Halloween Costumes for Pets

Dressing up for Halloween is a tradition that everyone looks forward to. As the holiday approaches, the question “What are you going to be for Halloween?” begins to ring in the air at home, at school, and even in the workplace. Everyone enjoys dressing up for Halloween and now you can include a costume for your pet dog or cat.

Dressing up a pet dog or cat has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Often, for security purposes, families will have their pet dog with them while trick-or-treating. So, why not dress him up for Halloween also? Dressing up for Halloween can now be for the whole family!

Collars, hats, and capes can be put on your pet dog or cat in a variety of characters. Some of the more popular costumes include Dracula, the devil, and witch apparel. These come complete with capes and headgear. Also popular are the skeleton costumes, which is a full “body” suit for your pet.

Your pet dog or cat could dress-up as a super-hero. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman are among the most popular. Other fun costumes include Star Wars characters, Raggedy Ann, and Zorro.

For those who only want to dress up their pet a little bit and do not want a full costume, there are a variety of head-dresses from which you can choose. There are trick-or-treat bandanas, Santa hats, and even pig-tails. Your pet could be Uncle Sam, or a Christmas elf with just a hat.

With such a variety, you and your pet could have matching or complimentary costumes. Since it is becoming more popular, some local stores will carry Halloween costumes for pets. You can also find pet Halloween costumes on the internet.

Halloween can be a whole new experience when your family and your family pet dress up for Halloween. I guess you could say Halloween “has gone to the dogs.”

Denise Duncan has seven children and four grandchildren. Each holiday is an event at her house with such a large family. Halloween is one of their favorites. She is a contributing author and editor for http://www.AllAboutLabradors.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Duncan

Read More

Fun Ideas For Pet Halloween Costumes

Halloween has been traditionally a night for the parents and kids to go trick or treating from house to house in their neighborhood. Today it seems that the family pet is also coming along for the fun. If you look at the parents watching their kids on the sidewalk, most of the time there is a dog standing there with them on the leash. A good idea is that since Fido is along for the fun you should dress him or her up in a pet Halloween costume. That may sound weird, but there are festivals all over the United States where people dress up their pets for fun and contests. Why can’t your pet join in the Halloween fun and wear a pet Halloween costume also?

Pet Halloween costumes can be bought at the major big lot pet stores and even Wal-mart and Target carry a small selection. They are a little expensive but if you want to spend the money, you can buy a pet Halloween custom that is as elaborate as those that are made for humans. You can dress your dog up as a princess, a devil, or cow. It is amazing of how much choice there is out there. The worst chore to accomplish when picking out your dog’s Halloween costume is to size it correctly. If your dog is not used to wearing clothes, a costume to big can cause the animal to trip or the dog may try to wiggle out of it.

It may be simpler to make your own pet Halloween costume. You can probably find the items that you need laying around your house. A simple pet Halloween costume can be just a hat. Find an old had around the house and attach a Velcro strip to the house using staples or, if you handy, sew it into the head band. You might want to practice with your dog to wear the hat. If they are not used to it they will try to paw it off. It would be to no avail if you didn’t train your dog and Halloween came along and the dog would not wear the hat. Some accessories that you can add to your dog’s hat are sunglasses and a bandanna. Your cool pooch will impress the neighbors and might get a little more candy from the houses that you visit Halloween eve.

Other pet Halloween costumes can be a little more elaborate or they could accompany the costume that your child is wearing. A popular toddler Halloween costume is to dress up as a puppy. Wouldn’t it be great to have your big dog standing with your toddler as the mommy dog? Use your imagination and try to dress the dog up as a nurse or a nanny. For small dogs, you can dress them up like babies and have your child play the nanny as she carts the pooch in a baby stroller or holds them wrapped in a blanket. Your imagination and creativity are the only limits of what you can do to include your pet in the Halloween celebration and what pet Halloween costume you can come up with it.

If you're planning to dress your dog or cat in a pet Halloween costume, make sure you follow some simple Halloween safety tips for pets to keep them from getting injured or scared.

For more helpful Halloween ideas and to receive a free copy of my special report "The Family Guide To Halloween Safety" visit http://www.getincostume.com/freereport

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Sikes

Read More

Halloween Costume Tips for the Chronically Cute

Are you the girl next door? The boy next door? Have you all your life been known as “a good kid”? Well, with Halloween right around the corner, this is no time to be polishing your halo. In fact, it’s time to forget comfy and try on some seriously sinful and evil shoes. Come on, by now you must be sick of that squeaky clean reputation. If you’re chronically cute, the trick to looking evil this Halloween is all in the eyes and makeup. Forget the costume for now. Without scary eyes and makeup, that vampire outfit on you looks...well...cute.

Halloween Contact Lenses

At any party, people mostly focus on your face (and not on other body parts like you might think). Your face is where they’ll get the cues that say she’s hot, he’s smart, she's dark, etc. So, why not try wild eye crazy contact lenses for Halloween that go with your costume. They’re not as expensive as you might think and they’re safe to wear even if you don’t normally wear contacts or need vision correction. Besides, they’re just plain evil looking (in a fun way of course), and when you wear them, you're guaranteed to blow your friends away.

Halloween color contact lenses (also known as special effect or theatrical lenses) are opaque contacts painted with freakish designs that completely cover the iris and your natural eye color. A small hole is left clear for your pupil (so you can see). Opaque colored contact lenses work the same way changing brown eyes to blue, and so on. A special type of crazy lens, called a scleral lens covers the whites of your eyes as well which makes for an especially creepy look. Scleral lenses aren’t all that comfortable, are custom made and quite expensive. However, well known contact lens manufacturer Ciba Vision, Cooper Vision, and retailer Coastal Contacts have lines of inexpensive crazy contacts for less than $60 or less a set.

Here are some examples:

For vampires and fiends, the classic red or bloodshot eye is ideal. Star Wars famed Sith Lord and evil Emperor Palpatine get the red eye vote as well. From Coastal Contacts, the favs are: Vampire Red, Darth, and Vader.

For monsters and zombies, mummies, and all other gore-related monsters, yellow, white, or black eyes are perfect. Check out Manson, White Out, Mooney, Starburst, Roach, and Black Out.

Aliens, gargoyles, and lizard-like creatures are best sticking with cat eye or reptilian eyes in any shade. Popular are Banshee, White Cat, Red Cat, and Gremlin.

Homemade Halloween Makeup

As for makeup, first up is changing your natural skin tone, and I don’t mean a healthy glow from the tanning booth. I’m talking sickly yellow, greenish tinged, death warmed over hues. Homemade face paint is cheap and easy to make as well as non toxic. You can fake bruises, warts, and all manner of unnatural facial features.

To make face paint in different colors, mix together 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/2 tsp cold cream until well blended. Stir in 1/2 tsp water and then add food coloring. Wash and dry your face before applying. Use your fingers to apply to large areas and paint brushes to draw scars, lines, and other designs.

For bruises, apply deep blue powder eye shadow with a wet make up brush. Blot charcoal grey and green shadows on top and smudge the whole bruise to taste. For warts, stick pieces of puffed wheat to your face using small pieces of tissue soaked in the face paint mixture.

For homemade blood take 1/2 bottle of light corn syrup and add very hot water a little at a time to make the right consistency. Add a little liquid soap and tint with red food coloring (a little blue or green coloring will make the blood darker). Smear on to taste and store in the fridge.

So, say goodbye to cute and on the darkest night of the year, look your best with irresistibly evil crazy contacts and crypt-raising scary makeup.

Leanne Tremblay is a successful freelance writer and publisher of several successful web sites. She also writes numerous articles on gardening, outdoor living, and work-at-home topics, and publishes a site on colored contact lenses that features wild crazy eye contacts and cat eye contact lenses for Halloween and special events.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leanne_Tremblay

Read More

New Year's Resolutions: Develop 10 Really Good Daily Habits

“Good habits, which bring our lower passions and appetites under automatic control, leave our natures free to explore the larger experiences of life. Too many of us divide and dissipate our energies in debating actions which should be taken for granted.” – Ralph W. Sockman

Most of us have at least some habits that we know do not support our well-being and success. Experts say that in order to break a habit, you need to replace it with a different habit. So, let’s take out the habits that drain you, and add habits that give you energy! These things can be pleasurable things that nurture and restore you!

Here are some ideas to get you thinking (remember these daily habits will be different for everyone!):

# Take a bubble bath
# Go for a walk
# Write in your journal
# Write a thank you note
# Call a friend
# Do 10 minutes of stretching
# Have lunch out under a tree instead of at your desk
# Get to bed a half hour earlier
# Wake up a half hour earlier
# Brush your dog (or cat!)

