In order to care for your cat, you must understand your pet as a pet. You have to be responsible once you have taken the steps to acquire a feline companion. There should be no going back. So think twice, thrice and a hundred of times before committing into becoming a parent to a pet.

Cats are special. They can see sharper than humans do. They can also smell a lot better. This is the reason why you need to arrange things in your home accordingly once you have decided that a cat will soon join in.

Do not let anything that may cause them harm lying around. This is the same concept that you must apply like when you have a child. You want to protect them. That is why you keep those harmful objects out, specifically the poisonous ones. You do not want to cause your own child and pet serious accidents.

You have to provide the right cat food for your pet. You cannot give them what you had for dinner. Your bodies and its requirements are not the same. So give them the food that is specifically made for them. This way, they will get all the necessary nutrition that they need.

So before you think about owning a cat, look over the prices of the food. It may take about $8 to $12 monthly to keep your cat purring happily. Can you afford it? You may have to make some adjustments with your lifestyle to be able to accommodate the need. Just think that it will all be worth it.

Recreation must also be given consideration when you own a cat. You cannot adopt one and think that it will be happy just by playing by itself. You have to find time to play with your pet and bond with it. In time, you will know what activities they enjoy. And so you will be able to make the necessary adjustments to make time for such activities.

Because of their strong sense of smell, budgeting must also be highlighted on the litter boxes of your cats. You have to give them clean and well-maintained ones. Your cat will not to their strut on an untidy litter box. Your regal baby cannot stand the stink. So be careful with how everything smells. What is okay with you may be abominable for your feline companion.

Finding the nearest veterinarian is also a must. You need them in cases when you think that something is not right with your cat. For this reason, you have to be very observant.

Yes, cats can groom themselves. But you have to help them in maintaining their teeth clean and strong. You don’t want that factor to be the reason why your cat will be depressed on its old age. So develop a habit of cleaning their teeth through brushing, flossing and having a regular teeth check up with your vet.

Health Insurance

You can do without this. But if you really want to get one, see if your trusted vet is among the list of the recommended vets of your chosen insurance. You don’t want to end up taking long trips just to be able to claim what the insurance promises to give.

It is better to hone your skills on cat care and health insurance can be put aside. But it all depends on you. There is nothing wrong with having one. Just make sure that you can afford it and it will not take toll on the monthly budget your family and feline friend require.

Tags: cat health, cat information, cat breeds, cat, kittens

Being a care giver to a normal cat is also not as easy as you think it is. Responsibility comes with hard word, practice, learning and applying all those to the way you do things. But with a three legged cat, everything must be done with extra cautiousness and care.

If you know your pet’s peeves, you might as well double the effort of avoiding such if you are taking care of a three legged cat.

The Pet’s Peeves

More than the purring or meowing, you should be able to identify the body language of your cat to its mood. You must take note of the mood changes. What seems to be simple to you may already be a sign of something worse. So be in the know. And don’t be the last to find out.

What are the things that may upset your feline friend? By taking extra care with such pet peeves, you will make your cat’s life happier and more comfortable.

The Litter Box

Cats have very good eyesight. But they have better sense of smell. And they don’t like anything that stinks. So watch out for those litter boxes. If you don’t keep them maintained, your pet may opt for the laundry basket that smells a lot better.

You cat can smell 14 times better than you do. So you really need to do extra effort on the cleaning part. Because what may be good to you may still smell foul for your pet. Sounds like a lot? Just think of it this way. You will be doing your home a great favor. You will be doing your share to make the place smells nice and clean for your furry companion.

The Horror Medicine

Cats don’t like the taste of most of their meds. But as their owner, you know that you can’t do without it. So you have to find ways that your cat will be able to take the medicines without causing you too much trouble.

They particularly don’t like those in tablet and capsule forms. Such meds can stay in their esophagus for five minutes or longer that may cause to more serious trouble. So take this task seriously. Ask your vet for suggestions on how to do so.

The Food

Watch out when you give your cats their food. Make sure that they don’t eat spoiled food. It will cause you a lot of trouble because your cats are sensitive to such.

Petting Styles

You have to take note of your petting styles. Being too aggressive or too playful may irritate your cats. You have to treat them with care. And you have to know what tricks they like so that you can give them exactly that.

