By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise]Luke Blaise
Can you train your cat to actually use your toilet? Can you not have to deal with litter boxes any more? Well for many people the answers to these questions are yes.
You may have heard that some people have managed to train their cats to use the human toilet, well this is correct. One advantage to this is the fact that you no longer have to lug heavy bags of litter home from the supermarket, or worry about cleaning out the dirty litter everyday.
Like any other cat training program, training your cat to use the toilet takes times and patience, you just can put your cat on the toilet and hope that they can use it.
By slowly shaping your cat�s behavior over a couple of weeks, you too can end lugging heavy bags of cat litter home from the supermarket.
First, start by slowly moving the litter box closer and closer to the toilet each day, so your cat gets used to being in the bathroom and being around the toilet.
Next, when you have had to litter box next to the toilet for several days, slowly raise the litter box higher and higher each day until it is at the level of the toilet. Then find an insert for the top of the toilet, like a shallow pan that can sit in the rim of the toilet and hold litter.
Once your cat gets used to using this litter pan on top of the toilet for a week or so, try removing the pan and your cat should be able to use the toilet.
Like any cat training program, it takes time and effort on the part of the cat owner to do this. Don�t get frustrated with your cat if she is not learning as fast as you would like, many cats learn at their own pace. With a little effort you too can have a toilet trained cat. [http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com]Cat Behavior 101
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Cat Behavior Problems - Too Much Furniture Scratching
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise]Luke Blaise
A common cat behavior problem is inappropriate scratching. It can be very frustrating for cat owners if your cat is scratching your new couch to pieces. There are a lot of easy strategies you can use to prevent this.
Some cats love to scratch. Scratching for cats is a natural habit designed to sharpen their claws. Scratching also helps cats strengthen and stretch their muscles. Another benefit of stretching for cats is enjoyment, many cats love to scratch, but what do you do if your cat�s scratching is not enjoyable to you?
There are several strategies you can use to prevent inappropriate cat scratching. One of the first things people try is to offer your cat a scratching post. These scratching posts are available in most pet stores and are usually make of rope or carpet. You should place this scratching post in an area where you don�t want your cat to scratch, like the corner of a couch.
By placing the scratching post directly in front of the area of where your cat was scratching should effectively stop them from scratching that area. But what about other areas? What if you cat continues to keep scratching?
An easy way out of the cat scratching problem is to just cover your furniture, but who wants to live like that?
A great product on the market is called Soft Claws. This product is basically a soft cover to go over each of your cat�s nails so when they do scratch they don�t damage the furniture.
There are many great and easy solutions to cat behavior problems; you just need to look for the right resources. [http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com]Cat Behavior 101
A common cat behavior problem is inappropriate scratching. It can be very frustrating for cat owners if your cat is scratching your new couch to pieces. There are a lot of easy strategies you can use to prevent this.
Some cats love to scratch. Scratching for cats is a natural habit designed to sharpen their claws. Scratching also helps cats strengthen and stretch their muscles. Another benefit of stretching for cats is enjoyment, many cats love to scratch, but what do you do if your cat�s scratching is not enjoyable to you?
There are several strategies you can use to prevent inappropriate cat scratching. One of the first things people try is to offer your cat a scratching post. These scratching posts are available in most pet stores and are usually make of rope or carpet. You should place this scratching post in an area where you don�t want your cat to scratch, like the corner of a couch.
By placing the scratching post directly in front of the area of where your cat was scratching should effectively stop them from scratching that area. But what about other areas? What if you cat continues to keep scratching?
An easy way out of the cat scratching problem is to just cover your furniture, but who wants to live like that?
A great product on the market is called Soft Claws. This product is basically a soft cover to go over each of your cat�s nails so when they do scratch they don�t damage the furniture.
There are many great and easy solutions to cat behavior problems; you just need to look for the right resources. [http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com]Cat Behavior 101
Monday, June 25, 2007
Cat Behavior - Free Cats With Behavior Problems For Loving Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise] Luke Blaise
Do you know where you can get hundreds of cats for free? It�s your local animal shelter and they are giving away cats for free that have behavior problems!
Sadly this is no joke. The number one reason why cats are given over to shelters by their owners is due to behavior problems. Cat behavior problems is one of the most frustrating experiences for owners and for cats. The two most common behavior problems are litter box problems and excessive aggression.
Cat behavior problems are best treated right away. It becomes increasingly more difficult once the behavior has become ingrained in the cat. Many cat owners don�t seek help until it is too late, and many veterinarians are not trained in cat behavior. Veterinarians mainly focus on medical and surgical problems, but they are starting to realize the importance of offering behavioral services as well.
If your cat has started exhibiting bad cat behavior you should always seek veterinary help first. This should be done to rule out any medical causes of behavior problems, which can be the cause sometimes.
Many people adopt cats from animal shelters wanting to give a cat a good home. Most of the time it works out, but for some new owners this can be a heart breaking experience. If the cat that they have adopted was given up for behavioral problems then they will likely continue in the new home. These types of things are often not preventable because often cats are given to animal shelters with no explanations of why?
If you want to adopt a cat from an animal shelter be aware of what you may experience. Odds are you will likely get a great cat, but sometimes you may not.
[http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com] The Cat Behavior Specialist
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Behavior---Free-Cats-With-Behavior-Problems-For-Loving-Home&id=610141 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Behavior---Free-Cats-With-Behavior-Problems-For-Loving-Home&id=610141
Do you know where you can get hundreds of cats for free? It�s your local animal shelter and they are giving away cats for free that have behavior problems!
Sadly this is no joke. The number one reason why cats are given over to shelters by their owners is due to behavior problems. Cat behavior problems is one of the most frustrating experiences for owners and for cats. The two most common behavior problems are litter box problems and excessive aggression.
Cat behavior problems are best treated right away. It becomes increasingly more difficult once the behavior has become ingrained in the cat. Many cat owners don�t seek help until it is too late, and many veterinarians are not trained in cat behavior. Veterinarians mainly focus on medical and surgical problems, but they are starting to realize the importance of offering behavioral services as well.
If your cat has started exhibiting bad cat behavior you should always seek veterinary help first. This should be done to rule out any medical causes of behavior problems, which can be the cause sometimes.
Many people adopt cats from animal shelters wanting to give a cat a good home. Most of the time it works out, but for some new owners this can be a heart breaking experience. If the cat that they have adopted was given up for behavioral problems then they will likely continue in the new home. These types of things are often not preventable because often cats are given to animal shelters with no explanations of why?
If you want to adopt a cat from an animal shelter be aware of what you may experience. Odds are you will likely get a great cat, but sometimes you may not.
[http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com] The Cat Behavior Specialist
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Behavior---Free-Cats-With-Behavior-Problems-For-Loving-Home&id=610141 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Behavior---Free-Cats-With-Behavior-Problems-For-Loving-Home&id=610141
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Common Cat Behavior Problems Your Cat Can Get
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise] Luke Blaise
Cats evolved as wild animals and with their domestication has come some problems that go along with that. The two most common behavioral problems seen with some cats are litter box problems and aggression issues.
Cat behavior problems can be one of the more frustrating experiences for cat owners, and it is the most common reason cats are often given over to shelters by their owners only to fall into to the hands of another unsuspecting owner.
Cats not using the litter box are the most common behavior problem. Sometimes this can be due to a medical problem but often times it can be due to other issues. Issues like stress, is a big reason why a lot of cats stop using the litter box.
Aggression is another one of the most common behavioral problem cats can get. This can range from biting your toes, to aggressively attacking the owner, to attacking other cats. Some cats can even have displaced aggression taking out their aggression on inanimate objects. Biting is a common problem owners have and this can be due to several things, from a cat learning that if they bite the owner�s toe they get attention, to not know that they should shield their teeth when they play.
Cats waking owners up too early in the morning is another behavior problem many owners wish to change in their cats. Cats nap at all times of the day for short durations, so while you are trying to catch up on some sleep your well rested cat wants to burn off some energy by playing with you.
