The Ragdoll Cat - A Closer Look

During the mid nineteen hundreds, an American breeder developed a cat breed that was so laid back and relaxed that it would hang limply like a cloth doll when people held it. This breed was developed from a Birman cat and a longhair cat with an unknown ancestry. The breeder called these cats the Ragdoll because of their calm, relaxed nature. Although the Cat Fancier's Association did not recognize these first cats as the Ragdoll, their descendants became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.

This breed is one of the largest of the cat breeds, weighing between ten and twenty pounds. It is no surprise that such heavy cats have big, muscular bodies. Their heads are slightly round, their ears are small and rounded, and their large eyes are in a brilliant blue color. This breed's tail is slightly bushy and tapers at the end.

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The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. In fact, there are actually only four colors accepted by the Cat Fancier's Association, Seal, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac. You can find these colors in pointed, mitted, or bicolor patterns, but some breeders avoid mitted cats because they look too much like the breed's Birman ancestors.

The Ragdoll's calm demeanor makes it the perfect choice for families. These cats are almost dog like in their behavior, greeting family members at the door, following them through the house, and snuggling down beside them on the sofa. If you do not believe in de-clawing your cat, but are concerned about having your furniture ruined, you may want to consider this breed as well. Some Ragdoll owners say their cats have learned to use a scratching post instead of furniture arms to sharpen their claws much more quickly than their other cat breeds. Since these cats seem to make an effort to keep from scratching people, as well, they may be less prone to scratch furniture in the first place.

While this cat breed does not need the company of other pets and seems to prefer to spend time with family members over cats, it does not mind living with other cats. Perhaps this is because this breed is so much larger than other cats, but it is most likely because the Ragdoll is just so sweet natured.

Since the Ragdoll is a longhair cat, some prospective cat owners are a bit hesitant about choosing this breed. They are afraid they won't have time for the frequent grooming most longhairs require. However, this breed's silky coat texture makes it a very low care cat. Combing through your cat's hair weekly to remove stray hairs or debris is all that is necessary to keep his coat looking fantastic. One thing you may want to keep in mind is that although most longhairs are prone to hairballs, these cats rarely develop them.

If you want a sweet tempered, family oriented cat, then the big Ragdoll may be the ideal breed for you.

The Ragdoll Cat - A Closer Look

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What To Do To Remove That Cat Urine Stain On The Carpet?

So you want to remove that cat urine stain on your carpet or furniture. Wondering which cat urine remover should you select. What is the process to select a cat urine remover?

cat condo

Most importantly how to find the cat urine remover ? Or is there any home recipe for cleaning the stain at all?

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It's a common dilemma. The scent of cat urine is strong, its stains are vivid. It becomes very difficult to remove from carpet, flooring,upholstery, or anywhere else. Realize that regular household cleaning products, such as carpet-cleaners can't remove the stain properly. Also you must avoid using ammonia or ammonia-based products. Ammonia smells similar to cat urine, so these products will only encourage the cat to urinate in the area again.Your cat will still be able to smell the urine, which tells the cat that it's a good spot to urinate.

Don't go for fragrance cover up products. This will not fix your cat urine problem. If you are going to buy a cat urine remover, make sure the cat urine remover is simple to use which saves you time. An effective product will be one that doesn't merely suck up or absorb stain but cleans it completely so that your cat doesn't soil again in the same area.

Applying vinegar is an effective home remedy for cleaning cat urine. Mix it with water in equal proportions and wet the problem area with this. If it's on carpet then you have to use enough solution to penetrate the fibres. Then dry it either with a fan or blotting with paper towels.The acidity of the vinegar will neutralize the ammonia in the cat urine.

Finding the exact spots on the mat to clean could be a major problem. the cat urine is not in the mat but in the mat padding underside so you need to try and remove that cat urine from deep down below the mat. Scrubbing the mat is usually not a good idea.This is a mistake often done by cat owners. What it does is that it absorbs the urine deep into its fibers and then the stain or the odor will be far too difficult to eliminate.

Realize that cats drink little water so their urine is very concentrated and stinking. That ammonia-like smell is so strong and annoying.Most people think cat urine is hard to remove.Cat's urine is rich in protein and if you learn diverse ways to remove it you will never get annoyed in the future.Also learn to train your cat so that he doesn't urinate again wherever he pleases.

What To Do To Remove That Cat Urine Stain On The Carpet?

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Age To Get Puppies Spayed

Having your puppy spayed is by far the best way to ensure that we combat the problem of unwanted dogs. There are a huge number of healthy dogs put to sleep each year in America and an even greater number waiting in shelters to be adopted. Much of the trauma that these animals go through would be spared if only we took a more responsible view regarding the age to have puppies spayed.

Puppies are sexually mature at around six months old. From this time on a bitch can become pregnant and have her own litter of puppies, despite the fact that she will still seem like a puppy to you. Therefore, if we wish to keep the overpopulation of dogs to a minimum, the best age for puppies to be spayed would be before they are six months old. This should be before the puppy comes on heat for the first time.

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Not only is this the best age to have puppies spayed from the viewpoint of controlling the dog population, it is also better for the dog on medical grounds. You will have reduced the risk of your dog suffering from mammary adenocarcinoma by about 98% when she is older.

Whether there is a limit regarding there being too young an age to have puppies spayed is a much discussed subject. The American Medical Veterinary Association now advocates the spaying of female puppies from as early as 7 weeks. There are many other reputable organisations who agree with the AMVA on this decision including The Humane Society of the United States and The Kennel Club of the United States.

There has been years of research into the subject and findings have been contra to previous beliefs. It was thought in the past that operating so early in life could cause the dog problems in later years. It has now been proved that there are no medical contraindications for the procedure at this age regarding either behaviour or physical well being. Many veterinarians however, will still not agree to the procedure at such an early age and are still of the opinion that the best age to have puppies spayed is at around six months, just prior to first season. Veterinarians who are involved with The Humane Society of the United States are particularly supportive of early age spaying if it means that the animal can be adopted from a shelter rather than euthanized. Another rule for some is the weight of the puppy. Some will only spay if the animal weighs at least two pounds.

The majority of specialists will say that the ideal age to have puppies spayed would be at six months. In some cases this can be reduced for an early age spay from as young as 7 weeks. Either way, the important issue is that you do have your puppy spayed. This will be one step closer to helping reduce unwanted pregnancies and save the trauma that unwanted dogs have to endure.

Age To Get Puppies Spayed

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about spaying puppies [http://spayandneutertoday.info/age-puppies-spayed], please visit Spay and Neuter Today [http://spayandneutertoday.info] for current articles and discussions.

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Protect Your Cat From Obesity - The Danger of Cat Food

Did you know that approximately 25 to 50 percent of cats in the United States are overweight, and another 5 to 15 percent are obese? Depending on the gender, body type and breed, the average cat should weigh between 9 and 12 pounds (4.1 - 5.4 kg). Cats are considered overweight when they are 10 percent over their ideal body weight, and they are considered obese when they are 20 percent over their ideal weight.

Obesity in cats is a big problem because most people over feed them, which leads to weight gain. Cats are small animals and most only need between 1/4 cup (113 g) and 1/2 cup (227 g) of food twice a day. A cat's stomach is about the size of a 50 cent piece before it expands. Obesity can lead to health problems including feline diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and joint pain.

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To determine if your cat is overweight, run your hands along his ribs. You should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. If you feel a thick layer of fat, your cat is overweight and should be put on a diet.

If you have an obese cat, you can help him to lose weight naturally. One way is to reduce the portion sizes of the food that you are feeding. Do not starve your cat or stop regular feedings, simply reduce the amounts of food that he gets per serving. A veterinarian can recommend a good quality diet or weight maintaining food.

Another way to help your cat to lose weight is to increase the amount of exercise that he gets every day. Schedule small blocks of time (five to ten minutes) each day to play with him. It can be a simple game of chasing a string, running after a ping pong ball, or batting a crumpled piece of paper around the house.

Start with short exercise sessions and gradually build on them as your cat's endurance increases. If he likes walking on a leash, take him for a short walk (up and down the driveway) once or twice a day to get him active. Remember, the more your cat moves, the more calories he will burn.

The amount you should feed your cat depends on his size, weight, age, and activity level.

Protect Your Cat From Obesity - The Danger of Cat Food

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Spay and Neuter Statistics

If we left two cats, and their subsequent offspring, to their own family planning arrangements, they could be responsible for bringing more than 80 million cats into the world in just ten years! Dogs are not quite so prolific, but just the female descendants of one bitch may produce nearly 200 offspring by the time that first bitch is just five years old. An estimated 8-10 million unwanted companion animals (cats and dogs) are euthanized in the United States each year - a figure that spay and neuter statistics prove can be vastly reduced.

The spay and neuter statistics given by The Humane Society state that 75% of owned dogs are spayed or neutered and 87% of owned cats. This shows that owners are taking a responsible approach and much of the problem may well lie within the stray community. It is obviously very difficult to even guess how many stray cats and dogs there may be roaming the streets both in the cities and in the more rural areas. As it is almost impossible to come up with a definitive figure for the stray cats and dogs, it is also difficult to say what an impact we can make on the euthanasia figure if a massive programme of treatments were to be adopted.

