on online auctions, brand new. I bought a huge one for half of what it would cost at the pet store chains, online. It was easy to put together, and my cats live on it. If you get one, again, put catnip on it to show them how interesting it is. My cats live on theirs. It keeps them off the couch, and gives them something to watch birds from (I put mine next to a large window). Your cat likes to jump up on tops of things he shouldn't, such as shelves or the tv.
If the space is small, get a semi-tacky thick roll of painters' tape (it's sticky but not overly so) or double sided sticky tape. Put strips of it on top of the items you know he will jump on. When he jumps up on it, believe me, he will not want to do it again. My one cat loved jumping on top of my stereo speakers, but when I did this, he stopped doing it forever after one encounter with the tape. The idea is to make the environment unpleasant to the kitty, and that should do the trick quickly. For larger spaces like a chair seat, buy a Purr Pad at the pet store, which gives a mild shock when kitty jumps on the area. It comes in different sizes and doesn't hurt the kitty, just shows him that the place he jumped on isn't for him. Or, tape some balloons on the surface of a place the kitty wants to frequent. One claw touching those balloons and he won't be wanting to go there again. These are some tips my family and I have used for years to train our cats. Some cats are more mischevious than others, but that is part of their charm. Cats are a joy to watch, just watch a kitten play, it is fun to see such unbridled energy and excitement. Just show them what behaviors you expect of them, since they won't know until you guide their way. Do it with love, and patience. And they will reward you with unconditional love for life.

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

Leia Mais…

Useful Tips on Caring for your New Cat or Kitten

Owning a cat takes a little work but gives back a whole lot of pleasure in return. Here are some ideas on how to make your new kitty feel at home, while giving you peace of mind. It is a transition to own a new pet, so take it step by step and don't be afraid. If you have a small kitten, make sure to handle it a lot, gently showing it that you are someone it can trust. Put a ticking clock in where its bed is, the soothing sound mimics the mother cat's heartbeat. If you are keeping the kitty in a separate room until it's ready to acclimate to the household, make sure it has a soft pillow or cat bed to sleep in. A few toys are appreciated, too. Some great free toys are things like a cotton swab tied to a string and hung from a doorknob (supervise play with this item)or a milk jug ring (that plastic ring around the cap). At the pet store, buy super balls, a laser pointer and catnip mice then sit back and watch the show as kitty wears himself out, being a spring-loaded, furry ballet dancer, leaping in the air as he chases his "prey". Find toys that are lightweight and throw them around a little, to show the kitty how to play. Kittens learn by watching their mothers, so they will also learn by watching their adopted human parent. Establish an area for the cat's litter box in a well ventilated, quiet place. Then, show the kitty where it is, taking your hand and play scratching the litter to show him it's ok for him to use it. Again, cats learn from watching, and especially kittens need a little guidance sometimes. If the kitty relieves itself outside the box, don't punish it, just put it into its cat box immediately. Show no anger, as this will scare the cat and make them fear you. Fear isn't a good teacher, calm praise and encouragement is what you want. Make sure to address the problem as it happens for best results since cats have short memory spans and won't correllate the accident with the cat box unless you quickly link the two together with corrective action (putting kitty in the box). All my life, I have given my cats both wet and dry food. Ask your vet the proper amount to feed your cat, but make sure to get quality food that they like, not just anything cheap you see at the store. If you feed your cat quality food, they have a better chance of steering clear of health problems later. My vet told me that male cats can get crystals in their urinary tracts, which are painful and expensive to remove. To avoid that, don't give kitty food with high magnesium in it. Read the ingredient labels. Having male cats myself, I avoid fish products and give them turkey, chicken or beef flavored canned foods. The ones with rice in them are good, too. Just like humans, vary the flavors of food you feed your cat somewhat. I buy a case of canned food and feed mine one can every day at the same time. Save money on pet medicines by buying them online. You can take the kitty to the vet when he's sick and buy the medicine there, but if it isn't an emergency then by all means, research to find lower prices on pet meds like flea or parasite killing aids. My cat had tapeworms (they look like rice in the cats stool) so I found out what medicine the vet uses and located it on an internet pet store site. The medicine would've cost me over $30 if I'd bought it through the vet, but I got the exact, same kind for $15 online. It pays to research the safety of the medicine vets recommend, and make sure to follow the dosage instructions very carefully. Don't dose your pet higher than listed in the instructions and don't use dog medicines on cats unless the vet says it is ok to do so. Cats groom themselves, and if you use a topical medicine on a cat that is meant for a dog, it could potentially poison him when he cleans himself. It is better to be safe than sorry. Also, never give human medicine to pets, cats have different systems than we do. Don't gamble on the life of your precious pet. When it comes to the question of whether or not to let your cat outside or not, it is a proven fact that indoor cats live longer lives than those who are permitted to go out. This is because there are a vast amount of dangers and illnesses outside that a free-roaming cat may encounter. Cars, cat-hating neighbors, dogs, diseases from other peoples' pets, and of course, fleas top the list of hazards. We had cats as I grew up, all of whom went outdoors, and one by one, they died from things like leukemia, poisoning from a neighbor, hit by cars (we lost a few cats to cars), and one was trapped and came back with a mangled leg, that needed to be amputated. We lived on a peaceful, upscale street and still, all this happened. I cannot emphasize more strongly, indoor cats do live longer. As an adult, my cats have been indoors, and they have lived to 21 or more years old. Just get your indoor kitty a cat tree (kitty condo) or a scratching post and put it near the window so that he can bird-watch. Protect your cat when you have guests over who are either rough with, or dislike cats. Put kitty in another room if you don't want him manhandled by very young children, for example. If you have young children, make sure to show them very carefully and thoroughly to be gentle and kind to pets. Well-meaning kids may break a cat's leg by picking it up wrong (one of my cats was a rescue who had this happen to him) so it pays to supervise your small child's interaction with a new pet. This is for the protection of the child as well, as rough handling a cat can cause it to scratch! Cats are loving, but they must be treated with kindness, or their natural instinct is to protect themselves. If you are going to be gone for a week or so, make sure you have a pet sitter or friend look in on your cat while you're away. Put down a large amount of dry food and water for the cat, but make sure someone checks to make sure it hasn't run out. My local pet sitters cost me $15 per day, a small price to pay for peace of mind when I'm away from my furry friends. Having a pet is a committment and priveledge. Remember, your pet is going to be with you through thick and thin, so be there for him in sickness or health. Give them the same chance at having a happy and full life that you yourself deserve by giving him a forever home. If for any reason you are forced to part with a pet due to unforseen problems, be responsible about finding your pet a good home. Do for your pet what you would do for yourself. There are few circumstances that would warrant giving up a pet, so I advise you to keep your committment, no matter what. I live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and if I have to evacuate, my pets have a large pet cage in the car to be in, with a fan, so we can be together. If you are in a hurricane zone, preplan disasters by arming yourself with a foldable cage for the back of your car, a jug of water and food if you evacuate. Don't ever leave your pet behind, because he may not be there when you come back. I had my three cats microchipped, in case somehow they got physically separated from me, they would be able to come home to me. Microchips carry the address of the owner, and authorities check strays to see if they have them so they are great investments. Owning a pet teaches patience and responsibility. In return, you will be paid by unconditional love and acceptance.If you have any questions on cat care, contact your local chapter of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or your vet, and they usually will help you over the phone. In time, you and your pet will be more comfortable with one another. Until then, just take it slow, remember to be gentle and supportive, and you will have a special friend for life.

