Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Do Your Homework Before You Buy Cat Furniture

You've looked at hundreds of pieces of cat furniture and still can't decide which one is right. Here are some things you should be aware of before you buy.

The most important component of a cat tree is the base. It should make the structure stable. When kitty runs up the tree or jumps on it, it should remain stationary and not rock or wobble. Look for a large flat base that will take heavy weight cats or multiple cats running and jumping on it without moving or swaying.

Scratching posts should be as large of a diameter as possible and should be wrapped with high quality sisal rope. Cats are naturally attracted to sisal rope and will usually scratch their little hearts out. Sisal rope is a very important part of cat furniture, you want them to scratch their furniture and not yours!

Beware of the cheap imported cat trees. Cheap doesn't reflect quality and more often than not, they are made with materials that could be toxic

Monday, 30 July 2012

How Your Cat's Urinary Tract Infection Might Have Been Prevented

Once again the time had arrived to drop my cats off at the vet for his annual teeth cleaned. Later in the afternoon I returned to pick him up and was quietly invited behind the counter to see whether he was ready to go home. On the way I was escorted by the sick pet area and couldn't help but notice cage after cage labeled "CAT UTI".

What struck me as odd was how few dogs there were, since I have read that dogs tend to be more susceptible to bacterial infections of the urinary tract than cats.

My experience above was partially responsible for motivating me to write this article in hopes that at least some pet parents will be able to take these suggestions, implement them, and avoid the time, expense, and wear and tear on their cat that is part and parcel of what is embodied in the term "cats urinary tract infection".

How your cats urinary tract infection might have been avoided

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Important Cat Dander Facts - 7 Things You Should Know About Your Cat's Dander

ByDebbie Davis

Cats shed microscopic pieces of dead skin to make way for newer healthier skin. These flakes are called dander and are one of the most potent allergens know. Here are 7 other facts about it that will help you understand it better and deal with it effectively.

What you can't see can be a problem. There's an old saying that what you don't know won't hurt you. But if you are sensitive to the protein found in these dead skin flakes, your body doesn't have to be told that it's there. And it can definitely hurt your quality of life by causing you to sneeze, wheeze, itch, have watery eyes, and a congested nose. Because these particles are microscopic, they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Don't let that give you a false sense of security about your air quality.

There's no getting rid of it. Replacing older skin with newer skin that is more able to protect the body against disease and infection is the body's ingenious way of keeping your pooch as healthy as possible. So this process is normal for all warm-blooded animals. That means that it's a fact of life for as long as you have your pet.

Grooming your cat can help minimize the amount of dander on your cat. That means there is less to attach to furniture and go airborne with daily activities. Feeding it a healthy diet can also help keep skin healthier and reduce unusually high amounts of shedding because of improper nutrients.

Every cat produces it. There is no such thing as a cat that doesn't produce dander. Even with minimal hair this process of rejuvenating skin continues. And even though the hair and fur are not the actual allergens, because dander is sticky stuff, it often attaches to these particles and makes it seem as though these big particles are the allergens.

Eliminating hair and other particles can help. In addition to pet-related pollutants there are a number of particulates found in indoor spaces regardless of how clean it is. They include dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollen, bacteria and viruses.

By reducing the number of airborne particles, you are also reducing the microscopic particles (dander, bacteria, and viruses) that use them to travel from one host to another. That means you can eliminate multiple sized particles. And that's a good thing.

Filtering the air is the most reliable way to reduce dander. A high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter is specifically designed to remove airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater in size. A micron is defined as one millionth of a meter is considerably smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

Nothing will get rid of all of the airborne particles. But by continually filtering the air of normal pollutants as well as the ones your cat generates will drastically reduce the respiratory issues that can be caused by the protein in dander.

You can drastically reduce the amount of cat dander in your air with HEPA filtration. PurerAir.com offers the Cat Dander Air Purifier to help you keep the dander down. See it now at http://purerair.com/cat_dander_air_purifier.html

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Saturday, 28 July 2012

Cats Kneading

1ByIonela I Stoica

Kneading is when a cat extends and retracts its claws, usually while resting on its owner's lap or perhaps on a comfortable,furry cushion or blanket. Most of the time it's followed by purring and closing their eyes, clearly showing that they are content. In some parts of the world this is called paddling and purring.

Explanations for this behavior may vary, but without doubt it is an instinctive trait.

One of the theories is that kneading comes from the time they were kittens, when cats were kneading their mothers while nursing to make the milk flow more freely. From the age of three weeks until weaning, kittens spend a lot of their time kneading and purring around their mother's milk supplying nipples. They are fast learners when it comes to fun and food, discovering that the movement of their paws on either side of the mother's nipple stimulates the milk flow. If a cat dribbles or sucks its owners clothes while kneading, it has probably been taken from its mom too early and never had a chance to grow out of the behaviour.

A soft, warm, comfortable area, whether it is our laps or the favorite cushion on the couch seems to bring out this kitten behavior in cats. Although this is the most common explanation for kneading, there are other reasons. Adult female cats, coming into heat might also produce this very same behavior.Kneading may also take us back to when wild cats patted down tall grass or shredded leaves to make a bed for sleeping or giving birth.

Touching soft and furry materials such as blankets, cushions, carpets, stuffed toys and sweaters makes some cats and kittens want to use their paws. It can also be seen as a pre-sleep routine for some gorgeous felines. They see it as a way of making themselves comfortable before sleeping. The area they are usually purring and kneading is where they will have their cat nap.

There is also a practical explanation to . They have scenting glands in the soft pads on the bottoms of their paws. When they are kneading, some of their unique smell is released onto the surface, and that smell serves as a kind of territorial marker for any unfamiliar cats that might come along and try to stake a claim. So, when your cat is kneading your lap, it is not only telling you it feels comfortable and secure, but it is claiming you as its own.

Kneading is a sweet behaviour to watch, but it can be painful if your cat does it with its claws bared. Kittens are kneading with their claws retracted because their moms wouldn't allow it any other way. You can train your kitty to do it with claws retracted too, by gently tossing it off your lap when it uses its claws, and praising it when it's kneading gently without. Or you could just put a nice thick blanket on your lap and relax.

Kneading is a sign that your cat is happy, comfortable and relaxed. You should feel proud if it deems you worthy of sharing this pleasure. It is your cat's way of saying it is glad you are there. It's nice to be kneaded! Whatever the precise reason, one thing is for sure: A kneading cat is a happy cat.

http://www.catskneading.com/

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Friday, 27 July 2012

Prevention Is Better Than Cure for Cat Diabetes

ByGloria Anne Taylor

Feline (Cat) Diabetes - found predominantly in older obese male cats - This can be either type 1 or 2 diabetes the same as in humans. Type 1 is caused by insufficient insulin produced by the pancreas and Type 2 is the inability of the body's cells to efficiently handle insulin.

Why has this happened to my cat, why not my neighbors cat. How devastating it would be for you to have your best friend diagnosed with feline diabetes. Do not despair diabetes in animals like humans is treatable.

Questions, so many to ask, so many answers needed. How long will he/she live will it cost me a lot, what medicines are needed, how can I make things right again. A complete overview of caring for your cat is paramount if he/she is to live a long life. Most diabetic cats cared for properly have a normal life expectancy (around 17 years or more).

Initially the cost can be quite substantial. However once diagnosed and the diabetes regulated the costs decrease as vet visits become less often and you can manage your cats' diabetes from home. Your pet will now have to be given daily medications/insulin and a proper diet. Commitment to providing love and care will be paramount to ensure your cat will have a long life expectancy.

Prevention as a rule is better than cure

Avoid cat junk food - for example dry kibbled cat food. This is the number one cause for the onset of cat diabetes. This type of poor-quality, highly processed carbohydrate rich food causes many felines to become diabetic. Avoid any brand of dry cat food.
Choose a canned/pouched or a raw meat diet.

Early signs of diabetes - This includes Weakness in the limbs evidenced by limping. It can also be related to some other diseases, for example pancreatitis. So it is best to get veterinary advice promptly.

Symptoms of diabetes

Loss of appetite, excessive thirst and urination.
Weakness and lethargy.
Vomiting.
Breathing abnormalities, poor coat and skin condition.
Dehydration.

Treatment - As with human diabetes feline diabetes is treated the same way. Either by insulin or diet control.

Insulin - Cats with Type 1 diabetes as well as some Type 2 will need insulin. Your vet will train you to give these injections. Often they may prescribe oral medication. You will also need to monitor your cats' glucose level with a special monitoring machine.

By following professional advice and providing your cat with fresh water, quality food a pleasant environment and lots of love and care your cat will live a long stress free life.

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Thursday, 26 July 2012

Reasons for Giving Your Pet Dry Cat Food

Choosing the right pet food for your cat is the first hurdle you will encounter as a pet owner. The biggest decision will be whether you should settle for commercial cat food or make your pet's meals at home. If you do choose to feed your pet commercial food, the next decision that you will have to make is deciding whether to go for dry or wet cat food or a combination of the two.

There are several reasons why dry food is one of the best options for your cat. Nutrition is the first reason because dry food is nutritionally balanced making it one of the ideal choices for pets. Unlike canned pet food or other brands which use a lot of chemical preservatives, dry pet food is often naturally preserved and this ensures that its nutritional content is also preserved.

Most pet owners prefer dry cat food because it is more convenient than wet alternatives. This is mostly because it can be left outside during the day and it will not go bad or start to smell. This also allows the cats to eat when they want to. It has been argued that this could encourage cats to be overweight. However, if you regulate the portions fed to your pet and make sure that you only feed it high quality food then it will stay healthy and free from obesity related illnesses.

