Cat Health Tips And Information

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Biting Cat - Love Bites?
2006-12-06 09:30:07
Dear Anita,My newly adopted 10 month old cat bites me and won't let me pet him. When I try to show him affection, he just runs away. I feel disappointed because I wanted a snuggly cat. When he first arrived, I think I might have scared him by accidentally grabbing at him a little too roughly. He likes to play and will always greet me when I come home. He will rub his face against mine for a moment, but if I try to prolong it or initiate contact, he lightly bites me or runs away. Could this be his nature or do you think I ruined our relationship from the start? Can you train a cat to like being petted?Lonely LynneDear Lynne,I doubt that you ruined the relationship from the start since your cat is happy to see you when you come home. He is telling you that he likes you when he rubs his face against yours. By running away, he is also telling you that he likes his space and doesn't want to be forced into being cuddly. On the other hand, maybe he is running away in an attempt to get yo...
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Eating House Plants
2006-12-06 09:30:07
Eating plants is an exceedingly dangerous habit as many household plants are poisonous. If your cat is developing a habit of eating plants, you must separate the two until the problem is solved. Either remove the plants or confine your cat to an area with no plants. Do not delay. One good meal of the common houseplant Dieffenbachia is usually the last meal your cat will eat. Consult with your local nursery and do not keep poisonous plants in your house. There are so many non-poisonous plants to choose from, why take the risk? Even if your cat is well-trained, no cat is perfect and all it takes is one mistake for disaster to result.If your cat loves to munch on greenery, do not deny him this pleasure. Instead, provide him with his very own special Kitty Garden. There are many commercially available kitty herb gardens for this purpose.Do not assume that your cat will automatically dine in his new garden. It's best to teach him that this salad bar is intended specifically for his cons...
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My cat has started urinating around the house, what should I
2006-12-06 09:30:07
A 1. You should always ensure there is no medical reason behind a change in your cats behaviour - bladder or kidney infections can cause a cat to urinate frequently around the home.2. If you are sure there is no medical complaint, then the change is probably behavioural. Changes to routine (new pet, moving house, or changing your working pattern) can all lead to a stressful environment for your cat. A stressed cat will express how he feels by changing his toiletry behaviour.3. There is a 'hit-list' of things you can try below, however feel free to post any problems to 'Its A Cat s Life' and I will reply on this site.- Prevent other cats from entering the house - close windows/doors when possible.- If you have changed the brand of cat litter - go back to one you used before the problem developed. The litter tray should always be clean and it is useful to have one with a cover, for extra privacy. Also watch out for 'over-crowding' if you have more than one cat. If you thin...
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Q My cat seems to have dandruff - how do I treat it?
2006-12-06 09:30:07
A There are two main reasons for cat dandruff - poor grooming and a lack of vitamin E in the diet.If your cat has bad dandruff all over, it is more likely to be a diet deficiency. A good high quality supplement added to your cats food will help. Cat s are sensitive to change and will notice vegetable oil, however the cat supplements are odourless and tasteless and your cat should not notice. The supplements can also be purchased in tablet form - however unless you are very good at giving this type of medication to your cat, get someone to help you (for some light relief check out 'Cat Anecdotes' on my 'Cat Stuff' page.If you feed your cat tinned food, you may need to change it - your vet can provide very good cat food which is full of nutrients and vitamins.If your cat has localised dandruff (mainly found along their back), it may not necessarily be a diet problem, but a grooming one. Cats cannot reach their backs to clean themselves and dandruff (which is just dead skin cel...