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One fact that must be taken into consideration when looking at the spay and neuter statistics is the number of cats and dogs that must remain fertile for breeding purposes. We will obviously never be in the situation whereby 100% of the owned animals are spayed or neutered. There is very little need, however, for the majority of companion animals to be fertile and in many cases there are advantages in their being sterilized. Male cats are much less likely to spray, thus eliminating one of the less charming and sociable aspects of the tom cat! Health problems can also be reduced. This is an aspect which is beneficial to both your pet and your finances. One of the health benefits is the elimination of testicular cancer and the reduction in the risk of prostate disease. Spaying and neutering can be responsible for a change in the character of your pet. This is a change for the better, and you will soon notice that your cat or dog will become more affectionate and often less nervous and aggressive.

It is imperative that, now we have managed to increase sterilization in owned animals, we do not become complacent and let spay and neuter statistics fall. In an ideal world, the only cats and dogs not sterilized would be fertile for the purposes of breeding only. This, however, is very difficult to achieve. You only have to re-read the first paragraph to remind yourself of the effect that one pretty girl cat and one lucky boy cat can have on those statistics!

Spay and Neuter Statistics

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about fixing your pets [http://myspayneuterclinics.info/spay-and-neuter-statistics/] visit My Spay Neuter Clinics [http://myspayneuterclinics.info/] for current articles and discussions.

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Choosing a Cat Vet and When to Call

Cats, like people, get sick sometimes. They are good at masking their symptoms so it will really help if you know your cat well. When you find something unusual about your cat's behavior and normal routine, maybe it is time to contact a cat vet and have your pet checked. One of the best practices in taking care of a feline is to get it to a doctor. Your chosen cat vet will be your partner in taking care of your house pet. Aside from that they will your most trusted health adviser.

In getting the best veterinarian for your cat, check nearby animal hospitals and check for feline specialists. Ask about the length of their practice, their specializations and the availability of the doctor if ever you need to ask something about your pet's health or condition. It is better if you can talk with the chosen vet before formally deciding whether you want him or her to be your pet's vet. You would want to gauge if the vet is approachable and friendly.

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You may want to try bringing your pet to see if your pet is comfortable with the environment and the cat vet. Along with the vet that you want for your cat, also consider the staff in the hospital. Are they friendly to animals and do they give attention to every patient they have? Look around the place. Inspect for cleanliness while waiting for the vet. Also choose an animal hospital near your place in case of emergencies. Ask recommendations from friends and search the internet for opinions about different pet hospitals and cat vets in your area.

After getting your pet a veterinarian, bring your pet over to get acquainted with the doctor. Also ask about general check-ups and vaccines. Get all the vaccines your pet needs and schedule other check-ups in the future. With a cat vet, you are now confident that there will be someone to take care of your pet in case something goes wrong. The next thing that you should know is when to bring your cat to the vet.

When to bring your cat immediately to the vet? When your pet experiences trouble breathing, seizures, and bleeding in any area, you have to bring it immediately to your vet. These severe symptoms often need to be treated in a medical facility rather than at home with make-shift remedies. Call your vet in time when your cat suddenly changes its routine like more frequent use of the litter box, appetite loss and lethargy.

Since cats are fastidious animals, they most often spend time grooming themselves. An unkempt coat may be a symptom of an illness. At the same time, a cat grooming one particular area over and over again may also mean that it's suffering an illness or allergy. Sneezing, coughing, vomiting and inability to walk or loss of balance also need medical attention since they are symptoms of some common and fatal feline diseases.

Choosing a Cat Vet and When to Call

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How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Leash

Did you know that it is possible to train your cat to walk on a leash? You will need some patience and a few easy rules to make it fun for you cat. Through trial and error, I have found that a cat harness is much better than a collar and lead for cats. Most cats object to the feeling of having their collar jerked by a lead while walking. Jerking could also damage the delicate muscles and bones in their neck. A simple cat harness is best and ideally should be loose and comfortable for your cat. You should be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your cat's body.

cat tree

As with any training, start while your cat is still at the kitten stage so the cat harness will be something natural that she 'grows up with' and is used to. It is possible to train an older cat but this requires much more time and patience from you and your cat.

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First, allow your cat or kitten to play with the cat harness as if it is a toy. Dangle it in front of her, jingle it so the buckle makes a noise. Make a game of this as it will help her get used to it. By playing with her and make it a fun item, it won't be something to be frightened of. When she is comfortable with it, drape it over her so she gets used to the weight. Again, make this a game. Once she is happy to walk around with it draped over her, put the cat harness on but don't try to do it up. Make sure she can't trip over the straps by rolling them up. Let her walk around the house wearing it for as long as she wants but take it off immediately when she has had enough. When you feel she is comfortable and happy wearing it, start to tie the straps but keep them loose (though not loose enough to trip her up). When she appears ready, start to buckle the straps properly and let her get used to walking with it. If your cat balks at any stage, simply go back to a previous step and try again. Patience is the key for both of you. Never force any step, always go slowly and repeat often.

Once you have your kitten or cat comfortably wearing the cat harness correctly for significant periods of time, attach the lead and let her drag it around for a while. Make a game of walking with her with you holding the leash. She will pick up on your feelings and if you are calm and happy, she will have nothing to fear. Once she is comfortable with this, start gently guiding her to where you want to go. I would start to introduce commands at this point, rather the way you would when training a dog. Again, keep it fun and if she balks stop immediately and try again later. She will soon get over her fear.

When the time comes to tackle the great outdoors, practice in the back yard first. Don't allow the leash to be too long as there is a danger of her dashing off to investigate new smells and sights. You don't want her getting tangled with bushes, trees and other objects when she graduates to walking down the street.

Having your cat on a leash should be a fun activity for both of you. Walking your cat instead of your dog will give you both exercise, will draw interested looks from other walkers and become a talking point for your neighbors. Don't overdo it however, remember your cat has soft pads on her feet and won't be used to walking on sidewalks or footpaths.

Your cat is like a member of your family so treat it the way you would treat your children - with love and gentleness. The love you get back from your cat will give you joy for many years.

How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Leash

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

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Keeping Your Cat Content

As a cat owner you have a responsibility towards your feline to make them feel comfortable and content in the home. Keeping your kitty content usually means your cat will be behaved cat and will reward you with companionship.

Cat Food

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Although pets are fairly independent creatures they still can't look after themselves. They need a well balanced diet in order for them to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Feeding them the scraps off your plate or giving them too much food can cause serious health problems like cat obesity, diabetes, skin and fur conditions or even death.

Indoor Cat

Keeping your feline indoors will also increase your cats life expectancy as there is no cars, dogs or poison threatening their lives. It's true cats are nocturnal, so at night try to play with them or give them a variety of toys to keep them occupied. A bored cat over time can turn into aggressive cat if you don't stimulate their mind and body.

Cat Recreation

Purchase a few toys like a squishy ball, a cat nip mouse, some string or on a larger scale a ceiling height cat gym. Cats love heights and like to sharpen their claws and a cat accessory. Your cat will take great delight in sleeping, playing or watching the world go by from the cat gym.

Grooming

While pets do groom themselves its still a good idea to brush them regularly and shampoo at least twice a month. The majority of cats fear water, so it's possible to buy dry cat shampoo from your Veterinary clinic. A dry shampoo will neutralize the odor as well as condition their coat. This will keep your cat happy and home smelling a lot cleaner. Regular brushing will also reduce the amount of fur that accumulates on your soft furnishing.

By keeping your feline clean and well groomed you can keep an eye out for parasites, skin conditions or anything that wouldn't normally stand out.

Visit the Vet

Remember to take your cat to the vet for there initial vaccinations, micro-chipping and to be desexed. Your cat will be less prone to disease, mood swings and if your relocating interstate your cat will be already micro-chipped. Maintain your cats health and longevity by taking them for regular checkups, vaccinations, a teeth clean, and have them treated for internal and external parasites.

Keeping a cat does require regular upkeep but in the long run your cat will make a wonderful companion.

Keeping Your Cat Content

Catherine has been writing content for her own websites and for others for two years now. This author enjoys writing about crafts, design, womens apparel, the environment, pets, health, insurance and anything else that sparks her interest. Check out my Toeless Stockings website for all or your Toeless Hosiery needs.

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Cat Urination Problem - A Guide to Your Cat's Urinary Health

A cat urination problem can be the symptom of a medical issue. In this article, we'll take a look at the different reasons your kitty might be having trouble urinating and what you can do to help relieve suffering, pain and avoid recurring problems in the future.

cat eye sunglasses

Cat Urinating Problems

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If your cat has difficulty urinating, your pet may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is the most common cause of urinary difficulties in cats. Some of the signs to look for are pain or strain during urination, bad-smelling urine, blood in the urine and/or urinating outside the litter box.

Another cat urination problem is feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Signs of this disease are frequent urination, excessive licking of the genital area, loss of appetite, lack of energy and urination outside the litter box.