There are studies which have shown that dry pet food costs less than the wet alternatives in the long run. There are times when the low price however is attributed to poor ingredients used to manufacture the products. This should not be a problem as long as you select the high quality brands available in the market. It is advisable to look for brands which contain high levels of protein like fish or chicken.

There a number of high quality kitten and adult cat food brands that offer premium quality food in a dry form. Dry cat food usually needs loads of carbohydrates so that it can keep its shape so look out for this in the ingredients list. You want to offer more protein than carbs. It can help to read reviews of a number of pet food brands to get some opinions on what other pet owners have to say. This can help you get the best food in the market so that you don't have to waste a lot of time and energy looking for the best brand to feed the pet so that it remains healthy.

Burgess Supacat is a premium quality Dry Cat Food, available for kittens and adult cats. Visit Burgess Supacat today.

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Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Inappropriate Urinating - Two Possible Causes of Cat Soiling

Doc, I am going to get rid of this cat if he doesn't stop peeing everywhere! I have heard this complaint so very often. The leading reason for people getting rid of their cats is due to marking or urination in the wrong places. The problem must be diagnosed to determine whether it is medical or behavioral. Medical problems affecting the urinary tract in cats will force them to change their habits. Cats that are normally litter trained may urinate on the floor right before your eyes or in other obvious places such as your shoe or pillow. This is their cry for help. Rather brilliant on their part to bring the problem to your attention. A urinalysis (urine tests) will diagnose a bladder infection or feline lower urinary tract disease (F.L.U.T.D.). Medical treatment resolves the problem. If the urinalysis is normal than you have behavioral urination problems.

Behavioral urination provokes cats to mark. Most cats mark with the tail straight up and a horizontal spray of small amounts of urine out the back end will leave their scent. Male and female cats mark. Unneutered males mark the most but females in the peak of their breeding cycle mark as well. Reasons for marking include sexual, territorial and competitive interactions between cats. If your cat is totally an indoor pet they will still know if a new tom cat or a breeding female is prowling outside the window. This is even more frustrating for an indoor cat. Indoor marking of doorways, windows, furniture and clothing are acceptable items for your cat. Of course, this is not acceptable to humans because the odor is so offensive.

Aggressive behavior in cats I believe is the most offensive. This is a situation you will take personally. Your cat is unhappy and is selecting the individual in the household who is making him/her unhappy. Perhaps the threat is a new partner, newborn baby or another cat in the household. This is not a common behavioral problem. An analysis of the urine and the environmental conditions are of utmost importance to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatments for marking include cleaning with a neutralizing product and usually use of oral medications to control anxiety. A wonderful product contains pheromones that cats release when they are happy. If sprayed where previous urinating has occurred the cats will not mark. They don't want to spray in happy places. It also works with aggression problems. Additionally, retraining your cat to use the litter box is necessary. Having a very clean box for each cat and additives that attract your cat back to the box are basic steps. Sometimes anti-anxiety drugs are added to the list. Whether medical or behavioral most problems can be resolved. There is a reason for their complex actions. Give your feline friend a second chance.

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Tuesday, 24 July 2012

How Can An Automatic Pet Feeder Keep Your Pet Healthy?

Did you know that an estimated 54.0% of cats in the United States are classified as overweight and 55.6% of dogs are also overweight? To make it worse, 20% are obese (these statistics were taken from the 2010 Pet Obesity Study). It's a shocking statistic, considering being overweight is a major problem in the United States for people, and now we see it overflowing into the lives of our pets. What causes this increasing problem of unhealthy pets?

There are many causes, but the major cause is the owner's negligence of what consists of a healthy diet for a pet. Popular feeding methods for pets are either putting huge amounts of food in a bowl so the pet has constant access to food, or feeding the pet too many times throughout the day, with the combination of unhealthy food. Now let's get real, owners feed pets like this because it's the easy way out. It's no different than going to pick up some fast food for dinner. Americans are slowly falling into the trap of taking the quick and easy way out.

Now I'm not trying to write an article on who we should be as Americans, I'm trying to make everyone aware of this health risk we're literally hand feeding our pets. Whether we're lazy or not, it's best to look at solutions, so how can we help keep our pets healthy and happy so they love us? Well, there are a few options. The most obvious solution is to research healthy foods and research healthy portions for your pet. As much as I would like to advise you on the proper amount to feed your pet, I honestly can't because it varies so much from pet to pet. The other solution is perhaps much easier. The amount of automatic pet feeders bought is increasing almost every year and they offer an exceptional way of keeping your cat or dog fed with very low maintenance. Automatic cat or dog feeders probably seem expensive but I bet they cost less than you'd think. Depending on how complex you want your model, they are sold between 10-$100.

There are plenty of benefits from getting an automatic pet feeders. To outline a few real quick, you can choose the amount of times you want to feed your pet per day, how much each portion is, and some models even allow your cat or dog to learn to feed themselves! This might seem to defeat the purpose, since your pet would get as much food as it wanted, but not to worry, most automatic pet feeders like this only dispense a few pellets at a time. Usually pets are so persistent and settle for less food than they would normally gorge themselves with. Thanks for reading, and I hope you take action on helping your pet or other pets from the increasing health risks for them.

John Dodson

Top notch pet care information
Best Automatic Pet Feeder

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Monday, 23 July 2012

Cat Trees and Other Cat Furniture: Important for Cat Lovers

ByHarmanpreet Singh

Owning a cat as a pet might seem to be easy, but it is a very tough task to maintain them. It gets very difficult to protect your furniture, curtains, etc from their claws and scratches. Cats, by their very nature, like to climb and if not provided with their own climbing space, they tend to use your furniture and curtains. Some people, because of their love and affection towards their pets, keep their cats indoor. Safety can be another reason besides affection. Cat trees and other cat furniture like scratch posts can be a great option for such people. Cats use the these trees to sharpen their claws, climb on it and even for sleeping purposes. All you need to do is encourage your pet to use the this tree for scratching and other purposes. This will help you protect your furniture from being scratched. These trees are available easily on online stores and most of the pet shops. Since they are available in wide range, they have gained a lot of popularity among Pet lovers. Cat trees come in all sizes and shapes, depending on your requirements and space availability. If you own more than one pet, then it is advisable that you go for a big tree.

A cat tree is something which is very essential for pet lovers. But sometimes because of it's higher rates, it gets unaffordable for people. Some trees can even cost up to $900, sounds scary, doesn't it! People facing budget issues can opt for hand-made trees. By using old toys, wooden blocks and other simple things which are easily available in any house, a fancy and beautiful looking pet house can be made. Being a pet owner, you will obviously know what is best for your pet and depending upon its activities you can customize the tree. This option might not be available when you go for ready-made furniture. Ultimately, creativity is what is required in building cat furniture and you can save some serious money.

Using cat trees, you can let cats enjoy themselves by playing around, save your furniture and also enjoy the cat playing session which is a treat to watch always.

So if you are interested in buying your own cat furniture, then it is very important you do a proper research from the internet. You can also look for the reviews by the different people and their experience with it.

If you are interested in Purchasing these types of furniture for your pet, then you can visit Cat Trees

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Sunday, 22 July 2012

Treating Cats With Furballs

ByChris Redhead

One of the wonderful things we all love about cats is their soft, delicate fur. When they ingest dead, loose hairs in the process of grooming, what usually happens is that they pass through the digestive system without any problems. However, if too much hair builds up in the stomach, it causes irritation of the stomach lining, and this when a furball will be produced.

Furballs can be a recurrent problem for cats, particularly those from long-haired breeds. It is an unpleasant experience for cats, and symptoms generally include vomiting, unproductive retching, constipation and a loss of appetite. This article looks at how cats suffering from furballs can be treated, and what can be done to prevent them becoming a problem.

Sometimes cats who suffer from furballs may eat grass and garden plants to try and medicate themselves. Grass causes them to vomit, which may also bring up the furball as well. Thus, if you see your cat eating grass, this may be an early indication that they are suffering from furballs.

One thing owners can do to help prevent furballs is regular combing of their cat's hair. This will get rid of much of the dead hair before it can be ingested. Fine-toothed combs are best for short haired cats, while wide-toothed combs tend to be more suitable for long haired cats. It's not advisable to use brushes, because they are much less effective at getting all the loose hair out.

One of the traditional remedies for furballs is petroleum jelly. A small amount is applied to a cat's paw, so the cat can lick it up. The molecules of petroleum jelly are too large to be absorbed, so they retain their form and act as a lubricant to help the ingested hair through the cat's digestive system and out in the normal way.

There are varieties of petroleum jelly in different flavours (such as tuna) which are designed especially for cats. These will make the jelly more palatable to cats, so are a good option if your cat shows reluctance towards this treatment.

Another common treatment for the condition is natural herb tablets. These tablets are a mixture of herbs including valerian root, dandelion root, and senna leaf, powdered and pressed into tablet form. It works as a gentle laxative, so it is generally given for the relief of constipation or to help treat cats suffering from furballing.

It is recommended that cats who are experiencing noticeable discomfort because of furballs are given one of these tablets daily. In addition, it is also a good idea to give cats who are prone to furballs one tablet a day during their moulting period. The one caveat to bear in mind when giving herbal treatments such as these is that they are not suitable for pregnant or lactating females.

Once cats get rid of their furballs, they normally recover quickly, and are soon back to normal. However, it is important to be aware that your cat may be suffering from dehydration because of the vomiting, and may need a special diet for a few days.

