American Curl Cat Breed

American Curl Cats are showing either short or long hair. They first appeared in 1981 in the Southern area of California. Most major associations are accepting them now. The cat breed is well known for being friendly and competitive. We are basically talking about great show cats that are great for those of you that are looking for a really warm and close pet. American Curl Cats are definitely similar to dogs when talking about personality. You can even teach them to fetch, open a door and so on.

American Curl Cat Breed Grooming

If you thought these cats are great, they just get better when thinking about grooming. You will not need much. Rarely will you have to take your new friend to a groomer. We can say that the cat breed is great for those of you that are a little lazy and want a cat that is easy to take care of.

The American Curl Cat Breed has a rectangular body and you will not be faced with health problems in most cases. It has been a domestic cat breed from the start and this did have an impact on overall good health.

Russian Blue Cat Breed

The Russian Blue cat breed can be characterized as a rare cat breed. It seems to have appeared naturally and was not created by humans. It is well known for having a double coat and has a very distinctive silver sheen. We have noticed that in Great Britain the Russian Black and Russian White cat breed varieties are identical except for the color of the coating.

The Russian Blue cat is graceful and long in outline and even carriage. It has small feet and long legs. This breed shows large and pointed ears, which are quite prominent and wide at the base. The eyes of this cat are the shape of an almond and are wide apart.

Abyssinian Cat Facts

Abyssinian Cats are adorable. Ever since they are kittens you will get drawn towards loving them without realizing why. Unfortunately with any pet comes a great responsibility. With Abyssinian Cats you will need to know special facts about how to take care of the breed. For instance, did you know that today's cat is still closely connected to the noble cats that were painted in ancient Egypt? Its coat is richly colored and ticked. There are no markings visible on the neck, tail and legs but the facial markings are dramatic. You should know that there are 4 colors accepted: fawn, blue, ruddy and red. The Abyssinian Cat is not a lap cat, as some people believe. We are talking about one of the most intelligent and loyal cat breeds today but you need to realize that it is also independent. The Abyssinian Cats will only love you when you earn their love. The only way that you can do this is to provide your pet with the proper cat care it needs. Make sure that you feed her right, groom her right and offer as much attention as it is needed. Failure to do this will push the cat away from you and you would not want this to happen. We recommend that you get your Abyssinian cat as a kitten because a mature cat might be problematic in the sense of getting used to you. Make sure that you learn all that needs to be learned about this cat breed and only then buy or adopt one. We are sure that you will have a great time and that you will love the Aby as it is quite impossible not to do so. The good news is that there are dozens of good books and DVDs that will teach you all you need to do. There are even good web sites filled with cat care info about Abyssinian Cats.

Do You Know Why Your Cat Bites - Cat Behavior Explained

Ow! Your cat just bit you, and those little teeth are sharp. Read on for some reasons why your cat bites you. Your cat may be afraid. Your kid might be pulling on the cat's tail. Or, maybe an unfamiliar person is tried to pick up the cat. Cats bite to protect themselves.

Playtime is another time when cats may bite. You could be ambling across the room and all of the sudden get a toe attacked. Some cats hate to get their bellies tickled and will bite you. Whilte biting is normal cat behavior, a bite to you or a family member is probably not what you would like. Help your cat release energy by playing chase and pounce with cat toys that have long poles so your hands don't get in the way. Don't use your hand or other body part as the object to be chased as this cat training will only encourage biting.

Some felines actually bite to express their love. Cats bite each other lightly to demonstrate their affection for each other, and your cat may be giving you love cat-style. Cats may also give gentle bites while they are licking you. The cat is really grooming you, and it is normal for cats to softly bite when they are grooming each other.

Cats may bite to communicate to you that they have had enough of your attention for the time being. Your cat may be purring contently while you pet her and then turn around and bite to get you to stop petting. Before biting, cats will generally signal that they are at their limit by making tail circles or laying their ears back. Being in pain can cause a cat to bite. If your cat suddenly starts biting for no apparent reason, get a vet exam to rule out any physical problems.

Handling kittens in the presence of the mother cat can also get you bitten since cat mothers tend to be very protective of their offspring. Usually the mother will stop biting once the kittens are older. You should understand now why your cat bites. By not playing aggressively with your cat, treating underlying medical conditions, and learning cat behavior secrets , you can reduce or eliminate the biting and enjoy your cat friend.

6 Important Cat Facts

Some items a cat owner needs are obvious, like the litter box or cat food. But others are not so apparent; you realize they are necessities only after error and trial. If you are a new cat owner, you should really try to learn from others’ experiences. In this article we will present the most common and important cat items, and others that are meant to make owning a cat much easier for a new owner. It is highly recommended to have these items before bringing a cat home, to make it comfortable and welcomed from the moment it enters your door.

1. Food-Related Items
First item you should consider is a place for the food. The best containers water and food are the ceramic or metal ones. Plastic dishes could cause rash to some cats. If you are a busy person, a good option that you can consider would be automatic water and food servers. As for the food, buy just a little before you bring the cat home. You should remember your cat has special nutritional needs. For instance, extra nutrients are recommended at kittens, helping them grow healthy; on the other hand, an overweight cat should have a restricted diet. Your cat may have preferences, so until you figure out what she likes most, give it several flavors and brands of food. Remember: it should be in both dry and canned varieties.

2. Litter Box
As a cat owner or a future one, you already know that the litter box is indispensable. But there are different types of litter. Nowadays the most popular one is clumping clay; it clumps around the cat’s waste. But it can be dangerous if ingested, so it’s not recommended at kitten. Another option can be the plant-based litter.

3. Grooming Tools
A cat is happier and healthier when it is groomed properly. But also it is a way to bound with your cat. Further more, it helps you keep your house clean, preventing hairballs. For this you must buy a fine-tooth comb and a rubber-backed brush. Also you can find in stores specially designed cat nail clippers; you should really purchase one.