Another possibility is that your cat might have a tumor. Although you may be concerned about what the prognosis will be, don't hesitate: take your cat to the vet.

What To Do for Cat Urinating Problems

Since urination releases stored toxins from the bladder, any problem with the urinary tract can be serious. The best way for you to detect a problem is to know your cat's normal litter box routine and compare this to the recent change in habits. Make sure to tell your observations to your vet who will use this information along with the results from blood and urine tests to diagnose the problem.

After determining the severity of the problem, your vet will recommend a course of action that might include antibiotics, a special diet or even surgery (in the case of a FLUTD).

Preventing Cat Urinating Problems from Recurring

Urinary difficulties can be painful for your cat and emotionally traumatic and expensive for you. Here is what you can do on a daily basis to prevent them:

Give your cat fresh, clean water daily Clean your cat's litter box frequently. If you have more than one cat, make sure each cat has its own box. A cat may not want to urinate in a box that has been marked by another cat. Give your cat a daily supplement to support bladder health and keep the bladder system clean and infection-free.

Many happy pet owners are discovering that by focusing on prevention, they can minimize and even completely eliminate a recurring cat urination problem. Although you may not be happy about giving your cat a daily supplement, the one I use is made of granules that dissolve as soon as they make contact with the saliva. This makes taking care of my kitty a pleasure, rather than a hassle.

Preventative care can help your kitty side-step a common health issue and live a longer and happier life. Prevention is key for humans and should be for animals too. As always, before giving your cat a supplement, take care to do your research to ensure that you're giving your feline friend the very best.

Cat Urination Problem - A Guide to Your Cat's Urinary Health

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies which heal disorders and keep pets vibrant and healthy. To learn more about her findings, go to www.pet-ut-health.com.

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Bleeding After Being Spayed

If you dog has started bleeding after being spayed there may be cause for concern.

The spaying of a young dog is a routine operation. It does, however, as with all operations, carry various risks. There is the risk involved with the anesthetic as well as the risk of bleeding after being spayed. This could be due to stitches being pulled out, infection or an internal hemorrhage. A small amount of fresh blood loss is going to be natural after an operation and spaying is a major procedure which will involve making a cut into the abdominal cavity.

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If your dog does start to bleed you must make sure that you keep a careful eye on her for the next hour or two. If it is superficial bleeding from the wound, it should stop shortly. Your dog will be keen to lick the wound to keep it clean and to some extent she should be allowed to continue. Do not, however, let her lick it too much as this will aggravate the wound and disturb the stitches. If you think that there is excessive bleeding after being spayed you should return to the surgery to make sure that all is in order.

If bleeding after being spayed is due to the dislodging of her stitches it may be that the veterinarian surgeon will have to re-stitch the wound. This could involve another anaesthetic and if the surgery feels that this has been caused by a lack of supervision by yourself, you may find that you will be paying another vets bill. It is wise to take great care of your dog whilst she has her stitches as she could suffer greatly if they are not allowed to do their job and heal the wound successfully. If they become loose and need re-stitching, your dog will have to go through additional trauma and discomfort. Any bleeding from the dislodged or pulled stitches will be fresh red blood. You must seek help to reduce the chances of infection and to ensure the wound heals neatly.

Your dog should be kept calm and quiet when she returns from her operation. She will be feeling very groggy to start with and is unlikely to be very lively, but, over the next few days it is important to keep her fairly still. If she becomes too active she will be at risk of hemorrhaging from internal blood vessels that have been disrupted. This can be a serious cause of bleeding after being spayed and she should be taken to the surgery for further advice.

Whatever the reason for bleeding after being spayed, if it is a significant amount or for any length of time, it is accompanied by swelling or any other ill effects, take your dog straight back to the veterinary clinic and seek further assistance. They know the patient and the procedure and are easily able to help you and your pet.

Bleeding After Being Spayed

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about spaying your pet [http://spayneuterclinics.info/bleeding-after-being-spayed], please visit Spay Neuter Clinics [http://spayneuterclinics.info] for current articles and discussions.

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10 Cat Names and Their Meanings

Some people may wonder if there is any point in taking the time to name a cat. It's well-known that calling them by that name is no guarantee that they are going to come to you. Offering admonishments of "No, Fluffy!" is going to, more often than not, bring the exact same results as if you'd said nothing at all.

cat condo

While cats certainly have a mind of their own and are not prone to being even the least bit obedient, the name is still an important part of the ritual of owning a cat. Even if naming a cat (and later using that name) is an exercise in futility, we still want to get it right.

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Here are 10 cat names along with their meanings to help you get started in the search for the perfect name for your four-legged feline friend.

Tigger

Meaning: Winnie the Pooh's bouncing friend

This is among the most popular names for cats, especially if the cat happens to have tiger like stripes. Not very original, but if you ask your child to help name the cat, this is very likely to be among the suggestions.

Emu

Meaning: Egyptian word for "cat"

You probably don't hear about a lot of cats named Emu, but if you're looking for a name that is different and that can be a bit of a conversation starter, this might be the one.

Lucy

Meaning: Learning, light

This name is popular for both cats and dogs, but just seems to fit some cats very well. This is a particularly appropriate name for a cat that tends to be funny as it pays homage to one of the greatest comediennes of all time.

Maggie

Meaning: A pearl

Not only is this once popular name making a comeback in the feline world, but more and more people are naming their human babies Maggie as well.

Zoe

Meaning: Life

Another name that is popular for humans as well as animals, Zoe is perfect for your laid back female cat.

Lalla

Meaning: Abbreviation of a name that means well-spoken

Have a very vocal cat? This name would be a cute nod to her penchant for verbalizing. As a bonus, it's kind of fun to say.

Paco

Meaning: Free

This is the perfect name if you got your cat by answering a "free to a good home ad".

Sage

Meaning: Wise one

This name gives your cat the credit she THINKS she deserves. It does seem that most cats think they are smarter than people. Might as well give them a name that reflects that.

Tabitha

Meaning: Biblical character noted for her good works

This name was very popular during the 60's and 70's when the show Bewitched featured a character by that name. It is debatable whether this name is appropriate for cats since most are not known for their good works.

Waqi

Meaning: Falling

The name means falling, but sounds like "wacky". Seems like a perfect name for a cat!

Even though you know he or she won't come when you say it, naming your cat can still be fun. Don't look at it like an exercise in futility, consider your way of giving your cat the gift of something very specific to ignore.

10 Cat Names and Their Meanings

Neil Lemons is a pet lover and Online Journalist. He has had the privilege of owning several cats and dogs over the years, some living into their 90s (in dog years). For information on where you can buy homemade flavored cat treats, check out http://www.N-Bone.com, world authority on healthy animal treats for your dog, cat, or ferret.

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Indoor Cat Versus Outdoor Cat - What Do You Do?

Should your cat be an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? This is one of the more debatable and critical choices you must resolve as a cat person. How do you juggle the desires, security, and safety of a happy healthy cat versus its needs? Will your cat be happy with cat climbing furniture or cat climbing trees for activity? Will it be fulfilled in cat condos houses or cat condos with stairs for that extra exercise?

Outdoor Cats

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It is not always remembered that our cats are wild animals with a bit of domestication thrown in. They are created to the same characteristics as a wild cat is. They have the desire to hunt and catch their quarries. They live to stalk the local wildlife. If you present any opportunity, they'll happily bring you back prey, adroitness made obvious. They will want your praise and approval of course, so don't freak out, since you will only confuse them!

The problem, to be sure, is that it's an unsafe world out there. They will not be the ultimate predators, and wolves / coyotes / dogs would be glad to harm them. There are illness and natural germs they can catch. Vehicles are extremely threatening to creatures of all types. Often the deadliest predator can be other people with malice in mind. We do no favors by assuming the best intentions out of a populace that runs the entire gamut.

Indoor Cats

Indoor cats lose adventure for assurance. They have an assured meal time. The threatening traffic they endure will be clumsy humans, which are far softer and less dangerous than a steel vehicle. Plus, they're fun to play with! A great selection of toys exists for their "playing with prey" enjoyment.

It is more difficult for an indoor cat to remain active, but methods abound to help them exercise. A simple corollary to this is not letting your cat overeat, certainly. They will obviously be disappointed not to be out in the world, hunting down dinner.

Your cat can always perch on cat climbing furniture or cat climbing trees and look out through glass at the world. They can repose in their cat condos houses or cat condos with stairs to climb. There's a huge selection but you can usually find cheap cat condos on the net. These concerns will be vital to mull over to ensure your cat remains a happy healthy cat when deciding on having a indoor cat or an outdoor cat.

Indoor Cat Versus Outdoor Cat - What Do You Do?

Robert Blake runs Happy Healthy Cats and All Things Catnip. Original article indoor cat or an outdoor cat

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Cat Labor Signs - 7 Ways To Tell That Your Cat is About to Give Birth

So your cat has been pregnant for awhile now and been getting rounder and rounder. Suddenly, her whole demeanour changes and you're standing there, wondering if this is really it -- is your cat in labour?

cat tower

Are her kittens coming?

Cat

How can you tell?

Just what are the signs of labour you should be looking out for?

