By Rick London
I have always owned dogs, but, recently I have learned, mainly from females influential in my life, the wonder and magic of cats and what they have to offer which is much. A lot of men are ware of cats, perhaps because "dog is man's best friend", which we learn from childhood, but, I've also learned, so can a cat. Though not always, a cat can be a bit more standoffish than a dog. Patience is required in cases like this. Many cats love their independence and one must "earn their trust". Once you have, many cats will follow you around like a dog. Of course, most dog owners know it is "love at first bite...of food". Whomever feeds them is their new mommy or daddy, whereas, with many cats, the first few months is spent trying to figure out what value is there in owning this feline anyway.
But as one owns a cat for awhile, it realizes this cat is an amazing intelligent creature, and can be just as loyal if not more so than a dog. Of the many cats I've owned, it has not taken more than a few days for them to want to curl up in my lap and rub its head continuously in a loving way (not to mention sleep on the pillow next to me no matter what).
Many of us struggle with health issues. A cat can be a wonderful therapist, doctor, or other type healer. Many people are unable to own dogs for various reasons, from apartment policies to travel, whereas a cat can be left alone for much longer and be ok. Cat ownership has been medical proven to help everything from high blood pressure to depression to even severe anxiety. Like dogs, cats have an amazing sixth sense, of how you are feeling. Unconditional love eventually evolves from most domestic cats given time. Patience can be the key. Some cats exhibit it right away. Some ask us to earn it.
Alas, cats, like dogs, make the world a much better place. Except for babies, and even babies have "their conditions"; really only domestic animals such as dogs and cats can teach us what unconditional love. I was very skeptical of all this upon learning the importance of animal care. I had read a lot but still did not believe the statistics much less the testimonials. Then I tried it, owning both dogs and cats all my adult life. It has enhanced my life like nothing else.
You may find yourself saying, "I haven't noticed any positive changes in myself". But it doesn't matter. They have already happened. Dog and cat ownership and care offer us the same paradigm shift of behavior that a newborn baby does. It offers us a chance to redirect much of our energies into a living loving creature that is there for us all the time. Yes we are there for it too, but not all the time. It does not care. If you give it a little attention, love and affection, it will give back in time, more than you ever gave it. Many times more in ways you never imagined.
Rick London is a cartoonist/entrepreneur and animal-lover. He founded Londons Times Cartoons, one of the Internet's most visited websites. Many of his cartoons and cartoon gifts and collectibles are cat and dog related. A percentage of those sales go to help stray animals and educate on animal-care.
Rick London is a writer and founder of the most popular offbeat cartoon site on the Internet, Londons Times Cartoons. He also owns a number of e-stores featuring cartoons and many of them are cat and dog-related. A percentage of all sales go to benefit various animal causes. Several of his main stores include http://www.ricklondonwear.com http://www.ricklondoncollection.com and his main cartoon site which is non-revenue producing is http://www.londonstimes.us with over 9000 cartoons.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Is Your Cat Under the Weather? Homemade Cat Food May Help
By Sheri Davis Collins
When it comes to considering what is the right kind of food to feed your cat there are a number of different choices you have available to you. You can either feed it the cheap commercial foods that come in packs or tins, or you can go the commercial organic cat food route, which can prove to be a little more expensive. But if you really want to feed your cat good wholesome food then why not prepare homemade cat food instead.
Below we look at some of the benefits that can be gained from preparing your own cat food rather than buying the commercial type. It is important that if you are considering changing your pet's diet you should include in its meals sufficient amounts of nutrients, minerals and vitamins that its body needs.
When deciding to make changes to your cat's dietary habits make these changes very slowly. The easiest way of doing this is by adding a small amount of the homemade cat food to what it is currently eating. Then each day you reduce the amount of its old dietary foods and replace with the new homemade ones.
One of the best benefits to be gained from you preparing the meals that your cat eats is that you have more control over its content. Therefore, because cats require a large amount of protein in their diet you will be able to ensure that sufficient amounts of this are included within their diet.
As well as controlling what goes into your cat's food you are also controlling just how much it eats. By ensuring that you prepare the food correctly, you can choose just how many calories your pet is consuming on a daily basis. If you have a cat, which is extremely active, then it will need more calories to provide the energy required, compared to a cat that is inactive.
Another benefit to be gained from you preparing homemade cat food for your pet rather than buying the commercial products is that it will contain all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that its body needs. Plus it allows you to provide them with additional vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C that their bodies are unable to produce naturally unlike a dog's.
A time saving issue is that you can actually prepare your cat's food at the same time as you prepare your own. If you want to really save time, then prepare a batch of its food which you can then freeze or refrigerate and then defrost or bring up to room
temperature when required.
The homemade cat food recipe you select should be easy for you to prepare 15 minutes or less, nutritionally balanced and delicious to your cat.
Want to give your cat a good chance to be healthy? Check out this quick homemade cat food recipe - http://www.allthingscat.com/homemade_cat_food.html
When it comes to considering what is the right kind of food to feed your cat there are a number of different choices you have available to you. You can either feed it the cheap commercial foods that come in packs or tins, or you can go the commercial organic cat food route, which can prove to be a little more expensive. But if you really want to feed your cat good wholesome food then why not prepare homemade cat food instead.
Below we look at some of the benefits that can be gained from preparing your own cat food rather than buying the commercial type. It is important that if you are considering changing your pet's diet you should include in its meals sufficient amounts of nutrients, minerals and vitamins that its body needs.
When deciding to make changes to your cat's dietary habits make these changes very slowly. The easiest way of doing this is by adding a small amount of the homemade cat food to what it is currently eating. Then each day you reduce the amount of its old dietary foods and replace with the new homemade ones.
One of the best benefits to be gained from you preparing the meals that your cat eats is that you have more control over its content. Therefore, because cats require a large amount of protein in their diet you will be able to ensure that sufficient amounts of this are included within their diet.
As well as controlling what goes into your cat's food you are also controlling just how much it eats. By ensuring that you prepare the food correctly, you can choose just how many calories your pet is consuming on a daily basis. If you have a cat, which is extremely active, then it will need more calories to provide the energy required, compared to a cat that is inactive.
Another benefit to be gained from you preparing homemade cat food for your pet rather than buying the commercial products is that it will contain all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that its body needs. Plus it allows you to provide them with additional vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C that their bodies are unable to produce naturally unlike a dog's.
A time saving issue is that you can actually prepare your cat's food at the same time as you prepare your own. If you want to really save time, then prepare a batch of its food which you can then freeze or refrigerate and then defrost or bring up to room
temperature when required.
The homemade cat food recipe you select should be easy for you to prepare 15 minutes or less, nutritionally balanced and delicious to your cat.
Want to give your cat a good chance to be healthy? Check out this quick homemade cat food recipe - http://www.allthingscat.com/homemade_cat_food.html
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
How To Train Your Cat (It's Really Not That Difficult)
By Felix Greenberg
The secret to train your cat is to understand the key points about the cat behavior. Feline behavior differs substantially from dog behavior. As does happen with the dogs, force training methods don't work with the cats.
Below mentioned are some of the simple rules for training cats:-
Never wake up the cat for training, they won't co-operate.
In case the cat is permitted to free feed, put them on the feeding schedule and then train them prior to feeding time.
Maintain very short training session, each session lasting 3 to 5 minutes.
Use play toy, food, pat or good scratch pat as a reward.
Don't try to train the cat before nap time.
The best method of training the cat is by using the shaping methods. In case the cat owner wants to teach the way of jumping onto the shoulder from the back of the couch, begin by putting the cat at the back of the couch.
Secrets to Cat Training:
The secrets to cat training are that the owner needs to be inventive and observe the likes and dislikes of the cat. Cat owners need to keep in mind that the special rewards need to be obtainable only when the cat is in the training. In case the cat has free access to the reward, it won't respond and do things in return of special reward.
To keep the cat on the back of the couch, tease the cat with a treat. The cat may require to be placed on the back of the couch. Next, permit the cat to have the crumb of the treat and then lure onto the shoulder with the treat. This process may require to progress in steps. The first step may require the cat to reach for the treat by putting the paws on the arms. Next, the cat may reach with the paws on the shoulder, but won't jump up. In this case, the cat owner would have to lower the shoulder almost level with the top of the couch so as to get the cat jump onto the shoulder. Let the cat jump further, till the cat goes back to the couch and jumps on the shoulder. Give the cat a reward with each step of the way which is a possibility to swat at a special toy.
With proper rewards and firm faith, training a cat is not that difficult as it is made out to be.
Do you want a well behaved cat? Discover the proven techniques for quick results. Click here.
Felix Greenberg is the owner of 4MyCat.net, A Website that Helps Cat Owners to Train Their Cat.
For more info, go to 4Mycat.net & discover how easy it is to train your cat. or Visit my blog there you find Tips & Tricks on Cat Training
The secret to train your cat is to understand the key points about the cat behavior. Feline behavior differs substantially from dog behavior. As does happen with the dogs, force training methods don't work with the cats.
Below mentioned are some of the simple rules for training cats:-
Never wake up the cat for training, they won't co-operate.
In case the cat is permitted to free feed, put them on the feeding schedule and then train them prior to feeding time.
Maintain very short training session, each session lasting 3 to 5 minutes.
Use play toy, food, pat or good scratch pat as a reward.
Don't try to train the cat before nap time.
The best method of training the cat is by using the shaping methods. In case the cat owner wants to teach the way of jumping onto the shoulder from the back of the couch, begin by putting the cat at the back of the couch.
Secrets to Cat Training:
The secrets to cat training are that the owner needs to be inventive and observe the likes and dislikes of the cat. Cat owners need to keep in mind that the special rewards need to be obtainable only when the cat is in the training. In case the cat has free access to the reward, it won't respond and do things in return of special reward.
To keep the cat on the back of the couch, tease the cat with a treat. The cat may require to be placed on the back of the couch. Next, permit the cat to have the crumb of the treat and then lure onto the shoulder with the treat. This process may require to progress in steps. The first step may require the cat to reach for the treat by putting the paws on the arms. Next, the cat may reach with the paws on the shoulder, but won't jump up. In this case, the cat owner would have to lower the shoulder almost level with the top of the couch so as to get the cat jump onto the shoulder. Let the cat jump further, till the cat goes back to the couch and jumps on the shoulder. Give the cat a reward with each step of the way which is a possibility to swat at a special toy.
With proper rewards and firm faith, training a cat is not that difficult as it is made out to be.
Do you want a well behaved cat? Discover the proven techniques for quick results. Click here.
Felix Greenberg is the owner of 4MyCat.net, A Website that Helps Cat Owners to Train Their Cat.
For more info, go to 4Mycat.net & discover how easy it is to train your cat. or Visit my blog there you find Tips & Tricks on Cat Training
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Pet Health Insurance For Your Cats - Worth The Small Monthly Fee
By Madonna Jeffries
I am an animal lover and have been since I was a child. Today I own a couple of dogs as well as four cats. As other pet owners would know you take on a huge responsibility when you decide that you want to own a domestic animal. Not only do you have to feed them good nutritious food you also need to provide them with regular exercise so that you can ensure that they remain healthy and free of ailments.
I am quite astonished that many pet owners ignore the opportunity to buy pet health insurance for cats. Statistics show that people who own dogs as well as cats are more inclined to insure their dog rather than their cat. I am not sure as to why they decide this, perhaps it is because they have the belief that because dogs are more active they are more likely to get injuries requiring veterinary treatment, rather than cats who are considered to be more homely and less likely to sustain injuries. In reality cats, even those that remain mostly indoors, are just as likely to require treatment for health problems as dogs.
In some cases it is cats who are more prone to having health related problems than dogs. Cats are inclined to suffer in silence, meaning that although they may have a serious health problem you may not necessarily realize because they don't jump about complaining as is the case with most dogs.