One simple ways to cure this problem is to simply play with your cat at night before bed time so they are more tired and will sleep longer in the morning. If you do this over a period of a couple of weeks you should be able to change your cat's sleeping cycle.
Cats are prone to many behavioral problems, many of which can be prevented by giving your cat a stable environment in which to live. Remember simply playing with your cat daily even for fifteen minutes will give them a chance to burn some extra energy and hopefully stay out of trouble.
[http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com] The Cat Behavior Specialist
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Cat-Behavior-Problems-Your-Cat-Can-Get&id=616886 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Common-Cat-Behavior-Problems-Your-Cat-Can-Get&id=616886
Cats evolved as wild animals and with their domestication has come some problems that go along with that. The two most common behavioral problems seen with some cats are litter box problems and aggression issues.
Cat behavior problems can be one of the more frustrating experiences for cat owners, and it is the most common reason cats are often given over to shelters by their owners only to fall into to the hands of another unsuspecting owner.
Cats not using the litter box are the most common behavior problem. Sometimes this can be due to a medical problem but often times it can be due to other issues. Issues like stress, is a big reason why a lot of cats stop using the litter box.
Aggression is another one of the most common behavioral problem cats can get. This can range from biting your toes, to aggressively attacking the owner, to attacking other cats. Some cats can even have displaced aggression taking out their aggression on inanimate objects. Biting is a common problem owners have and this can be due to several things, from a cat learning that if they bite the owner�s toe they get attention, to not know that they should shield their teeth when they play.
Cats waking owners up too early in the morning is another behavior problem many owners wish to change in their cats. Cats nap at all times of the day for short durations, so while you are trying to catch up on some sleep your well rested cat wants to burn off some energy by playing with you.
One simple ways to cure this problem is to simply play with your cat at night before bed time so they are more tired and will sleep longer in the morning. If you do this over a period of a couple of weeks you should be able to change your cat's sleeping cycle.
Cats are prone to many behavioral problems, many of which can be prevented by giving your cat a stable environment in which to live. Remember simply playing with your cat daily even for fifteen minutes will give them a chance to burn some extra energy and hopefully stay out of trouble.
[http://1catbehavior.blogspot.com] The Cat Behavior Specialist
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Cat-Behavior-Problems-Your-Cat-Can-Get&id=616886 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Common-Cat-Behavior-Problems-Your-Cat-Can-Get&id=616886
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Ever Wondered What It's Like To Be Lost In A Mean World?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robert_Gallegos] Robert Gallegos
That's a scary thought. Dark, lonely nights shivering with the chill of an impending winter; finding warmth in any nook that can be found. Not a friendly face in sight if she was born feral. Food is scarce and looking for more is really tiring, but she continues searching anyway... anyway she can, or else she'll starve. She might find a group of like-minded souls and together they form a kind of "self-preservation" society. Staying together to stay alive even in spite of the diseases that can (and often do) spread through the colony. But then, they're not her kind and only remind her of what it is she has really lost. Home, family, comfort and peace of mind. That's what it's like to live the life of a feral cat.
So, just what is a feral cat? Well, they are domestic cats that, for whatever reason, have found themselves homeless. Or, they are the children of domestic cats. They are not "wild cats" which are animals that have never been domesticated. How a domestic cat finds herself homeless is a matter of speculation. She may have run away from abuse or neglect. Many belong to unwanted litters and have been abandoned to fend for themselves by people who haven't the heart to take them to an animal shelter, fearing they'll only be euthanized. But then, some just get lost and no one's to blame for that. And, who knows. Cats may very well have to take some of the blame themselves for coming off so darned self-sufficient, aloof, and independent. It leads people to mistakenly think that a 'domestic cat in the wild can quite easily take care of herself, thank you'.
Of course that's not true. The normal domestic cat's life span averages somewhere around 14 or 15 years compared to a feral life expectancy of 2 years. If she's born feral she'll be lucky to make it out of kitten-hood. The mortality rate for feral litters is 50%. Those that make it to adulthood are, if they are female, always pregnant and the males are always in a fight for mating privileges. That's not much of a life in my book. And since so many feral cats find themselves in an urban environment, the search for food is very challenging (a lot of dumpster diving). Nope, not a pretty life.
If you come across a feral cat, can she be re-domesticated? Good question. If she has the memory of a home and the domestic life, there is good reason to believe she can accept a new home offered to her. Feral kittens caught by the time they are 4-6 weeks old can usually be quite easily tamed. Older kittens may be domesticated, but with greater difficulty. Fully grown feral cats are usually impossible to tame, let alone allow you to get close enough to pet them. In all cases it's persistence on the part of a human care-giver that greatly determines the success of a feral cat being re-domesticated.
Feral cats will form into colonies where they seek safety in numbers and share nursing responsibilities. Un-spayed females can have up to (3) litters a year. It's that prolific breeding rate that is the biggest problem. Some estimates project there are 60 million feral cats in the U.S. Coupled with another 60 million cats in homes, that averages out to about (1) cat for every (2+) people in this country alone. That's a lot of cats!
Some want to blame feral cats for the decimation of bird populations, and play on our fears that these homeless are spreading health hazards (though most of the health hazards come from living in the colonies themselves). But, the most compelling argument for declining bird populations could be from the loss of habitat and window strikes do to people moving into areas that not long before had been natural wilderness or farmland. I haven't seen many gangs of feral cats scourging the countryside like Vandals preying on rare birds or other habitat species.
What do you do if you discover a feral cat or even a colony? TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) programs have sprung up all over the country. These programs consist of rounding up the colony and taking them to a pre-arranged clinic where they are neutered or spayed, given medical check-ups and released back to where they were captured. Then care givers provide them with food and shelter until the colony disappears from natural reasons. Mainly, because there are no more litters being born. There are those who propose "search and destroy" missions to rid the problem... but, we're not Neanderthals here, so I won't go there. Find a program by asking your veterinarian, calling the animal shelter in your town, or look in the phone book for local humane societies. Usually traps can be loaned for the purpose of capturing feral cats and clinic dates can be arranged for their neutering and spaying.
It's believed that around 3500 B.C. Egyptians began to domesticate the wildcats of Africa. Since then cats have been companions to humans and have been populated around the world wherever people have taken them. Their initial "wild" instincts for survival only remain in rudimentary form. Hence, if a modern day "house" cat becomes feral, she is just as influenced by her millenniums of domestication as she is by the natural instincts of the wild environment she left so long ago. If you have ever owned a cat that failed to come home... the sting of that loss can be felt right in your soul. As for your cat, who's to say she doesn't feel that pain, too. All animals have the ability to show hurt, joy, sadness and even loss. Maybe they can't articulate feelings into words or cohesive thought... but, they still can feel emotions. A feral cat is a lost cat who wants to come home. She may not know how to to that, but, the instinct to bind with human companionship keeps her near to us; whether she is hiding in alleyways, or in a farmer's barn. Likewise, our appreciation and desire for her companionship drives us to want to help her escape that mean and fearful situation. The modern advancements of our technological world tend to insulate people, causing them to believe we have a distant "otherness" from the natural world. But, denying that we are in-separate and well ensconced in nature is done so at peril to our own existence. Applying our nobler nature to resolving the feral cat condition will only raise our consciousness to a higher level and manifest the realization that what happens to one of us as creatures of the earth, happens ultimately to us all. We need to bring our lost kitten friends back into the fold of our compassion and our homes... where they belong.