Jealousy Attack

If you will be introducing a new pet or a new member to the household, you have to integrate them slowly even with your cat. Cats tend to be jealous when they are being given less attention than what they were usually getting.

Taking care of a three legged cat is easy. You just have to know what to do and what to avoid in order to have a harmonious relationship with your feline friend.

Tags: cat information, kittens, cat health, cat breeds, pet cats

Cat vaccinations are the most effective means of fighting a disease. This also prevents the cat from ever becoming a carrier.  Some of the common vaccinations given are for cat flu, feline leukemia or FeLV, Feline Chlamydophilosis and Feline Infectious Enteritis or FIE.

If your cat is given a vaccination, be aware that they may experience some side effects. This goes away shortly even if they develop flu like symptoms or fatigue in the next dew days. In rare cases, the cat may develop cancer where the injection has inserted that may develop in weeks, months or even years.

Cats just like humans experience allergies. This may come from pollen, dust, disinfectants and others. If you notice your cat experiencing any symptoms, you should stop using such products, keep them away from plants and make sure your house is clean.

Another problem that your cat may face is fleas and ticks. You will know they are there if they scratch more often than usual. You should check around the neck to see if there are any black dots using a special flea comb to look deeper into the fur.

Treatment against fleas and ticks is done by dabbing a small amount of liquid on to the back of their necks once a month. As for those that are already present, you can pluck them out one by one using a pair of tweezers or applying Vaseline over the affected area. Always wear rubber gloves when you are doing this so the bacterium does not transfer to your fingers.

Unlike fleas and ticks that you can see, cat worms are inside their digestive system. There are three of them namely hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. If left untreated, they will have an upset stomach that at times can be fatal.

The best way to prevent this from happening is to give them worming tablets annually. But if it is already there, then you have to get a prescribed medicine from your doctor. Another option is to use a tick remover spray that is available in pet stores. You will notice a wound when the tick or flea is removed. This must be treated by bathing the area with salt water afterwards so no infection develops.

Cats can cause damage and hurt people. You can prevent this from happening by providing them a scratch pad to play with and trimming their nails on a regular basis.

Ever heard the line curiosity killed the cat? Well this also happens if they roam freely around your house. To prevent this from happening, make sure all cabinets are closed, the windows are shut, medicine and rat poison are hidden. You must never given them chocolate as a snack as this can be fatal.

Proper cat care is the most effective means of keeping them healthy. Studies have shown that cats that are kept indoors and loved by their owners live 5 times longer than those you see on the street. Since you decided to own one, you should cherish it.

Tags: pet cats, cat health, cat information, pet cat, cat

When caring your an aging cat, there are some things that a concerned pet owner should know about. When a cat approaches somewhere between the ages of eight or twelve years, this is the equivalent of a human being approaching middle age. This will be the time that your pet cat may be needing a bit of extra attention.

Most veterinarian generally estimate that cats start their geriatric years when they reach twelve years. This will be the time that caring for your pet cat would have to change to accommodate the needs that aging brings.

A major part of caring for older pet cats involve feeding them. As cats get older, their digestive systems do not function as efficiently as before. Aging cats may need to eat smaller and easily digestible meals in a day rather than just two square meals. Try also to make sure that you give your cat a variety of food to eat to ensure that it gets a well balanced diet.

There are also a number of cat food now available as food for the different life stages of your pet cat. There is cat food that is specially formulated for older cats as well as for the less active ones. The best advice in feeding your aging pet cat would be to ask your vet about the nutritional needs of your cat.

When cats age, they also start to lead a less active lifestyle. Whereas cats enjoy playing around and hunting during their younger years, older cats seem to prefer spending more time quietly around the home. This would be a benefit for some pet owners since they no longer have to worry about their once playful cat overturning and breaking things around the house. But this sedentary lifestyle would not be good for the cat.

Even though your pet cat would you may still need to keep them active since the exercise would help keep them healthy. Try to have them active as often as possible to keep them active. As they age, cats may also need to have their vaccinations up to date. Older cats have a less efficient immune system and may need vaccinations to keep them protected from diseases.