Cat lovers the world over do their very best to make sure that their beloved pets receive the best care possible.

But when our feline friends become ill -- or in this case, are due to give birth to kittens -- we begin to feel very anxious and out of control as we realise that we simply don't know enough about the situation.

After all, we can't all be vets! You need to know what to look out for and you need to know fast.

Your cat is due to go into labour around the 64th day of her pregnancy, although it is very unlikely that you will be able to be that accurate in your calculations. Instead, you will have to rely on your ability to read the signs of the stages of pregnancy and of her impending labour.

Firstly, you are likely to have noticed that your cat's appetite will have almost doubled in the past few weeks and you will be able to see her kittens moving around in her abdomen quite clearly.

Also, she will have been displaying nesting behaviour -- looking for a safe, warm and quiet place in which to give birth. Hopefully, you will have already provided a suitable nesting box for her to use, otherwise you may find that she has chosen to give birth in the middle of your bed!

Then, as your cat nears the start of her labour, her appetite will reduce dramatically. It may even disappear completely.

A further sign of your cat's labour is that she may become particularly clingy and want to be around you constantly, seeking your affection.

As she gets closer to the time that her labour begins in earnest, you may find that your cat starts pacing about, appearing nervous or particularly excitable.

Another very distinct sign that your cat is very close to going into labour is that she will begin to 'call' to you. Even if you have never been present when a cat is giving birth, you won't be able to mistake this particular sound!

As the time approaches, you will see your cat repeatedly licking her bottom as she reacts to changing sensations in her body as it prepares for the birth of her kittens.

And finally, when your soon--to--be mother cat starts to feel the first twinges of her labour, she will appear to be uneasy and will repeatedly go in and out of her nesting box, 'treading' on the nesting material that you have already provided.

When you see this last behaviour, you can be quite sure that your lovely cat is entering the first stage of the birth process -- your cat's labour has begun.

In conclusion then, when you find yourself faced with a heavily pregnant cat and are wondering just when things will start to get moving, the foregoing, seven signs will give you a good guide to follow.

But do yourself a favour, the hard work doesn't stop there -- for you or your cat. Learn just what you need to know to help her through the actual birth process and how you can best care for your cute, newborn kittens by visiting the link in the box below.

© Jane Tompsett 2007

Cat Labor Signs - 7 Ways To Tell That Your Cat is About to Give Birth

Author's Biography.

Jane Tompsett is a confirmed cat--lover and has more than forty years' experience in caring for stray and abandoned cats. She has trained to run a cat boarding establishment and has been associated with the Feline Advisory Bureau for almost twenty years now. Her lifelong interest in feline welfare has given her a broad range of expertise on all aspects of cat care and behavior.

To discover how to give the best home care for your cat through pregnancy, birth, nursing & weaning, including how to care for orphaned and abandoned kittens, visit the link below.

http://www.howtodeliverkittens.com

Cat

Dealing With Cat Urine Odor and Stains

With many American households having a cat indoors, you don't have to look hard to find a cat owner that has a problem with cat urine odors and stains. The problem with cat urine stains are that they soak through the carpet or upholstery where they stay and cause serious odor problems in your home. In a perfect world all cats would know how to use the litter box properly, but this is wishful thinking. Sometimes cats just have a mind of their own and decide to urinate wherever they see fit. Unfortunately that's usually on your carpet or the couch.

Because the odors left behind from cat urine are so potent, many have resorted to pulling up the carpet and replacing it which is extremely expensive. Others have compromised the health of themselves, their children and their pets by using harsh chemicals to try to rid their home of cat urine odors. As your cat ages, the urine problem gets worse as the cat tends to have more accidents and their renal function has reduced causing very powerful urine odors which will linger in your carpet, upholstery or mattress.

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Learning to clean cat urine odors and stains in an environmentally safe and economical way is important. There are a few things that you can do that can help get rid of cat urine odors and stains, but this will depend on the severity of the stain or odor.

1. Sprinkle baking soda onto the affected area and rub or pat with a damp cloth. After its dry, vacuum any excess baking soda.

2. Try cleaning the area with warn water and vinegar. This may work, but then you are left with the odor of vinegar, which is not pleasant.

3. Some people suggest that cleaning the area with mouthwash might work.

Any of the above things might work, but it's also best to seek professional help or read up on the subject written by someone that actually knows. The problem with just trying something out is that you might end up wrecking your carpet or upholstery and actually do more harm than good.

Dealing With Cat Urine Odor and Stains

Blake Hygate is the owner of a website What Removes Cat Odors [http://removecatodors.blogspot.com] which discusses how a homeowner or renter can deal with the issue of cat urine odor [http://removecatodors.blogspot.com] and stains.

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Why Cat Urine Stains Smell Worse in Warm Weather

Here in the U.S., spring has finally arrived. If you've had a cat urine odor problem since last fall or winter, and thought you'd cleaned up each puddle thoroughly, you may be discovering otherwise now the heat and humidity have returned.

This article briefly describes the different components in cat urine, and why it smells so much worse in warmer weather. This article also discusses the most effective cleaning solution to get rid of the odor and stain permanently.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Cat urine stains are tough to get rid of because it has five different bacteria strains. Two of these are associated with the cat's marking scent. The others are in the cat spray, urine, and uric acid.

The sticky, tacky part of cat urine is urea. The pigment is urochrome, and then there are the uric acid crystals, which look like salt.

The first two components clean up rather easily. It's the uric acid with it's crystals and salt that linger, causing the continuous cat urine odor. These crystals are insoluble, and bond tightly to anything they land on. This is why you can't successfully eliminate cat urine odor with common household cleaners.

The crystals are reactivated with moisture. And this is why the cat urine smell is stronger in hot weather - the humidity in the air reacts with the crystals, and you once again smell the cat urine stain - even though you've cleaned and cleaned that particular spot.

In order to completely eliminate the smell and stain, the crystals have to be removed from the surface they're sticking to. The only effective cleaning solution is a pet enzyme cleaner that's specifically manufactured to attack the cat urine components.

These cleaners are special enzyme formulas that consume the bacterial components - which finally removes the smell and stain. Common household cleaners don't contain enzymes, because most messes don't have uric acid in them.

There are several reputable pet enzyme cleaners available at your local pet store. Read the instructions carefully and follow them completely for best results. If the stain is very old, it will take several applications to completely eradicate the stain and odor.

Why Cat Urine Stains Smell Worse in Warm Weather

Nancy has successfully eliminated cat urine odor from her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. "18 Ways to Stop Cat Urine Odor Problems" helps you save money and stop the damage in your household by offering solutions that work together to eliminate cat urine odor from your home.

Visit http://www.stopcaturineodor.com and sign up for the mini-course "18 Ways to Stop Cat Urine Odor Problems."

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Preventing Cat Hairballs (Trichobezoars)

No one likes to vomit and the same goes for your cat.

Little surprises that they sometimes through up and leave for you on your light coloured carpet, of course are a chore to clean up.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Cats are known for grooming themselves a lot. It's roughly estimated that a cat will spend up to 1/3 of its waking life washing itself. When your cat washes herself miniature hooks pull the loose hair out and go in to the digestive system. The occasional hairball is usually nothing to worry about, it's when it becomes more frequent that you should worry.

Nature has designed a carnivore's stomach to digest fur and hair. Any wildlife programme you watch will show meat eaters stripping fur and flesh and consuming it all together. The issue is the breeding of long haired animals, Persians, Birmans, Maine Coon and other medium to long haired cats. This doesn't mean that a short haired cat won't have problems as well.

When a cat grooms, the hair sits in the gut and usually passes through. However if there is a problem in the stomach the hair will collect, become thicker and come back up the wrong way!

As a kitten you probably never really saw any hairballs from your pet, however as your cat grows so does their ability to groom themselves better.

Frequent brushing with a good quality cat brush should be a daily procedure for any responsible animal owner. If you're going to have a long haired cat as a pet then make sure you are taking the time out to groom them correctly. Your pet shop should have a mixture of good, quality cat brushes and combs. Brushing alone isn't enough, combing is necessary too. A brush tends to collect fur from the top where as a long, wide toothed comb will get through thick, long hair and remove dead hair from the root. The thickness is just as much a problem as the length.

Also the issue of flea treatment will be easier to deal with if you can lessen the amount of dead fur that your pet has to carry around.

Hydrating your pet is a must for helping with hairball problems. Cats are notorious for liking to drink in different places. So having fresh water readily available in all your cat's favourite places, as well as at the feeding area, will get your cat used to drinking more. This will start to lubricate the digestive system and help to flush the hair through rather than clumping in the stomach. It's a well known fact that cats love to drink from running water. Have you ever seen them sit in the bath catching the dripping tap water? If you have a difficult cat then you're more likely to entice them into drinking by purchasing a fountain type water bowl.

Certain brands are now selling hairball control food. Where this is good in terms of high fibre content it can cause problems if your cat doesn't drink enough water.

Always check with your vet first and ask for their opinion on dietary changes and supplements.

