I've been having a ball of a time corresponding with you guys. :)
Keep your emails coming... What do you love most about your cat? Do you encounter any problems? Have a funny cat story you want to share?
Let us know and we'll be happy to publish it.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The How-To of Cat Eye Care
The How-To of Cat Eye Care
By Mylar Skye
Cat eye care is part of the responsibility of owning a cat. But it is not something that will take up a lot of time (if any). The best care you can provide is to educate yourself with the symptoms you cat may exhibit that will need the care of a veterinarian. When you look at your cat’s eyes they should be clear and when you see the outer part of the eyeball it should be white.
When you see some of these additional symptoms, it is time for a trip to the vet to ensure your pet is receiving the best cat eye care possible. If the eyeball itself (not the iris) appears red instead of white, if the surface of the cat’s eye appears milky or cloudy instead of clear and glassy, if there is a watery or other type of discharge coming from the cat’s eye or tear duct, or if the nictating membrane (commonly referred to as the third eyelid) is visible and starting to come across the eye.
When you have your vet appointment, the doctor will do an examination of the cat and most likely prescribe eye drops or an ointment for your cat eye care to continue at home. When administering either it is best to have someone on hand to help you restrain the cat – swaddling the cat (like a baby) in a towel works well and prevents you or your helper from getting scratched. Clean the cat’s eye of any discharge or mucous, hold the eyelid open and put the drops in the middle of the eye. Release the cat and when it starts to blink, the medication will be moved around the eye.
For More Information on href="http://www.kittycatcare.info">Cat Care Please Visit href="http://www.kittycatcare.info">Kitty Cat Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mylar_Skye
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-How-To-of-Cat-Eye-Care&id=518788
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Owning A Cat - The Responsibilities
Owning A Cat - The Responsibilities
By Kate Tilmouth
Giving a cat a home holds far more responsibilities than giving them their food and the occasional cuddle. It is a commitment that could last for 20 years in some cases, although the average life span for a cat is around 15 years. By understanding what is actually involved in caring for a cat will enable perspective cat owners to make an informed decision and will prevent unhappy future re-homing situations.
The initial costs of homing a cat depends very much on where you get the cat from and whether or not it is a pure breed which could cost as much as £1000. Most animal shelters will charge a fee of around $100 to $150 but this fee often includes vaccinations and neutering, whereas a pet store will charge less but will require you to pay for initial vet treatments yourself.
As a cat owner it will be your responsibility to provide proper medical care for your cat throughout its lifetime. Investing in a cat insurance policy is often a wise move and will help you pay for any unforeseen expensive medical procedures. However initially you will have to pay for their first vets treatments and this could be as much as $250 including vaccinations and de-sexing.
Making your cat comfortable at home is also an essential cat owner responsibility. Making sure that each cat have their own litter trays, beds, toys and feeding bowls is only the basic requirements, on top of these you will have to consider buying a cat carrier, grooming brushes, climbing posts and scratching posts, depending on your cats personal requirements.
Providing your cat with the correct diet is also a must, it is essential that cats be fed food suitable for their age and physical abilities. If incorrect food is provided it can lead to diarrhoea, urinary problems, bad teeth and may cause more serious illness to occur in the future. The best way to avoid this is to feed your cat only premium brand wet food supplemented with some dry kibble and providing plenty of fresh water to drink. An adult cat needs to be fed twice a day with a small amount of dry food left available all day. Making sure that your cat eats correctly and does not become under or over weight is a responsibility not to be overlooked.
Long haired cats will require their coats to be brushed by you at least three times a week to prevent the fur matting and reducing the likelihood of hair balls. Matted fur is painful and will have to be professionally removed by a vet or groomer, so preventing it in the first place is the best option. Special cat brushes can be bought to make the grooming process more effective and comfortable for your cat. A shorthaired cat should be brushed at least once a week, again to help remove the fine loose hairs that can cause hairballs to form.
Helping to keep your cats claws well trimmed will help prevent them from using your furniture as scratching posts and will prevent your furniture from becoming a regular scratching post. It will also stop the cat becoming caught in carpets and possible painfully ripping their claw out. Checking their claws on a monthly basis and using proper nail clippers to nip the very end of the claw off, will help keep their claws in good shape. Providing plenty of scratching posts should also be seen as an essential cat owner responsibility.
