Cat - Cat Health Problems And Tips That Matter

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. Keeping your pet healthy requires a few cat health problems and tips that help with this matter. Annual check ups and vaccinations come to mind when people think about keeping their pet healthy. If you your cat has excessive licking, it may cause a problem or there may be an underlying problem. Controlling hairballs and preventing ear mites are a part of these cat health problems and tips that matter. Give your cat the best care and receive all the love and companionship they offer. Getting the Annual Check Up The most important thing with cats is the annual check up that is needed to check the health of the cat and receive the needed vaccinations. The check up will consist of listening to the heart, checking the reproductive system and digestive system. Some vets may check for other things, as the cats get older. Stool samples usually receive testing for worms and other parasites or other medical concerns. Blood samples help to check for any health problems, which helps catch health issues early. Always Vaccinate Your Cat The vaccination of your cat needs to be completed every year. The cat receives rabies shot every two years and distemper shot every year. Because of fetal cats roaming everywhere you need to have these shots for your cats. Health problems and tips find this issue a top priority because we need to cut down on the many deaths every year of cats dying of distemper. Only use vaccines that come from a vet or you may find that the vaccine can cause the disease to develop instead of preventing it from developing. Your Cat Has Excessive Licking Many reasons exist for excessive licking in your cat. One might be a skin allergy that irritates the cat and they lick excessively to try to sooth the pain. Another reason might be stress. Cats that are stressed seem to lick excessively to clam themselves. Health problems and tips for this problem may be to provide a calmer environment, or give the cat a safe place in the house. If the licking persists, tests may tell you and your vet why. Health Problems and Tips for Hairball Control Although cats of all lengths of hair have hairball problems, longhair cats seem to become affect more. Brushing and grooming the cat daily may prevent a build up of cat hair in the stomach thus preventing vomiting that comes from hairballs. If you have too many problems, a visit to the vet might help. Health Problems and Tips with Ear Mites Ear mites are little parasites that live in the ear of a cat and cause a smelly dark discharge. If you catch the ear mite before it reaches into the inner and middle ear, you can treat this condition yourself for about twenty-one days. Preventing this parasite from invading the ear, you might use a mullein mixture to protect against ear mites. Keep your cat's ear clean and always check for ear mites weekly. 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. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Wellsworth Cat - How To Get of Rid Your Cat's Fleas Is your cat a fleabag? If his scratching and biting are keeping you up at night, it is time to get the pests under control. Even the cleanest cats end up occasionally with fleas. All it takes is one to start an infestation. When your cat goes outside he is exposed to flea eggs and any time he comes in contact with other animals, there's a chance a flea will chose your cat for a home. Two of the most well known flea and tick preventatives for cats are Frontline and Advantix. Both of these products come as pre-measured liquid treatments which are applied directly to your cat's skin and works to kill fleas and ticks immediately. However, most people wait until they actually see fleas or ticks before they begin the pest control war. By the time you see fleas though, you probably already have a major infestation on your hands. The best way to catch flea problems right away is look for them on a regular basis. Carefully comb through your cat's hair with a flea comb, paying close attention to the hair around his head and on his belly. Fleas like to hide around a cat's ears, eyes, and nose. They also tend to hang out in the creases where a cat's legs and body meet. If you catch a flea, you will know that your cat is starting to develop a flea infestation. However, while fleas may be able to evade your comb, the dirt he leaves behind will not. If you see specks of blackish dirt in the comb's teeth, this is evidence that fleas are hiding somewhere on your cat. To find ticks, run your hands over your cat's body, looking for any raised spots. If you find a raised spot, check it closely to see if it is a tick. Don't try to remove the tick yourself. Instead, have your veterinarian do it, as they are quite difficult to remove. Often the tick's head breaks off in the animal, leading to infection. There are other flea and tick treatments, collars, and shampoos available. If your house has become flea infested, you will need to fumigate your cat's bedding, scratching post and your upholstered furniture. If all else fails, use a flea and tick bomb in your house, but be sure to keep your pets out of the building for at least 24 hours.