For more information about feral cats visit:
[http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com/feral-cats.html ] http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com/feral-cats.html
Robert J Gallegos, author of [http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com] http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com a web site dedicated to proper cat care with quality cat lover gifts based on an understanding of cat behavior, instincts and the unique requirements for healthy cats as pets. Cats are the newest of animals to be domesticated and still have one paw in the wild. It's a major reason why they're so mysterious and resistant to human expectations. Robert is a life long lover of cats. He is dedicated to sharing his understanding of the cat experience, reducing the epidemic feral cat situation, and helping cat lovers to provide the best care for their cats.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robert_Gallegos ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Gallegos
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Ever-Wondered-What-Its-Like-To-Be-Lost-In-A-Mean-World?&id=605702 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Ever-Wondered-What-Its-Like-To-Be-Lost-In-A-Mean-World?&id=605702
That's a scary thought. Dark, lonely nights shivering with the chill of an impending winter; finding warmth in any nook that can be found. Not a friendly face in sight if she was born feral. Food is scarce and looking for more is really tiring, but she continues searching anyway... anyway she can, or else she'll starve. She might find a group of like-minded souls and together they form a kind of "self-preservation" society. Staying together to stay alive even in spite of the diseases that can (and often do) spread through the colony. But then, they're not her kind and only remind her of what it is she has really lost. Home, family, comfort and peace of mind. That's what it's like to live the life of a feral cat.
So, just what is a feral cat? Well, they are domestic cats that, for whatever reason, have found themselves homeless. Or, they are the children of domestic cats. They are not "wild cats" which are animals that have never been domesticated. How a domestic cat finds herself homeless is a matter of speculation. She may have run away from abuse or neglect. Many belong to unwanted litters and have been abandoned to fend for themselves by people who haven't the heart to take them to an animal shelter, fearing they'll only be euthanized. But then, some just get lost and no one's to blame for that. And, who knows. Cats may very well have to take some of the blame themselves for coming off so darned self-sufficient, aloof, and independent. It leads people to mistakenly think that a 'domestic cat in the wild can quite easily take care of herself, thank you'.
Of course that's not true. The normal domestic cat's life span averages somewhere around 14 or 15 years compared to a feral life expectancy of 2 years. If she's born feral she'll be lucky to make it out of kitten-hood. The mortality rate for feral litters is 50%. Those that make it to adulthood are, if they are female, always pregnant and the males are always in a fight for mating privileges. That's not much of a life in my book. And since so many feral cats find themselves in an urban environment, the search for food is very challenging (a lot of dumpster diving). Nope, not a pretty life.
If you come across a feral cat, can she be re-domesticated? Good question. If she has the memory of a home and the domestic life, there is good reason to believe she can accept a new home offered to her. Feral kittens caught by the time they are 4-6 weeks old can usually be quite easily tamed. Older kittens may be domesticated, but with greater difficulty. Fully grown feral cats are usually impossible to tame, let alone allow you to get close enough to pet them. In all cases it's persistence on the part of a human care-giver that greatly determines the success of a feral cat being re-domesticated.
Feral cats will form into colonies where they seek safety in numbers and share nursing responsibilities. Un-spayed females can have up to (3) litters a year. It's that prolific breeding rate that is the biggest problem. Some estimates project there are 60 million feral cats in the U.S. Coupled with another 60 million cats in homes, that averages out to about (1) cat for every (2+) people in this country alone. That's a lot of cats!
Some want to blame feral cats for the decimation of bird populations, and play on our fears that these homeless are spreading health hazards (though most of the health hazards come from living in the colonies themselves). But, the most compelling argument for declining bird populations could be from the loss of habitat and window strikes do to people moving into areas that not long before had been natural wilderness or farmland. I haven't seen many gangs of feral cats scourging the countryside like Vandals preying on rare birds or other habitat species.
What do you do if you discover a feral cat or even a colony? TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) programs have sprung up all over the country. These programs consist of rounding up the colony and taking them to a pre-arranged clinic where they are neutered or spayed, given medical check-ups and released back to where they were captured. Then care givers provide them with food and shelter until the colony disappears from natural reasons. Mainly, because there are no more litters being born. There are those who propose "search and destroy" missions to rid the problem... but, we're not Neanderthals here, so I won't go there. Find a program by asking your veterinarian, calling the animal shelter in your town, or look in the phone book for local humane societies. Usually traps can be loaned for the purpose of capturing feral cats and clinic dates can be arranged for their neutering and spaying.
It's believed that around 3500 B.C. Egyptians began to domesticate the wildcats of Africa. Since then cats have been companions to humans and have been populated around the world wherever people have taken them. Their initial "wild" instincts for survival only remain in rudimentary form. Hence, if a modern day "house" cat becomes feral, she is just as influenced by her millenniums of domestication as she is by the natural instincts of the wild environment she left so long ago. If you have ever owned a cat that failed to come home... the sting of that loss can be felt right in your soul. As for your cat, who's to say she doesn't feel that pain, too. All animals have the ability to show hurt, joy, sadness and even loss. Maybe they can't articulate feelings into words or cohesive thought... but, they still can feel emotions. A feral cat is a lost cat who wants to come home. She may not know how to to that, but, the instinct to bind with human companionship keeps her near to us; whether she is hiding in alleyways, or in a farmer's barn. Likewise, our appreciation and desire for her companionship drives us to want to help her escape that mean and fearful situation. The modern advancements of our technological world tend to insulate people, causing them to believe we have a distant "otherness" from the natural world. But, denying that we are in-separate and well ensconced in nature is done so at peril to our own existence. Applying our nobler nature to resolving the feral cat condition will only raise our consciousness to a higher level and manifest the realization that what happens to one of us as creatures of the earth, happens ultimately to us all. We need to bring our lost kitten friends back into the fold of our compassion and our homes... where they belong.
For more information about feral cats visit:
[http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com/feral-cats.html ] http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com/feral-cats.html
Robert J Gallegos, author of [http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com] http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com a web site dedicated to proper cat care with quality cat lover gifts based on an understanding of cat behavior, instincts and the unique requirements for healthy cats as pets. Cats are the newest of animals to be domesticated and still have one paw in the wild. It's a major reason why they're so mysterious and resistant to human expectations. Robert is a life long lover of cats. He is dedicated to sharing his understanding of the cat experience, reducing the epidemic feral cat situation, and helping cat lovers to provide the best care for their cats.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robert_Gallegos ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Gallegos
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Ever-Wondered-What-Its-Like-To-Be-Lost-In-A-Mean-World?&id=605702 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Ever-Wondered-What-Its-Like-To-Be-Lost-In-A-Mean-World?&id=605702
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Cat Vaccinations - Are They Any Good?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_King] Ron King
In a word, Yes. To protect their health from all sorts of microscopic critters, cat vaccinations are essential to all felines. And not just once, but sometimes annually.
Even an indoor cat needs them because there is always the possibility they may escape and be exposed to harmful diseases or another cat can bring in a pathogen.
There are usually 2 categories of feline vaccinations: core that are necessary for all cats, and non-core which are used only under certain circumstances.
Core Vaccinations
They help protect your cat from:
* Feline herpes virus 1(FVH1),
* Feline calicivirus (FCV),
* Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and
* rabies.
After initial inoculations with dead virus vaccines and a booster at one year, the FHV1, FCV, and FPV vaccines can be slowed to 3-year intervals, if your cat is in a low risk environment. After initial rabies shots, they are recommended annually.
The diseases that core cat vaccinations prevent are:
Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), also known as feline rhinotracheitis. It manifests as respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid-lining membrane). It can also strike the reproductive tract, causing pregnancy complications. FHV1 affects cats around the world.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral disease, usually fairly mild, but can result mouth sores, upper respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, and possibly arthritis. A flu-like condition, FCV and FHV1 make up 85 - 90% of upper respiratory feline infections.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus is a far more severe, contagious disease affecting cats, kittens, and raccoons. Typical symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. FPV invades rapidly growing cells, and is so widespread that nearly all cats are exposed within their first year of life.
Rabies is transmitted from the saliva of wild animals to unvaccinated domestic animals and even humans, usually through a bite. Rabies is nearly always fatal. Prevention is the only hope.