Dorwest Herbs is the leading UK supplier of herbal pet medicines, including a variety of natural remedies for cats that can help to treat a range of conditions.

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Saturday, 21 July 2012

The Influence of Feral Cats on the Environment

According to some ecologists the continuous domestication of feral cats has a bad effect on ecosystems and the environment, because a large population of feral cats leads to increased hunting of birds and small animals.

Actually, those kind of cats have a serious impact on the environment and their population has endangered the existence of some animals and species.

Feral cats are considered to be the most vicious and dangerous animals on the small islands, where they are responsible for the extinction of certain species, such as the spectacled hare-wallaby and the burrowing bettong.

Problems with the Environment:

Researchers have found that in the USA, feral cats kill large animal and bird populations every year, especially in Florida. So, we may conclude that these feline breeds have significant impact on both wildlife animals and the entire environment.

The behaviour of those cats may lead to the disruption of food chains and thus to reduction of local animal population. In some countries, including Australia and New Zealand, wild cats have killed certain local animals and birds and the result of this process is a complete damage of the natural flora.

Thus, in Australia feral cats are responsible for the decreased population of wallabies. According to researchers and ecologists, feral cats have greatly affected the population of rock wallabies in a distant area of Queensland.

The main food source for those cats in Australia is rabbits. However, this hasn't had an impact on rabbit populations, because the number of feral cats and rabbits is equal.

Wild cats affect food chains, but they can also have an important impact on other local species, because they often deplete their food sources. The most significantly affected animals include the eastern quoll, the hawks, the wedge-tailed eagle and some reptiles, such as the dingoes, the Lace Monitor and the Goanna.

As the populations of those cats are really big, those animals do not only kill other local animals, but also eat a great part of their food. These means that the other local animals are left with no or very little food resources. In many areas eagles and hawks had to change their eating habits in order to survive.

Native cats are also in danger, because feral cats often have a negative impact on them, especially on quolls. For example, if feral kitties approach female quolls, they will become infertile. People can't do much to avoid this, but they can try to prevent the exposure of domestic felines to feral cats. According to a study, the population of female quolls is being gradually reduced, because a number of quolls have become infertile.

An Overview:

Feral cats are carriers of some incurable diseases that are dangerous and even fatal for other animals, such as the local marsupials. Such a disease is toxoplasmosis and it is very harmful, because it may cause respiratory problems, blindness, paralysis, abortion and stillbirth.

Another diseases carried by those cats is Rabies. It affects both animals and humans, and has more serious impact on the ecosystems.

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Friday, 20 July 2012

5 Cat Breeds That Make The Best Pet For Kids

Cats are just like dogs. They make good pets which is why many kids would love to have one. Having a pet at home is great for kids since they get to bond with their pets. Cats like dogs are playful which is why kids would want to have them as pets. If you want to consider getting this for your kids, then you might want to take a look at the 5 breeds that would make the best pets for your kids:

Himalayan or Persian - if your kids love long haired pets, then this is one of the best choice you would want to have. The Persian or Himalayan breed are lap cats and your kids would certainly love taking care of these pets. These are considered indoor cats and come in great colors. You might need to explain to your kids that these pets need some maintenance because of its long hair.

Maine or Coon - is known to be one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America. This breed is also referred to as the good natured ones. If your kids wish to have cats that retain its kitten qualities, then you need to get your kid a make Maine or Coon. The members of the Maine or Coon breed also have thick fur so you might need to tell your kids to maintain these pets for proper grooming.

Abyssinian - this is a short haired breed of cat which is best for kids who are allergic to fur. They have strong resemblance to the Egyptian breed although their history is unknown. These cats have almond shaped eyes and are very graceful. This breed would make a great pet for your little girls.

Briman - these cats are known to be ideal pets for kids especially kids who like combing the hair of their pets. These are long haired and are said to have originated from Burma. Their fur is a lot silkier as compared to the Persian variety. You would surely love the blue sky round shaped eyes of these amazing cats.

Ragdoll - this cat is laid back and is semi long haired. These are adorable pets that your kids would really love. These cats love human company which is why it is one of the best choices if you are looking for the perfect breed of cat for your kids. Your kids would certainly enjoy being around with these cuddly cats. This is also a great choice if you want to get your kids their own cats.

With the 5 choices of cat breeds to choose from, you would find it a lot easier to pick the best pet cat for your kids. Pick the best ones that your kids would surely love.

Bernard Yao invites you to http://www.petsinfoplace.com dedicated to sharing useful information on raising happy and healthy home pets for the online community. Come on by for more great information on Cats.

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Thursday, 19 July 2012

Choosing the Right Cat Furniture for You and Your Cat

Cats are unique and have their own distinct personalities. However, they all share one common characteristic. All cats need their own comfort zone and cat furniture can provide that special place for them.

When deciding on what type of furniture to buy for your cat, take a close look at your cat's personality and lifestyle. Is your cat and indoor cat or an outdoor cat? Does your cat like to be secluded or out in the open? Does your cat prefer heights, or does he or she prefer to be near the ground? Is your cat a climber?

What are your preferences? Do you want the furniture to also provide your cat with activity, or do you simply want to provide them with a place to lounge? Do you care if your cat's furniture blends in with your decor, or is your cat's comfort all that matters? The number of cats in your home will also factor into how large or small your cat tree should be.

If you have an outdoor cat, the amount of activity the cat furniture can provide isn't as big of an issue as it is for indoor only cats. Outdoor cats should be getting plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity during his or her time out of the house. A simple place to lounge or even just a cat bed may be all your outdoor cat needs for their comfort zone.

However, if your cat doesn't leave the house, you may want to find a cat furniture model that can also stimulate your cat with some activity. Look for furniture with sisal covered scratching surfaces as all cats like to scratch. The sisal can be either rope or fabric and the scratching surface can be a board or a post. If your cat likes to climb, a scratching post is preferable to a board and it should be at least 32" high. The sisal post can be integrated into the furniture as a support post or it can be a stand alone, replaceable post. If you have a preference for a piece of furniture that doesn't include scratching surfaces, they can also be purchased as stand alone items. However, you'll probably end up paying more buying them "a la carte".

Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money if your cat likes both heights and seclusion. Several carpeted cat tree manufacturers provide enclosures near the top of the tree. These cat trees are quite large and can be a bit pricey. Large carpeted trees can also provide additional play activity with stuffed cat toys dangling from various tiers. When shopping for this type of tree, take special care to ensure that the base is large enough to prevent the tree from tipping, as they tend to be top heavy.

If the carpeted towers aren't your taste, there are several uncarpeted options from which you can choose. Because these trees are not carpeted, they are constructed from either higher quality, aesthetically pleasing materials or natural tree branches. Uncarpeted tree manufacturers don't use OSB or particle board as their primary material, therefore their material cost is higher than their carpeted counterparts. That is why many of the uncarpeted trees are more expensive than a carpeted tree of similar size. One nice advantage that the uncarpeted trees have to offer is that most manufacturers offer replacement wear surfaces. The wear surfaces are the areas that the cat lounges on or scratches. This can greatly increase the life of the uncarpeted furniture versus the life of their carpeted counterparts.

No matter what type of cat tree you decide to purchase, there are some common issues to be aware of. Make sure the tiers are comfortably spaced for your cat or cats. A vertical tier height spacing from 18" to 22" is ideal for most house cats. It gives them plenty of head clearance when they occupy the lower tier and allows them to place their paws on the higher tier before making the jump up. Pay as much attention to the size of the tiers as the quantity. A tree with large tiers can actually hold as many, or more cats, than a tree with more, but smaller tiers. As mentioned before, a large, stable base is essential.

If the furniture you are interested in buying is constructed with OSB, particle board, or MDF, be sure the material came from a Carb Certified Manufacturer. This ensures the material is free from potential formaldehyde emissions. Also, make sure the adhesives used are free from any dangerous toxins. Finally, make sure that there are no staples used on any of the exposed surfaces.

You may want to check to see if the furniture your are interested in has won any awards or other recognition for quality and innovation. Cat Fancy's Editors' Choice Awards are a good place to start. "The (Cat Fancy) editors are looking for innovative products that reflect quality, creativity and originality, and fill a need in the market. Safety and functionality are essential." The Catnip Newsletter (published by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine) does monthly product reviews, and is another good resource. Catnip does not accept advertising, so their reviews are considered to by 100% unbiased.

There are more cat furniture choices available now than ever before and you can spend as much or as little as you like. Many models cost hundreds of dollars, so make sure to do your research before you decide which cat tower is right for you and your cats. If you have questions or concerns, don't be afraid to call or email the manufacturer.

I began living with cats over 20 years ago when I married my wife Kathy. I began designing cat furniture four years ago. Since bringing the Cat Power Tower to market a year ago, I've received some very valuable feedback from our customers. This feedback has given me further insight into our future cat furniture design and function. http://www.cat-power-tower.com

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Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Does Your Cat Always Want To Go Out At Night?

Many cats will meow and pester their owners to let them outside at night. Cats are not naturally nocturnal animals, but there are two very important activities which take place primarily at night time. These are hunting and mating.

Many small animals such as mice are most active during night time so this is the obvious time for the cat to be out there to catch some prey. Cats are ideally suited to night time hunting as the pupils in their eyes dilate fully and they have a special reflective part of the eye that allows them to see the most minute movements in the dark. You and I would see nothing as our eyes are not adapted to night vision the way the cats are.

