="verify-v1" content="BGyfr6LqMwb98WrKteGIR1oT6iYghYJAjTSdFuUv4N0=" /> Cat Grooming - Web blog dedicated to kittens and cats. - Chat About Cats

Cat Grooming

Declawing Cats – The Facts

Many cat owners must make the decision of whether or not to declaw their pets. Owners must realize that cat declawing is not a simple issue. Whether they realize it or not, there are short and long-term effects that declawing can have on a cat. It is ultimately the owner’s decision, however, to weigh these issues and see whether or not declawing is necessary. Below are some of the issues that can be considered by cat owners.

First, it is important to consider what a cat uses its claws for. They use them to mark their territory. They also use them for their agility in jumping, chasing, and running. Their retractable claws help them establish good footing and balance. A cat will also use its claws for defense against predators. Often, an owner will only see a cat’s claws as the reason their sofa, carpet, or curtains are torn and ruined.

When a cat is declawed, it is not as simple as cutting off its toenails. A cat’s claws are attached to ligament, tendons, and bones. Removal of the claws is likened to amputating each finger off a human hand. Similarly, declawing cuts off the first bone of each of the cat’s toes. It is also a very painful recovery for the cat, since it walks on these now tender paws. There is no pain medication given to the cat afterward, since cats do not tolerate them well – so every step it takes will produce pain for some time. Often, owners will note a psychological affect from declawing also. The once friendly, playful cat will become quiet and aloof.

Since declawing is an operation that requires anesthesia, complications from the procedure itself can arise. Although rare, infection, excessive bleeding, possible paralysis, as well as death from the anesthesia can occur. If not done correctly, there is also the possibility of the claw growing back in an abnormal manner, growing through the top or bottom of the paw.

A cat’s whole defense system relies on its claws. Once declawed, a cat should never be allowed outside. If confronted, especially by another animal, a cat will claw or chase and run. When chasing and running, a cat relies on its claws. Without claws, it is unable to fight. You may honestly believe that since your cat is solely kept in the house, it will have no need for self-defense, and use this as an excuse to declaw. Unfortunately, even a house cat can get loose. You have now left your cat totally defenseless in the world. What chance would it have in the face of danger?

The fact is that declawing is banned in many countries, as they consider it an inhumane procedure. Declawing does have alternatives though. Proper training of the cat will eliminate human scratching, as well as furniture scratching. To deal further with furniture scratching, buy a scratching post. Make sure the post is not made of carpeting, but rather of some type of material similar to the backing on carpeting. Also, be sure to trim the cat’s claws regularly as part of your routine cat grooming. This will enable you, the cat, and its claws to live in harmony.

More Cat Declawing Articles at http://Cats-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Niche Website Network at http://eWebCreator.com. Matthew Hick has been designing profitable Niche Adsense Websites for over 5 years. Award winning Adsense Website Service at http://eWebCreator.com

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 9, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

Cat Health Problems And Simple Things You Should Know.

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.

Cat Care Secrets is an excellent place to find cat links, articles and resource. For more information on Cats visit: www.catcaresecrets.com

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 7, 2010 at 8:18 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , , , , ,

Common Cat Health Problems

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that cat health problems are a common thing.  No matter what breed of cat you own, cat 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 cat health problem.  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 cat health problem.  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 cat 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 cat 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.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 5, 2010 at 8:22 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

A Quick Guide To Choosing Cats

Cats can be great pets for people who are looking for an animal, but want one that is a little more independent. There are of course many other considerations to take into account before rushing out and buying your cat based on a picture or vague description.

A good question that you need to consider is if you are looking to get a male or a female cat. There is a vast difference between the two species just as there is with humans or any other type of animal. Males tend to be a larger cat than females and also boast a more extrovert personality.

If you do decide to get a male you have to make the decision on whether or not the cat is going to be neutered. Just as a cautionary note, when a male cat is not neutered they tend to have a much different personality. You might find that they spray urine all over, will try to roam, and might just pick fights with other cats if there are any in the house or outside. When you choose to neuter them, you will be able to avoid a lot of these tendencies. Females have different traits than males do. They are a more careful and gentle than males are.

They tend to also be quieter as well. Again comes the question on whether or not to spay your female feline companion. If you choose not too you will be looking forward to dealing with her heat cycles and all that they entail, especially not a good thing if you have any unneutered male cats in the house.

Once you have made a decision on whether the cat will be male or female you need to decide how much hair that you want to content with. That is, do you want to get a long hair cat or a short hair cat? Even though you may think that you want a particular breed, it might not match up with what you want in a cat. This is really a choice that depends on your personal taste.

