Archive for March, 2008

Oriental Cat Facts

The name 'Oriental' does not refer to a specific breed of cat, but a group of cats originating from Southeast Asia. Siamese is the most familiar (specifically, a Siamese without points), but Oriental can also refer to Japanese Bobtail, Burmese, and Balinese to name a few. Oriental cats are either longhaired or shorthaired and come in nearly 300 varieties of colors and markings. Longhairs do not require much brushing of the coat and it does not tend to mat making it one of the lower maintenance longhaired breeds. However, longhair varies are known to have problems with fleas so it is important to introduce baths early on in case a flea bath becomes necessary. Shorthairs have a coat that lies close to the skin and is described as silky.

Other than occasional brushings, it is a low maintenance coat. Orientals are small and lean cats (some can be three feet long), living approximately fifteen years. Mature males will weigh between nine and twelve pounds and females, four to eight pounds. They are described as loud and talkative, as well as curious and intelligent.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 31, 2008 at 1:19 am

Categories: Cat Breeds   Tags: ,

Funny Cat Pictures Fishing Cats

The first in many series of funny cat pictures. There are thousands of hiliarious cat and kitten pictures on the internet so look for this to be a regular feature of the Chat About Cat and Kitten Blog. The theme for this gallery of funny cat photos is fishing.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 30, 2008 at 7:26 am

Categories: Funny Cat Pictures   Tags:

Himalayan Cat Care

A is for annual check-ups. Himalayan cat care must include an annual visit to the veterinarian. This can be for a routine check-up, annual vaccinations, and a time to discuss any concerns or issues you may have. If your Himalayan is still a kitten, make sure that you discuss spaying or neutering (if you are going to be having this done) at your initial appointment to ensure that all the shots are up to date before the surgery is scheduled and when the vet recommends the surgery takes place. This is not to say that you should be waiting for your annual appointment if you do have any health concerns regarding your cat, in that case make the call and talk to your vet about when you should bring in your cat.

B is for brushing, and a lot of it. For your Himalayan cat care regimen to be complete, your cat will have to be groomed on a daily basis. This includes a good brushing to keep this long-haired breed’s fur from tangling. You should also schedule a bath at least once per week, if you start bathing your cat when it is a kitten it should get used to this ritual in time (but may never like it).

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 28, 2008 at 1:12 am

Categories: Cat Behavior, Cat Breeds   Tags: ,

Persian Cats and Kitten Tips

Probably the first thing you need to do is baby-proof your home. Persian kittens are just like having a new infant in the home. Try getting down on the floor, looking around in about every crook and corner your new Persian kitten could get into. Remove items that could cause harm. Things such as:

• Buttons
• Rubber bands
• Beads
• Electrical cords

Be sure household chemicals are in a secure place away from Persian kitten's little paws. Household plants can be toxic to Persian kittens. You will need to place all household plants in a location too high for him or her to reach. Secure all your fragile and treasured items in places where the Persian kitty cannot reach.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - at 1:10 am

Categories: Cat Breeds, Cat Care   Tags: ,

Getting Rid of Pet Odors

Pet odor can be a difficult thing to live with. It gets into everything and it ruins your enjoyment of your home. Worse yet is that it keeps you from inviting guests to your home because of the embarrassment. Take back you home and get rid of that pet odor by reading this article.

If you have a little bit of odor you might be able to get by with just your basic carpet cleaning. This can be effective if the pet urine is in the surface fibers of the carpet. Call a professional to clean your carpet to see if it helps before going any further. If you still have pet odor you will need to go one step further. Stubborn odors are usually caused by urine that has gotten into the padding and sub floor. To take care of these odors you must pull up the carpet and remove the affected pad. Padding can not be cleaned well and is inexpensive enough that it should just be replaces. After you remove the pad you will need to clean the sub floor using a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water. Next you will let the floor dry and then apply a sealant such as a shellac to seal in an odor. Lastly you will need to put the new pad in place and reinstall the carpeting after you have cleaned the backing of the carpet. That's it you are done and are hopefully odor free. Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 27, 2008 at 1:34 am

Categories: Cat Odor   Tags:

Treat Your Cat’s Hairballs Naturally

Hairballs are caused by a cat swallowing its own fur during the normal process of cleaning itself, and then not being able to eliminate the fur during defecation. This can be caused by a couple of things. If your cat is a long-haired variety, it's imperative that you comb him or her daily if possible. It's very common for long-haired cats, even young, healthy ones, to develop hairballs if not properly groomed.

