Wednesday, June 4, 2008

By Birgit Hulsing
Domestic cats make great pets for most homes because they are very easy to care for and generally bond easily with humans. Most of the societies and cultures around the world have made it a practice to adopt cats into their family structures. However, domestic cats do vary quite a bit in their physical design and personalities from one breed to the next. Choosing a cat breed that suits you and your family is not a task that should be taken lightly. Nor should choosing a cat breed that suits you seem like a difficult task.

The first consideration when choosing a cat breed is the size of your living area. You may always think of cats as being leisurely lounge lizards, but many breeds spend as much time playing as lounging. Playful cat breeds need plenty of room to play. Also, the larger the play area and the more there is to do, such as another cat to interact with, the less likely the cat is to go mad if it doesn't see you much for a few days.

That leads to the second consideration when choosing a cat breed. You need to think about how much time your family is going to be able to spend with the cat. If your new little friend doesn't at least get a couple of gentle touches and a cuddle every other day, it will go mad. Although how much attention is necessary has a lot to do with the breed. The other part of the time consideration is that some cats require more grooming maintenance such as bathing and brushing. A busy family should get a cat with short fur.

The third consideration when choosing a cat breed is allergies to cats. These allergies are not uncommon, but there is much variance in the degree in which they manifest themselves. Someone with a very heavy cat allergy probably should not own a cat. Someone with a light allergy that results in a few sneezes or coughs a day can have a cat, but should be careful in choosing a cat breed that will minimize allergen exposure. For example, you will want to choose a cat breed that has short fur and rarely sheds its fur to reduce your exposure.

The fourth, and probably most often forgotten, consideration when choosing a cat breed is the cost of taking care of that breed. Some breeds are hardier than others. Many breeds have common ailments, such as deafness or fur balls, that may get costly in veterinarian visits. Also, a cat that weighs half as much and has a lazy temperament will eat less than half as much as the cat that weighs twice as much and is packed full of energy.

The fifth, and final, consideration when choosing a cat breed is how the personality of the kitty matches up with the other personalities of your family. Cats come in different temperaments. There are lap, child-friendly, indoors, independent hunter, and jealous, one-person cats.

Brigit Hulsing is a cat behaviour researcher and helps cat owners with practical tips and advice on cat toilet training and cat training

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Birgit_Hulsing
By Hayi Mansoor

Nothing is better than to sit back and watch a kitten play! They are hilarious and heartwarming and at the same time, a wonderful pet. Kittens can be a lot of work in their first few months of life, but after they grow a little, you will end up with a pet fit for kings. An adult cat, depending on his age, will keep that tendency to play and have goofy antics as well. All this action in both cats and kittens comes from their instincts to hunt. When looking to get a cat or kitten as a pet, follow these tips:

• Remember to keep in mind other pets you may have at home. An adult cat may not get along with other cats or dogs. Introducing them could be tricky. The rule to follow here is play it by ear and if you do bring home a cat or a kitten, monitor the meetings with other pets very closely. You don't want to end up with a vets bill from a fight. You don't need this !

• The different breeds of cats is something else to think about. A short haired breed is easier to take care of as far as grooming goes. A long-haired breed will require a good brushing at least every other day to prevent mattes from forming. You probably don't need to worry about bathing a cat. They do a good job of this on their own.

• Having an adult cat will probably be easier than taking on a kitten. Usually, keeping an adult cat indoors is fairly simple. Litter training is a natural act for cats. Most of the time, all you have to do is show them where the litter box is and they'll go there every time. Kittens are the same way, but they may take a little more coaching. They will go to the box, but most mistakes are right around the box. A good idea is to put the litter box on floor without carpets, easy clean-up!

• Having children around a cat or a kitten isn't a big danger if you supervise them together. Some cats are laid back and will let you roll all over him just for the attention. Then there are cats who don't like all the attention. Older cats usually fall into this category. With any animal, don't leave children alone with them to keep down bites and scratches.

• Whether you decide on a cat or kitten, you will need to have the necessary items for care. A litter box, a good brand of clay litter, the correct food, and lots of toys, especially if it's a kitten you are bringing home.

• As for diet, don't feed table scraps. This will result in a terrible mess in the litter box! There are brands of cat food for adult cats and there are brands just for kittens. Make sure you get kitten food for a kitten because it is formulated with special nutrients for a kitten's growing needs.