4. Cat Toys
It is a well known fact: cats love playing with different toys. But before buying a toy make sure all the parts are well connected, so it can’t be a danger for your cat.

5. Cat Carrier
Many cat owners neglect to buy a cat carrier. But it is necessary. Even if your cat lives indoors, you still have to take it outside for vet appointments, or when you go on a trip and you want to take it with you. It is advisable to buy a sturdy plastic one with a latching door.

6. Scratching Post
This is another neglected item by the new cat owners. It’s in a cat’s nature to scratch. So purchasing this item helps you save drapes, furniture and other things in your house. Besides that, it keeps your kitty happy. When you buy a scratching post you should also consider your cat’s personality.

Now that you found out about some important items for a cat owner, you can make your home welcoming and comfortable for your kitty.

Do You Know What Disease Symptoms To Look For?

When we have pain in our bodies, we can easily tell someone that there is something wrong and that person will be able to take you to the hospital. Pets cannot do that merely observing them can tell you a lot of things. which is why owners should exercise cat care and be aware of the symptoms.

Here are a few diseases you should watch out for and their symptoms.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and in fact is the leading cause of death among cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worse part is that the symptoms are very common with other ailments, so it is really hard to tell if your cat has this.

There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the version in humans, it is a life long infection that advances slowly and kills the cat.

Cats may as well be infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). This is a is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non cancerous diseases. Fortunately, it can be easily treated by using some household bleach and detergents, also your pet must be kept warm. This disease is carried through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of other cats that are infected. unlike the other two diseases, it cannot live that long in the environment. Hence, it is only transmissible when the infected cat stays with another cat for any period of time.

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you do not need to do anything to make it go away. It will in time clear up but it may just take a few months.


If you have a overweight cat, then the chances are it will already have feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease are pretty easy to see and are excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Veterinaries are of yet unsure what is the cause of this, but recent research studies that have been done, have showed that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and certain medications.

The symptoms of most of the diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than five days in one leg, a decrease in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests.

Your vet will take some blood, urine and feces samples and ask for input from you, about any observation you have made. When the tests results come back, only then will the proper treatment be administered to your cat as each case is different, so what worked for another cat may not have the same positive effect with yours.

Your cat could still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by giving it leading quality food, giving it fresh water, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making certain it stays indoors and taking it regularly to the veterinary surgeon.

If you miss any of these simple steps, then something wrong is certain to happen to your cat and you will soon notice a change in the behaviour of your cat and if you do nothing about it, it is just going to make matters far worse. So you need to keep proper cat care and look out for any symptoms.

For further Free information on Long Term Cat Care try visiting Caring For Your Cat Help.

A look at Siamese cats

An In Depth Look At Siamese Cat Breed

The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand. They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces. Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits. These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.

During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general. After that, they eventually made their way over to America. Now days, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed. Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.

Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat. These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout. The more darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face. They can weight anywhere between 6 - 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted - which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.

Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build. They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities. Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people. If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldn’t want a Siamese cat. These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.

Siamese cats demand a lot of attention, because in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them. For this very reason, they can tend be quite dependant on their owners. They love to play, and crave interaction. If you leave them alone for too long, they won’t like it. They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.

Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they don’t need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month. If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect. Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need. They can get sick however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.

Siamese cats have a life span that is similar to other cat breeds, which is normally around 15 - 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come. Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.

No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet. Although the Siamese cat breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with. They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them. As long as you give your pet the attention he craves - he will be your life long friend for as long as you have him.

A Look At Cat Breeds

A Look At Different Cat Breeds

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely. These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expensive, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isn’t as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs. No matter what cat breed you get - you’re sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Cat Diabetes-And How You Should Treat It

If your cat has diabetes then cat care is important to your pets health. You will need to take the appropriate steps to make sure your pet can lead a normal life. It is unfortunate that pet cats have there own form of diabetes. It is important as a pet owner you learn how this will affect your pet and how you can help your cat lead a normal healthy life.

There are two types of cat diabetes, that could affect you pet. The first type is caused by the lack of production of insulin, while the second type is the inability of the cats body to process insulin as it should do. just like in humans, diabetes can affect a cat at any age. But it normally appears in a pet in its later years.

Your cat will start to display symptoms that will tell you there is something wrong. These symptoms are very similar to the one in humans, You would start to notice your cat would require more fluid and would also urinate more. Because of your pets inability to process any glucose, then you will start to notice some weight loss. Other symptoms you may see your cat are vomiting, loss of appetite and general weakness. Diabetic cats also start to have poor skin and coat condition, as well as breathing problems

If your pet cat starts to display the above symptoms, it would be very wise of you to take your pet to your local vet. This way you can have your cat tested for sugar levels in there blood as well as in their urine. it is better to have both tests done, because any cat that feels under any form of stress, will show a spike in there blood sugar levels. By having both tests done, you will be able to confirm if your pet cat really has diabetes. There is no cure for your cats diabetes as of yet. There diabetes can be controlled through a various means, and for cats it is done by diet and weight control. Giving your pet a diet high in fiber and carbohydrates would be ideal for diabetic cats, especially if they are over weight.

By using this type of diet, you will control your cats weight and blood sugar levels. There are also some oral medications available that your trusted vet may recommend. These should help to maintain a suitable blood sugar level. Owners of diabetic cats, also will need to monitor their pets glucose and insulin levels. This is for those pet owners who will have to give there cats insulin injections for their diabetes. But be warned, you need to be carful to avoid giving an overdose of insulin as this will be fatal to your pet.

Cat care and diabetes should always go together, this will ensure that your pet can lead a normal healthy life. If you provide the right care for diabetic cats, then you will still have many happy years to come with your pet.

Cat Health Awareness and Cat Health Care

You may be the proud owner of a lovely pet cat. In such case you would consider caring for the cat and looking after its health to be your responsibility. It is important for you to provide little time and extend a bit of effort on your part to ensure that your pet cat stays healthy, fit and fine. You may, if you wish, get hold of some good pet cat care books that are available in local bookstores for reference. You can get some useful cat care tips from there.