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Excessive Meowing
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Dear Maggie, Why does my cat meow all the time? My vet says she is healthy. Worried in Contra CostaDear Worried,The single most common reason a cat will meow excessively is because she has been trained to do so. Kitty has learned that all she has to do is meow and she gets whatever she wants - food, attention, affection. Often, what starts out as a demand for attention soon becomes a self-reinforcing habit. Now kitty will meow all day just for the fun of it. This situation becomes even worse if the cat is lonely or bored. The first step in breaking this habit is to exercise your cat daily with active play sessions. Don't expect kitty to exercise herself. Many cats will swat at a ping-pong ball or a catnip mouse once or twice then lose interest. You must get involved in the game. Tie a string to the mouse and pull it slowly, temptingly and repeatedly across the floor. Secondly, pay attention to kitty and give her what ever she wants, but ONLY when she is quiet. Ignore her whenever s...
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Cat Feeding Habits
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Feeding MethodologiesThere are two schools of thought on how to feed cats. One is the self feeding method in which cats always have food and are allowed to eat when they want (Note: Cat s should always have fresh water available to them). The other method is with regulated meals where the cat is fed a few times a day. Unless your cat is overweight or has a problem with overeating if food is left out all the time many vets and behaviorists prefer the self feeding method for a variety of reasons. Note: Cats should never eat dog food!- Cats are grazers by nature. They don't like to eat 2 or 3 huge meals but eat many small meals a day.- Cat's bodies are very inefficient at processing stored fat. As with people, if a cat goes for a long period of time without food he/she will need to use up fat and protein stores for energy. Cat's bodies are not very good at doing this. A cat who has not eaten for even as short as a day or two can start to undergo liver damage.- If a cat is only fed a ...
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These Kittens Will Make You laugh.
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Can't resist showing you these cute little kittens
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More Funny Cats.....
2006-12-02 15:27:06
You can't get enough of these cute and funny cats.... thanks for the messages
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Cat Care Tips
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Feeding TimeWhether you use a ceramic, glass, stainless-steel or plastic bowl, make sure it is wider than your cat?s whiskas. Cat s dislike narrow bowls and remove food from them to eat off the floor. Thoroughly wash your cat?s food and water bowls daily but avoid bleaches or detergents with citrus or pine smells. They are likely to repel rather than attract your cat. Remember you cat prefers to eat in privacy.Your Cat's CollarYour cat should have an elastic collar with a name tag in case it strays. The elastic will stretch, enabling the cat to free itself if it should get hooked up somewhere.New KittensFor the first few nights of your new kittens arrival, a hot water bottle tucked under its bedding and a clock with a loud tick (such as a wind-up alarm clock ? be careful it doesn?t go off, you don?t want to give your baby kitten a fright!) will act as a substitute for the warmth of its siblings and the tick will give the same sort of pulse as its mother?s heart beat to provide a fur...
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Catring For Senior cats
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Caring for Senior Cat s Old age is not a diseaseAs a result of advances in veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, cats are now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that your once-frisky feline seems to have slowed down a bit. Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as your cat reaches his or her golden years, as well as what you can do to help keep your pet as healthy, active and comfortable as possible, can ensure that you both enjoy this final stage in your cat's life to the fullest. How-and when-will I know that my cat is getting ?old??As cats move into the geriatric phase of their lives, they experience gradual changes that are remarkably like those of aging humans: their hair may turn grey, their bodies are not as limber and reflexes not as sharp as they once were, hearing, eyesight and the sense of smell may deteriorate and energy levels seem to di...
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Basic Cat Training.
2006-12-02 15:27:06
No, this is not about Kitty Boot Camp! If training your cat to sit, stay and heel is your goal, perhaps you should get a dog. If training your cat to adroitly perch himself over your toilet to do his business is your goal, perhaps this article is not for you either. This article is for all of us who would be happy training our cats to just use the litter box instead of our comforter, closet or shoes. This is for owners who would be happy training their cat to use a scratching post instead of the stereo speakers. If you're like me, you admire your cat for being a cat and you want him to behave as nothing other than a cat, but a well-behaved one.Before we start training our cats to do something or to stop doing something, we need to look at how cats learn. They don't understand English, they can't read books or attend lectures. They learn by experience. If the experience is good, they will try to repeat it. If the experience is unpleasant, they will try to avoid it in the future. T...