Preventing Cat Hairballs (Trichobezoars)

Alex Kelly

As a pet and website owner, my articles are based on issues I feel are important for fellow animal lovers. Pet Promenade has everything you will need for the furry member of the family. From pet food, dog leads, grooming equipment and bird cages. With over 5000 pet products, at competetive prices, it's worth paying us a visit at http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/.

Whatever shape, size or breed we have everything in our pet store to satisfy even the most demanding, four legged diva in your household. We understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

The Tidy Bowl Man

My cat has trained me well. His name is Bear. He was given to me as a birthday present and barn-warming gift six years ago. I didn't really want or need a cat at the time, so I accepted the gift on a contingency basis; the contingency being, can he catch mice? The first hour at the farm he caught a rat, in the horse barn, almost as big as he was. Bear was only six months old. I decided he earned his keep for the rest of his life, so he stayed.

People who know me are fully aware that I am a sentimental slush when it comes to animals, so all my friends were taking bets as to how long it would take before Bear started living in the house. Our veterinarian won the bet. He said two weeks.

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Hunter by day and snoozer by night, Bear caught rodents in the barn, and dozed by the fireplace or slumbered on our bed at night. When winter snowstorms hit, he decided that going up to the barn was too much of a struggle. The snow gets pretty deep in upstate New York, so I drove him up to the barn in my pick-up truck when I went to feed the horses in the morning.

Keep in mind, there was a heated tack room in the barn to which Bear had access, with plenty of cat food and water. Oh yes, and a sofa with pillows. In late afternoon, I picked him up and drove him back down to the house. Am I the only person who drives her cat to and from work?

We sold the farm, but Bear still catches rodents in the back yard, in the woods, and around the flower gardens. He loves going for a ride in the pick up truck, so I accommodate his taste for travel by touring the countryside while he looks out the window.

At six years old, Bear continues to be an avid hunter with an insatiable obsession for our toilet bowl. Have you ever wondered why cats like to drink out of the toilet bowl? Our veterinarian said, "It's because they have little kitty cat brains", so he doesn't know the answer either.

There is no scientific explanation whatsoever for this feline preoccupation with toilet bowls. If anyone can come up with a reason for this phenomenon let me know. I hate to lose anymore sleep over this. It keeps me awake laughing.

Speaking of laughing, just for giggles, we've nicknamed Bear "the tidy bowl man", an appropriate moniker for this tough but loveable feline.

Copyright © 2005 by Pamela Beers All rights reserved.

The Tidy Bowl Man

Pamela Beers is a freelancee writer and educator who is a platinum ezine article expert. You can visit her website at http://www.pamelabeers.com

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Color Therapy for Pets

Did you know that green is the color that helps cats the most? I had observed this several times previously but had no idea how much it really helps until I got a Dinshah color therapy setup for myself. While lying under the Lemon filter-which is really more of a lime green color-both of my cats jumped onto me and settled down for the duration of the treatment. When I use the emerald colored Green filter, they meow and pat my arm until I pick them up and hold them so they can get some too.

At first I thought they were just keeping me company during my own treatments. Then my boy cat (who has had a hard life) started yowling at the door of the treatment room until I let him in and turned on the light. Once ensconced on my therapy chair, under the Lemon green light, he stays for hours. When he's finished he saunters out, happier than ever. He immediately jumps onto my lap to let me know how appreciative he is. He is looking better, obviously feeling better, and even more joyous than previously.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

The color therapy I speak of can be obtained from the Dinshah Health Society or one of their fulfillment houses and it is entirely reasonable in price. The color filters used are the Roscolene gels, which are obtainable from several sources but the fulfillment houses used by the Dinshah Health Society have it all put together for you. The book, all the color filters AND the pod light came delivered to my door for 8.59; cheaper than a visit to the vet. That's a small price to pay to help my cat-buddies to heal whatever ails them.

The interesting thing is how both cats make sure to arrange themselves so the areas that I need color on are still exposed-they don't interrupt my light. Do they know? How amazing would that be? While all of the colors don't necessarily work for all animals, at least some of the colors will work. For instance, cats really don't like pink and will avoid it whenever possible. I'm not sure what that color does to them but I do know they don't like it.

The best way to give pets this color therapy is to make some frames that would be suspended over an area for the pet to lay in, with sunlight as the light source. While electric lights can be used and incandescent lights are suggested, none of the available electric lighting contains all the necessary colors that sunlight has. Stay away from fluorescent light bulbs and the so-called full-spectrum light bulbs, as those have some intense and incorrect frequencies in them. Apparently the jury is still out on LED lights, at least until they can approximate the sunlight spectrum.

If you have elderly or sick animals or people around, try the Dinshah color therapy. The cost is reasonable, it is very effective, and it comes recommended by me and my cats.

©2010 Dr. Valerie Olmsted All Rights Reserved

Color Therapy for Pets

Dr. Valerie Olmsted is an author, naturopathic physician, metaphysician, internet entrepreneur, artist, speaker, and lover of life. Traveling with the Quantum Vortex Experience, she has helped thousands of people reach the inner connection they are seeking and has contributed to the discoveries of manifestation practices via quantum physics applications.

http://www.BeWhoYouReallyAreCoach.com
Contact: Dr.Valerie Olmsted
2370 W. SR 89A
Ste.11-#121
Sedona, AZ 86336
928-257-3290

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Cat Vaccination - Current Recommendations

How often do you get your cat vaccinated? It became customary back in the 1950's to get yearly re-vaccinations. This wasn't based on any scientific data. At the time it was believed there was no risk. We know different now. In fact adverse reactions from vaccines are so significant that all 27 Veterinary schools in North America have updated their recommendations, as have these industry associations:

- American Veterinary Medical Association
- American Animal Hospital Association
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association
- Australian Veterinary Association

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Current recommendations for re-vaccination range from "3 or more years" to "7 or more years" to never.

Adverse Reactions

Vets generally only see immediate reactions. Symptoms can appear up to 45 days or even years later. Reactions range from mild to debilitating including death.

Injection site cancer has become so common (160,000 cats a year in the US) that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force recommends changing the injection site from between the shoulder blades to the tail or hind leg so it can be amputated if cancer develops.

Other adverse reactions include:
Allergies, chronic skin problems, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, arthritis, thyroid disease, epilepsy, seizures, paralysis, auto-immune disease.

Vaccine Protocol

A vaccine protocol should be individualized for each cat and include:
(1) Which vaccines
(2) How often

Cat vaccines: Panleukopenia (cat distemper), Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Panleukopenia is life threatening.

Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus are respiratory diseases. Like a cold they cause runny nose, runny eyes and fever. They're not life threatening.

Feline Leukemia virus requires direct, intimate, cat-to-cat contact. An indoor cat is not at risk but you may want to consider it for an outdoor cat.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), also called Feline AIDS. FIV is believed to be spread only by bite wounds. Indoor cats are not at risk.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis vaccine (FIP) is generally not very effective and is associated with severe side effects. FIP is an upper respiratory infection

Indoor cats are not at risk for rabies but your municipality may require a rabies vaccination. Rabies immunity duration studies overwhelmingly support a duration of at least 3 years. Hopefully your municipality doesn't require yearly shots.

A conservative vaccination approach recommended by Dr. Pitcairn is for a single Distemper (Feline Panleukopenia) shot at 16 weeks.

It's best to get a single vaccination at a time however, most vaccines come as a combination. For cats you'll likely get "3-in-1" - Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis and Calici virus.

Additional recommendations:
Don't vaccinate if your cat is sick or immune compromised. Don't vaccinate if your cat is receiving pharmaceuticals, especially steroids. Don't vaccinate near or at the same time as surgery such as spaying/neutering. Minimize stress as much as possible. Maintain a good diet.

Cat Vaccination - Current Recommendations

Are you concerned about providing the best care for your dog or cat?

Dog and cat nutrition - what you feed your companions - matters to their health.

Learn about pet vaccines, nutrition and safe herbal solutions for pet health and behavioral problems at DogAndCatZone.com. They depend on you.

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What Is a Cat Care Society?

When you are considering getting a family pet or an addition to your house pets, you may want to look over some organizations like a cat care society. These organizations are found in different places and may be visited anytime. You can access their website and check out their services.

Oftentimes, they provide shelter for stray unwanted cats. They have trained people working for them who are innately cat lovers. The cats housed in these types of places are given the best care, nutrition, shelter and human interaction like any other house pet.

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These cat care societies are often funded by donations or sponsorships. They also make ways to raise funds to be able to sustain a healthy and clean environment. A cat care society may also sponsor trainings, seminars, and educational programs that will help disseminate right and proper information.

They also tackle issues on overpopulation, responsible cat ownership and humane treatment of cats. They may also go to communities to extend help to cat owners and tend to the stray cats in an area. The people who work in a cat care society are always willing to help cats and their owners. They are trained to love cats and take care of them in whatever situation.

These societies also have options for adoption. They do this so that each cat has the chance to live in a real home with loving and responsible owners. A limited number of furry felines may be housed in a single organization's headquarters so from time to time and the adoption of cats living there gives more space for other cats to get that same opportunity.

In cases when a society can no longer house a cat, they call other societies or organizations to house the cat with them. This way, the cat will not have to go back to the streets and get the same benefits of a housed feline pet.