Awareness about cat health needs to be made beforehand if you are planning to get a pet cat. This does not require much learning though. A bit of learning about the normal habits, behavior and temperament of a cat is what is required of you. This will enable you to detect when there is any sudden change in habits of the cat so as to take care of it. Behavioral changes, changes in eating and sleeping habits etc. need to be taken note of to decide whether some health problem has arisen. Usually it is the vet who takes the final decision about health concerns of the pet cat though you can provide preliminary attendance.

Problems with cat’s health are quite common and cat owners can appropriately control such problems by gaining knowledge about cat health. This can go a long way to ensure that your pet cat stays healthy and playful. Isn’t it a rewarding experience to cuddle and have fun with a healthy pet cat?

Taking the pet cat to the veterinary specialist on a regular basis is of crucial importance. The vet needs to conduct checkups on a yearly or half yearly basis even if apparently no problems are there. Only then can you remain sure that the health condition of your loved feline pet is sound. At other times during the year if it comes to notice that there has been the development of behavior or mood changes in your cat then the vet needs to be approached at the earliest possible.

Common problems that cats usually develop are lumps, ticks, black specs in the ears, eye gunk or rashes. These can generally be detected pretty easily and upon detection of these problems the vet is to be immediately consulted. Medical attention can thus be provided quickly, remedial action measures adopted and relief from the problem obtained soon.

Grooming of the pet cat frequently is an important health endowing measure. A lot of dead hair gets removed in the process. Getting hold of the special combs available that can help extract ticks and fleas from the fur of the cat provides further help. A trim of the claws of the pet cat may be needed to from time to time to promote cat health. It must be noted, however, that the nails of the cat are not cut too short.

Two Unusual Rare Cat Breeds

There are many types of cats, you have your exotic cats, you have your domestic tabby cats and then you have your more unusual rare cat breeds. If you are looking for a rare cat breed then you have a few options that your can choose from. Here we will discuss the Sphinx and the British Shorthair, both rare and both very beautiful cats.

Sphinx

The Sphinx is a rare cat breed that you might want to think about and one of the most unforgettable since they are hairless. In fact the Sphinx is not always completely hairless there can be a fine down on the body, similar to that on a newborn baby.

One of the features that make them so extraordinary is the surface of the Sphinx skin. It has been compared to a suede-covered hot water bottle of heated chamois. These are impressive cats which are medium sized and strong. They characteristically have strong boning and superior muscle development and the adult cats tend to be bigger than the female cats. As well, this rare cat breed requires a particular cat diet, so you are required to make sure that you are feeding them the correct foods if you want them to be healthy and do their best.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is another rare cat breed that you may be fascinated in. These are considered as being the oldest English breed of cat, one which was first appreciated for its physical strength and hunting capability. Soon they became known for other reputable characteristics, and they are recognized as being a comparatively rare cat in the United States and other areas of the world. These cats continue to get more and more popular and because of their easygoing nature and intelligence, they are one of the most well loved breeds of cat.

Here are just two types of breed which would make incredible pets and are considered as being rare. Whether you are just interested in the look of these types of cats or just want a cat that is going to make for a fascinating conversation, going with one of these rare cat breeds is a fantastic idea. Just make certain that you are equipped for the cat prior to bringing it home. You are going to need to have toys for it to play with, healthy food for it to eat, and a trainer if you want the cat to be well behaved.

Finding An Exotic House Cat

There are many varieties of cats on the market but f you are interested in getting an exotic house cat, the first thing you will need to do is understand about the variety of exotic breeds that are out there, large domestic cat breed and other, and then use a few tips to help you decide which particular exotic house cat is going to be right for you.

The world of exotic felines is so exciting and yet can definitely be very confusing as well, especially because there are so many different types out there. There are quite a few different exotic house cat types and each breed has several levels or generations within the breed. Of all these, here are a few of the most popular and which you are going to want to seriously consider as your choice.

The Bengal

The Bengal is absolutely a favorite exotic house cat, as not only are they incredibly rare but stunning in appearance as well. These are a cross between the Asian Leopard cat and a domestic cat, and the breed has been in existence for over two decades now. If you decide on a Bengal, keep in mind that the quality of these cats will vary significantly, so it all depends on what you are looking for and the amount of money that you are going to be willing to pay.

When it comes to the size of these cats, most females get to around ten pounds, males twelve. Their personality is playful, intelligent, and affectionate.

The Savannah

Another exotic house cat that you may want to consider here is the Savannah. This breed is a cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat, and they are incredibly rare. Most Savannahs cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000, and they are tall, lanky cats with a solid spot over a basecoat color that will range from warm golden orange hues to cool silver.

They are gorgeous cats to look at and are definitely worth thinking about and keeping at the top of your list if you are looking for an exotic cat to bring to your household.

Just make sure, as you should with any other type of pet that you are sure they are going to make a good addition to your household, taking into consideration other animals and children if there are any. The last thing you want is to bring in a cat or other animal that is going to be mean or aggressive, especially if you have pets or kids in the home.

Description Of The Himalayan Cat Breed

A Himalayan cat breed is actually a Persian cat and Himalayan cat bred together. The long hair is something from the Persian while the seal points are from the Siamese cat. A Himalayan cat can be best described as a longhaired cat with the markings of a Persian kitten. The breed has a distinctly sociable behavior of the Siamese cat. You can expect your Himalayan cat breed to have a sweet temper and show signs of being highly intelligent. Due to inbreeding, this breed may be prone to abnormalities and birth defects.

Taking Care Of Your Himalayan Cat Breed

A Himalayan cat breed has similar needs to other kittens. The degree of difference lies mainly on the maintenance of the coat. Bathing of the Himalayan cat breed should be kept at a minimum of once a month or when the cat is dirty enough to warrant the need for a bath. Cats do not really enjoy bathing and too frequent bathing can upset the balance of the cat's coat making it more prone to drying up or skin problems. Brushing may also benefit the both the Himalayan cat breed and cat since this can lessen the appearance of hairballs.