Cat - How To Get of Rid Your Cat's Fleas

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! Is your cat a fleabag? If his scratching and biting are keeping you up at night, it is time to get the pests under control. Even the cleanest cats end up occasionally with fleas. All it takes is one to start an infestation. When your cat goes outside he is exposed to flea eggs and any time he comes in contact with other animals, there's a chance a flea will chose your cat for a home. Two of the most well known flea and tick preventatives for cats are Frontline and Advantix. Both of these products come as pre-measured liquid treatments which are applied directly to your cat's skin and works to kill fleas and ticks immediately. However, most people wait until they actually see fleas or ticks before they begin the pest control war. By the time you see fleas though, you probably already have a major infestation on your hands. The best way to catch flea problems right away is look for them on a regular basis. Carefully comb through your cat's hair with a flea comb, paying close attention to the hair around his head and on his belly. Fleas like to hide around a cat's ears, eyes, and nose. They also tend to hang out in the creases where a cat's legs and body meet. If you catch a flea, you will know that your cat is starting to develop a flea infestation. However, while fleas may be able to evade your comb, the dirt he leaves behind will not. If you see specks of blackish dirt in the comb's teeth, this is evidence that fleas are hiding somewhere on your cat. To find ticks, run your hands over your cat's body, looking for any raised spots. If you find a raised spot, check it closely to see if it is a tick. Don't try to remove the tick yourself. Instead, have your veterinarian do it, as they are quite difficult to remove. Often the tick's head breaks off in the animal, leading to infection. There are other flea and tick treatments, collars, and shampoos available. If your house has become flea infested, you will need to fumigate your cat's bedding, scratching post and your upholstered furniture. If all else fails, use a flea and tick bomb in your house, but be sure to keep your pets out of the building for at least 24 hours. To find the information you need before you get your cat, visit Dave Owen's My Pussycat Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Owen Cat - Adult Cats are Fun Too - Adopt An Older Cat You've finally made the decision to adopt a cat, you've dreamt about it for quite some time. Visualising your cute new little kitten playing around the floor and looking up at you with those big baby blues. What could possibly go wrong, after all it's only a tiny kitten. But have your really thought about how much time, effort and trouble a kitten really is. A kitten is packed full of energy and curiosity and will cry for attention, scratch the furniture, bite and urinate everywhere until it is litter box trained, and will run around the house getting into all sorts of scrapes and trouble. And it's up to you to look after them 24/7. If you've got the time and dedication to look after a kitten, great, but if not, why not think about adopting an adult cat. A lot of potential adopters seem to think of an adult cat as second best, as if they are defective or worn out like a second hand car. That's just not the case. Most adult cats have found themselves in animal shelters from no fault of their own. They may have out lived their owner, their owners may have moved to somewhere that doesn't allow pets, become lost or someone in the family may have become allergic to them. The reasons are far to numerous to list them all. The cats themselves are perfectly healthy animals, bristling with fun and energy and simply looking for a caring loving home. Adopting an adult cat has many advantages. Remember an older cat has already developed its personality. So you will know what kind of pet they will be and whether or not they will suit your family. Many people go for the cute little kitten; only to find out that they grow into a very shy and non-playful cat that likes to spend all it's time away from the family. That's fine if that's what you want, but too many people decide that this is not for them and returns the cat to the shelter. Rejection is a very harsh punishment for the cat just because you didn't take the time to think about what sort of cat would be the right pet for your family. An older cat will also be less demanding of your time than a kitten and will require less supervision, well after the first few weeks anyway. They will be able to spend time alone when you are out of the house without getting into too much trouble and hopefully will already be litter trained. There are also many benefits for older owners in adopting an adult cat. Adult cats are much calmer and more likely to want to spend some quiet time sitting on your lap for strokes and purring. Studies have shown that cats can have a real health benefit for humans in reducing their stress levels and blood pressure. I can't image an energetic curious kitten being as good for your stress levels somehow. Many worry about health problems and vet bills for the older cat. Usually when you are adopting a cat from an animal shelter they will be able to let you know if the cat has any underlining medical conditions and what it is likely to cost. Many will even provide you with free medical treatment for your cat if they over 10 years old as an incentive for more of the older cats to be re-homed. Cats can live well into their late teens and even early twenties with all the advances in food nutrition and medical treatments. So that 12 year old cat waiting in the animal shelter for a good home is still a good bet and will still be able to provide you with many years of fun and love. Our own cat is now 14 years old and still behaves like a playful youngster and keeps us entertained for hours. It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt an older cat, not only because of the pleasure they will give you over the years but also in the knowledge that you have provided a loving home for what was probably a very frightened and confused cat, who had no idea why he had lost his family.

