Kitten Care

How To Take Care Of A Kitten

Raising a kitten correctly ensures that it will grow up to be a strong, healthy, and active cat, who will bring years of joy and affection into your life. The following steps will show you how to take care of a kitten.

By 10-12 weeks kittens should be fully weaned and ready to leave their mother. Remember that this is a very stressful time for your pet. Transport your kitten to its new home using a cat carrier lined with a blanket or towel. If the kitten is especially frightened, try confining it to a single room for the first few days, allowing to get accustomed to its new surroundings and gain in confidence. Introduce your kitten slowly to other family members and pets.

If possible, find out which brand of food the breeder has been feeding the kitten – a sudden change in diet can result in an upset stomach. Changing the variety of food should be done gradually, with a small amount of the new food mixed in with the old. Always use high-quality kitten food. Give your kitten access to both wet and dry food – both types have nutritional benefits. As well as food, a kitten needs constant access to fresh, clean water. Do not give your cat cow’s milk. If you wish to give milk, then use one formulated specially for cats.

Kittens can be trained to use a litterbox from as early as 4 weeks. Cats enjoy privacy when using their litterbox, so locate it somewhere quiet, away from high-traffic areas. There are numerous variety of litter types available. If possible, match the kind of litter used by the breeder. This will help the kitten settle in and avoid any unnecessary accidents.

A cat bed is not essential but most kittens will like having a place that they feel is their own. Like all young animals, kittens will sleep for a lot of the time. A great variety of styles of bed are available but it is recommended that the bed be fully washable so that you can keep it clean.

Grooming your kitten with a brush or comb can begin as soon as you bring it home. Regular handling like this will help your kitten get used to human contact.

Visiting the veterinarian is an important part of how to take care of a kitten. An initial exam can be carried out as early as 8 weeks. The veterinarian should vaccinate your kitten against Feline respiratory disease and Feline Infectious Enteritis. A kitten should never be allowed outside until it has received these vaccinations. Prior to reaching sexual maturity, your kitten should be neutered. Beyond this, yearly check-ups are recommended to keep your cat healthy.

Play with your kitten every day. Their are a myriad of toys available, but you’ll soon find out which types your kitten enjoys best. House cats are social animals and daily exercise will help your kitten stay fit and happy.

Tips On How To Properly Care For You Cats Health

Just like humans, cats feel miserable when they are sick. As a pet owner, it is your primary responsibility to keep your feline friends healthy and happy. With proper care and nutrition you will have a friend for life in the form of your pet cat.

Here are some tips on how you can properly care for your cat’s health:

1. Feed them properly.

Every cat has a preference when it comes to food. There are several types of cat food available in the market. Try each one until you find out which variety your cat prefers.

However, you can still try to mix the variety of cat food you prepare so that your pet will have a nutritious and balanced diet.

Commercial cat foods have been well-researched so you do not need to worry about the nutritional value of what you are feeding your pet.

Also, supply your pet with a lot of clean water to drink. Having an ample supply of drinking water will lead to a healthier animal.

It does not matter if you serve dry, canned or moist cat food. Just make sure that you preserve the freshness of the food that they eat.

You would also want to opt for a healthy and natural cat food. Remember that it should be made of quality ingredients.

2. Remember that even domestic cats are natural hunters.

Mice can serve two purposes in your cat’s life: prey and dinner. Hunting for mice would preserve their natural abilities to hunt and seek prey.

If you decide that you do not like the idea of your cat regularly “hunting” for dinner, make sure that you provide them with a proper diet. This will result to your cat ending up just chasing and running after their prey for satisfying their natural hunting urges.

3. Watch out for unusual behavior.

If your pet is exhibiting unusual behavior, then the cat might not be at its best condition.

Try to look out for the following symptoms:

- being lethargic or less active than usual
- shedding of the fur or coat
- it has waxy ears
- looks poor and unhealthy

If you see these symptoms, you might want to change the food that you are serving your cat.