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

Leia Mais…

Learn How To Give Your Cat A bath

Have you ever considered giving your cat a bath? Your dog and cat both require a certain amount of maintenance to keep them happy and healthy. While most cats are self-sufficient, all cats could use a little boost in the bathing department. When it comes to cat care, very few cat owners think to give their cat a bath. A bath can help get rid of excess fur during the shedding season. You could take your cat to the veterinarian or a professional groomer and have them give your cat a bath, but giving your cat a bath on your own isn't all that difficult. As long as you have patience and take things slowly, the two of you can get through the ordeal in one piece. Before you think of bathing, give your cat a good brushing. Use a soft brush or grooming glove for short haired felines. For cats with longer fur, use a wide-toothed comb. Don't brush too hard. Cats don't have very thick skin like their wild cousins, the big cats. Brush out any tangles and check the cat over for any sores or abscesses. Clean the cat's ears and trim its nails. If your cat starts to get a little antsy, take everything in stages. Start with one task, then put the cat down and come back to the next task later. While your cat is off wandering the house and working off stress, you can get the bath ready. Make sure you have a soft towel and shampoos made for your cat at hand. Remember that your cat will be licking himself after the wash, and some soaps might have a residue that could make your cat sick if ingested. If you can, use your kitchen sink as a tub. The sink is much easier to work with than trying to bend over a tub. Place a towel in the bottom of the sink as a mat to keep your cat from slipping. The most important thing is to give your cat a bath in a warm room so that afterwards, he'll have a warm place to dry off. When you're ready to bathe your cat, put cotton balls in its ears to help keep the water out. Run some lukewarm water into the sink, but don't fill the sink all the way. You might want to fill the sink first, since the sound of the rushing water could make your cat nervous, especially if he knows what's coming. Try not to restrain your cat too much either. If the cat feels like it's being trapped, you'll have a harder time holding it through this cat care process. Keep talking to the cat calmly and reassuringly. Don't yell or try to scold him if he decides not to cooperate. If you're nervous, your cat will be nervous, too. Hissing, flattened ears and yowling are all signs that you have a very stressed kitty on your hands. To wet the coat, pour water over your cat. You can also take a thin towel, wrap it around your cat, and wet its fur through the towel. Once the fur is wet, apply shampoo, and then rinse well. When you rinse your cat, try to avoid using the spray nozzle. If your cat didn't like the sound of running water, the hiss of the spray won't be calming at all. Make sure that you get all the shampoo out of its fur. When you're done rinsing, dry your cat by blotting instead of scrubbing. Blotting long fur is far more effective than rubbing the towel over the cat's body. If your cat will tolerate the noise from this cat care routine, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting. If you can't use the dryer, that's okay. Dry your cat as much as you can and let it go find a warm place to dry off. The best advice for bathing a cat is to start while the cat is young so that they become familiar with this form of cat care. If you get your cat used to bathing early in life and make the first experience as enjoyable as you can, your cat will be more cooperative in the future.

