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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Christmas With Your Cat

Christmas time is the time of year where we lavishly decorate our homes with twinkling lights and coloured decorations. Our centrepiece is a wonderful scented fir tree, which we cover with spangle balls and tempting chocolates. All these things help to make our homes feel cosy and warm and traditionally seasonal. Unfortunately we are not the only ones attracted by the tinsel and the light, our cats with their highly inquisitiveness are also going to take particular interest in all our Christmas excess and sparkle. But lurking within those Christmas celebrations are hidden dangers for our furry friends.

So with our pet cats in mind, we should decorate our homes this Christmas with care and put in place precautions to keep them safe. Things to consider are:

Holly, Mistletoe and Poinsettias - these are all plants that we traditionally like to bring into our homes during the Christmas period. Unfortunately all these plants are toxic to cats and if eaten can cause serious illness. So always ensure that these plants are not accessible to your cats, place them on high shelves or drape them over centre light fittings. But if you have a cat that is very agile and inquisitive it may be safest not to bring these plants into the house.

Christmas trees - It is practically impossible to stop your cat from exploring this new and interesting item. The only thing you can do is to make sure that it as safe as absolutely possible and that the cat is not allowed access to it alone. A few measures to take are:

Have a tree that does not shed its needles too quickly if at all. Some fir trees don't shed, while others have particularly spike needles that are perfect for getting in soft paws and worse still being eaten.

Make sure the tree is firmly secured and will not tip over.

Place breakable decorations further up the tree and not in the lower branches where they become new play things for your cat.

Spray some strong smelling liquid onto the and around the base of the tree. Diluted Lemon juice is good and will help to deter kitty coming too close.

Tinsel and other Christmas decorations - Always place decorations especially tinsel out of the cats reach. It is just too tempting for your cat and if swallowed cat cause blockages.

Artificial snow - this is toxic to cats, so should be avoided if possible. If you must have it, make sure your cat is not left alone in a room with it, especially at nighttime.

Another danger to look out for during the Christmas period is visitors or family members giving chocolates to your cat. They may think they are giving them a treat but actually they are poisoning them. Chocolate contains methylxanthines and theobromines, which are very toxic for both cats and dogs; it over stimulates their nervous system and cardiovascular system. Always keep chocolates covered up and out of reach of your pets, also let guests know about the dangers.

Symptoms of eating chocolate are vomiting, hyperactivity, diarrhoea, agitation and frequent urination. If you suspect that your cat has eaten some chocolate and is showing some signs of illness they should be taken to the vets immediately. In the worse case scenario, death can occur and all from eating a few charismas chocolates. So extra special care should be taken to keep such goodies away from our pets.

Amongst al the celebrates and visitors it is easy for your cat to begin to feel a little neglected and even scared, especially if there is a lot of noise and unexpected people in the house. Always try to find some time during all the Christmas day mayhem to pay them some attention. It is also a good idea to put aside a separate room for your cat to retreat to if you are expecting a lot of guests. Place in the room somewhere warm for them to sleep, a few of their favourite toys and make sure they have a clean litter tray and some water available. So if your cat decided that it is all too much for them they can be placed in this room and be kept safe and comfortable until things return to normal.

We might like Christmas and all it's fuss and glitter, but your cat may not feel the same way especially if we don't pay particular attention to their needs during this time.

More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site http://www.our-happy-cat.com A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.

Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth

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

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Save Your Christmas Tree From Your Cat

How many years have you spent, with your cat finding your Christmas Tree irresistible? Younger cats love to play with the baubles hanging off the tree, as they are shiny and interesting things that they don’t see very often. What normally happens when your cat spots the baubles is that it will tap it and tap it, then it grabs it and pulls the bauble off the tree. The chaos then follows! If you have a large real tree, you can guarantee having an excess of pine needles covering your carpet, or if you have an artificial Christmas tree, your cat will probably have moved the lower branches causing your Christmas lights and tinsel to hang off the tree; which then causes even more of a problem by leaving the temptation of more hanging objects for your cat to pull down.