Better yet, consult a professional if you see your pet being less active than usual. Your pet might have a sickness or disease, and as a pet owner and cat lover, you would not want that to happen.

How to Care for a Pet Ferret

Ferrets may not be a common animal choice for pets, but these critters have been domesticated by humans since way back in 4 BC. Many people find ferrets nice to have and as easy to keep, if not easier, as other typical pets like dogs and cats. Here are some basic tips about caring for ferrets.

Making a Home for the Ferret

Ferrets prefer living in spaces that resemble dens in the wild. A wired cage that is about 30 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 18 inches long may suffice. Many ferrets like living in cages that have things to climb such as ramps and stairs. The cage should allow good ventilation, thus it is not wise to use aquariums. The floor may be covered by linoleum tiles and carpets or other soft washable materials to make the flooring more comfortable for ferrets to walk on than wire floors. The cage should be kept within 55 to 70 degrees. It should also be cleaned regularly with hot soapy water.

Feeding Ferrets

Ferrets are carnivores that require at least 22% fat and 34% protein from animal sources. It isn’t recommended to feed them dog or cat food. Chicken and turkey are ideal. Ferrets should never be fed vegetables because they are difficult to digest. Fruits are also not an option because sugars may increase tendencies for insulinoma. Egg whites should also be avoided because they can cause hemolytic anemia.

Potty Training

A small 3 to 5 inches-high cardboard box may be used as a litter box for ferrets. Litter pans should be secured to a side of the cage, far from the ferret’s eating and sleeping areas. Litter products made of plant or paper fibers are recommended to prevent clumping of fecal matter.

Keeping Ferrets Clean

Ferrets tend to produce undesirable odors. To prevent them from smelling to strongly, they can be bathed using a special ferret shampoo, kitten shampoo, or diluted baby shampoo. It isn’t advisable to bathe ferrets daily, because it will dry their skin, causing overcompensation of oil secretion, making the ferret smell more. It is also important to check the ferret’s ears for mites regularly. Ears should be cleaned using cotton soaked in a special cleanser that can be bought from a pet store.

Keeping Ferrets Active

Ferrets are very energetic animals. It is recommended to keep them entertained with toys that aren’t easy to break to maintain the animal’s safety.

Ferrets can be nice pets when one knows the right ways of caring for them. Having them can be a fun and exciting experience.

Taking Care of a Ferret

Ferrets may not be a public animals select for pets, but these critters have been domesticated by humans since way back in 4 BC. Many people find ferrets fine to have and as simple to keep, if not easier, as other usual pets like dogs and cats. Here are some necessary tips about caring for ferrets.

Making a Home for the Ferret

Ferrets favor living in places that resemble dens in the wild. A wired impound that is about 30 inches eclectic, 18 inches booming, and 18 inches long may suffice. Many ferrets like living in cages that have stuff to climb such as ramps and stairs. The coop should permit good ventilation, thus it is not astute to use aquariums. The base may be sheltered by linoleum tiles and carpets or other flexible washable supplies to make the flooring more comfortable for ferrets to gait on than rope floors. The enclose should be reserved within 55 to 70 degrees. It should also be cleaned often with hot bubbly water.

Feeding Ferrets are carnivores that oblige at least 22% fat and 34% protein from animal sources. It isn’t recommended to nosh them dog or cat food. Chicken and fiasco are supreme. Ferrets should never be fed vegetables because they are complex to digest. Fruits are also not a decision because sugars may swell tendencies for insulinoma. Egg whites should also be avoided because they can instigate hemolytic anemia.

Potty Training

A small 3 to 5 inches-high cardboard box may be worn as a litter box for ferrets. Litter pans should be open to an elevation of the coop, far from the search’s drinking and sleeping areas. Litter goods made of hide or paper fibers are recommended to confirm clumping of fecal count.

