How To Deal With Cat Allergies by Diandra Perry

Cats are one of the most beloved animals in the world, no doubt about it. Over 50% of all households in the United States in dogs and cats. Although cats are loved animals, cat allergies are one of the most common forms of allergy. The statistics showed that more than 10 million people in the U.S. alone have allergic reactions to cats - especially their fur.

The main cause of allergies to cat hair. Dander, dust produced by the body of the cat. Dandruff is basically give the skin is free of cats, usually in the form of small scales. Although dander can irritate the skin, can also get into your immune system, leading to a wide range of symptoms and allergic reactions immediately.

Dandruff, once the immune system, is perceived as a threat. Although not classified as a disease, a reflection of the body and immune system. Cat allergies occur quite often, because cats to allergens, which are distributed in the blood, urine and saliva. Although the cat can not be present if the secretions are probably even more.
 
cat dander, urine and saliva, are found everywhere in the house of cat owners. Cats constantly groom, which involves rubbing their saliva into your skin. When they do, they spread their dander and allergens around. Although you can try, there is nothing we can do about it. Cats have a natural instinct to groom or bathe themselves, no matter how many baths are given, not only stop toilet.
 
Normally, when someone is taking an allergic reaction to cats, decorating, coughing, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or a difficult time breathing. Different people react to different allergens in the cat. Therefore, the symptoms may not occur at all. Fever and chills is very rare, although it can happen. If someone who has cat allergies comes down with fever and chills, contact your doctor immediately. Chances are, it is not an allergic reaction to cats, but instead a different type of disease, the physician must be identified.
 
Cat allergies are normally treated with antihistamines and decongestants. People who have asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, normally take antihistamines. Decongestants, on the contrary, are normally used to cure coughs and swollen nasal passages. Sometimes, doctors recommend allergy shots and disadvantages. Desensitization can help prevent the attack, especially if someone is really allergic to cats. They are a good form of treatment and prevention, and also can help reduce the risk of allergies affecting the individual.
If you suspect an allergy to cats, you should always make a point of visiting a doctor. He can still diagnose the problem and provide the best possible treatment. If so allergies to cats, the best way to stop attacks is to get rid of the cat.
 
Getting rid of a cat can be a very difficult thing to do. If you have an allergy to the skin of your cat, can be another way to avoid attacks by getting rid of him. Although doctors can administer drugs and vaccines to be done. Cat allergens are no fun, especially if you develop years after owning your cat. Cats are very clean - although cat allergies are something we can all live without.

About the Author

D. Perry has been writing articles for 3 years and is a lover of animals. You can checkout her new website featuring the latest flip ultra video camera reviews.

Cat Aggressiveness by Emmanuelcee

HIGH AGGRESSION BEHAVIOUR IN CATS: House cats are still relatives of the 'big cats'. And with that, still maintain some of the aggressive behaviors of larger and wild cats.
 
Cats, like lions, show signs of dominance and territorialism over other cats in a household, and the leading cat will most likely be the invader in the house. You should never try to break up the chain of command of your cats. However, if your cat starts to get excessively aggressive with you or another cat in your home you probably should arbitrate and try to help the aggressive cat tranquil his/her ways. Remember there is a fine line between a leading cat and an exceedingly aggressive cat.
 
You will know the difference by the cuts gashes and bite marks on you and your other pets. If you feel that your cat is overly aggressive and using the simple tips below does not help, you may want to contact your vet or behaviorist. Remember it is the behavior you dislike, not the cat so don't simply rush to give your cat up for adoption if he/she is troublesome to you. Most aggressive problems in cats have very simple fixes that with a little time and energy can help your cat be the sweet, lovable pet you want.
 
The simplest way to limit your cat's aggressiveness is to help your pet expend this aggressive energy in different, healthier ways while helping your cat limit the need to be so aggressive. Your cat may be aggressive for multiple reasons:
 
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Grooming Your Cat...The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. by Michael Ipp

What? Clean my cat? It's not self cleaning?
 