Furthermore, cats are known to have an incredibly high threshold for pain and suffering. It is because of their ability to mask the fact that they have serious health problems that your cat may suffer right before your eyes and you may never even know it. A cat could well be suffering a life-threatening ailment for many years but if you don't take it to the vet for regular checkups the problem may never be discovered.
In the case of pet owners who have more than one cat, if one gets sick it is highly likely to pass on the problem to your other cats resulting in you incurring quite sizable vet fees and ongoing treatment costs. So rather than insure your dog and ignore your cat you should go out and buy pet health insurance for cats as well. When you talk to the average pet owner you get a variety of different responses when you mention something as important as taking your cat for regular veterinary check ups. Often, people will say things like "Well, if there is nothing wrong with my cat then I usually don't bother taking them to the vet". This response shows that the cat owner is somewhat irresponsible.
Like humans our pets should be subjected to frequent check-up so as to maintain good health and identify any potential problems. Taking preventative measures for our animals is a much better option than having to source a cure. The cost of preventative animal health is also much cheaper than having to fix up a particular problem. With the peace of mind offered by pet health insurance for cats you will be able to control the cost of providing regular health checks for your much adored pet. Check out the prices for pet health insurance online for all your domestic animals - you will be pleasantly surprised at the small amount you need to pay for peace of mind.
For further details about pet health insurance for cats and general pet insurance information visit title= Family Pet Health Insurance.
I am an animal lover and have been since I was a child. Today I own a couple of dogs as well as four cats. As other pet owners would know you take on a huge responsibility when you decide that you want to own a domestic animal. Not only do you have to feed them good nutritious food you also need to provide them with regular exercise so that you can ensure that they remain healthy and free of ailments.
I am quite astonished that many pet owners ignore the opportunity to buy pet health insurance for cats. Statistics show that people who own dogs as well as cats are more inclined to insure their dog rather than their cat. I am not sure as to why they decide this, perhaps it is because they have the belief that because dogs are more active they are more likely to get injuries requiring veterinary treatment, rather than cats who are considered to be more homely and less likely to sustain injuries. In reality cats, even those that remain mostly indoors, are just as likely to require treatment for health problems as dogs.
In some cases it is cats who are more prone to having health related problems than dogs. Cats are inclined to suffer in silence, meaning that although they may have a serious health problem you may not necessarily realize because they don't jump about complaining as is the case with most dogs.
Furthermore, cats are known to have an incredibly high threshold for pain and suffering. It is because of their ability to mask the fact that they have serious health problems that your cat may suffer right before your eyes and you may never even know it. A cat could well be suffering a life-threatening ailment for many years but if you don't take it to the vet for regular checkups the problem may never be discovered.
In the case of pet owners who have more than one cat, if one gets sick it is highly likely to pass on the problem to your other cats resulting in you incurring quite sizable vet fees and ongoing treatment costs. So rather than insure your dog and ignore your cat you should go out and buy pet health insurance for cats as well. When you talk to the average pet owner you get a variety of different responses when you mention something as important as taking your cat for regular veterinary check ups. Often, people will say things like "Well, if there is nothing wrong with my cat then I usually don't bother taking them to the vet". This response shows that the cat owner is somewhat irresponsible.
Like humans our pets should be subjected to frequent check-up so as to maintain good health and identify any potential problems. Taking preventative measures for our animals is a much better option than having to source a cure. The cost of preventative animal health is also much cheaper than having to fix up a particular problem. With the peace of mind offered by pet health insurance for cats you will be able to control the cost of providing regular health checks for your much adored pet. Check out the prices for pet health insurance online for all your domestic animals - you will be pleasantly surprised at the small amount you need to pay for peace of mind.
For further details about pet health insurance for cats and general pet insurance information visit title= Family Pet Health Insurance.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Some Things to Consider When Purchasing Hairless Cats
By CS Swarens
Individuals that want to have cats may be unable to keep them because of allergies. Depending on the exact nature of your allergy, hairless cats, or Sphinxes may or may not be of help to you. These amazing cats have no hair at all on their bodies. Despite this, their skin coloring often mimics what their fur would look like. As an example, you might see hairless cats with white paws or splashes on their noses.
If your allergy is specifically related to cat hair, you may want to consider purchasing a hairless cats. Even though a hairless cat does not have fur, it still secretes oils that would normally be used to keep fur healthy and shiny. If you are allergic to these oils, or dandruff, hairless cats may even make matters worse.
Considering how expensive hairless cats can be, you might want to have some special allergy tests. If it turns out that the oils are setting off your allergies, you may want to pursue a tolerance improvement program. Typically, your doctor will give you a series of inoculations that will help you overcome the allergic response.
Aside from cost, it would be very unfair to purchase a hairless cat that you cannot care for properly. Among other things, their skin is delicate and abrades easily. Other pets, and even household items can easily tear at the skin. Even though hairless cats are hearty, you will need to make sure that they are protected as much as possible. This includes making sure that the home is warm enough for them. You may also need to give hairless cats an occasional bath to make sure that their skin stays as healthy. As may be expected, it is best to acclimate them to washing while they are still kittens.
As with any other pet, it is also important to understand that a pair of hairless cats is not a license to start a cat breeding mill. Today, hairless cats are an established breed of cat. Unfortunately, there are likely to be irresponsible breeders that force the mother cats to have too many litters. Others may inbreed to the point where the resulting kittens have health problems. If you are considering purchasing hairless cats, do not hesitate to ask about the family lines and health conditions of the parent animals. Similar to dogs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than taking home a new pet, and then see it suffer in later years with genetic ailments.
Today, many people operate under the false assumption that hairless cats will solve their allergy problems. Depending on what part of the cat you are allergic to, hairless cats may be an option. Because hairless cats require a good bit of care, you may want to make sure that you will not develop an allergy to them. Irregardless of why you want to purchase hairless cats, you will also need to carefully investigate breeders. Similar to purchasing a pedigree dog, you will want to know the health history of the kitten's family, as well as the names of the cats in each parent's blood lines.
CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065
For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com
Research over 45 cat breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html
Individuals that want to have cats may be unable to keep them because of allergies. Depending on the exact nature of your allergy, hairless cats, or Sphinxes may or may not be of help to you. These amazing cats have no hair at all on their bodies. Despite this, their skin coloring often mimics what their fur would look like. As an example, you might see hairless cats with white paws or splashes on their noses.
If your allergy is specifically related to cat hair, you may want to consider purchasing a hairless cats. Even though a hairless cat does not have fur, it still secretes oils that would normally be used to keep fur healthy and shiny. If you are allergic to these oils, or dandruff, hairless cats may even make matters worse.
Considering how expensive hairless cats can be, you might want to have some special allergy tests. If it turns out that the oils are setting off your allergies, you may want to pursue a tolerance improvement program. Typically, your doctor will give you a series of inoculations that will help you overcome the allergic response.
Aside from cost, it would be very unfair to purchase a hairless cat that you cannot care for properly. Among other things, their skin is delicate and abrades easily. Other pets, and even household items can easily tear at the skin. Even though hairless cats are hearty, you will need to make sure that they are protected as much as possible. This includes making sure that the home is warm enough for them. You may also need to give hairless cats an occasional bath to make sure that their skin stays as healthy. As may be expected, it is best to acclimate them to washing while they are still kittens.
As with any other pet, it is also important to understand that a pair of hairless cats is not a license to start a cat breeding mill. Today, hairless cats are an established breed of cat. Unfortunately, there are likely to be irresponsible breeders that force the mother cats to have too many litters. Others may inbreed to the point where the resulting kittens have health problems. If you are considering purchasing hairless cats, do not hesitate to ask about the family lines and health conditions of the parent animals. Similar to dogs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than taking home a new pet, and then see it suffer in later years with genetic ailments.
Today, many people operate under the false assumption that hairless cats will solve their allergy problems. Depending on what part of the cat you are allergic to, hairless cats may be an option. Because hairless cats require a good bit of care, you may want to make sure that you will not develop an allergy to them. Irregardless of why you want to purchase hairless cats, you will also need to carefully investigate breeders. Similar to purchasing a pedigree dog, you will want to know the health history of the kitten's family, as well as the names of the cats in each parent's blood lines.
CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065
For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com
Research over 45 cat breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Cat Dandruff - 3 Easy Ways To Cure Cat Dandruff At Home Without Spending A Fortune At The Vet
By Darren Chan
As a frequent visitor to pet forums, a topic that comes up way too regularly is that of cat dandruff. It's a problem that affects most of us cat owners, and if you own a cat, it's a matter of time before you have to deal with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies...
But fear not, there is a home remedy for cat dandruff that you can try without spending an expensive trip to the vet, just by observing the symptoms and environment and taking action based on these symptoms.
Most cat dandruff issues are invariably linked to 3 factors:
An aged or overweight cat with dandruff on her rump or tail
If you have a cat that is overweight or a cat with sudden weight gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it's a sure sign that she's unable to reach these areas to clean herself. This is also a problem for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom themselves.
A good brushing would help in this case and it might be a good idea to groom your cat every couple of months. If you are able to bathe your cat without getting yourself scratched too badly in the process, then it would an excellent idea to do this every couple of months. But if you do so, avoid using human shampoos as that might dry her skin further and exacerbate the condition. If you must, use a cat shampoo and remember to wash thoroughly as excess shampoo stuck on her undercoat will only make matters worse.
It's winter If your cat only experiences dandruff issues in winter, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which rapidly dries her skin causing it to flake.
Simply move her away from the fireplace every once in a while and observe if the problem persists. Getting a good humidifier would be an excellent idea, both for your feline friend and also yourself (humans get dry skin too...)
My cat is neither fat nor old, and neither is it winter now! Help! Relax...if none of the above apply, just think, have you bought any new furniture lately? A new carpet perhaps? Check if there are any changes to her environment that she might be sensitive to and try to make the necessary adjustments.
If this doesn't help, then it's most likely a diet issue. You see, cats hate water and most wouldn't go near it even when they're thirsty. The only way our feline friends get their water requirement is through the moisture content of their cat food. Problem is, most of us go for cheap dry cat food that do not contain enough moisture content, hence causing her skin to dry and flake.
Make a change to high quality canned food and add some fish oil to her diet and you'll see results in no time!
Darren Chan's research has made him an expert in cat related issues. He is the webmaster of target=_new Cat Dandruff Away - A Step by Step Guide to Cure Cat Dandruff as well as a contributor to target=_new Catzine - The Best Cat Articles and Resources Online
As a frequent visitor to pet forums, a topic that comes up way too regularly is that of cat dandruff. It's a problem that affects most of us cat owners, and if you own a cat, it's a matter of time before you have to deal with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies...
But fear not, there is a home remedy for cat dandruff that you can try without spending an expensive trip to the vet, just by observing the symptoms and environment and taking action based on these symptoms.
Most cat dandruff issues are invariably linked to 3 factors:
An aged or overweight cat with dandruff on her rump or tail
If you have a cat that is overweight or a cat with sudden weight gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it's a sure sign that she's unable to reach these areas to clean herself. This is also a problem for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom themselves.
A good brushing would help in this case and it might be a good idea to groom your cat every couple of months. If you are able to bathe your cat without getting yourself scratched too badly in the process, then it would an excellent idea to do this every couple of months. But if you do so, avoid using human shampoos as that might dry her skin further and exacerbate the condition. If you must, use a cat shampoo and remember to wash thoroughly as excess shampoo stuck on her undercoat will only make matters worse.
It's winter If your cat only experiences dandruff issues in winter, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which rapidly dries her skin causing it to flake.
Simply move her away from the fireplace every once in a while and observe if the problem persists. Getting a good humidifier would be an excellent idea, both for your feline friend and also yourself (humans get dry skin too...)
My cat is neither fat nor old, and neither is it winter now! Help! Relax...if none of the above apply, just think, have you bought any new furniture lately? A new carpet perhaps? Check if there are any changes to her environment that she might be sensitive to and try to make the necessary adjustments.