Keeping Ferrets Clean

Ferrets cultivate to produce undesirable odors. To prevent them from smelling to solidly, they can be submersed with an exclusive flush sluice, kitten cleanse, or weak baby clean. It isn’t advisable to immerse ferrets daily, because it will dry their skin, causing overcompensation of oil oozing, making the search smell more. It is also important to check the rummage’s ears for mites regularly. Ears should be cleaned using cord flooded in an exclusive filter that can be bought from a pet supply.

Keeping Ferrets Active

Ferrets are very bouncy animals. It is recommended to keep them entertained with toys that aren’t relaxed to trip to continue the animal’s safety.

Ferrets can be good pets when one knows the right habits of caring for them. Having them can be a fun and exciting experience.

Cat Teeth Care Can Save a Heart!!!!

We all know we need to keep our cat’s teeth clean to prevent widespread illness and infections, right?  But just how do we do this peacefully, without undue stress on ourselves and our pet?

My cats have been trained since kittens to allow me to gently wipe their teeth with a piece of clean gauze every 2 days.

A neighbor’s cat had dental problems that were left untreated because she could not afford it. The pet succumbed to bacterial infection that affected its heart.  She was devastated.

Dental disease affects the teeth as well as bloodstream, carrying bacteria throughout the animal’s body, which negatively affects its liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.

As a result, I decided to do all I could to ensure that in between annual dental visits I would give the best at home teeth carepossible. I never realized dental care for cats is so important.

I knew they wouldn’t allow me to use a toothbrush, however small it might be.

Therefore, I began using a dental spray, in its liquid form in an eye dropper, that was much easier to administer. It has no side effects, human grade ingredients and almost tasteless.It actually dissolves the tartar and keeps their gums healthy.  I was desperate to try anything because their tartar build up was phenomenal in such a short time.

They have an annual dental check up. However the build up was always at stage 2 or 3 and would cost me $350 to $500 each.  I had to do something to keep the vet bill down.

I had no idea I could buy a product that helped decrease tartar and dental expense.I don’t want to take a chance that my being unable to afford dental care would adversely affect my pets.

There are some dry foods that purport its advantage in assisting to remove tarter.  However some cats, like one of mine, cannot eat dry food because of urinary tract issues.  So having an alternative available that doesn’t require brushing is a definite plus.

In summation, proper teeth care at home can save your cat’s heart, kidneys and lungs. 

Cat Care

Below are some cat care tips we’ve compiled that will make life for both you and your cat happier and healthier.

Handle your cat frequently. Some cats just don’t like to be picked up. If you can start handling your cat when it’s a kitten, chances are better that it will enjoy the handling later in life. It will also be easier when it comes time for check-ups at the vet, having claws trimmed, etc. Also make sure you massage your cat’s feet and toes often so your cat gets used to having it’s paws restrained.

To prevent hairballs, improve the look of your cat’s coat, and give yourself an excuse to check on your cat’s well-being, groom your cat at least once a week. Most cats learn to enjoy the grooming process, although some will become over-excited by it and can only take so much.

Use weekly (or more frequent if possible) grooming sessions to examine your cat for common health problems. Check your cat’s gums, teeth, eyes, ears (look for signs of ear mites), skin, and limbs for possible problems. Check for signs of pain, swelling or injury. Clip your cat’s nails regularly. If your cat’s claws get too long, they may curve back into the toe pad. It’s also more likely that your cat’s claws will get caught on something if they’re not trimmed.

Every major cat care organization recommends keeping your cat indoors for safety, better health and a longer life.

One of the most important cat care tips is regarding the litter box. Place the litter box in a place your cat likes. The number one reason adult cats are brought to shelters is for unresolved litter box problems. Place the box in a relatively quiet area that your cat likes to frequent and make sure there are multiple escape routes. Also make sure to provide enough litter boxes for your cat. We suggest following the one plus one rule – one litter box for each cat in the house plus one more.

Play with your cat daily. Play with dangle toys and chase your cat around the house as much as possible. Get your cat exercising daily and it will help lower risks of diseases and minimize vet bills.