My wife and I have done a lot of kitten fostering through the years and were quite shocked on how many people did not realize they need to groom their new additions. So we decided to write a short guide on how to. Sometimes its good, when they lay on their back and let you brush their belly, it can be bad when they just dont want their nails cut. And it can be downright ugly when you try to bathe them. I still have scares.
All felines require some form of grooming. The time you spend caring for your cat and the approach you do this, mostly depends on the breed and your kitty's temperament. A kitten has been groomed by the mother as soon as it is born, the mother kitty starts her kitten's breathing by licking it. This is the reason why care is such a instinctive thing to do.
 
There are numerous cat care supplies which are purchasable either in stores or online. These can range from cat combs, cat shampoo, cat clippers etc. Or if you want to treat your pet to something extraordinary, you can reserve your cat a day in a cat spa.
 
Cats normally take care of their own grooming and just desire some aid from their owners. Kitty Catsare very clean animals and rather picky and often preen themselves all afternoon. But there are loads of reasons why you should also groom your cat.
 
One of the main reasons for taking care of your cat is to help put a stop to hairballs. These not only make your cat ill, but can cause intestinal blockages in extreme cases. Long-haired cats notably need assistance with this to avoid tangled fur.
 
An additional good reason to habitually groom your cat is that it gives you the occasion to do a broad health check. Not only can you check out the cat fur for parasites and knots, but you can check its skin and ears. Check for any irregular lumps, bites or scratches from other cats. Cats are inclined to ear mites, especially kittens. So when you groom your cat looking for a dark brown wax in your cat's ear, which is the first symptom of ear mites.
 
Brushing or combing is the generally the common way of grooming a cat. A longhaired cat could need grooming daily to prevent the coat becomes dull. Brushing also helps the amount of unwelcome cat fur off the furnishings in your house or your clothes. For all long or short haired cats shed is now a gadget called the Furminator. It removes the undercoat and loose fur and cutbacks the spread of up to 90% of fur. This is intended to induce the animal's natural oils, promoting better skin and a shiny coat. It is also great to eliminate hairballs.
 
If the only solution is to give it a bath, be outfitted. If possible, ask the help of one more person, so they can hold the cat and you can wash it. Use a suitable container ex. Washbasin or baby bathtub, a gentle cloth and a large clean dry towel. You also want special cat shampoo (by no means use regular shampoo) and a pitcher for rinsing.
 
If you wash your cat because of parasites, you will also need a special shampoo for cat fleas. Always check the temperature of the water before you put your cat in. Add shampoo in the water and hold your cat properly, lower him in. Avoid getting soap in your cat's eyes, work in soapy water from the neck down. Wash your cat well, use of the jar. Finally, wrap your cat in a towel and carefully dry. Some cats could let you use a hair dryer on them but put it on low, but these cats are few and far between. If you really think that your cat will not let you wash him, you can wipe it with a soft damp cloth or Kitty Wipes which are now purchasable in most pet stores.
 
Clipping your cats claws as part of their grooming and something that should be done with care. Numerous cat owners rather have it done at a vets. But you can buy special claw Clippers. Using them yourself you are not likely to cut your cat but it requires patience and a cat you know will stay calm.
 
Begin grooming your kitty while they are young because it will almost certainly get him into the custom of being groomed. It is best done when your cat is tranquil and content. It is not only builds a connection between you and your cat, but grooming can be a relaxing and pleasant activity for both cats and their owners.
 
So luck, happy grooming and always remember. A wet, soapy cat is a deadly weapon.
Happy grooming!

About the Author

Michael has been fostering cats for 6 years and during that time writing on related subjects. Come visit his latest website over at http://catbrushreview.com/ where he reviews the best Cat brush

Cat Behavior Training by Zoe Hayward

Learning cat behaviors before you start training them would be an good idea for anyone that is going to train a cat's behavior.
 
A cat can jump and lands on its feet as this are a natural instinct for a cat. When a kitten is first born, the cushion in a kittens paws are not developed with the cushion to land on its feet. It takes about 7 wk to develop the cushion in a cats paw for landing. A cats bone structure is unique to other animals as the bones are flexible, cat has no collar bone, which enables them to be able to twist and bend their bones A cat can jump from short distant with out sustaining any injuries.
 
With this behavior, you will want to teach the cat to jump hoops, sticks, or off the scratching tree. Letting a cat jump from extreme heights will cause injury to the cat.
 