The idea is not to add habits that you feel you SHOULD do - rather, to add habits that you would really LOVE to do because you know they will make you better able to enjoy life and do the things you must do!

Many people have a very difficult time with this. They are so stressed out and so guilt-ridden that they can’t imagine doing anything for themselves on a daily basis!

A couple of tips to integrate these new daily habits:

# Develop some sort of visual reminder. Most of us are so busy with full lives, it is helpful to have some kind of daily reminder until the habit becomes just that - a habit!

# Try adding just one of your 10 daily habits at a time. It's less overwhelming, and you'll likely experience greater success!

So, write down your list of 10 daily habits, and start enjoying yourself today!

Visit LifeHouse Coaching to sign up for "Blueprints for a Dream Life" and receive Edi Sowers' f*r*e*e* weekly articles, coaching tips, and special offers. Edi works with women business owners who work at home and face the arduous challenge of balancing their personal and professional priorities in order to build their dream life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edi_Sowers

Read More

Top Wild Eye Halloween Contact Lens Are Red Cat Eye, Black Out Lens And A Lot More

Colored contact lenses have become a fashion rage all across the globe with United States and France leading from the front as pioneers of colored lenses. This ever growing urge of folks to sport unique color lenses for parties have paved the way for a boon in the colored contacts industry. These disposable colored contacts have set the cash register ringing. And to add to the ongoing colored contact fever, comes Halloween contact lenses.

Introduction of Halloween lenses have given impetus to the colored contact lens industry. These lenses could be rather termed as costume lenses that are in great demand for fun parties and theme dress parties.

A wide variety of Halloween lenses makes your choice easier. These Halloween lenses come in various categories. It could be a crazy lens or a wild eye lens. Some of the Halloween lenses may appear funny as well.

These possible genres help you choose best suited lens that goes perfectly with your costume and theme of the party. Youngsters may even love to hang out with these lenses on their eyes for fun. Eccentric folks long to buy a pair of wild eye lenses. All these lenses are disposable and are suggested to be used for the directed time. Thought, their use beyond the recommended time may give your eye some troubles.

A Halloween lens could be a black out lens that gives your eye a complete white appearance. With this lens on your eyes you look like a living dead body. On the other hand a Halloween lens could be completely black lens by covering even sclera with black. It too gives your eye a unique appearance.

Red hot and Cat Eye Halloween lenses happen to be very popular for wild fun parties. Blood shot and Wolf lenses are equally popular.

These lenses are often used in horror flicks because of being special effect lenses. These lenses add to the dramatization of a scene in horror movies. It assigns a dreadful appearance to eyes of actors that might be a necessity for the plot of movies. Most often in vampire based movies, Halloween lenses are used.

But before using these lenses you must learn the art of putting on and taking out these lenses, if you are not familiar with the usage of contact lens. You must clean it with the cleaner before putting it on eye.

To get more information on best contact lenses, types of contact lenses and cosmetic contact lens visit http://www.contactlenseclub.com/contacts/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joann_Grant

Read More

Child's Halloween Cat Costume Idea and Face Paint Recipe

What will you dress your small child as this Halloween? If your little kid is over three years old, then you may be racking your brain to come up with another clever Halloween costume idea. Rather than struggling with sewing an elaborate costume to match the newest preschool fad, how about creating a charming yet simple and traditional costume? People will go ‘awww how cute’ when they see your little sweetie decked out in our ‘Easy Child’s Cat Costume’ idea. Make the effect even more adorable with the appropriate face paint as well. Don’t spend a fortune on face paint when you can use our ‘Easy Halloween Face Paint’ recipe to doll up your darling this Halloween.

Keep your child safe this Halloween by avoiding using face masks that can hinder your child’s vision and potentially cause an accident. Read on below to get started planning your kid’s easy cat costume and face paint.

Easy Child’s Halloween Cat Costume Idea

Piece of Cardboard for cat ears
Felt that matches your leggings and turtleneck
Plastic headband
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Long piece of fabric or felt to make a tail
Large safety pins
Dark turtleneck
Dark leggings
Large sweatshirt (optional)
Fabric paint or fabric pens (optional)

Draw triangle shapes about 3 inches tall and 2 inches wide on the cardboard. Cut out the ears. Cover with felt using hot glue. If you use dark brown or black as your turtleneck and legging color then you can use a basic tortoiseshell or black headband. If not, then cover the headband with the same color felt as your cat ears. Glue the ears to the headband. You can easily make a cat tail by using a long piece of fabric rolled into a long tube and filled with stuffing and then hot glued at the seam. You can pin the tail on the legging seat or attach with Velcro for safety.

You can either make your cat a ‘skinny’ kitty with just the turtleneck and leggings, or you can add a sweatshirt in an accent color to give some added depth and warmth to the costume and your child while outside. A cute idea if using a sweatshirt is to take some fabric paints or paint pens and write cute little sayings on the shirt in whimsical lettering. Write things like ‘meeoow’ or ‘Happy Meow-o-leen’ etc. You can also draw little mouse shapes and cat paw prints. Finish your child’s easy cat costume by painting a simple cat face on your child’s face. Use our face paint recipe to create a cat nose, mouth outline and whiskers. If you want you can cover your child’s face with a light base coat and then paint the details on. Have a medium and a small liner paint brush for different size details.

Easy Halloween Face Paint Recipe

1/2 tsp cold cream
1/2 cup
1/2 tsp water
Different colors of food coloring

Mix cornstarch, cold cream, water, and enough drops of food coloring to make the color vivid in a cup. If you’re making several different colors then have more cups available. Stir well and add more cornstarch if too runny.

Sherry Frewerd is an affiliate marketer who publishes websites and blogs on various topics. Visit her ‘Halloween Fun Blog’ http://halloweencostumeandpartyblog.blogspot.com to find more fun and affordable easy Halloween costume ideas. Don’t forget to download your free ‘Halloween Treat and Party Ideas’ ebook while you’re there!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherry_Frewerd

Read More

Cats and Christmas Trees

It is that time of year when many families will be preparing to put up their Christmas trees. It all starts either by getting your tree out of the attic or storage place, or going and picking out the perfect tree from a tree farm or local store. No matter which way you start with, if you have a cat or two in the house you need to consider a few potential dangers when preparing this yearly ritual.

The type of tree is important to consider, if you do not keep it in a separate room away from your cat. Live Christmas trees can be deadly to a cat. If they eat the pine needles they could puncture the intestines. Pine is also toxic to cats causing damage to the liver or death. An artificial Christmas tree is safer than a live one, but it can also cause blockage if it is eaten.

I put up an artificial Christmas tree, not just for the safety, but also for the convenience of the clean up. It still takes more planning and preparation to keep the cats off and away from the Christmas tree.

Start by finding a good spot where you can place the tree that will allow you to secure to something so that the cats cannot knock or pull it down. It is also a good idea to keep the tree away from other items, such as tables, chairs, or anything else your cat can climb on that will give it closer access to the tree.

After you have found the perfect spot for your Christmas tree, the next part of the yearly tradition is going to be the most fun. Decorating the tree! Now this is the best part of getting the tree up and ready, but it can also be the most mind boggling and nerve wrecking task. Especially when you have to consider the placement of all of the decorations in proportion to your cat's interest in any and all of the decorations.

Now, I have learned the hard way with placing my decorations on the tree, that you must never put your glass bulbs near the bottom where the cats can reach them. The first year that we had our cats and I decorated the tree not thinking that they would play with it, I put the glass ornaments as well as other ornaments on the bottom branches. Well, later that day I heard a bang, and smash of glass breaking, only to look out and see that both cats were playing with the dangling ornaments and knocking them on the floor. A lot of our ornaments were smashed and broken that year, but I learned to not do that again. I now put the ornaments on the upper branches, and I no longer use glass bulbs or any other ornaments that they can break.

Another thing to consider doing if you have cats is not to put tinsel on your tree. When I was growing up, we always put tinsel on our Christmas tree. I never liked putting up the tinsel because it was so hard cleaning up and getting it off of the tree. I am glad that I do not put tinsel on my Christmas tree, especially since I have cats and it can harm them if they swallow it. It is better to not put tinsel on your tree if you have cats.

Also, take care in the placement of the lights. You do not want your cat to chew on the cord and get a nasty shock. I did have two cats that liked to chew on cords and I took extra care on making sure that they were placed where they would not be tempted to chew. A wonderful tip to keep your cat from chewing on the cord is to place it in a plastic strip and tape it to the floor. Another thing to do is to tape down or remove the tag that is attached to the lights; this is often a tempting object for cats to chew on also.

