Cat Care

Common Health Problems Of Cats

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.  No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected.  Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem.  Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.  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.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats.  All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.  On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.  When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball.  Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage.  Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated.  If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.  If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.  You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair.  You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.  Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t 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.  Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong.  If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet.  Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia
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 doesn’t 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.  You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.  If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy.  As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.

Tips for Bathing Your Cat

Cats normally do not need help getting and staying clean. They are fastidious about their cleanliness and spend much of their day primping and preening. Cats learn from a very young age to stay clean, as the mother always teaches their young the art of bathing. Cat owners rarely need to give their cats a bath, however, there are some situations where you may find it is time to bath kitty. You never know when your cat will get so dirty that they need a little extra help. If your cat is afflicted with skin allergies or has a flea infestation, you might need to bathe your cat. Sick and older cats may have a difficult time keeping clean, too. You will find that your cat probably resists getting a bath, but you can do it if you are prepared.

Get Your Supplies
The best place to bath your cat is in a small, enclosed room. If you have a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly. A deep bathroom sink would also do the trick. The idea is to get your cat in a small area to help him or her feel safer during the process. Another idea is to use a baby tub and place it inside your own bathtub. This might cause an aching back on your part, but may be just the thing for your cat.

In addition, you will want to make sure that you have everything you need on hand before you begin. It will be almost impossible to stop what you are doing with a struggling cat to run and get a towel or shampoo. You will need several old towels, mild, non-irritating shampoo such as baby shampoo or pet shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. You might even consider using a turkey-basting tool to reach under the chin, around the neck and between the legs. In addition, if your cat’s fur is matted, you might want to consider cutting these mats away before beginning.

Get the Bath Ready
When you have gotten all of your supplies where you need them, you will want to prepare the bath. Your cat will not like very hot or very cold water, so lukewarm water works best. Think of the temperature you would use to bath an infant. That is what you need when you wash your cat. Next, fill up the tub or sink. You do not need a lot of water when you bath your cat–just enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a good idea to place a non-skid mat or folded bath towel in the bottom of the sink or tub before you begin filling it with water. This prevents the cat from slipping around on the bottom of the sink or tub.

Ease your Cat into the Water
It is now time for the hard part. You have to get your cat and ease him or her into the water. This may sound easier than it is. Some cats may struggle with you more than others may. Only you know your cat’s personality. The best way to go about doing this is to lower your cat into the water. Do this by placing one hand under the cat’s belly and one hand firmly, but gently on the cat’s back. Lower the cat from its hind legs into the water. If your cat is still struggling, you might want to wrap a towel around your cat to prevent scratches. You might be surprised by your cat’s reaction. Some cats will sit there quietly and let you work. Others will be scared and will try to run from you. You will get wet, but you may think about holding the cat’s body close to your own while bathing so he or she feels more secure. Never raise your voice or move too fast, as this can send your cat into a frenzy.

Begin the Bath
After your cat is somewhat situated in the water, you can begin to bathe. Work quickly, but gently. The best method for bathing your cat is to start with the head and work your way down. Be careful not to get water or shampoo in your cat’s ears or eyes. You will only need a very small amount of shampoo. If you get too much, you will have to rinse longer. If you are treating fleas, then you will want to follow the directions on the flea shampoo at this point. You can use vegetable oil if you need to remove sticky substances from your cat’s fur. Use this sparingly because this will leave an oil residue on your cat’s fur, although it is harmless.

Mars Cat Food Recall

I am a little late with the following but there has been a recall on cat and dog food. On November 25, 2008  Mars Petcare US announced an extension of a previously announced voluntary recall of dry cat and dog food products manufactured at its Allentown, Pennsylvania facility. Items  with a “Best By” date between August 11, 2009 – October 3, 2009 are affected. The cat food recall is a because of a potential contamination with Salmonella. This voluntary recall affects product sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

There is somewhat a lengthy list of brand names such as Special Kitty and Ol' Roy types. For a complete list of bar codes and brand names refer to the original document.

http://www.petcare.mars.com/

Safe and Toxic Plants to Cats

I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of plants that are toxic and non toxic to cats and kittens. This list is by no means the be all and the end all just a compliation of articles and lists I have come by over since the blog started. If you have any adds or subtractions by all means let me know.

Safe Plants 

Achillea , African Violet , Alyssum , Aster , Basil , Bean Sprouts , Begonia , Buddleia , Calendula , Catmint , Catnip , Celosia , Cleome , Chamomile , Chervil , Chives , Columbine , Coneflower , Coriander , Cosmos , Cress , Dahlia , Dianthus , Dill , Dorotheanthus , Forget-me-not , Heloptrope , Hollyhock , Hyssop , Impatients , Japanese Matatabi , Lavender , Lemon Balm , Lemon Verbena , Lettuce , Lovage , Marum , Miniature Rose , Mint , Monarda , Nasturtium , Oats , Orchic , Oregano , Pansy , Parsley , Pea (not sweetpea) , Peppermint , Petunia , Phlax , Portulaca , Rose , Rosemary , Sage , Scabiosa , Shasta Daisy , Snapdragon , Spearmint , Spider plant , Spinach , Strawflower , Sunflower , Tarragon , Thyme , Torenia , Verbascum , Violet , Wheat , Zinnia