Mating usually takes place at night because cats don't like being watched when they mate. They can also feel inhibited by the daytime noise of traffic and people. Remember the cat has exceptional vision at night and can also rely on its well-developed senses of smell and touch via its whiskers for information about where and who it is with.

I'm sure most cat owners who have an un-spayed female or an entire male will be aware of the lengths their cat will go to get out at night. The tomcat will be prowling for females on heat while the females will be looking for the tomcat. This mating at night was actually the origin of the saying of 'putting the cat out at night'. This was done as the family went to bed to avoid being disturbed later. Thank goodness things have changed for the better since those days as we are more aware of the problem of unwanted kittens and feral cats. There was also the problem of cats being shut out in very cold or wet weather with no way of being able to get back in. Having a cat flap in your door makes it easy for your cat to get in and out without disturbing you. You can always bolt it shut when necessary.

There is a growing trend among responsible cat owners to have their cats spayed or neutered unless they plan to breed from them. I for one applaud this movement as much as I love cats, it helps reduce feral cat populations and the burden on animal shelters. Once your cat has been spayed or neutered, you can let it out at night to catch mice and other small rodents. Other prey such as birds and lizards are safely asleep at night time.

So If it does and if it is safe and if your cat can no longer produce kittens, why not let it out to catch up with other cats or to help reduce the mouse population. I would much rather have my cat eat the mice than have the mice eat my food and leave droppings everywhere.

Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website, http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660

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Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Threats From the Outside - One Reason to Keep Vaccinations Current

Oh...a while back I was starting to write an article about being in rescue and was going to use the story of an owner-surrendered Siamese cat. I started that story and never got to finish it. As the days passed since that cat was euthanized, life took an odd twist for this cat foster person. You see, that little Siamese cat was surrendered for boarding at a local clinic. As he was to be boarded, he needed to be vaccinated. The owner's health failed to improve and the Siamese cat was surrendered to the shelter. Shortly after that, he got sick while being sheltered and then went to be treated at a leading clinic in our area where he stayed for 2 weeks of hospitalization. After several weeks of treatment for a bloody nose, sneezing, and not eating, they thought him well enough to go to foster care to finish his recovery. Unfortunately within a few days he died of unknown causes.

His story was going to be about a broken heart, as it was clear the owner doted on this little one. He was snugly, friendly, outgoing, and curious, and with recovery should have made a wonderful companion. The clinic never did have a firm diagnosis for what was wrong with him, but it ranged from an upper respiratory infection with nosebleeds to a fungal infection. Two days later the foster cat basically crashed and become lethargic, not eating and was taken back to the clinic. There he was seen by a vet tech and was sent back with me to syringe feed in hopes he would come back around. The next morning he was vomiting up what was being syringed and taken to the clinic again. This time he was euthanized, the shelter simply was not willing to pay for more tests or treatments. The vet said, "there must be another disease process going on and it simply eluded all their care and testing."

About 10 days later my sugar cat Atlas turned up one morning with a bloody nose and not eating. Recognizing a possible connection, I whisked Atlas off to the vet that day. As the exam progressed, the need for sedation and X-rays became evident to determine what was causing the nosebleeds. I told Dr. Nappier, DVM at the Westlake Animal Hospital about the foster Siamese cat and that the other clinic had never found the diagnosis. Dr. Nappier acknowledged the information, but said it wasn't likely related. Atlas was given an antibiotic shot and sent home.

The next morning Atlas appeared much worse and we did a follow-up that then rendered the suspicion of acute pancreatitis. The vet did some bloodwork to confirm the diagnosis. Atlas also had an EKG as he had developed a heart arrhythmia and potassium supplements were also started. So more fluids and directions of how to treat this new diagnosis.

By the third day Atlas was severely ill. Dr. Nappier called me that morning and began asking about that little foster Siamese cat. The reason being that Atlas's white blood cell count should have been high for pancreatitis. It was not high, it was nearly nonexistent. Pancreatitis was not the right diagnosis. Was the Siamese fully vaccinated against Panleukopenia? With a few phone calls to the shelter, the vet learned he had been vaccinated on intake at the boarding facility before being transferred to the shelter. But, this particular vaccine needs a booster 3-4 weeks later and it is unknown if the Siamese cat ever got that booster. It also needs to be administered before an animal is boarded. It needs several weeks for the animals immune response to develop, otherwise the pet is at risk for getting Panleukopenia.

I cancelled some client appointments and rushed home to get Atlas back to see Dr. Nappier. When I found Atlas he was laying in a pool of liquid stench. A runny pool of water-like diarrhea like I have never seen before. The use of a quick canine test for Parvo confirmed Dr. Nappier's suspicion. The diagnosis--Panleukopenia, otherwise known as Feline Distemper. All the symptoms finally fit--a highly unusual case.

With a confirmed diagnosis, I contacted Venita at, Diabetic Cats in Need, to let her know and to tell her I was going to put Atlas to sleep. I simply do not have the money to cover the thousands of dollars needed for a 24/7 treatment facility that a deadly disease like this requires. And given what would be an unlikely recovery, it would an unwise use of DCIN funds. As far as I knew, and even Venita thought, this diagnosis was a death sentence. After what seemed like a 4-way whirlwind conversation among Dr. Nappier, the local internal medicine specialist, Venita, and me, we decided to give Atlas one more chance. Dr. Nappier believed we caught this just as clinical signs were breaking and he strongly advocated to not euthanize, but to try the Tamiflu protocol. We'd know in a few days if it would work. While there are some downsides to not going to a 24/7 facility, Venita approved the treatment plan.

I am in rescue and I know how vital vaccinations are for my cats, but this situation left one serious question. If Atlas was vaccinated, how did he get this? A detailed review of his case file revealed the initial dosing was done incorrectly at the shelter and that darn 2nd booster was missed. Atlas has seen 3 different vets in the past 2 years and not one caught this error. And the likelihood of him coming into contact with this deadly virus as a house cat is pretty slim. Dr. Nappier said, "he would have to come in contact with a stray." Atlas never had direct contact with any stray cats and even the foster Siamese kitty was in an isolated foster room. I sanitized the foster room with a 10:1 bleach solution after the cat died. But, Panleukopenia is transmissible if it gets on a handler's shoes, clothes, or hands. No one knew what disease process that little foster cat had. So for several days, I did not know that I should follow the protocol for a highly contagious disease. Clinics and shelters are not supposed to release animals like this undisclosed to fosters or owners. This also opened the door to not only Atlas getting sick, but also any feline clients I was caring for.

There are varying degrees of angst about getting cats vaccinated. Shots that can cause cancer (vaccination sarcomas) being one of them. But as I watched Atlas struggle to get through a virus that kills in less than 12 hours post clinical symptoms, I have to wonder why an owner would opt out of using some of the new vaccines? The FVRC (covers Rhinotracheitis and Calici) is available as a new nasal-administered vaccine. There also is a nasal version that includes Panleukopenia, but the injectable vaccine is more effective.

As I've discussed with Venita, it took a perfect storm of missteps for Atlas to catch this horrible virus. And I do realize, as I discussed at length with Dr. Nappier, the probabilities for this exact situation to happen were darn near impossible. I am sort of feeling like I need to create a timeline to show how the near impossible happened. So this article is a little long. Keep in mind the internal medicine specialist said she hasn't seen an adult case of feline distemper in 20 years of practice. The vet insists that is due to the incredible efficacy of the vaccine, Panleukopenia has been nearly eradicated in adult cats. It is pretty much relegated these days to feral colonies, catteries, boarding facilities, and shelters.

As far as breaking the news to my pet sitting clients it went surprisingly well, except for one client. The news for her was devastating, as she has neglected getting any type of vaccinations for a senior cat in her home. She thought he was too old to handle getting his annuals. While my vet does insist that even a kittenhood series of the feline distemper would protect him and if he received annuals up until 5 years ago, he will be fine. I of course can't say such things to my client. All I can tell her is to check with her own vet. It is up to her and her vet if they want to take any kind of preventative action.

So Attie's life was at risk through a series of unimaginable missteps, not as an intentional choice to not vaccinate, as I do advocate strongly that pets be vaccinated according to the new feline protocols every other year or every three years. And with the advent of the ultranasal vaccine series for FVRCP, I see little to no reason not to. I know my business brings me into contact with many pets who may or may not be properly vaccinated and in the pet sitting world we're often called to pet sit because owners don't want to put pets through the additional vaccinations that boarding requires or the potential diseases that can come with boarding.

Just because your pets are kept at home, they don't live in an isolation ward and anyone can potentially bring a deadly disease into your house. It might be a friend, neighbor, your kids that contacted the stray cat outside, or even your pet sitter from another animal on his/her route.

So if you made your mind up a few years ago about not keeping your pets' core vaccinations up to date, maybe check with your vet again about the new advances and protocol changes. Think about that little foster Siamese cat that died and about my Atlas, how unlikely the scenario. A week ago Atlas rested in a cage in an isolation unit at Westlake Animal Hospital fighting for his life. Diabetic Cats in Need is very kindly raising funds to help pay for his care.

Concerns about vaccination sarcoma, the fact that a cat is elderly, or this scenario, you do have a choice and newer options are available.

Beth is the owner of The Finicky Feline & Fido, LLC. We are a premier pet sitting company on the westside of Cleveland, Ohio. We are home to the structured dog walk and pet enrichment programs.

