Cat Behaviors - Jealousy

My cat Sid is worse than a husband. He is so jealous of my time and affection, it at times can drive ya nuts. Though, most of the time it is very endearing, he can at times be all over me and there is no escaping his advances if you will.


As I type this, I am fighting for keyboard space with Sid. He wants to be right on top of whatever I am doing. And forbid if he does not get his way, you get the pouting and aloofness then.


If we leave the house for short periods of time, he does not seem to affected. If we leave for a vacation, forget it. You would think we traveled around the world and left him to survive in the woods for years. Boy do I pay for it when we vacation. He goes wild when we get home. And, it is not really wanting to re-bond, it is his frustration and upsetness coming out. He used to try to bite me, but we have nipped that in the bud with spraying him with a bit of water. Now, when I don't leave the house hardly at all for lengths of time, his jealously seems to be worse. He wants undivided attention all day long. I love him and his affection, but after a while you feel like you are strapped into your chair.


And, to make it worse, we have a friend staying with us who has a cat and Taby, the new cat, wants to sleep on our bed, which is where Sid sleeps. Oh watch out. The sounds that Sid can make are unbelievable. That's his bed and no other cat is sleeping on it.


We have taken a few steps to calm down this situation. Taby is getting neutered so that should make him a bit more mellow and maybe he won't show the aggressive behavior he has, and Sid can live his little jealous life with me by his side and not the other cat. This has proven to be a time consuming Cat Behavior. At times we just have to put the new cat in the basement, it is the only way to solve the problem at hand.


Janet Michael is a Cat owner and author who has written several article about her Burmese Cat named Sid and his new friend Taby. Please visit http://sidcitykitty.com for more Cat Behavior articles.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Michael

How to Get Your Cat to Come When Called

Cats can be elusive creatures, and sometimes the task of getting them to come when called can seem daunting. However, if you approach this in the right way and with the right attitude, it can be much easier than you think! Here are some effective steps that work very well for most cats.

Step 1: Begin by making it a habit to talk to your cat often, and create a strong bond with her through petting, brushing, and spending time together. Take every opportunity to give her your love and attention. Having a good relationship with your cat is very important.

Step 2: Find a special dry treat that she really loves. This should be something that she doesn't have very often, and it will only be used for this purpose. While you are training her to come when called, make sure you don't give her this particular treat at any other time. Please choose something small and nutritious. A snack that is good for your cat's teeth would be ideal.

Step 3: Find a special word that will be used for training her to come. This will become a word that she associates only with this special treat, so think of something that she won't often hear at other times.

Step 4: The next time you give your cat a snack, use the special word. Put one treat in her empty food bowl while speaking the word out loud.

Step 5: Say the word again after she eats the treat. Then give her another of the same treat, and use the word again in the same way.

Step 6: Step away from your cat now. If she protests that she is "starving" you can say the word again and give her one more piece. Then leave the room.

Step 7: About 4 minutes later, repeat the entire process again. Your cat will begin to learn to associate the special word with her special treat.

Step 8: Continue doing this a few times a day for the next several days. Eventually, your cat will learn to come to you when you say the special word.

Step 9: When your cat starts coming to you every time you say the special word, start giving her the treat only once in a while. The rest of the time, give her lots of attention (petting, scratches, playing with a toy, whatever she likes) for a few minutes. Then let her go. Repeat this process a few minutes later.

Step 10: If you have created a strong bond with your cat, and if you have followed the above procedures correctly, your cat will now associate your special word with the extra attention and loves she gets from you. She should now be coming to you when she hears you say the word.

Please remember, the treat must be a small and nutritious snack, not something large, or a whole bowl of food. She will be eating a fair number of these during training, and we don't want her to gain extra weight!

Make sure that you use the special word every day, just so that she will come to you for affection and hugs. If you use it only when it is time to take her to the vet or give her a bath, she will learn to associate the word with unpleasant times and it can undermine the effects of your training. When these types of occasions do come up, give your cat the treat and then wait a little bit before following through with your "hidden motive".

So why does this technique work so well?

What this all boils down to is conditioning your cat to associate your special word with getting attention from you. The word becomes the trigger, to which she responds in order to get something she wants. Once this happens, any time you say the special word your cat comes because she knows she will be rewarded.

As you can see, the bond you form with your cat is the most important aspect of getting her to come when you call. When your cat knows that she will get love and affection from being close to you, then she will WANT to come to you any time she can.

How to Keep an Indoor Cat Entertained

Cats that are kept indoors can become bored very quickly, which leads to excessive eating, weight gain and connected health problems. Of course, owners that keep their cats indoors do so with the best of intentions - keeping their pets safe and ensuring that he, or she, does not randomly kill local wildlife.

However, if your cat is cooped up indoors all day, it is important to make sure that he, or she, is stimulated physically and mentally. The following tips will provide ways to keep an indoor cat entertained.

1. While your family is at work or school, it is a good idea to keep the television on and perhaps a radio in another room. The sound of voices will help a cat feel less alone, but the volume should not be turned up too high. If possible, set your television to a children's station with lots of bright colors. Alternatively, your cat may enjoy nature programs that feature birds, fish and small mammals.

2. Make sure that your cat has lots of toys to play with. Of course, there are many toys available from pet stores, such as laser pointers, balls and scratching posts. However, you can also making your own toys simply by placing a length of string from your ceiling that reaches about two feet off the ground. You can then attach a plastic ring, ball or bell to the end of the string. That said, it is crucial that you ensure that the item is safe should your cat remove it. So, cotton wool balls or soft plastics should never be used.

3. On a similar vein, it is wise to ensure that your cat does not have access to anything that may do him, or her, harm while you are out of the house. This means ensuring that bins are secure. Shoelaces, plastic bags and cotton wool can all cause your cat serious harm, so make sure that your cat cannot play with any of these items.

4. Some cats enjoy simple pleasures, such as playing with an empty cardboard box. You may find that leaving a cardboard box or paper bag in the middle of the floor provides a good few hours of entertainment for your cat.

5. Don't leave your cat with the same toys everyday. Try to alternate toys and, when making your own, think of new things you can add or different ways to setup the toys. Cats are intelligent and, even if they have plenty to do, they will become bored with the same old things everyday.

6. It is a delicate balance between ensuring your cat is entertained and overwhelming him, or her, with toys. You do not want a room, or house, that is full of cat toys. Just three or four toys everyday should be enough to keep your cat amused while you are gone.

7. Climbing apparatus is also great, because it provides your cat with physical stimulation. Cats enjoy climbing and jumping, so you may like to play some of your cat's toys on different levels, as this will encourage exercise, which is especially important if your cat is a little overweight.

8. Your cat may enjoy a room with a view. In other words, ensure that your cat has access to a window. Watching birds or simply watching the world go by, can be entertaining for a cat.

9. If your cat still seems to be distressed when left alone, you may find it beneficial to get a second cat. However, it is advisable to ensure that the cats do not fight before leaving them alone together.

Of course, there are many other things that you can implement to keep your cat entertained. Some toys and activities will appeal to some cats, but not others. So, remember to cater to your pets individual tastes.

Cat Health Problems - How to Spot Them Early

With the love, affection, playfulness, and companionship that your cat or kitten provides comes the responsibility of taking good care of it. Your cat or kitten relies on you for its health and well-being. As part of taking care of your cat or kitten, the following is a short and easy yet very useful mini health exam that you can give your cat or kitten in between visits to your veterinarian.

This exam can be performed once a week or once a month as needed. Make this little home checkup an extension of the normal physical attention you pay your cat and it will not even know that it is being "examined". It does not matter where you perform the exam, as long as both you and your cat are comfortable. If your cat usually is not allowed on the kitchen table or counter, do not examine it there, as it may be confusing and stressful. A good idea is to do it while you are doing some grooming or petting.

Ears: Gently pull the ear flap slightly up and back, and look at the inner surface and down into the ear canal. The ears should be clean and light pink in color. Any discharge, redness, swelling or odor is abnormal. A very dark residue may indicate earmites. Do not attempt to clean your cat's ears, improper or incorrect cleaning can worsen an ear condition or even cause trauma or infection. If anything looks or smells really bad, a visit to the vet will be necessary.

