Where To Shop For Your New Cat

If you’re planning on getting a new cat for your family, why don’t you start at your local cat rescue?  There are so many adorable pets there that are in dire need of a loving home.  These types of facilities are ideal when shopping for a new cat, because you can get a great deal on your new pet!

Why A Cat Rescue?

A cat rescue shelter sells awesome cats at less price than prevailing market price.  You can bring your child to the facility and let them “rescue” their very own pet!  These animals may have come from an abusive household, or been a stray their whole lives, they would thrive in a loving environment!Almost all cat rescue shelters provide a spayed or neutered cat, de-wormed and flea treated for an economical price of under hundred dollars.  You’ll end up spending at least that amount on the shots and neutering/spaying alone! 

With so many people neglecting to get their animals spayed or neutered, the number of strays is increasing.  There are not enough homes for these animals.  And to add to that increasing number, there are families that decide that they can’t take care of their pet anymore, or they move to a place that doesn’t allow pets.  Unfortunately, some of these poor little creatures will have to be put to sleep if they’re considered to old for adoption.Statistics reveal that on an average more than 2000 animals are euthanized monthly in absence of adequate rescue resources.  People don’t think about that when they’re dropping their five year old cat off at the cat rescue shelter.  Luckily for you, sometimes the older pets come at a lower price because most families want a little kitten.It is prudent to choose a grown up cat at the rescue shelter, as this not only saves a life but also gives you a grown and great pet. 

Most of these animals have has tragic lives so far, they have been dumped, or never really had a family at all, so, many cat rescues take special care in finding these cat’s a good home.They ensure if you are prepared for the pet, they load you will all required know how about the new household member and set your expectations.  They are not trying to sell you on it, they are trying to make sure are you are a motivated buyer, and really know what you are getting into.  These people love animals, and want to see these pets become part of a special family, maybe even yours.

Cat Walk: In True Sense

The cat has five toes on its front paw and the back paw has four and, there are also cats that have seven front toes and, extra toes on their hind feet. A cat is known to step with both of its front legs and, then both of its right legs, when walking or running and they normally walk on their toes. Domestic cats are known to sprint at approximately thirty-one miles an hour.

Special Manner Of Walking

The cat is a skilful hunter and this may be the reason for a cat to walk in a special manner. Almost all animals employ alternate legs using right front and left rear followed by the left front and right rear. Only three members of the animal kingdom are exceptions these are Camel, Giraffe and the Cat. The cat walk moves two legs on one side together first and, then shifts to repeat the motion with the other side. The good thing of this manner of walking is that it is a diagonal movement that saves the animal’s energy and provides speed, agility as well as silence.

Cat beautifully uses its tail for balance similar to a tightrope walker employes pole to balance himself. A cat that walks along a narrow ledge or fence can peer over in one direction by taking the help of its tail that moves in the opposite direction. Also, the footpads of the cat are extremely calloused and are of a modified skin that will cover the connective tissue and, thus is much tougher than normal skin. This allows the cat to walk even in the cold, without any problem.

When the cat walks, its paws bear the full weight and a cat will stand as well as walk on the entire paw and, if were to be de-clawed, it will have to modify its stance. It might force your cat to walk unnaturally putting undue strain of its paws. It might take a while for your cat to get used to the new ambience, but once your pet gets accustomed it will adjust its speed, once more.

Big cats walk with their tails tucked behind them or tucked between their legs and this may be a ploy to conceal them to avoid being spotted by their enemies and, domestic cats may also walk this way, when stalking a mouse. That may be the reason why the term ‘cat walk’ was coined.

How to get a Cat make up

Cats are beautiful, graceful creatures, and as Halloween rolls around, it's only natural to want to pay homage to their mysterious beauty. And it's always been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Therefore, why not put on cat make up and a cat costume for your next costume party?

Cat Make Up Kits

There are several cat make up kits on the market. Some emphasize the sexuality of a hot blooded female cat, others focus more on the goofiness of the kitten, still others are slightly forbidding, reminding us that the cat is only partially domesticated whatever we may think. Many cat make up kits will transform you into a feline who looks like an extra for a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. 

The kits vary greatly in price, but they all come with basic cat make up and instructions for applying it.

Cat costumes are also readily available both online and in costume stores. Once more you will come across a variety of accessories to pick up from including Hat, Comic looking cat and skimpy dresses that would give a Hollywood actress a run for her money.

But I Want to Do My Own Cat Make Up!

You can't go too far wrong with a cat make up kit, but there's always the chance that you'll show up for your Halloween event looking just like someone else. In order to become unique, insist on doing your own make up.

You will require Paint (preferably grease paint), false eyelashes or mascara, lipstick and lip liner and a white highlighter. If you're really into creating the perfect costume, consider purchasing a latex nose, some spirit gum, and a bristly black paint brush to provide whiskers.

Adequate references are offered on the net enumerating the method of beautifying your pet cat. Study them to get ideas. Then, on a piece of drawing paper, make a rough sketch of your ideal cat face. Think about the image you want to project. Is your inner cat warm and cuddly, or aloof and mysterious? Are you a kitten or a crone?

When you're ready to start applying your cat make up, do so carefully. If you make a mistake with grease paint, it's hard to wash off. You might want to enlist a friend to help you get your make up just right.

When you're finally finished, it's off to the party. Just remember to conduct yourself with the appropriate amount of feline pride. After all, just a few thousand years ago, your ancestors were worshipped as gods.

Finding A Cat Bed That Works For Your Cat

Getting an appropriate cat bed is beneficial for you as well as your pet. Your cat will be thankful to have their own bed and you will no longer have to worry about them resorting to finding their own cuddle place, which is perhaps not where you want it. By selecting an appealing cat bed for your feline they will stop sleeping where you don’t want them.

It can be a daunting task to find the perfect cat bed since there are numerous options available. However, you should rest assured that since there are so many choices you are bound to find one that works for your cat. You can find cat beds that range from small furniture suites to just a simple pad. To find the right cat bed, consider the following ideas.

The Comfort Factor

Always consider what your cat will consider comfortable when shopping around for the perfect cat bed. A bed that is cozy is very important for cats but it should also be one that allows them to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Normally a cup shaped bed is best for your cat during winter because the bed keeps the cat body heat constant. If you are living in extremely cold climates then perhaps a heated bed would be an even better option for you cat.

Getting Your Cat To Use The Bed

If you cat isn’t using the bed you brought home it doesn’t necessary mean they don’t like the style, rather they may just not like where you have placed the bed. Cats prefer their beds placed in a place that is both quiet without a lot of activity but yet in an area where they can still keep an eye on the various household activities.

Considering The Humans

When choosing a cat bed you ideally want one that works for your cat, but you will also want to choose one that matches your preferences. For this reason, it is often best to find a cat bed that is easily washable. Since the bed is often going to collect a lot of fur, you want one that is easy to place in the washer. For this reason, you should make sure you find a bed that is very durable.

What To Avoid

Beds that have hanging fabric or strings should be avoided since your cat can ingest these. As a result of swallowing these strings or fabrics, they will become ill and have intestinal blockage, which could lead to a costly medical bill. For the convenience sake, any one would opt for a color safe bed which will not spoil the other cloths while washing.

What You Should Know About Feline Idiopathic Cystitis

If your furball has been diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis in cats, you probably have a lot of questions.  Read on to learn more about this condition, and how you can help your cat with natural remedies for pets.