Younger cats have an innate ability to eliminate the fur due to the fact their digestive systems are stronger and more resilient. It's possible for a short-haired cat to develop a hairball problem as they get older, just because they're no longer able to eliminate the fur. The most common symptom of hairballs is vomiting. If your cat vomits and you see fur in it, that's almost undoubtedly the problem. The second most noticeable symptom is constipation. If you see that your cat isn't using the box as normal, this could also be the problem.

Once you determine that this is the cause of the vomiting or constipation, there are a few options for treatment. However, I would advise being careful to make sure this really is the problem. If your cat seems otherwise healthy, eating normally, playing, etc…this would be my first assumption. If the cat exhibits any symptoms of being ill as in not eating, not playing, seems feverish, I would recommend a vet visit.

To treat hairballs, there are over the counter remedies that contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is a petroleum based product that is the equivalent to taking a harsh laxative for us humans. If you've ever used these products, you know they're not really good for you, but if you're miserable, they'll do.

If you'd like to avoid that, there are a couple of healthy, natural alternatives. A teaspoon of olive oil added to your cat's wet food for a few days can help clear up the problem. Also, and maybe even better, try using canned pumpkin in the wet food. About a tablespoon per day is a good amount. The pumpkin is high in fiber. It may work a little more slowly than the olive oil, but the fiber is good for kitty. We sometimes forget that big cats in the wild do get fiber in their diet by eating the remains in the stomachs of their prey, which are most always herbivores.

After you begin using these remedies, keep an eye on your friend. If the symptoms don't clear up in a two or three days, take him or her to the vet. Older cats can become impacted, which is a dangerous situation and requires veterinary care. Take care of your baby and you can enjoy many years of friendship and love.

For some great free article writing information, go here:

Carmen Black
http://www.biasonuspublishing.com/TheArticleGuy.htm

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 26, 2008 at 1:13 am

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: ,

Taking Care of Your Cat

Providing proper veterinary care and regularly grooming your cat are good ways to practice preventative care. Routine grooming, assessing your cat's health and watching for any changes in her condition will help keep her healthy and happy.

Most areas require your cat in a household to be registered. Keep your cat inside your home for their safety. Train them to wear a collar with your cat's name and your telephone number to distinguish your cat from street cats. Identification helps someone to contact you if your cat is lost.

Kitty cats should be neutered or spayed. Female cats come into their first heat cycle between five and seven months. Spaying eliminates the problem of a female attracting male cats. A male cat who is not neutered can spray urine, which has a strong odor. Keep your cat well fed by giving them a balanced diet. Take it to your vet regularly.

Vaccinations should be current.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 25, 2008 at 1:10 am

Categories: Cat Care   Tags:

Understanding Cats and Kittens

In the ongoing battle of cats versus dogs, pet owners continue to sing the praises of their animal of choice. While dogs are vastly considered to be the more family-friendly pet, cats have their own equally enthusiastic fan club that can easily rattle off the attributes of their feline in-residence. The truth is that cats – loyal, loving, and often misunderstood – are just as popular in the world of pets as their canine counterparts.

The history of cats goes back nearly 9,000 years to ancient civilizations. Always the skilled predators, cats were often relied upon to keep vermin at bay. But there is also speculation that cats were kept as house pets as early as 7,500 BC. We do know that ancient Egyptian civilizations revered cats – so much so that anyone convicted of killing a cat was put to death. Cats were often even mummified along with their owners.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 24, 2008 at 1:09 am

Categories: Cat and Kitten Stories   Tags:

The Basics Cat Behavior

Why is you cat not using the litter box? Why is she scratching the couch, again? Why is he always jumping on the counters?

Most people do not think cats have behavioral problems. However as most cat owners know kittens need to be taught not to jump up on the counter, eat from the sink, use the litter box and more. Many owners run into problems both with kittens and older cats behavior.

Probably the most common problem is the litter box. While most kittens automatically use it, it seems later in your cat's life they decide the whole house is a toilet. There are any number of reasons why a cat, of any age could stop using the litter box.

Read more…

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 19, 2008 at 3:29 am

Categories: Cat Behavior   Tags:

Cat and Kitten Pictures

Just a reminder that you are all invited to join the sites Cat and Kitten Chatboard Forums. There is a small membership that still stops in everyday and checks for new posts.

We have forum set up just for sharing pictures of your cats and kittens so why not join up and share some photos. Here are the links:
Kitten Pictures Forum
Cat Pictures Forum

Thanks everyone and see you there!

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 14, 2008 at 2:43 am

Categories: Cat and Kitten Stories   Tags:

Next Page »