Once you have your tree up and decorated it is now the time to become creative in keeping your kitty away from the tree to keep your decorations safe from its curiosity. There are a few things that you can try to keep your cat away from the tree. You can place foil or two sided tape around the tree, they do not like the feel of it and will often times stay away. Another tactic to try is to place citrus rinds or fresheners around the tree; cats do not like the smell of citrus and will stay away. You can also spray your cat with water each time it attempts to get close to the tree and it will soon stay away. I have found that using the water bottle to be the most effective and easiest for me to do. Try each one and find one that will work for you and your cat.

Make this Christmas a memorable one and do not forget to keep your cat in mind when making preparations for your Christmas traditions, especially those involving a tree.

Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats.

You can read more about Sharon and her cats at http://www.caringforyourcat.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Cowherd

Read More

My Cat Spike And New Raccoons

No one has ever accused my cat Spike of being smart. It's not that he's excessively stupid, it's just that he has a one track mind and if he decides he wants something, it's full speed ahead for him. Forget about the consequences!

Last year during the great raccoon raids, he was dumb enough to be caught three times in the animal trap provided by the city. These are the kind of traps that do not hurt the prey, but lures them inside a cage with a tidbit of food. Then, when the varmint steps on the trigger near the bait, a trap door slams shuts and the animal is caught. They're then carted off to a better and safer environment away from humans. Pets that are captured are released to their owners. They're stuck with us!

A few nights ago just after dark, I baited a new trap with a can of cat food and explained to Spike that this trap was just like the ones I used last year and for him to stay away. Turning his back on the trap and the cat food, he calmly strolled to his bed in the garage. I took his silence to mean that he understood and agreed.

A little later in the evening I heard a pitiful yowling from outside the garage door. I knew immediately that I had not caught a raccoon. It was Spike again! As I approached the cage, I heard a rustling in the neighbor's yard and looked up to see two young raccoons sitting together and looking at the scene before them. They were no more than 75 feet from me and I would have sworn they were laughing at both Spike and me.

For the last two years I have had raccoon problems that have almost driven me nuts! Last year a family of raccoons decided that Spike's cat food that I kept in my garage was much tastier than anything they could find in the wild.

Even though I kept the exterior door of the garage closed and locked each night, they seemed to find the pet door I'd installed for my cat a great source of amusement. I watched from my hiding spot one night when all five of last year's litter crawled into the garage one at a time, then turned around and went back outside. After all were back outside, they turned around again and came through the little door again. It doesn't take much to entertain raccoons.

Raccoons are cute; I'll give them that. Regrettably, they're also slobs! There's nothing they won't eat, including my waders that I once used for fishing! They learned to crawl up shelves that held tools to get to cat food I had stored in 5 gallon cans. There were lids on the cans but they figured out how to chew them off. Often they wouldn't be content to just eat the food but would push items off the refrigerator, chew upholstery off a chair I had in the garage and generally make a nuisance of themselves.

Last year I tried trapping them to no avail. I even ordered some coyote urine over the internet that was guaranteed to keep raccoons away. This method of eradication is based on the premise that coyotes are natural predators of raccoons. When he gets a sniff of the coyote urine, he becomes so terrified that he runs for safer territory leaving my house and Spike's food alone. I sprinkled some around the perimeter of my house and hoped for the best.

It didn't work! Actually nothing drove the raccoons away until they latter part of autumn when the nights started getting cold. By Christmas all the cute little critters were gone to warmer climes.

Now, faced with two new masked terrors that have already begun tearing up my garage, I know that probably the only thing I would catch if I kept setting the trap would be my stupid cat. I'll keep trying to keep a raccoon free house, but there's no doubt I'll have to wait for winter.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at: http://www.homeandgardenbob.com http://www.redfishbob.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Alexander

Read More

A New Pet Food For A New Year

As the holiday approaches, you start to think about the mistakes that you have made over the last year and what you would like to change in the New Year. New Year's resolutions allow us to put into perspective what it is that we actually want to achieve with our lives in the following year.

If you are a pet owner then one thing that you might like to do, is to make a New Year's resolution that involves your pet. This resolution should be that will make them even healthier and happier than they are today and there is no better way than to start with their diet.

Improving Your Pets Diet

Whether you own a cat or a dog, what you feed them has a direct effect on their health and well being. Many owners do not think about this when they look out for a type of food to feed their pet. In fact, many owners do not realize the difference between the various brands of dog and cat food. To them all dog and cat food is the same and it is all equally as good for their pet as the next brand. However, that is sadly not the case.

If you were to look into the ingredients that actually go into cheap pet food, you would soon realize just how bad for your pet it actually is. It is not just food either; pet treats can also be extremely bad for them. The effects that it can have on your pet can be devastating. So wouldn't it be kinder to pay a little bit extra for a type of food that will improve your pet's health?

Premium dog and cat food is designed with your pet in mind. Providing them with only the finest ingredients, premium pet food helps to keep your pet looking and feeling healthier. Generally meat is the main ingredient in healthy dog food, along with vegetables and anti-oxidants too. You can spot poor quality pet food by looking to see if it contains any artificial colorings and flavorings as well as BHA and BHT.

Generally poor quality dog food can cause your pet to become obese. This is not a laughing matter as obesity in our pets can cause:

• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Joint Problems
• Diabetes
• Liver Disease

As you can see from the above list, you pet could be seriously ill if you do allow them to become obese. Giving them too many poor quality treats will result in obesity and so it would be a good idea to look at the alternatives available to you. Purchasing premium quality treats will help to keep your pet happy and healthy and it will also put your mind at ease, too.

Feeding your pet a healthy, premium grade pet food will really help to keep your pet well. Once you realize exactly what goes into cheaper dog food brands you will soon realize that it is a lot safer to opt for a slightly more expensive food, than it is to risk your pets health with a cheaper alternative.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit healthy, premium dog food for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_Matthews

Read More

About Cat Breeds - The Popular And The Unusual

Given that adopting a cat is a significant commitment - they live for an average of 15 years - it makes sense to learn more about cat breeds before you buy. Two extremely popular purebreds are the Siamese and the Persian, although both of these have characteristics that may make them unsuitable choices for some people. Fortunately, there are a large number of other breeds to choose from, many of them less well known. Two of these less recognized breeds actually give hope to feline loving allergy sufferers, as they have a low-allergy coat and are generally well tolerated.

Although not as popular as they once were, Siamese cats have many loyal fans, and for good reason. They are extremely beautiful and intelligent, although modern breeding practices have introduced an unhealthy leaning towards an overly triangular head shape. Siamese are very vocal, however, which can be a problem for some people, as they may be a little bit determined in putting their views across. This is not a cat for the owner who doesn't have a lot of time to spend with their pet, as Siamese are very people-oriented. They love attention, and they love interacting with their owners. They will follow them from room to room, and are naturally very curious and mischievous when bored.

Unlike Siamese, Persian cats are very even-tempered. They get along well with other dogs and animals, and integrate well in multi-cat households. They also tolerate children well. The biggest drawback - and also their most striking feature - is their amazing coat. A Persian's coat needs daily brushing. It mattes easily, and cats need to be sedated to have their coats clipped, so keeping their long coat in good shape needs to be a priority for Persian owners.

The Siberian cat, or croshca, is another long haired feline. It requires less grooming than the Persian, and needs to be brushed only two or three times a week instead of daily. Their coat is different too. Surviving in the deep cold of a Russian winter, the croshca has a waterproof, slightly oil coat. Siberian cats are very playful, and affectionate. Like the Siamese, they grow very attached to their owners, so this is something to keep in mind when selecting a breed. The Siberian is one possibility for those with cat allergies, as their coats are believed to be hypoallergenic.

Devon rex cats are another option for those allergic to cats. They have a very thin, soft, slightly crinkly coat that sheds very little. The coat itself is also hypoallergenic. Be warned however - devon rex are extremely playful and mischievous. They are also very fond of food, and have been known to be quite resourceful in finding it even when hidden away. The devon rex is very affectionate, and another people-oriented cat that will follow you around and 'help' with chores.

Feline breeds all have their own distinctive characteristics. This is something to keep in mind as you learn about cat breeds before you buy. Do you have children or other pets? How much time do you want to spend with a cat, and does your work schedule allow it? Getting two cats together (if you don't already have one) is never a bad idea as it provides companionship for both. But some cats still demand more of their humans than others do, though they often give at least as much back.

If you'd like more cat breed information, click here. Rebecca writes on topics like cat urine here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Prescott

Read More

A Look At Cat Breeds

Whenever you next think about cats, you just have to turn to this article. It is a complete resource on cats. Ever wondered why cats were called cats? If you read this article, you are sure to find out the answer.

As the information we produce in our writing on cats may be utilized by the reader for informative purposes, it is very important that the information we provide be true. We have indeed maintained this. Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expense, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.

Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless - and have nothing to do but breed.