If this doesn't help, then it's most likely a diet issue. You see, cats hate water and most wouldn't go near it even when they're thirsty. The only way our feline friends get their water requirement is through the moisture content of their cat food. Problem is, most of us go for cheap dry cat food that do not contain enough moisture content, hence causing her skin to dry and flake.
Make a change to high quality canned food and add some fish oil to her diet and you'll see results in no time!
Darren Chan's research has made him an expert in cat related issues. He is the webmaster of target=_new Cat Dandruff Away - A Step by Step Guide to Cure Cat Dandruff as well as a contributor to target=_new Catzine - The Best Cat Articles and Resources Online
Monday, February 11, 2008
How To Print Your Cat Photos On T-Shirts
By Kim Lunning
So your cat is just the cutest and the smartest thing on the block right? We all think our cat should be on the Funniest Animal Videos show. But alas... not everyone's cat can be on television. But maybe you've got some great photographs of your feline friend doing his or her kitty thing and you'd like to put them on a t-shirt so everyone else can appreciate how cute your cat is. A few years ago your options would have been pretty limited. You could take your photos to your local silk screening company, where after set up fees, screen charges, and minimum print requirements, you might end up spending a couple of hundred dollars and have a box full of a few dozen shirts with your cat's picture on them. Sure...you could give one to each of your friends as gifts, but do they all think your cat is as cute as you do?
Another option would be to go the iron-on route. This involved uploading your picture to your computer, printing it out on special t-shirt heat transfer paper, and then ironing it onto a shirt. The results left much to be desired. Starting with several attempts to get the photo to print correctly on the special paper, remembering to print it in reverse so when you ironed it on, it would come out right. Then several tries at getting the pressure and temperature right in the ironing process, usually ruining a couple of shirts in the process. Only to discover that the first time you wash your shirt, the beautiful photo of your kitty has faded, cracked and started to peel!
Well thanks to digital printing technology there is a better way. Print On Demand companies, or "PODs" like Cafepress offer the ability to easily and inexpensively print your photos on t-shirts.
So how do you get your picture onto a t-shirt using Print-On-Demand?
Open a free account at a POD.
Start with a high resolution (200 dpi or more) photo, drawing or cartoon and size it accordingly for the item you will have it printed on. Most PODs will offer easy sizing templates to use so your image will fit just right on whatever item you choose.
Upload your image to your account. You will be given a Media Basket area to store your photos.
Pick which items your want your photo on. You will be offered choices of apparel size, color, printing on front or back etc.
Place your order, and voila! your beautiful creation will arrive at your door in about a week. No fuss, no muss.
What about quality? POD technology has come a long way. T-shirts are placed directly into a special printer which, using permanent fabric ink, prints your image directly onto your shirt. Shirts can be washed, dried and ironed along with all your other clothes and will last as long as the cloth they're printed on. So dig out those photos of your favorite feline friend and get going. Because we all know that no cat is as cute as yours!
Kimberly Lunning is an artist, photographer, and owner/creator of Tuff Kitty Designs.
If you love cats and the funny things they do, please visit our online gift store. Tuff Kitty Designs: Funny and irreverent gifts & t-shirts for cat lovers. http://www.tuffkitty.com
So your cat is just the cutest and the smartest thing on the block right? We all think our cat should be on the Funniest Animal Videos show. But alas... not everyone's cat can be on television. But maybe you've got some great photographs of your feline friend doing his or her kitty thing and you'd like to put them on a t-shirt so everyone else can appreciate how cute your cat is. A few years ago your options would have been pretty limited. You could take your photos to your local silk screening company, where after set up fees, screen charges, and minimum print requirements, you might end up spending a couple of hundred dollars and have a box full of a few dozen shirts with your cat's picture on them. Sure...you could give one to each of your friends as gifts, but do they all think your cat is as cute as you do?
Another option would be to go the iron-on route. This involved uploading your picture to your computer, printing it out on special t-shirt heat transfer paper, and then ironing it onto a shirt. The results left much to be desired. Starting with several attempts to get the photo to print correctly on the special paper, remembering to print it in reverse so when you ironed it on, it would come out right. Then several tries at getting the pressure and temperature right in the ironing process, usually ruining a couple of shirts in the process. Only to discover that the first time you wash your shirt, the beautiful photo of your kitty has faded, cracked and started to peel!
Well thanks to digital printing technology there is a better way. Print On Demand companies, or "PODs" like Cafepress offer the ability to easily and inexpensively print your photos on t-shirts.
So how do you get your picture onto a t-shirt using Print-On-Demand?
Open a free account at a POD.
Start with a high resolution (200 dpi or more) photo, drawing or cartoon and size it accordingly for the item you will have it printed on. Most PODs will offer easy sizing templates to use so your image will fit just right on whatever item you choose.
Upload your image to your account. You will be given a Media Basket area to store your photos.
Pick which items your want your photo on. You will be offered choices of apparel size, color, printing on front or back etc.
Place your order, and voila! your beautiful creation will arrive at your door in about a week. No fuss, no muss.
What about quality? POD technology has come a long way. T-shirts are placed directly into a special printer which, using permanent fabric ink, prints your image directly onto your shirt. Shirts can be washed, dried and ironed along with all your other clothes and will last as long as the cloth they're printed on. So dig out those photos of your favorite feline friend and get going. Because we all know that no cat is as cute as yours!
Kimberly Lunning is an artist, photographer, and owner/creator of Tuff Kitty Designs.
If you love cats and the funny things they do, please visit our online gift store. Tuff Kitty Designs: Funny and irreverent gifts & t-shirts for cat lovers. http://www.tuffkitty.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Potty Training Your Cat To Avoid Litter Tray Accidents
By Anthony J. Carter
What could be more frustrating to a pet cat owner than litter tray mishaps? Quite often cats that habitually have litter tray accidents are the ones that end up in animal shelters due to their owner's exasperation! If a cat steadfastly refuses to make use of the litter tray, it means there could be an underlying reason or problem, so potty training your cat or in other words, toilet training your cat, may be the way to go. You may find that some cats that are not litter box trained or do not like using the litter tray are very difficult to toilet train so before going down this road, you may need to discover the reasons why the cat won't use the litter tray.
One main reason you may find that cats refuse to use the litter tray is because it is dirty. Most cats are very particular when it comes to cleanliness and you may find that they will turn their nose up at a dirty litter tray and will refuse to use it, even if it has used the tray just the one time. So, one of the first things that need checking should you discover an 'accident' is the litter tray- make sure it's not dirty.
Depending on how many cats you own, you may find the problem related to not enough litter trays around. Cats love their own space and privacy, especially when it comes to litter tray usage, so they should have at least one litter tray each. Indeed some veterinarians recommend two litter trays per cat as a kind of stress busting measure, though this would be beyond most people's idea of a stress free life for themselves! Imagine the daily grind of cleaning out two litter trays per cat!
Accidents may occur because you may be using the wrong kind of litter. Some of our feline friends are particularly fussy when it comes to the smell and texture of a particular type of litter. Also, certain types of litter are very dusty which could cause problems with some cats.
Litter tray shapes and sizes have also been known to cause a few litter tray accidents. Some cats may prefer the privacy of an enclosed litter tray but some kittens or older cats may have problems getting in and out of this type of litter tray. Keep an eye on your cats actions on a litter tray and you may be able to gauge from this what particular tray your cat needs.
If you feel none of the above explanations apply to your cat then there could be an underlying health problem causing the litter tray accidents. The cat may have a urinary tract infection, kidney problems, bladder problems or even diabetes. Visit your local vet so they can give your cat an examination and if a problem does arise then medication can be prescribed for it.
Make sure that if your cat does have an accident of a litter tray nature, to clean the area thoroughly afterwards to remove all offending odours. If you don't then you may find the cat going back to this particular area as a matter of habit because it can detect the odours and associate the area as a toilet space.
Lastly, another reason your cat may have stopped using a litter tray may have nothing to do with any of the above. Indeed there may be no underlying problem at all. The cat could just be 'marking' out its territory and these occurrences may be particularly true in multi-cat households or households where a new pet has just been introduced.
If you feel you are ready to start, or are interested in potty training your cat or cat training in general, but feel you need a bit of a push or a helping hand to get started, visit our website at http://pottytrainingyourcat.com for all the inspiration you could ever need!
What could be more frustrating to a pet cat owner than litter tray mishaps? Quite often cats that habitually have litter tray accidents are the ones that end up in animal shelters due to their owner's exasperation! If a cat steadfastly refuses to make use of the litter tray, it means there could be an underlying reason or problem, so potty training your cat or in other words, toilet training your cat, may be the way to go. You may find that some cats that are not litter box trained or do not like using the litter tray are very difficult to toilet train so before going down this road, you may need to discover the reasons why the cat won't use the litter tray.
One main reason you may find that cats refuse to use the litter tray is because it is dirty. Most cats are very particular when it comes to cleanliness and you may find that they will turn their nose up at a dirty litter tray and will refuse to use it, even if it has used the tray just the one time. So, one of the first things that need checking should you discover an 'accident' is the litter tray- make sure it's not dirty.
Depending on how many cats you own, you may find the problem related to not enough litter trays around. Cats love their own space and privacy, especially when it comes to litter tray usage, so they should have at least one litter tray each. Indeed some veterinarians recommend two litter trays per cat as a kind of stress busting measure, though this would be beyond most people's idea of a stress free life for themselves! Imagine the daily grind of cleaning out two litter trays per cat!
Accidents may occur because you may be using the wrong kind of litter. Some of our feline friends are particularly fussy when it comes to the smell and texture of a particular type of litter. Also, certain types of litter are very dusty which could cause problems with some cats.
Litter tray shapes and sizes have also been known to cause a few litter tray accidents. Some cats may prefer the privacy of an enclosed litter tray but some kittens or older cats may have problems getting in and out of this type of litter tray. Keep an eye on your cats actions on a litter tray and you may be able to gauge from this what particular tray your cat needs.
If you feel none of the above explanations apply to your cat then there could be an underlying health problem causing the litter tray accidents. The cat may have a urinary tract infection, kidney problems, bladder problems or even diabetes. Visit your local vet so they can give your cat an examination and if a problem does arise then medication can be prescribed for it.
Make sure that if your cat does have an accident of a litter tray nature, to clean the area thoroughly afterwards to remove all offending odours. If you don't then you may find the cat going back to this particular area as a matter of habit because it can detect the odours and associate the area as a toilet space.
Lastly, another reason your cat may have stopped using a litter tray may have nothing to do with any of the above. Indeed there may be no underlying problem at all. The cat could just be 'marking' out its territory and these occurrences may be particularly true in multi-cat households or households where a new pet has just been introduced.
If you feel you are ready to start, or are interested in potty training your cat or cat training in general, but feel you need a bit of a push or a helping hand to get started, visit our website at http://pottytrainingyourcat.com for all the inspiration you could ever need!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Top Cat Grooming Tips for Gorgeous Kitties!
By Betty Andrews
Cats are the vainest creatures on Earth! Grooming themselves is what most cats spend half their day doing anyway, so why would you need cat grooming tips?
Well, as I say, cats are vain. And fastidious. They like to be clean. They like their fur to be smooth.
So I'll bet you've seen your moggie licking her paw and washing her face a thousand times. And not just her face, right? You've watched her hundreds of times, rolling over to get at a hard to reach part of herself, and smoothing down her fur with her tongue.
And right there is the top reason you should make grooming your pet a task you perform daily. HAIRBALLS! When kitty is grooming all that stray fur out of her gleaming coat, a lot of it winds up in her stomach.
FIVE Compelling Reasons to Groom Your Cat
Prevention is better than cure. When you comb the loose fur out of kitty's coat, it doesn't wind up in her tummy, and she doesn't get sick from Hairballs. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Kitty is Spared Pain and Discomfort!
Prevention is better than cure. Hairballs have been known to clog the intestinal tract. If your cat's intestine is blocked that can lead to more serious disease, even Death. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Avoid This Risk of Losing Kitty Forever!