Eyes: With your cat facing you, examine the eyes. The eyes should be bright and clear (not cloudy or dirty), and the pupils should be of equal size. There should be little if any tearing at the corners of the eyes. Any more discharge from the eyes is abnormal. Gently roll down the lower eyelid a little bit with your thumb. The inner linings should be pink, not white or red.

Mouth and nose: With your cat facing you, gently raise the lips with your fingers to examine the gums and teeth. The gums should be pink, not white or red, and should show no signs of swelling or bleeding. The teeth should be clean, without any brownish tartar. Smell your cat's breath. Although most cats do not have good breath, a strong and offensive odor is abnormal and may indicate a problem. Excessive drooling can also be a sign of oral disease. Finally make sure there is not a discharge from the nose, which can indicate a problem to be checked out.

Skin and coat: While petting your cat, feel around for any unusual bumps, lumps, scabs, swellings, or sensitive areas. The coat should be full and glossy, and should be free of bald spots, matted areas, and sores. If you need to cut off some hopelessly matted hair, be sure to used blunt-tipped scissors, or take the cat to a professional groomer or your vet. Also check the cat's fur for fleas and ticks, usually visible as black flecks.

Important rear end check: With your cat facing away from you gently lift the tail and take a look at its rear end. Use a moist paper towel to clean away any feces or other dirty material. If you see yellowish or tan objects about the size of rice grains, these are most likely packets of tapeworm eggs, and this requires treatment!

Ribs and weight: If your cat seems to be bonier, this is a sign of weight loss. Watch for changes in your cat's eating or sleeping habits, and let your vet know of your findings if you feel they are significant enough.

Breathing: If your cat's breathing is loud, labored, or wheezing, this is not a good sign.

Litter box: If you see any mucous, blood, worms, or anything else unusual in the litter box, this is definitely a problem.

If your examination reveals any of these problems, consult your vet as soon as possible. Remember that this mini health exam is not meant to be a substitution your vet's professional examination and consultation. Your cat should be given a complete professional physical examination at least once a year.

Your vet will be checking things like temperature, pulse, actual weight, respirations, lymph nodes, vision, hearing, blood pressure, muscle tone, and more. With the combination of your vet's annual or semi-annual complete physical examination, and your own weekly or monthly mini health exam, you can help ensure that your cat's health problems are detected before they start to cause obvious disease.

How I Got the Cat Pee Smell Out of My House

If you have had a problem with your cat urinating outside of the litter box, you may have finally figured out why and come up with a workable solution. For your sake I hope you have!

However, even after you've solved the litter box problem, there's another problem still to deal with - the challenge of removing the smell of cat urine from around your home. I know all about this. For several months my two cats, Eric and Felix, were caught in a territorial battle for ownership of our home. The house was the battleground and us humans were the captives!

Once we finally figured out to get them back to using the litter box like good kitties, it was a big relief. Unfortunately, the house still smelled horrible! We had been getting the furniture and rugs professionally cleaned regularly, but that still didn't take the smell away. The chemicals used by the cleaners, if anything, added to the problem rather than fixing it. If you are dealing with a cat urine issue, I'd suggest that you not go for professional cleaning until you research a few of the ideas in this article.

First, let's get a better understanding of what we are up against here, and why cat urine is so difficult to deal with.

Cat urine contains three main elements. They are:

- Urea
- Urochrome
- Uric Acid

Urea is the more solid, sticky component of the urine. It is the easiest to clean up with a sponge or towel and any of a number of different cleaning products.

Urochrome is what creates the yellow color of urine. Depending on what kind of surface you cat urinated on, this may be more difficult to remove. Getting pee off a hardwood floor can be especially difficult.

Uric Acid contains the salt and crystals in the cat's urine, and this is the most difficult element of the urine to remove. The crystals will bond with almost any surface they land on, and when they get wet they promote the growth of the bacteria, which is the source of the odor.

So, why does cat pee smell so bad?

The odor in cat urine is caused by the bacteria that grow in it. Until the bacteria are destroyed, the odor will continue to grow worse, releasing ammonia and mercaptans (the active ingredient in skunk spray) into the air. Therefore, in order to eliminate cat urine odor, we must kill the bacteria that causes it.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because cat urine contains a high amount of ammonia, you must never use a product with ammonia to try to clean it up. This will only intensify the ammonia smell, which is likely to attract your cats back to pee again in the same spot!

Something that people often do is to just attack the source of the smell with whatever household cleaner they can find.

This is a mistake.

Due to the organic compounds in cat urine, some cleaners can actually make the smell worse. I think we can all agree that we don't want that! We want to be sure that we are using a product that was specifically formulated for pet stain removal, so that we don't risk making the problem even worse.

You have a couple of options available to you for removing cat urine smell.

1. Brand name "pet odor removal" products

2. Homemade mixtures for cat urine removal

First let's talk about the brand name products.

The most famous brand out there and perhaps the best is one called Nature's Miracle. This is what is referred to as an enzymatic cleaner. It basically works to break down the organic compounds in the urine and to completely eradicate the smell.

This is important not only for us humans but also for the cat. If they can even smell a whiff of their urine, they are quite likely to return to the spot and pee.

In our case, this is what we used to clean our house. To help us identify all the places where the cats had peed, we invested in a black light, which when held in a darkened room will clearly illuminate any and all spots of cat urine. We found this to be extremely helpful, and I really recommend getting a black light regardless of what kind of cleaning product you decide to use. This was about the only way that we could be sure we found all the spots. And the one thing you really don't want to do, is to go through all the hard work of cleaning up your house, only to leave a few spots of urine around that tell your cats, "it's OK to pee here".

Next, every time we found a spot of urine, fresh or dried, we doused it with the Nature's Miracle. If it was on a hard surface like a wood floor, we wiped the area very thoroughly after using the liquid. For spots that were on carpets or upholstery, we completely soaked it with fluid and allowed the spot to air dry.

ONE WORD OF WARNING: When you first soak the area with an enzyme cleaner, it may at first create an even worse smell, and you may wonder what is going on. This is the smell of the enzyme working on the bacteria, breaking it down. By the time the spot is completely dry the smell should be gone. If not, then more thorough soaking may be needed.

Carpeting and upholstery that has been chemically cleaned may be more difficult to get the urine out of with the enzyme solution, and may require multiple treatments before they are totally clean. This is why I recommend not using professional cleaners if you have not already! In our particular case we had to go over the carpets and sofa a number of times before we finally got the smell out.

We used Nature's Miracle, but there are many other similar enzyme products out there. Some of the most popular are Bramton Simple Solution, OdorXit and Petrotech Odor Eliminator.

There is no question that products like Nature's Miracle do a great job of cat urine removal. Then again, what if I told you that there are easy to make, homemade formulas which are usually as effective as the brand name ones? Many people I know have used these with great success.

One really good home recipe is this:

- Exactly 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- A teaspoon of liquid soap

What you do is to mix all elements together and then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Make sure you are cautious while mixing. This could cause a small explosion if you are too rough!

After that you should completely wet the soiled are. Make sure the fabric to be cleaned won't lose its color by doing a small pre-test. In some cases hydrogen peroxide can make certain materials fade.

Cleaning up cat pee is not a pleasant job, but by using a formula like the one described above, you can make sure that you get it all out and that the soiled area is thoroughly cleaned.

Hopefully once you have cleaned up the cat urine around your house, you will notice a wonderful change in your environment (no more cat urine smell!) However, if you still are having problems with your cat peeing outside his litter box, you may need to repeat the process. Mike Whytes's book "Thinking Outside the Box" contains all sorts of ways to determine what is causing your cat's inappropriate urination, and offers solutions that will work extremely quickly, and very effectively. Find out more about it at http://www.stopcatpeeing.info/.

Why Does My Cat Bite Me First Then Lick Me?