What Is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis?

"Idiopathic" is a fancy word that means "we don't know what's causing it." When your cat has feline lower urinary tract disease, this can be hard to deal with.  Cystitis in cats is a very common condition, unfortunately.  And an even more unfortunate fact is that in nearly half of the cats diagnosed with FLUTD, there doesn't seem to be a cause. 

Some vets refer to this condition as "feline interstitial cystitis" because it's very similar to interstitial cystitis in humans. 

How Feline Idiopathic Cystitis Resembles Interstitial Cystitis In People

Comparing these conditions in both cats and humans show some interesting results.

• People with interstitial cystitis have more sensory nerves in their bladders.  Many cats who have FLUTD do, too.
• Often a person with interstitial cystitis doesn't have the mucus lining in their bladders that protects the bladder from becoming irritated by urine.  This is true of cats with idiopathic cystitis in cats, also.
• Recurring bladder infections are a problem in both humans and cats.
• Stress seems to be a precipitating factor for cystitis both in cats and in humans.

The question of whether both people and cats are suffering from the same condition is the topic of research studies.  If so, human treatments may be helpful for kitties, as well.

Drug Treatments For Idiopathic Cystitis In Cats

If your cat is having a lot of severe episodes, your vet may prescribe amitriptyline.  It relieves the pain and inflammation associated with cystitis in cats.  Side effects can include sleepiness, weight gain, bladder stones, and urine retention.  Your cat may not groom himself as much, either. 

Your cat may be given steroids to relieve his inflamed bladder.  Glucosamine has been found to repair the mucus lining of the bladder, so your vet may want to try that. 

What Can You Do At Home To Help A Cat With FLUTD?

Diet is very important for these cats.  There has always been an emphasis on reducing the acidity of the urine, along with decreasing the amount of magnesium and calcium in the urine.  But the latest research shows that the rate of water turnover is the most important. 

What this means is that you need to find a way to increase your feline's water intake.  This will keep his urine dilute to keep the acidity lower, and prevent high mineral levels. 

If you feed your cat dry food, it's very important to switch him over to canned food.  Dry food has moisture levels below ten percent.  Why is this a problem?  Because cats are made to get most of their water from their food.  In a natural setting, cats eat mice and other animals, which are 98% water.  They don't need to drink much water. 

Canned food is has a 75% moisture level, which is certainly better than the moisture level in dry food.  It can be difficult to switch a cat who has always eaten dry food over to canned food, but patience and persistence over several months often pays off in better health for your kitty.

Reducing your cat's stress levels is important, too.  Many cats will have episodes of feline lower urinary tract disease after a stressful event like moving.  Some cats are even affected by weather changes.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Help

Many cat owners have had great success with treating their cats with a natural remedy made especially for pets.  This cat uti remedy contains uva ursi and barberry, two herbs with a long history of use in treating human bladder problems.  It also contains the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria.This remedy can be safely used on cats for long periods of time, and it's also very effective for preventing cat urinary problems.

Put this to the test right away, and see how well this remedy works on your cat with feline idiopathic cystitis.

Visit Natural Pet Urinary Health, and learn how to prevent feline idiopathic cystitis, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies.

Cats 101

Cats often compete with Dogs for their position as the favorite pet animal to humans; they are regarded as useful, sweet creatures that delight their owners. Cats are small domesticated animals that have gained popularity for their intelligence and their ability to follow simple commands once trained, and their capacity to catch and destroy vermin, more specifically rats. There are several dozens cat varieties in different colors, color patterns, fur type and size which have either been bred by humans or products of natural inter-breeding between cat species.

The African Wild Cat is believed to be the closes pre-domesticated of cats and present day cats still carry innately wild characteristics like being carnivorous and instinctive in hunting, known to hunt over a thousand species for food. Humans have lived in close association with cats for decades now, which started from the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Vikings, who in many ways have revered the cat, even placing them in high regard over other animals both domesticated and wild.
Cat-Aloguing Cats
Cat are often called as Tom, while the female of the species is often called Queen, snow cats, pedigreed or purebred cats at times are referred as sirens for males and Dams for females. Purebred and pedigreed cats both have recorded ancestries; purebred, however, have a long-lineage of only one cat variety or breed, while pedigreed cats may have ancestors of different, mostly new breeds. Breeding different cat varieties are subject to strict rules of cat registries and associations that study, regulate and assess the compatibility of varieties to come up with better offspring, both in terms of health and appearance.
Domestic longhairs, shorthairs, random-bred and mongrels are some terms that refer to cats with mixed ancestry that vary from one country to the next. Most of the cat population the world over is comprised of random-bred felines, with purebreds only totaling to less than ten percent of the feline population. Domestic cats, in general, have been classified by Carolus Linnaeus as Felis catus back in the 17th century as the domestic sub-species of the wild cat family.
Cats commonly weigh anywhere between two to seven kilograms with some breeds such as the Maine Coon weighing over ten kilograms. As a result of overeating, some of the bigger cat varieties can weigh more than twenty kilograms but are considered by veterinarians as unhealthy and more susceptible to illnesses, ailments and diseases. Further, there are also adult smaller cats that weigh less than two kilograms but are not classified as miniature varieties but are only considered as smaller, underweight cats and are considered underweight or unhealthy.

Health tips according to the life stage of Cats

Proper cat health relies heavily on preventative measures; this includes routine veterinary care as well as grooming on a regular basis. To make sure you cat stays both happy and healthy it is a good idea to watch for any changes in their condition. An excellent time to monitor for cat health is during grooming sessions.

Cat Health According To Life Stages

The best way to keep on top of your cats health is by knowing the life stages and what proper cat health is for each stage. This way you can easily recognize when something is going wrong with your cats health and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The debut life stage starts from day one on the planet till sixteen weeks. At this stage the feline animal begins to grasp survival tactics form the surrounding environment. Often cats are playful during this stage of life but they shy around human beings. Cat health is also extremely important in this stage so that they can grow up to be healthy throughout the rest of their life.

The next stage is from sixteen weeks to one year. During this period, cats are often still very playful. In order to ensure you pet cat remains healthy it is necessary to get it spayed or neutered when it is six months old.

Next comes the one to eight year period, which are the prime years for cat health. During this stage of your cat’s life, it is very important to have yearly visits to the veterinarian. Here onwards comes the stage which continues for next ten to twelve years. This is when pre-geriatric cat health comes into play. Your cat will often slow down but their behavior will remain the same.

Geriatric cat health will start when they turn twelve. This stage is often marked with health issues in the pet cat and it deteriorates as they grow older. Cats will often move very slowly since their joints will start to become stiff. Old cat often behave as irritated.

Common Cat Health Issues

There are varieties of health conditions that can affect your cat. A big part of keeping your cat healthy is proper prevention. Contact your veterinarian right away, if you notice any health problems. The following are some of the more common conditions your cat may get.

Flea allergy is one of the most common disorder observed in cats. A cat’s sensitivity to fleabites will increase as they age. Similar symptoms can be observed in an event of a food allergy or a flea bite allergy, the symptoms are vomiting or diarrhea , skin rashes and severe itching.

Hairballs are a persistent cause of vomiting in cats. You can reduce this issue by maintaining a regular schedule of coat brushing. Even with short hair cats, they can get hairballs if you don’t keep them down with routine brushing. You should take your cat into a veterinarian if they have persistent vomiting since this can also be a sign of thyroid or kidney problems.