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our cats portal for more great tips on cat care, and leave a comment at our cats blog.

Leia Mais…

Interesting Answers to Your Questions about Cats

The domesticated cat has spread to nearly every continent and is one of the most popular pets worldwide. However, there are many people who do not like cats and would never consider letting a cat share their home for several different reasons. Although some people simply don't enjoy animals, many prefer dogs over cats because of few liabilities that cats have, such as shedding, clawing furniture and carpet. The following questions and answers provide some information that can make cats easier to live with, explain some of their bothersome behaviors and how to remedy them, as well as how they purr and land on their feet, and the typical lifespan of a cat. Do cats always land on their feet? Well, that is actually a generalization. While housecats are very adept at falling gracefully, bigger cats that are not used to climbing or falling, like lions, have a lot of trouble landing on their feet. It isn't entirely rare for a lion to have a painful descent on the rare occasion it climbs a tree. In some cases, large housecats that are less than athletic have similar issues. Research compiled on cats that have fallen or jumped from windows have found that many of the cats who fell from a lower level or a higher level were able to land on their feet. This phenomenon is called Highrise Syndrome and basically shows that cats that fall from six stories or higher are more likely to survive than cats falling from lower levels. Falling from higher up gives cats longer to get their feet underneath them and brace before they hit the ground. Why does my cat shed all the time? Cats shed their fur as a way of adjusting to their living conditions. Outdoor cats tend to put on a thick coat in the fall as winter sets in, and then shed the extra fur in the spring when it begins to get warmer. Outdoor cats shed in this manner because their brain can sense how much sunlight they are exposed to and use this to gauge how much fur they need to stay warm or cool for the season. Indoor cats, on the other hand, have very little exposure to natural lighting and the artificial lighting inside home does not register the same to the part of their brain that controls shedding. Because the cat's brain senses an imbalance, they grow and shed hair continually, unlike an outdoor cat. Should I have my cat declawed? Although tens of thousand cats are declawed each year, many vets and cat owners are against this procedure because of what declawing actually entails. A cat's claws are not like ours. Our finger nails are simply dead cells while a cat's claws are very similar to the last joint on your finger. Cats use their claws for balance and movement, so the lack of them can be painful and removing them makes walking much different for the cat. If you plan on letting your cat live in the house, there are other measures you can take to ensure they don't shred your furniture like getting them a scratching post covered in abrasive material instead of soft material that resembles carpet or upholstery. Is there anything I can do to stop or slow down my indoor cat's shedding? There are a few things you can do to keep cat hair off of everything you own and make your cat more comfortable as well. Since cats shed constantly in response to being kept indoors, which is not exactly their natural environment, cats that shed excessively are, in effect, slightly out of balance. The best thing you can do to reduce unwanted shedding is to make sure that they have a healthy and balanced diet and to brush them often. A good diet will ensure that they have a healthy coat that will shed a normal amount. Keeping your cat healthy and brushing excess hair will prevent cat hair from getting all over the place. What are the benefits to having my cat spayed or neutered? Other than preventing them from having unwanted kittens, having your cat spayed or neutered will preventing them from developing several activities that pet owners may consider undesirable, especially in indoor cats. In addition to making it impossible for your cat to mate, it also takes away their desire to mate and all the related activities. This means that male cats will not mark their territory with urine spray or roam for miles trying to find a mate. Once female cats become mature, they will stay in heat nearly all the time until they become pregnant, which means that they will likely keep you awake at night by howling to attract a mate. However, many cat owners have their pet spayed or neutered because the energy they would have spent on finding a mate is dedicated to their human companions instead and they become a much more devoted pet.

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our cats portal for more great tips on your common cats questions answered, and leave a comment at our cats blog.

Leia Mais…

Cats – a Wonderful Creature

What do you think about your pets? Surely the answer will be love and affection. Every one will agree that the selection of right pet is a serious project. It is most important because the pet selected by you will remain as your family member for many years to come and surely this pet will be remembered by the whole family later on. Owning a pet is also important for your children because they learn a lot from pet friendship like relationship skills, responsibility and also care for others. Always remember, the pet selected by you will have a sure impact on all your family members. Now keeping all this in mind, what can be a better selection? Surely the answer will be a cute cat. It is just because of god gifted characteristics that the cat is given a priority over the other pets. Cat is a social creature and it is why a cat adjusts in the new environment very soon. If you think cats may not understand your sayings, you will be totally wrong. When you bring a new kitten in your home that walks across the kitchen or dinning room table, you should simply rattle a newspaper at her and say sit. This will simply teach her to stay off and later on you will be able to order the command without newspaper and she will surely be obeying you. Cats have been living as domestic pets with human beings for thousand of years. Among domesticated breeds, many options are available including one without hair and tails. Another excellent option can be Maine coon cat. These cats are long, broad and muscular with larger boons than other breeds. Which breed you select does not matter too much, as the only thing that matters too much is the behavior which you opt for your pets. For this you need to develop good communication skills between you and your four legs friend. When it comes to cats, you should know how cats communicate? Simply the cats purr and hiss. When it comes to fellow felines, body language comes to play. For this you need to read the body language of cats. Remember an angry cat always twitches her tail and if the tail is high in the air, it means she is happy with you. If a cat is in fear the tail and hair on the back will become raised. On the other hand a friendly cat will always try to touch your nose and if sitting in your lap may paw you. This all means the show of affection towards its owner. For cats, there are some defining terms like a male cat is called tom and a female cat is called queen. The cute younger ones are known as kittens. Whenever you bring a kitten home, you should always give him a name which can be after the name of some favored personality or game name or either some cartoon. These cat names help to train your cats easily. You should also make sure to fulfill all the needs of your cats. Especially their sleeping time should be looked after carefully. An average sleep of a cat is about thirteen to fourteen hours a day. But as the cats get older they need more sleep. However some cats may sleep majority of the time in the day. Finally, the most important question about cats can be how long they live. The average life of cats is fourteen to twenty years but domesticated cats live for a longer time period. Generally speaking, when it comes to have a pet as your family member, nothing can be best than having cats as your four legs friend.