Cats have a unique hearing ability; they are able to hear high tones and pitches, like opening a door or a can of food. Cats also have unique smelling abilities. The reason a cat will scratch or urinate on the floor, rub its self up against a door or furniture, is the cat is leaving their scent in that areas so they will be able to come back and know they were there, in other words marking its territory. In addition, if another cat or animal comes along in the area a cat will know this. Cats can also smell with their mouths. There is a gland call 'Jacobson's organ', it is a sac in the cats upper mouth filled with blood, as the cat smells the scent and the slightly opens their mouth and upper lip, this allows the scent to be carried in and to the sac, which it will carry the scent goes to the cat brain. This mostly happen to male cats when a female has urinated.
With these natural instincts and behaviors this can give you some insight to help you train you cat. With behavior training you will want to make sure that you allow your cat the ability in some way to play out it natural instincts and behaviors.
 
When training a cat for behaviors here are some things that you need to look at and take in consideration when training. Aggression especially in older cats, this can be cause from illness, other cats in the home. This you may want to contact your vet to have the cat check out to see if it is all right at this time to train a cat.
Depression and anxiety could play another part with trying to train your cat. If a cat is separated by it recent owner the cat can become depressed. Stress on a cat can be common effect on a cat. If you think that your cat has depression or high anxiety, this would be a good time to take the cat to the vet. Vets can talk to you about some of the things that may be causing this and a help list to help the cat. There are medications that a vet can prescribe for the cat to help with depression and anxiety.
 
Never hit a cat for a punishment the cat will learn to fear you, and fearing will be a behavior you will not be able to control or retrain. When they do something that is not right. Ignore the problem or if you catch them right a way you can associate a noise with that behavior on what you do not like or just in a stern voice tell them "NO".
 
If a behavior is becoming impossible you may have to resort to the baby proof home, all containers that have food in them have a lid on it. Make sure that the counters are clean and have nothing that a cat would want to play with.
 
The day that you get your cat or kitten, you will want to start training at this point. This will keep many unwanted behaviors away, and hopefully not let any new behaviors to start.
Healthy cats need healthy relationships with their owner.

About the Author

Be sure to check out Ragdoll Kittens for Sale and Cat Articles

Aging Cats - Cat Food Nutrition In The Senior Years by Susan Livingstone

As your kitty ages, cat food nutrition can be important to the quality of her life. In general, your cat will probably live over fifty percent of her life as a senior. So what does this mean in terms of finding the best cat food to keep her healthy?

First off, how do you know when your cat reaches "senior status"? You might see a sprinkling of gray on her chin; a small cloud forming over once-clear eyes. Perhaps there's a touch of stiffness in what was once a frisky gait. Any of these can be tell-tale signs that your fuzzy feline friend is entering her "golden" years.

The old saying that one year in a cat's life is equal to seven "human" years isn't entirely accurate. Pets mature quickly during the first two years of life, level out for their middle years, and then begin to age more rapidly once more during the final third of their life span.

Technically, a cat qualifies as a senior once she's achieved 7 years of age or more. Factors that have an impact on how individual cats age include body weight, nutrition, environment, and overall health.

Thanks to advances in veterinary care and improved nutrition, cats are living longer than ever, giving those of us who love them many more years of their affection and warm companionship. This longevity, however, means that senior cats, just like their aging human companions, become more vulnerable to a variety of health issues and ailments: weight gain and decreased mobility; heart, kidney, and liver diseases; diabetes; dental problems and periodontal disease; behavioral problems and cancer.

Though advances in animal care, better nourishment and better educated owners have helped improve the quantity and quality of these years, studies have shown that senior cats continue to fight with weight as the result of reduced activity levels and a steady decline in senses, nutrient absorption and the ability to digest fat.

"One of the most important goals when feeding senior cats is maintaining an ideal weight and keeping that weight stable," says Dr. Arnold Plotnick, who pioneered a senior wellness program specifically intended to address the unique needs of aging cats at his veterinary hospital, Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City.

As cats age, there is a steady decline in their body's capacity to heal itself, maintain standard bodily functions and adjust to tensions in their environment. Illness and weight changes are common during the senior years. Cats are at risk of weight gain in their adult years due to the decline in activity levels and the slowing of their metabolism.