For further information, please visit Information about Pets

-----------------------

Abdul Hayi Mansoor
SEO Specialist and Article Marketer

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

Hayi Mansoor - EzineArticles Expert Author
By Jennifer McVey
If you are thinking about making homemade cat food, then it is important to follow a few simple rules. Not only can making cat food at home save you money on feeding your cat, but homemade cat food recipes can also provide better health, happiness, and longevity for your cat. If you decide on serving homemade pet food to your animal, then you should also consider adding certain supplements to provide your cat with the essential vitamins it needs.

There are many different types of cat food you can make. Some people like to make their own dry cat food at home because it saves them money. You should always talk to your veterinarian before changing your cat's diet or if you are considering homemade food. Find out what you can feed your cat. If your cat needs to be on a low protein diet then you need to know this too. A veterinarian will be able to tell you which foods are harmful for your cat and which foods are beneficial. Your cat also might need a daily vitamin. It's important to discuss all of these options with your veterinarian, to be sure you are providing the healthiest diet possible to your pets.

Your cat needs a protein source. When you make homemade cat food you should combine at least one source of protein. The proteins you can add to this recipe include ½ pound of minced boneless chicken thigh or breast, 6 ounces of ground or minced dark turnkey meat, ½ pound minced lean beef, or ½ pound ground or minced beef, chicken, or turkey heart. You should include a chopped hard boiled egg into your cat's diet at least three times a week. You can feed your cat a can of tuna but it should be packed in water and not in oil. Sardines and salmon with bones are also good for your cat but only once every two weeks. Keep in mind that feeding your cat canned fish may not be a good idea as it causes urinary tract problems. So use it sparingly.

If your veterinarian suggested a low-protein diet for your pet, then you should add one cup of cooked white rice with the meat to fill out the meal.

There are supplements you should give your cat for essential vitamins and minerals it needs like calcium, vegetables, salt, and more. You can add two teaspoons of olive oil or one teaspoon of flaxseed oil to the homemade cat food. You should include two tablespoons of pureed vegetables or vegetable baby food. Be cautious with spices however; for example adding onion powder to any cat food recipe is a no-no, as it could make your cat ill.

When planning to switch your cat from a commercial pet food diet to homemade cat food, talk to your veterinarian first. Regardless of the food you feed your pet, be sure you are providing him with all the essential ingredients he needs to live a long, healthy life.

Learn more about homemade cat food and healthy pet food recipes at http://www.saferpetfood.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_McVey
By Kasia L.
In the wild, most cats are shown as solitary creatures and very territorial. They are also shown as stubborn and arrogant. Cats are typically very proud animals and don't like to listen to others.

Even though most cats aren't all like this, most of the time cats are. When compared to dogs, cats are shown as disobedient and less eager to please owners. This is why it is critically important to start training your cat at the get go so it doesn't start getting comfortable doing bad behaviors.

You need to start training your cat as soon as you get it and establish the role of your cat and the family members of the house. Show the cat that you are the master. When you train your cat right, you can have very good relationships between your cat.

Not training your cat properly is just like not raising a kid properly. It will end up growing up and being a big problem and trouble maker. A cat that understands your orders and knows how to follow orders will be great.

The step you must do before training your cat is understand the cats instinctual behaviors. Cats, like all other animals, have instincts they are born with and we as pet owners must respect these. Some cats may feel stressed or sad and you must accept this and not take it as a cat being stubborn. Screaming and scolding your cat makes it even harder to train your cat to do what you want and lessens the trust your cat will have for you.

Kasia has a Free Cat Training Tips Report that shows you how to get your cat to do what you want when you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kasia_L.
By Kasia L.
When it comes to learning how to train your cat, there is one simple thing you need to understand. The thing you need to know is the main keys of cat behavior. Cats have very different behaviors than dogs or any other animal. Forcing a training tactic or trick on your cat won't work.

There are some simple rules that you really need to follow when you train your cat. One is that you should train your cat at a proper time. Don't wake your cat up for training. It most likely won't listen to you. Also, be sure to train your cat using short sessions for training. Don't train too long as your cat will get bored and tired. And lastly, be sure to use a positive reward such as a toy, food, or petting when your cat obeys you.

In order to train your cat you first need to learn and understand your cats personality. Every cat is different and knowing the type of personality your cat has will greatly make training much easier. Find out what your cat likes and doesn't like and then use that to your advantage. When you give your cat rewards and treats, be sure it is only when the cat is being trained. If your cat can have easy access to the reward, it won't respond as well to tricks or orders for that treat.

For example, if you want to teach your cat to jump onto your shoulder you have to start small. First, get close to the cat and then put some of a treat on your shoulder. The cat probably will probably reach for the treat on your shoulder. This is the first step. After this, try to get the cat to reach even farther towards your shoulder. The last step is having the cat jump onto the shoulder.