If you're a cat owner you'll sometimes be puzzled by your cats behavior, especially when they give you a nip or bite and then lick you straight afterwards. This kind of behavior is very normal among cats as it's regarded as a sign of affection and not aggression. What your feline friend is trying to tell you is, they Love You, it's their way of giving you a kiss!

Sometimes their cat kisses can seem more like a bite or a sharp pinch which can hurt. Remember don't get angry at your cat as you can confuse the poor puss. If your feline friend gives a firm love bite than just be firm and say No! In time your cat will understand it's still OK to show affection but not to cause you pain.

The reason they do this is not to hurt you, they are simply kissing you like they would normally kiss another cat. Because cats have thick fur and their nerve endings in their skin aren't close to the skins surface like ours, they need to nip harder in order to express their affection.

For a cat, this type of affection is quite acceptable, but as a pet owner it's not the most pleasant experience being bitten. To stop this type of behavior you can train your cat not to bite, although this can take some time, patience and persistence before you can control this habit or stop it completely.

Although most cats enjoy affection try not to caress them too much as this can over excite them. An over excited kitty will exhibit many tell tale signs like purring, rubbing against you, chirping and a stiff tail that can quiver. Cats that are over excited usually can't control their emotions, so be prepared in case your cat wants to give you a kiss.
Make sure when you approach your cat too look at their tail first, as their tail is like their mood detector. Remember if their tail is quivering with excitement avoid contact as you might end up with a love bite.

Approach your cat when it's in a good mood, their tail will look calm and only the tip will gently move. On the other hand if they're unhappy their tail will flick from side to side, it's always best to avoid contact with them until they return in a better mood.

Living in harmony with your cat is possible, just try to be aware of their mood swings and if they do bite and lick you (kiss you) remember it's there way of saying I love you.

How Many Cats is Too Many?

I love the notion that "cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one." From the playful kitten, which is the epitome of "cute", to the adult cat, that is the ultimate in beauty, prowess and "cool". How many you should have depends on several factors.

1. How many can you afford to feed?

You need to provide well rounded nutrition for proper development of your cats growth. This usually includes a canned food at least once a day, which also provides moisture. This is especially important if your cat does not drink a substantial amount of water each day. For your own convenience, you might want to make dry food available for when you can't be there to provide a regular feeding. Don't forget the cat treats, for good behavior rewards, which will surely endear your cat to you! Make sure your budget can withstand the cost.

2. How many can you provide good medical care?

Hopefully, you won't have any extraordinary medical bills due to injury or illness, although this cannot be guaranteed. However, there will be an annual expense of vaccinations to keep your kitty healthy. These are normally in the range of $100 per cat, depending on the type your veterinarian recommends.

3. How many can comfortably fit in your home size?

I have read estimates of 1000 square feet per cat, although I don't believe that is necessarily required. More important is how well your cats get along. Two could be too many in a large house if they don't like each other. While five could fit well into a smaller home if all were good natured or at least not antagonistic toward each other. The more room the better for those who like to roughhouse. Better yet, provide them with an outdoor enclosure to give them a space of their own and some fresh air.

4. How many can you provide with toys, cat trees, litter boxes, etc?

A litter box is required! I have seen different opinions of how many you should have with multiple cats. One opinion was one per cat, plus one. Another was one for every two cats. It's difficult to keep up with all of them and their bathroom habits.

I, personally, subscribe to the latter and find an automatic litter box works best in a multiple cat household. These generally cost in the neighborhood of $100 each but can run much higher.

All cats need places to climb and one cat tree, strategically placed by a window will bring great satisfaction to one cat or maybe two. If you have multiple cats, you might want to consider two cat condos/trees to provide them plenty of room to nap and play and a view of the outside world for all of them. These can cost, depending on size, quality, etc, anywhere from $50 to $1,000. I really don't think the cats care how much it cost, as long as it is theirs. Now having it fit in with your home décor is another consideration, entirely. There are some very colorful ones in the marketplace and surely one will look nice in your home. Other toys to keep them occupied are relatively inexpensive and should include things they can slap around and chase, like catnip scented play mice, small balls and anything with bells.

5.How many can you guarantee safety and shelter?

Safety would entail keeping them inside, away from the dangers of cars, poisons, the cruelty of others and keeping them safe by training young children in the proper way to handle them.

6. How many do you have "Time" for?

Just like children, cats need attention. You need to play with each one, either separately or together, each and everyday. A wand toy with a feather for them to swat, a lazer light beam for them to chase, or just sitting in the floor & playing with them. Attention is important to them and keeps them from becoming bored. Boredom can breed depression in a cat. It can also bring on behavior problems which can become destructive.

You have to gauge the size of your home, the size of your wallet, but most important, the size of your heart. Then, you're good to go and take it from someone who knows, the more the merrier!

Cat Dandruff

My daughter constantly worries about her cat, Miming. One morning she came to my office screaming that something was wrong with the cat; I could not help but wonder if it was something really huge. She exclaims to me: "Miming has dandruff!"

I paused and thought out loud: Can cats have dandruff?

As if on cue, Miming came in, hopped up on my table and onto my daughter's arms, as if to show me that indeed, there is such a thing as cat dandruff.

Cat Dandruff is a skin condition which is often confused with cat dander. Dander, as we all know, is the shedding of dead skin cells but is usually invisible to the eye. Dandruff on the other hand is a result of a dry and flaky skin and may be a good indicator if our cat is having health problems.

The first thing that came to my mind is that we might be using too strong a cat shampoo on her. We all sat down around my computer and tried to make sense of feline dandruff. Below is a compilation of some of the positive information that we found helpful:

* Cat dandruff is caused by lack of moisture in the environment. Like humans, our cats draw moisture from drinking water and proper food intake and appropriate environment moisture. Once we identify that lack of moisture is causing the dandruff, we can use a humidifier to add the needed moisture.
* Diet is the most common root cause of the problem. Our cats need a good dose of Omega 3 and Fish oil to have healthy skin and hair. These can be sourced from the cat food that we choose to give them or we can include these supplements into their diet. Canned Tuna enriched with high Omega 3 or Fish Oil is recommended by most veterinarians, and would require us to give our cats a wet-food diet from time to time. This essential fatty acid plays a vital role in maintaining good health and great skin.
* Cat dandruff may be due to the presence of parasites like fleas, lice and mites. Good grooming is the only remedy for these parasites. To treat them and extinguish their presence, your veterinarian will recommend a cat shampoo specifically designed to treat parasites. Constant hair combing and hair washing will prevent these parasites from coming back. Additionally, you would have to treat all the animals in your house, as parasites tend to stick to anything. You may also want to check on humans and the house itself for presence of these parasites.
* Too much sun exposure causes the skin to become dry and flaky, and end up creating dandruff. If your cat spends too much time outdoors, they have a tendency to get sunburned- especially in areas where fur or hair is sparse. The sunburn kills the topmost layer of the skin, causing it to become dry and flaky. Always remember to keep your cats indoor at the time when sun is most high. Good time to bring your cats outside is during the first glance of sunlight from 6 to 9 in the morning.
* Dandruff is often an indication of a deeper and bigger health problem. Should persistent dandruff occurrence be manifested and observed, it is important to consult with your veterinarian at the soonest possible time.

Try these first-aid approaches to rectify cat dandruff, and continue monitoring improvements in the condition. Once you have identified and isolated a possible cause, remedies administered right away should create a difference in a week's time.

When a Cat Purrs

We get a warm fuzzy feeling that the cat is contented, happy, at peace, and most importantly likes us. But is that all the purr means?

When a cat purrs they are communicating something to us. Some of these may be "play with me", "feed me", "I've found you YAY", "hold me", "oohh yeah I like it when you stroke me like that" and "do you like the present I just brought in for you - I am so proud of myself". These are quite self-explanatory so let's look at some other theories. There are a number of theories suggesting what this communication is actually all about: happiness, affection, healing/therapy, reassurance, fear/ anxiety and passivity.

Happiness

These are the basic theories all cat owners know. Basically they deal with the areas of contentment of finding a nice warm cozy spot to lay down in, a good feed, and love gifts offered.

Affection

These are related to the happiness purr but may be viewed as more personally oriented towards their favourite person. Basically this one says "I love you".