For further details about cats just visit our website. You will find a lot of useful information about cat names and cat pictures.

Leia Mais…

How to Treat Cat Bites and the Cat Scratch Disease

All cat owners will know that there are times when the cat will nip at you. Cat bites can causing anything from a tiny scratch to an open wound. It is crucial for cat owners and those who only have occasional contact with cats to understand the criticalness of cat bites and how to treat cat bites to prevent cat-related diseases. Why Does a Cat Bite? Typically, cats bite for two reasons only. First of all, you may have been playing too rough with your kitty, which causes your cat to respond with a bite. Also, cats may bite is if they are upset about something you have done or just upset in general. Cats love to have to have privacy and they may respond angrily if someone does not respect that. Treatment of Cat Bites You could treat cat bites by washing the cut with soap, applying antiseptic lotion and pasting a plaster over the wound. This will ensure that the wound is clean and free from germs. What is the Cat Scratch Disease? A bite or scratch from a cat may lead to a more serious problem known as the cat scratch disease. The cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by a cat's bite or scratch. It can also be the result of a cat licking an open wound on your body. Cats get the bacteria from fleas, and transmit it to people via their saliva Cat scratch disease is harmless to the cat but it is harmful to people who have been scratched, bitten or licked by a cat. Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease People who suffer from cat scratch disease largely experience the swelling of the lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat or loss of appetite. Treatment of Cat Scratch Disease Almost all episodes of cat scratch disease will go away on their own. Non-prescription medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen could help alleviate the pain in the lymph nodes. It is a good idea to see a doctor to confirm diagnosis and seek treatment if you are unsure do not know what to do some of the more serious cases of cat scratch disease may require prescription antibiotics to heal. Prevention of Cat Scratch Disease You could easily avoid catching cat scratch disease if you know how to prevent getting bitten or scratched by a cat. A cat is telling you to go away when it shows any of the following warning signs like meowing in an angry tone, moving their ears backwards, harmlessly swiping you or hissing. Also, wash your hands immediately after touching a cat. Lastly, if you are bitten or scratched by a cat, be sure to wash your wound right away.

Please visit Natalie's SkinDiseaseArchive.com for more free tips on how to deal with some common skin conditions and much more.