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Cat Litterbox problems
2006-12-02 15:27:06
When you have only one cat and she misses the cat litterbox, it can be hard to fix. When you have more than one cat in the house, it can be even harder. Here's a step-by-step guide to help stop cat cat litterbox problems in a multi-cat home.Act Fast. A cat litterbox problem that continues for a long time can become harder and harder to solve. cat litterbox mistakes can lead to territorial responses, and disturb the routines and hierarchies of your entire household. Will Muffin still want to take her daily afternoon snooze on the couch if Tiger urinated there? She may find some other area, displacing more and more of your cats, and creating fighting and other dominance displays. If you put off solving the problem, hoping it will go away on its own, you may find it multiplying in your home. Find the Culprit. Before you even try to determine the "why," figure out the "who." If you catch it early enough, you can hopefully nail it down to one cat. Many people like to isolate each cat to...
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Cat Facts And Myths
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Myth: Cat s always land on their feet.Fact : While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.Fact: Actually, most warm-bl...
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Help!!!....My Cat Scratches The Furniture
2006-12-02 15:27:06
You can best prevent destructive chewing and investigation by providing an environment that meets your cat's needs.Cat -proof your home by building a play center where your cat can climb, perch, and scratch. Provide a few toys your cat can bat around, such as spring-mounted, dangling, or bouncy toys. Indoor cats with little access to grass or other vegetable matter may chew house plants. Offer them lettuce, catnip, or a kitty herb garden in exchange.To keep your cat away from problem areas, first try child locks, barricades, or closed doors. For persistent problems or areas that cannot be barricaded, use remote punishment, taste and odor aversion, orbooby traps as deterrents. Never use physical punishment ? it may cause your cat to fear you and to stay away from the problem area only when you are around.Scratch ing is a normal behavior that allows your cat to condition its claws as it marks its territory. It also provides an opportunity for a nice stretch.To prevent destructive scrat...
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Cat Jokes....
2006-12-02 15:27:06
What time is it when 12 cats chase a mouse?12 after 1!What looks like half a cat?The other half!What happened when the cat ate a ball of wool?She had mittens!What do you get if you cross a cat with a parrot?A carrot!How do cats eat spaghetti?The same as everyone else - they put it in their mouths!What is a French cat's favorite pudding?Chocolate mousse!What do cat actors say on stage?Tabby or not tabby!What's the favorite Christmas song of tigers?Jungle Bells!How do you know if you cat's got a bad cold?He has cat-arrh!What would you call a cat that likes to dig on the beach?Sandy Claws.Which is the cats' all-time favorite song?"Three Blind Mice."What is another name for a cat's home?scratch pad.How do you stop a ten-pound parrot from talking too much?Buy a twenty-pound cat!How do you know if your cat has eaten a duckling?She's got that down in the mouth look!What do you get if you cross a cat and a gorilla?An animal that puts you out a night!What is a cat's favorite color?Pur...
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Basic Training for your Cat
2006-12-02 15:27:06
This is for all of us who would be happy if our cats would just use the litter box instead of our comforter, closet or shoes.This is for owners who would like their cat to use a scratching post instead of the stereo speakers. If you're like me, you admire your cat for being a cat and you want him to behave as nothing other than a cat, but a well-behaved one.Before we can train or teach our cats to do something or to stop doing something, we need to look at how cats learn. They don't understand English, they can't read books or attend lectures.They learn by experience. If the experience is good, they will try to repeat it. If the experience is unpleasant, they will try to avoid it in the future.They enjoy raking the furniture with their claws, so they continue to do it. But it's quite a shock when they stick their nose in a candle flame, so they won't do that again.The key to training is to make sure that whatever you want your cat to do is exceedingly rewarding and pleasurable....