Is Your Cat Aggresive?

Cats are generally quirky and lazy.  Their personalities range just like a human, and their moods fluctuate just like one as well.  But does your cat’s attitude have something to do with his or her breed? 

Stereotypically, people associate pit bulls with a bit more of a temper than, say, a golden retriever.  Could this hold true for cats as well?Is there a comparison between Calico and Tabby cats in terms of their behaviour? Are Siamese cats as grouchy and snobby as they are portrayed in children’s fairy tales?  What about a black cat, are they the angriest cat of all?

Apparently, it has nothing to do with breed or color at all, it’s just ingrained in their personalities to be the angriest cats around.  According to sources, about 15% of cats become antisocial and would rather be admired from afar than to be petted or doted on.  This has nothing to do with breed or color, it’s just a general preference. 

Do You Think You Have The Angriest Cat?

If you are worried that you bought the angriest cat at the shelter due to constant hissing and a general aggravation that surrounds your little critter, give him some time!  Don’t immediately regret your purchase.  Let him get used to the family.  Cats are very sensitive creatures, and often, you just need to allow them time to adjust at their own pace.  He or she may hide out under the bed for a few days, or not even touch his or her cat food.  This doesn’t necessarily make him a one of the grouchiest, or angriest cats, it could just mean he’s a little shy, or maybe has a rough memory of what a family is like.Keep in mind that quite a few animals have an fogettable experience befor coming to a rescue pet shelter.  Your cat could have been a stray or an alley cat, making your “getting to know you” process a little more difficult.

What Do You Do?

A good rule of thumb for starting out on the right foot with the angriest cat in the batch, is to start slow.  Don’t force interaction, this will just cause him to become more distant.  Let him get used to the new atmosphere, eventually he will come up and want to check you out.  It might be a little frustrating at first, thinking you ended up with the angriest cat you’ve ever seen, but he could turn out to be a great pet once he gets used to his new home.  There are also products on the market to ease his introduction like Feliway, which is a spray that is advertised to help relax a cats nerves.  You may find that these types of products make your first few weeks of pet ownership a little more tolerable. 

Food of Different Cats

If you are getting a new cat, one of the most important first decisions you will make is which cat food to feed them. Your cat food selection should be made carefully since it has a lot to do with your cat’s health and longevity. At times it becomes really cumbersome to select the appropriate cat food from the pile of options available in today's market.

What To Look For In Cat Food

When it comes to dry cat food, it is important that you choose one to meet your cat’s specific life stage. In case you are buying food for your new kitten ensure the food is for kitten and not for adult cat. When a cat reaches the adult stage then you should use a regular dry food. Once your cat is in the senior stage a food specifically formulated for their age can go a long way to helping them age gracefully.

When selecting your dry food always check the package and make sure it is AAFCO approved. This means it will have a seal on the package showing the contents are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This means the food conforms to the minimal diet standards that the association has set up to guarantee good cat food.

Finally, you should consider what your veterinarian recommends. No one knows better than your cat’s doctor does what food is best for his or her needs. In absence of a veterinarian advice you should opt for a high quality product by evaluating the product content through the ingredient list marked on the label.

What To Take Into Consideration

The most important aspect of your cat’s health is good nutrition, which as a major affect. The fact especially holds true for growing kittens. Try to give the best quality food available to you loved pet within a budget you can afford.

Before you choose which cat food to purchase you should consider several things. Included in this is your specific cat breed, their age, size and health. It is also a good idea to keep in mind where you will be feeding your cat and how much you are willing to spend on cat food. By keeping in mind these facts, you will easily be able to choose appropriate cat food for your pet, that will ensure your cats health and life.

The Truth about Cat Flea Medicine

If you have pets you know that fleas can really be a big annoyance. If you are allergic to fleas your self you may find that they are painfully irritating as well. A good cat flea medicine can help you keep pest free all year long.

I am allergic to bites from fleas and I have had my share of painful experiences with these little buggers. I know that when I see my pet scratching and squirming that I need to invest in a cat flea medicine that will do the trick, the last thing I want is for boys bedding of my little one for be infected, not only for my cat but for me as well. I will get nasty welts from a few bites and I want to avoid this by any means possible.

I try to keep my pets chemical free so I avoided getting cat flea medicine in order to try natural methods instead. Nothing really worked. Most of the home remedies for these pests are lacking and they are basically ineffectual in keeping my boys bedding sets free of fleas. One item did a little better than the rest.

A flea comb is a good method that can replace cat flea medicine but I don’t recommend it on a regular basis. The comb is useful when your cat is unable to take medication because she is having kittens or she is nursing kittens. Cat flea medicine is not for pregnant and nursing cats.

I make sure to use the comb instead when a feline is expecting a litter and when she is nursing them. Once the kittens are grown and ready to move on I start the mother on the cat flea medication again after consulting with the vet.

Since I have cats and dogs in my house I use two different treatments. It is important to remember that dog and cat flea medicine are quite different from one another. You should avoid using dog products on felines because they can be harsh on your kitty’s system.

This can be a little tricky. Some bottles are difficult to read and others can be really vague. Just because a product boasts insect and boys bedding control does not mean that it is cat flea medicine. You really want a product designed specifically for your pet. When in doubt, talk to you vet.

I found that the veterinarian is the single most important resource when it comes to making sure that my home stays flea-free. The perfect cat flea medicine will be preventative in nature. Hopefully, we won’t see another one ever again.

Three Natural Ways To Prevent Feline Urinary Crystals

You may not know this, but if your cat is prone to feline urinary tract infection, he may have urinary crystals in cats.  Feline urinary crystals are a major cause of cat urinary problems.  Here are three natural ways you can prevent these crystals from forming in the first place.

Your Cat's Diet Is Very Important

Most people who are owned by felines are very conscientious these days about feeding their cats a diet low in magnesium.Struvie stones in cats were seen a lot more often in the 1970's and 80's.  It was found that if a cat was fed a diet high in magnesium, he was more prone to developing mineral crystals in his bladder, which often led to a feline urinary tract infection.  Cat food manufacturers changed their formulas, and everyone thought the problem was solved.

But do you know that your cat is probably chronically dehydrated if he is fed only dry food?  Since kidney failure is the leading cause of death in older cats, it makes sense to put these two things together.

Dry cat food has a very low moisture level, usually under 10%.  This is great if your only concern is to keep mold from growing on it, but if you're worried about the amount of water your cat is taking in, it's not so good. 

Cats normally don't seem to drink a lot of water.This is because an undomesticated cat gets most of his water supply from the animals he catches and eats.  Did you know a mouse is 98% water?  Canned cat food has a moisture level of around 75%.Add a litte water to it to increase the moisture level even more.

Of course, your cat should always have plenty of clean, fresh water to drink at all times.

Stress Causes Feline Urinary Crystals

Your cat will develop a certain routine.  They really don't like change at all.Stress levels in your cat will go up if you move, or add a new baby or new pet to your household, or even take him to the vet.

A stressed cat can develop many different types of health problems, including urinary crystals in cats.Your stressed cat needs extra love, reassurance, and attention from you.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Cat Urinary Problems

Many cat owners use herbs and homeopathic remedies to treat their own ailments, so it's only natural that there would be rising interest in natural remedies for pets. 

