Adopting a Domesticated Cat

Today's domesticated cat has become the companion animal of choice for millions of people around the world. In the United States alone, more than 30 million domestic cats now outnumber the dog population by many millions, with the gap growing ever wider each day. Why has the household feline gained in popularity? What is it about this puzzling animal that appeals to so many of us?

The answer to this definitely has to be the enigmatic personality of the cat. Highly intelligent, it possess an arresting amalgamation of characteristics not found in other houshold pets. Captivating and quiet, poised and self-sufficient, athletic and fastidious, the cat is seldom needy. It appreciates company but is also content to spend time alone for hours at a stretch, making it an ideal pet for single people especially, let alone families.

This independent streak, a result of felines in the wild living alone by themselves, gives the domestic feline a slightly haughty attitude to life; for them, the sun does not rise and set with humans, although they appreciate what we have to offer, thank you very much.

The capability cats have to survive, with  or without humans could just be one of the top reasons why we like them so much. Pets (or people) that are emotionallly needy tend to become increasingly irritating after a time; cats are beguiling egocentric creatures. This, combined with their beauty, grace, dignity, and ease of care, always makes them dsireable.

Humans also love cats because they say, " we are your roommate, not your servant," and for their ability to recognize the value of a good nap. And who does not appreciate the cat's clean, fastidious nature and built-in toilet training? The best of luck to you in getting a Schnauzer puppy to use a litter box!

Cats enjoy all the consideration we humans give to them, though they will, given the chance, deny it. They are content to remain with us because we love them and provide for them, but if we disappeared from the planet tomorrow, chances are the cat would mourn somewaht, meow some, and then continue with the business of finding a furry morsel to eat - all the while lampooning the millions of aimless, heartbroken pooches wandering around aimlessly, trying to gigure out what to do next.

In my experience, closer bonds have been developed with a cat when an owner enables the cat to decide for itself when and where it wants affection from its owner. As my grandmother used to say: "You'll never own a cat but one may choose to live with you".

Toilet Training Your Cat in 2 Fast Steps

Virtually everybody who owned an indoor kitty is aware what a mission it is, to frequently clean a litter box. And so many owners of house cats do know what an even more unnerving chore it is when the cat doesn't take the litter box! Of course there are those among us always dreaming of more important achievments and do not care to settle for litter box cleaning. For these kitty owners, we have good news now. Indeed, believe it or not, your cat can be trained, to use a real toilet. When you do the toilet training with your kitty, you will teach it to move from using a litter box to using a toilet. While this sounds too good to be true, moderate your imagination a little bit with the recognition that you may still have to flush the toilet for your cat.

1. Changing the Place of Your Kitty's Litter Box

Just in case that your cat's litter box is not already in the bathroom, you have to move it there. The cat box should be near the toilet on the floor for several days. Every few days you will put the litter box up a few inches using something very stable to sit under it. In case you have no appropriate furniture to secure the box, you can use books if they are arranged in a balanced manner. Of course, to arrive at the point where the rim of the litter box and the toilet bowl are on the same level. Then you can put a sturdy aluminum pan over the toilet bowl in a way that will allow it to support your cat without wobbling as you begin the toilet training with your cat. Limit the amount of cat litter at this time to less than an inch across the bottom of the pan.

2. How to Get your Cat Accustomed to the new Toilet Seat

When you have taken away the litter box and have the kitty using the pan only, you are ready to start with the last part of toilet training of your cat. You will begin the training by putting some holes in the surface of one side of the pan. Of course, you should cut back on the cat litter so it doesn't go down the toilet. Plus, you should think on using flushable kitty litter at this time. The holes will force the cat to put its front paws on the toilet seat when it potties. When your kitty has been doing this for several days, you can put holes on the other side of the pan and that the cat will stand entirely on the toilet seat. The critical step of the toilet training is that you have to remove the pan after your cat has been doing this with success for quite some time. If you are a successful cat instructor, your kitty should now use the toilet you are using, too!

A Last Info on Toilet Training your Cat

These two steps may last as long as two or three months with a narrow minded, senior cat. So be patient with your canine. Always remember water isn't exactly what cats are innately comfortable around. Don't stop if your kitty doesn't use the toilet every time it has to go. Just keep your pan in case your feline friend is against it or at times down the road prefers to not using the toilet. Put the pan back again on the toilet and the cat can re-learn to take the toilet again pretty quickly. The advantages of toilet training your feline companion are many.

Common Cat Health Problems

Healthy Cats

There are many surprises to new cat owners, including that of the numerous health problems that are very common among most cats.

No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about.  With any breed certain problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Worms are a very commomn and recurring problem no matter what breed of cat it may be.

Cats are more susceptible to getting Tapeworms, Roundworms and Hookworms. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. Cats often swallow loose hair from their coats during their daily self grooming rituals. Sometims the stray hair will become a large ball and get caught in the cat's digestive tract instead of passing through the stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball - as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Although it is kind of gross, cats can usually get rid of the hairballs without difficulty. Although rare, a hairball can occassionally become lodged in the cats intestines, this creates blockage.

