Taking care of cats - How to - For pet owners

Taking care of cats (2)

2010-03-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

Cats can be more than just a pet for some people, in their own way they care for your. A cat is very compassionate and caring when you are sick and will often visit and keep you company during times of illness and upset. They are also very independent animals and once properly trained can often be left to their own devices, but take care not to leave them for too long as they will still need feeding and your love and attention.

Cats can provide hours of entrainment for the whole family. As you care for your cat you will start to learn all about your cats quirks, the things it likes and doesn’t like. All cats have their own personality, you just have to give it time to shine through, most are pleasant and happy cats, because their owners have spent time caring for them.

You’ll find many different cats, in all walks of life. Have a look around your local town or countryside, some cats need little or no care a will live on farms or in large industrial areas, where they work for a living, normally they catch vermin in return for a meal and a dry place to sleep. Other may be house cats, living in high rise apartment blocks, a lot of these may be elderly cats which need a lot of care and attention, but are unable to move too far and there for are very suitable for the environment. Then there are even wild cats, these cats need no intervention from us, they are very feral and only ever need any care if they are accidentally hit by a car and taken to a veterinary centre. No matter what your life style you’ll find a cat that will fit in to it.

If you are getting a new kitten, make sure you buy a cat carrier. It’s inevitable that you’ll have to take your kitten to the vets for check ups and it’s first vaccinations. There are many types on the market, from a basic plastic box with a handle and holes for breathing, to a super wicker woven cat basket. You should choose what is right for your cat, show you cat that you care by making trips to the vets as comfortable as possible.

Every cat will need a cat collar, unless you have a micro chip inserted under this skin (some people see this as an unnecessary hurt to your cat, but in fact it’s just like having a vaccination). A cat collar has two purposes, the first and most important is for identification. If you cat strays too far from home and gets lost, most people will take in and care for a lost cat until the owner can be found, if your cat has a cat collar then the identification information you include in it will let people know how to contact you. And the other use is as a flea deterrent, there is a chemical included in the fabric which will help keep your cat free of fleas and ticks.

Don’t forget to provide good cat feeding equipment. Have bowls that are just for your cat, this way they won’t get mixed up with the family’s crockery. And not only they if your cat has its own bowls it will feel more comfortable settling in to your home. If you really want to go over board and show you care you can even get personalised cat and dog bowls that some companies will make for you.

When your cat is small, it will still be very playful and will be after your attention all the time. A good way to show you care is to play with your cat. Cats love chasing things so why not purchase some cat toys and other things to keep you cat amused, this also helps to strengthen the bond between you.

If you have a passion for cats, which many people do, it is always fun to find out about the history of the breed that you have chosen to care for. Or even the general history of the domestic cat, the history of the domestic cat is an interested one, but we have provided a small history to get you started.

Getting Rid of the Cat Smell

2010-03-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to love about cats: their individual personalities, their spunky playfulness, and the fresh, flowery smell of cat urine.

Many have experienced visiting the home of one too many cats and subsequently wondered if their own cats let off a smell that they have become immune to smelling. Others do smell their little fur balls but don't know how to stop smelling cat around every corner of the home.

One main cause of "the cat smell" is the litter box and whatever is left in it. We spend hours every month cleaning it, adding deodorizers to it, and spraying air freshener around it. If after all of this, something "special" is still lingering, consider that the formulation of all cat litter brands may not mix well with each cat's own unique chemical makeup.

Another main cause may be lingering cat urine smell in the carpet. This is particularly true if any accidents occurred that weren't cleaned up immediately or thoroughly enough.
From: http://www.suite101.com/content/getting-rid-of-the-cat-smell-a208864