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Constipation in Cats
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Constipation is a sign of disease, and is relatively common in cats. It is characterized by infrequent or absent defecation, and the passage of hard, dry feces. There is also increased straining to defecate and decreased fecal volume.Constipation is different from obstipation, which is complete fecal obstruction. When cats have obstipation, it impossible for them to defecate. The colon becomes filled with rock-hard feces. Constipation generally has a good prognosis, but cats with obstipation usually develop irreversible changes in the muscle of their colon.Constipation is also different from megacolon, which refers to the condition of extreme colonic dilation, and is a disorder of the structure and function of the colon. Cat s with megacolon are always constipated, however constipated cats don't necessarily have megacolon.Megacolon can be primary or secondary. It can be caused by a primary defect in the nerve supply of the colon, or it can become secondary to any lesion or disease t...
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All About The Sounds Cats Make
2006-12-02 15:27:06
Cats meow at people when they want something. So thevocalizations your cat makes are designed to get some attentionfrom you, or food, or playtime, whatever. Same thing goes for anykind of disturbance calculated to get your attention. Any kind ofresponse other than ignoring your cat will actually reinforce thebehavior.The meow can mean many things. They can be demanding and very loud. Perhaps dinner is late, or their litter pan needs changing.Meows can also be soft and sweet and affectionate, saying,"Thanks for being my friend". Tiny "mews" are the cat's way ofmanipulating the situation to get what they want. Most of uscannot ignore the little innocent "mew" that pleads with ouremotions for a treat or petting session. Some cats learn that if they meow and make a fuss, they?ll get asmorgasbord offered to them. Of course, as long as the diet iscomplete and balanced, your cat doesn?t need variety to satisfyher normal nutritional requirements. But if Kitty is offered avariety of choices...
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CAT FACTS........Did You Know?
2006-12-02 15:27:06
It has been scientifically proven that owning cats is good for our health and can decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure and other illnesses.Stroking a cat can help to relieve stress, and the feel of a purring cat on your lap conveys a strong sense of security and comfort.The ancient Egyptians were the first civilisation to realise the cat's potential as a vermin hunter and tamed cats to protect the corn supplies on which their lives depended.Sir Isaac Newton is not only credited with the laws of gravity but is also credited with inventing the cat flap.A cat has more bones than a human being; humans have 206 and the cat has 230 bones.A cat's hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs. The cat's tail is used to maintain balance.Cat s see six times better in the dark and at night than humans.Cats eat grass to aid their digestion and to help them get rid of any fur in their stomachs.A healthy cat has a temperature between 38 and 39 degrees Celcius.Cats have the large...
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Cat Health Check
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Spaying or Neutering your kittenMany veterinarians believe that spaying or neutering not only helps solve the serious problem of a burgeoning population of unwanted cats, but also makes for friendlier, easier-to-live-with pets. Spayed female cats are more relaxed, playful and affectionate, while neutered males are calmer and less likely to ?spray? or urine-mark their territory, wander away from their home or fight. Plus, sterilization has health benefits - it minimizes the risk for breast cancer in females and enlarged or tumorous prostate in males.Spaying removes the uterus and ovaries of a female cat, usually around the age of 4-6 months. A major surgical procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia and most often involves an overnight stay at an animal hospital. Complications are rare and recovery is normally complete within ten days.Neutering, also carried out under general anesthesia, removes the testicles of a male cat. The small wounds that result usually heal in about...
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Fleas And Ticks
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Ticks and fleasTicks are small spider-like acarids and fleas are insects, but these two tiny creatures have at least one thing in common?they are both parasites that feed on your cat?s blood and can cause a lot of discomfort and more serious health problems.Flea bites may go unnoticed on some pets, cause slight irritation in others and produce extensive itching, red lesions, hair loss and even ulcers in those animals with flea allergy dermatitis, which is the result of extreme sensitivity to flea saliva. Severe flea infestations can cause anemia, especially in kittens. Fleas can also transmit several diseases, as well as tapeworm. Ticks are ?vectors? or carriers of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever which can sometimes be transmitted to humans. About fleas?Adult fleas are wingless insects, generally smaller than a sesame seed, who feed on the blood of animals. Their proportionately enlarged back pair of legs gives them an extraordinary jump...