Non-Core Vaccinations
Non-core cat vaccinations are given only to cats when circumstances indicate that they may be at particular risk for a certain disease.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination is recommended for outdoor cats or cats having contact with other felines of unknown FeLV status. After 16 weeks of age, acquired resistance to infection develops, so it�s most effective for kittens and young cats. The middle word, leukemia, says it all.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) has only been on the market since 2002. This is also known as feline AIDS. It is not as effective as those for other viruses, and previous vaccination may not rule out infection. When deciding whether to get your cat vaccinated for FIV, research your options and discuss the matter with your veterinarian until you feel comfortable. When possible, separate the cat immediately and if it is a kitten, retest in 2 months.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) vaccine has a short immunity span, and its effectiveness is under debate. The rate of FIP incidents is very low -- in single-cat households, only 1 in 5,000 cats are infected.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica affects mostly young kittens, causing lower respiratory tract disease. In older cats it is uncommon and can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccination is recommended only for kittens in a multiple cat environment.
The battle of disease and science rages on. Cat vaccinations put the winning odds on your side.
For more info, see [ http://www.new-cat.com] New Cat or href =http://www.new-cat.com/Cat_Vaccinations.html] Cat Vaccinations. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website href http://www.ronxking.com] Authoring Articles.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_King ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Vaccinations---Are-They-Any-Good?&id=609703 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Vaccinations---Are-They-Any-Good?&id=609703
In a word, Yes. To protect their health from all sorts of microscopic critters, cat vaccinations are essential to all felines. And not just once, but sometimes annually.
Even an indoor cat needs them because there is always the possibility they may escape and be exposed to harmful diseases or another cat can bring in a pathogen.
There are usually 2 categories of feline vaccinations: core that are necessary for all cats, and non-core which are used only under certain circumstances.
Core Vaccinations
They help protect your cat from:
* Feline herpes virus 1(FVH1),
* Feline calicivirus (FCV),
* Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), and
* rabies.
After initial inoculations with dead virus vaccines and a booster at one year, the FHV1, FCV, and FPV vaccines can be slowed to 3-year intervals, if your cat is in a low risk environment. After initial rabies shots, they are recommended annually.
The diseases that core cat vaccinations prevent are:
Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), also known as feline rhinotracheitis. It manifests as respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelid-lining membrane). It can also strike the reproductive tract, causing pregnancy complications. FHV1 affects cats around the world.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a common viral disease, usually fairly mild, but can result mouth sores, upper respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, and possibly arthritis. A flu-like condition, FCV and FHV1 make up 85 - 90% of upper respiratory feline infections.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus is a far more severe, contagious disease affecting cats, kittens, and raccoons. Typical symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and seizures. FPV invades rapidly growing cells, and is so widespread that nearly all cats are exposed within their first year of life.
Rabies is transmitted from the saliva of wild animals to unvaccinated domestic animals and even humans, usually through a bite. Rabies is nearly always fatal. Prevention is the only hope.
Non-Core Vaccinations
Non-core cat vaccinations are given only to cats when circumstances indicate that they may be at particular risk for a certain disease.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccination is recommended for outdoor cats or cats having contact with other felines of unknown FeLV status. After 16 weeks of age, acquired resistance to infection develops, so it�s most effective for kittens and young cats. The middle word, leukemia, says it all.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) has only been on the market since 2002. This is also known as feline AIDS. It is not as effective as those for other viruses, and previous vaccination may not rule out infection. When deciding whether to get your cat vaccinated for FIV, research your options and discuss the matter with your veterinarian until you feel comfortable. When possible, separate the cat immediately and if it is a kitten, retest in 2 months.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) vaccine has a short immunity span, and its effectiveness is under debate. The rate of FIP incidents is very low -- in single-cat households, only 1 in 5,000 cats are infected.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica affects mostly young kittens, causing lower respiratory tract disease. In older cats it is uncommon and can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccination is recommended only for kittens in a multiple cat environment.
The battle of disease and science rages on. Cat vaccinations put the winning odds on your side.
For more info, see [ http://www.new-cat.com] New Cat or href =http://www.new-cat.com/Cat_Vaccinations.html] Cat Vaccinations. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website href http://www.ronxking.com] Authoring Articles.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_King ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Vaccinations---Are-They-Any-Good?&id=609703 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Vaccinations---Are-They-Any-Good?&id=609703
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Litter Box Positions Can Solve Cat Behavior Problems
By Luke Blaise
Litter box problems are a common cat owner complaint. In fact the two most common cat behavior problems are not using the litter box and aggression. Many people don�t realize that many times just changing the position of the litter box will solve the behavior problem.
For many people positioning the litter box is often done with the convenience of the owner in mind and not the cat. This is not the right way to go about positioning the cat�s litter box.
Most cats prefer a quiet well secluded place to use the litter box. Often the best places for litter boxes are the back of closets or in spare bedrooms. Unfortunately, for cats, owners often view these areas as inconvenient for them and place the litter boxes in the wrong areas.
Placing litter boxes in the same room as the washer and dryer is wrong because for many cats it is too noisy and stressful to use the litter box in this room. Also don�t place the litter box in a high traffic area, cats like a sense of protection when they are using the litter box.
Also remember the rule of �plus one� when it comes to cat litter boxes. This rule states that for every cat you have you need one more litter box. So if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes.
By taking some extra time in planning on where to put the litter boxes you can stop many cat behavior problems before they occur.
If your cat has recently started to not use the litter box, think about where your litter box is placed, could this be causing the problem? Is it in a noisy area? Have you recently moved the litter box? By keeping the cat in mind when placing the litter box, you will have a much happier cat.
Terrible Cat Behavior
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
http://EzineArticles.com/?Litter-Box-Positions-Can-Solve-Cat-Behavior-Problems&id=607277
Litter box problems are a common cat owner complaint. In fact the two most common cat behavior problems are not using the litter box and aggression. Many people don�t realize that many times just changing the position of the litter box will solve the behavior problem.
For many people positioning the litter box is often done with the convenience of the owner in mind and not the cat. This is not the right way to go about positioning the cat�s litter box.
Most cats prefer a quiet well secluded place to use the litter box. Often the best places for litter boxes are the back of closets or in spare bedrooms. Unfortunately, for cats, owners often view these areas as inconvenient for them and place the litter boxes in the wrong areas.
Placing litter boxes in the same room as the washer and dryer is wrong because for many cats it is too noisy and stressful to use the litter box in this room. Also don�t place the litter box in a high traffic area, cats like a sense of protection when they are using the litter box.
Also remember the rule of �plus one� when it comes to cat litter boxes. This rule states that for every cat you have you need one more litter box. So if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes.
By taking some extra time in planning on where to put the litter boxes you can stop many cat behavior problems before they occur.
If your cat has recently started to not use the litter box, think about where your litter box is placed, could this be causing the problem? Is it in a noisy area? Have you recently moved the litter box? By keeping the cat in mind when placing the litter box, you will have a much happier cat.
Terrible Cat Behavior
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Blaise
http://EzineArticles.com/?Litter-Box-Positions-Can-Solve-Cat-Behavior-Problems&id=607277
Friday, June 15, 2007
Neuter - Spay
By Omer Ashraf
We all love our cats and many of us would prefer them in their natural body form i.e. not subject them to any surgery or general anesthesia. But there is one procedure for which I do recommend surgical intervention...sterilization of cats.
We all know by now the outcome of allowing uncontrolled breeding of cats (ferals...remember!). But apart from that sterilization of cats has several important benefits. And unless you are a serious breeder, I do suggest you consider the following:
Male cat - When your tom cat reaches puberty at nearly six months of age, he will start yearning for female cats, and it's not his fault - it's only natural. He will meow at night, spray foul smelling urine all over the house aside from his litter box, and totally ignore all your attempts to control him, in short there will be a total change in his personality and it will continue...until you let him out! Once outside your tommy boy will be no match for the ferals who have grown on their own and are much better hunters and fighters than your pet who never learned to fend for himself under your loving care. So when he's gonna eye female cats and try and establish his territory, he'll end up inevitably in a fight with another feral male cat - and return to you with a scratched face and scarred ego! You'll worry about him but there's not much you can do - he will go outside again - and this time may not return (as your domesticated pet he didn't even learn how to cross a street or avoid humans!) And you'll be left with heart break, uncomprehending...when all of this could be avoided by a simple procedure...neutering. The surgery is one of the simplest in all of veterinary medicine. Carried out under general anesthesia your pet will be discharged the same day and will have no significant personality changes!