But by the time they reach 11 years of age, weight loss becomes an even bigger concern. The 11-plus years are especially difficult for cats because their sense of smell and taste tend to diminish at this time, which in turn has an adverse affect on their interest in food. The power to absorb key nutritional elements and digest fat begins to declines, making eating itself less efficient.

The unwelcome result is that more food goes straight to becoming waste product, and less is utilized for energy, causing a drop in lean muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, leading to an often dangerous reduction in weight. As well as providing a healthy and well balanced diet, owners of senior cats should closely monitor their cats' activity levels, weight, food intake, grooming and elimination habits and report anything new or unusual to their veterinarian.

The good news is that owners of senior cats can do a lot to aid their aging felines in the maintenance of an ideal body weight throughout their senior years by feeding them a diet that addresses their unique nutritional needs. For example, holistic cat food, nutrition from all natural products and processes, is one excellent option for boosting the flagging energy of any cat, but especially a senior. Switching to a raw cat food diet as early as possible in your cat's life will help to keep her golden years much more vibrant and healthy. When it comes the health of your cat, senior food doesn't have to be any different from the food she's been eating all along, as long as it was the best and most natural food to begin with.

Though many of the changes in your cat are standard to the aging process we all go through, others may appear that can indicate a much more critical issue. Scheduling veterinary visits at least twice yearly is good practice for older cats as many potentially serious conditions are treatable if detected early. Fortunately, if you started your kitty off from the beginning by giving her the best quality holistic cat food, nutrition alone will have played a significant part in helping her maintain glowing health when she enters her senior years.

About the Author

Susan Livingstone built The Cat Bladder Blog because she loves cats, which is just as well since she is basically a slave to their whims. After years of spending money on them, she is now reversing that trend by offering holistic health products, information, advice and help to cat owners everywhere, especially those who need resources for dealing with cat urinary tract infections.

Cat Playing or Fighting by Tony Robinson

With multi, cats can play rough. Outdoor cats that stay outside or can go outside will also play rough with other cats. Biting your ankles or arms can be play for your cat. Cats that have extra energy to play and have difficulty finding ways to release their energy can be a very playful cat.
 
What is the difference in playing and fighting with the cats?
 
Cats that are not familiar with each other can be fighting and not playing. Dominant of one cat to another, screaming, hissing continuously during what looks like the playing are signs of fighting. In addition, if a cat gets hurt, this is a signs cats are not playing. This is a sign of your cats are really fighting. This is important to learn and get additional information about especially if your cat is an outdoors cat and encounters another cat. You will be able to tell if fighting or playing is going on. Leaving your cat outside and not know the playing for fighting can have effects on your cat's behaviors and stability for going outside again.
 
Distraction is the best way to separate fighting cats. With any type of interfering can cause pain to both you and the cats. Make a loud noise, firm voice, cats do not like loud noises this is a good way. Have spray bottles handy to use. Cats do not like to be sprayed with water and this will stop them. Once they have stop immediately separate the cats with close doors so they are not able to see each other. This aggression will need to be dealt with carefully. Allowing cats to continue to fight will end up with a cat being hurt and with fighting; this could cause diseases in the cats. This will become expensive with having to take the cat to the veterinarian for medication and some time stays at the vets for care and treatment.
 
Cat play is a natural for a cat and you should not interfere with the playing. Exposing other actives for the cats can help with the playing, when the playing seem to get to intense. Have plenty of toys for the cats to play with, their own scratch post, or their own area to play in.
 
With multi cats in a home, you will want to create an environment for each cat to have a place to feel comfortable. Some cats are able to adapt to other cats in the home and share. With different breeds and natures of the cat, will also depend on the cats being able to share one area. There are cat breeds that are just naturally a single pet and will not fit in the home with the presents of other cats or dogs around. These types of cats will have high stress and quick aggression towards other cats. You can get more information on the type of breeds that will live together and those that need their space. There are plenty of books and internet sites for you to check out.
 