Cats are prone to a few nasty parasites, which you as a responsible owner are responsible for keeping under control. Flea and worming treatments obtained from your vet need to be administered monthly. Make sure that you check your cat's ears regularly and wiped clean inside to make sure that ear mites are not present.
Vaccinations are essential for looking after your cat's health. The three main diseases to protect your cat from are feline enteritis, cat flu and feline leukaemia, all of which are potentially fatal. It is also good to remember that these vaccinations may require yearly booster injections, something your vet will advise you on and that you will have to allow for in your budget.
As a general rule a potential cat owner should realise that owning and looking after a cat does require a lot of time and care and will cost around $21 a week. If this is a commitment that you are not able to guarantee throughout the life of your cat, then it would be better for both you and the cat not to own a cat in the first place.
More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site http://www.our-happy-cat.com
A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.
Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Tilmouth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Owning-A-Cat---The-Responsibilities&id=985943
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
What You Need to Know About Cat Food
What You Need to Know About Cat Food
By Jay Moncliff
Cat Food Info #1 Cats Need Protein in their Cat Food
The cat food you feed to your cat should always be rich in protein. This generally should come from meat, poultry or fish. Many cat food brands advertise chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to make sure the cat food you buy has a sufficient amount of cat food regardless of what flavor it is.
Cat Food Info #2 Cat Food with Taurine
Also check the cat food you typically buy for an amino acid called taurine. This particular amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food as it has to in order to supplement this particular amino acid. So, if you are buying cheap cat food that does not have the proper nutrients your cat will eat a lot. If you buy a nutrient rich cat food then your cat will eat little and save you more money while still getting proper nutrition.
Cat Food Info #3 Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food?
Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dry cat food, or whether it even matters. Because of this, many people simply buy the cat food that is most affordable or convenient for them. This is actually a mistake. Cats should be fed a mixture of cat food. The dry cat food should be given for free feeding, especially if you are away on vacation or out for the day. Canned cat food should be supplemented at other times as well because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than the carbohydrate rich dry cat food. Not to mention the same food over and over might bore your cat and cause him to stop eating that cat food altogether.
Cat Food Info #4 Avoid Cat Food Fillers
Cats need to eat a cat food that is rich in protein, so make sure the amount of fillers is kept to a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cat’s existence, so don’t buy cat food that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy cat food that is not filled with fillers and other by products.
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.catfoodcenter.info a blog focusing on the Cat Food, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Cat Food. For more info visit his site: Cat Food
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Moncliff
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Cat-Food&id=71942
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Pet Health Insurance For Your Cats - Worth The Small Monthly Fee
Pet Health Insurance For Your Cats - Worth The Small Monthly Fee by Maddie Lee
I am an animal lover and have been since I was a child. Today I own a couple of dogs as well as four cats. As other pet owners would know you take on a huge responsibility when you decide that you want to own a domestic animal. Not only do you have to feed them good nutritious food you also need to provide them with regular exercise so that you can ensure that they remain healthy and free of ailments.
I am quite astonished that many pet owners ignore the opportunity to buy pet health insurance for cats. Statistics show that people who own dogs as well as cats are more inclined to insure their dog rather than their cat. I am not sure as to why they decide this, perhaps it is because they have the belief that because dogs are more active they are more likely to get injuries requiring veterinary treatment, rather than cats who are considered to be more homely and less likely to sustain injuries. In reality cats, even those that remain mostly indoors, are just as likely to require treatment for health problems as dogs.
In some cases it is cats who are more prone to having health related problems than dogs. Cats are inclined to suffer in silence, meaning that although they may have a serious health problem you may not necessarily realize because they don’t jump about complaining as is the case with most dogs.
Furthermore, cats are known to have an incredibly high threshold for pain and suffering. It is because of their ability to mask the fact that they have serious health problems that your cat may suffer right before your eyes and you may never even know it. A cat could well be suffering a life-threatening ailment for many years but if you don’t take it to the vet for regular checkups the problem may never be discovered.
In the case of pet owners who have more than one cat, if one gets sick it is highly likely to pass on the problem to your other cats resulting in you incurring quite sizable vet fees and ongoing treatment costs. So rather than insure your dog and ignore your cat you should go out and buy pet health insurance for cats as well. When you talk to the average pet owner you get a variety of different responses when you mention something as important as taking your cat for regular veterinary check ups. Often, people will say things like “Well, if there is nothing wrong with my cat then I usually don’t bother taking them to the vet’. This response shows that the cat owner is somewhat irresponsible.