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Monday, 16 July 2012

Help Your Cat De Stress With A Feliway Diffuser

Some cats are more nervous and timid than others. If you find you have a nervous cat, there could be a whole host of reasons for it, however there are things you can do to help alleviate his stress levels and make him feel calmer in his environment. One way and I find this extremely effective with my eight year old male who is extremely nervous, is to plug in some Feliway diffusers in the rooms that your cat likes to hang out in. So what is Feliway and how does it work?

You will observe a happy cat rubbing its cheek against objects around your home, especially in rooms that your cat likes to hang out in. When your cat does this it releases pheromones from glands in its cheek to give the message that all is well in his world and that he is feeling safe and secure in his environment. Changes in your cat's environment however, such as moving furniture or having friends over to stay, can cause your cat to feel stressed and anxious.

Feliway releases a vapour containing a synthetic replica of your cat's own natural scent marking pheromone. A Feliway diffuser can be plugged into any wall socket and will produce a current of warm air to carry the pheromone scent throughout the entire room. One cartridge can last up to four weeks before it needs to be refilled.

Feliway diffusers are a really effective way to keep your cat calm, however I find that the Feliway sprays can also work well in some situations. For example if your cat has started showing signs of vertical scratching in your home you should plug in a Feliway diffuser in the room where the scratching has taken place. Feliway spray can also be applied to the area that has been scratched. This should be done daily. You should also provide your cat with an alternative near the area such as a cat scratching post. The post should be tall enough so he can fully stretch out as he scratches.

Before buying Feliway you should first take your cat to the vet for a check-up as changes in your cats behavior could be due to health reasons as opposed to stress. Cats are extremely good at hiding pain and your cat may be ill without you even realising, so it is always best to get them checked out first.

I have been adopting cats all my life, I love cats what more can I say. I started using Feliway diffusers when I got my current resident cat Merlin who suffers from stress related cystitis and find it to be extremely effective.

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Sunday, 15 July 2012

3 Easy Steps to Successful Cat Flea Treatment

ByPhilip Fall

Many people are very worried about flea infestations. This can put them off the idea of sharing their home with pets. However with the right cat flea treatment steps in place you don't have to worry about infestations.

There are many products and methods available these days to deal with infestations and allow you to enjoy pet ownership with fleas getting in the way.

Why You Need to Stop Fleas

Fleas are nasty little bloodsuckers that can make life miserable for cats and pet owners. They are very small and difficult to spot and so infestations can develop before you realise there is a problem. This is why you do need to take a proactive approach to preventing fleas. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they are not affecting your pets and home. Here are just 3 easy steps to preventing fleas in your home.

Step 1 - Frontline Cat Flea Treatment

You do need to treat your pets against fleas all year round. Frontline is an excellent product with a proven history of flea prevention. With Frontline flea treatment for cats you will be able to quickly and easily treat your pets and exterminate any fleas that try to feed from them.

Frontline is a great way to deal with adult fleas as it will kill them very quickly once they have tried to feed from pets. This means when pets pick up new fleas they can be killed before they have a chance to jump off and infest other areas.

Step 2 - Home Cat Flea Treatment

You also need to tackle any fleas that may have already started breeding in your home. Fleas will breed in any warm, dark places such as in the weave of carpets or under floorboards. As most modern homes are centrally heated this means they can even thrive during the colder months.

There are some excellent Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) cat flea treatment products available. They work to disrupt the life cycle of fleas to prevent them from breeding and infesting your home. You can use these IGR products twice a year (they should last for 6 months) to keep your home free from fleas.

Step 3 - Cleaning Schedule

Flea infestations do not mean your home is unclean. However a few tweaks to your cleaning schedule can help to control fleas and assist with successful flea treatment for cats.

• Fleas get into carpets, bedding and soft furnishing in places where pets sleep. This means you can help to control fleas by washing bedding and pillow covers frequently.

• You should also vacuum rugs, carpets and sofa cushions every two or three days as well.

• This works to pick up adult fleas and will also trigger eggs to hatch so that when you do carry out treatments they will be more successful.

A successful cat flea treatment program will help to prevent infestations in your home. With just a few easy steps you can use effective products and techniques to ensure fleas don't ruin your pet ownership experience.

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Saturday, 14 July 2012

Common Ailments That Can Affect Your Cat

ByJoey S Glenden

There are cat people and there are dog people. The two camps have been arguing over which makes the better pet for quite some time. Obviously, there is no right answer. Some folks like felines and some folks like canines. It really is a matter of preference. Both animals, historically, have made fine pets and companions. But when it comes to bragging rights, cats can claim a small victory. Until only recently, dogs were America's most popular pet. They have since been surpassed in numbers by their feline friends.

According to statistics compiled by the American Pet Products Association, there are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs and 86.4 million owned cats in the United States. But that is not the statistic we want to focus on today. The only reason there are more cats in America is because cat lovers are far more likely to own more than one cat than dog lovers are. Only 28 percent of dog owners have more than one canine, compared to 52 percent of cat owners that have more than one feline. Why is this important? Because caring for pets can be expensive, especially when you own more than one!

The same survey of American pet owners informs us that the average dog owner spends a little bit more on veterinary visits each year ($248 to $219). But that owner typically only has one dog, while the average cat person has at least two! In other words, those who are fond of felines often spend more on an annual basis to take care of them. Furthermore, many cat owners live on fixed incomes, which can make it extremely difficult to afford pricey prescription medications and vet visits. What can they do?

Practice Prevention

Before we begin, it is important to note that the following is not medical advice. Only an experienced and licensed veterinarian can properly diagnose an illness or condition and provide treatment for your pet. With that said, every cat owner should know a bit about feline healthcare. This includes the illnesses they are more likely to suffer from than other pets, not the treatment. As we mentioned, treatment should be left to the professionals.

Hairballs

Cats like to take care of themselves. No offense to dogs, but they tend to be a bit more independent. A hairball is pretty much what it sounds like. It's a ball of hair that cats swallow during regular self-grooming routines and later have to hack or vomit up because they can't be digested. Of course, a cat doesn't do this on purpose. It is his instinct to try to clean himself, even if he isn't dirty.

Fortunately, hairballs aren't deadly. But they will make your cat uncomfortable and they will cause quite a mess. Regurgitated cat fur is not a pleasant thing to find lying around the house. In extreme cases, if your cat is a meticulous groomer, the accumulated hair in his intestines may cause digestive problems. It may cause decreased appetite, which often results in lethargy or fatigue. He may also have problems with constipation, since the accumulated hair in his intestines can make it difficult to get things out.

As we mentioned, if your cat is hacking up a storm and the problem seems to be getting worse, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. The good news is that in the overwhelming majority of cases the treatment for hair balls is fast, effective, and affordable.

Your kitty's doctor will most likely prescribe a type of lubricant which makes it easier for the hair to pass through your cat. It typically comes in oral gel form and will stop your feline friend from coughing up his own hair. In addition, it is probably a good idea to brush your cat on a regular basis to remove loose hair, especially if he has long hair. This will prevent him from swallowing large and uncomfortable hairballs that he may not be able to pass.

Diabetes

Just like their owners, pets can get diabetes. This serious condition occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the cells do not respond to the hormone as they should (insulin resistance). If it is not properly diagnosed in a timely manner, diabetes will cause early death.

The symptoms of feline diabetes often include increased appetite with no subsequent weight gain, even weight loss. This is because the lack of insulin is not allowing your cat to store fat as he should (insulin is essentially a fat-storing hormone). He may also drink and urinate more than he did before. As the disease takes hold of him, your cat will suffer from weakness and fatigue. In a younger cat, this should be relatively easy to observe. Lastly, when in the final throes of the disease, his breathing will become labored or stertorous and he may vomit or suffer from diarrhea. If your cat experiences any of these serious symptoms, take him to his veterinarian immediately!

Joey Glenden is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and pet meds.

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Friday, 13 July 2012

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Dry Diet for Cats

There are many complete dry foods available for cats. When you're feeding dry food to cats you do need to be careful that the food you are giving them is a complete diet food. Some cat biscuits are simply meant to be given in addition to a wet meat diet. A complete food will have all the vitamins and nutrients a cat needs, so they can solely be given this type of food.

If you feed your cat a dry diet, it is very important that your cat has access to fresh water all the time. If your cat is an indoor cat then this is especially important as the water you offer will be the only source of water they get. Outdoor cats will usually find water in puddles and another places that water gathers, often in preference to clean fresh tap water, but your indoor cat will need plenty of water available all the time. If you are often out, perhaps if you work during the day, you should leave out an extra bowl of water, perhaps in a different area of the house. Not having enough water with a dry diet can cause kidney problems.

Of course there is a lot of advantages to feeding your cat a dry diet, and if you choose a complete feed then there should be no problems nutritionally as all your cats dietary requirements will be met. One major factor for many people is that they don't have to deal with cat meat. Cat meat never smells nice, whereas biscuits are fairly neutral smelling. Biscuits are also much better suited for leaving out for any length of time. If you have a cat who knows when it is meal time and eats all their food up it's not so much of a problem, but if you have a cat who is a nibbler, or who is often out and about when it is feeding time, food left out can smell and can attract flies, which is unpleasant for you, and can cause your cat to be ill if they are eating food several hours after it has been left out for them. Especially in warm weather.

Many people are simply squeamish about cat meat, and if you don't feed your cat the whole container at once it isn't very pleasant to have to store it in the fridge with all your own food. Dry food is often the food of choice for cats living in a vegetarian household.