Give your cat at least 10 minutes of physical attention every day. Take time to pet, stroke, scratch or brush your cat for at least 10 minutes daily. It will calm and relax both not only your cat but you too. Recent evidence shows that contact with cats may actually reduce your risk of heart attack by as much as thirty percent! What a great bonus for giving good cat care!

Allow your cat to choose favorite spots to hang out around the house, then make them more comfortable with blankets and pillows..

Feed your cat premium cat food. High quality cat foods meeting AAFCO cat food standards will ensure that your cat gets a balanced diet with the right nutrients. Feline diets deficient in certain nutrients can cause diseases, including blindness.

Take your cat to the vet for a check-up at least once a year.

For more information visit http://www.animal-world.com.

Feline Health – Basic Care and Nutrition

One of the more common domesticated house pets is the cat. If you are contemplating having one for a pet, there are certain aspects that you need to be aware of before you bring one into your household, specifically basic care issues and proper nutrition. Feline companionship brings with it a variety of responsibilities but your biggest obligation to that pet is the attention and care that you give it.

One of the elements regarding the basic care of cats is the initial preparations needed before bringing the animal home. The basic items needed immediately are a litter box and litter, separate food and water bowls, a brush designed for the type of fur the cat has (i.e. long-hair or short-hair), and a carrier to bring it home in and as well as for trips to the vet. And of most importance, cat toys since they enhance the bonding process. Eventually, you may want to consider a bed or basket for them to nap and sleep in.

Once you have determined what type of cat they will be, as in strictly indoors or indoor/outdoor, then there are additional care issues to be covered. If the cat is going to be outdoors part of the time, one of the first things you should get them is a collar. It will obviously hold the cat’s identification tag and veterinary status. Make sure that the collar has an elastic section so that if they get caught on something and start panicking that they can escape from the collar without severely choking themselves.

The tag attached to the collar should provide vital information specifically, your name, address, and phone number. Modern technology has created an identification microchip that vet’s can inject into the skin of a cat’s neck. Speaking of veterinarians, that is the other most important aspect of the cat’s health and well-being. If you want them to be around for a lot of years, every penny you spend on veterinary visits will have benefits and your pet will live a happier and healthier life that way.

Finally, unless you are looking at the cat as an investment, as in breeding them for money, once they have reached the appropriate age, get them neutered or spayed. The ideal age for this is once they are six months old. Where males are concerned, it’s an out-patient type surgery, pending any complications — bring them in first thing in the morning, and pick them up towards the end of the day. Females will vary, but usually the spaying is a 24 hour turnaround.

The first rule of thumb with feline nutrition is that cats are not vegetarians — they require meat in their diets so that they have a sparkle in their eyes and a glossy coat. They require certain dietary needs and animal derived nutrients are one of the main ingredients necessary to their good health. The cat food that you feed them should come from a reputable manufacturer and be given to your cat at room temperature. One important note here is that you should establish a routine as to the place and time of day that you feed your cat.

Another aspect of feeding is that there should always be fresh dry food and water for them to take advantage of throughout the day. If you include canned food in their diets, it is recommended that they receive two or three small feedings per day, not one big one. And remember that until they are out of the kitten stage, that they are constantly eating and drinking.

Another health issue is your cat’s weight. Avoid letting them overeat. Just like with us, a cat can develop obesity and overweight issues. Arthritis, heart problems, and a shorter lifespan are issues that can result from a cat being overweight. So take care on this matter. Based on the breed, adult cats should way between 9 and 12 pounds, and the males tend to be heavier than the females. If you feel that your cat is overweight, a trip to the vet for a check-up and some questions is a good idea. Oftentimes, the weight issue is related to a hormonal problem, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

Great Pet Care on a budget – Part II, Why do you want a pet?

Great Pet Care on a budget – Part II, Why do you want a pet?

 First, ask yourself “Why do I want a pet?” and be honest about your answer. Maybe it’s to have a companion to help from being lonely or maybe it’s for protection. Did you grow up in an environment where there were pets around? Did you have them when you were a child? Or maybe you seen someone else with a pet that you admired and you decided that was the right pet for you?