The Himalayan cat breed also needs to eat the right kind of kitten food. Supplements may be necessary for the proper growth and abundance of its fur while kitten food that meets the demands of all kinds of kittens should be recommended by your veterinarian. Fresh water should be at hand always in a spot that the Himalayan cat breed recognizes as a comfort zone or some place that it may consider its own. This means that the place where the kitten food is served along with where the fresh water is kept should be consistent, especially if in side the home.

A warm spot for it to sleep should be made ready for it. This should be in a spot where there is less traffic and somewhere that the Himalayan cat breed can call its own. Some experts recommend putting a sort of carrier, box or basket that gives the impression of protecting the cat when it is inside. This will give the kitten a sense of having a sort of cave or hole to which it can retreat to when stressed or not wanting to be disturbed.

Taking care of a Himalayan cat breed can entail regular brushing as well as bathing to ensure that the coat is kept clean and free from parasites or tangles. Other than the long coat, the care for the Himalayan cat breed is pretty similar to that of other breeds.

Cats And Ring Worm

Cats And Ring Worm

Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that can be problematical in cat care. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm.  It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.

With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases.  Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease.  If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.

If you are caring for cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm.  Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside.  They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease.  Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.

The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws.  Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed.  There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin.  This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.

If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet.  If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets.  What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is.  If he prescribes tablets as part of your cat care routine, you should give them with meals.  Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically.  You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals.  The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.

Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious.  If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves.  Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution.  Even though it’s a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that it’s contagious.

Buying Kittens and Raise A Cat

I came across Cat Ownership 101: Secrets of Buying & Raising Cats the other day and was interested, so I coughed up the cash and purchased it.  It worked out to be a awesome acquisition, and of course at $9.99 wasn't much risk.  It is a clear read but complex study of what you must know about choose cat and raise a kitten.  It's easy to make critical mistakes when picking a feline as pet and become grievous when it doesn't work out.  A little research beforehand goes quite a long way to paving that onward road with wonder instead of troubles.

The book gets into gear with a survey of many of the most encountered cat breeds.   Do you want a highly active cat that will run 24 hours at a time?  Do you hope for a friendly cat that is cuddly?  Do you hope for a quiet cat or a talker one?  Following on is a overview of the pros and cons of male, female, whether to neuter, hair type - long or short, pure bred or mixed, and the ever-debateable decision of buying a kitten vs buying cat.  This summary will prepare you on the road to selecting the cat breed that's right for you.

From there we move on into many helpful tricks on cat-proofing your home, helping your cat or kitten adapt to your home and family, adjusting them into the swing of things slowly and consistently.  Cats can get stressed out with change and newness, so rushing them along into new homes can have awful effects on the settling in period.  You will be advised all about what supplies you should have to care for your new feline friend and supplies you ought to purchase to make sure everything is prepared.

The next insightful and informative section is the feeding and exercising.   About not underfeeding that active kitten to an appropriate food plan for the mature cat and methods to keep them active, you find many wonderful tips and tricks listed.  We progress to cat health issues there, where you will be taught about the usual conditions that your cats can be afflicted with, all about trips to the veterinarian, shots, spaying, neutering, grooming considerations and what helps you to keep them happy and healthy.

Another key section of the book involves usual feline patterns of behavior.  What does a cat's non-verbal communication let you know about it's mood?  Ear and tail cues in conjunction with vocal patterns assist you to communicate with your pets, and until they learn people's communication it's going to be your means of choice.  For what reason do they knead people?  What does clawing signify?  From here you will be taught how to assist predict the behavior of your cat and help prevent them from dangerous acts.

In the end, the book concludes with listings of cat related groups that you must have and a useful glossary of feline related words and acronyms that refer to felines and specific meanings you should understand.  Without a doubt, I was much impressed with the book and tell you it is extremely informative.  I most definitely recommend this convenient and educational book, and it's most certainly a bargain at only $9.99!  Visit the Cat Ownership 101: Secrets of Buying & Raising Cats site for more details and ordering information. It is an easy reading but well thought out look into what you should know about choosing a cat and raise a cat that you absolutely must read!

Adopt a Cat from the Cat Shelter

When you decide to adopt a cat from an animal shelter, you have to consider several things. First one, and probably the most important, is that the little furry friend will probably be a long time companion. In fact, cats can easily reach 20 years. This means that owning a cat is a big commitment in time. Once you decided to adopt one, there are four important things you have to remember so you can be sure the kitty will have a healthy life, and that it matches the family’s members and their lifestyle.

ACTIVITY

First, when you visit a cat shelter, you have to observe all the felines there, how active they are and what type of personality they have. For example, if you see that a cat cramped in a corner and seems lethargic, it could be a sign of illness. The last thing you want is to bring home a sick animal. Besides racking up the vet’s bills, if you own other pets, the illness could spread to them.

So it is important to observe carefully the cat’s attitude. Some people want docile cats that like to spend a lot of time cuddled up in his or her lap, while others would like a playful cat that would play with toys or chase everything they could find. Therefore examining them is helpful to understand their type of personality. But the fact that almost all cats sleep during the biggest part of the day could be an inconvenient, so it is indicated to try to wake them, so you can see their behavior.

LOOK AT A CAT

The next step is to inspect the cat’s eyes. If they are bright and clear, it’s a good thing. Discharge or running eyes indicate illness. Next, you should look at the nose. It is advisable to be slightly moist and clear. Again, you should avoid a cat if there is any discharge. Again, the ears have to be clean. Extremely dirty ears could indicate contamination with ear mites. These ear mites are very hard to get rid off, and can easily infect other cats. In the end, the kitty’s fur should be free of fleas, shiny and clean. You don’t want fleas infesting your home.