Cat Zodiac

2010-03-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

ARIES
The Aries cat is energetic, impatient, playful, friendly, and combative, and likes high places like the top of the entertainment center or the top of the drapes.
TAURUS
The Taurus cat is routine-minded, stubborn and predictable and gets along with everybody, unless its normal schedule is disrupted.
GEMINI
The Gemini kitty is high-spirited, mischievious, fun-loving, attention-grabbing, and clever. The Gemini cat is so energetic, it is like you own two cats not one.
CANCER
The Cancer cat is affectionate, devoted, moody, sensitive and nuturing; indeed, the purfect lap cat!
LEO
The Leo cat is proud, self-centered, showy, cunning and loves attention. Consider your Leo the King or Queen of the house, because your cat certainly thinks of itself this way.
VIRGO
The Virgo kitty is cautious, fussy, shy, and prefers its own company. This cat hates surprises and would have been a CPA if not a cat.
LIBRA
The Libra cat is happy, vocal, sociable, indecisive and well-behaved. Very friendly and outgoing, it is hard to remember that this is a cat and not a person.
SCORPIO
The Scorpio Cat is demanding, territorial, strong-willed, and fierce. This cat sees the world on its own terms and has the audacity to do what it wants, whenever it wants.
SAGITTARIUS
The Sagittarius Cat is playful, daring, curious, and messy. This is a naturally happy cat, for whom the world is a toy, including you.
CAPRICORN
The Capricorn Cat is crafty, moody, persistent, reserved, and possessive. This cat will always be there for you. It is cautious, but not stubborn, and loves snuggling under the covers.
AQUARIUS
The Aquarius kitty is unpredictable, frisky, curious, an attention-grabber and sociable. This is definitely a cat of action with psychic abilities that enable it to forsee things.
PISCES
The Pisces cat is easygoing, quiet, devoted and sweet. This kitty loves to sleep and does so more than any other cat.

Substances That Are Hazardous to Cats

2010-03-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

-Acetaminophen/aspirin
-Antifreeze
-Bleach
-Boric acid
-Brake fluid
-Cleaning fluid and solutions
-Deodorants
-Deodorizers
-Detergents
-Disinfectants
-Drano (and the like)
-Dye
-Floor wax
-Fungicides
-Furniture Polish
-Garlic
-Gasoline
-Gypsum board (sheetrock) dust
-Herbicides
-Insecticides
-Laxatives
-Lysol
-Metal Polish
-Mineral Spirits
-Mothballs
-Nail Polish Remover
-Onions
-Paint
-Paint Remover
-Rubbing Alcohol
-Shoe Polish
-Snail/Slug Bait
-Suntan Lotion
-Tar
-Tee tree oil
Symptoms of poisoning will range from seizures and foaming at the mouth to vomiting and coma. Immediate medical attention - as soon as you see the cat has eaten a toxic substance (don't wait for symptoms to appear) - is necessary.

Cat facts (2)

2010-03-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

A cat has approximately 60 to 80 million olfactory cells (a human has between 5 and 20 million).

Cats have a special scent organ located in the roof of their mouth, called the Jacobson's organ. It analyzes smells - and is the reason why you will sometimes see your cat "sneer" (called the flehmen response or flehming) when they encounter a strong odor.

A cat has a total of 24 whiskers, 4 rows of whiskers on each side. The upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. A cat uses its whiskers for measuring distances. The whiskers of a cat are capable of registering very small changes in air pressure.

Cats have 30 teeth (12 incisors, 10 premolars, 4 canines, and 4 molars), while dogs have 42. Kittens have baby teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth around the age of 7 months.

A cat's jaw has only up and down motion; it does not have any lateral, side to side motion, like dogs and humans. For this reason, don't rely on feeding dry food as a dental care program - cats need to have their teeth cleaned by a vet.

A cat's tongue has tiny barbs on it.

Cats lap liquid from the underside of their tongue, not from the top.

Cats purr at the same frequency as an idling diesel engine, about 26 cycles per second.

Domestic cats purr both when inhaling and when exhaling.

The cat's front paw has 5 toes, but the back paws have 4. Some cats are born with as many as 7 front toes and extra back toes (polydactl).

Cats walk on their toes.

A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour.

A kitten will typically weigh about 3 ounces at birth. The typical male housecat will weigh between 7 and 9 pounds, slightly less for female housecats.

Cats take between 20-40 breaths per minute.

Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 degrees F.

A cat's normal pulse is 140-240 beats per minute, with an average of 195.

Cat's urine glows under a black light.

Cats lose almost as much fluid in the saliva while grooming themselves as they do through urination.