Cat - Adult Cats are Fun Too - Adopt An Older Cat

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. You've finally made the decision to adopt a cat, you've dreamt about it for quite some time. Visualising your cute new little kitten playing around the floor and looking up at you with those big baby blues. What could possibly go wrong, after all it's only a tiny kitten. But have your really thought about how much time, effort and trouble a kitten really is. A kitten is packed full of energy and curiosity and will cry for attention, scratch the furniture, bite and urinate everywhere until it is litter box trained, and will run around the house getting into all sorts of scrapes and trouble. And it's up to you to look after them 24/7. If you've got the time and dedication to look after a kitten, great, but if not, why not think about adopting an adult cat. A lot of potential adopters seem to think of an adult cat as second best, as if they are defective or worn out like a second hand car. That's just not the case. Most adult cats have found themselves in animal shelters from no fault of their own. They may have out lived their owner, their owners may have moved to somewhere that doesn't allow pets, become lost or someone in the family may have become allergic to them. The reasons are far to numerous to list them all. The cats themselves are perfectly healthy animals, bristling with fun and energy and simply looking for a caring loving home. Adopting an adult cat has many advantages. Remember an older cat has already developed its personality. So you will know what kind of pet they will be and whether or not they will suit your family. Many people go for the cute little kitten; only to find out that they grow into a very shy and non-playful cat that likes to spend all it's time away from the family. That's fine if that's what you want, but too many people decide that this is not for them and returns the cat to the shelter. Rejection is a very harsh punishment for the cat just because you didn't take the time to think about what sort of cat would be the right pet for your family. An older cat will also be less demanding of your time than a kitten and will require less supervision, well after the first few weeks anyway. They will be able to spend time alone when you are out of the house without getting into too much trouble and hopefully will already be litter trained. There are also many benefits for older owners in adopting an adult cat. Adult cats are much calmer and more likely to want to spend some quiet time sitting on your lap for strokes and purring. Studies have shown that cats can have a real health benefit for humans in reducing their stress levels and blood pressure. I can't image an energetic curious kitten being as good for your stress levels somehow. Many worry about health problems and vet bills for the older cat. Usually when you are adopting a cat from an animal shelter they will be able to let you know if the cat has any underlining medical conditions and what it is likely to cost. Many will even provide you with free medical treatment for your cat if they over 10 years old as an incentive for more of the older cats to be re-homed. Cats can live well into their late teens and even early twenties with all the advances in food nutrition and medical treatments. So that 12 year old cat waiting in the animal shelter for a good home is still a good bet and will still be able to provide you with many years of fun and love. Our own cat is now 14 years old and still behaves like a playful youngster and keeps us entertained for hours. It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt an older cat, not only because of the pleasure they will give you over the years but also in the knowledge that you have provided a loving home for what was probably a very frightened and confused cat, who had no idea why he had lost his family. 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 Cat - Too Human By Far I know I make my living by selling to pet owners and I don't want to bite the hand that feeds; but lately I've been getting increasingly worried that some pet owners are getting some things out of proportion. It seems that the inclination for people to think of their pets in terms of human attributes is beginning to go a bit too far. Our pets are more pampered then our partners, according to a recent survey The study, designed to explore the bond between pets and their owners, found that more than 80 per cent of pet-owners admit to giving more fuss and attention to their animals then to their partners or children. For me the statistic above is the most worrying. Surely the purpose of having a pet is to add to a healthy home life, not replace it. Don't get me wrong, once the decision to get a pet has been taken, we are duty bound to take proper care of them. However, this should never be at the cost of our families. If you can't combine paying proper attention to your family and caring for an animal, then to be frank, you are not ready for a pet. Of more than 250 respondents, 10 per cent had even made provisions for their pets in their will. Making sure that a pet is properly cared for after your death is a responsible thing to do, this can be done by talking to a relative and leaving money for them to care for your pet. The results of the study also showed that cats are the perfect pets with almost half of all those who took part owning one or two of the feline friends. Dogs proved the second most popular with 36 per cent and rabbits came in third at 16 per cent. Paw Pals owner Victoria Reinthal, said: "We are delighted that pet owners seem to take great care of their beloved pets and are particularly encouraged that so many people have made sure their pets' needs are catered for after their death." "Eighteen per cent of people spend '80 a month on making sure their pets are pampered, including visits to the grooming parlour and buying special pet friendly treats and toys. I appreciate that it is an individual's prerogative to spend their money however they see fit. My own view is that buying your pet the odd treat or grooming product is fine, but spending '80($160) on pampering an animal is obscene. Some low income families could use this money to feed themselves on this amount of money. She goes on to say "What this suggests is that looking after our pets is top priority in many households." Well I'm pleased to see that so many pets are being well cared, but if this survey is to be taken at face value, then too many of pet owners have got their priorities wrong. In the long run a dysfunctional family is not a good environment to have a pet.