LISTEN TO A CAT

After inspecting the nose, eyes and ears, the next thing to do is to listen to it. Listening, you can detect signs of illness for example if it sounds congested, sneezes or coughs. On the other hand, purring could indicate a sign of health. After all this, it is highly recommended to wash your hands with antiseptic.

PLAY WITH THE CAT

Finally, you should play with the cat, see how it gets along with other cats, with people and how active it is. These being said, we hope you chose the right kitty for you.

Litter Box Training Your Cat or Kitten

If you have a cat or a kitten, training it to use the litter box can be a real challenge. Kittens that live with litter-trained mothers are usually taught by the mother, but when separated, this becomes your responsibility. In this article we will discuss about what you should do to make this process easier and efficient.

The younger the cat is, the easier is to train them, and they became more trustworthy about this. Firstly, keep the litter box next to the cat’s bed. The best place would be the bathroom, especially if you have tile; kittens like to bury their waste, so they won’t go on tile, and the only proper place is the tile box. Also, let your kitty see you when you go to the bathroom. Most likely it will come after you, and explore the room, trying new things out. It is recommended not to leave clothes on the floor, because you may have a problem with cats going on them; or even on the carpet. So try to remove them for the moment.

Accidents may happen, so be patient. Kittens are like small children. Show it its waste, scold it while cleaning up, but try not to rob its nose in it. Then put the waste in the litter box, so the cat knows where it has to go. After cleaning up, the important thing to do is to make the place smell disagreeable for the cat. You can try Lysol, fresh lemon or mint teabags. Cats hate the smell of mint and lemon, so they will avoid the area. Use Lysol for cleaning up; i fit has citrus smell, even better – the cat won’t like it more than lemon. Some people use bleach, but I wouldn’t recomend it, because it can produce a toxic gas reacting with urine. Actually, in WWI this gas was used to kill people.

Another possible method is to put aluminum foil and it will keep the cat away, but I can’t tell for sure if it works or not. However, if your kitten just won’t use the litter box, you should definitely consult a vet, because there might be some medical problems. The litter box should be changed often, but not daily, the cat being attracted by the odor. On the other hand, if the box is too dirty, the cat might go somewhere else. If your furry friend starts to go in other places, besides using the tricks noted above, you must block it off from these, even if it cries. In fact, if it starts crying, try to lead it to the place where the litter box is.

Cat Dental Care Explained

In most cases, pet owners can easily realize if their pet has health problems. But the dental issues are not spotted right away. Most animals, like humans, can develop dental disease. As they grow old, many cats have problems with their teeth. Only a vet can know for sure what is wrong, but the pet owners can look after a few signs that could indicate this kind of health problem.

The experts agree that dental issues can de caused by other health problems, so it is very important to see a vet for periodical check-ups, otherwise this problems could degenerate. However, there are a few steps to follow so you can keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy.

The first step is to get a vet see your cat once a year for a periodical exam, even if it seems healthy. You can’t know for sure, only the vet can tell if it has problems; he would check its teeth and gums, see if it has bad breath, and look for teeth decay. All these could indicate other serious health issues.

Secondly, you should brush your cat’s teeth. You can find toothbrushes and paste at the pet stores. This action should be done daily, but it is enough if you do it twice a week. At first, your cat could not like it, so you can start by brushing only a small part of its mouth, adding more each time. It would be easier if you had a kitten, because starting this at an early age would get it used to this process. Anyway, most cats enjoy the toothpastes’ taste, so this wouldn’t be a problem.

For older cats and those that already have dental problems, you can find specially made rinses that come in flavored sprays and antiseptic gels. It is not indicated to replace the brushing with this product, but it’s very helpful if your cat has tooth decay.

Chewing is also helpful regarding your cat’s dental health. You can find many kinds of products for kitties to chew. Most of them are flavored, so cats really enjoy them. These dental chews have an abrasive texture that helps remove food or plaque that could affect the cat’s teeth. It is recommended to be careful if you want to use bones for this purpose. Some of them can be very sharp, and could harm your kitty’s throat. Also, most vets advise you never give your cat turkey or chicken bones.

It is important to take care of your cat’s teeth. In most cases dental issues indicate other health problems. These can either cause these dental issues, or even be caused by them. Some examples can be Feline Odontoclastic Oral Resorption Lesions (FORL), periodontal disease, malocclusion and feline stomatitis. Most of them can be treated using proper medical care.

Plaque and tartar can build up on cat’s teeth, forcing food remains and bateria around the jawbone and under the gums, causing periodontal disease. This can lead to inflamed, bleeding, swelling gums. This dental disease is most common in cats, and can be cured with antibiotics and cleaning. Also, in some extreme cases, extraction can be necessary.

Another common dental disease found in cats is FORL. This is similar to cavity in humans. Teeth lesions appear first in a tooth enamel. Plaque accumulates and the entire tissue that is around the tooth in question starts to be inflamed. The present irritation can even move towards the pulp with the cavity killing the tooth. In most cases the vet will recomend extraction if your pet is diagnosed with FORL.

A very serios dental disease form in cats is Feline Stomatitis. This usually indicates other severe illness and it is said to be an autoimmune disease. The plaque on the teeth is being rejected by the body, causing allergic reactions. In some cases it can move down into the throat, leading to painful red wounds. Stomatitis can determin a cat to stop eating, this illness making it unconfortable. If your cat suffers from this dental disease, you should see a vet immediately.

At last, we will discuss about another dental condition that can appear at a cat: malocclusion. This means that the teeth alignment is not normal. At humans, malocclusion is treated using braces. When a cat suffers from this disease, it faces difficulties in eating, causing severe weight loss. This illness was hard to treat, but nowadays, as the technology advances, we can fiind specialized vets that are engaged in orthodontics in pets.

Cat Destroying Furniture or Carpets?

Every cat owner out there knows that they can be bad at times. The one fact that needs to be highlighted is that there is a remedy for most of the annoying problems you will have with your cat. One of those problems is destruction of carpets or furniture. You basically notice that the cat simply starts scratching and destroying various areas of the house. Your first thought is usually that the cat is having problems and needs to be disciplined.