Pevention is better than cure. The two most frequent sicknesses which afflict cats are Eye Infections and Ear Mites. You can guard against both while you're grooming your cat. And comb out dirt and snags. Also look for ticks or fleas. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Home Sanitary and Kitty Comfortable!
Prevention is better than cure. Does your pet's breath sometimes make you retch? You can easily prevent that - and check for tartar build up and guard against gum disease - by brushing your moggie's teeth gently whilst she's perched on your knee. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Dinner Down and Kitty's Gums Well!
Read Both Sides of the De-Clawing Debate I urge you to read up on all the reasons NOT to de-claw. But even if your cat doesn't have claws, you still have to check that her toes are clean and healthy. And clip her claws if she has any... SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Furniture Safe and Kitty Comfortable!
How To Brush or Comb Your Cat
Cats love being groomed! Of course, it is much easier to accustom your cat to brushes and combs when she's a tiny kitten, but even full grown cats soon come to thoroughly enjoy being brushed.
Brush gently and firmly following the natural line of your cat's fur from her neck down to her tail. Patience is necessary; in fact some owners wrap their cat loosely in a clean dishtowel before beginning!
If your cat gets cross and struggles, stop and play with her until she grows relaxed.
Try to avoid bringing a brush or comb too close to her face.
Alternatives to Brushing
If your cat definitely doesn't like being brushed, you can use a comb, or a grooming glove.
The technique is different from brushing. Don't pull a comb through your cat's fur, it will upset kitty. Instead, pick out a small patch of fur and groom a tiny area at a time, very gently.
Most cats love a grooming glove, it's very easy to use and gives your cat a nice massage, too.
While you are brushing your cat's coat, be sure you take the time to check out eyes and ears.
Eyes should be clear and bright, free of gundge in the corners. Messy, sticky, eye corners may be the first sign of conjunctivitis.
Ears should be clean and pink. Dirt can be a first sign of ear mites. Mites can make your poor cat's ears shrivel up or even make her deaf, so be sure to check her ears regularly.
What To Do If You Have a Long Haired Cat
Long haired cats have to be combed. Brushes and grooming gloves just don't do a thorough enough job, although they can be great for putting kitty into a relaxed mood before you get going with that comb.
Cats aren't as keen on combs as brushes, especially if they're long haired, but prevention is better than cure.
If your cat's long hair isn't combed through regularly, then her coat will become matted, which she will absolutely hate - and so will you, because matted hair turns cats into bundles of furry fury!
So then you'll have to get her clipped, maybe even shaved, and most cats will only tolerate being clipped or shaved after they've been sedated - remember how vain they are, and how much they love their gleaming fur coats? More vet fees, and a very stressful experience for both you and your cat, so strive to avoid all that agony by teaching your kitty to love getting groomed :-)
BETTY ANDREWS runs http://www.CatFav.com Betty also works during the day as a part time Administrator and a full time Mom - to 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a guinea pig! Betty's spiritual home is in San Francisco, but right now she's living in Cyprus because that's where her other half is stationed. Her hobbies are embroidery and ballroom dancing; her fav leisure activity is "anything to do with the ocean".
Cats are the vainest creatures on Earth! Grooming themselves is what most cats spend half their day doing anyway, so why would you need cat grooming tips?
Well, as I say, cats are vain. And fastidious. They like to be clean. They like their fur to be smooth.
So I'll bet you've seen your moggie licking her paw and washing her face a thousand times. And not just her face, right? You've watched her hundreds of times, rolling over to get at a hard to reach part of herself, and smoothing down her fur with her tongue.
And right there is the top reason you should make grooming your pet a task you perform daily. HAIRBALLS! When kitty is grooming all that stray fur out of her gleaming coat, a lot of it winds up in her stomach.
FIVE Compelling Reasons to Groom Your Cat
Prevention is better than cure. When you comb the loose fur out of kitty's coat, it doesn't wind up in her tummy, and she doesn't get sick from Hairballs. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Kitty is Spared Pain and Discomfort!
Prevention is better than cure. Hairballs have been known to clog the intestinal tract. If your cat's intestine is blocked that can lead to more serious disease, even Death. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Avoid This Risk of Losing Kitty Forever!
Pevention is better than cure. The two most frequent sicknesses which afflict cats are Eye Infections and Ear Mites. You can guard against both while you're grooming your cat. And comb out dirt and snags. Also look for ticks or fleas. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Home Sanitary and Kitty Comfortable!
Prevention is better than cure. Does your pet's breath sometimes make you retch? You can easily prevent that - and check for tartar build up and guard against gum disease - by brushing your moggie's teeth gently whilst she's perched on your knee. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Dinner Down and Kitty's Gums Well!
Read Both Sides of the De-Clawing Debate I urge you to read up on all the reasons NOT to de-claw. But even if your cat doesn't have claws, you still have to check that her toes are clean and healthy. And clip her claws if she has any... SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Furniture Safe and Kitty Comfortable!
How To Brush or Comb Your Cat
Cats love being groomed! Of course, it is much easier to accustom your cat to brushes and combs when she's a tiny kitten, but even full grown cats soon come to thoroughly enjoy being brushed.
Brush gently and firmly following the natural line of your cat's fur from her neck down to her tail. Patience is necessary; in fact some owners wrap their cat loosely in a clean dishtowel before beginning!
If your cat gets cross and struggles, stop and play with her until she grows relaxed.
Try to avoid bringing a brush or comb too close to her face.
Alternatives to Brushing
If your cat definitely doesn't like being brushed, you can use a comb, or a grooming glove.
The technique is different from brushing. Don't pull a comb through your cat's fur, it will upset kitty. Instead, pick out a small patch of fur and groom a tiny area at a time, very gently.
Most cats love a grooming glove, it's very easy to use and gives your cat a nice massage, too.
While you are brushing your cat's coat, be sure you take the time to check out eyes and ears.
Eyes should be clear and bright, free of gundge in the corners. Messy, sticky, eye corners may be the first sign of conjunctivitis.
Ears should be clean and pink. Dirt can be a first sign of ear mites. Mites can make your poor cat's ears shrivel up or even make her deaf, so be sure to check her ears regularly.
What To Do If You Have a Long Haired Cat
Long haired cats have to be combed. Brushes and grooming gloves just don't do a thorough enough job, although they can be great for putting kitty into a relaxed mood before you get going with that comb.
Cats aren't as keen on combs as brushes, especially if they're long haired, but prevention is better than cure.
If your cat's long hair isn't combed through regularly, then her coat will become matted, which she will absolutely hate - and so will you, because matted hair turns cats into bundles of furry fury!
So then you'll have to get her clipped, maybe even shaved, and most cats will only tolerate being clipped or shaved after they've been sedated - remember how vain they are, and how much they love their gleaming fur coats? More vet fees, and a very stressful experience for both you and your cat, so strive to avoid all that agony by teaching your kitty to love getting groomed :-)
BETTY ANDREWS runs http://www.CatFav.com Betty also works during the day as a part time Administrator and a full time Mom - to 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a guinea pig! Betty's spiritual home is in San Francisco, but right now she's living in Cyprus because that's where her other half is stationed. Her hobbies are embroidery and ballroom dancing; her fav leisure activity is "anything to do with the ocean".
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What Is Catnip Anyway?
By Robert Blake
Catnip, or Nepeta Cataria to be appropriately scientific and technical about it, is a perennial herb of the mint family, and could also be referred to as catwort or catmint. It's obvious enough by the name that we are dealing with an association to the feline persuasion. The effect will be addressed by momentarily.
From its European beginnings, catnip has spread throughout the world. Mints in general are viable and rabidly proliferate. Aspiring to a meter tall, the multi-branched stem has small, purple-spotted white flowers on them. These delicate leaves contain catnip oil, which is the primary ingredient and is emitted when the leaves are split or smashed.
How does catnip affect cats? They are a sight to see, and generally quite playful and energetic. A small percentage of cats will actually become rather aggressive, so you should be careful not to give it to them. Who wants to cause themselves problems? Now of course, that said, some cats are not affected at all. Kittens and sometimes senior cats tend not to be affected, and somewhere around a 1/4 to 1/3 of cats are not genetically predisposed to react at all. Those who do will become hyperactive or super-loving, as if sexually aroused. They will lick, sniff, roll all in it to get it all over their scent pads, and eat it. After a few minutes of delirium, they'll saunter off to something else, "immune" to the effect for an hour or two. What is catnip if not a drug for cats? Luckily the effects are short lived, it's cheap, and it isn't harmful.
You can dose your cats any of a number of different ways. You can also get sprays for your cat scratching post, to encourage them to claw it instead of your nice furniture. You can buy bulk catnip or even grow your own. You will want to keep it fresh in a sealed container in fridge or freezer to preserve its affects.
Catnip is a joy and delight for cats and their voyeuristic people. They love it and we love to watch them enjoy it.
Robert Blake runs target=_new Happy Healthy Cats and target=_new All Things Catnip. Source article target=_new What Is Catnip?
Catnip, or Nepeta Cataria to be appropriately scientific and technical about it, is a perennial herb of the mint family, and could also be referred to as catwort or catmint. It's obvious enough by the name that we are dealing with an association to the feline persuasion. The effect will be addressed by momentarily.
From its European beginnings, catnip has spread throughout the world. Mints in general are viable and rabidly proliferate. Aspiring to a meter tall, the multi-branched stem has small, purple-spotted white flowers on them. These delicate leaves contain catnip oil, which is the primary ingredient and is emitted when the leaves are split or smashed.
How does catnip affect cats? They are a sight to see, and generally quite playful and energetic. A small percentage of cats will actually become rather aggressive, so you should be careful not to give it to them. Who wants to cause themselves problems? Now of course, that said, some cats are not affected at all. Kittens and sometimes senior cats tend not to be affected, and somewhere around a 1/4 to 1/3 of cats are not genetically predisposed to react at all. Those who do will become hyperactive or super-loving, as if sexually aroused. They will lick, sniff, roll all in it to get it all over their scent pads, and eat it. After a few minutes of delirium, they'll saunter off to something else, "immune" to the effect for an hour or two. What is catnip if not a drug for cats? Luckily the effects are short lived, it's cheap, and it isn't harmful.
You can dose your cats any of a number of different ways. You can also get sprays for your cat scratching post, to encourage them to claw it instead of your nice furniture. You can buy bulk catnip or even grow your own. You will want to keep it fresh in a sealed container in fridge or freezer to preserve its affects.
Catnip is a joy and delight for cats and their voyeuristic people. They love it and we love to watch them enjoy it.
Robert Blake runs target=_new Happy Healthy Cats and target=_new All Things Catnip. Source article target=_new What Is Catnip?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Cats And Dreams
By John Copple
Have you ever seen a cat kneading and nestling in their luxury cat beds? The cats consider this bed, which is all soft and plush, as their own personal property, a piece of fine cat furniture. When it's time for a nap or a night's rest, the cat will make this their home and dream of fighting great battles against an unknown foe. How can you tell there are fighting a foe? Their legs are moving and the paws are striking. Their faces contort with every strike. Now that foe may be a mouse but I like to think that it is a giant dragon and my gentle little friend is the champion come to my rescue.
It is fun to watch the little ball of fur sleep. They make you wonder in your thoughts what is really going on. We can tell by their movements that they are dreaming but about what, that is left to our imagination. Some cats snore or purr while they sleep and you know that the dream is peaceful with nary a worry in their little minds. Other times they are chasing their favorite laser pen toy especially after you spent some time playing with them. They do love to chase that red dot until they are out of breath.
When they are ready to sleep or take a short snooze, cats will start by kneading their beds. This is like fluffing a pillow. It is their way to fluff the pillow. Even though they are asleep they are always at the ready to spring into action at a moments notice. Have you ever seen a cat startled awake and jump into the air? Just to turn around and start kneading again. This is to say to you I am not done with my nap so leave me alone as they return to their fine furniture and their luxury cat bed. Cats and dreams, dreams and cats. What a wonderful thing there is to be seen.