The only way to stop your cat from causing devastation around your Christmas tree is to use a deterrent. Many people will use all sorts of things to try and stop the cat from getting close to the tree, some people will put the Christmas tree in a children’s play pen (however often the cat will happily jump over this or squeeze through the bars), other people will recommend leaving citrus peel around the bottom of your tree, I don’t recommend this method as you can end up staining your floor or carpet if you are not very careful, especially as the fruits contain acid.

I have found by far the best cat deterrent for any type of Christmas tree is home made decorations. It is true that cats do not like the smell of citrus, their noses are very sensitive, and often citrus can be overpowering and they will not approach, this is why I recommend making the old fashioned orange and clove hanging tree ornaments. That way the Christmas tree will still look nicely decorated, and you’ve got a built in cat deterrent.

The ideal way to make these is to purchase large oranges (not the easy peel type), you’ll want to dry these out as much as possible. Dry them in a oven on a very low temperature, you want to evaporate the moisture in the orange rather than cooking the orange. When the orange has dried to a good degree (but not too hard), you need to push in the cloves all the way around the orange, covering as much of the skin as you can. Decide now how you are going to attach the ribbon (to hang the orange on the tree), you could put the ribbon through the orange and secure it at the bottom with a loop at the top, or you could tie the ribbon like a parcel around the orange, if you want to pass the ribbon through the orange, then make sure you make a whole now. Return the oranges to the oven on a low temperature to finish drying. Once dry, let them cool and then tie on the ribbon.

Your oranges are now ready to decorate your Christmas tree. Your house will be wonderfully fragranced with the scent of oranges and cloves, and I can guarantee your cat will avoid the Christmas tree for the entire Christmas season. If it looks like your oranges won’t last that long, then purchase some more and start the process again.

Written by Laura Marsh. For more cat information on cats and cat care visit http://www.caringforyourcat.info

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

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What to Get Your Cat for Christmas

Cats like the same thing for Christmas that they enjoy every other day of the year--good food, fresh water, clean litter and a bit of their preferred chin scratching, head-to-tail petting and cuddling. However, most cats would not say, "No" to a little nip of catnip in a stuffed toy or slathered all over a scratching post. In fact, they might say, "Yes!" with great enthusiasm in the way only cats can--by rolling all over the catnip area and the odd bit of drooling.

Another thing not many people know that cats like is honeysuckle. It's not as crazy-making as catnip, but spray a little honeysuckle on a toy or scratch post and many cats will get right down and savor it by rubbing their cheeks on it to catch every last bit of scent. I've had great luck in alternating sprays of honeysuckle with scattering of catnip on a stand-up sisal scratch post right next to a chair or sofa that might tempt the cats to sharpen their claws. The catnip and honeysuckle are so much more appealing that the furniture gets ignored. Your claw-sharpening mileage may vary.

Three holiday dangers for cats are:

First and foremost ribbons! String, yarn and dental floss can also be fatal to a cat. Okay, I know you don't wrap presents with dental floss, but I'm just saying that long thread-y things attract cats. If you've ever had your cat lick your hand, you know that their tongues are like sandpaper and thread-things can stick to their rough tongues, get swallowed, and knot up in their guts. Very serious.

All those pictures of cats playing with balls of yarn drive me crazy. The first Christmas that we a kitten, my husband and I narrowly avoided a trip to the pet emergency hospital when he swallowed a ribbon. Fortunately it was a very short ribbon and it came out the other end, but these beautiful things can kill your cat, so please don't leave them out.

Another danger is Poinsettia plants, these are poisonous to cats and should be kept out of reach.

Last but not least, is the water at the base of a living Christmas tree. Some cats are tempted to drink it, and it's safer to securely cover the base so they can't get at it.

On the other hand, one thing cats love about Christmas morning is discarded wrapping paper! A very economical gift to your cat is to let him or her (or them) charge around and attack wrapping paper piles. If you've ever seen a kitten, or even a normally dignified, grown-up cat, once the gifts are opened, diving and scattering wrapping paper or hopping into and out of gift boxes with glee, you can experience the pure, undiluted joy that cats can create at Christmas that few other creatures can!