Hitting your cats will not accomplish any thing; this will make your cat fear you, as this will lead to no communication with your cat. Training will be impossible, as communication is the most important thing when training your cat. Physical punishment to any animal is never a good thing to any animal. Remember your cat is a companion and a friend. We, as humans, would never physical or mentally hurt our love ones or friends.
Remember if the cats are not fighting and are just playing with each other, this is a sign of good communication with each other. Allowing the communication to continue will help the relationship with the cats and with you. Communication is a great tool when trying to train your cat.

About the Author

Tony Robinson is a webmaster, international author and cat lover. Visit his website at http://www.officialcats.com/

Signs That Your Cat Has a Bladder Infection

You arrive at home exhausted after a full day, wash your face, and start dinner but instead of the appetizing aroma of dinner you smell the unpleasant stench of urine. After a quick search you notice a puddle in the hall and what seem to be pinkish urine stains on the carpet. Your cat has uncharacteristically failed to use the litter box once again. Could these be signs your cat has a bladder infection?

Having experienced this scenario above first hand I can tell you that the summary above is a pretty good indication that something is medically wrong, with one of the most likely possibilities being infection of the bladder.

According to the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health "The signs your cat has a bladder infection include frequent urination, painful and difficult urination, and urinating in inappropriate places. There may also be blood in the urine. This may be more noticeable at the end of the urine stream. Rarely, cats with a bladder infection may show no signs at all."

While good information, most cat owners who have seen this condition up close and personal will tell you there likely will be quite a few other revealing signs as well.

Other signs that your cat has a bladder infection are: licking the genital area for relief, redness or rawness in the genital area, howling when urinating, scooting across the floor, fatigue, uncharacteristic hissing when touched in the hind quarter, and isolationism.

Another sign that often signals the presence of a bacterial bladder infection is excessive water drinking.

The cause
Bacteria which has gains access through the urethra and made it way up the urinary tract to the bladder where it is flourishing is the cause. This occurrence can be a byproduct of a weakened immune system, possibly due to age, or another disease or condition altogether. Examples of other diseases and conditions would be stones in urinary tract, urinary tract cancer, urinary tract trauma, diabetes, and diminishing kidney function. In other words anything that either impedes the flow of urine, weakens the immune system, or alters urine pH to a point where bacteria can flourish.

What next?
A veterinary visit will likely be in order, complete with a urine analysis and bacterial culture, to confirm your suspicions. Additional tests may be required as well to rule out stones or other possible causes. Once bacterial infection of the bladder is confirmed your veterinarian will likely treat the condition with a round of antibiotics.

My veterinarian normally prescribes either Clindamycin or Amoxicillin but yours may favor another antibiotic depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection.

Additionally, bladder infections, especially in older cats, have a very high probability of becoming chronic, or recurring, especially when the infection is not treated successfully.

To avoid this many pet parents have chosen to add a homeopathic remedy containing such ingredients as Berberis, Cantharis, and Staphysagris combined with adequate exercise, easy access to a clean litter box, plenty of filtered water, and a high quality natural diet free additives. These types of treatments can be used in conjunction with conventional forms of treatment, as a standalone treatment in mild cases, or as a preventative measure to prevent infection down the road.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To learn more about bladder infections in cats along with information about safe and effective homeopathic remedies for treating pet bladder and urinary tract infections Click Here

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

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Cats: The Pee Problem

Many Animals respond to stress, anxiety and depression with peeing in inappropriate places. Here I will focus on cats; why they may be experiencing anxiety and what steps to take to resolve the situation. (I will focus on dogs in a future article.)

Causes:

Stress and depression are fairly common in pets (as well as animals in captivity, such as at zoos). It can be caused by a variety of circumstances or events. One of the most noted events that disturb cats is the expansion of your family. When a new spouse moves in (or out), a new baby comes home, making a move home to the parents, or parents moving in with your family: these events cause your animal stress just like it does to people. Many people's response to stress is depression. And that seems to hold for cats - many react to stress with a bout of depression.

This stress, depression, and/or anxiety can lead to a physical problem in the urinary tract (this may also affect people but it is still being investigated).