Like humans our pets should be subjected to frequent check-up so as to maintain good health and identify any potential problems. Taking preventative measures for our animals is a much better option than having to source a cure. The cost of preventative animal health is also much cheaper than having to fix up a particular problem. With the peace of mind offered by pet health insurance for cats you will be able to control the cost of providing regular health checks for your much adored pet. Check out the prices for pet health insurance online for all your domestic animals - you will be pleasantly surprised at the small amount you need to pay for peace of mind.
For further details about pet health insurance for cats and general pet insurance information visit Family Pet Health Insurance.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
I am an animal lover and have been since I was a child. Today I own a couple of dogs as well as four cats. As other pet owners would know you take on a huge responsibility when you decide that you want to own a domestic animal. Not only do you have to feed them good nutritious food you also need to provide them with regular exercise so that you can ensure that they remain healthy and free of ailments.
I am quite astonished that many pet owners ignore the opportunity to buy pet health insurance for cats. Statistics show that people who own dogs as well as cats are more inclined to insure their dog rather than their cat. I am not sure as to why they decide this, perhaps it is because they have the belief that because dogs are more active they are more likely to get injuries requiring veterinary treatment, rather than cats who are considered to be more homely and less likely to sustain injuries. In reality cats, even those that remain mostly indoors, are just as likely to require treatment for health problems as dogs.
In some cases it is cats who are more prone to having health related problems than dogs. Cats are inclined to suffer in silence, meaning that although they may have a serious health problem you may not necessarily realize because they don’t jump about complaining as is the case with most dogs.
Furthermore, cats are known to have an incredibly high threshold for pain and suffering. It is because of their ability to mask the fact that they have serious health problems that your cat may suffer right before your eyes and you may never even know it. A cat could well be suffering a life-threatening ailment for many years but if you don’t take it to the vet for regular checkups the problem may never be discovered.
In the case of pet owners who have more than one cat, if one gets sick it is highly likely to pass on the problem to your other cats resulting in you incurring quite sizable vet fees and ongoing treatment costs. So rather than insure your dog and ignore your cat you should go out and buy pet health insurance for cats as well. When you talk to the average pet owner you get a variety of different responses when you mention something as important as taking your cat for regular veterinary check ups. Often, people will say things like “Well, if there is nothing wrong with my cat then I usually don’t bother taking them to the vet’. This response shows that the cat owner is somewhat irresponsible.
Like humans our pets should be subjected to frequent check-up so as to maintain good health and identify any potential problems. Taking preventative measures for our animals is a much better option than having to source a cure. The cost of preventative animal health is also much cheaper than having to fix up a particular problem. With the peace of mind offered by pet health insurance for cats you will be able to control the cost of providing regular health checks for your much adored pet. Check out the prices for pet health insurance online for all your domestic animals - you will be pleasantly surprised at the small amount you need to pay for peace of mind.
For further details about pet health insurance for cats and general pet insurance information visit Family Pet Health Insurance.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Friday, February 8, 2008
3 Easy Ways To Cure Cat Dandruff At Home Without Spending A Fortune At The Vet
Cat Dandruff - 3 Easy Ways To Cure Cat Dandruff At Home Without Spending A Fortune At The Vet
As a frequent visitor to pet forums, a topic that comes up way too regularly is that of cat dandruff. It's a problem that affects most of us cat owners, and if you own a cat, it's a matter of time before you have to deal with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies...
But fear not, there is a home remedy for cat dandruff that you can try without spending an expensive trip to the vet, just by observing the symptoms and environment and taking action based on these symptoms.
Most cat dandruff issues are invariably linked to 3 factors:
An aged or overweight cat with dandruff on her rump or tail
If you have a cat that is overweight or a cat with sudden weight gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it's a sure sign that she's unable to reach these areas to clean herself. This is also a problem for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom themselves.
A good brushing would help in this case and it might be a good idea to groom your cat every couple of months. If you are able to bathe your cat without getting yourself scratched too badly in the process, then it would an excellent idea to do this every couple of months. But if you do so, avoid using human shampoos as that might dry her skin further and exacerbate the condition. If you must, use a cat shampoo and remember to wash thoroughly as excess shampoo stuck on her undercoat will only make matters worse.