The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isn't as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair. The results of one reading this composition is a good understanding on the topic of cats. So do go ahead and read this to learn more about cats.

Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet - including dogs. No matter breed of cat you get - you're sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.

Please don't treat this as an average piece of writing on cats. A lot of effort and hard work has been put to get this end product!

Sven van Gink is an cat lover, but he is also an expert about how you can train cats. You can see his site here: Cat Training

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sven_Van_Gink

Read More

Choosing A Cat Breed

Choosing a pet can be a momentous decision; there are space considerations, time commitments, and a general overall dedication to the daily love and care of another living thing. It is not a decision to take lightly. Of course, there is also the equally significant choice between varieties of pets. Pet owners are often split down the middle between dog lovers and cat lovers – with owners of both thrown in for spice. Cats may seem like the simpler of the animals from which to choose. But the truth is that there are a variety of cat breeds to explore – each of which has its own look and personality.

Each cat breed is something very different from the next. It is important, therefore, that you consider the personality of your family and what cat breed would best integrate into your lifestyle. The biggest difference between each cat breed is generally the level of human contact they need or tolerate. Some cats are perfectly content to stay to themselves and only emerge when they need to be fed. This may be a good choice of cat breed for a busy professional couple with no children. For an active family who wants a participatory pet, however, a cat breed with a more social personality may be a better fit.

When considering a cat breed it is also important to consider their hair length. Long-haired cats require an enormous amount of grooming because of the possibility of mangled, knotted hair – an uncomfortable prospect for the cat and an equally aggravating prospect for the owner. A short haired cat breed requires far less grooming and may be a better choice for those owners with minimal time to dedicate.

When researching a particular cat breed, you have a number of different resource options. Chat with other cat owners about their favorite cat breed and the pros and cons of ownership; consult a trusted veterinarian about the temperament of a particular cat breed and how it would fit within your family; and speak with knowledgeable pet store employees about their experiences with each cat breed. Lastly, the Internet holds a vast amount of information on whichever cat breed most interests you.

If you do proper research regarding your cat breed of choice, you will find that you soon have another family member that will bring you a lifetime of love and joy.

For easy to understand, in depth information about cat breeds visit our ezGuide 2 Cats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery

Read More

About The Pixie Bob Cat Breeds

Choosing between cat breeds can be like trying to decide which snowflake is prettier. Each new kitten is cuter than the next. There are so many varieties to choose from, each with its own distinct look and personality. Do you want a cat breed that is sleek, like an Abyssinian or Siamese?

Alternatively, do you want a cat such as a Persian that gives an air of sophistication? Maybe you want something that resembles a cat's wild cousins? Bengal cats have beautiful spotted coats reminiscent of leopards and ocelots, and the Pixie Bob looks like the bobcats of North America.

Pixie Bobs may have a wild look to them, but you couldn't ask for a more charming, loving companion. This breed has a reputation for being the Golden Retrievers of the cat world. These cats, first bred in the Pacific Northwestern United States, were thought to be the product of a Bobcat and a feral cat.

DNA results have yet to prove any bloodline relation, though. The only "fierceness" this cat has is in its loyalty to its owner and family. Breeders have found that after a Pixie Bob reaches the age of one or two, they don't adapt well to new owners.

The Pixie Bob is a medium to large cat that some have described as "big boned". They have spotted markings and black tufts on their ears. Their tails are either short or full length. If you're planning on showing your Pixie Bob, make sure that the breeder hasn't had the tail docked (cut).

A docked tail is not acceptable in the show ring. Pixie Bobs also have huge paws that are "straight toed" or "poly toed". A Pixie Bob with straight toes has paws with the usual number of toes on it (five in the front and four in the back).

A poly-toed Pixie Bob will have more than the usual number of toes, maybe six on the front paws instead of five. Unlike most cats, Pixie Bobs take three years to reach maturity as opposed to the usual one year. The males can reach 22 pounds and the females top out at 16 pounds.

If you are looking for a Pixie Bob, you can expect to sign a contract for the protection of the cattery, the kitten, and you. A contract outlines what the cattery will be responsible for (such as a 72-hour guarantee on the health of the kitten and what records the cattery's veterinarian will provide), refunds, replacements, and expenses.

The contract will also inform you of the buyer's responsibilities once the kitten leaves the possession of the cattery. Some other things you can expect to find on the contract are holding fees (if you request that a specific kitten be held for you), a promise from you to give the kitten a good home and reasonable care, and advertising rights (the cattery might want to use photos of your kitten for future promotions).

Now that you have decided that you would like to have a Pixie Bob of your own, where can you find one? It's highly unlikely that you will be able to find one in a cat shelter, although there are Pixie Bob rescues out there.

While most of the Pixie Bob catteries are located in Washington State in the United States, you can find them all over the US and in the UK as well. The International Cat Association has listings for Pixie Bob catteries and practically every other breed of cat out there.

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our cats portal for more great tips about the Pixie Bob cat breeds, and leave a comment at our cats blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon

Read More

The Big Cat Breeds Needs Rescue Shelters

Thousands of cats find homes in cat rescue operations. These cats aren't always the small pets people usually have in their homes. Sometimes, the cats in question are big cats, such as mountain lions or tigers. Purchased through the black market and bought because they are unique creatures, big cat breeds start small and cuddly, but soon grow to large proportions that most owners aren't prepared to deal with.

Big cats rescue steps in when the owners find they can't handle their exotic pets any longer. Either the owner abandons the big cats, thinking that because the cat was "wild" to begin with, it can easily fend for itself, or they start to neglect the animal.

Worse, the animal attacks someone. The authorities rush in and do their best to remedy the situation, sometimes having to put the animal down on the spot. If the big cats are lucky, the authorities see fit to send the cat rescue center.

A zoo is not an option. Many times, this is where the trade started. Unscrupulous zoos breed big cats in captivity to increase attendance at the zoo because the public enjoys seeing new babies. When the felines are grown, the public loses interest, and the zoo can't support the larger cat.

The animal is sold off to private brokers who then turn around and sell the animals to the public. Anyone might end up with the feline. Even worse, that owner might try to breed the cat to have another cub or to sell cubs to his friends. When this happens, the cycle begins all over again.

Supply and demand are the two biggest contributing factors to big cat breeds ending up in a cat rescue. The breeders will keep breeding the cats, and the public will continue to buy them. People have a fascination with getting close to an exotic feline. What the public fails to realize is that there is a massive responsibility that goes along with caring for big cats.

The cats were never meant to be pets to begin with. You can't keep them indoors, and keeping a big cat outdoors isn't much better. These cat breeds play rough. They are hunters, and thousands of years of instinct tells them they are the top of the food chain.

That baby tiger will not "bond" with your toddler. This is not a Walt Disney movie. You can bet that when the tiger reaches maturity, your child, your domestic house pet, and you may be labeled as lunch.

Big cats have been kept in cages that are far too small for them. The minimum size required by law of an animal's cage is one that is large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in.

We all cry out in anger when we hear of Vietnam Veterans who had been tortured in "tiger cages". Why should we subject large felines to the same type of torture?

A big cat rescue shelter can offer a better quality of life for the abandoned animal. Many big cats that do reach the rescue stage are suffering from malnutrition.

Others who might have been in show business are nervous wrecks from over-stimulation or are nearly blind from a life of flashing light bulbs and the bright lights of photo shoots. The people who run the shelters have the means and experience to raise the animal properly and meet the cat's nutritional requirements.

Only eight states have passed bans on owning big cat breeds as pets since 2005. The number of deaths related to owning a big cat continues to grow, as all that's required for an individual to own a big cat for a commercial venture in the United States is very low and a permit from the USDA.

Breaking the cycle for responsible preservation of big cats for future generations is an important factor in their survival.

Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our cats portal for more great tips on the big cat breeds, and leave a comment at our cats blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon

Read More

Persian Cat Care

Persian Cats are the most popular cat breed today. They are known for having gentle, sweet personalities and also for their beautiful long hair. They make great companions and are not very demanding.

The Persian cat is one of the oldest cat breeds in history. Other names for it include "Persian Longhair" or "Longhair". The ancestors of today's Persian cats were brought into Europe in the 1600s. Traders would come from Persia and Iran with jewels, spices and occasionally a longhaired cat. This is where they get the name Persian. However, there are even hieroglyphic references to these cats that date as early as 1684 B.C. During the 1800s, this cat became a symbol for wealth and prosperity among the Europeans. The Persian was also one of the first cats to be in competitions and to be registered. They were not called Persians until 1960; before that they were just called Longhairs.

Even though the white Persian is the color that is usually photographed and seen on television, Persians come in uncountable numbers of colors. For competition the colors are divided into seven divisions, which are the solid color division, the silver and golden division, the shaded and smoke division, the tabby division, the particolor division, the bicolor division and the Himalayan division. Their coat is very long and flowing.