The herbal remedies uva ursi and barberry have a long history of use for treating human bladder problems.  Homeopathic remedies used for urinary tract infections in people include Cantharis and Staphysagria.

Wouldn't it be great if you could give these safe, effective remedies to your kitty to support bladder health and prevent inflammation from urinary crystals in cats?  Well, now you can. 

There's a remedy available now that combines all four of these traditional remedies for urinary problems.  This product has been specially formulated for pets, which is a very important safety consideration.  It's made by a long-established company that has a sterling reputation for producing only the highest quality natural remedies for pets. 

So there you have it; three natural ways to prevent feline urinary crystals and support your cat's bladder health.

What You Need To Know About Urinary Crystals In Cats

If you're like me, you probably haven't thought too much about urinary crystals in cats.  But if you have a cat who's prone to cat urinary problems, you need to know more about cat bladder crystals.

Why Are Feline Urinary Crystals Important?

Even though these crystals are hard to see without a microscope, they have sharp edges which rub against the bladder walls, causing your cat's bladder to become inflamed and irritated.The inflammation causes symptoms of a feline bladder infection.

Because a male cat has a long narrow urethra, it can easily become plugged if large numbers of feline urinary crystals are present.  This is a veterinary emergency, as a cat that can't pass urine will fall victim to a fatal case of uremic poisoning within a couple of days.  Since it's hard for an owner to tell if the cat is blocked or not, it's important to have your cat examined by the vet if he has a feline urinary tract infection.

There are two main types of urinary crystals, struvite and calcium oxalate.

Struvite Crystals In Cats

Struvite crystals, which contain magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate, used to be very common in cats.  This problem was thought to be a result of a diet with high levels of magnesium.  Cat food manufacturers responded by producing diets lower in magnesium.  Cats eating this food also produce more acidic urine. This helps to prevent the formation of struvite crystals, which are still the most common type of crystal that causes feline urinary blockage.

Although this dietary change helped to lower the incidence of struvite crystals in cats, now vets are seeing calcium oxalate crystals more often.   

Why Do Some Cats Get Calcium Oxalate Crystals Instead?

Certain breeds of cats seem to have a genetic predisposition to developing calcium oxalate crystals if they're fed a diet low in magnesium.  This problem is often seen in Himalayans.If you feed these cats a diet to prevent struvite stones, you may be encouraging the formation of calcium oxalate stones instead.  

A urinalysis should always be done to identify which type of crystal is in your cat's urine.  You don't want to feed your cat a diet that will encourage his body to form feline urinary crystals.

Can Urinary Crystals In Cats Be Prevented?

Cat owners can do several things to prevent their felines from developing cat urinary problems.  The first is to feed your cat a high-quality canned food.  People don't realize that cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, which is why cats don't seem to drink much water.  

Canned food has a moisture level that's much closer to what your cat would eat in the wild.  You can also add a little water to the canned food to increase the moisture even more.It's essential that your cat always have access to plenty of clean, fresh water.

You may want to give your cat one of the many natural remedies for pets that are available now.These remedies lower his risk of developing a feline bladder infection by supporting bladder health.Purchase one that's been formulated especially for pets so that you'll know it's safe enough to give your kitty every day.

Make no mistake about it, if your cat has already had a feline urinary tract infection, you can't afford to be ignorant about urinary crystals in cats.  Take steps now to protect your cat's health.

Tips for Grooming Your Cat

Cats are known to be self reliant when it comes to their grooming needs. However, sometimes you still need to do your part in order to keep them at optimal health and cleanliness. You can help to maintain your cat’s good looks by keeping her hair clean and neat. The best way to accomplish this is by combing and trimming the hair regularly.

Regular cat grooming will help you make sure that your pet isn't having problems with fleas or ticks. It also gives you a chance to inspect the cat for signs of abnormalities such as inflamed skin or bald spots. Here are some simple grooming tips that will help your cat look her best at all times.

You should purchase some essential cat grooming tools in order to make the job easier and more effective. This includes various products such as a metal comb, a cat grooming brush, a grooming glove and grooming scissors.

When brushing your cat’s hair, use a brush that has lots of tiny pins. The head should be relatively small so that brushing goes more easily. Proper grooming requires that you brush your cat in the direction that her hair grows. Otherwise, you might have one furious cat on your hands, not to mention several scratches.

Bathing your cat is another important aspect of good grooming. To make the job easier, bathe her while in a carrier and use a towel to keep her as calm as possible. Choose a shampoo formulated for cats that will lather well. It should also be able to relieve dry, flaky skin and thereby make your cat more comfortable.

An important aspect of cat grooming involves ensuring that your cat’s hair doesn't become matted and tangled. If you own a long haired cat, you must trim it on a regular basis. It requires using a proper pair of grooming scissors along with a comb. Use caution so you don't prick or scratch the skin that lies at the base of your cat's coat.

Cat grooming gloves are a wonderful tool to help with shedding problems. As a means of brushing, it's simpler and more gentle for your cat. Look for a pair that is machine washable. Usually, you can also use these gloves to clean up cat hair from your carpet and furniture.

Pet grooming tools can actually be a source of pleasure for your cat if you use them properly. There's no doubt that with the proper tools, your cat will avoid bad hair days and appear sleek and well groomed.

Use These Five Natural Remedies For Pets To Relieve Cat Urinary Problems

Ever wondered if there's something you can do at home to prevent or treat cat urinary problems?  Here's a list of five natural remedies for cat bladder infection, along with how to choose the best natural remedies for pets.

Feed Your Cat A High-Quality Canned Food

But, you say, this isn't a natural remedy.  Actually it is.  Feeding your cat the best diet possible is the easiest natural way to keep him healthy and prevent future problems due to poor nutrition. 

Did you know that cats that eat only dry food are chronically dehydrated?  Dry food has an extremely low moisture level, compared to canned food.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so many of them don't drink enough water, which can lead to cat urinary problems.

Fresh, Clean, Water Is A Must

Lots of clean, fresh water is another natural remedy that promotes bladder health in your cat.  Your tap water may taste funny to your cat, so give him filtered water to make it more appealing to him.  If your cat still won't drink enough, you can add a little extra water to his canned food to increase his moisture intake.

Recommended Supplements

A daily dose of between 250 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C can help to get rid of a feline bladder infection.  Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to relieve the pain of a cat bladder infection.Not only does it soothe an inflamed, irritated bladder, but it encourages healing, too.

Vitamin C can cause diarrhea if the dosage is too high, so start on the low side and work up to determine the best size dose for your kitty.

Cranberry is a well-known remedy for cystitis, which works by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.  Avoid the super-sweet cranberry juice at the grocery store, and give your cat cranberry capsules instead.

Herbal Pet Remedies

Many of these same herbs that people have been using for centuries can be used on pets, too.Feline urinary tract infections can be treated with the well-known herbal remedies, uva ursi and Oregon grape holly.

Uva ursi has been used for centuries to support bladder health. It's also a diuretic that kills bacteria in the bladder. 

Oregon grape holly contains berberine, a natural antibiotic that's effective against strep and staph bacteria.  It also relieves inflammation in the bladder.

Homeopathic Remedies For Cat Bladder Infection

Cantharis is a homeopathic remedy that is very effective for relieving pain.  It's also useful when your cat is straining to empty his bladder, since it gets rid of the feeling that the bladder is still full, even after it's just been emptied.