Long haired cats might seem great to one person and a total nuisance to another. If you choose to go with a long haired cat, you need to understand that it will be up to you to keep you cat groomed and looking nice. Just think about your own hair, if you have long hair then you need to keep it brushed or combed on a daily basis, a long haired cat is no different. They need their owner to comb their lustrous locks on a regular basis so they don’t begin to look like a scraggly cat.

Again, you have to realize that when anything has long hair it tends to shed, a lot! If none of this sounds like fun or appealing in any way it might be a good indication that you in fact are not looking for a long haired cat such as a Persian, but a short haired cat instead.

Now that you have the first two factors of choosing a cat decided, you next need to decide how much money you really want to spend. The reality when you go to buy a cat you can choose from mixed breeds or purebred cats. When you buy a mixed breed there isn’t quite as much to worry about because you don’t have to worry about all the pedigree issues and such, plus as you might have guessed they aren’t going to cost quite as much.
On the other hand all of that changes when you plan to buy a purebred. There are certain precautions that you will have to take before you buy a purebred cat. First you need to research the different breeding establishments to make sure that they are of good reputation. It won’t hurt to do a little bit of research and to even visit different establishments and ask question and look at the cats that they are offering before you actually buy one.

The last question again is one of preference; do you wish to buy a kitten or a cat? Many might jump to the answer of kitten, but as everything there is much to consider before making such a decision. You need to realize that a kitten is in essence a baby and as such requires a lot more time and attention than a grown cat does. It’s not to say that an older cat doesn’t require time and attention, but normally they are quite a bit easier to care for than a baby kitten.

Once you have all of the questions answered, you feel a little more informed about what type of cat that you want to buy. You can always go to different pet shops or breeders and ask whatever questions about the breed that you can think of. You can also talk to any friends or family members that own their own cats, they will have a wealth of information that they might be more than happy to share with you if you ask.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 3, 2010 at 8:18 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , , ,

Caring for Cats – the Easy Way

You will need a great deal of commitment in order to own a cat as they do require some care (although not as much as dogs!) and can live as old as 15 years (or even longer in some cases).

Cats require feeding (daily), care and ‘play time’ on a regular basis. You will also have to take into consideration, before getting your cat, that you will have vets’ bills to pay for annual vaccines, worming and if treatment is required for any illnesses. These bills can sometimes be very costly, but you can purchase insurance for pets – it may be a good idea to ‘shop around’ to get the best deal.

Before getting your cat, you should purchase bowls for food and water, a collar (if you want the cat to wear one), a bed (or pet quilt), a few suitable toys, and some food.

A kitten should be fed throughout the day 4 times with a small amount of food each meal, reducing to 3 times a day at 3 months old, then at 6-8 months 2 meals per day. Older cats (over 12 months) should only be fed twice in the day (usually morning and early evening).

Cats groom themselves, but using a soft brush on the cat, especially the long haired variety, will help to cut down the number of hairballs in the cat’s stomach, which are caused by them licking / grooming themselves.

If you decide to have a cat-flap fitted to your door in order that the cat can come and go as it pleases, you will have to train it to use the flap. You can use tit-bits to entice the cat to go through the flap, when it is fully open. Start by opening the flap fully, just showing the tit-bit, then next time close the flap a little bit and keep on doing so until the cat realises that the flap will open with a small push of the head.

Cats like to sharpen their claws on most household furniture! Suites, corners of walls (thick paper), carpets. Invest in a scratch post – there are many to choose from. When the cat starts to scratch, lift the cat and place him/her next to the scratch post, they will soon get the message and use the post instead of the furniture.

If you are concerned about your cat going missing, or it being involved in an accident, you can have a micro-chip (approximately the size of a grain of rice) inserted into the back of the cat’s neck. The chip contains information, which can help to identify the cat as belonging to you.

It is often said that ‘a cat looks after itself’. This is obviously not really true, but they do have a more independent nature than some other domesticated pets. That said, they still make ideal companions when they ‘allow’ you to be their friend.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - March 1, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

Better Cat Care Defined

Your cat will always rely on you for food, water, safe shelter and regular veterinary cat care even though they appear independent. By doing this consistently you place yourself in a much better place to develop a mutual and rewarding relationship. The guidelines in this article should allow you to consistently perform optimum cat care.


Make it a point to get a cat ID tag and collar that has your address,name and telephone number information. By ensuring that your cat is wearing one you ensure there safe return home in the event they find themselves lost and outside in strange surroundings. Some of the ID tags have a radio responder built into them and by making sure your cat is wearing one you make it possible for another person can read it and bring your cat back to you.