Bigger and well funded societies offer services such as veterinary services. They have tips and advice for neutering, general check-ups and for consultations. They may also sell food and treats as part of their fund raising program. Some other miscellaneous services include lifetime care in case of emergency or sudden death of the owner. Owners have the option to get this program for their cat if to feel secure about the welfare of their pet whatever happens.

Owners who have lost a pet may go to a cat care society for support. They can also be offered burial, cremation, tribute or remembrance services for a deceased cat. The best cat care societies offer all help and services that encompasses both the living and the dead pet. Whenever you have a concern about a cat and you want someone to talk with or to consult with, cat care societies are sure to help.

What Is a Cat Care Society?

Learn more about caring for kittens and find the best cat cages by visiting our website today!

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Cat Health Advice

The best cat health advice will include knowing when something is wrong with your cat. Early signs of illness may include lack of energy, reduction in appetite and bathroom habits going bad. If you know your cat well enough, you'll know when something is not quite right.

cat condo

Some good cat health advice is to keep an eye on the weight. This is an important part of caring for your cat. You really don't need technical equipment to weigh your cat and your bathroom scales will be OK. If your cat won't go onto the scales, pick him up and weigh yourself with kitty and take a note of the weight. Then weigh yourself without the cat and calculate the difference. The difference will be the weight of the cat. Any major change in weight and shape of your cat should be noted as this may indicate something is not right with the health of your cat.

Cat

A lot of cat illnesses will cause the cat owner to seek medication and other solutions to get them back on an even keel. Your vet may need to be contacted if your cat has a bacterial, viral or fungus infection. Your vet will also advise you on other abnormalities such as parasites and metabolic diseases. Issues like these can cause weight loss in your cat.

Your vet will be able to give you good cat health advice. Some people attempt to administer their own medication to the cat. On occasions, dog owners may be advised to give their hound half an aspirin but this should never be attempted with a cat. It may take more time and money to consult your vet but for the sake of the cats' health, this is not a step you should overlook lightly.

Some more cat health advice will also take in the factors of keeping your cat groomed at regular intervals, correct food and a clean sleeping area and litter tray. Cats also need regular exercise to maintain their weight and muscles. Yearly vaccinations are a must, regardless of whether your cat comes into contact with other felines or not. Barring any accidents, your cats' life will be extended by following good cat health advice.

Teeth, skin and ears must be checked regular on your cat. If any irritations develop, your vet must be informed. As with humans, cats' teeth can be looked after with specialists cleaning products. You should also keep your cats ears clean and clear from parasites. Prevention of fleas with use of a flea collar and regular grooming is also a must as fleas can lead to more complications in your cat, yourself and your home. Look out for your cat scratching and licking itself excessively as this may indicate skin irritation.

Following this cat health advice and taking care of your cat becomes easier the more you do it. When done on a daily basis, the quality of your cats' life will improve.

Cat Health Advice

Trying to find the best health care for your cat?

There are so many medications and advice available so how do you decide what is for your cat?

For more free advice, tips and suggestions, visit Feline Heath Care

Cat

How to Care for a Cat in Heat

Female cats who are not spayed will come into heat eventually. Kittens as young as 4 months of age can experience this, although purebred varieties don't tend to come into heat until they are 6 months old or more. Heat is technically known as estrus. Unless your cat is a qualified breeder, it is best to spay her, rather than care for a cat in heat each time it happens. This will stop the uncomfortable heat cycles and prevent other medical issues. Unsprayed cats have a higher risk of cancer in their reproductive system. If spaying is not possible right away, your veterinarian might be able to give your cat hormones to stop the estrus.

Some behavioral symptoms of a cat in estrus include the following:

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* Excessive time spent by your cat licking her genitals. Genital licking can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

* Loud vocalizing for a few days or until she finds a mate. The estrus howl is unlike other sounds she makes.

* Rolling around on her back.

* Trying hard to get outdoors (even if she is an indoor cat).

* Excessive affection shown by rubbing her hind quarters against you, stuffed toys, furniture and other cats.

A cat ready to mate will assume a mating position, which is forelegs bent, head down, rear quarters raised and her tail up and held aside. Her rear legs pad rhythmically on the floor, especially when you stroke her back.

How Often are Cats in Heat?

Cats are in heat for about a week in every 3 weeks between late winter and early spring. This continues for 9 months or more, until she mates. If she does not mate, she will be in heat more frequently until it is nearly constant. Once she mates or is spayed, these signs will cease. Mating triggers ovulation and cats mate several times to guarantee fertilization. If she is allowed to, she will mate with a variety of male cats over a period of several days.

To care for a cat in heat, you should ensure she remains indoors (unless you want her to become pregnant). Estrus is very tiring and stressful for cats. She might lose weight so make sure you feed her enough. Her temperament will be different. She might be irritable or lethargic. If she is irritable, give her space. If she is lethargic, make sure she has somewhere cool and comfortable to sleep. The only real way to help a cat in heat is to get her spayed.

Female cats can reenter estrus a few days after giving birth. If your cat has had kittens and you don't want more, you will need to schedule a prompt spaying operation for her with your veterinarian. Knowing how to care for a cat in heat is important and some basic care is possible. It is however a stressful time for her and also for you (with all the yowling and wailing!) so spaying is the best option unless you want kittens and, if you do, you should strongly consider spaying her immediately afterwards.

How to Care for a Cat in Heat

Thomas Kellerman is a caring and loving cat owner with more than 20 years experience in cat care and training. For more information in how to Care for A Cat In Heat or for Thomas Kellerman's Excellent free 10 part mini-course visit: http://www.OurCatSecrets.com

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Cat Neutered Post Operative Care Of The Male Cat

Cat neutered post operative care requires some basic rules. Castration of the male cat leaves the cat unable to reproduce with a female. This also prevents behavior problems such as spraying, which does make a stink. Once the cat is neutered, you need to take some precautions.

cat eye sunglasses

For at least two weeks after neutering the cat, the cat needs to stay in the house and be kept from playing or fighting with other cats or other pets. Cat neutered postoperative care requires the cats to be able to have access to food and water along with a clean litter box. In a male cat, urination does not require monitoring as it does in a female who has been spayed.

Cat

Most male cats resume normal eating habits within twenty-four hors after surgery, but if the lack of food intake continues for longer, a call to the vet might give some ideas. For the most part, a cat will eat when it is hungry. Females may take a little longer to feed due to the trauma of the trip to the vet and the surgery. Cat care after neutering or spaying requires monitoring for redness, discharge and swelling around the area where the stitches are located.

If you see, any unusual redness and swelling out of the ordinary you need to contact the vat as soon as possible for an evaluation. Cats do not require any pain medication after surgery because they have been properly cared for at the clinic. Cat neutered post operative care just requires watching for unusual behavior and weakness or vomiting within a week or two after the surgery.

Discomfort and tenderness is present after the operation and cats may be a little moody if someone tries to inspect the area. Males are less likely to complain, where females will have angry outburst if you get near the area of the incision. Males will have some hair growth within three to four weeks and you will not notice any signs of surgery, whereas a female may take up to two months to have complete hair growth.

After surgery, most cats will not allow anyone to touch the area. You do not need to clean the area; the cats will take care of this need. Proper care when picking up the cat is required for a newly neutered or spayed cat be careful not to touch the area, or stretch the area by improper lifting.

In some areas, veterinarians have begun to do a new type of surgery on male cats, which does not require castration. The procedure is similar to a vasectomy in men. This procedure causes less pain and requires minimal care as well. If your vet chooses the method the cat will be unable to reproduce, but will have testicles visible. Either way, cats still need to be cared for as you would a human, with available food and water and plenty of love of the owner.

Cat Neutered Post Operative Care Of The Male Cat

You can also find more info on cat grooming and cat health. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.

Cat

The Pregnant Cat Health Care Plan

Your cat is pregnant and you need to administer proper nutrition and fluids so that she can have a normal and easy labor. The pregnant cat health plan requires a birthing room. A cat usually picks a place away from people and other animals. This place is where the kittens are born and cleaned. A mother may move the kittens to a new area when they are about one to two weeks old. If you do not want this to happen, you may have to pick a place that confines her during labor and nursing.

cat carrier

Proper exercise is needed for the pregnant cat and monitoring of all activities with other pets must be done to prevent miscarriages. The first sign your cat is pregnant is about three weeks after conception, the nibbles appear pink and will be tender. Now is the time to feed a healthy diet that will nutritious the unborn kittens as they grow to term. If the mother cat is healthy, the kittens should be born healthy.

Cat

A pregnant cat health plan does not include rabies shots or distemper shots during pregnancy. This can harm the unborn kittens. The only things a vet will do are check for heartbeats and recommend the proper food and maybe some vitamins. A Blood test is done to check the mother's health. By nine weeks, you need to monitor the mother closely as she will deliver anytime.

The pregnant cat will require some help from you, the owner, if complications happen during the birthing process. Try to read up on some simple birthing mishaps that might require your help and learn the proper way to do them in case the need arises. A veterinarian's telephone number should be in place in case something serious happens either to the mother or to the kittens.