Kasia has a Free Cat Training Tips Report that shows you how to get your cat to do what you want when you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kasia_L.
By Kasia L.
A lot of people think that training a cat is really difficult. Cats can be really stubborn animals and can seem not to listen to anybody, however, they really are not that hard to train if you use the right cat training tips and techniques.

Many cat owners simply give up after feeling that the task of training their cat is too hard. Especially of the cat owner has a dog. Dogs are so excited to do anything for treats and such and cats are not the same.

You can still teach your cat tricks and train it to obey you simply by following tips. People teach cats how to do crazy stuff such as use human toilets and even act like dogs. The key to training is to use positive reinforcement.

The basis of this reinforcement is to simply reward your cat when it does something you like and not do a thing when it doesn't. For example, if your cat does a back flip you give it a treat. If it doesn't do a back flip you just ignore it and do nothing.

You cannot do this all at once. You need to train your cat in small steps. Very slowly you should train your cat. For example, when training your animal to use the litter box start slowly moving it closer and closer to the bathroom. Before you know it your cat will be using the toilet!

When you combine these two tactics you should have no problem training your cat to do what you want.

Kasia has a Free Cat Training Tips Report that shows you how to get your cat to do what you want when you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kasia_L.
By Kasia L.
Is it really possible to train your cat in less than ten minutes a day? Doesn't it take more time? Actually, it doesn't. Too much time training can be not very effective and many owners won't tell you this little secret.

The key to training your cat with that little amount of time every day is being consistent. Also, because this really is a somewhat slow process you need to have some patience. In addition to doing it every single day, you should also choose a certain time to do it as well. This will keep you consistent as well as the cat. Don't train your animal on off hours or when the cat is sleeping.

Now that we covered the basics before the training, let's get to it. Cats have very short attentions so it is helpful training them in this little amount of time. During this time you need to really have good sessions.

When you train your cat be sure not to use negative reinforcement such as punishment. Hitting or punishing your cat will do nothing and your cat will just look at you not understanding it.

Cats are much smaller than people. Hitting them or doing some sort of punishment through hitting won't be effective at all and is actually abuse. Use the cats mind and manipulate it to obey you instead.

The key to training your cat when you can't punish it is to use the psychological tactic called positive reinforcement. You reward your cat when it does something good and do nothing when it does something wrong. The result is that they will do the good act to get the positive reinforcement such as a treat or something of that nature.

With these simple tactics I'm positive that you will be training your cat in no time.

Kasia has a Free Cat Training Tips Report that shows you how to get your cat to do what you want when you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kasia_L.
By Belinda Osgood
The hacking gag, often followed by a blob of spittle, or worse, most commonly signifies a furball in a cat. While this is a common issue and quite normal, especially for long-haired animals, it is still distressing to see your cat go through the eviction process. It is also unpleasant to clean up when the evicted mess lands on your carpet.

When a cat grooms, a generous amount of loose fur is licked from their coats. Unable to spit the fur from their mouths, the cat must swallow it and it accumulates in the stomach. When the fur forms a significant mass, a furball results and this is what the cat must purge.

Furballs, while rarely a problem for your cat, are far from desirable. Here are a few tips for helping reduce the frequency of furballs in your cat.

• Regularly groom your pet. Begin when they are a kitten and they will love the process. Introducing an older cat to it may cause distress to both cat and owner. There are a variety of products on the market. I find that a soft, long-bristled brush is most effective on my long-haired cat, while my short-haired cat responds better to a grooming mitt with rubber prongs. As you groom periodically remove the dislodged hair from the brush or mitt's surface to maintain its effectiveness.

• During the moulting seasons - most notably when they shed the summer coat in autumn and lose their winter coat in spring - add half a teaspoon of vegetable oil mixed in with their food, once every few days. This helps lubricate the digestive tract and enables the fur to pass more easily through their system without requiring vomiting.

• Invest in a cat food or cat treats designed to help prevent or treat furballs. My favourite product to use is furball treats made in Holland. My cats love them more than catnip treats! They are safe, enjoyable, and a lovely way to show your affection and look after their health. They have the dual purpose of preventing furballs and treating cats who've already developed furballs.

These few simple steps can eliminate furball issues, or at least dramatically minimize the frequency of them occurring. Furballs, on occasion may cause a problem whereby it triggers an irritation of the digestive tract or where the animal is unable to expel the mass. These cases are not common, and if they occur, a veterinarian consultation is necessary. Always monitor your pet for any signs of associated illness such as loss of appetite, weight loss, or apathy. These can signify a more serious furball issue or other health issue that requires the advice of a vet.