 Toxic Plants

Aloe Vera , Amaryllis , Apple (seeds) , Apple Leaf Croton , Apricot (pit) , Asparagus Fern , Autumn Crocus , Azalea , Baby's Breath , Bird of Paradise , Branching Ivy , Buckeye , Buddhist Pine , Caladium , Calla Lily , Castor Bean , Ceriman ,
Charming Dieffenbachia , Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves) , Chinese Evergreen , Christmas Rose , Cineraria , Clematis , Cordatum , Corn Plant , Cornstalk Plant , Croton , Cuban Laurel , Cutleaf Philodendron , Cycads , Cyclamen , Daffodil , Devil's Ivy , Dieffenbachia , Dracaena Palm , Dragon Tree , Dumb Cane , Easter Lily , Elaine , Elephant Ears , Emerald Feather , English Ivy , Eycalyptus , Fiddle-leaf fig , Florida Beauty , Foxglove , Fruit Salad Plant , Geranium ,
German Ivy , Giant Dumb Cane , Glacier Ivy , Gold Dust Dracaena , Golden Pothos , Hahn's Self-branching ivy , Heartland hilodendron , Hurricane Plant , Indian Rubber Plant , Janet Craig Dracaena , Japanese Show Lily , Jerusalem Cherry , Kalanchoe , Lacy Tree Philodendron , Lily of the Valley , Madagascar Dragon Tree , Marble Queen , Marijuana , Mexican Breadfruit , Miniature Croton , Misteletoe , Morning Glory , Mother-in-law's Tongue , Narcissus , Needlepoint Ivy ,
Nephthytis , Nightshade , Oleander , Onions , Oriental Ivy , Peace Lily , Peach (wilting leaves and pits) , Pencil Cactus , Plumosa Fern , Poinsettia (low toxicity) , Poison Ivy , Poison Oak , Pothos , Precatory Bean , Primrose ,Red Emerald , Red Princess , Red-margined Dracaena , Rhododendron , Ribbon Plant , Saddle Leaf Philodendron , Sago Palm , Satin Pothos , Schefflera , Silver Pothos , Spotted Dumb Cane , String of Pearls , Striped Dracaena , Sweetheart Ivy , Swiss Cheese Plant , Taro Vine , Tiger Lily , Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves) , Tree Philodendron , Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia , Weeping Fig , Yew

Make Your Home Comfortable and Safe For Your Cats

If you have decided to adopt a new kitten or adult cat, then you have probably already begun your preparations.

You've purchased food supplies, toys, and a litter box.

Now, it's time to go through your home and make it safe for your kitty.

Locate chewable items

Cats like to chew on things, and they usually resort to chewing just out of plain boredom.

1. Electrical cords can pose a danger. If your cat chews through a cord, she could be shocked or create a fire hazard in your home. You can buy plastic tubing at a home improvement store that fits around electrical cords. Plastic tubing will protect the cords, but your cat may continue to chew. For this reason, you should check the conditions of your cords often. Other options include simply hiding the cords or spraying them with a cat repellent. Cat repellents make the cords taste bad, and they can be found at many pet stores.

2. The cords hanging from your blinds can be a choking hazard to your kitty. If the cords are within reach of your fully-extended cat, then tie them up out of her reach.

Take care of plants

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Caring For Your Cat

When most people think about animal obedience work, cats are not usually the first candidates to spring to mind.

We usually associate cats with words like distant, autonomus, and laid back ; they like doing what they want, pretty much as and when they feel like it.

You might be excused for thinking that way, this is not really the right training material!

However ; many are deriving a great deal of pleasure from training their cats in basic and advanced obedience work and tricks (from sit, stay, come to jumping through hoops, twirling, and high-fiving) – and they are completly convinced cats love it, too!

The benefits of training your cat

Only because cats lead solitary, individual lives does not mean that they necessarily want to do so.

In fact, cats are fabulous affectionate and loving by nature ; they just need you to demonstrate your leadership and initiate the rapport-building process.

Cats are often undervalue when you want to train them, simply because most of the owners has very little need to attempt any sort of training at all. Unlike with dogs (whose ability to learn is very well documented) there is no need to train cats in the basics of pet protocol like house training and bathing.

So few people do not know of their cat's abilities in this area.

Training your cat is a fantastic way to enrich cat's life: Read more…

Basics Of Good Cat Care

Owning any pet is a big responsibility. You must know all the basic steps on how to groom and care for it. This goes for every animal. If you are favoring the feline types, you must know all about cat care.

Owning a cat and having it as a pet is not as easy as bringing home a stray one and feeding it every day. As a pet, the cat needs more than food for it to be happy and healthy.

Responsible Ownership Just like you, your cats also have their basic needs. If you want them to purr to happily ever after, you've to work hard for your cats to attain it. Yes, caring for cats goes beyond the caring part. You have to know what to do and how to do it.

Here's a view of what you should be looking out after as a responsible cat owner.
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Declawing Cats

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.

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Taking Care of Your Cat