Dental problems may also become a concern for old cats when they become prone to having loose teeth, tartar buildup, and sore gums. This can have a big effect on your pet cat’s well-being. Dental problems may be the reason why they are not eating well. A regular dental check up might be needed as part of health care for old cats.

Tags: cat, cat information, cat breeds, cat health, kitten

Why February, you may ask. The American Veterinary Medicine Association or the AVMA and the American Veterinary Dental Society or the AVDS join forces each February to give this month a different meaning. Yes, it is still about love. But now it is love for pets and their teeth.

These two groups tagged what used to be the love month as the Pet Dental Health Month. They both aim and do steps in educating pet owners like you about how to care for the dental needs of your pets every day.

But these groups know how important this is for the pets and their owners. They actually would want all those who are caring for any pets to consider each month as the dental health month for pets.

Did You Know?

Did you know that about 85 percent of the old pets have dental diseases? Did you know that this is one of the most common causes of health related problems with cats? And did you know that if you didn’t pay any attention to those periodontal diseases, more problems may surface?

If such conditions will not be properly treated, such may cause harmful elements like bacteria from the dental cavity spreading all through the bloodstream. And as a result, this will infect other major organs that will cause more complications that may lead to your pet’s death.

How to Care for the Teeth

As a pet owner, you have the responsibility to clean your cat’s teeth every day. This could be tasking if you will imagine about it. But you can use some help from other household members to open kitty’s mouth for you while you complete the task.

Your feline friend may not like the process at first. But it is for its own good. For this reason, you both need to get accustomed with it. You can try toothpaste that has a fish flavor for the experience to be more fun for your cat.

You must also have a regular appointment with your vet regarding the dental health of your pets. Aside from this, you have to check on your cat’s teeth as well as the gums every day to see if they are clean. If you want, you can also floss your cat’s teeth.

You have already provided a lot for your cat. Don’t let it all go to waste. Take care of your cat’s teeth as soon as you have them. You don’t want further complications as they grow old. If you have experienced what it’s like to experience pain because of your teeth. You can only imagine how a helpless cat can cope with it.

If you will not do something about it soon, your cats will be prone to diseases like in the heart, even their lungs and liver, as well as the kidneys.

Be mindful about cat teeth care. Just following the abovementioned simple rules will keep your cats smiling all the way into adult age. By doing the necessary actions, you are preparing your pets to have an easy life as it grows older.

Tags: kittens, cat, cat care, cat information, cats

While longhair cats occasionally were born in Abyssinian litters for many generations, it was not until the nineteen sixties that a Canadian breeder decided to develop a cat breed from these longhair kittens. The Somali was soon quite popular and rapidly spread to the United States and Europe. Because these cats were developed without using any breed but the Abyssinian, they are also known as Longhair Abyssinians.

The Somali’s most striking characteristic is its facial markings. Many cat fanciers say that these markings look like heavily applied stage makeup. The breed’s eyes are especially striking, since the cats appear to be wearing kohl around their eyes. Right outside these dark rims, this breed has light colored hair. All together, these markings make the Somali look a bit like he is wearing eye makeup and glasses. This breed has a wedge shaped head, big ears, large, expressive eyes, and a well muscled body. The tail is quite long and bushy. These lovely cats come in Ruddy, Chocolate, Sorrel, Red, Blue, Lilac, Fawn, or Cream colors, with tabby, Tortoiseshell tabby, or Silver tabby patterns.

The Somali’s medium length coat does need to be brushed at least once a week or it will become tangled and matted. If you do not have the time to groom your cat on a regular basis, you may want to consider choosing a shorthair cat breed instead, since a matted cat is not a happy cat. As you groom your cat, you will need to pay particular attention to the ruff of hair around his neck and his tail, as these areas have longer hair than the rest of his body.

Like the Abyssinian, the Somali is a very playful breed and will need plenty of toys. However, as far as this breed is concerned, a paper bag or a box are wonderful toys, so you do not need to worry about breaking the piggy bank open to keep your cat amused. The playful nature of the Somali makes it an ideal choice for families or for people with multiple cat homes. If you are away from home a good part of the day, you may want to seriously consider adding a second cat to your household to keep your little guy from becoming lonely and unhappy.