Staphysagria also relieves pain and promotes healing of inflamed tissues.

How To Choose The Best Natural Remedies For Pets

You're probably asking how you'll ever get four different herbs and homeopathic remedies into your cat.  Wonder no more.  There is a product available now that combines all four of these traditional remedies.  It's safe and effective, as well as being easy to use. 

You'll be relieved to know that you can give this remedy right along with any antibiotic treatment your cat is on.  This herbal remedy for pets doesn't interfere with the antibiotics in any way.  And you can continue giving your cat this remedy to support bladder health long after the antibiotic is finished.

Now that you're armed with this information, you can prevent cat urinary problems from sneaking up on your feline friend.

Ionic Air Purifier Technologies - Defender or Destroyer?

Introduction

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. The harmful impurities in the air are not visible to our naked eye. The weapons against such are very likely to be invisible to our eyes as well. Intuitively, the logic is appealing. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution as google throws up an avalanche of controversy within seconds. It is quite clear that the urge to rush out and buy an ionic air purifier must be suppressed at the moment. Safety, more than effectiveness, must be given higher weightage in the selection of an ionic air purifier.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also is a timely reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. This is even more critical when the key reactive agent is unseen to the human eye. My investigation of ionic air purifier technologies falls within this realm, as the reactive agents are ions that are invisible to our eyes.

This article is an overview of existing ionic air purifier technology in the marketplace. My back-to-basics approach is an attempt, as a layperson, to understand the science behind the technology. The current key trend appears to be the creation of a potent invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants that threaten our well-being. The prime threat being closely monitored by scientists all over the world is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Passive typically means that impure air is drawn into the air purifier for the reactive agents to work on before re-emerging as cleaned air into the environment. Conversely, in active mode, reactive agents are pumped into the impure air environment. Combinations of both passive and active modes are often found in many types of ionic air purifiers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator - positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator - negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator - Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. They have been named as plasmacluster ions by Sharp Corporation, the Japanese corporate powerhouse that invented them.

Sharp explains that the plasmacluster of positive and negative ions clump to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When clumping occurs, hydroxyl is produced. Hydroxyl, also known as nature's detergent, is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates thereby destroying them. The by-products of this chemical reaction, mainly water, are harmless.

This technology uses a differential ion generator, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the real state of the natural environment. Proponents of negative ions believe that negative ions dominate the environment in these natural habitats and even insist that positive ions are harmful. As I progress with my research, I shall be looking for independent scientific studies that support either of these two opposing views.

Ion Generator - Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Currently, this technology dominates market share but it is under serious threat from Sharp's plasmacluster positive and negative ions technology.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. Negatively charged ions are naturally attracted to these particulates until they sink to the ground by sheer weight. Regular vacuuming removes these impurities from our environment. Weighing down the particulates does nothing to destory them, according to critics, and merely walking on them causes the air to be polluted again.

In addition, there appears to be several methods of producing the negative ions. This is important because different methods produce different by-products, some of which may be harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method - this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Onto a metal plate that is electrically-charged, water droplets are splashed. Large numbers of negative ions are produced as water droplets are split. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.

(2) Electron radiation method - this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. Negatively-charged electrons are produced by the millions when a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrode. This process does not generate any ozone. This is due to the application of a "smaller" energy pulse.

(3) Corona discharge method - this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. High voltage is applied between the electrodes. The movement of electrons between the electrodes ionises the air in that same space. A criticism of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. Hydroxyl, nature's detergent, is the key reactive agent in POC technology.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

The key pillar of POC technology is its comprehensive coverage. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. contagious or infectious biological compounds (e.g. pathogenic bacteria and viruses) or non-infectious and non-contagious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours - benzene, styrene, toluene, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, formaldehyde, ethylene, etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

Detractors of POC technology are wary of the inability of hydroxyl to distinguish between the organic structures of molecular contaminants and that of our nose membrane, lung tissue and eye cornea.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. The typical arrangement in an electrostatic filter ionic air purifier comprises a porous dielectric material sandwiched between two electrodes. The dielectric material impedes electrical conductivity whilst the electrodes efficiently conduct electricity.

Impure air is sucked into the electrostatic purifier and passed over the dielectric material which acts like a sieve. Electrostatic forces between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.dust, smoke contaminants, etc, to adhere to the surface of the dielectric. Out of the other end of the purifier, cleaned air is recirculated.

Frequently, an ion source is planted just before the electrostatic filter to electrically charge the airborne particulates. The impurities, now carrying an electrical charge, stick more effectively to the dielectric material.

Critics of this technology point to the production of harmful ozone in the ionisation process.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. And I have not even touched on the safety aspects of each technology. I have also not examined in detail the claims of each technology. It is natural to want to quickly want something that promises to improve the air quality in your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. But I urge you to do your homework and don't forget to visit me for updates as I continue my search for the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

What You Need To Know About Feline Bladder Infections

Are you sick and tired of dealing with feline bladder infections?Your cat and you aren't alone.  Cat urinary problems are probably the most common reason for a vet visit.In this article, we'll look at veterinary treatments for a cat bladder infection, along with tips for home care.

Cat Bladder Infection Treatments

Your vet may want to do a urinalysis to check your cat's urine for the presence of bacteria, blood, white blood cells, or crystals.  White blood cells indicate an infection, while crystals can show that bladder stones are forming.  If your vet suspects bladder stones, x-rays or an ultrasound may be the next step.

Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics.  If your cat suffers from frequent feline bladder infections, your vet will want to do a urine culture to try to identify the bacteria involved.  This will help to determine the best antibiotic to use.

If your cat has a bladder infection, it's very important to treat it.  If you don't, it can progress to a feline kidney infection, cat bladder stones, or other cat urinary problems.

Home Treatments for Bladder Infections In Cats

Diet is very important for cats with urinary problems.Most cat owners are shocked to learn that if their cats eat only dry food, they're probably chronically dehydrated.  A dehydrated cat has very concentrated urine, a common cause of cat bladder stones or a cat bladder infection.

Some cats don't drink enough water either.  This is because cats in the wild get most of their water from their prey, so they don't have to drink a lot of water.It can lead to big problems down the road for your cat if you feed him only dry food.

Can you do something to change this?  The best answer is to feed your cat a good-quality canned food.The moisture level in canned food is much closer to what a cat would naturally eat.  

Be sure that your cat always has access to clean, fresh water.  You wouldn't want to drink water that's old and has stuff floating in it, and your cat won't either.

Cranberry juice is an old remedy for preventing bladder infections in people.  However, most cats won't drink it.  You can find cranberry capsules at the drugstore.  If you're good at giving your cat pills, this can be an effective way to prevent and treat bladder infections in cats.  But if you're like most cat owners, poking a pill down your cat's throat is not high on your list of fun things to do.

Treat Cat Urinary Problems With Natural Remedies For Pets

Over the centuries, people have learned by trial and error which plants can help heal different health conditions.  Uva ursi and barberry are two herbal remedies for human urinary tract problems that have stood the test of time. 

People with urinary problems find that homeopathic remedies are safe and effective.  Cantharis and Staphysagris are proven natural remedies to support bladder health.