This cat should be kept inside or their coat will quickly become damaged. Persian cats need to be combed every day with a metal comb. If they are not brushed regularly, the coat will quickly become tangled and develop hairballs. To keep the coat as clean as possible, it is also recommended that you give an occasional bath. Try to start bathing the cat while they are young so that they can get used to it. This will keep the coat healthy, clean and beautiful. Please remember that this cat cannot maintain their fur by themselves; it is too long and dense. It needs to have daily grooming.

These cats are extremely sweet and gentle. They adapt easily into even the most boisterous households. Persian cats have a beautiful melodious voice that is very pleasant to hear. They communicate very well with their owners using their voice and their enormously expressive eyes. Persian cats are playful but not overly demanding of their owners. They seem to love to pose and look like they are trying to be beautiful. This cat absolutely loves to be admired and pampered. They are also not destructive cats. They don't like to climb and jump very much like other cats do, because of their short legs and mass. Most of the time they just like to show off how beautiful they are!

Keeping this cat inside is not only good for their coat, but it is also good for their health. This will keep disease and parasites away from the cat as well as everyday dangers such as cars and dogs. You should bring your cat to a vet once a year and keep your cat inside for optimal health. Persians can live for 15 to 20 years if cared for properly. However, they do have one health problem that needs to be looked after. Because their eyes are so large, the cat may have trouble keeping them cleaned. Therefore, you should check their eyes regularly for problems.

Compared to other cat breeds, this cat is very easy to keep. You won't have to worry very much about this cat jumping and climbing onto things. The only thing you will have to be sure to keep up with is daily grooming. Many people don't want to brush their cat everyday and if you feel this way then this isn't the cat for you.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Cats

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Read More

10 Most Popular Cat Breeds

Back in the ancient times, the cats are already around. They are even placed in elevated positions in civilizations like Egypt.

Today, any one can enjoy owning a cat. There are no restrictions at all in owning them, unlike other pets that require high maintenance and are subject to state or federal regulation.

A cat can also help you forget an exhausting day at work or at school. It can cuddle up to you and purr. It makes you feel protective over the cat.

Caring for a Cat

Any cat lover out there does not need any reason or question for owning one. Yet, for those who do not have a cat they may think that this is a tremendous task.

Actually, cats are the easiest pets to own. Cats are the perfect companions. They do not require much from the owner. They only have to be regularly fed. They also need a shelter.

Cats can be toilet trained too. A simple tray and a few training sessions can dispense with the problem of dealing with their dirt, especially for indoor cats.

Getting Your Own Cat

Having a cat in the household will definitely be an experience you do not want to miss. Again, they can be easily maintained in the household, so there is no need to worry.

All you have to do is to pick one type that will best suit your personality. There are a big number of cat breeds out there to choose from, not to mention those that have been cross-bred.

Each breed has its own distinct characteristic and personality. This can affect how they will behave, how they play and even if they will require further maintenance.

The best thing to do is to pick the best breed for you. Here are the top 10 breeds that you can choose from.

1. Persian Cat

The Persian cat is one of the most popular breeds in town. They are known for their long and fluffy hair that can grow up to 3 inches. They also have beautiful colors that range from white, black, gray, orange or a combination of these colors.

Persian cats require more maintenance in terms of their hair. They also need comfortable environments and they have to feel secured.

2. Siamese Cat

Siamese cats are also very popular. They have markings in their hair that make them very distinct. They also have slender bodies and very elegant posture.

A Siamese cat always wants to be the center of attention. They want to be cared for. They tend to get too noisy or cry a lot if they want to call your attention.

3. Maine Coon Cat

The Maine Coon Cat, or as some would say Mancoon cat, is one of the oldest breeds of cats. Everywhere in the world, there is one you will find as they can withstand warm and even cold climates.

One will be a very loyal addition to the family. They are fun-loving. Their good-natured personality will make them very safe with kids.

4. Ragdoll

Another wonderful breed for soon-to-be pet owners is the ragdoll. This cat has medium length of hair. They are very gentle, easy-going and affectionate.

They are perfect for any household. They only have to be kept indoors, away from the aggressive animals.

5. Burmese Cat

Burmese cats are shorthaired. They have big yellow eyes and very satiny hair. Stroking their hairs are enough for grooming.

Burmese cats tend to be vocal like the Siamese. They only have softer voices. They can get really bonded and trusting with their owners.

6. Manx

The Manx cats are very distinct because of their peculiar backs that end in a shortened tail. Their structure gives them a very rounded look that makes them more adorable and cuddly.

Manx cats are very intelligent and playful. They are even considered as social cats as they love people very much. They can even be playful even around water, making it easier to groom them.

7. Siberian Cat

Siberian cats are known for their proportioned bodies and their furs. Some even claim that their furs are hypoallergenic, although this is still subject to be confirmed.

These cats are intelligent, loyal and very affectionate. They are almost dog-like in their personality.

8. Somali Cat

Somali cats are long-haired cats that wee from the Abyssinian breed. They have fluffy hair and bottle-brush tails.

They are perfect for owners who want an active, intelligent and playful pet. They can also get very curious. They also shed little hair and thereby perfect for those who do not want too much grooming time.

9. Russian Blue

This breed of cat has blue to bluish-gray coat. They usually have green or dark eyes.

Russian Blues are very playful and intelligent. They also bond really well with their owners but they are very shy to strangers.

10. American Bobtail

American Bobtails are distinctly recognized for their tails that are shorter than the ordinary type and look like it has been specially bobbed. They can have short or long coats. Their eye colors can also vary.

Conclusion

Cats are the most wonderful creatures in the world. They are the beloved pets in most households and neighborhoods. So get your own cat now.

Lee Dobbins writes for www.epet-center.com where you can learn all about pets and pet care. Visit the cat center to find out more about cat breeds cat care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Read More

Ocicat - Amazing Cats

A Look At the Fascinating Ocicat

Admirers of leopards and ocelots will learn that there is a cat with the same exotic appearance that is domesticated, the Ocicat. While the extra-large feral spotted cats can be lethal, these cats make wonderful pets. The Ocicat was developed completely by accident when a American breeder tried to develop a Siamese of had a different color. The breeder mated a Siamese cat with an Abyssinian cat and the result was a mottle-spotted kitten with a wonderful personality, but which looks wild and dangerous. They named it an "Ocicat" to describe why it looked like a cross between an Ocelot and a Cat.

The Ocicat is a medium-sized cat, weighing in at 6-14 pounds. Its powerful, graceful mass is set on muscular legs. This breed's head has a distinct wedge shape, which is topped by large, Siamese like ears. These cats have eyes with a slightly Oriental shape that are surrounded by dark color. Many cat lovers say this rim of color makes Ocicats look as though they are wearing glasses. A long, gracefully tapered tail completes the wild appearance of this breed.

While the original Ocicat was ivory-colored with golden spots, there are now many additional recognized colors. You might discover these spotted cats in Tawny, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lavender, and Fawn colors. In addition, Ocicats come in spotted tabby, spotted silver tabby, and spotted smoke patterns of all of the above colors.

If you are a busy person who is never at home, you should not own an Ocicat. These cats are highly people-oriented and become depressed and upset if they are left alone for long periods. This love of people makes this breed the ideal family pet. In fact, even visiting family and visiting relations will be happily greeted by these outgoing cats. While the Ocicat thrives on human attention, this sociable cat also enjoys compatible living happily in the company of other cats, making it an excellent breed choice for a multiple cat home.

These cats are very playful, so it's important therefore to keep your Ocicat happy, you should be sure to set out plenty of toys. However, this doesn't mean you need to go broke. Simple toys, like a big feather or a crumpled piece of paper, provide hours of entertainment for these sweet-natured animals.

The Ocicat is among highly intelligent cat breeds. You can easily teach your cat simple commands, such as how to come and fetch, but don't stop there. These fast learners have been able to learn to quite a many other commands, as well.

People who don't enjoy grooming their cats will be happy to know that the Ocicat does not actually need to be groomed frequently. A quick brushing once a week should keep your Ocicat looking sleek and healthy. But, since this breed enjoys the attention, you may want to groom your cat several times a week.

If one wants to take in a cat that looks as striking as the jungle cats, then you may just want to get an Ocicat. These cats provide the best of both worlds - a wild look and a sweet nature.

For more info, see Ocicat and Siamese Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Abyssinian

Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King

Read More

Hypoallergenic Cats?

Lots of people around the world would love to have a cat or two as pets but can't because they are allergic to cats. Many people love their cats so much that they keep the cats and live with their allergies as best they can. Cat lovers and breeders around the world have put many years of effort into finding a cat breed or type that is hypoallergenic. Although they have had some success in the past, until recently there really has not been a cat type or breed that is totally hypoallergenic.