Leia Mais…

From Mummies to T-shirts: the History of Cats

Some 5000 years ago (recent studies say about 100.000 years ago, but who's counting) a smart - and hungry - African Wildcat somewhere in (what was then) Upper Egypt made a clever observation. "These strange and mysterious bipeds seem to be very fond of grain", he thought. "Biped collects lots of grain and keeps it in big baskets. Big baskets of grain attract lots of yummy mice! Biped doesn't seem to like mice in his grain! I think I'll adopt one of these strange bipeds and live in his house and EAT HIS MICE FOR HIM!" And thus a mutually beneficial relationship between smart African cats and strange Egyptian bipeds began! And history was made. Life in Egypt was good and the African cats enjoyed their newly discovered coexistence with human beings; the Egyptians liked cats, the pharaoh LOVED cats and there was plenty of food around, but still... So after having lived the good life in Egypt for about a thousand years or so, cats - being curious animals! - started wondering: "What is outside this country. Are we missing out on something?!" One cat thought: "I would like to sit outside a temple with one paw raised, beckoning people to enter that holy place. That would be neat! My skills and talents would totally fit that job description". The cat told this to a Mediterranean merchant, who was in Egypt on a business trip, and the merchant said: "I know of such a place. I'll take you there". And the merchant brought the cat to Japan, where the cat found a nice-looking five stories pagoda temple with a beautiful garden. The cat positioned himself outside the temple and raised his paw in a friendly manor to beckon passers-by to enter the temple, for that was now his job! The Japanese people had never seen anything like it, but they liked what they saw and they said: "This little animal has an air of holy mystery about him, this animal will bring us luck! We shall call this animal Maneki Neko and we shall make lots of little porcelain Maneki Neko figurines that we shall sell to tourist and make lots of money! ...in about 4000 years." A couple of elderly cats were so tired of the never-ending African heat and drought and told another visiting trader (in town to buy small pyramid replicas for his novelty shop in London), that they would like to go to a cooler and wetter climate. The trader, of course, brought them back to England. The English being... well, ENGLISH, said: "I say! What positively lovely little creatures. We shall take them in, feed them and breed them and have magnificent CAT SHOWS!" The whole cat show thing came much later of course (in 1871 to be precise), but, believe me, the idea was born the second the very first Englishman (or it might... it PROBABLY was an EnglishWOMAN) laid eyes on those cats. But England wasn't the only European country where the Egyptian cats set paw. Around 2000 B.C. the cats of Egypt started a very successful worldwide marketing campaign, promoting their exceptional mouse and rat hunting skills. And it paid off! Soon cats were being invited to every European country, the Middle East and Asia, where they lived well and in harmony with the human bipeds for many, many years. But then something happened: ENTER THE DARK AGES! ...in the history of cats. Right after the end of the middle ages - beginning around 1550 and lasting about a century - the Christian church decided that cats were the source of all evil. Cats had always been associated with gods; in Egypt it was Bast, goddess of life and family and in the northern part of Europe it was Freya, who was always surrounded by cats. But these were not Christian gods, so cats now became "animala non grata". This was probably when the saying "curiosity killed the cat" entered the English vocabulary; "They wanted to see the world, and look where it got them!" Yes, curiosity did kill a lot of cats during these terrible times. Cats were hunted down, burned, drowned and hanged. And people who had the audacity to so much as look kindly at a cat, were deemed witches. And they were killed as well. This was NOT a good time to be a "crazy cat lady" in Europe! During this time cats were also being blamed for spreading the plaque, when in fact it was the disease-carrying rats that managed to kill off almost half the European human population by spreading plagues and other epidemics. And as the humans had so efficiently killed off most of their cats, there were practically none left to kill the rats! That'll teach them to treat cats so disrespectfully!!! But eventually things got better. The Europeans came to their long lost senses and realized that cats were actually good to have around! Less rats, no more plague and soon the former so beautiful and harmonic cat-human relationship made its come-back. And when the first European settlers came to America in 1600-something, they brought cats with them to THE NEW WORLD. Good thinking! Their cats kept their homes, farmhouses, henhouses, outhouses and doghouses rat and mice free. Well, maybe not doghouses! Yes, the human bipeds truly rediscovered the value of cats. They took cats into their homes again and this time into their hearts as well. The cat became more than a useful little mousetrap, it became a PET. And so cats - being cats - now started to claim their INDOOR territory; the couch, the best arm chair, the dining table, the bed, the lingerie drawer... in short: THE WHOLE HOUSE. And finally things were as they should be between cat and man. 5000 years ago the Egyptians worshipped cats and showed their admiration and respect by mummifying them after death and depicting them on vases, amulets, rings and inside tombs! Today we pay homage to cats by putting pictures of cats on coffee mugs, napkins, sofa pillows, mousepads, clocks, refrigerator magnets and t-shirts! And in a thousand years from now, I'm sure there will be an enormous image of a cat on our first spaceship to Mars.

Martine Carlsen was 6 years ago adopted by two silver-gray Abyssinian cats, Sonny and Cher, and if you ask them, this article would or could never have been written without their help and inside knowledge. Martine Carlsen works as a web designer and spends most of her spare time working on her website, Cats on t-shirts.

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How To Treat Cat Bites And Coexist With Cats

All cat owners will know that there are times when the cat will nip at you. Cat bites can causing anything from a small gash to an open wound. it is crucial to know not only what can result from a cat bite but how to treat cat bites to prevent any diseases from spreading to us. The Reasons Why a Cat Would Bite a Human In general, cats bite people for one or two reasons. First of all, you may have been playing too rough with your frisky feline, which causes your cat to respond with a bite. Additionally, cats may bite is if they are upset about something you have done or just upset in general. Cats are creatures that like their own space and they may act out by giving someone in their area a slight nip or worse. Treatment of Cat Bites You could treat cat bites by washing the cut with soap, applying antiseptic cream and pasting a plaster over the wound. This will ensure that the wound is clean and free from bacteria. What is the Cat Scratch Disease? A bite or scratch from a cat may lead to a more serious medical condition known as the cat scratch disease. The cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by a cat's bite or scratch. It can also be caused when a cat licks an open wound. Cats get the bacteria from fleas, and transmit it to humans via their saliva Cat scratch disease in cats does not harm the cat itself but provides complications for the person bitten, scratched, or licked. Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease The main symptom of cat scratch disease is the swelling of the lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, fatigue, sore throat, headache or fever. Treatment of Cat Scratch Disease Most incidents of cat scratch disease will heal on their own. Over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or Advil could help alleviate the pain in the lymph nodes. It is a good idea to see a doctor to confirm diagnosis and seek treatment if you are unsure unsure what to do some of the more serious cases of cat scratch disease may require prescription antibiotics to heal. Prevention of Cat Scratch Disease The best way to avoid getting cat scratch disease is by the prevention of cat bites and scratches. You should back off whenever a cat shows any of the following warning signs like meowing in an angry tone, moving their ears backwards, harmlessly swiping you or hissing. Additionally, wash your hands immediately after touching a cat. Lastly, wash your wound as mentioned earlier if you have been bitten or scratched by a cat.