Female Cat - Here you have a lovely queen who adores you, rolls on your feet and shows affection for the whole family - until she reaches puberty (again at approximately six months). Now your sleep every night is disturbed by her constant yowling! She desperately wants to get out and meet a tom cat - and she can't help it...she's in heat. You try to soothe her but to no avail. Finally you let her out. She returns after a few days, relatively unharmed. However, she continues to venture outside periodically, much to your concern, where she is exposed to unhygienic conditions and diseases. A few months later she bears a litter of four kittens. Now you have a problem - what to do these with these new cats. This will continue every few months and your house will become crowded with cats, you will be left wondering if it's a good idea to keep pets? Again all of this could be avoided by a similar surgery...spaying (ovariohysterectomy). Your cat will no longer come in heat and will lead a happy, healthy life!
Even if the above does not motivate you enough, remember this, sterilization also reduces the risk of cancer in cats (testicular in males, ovarian in females)! What's the right age for neutering? I'd say at puberty...around six months! No use letting the cat have one litter since they may only learn a behavioral trait that you don't want!
http://ailurophiles.blogspot.com/2007/05/neuterspay.html
We all love our cats and many of us would prefer them in their natural body form i.e. not subject them to any surgery or general anesthesia. But there is one procedure for which I do recommend surgical intervention...sterilization of cats.
We all know by now the outcome of allowing uncontrolled breeding of cats (ferals...remember!). But apart from that sterilization of cats has several important benefits. And unless you are a serious breeder, I do suggest you consider the following:
Male cat - When your tom cat reaches puberty at nearly six months of age, he will start yearning for female cats, and it's not his fault - it's only natural. He will meow at night, spray foul smelling urine all over the house aside from his litter box, and totally ignore all your attempts to control him, in short there will be a total change in his personality and it will continue...until you let him out! Once outside your tommy boy will be no match for the ferals who have grown on their own and are much better hunters and fighters than your pet who never learned to fend for himself under your loving care. So when he's gonna eye female cats and try and establish his territory, he'll end up inevitably in a fight with another feral male cat - and return to you with a scratched face and scarred ego! You'll worry about him but there's not much you can do - he will go outside again - and this time may not return (as your domesticated pet he didn't even learn how to cross a street or avoid humans!) And you'll be left with heart break, uncomprehending...when all of this could be avoided by a simple procedure...neutering. The surgery is one of the simplest in all of veterinary medicine. Carried out under general anesthesia your pet will be discharged the same day and will have no significant personality changes!
Female Cat - Here you have a lovely queen who adores you, rolls on your feet and shows affection for the whole family - until she reaches puberty (again at approximately six months). Now your sleep every night is disturbed by her constant yowling! She desperately wants to get out and meet a tom cat - and she can't help it...she's in heat. You try to soothe her but to no avail. Finally you let her out. She returns after a few days, relatively unharmed. However, she continues to venture outside periodically, much to your concern, where she is exposed to unhygienic conditions and diseases. A few months later she bears a litter of four kittens. Now you have a problem - what to do these with these new cats. This will continue every few months and your house will become crowded with cats, you will be left wondering if it's a good idea to keep pets? Again all of this could be avoided by a similar surgery...spaying (ovariohysterectomy). Your cat will no longer come in heat and will lead a happy, healthy life!
Even if the above does not motivate you enough, remember this, sterilization also reduces the risk of cancer in cats (testicular in males, ovarian in females)! What's the right age for neutering? I'd say at puberty...around six months! No use letting the cat have one litter since they may only learn a behavioral trait that you don't want!
http://ailurophiles.blogspot.com/2007/05/neuterspay.html
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
How Can I Get Rid Of Fleas On My Cat?
By Kimberly Talbot
Did you know that a cat typically does not bite and chew when they are bitten bye a flea. In fact a cat may not show any signs of having fleas until they are completely infested with them. A cat will only bite and chew if they have an allergic reaction to a fleas saliva. If your cat doesn't have a reaction to the saliva and becomes completely infested with the fleas, your cats life is in danger.
Fleas eat 15 times their body weight in blood. Cats are not very large animals to begin with which means it will only take a small amount of fleas and a small amount of time for their circulating blood flow to become seriously diminished. If you don't check your cat for fleas regularly, you should. You are putting your cat at serious risk for anemia, dehydration and even death if you are not checking for fleas regularly.
Checking your cat for fleas is a very simple process. First, put your cat in an empty tub or sink. Rub their coat vigourously for a minute. If you see any black spots fall from your cats fur put a small drop of water on the black spot, if it turns red when the drop of water is added, then your cat has flea droppings on its skin, which means they have fleas.
There are numerous options to free your cat from fleas and it's very important that you address the situation immediately. Your cats health and life are in danger bye these little buggers and they need your help to protect them.
To learn more about how to get rid of fleas on your cat, along with step by step instructions to walk you through the process of flea control, go to How To Get Rid Of Fleas On My Cat You will learn how to permanently rid your cat and their environment of fleas
Did you know that a cat typically does not bite and chew when they are bitten bye a flea. In fact a cat may not show any signs of having fleas until they are completely infested with them. A cat will only bite and chew if they have an allergic reaction to a fleas saliva. If your cat doesn't have a reaction to the saliva and becomes completely infested with the fleas, your cats life is in danger.
Fleas eat 15 times their body weight in blood. Cats are not very large animals to begin with which means it will only take a small amount of fleas and a small amount of time for their circulating blood flow to become seriously diminished. If you don't check your cat for fleas regularly, you should. You are putting your cat at serious risk for anemia, dehydration and even death if you are not checking for fleas regularly.
Checking your cat for fleas is a very simple process. First, put your cat in an empty tub or sink. Rub their coat vigourously for a minute. If you see any black spots fall from your cats fur put a small drop of water on the black spot, if it turns red when the drop of water is added, then your cat has flea droppings on its skin, which means they have fleas.
There are numerous options to free your cat from fleas and it's very important that you address the situation immediately. Your cats health and life are in danger bye these little buggers and they need your help to protect them.
To learn more about how to get rid of fleas on your cat, along with step by step instructions to walk you through the process of flea control, go to How To Get Rid Of Fleas On My Cat You will learn how to permanently rid your cat and their environment of fleas
Monday, June 11, 2007
Getting Another Cat?
By Luke Blaise
You might be thinking about getting another cat but it is not a decision to be made lightly. Many people get another cat not thinking through the decision all the way. Your neighbor or friends might be wanting you to take their cat, but before you cave in you need to consider several things.
1. Will your current cats accept your new cat? Cats can be very territorial, and a new cat in the house can upset a delicate balance that might take a long time to reestablish. You can�t tell for sure how your current cats will accept a new cat until they actually meet. The best way to introduce new cats is to isolate them in a room for a few days so the cats can get used to new smells, and then after that only allow supervised interactions for the first couple of days.
2. Why is this person trying to get rid of their cat? Does this cat have a behavior problem you are not aware of? The number one reason cats are surrendered are due to behavior problems, like urinating on the bed and scratching furniture. If this cat does have a behavior problem are you willing to take the time to work with the cat in fixing this problem?
3. Do you have the financial capability to care for this cat medically? Veterinary bills can add up quickly especially for older cats. Before accepting a new cat be sure you consider your financial situation.
4. Do you have space for this cat, just considering litter boxes? Most cat experts recommend having one more litter box than you have cats. This means if you have three cats you need four litter boxes. Do you have room for four litter boxes?