Healing/therapy

This is seen as the most scientific explanation. The frequency of a cat purr lies between 25Hz - 150Hz. So what? I hear you say. Well, it has been scientifically shown that these low levels actually perform curative, healing properties affecting the cat's physiology. It can act like a sedative as long as the pain is not too intense. Bone density can be improved. Sometimes they purr while dying. Sometimes it can just be a form of relaxation therapy they perform on themselves.

Further to this, it is a fact that cat owners have lower blood pressure. What perfect therapy for us humans to relax and unwind at the end of the day!

Reassurance

Vibrations of a mother cats purr reassures her kittens and helps them find her while they are still unable to see. This also works for the cat itself if it is anxious or ill. Purring is associated with nicer experiences for the cat so it helps him/her calm down.

We are also recipients of such reassurance. Have you noticed if you are upset how your cat will come to you and purr? Basically he/she is saying "I'm here for you"!

Fear/anxiety/passivity

All animals display an "I'm no threat to you" vibe or posture. Cats are no different. Visits to the vet may make your cat nervous. By purring your cat is trying to avoid being hurt. Sometimes when they have been hurt by a predator they may also purr to let them know they do not want to be hurt anymore.

So did you know all these forms of communication were going on from your cat's simple little purr? Hopefully now that you know there are many reasons you will become more attuned to your cat's purr improving not only his/her life but yours as well.

And just as a passing thought go cuddle up to a cat and see if you can benefit from its healing properties to alter your mood or relax your muscles.

As a cat lover I have always wondered what the different types of purr mean for my cat. As an animal lover I have always wondered many things about animals in general. For this reason, and many others, a friend and I have started a pet website http://www.lovingyourpet.org so that we can share what we know, discover, and love about our own pets and other animals in general.

Cat Arthritis - Know How to Care For Them

Elderly cats are commonly known to catch arthritis, which is the wear and tear of joints in parts of the body. Its main causes include high age, due to which a time comes when unfit bodies exhibit joint degeneration and high pain due to tendon tissue damage. Arthritis is just as common in cats as it is in people and identical to their reasons in humans, they are caused due to high age, obesity, weak bones, genetic issues, Lyme disease, high level of activity and the stress factor. The chief cause of cat arthritis is high age, yet younger cats can also catch arthritis due to genetic and other stress problems.

Most of the cat owners find it difficult to spot any pain caused by arthritis due to the fact that they are already slow on account of their old age. But they might not be that lively and energetic due to arthritis. Cats cannot share their pain with their owners and for that reason they often hide or deal with the pain caused, which is why arthritis is pretty difficult to be spotted in them and the pain, equaled with the stress, results in early feline death in many cases.

However due to the innovation in technology, other symptoms in cat arthritis are described as follows. Cats often show signs of stress and depression, unwilling to play or jump, maintain a low level of activity, sleep more frequently, may appear bony than usual due to the excessive muscle waste and may signal pain and stiffness when standing or walking. Changes in mental attitude are also common which will result in changes in behavior such as less interaction and increased anger.

The diagnostic procedure of probable cat arthritis would include a detailed analysis of your cat's physical strength and a history of the disease would be taken. In addition to those, blood tests, X-rays and ultrasound etc of the aching joints could also be performed to get a clear diagnosis. Feline arthritis mostly includes Osteoarthritis and Traumatic arthritis where there is damage to the joints in both cases but Osteoarthritis can become serious in some cases depending on the nature of the cause, the damage done and the physical status of the cat; the condition may become untreatable a few times, but you can at least try to present comfort to the cat in the small life it has left.

Treatment to cat arthritis can be done through various ways. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are one of the most common cures adopted mostly by vets. Glucosamine is a significant element of the cartilage and joint fluid and Chondroitin improves the arrangement of the ligaments and restrains the joint-breaking enzymes inside. Regular and long-term vet-prescribed dosage can make a big difference to your cat suffering from arthritis and may enable her to recover in a month.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-relievers such as Tramadol and Vitamin C and Corticosteroids such as Prednisone can alleviate any immediate pain but their consumption is lessened nowadays due to their high side effects. Alongside physical exercise and weight control are not only natural remedies to the current arthritis level, but they also keep the feline body fit, energetic and should prevent a large number of diseases in the future too, allowing your cat to spend a long and happy life.

How Often Should You Clean Your Cat's Litter Box?

How fun is it to clean the litter box? Unfortunately, if you own an indoor cat, it's a necessity to keep up with this chore otherwise, it will become an uncomfortable reminder that you do indeed own a cat and anyone that comes into your home will know it to. Cats make wonderful pets but you don't necessarily want the strong ammonia smell that stagnant urine brings to be clouding the air you breathe. Not only is it unpleasant but it can actually make you sick not to mention all the little rock formations that crowd your kitties sand box and leaves no room for more deposits. Some cats simply decide it's too dirty and go somewhere you don't want them to go.

Cat's are extremely clean and intelligent animals and somehow instinctively know what a litter box is and how to use it. When we first got our kitty, she was about 6 weeks old and the tiniest little thing. We went out and got her a small disposable box and larger hard plastic litter box. One to use while she was small and one to transition to as she grew. When we got home, we filled the disposable one with litter and decided to go ahead and put the rest of the litter in the big box and save it until later. Our little 6 week old kitty too a huge leap inside the big box, did her thing, covered it up, and jumped right out as if she's been doing it for years. We were all amazed just how intuitive she was.

So, how often should you "scoop" the litter box? Once a day, once a week, once a month? And, how often should you change the litter completely? I guess that all depends on how strong a smell you're willing to live with. Here's another consideration; when you don't clean the litter box on a regular basis, your cat is spreading feces and urine via his paws all over your house. Everything he touches with his feet; your bed, your couch, your chairs, everything is being contaminated by his paws. So, here's my advice, scoop your cats litter box daily, and change the litter completely weekly. This should ensure that the box and your kitties feet stay nice and clean.

There is one alternative that you could do if you really hate cleaning the litter box. Somebody invented a self-cleaning litter box that does the work for you so you don't have to. It's actually very ingenious and works with a sensor to detect when your cat has used his litter box. When the cat exists the litter box, the automatic self-cleaning mechanism kicks in and sweeps a rake-like device under and over the entire length of the box. When it gets to the end, it lifts up out of the litter and scoops the little rocks of urine and feces into a receptacle that you just pick up and dispose when it becomes full. Your cats box always stays clean and fresh instantly after using it.

Cats and Kittens and the Bad Bugs That They Can Give You If You Do Not Vaccinate Or Deworm

We all love our Cats and want the best for our pets, sometimes even debating over decisions to vaccinate or not. Outdoor cats are most susceptible to a variety of diseases, disorders, and parasites, some of which can even affect humans. If your cat is kept indoors and does not mingle with other cats, than it becomes a personal decision as to vaccinating. If allowed to go outdoors, even occasionally, than it is highly recommended that your cat be vaccinated against some of the most widespread and significant viral disease to which cats are most susceptible to such as: Feline distemper, upper respiratory infections, and rabies.

When vaccinating Kittens, they should be at least 8 to 12 weeks old and free of parasites. It is best to deworm the cat and/or kittens approximately two weeks before immunization. You can have the feces analyzed to be sure that parasites are not present but this can cost in addition to the deworming costs. Or you can assume that worms maybe there and just do prevention. Remember to avoid contact with other pets that may not have been immunized as the vaccination is not effective until about a week later. A second dose maybe required to be effective and provide the protection. Some Vaccinations also require annual boosters or a booster every several years.

Examples of some of the Cat parasites that affect humans are fleas, ticks, mites, lice and maggots which are the major external parasites that you want to check for regularly and treat if present. Some of these pests transmit diseases and lay eggs on the animal so repeat treatments are required. Scratching is often a clue. Check ears often for ear mites!

The major concerns to humans and particularly children are Internal parasites which include a variety of worms (round, hook, whip, thread, tape) and single-celled organisms that you can not detect until they have taken their toll on your pet or worse yet have transferred to people such as the dreaded "pin worms". If you have other pets such as dogs, remember that your dog maybe the carrier and pass on "bugs" to your indoor cats.