Once the mother delivers, she will clean her new kittens and start to nurse them. Keep her litter box clean and supply her with plenty of water and plenty of food during the next six weeks. Pregnant cat health does not require a lot of work as the mother usually does everything. You want to make sure the birthing area is cleaned up after the mother has done the necessary cleaning.

The pregnant cat health does not stop after birth; you must keep the mother in perfect health to care for her kittens. These means checking the nipples from time to time to see if they look healthy and have no problems or sores. The cat must be kept away from other male cats and left to nurture your kittens. Once the kittens start moving around, the mother will be busy trying to control them and eventually, she will get sick of them bothering her. She needs to wean the kittens by about five weeks. This is when you need to supply the kittens with kitten food. The mother will reach them to use the litter box, but in some cases, the mother does not and you will have to train them yourself.

The Pregnant Cat Health Care Plan

You can also find more info on Cat Domestic Health Problem and Cat Health Heart Murmur. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.

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Stop Cat Peeing Before It Becomes a Habit

When you have cats, you face the responsibility of doing everything you can to keep them healthy and happy for as long as they are alive. And, one of the responsibilities that comes with cat ownership is cleaning up the messes left behind when there are little accidents in the house.

cat furniture

Most cats are very clean, and will use their litter boxes faithfully, but there are times when they do pee elsewhere.

Cat

This is a habit that can be difficult to break if it goes on for too long, so you have to learn about how to stop cat peeing in the house as soon as you notice it happening.

Sometimes, when a cat is peeing outside of its litter box, it may be trying to tell you that it has a health problem. Cats obviously can not communicate like we can, but, there are ways that they can make their needs and problems known, and one of these ways is peeing on the furniture and on the floor.

You need to learn about how to stop cat peeing before it turns into a really bad habit that will not be easy to break the cat of doing.

You may want to take your cat for a visit to the vet for a check up, to make sure that the problem is not something medical. Often, a cat that is completely litter box trained will start going outside of the litter box.

This is not because of bad behavior, but because the medical condition makes it so that cat can not help itself.

We have a cat that absolutely loves to get into the laundry hamper and do her business. I don't know how many times I have gone to do laundry and noticed a really funky smell that turned out to be cat pee. So, I started putting the laundry in a room with a closed door.

Well, this really angered my cat, so she started peeing on the bed.

Stop Cat Peeing Before It Becomes a Habit

This is when I finally had enough. I love my cat, but I don't love this problem. I started doing research about how to put a stop to the problem, and found StopCatPeeing.com. This website saved me from having to do something drastic, like getting rid of my cat.

When you have a problem with your cat having accidents around the house, you need to learn how to deal with the situation. Once you break the habit, you shouldn't have any more problems, and if you do, you will know how to handle them.

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Cat Health Care - What You Need to Know Before You Adopt

Deciding to adopt a pet is a big decision, and one that should not be made after a nostalgic late night viewing of the AristoCats. When deciding to adopt a cat, make sure that you're aware of everything involved in pet ownership. Measuring your commitment level is the first step in the decision to adopt a cat. While very self-sufficient animals, they still need your care and loving attention every day.

Be prepared for the veterinarian bills that will come with your cat. There are a series of initial and annual vaccines that the cat will need to keep them healthy. In the initial meet and greet with your cat's new doctor, make sure to include a conversation about spaying or neutering your cat. These types of surgeries are not as traumatic to kittens as they are to older cats, so don't put off the decision for too long.

SPAY A CAT

Scratching is a normal and healthy part of a cat's existence. Most veterinarians will only declaw a cat in exigent circumstances; with the right environment and a little training, your cat and your nice furniture can peacefully coexist without leaving the cat defenseless.

You will need a trip to the pet store as soon as you've adopted your new cat. Check off one litter box, a bag of cat litter, a poop scoop, food and water dishes, and a few cat toys to keep them occupied. Quality cat food formulated for the age of the cat will supply them with all of the nutrients they need and prevent health problems down the line. Keep in mind that cats are as finicky about smell as most people are when it comes to litter boxes. While you begin the task of training your cat to use the litter box, the most important step will be keeping it clean. If you don't like the litter box smell, you can count on your cat not liking it either!

Cats normally like a bit of privacy while doing their business, so make sure you locate the litter box in a convenient spot that still affords them their dignity.

A cat can be a great addition to any family and home, as long as the home and family are ready for the cat. Feeding and caring for any pet is a rewarding, life-long commitment.

Cat Health Care - What You Need to Know Before You Adopt

Jessica Lorber helps pet owners make their pets a part of their family. You can find more of her tips for cat health care and her personal recommendations for pet supplies at MyOtherKids.com

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Success in the Multi-Cat Family

Many cat lovers are not satisfied with a single cat; they are so smitten by their feline friend that they are consumed by the desire to have two, or even more cats as family pets. However, done incorrectly this can lead to significant problems; including persistent fighting and/or urination and defecation outside the litter-box. Having fostered more than 400 kittens and cats over the past decade, my husband and I have encountered this many times - both in our own cat family and in the homes of the people who have adopted our foster pets. I have come up with the following advice for cat owners considering expanding their furry family.

The first question I recommend that prospective multi-cat owner ask themselves is: "should I even get a second/another cat?" The most important thing to realize in this context is that cats are not naturally pack animals. Unlike dogs, whose forebears live in devoted and highly structured family units, cats are solitary creatures. Exceptional cases do arise, but in general the only affectionate multi-animal scenario in the feline world in the mother-kitten relationship. Because cats are usually born in litters of at least 2 or 3 (and often more), there is generally a second level relationship among littermates. However, the attachment between mummy and kitten is the strongest, and it is invariably affectionate. In fact, there are those who suggest that your cat's affectionate attachment to you is transference of this relationship - essentially they consider you their 'mummy' and the younger they are when you adopt them, likely the stronger this relationship will be.

SPAY A CAT

I personally believe that the attachment cats develop for humans is probably more to do with individual personalities (both cat and human), but whatever the reasons and mechanisms, it's definitely true that it is a lot easier to get a cat to love you than it is to get them to love another cat. So, ask yourself candidly if you really need a second (or third, or fourth) cat. And, if you have gotten away with two, don't be fooled into thinking that you will necessarily be problem free with more. Each cat has his or her own unique personality and hang-ups - just like people. Our own personal experience was that cat number two dovetailed perfectly into our family, right up until we introduced cat number three.

Presuming that I have not talked you out of the idea by now, that you are determined to have a multi-cat household, here are my suggestions for increasing your chances of smooth success. First, consider going multi-cat right from the start. Ideally, adopt a mother and her kitten. This can be especially successful if the mother is under one year old which, sadly, has been the case far too often for the mother cats we've helped rescue. You can also consider adopting litter-mates and chances are almost as good that things will work out well, but this is by no means guaranteed. Keep in mind also that reintroducing mummy and kitten and/or littermates after a period of separation can be no different that introducing feline strangers. Our experience has been that cats have the capacity to remember people and other cats for about three weeks, on average. Some forget you, or their mother, kittens or siblings, in as little as 2 weeks. If you are a cat owner who has used a boarding kennel for kitty and come back from vacation only to get the cold shoulder from your pet, consider the possibility that this may not be so much a case of punishing you, as one of kitty having forgotten who you are - at least a bit.

If you already have a cat and this option is not available to you, then great care is essential. I cannot give you a definitive recipe for success, but I do suggest the following. First, adopt from a humane society that fosters the cats in a home setting. If the cat you are adopting is known to be good with other cats, then the battle is half won. Consider fostering yourself; see how your current cat reacts to other cats. Ideally both cats should be neither aggressive nor timid with other cats. One of each, for example, is not a good combination; you are setting the stage for a bully and victim relationship. This can sometimes lead to worse problems than two aggressive cats. You may not be fortunate enough to happen on two cats who both actually enjoy the company of other cats but, at the least, you should aim for two that are indifferent to each other. If you simply do not have the opportunity to assess how your current and prospective cats are around other cats, then your most promising scenario would be to introduce a kitten as your second cat. You should probably also plan to get a cat of the opposite gender from your current cat - we have found that this can be quite conducive to friendly relations.

How you introduce your new cat into the household can also have a significant impact on the success of the ultimate relationship between these two. A gradual introduction can go a long way to smoothing the path towards friendship. Many people make the mistake of dumping the new cat into the middle of the household environment, which has the distinct potential of eliciting an aggressive reaction from the incumbent cat. I suggest you start by confining the new cat to a single room of the house, and let the two get to know each other first by smell and sound. After a few days, if things are progressing well, you can introduce the two for brief periods, under close supervision. The speed with which you increase the duration of these face to face sessions will really depend on how things go between the two cats.

Whatever you do - don't give up too quickly. It can take weeks for things to settle down and even the most acrimonious introductions seldom actually lead to injury for either cat. And remember, however long or short, and rough or smooth the adjustment period, always be sure to provide one more litter-box than the number of cats in your household. Even if cats get along well, they seldom like to share the 'facilities'.