It's winter
If your cat only experiences dandruff issues in winter, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which rapidly dries her skin causing it to flake.
Simply move her away from the fireplace every once in a while and observe if the problem persists. Getting a good humidifier would be an excellent idea, both for your feline friend and also yourself (humans get dry skin too...)
My cat is neither fat nor old, and neither is it winter now! Help!
Relax...if none of the above apply, just think, have you bought any new furniture lately? A new carpet perhaps? Check if there are any changes to her environment that she might be sensitive to and try to make the necessary adjustments.
If this doesn't help, then it's most likely a diet issue. You see, cats hate water and most wouldn't go near it even when they're thirsty. The only way our feline friends get their water requirement is through the moisture content of their cat food. Problem is, most of us go for cheap dry cat food that do not contain enough moisture content, hence causing her skin to dry and flake.
Make a change to high quality canned food and add some fish oil to her diet and you'll see results in no time!
By Darren Chan
As a frequent visitor to pet forums, a topic that comes up way too regularly is that of cat dandruff. It's a problem that affects most of us cat owners, and if you own a cat, it's a matter of time before you have to deal with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies...
But fear not, there is a home remedy for cat dandruff that you can try without spending an expensive trip to the vet, just by observing the symptoms and environment and taking action based on these symptoms.
Most cat dandruff issues are invariably linked to 3 factors:
An aged or overweight cat with dandruff on her rump or tail
If you have a cat that is overweight or a cat with sudden weight gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it's a sure sign that she's unable to reach these areas to clean herself. This is also a problem for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom themselves.
A good brushing would help in this case and it might be a good idea to groom your cat every couple of months. If you are able to bathe your cat without getting yourself scratched too badly in the process, then it would an excellent idea to do this every couple of months. But if you do so, avoid using human shampoos as that might dry her skin further and exacerbate the condition. If you must, use a cat shampoo and remember to wash thoroughly as excess shampoo stuck on her undercoat will only make matters worse.
It's winter
If your cat only experiences dandruff issues in winter, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which rapidly dries her skin causing it to flake.
Simply move her away from the fireplace every once in a while and observe if the problem persists. Getting a good humidifier would be an excellent idea, both for your feline friend and also yourself (humans get dry skin too...)
My cat is neither fat nor old, and neither is it winter now! Help!
Relax...if none of the above apply, just think, have you bought any new furniture lately? A new carpet perhaps? Check if there are any changes to her environment that she might be sensitive to and try to make the necessary adjustments.
If this doesn't help, then it's most likely a diet issue. You see, cats hate water and most wouldn't go near it even when they're thirsty. The only way our feline friends get their water requirement is through the moisture content of their cat food. Problem is, most of us go for cheap dry cat food that do not contain enough moisture content, hence causing her skin to dry and flake.
Make a change to high quality canned food and add some fish oil to her diet and you'll see results in no time!
Darren Chan's research has made him an expert in cat related issues. He is the webmaster of Cat Dandruff Away - A Step by Step Guide to Cure Cat Dandruff as well as a contributor to Catzine - The Best Cat Articles and Resources Online
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Chan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cat-Dandruff---3-Easy-Ways-To-Cure-Cat-Dandruff-At-Home-Without-Spending-A-Fortune-At-The-Vet&id=963063
Cleaning Cat Urine Does Not Have To Be A Chore
Cleaning Cat Urine Does Not Have To Be A Chore by
The job of cleaning carpets and furniture of cat urine odor is something that all cat owners have to face. There are five different bacteria in cat urine. Two of them are components of a cat's marking scent and the other three are found in cat spray, uric acid and urine. The odor from cat urine is difficult to get rid of because it is protein based. The smell is so strong it doesn't work to try to cover it up, either. Cleaning the source of the odor and stain - the bacteria, uric acid crystals and salts- isn't hard to do.
Cleaning cat urine is complicated and there are no easy or quick fix. This is because the urine is made up of three main components. These are the sticky stuff known as Urea, Urochrome the pigments part and the odor Uric acid component. Cats drink little water so their urine is very concentrated and odorous. The color of the cat urine and stain strength closely related to food, age, gender and health of the animal, whether undertaking any medication. Finding the exact spots to clean, especially old stains could be the biggest problem.