Most dangerous to pregnant women, is the Protozoa Toxoplasma Gondaii, found in cat feces. This organism can affect the unborn child and may even cause miscarriage. It is best that pregnant women do not clean the cats' litter tray and/or take precautions and ensure that regular deworming is scheduled for their cats. There are many "automated" kitty waste systems which pregnant cat owners should consider investing in if the chores of cleaning the cat litter tray is their sole responsibility.

Like us, every part of the cats' body can be affected by some diseases and health problems, mouth and teeth by stomatitis, respiratory ailments, eye disorders like conjunctivitis, ear disorders, kidney disease, the circulatory system by anemia, heartworm and leukemia.

Pay attention to your pets health and be especially concern if your cat should vomits, collapses, has diarrhea, trouble breathing, bleeding or has dilated pupils. Loss of appetite is usually not serious unless it lasts for more than 24 hours. Watch your Cat for subtle signs of disease, listlessness, sneezing, coughing, closed eyelids, cloudy eyes, mouth odor, limping, pain, constipation, frequent urination or straining to urinate, and discharges from eyes, ears or nose. Also watch for changes in their regular habits such as sleeping more, soreness, irritable etc. Usually, the Cat will tell us something is wrong before the problem becomes critical. A trip to the Vet Clinic maybe required to confirm any issues.

Your Cats will start to show signs of old age around 10 years of age, which translates to about 60 years in a cats' life. The average lifespan for a cat is 15 years. Even if they cannot live nine lives (although some seem to), they can live a long, healthy life when given consistent, responsible care.

Taking care of your Cats' health is much the same as you do for yourself. Pay attention, prevent what you can and if you suspect something, get it check out.

Cat Enclosure - Allow Your Cat a Little Freedom

If you want to give your indoors only cat a taste of freedom a cat enclosure is a splendid way to do it. Freedom! How can something that encloses a cat allow it freedom? Well it doesn't of course. But it does allow a cat a taste of fresh air while at the same time protecting the cat from many of the dangers that lurk outside.

Many cat lovers keep their cats permanently inside their home. That way they are safe from wandering into the roadway and being hit by a car or truck, safe from attack by other animals and safe from picking up many feline health problems. Also of course, indoor cats do not get lost.

The trouble is that a cat kept inside the home all the time is likely to become bored. Imagine if you were not permitted to leave your home. Each and every day you have the same few rooms to patrol, same old same old. Imagine too, that you never got to breathe the outside air, or to feel the sun on your face. A cat enclosure could change all that. No, not for you but for your cat!

When the weather permits, and you are there to keep an eye on things, a recreation time in a safe kitty enclosure can do your cat the world of good.

Ready made cat enclosures are available in a variety of sizes and styles. The designs made of pliable netting are a boon if you have limited space available, they can be rolled up for easy storage when not in use.

Your Cat's Own Outside Room.

The solid wire styles are more permanent fixtures, your cat's own room out in the garden. This type of cat enclosure is usually much larger, with some you can even place a cat condo inside to keep kitty amused. Many have a solid roof, or a solid roof section, this is important as cats need a shaded area when outside to protect them from the dangers of too much sun.

Solid, cat cage, type enclosures can also withstand a large dog, or other animal, jumping on them in an effort to get at your cat.

Most enclosures are expandable. Start with the basic and add areas over time. Want to attach a kitty run? No problem. Want to increase the area your cat has to roam around? Just add another section. With some, you can add a specially designed tunnel that connects to a window of your home. Any time that your cat wants to be outdoors she, or he, simply saunters down the tunnel and into their own outdoor space. Likewise, when kitty has had enough of fresh air and watching the birds, it's up the tunnel and back indoors to pester you for food.

Whichever style of cat enclosure you choose, you are bound to make your cat happy. After all, although you are not giving your cat freedom exactly, you are enriching your cats life. A nice safe area out in the open air, what more could your cat want.

Can Royal Canin Urinary SO Help Treat Your Cat's Urinary Infection?

Your cat should be given the right treatment if it suffers a urinary infection. If left unattended, it may lead to grave problems and prove fatal as well. Just like humans, cats also contract a urinary infection, and this could be due to bacteria or other external factors.

It has been established that dry food could be the main reason attributing to urinary infections. When the dry food has constituents or ingredients that are not agreeable to the pet's body, it could lead to such health problems. Pet foods that have high contents of sugar also could be a reason for such infections. Corn syrup has been the culprit in many of the dry cat foods that could lead to infections. Cat food that contains the meat of animals that have been infected or are diseased could be yet another reason for cats contracting urinary infections. Many countries have banned the sale of such cat foods as it contains cancer-causing bacteria and high calories.

Cats suffering from stress are also prone to urinary infections. Cats that are highly emotional suffer from such health problems. Similarly, cats are able to identify our moods and thus as a pet owner, we need to be extremely careful when dealing with them. They become upset and this could lead to a series of infections that in turn affects its immunity. They become weaker and they are not able to stand such infections. How can you as a pet owner identify whether you cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection or not?

Simple signs include difficulty in urinating, passing small amounts of urine, passing of blood and so on. Cats may experience pain while passing urine. Since cats are highly emotional, they would want to urinate outside the litter box, as they feel that it is the cause for their pain. If your cat starts urinating outside the pan, it is cause for worry. But you need not panic as there is definitely a way out.

So how then can you as a pet owner prevent such a condition from recurring - or how does one cure their cat of such an infection? The most important thing that needs to be followed by every pet owner is hygiene and cleanliness. Physical health has a direct relation to the pet's mental health and fitness too. The key to remaining healthy is sanitation and hygiene.

The right amount of food supplements, such as Royal Canin Urinary SO cat food, contains the right amount of minerals and vitamins that should ideally be mixed with wet cat food so as to prevent any infection. As pet owners, you need to ensure that you not ignore your cat or be too physical with it, as it could lead to stress and depression in your pet.

Once your cat is infected, you should not waste time but rush it to the veterinary who can inject the pet with antibiotics.

Are Cats Capable of Bonding With Their Humans?

When you think of a cat, you think independent, non-social, and cold, right? But cat lovers will tell you how untrue that description of a cat's personality truly is. They're just misunderstood creatures, or so I have been told.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about cats as I have owned many in my lifetime. I love all animals including cats but find that cats are quite a bit more difficult to bond with because of their independent lifestyle and quirky personality. But, they also are a great pet for those that work a lot or hardly ever home because cats don't require as much of your attention. Cats are pretty self-sufficient in how they live and are perfectly content with sleeping most of the day. They don't require a lot of exercise and they generally just need their food and water to live.

It's not to say that cats are completely incapable of not bonding, because I will tell you they do bond to you and even though they don't necessarily show it, they are happy to see you when you come home at night by rubbing up against you or jumping in your lap and purring loudly. Purring is a cat's response to being content and happy. My cat loves to have her ears scratched and pulled and she will purr so loud sometimes, she sounds like a little motor in hyper-drive.

Cats will generally pick one particular person in the family to bond with exclusively. Although they may love everyone, they do seem to focus on one family member for some reason. Experts are not quite sure why either. Some have thought that it might be the individual's mannerisms or voice and others have speculated that it had to do with a person's scent and the vibrations that their body gives off in the atmosphere. Whatever the reason, I think that the person to whom your cat is drawn to must be a very special person if they feel such a kinship with them given how particular a cat can be.

I have heard some research on the aspect that a cat's measure of how they bond has something to do with a person's psychic energy. Psychic's will tell you that everyone exhibits some degree of psychic sensitivity and cats are able to sense that energy and therefore are drawn more to that particular person. I believe that animals, including cats, are extremely sensitive to the moods, likes and dislikes of humans. Cats can sense your appreciation for them as opposed to someone that feels indifferent or loathsome towards them. I've talked to some people that say that they adore cats but that cats just don't care for them. In those cases, I believe that cats have the ability to sense fear and insecurity in someone and generally will react negatively in the same way as they would someone that does not care for them.