The truth is that cats have to sharpen claws as they always grow. Your cat is not actually destroying your furniture but it is sharpening claws. The pet needs to remove an outer layer from the claw and this is what it does. We do see a lot of owners that declaw cats and I emphasize on the fact that you should not do this. You never know when the cat needs those claws, especially for defense. I recommend that you buy a scratching post. If your cat has a special member of the family then take a sock and hang it on this post so that the smell is familiar. After around 1 day you can take it off. The real trick stands in getting the cat to be familiar with the scratching post so that it will attack it. You can also choose to attack the scratching problem by making the favorite area of claw sharpening less attractive. You can easily do this by using lemon juice, wrapping in aluminum foil or clean them constantly so that there is no cat odor present.

Persian Cats Behavior

Talking about Persian cats behavior the problem is that the pets are misunderstood often as we are not able to properly read their body language. Just like humans, Persian cats and basically all cats will use body language in order to send us information. There are also a lot of body signals that are linked to Persian cats behavior, signals that aid you in understanding everything better. It is crucial that you analyze these in order to have a good cat-owner relationship.

In some cases the feet of the pet will tell you the Persian cat behavior signs you are looking for. For instance, the cat's paws will knead when he/she is happy or really nervous. Also, when the cat extends its claws pay attention as it is usually to attack or for sharpening purposes.

Most owners will tell you that Persian Cats behavior can be traced to vocalizations, although this varies from cat to cat. There are, of course, general variations from one species to the other but in most cases attention will take a long way. Persian cats might meow when she/he is content, playful or hungry. In most cases purring means contentment and spitting, snarling and hissing means that the cat feels dissatisfaction, anger or fear. You might also notice rapid blinking. This usually means anxiety but it can also refer to a sign that the Persian Cat's behavior means being friendly towards another cat. In an opposite fashion, slow blinking and half closed eyes means contentment in most situations. Interest can be noticed through the dilation of the pupils.

Keep in mind that responding wrong to the Persian Cats behavior signs that are given could lead to unpleasant behavior problems. The cat can lose trust in its owner and even turn towards aggressiveness or timidity. If you are having problems with your cat then pay close attention to its body language and observe everything. This is all that is basically needed in order to maintain a perfect relationship and understanding Persian Cats behavior.

The Manx Cat Breed

The Manx cat breed (sometimes misspelled Minx Cat) is one breed that is immediately noticed due to a naturally occurring mutation of its spine. Because of it we are faced with a cat that has a shorter tail and there are various tail lengths from tailless to normal tail length. A lot of Manx cats will show a small stub of a tail although most Manx cats are known to have no tail and this is a special characteristic of this breed.

Manx Cat Breed Appearance

The Manx cat has hind legs that are longer than the front one, thus creating an arch from the rump to the shoulder. This is the reason why this cat breed has a rounded appearance. The cat's coating comes in a variation of two coat lengths. We thus have a short haired Manx cat that has a thick and short under-layer coat and another outer layer coating with guard hairs. The long haired Manx cat (also known as Cymric) also has a double coat with a silky texture, of medium length. All Manx cats have a thick double layered coat and in contests the Cymric is usually judged as a short hair cat.

Manx Cat Tail Length Factor

The tail length of the Manx cat is highly important due to some factors. For instance, Manx kittens are classified by judging from this factor. We thus have Dimple rumpy (or rumpy - no tail), Riser (or rumpy riser - several vertebrae under the fur or a stub of cartilage), Stumpy (a partial tail) and Long tailed (complete or almost complete tail).

Manx Cat Breed Health

Nowadays the Manx Cat breed is a lot healthier than it was some years ago. This happened because breeders started a careful process of selecting the breeding stock. We thus have Manx breed that are as healthy as other cat breeds and their life expectancy is of 8 to 10 years. The only real problem can be found in the Manx Syndrome. This is a condition that appears when the spine is shortened too much due to the mutant tailless gene. The problem is that the spinal cord can be damaged and nerves end up causing spina bifida and various problems linked with digestion, bladder and bowels. Cats suffering from Manx Sydrome usually live a maximum of 3 years while the record is of 5 years at the moment.

Giving your Cat a Bath

If you have a cat you will need to give it a bath sooner or later and this might be a problem for you. This is because most cats do not really like getting baths, although you might be lucky enough to own a cat that loves baths. If you are not then let us take a look at how we can make it a lot easier for you to give your cat a proper bath and how you should do it right. You will need a plastic cup, towels, a bathtub and cat shampoo, of course.

First off you will want all supplies in hand reach. Fill the tub (or alternatively the sink if you want to use that instead of the tub) with warm water. It must not be too warm and a general rule of thumb is that the water needs to be a less warm than the water you would use to bathe yourself. Getting the cat to trust you is the next step. You have to pet him/her and make sure that the cat is calm. Next we have the first tough moment. You will need to dip the cat into the water and be ready for potential scratches and bites. Keep talking to the cat and do not stop saying loving words. Use your wet hand to smooth out the fur and praise the pet. Be ready to receive that characteristic cat's death stare during the entire process.

Next take out the cat shampoo and use your free hand to start working it in the pet's fur. The cat will not like it but just keep on going until the cat is covered in shampoo. Be careful with the eyes, facial area and ears so that no shampoo reaches them, especially in the ears. Now you will want to drain the water and keep on holding the cat still through the entire process. Start up the water again and pay attention to the temperature. Use a cup and fill it with lean water. Then start poring over the cat while rinsing the soap out of its fur. When no more soap runs down the cat you can stop.

Turn off the water now and use a towel on the cat. Wrap it up just like a small baby and dry the pet as much as you can. Now just hold him/her for some time while petting and praising. You can also use treats so that he/she understands that the bath was not as bad as first seen. Now the cat just took a bath and its coat is as smooth and clean as possible.