Cat facts (1)

2010-03-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

Both humans and cats have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.
A cat's brain is more similar to a man's brain than that of a dog.
A cat has more bones than a human; humans have 206, but the cat has 230 (some cites list 245 bones, and state that bones may fuse together as the cat ages).
Cats have 30 vertebrae (humans have 33 vertebrae during early development; 26 after the sacral and coccygeal regions fuse)
The cat's clavicle, or collarbone, does not connect with other bones but is buried in the muscles of the shoulder region.
This lack of a functioning collarbone allows them to fit through any opening the size of their head.
The cat has 500 skeletal muscles (humans have 650).
Cats have 32 muscles that control the outer ear (compared to human's 6 muscles each). A cat can rotate its ears independently 180 degrees, and can turn in the direction of sound 10 times faster than those of the best watchdog.
Cats' hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs.
Cats' hearing stops at 65 khz (kilohertz); humans' hearing stops at 20 khz.
A cat sees about 6 times better than a human at night, and needs 1/6 the amount of of light that a human does - it has a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light.
Recent studies have shown that cats can see blue and green. There is disagreement as to whether they can see red.
A cat's field of vision is about 185 degrees.
Blue-eyed, pure white cats are frequently deaf.
It may take as long as 2 weeks for a kitten to be able to hear well. Their eyes usually open between 7 and 10 days, but sometimes it happens in as little as 2 days.
Cats can judge within 3 inches the precise location of a sound being made 1 yard away.
Cats can be right-pawed or left-pawed.
A cat cannot see directly under its nose.
Almost 10% of a cat's bones are in its tail, and the tail is used to maintain balance.
The domestic cat is the only species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. You can also learn about your cat's present state of mind by observing the posture of his tail.
If a cat is frightened, the hair stands up fairly evenly all over the body; when the cat is threatened or is ready to attack, the hair stands up only in a narrow band along the spine and tail.

Traveling With Your Cat

2010-03-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

Cats get very attached to their surroundings. Add the fact that most car trips result in humiliating (and sometimes painful) sessions at the vet, complete with pokes, prods and injections, and it's no wonder your cat disappears at the sound of his carrier being brought out.
While many dogs like nothing better than to accompany their masters on car outings, travel with a cat can be difficult. Even if your cat is a decided homebody, there are ways you can help him cope a little better.

Cats tolerate carriers and the travel implied by them much more easily if they have been acclimatized at a young age.
If you take your cat for frequent short drives to the store, to visit friends or even just for the occasional spin around the block, then he won't be as likely to associate travel with unpleasantness, such as those traumatic visits to the vet.
If your cat is trained to a harness and leash, take him on car rides to check out nature a bit farther away than your backyard.
When your cat becomes accustomed to these trips, you can begin to try longer ones.

If you will be away quite awhile and feel the stress of traveling can be offset by the pleasure of you and your cat being together, you may consider taking your cat along.
Or, perhaps you've taken your cat on progressively longer rides and feel he can cope with an extended trip.
If you are leaving the country, call the animal authorities in the jurisdiction to which you are traveling to find out about special vaccination requirements, what documents you will need and any other regulations concerning animals. International traveling papers can take time to process, so apply for them well in advance.
If quarantine is required, forget about taking the cat; the stress isn't worth it unless you're moving permanently.
Visit the vet for a checkup and shots, advice on any sedatives and details on fasting before the trip.
Make sure your destined lodgings allow cats.

A collar and identification tag with your cat's name, your name and the address and phone number of both your home and place of destination is essential. Your cat will also need his harness and leash, his usual food (to avoid stomach upsets), a bottle of his usual drinking water (gradually substitute local water at your destination), his bowls, litter box, a supply of litter and a scooper, first-aid and grooming supplies, health records (including vaccination certificates) and medications, plus a few favorite toys from home. Don't forget cleanup supplies, including paper towels and spray cleaner. Lining the bottom of the carrier with disposable diapers will soak up any "accidents" and simplify cleanups.

Cat care tips

2010-03-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

Poor cat health can be easily avoided with a little attention to good cat care and will extend the life of your pet, and save you money on veterinary bills. Although most cats are strong and independent pets, they still need your help to stay healthy and fit.

The best way to keep your cat healthy is exercise, access to fresh water, and nutritious food. Even if your cat stays indoors, make sure they have toys and proper cat scratching post. Something as simple as a rolled up sock or small ball to roll around can keep your cat amused for hours.