The cause of the problem is primarily a protein in the cat's saliva and skin called Felis Domesticus but most people call it Fel D 1 to keep it short. A skin gland called the sebaceous gland produces it. Since all cat breeds have this gland they all can generate allergic reactions in their owners. Although the hair, dander and urine from cats can produce allergic reactions in people, Fel D 1 is the biggest cause of cat generated allergens. It is an extremely small and sticky molecule, much smaller than dust or pollen. It is almost everywhere that a cat has been and can hang around in the air for several years after the cat has left. Believe it or not, Fel D 1 has even been found in the Antarctic far away from the nearest cat.

Two cat breeds in particular have been better tolerated by allergy sufferers. The Sphynx breed is almost totally hairless and because of this they cause fewer allergic reactions from people. They don't really shed since they are mostly hairless so that eliminates one way of spreading the Fel D 1 protein. This is truly an enchanting and elegant breed but the Fel D 1 protein is still generated and can cause allergy problems for the owner. Cornish Rex is a similar breed with very short dense hair. It does shed but much less than most other breeds. Because of this it has gained a reputation as a good possible cat for allergy sufferers. But again, it is not completely hypoallergenic.

Recently, a company called Allerca feels that they have completely solved the problem with Fel D 1. They used a patented process to test cat's genes to identify which genes produce Fel D 1 protein. Once they identified the Fel D 1 gene they found cats that had genetic divergences with that gene. They call genetic divergences GD for short. They did not do any genetic engineering or cloning or anything like that they simply found cats that already had the genetic divergences naturally and breed them with each other to produce cats with genetic divergences that changed the structure of Fel D 1. The result was 100 percent hypoallergenic cats. This is not a particular breed of cat. Cats of all breeds can have the required GD (genetic divergences) but it is very rare.

So can you buy one of these Allerca GD cats? Yes, but they cost about $3500 dollars U.S. and that puts you on the end of a waiting list about 2 to 3 years long. As in most businesses, money talks so for an extra $2000 you get to go to the head of the line and get one today. For that price they even fly the kitten to your veterinarian in a private jet. Is Allerca having any trouble selling the kittens at that price? They are receiving 500 down payments per day for kittens. That's right, 500 down payments per day so selling the cats is not even remotely a problem but keeping up with demand is obviously a problem. Allerca plans to have 500 kittens available in 2007 and hopes to increase that to 5,000 next year in 2008 and 200,000 per year by the year 2010.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Allergies

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Read More

Ragdoll - Breed Information

Is the Ragdoll the Right Breed for You?

Anyone looking for a cat that is laid back and gentle should look at the catbreed "Ragdoll." The breed was developed during the mid-nineteen hundreds by a cat breeder in the US. He bred a cat that when people held it, it would hang limp like a Raggedy Ann doll. The breed was a cross between a Birman cat and a different type of longhair cat from an unknown ancestry. The Ragdoll had a calm, relaxed demeanor, and although the Cat Fancier's Association did not initially acknowledge the Ragdoll, their descendants became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.

This breed is one of the most large 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 a Ragdoll cat's large eyes are bright blue in color. This breed's tail is a bit bushy and tapers at the end.

The Ragdoll does not come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Truly, there are actually only 4 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 occasionally breeders avoid mitted cats because they look a lot like to 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 personality, greeting family members at the door, following them through the house, and snuggling down beside them on the family couch. If you do not believe in de-clawing your cat, but are concerned about having your furniture destroyed, you should want to consider this breed additionally. Some Ragdoll breeders 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. Where 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 particularly want the company of other pets and seems to prefer to spend time with family members over cats, it does not mind living with other pets. Perhaps this preference is because this breed is so much larger than other cats, but it is most likely because the Ragdoll is just so calm.

Since the Ragdoll is a longhair feline, a few prospective cat owners are a little bit hesitant about choosing this breed. They feel they won't have time for the frequent grooming most longhairs require to have. 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 guard against is that although most longhairs are prone to hairballs, Ragdoll cats rarely develop them.

If you want a sweet-tempered, family oriented animal, then the big Ragdoll may be the best breed for you.

For more info, see Ragdoll and Catbreed. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Birman Cat.

Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King

Read More

Important Tips For Dealing With Your Aging Cat

As cats age, they require more and more attention and loving care from their owners. Though cats tend to lead uneventful, happy lives, disease and discomfort increase as they age. Listed here are a few conditions and diseases to keep an eye out for that are common in elderly cats, in addition to a few tips in caring for your cat to aid in their graceful and comfortable aging.

Like humans and dogs, as cats age, they begin to show signs of degeneration. One of the most common signs of aging felines is their loss of litter box training. Some elderly cats acquire conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or decreased proper kidney function. These health issues can in turn lead to irregular urination and elimination processes. You may find your cat relieving him or herself outside the litter box. If this becomes a common practice, it is a good idea to buy one of or two more litter boxes and place them in various locations throughout your home. This will make litter boxes more accessible to your cat and will aid in their proper elimination practices.

A common feline condition is arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which inflammation of joints occurs. Signs of arthritis include swollen and tender joints, limping, lameness, and stiffness in joints, often occurring when they get up from lying down or when it is cold or rainy outside. You can help your cat by placing their litter box and food and water dishes in easily accessible places. If, for example, their litter box is upstairs and their food and water dishes are on top of the dryer in the laundry room, they will have difficulty getting to them when they are needed. The more you help ease the discomfort of your cat, the happier they will be!

Poor dental health and dental disease is fairly common in elderly felines. Tartar, gingivitis, and sensitive gums are often seen in older cats. Believe it or not, the tartar build up or dental disease in cats can spread to their heart or kidneys, which can cause serious problems. The best thing for you to do as an owner is to start early and clean your cat's teeth regularly in addition to feeding them dry cat food, which will help clean their teeth on a daily basis.

Lastly, as cats age, they seem to lose interest in basic grooming practices. This may be due to arthritis or dental issues, but whatever the reason, it is something you will most likely need to help your cat with. Giving them weekly baths and gently brushing their coat will help tremendously. Cats feel better and are happier when they are clean and well groomed. Don't forget to keep their claws trimmed regularly because their nails can become brittle in their older age.

Just as humans and dogs need extra care as they age, so do cats. By having a basic understanding of cats' diseases and basic needs as they age will help increase their comfort dramatically. Understand your cat, and learn to take them of them properly in their mature stage of life; this will keep them happy, and will help you enjoy the final years of your cat's life.

Elise Rogers is an avid pet enthusiast who writes articles for Discount Pet Mall. Visit their site today for great savings on pet beds, raised dog bowls and dog ramps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elise_Rogers

Read More

The Joy Of Having A Cat As A Pet

In this article, I write about the pleasures of having a cat as a pet. It took quite a long time for my wife to persuade me into letting her have a cat, but we now have three. I would certainly recommend other people to give a cat a home as they are no trouble at all and add lots of value and love to the household.

Looking back I am not really sure why I was so against having a cat as a pet. It was not for the financial reasons of buying the cat food as it is not exactly expensive. I suppose I thought that they would ruin some of the furniture or may even pooh and wee on the floor. This has not been the case and thinking about it, I was being rather stupid, as you no doubt agree.

This is the daily schedule of our three cats. They wake up in the dining room which is now basically the cats room. They are then fed and eat their breakfast. In this dining or cats room, we have put litter trays down for them, but it is very rare that they use them. The cats then go out of the house for a while and a little bit later can usually be seen sunbathing in the garden, that is if the weather is good of course.

At around twelve midday the cats then come in for some lunch, yet more cat food. I often wonder how they do not get bored eating the same type of food, day in, day out. They will then sleep somewhere around the house for the next few hours before asking to be let out to do their business.

At around 5pm they have some more food and then decide to become a little more sociable. They would then normally join the family in the main living room and curl up to sleep some more, normally on somebodys lap. Each cat is quite funny as they seem to have a favourite member of the family whose lap they would prefer to sit and sleep on. My two children really love our cats especially during the evenings.

The three cats will then wonder out again at around 10pm before asking to come back in around an hour later.

What a life this is, if I am able to come back to this planet after I die, I would like to come back as a cat please.

The cats have really been no trouble at all and we are planning to let both of our children have their very own cat to look after, for Christmas.

For the record if any of you are interested out there, our current cats are called, Tom, Ben and Pip. They all get on really well together and very rarely fight.

Maybe I am just lucky but when talking about the subject of cats with my family and friends, they all tell similar stories to mine.

I have now agreed to owning a dog. Her name is Cassie and even though she requires a lot more attention as in the way of walks, she has also been a dream. In my opinion however you can not beat the cats and their lifestyle.