Please visit Natalie's SkinDiseaseArchive.com for more free tips on how to deal with some common skin conditions and much more.

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Should Cats Drink Milk

In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than good. While milk might seem like a natural choice for your cat, the truth is that cow's milk offers no nutritional value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in many. The reason is that most cats develop intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. This means that they are unable to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive problems. Some people think that cats need to have milk in order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not true. In fact, cow's milk does nothing to meet a cat's nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do not usually have the opportunity to drink cow's milk. As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for any cat, and should never be given in place of food OR in place of water. Replacing a cat's food or water with milk can cause your cat to become malnourished. Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, milk should never be given in place of food, but as a treat. If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for meals. Even if you feed this "cats milk" on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and fresh water should always be available. Another option for lactose intolerant cats is to give lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores. In addition to cat's milk, there are a lot of other ways to treat your cats to special food. If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is important to you. Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a variety to keep her from becoming bored with her food. Another version of this is to pour the water from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as an occasional treat. Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, and you will see row after row of treats. While most of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that treats should be given as such, and should not be fed to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy weight gain. Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the milk they need is their mother's. The mother's milk is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow's milk. Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten's mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a substitute that should be available at your local pet store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk substitute several times a day. While the pet store personnel can probably answer most of your questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the kitten is getting exactly what it needs. The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn't going to hurt.

David Beart is the owner of www.professorshouse.com. Our site covers cat information, household finances, family, recipes and other household issues.

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Choosing your First Indoor Cat

Deciding to be a pet owner and caregiver is a big responsibility. Owning an indoor cat can bring years of enjoyable pleasure for you and your new companion friend. Although cats are seen as self-reliant, you as the owner will always have to be the diligent parent. If you’ve never owned any pets before, you should get some pet education before bringing your new furry friend home. Probably the best way to find out about caring for an indoor cat is to visit the homes of friends who have indoor cats. Your friends can be an excellent resource for what’s going to be required of you to care for a cat. Other resources are community cat clubs, veterinarians, animal shelters, books, tapes, videos, and the Internet. Before you get your first cat, decide what your commitment to this relationship will be. How much devotion, cost, effort, and attention are you willing to provide to your new friend. Also consider what your personal preferences are for the new family addition. Are you looking for? Kitten or Adult
Longhair or Shorthair
Male or Female
Breed (Persian, Burmese, etc)
Pedigree or Non-Pedigree To many, a kitten is a cute, cuddly bundle of joy, just like a new born baby. But like a baby, you’ll need to watch over carefully to the health of the kitten as it grows to adulthood. An adult cat, on the other hand, is more capable of attending to its own personal care. Hair
Cats shed hair, just like humans. Some breeds shed more hair than others. Cats are fastidious groomers. Be prepared and none too surprised when they vomit a hairball from time to time -- completely natural with little cause for alarm. It’s a good practice to routinely brush your cat to collect the loose hair. Shorthair cats usually need less routine brushing than longhairs. If you brush your cat routinely, they can have less incidents of hairballs and upset digestion. Giving your cat a bath (cat formulated shampoo only) once in a great while is good also. Gender
Cats are individuals. Both female and male cats can make wonderful companions. If the cat has been spayed or neutered, then the cat's gender doesn't play a huge role. The cat's own unique personality will determine how good of a pet it will make. Your personal preference may be to choose a cat whose personality is agreeable to yours. Breed
Generally the cat's breed isn't a factor and your selection usually is a personal preference. Pedigree
You may choose a pedigree cat if your intention is to invest, breed, or show. There are other reasons why someone would choose a pedigree over a non-pedigree, and that’s a personal choice. Expect to pay more for a pedigree primarily because its lineage can be traced and its pedigree is highly prized by others. Non-pedigree cats are just as cute and cuddly as the pedigree. A lot less expensive too! Summary
A cat is a wonderful addition to your family and will give you many years of enjoyable pleasure.

www.PetFoodStory.com
Veterinarian formulated holistic pet food products for cats and dogs.

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Dogs and Cats, Training Eternal Enemies to Co-exist