In cats this disorder is called Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or Feline lower urinary tract disease (in people it is called interstitial cystitis and, like in cats seems to be triggered by psychological stress or some sort of stressful event). The symptoms of this disorder are: peeing outside of the litter box, crying while urinating, excessive licking of their private parts, blood in the urine, and difficulty going pee (such as straining, frequent &/or prolonged urination). Note that not all the symptoms need to be present, just one or more.

There are many possible causes of stress and anxiety for your cat that can lead to anxiety and/or a depressive episode that causes or contributes to a pee problem. The list below is not exhaustive:

- to get the owner's attention (perhaps the cat is sick, unhappy, or just feeling neglected)
- the owner or friends/siblings are away
- pet is lonely/bored
- litter box isn't clean enough or cleaned often enough
- new pets in the household (being territorial)
- outdoor cats are taunting and teasing them, possibly through the window
- any big change such as moving, new spouse, child or roommate
- something as simple as moving the furniture can upset some animals
- kittenhood trauma like being one of 3 alive in a gunnysack of 10 kittens - sad and hopefully rare, but true

In addition to these environmental factors veterinarians and researchers have identified a correlation between depression in cats and a hormonal imbalance in the brain of the particular animal. This hormonal imbalance makes the animal more sensitive to stressful situations or environmental factors. Likewise, many people have a genetic or inherited component to their depression that may be as a result of an imbalance of hormones or neuroreceptors (such as serotonin and dopamine), synaptic gap issues, or perhaps an insufficient number of receptor sites to obtain the optimal brain chemical balance.

Treatment:
Research on people has shown that most often there are both biological and social or environmental conditions that trigger a bout of depression. The treatment for this kind of effect ideally entails both medical (anti-depressant or other medications) and social treatments (such as counselling, lifestyle and environment change). The treatment for your pet will likely be quite similar. Short-term medication is not unusual while environmental changes or enrichment is a must.

First see the vet to rule out any medical problems such as urethral obstruction (which has similar symptoms to Feline Idiopathic Cystitis but where the animal does not pass urine, or not much urine - this is a medical emergency for your pet and a vet should be sought immediately), and eliminate other factors like diabetes or other medical problems that may be causing the behaviour.

Once your vet has eliminated all other medical possibilities and has identified stress, anxiety, depression or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis as the issue then two challenges need to be met. First the current episode of illness needs to be addressed, then prevention of future episodes. Again the treatment is quite like in people.
First there may be medications, anti-depressants, anxiety, and/or pain medications, for example, then the lifestyle and environmental changes.

Cats need stimulation like people. They may sleep most of the time but when cats are awake they need security, love, exercise, proper and consistent food, toys, and some simulation of their historical environment in the forest (i.e. a post to climb or to allow the animal to stretch out vertically). When the painful physical symptoms have been treated, and environmental adjustments made, your cat will be happy again they will stop the bad peeing behaviour.

And, as with any other pee problem, make sure to thoroughly clean up the urine spot with a black light and enzymatic cleaners to ensure your cat does not smell it and use the spot again not out of distress but simply because their urine odor is already there. Good Luck!

Sonya Dann is notoriously clean and admittedly likes things very clean... and tidy is nice too. Sonya has been a friend and companion to several animals over the years and currently lives with a 3 year old ginger cat.

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

Cat Health - A First Aid Kit for Your Cat

Cat Health is a subject close to the mind of most cat owners. We do not like to see our pets suffering and often go to a great deal of effort and expense to keep them fit and healthy. However, just like people a cat can be prone to accidents and mishaps and for that reason it is advisable to have a feline first aid kit available in the house. Just like the first aid kit we keep for general medical emergencies it does not have to be elaborate.

Most of the items found in a human first aid kit can prove useful in a cat emergency although you should be cautious using human remedies for cats as they could be harmful to your pet. Some of the items that you should consider including in a feline first aid kit are:
Olive Oil which can be useful for cleaning out your cats ears and it is also a good treatment should your cat become constipated.

Thermometer. It is best to use a rectal thermometer which should be available either from your vet or local pet store. Before using it make sure that you shake it down so that you get an accurate reading. A cat's temperature normally should be between 38.3 and 38.9C (1201-102F) and just a little lower for kittens.
Disinfectant A mild disinfectant would be useful and your vet should be able to advise on a suitable one for use on your pet.