The question is, how to use these natural remedies on your cat.  It's very important to find a product that's specially formulated for pets, not people, so it's safe for your kitty.  And of course, it has to be easy to give to your feline friend, or you won't use it for long.

Take charge of your cat's health by finding a product that's effective and easy to use, and so safe that you can give it to your cat every day. This is the easiest way to prevent feline bladder infections.

Do You Know If Your Cat Has A Feline Bladder Infection?

cat bladder infection

Has your cat ever been blindsided by a feline bladder infection?  Don't let this happen to your kitty.If you need to know more about cat bladder infection, you'll find answers to your questions in this article.

Your Cat's Urinary Tract

Your cat's urinary tract includes his kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.  The kidneys are constantly filtering waste products out of your cat's blood.  These waste products are carried out of the kidneys into the bladder by the ureters, tubes that run between your cat's kidneys and his bladder.

The bladder is a muscular little bag that holds the urine until it leaves the body.  The urine passes out of the body through the urethra.

This system usually works with no problems, but sometimes trouble arises in the form of a bladder infection.

Cat Bladder Infection Symptoms

It may be hard to believe, but the bladder is a sterile environment, so bacteria aren't normally found there.  However, if bacteria find a way in, they can cause a bladder infection in your cat.

• Symptoms of a feline bladder infection include:
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Straining to urinate or having trouble passing urine
• Crying out in pain when trying to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Drinking a lot of water

Inflammation in the bladder is what causes these symptoms, not the infection itself.It's possible for your cat to have a bladder infection with no inflammation if he's being given anti-inflamatory drugs like cortisone.

Be aware that if your cat can't urinate at all, this is a blockage, which is a veterinary emergency.  Get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

How Your Vet Treats Cat Bladder Infection

Your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.  Tests ordered may include a urinalysis to check for white blood cells and crystals in the urine, and a urine culture to identify which bacteria is causing the problem.  The results of the urine culture can help determine which is the best antibiotic to use.

Tips For Preventing Cat Urinary Problems

There are several ways to prevent your cat from getting a bladder infection in the first place. 

First, try to feed your cat canned food.If your cat eats only dry food, he may be more susceptible to a bladder infection.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, and moisture levels are much too low in dry cat food.

Second, your cat must have access to lots of pure, clean water at all times.  You may want to give him filtered water to be sure he's not being exposed to any contaminants in his water.

Natural Remedies For Pets Are Helpful In Preventing Cat Bladder Infection

People have been using herbal and homeopathic remedies for bladder problems for centuries."Are these remedies available for cats?" is the question many cat owners are asking. 

The answer is yes.It's necessary to use a remedy that's been formulated especially for pets.  The remedy should include the herbs uva ursi and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris.  These ingredients have a proven track record for treating bladder problems.

You'll also want to find a remedy that's safe enough to give your cat every day to prevent cat urinary problems.  It needs to be easy to administer, too.  You won't use it for long if you have to force your cat to take a pill every day.  Be sure you purchase your remedies only from a company with a good reputation that stands behind its products.

Now it's time for you to put these tips into action so your cat won't suffer from feline bladder infection.

Feline Bladder Infections Can Be Prevented

Let's face it.  Until your cat is one of the lucky ones who comes down with a cat bladder infection, you probably don't even think about feline bladder infections.  But they can be prevented, with a little care on your part.  Here's how.

Does Your Cat Drink Enough Water?

It comes as a shock to many cat owners to find out that their cats are chronically dehydrated.  Cats don't always drink a lot of water.  This is because your cat's ancestors lived in the desert, where there's not much water around.Ideally, cats get most of the water they require from what they eat. 

Did you know that a mouse is more than 90% water?  A cat in the wild who is living on the animals he catches and eats gets most of his water from what he eats.  This isn't true of our domestic house cats.  Dry commercial cat food contains about eight percent water.  So if your cat's diet consists exclusively of dry food, he could be heading for trouble in the form of cat urinary problems.

If your cat is dehydrated, it causes his urine to be extremely concentrated.  This puts him at a much higher risk of developing cat bladder stones and cat bladder infections.

The best thing you can do is to feed your cat a good quality canned food.  Most canned cat food has a moisture content around 75 percent.  The problem is that many cats are addicted to dry food, so it can be very difficult to get them to eat canned food.  But with patience and persistence, it can be done.

Clean fresh drinking water is a necessity for your cat.Your cat will appreciate filtered drinking water that's free of contaminants.  Change your cat's water several times a day so it's appealing to him.  You wouldn't drink bad-tasting water with stuff floating in it, and your cat won't either.

Avoid Cat Bladder Infection with Natural Remedies For Pets

Humans have been using herbs to treat and prevent bladder infections for centuries.In many parts of the world, these herbal treatments are still being used every day. 

Homeopathic remedies have also been proven to be safe and effective in treating bladder infections in people, with no side effects.

Wouldn't it be great if there were herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats that would prevent cat urinary problems?You should ensure that such a product is formulated only for pets, not people.  It would have to be safe enough to give your cat every day, along with being effective for preventing feline bladder infections.  Most importantly, it needs to be in a form that's easy to administer.  Trying to give a cat a pill is not fun, either for you or your cat.

You'll want to purchase this remedy only from a reputable manufacturer who has years of experience in formulating natural remedies for pets.You'll want to be sure that this company has a good reputation for producing safe and effective products.

Do your kitty a favor.  Prevent the pain and stress of feline bladder infections by using a safe and effective natural remedy for cats.

Cat Breeds

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Cat Breeds

Some of the different cat breeds are given below:

Asian Cat:

There are five varieties of Asian cats: Asian Shaded (Burmilla), Asian Smoke, Asian Tabby, Asian Self, and Tiffanie, and are identical to European Burmese. This breed was developed in the UK in the 1960s. They are the product of accidental mating of Burmese and non-pedigree cats and also an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese which developed varieties like Burmilla, Tabbies, Smoke and Tiffanie. These varieties are now classified as Asian cats.

Bengal Cat:

Bengal cat is a result of crossing a domestic cat with a wild cat to get the wild cat markings on a domestic cat. The first generation of these Bengal cats are always on demand as they have a distinct patter of a leopard on them. Their body is long and muscular. They have large and horizontally aligned spots and sport background colours ranging from golden, orange to ivory. The first deliberate cross took place in 1963. These cats usually have good temperament but sometimes they may not and it is definitely difficult to take care of them if they are not patient.

British Shorthair:

The British Shorthair cat medium, well built cat with a short, dense coat, which is usually blue. It is an extremely friendly cat and also is independent and alert. The British Shorthair was in the spotlight for some time until the Persian cats took over.

Burmese:

Burmese cats are famous for their ability to adapt well with their masters and are credited for their temperament. They are affectionate and love being groomed by their owners. This loyal medium-sized breed compact and muscular and has bright yellow or golden eyes. The coat colours come in champagne, sable, blue and platinum. They are one of the quietest breed of cats.

 

Common Questions And Answers About Cat Urinary Infection Treatment

feline bladder infections

Do you have unanswered questions about the cat urinary infection treatment your vet provides?Many cat owners don't understand the treatment for cat urinary tract infecitons, and they still have questions that haven't been answered.You'll find the answers to your questions in this article.

Are Feline Bladder Infections Contagious?

The short answer is no.  Cat urinary tract infections can't be passed from one cat to another or from a cat to a person.

What's The Difference Between Feline Bladder Infections And Cat Urinary Tract Infections?