Belinda Osgood is a writer who enjoys working from home in the company of numerous pets, including two cats. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Belinda_Osgood
By Brian E Hill
Luckily cats are exceedingly clean animals and broadly speaking you don't require to housebreak them at all. During the first few weeks after birth they'll start to use the litter box, especially if they observe their mother doing the same thing.

If they're going to the toilet out of doors, it's natural for them to cover up after they've finished.

For newborn kittens you need to provide them with a litter box because they will need to be kept inside the house till they get accustomed to their new place.

Fill a box with cat litter to an adequate depth that will permit them to dig, about 2 ins, and place the box in a quiet space where they don't sense that they're being watched as many kittens can become rather embarrassed whenever they believe people are looking at them as they're going to the toilet.

You should on a regular basis take out any wet litter and droppings, and ensure that the cat litter stays clean at all times otherwise the kitten will not be willing to use it.

When you have additional cats using the litter box you will need to empty it a good deal more often as they will tend to go more frequently, as cats tend to mark over each other in a similar way like they practice with marking their territory.

Whenever you discover that your cat or kitten isn't using its litter box as it should there are a few reasons why this could be occurring.

The most obvious reason is that the litter isn't cleaned adequately.

Instead the litter box could be in a location that the cat isn't happy with and placing it in a more secluded place could settle the problem.

Elderly or incontinent cats may necessitate a visit to the veterinarian to ascertain if they can resolve the problem and sick cats will frequently not bother going to the litter box.

Some of the times it can merely be a behavioral problem with your cat and this will need to be settled with appropriate action and the correct training methods.

Cats in estrus will also spray so as to attract mates and the only redress for this is neutering.

Go to How To Care For Your Cat to learn about caring for the welfare of one of our most beloved animal pets.

The author, Brian Hill, is a life-long lover of animals, and having had cats as pets for all his adult life, he is particularly knowledgeable of them. His last cat died a few weeks ago after a long (20+ years) life, and by caring for all the cats that he has had, he is very familiar with their habits, and especially of how to care for them. He has a website http://mycatcarestore.com/ where he has a variety of items that are especially geared towards the better care of cats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_E_Hill
By Randa Magdi
Cats who have access to all areas of the outdoors run the risk of being hit by cars, being attacked by dogs, poisoned, injured or killed by wild animals and they are at risk from the odd human that has a cruel streak.

If you are looking for safer alternative for you cat to have access to the outdoors in a protected and controlled environment, you can consider a cat enclosure or cat run.

Having your cat enclosed allows them to enjoy the outdoors and allows you peace of mind knowing that no harm will come to your cat. Let's face it - a cat loves nothing more than lazing around in the direct sunlight.

You have several options. There are a number of companies who specialize in building cat enclosures and cat runs.

Our rear yard, for instance, is completely covered with a cat-proof mesh so that the cats have the run of the entire yard. We had this professionally installed.

But, you needn't cover your whole yard. You may like to cat proof a portion of it.

In our previous residence which was a ground floor apartment we had a modular cat run installed which contained a tunnel and towers with hammocks. The cats could jump out of the window, climb around the tower and then walk around or lay in the tunnel. Similar cage like structures are found in pet stores.

If you are a handy person, you can erect your own DIY cat run, or hire a tradesman to build one to your specifications.

If you search the web you are sure to find a collection of ideas that other cat lovers have used themselves.

Keeping your cat indoors with a safe outdoor environment they can access actually helps them to live longer too.

I love animals, good food and the company of friends so I like to indulge my passions. Hence, my life revolves around these - both privately and professionally. This is my idea of living my dreams..

As a pet owner, I want the very best for my pets as I know other pet lovers do. So, I have been a co-creator of a new website called http://dogsandcats.com.au The service is the sort of one-stop-shop we have looked for in the past ourselves. Our true passion is for the animals - to make sure you have access to the best they can get.

We want to give you a place to cater to all of your dog and cat needs. You can find out about your local service providers and see what sort of a reputation they have based on ratings others have left. If you know of a great service that's not included - just click here to add it (http://www.dogsandcats.com.au/register.php).

When you visit our dog and cat site you will be able to sign up and receive our free ecourse. You will discover the seemingly innocent human foods that can be fatal to your pet. You will learn about plants and flowers to avoid, how to ensure your house is pet friendly and we'll cover travel safety. When you register you will also receive details and be in the running for our competitions, give-aways and other news.