Finally, be sure to spay or neuter all your cats - not only will this make them less likely to fight and spray urine, there is an endless supply of homeless orphans, many of whom end up abandoned and suffering, or euthanized, for lack of suitable adoptive homes. It is irresponsible for us to let our pets breed and contribute to their numbers. Best of luck!

Success in the Multi-Cat Family

Faye Hicks is a professor, civil engineer and writer. She has published more that 100 technical articles and reports, and is just finishing her first fiction novel. She and her husband love animals and have adopted and/or fostered more that 400 cats over the past 25 years.

Faye also writes humorous anecdotes about the cats she has known.
You can read about these at: fayehicks.wordpress.com

SPAY A CAT

Cat Boredom - Stop it With This Simple Technique!

Cats almost always seem bored. The older a cat gets, the more boring its life seems to become. Well there is a way to help prevent this from happening.

cat carrier

Think about this for a moment, if you had the same five toys to play with everyday wouldn't you become bored too? Well instead of giving your cat access to all the same toys everyday, what you need to do is create a toy rotation.

Cat

It is easy and simple to create a toy rotation. Just take away a few toys and only let your cat have access to one or two toys a day. Then the next day, take those toys away and give back some of the other ones.

By only giving your cat access to one or two toys a day and then switching them on a daily basis you are adding variety to your cat's life. Novelty in an animal's environment stimulates learning and activity.

Some cats won't play with toys at all. So in order to help get your cat more exercise, you need to get down and play with your cat 15 minutes or so a day. Nothing better stimulates your cat's interest more than human interaction.

This daily interaction can be enhanced with toy rotation. Also this is good for you as well, because it forces you to come up with new ways to play with the toy of the day.

By incorporating a toy rotation into your schedule you can help stimulate your cat and help to keep your cat in shape. Also you will get some exercise out of it too and even more quality time with your cat.

Cat Boredom - Stop it With This Simple Technique!

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Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems

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Oriental Cat - The Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know

The name 'Oriental' does not refer to a specific breed of cat, but a group of cats originating from Southeast Asia. Siamese is the most familiar (specifically, a Siamese without points), but Oriental can also refer to Japanese Bobtail, Burmese, and Balinese to name a few. Oriental cats are either longhaired or shorthaired and come in nearly 300 varieties of colors and markings. Longhairs do not require much brushing of the coat and it does not tend to mat making it one of the lower maintenance longhaired breeds. However, longhair varies are known to have problems with fleas so it is important to introduce baths early on in case a flea bath becomes necessary. Shorthairs have a coat that lies close to the skin and is described as silky.

Other than occasional brushings, it is a low maintenance coat. Orientals are small and lean cats (some can be three feet long), living approximately fifteen years. Mature males will weigh between nine and twelve pounds and females, four to eight pounds. They are described as loud and talkative, as well as curious and intelligent.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Orientals are playful, and have been known to use almost anything include breakables and valuables as toys. They enjoy heights and jumping so they would enjoy a cat condo, but do not enjoy the outdoors. They make an excellent family pet and are good with children, provided the children play gently. Orientals are 'people cats' and need lots of love and attention from them. Failure to provide adequate attention will result in boredom, which will result in trouble.

Because Orientals have a large gene pool, they are less likely to suffer from genetic problems, but since many of them have Siamese in them, Orientals are more likely to have issues with nystagmus (crossed eyes) which is not serious and will not medically affect the cat. Some Orientals are also prone to heart defects and some have issues with obesity if they do not get adequate exercise.

There is a website that has great information on Oriental Cats and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Oriental Cat - The Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.

RB59 Software

http://www.rb59.com/software

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

Bengal Cat Adoption

A Bengal cat is a fairly high maintenance pet. They are not your average pet cat who is happy to sit around all day or go out and just pass the time lying in a favourite spot. Many Bengal cats will end up at adoption centres as their owners are unable to dedicate the necessary time to them and this is why specific Bengal cat adoption centers have come into existence.

cataclysm

These cats are stunning looking pets, like miniature 'big cats' and it is this exotic appeal that makes them so attractive. They are, however, not always easy to live with. If you are at all interested in a Bengal cat adoption, you would most definitely be wise to research their habits before considering them as a pet. They are very sociable and will not always do well in a household where there is nobody at home. As they grow older they are more able to accept this situation, but certainly as kittens you will find that a solitary life for much of the day will not suit them.

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One aspect of their behavior that you will notice is their energy. They spend a lot of their time in activity. They will often play very energetically for quite long periods of time, and enjoy you playing with them. They are not the kind of cat that just sits on the chair for hours. They will climb up curtains and furniture and they have an unfortunate disrespect for any ornaments or other personal belongings that may be in the way. They are not purposefully destructive, more just full of an exuberance that shows little regard for any hurdles. I think that many cats have ended up in the Bengal cat adoption centers as their owners feel that their houses are either too small or just entirely unsuitable when it comes to accommodating these pets.

They talk a lot. That may sound like a strange statement, but if you were to visit the Bengal cat adoption shelter you would understand what I mean. They are incredibly chatty and you would probably find that when you come into the house after being out, they will happily tell you all that they have been up to whilst you were away. They are very demanding cats and rather than just come up to you to ask for something, they will shout it from the far side of the room. They have quite a repertoire of sounds but you will soon come to recognise your particular pet's vocabulary; it will be surprisingly large.

Although these cats are definitely domestic, companion pets, they are also extremely active and sometimes demanding animals. Sometimes they seem more like dogs than cats and will very much become a member of the family. If you decide to go to a Bengal cat adoption center to give a pet a home, make sure that you have a long chat with the centre staff to make sure that you know what you are adopting. They are very beautiful and very affectionate and loving, but not the sort of companion you need if you have a small, confined space with lots of expensive or highly prized ornaments. Nor are they ideal if you do not have the time and commitment to give to an intelligent and active friend.

Bengal Cat Adoption

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat adoption [http://petadoptionnow.info/bengal-cat-adoption], please visit Pet Adoption Now [http://petadoptionnow.info] for current articles and discussions.

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Buying a New Hamster - How Much Does it Cost to Take Care of a Hamster?

You intend to buy a hamster but feel overwhelmed because you do not know exactly how much it will cost? Here is an expanded list with products your hamster needs and their average costs.

Hamster Shopping List: -Cage: between - The price varies according to the type of cage you want: wired, aquarium or bin and on the size of the hamster. If you intend to buy a Syrian hamster, be careful what cage you buy because sometimes they might get stuck in Criter Trail and Sam/penplax tubes.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT

-Bedding :- It has various purposes: lines the floor, absorbs odor, toilet place and allows your hamster to hide in it.You have to choose from wide variety of bedding: wood pulp fiber, recycled newspaper, aspen shavings, Kaytee Soft Sorbent, Eco-Straw Pellets and the list goes on . At pet shops you can find even bedding smelling like apples or strawberries.

-Paper bedding: this is optional and the price is very low . I use it because my hamsters love it. All you have to do is to put small pieces of toilet paper(1-3 squares) in their cage and they take it and use it as a blanket. Sometimes they use to decorate their room(house).

-Food dish: - Is better if the food dish is not made of wood or plastic because the small hamsters will chew it till there is nothing left. I bought mine a ceramic bowl which they love. This is a better choice because is kind of heavy and they can not move it or spill it.if you want to cut down some costs, you can use some small ceramic bowl you have in your kitchen.

-Water bottle: - It's a must have for your hamster. The bottle is the best choice because your hamster can not spill it and make a mess in the cage.You have to be careful when you put this in the hamster's cage: it has to be high enough so he can not chew the plastic part.

-Hamster mix: .5- This is the food that you should give to your hamster on a regular basis. Be very careful to buy hamster/gerbil mix and not rabbit mix because it's toxic for your little hamster. The additional proteins and calories that the hamster needs should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables according to your hamster needs.

-Hamster toys: .2- This is the part I love most. First, your hamster needs a wheel (-) so he can exercise.The hamster ball, all kinds of tunnels and chew toys can be bought later on. Instead of buying tunnels or other stuff that you may not afford at the beginning you can use a trick: don't throw away your toilet paper rolls. Use them to entertain your hamster! You can even make some holes in it to be more fun for your hamster.

-Hamster book .99- The books are quite informative and of big help especially if you are at your first hamster. There are books written for 9-12 years old, so pretty much everyone has his learning book about hamsters.

Insider's tip: I recommend you to use a small bowl with sand. The hamster likes to have small sand baths and mine uses it as a toilet as well. I empty and wash it every morning. My hamsters first use it as a sand bathtub and then as a toilet.

After you have all this, the monthly cost are :

-bedding: I usually use one big pack of bedding (I change the bedding of the cage at least twice a week) - I use big packs and they usually are enough for a month: per pack -food: one or to packs - -

It is normal that the initial cost is quite high, but after you bought all the products your hamster needs, the monthly costs are quite low.

Buying a New Hamster - How Much Does it Cost to Take Care of a Hamster?

Diana is a hamster lover for quite a while. She loves these little creatures (especially the 2 dwarf hamsters that she has). She's even created a website called Hamster Bungalow to share her love and knowledge about hamsters. The hamsters and Diana await you at HamsterBungalow.com to discover more about them.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SPAY A CAT