Dogs and Cats. Eternal enemies, right? Through proper dog obedience training you can teach your animals to live together. The first mistake that most pet owners make when introducing their pet dogs and cats is to allow them to make their own introductions. This is a mistake! As I stated above, these two species are eternal enemies. You can’t just set one down near the other and expect great results. (Ok, I know that can happen and does happen, but my job here is to teach you about dog training. My version of training calls for prevention with dogs and cats rather than creating a problem and then being forced to fix it. As Mom used to say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.) There is a good deal of prevention that should be used before allowing your dogs and cats to co-exist. Whether you are introducing a new cat to a home with a dog or vice versa I want you to start out the same way. Start out by using your trusty dog crate. Put your dog in the crate and allow the cat to be in the same room. There are several possible outcomes to this action :
1. Your dog shows complete indifference. This is ideal. If your dog behaves like this you will have a quick transition.
2. Your dog shows fear. This is not ideal but it will make the transition easier than some other outcomes.
3. Your dog shows nervousness and anxiety. He whines, he paces in the crate, paws at the door of the crate, etc. This behavior tells you that he wants out. There is something about that cat that is exciting and he wants to know what it is.
4. Your dog shows overt aggression. He barks, claws at the door of the crate, and he knows exactly what he wants to do with that cat. This is going to be the toughest dog to train, but it can be done. For the first few days don’t let your dogs and cats near each other. Keep the dog in the crate. This doesn’t mean you need to keep him in the crate 24/7. When you want him out of the crate just make sure that your cat is shut off in another bedroom to avoid contact. What you hope to accomplish with this action is to train your dog to be indifferent to the cat. You want your dog to view the cat as ‘background noise’. The cat is inconsequential, the cat doesn’t matter, there is nothing interesting or exciting about the cat. In other words, your dog is safely tucked away in the crate and casually observes the cat move around the house. For categories 1 and 2 this will be simple. It will take no more than a day or two for your dog to think of your cat as just another 'thing' in the house. Categories 3 and 4 will take more training and time. For categories 3 and 4 you need to attach a negative association to showing cat aggression. To do this, get a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with either plain water, water mixed with lemon juice, or for very stubborn dogs, water with vinegar. At this point, your dog is still tucked away safely in the crate. The next part of training will be conducted while you are sitting near the crate, ready for action. The instant your dog shows aggression (barks at the cat, claws at the door, whines in frustration, etc.) toward the cat spray him in the face with your spray bottle. Every time he shows aggression spray him with the bottle. When he isn’t showing aggression give him soft praise, “Good boy”. Make sure that your dog never gets a chance to show aggression toward the cat without having a bad experience. This means that you must always be ready with the spray bottle or make sure the cat isn’t near the dog. If you aren’t vigilant and your dog has the chance to show aggression with no adverse consequence, you are training him to show cat aggression. If you are consistent with this exercise you will soon notice that your dog will show less and less aggression while in the crate, it just isn’t worth the squirt in the face for him. You are on your way to getting your dogs and cats to co-exist. When your feel comfortable that your dog is indifferent to the cat move on to the next step. As I said, for categories 1 and 2 this is probably one or two days after beginning the crate training. For categories 3 and 4 get your dog to the point where he is indifferent and maintains that attitude for several days if not a week. The next step is to get your dog out of the crate and get those dogs and cats together at last! You are going to move slowly, though. Put your dog training collar and leash on your dog and make sure that he is always wearing it around the house. Keep your dog near you and allow your cat to be in the room. If your dog makes any move whatsoever to chase the cat, bark at the cat, or perform any of the stereotypical behaviors that dogs and cats do, give him a very strong correction with the leash. You want this leash correction to be a very memorable one so it must be very strong. You want to form a very negative association toward cat aggression. Be consistent with this training. If you do this properly you will notice that your dog has less and less of a desire to chase after or bark at the cat. As you notice your dog changing his behavior give him more and more freedom by allowing him to be closer to the cat and further away from you. Eventually you will phase out the use of the dog training collar and leash. Even if your dog isn’t showing aggressive tendencies, never let him chase after the cat in the house, even playfully. Even some of the hardest to train dogs will respond to the above method. There exist, however, certain dogs that have such strong prey drive that only drastic measures will cure them of their desire to chase and kill cats. For these dogs I employ an electric dog training collar. Read the instruction manual on proper fitting for your electric dog training collar. With a stubborn dog that needs an electric collar the method is simple. With the collar on his neck and turned on to a high level of stimulus you are going to correct your dog every time he even looks at the cat. As your dog even sneaks a glance at your cat press the button to deliver the correction. Don’t say ‘no’, don’t react in any way, just correct him for looking at the cat. Do this as many times as it takes. Let’s examine this from your dog’s point of view. He wants to get to the cat, wants to chase, wants to kill. But the very act of looking at the cat causes him pain. You don’t tell him anything so he doesn’t associate the correction with you. He soon will learn to believe that the cat is ‘evil’ and he had better not even look at it because it the act of looking causes pain. As with all training, you must be very consistent. Your dog must never have a successful chance to even chase or want to chase the cat. Be consistent, though, and soon your dogs and cats will be able to co-exist.

Ty Brown is a leading dog training authority with numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Visit www.dogbehavioronline.com to view free articles and for more puppy resources and check out his dog training business.

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Cat Trees - Saving Your Home With Ease