Cotton wool, gauze pads and cotton wool buds are also useful items as are a couple of suitable sized bandages.

Cats are prone to bite sand scratches and a useful addition to your first aid kit would be a tube of an antiseptic cream formulated for cats.

In addition a pair of round ended scissors and a pair of tweezers to remove any kind of splinters would more or less complete the basic cat first aid kit. However, to avoid infecting yourself whilst treating your cat you might like to add a pair of thick gloves to the kit to avoid being scratched whilst treating your cat.

One final consideration is that if your cat becomes suddenly sick or injured you will need to get them to a vet as soon as possible. Therefore, you should make sure that you have a suitable carrier in which to transport your cat.

It is always hoped that you will not need your feline first aid kit but it is always better to be prepared just in case.

Being a cat owner comes with responsibilities you need to know about Cat Care. To find free articles about looking after your cat visit http://www.cat-lovers.co.uk/

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

Cat Psychology - Understanding How Your Cat Thinks

Cats are not like dogs. If you have a dog, it will be perfectly obvious to you what he is feeling as they have ways of making this very clear. However it can be very difficult to read a cat's mind and know exactly what she is feeling. Cats are by nature solitary and independent creatures, unlike the dog which is a pack animal (as are humans!), so the psychology of the cat remains a mystery to us.

If your cat has suddenly developed a problem behavior, a little understanding of cat psychology could help you to resolve it. Here are a few pointers;

The main thing you should understand is that cats do not develop problem behaviors to spite their owners. If she suddenly starts to attack you, refuses to use her litter tray or shreds your furniture, she is not doing this out of malice so any problem behavior should not be taken personally. There will be an underlying reason for the behavior, and it is up to you to figure this out!

Also, a lot of the cat behaviors we don't like are perfectly natural to your cat, such as scratching her claws. They won't have any comprehension that this is 'bad' behavior so you are highly unlikely to be able to train them out of it. It's a bit like someone telling you that you are no longer allowed to cut or file your nails! You will have to resign yourself to persuading your cat that it is much more preferable to sharpen her claws on that new scratching post instead.

An understanding of cat psychology will help you understand why physical punishment won't work on cats. They do not have the same thought processes humans do. If you catch your cat urinating on your new rug and hit her, she will not associate urinating on the rug with being punished; she will associate the punishment with you. In her mind you have suddenly attacked and physically hurt her for no reason and she will be wary of you in case you do it again. Cats have long memories and will not forget any mistreatment. If you hurt your cat, you will need to work very hard to regain her trust.

A far better way of stopping this type of unwanted behavior would be to make a loud noise when you catch your cat urinating where you don't want her to, such as clapping your hands or firmly shouting 'no!' If she learns that every time she urinates on the rug she gets a fright, she should decide not to do it.
Cats thrive on routines and if there is the smallest break in this routine they can easily succumb to stress. If you have made changes in your house recently, even something as relatively minor in having a change around of your furniture, your cat may be finding it difficult to adjust and this is when problem behavior can develop. Cats also suddenly stop doing something which has been routine for them for years, such as eating a previously preferred food or refusing to use the litter tray. There could be any reason for this; for example she may have been startled by a sudden loud noise when using her tray. You will need to think like your cat to try to identify a solution, such as moving the tray to a safer location and providing plenty of reassurance.
Sometimes you may never get to the bottom of your cat's changes of routine and may just need to adapt to it, for example changing her food to one she will eat.

If you are having real problems with your cat's behavior, it may be worth seeking advice from a trained cat Psychologist.

Are you having problems with your cat shredding your furniture? Are behavior problems becoming a real headache? Drop by our blog for tips and resources on how to deal with the most common cat training issues. Also visit to discover the one thing you must never do when training your cat.