The Somali is extremely intelligent and very trainable. You should be able to easily teach your cat to come when he is called, to fetch toys, and to walk on a leash. Of course, he will also be content to just sit in your lap and cuddle while you watch the evening news.

Since the Somali is a longhair cat breed, you may want to consult your veterinarian about feeding him a hairball control food. Other than occasional hairball problems this breed is extremely healthy.

The Somali cat is a playful and intelligent cat breed that may just be the perfect cat breed for you.

Tags: cat health, cat breeds, cat information, kitten, pet cat

Since the Selkirk Rex is occasionally bred back to Persians to increase the genetic pool and to keep this cat breed healthy, it is no surprise that these cats need to be groomed frequently. Even shorthairs need to be groomed several times a week to avoid having their coats tangle and to remove loose hair before it ends up on your furniture cushions. These cats shed frequently. As you groom your cat, be careful not to over comb his coat, as too much grooming can straighten the hair. In addition, be especially careful of his whiskers, as they are extremely fragile and breakable.

Fortunately, unlike other Rex cat breeds, the Selkirk does not have any common genetic disorders. This breed is very healthy and strong, overall. However, you should consult your veterinarian if your cat eats less or becomes lethargic, as this breed is prone to hairballs. You also may want to discuss using a cat food that includes a hairball preventative with your veterinarian before your cat develops any problems.

The Selkirk Rex has a muscular, squarish body and a slightly rounded head. The breed’s big round eyes and pointed ears are wide set. The tail is broad, tapering at the tip. You can find these fascinating cats in any color or coat pattern. Most cats have eyes with a rich golden color, but there are blue eyed cats, as well.

If you are concerned that your cat will be lonely while you are working, the Selkirk Rex is a great choice for you. These cats are quite happy amusing themselves during the day, although they will happily soak up attention when you are home.

The laid back personality of this breed also makes it ideal for families or for multiple cat homes. These cats will endure quite a lot of child’s play without putting up much of a fuss, from riding in the doll carriage to wearing dress up clothes and having tea. Of course, since all of your guests will want to pet the Selkirk to see how extraordinary soft and plush these cats feel, this calm personality is important even if you don’t have children.

So, if you want a cat that is extraordinary looking and extremely sweet and calm, then the curly haired Selkirk Rex may be the perfect choice for you and your family.

Tags: cat, kitten, pet cats, pet cat, cats

While the Cat Fancier’s Association recognizes the Scottish Fold as a member of the Championship Class, British cat breed associations will not recognize these cats as a breed, and for good reason. Although the Fold is absolutely adorable to look at, hereditary bone and joint problems can cripple these cats or even cause them to grow in a deformed way by the time they are six months old.

Before you buy a cat from this breed, be sure to check for signs of this deformity. Gently feel the kitten’s tail to see if it is thicker than those of the other kittens in the litter. Next, carefully try to bend the tail to be sure it is flexible. Under no circumstances should you force the cat’s tail to bend if it is not flexible. This inability to bend is a sign of bone deformity.

If you find a Scottish Fold that shows no sign of this terrible hereditary problem, you will see a beautiful cat. The Fold’s head is very round and his face has a gentle teddy bear like expression that adds to his cuddly appearance. These cats have large round eyes, a powerful body, and a long tail that tapers to a graceful tip. While most Folds have folded ears, some have straight ears, since the gene for folded ears is not completely dominant.

Shorthairs are most common, since this breed is frequently outcrossed to the British Shorthair and the American Shorthair in an attempt to make it healthier and stronger. However, there are occasionally longhairs, as well. The shorthair has a thick coat, while the longhair has medium length hair that sticks out from its body instead of lying flat against the cat’s skin. The longhair’s tail is quite bushy. You can find this cat breed in any color or pattern, although cats that are marked improperly are disqualified from being shown.

The Scottish Fold is a gentle cat, but is not actually as cuddly as it appears to be. These cats are actually a bit reserved and self contained. Since this breed does not need a lot of attention and affection, the Fold is an ideal choice for people who don’t spend a lot of time at home. Of course, this doesn’t mean that these cats mind having their owners in the house.

While shorthair Scottish Folds need very little grooming, you should plan to comb out your longhair’s coat at least once a week to keep it free of tangles, especially in the winter months, when this breed has a much thicker coat.