The answers are limitless but whatever the reason you have to have a willingness to care for the animal through thick and thin and not when it’s small new, and cute. Getting a pet on a whim is never a good idea. You need to be ready for all the activities that go along with pet ownership including:

Daily feeding Walking and exercise Cage cleaning Routine veterinary checkups, pet insurance, etc Grooming Training Many more…

Owning a pet requires a lot of time and effort if it is to be done correctly but unfortunately most people don’t realize this until the animal is home and after awhile the owner becomes overwhelmed. 

So when you decide that you are ready for pet care and you are ready to move forward. Be honest with yourself, take your time and look around for the pet that’s right for you. 

We hope you enjoyed this article from Jack’s Pet Care Series. 

Please check out part I & part III of this series for more information on pet care and pet ownership.

 

 

 

Great Pet Care on a Budget – Part III, What kind of pet is best for you?

You have decided that you want a pet. Now it’s time to decide what kind of pet you want. The first thing you need to do is to evaluate what type of pet owner you will be. Will you be a lazy pet owner that does not provide much pet care or are you a very active person that will be doing activities with the pet on a daily basis? Be honest with your answer and choose a pet based on your decision.

Lazy pet owners should not get an active pet like a Jack Russell or a Labrador retriever. These dogs have an enormous amount of energy and they need to channel it into something. That could be a 3 to 4 mile walk or it could be chewing up your couch. The energy will go somewhere.

If you admit you would be better off with something that does not require so much time then choose a more docile pet like a cat or small mammal. You and the pet will be much happier with the level of pet care you can provide.

Where you live can play a very important role in your new pet decision also. Do you live in an apartment? Do they allow pets? If so, you will probably have to walk a dog on a leash at all times, even in the middle of the night if he has to go to the bathroom. Is he going to have to stay inside the apartment all day while you are at work? A cat or goldfish might be a better choice for you if this does not sound like a good idea.

We hope you enjoyed this article from Jack’s Pet Care Series.

 

 

Take Care Of Your Cat; Take Care Of Yourself

Great cat care is an important part of keeping your feline companion happy and healthy. However, there are benefits to cat care that go far beyond ensuring that your cat stays in peak shape and enjoys a high quality of life. Caring for your cat can actually be great for your own physical and mental state of being. Cat care can even help you maintain a healthy emotional life. When you achieve better cat care, you are achieving a better lifestyle for yourself.

Scientific experts have shown that caring for and enjoying a pet is great for your body. Spending time with a tame, happy animal is relaxing, and studies show that people who regularly spend time with pets have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels than their pet-less friends and neighbors. These factors can not only improve your quality of life, they can actually extend your life expectancy and help you stay in better physical shape for a greater number of years than the average person. The really great news is that both the process and the result of cat care are equally beneficial to your health, so whether you are maintaining your cat or enjoying a friendly tug of war using a ball of yarn, you are helping yourself stay happy and healthy.

If you are looking for a way to make exercise a seamless part of your day, cat care may be the answer. A top notch cat care regimen includes a wide range of activities from trimming nails to cleaning the litter box to more advanced and challenging tasks like training your cat. Almost every single aspect of cat care, from wrestling your kitten into the sink for a bath to petting your cat gently while you are watching television, is great for your health simply because it keeps you moving. Whenever the process of cat care gets you to move even a single muscle that would otherwise be lazily slumped on the couch, cat care is helping your body and your mind. When you chase your cat around the room for a playful game, you are also chasing a healthier heart, stronger bones, and a more robust circulatory system. Cat care helps you life a more active lifestyle.

Cat care is also great for your emotional health. When you rub your cat behind the ears as it purrs softly, you are sure to feel as happy as your cat does. These regular sessions of happy, comforting relaxation are an important part of cat care, and can contribute to a more positive psychological outlook throughout the day. When you spend time sharing love and peace with your cat by providing cat care, your brain releases hormones that make you feel great, and help you manage stress and keep a positive outlook on life. Cat care is a great way to keep yourself feeling positive and happy.