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How You Feed Your Cat May Be Just As Important As What You Feed

If you've ever experienced an upset stomach or the inability to eat when under stress, it shouldn't be difficult to imagine that animals can be susceptible to the same thing.
Wildlife experts who specialize in rehabilitation of injured or displaced animals are often faced with the challenge of feeding them correctly so they can recover and return to their natural habitats.
Household pets are no different, often suffering health issues due to stress, including improper feeding practices. Cats, in particular, are very sensitive to stress and are easily affected by poor diet and/or their surroundings at meal time.
It's not enough to simply put down a bowl of any old food and expect them to just eat and be happy, healthy and well-behaved. However, because cats are so adaptable, it often works out that way, but if your cat develops a mysterious problem, it could be related to stress during feedings. If they've stopped eating, it's critical to remedy the problem quickly.
Here are 6 tips to help keep your kitty eating happily for health:
1. Be sure there is no competition for the food. If there are other pets in the home, it may be necessary to feed at different times or locations to prevent one from intimidating another and stealing their food.
2. Keep food dishes in a low-traffic zone. It can be disconcerting to be constantly interrupted by people walking back and forth nearby.
3. Keep the noise down. Cats' ears are very sensitive and loud noises could certainly drive them away from their food.
4. Are the dishes clean? Don't just refill the bowls every day. Give them a good washing, just as you do your own. The accumulation of crumbs and residues can attract insects and cause bacterial growth, clearly a risk factor for health problems. If it gets particularly bad, only a desperately hungry cat will even eat it, and could become ill.
5. Most animals appreciate a routine, and cats seem especially happy with one. Providing their food at the same time and place every day contributes to a sense of security and calm.
6. Attitude is very important, too. Cats can tell what your moods are and will usually avoid anyone who is being a grouch. Feed them when you're in a relaxed frame of mind, such as after the kids have left for school, or before the entire family has gotten up for the day. Speak pleasantly and avoid a harsh tone when serving them.

For more information on feeding cats and handling behavior issues, go here: http://www.theproblemcat.com/faq.html

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Fun Facts About Feline Physiology

Did you know...?
Cats prefer acidic and bitter tastes and are unable to perceive sweetness due to an inherited mutation that affects their taste buds; since cats are meat eaters, being able to detect sweet flavors would not provide them with any survival advantage as predators.
Cats' ability to hear low frequencies is approximately the same as ours, but they can hear frequencies than both humans and dogs which allows them to detect rodent communication, including ultrasonic calls: an essential trait for nocturnal rodent hunters!
Cats' greatest visual acuity is at a distance of 75 cm, which is perfect for hunting (except from the perspective of mice!) because this is the approximate distance across which cats pounce when catching their meals!
Cats have poorly developed color vision: they can distinguish blue and green but are frequently unable to distinguish between green and red.
Since cats are mostly nocturnal predators they have excellent night vision. A large portion of a cat's retina has a special characteristic called the tapetum lucidum which is an iridescent reflective surface that causes constructive interference and increases the quantity of light passing through the retina. In other words, a cat's eye is like a small house of mirrors that amplifies the amount of light the eye perceives. Light passes through the retina and is then reflected back into the eye again, decreasing the actual amount of light required for them to see.
Cats have an excellent sense of smell, and they rely on smell more than they do on their sense of taste. At the base of their nasal cavities, cats also possess a special sensory organ called the vomeronasal organ (VNO), also referred to as Jacobson's organ. The VNO detects pheromones, chemical molecules which carry information - pheromones are an important mode of inter-cat communication.
Adult cats have poor temperature perception along their body coreswhich means that they can accidentally sustain burn injuries if humans are not careful about restricting their access to heating pads, stove tops, and other thermal devices. However, in general, cats are capable of withstanding much higher ambient temperatures than humans. Their heat tolerance is likely a result of their desert origins.
Cats are obligate carnivores which means that they belong to the order Carnivora and must eat the flesh of animals in order to survive. They are poorly able to digest vegetation and utilize vegetation derived nutrients; they are not equipped with the appropriate digestive enzymes and absorptive mechanisms to do so.
Cats have retractile claws and are digitigrades (they walk on their toes). These traits enable them to be agile tree climbers and silent stalkers; cats are generally ambush predators, or stalk-and-ambush predators.
Cats' vibrissae (whiskers) provide sensory information to them and can detect very slight air movements caused by the movements of their prey: yet another handy feature for the feline predator to possess!
Have you ever wondered how your kitty can get into impossibly tiny nooks and crannies? Cats have free-floating clavicles (collar bones) which enable them to squeeze through very small spaces!
The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian. © 2011 K & J Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.
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