So that you are not having to clean cat urine all of the time, you can stop the problem by finding out what the cause is in the first place. Cats not using their litter boxes to urinate can be the result of various reasons. Marking territory is one of the reasons and so is feeling threatened or stressed. Urinary tract infection can be suspected when a cat urinates everywhere.
Cleaning cat urine is not a chore when you use the right products for the task. On the markets today there are three basic cat urine remover products. These can be enzymatic, bacterial or chemical. You can even try using common household items such as white vinegar to remove cat urine odors.
Baking soda is good to remove surface odors, try to sprinkle baking soda over the area. Suck up the baking soda when dried with a vacuum cleaner. Detergents that contain peroxide help to deactivate the cat urine odor. Spray that onto the affected areas and mixing with some Listerine can help cover up the cat urine odor.
Covering an area your cat favors with foil and saturating it with citronella or mothballs will cause your cat to avoid that spot and not use it anymore. There are special formulas for cleaning cat urine that eat the bacteria and urine crystals that cause the awful odors. A good quality pet odor neutralizer should be used after you have cleaned the area very well. An enzyme based cat urine remover is needed to completely clean away cat urine.
To effectively eliminate any urine odor or stain completely a good cleaning cat urine remover is a must. Never use products containing ammonia to clean cat urine because ammonia smells similar to cat urine. This will make your cat pee on the same spot again. By employing a good cat urine removal product and a blacklight together you will be able to completely getting rid of that cat urine odor.
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins is a great cat lover that is keen to share and exchange information on Cleaning Cat Urine. She understands that many cat owners like to find a solution to Cleaning Cat Urine
Article Source: http://www.articleteller.com
The job of cleaning carpets and furniture of cat urine odor is something that all cat owners have to face. There are five different bacteria in cat urine. Two of them are components of a cat's marking scent and the other three are found in cat spray, uric acid and urine. The odor from cat urine is difficult to get rid of because it is protein based. The smell is so strong it doesn't work to try to cover it up, either. Cleaning the source of the odor and stain - the bacteria, uric acid crystals and salts- isn't hard to do.
Cleaning cat urine is complicated and there are no easy or quick fix. This is because the urine is made up of three main components. These are the sticky stuff known as Urea, Urochrome the pigments part and the odor Uric acid component. Cats drink little water so their urine is very concentrated and odorous. The color of the cat urine and stain strength closely related to food, age, gender and health of the animal, whether undertaking any medication. Finding the exact spots to clean, especially old stains could be the biggest problem.
So that you are not having to clean cat urine all of the time, you can stop the problem by finding out what the cause is in the first place. Cats not using their litter boxes to urinate can be the result of various reasons. Marking territory is one of the reasons and so is feeling threatened or stressed. Urinary tract infection can be suspected when a cat urinates everywhere.
Cleaning cat urine is not a chore when you use the right products for the task. On the markets today there are three basic cat urine remover products. These can be enzymatic, bacterial or chemical. You can even try using common household items such as white vinegar to remove cat urine odors.
Baking soda is good to remove surface odors, try to sprinkle baking soda over the area. Suck up the baking soda when dried with a vacuum cleaner. Detergents that contain peroxide help to deactivate the cat urine odor. Spray that onto the affected areas and mixing with some Listerine can help cover up the cat urine odor.
Covering an area your cat favors with foil and saturating it with citronella or mothballs will cause your cat to avoid that spot and not use it anymore. There are special formulas for cleaning cat urine that eat the bacteria and urine crystals that cause the awful odors. A good quality pet odor neutralizer should be used after you have cleaned the area very well. An enzyme based cat urine remover is needed to completely clean away cat urine.
To effectively eliminate any urine odor or stain completely a good cleaning cat urine remover is a must. Never use products containing ammonia to clean cat urine because ammonia smells similar to cat urine. This will make your cat pee on the same spot again. By employing a good cat urine removal product and a blacklight together you will be able to completely getting rid of that cat urine odor.
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins is a great cat lover that is keen to share and exchange information on Cleaning Cat Urine. She understands that many cat owners like to find a solution to Cleaning Cat Urine
Article Source: http://www.articleteller.com
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