If you want a cat that looks cuddly but does not need a ton of attention, then you may want to take a close look at the Scottish Fold cat breed.

Tags: cat, pet cats, cat information, pet cat, cat care

The Russian Blue was originally known as the Foreign Blue, and has also been called the Archangel Cat, the Maltese Cat, and the Spanish Blue. However, no matter what people call this breed, the Russian is an elegant, sophisticated looking gray blue cat with a face that seems to wear a perpetual smile.

The Russian Blue is a medium sized cat, weighing between seven and twelve pounds. This breed has a triangular face, slightly almond shaped, very green eyes, a tail that tapers gracefully at the tip and a medium sized, muscular body. Although the Russian Blue is the only Russian Shorthair recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association, there is also a Russian Black and a Russian White. However, these other Russian colors are recognized in Great Britain.

If you are a busy career person and are worried that your cat will be lonely during the day, the self contained Russian is a good choice for you. While these cats will play with your children or try to comfort you when you are ill or depressed, they are also perfectly happy to spend the day alone. They don’t even need the company of another cat to keep them contented while you are away.

Besides being devoted to its family, the Russian Blue is extremely intelligent. More than one Russian has learned to open doors, fetch toys, and come when he is called. With this cat breed’s intelligence and personality, it is no wonder that the Russian has caught the eye of royalty. One of these cats was even owned by England’s Queen Victoria.

Since the Russian Blue is a shorthair cat breed, extensive grooming is not necessary. These cats have a thick double coat that looks great if you simply comb through it once a week. In fact, this breed’s coat is so thick and plushy that there is a legend, hopefully false, that the cats were actually trapped for their fur in the eighteen hundreds in Russia. In addition to giving him an occasional grooming, you should check your cat’s claws to be sure they don’t need trimmed. You may also want to accustom him to having his teeth brushed to prevent future dental problems.

Whether you are a hardworking career person or someone who spends a lot of time at home, the Russian Blue will make you an excellent companion. If you don’t mind that your cat will never greet your guests joyfully at the door, this may be the perfect breed for you.

Tags: cats, pet cats, cat information, cat breeds, cat health

The same characteristics that make the Ragamuffin such a wonderful family pet make it a bad choice for people who are not home for long periods of time. This breed thrives on attention and enjoys ‘helping’ its family do routine household chores, such as putting away groceries or folding laundry. Spending a lot of time alone can make your cat very unhappy. After all, a cat breed that will ride around in your child’s doll carriage or attend a tea party obviously loves plenty of company and attention.

The Ragamuffin is one of the biggest cat breeds, weighing in at a very hefty ten to twenty pounds. Although these cats have larger than normal bones, part of their weight also comes from their tendency to carry a bit of extra fat on their bellies. This breed has a big, solidly built body, a wedge shaped head that is a bit round and large eyes that are so expressive that many people say that their cats seem to talk with their eyes. This breed has a long, gracefully tapered tail that is covered in long hair, giving it a bushy appearance. You can find the Ragamuffin in almost any coat color and any pattern. However cats with points can not be shown.

The Cat Fancier’s Association classifies the Ragamuffin as a member of the Miscellaneous class. This cat breed is the only one currently in this category. As the breed becomes more established, it will eventually move to the Provisional class. While the Ragamuffin can be shown, it can not receive any ribbons or awards until it moves from the Miscellaneous class and into a different class.

Ragamuffins have long hair with an extremely soft texture. Despite the fact that these cats are longhairs, the silkiness of their hair makes them easy to care for. This breed is not prone to developing matted hair and one of these cats only needs to be groomed about once a week to keep his coat looking beautiful and tangle free.

Since these cats have a tendency to carry a few more pounds than necessary around their stomachs, you may need to keep a close eye on your Ragamuffin’s weight. If he grows too overweight, you should ask your veterinarian about feeding your cat a weight management cat food. Except for this weight problem, this cat breed has no hereditary health conditions and is an extremely healthy breed overall.

If you want a large, gentle cat that actually enjoys being around children, then the Ragamuffin is the perfect breed for you.

Tags: pet cat, cat information, cat care, kitten, cat breeds