Indoor cats love to look out the windows and watch what's going on in the world. It's like a cat TV and making it easy for your cat to watch the world is important. You can clear a spot or even make a small platform in front of favorite windows to give your cat easy access.

Try to keep the table scraps to a minimum and always keep any toxic materials safely stored away. Cats health care is about proper feeding and providing a safe environment. Indoor plants seem to be a favorite of some cats so pay attention to what plants you have out and make sure they are harmless.

Cats' nutritional needs

2010-03-03T04:23:00.000-08:00

Cats' nutritional needs are very specific and the nutritional quality of cat food is one of the most important factors in cats' health and longevity. These resources will help you learn all you need to know about cat food labels, cat food ingredients, and the nutritional needs of cats.

Cats are obligate carnivores and hence, must eat animal tissue to maintain their long-term well-being. If left on its own the cat survives on whatever small animal prey is available in the habitat. From the muscle of its prey, the cat obtains protein. And from the bones and viscera (intestines and other organs), it obtains vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. The cat also meets most of its fluid requirements through its prey. The cat's tendency to eat small but frequent meals.

Food provides the cat with nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water - that are crucial to the growth, reproductive, and adult stages of its life cycle. Cats require two essential amino acids - taurine and arginine. Taurine deficiency in cats causes reproductive problems, blindness, and heart disease. An arginine-deficient diet leads to a situation in which the cat develops toxicosis because it can't adequately convert the harmful waste product ammonia into urea (normally eliminated via the urinary system). To avoid the dangers of taurine and arginine deficiencies in cats: make sure that the cat's diet contains adequate amounts of these and other essential amino acids.

A cat's protein requirement varies according to its life stage. A healthy adult cat's diet should contain 30 to 45 percent protein on a dry-matter basis (without the water content of the food). To fulfill protein's requirement buy meat-based high protein cat food. As such cats do not require carbohydrates but most of the cat foods contain carbohydrates. A healthy adult cat's diet should contain 10 to 30 per cent fat on a dry-matter basis. Cats also need vitamins and minerals. But we want to strike a note of caution here - Do not add vitamin or mineral supplements to cat's food without first consulting a veterinarian. It would do more harm than good.

Several factors influence cat's gastronomic habits. Smell and taste play a major role in shaping cat's food preferences. In terms of flavor, cats prefer salty, sour, or bitter-tasting substances. Cats don't develop a sweet tooth because they have no perception of simple sugars. Cats prefer food that is close to their own body temperature.

Contrary to the cat's image cats must develop a taste for milk. Many cats do not enjoy cow milk. Cow's milk can occasionally be a problem for cats that do enjoy it. Some adult cats cannot effectively digest cow's milk (lactose intolerance), which can result in diarrhea.

Sleep - Behavior of cats

2010-03-03T02:44:00.000-08:00

There's no doubt about it: cats sure know how to sleep. Although the amount of time spent napping varies from cat to cat, and depends on the cat's age and personality, felines spend an average of 13 to 16 hours each day curled up in slumber. Only the opossum and the bat sleep more – napping away almost 20 hours a day.

Nobody is sure why cats sleep so much. Cats evolved from a long line of hunters and predators – and their sleep patterns reflect that. For one thing, they are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), since most of their prey is active at these times. This gives them plenty of time to sleep during the middle of the day.

A lot of people wonder whether cats dream. That's easy to answer – of course they do. Cats are mammals, like us, and need sleep to rest their minds and bodies.

It is believed that the body's natural state is in sleep. We stay awake only through constant neural activity within a brain region called the reticular activating system. When we, or our cats, are tired, we lie down, preferably in a quiet, dark room, close our eyes and sleep comes. The reason this happens is because we have shut down the 50 percent of afferent (inward) bombardment that comes from muscle tension, and have effectively curtailed auditory and visual stimulation.

In other words, when you are fully relaxed, lying down, and are not listening or looking at anything, you fall asleep. We all know this, which is why we go to bed in the evening, turn off the radio, draw the curtains and turn off the light.

Taking care of cats

2010-03-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

The decision to adopt your first cat is a monumental one, both for you and for your new cat, which I hope will be a family member for life. Whether you are thinking about getting a cat, or have just adopted your first one, this tutorial has been designed to make your relationship with this special cat a lasting one. This is what we mean by the term "a home forever."