Abyssinian Cat Facts

Abyssinian Cats (also known as Abyss cats - no link whatsoever with the professional wrestler) are a breed of domesticated cats that is believed to come from one female kitten called Zula, which was taken from a port in Alexandria and brought to England by a British Soldier. It was in England that the Abyssinian breed was developed through breeding Zula with an English tabby and then another breeding with the pet's mother. As time passed this cat breed became one of the most popular shorthair breed in the USA and people believe that there are still wild Abyssinians present in North Africa.

The Abyssinian cat presents a characteristic tawny, ticked coat. Tabby markings might be present on the paws and tail but none will be found on the body. Its eyes are of an almond shape and can be green or gold, with a fine dark line present around them. Large ears and a warm golden coat are also characteristic of the Abyssinian. Color variations of the coat include fawn, cinnamon, red and blue with a rare Silver Abyssinian cat variant also present.

These cats are quite active and friendly. They are not really lap cats because of their active nature that makes them want to play and explore. If there is a lack of attention and daily activity the Abyssinian cat can easily become depressed. This breed is characterized by high intelligence and the long haired version of it is called the Somali. When thinking about the Abyssinian we are linked with a medium sized cat that is powerful but graceful at the same time.

Keeping your Cat Healthy and Cool in Summer

Heat and sun are not two elements that cats love. A lot of people know that heatstrokes can happen with dogs but so many know that cats can also suffer from such a condition. Dehydration and sun burn can also affect your cat during summer so we need to know how to keep your cat healthy and cool in summer!

First off, when the weather is warm try to keep your cat indoor. Cats are prone to developing skin cancer so you must always pay attention to sun exposure. Now turn your attention towards your home. The cat surely has a special place where he likes sitting. You should try and make it as cool as possible. Fans and air conditioners are just two of the many ideas you can deploy. Replace the blanket in the cat's bed with a sheet and an icepack beneath the blanket will keep her cool while the sun is doing damage on the outside.

Always keep enough water bowls available for your cat. Analyze them and make sure they are always full, especially if you have more than one cat. Put ice cubes in the water bowl. This move will keep the water colder than usual and immediately the cat's temperature lower.

Now problems might appear when the cat loves the outdoor environment. In such a case you should not restrict it from what she likes but instead make sure that there is always fresh water outside your door or window. If you have a garden make sure that you put in some shady plants in order to help the cat in retreating from the heat.

One of the worse problems that can happen is a heat stroke. This is why we must be aware of the symptoms of heat strokes in cats. Cats are usually secretive about illness and they rarely pant. The early symptoms of cat heat stroke will include: anxiety, increased heart rate, panting, hyperventilation, dark red gums, increased temperature, lethargy and respiratory distress. A healthy cat shows a temperature of between 100° and 102° F. If you see that the temperature goes over 104° you should take it as a warning sign. In such a case you need to take the cat in a cool room and give him a rub with a towel that is dampened in water. A cold compress needs to be placed under the cat's neck and if the cat resists you helping her you will have to wrap ice or frozen peas in a towel and place it in the cat's favorite nap spot. This will cool the cat and allow her to heal.

Keep in mind that dehydration can always happen. This means that you will need to have plenty of fresh water around. In some cases cats that will suffer from dehydration will refuse to drink. If this is your case use an eye dropper or your finger in order to get water in your cat's mouth through rubbing it on her lips.

Giving your Cat Eye Drops

Some of us are lucky and if we need to give our cats eye drops they will simply stay in our laps patiently and all is over. On the other hand, most cats do not like it when anything is put in their eyes. To make it even worse, there are situations in which you might even have to restrain your cat if she wants to scratch, bite or simply fights you when giving eye drops. All eye medication for cats will come in liquid drops or ointment form and in most cases liquid versions have to be given more often. Now let us get to the topic at hand and see how you can give your cat eye drops with the least effort for yourself and discomfort for the pet!

Whenever you give your cat eye drops you have to hold the pet on your lap. If the cat tries to get away you can wrap him in a towel right before you actually place him on your lap. By doing this you will prevent scratches and you will notice that it is easier to hold as he can not raise those paws to attack you for wanting his best. Use one hand to hold the head of the cat and the thumb of it to easily pull down the lower eye lid. By doing this you will have a pouch right under the cat's eye to hold the eye drops. Now we need to put the tip of the applicator right next to that pouch but pay extreme attention to not touch the cat's eye. The hand must be steady and all done easily so that you do not poke your pet in the eye. Needless to say that would hurt the cat a lot. Squeeze the bottle of the applicator gently and number the drops you need to give the cat (by prescription orders) and let them fall into that pouch.

After you give your cat the eye drops you will need to keep him on your lap as they quickly disperse on the eye and you should never rub them in! If you let go of the cat immediately after the application of the cat eye drops he might rub it out and it will not help him at all!

The Basics of Caring for Your Cat

So many people end up thinking about cats as dogs and this is not correct since there are considerable differences between these two types of pets. Cats are great companions and they can be very fun but they do have special requirements and will need special treatment so it is always important to discuss at least the basics of caring for a cat, especially if you recently got one and you did not deal with taking care of one in the past.

First off, you need to pay attention to always hold the cat correctly as they do enjoy being supported well and will hate it when you do not do that. Then, you have to put them down gently and do not throw them on the floor. It is true that cats always land on their feet but that does not mean that they enjoy being thrown around.

Cats are always clean animals so maintaining a clean litter box is highly important. More than that, if you have more than one cat you need to have one litter box for each one. Always remember that keeping toxic plants out of the home is crucial and this involves holly, cactus and others. Never forget to play with the cat, praise it and act as a friend and not as an owner. This is highly important for cats!

Giving Cats Pills

Giving pills to cats can be necessary at times but it is quite difficult to do if the cat is unresponsive and simply does not enjoy taking pills. In this case you will need to think about how you can make it easier for the cat to take the pills and in most cases you will need to trick her into doing so. The best way is to hide the medicine in cat treats, something they love and will not suspect.