Cat - Too Human By Far

I know I make my living by selling to pet owners and I don't want to bite the hand that feeds; but lately I've been getting increasingly worried that some pet owners are getting some things out of proportion. It seems that the inclination for people to think of their pets in terms of human attributes is beginning to go a bit too far. Our pets are more pampered then our partners, according to a recent survey The study, designed to explore the bond between pets and their owners, found that more than 80 per cent of pet-owners admit to giving more fuss and attention to their animals then to their partners or children. For me the statistic above is the most worrying. Surely the purpose of having a pet is to add to a healthy home life, not replace it. Don't get me wrong, once the decision to get a pet has been taken, we are duty bound to take proper care of them. However, this should never be at the cost of our families. If you can't combine paying proper attention to your family and caring for an animal, then to be frank, you are not ready for a pet. Of more than 250 respondents, 10 per cent had even made provisions for their pets in their will. Making sure that a pet is properly cared for after your death is a responsible thing to do, this can be done by talking to a relative and leaving money for them to care for your pet. The results of the study also showed that cats are the perfect pets with almost half of all those who took part owning one or two of the feline friends. Dogs proved the second most popular with 36 per cent and rabbits came in third at 16 per cent. Paw Pals owner Victoria Reinthal, said: "We are delighted that pet owners seem to take great care of their beloved pets and are particularly encouraged that so many people have made sure their pets' needs are catered for after their death." "Eighteen per cent of people spend '80 a month on making sure their pets are pampered, including visits to the grooming parlour and buying special pet friendly treats and toys. I appreciate that it is an individual's prerogative to spend their money however they see fit. My own view is that buying your pet the odd treat or grooming product is fine, but spending '80($160) on pampering an animal is obscene. Some low income families could use this money to feed themselves on this amount of money. She goes on to say "What this suggests is that looking after our pets is top priority in many households." Well I'm pleased to see that so many pets are being well cared, but if this survey is to be taken at face value, then too many of pet owners have got their priorities wrong. In the long run a dysfunctional family is not a good environment to have a pet. Terry King runs Parcel Pets, a leading UK pet supplies web site and has had pets all his life. He lives with his wife Louise, dog Sam, Cat Sabrina and 5 fish! Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_King Cat - How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy - Playtime for Kitty While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are often left to their own devices, having to find their own ways of exercising if they are kept indoors. Cats have gone from working animals to creatures of leisure. In the past, a cat spent most of its day hunting, keeping the homestead free of rodents. Today, most cats are pure companions who spend the day waiting for their beloved human to return home. Even if you work from home, it is important to set aside some time to play with your cat. Interacting with you stimulates her physically and mentally, keeping her healthy in body and mind. The time of day you play depends on your schedule and your cat's natural rhythms. Some cats like a leisurely morning, while others are fired up from the moment they open their eyes. It may take a while to find the time that fits both of you. Once you've found it, however, don't be surprised to see your cat expecting play at that time each day. Cats are creatures of habit, and they feel most secure with a regular schedule. Play time helps with some behavior problems. A rousing game of chase-the-lure will take the edge off of a frisky feline who tends to attack her owner's ankles. A good dose of interaction also fills her need for your undivided attention and may make her less likely to drape herself across you at an inopportune time. Remember that if you don't want your cat to play with your plants while you're away, don't' use plant fronds as lures during play time. The same thing applies to hands; if you don't want your cat to pounce on unsuspecting visitors hands, don't use yours as a toy when playing with her. If you purchase toys for your cat, check to make sure that all small pieces are secured tightly. The best toys for cats are often home-made and only need YOUR interaction. My favorite is "fishing" with a piece of string or a stick. Hold the string/stick above the head of your cat pretending its a fishing rod. Your cat will delight in jumping and swatting, especially if you let her catch it once in a while. Another favorite with my cats is to crumple a piece of paper. Just the sound of the paper seems to get them excited. Show the cats the ball of paper and then throw it for them. Watch as they chase it round the room in delight. Some toys, such as lures attached to string should only be played with when you are there to manipulate it. If you leave it set up for her while you are gone, there is a chance she could become tangled in the string and choke. Pet supply stores carry some captivating self-play toys, such as a ball inside a track that will keep your kitty safely content while you are away. A kitty condo or carpeted tree is good investment. The multiple levels encourage climbing, while the hiding holes allow your cat to indulge her stalking instinct. Toys need not be expensive. Create a cat puzzle by taping a toilet paper roll tube to the floor and placing a cat treat inside. Your cat will enjoy trying o get the treat from the tube. Be sure that you remain in control during playtime. If your cat starts to play roughly, rub a stuffed animal against her belly and quickly withdraw your hands. This directs her aggressive behavior onto the toy and away from you. If she ignores the toy and continues to play-attack you, end the play session and walk away. Come back in a few moments and try again. After awhile, she will learn that you control the level of play, not her.