Dry food usually works out cheaper than a wet diet, even if you choose one of the premium dry diets, so it's a good option if you're on a budget. They are also easy to dispense, you can simply pour some out into a bowl rather than having to spoon meat out of a tin or squeeze it out of a sachet, and the dirty bowl will be easier to clean when it has just had biscuits in rather than meat.

Burgess Supacat is a specially formulated dental cat food, designed to help keep your cat's teeth clean. Visit Supacat for more information today.

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Thursday, 12 July 2012

Cat Climbing Towers - Cats Need Them To Remain Active

Certain very practical, pet safe, and decor blending items of modern feline furniture items, are called cat climbing towers.

Many cat owners fail to realize that the longevity of their domesticated wards depends entirely on the level of activity these animals are permitted in their domesticated confines. A domesticated cat that is always active, out lives its less active counterparts.

Play, is the first chance of any activity, for the domesticated feline. While there are toys that can keep your kitty interested in play, specific types of feline furniture, especially cat climbing towers, go a long way in keeping your pet active and lively.

Climbing a tree, is living, to the feline animal in the wild. They use trees to sleep in, and as a look out, while hunting and stalking prey.

Cat climbing towers, is the type of feline furniture item, which would fit into any living room and lounge. They are tree like creations, which are a domesticated kitten's playground. Their main purpose is to induce the animal to climb.

Cat climbing towers are also a great advantage to the pet owner, as their sisal rope and sisal material covered posts offer the most acceptable scratching surface to the cats, saving the household's furniture and carpets, from the animal's sharp and destructive claws.

Apart from a host of added features, cat climbing towers come in a variety of designs, colors and sizes. If you shop around, you can find a cat climbing tower of dimensions to fit into any space. You will also be able to find models with added features like dangling toys and little cubby houses, or hammocks and cradles, placed at different levels. Cats enjoy napping in places they can hide away in, feeling sheltered and protected.

There is an abundance of cat climbing towers on show at every online pet store. From the most elaborate designs to tiny little creations that could fit into your closet.

Every tower is so designed, that they would blend into the decor of most modern apartments and living rooms. No matter what type of tower you get your cat, the most important thing to remember is, that, you are doing your cat a huge favor, by giving him or her, it's very own place to play and rest.

What everyone should remember is that, while the run of mill feline furniture items are absolutely necessary for the general well-being of the domesticated cat, it is the cat climbing tower that ensures their continued activity.

If you want to take the quality of life, of your feline pet, to the next level, and be assured that it lives a long, healthy and happy life, you have to provide it with quality, durable, cat furniture, especially cat climbing towers.

Noel Benjamin D'Costa

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Wednesday, 11 July 2012

A Guide for Treating UTI in Cats

There is an important question that you must ask yourself; why is my cat having urinary tract infections? It is even more important to ask this question if your cat is having repeated urinary tract infections or cystitis, especially after a round of antibiotics. The main reason why this could be happening is because the root of the problem is not being addressed by the veterinarian.

This guide for treating UTI in cats will help cover the reasons cats have UTIs, the conventional and the alternative treatments that can help, plus, how to finally get rid of UTI's once and for all.

What Can Cause UTI's in Cats

--Kidney stones

--Bladder stones (Struvite and Oxalate)

--Some type of obstruction, other than bladder stones

--Parasites

--Metabolic illnesses

--Bacteria, especially e coli contamination

Symptoms of UTI's

--Urinating often

--Not using the litter box

--Meowing in pain

--Licking the urethral opening trying to soothe the pain

--Drinking an above average amount of liquids and not urinating as much

--Sleeping or hiding more

Treating UTI in Cats, the Conventional Treatment

If none of the above listed causes for a bladder infection or cystitis is found, the conventional treatment is to administer antibiotics, creating a vicious cycle. Other than not working to eliminate the root problem, antibiotics are harsh and your cat can develop a resistance to them, so when the medicine is needed for an injury or more serious infection they will not work.

Treating UTI in Cats, the Alternative Treatment

The alternative treatment on the other hand works to boost your cat's health including the immune system; it will strengthen the bladder and kidneys. The cat's whole body will improve and will be better equipped to fight off bacteria, thus eliminating UTI's once and for all.

Here's a list of things you can do to help treat UTI's using the alternative method of treatment for your cat:

--Always have fresh water available to help flush waste and bacteria out of kidneys and bladder.

--Don't feed dry cat food which dehydrates and can cause other health issues. It also has ingredients not meant to be eaten by animals, especially cats.

--Use high moisture, high protein (meat or fish) cat food.

--Offer a clean unscented litter box. Many times the scented products have ingredients that irritate their urethra opening. Also, bacteria in an unclean box can contribute to infections.

--Treating UTI in cats should also include a homeopathic remedy which works on the entire urinary system and to strengthen the immune system. An added plus is the fact that they are safe and very effective.

--D-mannose can also help to keep the e coli bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract walls. Try 1/8 tsp in 1 tsp water every couple of hours (or every hour if the symptoms are extreme) until the UTI symptoms settle down, and then give your cat 1/8 tsp in 1-2 tsp of water with every meal for 7 days to make sure the bacteria have been eliminated. If your cat is not urinating increase the water to 2 tablespoons. You can also give kitty a little D-mannose in the water bowl as a preventative measure once a week.

For the best UTI treatment for cats and other natural alternatives visit Natural Pet Cures or Natural Pet Blog for healthy alternatives to harsh medications.

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Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Bengal Cat Rescue Basic Principles

ByJohn E. Eagle

Many Bengal cat owners got their cat from a local Bengal rescue center. They have been through all the tedious screening to be an eligible owner of a rescued Bengal.

It is not easy to acquire and keep a Bengal cat from a rescue organization. It requires an even greater degree of responsibility. Here are some of the tips that you could use when you have a Bengal cat from a rescue center:

Proper introduction

You should remember that a Bengal that came from a rescue center requires a much more careful introduction to your family and household pets. This is because the Bengal had a negative human encounter before. With a proper introduction, you will give enough time for everybody in the house to get a feel of each other. This will eventually result to a harmonious relationship. You now have the opportunity to change that negative experience into a positive one, so start with a proper, patient transition into your home.

Understanding

You have to keep in mind that a Bengal cat from a rescue organization should be given an extra load of understanding. At first, it may exhibit some negative behavior because of what it went through before. You have to keep an open mind because the Bengal needed a good rescue from its former owners and it's your turn to make it trust humans again.

Extra care

It won't hurt to give your little friend some extra care especially when you know that it came from a rescue center. The Bengal went through tough times so it's your job to make it trust human care again. Your Bengal cat didn't readily receive that much attention in the rescue center because of the large Bengal population there. So you really have to see to it that the care you give is personalized and extra special.

More patience

You have to bear with your Bengal if it came from a rescue organization. It should be expected for it to take some time to adjust and re-orient itself to proper human care and attention. Introductions may take longer and it may initially be aloof but be patient with your pet because it didn't end up in the rescue center for nothing.

More attention

Since your Bengal cat came from a rescue center, you should keep in mind that it experienced a great deal of abuse or neglect from its previous owners. In order to correct the negativity of all that, you should give your Bengal more attention to facilitate emotional and mental healing. Play and talk with your Bengal cat because this will directly say that you don't want it to return to the rescue center.

A Bengal cat that needed rescue before should indeed be rescued by you this time. Make sure that you really grab at the opportunity to help these Bengals recuperate and live at their best now that they have the chance to do so with you.

For additional information on Bengal cat rescue please visit my Bengal Cat related website.

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Monday, 9 July 2012

What's So Special About Bengal Cat Personality?

ByJohn E. Eagle

Bengal cats have a very nice personality. They are very devoted to the owner and are in strike contrast to your ordinary aloof cats. Bengal cats always want to be the center of attention. They are where the action is. However this particular personality trait puts a toll on their owners. You need to give back to them this devotion and love. In this respect the personality of Bengal cats is very similar to dogs. They possess the same loyalty, love and devotion to their owners as dogs do. I can even go as far as to claim that Bengals are a dog lover's cat. Why? Because rarely do you find a cat breed that follows you around, likes playing, is not aloof and can even be trained to do tricks. Yes, Bengals can be trained to do tricks for an example just type "Amazing Cat Tricks by Kaiser the Bengal" in your search and watch a video of some impressive tricks performed by this cat.

Although these cats are loving and devoted I would like to caution that Bengals are not lap cats. Bengal cat's personality is just too vigorous and they usually don't like to be constrained. If you have kids teach them to respect the freedom of your Bengal and not to constrain the cat. They like to play and be around your family members. They will also treat kids nicely if handled properly.

Another unusual personality trait that Bengal cats have is their affinity for water. Bengals are hydrophilic or water-loving. Although this personality trait may not necessarily apply to all Bengals it is still wide spread enough to be considered a general trait of this breed. What does this mean for an ordinary person? It means you need to watch out when you take a shower or a bath since your cat may suddenly join you. They are distracted by running water and usually come over to investigate the source of it. They like playing with running water and can make a mess out of drinking bowl. That's why sometimes it is wise to purchase drinking fountains to avoid them messing around with drinking bowls. However for cat owners this is rarely a problem or a hassle. In fact often it is very amusing and entertaining to watch your cat paw at a kitchen tub or trying to catch the shower water.

Bengal cats have an excellent personality but they are definitely not for everyone. They require an active and loving family that can give them the attention and love that they require. They will be fine with children providing that their movement and freedom will not be constrained by kids constantly hugging and cuddling them. They have some unique personality traits that avid pet lovers will definitely want to explore. Some will love to teach their Bengal a few tricks. Others will amuse themselves while watching their cat trying to walk on a pool cover or watch it play in the kitchen sink.