John Copple is the owner of kittiescity.com. View for target=new luxury cat beds
Have you ever seen a cat kneading and nestling in their luxury cat beds? The cats consider this bed, which is all soft and plush, as their own personal property, a piece of fine cat furniture. When it's time for a nap or a night's rest, the cat will make this their home and dream of fighting great battles against an unknown foe. How can you tell there are fighting a foe? Their legs are moving and the paws are striking. Their faces contort with every strike. Now that foe may be a mouse but I like to think that it is a giant dragon and my gentle little friend is the champion come to my rescue.
It is fun to watch the little ball of fur sleep. They make you wonder in your thoughts what is really going on. We can tell by their movements that they are dreaming but about what, that is left to our imagination. Some cats snore or purr while they sleep and you know that the dream is peaceful with nary a worry in their little minds. Other times they are chasing their favorite laser pen toy especially after you spent some time playing with them. They do love to chase that red dot until they are out of breath.
When they are ready to sleep or take a short snooze, cats will start by kneading their beds. This is like fluffing a pillow. It is their way to fluff the pillow. Even though they are asleep they are always at the ready to spring into action at a moments notice. Have you ever seen a cat startled awake and jump into the air? Just to turn around and start kneading again. This is to say to you I am not done with my nap so leave me alone as they return to their fine furniture and their luxury cat bed. Cats and dreams, dreams and cats. What a wonderful thing there is to be seen.
John Copple is the owner of kittiescity.com. View for target=new luxury cat beds
Friday, February 1, 2008
Flushing Litter Box
By Walter Diener
I just purchased a new self flushing litter box from CatGenie for my cat 'Kitty' and it seems to be working fine. I hooked it up in my laundry room using the supplied connectors. I screwed on the adapter to the water line and I put the drain line into the existing washer drain.
I added the litter and that was it. The first day I decided to leave the old litter box in the laundry room next to the new flushing litter box so that Kitty could decide for herself which litter box to use. She seemed a little hesitant to go in the new litter box at first.
The first day she did not go in it at all. The second day I watched her paw around the litter in the flushing litter box for a while and then use her second litter box. On the third day I noticed that her old box had not been used.
On the fourth day I removed the old litter box from the laundry room. It has been less than 1 week and my cat loves her new litter box. I love it more than her though because I no longer need to buy cat litter. The litter that the flushing litter box uses is reusable. I no longer need to scoop cat litter because the new litter box flushes itself and cleans itself.
My home smells great because there is no lingering cat odor. After watching my cat use this flushing litter box and seeing for myself that it actually works I would say that it was definitely worth it.
For more information go to: http://flushing-litter-box.blogspot.com
I just purchased a new self flushing litter box from CatGenie for my cat 'Kitty' and it seems to be working fine. I hooked it up in my laundry room using the supplied connectors. I screwed on the adapter to the water line and I put the drain line into the existing washer drain.
I added the litter and that was it. The first day I decided to leave the old litter box in the laundry room next to the new flushing litter box so that Kitty could decide for herself which litter box to use. She seemed a little hesitant to go in the new litter box at first.
The first day she did not go in it at all. The second day I watched her paw around the litter in the flushing litter box for a while and then use her second litter box. On the third day I noticed that her old box had not been used.
On the fourth day I removed the old litter box from the laundry room. It has been less than 1 week and my cat loves her new litter box. I love it more than her though because I no longer need to buy cat litter. The litter that the flushing litter box uses is reusable. I no longer need to scoop cat litter because the new litter box flushes itself and cleans itself.
My home smells great because there is no lingering cat odor. After watching my cat use this flushing litter box and seeing for myself that it actually works I would say that it was definitely worth it.
For more information go to: http://flushing-litter-box.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Cat Communication
By Maria Kuzmiak
Did you see that wink? Hear that purr? See that tail held high? Make no mistake about it. Your cat is trying to tell you something! Cats use their tails, heads, paws, eyes, ears and vocal sounds to communication with people and with each other.
For example, when your cat rubs her head against your leg or paws you with her claws, she is telling you that she really likes you and is claiming you as her own. Cats have scent glands on their chin, lips and paws that they use to mark their territory. Have you ever seen your cat paw at the floor around his food dish? He is saying, "This food is mine!"
The position of a cat's ears or tail can also tell you what he is thinking or feeling. If his ears are straight up, he is ready to have some fun and wants to play. If his ears are flat or sideways, he is wondering what you are up to. If his ears are down, he is on the defensive, and if those ears are down and held back, he is angry! Similarly, when your cat holds his tail straight up, he is feeling contented and happy. A twitching tail usually means he wants you to back off. If his tail is big and bushy, he is angry.
Cats also communicate with their eyes. If you look carefully, you will be able to tell what she is trying to say. When she winks or blinks, it is a sign of affection. She is saying, "I love you." If your cat is looking at you, she is listening to hear what you have to say, but if she is staring at you intensely, she may be challenging you and letting you know that she wants to be left alone. When your cat's pupils are slits instead of big and round, she is feeling confident and attentive. A cat with cloudy eyes may not be feeling well, or she may just be very relaxed and ready for a nap.
Do You Speak "Cat"?
More than likely, you have also noticed that your cat can speak! In fact, there are more than a dozen vocal patterns that cats use to communicate. These include purrs, trills, meows, chatters, chirps, hisses and growls. When cats meow, they actually pronounce vowel sounds. Meows are almost always directed at people. In fact, it is believed that domesticated cats learned to meow as a way to speak to humans; they do not meow to each other in the wild. When your cat meows, you probably know what she wants. She may be hungry, stuck behind a door or trying to tell you that she sees a fly. Short, high-pitched meows are pleasant conversation or requests. If you ignore her meows, you may notice that they become lower and more drawn out as she gets more and more frustrated. Chatters and chirps also express frustration, while hisses and growls mean that she is frightened or angry.
When your cat is very content, you will probably hear her purr. Purrs are very comforting sounds that are believed to be vibrations of the cat's vocal chords. The cat does not open her mouth to produce this sound. While purring is usually associated with a feeling of extreme contentment, cats who are anxious or stressed may also purr. In such cases, they are probably attempting to calm themselves down.
Maria Kuzmiak is a freelance writer and webmaster of http://www.coolcatpages.com She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their three cats.
Did you see that wink? Hear that purr? See that tail held high? Make no mistake about it. Your cat is trying to tell you something! Cats use their tails, heads, paws, eyes, ears and vocal sounds to communication with people and with each other.
For example, when your cat rubs her head against your leg or paws you with her claws, she is telling you that she really likes you and is claiming you as her own. Cats have scent glands on their chin, lips and paws that they use to mark their territory. Have you ever seen your cat paw at the floor around his food dish? He is saying, "This food is mine!"
The position of a cat's ears or tail can also tell you what he is thinking or feeling. If his ears are straight up, he is ready to have some fun and wants to play. If his ears are flat or sideways, he is wondering what you are up to. If his ears are down, he is on the defensive, and if those ears are down and held back, he is angry! Similarly, when your cat holds his tail straight up, he is feeling contented and happy. A twitching tail usually means he wants you to back off. If his tail is big and bushy, he is angry.
Cats also communicate with their eyes. If you look carefully, you will be able to tell what she is trying to say. When she winks or blinks, it is a sign of affection. She is saying, "I love you." If your cat is looking at you, she is listening to hear what you have to say, but if she is staring at you intensely, she may be challenging you and letting you know that she wants to be left alone. When your cat's pupils are slits instead of big and round, she is feeling confident and attentive. A cat with cloudy eyes may not be feeling well, or she may just be very relaxed and ready for a nap.
Do You Speak "Cat"?
More than likely, you have also noticed that your cat can speak! In fact, there are more than a dozen vocal patterns that cats use to communicate. These include purrs, trills, meows, chatters, chirps, hisses and growls. When cats meow, they actually pronounce vowel sounds. Meows are almost always directed at people. In fact, it is believed that domesticated cats learned to meow as a way to speak to humans; they do not meow to each other in the wild. When your cat meows, you probably know what she wants. She may be hungry, stuck behind a door or trying to tell you that she sees a fly. Short, high-pitched meows are pleasant conversation or requests. If you ignore her meows, you may notice that they become lower and more drawn out as she gets more and more frustrated. Chatters and chirps also express frustration, while hisses and growls mean that she is frightened or angry.
When your cat is very content, you will probably hear her purr. Purrs are very comforting sounds that are believed to be vibrations of the cat's vocal chords. The cat does not open her mouth to produce this sound. While purring is usually associated with a feeling of extreme contentment, cats who are anxious or stressed may also purr. In such cases, they are probably attempting to calm themselves down.
Maria Kuzmiak is a freelance writer and webmaster of http://www.coolcatpages.com She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their three cats.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cats - Owners Of Humans
By Alan Beggerow
A human can own a dog, or a dog can own a human. Not so with a cat! There are no two ways about it. Wherever cats are kept, they rule the roost. Of course cats can be very loving pets, as cat people will tell you. But it is on the terms of the cat! Some facts about our feline friends:
A cat's heart beats twice as fast as a humans at rest. Between 110 to 140 beats per minute.
Giving a cat a bath is no joy ride, but 25 percent of 'owners' that do bathe them blow dry them afterwards.
Cats usually wag their tails when they are in a state of inner conflict.
When cats are content they will knead their humans or any other creature they won with their paws. This is thought to be a carry over from their kitten days, as kneading Mama while nursing stimulates milk flow.
One of the most brilliant persons of history, Sir Isaac Newton, not only enriched the world of physics and mathematics. He also invented the cat door.
If your cat insists on scratching on your furniture, try putting lemon or orange scent on the area. Cats hate citrus odors.
Cats, along with giraffes and camels, are the only animals that move both their left feet, then both their right feet when walking.
A cat needs only about 17 percent of the amount of light humans need to see in the dark
A cat can see up to 120 feet, and have peripheral vision of about 280 degrees.
A group of adult cats is called a clowder, a group of kittens is called a kindle.
For proper nutrition and health, a cat needs 5 times more protein than a dog.
21 per cent of U.S. homes have at least one cat.
On a yearly average, human pets of cats spend $2.5 billion on cat food and $295 million on kitty litter. http://www.cathleensbargainbasement.com/index.php?pr=Cats
Alan Beggerow along with his wife Cathleen owns and operates Cathleen's Bargain Basement, an online business that offers custom made apparel and hand crafted teddy bears by Cathleen, and also offers a selection of jewelry, home decor, Asian motif items, and much more. Visit them at http://www.cathleensbargainbasement.com
A human can own a dog, or a dog can own a human. Not so with a cat! There are no two ways about it. Wherever cats are kept, they rule the roost. Of course cats can be very loving pets, as cat people will tell you. But it is on the terms of the cat! Some facts about our feline friends:
A cat's heart beats twice as fast as a humans at rest. Between 110 to 140 beats per minute.
Giving a cat a bath is no joy ride, but 25 percent of 'owners' that do bathe them blow dry them afterwards.
Cats usually wag their tails when they are in a state of inner conflict.
When cats are content they will knead their humans or any other creature they won with their paws. This is thought to be a carry over from their kitten days, as kneading Mama while nursing stimulates milk flow.
One of the most brilliant persons of history, Sir Isaac Newton, not only enriched the world of physics and mathematics. He also invented the cat door.
If your cat insists on scratching on your furniture, try putting lemon or orange scent on the area. Cats hate citrus odors.
Cats, along with giraffes and camels, are the only animals that move both their left feet, then both their right feet when walking.
A cat needs only about 17 percent of the amount of light humans need to see in the dark
A cat can see up to 120 feet, and have peripheral vision of about 280 degrees.
A group of adult cats is called a clowder, a group of kittens is called a kindle.
For proper nutrition and health, a cat needs 5 times more protein than a dog.
21 per cent of U.S. homes have at least one cat.