Lynne Powell
Your Cat's Secret Life

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

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Christmas Cards - Created as Personalized Gifts with your Digital Camera by Soren Breiting

Do you buy your Christmas cards at the local vendor as everybody else? Or do you make use of your digital camera to create your own personalized gift cards for Christmas? This before Christmas article will tell you how to do it.

It is very easy nowadays to give your Christmas cards a fully personal look and feel by using modern technology. And it isn't expensive either. With a digital camera, your computer and your printer you can do everything yourself. But just with the digital camera you can create the part that turns your Christmas cards into a personalized gift for Christmas and have it produced by a Christmas cards printing service.

Remember, that for many the annual Christmas card is the thing that keeps the connection to other family members and friends living far away. Many people hold the feeling of belonging to someone's inner circle for years without meeting just by receiving the annual Christmas card. Christmas cards should be taken more seriously than we might use to do.

Tips to make the personalized picture card - read on

As pictures taken with digital cameras come as immediate results you can easily experiment a little and take some alternatives. Here are some ideas for what to focus on. Later I will give you ideas to including the Christmas feeling into the picture:

Alternative 1: You are living alone Take a picture of yourself or of your dog, cat or pet. Alternative, take a picture of your house, a room, part of your garden or something else people will clearly relate to yourself.

Alternative 2: You are living in a family or the like You have very many options: - Take pictures of the youngest member of the family. The youngest member is the one that receivers of the Christmas card will appreciate most to see the development of 'since last Christmas'. If you have a pet in the family include that with the child. - Take pictures of the whole family. It isn't a problem that it is an arranged photo. - Take pictures of the youngest child with the oldest member of the family. That will always generate a lot of feelings and attention.

How to include the Christmas feeling into the picture? You will need very little to add that extra Christmas feeling into your photography. If you are only taking a picture of a single person or two you can let a candlelight play a big role in the picture frame. A newly married couple looking from each side into a candlelight without any strong light added might be an intimate and cute picture for Christmas. We have a lot of symbols we use for Christmas: Christmas tree, red ribbons, red apples, red in general, Christmas decorations, candle lights, Christmas presents made as nice packages, yes, even snow and darkness. All symbols of Santa Claus. You might have many more ideas. Include one or two of these in the picture when you take it to underline that feeling of Christmas. (I don't expect you to include a full Christmas tree - just a small twig will do.)

How should the Christmas picture look like? Make the Christmas picture look as simple as possible. Not a lot of detail. Focus on the main motive and idea of the picture and avoid a lot of things around. These will only make the picture messier. That means go close to capture the essence of it as a Christmas picture. Include if possible just a few colors as that will make the picture look more professional.

Select the best alternative shot, stay with it and be happy with that.

Layout of the Christmas card and printing the cards

Do it your self cards Depending on the word processor you use you will have access to the possibility to insert pictures and insert the text you want to have printed on the card. In many cases you will have access to card formats with pre-made card templates. That makes the whole process much easier. You can also search in Google for templates for Christmas cards or the like. When you have finished your layout and made a proof print you can start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards. T use more heavy paper will improve the look and feel of your self-made Christmas cards.

Use a printing service for your personalized Christmas cards Most photo service providers will be able to deliver your personalized Christmas cards in the number you want. The more cards the cheaper. You can search for bargains in Google. You will be able to select the layout and additional text online with many photo printing providers.

The earlier you start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards the better a chance you will have to get them done in time for a modest cost. Your efforts this year to provide family and friends with a truly personalized Christmas card will be highly valuated, you will see.

About the Author

Do you need a new digital camera before Christmas - take a look on Canon Digital Cameras with highly recommended digital cameras at http://www.CanonDigitalCameras.net .

Soren Breiting is taking a lot of pictures all year round. See his high resolution Stock Photos at A-Z Fotos .

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