If you are looking for more info on Bengal cat personality please visit my Bengal Cat website.

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Sunday, 8 July 2012

Caring for You and Your Cats

Owning a cat can't be as high maintenance as owning a dog, however the most common enemy that a cat lover would encounter is cat fleas. It is the most common parasite that can infest your pet every once in a while. A person should have enough knowledge about cats and flea treatment so that when infestation begins, you will know what to do. Fleas can be obtained by your cat, especially if they are spending most of their time outdoor. Flea saliva can cause allergies to the cat which can make the bitten area itchy and can lead to skin diseases. If not cured, flea infestation can lead to bubonic plague or anemia. For kittens, flea can cause weakness, and even worse, death. That is why it is best to know the preventive way of taking care of your cats and flea treatment.

First things first, check if your cat has been infested by flea. There are signs and symptoms that you can look out for to be bale to tell if the cat has fleas. If your cat has been scratching a little more than the usual, expect that there is a flea in his coating. Another way to know is to brush your cat's fur with a fine tooth comb. So better invest on that as early as now so you can check anytime and prevent the spread of fleas on your cat. Once you caught a flea from your comb, put it in warm water so that the fleas will drown. Although you can simply squash them, however if there are too many of fleas infesting your cat, then it is not advisable to squash all of them at the same time.

Remember, if the fleas will spread all over the house, it can also give you discomfort and itching like your cat and you do not want fleas to spread all over your house. That is why as early as you find out about fleas on your cats, immediately apply a flea treatment to avoid spreading. Fleas can survive up to six months and can have a lifespan of up to two years. There are different treatments that can be done to prevent and avoid fleas from laying more eggs. One of the most common treatments is the insecticide. Although there are two types of insecticides, you might want to use both as one can kill the adult flea and the other one can destroy eggs.

There are other preventive measures that can be done. One of them is bathing your pet using a flea shampoo. There are specific time allotments on how long you need to soak your cat with the treatment, so make sure to follow that. Another preventive measure is to soak your pets bedding into a hot water with soap. Leave it for at least 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Clean the inside of your house, vacuum all corners and make sure that you do this regularly. If you think it has already reached your bedroom, wash your bedding as well. Make sure to buy a flea collar for your cat to keep him away from getting flea all the time. Again, arm yourself with a lot of information about cats and flea treatment.

Earl L. White - Owner Tails Pet Supply
Referred by Wagging "Tails" Everywhere
Since 2009 we have been serving the pet enthusiast with quality products for all your pets. Get your Flea and Tick collar today!

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Saturday, 7 July 2012

Why You Should Keep Your Cat Indoors

ByS. Duff

The cat is one of the most beloved of all pets. A soft, furry pal who will curl up in your lap as you watch a movie, sit gently on your feet when you eat a meal, and 'help' you type as you're sitting at the computer makes him not only a desirable companion but also a source of constant amusement.

When I was growing up years ago, it was standard practice for owners to let their cats outside to roam around as they pleased during the day, and only to bring them inside at night, or if they persistently meowed at the door.

But in this day and age, letting your cat outside is not considered politically correct. There are too many life-threatening hazards that weren't around twenty years ago.

For one thing, traffic has increased tremendously. There are a lot more cars on the road that go at excessive speeds.

For another, predatory species of wildlife have moved into domestic locations. It's not unusual to see the stray coyote in an urban location, trotting down a street or sitting in a city park. I have a friend who even saw a coyote, which she mistook for a dog at first, sitting on a corner apparently waiting for the light to change before crossing the street.

With more and more dangerous situations for an outdoor cat, it's the mark of responsible cat owners to keep them indoors. In fact, many shelters will not let you adopt a cat unless you sign an agreement that you promise to keep them inside at all times.

Now, some cat owners object to this. Their biggest argument is that it's natural for a cat to be outside. They like to hunt, pounce on insects, and explore.

Another friend of mine thought just this way. She let her cat outside whenever he wanted to go, even if it meant he stayed away for days at a time. 'He always comes back eventually.' But one day he didn't come back. I'll add that she lives in an area with a high coyote population.

When she got two new kitties to fill the pet-empty house, she made them indoor animals. Lesson learned, but sadly at the expense of a beloved pet.

It may be true that a cat wants to go outside and may even meow at the door to tell you such, but would you let your child play in the street just because he wants to drive his toy cars on the asphalt?

Pets are a lot like children in many ways. They don't have the big picture about their environment. They know nothing of traffic, predators, or other dangerous situations. They trust us as their caregivers to keep them safe.

So don't betray their trust. Keep them as happy, loved, and above all safe members of the family.

Sara Duff grew up with a pet cat and is a big animal lover. She has a website http://www.catexercisewheel.net which sells the cat exercise wheel, a great way to keep an indoor cat happy and active.

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Friday, 6 July 2012

Introducing Your New Kitten to Your Children

ByDarrell Gohen

Integrating a newborn kitten into your household, if you possess no extra household pets, is a fairy trouble-free issue. You will use a huge deal of time with your kitten, bonding and in general "spoiling" her, unconsciously make her one of the relatives.

Though, hold in mind that your household is a mysterious new location to your kitten, also depending on her experience, she will want time to adjust and explore. Perhaps she comes from a location where care was taken to bond her to people, like a nurture care situation. On the other hand, lots of kittens spend their first days inside a shelter - either into a cage together with litter mates, or in a "space" surroundings among a number of new kitties, babies plus grownup. In the latter case, your new kitten will require plenty of adoration as well as tolerance, as well as the occasion to be alone when she demands it. Your care in providing these requests will help lessen your kitten's concerns concerning her fresh location.

The "gentling" technique is an excellent technique of starting a bond with your brand new kitten, therefore start to do it at the moment!. (look for it within Google) I can't get credit for this content. This information comes from a veterinarian, i have read about it within a different guide. This technique not only supports the bonding process, but also makes the kitten accustomed to being handled, that will be invaluable afterward with dental treatment, brushing, and veterinary examinations.

Put aside a private section, including a bed, food, plus a litter box intended for your kitten. It can be a part screened off from the area's ordinary action, it does not have to be a total room. It is labeled as a "Protected Space".

She soon will feel at home with you if you provide your brand new kitten lots of loving attention as soon as she asks for it, as well as breathing space when she wants it.

Integrating Along with Extra Animals

It can be a different matter totally, though, if you hold existing dogs and/or kitties inside your family. To start with, it truly is essential to quarantine the small newcomer(s) until they have had their veterinary exam, to stop spreading diseases or parasites they may carry. Feral kittens regularly hold, parasites, ear mites, plus extra parasites. Now and again they may perhaps be carriers or be infected with FeLV otherwise FIV. Adopted kittens from shelters quite repeatedly own URIs (upper respiratory infections), including Bordetella (kennel cough). URIs have an incubation period of up to three or four weeks, so even kittens from well thought-of breeders occasionally may perhaps own the former, thus even a respectable breeder may possibly be oblivious of this situation inside a newly adopted kitten.

Thus, for a couple of days set your kitten in an isolated Safe Space (see above). Be sure she has her personal single bed, foodstuff and water dish, and litter box. You be able to open the entrance to her "secure area" a crack, as soon as she has been cleared by your veterinarian, to allow the extra kitties to sniff as well as peep at her. For your existing cats to become accustomed with her aroma, you be able to rub your kitten with a towel to impart her odor on it, next leave the towel into the slumbering area of your existing cats. Reverse the tactic by giving her a towel otherwise blanket with the smell of your adult kitties. Within a couple of days you can lay her into a carrier and allow the additional cats to go into and sniff her. Expect a fragment of growling and hussy-spitty behavior at first; it is actually intuitive.

For "holdouts," make an effort not to haste things, except give occasions where the elder cats and the brand new kitten can share pleasurable actions. "Chase the ball" with small Brandon is what my cats get pleasure from playing. The "ball" may simply be a crumpled up part of document, but it offers interactivity as the cats compete to be the leading to bring down the "victim." It really is astonishing sometimes how repeatedly they let Brandon "succeed."

Almost immediately-- within a week or 2, the bunch of them ought to settle down as well as be getting along just excellent. The bunch of them ought to settle down as well as be getting along just well, generally within a week or two. The secret is not to hurry things, as well as to provide both sides a lot of personal interest in the interim. Within no time at all, your kitten will be part of your clowder of cats.

This information is brought to you by: Darrell Gohen - Cute kittens

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Thursday, 5 July 2012

Don't Be a Fat Cat Use A Cat Tree

Cat trees bring a lot of benefits to cats and their owners. A pet owner benefits by keeping their cat safe, happy, and less visits to the veterinarian; thus, keeping more money in their pockets. Some benefits to pets include their need to satisfy their curiosity. Also, cat furniture keeps a pet physically fit through daily exercise. Cat furniture keep your pet engaged and from boredom.

The old saying "curiosity killed the cat" could be true if your pet's innate curiosity put him/her in dangerous situations. Some of these dangerous situations, include having your pet go into an open door to a washer or dryer, and you turn it on without being aware of your cat being inside. A cat tree helps with your pet's curiosity supplying crannies that cats love to cuddle up in and investigate. A pet owner wants to be able to satisfy their pet's curiosity and to keep them safe. Cat trees offer both of these options.

Cat trees keep your pet healthier through daily exercise. Unlike a cat in the wild who stay exercised daily for food and survival; today's indoor cat needs help to keep moving. Indoor pets are at higher risk for diabetes and obesity. Not only this a risk to your pet's health, it is a risk to your pocketbook, since you may be paying more to your veterinarian and pet medication. Daily exercise keeps your pet's eyes and
coat shinier. Your cat's behavior improves, and he becomes smarter through daily exercise.