People get really confused about this, and for good reason, since the terms are used interchangeably.  However, to answer the question, a cat bladder infection really only affects his bladder.  A feline urinary tract infection (also called a UTI) can affect any part of your cat's urinary tract.  This includes his kidneys, his ureters (the tubes that carry urine from his kidney to his bladder), his bladder, and his urethra (the tube that carries urine out of his body).  

Usually, when someone is talking about a UTI, they really mean a feline bladder infection.

What's The Difference Between A Urinalysis And A Urine Culture?

Your vet may want to perform both of these tests.  Many cat owners don't understand exactly what they are, and what they're for.

Usually a urinalysis is done first.  Your vet looks at the sample to see if the urine is cloudy or bloody.  Cloudy urine is due to the presence of white blood cells, which indicate an infection.  If the urine is bloody, there's obviously a problem.  Your vet may see that crystals are present, which indicate cat bladder stones.  The urine is also checked for protein.  

Based on the results from the urinalysis, your vet may want to do a urine culture.

A urine culture involves separating out the bacteria found in the urine sample from your cat.  These bacteria are then grown in the lab.  This test gives your vet some important information, namely, how many bacteria are present, what kind of bacteria it is, and which antibiotic will kill it.  

It takes at least a couple of days to do this test, as the bacteria need time to grow.

My Cat Doesn't Really Need All Those Antibiotics, Does He?

The good thing about antibiotics is that the cat urinary problems go away quickly.However, the infection isn't completely gone.  Many cat owners make the mistake of not giving their cats the antibiotics for the entire ten or fourteen days.If you stop giving your cat the antibiotics too early, there is a good chance the infection will come back.  

A more serious problem is that of antibiotic resistance.  More and more disease-causing bacteria are becoming resistant to common antibiotics.  One of the reasons is that people are not finishing up all the antibiotics, which encourages the bacteria which aren't killed right away to keep growing.  So you can see that it's very important to finish the antibiotic treatment, no matter how much your cat resists it.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Help

You may be interested in learning more about herbal pet remedies.  These remedies are safe and effective, and can be given every day to prevent cat urinary problems.You should buy them only from a reputable company that's known for manufacturing the best quality products for pets.

Now that you're armed with this information, you can understand cat urinary infection treatment better.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

Do You Know How Urinary Blockage In Cats Is Treated?

Just imagine if your feline friend developed a cat urinary blockage.  This condition is a serious complication of feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD.  It's often caused by cat bladder stones blocking the urethra so your male cat can't pass any urine.

Why Does This Happen To Male Cats?

A cat blockage is rarely seen in female cats.This is due to females having a urethra that is much shorter and wider than in males.  Although this puts females at greater risk for cat bladder infections, this does protect them somewhat from a feline urinary blockage. 

Because male cats have a much smaller urinary opening than females do, it doesn't take a very big feline bladder stone to cause urinary blockage in cats.

How Your Vet Treats A Urinary Blockage In Cats

If your cat is unable to pass any urine, or can pass very little, this is an emergency.  Your cat's kidneys stop functioning when the urine has no place to go, which allows toxins to build up in the body very quickly.  This toxin build-up causes death within a few days if it's not treated.

Your vet will insert a catheter to allow the urine to drain out of the bladder.A few days of hospitalization will be necessary for your cat if the catheter needs to be stitched in place.Flushing out your cat's bladder with fluid may be done to get rid of any bladder stones that are there. 

To keep him from becoming dehydrated, your feline friend will need to be given fluids, either by IV or under the skin.  He'll also be assessed for any problems related to the toxic build-up in his system.

Most cats can go home after a few days.  But you'll need to feed your cat a special diet for the rest of his life to prevent bladder stones from forming again.

What If The Blockage Happens Again?

If your cat continues to have problems with a cat urinary blockage, surgery may be the next step.Your cat's urinary opening can be enlarged to prevent recurring blockages by means of an operation called a feline perineal urethrostomy. 

This operation only prevents cat blockage, not FLUTD.  A cat who has had this operation is more likely to develop feline bladder infection and bladder stones.  He should have urine cultures done three or four times a year to be sure he's not suffering from a feline lower urinary tract infection.

Prevent Cat Bladder Stones

If you can keep cat bladder stones from developing in the first place, your cat won't get this condition.  Cats with very concentrated urine are more prone to developing stones. 

If you feed your cat canned food instead of dry, you can avoid this problem.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from the food they eat.  A high quality canned food has a moisture content closer to what a cat in the wild would eat.Chronic dehydration is a result of feeding your cat only dry food.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats are now available.  These remedies are especially formulated to treat and prevent cat urinary problems.Buy them only from a reputable company that's known for providing high-quality pet products.

Now that you have this information, you can take steps to protect your kitty from ever experiencing a cat urinary blockage.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection that can lead to urinary blockage in cats.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

Dog Anxiety and Clomipramine

Pet separation anxiety disorder is a traumatic and tough to deal with problem for dogs and their people, as can obsessive-compulsive grooming or spraying is cats who are under this stress and their subjects. What exactly do the two conditions have in common, you ask? You’ll see presently just particularly what it is that links the mentioned disorders and what really they look to as possible cures and ways to fix the situation. One definitely doesn’t want to allow a continuous pattern of destructive behavior to go on and lead to issues both for your little friends and you.

Dog Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety for canines can be quite a bothersome problem. Dogs are quite socially focused animals and rely deeply on the theory of the pack in all social relationships. As pet owners, people become the top dogs in the pack and become as the leader. Usually in today’s busy world, those pack alpha dogs wander away and abandon the dogs at home by themselves for much of the day. Canine separation anxiety shows up by means of several quite apparent and increasingly troubling symptoms. Starting off with barking, salivating, and hyperventilation, they will quickly progress into deeper stages of inappropriate defecation and urination, eating furniture, and tries to escape so as to locate the pack on their own. This will obviously fail and cause noticably more stress for the poor pet.

Obsessive Compulsive Grooming Disorder

Anxiety concerns for cats are quite completely different. Cats are more independent of their people, yet social relationship issues can still arise. Cats get rather territorial or aggressive, so cats might have problems both when moving from a familiar home to a new, unfamiliar location, or anxiousness because of aggressive felines either in the neighborhood or the house. Feline anxiety can also be seen in obsessive compulsive grooming behaviors, where the cat cleans themselves so much and actually turns out to clean off patches of their own fur!

Clomipramine

Clomipramine generic is a partial cure to just these kinds of concerns. The same way with people and their anxiety disorders, animals may get treated with medicines for the exact types of disorders. In a nutshell, this is pet prozac. Medications in the vein of Clomipramine can help take the edge off from your pet’s stress, giving you time and breathing space to resolve the specific underlying concerns. Effects of Clomipramine may include drowsiness, dizziness, dehydration, weakness, constipation or loss of appetite, so you will want to be careful that your pet gets lots of water and you watch them closely for a bit. They clearly can’t tell you in plain English if they’re unwell. Clomipramine canine are happy and healthy friends!

 

Save Your Cat's Life With Emergency Treatment for Urinary Blockage in Cats

cat urinary blockage

This is a scary thought.  If your male cat has had FLUTD, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, he's at risk for developing a cat urinary blockage.Your cat can die within 36 hours if he doesn't receive immediate veterinary treatment for this life-threatening problem. 