Keep your cat inside if at all possible. This action will ensure that the community, your cat and you are doing what’s best for all involved. Plus if you have gone through all the trouble to find and train your kitty why risk losing them?


Make it a point to get your cat neutered or spayed. This will assist in reducing the problem of cat overpopulation and will keep them healthier.


It is up to you to train your cat from doing things you don’t like like jumping on counter tops and scratching furniture. They can be trained like any other pet if you also keep in mind a bit of understanding, effort and patience when doing so. If you set up a simple system of rewarding and praising them when they perform as you want will go a long way toward them acting and behaving the way you would like.


To keep your cat’s coat healthy, soft and shiny make a it a point to groom them often. To keep your cat’s hair from matting it should be brushed. This will also decrease the creation of hairballs by your cat. Hairballs are produced when cats groom themselves and in the process they ingest hair. Too much of that at once can cause problems for your cat.


Conclusion


In closing just remember to be patient and loyal with your cat. Also remember that the majority of behavior problems can be resolved and make sure you have reasonable expectations of your cat’s behavior. Contact the local animal shelter or veterinarian if you are having major issues with your cat’s behavior.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - February 27, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

Pet Supplies for Dog Grooming

Dog grooming is essential to make your pet look sharp and pretty. Like human beings, you will notice a change in your pet as soon as you start grooming. It is a known fact that a well groomed human is high on confidence, energy and of a satisfied mind, and the same goes for pets. Good dog grooming also adds to the longevity of the pet’s life. Here are some direct benefits of the dog grooming:

Healthy Coat: A regular brushing of the coat of any pet; be it a dog or a cat ensures that it has a smarter, brighter coat. It also keeps the coat and skin healthy. While most dogs do not require baths for a long while, a gentle brushing during the bath will work wonders for the pet coat. Brushing is essential for the distribution of the natural oils all through the body of the pet.

Other than that, the brushing has you spend some quality time with your pet. You can, at this time, find out and explore any bruises, small injuries, lumps, bumps and sores that you would find in your everyday life. The most important thing to remember when buying pet supplies is a quality brush for your pet’s coat. There are many sorts available from hard bristle to very soft, all depending on the type of coat your pet has, a Dobermann Pinscher will need a different type of brush to that of an Old English Shepdog or Afghan hound. Therefore, make it a point to add a good coat brush to the list of your pet supplies.

Nails: are another problem in animals. One has to check the nails of their pets from time to time. Long nails do disappear themselves over the course of time, but they can create quite a nuisance value before they finally disappear. Scratchy pets, like a dog or a pet may have many abrasions and injuries due to scratching with a long nail. The nail itself may grow too long and get stuck in the flesh, make it quite difficult to remove it after a while.

You would require a pet nail cutter to cut your pet’s nails. Adding a nail cutter to your list of pet supplies is a very good idea. After the coat, the hair of the pet is quite an important issue for the pet. If your pet has long hair, it is only proper to trim and cut them time to time. Some cats and dogs have too long hair and those may go into their eyes and ears, and cause problems. Therefore, adding a hair clipper to your list of pet supplies is a very good idea.

The best way to ensure that your pet is nicely groomed is to take the services of a professional pet groomer. A professional pet groomer has the experience and talent to take proper care of your pet. Make sure to do a proper research about the pet groomer. Some pet groomers specialize in cat grooming and dog grooming, while other pet groomers specialize in the grooming of other pets.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - February 25, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: ,

Cat Accessories For A Healthy And Happy Pet Cat

When it is about taking proper care of the furry little cat of yours, then there is no doubt that you would wish nothing but the best for it. To enhance the living conditions of your much-loved pet cat and to enable its healthy living, pet cat accessories are a must necessity as well as a treat to them. Cat accessories and clothing is an essential feature to ensure the well being and health of your cat. There are various luxury accessories that can be effectively used for expressing the unique personality of the pet. As Internet has really simplified all the processes of life, you can browse through a huge plethora of cat grooming supplies, kitten supplies, cat supplies, cat accessories and pet supplies online.

Looking for great pet food and supplies and cat supplies online will enable you to make your choice from a large variety of products and that too on discounted rates. These days travel accessories for pet cats are quite popular as they need proper accommodation facilities while traveling with you on trips and tours.

Feeding

If you are really concerned about proper newborn kitten care then it is important to choose the right kind of water and food bowls. As young pets are clumsy, you must always opt for those bowls which do not tip over so easily. They should be sturdy and easy to clean as the pets need fresh water every time.