Finally, cat trees help keep your pet engaged and less bored. A cat in the wild needs to stay engaged to survive. A house pet needs to stay engaged to stay out of trouble. Cat furniture helps to keep your pet engaged. An unengaged pet can wreak havoc in your house. Do not be surprised to come home to shredded furniture, curtains, or items that are broken. An engaged cat is a happier pet. Cat furniture can help improve your pet's disposition.

As stated throughout the article, benefits of having a cat tree are to both the cat and to his/her owner. The benefits to the cat include satisfaction of curiosity, keeping engaged, and staying physically fit through exercise. The benefits to the owner are keeping your pet safe, keeping your pet happy, and keeping your pet healthy from obesity and diabetes. This keeps your pocketbook fatter. So don't own a fat cat, invest in a cat tree!

The author, Lorraine Menza, is a happy pet owner and loves animals! She loves it when her pet is safe, happy, and healthy. Her goal is to help other pet owners to keep their loved pets safe, happy, and healthy. Check out her website, http://funcattrees.com, that helps her with this goal.

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Wednesday, 4 July 2012

The Singapura Cat - A Loving And Carefree Pet

As the name implies, the Singapura cat's origins are from Singapore. In fact, the name Singapura, is the Malaysian word for the city-state of Singapore. These exotic cats have eyes that are a pale-green in colour and are full of mischief. They are so lovable and full of energy that, you will find this over enthusiastic cat, taking part in all your activities. One look with their large playful eyes and you would forgive all their transgressions. They are quite intelligent and very playful. These cats are full of energy and are not content with just curling up in a corner. The Singapura, loves to be the centre of attention. You will most probably find them on your shoulder or on your lap. Their nimble paws will try to pry open anything. They are friendly cats and like to be around people. The Singapura is a gentle cat with a mild voice and gets along quite well with other cats. They are also very active and playful into old age.

The Singapura is the smallest breed of domestic cat. They do not develop fully, till they are 2 years old. Even when the Singapura is fully grown, they are not large in size. There is also not much difference in size between the male and female Singapura. The males weigh from 6-8 pounds, whereas the females weigh 5-6 pounds. They have compact but powerful bodies. Though stocky, the Singapura has a short strong neck and with strong muscular legs. Their coat is very fine and short. It covers the body compactly. The colour and pattern of their coat is sepia agouti or ticked tabby. This ticked tabby gene gives alternating bands of colour in each hair shaft. This results in a warm dark brown colour called sepia. Thus you have old ivory alternating with the sepia, which gives a wonderful blend of colours. The chin, stomach, muzzle and chest are the colour of ivory. The colour of their eyes, range from pale-green, hazel, gold to copper and looks as though lined with mascara. Their heads are round in shape and they have large ears. They also have a broad muzzle and a blunt nose. Their tail is slender with a dark blunt tip. The Singapuras forehead, has the tabby "M". All put together, this makes them look very alert and makes them bundles of energy on four legs. Their grooming needs to be done once a week. This can be done with the use of a rubber glove. The grooming will get rid of loose hair and dirt. Baths need be given only when it becomes necessary.

For the Singapura, there are no strangers. Everyone is a friend. They generally tend to form a bond with one member of the family or with everyone. If you can develop a relationship with them, you then have a devoted companion for life.

In 1991, the Singapore government recognized them as a living national treasure and the Singapore Tourist and Promotion Board uses the Singapura as a tourism mascot.

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Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Tips for Traveling by Car With Your Cat

ByKim Salerno

Amongst pets, dogs are the most frequent travelers. They account for over 85% of pet travelers. Trips to the beach, family vacations, traveling to pet friendly accommodations...no matter what the adventure, most dogs love car rides and can't wait to hop in and hit the open road. Cats on the other hand - not so much. Most cat's car travel takes place when they are going back and forth to the vet (no wonder they don't like the car). However, many cat parents are faced with a big dilemma when they have to move - particularly if the move is a long distance. They are stressed at the thought of putting terrified Fluffy in the car - traveling for hours on end. In addition, a growing number of cat parents would like to include their cat in their daily travels.

We've come up with some tips to help make your cat's car travel experience a better one...for both of you!

Pet Carrier Training: Always use a pet travel carrier for your cat when traveling in a car. The carrier should be large enough for your cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Be sure the carrier has proper ventilation. Get them used to their carrier in your house. Place bedding, some toys, or maybe some catnip or kibble in the carrier and keep the carrier door open. Let your cat go in and out of the carrier at their leisure. Do this until your cat feels comfortable.

Familiarity is Comfort: Cats are highly sensitive to the environment and their territory so you want to help to make the car part of their territory. Place a towel or blanket with your cat's scent on the car seat. Put your cat in the car with you and close the doors. Let your cat explore your car, rub around and spread their scent. Do this a few times a day for a couple minutes and gradually increase the time.

Positive Reinforcement: Once your cat is calm in the car, start feeding him in the car for at least a week. If play or catnip motivate him more than food, then let your cat indulge in that while in the car. Again, associating the car with all things good will help make your cat a better traveler.

Introduce Carrier in Car: Gradually your cat will begin to accept the car as his territory. When he's at this point, it's time to introduce the travel carrier into the car (so be sure you are simultaneously crate training him). Put your cat in the carrier and place the carrier in the back seat or cargo area of your vehicle. Be sure the carrier is secure and away from airbags. Turn on the engine and that's it. Don't drive anywhere. Let your cat get used to the noise of the engine and the vibration. Do this at least 3 times a day until your cat gets used to it. Reward your cat as soon as he is let out of his carrier.

Short Rides: Once your cat is used to the car and engine, it's time to move. Back up to the end of the driveway and drive up it again. Do this a few times then take your cat out of the car and into the house. Reward him with play time and treats once you let him out of his crate. When you feel your cat is ready, extend your trip and drive around the block. Slowly, increase the length and duration of your car rides. Again, the key is to do this very gradually and reward your cat after each step. Your cat will let you know if he's not comfortable with the speed of this "car training."

Calm Energy: Throughout the entire process, it's important for you to be calm. Pets sense your energy. So, when you're hyped up and stressed, they will be too.

Potty Breaks: If you're traveling a long distance, you'll need to consider the issue of potty breaks for your cat. Some cat parents have harness trained their cat. This allows them to walk their cats at rest areas along the way. Otherwise, it is recommended that you keep your drive time down to 8 hours at most. At that point allow your cat to have a potty break at your night's destination. You know your cat best, so this time could vary.

Whether it's including your cat while running errands around town or a move across country with your cat, making them happy in the car is essential. Helping your cat become more comfortable traveling in a car definitely takes some time and a lot of patience. Stick with it and take your time...remember, it's a gradual process that should not be rushed. Safe and happy travels with your cat!

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.

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Monday, 2 July 2012

Made To Order Cat Furniture, Is It Really Worth The Price?

You're shopping for cat furniture, there are so many configurations, styles and colors. It shouldn't be so hard to find the right one. Which one is right for you and your cat?

Your fur baby wants a cat tree, you agree and begin the search. You'll find several with a style that you think your cat will enjoy but the perfect one is pink! The price is right but can you live with that big pink thing in your home?

There are manufacturers that will make cat furniture to your exact specifications and some that have a large variety of popular designs or configurations customizable in your choice of colors. One manufacturer even allows you to add modules as your kitty's needs grow. Let's talk about Pussicat Premium Cat Furniture and what they offer in terms of

Sunday, 1 July 2012

Take Care Of Your Feline Friend

ByZoe D Robinson

Cats are beautiful creatures that are a popular pet among many households. They are known as sacred animals in Egypt and if you own one you will understand why. Cats are said to have slaves and dogs have masters, this is very much a true fact. However the love you gain from your cat is undeniable. The most important thing you can do is to look after them by feeding them well and giving them the attention they look for.

Cats are very much free spirits and independent animals, they like to roam about as they please and look after themselves to some extent. Of course they are natural hunters and like to catch birds and play about with mice, much to the displeasure of cat owners around the world. However they never really eat these, they just catch them as play things and as presents to give to you. In their mind it is a nice thing to do! Every owner must provide their feline friends with cat food to make sure they are getting enough nutrients and goodness. This is essential in making sure they stay fit and well.

Of course there is not quite the variety available to eat for cats, as to what we have on offer as humans. However there are a number of different flavours to pick from, many including fish and meat which cats enjoy as hunters. You can purchase wet and dry food, both are a necessity. Animals just like humans can become overweight and unhealthy with the wrong diet. This is why you should feed your cat a healthy amount of dried food throughout the day to make sure they do not go hungry.

Wet food is like us having a main meal; they should have this once a day to ensure they do not go hungry. Plenty of water should also always be available to make sure they stay hydrated. Now and again many pet owners like to give their cat that extra treat of offering them some milk or a cat treat. These in moderation are a nice way of showing them that you love them, just like how we like to indulge in a chocolate bar every now and again.

Cat food will give cats exactly what they need to maintain strong teeth and a healthy coat of fur. You want your cat to look and feel at its best. They will no doubt return the favour by jumping up on your lap to keep you company whilst watching your favourite TV show. Either that or they just want to let you know they are hungry again!

Zoe Robinson is an enthusiastic writer in the subject matter of pets and their supplies. The websites recommended by Zoe Robinson have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at a selection of cat food today.

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