There seems to be a lot of conjecture about how and why cats bond with people but absolutely no proof what's-so-ever. People who love and adore their cats know that their feline friends love and adore their humans and demonstrate that affection on a daily basis. It's those of us who have never had an opportunity to relate to the feline persuasion that has no clue what they're all about.

Cat Immune System Boost - Improving Your Pet's Health in Three Easy Steps

Knowing the right way to create a cat immune system boost can help your pet fight disease and get better. This is true whether your cat lacks energy, has chronic problems or is immune deficient. It can even help with age-related decline. In this article, you will learn three simple steps that will make a big difference in your cat's life.

Many pet owners who are conscientious about their health wonder if a cat immune system booster can be helpful to their favorite feline. The answer is a big yes. In this case, what is good for humans: vitamins, minerals, herbs and antioxidants are also very beneficial for cats. Of course, our favorite felines have different nutritional needs than we do, but near the end of this article, you will learn what to look for in a good quality supplement.

Before we talk about supplements, let's take a look at two basic cat immune system boost methods. The first thing that a cat needs for good health is nutritional food. After all food is medicine and provides the first line of defense against disease, chronic conditions and aging. Unfortunately, many pet owners unwittingly feed their pets unhealthy food. This is not their fault because the commercials created by well-known brands lead pet owners to believe that their food is healthy. A quick glance at the label reveals that these brands contain preservatives, dyes, cheap grains, fillers and meat byproducts instead of meat.

If you find that you are feeding your pet this type of food, next time, buy an organic brand instead. Although this will cost you more, it will be so full of nutrition that your dog will eat less, so the cost will actually be about the same.

The second cat immune system booster is to make sure your pet gets lots of water. Water hydrates the body so organs can function properly and flushes toxins from the body. It helps keep the kidneys and bladder healthy and free of disease. If you are giving your pet water from the tap stop immediately because this is full of chemicals. Rather than buying bottled water, install a tap filter, so you and your pet can both drink fresh, clean water.

The third step is to give your pet a daily supplement designed to get rid of stored toxins in the tissues and organs, boost immunity and provide vital nutrients and antioxidants that are not found in food, even organic kibble. Animals need supplements as much as people because our soils are so depleted and because they are subject to all the chemicals and pollutants in the environment.

Before choosing from the variety of supplements available on the market, do your research because they are not all the same. Look for one that contains proven ingredients like Mistletoe, Indian Ginseng, Echinacea and Huang Qi. This combination of potent plant-based ingredients will increase immunity, remove stored toxins, promote healthy circulation and boost energy levels. The best cat immune system boost supplements will also help fight viruses and improve the body's overall defenses and even ward off age-related decline.

So there you have it: a simple, three-step plan to increase your cat's well-being. Good food, clean water and a daily supplement will go a long way to helping your cat live a long, happy and vibrant life. Don't take chances. Start your cat's immune boosting plan today.

How to Avoid Cat Scratch Disease

It’s an occupational hazard of cat ownership, but cat scratch disease can be particularly nasty in young children. Here’s what it is and how to prevent it…

catscratch2Kittens and babies have a fair amount in common. Both are cute and cuddly, both spend a lot of their time sleeping and both are naturally inquisitive. In many ways, they go well together, but it is that innate curiosity that can cause painful problems. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a case in point.

What is it?

Also known as cat scratch fever, CSD predominantly affects people and, as the name suggests, is mostly caused by scratches. The culprit is the Bartonella hensleae bacterium, which is generally found in kittens and transferred between the little fur balls by flea bites. Although the cats themselves rarely, if ever, display any symptoms of the disease, it is common across all breeds, so vigilance is necessary.

Occasional scratches from cats are an occupational hazard for every cat owner and it is important to stress that not every scratch will automatically lead to an outbreak of CSD. However, the risk is ever-present and because the symptoms tend to be more severe in infants and children, it is important to teach them to treat kittens and cats properly and not to be overly, accidentally rough with them to avoid scratches.

What are the symptoms?

Typically, a small blister develops several days after the scratch, followed within a couple of weeks by swollen lymph nodes (in the armpits and neck) and then flu-like symptoms (headache, joint pain, loss of appetite and general lethargy) that can last for a number of weeks. However, in people with weakened immune systems, the symptoms can be even more severe, including fever, vomiting, weight loss and even seizures.

Generally, CSD usually resolves itself, but in severe cases treatment with antibiotics is required. Consult your doctor if in any doubt.

How can I prevent it?

The best prevention is to ensure you or your children are never scratched or bitten by your cat. Teach young children the warning signs (twitching tail, growl) than can precede a cat scratch and never leave them to play with a kitten or adult cat unsupervised. If a bite or scratch does occur, clean and disinfect the wound immediately.
Because the disease is passed from cat to cat by fleas, make sure you regularly treat your cat with a product like Advantage to further protect your family from CSD.

Finding a Lost Cat - Tips That Will Help

As someone who once lost a cat, only days before we moved out of town, I absolutely understand the fear and even panic that can grip a cat lover when his cat is nowhere to be found. We were very lucky, our cat Eric finally returned unharmed. I would like to see every lost cat come back to his loving owner and home. Here are some tips that can help.

1. If your cat just ran out the door and you can't see him, leave the door open. There is a good chance he will find his way back. We also left a bowl of food just outside the door.

2. If your cat is microchipped, report his disappearance immediately. The sooner you get the word out, the more likely your cat will be found quickly.

3. Call your cat's name as you wander slowly around the area. Your cat is probably very scared, and is unlikely to come out. However, he may meow or cry for help and then you would be able to tell where he is hiding.

4. Try shaking a bag of your cat's food (if dry), or opening a can with a can opener (if moist). If he hears the familiar sounds of food being prepared, that alone may bring him running back.

5. Leave a cardboard box in your yard, some distance from your house. Put familiar smelling things in it, like a worn and unwashed T-shirt of yours. Your cat will be attracted to the scent and if he is close by, is likely to curl up in the box to feel safe. Check the box at night and first thing in the morning.

6. Search around your neighborhood late at night. You should also ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for him. This was actually how we got our cat back, by enlisting willing neighbors to help. If any of your neighbors have outdoor cats that they leave food for outside, this is another excellent place to look.

7. If there are woods around your home check there as well. Your cat may have gone there in search of small prey.

8. If you have moved recently, go back to your old neighborhood and look around there. Cats will often return to their previous home if they have lived in the new one for less than a month.

9. Don't be afraid to put up posters all over the place. Hand them out to people in the area. Be sure to make small tear off tabs at the bottom with the cat's name and description, any identifying marks, your name and your phone number. This gave us the results we needed when some people who were just out for a walk saw our poster, saw Eric, and called right away (we are still grateful to them!).

10. If there is an animal shelter or animal control agency in the area that brings in lost cats, check with them every day. It would also be a good idea to provide them with one of your posters. You must check with them each day, because chances are they do not have enough people on staff to check in with you.

If your cat is currently lost, don't give up, and don't lose hope. It took seven weeks before Eric was found. And even then, apart from a broken tooth, he was fine. My sister also found a lost cat of hers after three weeks. Keep your thoughts positive!

What Makes Cats Sneeze and How Can I Cure it Without a Trip to the Vet?

Cats sneeze for many different reasons. Much like humans, domesticated animals get affected by the world around us. When a cat sneezes frequently, it could be due to air pollution, a bad diet, an unhealthy lifestyle or stress. Just as there are cures for human's sneezing and other cold symptoms, there are natural, safe treatments to help when your cat sneezes frequently.

If you've ever said, "My cat is sneezing and miserable. What can I do to help her?" you have basically two options for treatment. A vet can help, but this could cost you a few hundred dollars, and you have to put little Fluffy through trauma. You do not want to see your buddy shot, manhandled and scared. The downside to this type of cat sneezing treatment is three-fold. Cost, your cat's discomfort and the danger of side effects from conventional medicines are all concerns you have to face if going the vet route. Fortunately, there is a second vet-free option when your cats sneeze.