On a yearly average, human pets of cats spend $2.5 billion on cat food and $295 million on kitty litter. http://www.cathleensbargainbasement.com/index.php?pr=Cats
Alan Beggerow along with his wife Cathleen owns and operates Cathleen's Bargain Basement, an online business that offers custom made apparel and hand crafted teddy bears by Cathleen, and also offers a selection of jewelry, home decor, Asian motif items, and much more. Visit them at http://www.cathleensbargainbasement.com
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Cat Litter Mats - Keeping Your Floors Free From Litter
By Ned D'Agostino
If you have a cat, no doubt one of the problems you face it is having your pet track cat litter from his or her litter box throughout the rest of the house. This can be especially harmful to carpeting or flooring, since not only can soiled litter make a mess, but litters can scratch hardwood or tile flooring, increase carpet wear and tear, and in general cause disrepair for flooring materials. It can also be hard on furniture and make it necessary to professionally clean upholstery more often, since kitties can jump on furniture with soiled paws. Cat litter mats are one way to control this problem.
Just as you wipe your feet at the door when you come in your house after being outside, litter mats go directly in front of your cat's litter box, and serve as a way to keep tracked litter at a minimum and close to the box. They are generally textured rubber mats that "wipe" your cat's feet as he or she leaves the litter box, so that litter that normally would be tracked throughout the house is "wiped off" on the matting and stays in that area. This not only saves flooring, but also makes cleanup much easier, since litter is contained to one area. It also is generally healthier for cats to have this type of matting as well, since the cat will then not lick this soiled litter off its paws but will leave it on the mat so it is not ingested. Litter residue can be harmful. Of course, it also keeps other materials in your home much cleaner, such as clothing, bedding, or furniture.
If you can't afford or don't want to buy a commercial cat litter mat, you can buy a simple rubber bathmat that will do a lot of the work for you. You can cover the bathmat with old blankets or area rugs that have seen better days. Old "loop" rugs are especially useful for this, since their rough texture helps wipe cats' paws off. Old carpeting remnants are also a good substitute. Whatever you buy, these mats should be washable or at least frequently replaceable, since they will pick up smells from the litter boxes themselves and will become soiled over time.
Whether you buy a commercial cat litter mat or make your own by using old area rugs, blankets, bathmat, etc., using these can be a very good way to keep tracked litter contained near the litter box and keep it from being carried throughout your house. This, in turn, helps keep your entire home much more fresh and clean. It will also help protect flooring and carpets, and make them last longer without the type of wear and tear tracked litter can cause. In addition, you'll find life much more pleasant if your kitty does not jump on your bed or furniture with soiled feet. This, in turn, keeps the rest of your family, as well as your pet, much healthier.
For more information on finding a good cat litter mat visit http://www.catlitterboxesplus.com, a popular website devoted to cat owners everywhere. You'll also find information on the different types of cat litter available such as pine, silica, flushable or clumping litters.
If you have a cat, no doubt one of the problems you face it is having your pet track cat litter from his or her litter box throughout the rest of the house. This can be especially harmful to carpeting or flooring, since not only can soiled litter make a mess, but litters can scratch hardwood or tile flooring, increase carpet wear and tear, and in general cause disrepair for flooring materials. It can also be hard on furniture and make it necessary to professionally clean upholstery more often, since kitties can jump on furniture with soiled paws. Cat litter mats are one way to control this problem.
Just as you wipe your feet at the door when you come in your house after being outside, litter mats go directly in front of your cat's litter box, and serve as a way to keep tracked litter at a minimum and close to the box. They are generally textured rubber mats that "wipe" your cat's feet as he or she leaves the litter box, so that litter that normally would be tracked throughout the house is "wiped off" on the matting and stays in that area. This not only saves flooring, but also makes cleanup much easier, since litter is contained to one area. It also is generally healthier for cats to have this type of matting as well, since the cat will then not lick this soiled litter off its paws but will leave it on the mat so it is not ingested. Litter residue can be harmful. Of course, it also keeps other materials in your home much cleaner, such as clothing, bedding, or furniture.
If you can't afford or don't want to buy a commercial cat litter mat, you can buy a simple rubber bathmat that will do a lot of the work for you. You can cover the bathmat with old blankets or area rugs that have seen better days. Old "loop" rugs are especially useful for this, since their rough texture helps wipe cats' paws off. Old carpeting remnants are also a good substitute. Whatever you buy, these mats should be washable or at least frequently replaceable, since they will pick up smells from the litter boxes themselves and will become soiled over time.
Whether you buy a commercial cat litter mat or make your own by using old area rugs, blankets, bathmat, etc., using these can be a very good way to keep tracked litter contained near the litter box and keep it from being carried throughout your house. This, in turn, helps keep your entire home much more fresh and clean. It will also help protect flooring and carpets, and make them last longer without the type of wear and tear tracked litter can cause. In addition, you'll find life much more pleasant if your kitty does not jump on your bed or furniture with soiled feet. This, in turn, keeps the rest of your family, as well as your pet, much healthier.
For more information on finding a good cat litter mat visit http://www.catlitterboxesplus.com, a popular website devoted to cat owners everywhere. You'll also find information on the different types of cat litter available such as pine, silica, flushable or clumping litters.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Best Gifts For Cats - What To Get Them
By Ron King
Do you have a gift list that includes a true cat lover? If so, you're in luck! Buying for a cat lover is more simple than ever, especially with the selection and specialty items available on the web. Before you purchase the first kitty-themed item, pause to consider the following idea. The best gifts for cat fanciers are unique and specific to their cat.
Before you buy a present for the cat lover on your list, consider the following:
What type of cat breed does the prospective recipient most like or own? Many potential offerings to cat lovers are also breed specific. If possible, get a gift that reminds the recipient of their favorite feline.
If you are buying a gift for someone who currently owns a cat, find out the cat's gender. Many cat-themed gifts are gender-specific, so you will want to know what sex your recipient's cat is.
Does your recipient like to dress up your cat? If you are getting a gift for a person who likes to dress their cats in sweaters or other types of apparel, your search for an appropriate gift will be much easier. Don't assume that the recipient dresses their cat, however.
Now that you've taken a few moments to think of your recipient's cat, here are the top 6 gifts that any cat lover would be happy to be given.
1. A cat-themed picture frame. What better way to show your love for your animal than putting the feline's picture on display? People looking for gifts for them would be pleased to receive a lovely picture frame to show their favorite pet. You may desire to ensure your intended recipient doesn't already own a stockpile of cat picture frames. This is a popular gift to give and to receive, so it is common for avid cat lovers to own more than one cat picture frame.
2. Feline-themed jewelry. It may be common to run across a lovely cat broach, pin, charm bracelet, necklace, or other piece of jewelry. Nothing could be more personal or intimate than a nice piece of jewelry. If you have a personal acquaintance who you think would relish this type of gift, you will find many online retail websites dedicated to offerings for cat fanciers that carry a wonderful selection of feline-related jewelry. For an even more personal effect, you can often have these type of gifts engraved with a message as well.
3. Cat-related stationary, desk calendar, engagement calendar, diary, or books. Every New Year, hundreds of beautifully-designed calendars are put on the market for purchase. The selection can be incredible with hundreds of breeds and cat themes represented. This is an outstanding choice that any cat lover would enjoy receiving, typically if you can find a calendar that represents the recipient's favorite breed. If you hope to go beyond the ever-popular cat calendar, you can also purchase lovely cat-related stationary for your recipient. Another superior choice is to get a nice cat-themed diary for your recipient.
Gifts for cat lovers may include a cat calendar, stationary set, or diary that you like. Consider buying the cat lover on your list a beautiful cat-themed coffee table book. Most will delight in feasting on the gorgeous photography and text of a good cat coffee table book.
4. Feline themed clothes and coffee mugs. Cat lovers will enjoy receiving cat-themed T-shirts and sweaters. You can generally find funny cat-themed coffee mugs too.
5. A work of kitty art. They abound nowadays, so it easy to find works of art that is cat related. For the true cat lover, a lovely feline sculpture can be a wonderful and whimsical gift. You can easily find all sorts of cat-related ceramic pieces, wooden sculptures, planter, fountain, or other types of cat art. For the truly dedicated cat lover, you can even commission a local artist to paint a portrait of your friend's cat!
6. A gift subscription to Cat Fancy magazine! For people looking for gifts for cat lovers, the die-hard cat fanatic will love a subscription to a cat themed magazine. If you can't get cat-related magazines at your local newsstand, see your local pet supplies store. You'll find other magazines besides Cat Fancy that your recipient can be happy to be receiving for many issues to come.
For more info, see Best Gifts For Cats and The Best Gifts For Cats. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Fanciers.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Do you have a gift list that includes a true cat lover? If so, you're in luck! Buying for a cat lover is more simple than ever, especially with the selection and specialty items available on the web. Before you purchase the first kitty-themed item, pause to consider the following idea. The best gifts for cat fanciers are unique and specific to their cat.
Before you buy a present for the cat lover on your list, consider the following:
What type of cat breed does the prospective recipient most like or own? Many potential offerings to cat lovers are also breed specific. If possible, get a gift that reminds the recipient of their favorite feline.
If you are buying a gift for someone who currently owns a cat, find out the cat's gender. Many cat-themed gifts are gender-specific, so you will want to know what sex your recipient's cat is.
Does your recipient like to dress up your cat? If you are getting a gift for a person who likes to dress their cats in sweaters or other types of apparel, your search for an appropriate gift will be much easier. Don't assume that the recipient dresses their cat, however.
Now that you've taken a few moments to think of your recipient's cat, here are the top 6 gifts that any cat lover would be happy to be given.
1. A cat-themed picture frame. What better way to show your love for your animal than putting the feline's picture on display? People looking for gifts for them would be pleased to receive a lovely picture frame to show their favorite pet. You may desire to ensure your intended recipient doesn't already own a stockpile of cat picture frames. This is a popular gift to give and to receive, so it is common for avid cat lovers to own more than one cat picture frame.
2. Feline-themed jewelry. It may be common to run across a lovely cat broach, pin, charm bracelet, necklace, or other piece of jewelry. Nothing could be more personal or intimate than a nice piece of jewelry. If you have a personal acquaintance who you think would relish this type of gift, you will find many online retail websites dedicated to offerings for cat fanciers that carry a wonderful selection of feline-related jewelry. For an even more personal effect, you can often have these type of gifts engraved with a message as well.
3. Cat-related stationary, desk calendar, engagement calendar, diary, or books. Every New Year, hundreds of beautifully-designed calendars are put on the market for purchase. The selection can be incredible with hundreds of breeds and cat themes represented. This is an outstanding choice that any cat lover would enjoy receiving, typically if you can find a calendar that represents the recipient's favorite breed. If you hope to go beyond the ever-popular cat calendar, you can also purchase lovely cat-related stationary for your recipient. Another superior choice is to get a nice cat-themed diary for your recipient.
Gifts for cat lovers may include a cat calendar, stationary set, or diary that you like. Consider buying the cat lover on your list a beautiful cat-themed coffee table book. Most will delight in feasting on the gorgeous photography and text of a good cat coffee table book.
4. Feline themed clothes and coffee mugs. Cat lovers will enjoy receiving cat-themed T-shirts and sweaters. You can generally find funny cat-themed coffee mugs too.
5. A work of kitty art. They abound nowadays, so it easy to find works of art that is cat related. For the true cat lover, a lovely feline sculpture can be a wonderful and whimsical gift. You can easily find all sorts of cat-related ceramic pieces, wooden sculptures, planter, fountain, or other types of cat art. For the truly dedicated cat lover, you can even commission a local artist to paint a portrait of your friend's cat!
6. A gift subscription to Cat Fancy magazine! For people looking for gifts for cat lovers, the die-hard cat fanatic will love a subscription to a cat themed magazine. If you can't get cat-related magazines at your local newsstand, see your local pet supplies store. You'll find other magazines besides Cat Fancy that your recipient can be happy to be receiving for many issues to come.