5. Does this cat have any health issues? Many diseases are silent but deadly. Diseases like feline leukemia virus can be carried by seemingly healthy cats and can spread the disease to your cats. Before accepting new cats be sure to have their health status verified by a veterinarian.
Giving a new home to a cat that needs one is a great thing to do. But you need to make sure your situation is right for accepting a new cat into your house. By thinking through all these steps you can make the right choice.
Get free cat books and information here.
You might be thinking about getting another cat but it is not a decision to be made lightly. Many people get another cat not thinking through the decision all the way. Your neighbor or friends might be wanting you to take their cat, but before you cave in you need to consider several things.
1. Will your current cats accept your new cat? Cats can be very territorial, and a new cat in the house can upset a delicate balance that might take a long time to reestablish. You can�t tell for sure how your current cats will accept a new cat until they actually meet. The best way to introduce new cats is to isolate them in a room for a few days so the cats can get used to new smells, and then after that only allow supervised interactions for the first couple of days.
2. Why is this person trying to get rid of their cat? Does this cat have a behavior problem you are not aware of? The number one reason cats are surrendered are due to behavior problems, like urinating on the bed and scratching furniture. If this cat does have a behavior problem are you willing to take the time to work with the cat in fixing this problem?
3. Do you have the financial capability to care for this cat medically? Veterinary bills can add up quickly especially for older cats. Before accepting a new cat be sure you consider your financial situation.
4. Do you have space for this cat, just considering litter boxes? Most cat experts recommend having one more litter box than you have cats. This means if you have three cats you need four litter boxes. Do you have room for four litter boxes?
5. Does this cat have any health issues? Many diseases are silent but deadly. Diseases like feline leukemia virus can be carried by seemingly healthy cats and can spread the disease to your cats. Before accepting new cats be sure to have their health status verified by a veterinarian.
Giving a new home to a cat that needs one is a great thing to do. But you need to make sure your situation is right for accepting a new cat into your house. By thinking through all these steps you can make the right choice.
Get free cat books and information here.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Topics of Cat Health Care
By Judy Wellsworth
Cat health care requires knowing your pet and knowing when something is wrong. Warning signs such as change in appetite, weight loss, weakness and changes in bathroom habits can account for some serious cat health care problems. A healthy cat is one that runs around, purrs and plays while maintaining a healthy and safe environment to prevent injury.
Weight seems to play an important part of feline health care. The proper weight is calculated according to the cat�s size and height. You might use a bathroom scale as a way to check the cat�s weight simply by weighting yourself and then weighting yourself and the cat together. The difference between the two is the weight of the cat. A drastic change in weight might indicate some type of illness. Your cat health care plan must include the weight check to assure you that the cat is receiving the right amount of food to maintain a healthy weight.
Many cat diseases cause the cat to need medications and other treatments to bring them back to health. A bacterial infection, a viral infection and a fungus infection more often then not requires proper veterinary check ups. Other cat health care issues are parasites, metabolic diseases and other abnormalities that could be congenital in nature. These health care issues all account for some weight loss causes.
Some medications that people used to treat aliments, veterinaries prescribe for cats. Some of these medications consist of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and some cold medicines, lasix and Phenobarbital. Although the doses are different and the names the same, you should never give your medication to a cat, they need there own supply with different measurements. Vets have been known to tell an owner to give a dog a half of aspirin, but for a cat, this might be fatal.
Cat health care also includes keeping the cat properly groomed and feeding food that helps to maintain a healthy life. Proper vaccinations need to be given yearly to protect all cats whether they go outside or not. Cat health care also includes proper exercise to maintain healthy muscles and helps keep the cat from becoming overweight. If you keep a healthy environment and good nutritious food for the cat, they can live up to sixteen years or maybe longer.
If you have cat health care issues such as teeth, ears and skin irritations, you might discus this with your vet. Some preventive measures will help maintain the cat teeth and keep them from decaying or breaking, this including cleaning them with baking soda or a commercial pet care supply. Cat health care means keeping the ears free of parasites and using preventive measures to repel ear mites. Flea prevention also needs consideration to keep your pet and home from becoming infested, which can cause serious health problems. Skin irritation results from scratching as well as skin allergies and should be monitored daily. Cat health care does not take much time; just pay attention to your cat�s movements and habits to see if there are changes.
You can also find more information at care for stray cat and cat grooming.
Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.
Cat health care requires knowing your pet and knowing when something is wrong. Warning signs such as change in appetite, weight loss, weakness and changes in bathroom habits can account for some serious cat health care problems. A healthy cat is one that runs around, purrs and plays while maintaining a healthy and safe environment to prevent injury.
Weight seems to play an important part of feline health care. The proper weight is calculated according to the cat�s size and height. You might use a bathroom scale as a way to check the cat�s weight simply by weighting yourself and then weighting yourself and the cat together. The difference between the two is the weight of the cat. A drastic change in weight might indicate some type of illness. Your cat health care plan must include the weight check to assure you that the cat is receiving the right amount of food to maintain a healthy weight.
Many cat diseases cause the cat to need medications and other treatments to bring them back to health. A bacterial infection, a viral infection and a fungus infection more often then not requires proper veterinary check ups. Other cat health care issues are parasites, metabolic diseases and other abnormalities that could be congenital in nature. These health care issues all account for some weight loss causes.
Some medications that people used to treat aliments, veterinaries prescribe for cats. Some of these medications consist of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and some cold medicines, lasix and Phenobarbital. Although the doses are different and the names the same, you should never give your medication to a cat, they need there own supply with different measurements. Vets have been known to tell an owner to give a dog a half of aspirin, but for a cat, this might be fatal.
Cat health care also includes keeping the cat properly groomed and feeding food that helps to maintain a healthy life. Proper vaccinations need to be given yearly to protect all cats whether they go outside or not. Cat health care also includes proper exercise to maintain healthy muscles and helps keep the cat from becoming overweight. If you keep a healthy environment and good nutritious food for the cat, they can live up to sixteen years or maybe longer.
If you have cat health care issues such as teeth, ears and skin irritations, you might discus this with your vet. Some preventive measures will help maintain the cat teeth and keep them from decaying or breaking, this including cleaning them with baking soda or a commercial pet care supply. Cat health care means keeping the ears free of parasites and using preventive measures to repel ear mites. Flea prevention also needs consideration to keep your pet and home from becoming infested, which can cause serious health problems. Skin irritation results from scratching as well as skin allergies and should be monitored daily. Cat health care does not take much time; just pay attention to your cat�s movements and habits to see if there are changes.
You can also find more information at care for stray cat and cat grooming.
Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Do Cats Think?
By John Young
I don�t know why I thought I could get away with it.
When my cat �Bear� jumped onto my lap expecting his morning petting session, I wondered if THIS time I could get away with reading the newspaper while giving him a few off-hand, preoccupied strokes.
�Heh, heh�, I thought. �I�ll start by giving him my full attention but then I�ll sneak my paper in when he�s not looking.� I �chucked� him under the chin while stroking him from head to tail, and he began rolling in ecstasy.
When he turned his back on me, sprawling on his stomach, my moment came. Quickly, I reached for the newspaper with my right hand. Continuing to pet Bear with my left, I opened it to the front page.
Bear put his ears back.
�Uh, oh�, I said to myself. �But wait�he can�t see what I�m doing. How does he know that I�m cheating?�
But he knew.
Bear tolerated it for a few moments; his ears laid back, his tail thrashing. Suddenly he leaped from my lap and lay down on the floor. After a few minutes of washing, he stared at me with an accusing expression.
I�d spoiled HIS morning petting session with my own selfishness and he was clearly letting me know the error of my ways.
Do Cats Think?
Cat owners may be the only pet lovers who sincerely believe their pets think. It won�t be the first time that a cat owner has the distinctly uncanny feeling that not only does his beloved cat think, but that he is being manipulated by her.