Holistic veterinarians and some animal health care professionals actually blame our commercial pet foods and annual vaccinations as contributing to our pets' diseases and sickness. Some animal activists actually think the problem is worse than that. Pet expert and author C J Puotinen sites them as a major cause in our pets' chronic illness and sickness.

Especially when involving kittens, older cats and pregnant cats, natural cat sneezing cures provide a safe, inexpensive answer. These cats have an immune system that is not as strong as a healthy adult cat's. When a wild feline sneezes frequently in the wild, he seeks natural grasses and herbs to eat to cure himself. When a pet gets sick he needs you to provide his cure. A cat sneezes chronically when its sickness has accelerated, and if not treated quickly, this infection can move into the lungs and threaten his life.

A natural, chemical-free cat sneezing cure is safe, easy to apply, and costs a fraction of the price of a vet. Antibiotics take time to work, while natural remedies work much faster. Consider a healthy, safe and all-natural, veterinarian-free cure the next time your cat sneezes.

Cat Pregnancy - What to Expect, Pre-Delivery

Caring for a pregnant cat is not really that much more difficult than taking care of any cat. As any cat owner knows, cats are very self sufficient animals, but they will often try to hide it if there is something wrong. If your cat is pregnant or you adopt a pregnant stray cat, make sure you bring it to a vet to get a checkup as soon as possible.

If you have picked up a stray, discuss vaccinations with your vet. It is usually not a good idea to vaccinate a cat while she is pregnant because it might cause harm to the kittens, but if you have other cats in the house it might be necessary to protect them from disease.

Your vet will be able to determine if the pregnancy is progressing well, and estimate what stage of pregnancy the cat is in. This will give you some idea of when you can expect the kittens to arrive. The vet can also help you determine if your cat has any special nutritional needs during pregnancy.

Most healthy cats should just continue eating whatever food you have been feeding them during the pregnancy. In the last month of the pregnancy, you can switch your cat to kitten food. This will help your cat build the strength and stamina for giving birth, and the extra nutrients for producing milk. The mother cat should stay on kitten food until the kittens are weaned.

If you have a stray cat that is undernourished, you can start her on kitten food immediately. Kitten food contains higher fat content, extra protein, vitamins, and minerals. You can also supplement your cat's food with kitten milk replacement in the final week of pregnancy.

During the last stages of pregnancy and when nursing, there is a depletion in the amount of calcium in a cat's bloodstream. If the level of calcium is too low this can cause eclampsia, which is a serious, life threatening disease. To prevent this, you can give your cat a calcium supplement. This is most important while nursing, but is also useful in the last week of pregnancy.

A pregnant cat needs all the same things any cat needs: a place to sleep, a clean litter box, and various toys or scratching posts. The important thing to remember is that a pregnant cat is not quite as athletic as other cats. Make sure your cat has no trouble getting into her bed and the litter box. As the cat gets larger and more ungainly she will have more trouble jumping into high places.

Several days before delivering, cats start nesting. They look for a quiet, safe, secluded place to have the kittens. If you notice that your cat does not sleep in her accustomed spot one night, find out where she is. It's a good idea to know where your cat has chosen to give birth, and make sure the spot is acceptable. Cats often choose a closet or some other small enclosed space. You'll want to make sure you haven't left any nice shoes or clothing laying in piles that your cat may decide is the perfect place to give birth, or you'll have quite a mess to clean up.

You can try to effect where your cat chooses to nest by providing a comfortable ideal spot for her to choose. A bathroom that isn't frequently used is often an ideal spot, or the closet in a guest room. They are both safe and enclosed for the cat, and a bathroom is easy to clean up for the owner. Line a cardboard box with towels to make an attractive nest. Move a litter box, food, and water into the area you chose. Hopefully, this will be sufficient to entice the cat to do things your way. Make sure everything is clean and ready, and the kittens should arrive before you know it.

How to Stop Your Cat Urinating All Over The House

Cats urinate inappropriately around the house for all sorts of reasons. They mark their territory by urinating when stressed. They may be unwell and have a urinary tract infection which can cause it to urinate uncontrollably. The most essential thing that you definitely must do in order to put an end to your cats urinating in the home is to clean up any areas that he has used in the past.
1. Scrupulously clean the area that your cat is using to urinate using a recommended Cat Urine Removal technique. The key is to completely eradicate the smell other wise your cat will return to pee in the same place over and over again. There are many suitable products available both at your local pet store or indeed on line.

2. Stop your cat from being able to access the areas of the house that he was using to urinate. This can be done fairly easily by keeping the doors to certain rooms closed so that your cat cannot get into them at all. So do not allow your cat to have a free run of the house. You might think of allowing your cat to have access to the kitchen only for example. You can buy cat deterrent products from pet stores and these can be very effective. You can get double sided sticky tape that can used to cover furniture or another repellent you can use is a bitter apple spray which cats find unbelievably bitter.

3. Once you have a totally cat odour free house and you have limited your cats right to use some parts of your home the next step is to find out what is causing the problem in the first place. Don’t forget that if your cat is urinating all over the house there is probably a reason for its behaviour. If your cat is spraying to mark his territory it could mean that he is stressed so try and find out what is upsetting him. He may be feeling stressed by new faces and people, perhaps you have recently moved home.

4. It is also a good idea to get your cat checked at the Vets to make sure that he does not have a urinary tract infection as this can cause him to urinate uncontrollably. Try to catch your cat in the act to see if he is showing any signs of pain while urinating. Blood in the urine is also a sign of a urinary tract infection.
Follow these four steps and you should be able to solve your cat urine odour problems and leave you with a happy cat.

How to Remove and Deodorize Cat Urine

People who own multiple cats or bring a new one into the family, may on occasion experience the unpleasantness of a cat inappropriately spraying his urine onto furniture or against a wall. Usually the action is in response to some form of stress, but I'm not here to discuss the cat's psychology, but rather how to deal with the end result.

This is a basic mixture to help remove and deodorize cat urine and you'll have to decide if you want to add the hydrogen peroxide because it does tend to bleach things. So don't use the mixture with peroxide on color fast fabrics and carpets.

The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the cat urine. Repeated cat urine strikes, however, do present a more formidable problem. In any case, give this a try and feel free to experiment. But here's a basic formula. Also, please note that when mixing this up, the baking soda will cause everything to bubble up so make sure you use a big enough spray bottle.

Basic Mixture:

1 cup white vinegar
4 ounces water
4 ounces 3% hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon baking soda

While vinegar neutralizes the ammonia, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer capable of killing bacteria which causes the urine to smell.

Directions: (again, do NOT add the hydrogen peroxide to your mixture when applying to colored fabrics and carpets)

1. If the cat has recently urinated on fabric or carpet, absorb as much of the liquid as possible using paper towels. Keep blotting! Remember, liquid travels down into the carpet pad very quickly and it will be very hard to get it all. If the urine was sprayed on a hard surface, still blot it up first then apply the mixture as above to clean up the odor and any remaining liquid.

2. For carpets, wet the area with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Penetrate the fibers deep down. Then blot again and again until it's almost dry. Use your nose to tell you if you were successful. If not, do it again. A wet and dry vacuum extractor may help to remove excess moisture.

By the way, never use straight ammonia or even ammonia-based cleaning products around your home if you own cats! One of the main ingredients of feline urine is ammonia and your cat will be encouraged to protect its territory (and spray! if it detects the smell of ammonia. Many cleaning products contain ammonia so be sure to read the label.

Ginger Marin is a freelance writer from Los Angeles whose main site is http://www.bioniclady.com

Cat Care Tips - 10 Not So Random Choices

One of my childhood friends also grew up not knowing a thing about cats and had 2 dogs. We lost touch and many years later, as adults, we reunited and learned that we both had cats!

I remember my friend saying that she was such a cat lover that she had "everything cat". Cat coasters, cat placemats, cat salt shakers.

My love for cats takes on a different flavor. Yes, I do love cats - I adore them. However, I also love caring for them! I love feeding them and showering them with the best of everything. I stay on top of new products for our feline babies and learn about their health challenges as much as possible. After all, I live cat care every day.