For more info, see Best Gifts For Cats and The Best Gifts For Cats. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Fanciers.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Check Out The Catnip Video!
By Robert Blake
Is your cat or kitten home-bound and bored out of their minds or asleep? Check out the catnip video for all sorts of great fun and entertainment. Are they stuck with boredom all day while waiting for you to come home and spend time with them? Video catnip is hours of excitement for your little friends. See squirrels, birds, and chipmunks in action, and enjoy your pet going wild for this video!
Video catnip relaxes people and energizes your pets. You'll get best results for indoor cats who are homebound and not used to these animals on a daily basis. Cats understand that they should be hunting these animals, and it allows them the opportunity to see them up close and personal. For best results your cat will be an indoor cat, as the outdoor cat sees scenes from the catnip video already and isn't quite the target market, though they do still enjoy it.
Video catnip is wonderful for cats and kittens of all ages and activity levels. It's a great tool for getting that lazy cat up off its duff and exercising. "Fat cat" may be a phrase referring to success but it is certainly not a good state for your little friend to be in, as it will shorten their lives unnecessarily. We owe it to ourselves and our pets to be in the best shape so we can spend the longest amount of time together that we possibly can.
The catnip video will get your cats and kittens energized. They don't understand television, so you can enjoy them looking to find their prey behind the TV! You may need to help them at first by drawing their attention to the screen so they know to look towards the screen.
Anyone who uses the catnip video is bound to be pleased by the joy of their cat and the sheer excitement. Give your cats and kittens a chance to feel like they are able to participate in wild nature, even if they never get to leave the loving confines of your house. Your little friends will be glad of the chance and you will have the joy of giving them the opportunity. The cat's owners will love the catnip video equally as much as the kitties themselves do; as they can see their little friends go insane with joy of catnip.
Robert Blake runs Happy Healthy Cats. Source article target=_new The Catnip Video.
Is your cat or kitten home-bound and bored out of their minds or asleep? Check out the catnip video for all sorts of great fun and entertainment. Are they stuck with boredom all day while waiting for you to come home and spend time with them? Video catnip is hours of excitement for your little friends. See squirrels, birds, and chipmunks in action, and enjoy your pet going wild for this video!
Video catnip relaxes people and energizes your pets. You'll get best results for indoor cats who are homebound and not used to these animals on a daily basis. Cats understand that they should be hunting these animals, and it allows them the opportunity to see them up close and personal. For best results your cat will be an indoor cat, as the outdoor cat sees scenes from the catnip video already and isn't quite the target market, though they do still enjoy it.
Video catnip is wonderful for cats and kittens of all ages and activity levels. It's a great tool for getting that lazy cat up off its duff and exercising. "Fat cat" may be a phrase referring to success but it is certainly not a good state for your little friend to be in, as it will shorten their lives unnecessarily. We owe it to ourselves and our pets to be in the best shape so we can spend the longest amount of time together that we possibly can.
The catnip video will get your cats and kittens energized. They don't understand television, so you can enjoy them looking to find their prey behind the TV! You may need to help them at first by drawing their attention to the screen so they know to look towards the screen.
Anyone who uses the catnip video is bound to be pleased by the joy of their cat and the sheer excitement. Give your cats and kittens a chance to feel like they are able to participate in wild nature, even if they never get to leave the loving confines of your house. Your little friends will be glad of the chance and you will have the joy of giving them the opportunity. The cat's owners will love the catnip video equally as much as the kitties themselves do; as they can see their little friends go insane with joy of catnip.
Robert Blake runs Happy Healthy Cats. Source article target=_new The Catnip Video.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
What Cat Lovers Should Know About Tapeworms in a Cat
By Nat Williams
Nearly all cats will experience at least one form of worm infection during their lifetime; among the most widespread worm infestations are that of the roundworm and the tapeworm.
What are Tapeworms?
All worms are parasites that feed off the inside of your cat and can make them rather sick. Worms can be transferred from the mother to the kitten; the litter box is also a source of worm infestation - particularly if you have more than one cat.
The tapeworm is made up of a number of segments and each of these segments contains the eggs of the worm. The segments containing the eggs fall off the worm and are excreted out of the cat's body in its stools.
How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?
The tapeworm may have been passed down to a kitten by its mother. However, the main source of the tapeworm is cat fleas. Fleas eat the tapeworm eggs that are passed in the cat's stool - the cat will swallow the flea when it cleans itself and this is how the tapeworm egg enters your cat's body. If you want to avoid tapeworm infestation then you first need to ensure that your cat is free from fleas. If a cat has fleas then it is more likely to be suffering from tapeworms, which attacks the cat's intestinal tract.
Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats
You should watch your cat's behavior. Cats who have tapeworms will show more scratching and licking around their anus. Irritability and loss of appetite are other symptoms that the cat has fleas.
Treatment of Tapeworms in Cats
You should always bring your cat to the vet for a checkup if you suspect it has a worm infection. Your vet will most likely treat your cat by prescribing some deworming medicine, which will almost always get rid of the tapeworm problem. You will also need to clean the cat's bed and areas of the house your cat has access to. Combine the treatment with exercise along with a correct diet and regular checkups and your cat should be free of tapeworms.
Prevention of Tapeworms in Cats
In order to prevent your cat from being re-infested with tapeworms, you will have to keep fleas out of your cat and house. A regular dosage of deworming medicine prescribed by your vet will definitely keep the worms out permanently.
Natalie Williams is the author of WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her web site for more tips on treating and preventing worms in your pet.
Nearly all cats will experience at least one form of worm infection during their lifetime; among the most widespread worm infestations are that of the roundworm and the tapeworm.
What are Tapeworms?
All worms are parasites that feed off the inside of your cat and can make them rather sick. Worms can be transferred from the mother to the kitten; the litter box is also a source of worm infestation - particularly if you have more than one cat.
The tapeworm is made up of a number of segments and each of these segments contains the eggs of the worm. The segments containing the eggs fall off the worm and are excreted out of the cat's body in its stools.
How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?
The tapeworm may have been passed down to a kitten by its mother. However, the main source of the tapeworm is cat fleas. Fleas eat the tapeworm eggs that are passed in the cat's stool - the cat will swallow the flea when it cleans itself and this is how the tapeworm egg enters your cat's body. If you want to avoid tapeworm infestation then you first need to ensure that your cat is free from fleas. If a cat has fleas then it is more likely to be suffering from tapeworms, which attacks the cat's intestinal tract.
Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats
You should watch your cat's behavior. Cats who have tapeworms will show more scratching and licking around their anus. Irritability and loss of appetite are other symptoms that the cat has fleas.
Treatment of Tapeworms in Cats
You should always bring your cat to the vet for a checkup if you suspect it has a worm infection. Your vet will most likely treat your cat by prescribing some deworming medicine, which will almost always get rid of the tapeworm problem. You will also need to clean the cat's bed and areas of the house your cat has access to. Combine the treatment with exercise along with a correct diet and regular checkups and your cat should be free of tapeworms.
Prevention of Tapeworms in Cats
In order to prevent your cat from being re-infested with tapeworms, you will have to keep fleas out of your cat and house. A regular dosage of deworming medicine prescribed by your vet will definitely keep the worms out permanently.
Natalie Williams is the author of WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her web site for more tips on treating and preventing worms in your pet.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Living in a Cat's World
By Audrey Frederick
As a human you probably do not think much about your cat's world, other than to feed it and pet it from time to time. We think about our five senses and how we use them, but have you ever really thought about your cat's five senses?
A cat has the same five senses that we have, they hear, smell, taste, see, and touch things just as humans do. However, though all five senses are important, touch to a cat is probably the most important.
It uses its sense of touch to "read" its environment. Now, what do I mean by that? There are many cell receptors in a cat's skin that changes mechanical (moving) stimuli into information that the nervous system uses to help produce a cat's rapid reaction time to things.
When you see Miss Puss lying down or standing with her four feet planted firmly on the floor looking into space, she is not daydreaming. Miss Puss is picking up information from her surrounding environment. She can determine whether or not to stay where she is, or flee.
Cats not only pick up information by the sense of touch; they can leave information also. When a cat stretches up to claw a tree (or the couch) she is leaving a message that she was there. A calling card in fact for the next cat to smell and "read."
These receptors not only detect movement or pressure they also detect pain, temperatures and save cats from harm and injury. They attune the cat to its environment, making them aware of what is going on around them, and if it is safe for them to be where they are.
They also possess an extreme understanding of their bodies and of its capabilities. They have what is known as kinetic energy which is energy associated with motion. Cats are very good at being cats.
Cats use their whiskers and paws to hunt with. These are two of the most sensitive areas on a cat; they contain the most number of nerve cells. A cat can use its whiskers, just as a blind person would use a cane. By using its paws and whiskers a cat can determine an object's size, shape and texture.
There are about a dozen whiskers on each upper lip, along with some small ones on their cheeks, a few on the chin, several above each eye and believe it or not some on the underside of each paw. The whiskers are thicker and stiffer and have been implanted with a special follicle that is sealed within the whisker. Whiskers are connected to a muscle and can be moved back and forth. Never cut a cat's whiskers.
Cats use their whiskers to get in and out of tight places; they can use them to convey their mood. Forward and fanned out means I am in a good mood, pushed back toward its head means, watch out, I am mad.
The average cat does not see any better at night than most humans, but their whiskers give them an extra edge as they can detect air currents deflected by objects, as the cat walks by.
A cat's hearing is better then a dog's, it can hear things moving silently inside of a wall. Did you know that a "whole tone" (like in music) that we can hear, a cat hears it as 10 separate tones. A cat can hear ultrasonic sounds (high pitched) that we cannot even imagine.
Smell is the next important sense in a cat's life; a blind or deaf cat can lead a fairly normal life as long as its nose is in working order.
From the very moment a kitten is born, smell becomes the most important part of its life. A newborn can find mommy and its favorite nursing nipple just by smelling. A cat has 100 million smelling receptors, while the lowly human has only 20 million. Cats use their sense of smell to "see" their world. A cat generally will not eat unless is can smell its food and decide whether or not it is acceptable to eat. A cat that cannot smell its food will not eat it.
When it comes to taste, cats are carnivores, which means they are meat eaters. Unfortunately cats do not have a sweet tooth; they are about the only mammal that does not have one, as they lack a receptor for sweetness.
One thing that cats do like the most is petting. Cats receive comfort from petting and most cats prefer to be stroked from the head down, following the line of their fur growth. Cats do not like to have their fur stroked backward.
My cat Boots loves to have his face and ears stroked very gently, he will let me do this for a long time. I think, since he is a feral cat, that I remind him of the days when he was with mom. He is also one of the few cats that loves to have his tummy rubbed.
Cats are unique and many have strange behaviors, but no matter what their likes and dislikes are, cats like humans and enjoy human contact.
Living in a cat's world is much different than living in a dog's world. Dog's have masters, cats have staff! Cats were treated as royalty back in the days of the Romans and have never forgotten that. Dogs have been bred through the years to conform to certain standards and behaviors. A cat has always been a cat, no one has been able to breed a cat to chase only yellow yarn balls or to herd mice.
If this article has been of benefit, or you are looking for a new insight into the world of cats and dogs please visit my web site and Sadie Dog's Blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
As a human you probably do not think much about your cat's world, other than to feed it and pet it from time to time. We think about our five senses and how we use them, but have you ever really thought about your cat's five senses?
A cat has the same five senses that we have, they hear, smell, taste, see, and touch things just as humans do. However, though all five senses are important, touch to a cat is probably the most important.
It uses its sense of touch to "read" its environment. Now, what do I mean by that? There are many cell receptors in a cat's skin that changes mechanical (moving) stimuli into information that the nervous system uses to help produce a cat's rapid reaction time to things.
When you see Miss Puss lying down or standing with her four feet planted firmly on the floor looking into space, she is not daydreaming. Miss Puss is picking up information from her surrounding environment. She can determine whether or not to stay where she is, or flee.