1-Shopping List for Your New Cat
Bringing home a new cat is much like adopting a human baby. However, in the case of a cat, you'll be shopping for a litter box instead of a changing table.
Before you bring your new cat or kitten home, there are a number of things to collect or buy, so your cat will feel like a family member rather than a visitor. Do this a few days in advance to minimize stress for you and your cat on "homecoming day". In the excitement of bringing your cat home, you don't want to suddenly discover at 8 p.m. that you forgot to buy cat food.
2-Preparing a Safe Room for Your Cat
A "Safe Room" needn't even be a separate room, but could be an empty closet, a corner of your bedroom with a protective screen, or a seldom-used bathroom. The important thing is that your new cat has a place he can call "home," where he can retreat and rest. He may voluntarily choose to socialize with you and other family members, but for now, let him decide whether to hide or mingle. It may take several days to a week or more, depending on his history, but your patience at this point will yield exponential results in a happier relationship with your cat in later days.
3-Cat-Proofing Your Home
You've decided where you're going to go to adopt your new kitty; possibly you've already narrowed your selection down to one cat you simply must bring home. You've stocked up on essentials from our shopping list, and you've prepared kitty's "safe room." There's only one step left before Homecoming Day - Cat-proofing your home to save wear and tear on the household as well as the new arrival.
Although it will take a bit of time, cat-proofing your home isn't rocket science. It only requires your willingness to get down to a cat's level to spy out hazardous temptations, along with the ability to think like a cat.
4-Bringing Your New Cat Home
O Happy Day! You've completed all your preparations and the big day has finally arrived for bringing your new kitty home. Although everyone is excited, it's probably better not to make this a big family event. Your new baby will probably be stressed enough without a bunch of people competing for his attention, especially if you have young children in the home.
5-Your new cat's first veterinarian visit is of supreme importance.
You'll want to assure yourself of his good health, and get his vaccinations and testing for FIV and FeLV (if not already done by the adopting agency). Also, unless this has already been performed, you need to set up an appointment for a spay or neuter of your new cat.
Prepare in advance for the possible question, "Do you want a declaw with that neuter?" The correct answer, of course, is "No, thank you. My cat needs his claws and I intend for him to keep them."
6-The diet a cat gets early in life will set the pace for his lifelong health and well-being. Your knowledge of cat food ingredients will help ensure not only longevity, but the quality of life you want for your new family member.
Although cats descend from desert creatures, fresh water is also essential to them, especially if they eat a dry food diet.
Although this class is presented in one lesson, the content is something you should review for weeks and months ahead, until you feel secure in your knowledge. Once you learn to read cat food labels it will become a habit for life.
A source of clean, fresh water is also vital to your cat's well-being. Although cats have descended from desert animals, they still need to be well-hydrated.
Next to food and water, a litter box is critical for your new cat's comfort and health. With scrupulous maintenance of your cat's litter box, you'll never have to worry about odor or "out-of-box accidents." "But he goes outdoors," you say? You'll want to rethink that decision when we cover the indoors-outdoors debate in another lesson.
7-Another big consideration with your first cat is "where will he sleep?" Will you share your own bed with him, get him his own cozy bed, or a combination of both? Don't forget, you are establishing habits that will most likely last for a lifetime.
Next to litter box avoidance, undesirable scratching behavior is the top reason for shelter surrenders. Actually, scratching is as necessary to cats as eating and breathing. Cats' claws are their most essential tools for many reasons.
When you complete this lesson, you'll have all the tools you'll need to ensure your cat the scratching, stretching exercise he needs, without sacrificing your hard-earned carpet and furniture.
8-Playing with your cat is a wonderful bonding experience. Cats love to play, and are experts in inventing their own games. Before you invest in expensive cat toys, experiment with things found around the house. Paper bags are great fun, as are cardboard boxes. Jaspurr, pictured here loves to play "box sled" and will let Lance drag him around the floor for hours. As you can see, he is very serious about his play.
If you feel that cats really need that fresh air and sunshin, there are safe alternatives for the outdoor experience. My Lord is perfectly happy just sitting on my lap on our deck. He never wanders out of my site, and our deck is secure from intrusion by other animals