Veteran cat owners have noticed:
� Cats are an extremely obsessed and determined animal.
� Cats seem to contemplate things and make decisions.
� Cats choose and adopt people.
� Cats become offended and can hold grudges at insults to their dignity. Fortunately they forget them pretty quickly.
� They are embarrassed easily and seem to cover it up with nonchalant behavior.
� They are extremely independent, but want to cooperate with humans as long as this spirit of cooperation is thoroughly disguised.
In short, the cat �owner� always has the vague feeling that he is somehow being conned, but is never sure exactly in what way.
What do we mean by the word �think�?
Answers.com defines the ability to think as �To exercise the power of reason, as by conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and using judgment.� Arguably, it is the power of reason, the ability to conceive ideas, use judgment and put the results into action that has placed Man at the top of the food chain. In other words, Man dominates his/her environment because of his/her ability to think.
The cat brain and cat behavior
Cats are often used as experimental animals because the feline brain is structured like the human brain. The question is, however, do these similarities result in similar cognitive processes, i.e., can a cat actually assemble information, reason things out and make decisions?
The cat�s lack of cooperation with trainers has been taken either as a high degree of intelligence on the part of the feline (either too smart to do what a human tells her to) or a low degree (too stupid to be amenable to training).
Cat lovers usually opt for the former having the distinct impression that they, not their cats, are being trained.
Can cats use tools?
A writer for About.com, J. Justin Lancaster, reported that his cat Sasha had discovered a way to wet down her dry cat food by carrying a cotton hair �scrunchy� to the toilet to wet it and subsequently using it to drip water on her food. This may be the most sophisticated use of tools ever observed in the non-human animal kingdom.
On the other hand, most cat owners observe that a cat, when confronted with an obstacle barring her from a goal, will never move the obstacle out of the way. If the obstacle falls out of the way the cat will be momentarily surprised, but will then proceed to reach the unobstructed goal.
When finding herself again in the same situation, with the same destination blocked by the same obstacle, the cat will not knock the obstacle out of the way even though previous experience has shown that this is the best way reach the goal.
The jury is out
So, the jury is either out, or �hung�, on the question of whether or not cats think.
But when my cat, without looking at me, knows that I�m not giving him my full attention, and gives every evidenced of being miffed at this, I wonder.
Why is petting him while reading the newspaper not the same thing as petting him while using my full concentration?
It doesn�t make sense unless I accept the possibility that he has thought it out. That he has decided that it is either all or nothing, and he just isn�t going accept �playing second fiddle� to a newspaper. And his conclusion is: I�d better shape up. Anything short of my full attention is not acceptable.
He is going to get a full petting from me -- or not at all.
John Young is an editor and writer living in Southern California with his wife and pet cat �Bear�. He is author of �Your New Cat�s First 24 Hours�, http://www.yourcatsecrets.com and editor of a new ezine �The Online Cat�, http://www.theonlinecat.com .
I don�t know why I thought I could get away with it.
When my cat �Bear� jumped onto my lap expecting his morning petting session, I wondered if THIS time I could get away with reading the newspaper while giving him a few off-hand, preoccupied strokes.
�Heh, heh�, I thought. �I�ll start by giving him my full attention but then I�ll sneak my paper in when he�s not looking.� I �chucked� him under the chin while stroking him from head to tail, and he began rolling in ecstasy.
When he turned his back on me, sprawling on his stomach, my moment came. Quickly, I reached for the newspaper with my right hand. Continuing to pet Bear with my left, I opened it to the front page.
Bear put his ears back.
�Uh, oh�, I said to myself. �But wait�he can�t see what I�m doing. How does he know that I�m cheating?�
But he knew.
Bear tolerated it for a few moments; his ears laid back, his tail thrashing. Suddenly he leaped from my lap and lay down on the floor. After a few minutes of washing, he stared at me with an accusing expression.
I�d spoiled HIS morning petting session with my own selfishness and he was clearly letting me know the error of my ways.
Do Cats Think?
Cat owners may be the only pet lovers who sincerely believe their pets think. It won�t be the first time that a cat owner has the distinctly uncanny feeling that not only does his beloved cat think, but that he is being manipulated by her.
Veteran cat owners have noticed:
� Cats are an extremely obsessed and determined animal.
� Cats seem to contemplate things and make decisions.
� Cats choose and adopt people.
� Cats become offended and can hold grudges at insults to their dignity. Fortunately they forget them pretty quickly.
� They are embarrassed easily and seem to cover it up with nonchalant behavior.
� They are extremely independent, but want to cooperate with humans as long as this spirit of cooperation is thoroughly disguised.
In short, the cat �owner� always has the vague feeling that he is somehow being conned, but is never sure exactly in what way.
What do we mean by the word �think�?
Answers.com defines the ability to think as �To exercise the power of reason, as by conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and using judgment.� Arguably, it is the power of reason, the ability to conceive ideas, use judgment and put the results into action that has placed Man at the top of the food chain. In other words, Man dominates his/her environment because of his/her ability to think.
The cat brain and cat behavior
Cats are often used as experimental animals because the feline brain is structured like the human brain. The question is, however, do these similarities result in similar cognitive processes, i.e., can a cat actually assemble information, reason things out and make decisions?
The cat�s lack of cooperation with trainers has been taken either as a high degree of intelligence on the part of the feline (either too smart to do what a human tells her to) or a low degree (too stupid to be amenable to training).
Cat lovers usually opt for the former having the distinct impression that they, not their cats, are being trained.
Can cats use tools?
A writer for About.com, J. Justin Lancaster, reported that his cat Sasha had discovered a way to wet down her dry cat food by carrying a cotton hair �scrunchy� to the toilet to wet it and subsequently using it to drip water on her food. This may be the most sophisticated use of tools ever observed in the non-human animal kingdom.
On the other hand, most cat owners observe that a cat, when confronted with an obstacle barring her from a goal, will never move the obstacle out of the way. If the obstacle falls out of the way the cat will be momentarily surprised, but will then proceed to reach the unobstructed goal.
When finding herself again in the same situation, with the same destination blocked by the same obstacle, the cat will not knock the obstacle out of the way even though previous experience has shown that this is the best way reach the goal.
The jury is out
So, the jury is either out, or �hung�, on the question of whether or not cats think.
But when my cat, without looking at me, knows that I�m not giving him my full attention, and gives every evidenced of being miffed at this, I wonder.
Why is petting him while reading the newspaper not the same thing as petting him while using my full concentration?
It doesn�t make sense unless I accept the possibility that he has thought it out. That he has decided that it is either all or nothing, and he just isn�t going accept �playing second fiddle� to a newspaper. And his conclusion is: I�d better shape up. Anything short of my full attention is not acceptable.
He is going to get a full petting from me -- or not at all.
John Young is an editor and writer living in Southern California with his wife and pet cat �Bear�. He is author of �Your New Cat�s First 24 Hours�, http://www.yourcatsecrets.com and editor of a new ezine �The Online Cat�, http://www.theonlinecat.com .
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Does Your Cat have a Bad Habit?
By Ralph Cramdin
I once had a cat named Rex who had all kinds of bad habits. But his worse bad habit was that he would stay out to all hours of the night and when he did come home he smelled of female feline and catnip. I didn't know what kind of trouble he was getting into but it worried me.
One night I decided to follow him to see exactly what he was up to. I figured if I knew what he was up to I could perhaps save him from himself.
The night I chose to follow Rex the moon was full so I had a good view of everything. He immediately left the house and walked about 5 blocks away to a dark and strange alley.
As I followed him into the alley I noticed that there was a long fence and on the fence sat about 20 tomcats. My Rex joined the other cats on the fence by hopping up and sitting next to the last cat in line.
Then the row of cats began to sing - and they sung in tune! I couldn't believe my ears. It was like a karaoke bar for cats. I believe they were singing that Sinatra song 'I Did it My Way'. It was beautiful the way they sang. They sounded like a choir.