What Are the Signs Of Urinary Blockage In Cats?

It can be hard for cat owners to tell if a cat urinary blockage is present.  The symptoms are pretty much the same as for a feline urinary tract infection:  straining, not able to pass much or any urine, crying in the litter box, urinating in places other than the litter box. 

Your vet will diagnose this by feeling your cat's belly for a distended bladder.An empty feline bladder is normally soft and small.  A cat with a urinary blockage will have a hard bladder about the size of a peach.You can understand how painful this is for your kitty.

It's also dangerous.  When a cat can't empty his bladder, his kidneys stop filtering waste products out of the blood and making urine because it can't go anywhere.  When this happens, toxins start building up in your cat's body, which will kill him within a few days.

What Causes A Cat Urinary Blockage?

Bladder stones are the culprit.  These stones form from minerals present in your cat's urine.Stones ranging in size from grains of sand to pea gravel are formed when minerals in the urine crystallize.  Your cat may have only one stone, or he could have dozens. 

A male cat has a very long, narrow urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body).  If he has even a few tiny cat bladder stones, it's very easy for him to develop a urinary blockage.

How Is A Urinary Blockage In Cats Treated?

Your vet may be able to get the blockage out by putting pressure on your cat's bladder.This sometimes works, but usually your cat needs to have a catheter inserted. 

Urinary toxins building up in your cat's system can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, and irregularities in his heart rhythm.  Your cat will probably be dehydrated too.He may be given fluids by IV, or under his skin. 

Your cat may need to stay at the animal hospital for several days, until the catheter can be removed. 

Home Treatment

When you bring your cat home, you'll need to feed him a special diet.The formation of mineral crystals can be avoided by feeding a diet lower in magnesium.  He'll have to eat this diet for the rest of his life to prevent another blockage from occurring.

Lots of clean fresh water should always be available to him.  The more water he drinks, the more dilute his urine will be.  This helps to prevent cat bladder stone formation.

Homeopathic and herbal remedies are now available for cat urinary problems.  Probably the best way to prevent this problem in the first place, or to keep it from happening again, is to put your cat on one of these remedies.

Take action now to prevent a urinary blockage in cats from happening to your feline friend.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection that can lead to urinary blockage in cats.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

Discover How To Prevent Bladder Stones In Cats

If you've ever had any experience with a cat bladder stone, you want to know why this happened to your cat and how to prevent it from happening in the future.  By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll have a better understanding of bladder stones in cats.

How Do Cat Bladder Stones Form?

Researchers have several theories on this.  The most commonly accepted one is that they form due to high mineral levels in your cat's urine.  This can be due to a bladder infection or from his diet.  When the mineral levels get too high, crystals form.  These crystals grow and form stones in your cat's bladder.  These stones can be very small, about the size of a grain of sand, or they can grow to the size of a small pebble.

If a stone blocks one of your cat's ureters (the tube leading from the kidney to the bladder), or his urethra, a urinary blockage can occur, making it difficult or impossible for him to pass urine. 

Tips For Preventing Bladder Stones In Cats

The most important thing you can do is to start feeding your cat a high quality canned food.  Cats who eat dry food exclusively are more prone to developing bladder stones because they are usually chronically dehydrated.  Cats are made to get most of their water from their prey.  A mouse is over 90% water, so a cat in its natural environment doesn't need to drink as much water.

Most canned foods have a moisture level of about 78%.  You can see that feeding your cat canned food will help prevent him from becoming dehydrated.Dehydration is not good for cats, as it causes the urine to be more concentrated, which can lead to bladder stones.

You need to provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your kitty.  It's best to give him filtered water to be sure it's pure.  A cat that drinks plenty of water will have dilute urine, which is helpful in preventing bladder stones.

Some cat owners give their cats a supplement containing cranberry.Cranberry is an herbal remedy that prevents bladder stones by making the urine more acidic.  It also helps to prevent cat bladder infections, too.

Herbal Pet Remedies Can Help Prevent Cat Urinary Problems

People have been using herbal remedies like uva ursi and barberry to treat and prevent urinary problems for centuries.Homeopathic remedies are also becoming very popular. 

Now pet owners are questioning whether herbal pet remedies are effective for pets.  The answer is yes.  The advantages of these remedies is that not only are they safe and effective, but they're inexpensive, and don't have any side effects.

However, it's extremely important to buy products that are formulated especially for animals.  You'll want to purchase herbal pet remedies only from reputable companies that stand behind their products.

Natural remedies for cat urinary problems can help treat and prevent the problem of cat bladder stones.  This is an easy way to keep your kitty healthy.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help treat cat bladder stones, and find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

What You Need To Know About Bladder Stones In Cats

Has this ever happened to you?  You find your cat in his litter box, straining to urinate, crying out in pain.  He can't seem to pass any urine.Your vet tells you that your cat's urinary problems are caused by cat bladder stones. 

Bladder Stones In Cats

A bladder stone, or urolith, is made up from minerals present in your cat's urine.  These minerals sometimes form crystals that stick together to form a stone in your cat's bladder.The stones can range in size from a grain of sand to a piece of pea gravel. 

Your feline friend may have only one stone, or he could have several dozen. 

Why do the minerals form crystals?  There are several theories.  Your cat's urine may be high in minerals due to his diet, or it may be because he has an infection in his bladder.

Bladder stones usually take several months to form, but they can grow in just a couple of weeks.

Symptoms Of Cat Urinary Problems

If your cat suddenly starts urinating in places other than his litter box, this can indicate that he's having a urinary problem.You may observe him licking his bottom more often than he normally does. 

Blood in the urine is another symptom to watch for.  It can sometimes be hard to see this in cats as they usually go in the litter box.  But if he's urinating outside his box, you may see it.

If your cat is straining to urinate, or can't pass any urine, this indicates a blockage.  A urinary blockage is a veterinary emergency, and you need to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Treatment For Cat Bladder Stones

In order to diagnose bladder stones, your vet will need to take x-rays or do an ultrasound.  Once they are diagnosed, you vet will probably outline two treatment options.

An operation to remove the stones is one treatment option.Surgery is the fastest solution for this problem. 

The second is to try to dissolve the stones with a special diet.Depending on how mild or severe the problem is, this may be a good option for your cat.  However, it may not work well for all felines.  The major reason is that it's a slower treatment.  It can take several weeks or months for the stones to dissolve.  During this time your cat will still be passing bloody urine, and may still be straining to urinate.

Diet therapy doesn't work with all stones.  It's helpful if the cat passes a stone so that you vet can analyze it to see what it's made of.  Some types of stones can't be dissolved.

Some cats won't eat the special diet food.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work unless it's the only thing your cat is eating.

Are Herbal Pet Remedies The Answer To Cat Bladder Stones?

Many cat owners are turning to herbal pet remedies to help solve cat urinary problems.  These herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used by people across the world for centuries.  These remedies work to solve the underlying problem, instead of just treating the symptoms. 

It's very important to buy these herbal pet remedies only from reputable companies that specialize in producing them.  Do your homework and be sure that the company stands behind its products.  You want to be sure that you find remedies especially formulated for pets.

These natural remedies are inexpensive and readily available.You don't have to worry about side effects when using these time-honored remedies. 

Now that you have this information, you can take action to prevent cat urinary problems.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help treat cat bladder stones, and find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com