Grooming

When you browse through the pet supplies online, you will find a great number of cat grooming supplies. Dependant over the kind of pet cat, you can choose for the specific products. Some of the basic accessories comprise the brushes, combs, shampoo, clippers, styptic powder, toothpaste and tooth brushes. You may also pt for special fragrances to keep your pet smelling nice always.

Treats and toys

Every pet loves to play a lot, no matter what breed it belongs to. Getting some cute cat toys will certainly amuse your little kittens and even the grown up cats. Just make sure that the toys are of optimum size, neither too big nor too small. Small toys may be swallowed by the pets leading to dangerous repercussions while the larger ones create disinterest.

Bedding

If your pet cat keeps inside for longer durations of time then it is essential that you have a comfortable and good quality bedding arrangement for it. Among the various sizes of cat beds available online choose the one that fits for the size of your pet. You may browse through the ones that are meant especially for the specific breeds of cats so that your pet has maximum comfort while resting on it.

Leashes and collars

These days a great variety of cat collars are easily available online. Ranging from really fancy to designer leashes and collars, theses can be procured to add a quotient of style to the personality of your cat. When you buy a collar or leash for your pet, ensure that it is of the right size and fits in properly. It should not irk the pet and should be comfortable.

So, get these cat accessories for your pet now and ensure their safety, health and comfort to the maximum.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - February 19, 2010 at 8:18 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

Cat Poisoning – What You Need To Know

Many kinds of poisons from many sources can kill cats. Sometimes the poisoning occurs when a cat consumes a toxic substance. Other times it is the result of a cats self-grooming and ingesting poison. For example, a cat may walk through a rodent tracking powder, a petroleum product or antifreeze and consequent consumption of the toxic substance occurs during grooming. Still other poisons may be absorbed through the skin, particularly petroleum-based chemicals or coal-tar products.


Unless the cat has been seen consuming the poison, it may be difficult to diagnose the cause as rapidly as is desirable. Prevention is the best means of protecting your cat.


The following information is by no means complete as it lists some of the more common poisons. It is presented as an alert to keep toxic substances away from cats and to help you assess a situation in which you think your cat may have been accidentally poisoned.


Dangerous Household Products Here are examples of potentially toxic products found in the home:


Cleaning and household supplies: ammonia, bleach, cleaning fluids and disinfectants, drain cleaner, soaps and detergents, mothballs and matches.

Garage items: gasoline, kerosene, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze. Many cats are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze and lap it up when it is spilled on the ground or not properly stored.


Agricultural products: insecticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fungicides, snail or slug bait, worm and mollusk toxicants and plant growth hormones.

Workshop supplies: paints, paint thinners and removers, wood preservatives and mineral spirits.


Medicines: aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol and other similar products), diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, laxatives and rubbing alcohol.


Cosmetics deodorants, hair coloring, nail polish and remover, permanent wave lotion, suntan lotion, hair spray and perfumes.


Other hazards: scrapings from lead-based paints; contaminated food; water from toilet bowels, especially if chemically treated.


To protect a cat from accidental poisoning, store products found around the home in inaccessible containers, properly dispose of empty containers and clean up spills promptly.


Dangerous Plants The list of plants potentially dangerous to cats is long. Some of the more common plants that can be poisonous to cats are:


Dieffenbachia, philodendron and caladium cause throat irritation and will burn the throat just as much coming up as going down. Do not induce vomiting and seek veterinary treatment.


English ivy, iris, amaryllis, daffodil and tulip (especially the bulbs) cause gastric irritation and sometimes central nervous system excitement followed by coma and, in severe cases, death. Induce vomiting and seek veterinary treatment.


Foxglove, lily of the valley, oleander, monkshood and larkspur can be life threatening because the cardiovascular system is affected.


The different species of yew are also toxic because they affect the nervous system. If any of these are ingested, get the cat to a veterinarian immediately. Remember you are dealing with a life-threatening emergency.


Poison By Inhalation Cats are vulnerable to the following gases if inhaled: ammonia, carbon monoxide, fumes from heating or cooking gas. A cat suffering from poisoning by inhalation may exhibit weakness and dizziness, breathing difficulties, and bright red lips and tongue. Get the cat into fresh air as quickly as possible. Prompt veterinary treatment is essential.


Symptoms General symptoms of poison by ingestion include pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or collapse. Burns around the mouth, lips and tongue indicate that an acid or alkali such as drain cleaner or paint thinner has been swallowed or the cat has suffered an electric shock. An abnormal odor to the cats breath, coughing or bloody vomitus occur when a petroleum product such as kerosene or gasoline has been swallowed. If the poison is an acid, alkali or petroleum product, do not induce vomiting.