If you're thinking of getting a cat, you have a few options on how to keep your cat and your furniture apart. A cat's nature is to dig their claws into anything they can get a hold of and scratch around a bit. Their nails need to be worked. It just so happens that in your house, many of your pieces of furniture will seem to be a perfect place to do that for your cat. It's not really fair to scold your cat for doing something that comes natural, without offering a better option. Also in today's more animal friendly world, de-clawing your cat is not as much of a choice. So, how do you keep your cat, your furniture and your sanity? Thankfully, there are some pieces of cat furniture you can buy that will keep you from losing your mind and keep you from losing any furniture or wanting to lose your cat. They're called cat trees. Cat trees are scratching post furniture pieces for your kitty. While some people think of just getting a little scratching board for their cat, cat trees are a better long term option, because the cat will come to recognize that the trees are their space and use them as a piece of furniture as well. Most cat trees are a structure of some sort that is covered with carpet. That is the fun surface your cat will love to dig its claws into. As you consider cat trees, you need to know the size your cat is, and if it's going to grow any more. Good cat trees will be taller than your cat, when he stretches out, which for some cats is a long way. While you can settle for the small cat trees that allow your cat to scratch and maybe curl up on the bottom, if you really want to make sure your cat and the cat tree are close friends, you should consider your cats other needs. Cats love to get a vantage point in a room, and they like to climb on things. Many cat trees offer this through layers and perches that your cat can get some exercise on. Others have tunnels and box areas so you cat can have their own little den to hide in, as well as a place to scratch. With how much cats sleep, 10-15 hours a day, it's only fair to give them a cozy place to curl up. Also keep in mind, most cats are not big on loud noises or too much activity, so if you have a safe space for them, it will offer an area of comfort when things get loud in the house. When you first bring cat trees into the house, your cat will likely still choose your furniture for its clawing desires. You need to make sure to firmly say no when your kitty is clawing on your furniture, but always praise him when he decides to claw on the cat trees. Eventually he will get the picture, and leave your furniture in peace.

Jesse Akre,author and owner of numerous sites offering home decor products offers isight on the many types of cat furniture, cat houses and cat trees.

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Choosing the Cat Food

Different aspects are to be taken into account when it comes to providing the proper food to your pet; the Dog Food and the Cat Food should be chosen carefully in order to maintain the normal state of health thus making the pets more resistant to different diseases. The first step to be considered is reading the label of every food you buy for your cat or dog. The ingredients labels are to be read in order to provide the cat with a healthy diet. This type of label is able to guarantee a special analysis of all the constituents that are to be found in a particular food; the minimum fat and the amount of proteins will also be determined. The owner may also choose a special sort of food by reading its moisture or maximum fiber. The label will also state whether the food is for puppies or adult specimens; all life stages are likely to be included and this information will also state whether that particular food has undergone several feeding studies or not. The cat’s food bowl should be placed away from any noise or foot traffic; the water bowl should be placed in the same spot too. The location should be easy to reach and comfortable and the owner must think before choosing the most suitable place. This location is not to be changed unless necessary because the cat will become familiar with her Cat Food being in that particular place. A plastic mat or even newspapers that are put under the bowls are likely to make the cleanup easier. The owner must pay attention that fresh water is to be found all the time because this feature is quite critical to the cat’s state of health. A proper routine should be established in order for the cat to become accustomed to being fed at particular moments of the day. The cat’s name should be used while feeding because the owner has to help the pet reinforce his own name thus associating it with a pleasant activity. If the owner chooses to feed his cat with dry cat food, he will have to put a daily supply at a particular moment of the day. The morning is to be preferred, especially if the owner is a working person. There is another advantage that should be taken into account when it comes to dry cat food; this type of food may actually help the cat in order to maintain the gums and teeth quite healthy. The feeding instructions that are to be found on each label should be followed in order to provide the cat or dog with the necessary nutrients. The owner must be aware that he must not feed his pet with another animal’s food; every cat is likely to have unique needs when it comes to its nutrition and these nutrients are found only in the Cat Food. The cat must not be fed with chicken, pork or fish bones because these bones can lodge and splinter in the cat’s throat. They can even pierce the pet’s stomach or its intestines. The cat should not be fed with milk because milk can cause diarrhea. The cat does not need any milk in order to develop a strong bone system. Onion and chocolate are to be avoided in a cat’s diet because they are very toxic. Therefore, these foods should be stored in places that are out of the cat’s reach. The owner may even ask the veterinarian in order to find out more about the foods that can be very harmful when given to a cat. Every owner should avoid the constant temptation of spoiling his pet; dogs and cats are not to be fed with table scraps because this habit can lead to a finicky eater who becomes accustomed to refusing his food in order to receive the high-calorie tidbits. The weight control should be performed on a regular basis because every weights gain can signal a certain negative change when it comes to the cat’s wellbeing. In order for you to keep your cat in a good state of health, you should control its weight because many cats are likely to become obese or overweight especially in the later years. A healthy cat should not have a hanging stomach. Extra weight is likely to be signaled especially in the cat’s stomach. The rib check should also be performed because if you do not feel the cat’s ribs when touching it, your cat is likely to be overweight. The presence of a double chin is another reason for becoming worried about your cat being obese or overweight. Every extra weight will place an additional strain on each of the internal organs; the cat’s health may worsen thus leading to the aggravation of the already existing health problems. Prevention is always to be considered when it comes to keeping your cat from gaining extra weight. Calorie requirements are to be followed and these requirements will depend on the true needs of your cat. The veterinarian can help you in order to establish these requirements and his advice is to be considered as a true guideline when it comes to choosing your cat’s diet. Any dietary change should be made in a gradual manner because every dramatic change may cause severe problems. Every cat will need time in order to get accustomed to a new type of food; but snacks, table food and foods that are rich in calories are to be avoided. The owner can also choose to feed his cat with food that is formulated for older adults because this food has reduced amounts of calories.

Dog Food should be chosen in order to improve the natural state of health but the Cat Food should do the same.

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