You need to look for special cat treats that are moist and that do not break apart when you put in the pills. Place them in the treats and on a plate. Decoy treats can also be utilized but only if you are sure that your cat will eat more than one. You might end up with the cat eating the wrong one. Stay near the cat when you give her the treat on a plate and watch if she eats it completely. If not, you just have to find another treat and try to trick the cat again.

Cat Care - Longhaired Manx

The Long Haired Manx is a type of cat that comes with special care requirements. This cat does depend on you for shelter, food, health care and love so there is an immediate need for you to at least know the basics of how to care for her. Let us take a look at some cat care tips you might not have known, tips that will aid you in providing the perfect health environment for your Long Haired Manx and more.

First of, if your kitten is younger then 6 weeks you will need to talk to a vet. The Manx breed requires this because it can develop Manx syndrome, a condition that is deadly and is caused by the Manx's tailless gene. This condition might not appear before the cat reaching 4 months. Kittens younger than 6 months must be fed canned kitten food around 3 to 4 times per day and once it reaches around 7 months you should reduce the feeding quantity to just 2 times per day. With this in mind you realize that keeping dry kitten food and fresh water is always needed. Once the Long Haired Manx reaches 1 year of age you can make the switch to adult food but not directly. First mix a quarter of adult food with 3 quarters of kitten food. s time passes you can increase the amount of adult food in a period of 5 to 10 days. Avoid generic brands and always give your cat cat food that is for cats and not other animals, as some people end up doing. Keep in mind that cats enjoy variety so you can mix wet and dry cat food and never give you cat bones while also avoiding uncooked food. Milk should also be avoided.

Female Long Haired Manx should be spayed at 4 to 6 months while males neutered at 6 to 7 months. This is because females can start reproducing as nearly as 4 months. This breed is highly multiplying and females can get pregnant again while nursing the first litter. Waste from the litter box must be thrown away daily and refilled weekly while keeping an identification tag on the cat is always a good idea.

Being a Cat Sitter

It is not always easy to keep an eye on a cat, especially if it is not yours. There is a huge chance that you might be asked to do so by a friend or relative while the owners are out of town so you do need to know some basics about cat sitting so that there will be no problems. First off you will need to find out if the cat is friendly or shy. If it hides you will need to know the hiding places so that you can at least see if she is ok or not.

First impressions always count so you should open the door slowly when you come in. This is because a lot of cats have the habit of running out when the door opens. The first thing you need to do once you are in is to call the cat's name. If he does not appear then you have to look in those hiding places you found out. Do not put pressure on him coming out as he will do so alone when he is ready and confident enough.

Next you will need to sit down and call the cat over if she does not look to be fearful. You will probably see her wanting to check you out and maybe even want to sit on your lap. If she does so then stroke her gently and use a reassuring voice if you are speaking to her (it is actually recommended that you do this). Purring is always a very good sign and you should stay and do this for some minutes because the cat is probably missing her family.

In order to get rid of boredom you will need to spend some time playing with the cat and keep in mind that they enjoy various toys that they can chase or take a swipe at. There is a big chance that such toys already exist in the house so use them as playing with the cat does create a good bond. Feeding the cat should be done as to the owner's instructions and always make sure that the water bowl is filled with fresh water. Most cats only eat when they are hungry so if she is not eating you should not worry about that. Treats must also be supplied as to the owner's instructions.

Never forget taking out the waste and scooping out waste from the litter box while also learning how to change the litter (meaning the time) according to the owner's instructions. Always leave on light on for the cat and also to trick burglars. Bring in all mail, fliers and newspapers that have been left outside. Take note of the cat's regular veterinarian and also the closest animal emergency clinic in the area. Being a good cat sitter is not difficult and as you realized all the hard work stands in finding out information about the cat. After that all you really need is being a cat lover.

Things to Know About Cat Food

Just like us, cats need a complete, healthy diet. In the few words below I will try to bring to your information, things that we, the cat owners should know about their diet. And even if you don’t own a cat, you might find these things quite interesting. But as I always say, remember to check with the vet, no matter what, or how small a problem may seem.

Some pet owners forget that humans require a variety of foods to ensure the consumption of nutritionally balanced meals. A quality cat food has the proper balance of all the nutrients a cat requires together with a high level of palatability. Adding human food to a nutritionally balanced commercial cat food may upset the nutrient balance of the diet.

Milk is a food and not a substitute for water. As a food, milk is incomplete and does not provide a balanced diet. Milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient lactase, consumption of a high level of lactose can cause diarrhea.

Repeatedly adding raw eggs to a cat's diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin, which can lead to dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), loss of hair, and poor growth.

Some raw fish can cause a deficiency of the vitamin thiamine. Signs of a thiamine deficiency include anorexia (complete loss of appetite), abnormal posture, weakness, seizures, and even death.

Although we humans may associate meat or meat by-products with a cat's nutritional needs, it must be combined with other ingredients to provide complete nutrition. Raw meats may contain parasites, and cooked meats can be high in fat and do not contain a proper balance of nutrients.

Raw liver, fed daily in large quantities, can cause vitamin A toxicity in cats. Small soft bones (such as pork chop or chicken bones) should never be given to cats, as they may splinter and lodge in a pet's mouth or throat.

Supplements are not necessary when a normal, healthy cat is being fed a complete and balanced food. However, factors like feeding table scraps, inconsistent exercise or stressful changes in routine can leave cats with special nutritional needs.

Some pet owners believe that additional calcium, and possibly other minerals, should be added to the diets of pregnant and nursing females and growing puppies and kittens. It is true that more minerals are needed at these times, but they are normally obtained through increased consumption of a high quality, nutritionally balanced diet. Adding them out of proportion to other nutrients can contribute to skeletal deformities and other problems.

Finally, table scraps will not provide the balanced diet which cats require. Table scraps should not be fed.

So all in all…be careful! As I always say when I approach subjects related to pet’s health, the vet is your friend, and your pet’s health and life, has no price.