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

stammering advice

poker tips

teeth grinding

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hill

Read More

Fat Cats

You have a picture in your mind of a " Fat Cat" is that of a rather plump feline sitting on a settee, with a glass of cognac and a fat cuban cigar. You have seen pictures of fat cats, or know someone that has an enormous looking cat eating bonbons that looks more like a hedgehog, than from feline species. Why do cats get fat? Is it the fact that they ate too much turkey at Christmas time, or too many cheeseburgers at the local drive through?

I have seen some pretty butterball shaped cats from some of my friends, the cat walks into the room waddling side to side, and can barely walk. This is not only hard on the cat's heart, but increases the chances of heart disease, diabetes and similar diseases we humans get when we get too plump around the hips. So what do you do with a Fat Cat? Put it on the treadmill, get a sauna to sweat off the extra fat?

A very little known fact of the so called " Lite" pet foods are not recommended for fat cats. These brands actually omit the essential fatty acids and a higher quality of protein that along with the preservatives are a chemical disaster for fat cats.

Feeding raw, foods and nutritional supplementation, with plenty of water and exercise will slim down your cat so that it can be in a healthier state and back to a normal weight. The risks of a fat cat, are highly deadly including feline diabetes where you will be giving your cat daily insulin shots and monitoring sugar levels for the rest of its natural life.

Checking your cat's thyroid levels to rule out any hormonal problems by blood and urine tests at your veterinarian.

Tips on Weight Loss for Cats:

1) Moderate the diet by including raw foods, with less preservatives, chemicals and grease.

2) Increase the playtime and activities of your cat, with new and interesting toys it can play with for hours.

3) Fresh air and sunlight -put your cat on a leash and bring it outdoors for some exercises.

4) Encourage more vegetables either in a puree, blended in with food, which helps

move the bowels.

5) Use a pet slim supplement which promotes efficient metabolic function.

Feeding the right foods is a good choice to start with, and when you combine it with exercises, and natural light can induce weight loss in your cat. Enjoy some extra walks with you cat and increase play time by tossing a ball up and down stairs. There are many ways to get your cat off the couch as they do sit around a lot more than dogs do and are usually indoors for longer lengths of time.

Always start slowly while increasing the activity and consult your veterinarian for an exercise program to help with losing weight. In most cases with walking and playing outdoors we can also lose a few pounds ourselves which is always a healthy benefit.

In all cases consult with a holistic veterinarian that along with diet changes, more exercise, and nutritional supplements you can regain the cat within your cat. Inside every fat pet, is a skinny pet - trying to get out. Enjoy the holidays, in a healthy and nutritious way.

Teri Salvador is a freelance writer with a site primarily on dog health issues that offers frequently updated articles on natural remedies, pet product reviews and current articles on pet foods. You will read it first on DogHealth1.com even before CNN gets around to covering the story.

Visit: http://www.DogHealth1.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teri_Salvador

Read More

Signs and Symptoms of a Stressed Out Cat

If you are a cat owner, you know that cats are emotional and sensitive creatures. Just like us, they can be lonely, stressed or depressed, but they do not express themselves the way we would.

When your cat sharpens her claws by attacking your sofa that may not seem like normal behavior to you but rest assured, it is perfectly normal. Cats have an innate need to sharpen their claws, even if they have been removed. A cat scratching post is a great way to deter kitty from your furniture. Scratching is also how cats mark their territory or anything they consider their property. If kitty kneads at your leg, consider it a compliment, she is marking you as hers.

Some signs that your cat may be in actual distress are; overeating, loss of appetite, excessive fearfulness or urinating outside of the cat liter box.

If any of these things are happening, take a look at your environment. Even a recent move can upset your feline friend. I had an incident last winter where my ten-year-old cat urinated outside of the litter box. In fact, he urinated right next to the box. In ten years, he had never urinated outside of the box! My first concern was that he had some sort of a bladder infection.

If a cat is having pain while urinating, he may associate that pain with the litter box and therefore go outside of the box. In order to rule this out, I took him to my vet immediately. (Actually, he went outside of the box one more time before I took him in). Thankfully, the vet found nothing wrong with him. She asked me if I had made any changes around my home or had any over-night visitors. I had not had any visitors, nor could I think of any recent changes. Then, it dawned on me…I made a cute Christmas bandana for him and placed it around his neck. Could he be so neurotic that this bandana upset him enough to urinate outside of his litter box?? Only one way to find out, I removed the bandana. Sure enough, after I removed the bandana he never went outside of the box again.

Other common stressors to cats are; any new addition to your family-furry or otherwise, a change in your work schedule, even loud noises such as fireworks. (My cats hate the 4th of July). If your cat is grooming more than usual, hiding more than usual, or attacking for no reason it may be stressed out. Pay attention to your cat, she will often let you know what is bothering her.

Ask your vet for additional advice on keeping your cat stress free.

Leigh Adams is an avid dog owner and pet trainer. She is a frequent contributor to this Online Pet Supply Store. She recommends that all cat owners who have the room get a cat condo especially if the cat will be alone during the day to help keep the cat active and relive stress.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leigh_Adams

Read More

Pets and Christmas

Some pets become part of the family. They receive gifts and special treats and meals for Christmas or other holidays just as other members of the family do.

We had a keeshond that had to have his own present to unwrap on Christmas morning. If he didn't, he would steal other people's gifts. With his own present, he would sit where everyone could watch and open it. Then he would lie with his gift and watch the rest of the family open theirs.

I've had cats that enjoyed playing with the discarded ribbons and wrappings. They didn't seem to care about the presents under the tree or before unwrapped, but afterwards, the cats had a ball. One problem we discovered when one of the cats got her head caught in the loop-handle of a gift bag: Some cats will hurt themselves trying to get something from around their necks. Therefore we became careful of any loops that the cats might find.

Our family allowed our pets to "share" in the Christmas meal by putting aside a bit of turkey or ham for them. One cat kept trying to find chocolate, though, and we kept taking it away and hiding it: Chocolate is dangerous for animals to eat. Also, allowing animals to over-eat or to eat food richer than they are used to eating will cause them to have tummy aches, the same as with a person.

Christmas plants brighten a home, but some are poisonous to animals. Pointsettias, for example, should never be where a cat or dog could nibble on it.

Cats that enjoy batting dangling items can destroy a Christmas tree, not only making a mess and ruining the day, but also possibly injuring themselves or a child. Cats, and dogs, can be taught not to play with a tree or anything on it. If one can't be trained, then any tree should be placed in a room or position that a cat can't reach it.

Christmas can be, and should be, fun for people and their pets. A bit of preparation and thought can make the holiday a success for all involved.

Vivian Gilbert Zabel became an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ and produced Hidden Lies and Other Stores, Walking the Earth:, The Base Stealers Club, and Case of the Missing Coach, found on Amazon.com. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vivian_Gilbert_Zabel

Read More

Cats and Christmas Trees

It is that time of year when many families will be preparing to put up their Christmas trees. It all starts either by getting your tree out of the attic or storage place, or going and picking out the perfect tree from a tree farm or local store. No matter which way you start with, if you have a cat or two in the house you need to consider a few potential dangers when preparing this yearly ritual.

The type of tree is important to consider, if you do not keep it in a separate room away from your cat. Live Christmas trees can be deadly to a cat. If they eat the pine needles they could puncture the intestines. Pine is also toxic to cats causing damage to the liver or death. An artificial Christmas tree is safer than a live one, but it can also cause blockage if it is eaten.

I put up an artificial Christmas tree, not just for the safety, but also for the convenience of the clean up. It still takes more planning and preparation to keep the cats off and away from the Christmas tree.

Start by finding a good spot where you can place the tree that will allow you to secure to something so that the cats cannot knock or pull it down. It is also a good idea to keep the tree away from other items, such as tables, chairs, or anything else your cat can climb on that will give it closer access to the tree.

After you have found the perfect spot for your Christmas tree, the next part of the yearly tradition is going to be the most fun. Decorating the tree! Now this is the best part of getting the tree up and ready, but it can also be the most mind boggling and nerve wrecking task. Especially when you have to consider the placement of all of the decorations in proportion to your cat's interest in any and all of the decorations.

Now, I have learned the hard way with placing my decorations on the tree, that you must never put your glass bulbs near the bottom where the cats can reach them. The first year that we had our cats and I decorated the tree not thinking that they would play with it, I put the glass ornaments as well as other ornaments on the bottom branches. Well, later that day I heard a bang, and smash of glass breaking, only to look out and see that both cats were playing with the dangling ornaments and knocking them on the floor. A lot of our ornaments were smashed and broken that year, but I learned to not do that again. I now put the ornaments on the upper branches, and I no longer use glass bulbs or any other ornaments that they can break.