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Homemade Diets Not Always Best
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Homemade diets not always more nutritious or safeThe debate on whether or not your pet is better off on a homemade diet is an ongoing one. Without a doubt, feeding a commercially prepared diet is more convenient, safer, and more economical. Feeding a homemade diet can be very effective but can also be fraught with difficulties. For example, you must be sure that the diet that you prepare contains the proper amount and balance of all nutrients, that the ingredients are easily digested, absorbed, and utilized by the pet, and that it is palatable. You must make sure that the nutrients are not altered or destroyed in any way during processing and storage. You must also ensure that no contamination of the food occurs before, during, or after food preparation. Finally, vitamins and minerals must be supplied in the proper ratio to ensure good health. Commercial pet foods are routinely tested for nutritional composition, something most pet owners are unable to do on their own.Problems can a...
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Chocolate Is Sweet .....But Also Deadly
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Chocolate is Sweet ...but can be Dead lyChocolate and cocoa contain both of the methylxanthines,theobromine and caffeine which can be toxic to animals if fed to excess. Most dangerous is baking chocolate, which contains seven to ten times the amount of theobromine that ordinary milk chocolate does. One ounce of baking chocolate or, about 3/10 of a one kilogram bag of chocolate pieces ( 9-10 oz.) can be life-threatening to a 5 kg dog. Put another way, the ingestion of approximately 24 oz or roughly ¾ of a kilogram (1.65 pounds) of milk chocolate would result in a potentially lethal dose for a 12 kg (26 ½ pound) dog.Dogs are more likely to become poisoned by eating chocolate than cats, probably because they like the sweet taste of chocolate and because cats tend to be fussier than dogs about what they will eat. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause adverse reactions. Reactions can include nervous system stimulation, tachycardia (fast heart rate), weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, res...
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Kittens take their first steps
2006-12-02 06:16:07
how cute is this?
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Funny Cats 2
2006-12-02 06:16:07
More funny cats ......nearly fell of my chair.
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Funny cats
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Found These Great clips....just had to share with you all.
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Skin Problems In Cats
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Matted furMatted fur is a perfect breeding ground for parasites and encourages inflammatory skin diseases. If your cat has matted fur, do not try to cut it off as you may injure the cat.Mats are difficult to comb out and may be painful. You may have to have the vet sedate and shave the cat. Do groom it regularly to prevent mats.Bald patchesOften caused by itching and irritation of some sort. Fleas, allergies, eczema, and ringworm are all possible culprits.Sometimes it is simply stress; Vets may prescribe hormone shots or even tranquilizers to control the scratching.If ringworm is indicated, you must take care not to get it yourself. It is a fungus just like athletes foot. Tresaderm and similar medications are used to treat this. Since ringworm spreads by spores, you can reduce transmission and spreading by cleaning everything you can with bleach (save the cat itself), and washing bedding and clothing in hot water. It may take some time (like several months) to get ringworm under con...
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Travel Tips
2006-12-02 06:16:07
Traveling With Your PetsBefore you goAsk yourself: will my cat be comfortable and happy on this trip? Some animals simply prefer to stay at home and a ?homesick?, possibly motion-sick pet will ruin everyone?s trip. In such a case it?s probably wiser to leave your pet with a friend, relative or hire a ?petsitter?. If that is not possible, you might consider boarding him or her at a clean, well-run cattery. Plan aheadIf you do decide to take your pet along, you must take as much care with the preparation of your pet?s trip as your own. If you plan to travel by plane, bus, train or boat, find out if your pet will be welcome and, what kind of reservations and transport arrangements must be made. If you?ll be staying at hotels, motels or campgrounds, you must check if animals are allowed or if kennel facilities are available. If you?re staying with friends or family, make sure your pet is also invited. Travelling by plane Contact the airline you wish to fly well in advance - each has...
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