It is my pleasure to share with you some basic cat care tips to perhaps help improve the quality of life (and perhaps health) of your cats. I will certainly elaborate on several of these points in future posts.

1 - Cats generally don't enjoy eating and drinking near their litter box. They are such fastidious creatures! If you can afford the space, keep food and water in a separate location from the boxes.

2 - Keep all cat food and water bowls clean! This may seem very obvious, but you would be surprised. Have you ever noticed an orange residue in the bottom or along the sides of your cats' water bowl? Uhm, well, that residue is dirt. Change your cat's water at least once per day to keep it fresh and clean. I know when pressed for time, it's tempting every once in a while to put fresh food on top of old, crusted-over food. Please don't! Bacteria lays in old, uneaten food.

3 - Keep your litter boxes clean. One way to ensure this is to use quality litter, whether it's clay or clumping (traditional sand or a more natural material like corn or wheat). Ever notice that you could really use a shovel and pick to scoop the box of waste? It doesn't have to be that way! Using quality litter helps to keep the box clean - if using clumping, you want the waste to clump, instead of it breaking up into small pieces that remain in the box. This will often happen when using a lower quality litter.

I recommend keeping a generous level of litter, especially when using a clumping variety. This will help to remove clumps from the bottom and sides of the box without having to really dig and scrape. There is such good litter out there of every variety - you don't have to spend your valuable time doing a litter box excavation.

Another way to keep your boxes clean is to totally dump the litter out at least once per month for clumping and about once per week for clay, scrub it clean, dry it and start all over. I guarantee you this will help to keep your boxes clean and so much easier to scoop! I find that when one just keeps adding clean litter to old, the accumulation of dirty litter just sinks to the bottom, adding to your need to pick and dig, because the old, dirty remains just stick to the sides and bottom. And your cat will definitely appreciate the care you put into the maintenance of his box!

4 - Have toys available for your cats. I have met so many people who insist that his/her cat does not play with toys (any toys!) until I pick up an interactive or catnip toy for her enjoyment. I get so much pleasure out of seeing a cat become totally entrenched in play with a new toy - it really doesn't take much!

5 - Keep your cats' nails trimmed. It's safer for you, your children, your dogs, and your other cats, of course. I also recommend keeping them trimmed for fear of having a claw get stuck on something ie carpet or a fabric sofa, only for the claw to be ripped out (sorry!) when the cat tries to free himself. One of my cats' nails did get caught on a rug and he had to have it removed. It wasn't even that long, but stuff happens. I have also seen ingrown claws as a result of them growing too long. Not only is this uncomfortable for your cat, but it can be cause for infection. If you find you can't trim your cat's claws yourself, call upon a professional who can come to your home to do this, or take your baby to a vet's office for a nail trim.

6 - Please pay attention to recommended food portions. If you are not sure, contact your vet for guidance. Many cat people overfeed their cats, which of course may lead to obesity, which in turn could lead to certain diseases, or in the case of kitten care, do not feed these growing babies enough.

7 - Cats are curious and playful. Keep string, rubber bands, and hairbands out of their reach! An ingested piece of string can get caught in the intestines, for example, which of course is very dangerous! Also keep wand and string toys hidden away for the same reason - don't take any chances. I have spoken to numerous people who have paid thousands of dollars for surgery due to ingested items that get caught.

8 - And one of my biggest cat peeves - take them to the vet for regular check ups. Please! Younger, healthy cats can visit once per year for a wellness check. Cats with health challenges or history and senior cats (7+ years) should go to the vet every 6-12 months. I can go on and on about this most important aspect of cat care. You say your cat is healthy although he hasn't been to a vet in over three years? As lay people, we really don't know if our cats are healthy by just looking at them. Vet visits include a thorough exam where every part of the body is looked at and/or palpated. Vets check eyes, ears, mouths for irregularities, including the need for a dentistry. Left untreated, bad teeth and/or gums can lead to infection caused by traveling bacteria. Vets ask you questions about your cats' eating and drinking habits, and behavioral changes that may be impacted by a health issue. For older and senior cats, vets take blood and sometimes urine, to determine very important information, such as liver and kidney values. Most importantly, a regular visit to the vet = a proactive visit. Many diseases and health conditions are caught early enough to be treated, as a result of an exam.

9 - Never let your cat drive your car. Okay, as you get to know me better, you will realize that injecting humor every once in a while is important to me.

10 - And finally, kiss your cats daily, at the very least. He/she will feel loved and I guarantee you will automatically feel better about your day.

What Human Foods Are Toxic For Cats

We all use to be guilty of it. Admit it. We have given our cat table scraps from our plate. You love your cat. Showing that you love him/her is usually by giving into what they want. When your cat is begging for a piece of turkey or any other goody on your plate you do what all animal lovers do you give in and let your cat have what they want.

The only problem with doing that is you may be giving your cat food that could be harmful to cats. First, it is best to train your cat not to be at the table when you or anyone else is eating. It is just good manners. You do not want to have company and have your cat begging at the table. The main reason for not feeding your cat table scraps is much more important, and here is why.

For example: you are having a turkey dinner. Is there gravy on your turkey and do you feed a piece of that turkey to your cat? You could be harming your cat.

Many types of gravy have onion-flavored broth and onions like garlic and other root vegetables are among the list of foods that cats should never eat. Potatoes that are raw as well as green tomatoes also can be harmful to your cat. So when peeling potatoes if any fall on the floor make sure your cat does not get a hold of it. Tomatoes that are green are harmful especially the stems and leaves. They contain toxins that are dangerous for cats. Unlike ripe tomatoes, those have no danger to your cat.

Chocolate
I think by now we know that chocolate is just plain bad for animals. It is deadly for dogs and cats. Keep it away from all pets.

Milk
We have all seen movies and read books where people put out a saucer of milk for cats. That is wrong and should not be done. I am not saying that milk is toxic or dangerous to cats. It just does not have a purpose for cats that have a healthy diet. It can have side effects for them that are extremely uncomfortable. In addition, many cats are lactose-intolerant and milk can make them have diarrhea and an upset stomach.

There are products on the market designed for cats that are better for them then milk. One such product is called Catsip. It is available in many supermarkets and has better nutritional value for your cat. Therefore, if you have a cat that just loves milk try this instead.

Last two foods that may cause harm to your cat are grapes and raisins. They seem to have an adverse effect on many cats, so the ASPCA has recommended that you keep these two foods away from your cat.

Therefore, when your cat comes begging give him/her a treat that was made for cats. There is any number of healthy treats available now that you can safely give that will make your cat happy and you will not have to worry about toxic side effects.

Remember our pets think we know what we are doing and depend on us to keep them safe. That is the least we can do since we are so fortunate to have these wonderful animals in our life.

Information About Cats

Cats are mammals with a scientific name of felis catus, this is also well known as the house or domestic cat. They are valued by humans not only as their pet but also as there companion. They are also known for its great ability of hunting vermin and other household pests. They use their eyesight and hearing for their hunting, that's why it is also known as skilled predator.

15 years is the expected life span of of this pet animal. In some studies in recent years, the average age of domestic cats' increases depending on the care that humans give, the food quality that the cat eats as well as the lifestyle that the cat lives.

It is good to know about some facts about cats: Blue is the color of a cat's eye upon birth, they just change when they reach the age of about 12 weeks. The Cat door was invented by Sir Isaac Newton. Grass, parsley, sage and catnip are some of the favorites of cats. A cat simply loves to eat when their food is at room temperature. At times, cats will have a hard time to find the treats you throw for them because they are not able to see directly under their nose. Fear of cats is called Ailurophobia.

Here are more funny and amazing behavior facts about cats: to cover their trails against predators, cats bury their feces. Cats would choose to eat using a clean bowl in the same silent spot everyday. If your cat enjoys climbing you Christmas tree, a scented lemon or orange air freshener will help you stop them, just put the air freshener on the bark and they will just leave the tree alone. You should be careful with your tone because from your voice, they get their security. When the cat feels very secure and safe with you, they roll over and expose there stomach to you. This is also a sign that they enjoy your company. Cats base their moods with yours.