If dinner parties are your thing also, you may care to visit my dinner party ideas blog. Yes, you can have the regular dinner party but with just a little planning, you can make your next dinner party a night your guests will remember (http://www.dinnerpartyideas.blogspot.com/).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randa_Magdi
By Randa Magdi
Did you know that cats are the only animals that walk directly on their claws, not on their paws? If you picture a human, it would be like us walking around on our fingertips.. This is called digitigrades and proves a very useful feature for moving at high speeds. So, cat's claws are particularly useful for moving at high speeds.

Cats in the home are not being vindictive when sharpening their claws on your lovely furniture - nor are they actually sharpening their claws. What they are in fact doing is tearing off the ragged edges of the sheaths of their talons when scratching.

Claws have layers of skin just as an onion does - the claws are in fact an extension of the cat's skin. The outer layer of tissue is continually growing and needs to be removed to accommodate new growth so you will often see bits of the claw spread around the area where the cat has been grooming its nails.

They shed their claws throughout the year to expose new sharp ones underneath. The claws are not only for protection but are also responsible for the cat's delicate balance and amazing feats like climbing, stretching, running, and grooming.

It is not uncommon for cat owners to occasionally want to clip their cat's nails. Clipping nails is only recommended if you own an indoor cat because claws are your cat's only defense along with their most versatile tool for survival. Not only that, scratching is a very normal activity and behaviour for cats.

If you are going to trim your cat's nails, you need to be sure to do it properly. The most important thing is to avoid going anywhere near the "quick". The quick is the hard pink tissue at the base of each claw.. the nail itself is translucent so you can see all the way through it. Accidentally cutting the "quick" causes pain and bleeding for your cat.

Special claw trimmers are available from vets or pet stores but sharp human nail clippers work just as well. You need to be gentle with your cat and trim the nails when it is sleepy or relaxed.

It is recommended you hold the clippers in a vertical position (up and down, so that the claw is trimmed from bottom to top instead of across the nail). This position helps prevent splitting.

But if you feel uncomfortable in any way trimming your cat's claws your vet can do the job for you as can a groomer.

In some countries people declaw their cats for the sake of their furniture! Declawing both physically and psychologically affects cats in a major way.

Declawing involved not only removing the claws but also the first joint (the toes) - so in effect it is like a series of amputations.

I love animals, good food and the company of friends so I like to indulge my passions. Hence, my life revolves around these - both privately and professionally. This is my idea of living my dreams..

As a pet owner, I want the very best for my pets as I know other pet lovers do. So, I have been a co-creator of a new website called http://dogsandcats.com.au The service is the sort of one-stop-shop we have looked for in the past ourselves. Our true passion is for the animals - to make sure you have access to the best they can get.

We want to give you a place to cater to all of your dog and cat needs. You can find out about your local service providers and see what sort of a reputation they have based on ratings others have left. If you know of a great service that's not included - just click here to add it (http://www.dogsandcats.com.au/register.php).

When you visit our dog and cat site you will be able to sign up and receive our free ecourse. You will discover the seemingly innocent human foods that can be fatal to your pet. You will learn about plants and flowers to avoid, how to ensure your house is pet friendly and we'll cover travel safety. When you register you will also receive details and be in the running for our competitions, give-aways and other news.

If dinner parties are your thing also, you may care to visit my dinner party ideas blog. Yes, you can have the regular dinner party but with just a little planning, you can make your next dinner party a night your guests will remember (http://www.dinnerpartyideas.blogspot.com/).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randa_Magdi
By A R Tanty

You may have noticed that when your cat is new to your home, or every once in a while, will spray their urine. Urine spraying is a very normal cat behavior; it is their way of marking their territory.

Spraying is most common in cats that are entire or not neutered male cats as well as households with more than one cat. Cats spray mainly on curtains, bed spreads and furniture; this lets other cats know he was there first and that it is his space.

There are ways to prevent this behavior; one is you can have your cats neutered. Another reason a cat will spray is if she sees another cat whether in your home or looking through the window in your home.

Cats like to sit in windows and you don’t want to cut them off from sunlight and activity of outside but if your cat likes to look out the window then pull up any drapes, move your furniture way from the window or cover the bottom portion of the window. Just until they feel more secure and relaxed.

Here are some methods you can do to stop or reduce your cat spraying. If you have more than one cat, try to play with all of your cats together. Cats that get along will most likely not spray since they don't feel threatened.

Don’t disrupt the life of your cat to often. Cats hate changes and change to their routine can bring about the spraying. There are cat repellants on the market that you may use on the areas they like to help deter them from spraying.

The scent will keep the cat away; it is perfectly safe for humans so you don’t have to worry. Make sure you scrub the areas where the cats sprayed completely. You don’t want the scent of cat urine in your home or to be an invitation to encourage feline to reuse the spot.

For more resources on cats: complete-catcare.blogspot.com

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