Cats not only pick up information by the sense of touch; they can leave information also. When a cat stretches up to claw a tree (or the couch) she is leaving a message that she was there. A calling card in fact for the next cat to smell and "read."
These receptors not only detect movement or pressure they also detect pain, temperatures and save cats from harm and injury. They attune the cat to its environment, making them aware of what is going on around them, and if it is safe for them to be where they are.
They also possess an extreme understanding of their bodies and of its capabilities. They have what is known as kinetic energy which is energy associated with motion. Cats are very good at being cats.
Cats use their whiskers and paws to hunt with. These are two of the most sensitive areas on a cat; they contain the most number of nerve cells. A cat can use its whiskers, just as a blind person would use a cane. By using its paws and whiskers a cat can determine an object's size, shape and texture.
There are about a dozen whiskers on each upper lip, along with some small ones on their cheeks, a few on the chin, several above each eye and believe it or not some on the underside of each paw. The whiskers are thicker and stiffer and have been implanted with a special follicle that is sealed within the whisker. Whiskers are connected to a muscle and can be moved back and forth. Never cut a cat's whiskers.
Cats use their whiskers to get in and out of tight places; they can use them to convey their mood. Forward and fanned out means I am in a good mood, pushed back toward its head means, watch out, I am mad.
The average cat does not see any better at night than most humans, but their whiskers give them an extra edge as they can detect air currents deflected by objects, as the cat walks by.
A cat's hearing is better then a dog's, it can hear things moving silently inside of a wall. Did you know that a "whole tone" (like in music) that we can hear, a cat hears it as 10 separate tones. A cat can hear ultrasonic sounds (high pitched) that we cannot even imagine.
Smell is the next important sense in a cat's life; a blind or deaf cat can lead a fairly normal life as long as its nose is in working order.
From the very moment a kitten is born, smell becomes the most important part of its life. A newborn can find mommy and its favorite nursing nipple just by smelling. A cat has 100 million smelling receptors, while the lowly human has only 20 million. Cats use their sense of smell to "see" their world. A cat generally will not eat unless is can smell its food and decide whether or not it is acceptable to eat. A cat that cannot smell its food will not eat it.
When it comes to taste, cats are carnivores, which means they are meat eaters. Unfortunately cats do not have a sweet tooth; they are about the only mammal that does not have one, as they lack a receptor for sweetness.
One thing that cats do like the most is petting. Cats receive comfort from petting and most cats prefer to be stroked from the head down, following the line of their fur growth. Cats do not like to have their fur stroked backward.
My cat Boots loves to have his face and ears stroked very gently, he will let me do this for a long time. I think, since he is a feral cat, that I remind him of the days when he was with mom. He is also one of the few cats that loves to have his tummy rubbed.
Cats are unique and many have strange behaviors, but no matter what their likes and dislikes are, cats like humans and enjoy human contact.
Living in a cat's world is much different than living in a dog's world. Dog's have masters, cats have staff! Cats were treated as royalty back in the days of the Romans and have never forgotten that. Dogs have been bred through the years to conform to certain standards and behaviors. A cat has always been a cat, no one has been able to breed a cat to chase only yellow yarn balls or to herd mice.
If this article has been of benefit, or you are looking for a new insight into the world of cats and dogs please visit my web site and Sadie Dog's Blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Understanding Cat Potty Training
By Bobby Wilson
Owning a cat can be a wonderful experience. Whilst they have a reputation for being selfish and arrogant, most cats are in fact very loving and they can bring their owners a lot of joy. However, there is one thing which many owners become frustrated about and that is cat potty training.
Now cat potty training may not be as difficult as housetraining a dog, but it can still be really challenging. Many cats pick up very quickly the fact that they are supposed to relieve themselves in their litter tray, however there are some who can be a little more stubborn!
What You Should Know About Cat Potty Training
The main thing to remember with cat potty training is that patience and persistence pays off. You need to carefully keep an eye on the cat so that you know when they need to relieve themselves and you can then place them into the litter tray. However, cat potty training is not always that simple.
It could be that your cat is relieving themselves everywhere but where they are supposed to. Many cat owners become increasingly frustrated when they have provided a perfectly good litter tray, yet the cat refuses to use it. Now there could be many reasons why your cat is refusing to use the litter tray. You have to remember that with cat potty training you need to provide them with a clean litter tray in a quiet area. So if the litter tray is dirty and it is placed in the wrong area, your cat will not want to use it.
Another reason why cat potty training does not always go so well is if there is something new in the cat's environment. Usually when you bring a cat home for the first time, everything is new and so potty training could take a while. They need to get familiar with their surroundings and they need to feel secure before they can get into any type of routine. If your cat has been with you for a while and they have already undertaken cat potty training in the past, then the problem could be if there is anything new in the house. Has there been a recent addition to the family? Have you purchased another cat?
If you have purchased another cat then your older cat may be feeling a little threatened. This would mean that they start to urinate everywhere in order to mark their territory.
Overall there are many reasons why your cat potty training may not be going so well. You need to get to the bottom of those reasons if you want to solve the problem completely. Generally though it is all just a matter of patience and persistence and of watching out for when your cat may want to relieve themselves.
So if you want to get over with the frustration caused by your cat relieving itself just anywhere and everywhere in your home then get some good, handy tips on target=_new cat potty training here: target=_new http://unique-review.com/potty-training-cat/
Bobby Wilson writes articles on different topics that interest him.
Owning a cat can be a wonderful experience. Whilst they have a reputation for being selfish and arrogant, most cats are in fact very loving and they can bring their owners a lot of joy. However, there is one thing which many owners become frustrated about and that is cat potty training.
Now cat potty training may not be as difficult as housetraining a dog, but it can still be really challenging. Many cats pick up very quickly the fact that they are supposed to relieve themselves in their litter tray, however there are some who can be a little more stubborn!
What You Should Know About Cat Potty Training
The main thing to remember with cat potty training is that patience and persistence pays off. You need to carefully keep an eye on the cat so that you know when they need to relieve themselves and you can then place them into the litter tray. However, cat potty training is not always that simple.
It could be that your cat is relieving themselves everywhere but where they are supposed to. Many cat owners become increasingly frustrated when they have provided a perfectly good litter tray, yet the cat refuses to use it. Now there could be many reasons why your cat is refusing to use the litter tray. You have to remember that with cat potty training you need to provide them with a clean litter tray in a quiet area. So if the litter tray is dirty and it is placed in the wrong area, your cat will not want to use it.
Another reason why cat potty training does not always go so well is if there is something new in the cat's environment. Usually when you bring a cat home for the first time, everything is new and so potty training could take a while. They need to get familiar with their surroundings and they need to feel secure before they can get into any type of routine. If your cat has been with you for a while and they have already undertaken cat potty training in the past, then the problem could be if there is anything new in the house. Has there been a recent addition to the family? Have you purchased another cat?
If you have purchased another cat then your older cat may be feeling a little threatened. This would mean that they start to urinate everywhere in order to mark their territory.
Overall there are many reasons why your cat potty training may not be going so well. You need to get to the bottom of those reasons if you want to solve the problem completely. Generally though it is all just a matter of patience and persistence and of watching out for when your cat may want to relieve themselves.
So if you want to get over with the frustration caused by your cat relieving itself just anywhere and everywhere in your home then get some good, handy tips on target=_new cat potty training here: target=_new http://unique-review.com/potty-training-cat/
Bobby Wilson writes articles on different topics that interest him.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
What to Get Your Cat for Christmas
By Lynne Powell
Cats like the same thing for Christmas that they enjoy every other day of the year--good food, fresh water, clean litter and a bit of their preferred chin scratching, head-to-tail petting and cuddling. However, most cats would not say, "No" to a little nip of catnip in a stuffed toy or slathered all over a scratching post. In fact, they might say, "Yes!" with great enthusiasm in the way only cats can--by rolling all over the catnip area and the odd bit of drooling.
Another thing not many people know that cats like is honeysuckle. It's not as crazy-making as catnip, but spray a little honeysuckle on a toy or scratch post and many cats will get right down and savor it by rubbing their cheeks on it to catch every last bit of scent. I've had great luck in alternating sprays of honeysuckle with scattering of catnip on a stand-up sisal scratch post right next to a chair or sofa that might tempt the cats to sharpen their claws. The catnip and honeysuckle are so much more appealing that the furniture gets ignored. Your claw-sharpening mileage may vary.
Three holiday dangers for cats are:
First and foremost ribbons! String, yarn and dental floss can also be fatal to a cat. Okay, I know you don't wrap presents with dental floss, but I'm just saying that long thread-y things attract cats. If you've ever had your cat lick your hand, you know that their tongues are like sandpaper and thread-things can stick to their rough tongues, get swallowed, and knot up in their guts. Very serious.
All those pictures of cats playing with balls of yarn drive me crazy. The first Christmas that we a kitten, my husband and I narrowly avoided a trip to the pet emergency hospital when he swallowed a ribbon. Fortunately it was a very short ribbon and it came out the other end, but these beautiful things can kill your cat, so please don't leave them out.
Another danger is Poinsettia plants, these are poisonous to cats and should be kept out of reach.
Last but not least, is the water at the base of a living Christmas tree. Some cats are tempted to drink it, and it's safer to securely cover the base so they can't get at it.
On the other hand, one thing cats love about Christmas morning is discarded wrapping paper! A very economical gift to your cat is to let him or her (or them) charge around and attack wrapping paper piles. If you've ever seen a kitten, or even a normally dignified, grown-up cat, once the gifts are opened, diving and scattering wrapping paper or hopping into and out of gift boxes with glee, you can experience the pure, undiluted joy that cats can create at Christmas that few other creatures can!
Lynne Powell Your Cat's Secret Life
Cats like the same thing for Christmas that they enjoy every other day of the year--good food, fresh water, clean litter and a bit of their preferred chin scratching, head-to-tail petting and cuddling. However, most cats would not say, "No" to a little nip of catnip in a stuffed toy or slathered all over a scratching post. In fact, they might say, "Yes!" with great enthusiasm in the way only cats can--by rolling all over the catnip area and the odd bit of drooling.
Another thing not many people know that cats like is honeysuckle. It's not as crazy-making as catnip, but spray a little honeysuckle on a toy or scratch post and many cats will get right down and savor it by rubbing their cheeks on it to catch every last bit of scent. I've had great luck in alternating sprays of honeysuckle with scattering of catnip on a stand-up sisal scratch post right next to a chair or sofa that might tempt the cats to sharpen their claws. The catnip and honeysuckle are so much more appealing that the furniture gets ignored. Your claw-sharpening mileage may vary.
Three holiday dangers for cats are:
First and foremost ribbons! String, yarn and dental floss can also be fatal to a cat. Okay, I know you don't wrap presents with dental floss, but I'm just saying that long thread-y things attract cats. If you've ever had your cat lick your hand, you know that their tongues are like sandpaper and thread-things can stick to their rough tongues, get swallowed, and knot up in their guts. Very serious.
All those pictures of cats playing with balls of yarn drive me crazy. The first Christmas that we a kitten, my husband and I narrowly avoided a trip to the pet emergency hospital when he swallowed a ribbon. Fortunately it was a very short ribbon and it came out the other end, but these beautiful things can kill your cat, so please don't leave them out.
Another danger is Poinsettia plants, these are poisonous to cats and should be kept out of reach.
Last but not least, is the water at the base of a living Christmas tree. Some cats are tempted to drink it, and it's safer to securely cover the base so they can't get at it.
On the other hand, one thing cats love about Christmas morning is discarded wrapping paper! A very economical gift to your cat is to let him or her (or them) charge around and attack wrapping paper piles. If you've ever seen a kitten, or even a normally dignified, grown-up cat, once the gifts are opened, diving and scattering wrapping paper or hopping into and out of gift boxes with glee, you can experience the pure, undiluted joy that cats can create at Christmas that few other creatures can!
Lynne Powell Your Cat's Secret Life
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