As the sound of the tomcats singing filled the alley a flock of female cats soon moved in. They gathered around and listened to the tomcats like they were rock stars. And when I looked at my cat - Rex - I had never seen him happier. He had a big grin on his face the size of a pizza. No wonder he was staying out to all hours of the night. If you were a cat wouldn't you?
But soon crept in the unsavory cats. You know the type - always scratching themselves like they had a monkey on their backs. It didn't take me long to realize they were pusher cats. Selling nickel bags of catnip to who ever they could.
It was more than I could take. I had to leave. I didn't want to see my Rex all glassy eyed and strung out.
To make a long story short one night my Rex never came home. Nor the night after that nor the night after that. It was on the 6 o'clock news that I next saw him. There he was with the rest of the tomcats being rounded up by the police like he was a common criminal. He looked horrible - there were bags under his eyes and he needed a shave.
I found out later that he was doing time at the Humane Society. I bailed him out but poor Rex had formed a bad habit. He was gone the next day. I don't know where. Probably back to the rock star and catnip life he craved so much.
And there is a moral to this story for any of you kittens out there reading this article. A little catnip now and then is okay but it can be addictive. Do you want to end up like Rex - a cat with a monkey on its back?
(c) All rights reserved
I just can't decide. Whether to get pet medical insurance or not to get pet medical insurance. It's driving me crazy. The story is here Pet Medical Insurance.
I once had a cat named Rex who had all kinds of bad habits. But his worse bad habit was that he would stay out to all hours of the night and when he did come home he smelled of female feline and catnip. I didn't know what kind of trouble he was getting into but it worried me.
One night I decided to follow him to see exactly what he was up to. I figured if I knew what he was up to I could perhaps save him from himself.
The night I chose to follow Rex the moon was full so I had a good view of everything. He immediately left the house and walked about 5 blocks away to a dark and strange alley.
As I followed him into the alley I noticed that there was a long fence and on the fence sat about 20 tomcats. My Rex joined the other cats on the fence by hopping up and sitting next to the last cat in line.
Then the row of cats began to sing - and they sung in tune! I couldn't believe my ears. It was like a karaoke bar for cats. I believe they were singing that Sinatra song 'I Did it My Way'. It was beautiful the way they sang. They sounded like a choir.
As the sound of the tomcats singing filled the alley a flock of female cats soon moved in. They gathered around and listened to the tomcats like they were rock stars. And when I looked at my cat - Rex - I had never seen him happier. He had a big grin on his face the size of a pizza. No wonder he was staying out to all hours of the night. If you were a cat wouldn't you?
But soon crept in the unsavory cats. You know the type - always scratching themselves like they had a monkey on their backs. It didn't take me long to realize they were pusher cats. Selling nickel bags of catnip to who ever they could.
It was more than I could take. I had to leave. I didn't want to see my Rex all glassy eyed and strung out.
To make a long story short one night my Rex never came home. Nor the night after that nor the night after that. It was on the 6 o'clock news that I next saw him. There he was with the rest of the tomcats being rounded up by the police like he was a common criminal. He looked horrible - there were bags under his eyes and he needed a shave.
I found out later that he was doing time at the Humane Society. I bailed him out but poor Rex had formed a bad habit. He was gone the next day. I don't know where. Probably back to the rock star and catnip life he craved so much.
And there is a moral to this story for any of you kittens out there reading this article. A little catnip now and then is okay but it can be addictive. Do you want to end up like Rex - a cat with a monkey on its back?
(c) All rights reserved
I just can't decide. Whether to get pet medical insurance or not to get pet medical insurance. It's driving me crazy. The story is here Pet Medical Insurance.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Cat Health Insurance Eliminates Pain For You and Your Cat!
By Sheri Davis Collins
Cat health insurance provides affordable medical care which is a direct correlation to improved health.
Practicing wishful thinking that your cat will stay healthy throughout its entire life may not work. Additionally, situations beyond our control, like the pet food recall, may occur despite our best effort to care for our pets.
If your cat should get sick momentarily or as it gets older (just as some people do) the insurance is there to help you with the vet bills.
The cost of premiums may be lower than annual check ups and routine health care visits.
One of my cats had an emergency operation that cost $3000. Believe me this amount was not in the budget! In this instance, the costs of the premiums were far lower than the price to pay for his life and proper medical attention.
This certainly eliminated my pain by not having to consider euthanasia and also the physical pain my cat was experiencing. I was only worried about my cat, not the mounting vet bill.
Cat Health Insurance can address many issues, such as:
Care in an accident
Cancer treatments
Surgery
Pre existing cat medical problems
Annual checkups
Prescriptions
MRI
Xrays
Cat health insurance provides affordable medical care which is a direct correlation to improved health.
Practicing wishful thinking that your cat will stay healthy throughout its entire life may not work. Additionally, situations beyond our control, like the pet food recall, may occur despite our best effort to care for our pets.
If your cat should get sick momentarily or as it gets older (just as some people do) the insurance is there to help you with the vet bills.
The cost of premiums may be lower than annual check ups and routine health care visits.
One of my cats had an emergency operation that cost $3000. Believe me this amount was not in the budget! In this instance, the costs of the premiums were far lower than the price to pay for his life and proper medical attention.
This certainly eliminated my pain by not having to consider euthanasia and also the physical pain my cat was experiencing. I was only worried about my cat, not the mounting vet bill.
Cat Health Insurance can address many issues, such as:
Care in an accident
Cancer treatments
Surgery
Pre existing cat medical problems
Annual checkups
Prescriptions
MRI
Xrays
Friday, June 1, 2007
Different Cat Breeds - Which One To Chose?
By Kevin Lampard
While you are looking for the right cat breed, don�t be too caught up in these personality features. Personalities will differ in the breeds as well and will have a lot to do with the environment that the cat grew up in or is going to grow up in. One of the most important features to consider is whether you want a short hair or a longhaired breed. People who don�t have a lot of time to spend on grooming will want to go with short. Grooming adult longhaired cats can be time consuming, although the cats will be beautiful. If you neglect the long hair, however, it will definitely become a tangled and matted mess. This means that you may have to have the cat shaven and start all over with their long hair.
Once you have considered these different features and personality traits, then you can begin looking at the different breeds and begin to search for the one that sounds like it will fit your style.
Abyssinian: These cats are incredibly personable and affectionate. They love to interact with families as well.
American Bobtail: These cats are friendly and gain their name from their short tail. These cats are available as both shorthair and longhair.
American Curl: These breeds are interesting, as they do not have ears that back toward the of their heads.
For more information on more different cat breeds visit http://www.thecatguide.co.uk
Kevin Lampard is a successful affiliate marketer who regularly makes a healthy living from the internet. Did you find those tips on buying your first kitten helpful? You can learn much more about cats at www.thecatguide.co.uk
While you are looking for the right cat breed, don�t be too caught up in these personality features. Personalities will differ in the breeds as well and will have a lot to do with the environment that the cat grew up in or is going to grow up in. One of the most important features to consider is whether you want a short hair or a longhaired breed. People who don�t have a lot of time to spend on grooming will want to go with short. Grooming adult longhaired cats can be time consuming, although the cats will be beautiful. If you neglect the long hair, however, it will definitely become a tangled and matted mess. This means that you may have to have the cat shaven and start all over with their long hair.
Once you have considered these different features and personality traits, then you can begin looking at the different breeds and begin to search for the one that sounds like it will fit your style.
Abyssinian: These cats are incredibly personable and affectionate. They love to interact with families as well.
American Bobtail: These cats are friendly and gain their name from their short tail. These cats are available as both shorthair and longhair.
American Curl: These breeds are interesting, as they do not have ears that back toward the of their heads.
For more information on more different cat breeds visit http://www.thecatguide.co.uk
Kevin Lampard is a successful affiliate marketer who regularly makes a healthy living from the internet. Did you find those tips on buying your first kitten helpful? You can learn much more about cats at www.thecatguide.co.uk
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