Blockages are not to be ignored, since they can kill you if left untreated. Not eating properly, having a dull coat, and blockage are three factors that could lead to your cat being constipated. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.

By brushing your cat several times a week removes excess hair preventing hairballs and blockages. Urinary tract infection and hairballs are common ailments in cats. You can purchase food specifically designed to control hairballs.

Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that havent been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. One symptom that your cat may have a UTI is strong smelling urine, and if this symptom is there they need to go to the vet. Your veterinarian can prescribe medicine to treat the problem, and can give you advice on avoiding the problem in the future.

In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don't have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can't be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.

 

Health Care for Your Pet Cat

Health Care for Your Pet Cat

Pet cat  care may be similar to caring for other pets. But such care may also have its own differences. One of them is that pet cats may suffer from a host of different diseases that other pets may not go through. Here is a list of some feline diseases that pet cats may suffer from at some point.

Feline Distemper

This disease usually affects pet cats at a young age. Known medically as feline panleukopenia, this type of viral infection lowers down the immune defenses of young kittens by severely affecting the production of white blood cells. This infection can make young kittens pass, liquid stool with blood due to the severe hemorrhaging that happens in their small intestine.

Fever may also be expected and will lead the young kitten to become depressed and then refuse to take any food and water. It may seem to the pet owner that the cat has a temperamental personality, hence the name feline distemper. The infection actually has no effect on the cat's personality in any way. Sadly, recovery for such conditions is very rare for a cat.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

This is another viral infection that is also fatal in cats. Once your pet cat shows signs of this infection, it can take years and years of trouble. This infection is usually common mostly in young adult cats and can be transmitted to other cats. There are two known types of this infection.

There is the "dry" type where the young adult cat is affected by high fever as well as problems with internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and the intestines. With this type of infection, the cats never seem improve no matter how well the treatment is given.

There is also the "wet" type of the disease has the young adult cat having a fluid discharge within the abdomen. Occasionally the cat's chest displays a golden and dense liquid that contains flakes within. This infection makes the cat run a high fever and would usually not eat well.

The only protection that cats can have over the disease is vaccination. But vaccines should be given to pet cats prior to any exposure to the virus or else the vaccine would not be very effective to prevent any infection.

Feline immune Deficiency Virus

This disease is similar to the Human Immune Deficiency Virus or HIV in humans. This virus in only found in cats and is being spread mainly through a bite from an infected cat. This disease suppresses the cat's immune system and leads the cat to be more prone to all sorts of infection. There is an intranasal vaccine available to protect cats from the FIV infection although some veterinarians are not that convinced that it can protect  more effectively as compared to  other  vaccines.

Feline Leukemia Virus

This virus can severely limit an infected cat's immune system. With the affected immune system, the cat has limited ability to defend against all sorts of other infections. This virus can be spread from contact with infected cats. Many cats can become carriers of the virus for years without displaying any outside symptoms of the infection.

Cats harboring the virus may at times develop clinical signs of the infection if they undergo surgery, get injured or when they get lost outside their usual environment. These diseases may give pet owners an idea of how pet cat health care may be important to ensure that their pets live healthier and longer lives.

Do You Know Why Your Cat Bites - Cat Behavior Explained

Ow! Your feline just sunk her sharp little teeth into you. Read on for some reasons why your cat bites you.

Your cat could be frightened. Your kid might be pulling on the cat's tail. Or, maybe an unfamiliar person is tried to pick up the cat. Cats bite to protect themselves.

Playtime is another time when cats may bite. You might be walking across the room and suddenly feel your toe attacked. Many cats do not like their bellies to be touched and will bite if you try. Even though biting is normal cat behavior, you most likely do not want your cat to be biting you or your family members. Help your cat release energy by playing chase and pounce with cat toys that have long poles so your hands don't get in the way. Don't use your hand or other body part as the object to be chased as this cat training will only encourage biting.

Some cats bite to express their love. Cats bite each other lightly to demonstrate their affection for each other, and your cat may be giving you love cat-style. Some cats will also bite gently while they are licking you. The cat is really grooming you, and it is normal for cats to softly bite when they are grooming each other.

Cats bite to let you know that they have had enough attention for awhile. Your feline could be purring happily as you pet her and then bite you to get you to stop petting her. Before biting, cats will generally signal that they are at their limit by making tail circles or laying their ears back.

Feeling pain can lead a cat to bite. If your cat suddenly starts biting for no apparent reason, get a vet exam to rule out any physical problems.

Handling small kittens in front of their mother can result in a bite since they are extremely protective of their young. Usually the mother will stop biting once the kittens are older.

Now, you should understand why your cat bites. By not playing aggressively with your cat, treating underlying medical conditions, and learning cat behavior secrets , you can reduce or eliminate the biting and enjoy your cat friend.