If the cat has swallowed medicine, cosmetics or other noncorrosives, an emetic such as syrup of ipecac can be used to induce vomiting.


Mental confusion, vomiting and eventual collapse are symptoms of antifreeze poisoning. All cases of antifreeze poisoning require immediate treatment by a veterinarian if the cat is to survive.


Insect Bites and Stings Insect bites and stings can cause a mild or severe reaction depending upon the potency of the venom and the sensitivity of the victim. Spider bites most often occur on the front paws or face of the cat. Swelling and reddening of the skin occur at the site of the bite.


Gastrointestinal upsets and nervousness are indications of a toxic reaction and the cat should receive immediate treatment by a veterinarian.


Inquisitive kittens and young cats are most often the victims of bee or wasp stings. The sting site will be red and swollen and the stinger may still be in the cats skin. The stinger should be carefully removed and cold compresses applied to the wound site. A paste of baking soda and water will help relieve irritation and itching. Severe cases may require treatment by a veterinarian. If the sting is in the mouth, swelling within the mouth, tongue or throat can block air passages. Prompt veterinary treatment is essential.


The Dangers of Rodenticides Rodenticides pose another danger to cats. Most rodenticides are formulated for use as toxic baits or tracking powders. When well designed, the baits are attractive to rodents and have little potential for direct ingestion by cats. However, secondary poisoning may result when a cat catches and ingests a poisoned rodent.


Tracking powders are a direct threat to cats. The powders adhere to the paws and the coat of the cat and are ingested when the cat grooms itself. If you observe your cat ingesting tracking powder, consult your veterinarian immediately. If, for any reason, this is not possible, check the package label for information concerning antidotes. If the label does not provide this information, induce vomiting with 1/2 teaspoon ipecac syrup and bathe the cat to remove tracking powder remaining on its body.


Many of the rodenticides contain anticoagulant (blood thinning) chemicals. When ingested by a cat, life-threatening hemorrhaging can result. Signs of anticoagulant poisoning include weakness, blood in the urine or stools, bleeding gums and nose bleeds. However, it can take several days before any of these signs are apparent, depending on the quantity ingested and the time period of ingestion. If your cat exhibits any of these signs, prompt treatment by your veterinarian is essential.


Another danger for cats is a new class of rodenticides, which cause organ failure and death through soft tissue calcification. The kidneys, heart and lungs are vulnerable to calcification. Signs of this kind of poisoning vary with organs most affected. They may include twitching, nausea and vomiting blood. The best protection against rodenticide poisoning is to use safety baits in a rodent control program. If tracking powders are used, keep all pets and children away from the area.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - February 17, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags: , ,

Proper Pet Cat Care: What Your Beloved Cats Need

Cats have especial needs, which should be provided to them if you want to have them as pets.  What they need are the simple and basic pet cat care, such as cat food, basic cat items such as beddings and litter container as well as cat grooming tools. Likewise, what pet cats need is the attention and affection that you can provide and share to these lovable animals.

One of the most basic pet cat care is the nutritious and enriched cat food. Nothing fancy, only the simple but full of nutrients and vitamins that the animals need for maximum growth, body building and development.

Cats can become voracious when it comes to food, and so as pet owners it is a must that you watch their diet. 4 meals a day is enough for the young cats. However, as they grow older, you should have the meals reduced to 2 to 3 small meals a day. Sufficient water should be given to your cats. It would be great if you can concoct yourself the cat food of your pet in order to assure the nutritional value and as well as the freshness of the food that they take in.

 Another important pet cat care is providing your beloved animal with cat grooming. Definitely you must not neglect this aspect of caring for your cats. Regular and proper grooming should be given to them. Time comes when you notice that your cat’s fur is getting thicker and longer. You then must take time out to trim it or at least brush the hair regularly.  Bathing is also desired as you see your pet becoming unkempt.

Likewise, you must also make sure that your cat does not have fleas and ticks problems. Parasites should be taken care of by using safe anti tick and flea products. It should be noted however that not only should you take care of the parasites on your cats but also on the surroundings and furniture on your home as they are very likely to be infested too.

Pet cat care can be very meticulous but if done properly and regularly, it turns out to be not that difficult to do. The important thing is that you provide your pet with the best care and attention that you can.

For more about pet cat, cat care and other cat articles, do visit our Pinoy Pet Blog site.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by Chat About Cats - February 15, 2010 at 8:18 pm

Categories: Cat Grooming   Tags:

Next Page »

eXTReMe Tracker