Another thing to consider doing if you have cats is not to put tinsel on your tree. When I was growing up, we always put tinsel on our Christmas tree. I never liked putting up the tinsel because it was so hard cleaning up and getting it off of the tree. I am glad that I do not put tinsel on my Christmas tree, especially since I have cats and it can harm them if they swallow it. It is better to not put tinsel on your tree if you have cats.

Also, take care in the placement of the lights. You do not want your cat to chew on the cord and get a nasty shock. I did have two cats that liked to chew on cords and I took extra care on making sure that they were placed where they would not be tempted to chew. A wonderful tip to keep your cat from chewing on the cord is to place it in a plastic strip and tape it to the floor. Another thing to do is to tape down or remove the tag that is attached to the lights; this is often a tempting object for cats to chew on also.

Once you have your tree up and decorated it is now the time to become creative in keeping your kitty away from the tree to keep your decorations safe from its curiosity. There are a few things that you can try to keep your cat away from the tree. You can place foil or two sided tape around the tree, they do not like the feel of it and will often times stay away. Another tactic to try is to place citrus rinds or fresheners around the tree; cats do not like the smell of citrus and will stay away. You can also spray your cat with water each time it attempts to get close to the tree and it will soon stay away. I have found that using the water bottle to be the most effective and easiest for me to do. Try each one and find one that will work for you and your cat.

Make this Christmas a memorable one and do not forget to keep your cat in mind when making preparations for your Christmas traditions, especially those involving a tree.

Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats.

You can read more about Sharon and her cats at http://www.caringforyourcat.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Cowherd

Read More

Top 10 Christmas Gifts For Cats 2007

Sometimes I feel like dogs get so much attention but what about the loveable cats in our lives. If you don't believe me just notice the next time you are at the store, the dog aisle compared to the cat aisle. To make up for it there are some really great sites online where you can spoil your cat like crazy. Here is a list to help you shop for the cat in your life this Christmas.

1) Cat cottage/ playhouse

If your cat loves a box then he or she will love this. It's the perfect place to hide and feel safe and warm.

2) Merry Go Round

Your cat will love watching his toys go round and round as he trys his very best to swat them away.

3) Cat Toy Gift Bucket

This is perfect for your favorite feline, a bucket of toys for him to place with all day long.

4) Cat Stocking

Now he or she will have a place on the mantel as well . Full of toys and treats to delight your kitten or cat on Christmas morning.

5) Holiday Play-N- Squeak Cat Toys

I have bought these toys for my cat and he loved them . I bought them last Christmas and he couldn't stop playing with them.

6) Catnip

If you really want to give your cat a wonderful surpise that will keep him or her entertained for hours then give a toy with catnip . They make the cutest catnip cigars.

7) Cat Bowls

Why buy the standard common bowl when he can have one that defines his personality.

8) Thermo Kitty Bed

This has to be the greatest purchase I ever bought my cat. He loves this bed, I know exactly where he is on a cold night , all cuddled up and warm.

9) Hammack

This is one of cutest gifts I have seen for a cat when I was looking online , he can now live the good life and lounge in style.

10) Cat Treats

I hope this list helps you with your Christmas shopping for the loved cat in your life.

Nic Roberts
Read More: http://www.instantchristmasmoney.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nic_Roberts

Read More

Our Cat's Christmas Stocking

Any one who owns a pet will be the first to tell that very soon that pet will grow beyond being a pet to very quickly becoming a member of the family. We adopted a cat that was well beyond its infancy and it quickly became a part of our brood. It was obvious our pussy was just more than a pet cat when we all felt he qualified for his own stocking at Christmas.

I went shopping and unfortunately bought several instead of just the one so I had trouble choosing which one I would use. The one I chose to use was just beautiful; it was red at the top white at the bottom and covered in a frosty looking coating. It also had our cats name ‘Tinkerbell’s’ on a tag. It also had a bell on the end that suited his name as well.

This particular stocking was very practical being about 20 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. There will be more than enough room in it for all the goodies we will stuff inside. There will be everything in there, chocolate mice, toys, stringy things with shiny things on the end that pussy will chase. We can’t wait for Christmas time to come so we can watch the fun.

I bought a second item more for me really than the cat really. It was too good to pass up. It was a good cat bad cat stocking. Good cat on the one side Bad cat on the other. This stocking will be a great conversation piece all though it is too small to hold all the goodies we bought. It has a Cut Cat on the top but no bell but it is really funny.

On the one side the Cut Cat is sitting very still and looking so cute and pretty. The expression is one of pride and pomp. It has a Santa hat that puts it fair and square in the festive spirit. Now the one on the back is a different story all together. It is facing away from you so you cannot see its face just its back view. You can see the wall where the cat’s claws have gouged great ruts in the paper on the wall. The wall is seriously damaged and the cat’s fur is standing on end whiskers straight out and if there was sound available you would most certainly hear it

The whole idea of the good cat bad cat was really eye catching so I bought it as well. It is certainly a humorous addition for our pussy. Tell you what I think we need to go out and get a second pussy just to put this other stocking to good use.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clark_Haroldson

Read More

Christmas Gifts For Cat Lovers

The act of offering. Christmas gifts is always enhanced if you take some trouble in matching the gift with the recipient.

Sometimes, though, it is not as easy as it may seem, especially if the gift is for someone you have not seen very often throughout the year; or someone whose tastes you do not know that well.

If that person is a cat lover, though, it is something you are probably aware of however often you may see them. There is every chance that choosing a cat related gift of some sort will be well received.

Cat gifts fall into two categories. The first is something the cat itself (or themselves) can use; the second is something for the cat owner which is adorned by something feline.

Cat Lover Gifts For The Cat Itself

The range of possible cat lover gifts that a cat can actually make use of is quite small, but nevertheless offer an opportunity to buy something both the cat and the owner appreciate. The cat, of course, would probably be happiest with a brown paper bag; at least, I have had cats in the past who would spend much of an evening hiding in such a cheap and cheerful toy.

Assuming brown paper bags are out, what other cat lover gifts can you consider? It will most likely be something the cat can utilise in the home, as when they are off on their travels they like, and need, to be unfettered. An exception, though, is a cat collar. If you know the cat does not have a collar already, then that is an option, but bear in mind that some cats just hate collars and find them uncomfortable. Also, if they are not a good fit, they can become a hazard.

It is probably better to opt for a gift that belongs and stays in the home. For example:

Cat Blanket

There are some very warm, comfortable and attractive cat blankets around, and they make nice cat gifts. We all know how cats love to curl up in front of a fire in the winter; with a warm fleecy blanket to lie on, they will be in heaven. You can add a personal touch to this gift by having the blanket personalized with the cat's name. The cat won't care about that, but it's a nice touch for the owner's pleasure.

Cat Basket

Something a little bit more elaborate as a cat lover gift is a cat basket. I am referring here to a basket to sleep in, not something that is simply for carrying a cat to the vet. Remember, though, that cat's can be very choosy. It would not be surprising if the cat turned it's nose up at a new basket, at least initially. If you spend a lot of money on the basket, then that can be a disappointment, even if the cat owner is very appreciative.

Cats, though, have moods. One day it may take to the basket, especially if you tell it not to get inside!

There are, of course, other things you can buy for the cat itself. Small toys, food treats (fresh salmon may go down quite well), but what is it in the home that cats enjoy most? Sleeping. That means that a cat blanket or type of bed could be a popular gift. We all know, however, that the cat will be the one to decide if they want to use it or not. Never mind, the cat lover recipient will appreciate your gift.

Gifts For The Cat Owner

The choice of gifts that are cat related, and may be suitable for the cat owner, is much greater than for the cat itself. If you think about it, just about anything in the home could have a cat theme to it. Many of these gift items have cat pictures on, or are cat shaped.

Some examples of what you can buy include plates, place mats, coasters, clocks, fridge magnets, ironing board covers, doorstops and a whole lot more. Many of these types of items will be appreciated by a cat lover as a gift.

One good idea is to find a gift that you can personalise, with a picture of the owner's cat. If you have a digital camera, it should not be difficult to get a picture of the cat while visiting before Christmas, without arousing too much suspicion of what you are up to. Once you have the picture, then you can probable find somewhere to add that picture to mugs, place mats and other household items, and end up with the perfect Christmas gift for the cat owner.

Really, the choice of cat lover gifts is wide. That is not surprising, given the huge popularity of cats. So, enjoy looking, and try to find something just that little bit different for your cat lover friends and relatives.

This cat lover gift article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gifts For Xmas website.

Relax, get in the Christmas spirit, and read Roy's new Christmas Story, for adults or children, about Santa Claus and a little girl living on the edge of a tropical rainforest.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_Thomsitt

Read More