Posts Tagged ‘Cats’

Cat’s Eye: Shine

Cat’s Eye: Shine

CBC news anchors Gloria Macarenko and Ian Hanomansing keep everyone entertained as MC hosts of the Shine gala. others also read…

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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.

Caring For Persian Cats

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat. Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well. During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions – solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats.

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat. If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat. They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs. You’ll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat. Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it. Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy. Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can’t. Their fur is long and dense and you’ll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone – including kids. They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear. Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners. They are very playful, yet they don’t require a lot of attention. They love attention however, and love being admired. Unlike other cats, they don’t climb and jump much at all. They aren’t destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around. A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.

Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house. Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well. You won’t have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside.

To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis. If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years. One thing you’ll need to be aware of that’s common with Persians is their eyes. Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean. This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn’t get out of control.

When you compare Persians to other breeds, you’ll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep. You don’t have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians don’t like to do either. All you’ll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis. Even though grooming can be quite a bit of work in the long run – it’s well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.

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.

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.

Cat Spraying – What is It, Why Do Cats Do It and How Do you Stop It?

If you own a cat chances are you have had a spraying issue at least once. Spraying is a different type of urination problem in that instead of peeing on the floor or in a litter box your cat will go on an upright surface like a chair leg or door jamb usually at nose level for other cats to smell. It is important to know that in some cases a female cat will also spray urine directly on the floor.

The primary reason a cat sprays is because felines are very territorial animals and like to mark their turf by spraying urine to let other cats know who owns that little piece of the world. Think of it as an invisible but smelly No Trespassing sign.

Many times a cat will spray because of behavioral problems like anxiety, stress or a feeling of being threatened by something or someone.

Here are some common behavioral reasons a cat will start spraying urine:

* If personal items are being sprayed it is usually a sign that your cat has some issues with the person.

* The addition of a new cat or even having too many cats for the size of your house can cause spraying problems.

* If you notice things being marked near windows or screen doors where your cat can see outside it’s a pretty good chance there is a cat hanging around your house or passing by frequently.

* If the cat is put into a stressful situation like someone new moving in (a new baby) or being introduced into a new living environment they might feel the need to spray.

Constant spraying can also be caused by physical problems such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Your Vet can perform a simple urine test to determine if your cat has FLUTD and it is very treatable illness.

To eliminate spraying you need to get into your cat’s head and discover what is making them spray as medication from a Vet will only offer temporary relief. Spend time watching your cat to see if you can discover what is triggering the spraying. This could take some time so be patient and remember to not punish your cat as this will now make the problem go away and may aggravate it.

While you are observing your cat to determine the cause of the spraying you might want to put some lemon juice where your cat has been spraying as cats do not like the smell of lemons and this might stop them for a bit. Remember that lemon juice is acidic so you want to be careful and not put it on surfaces that might be damaged.

A final option is to have your cat neutered as they have a tendency to spray less often than un-neutered cats. You should always discuss the benefits of neutering with your Vet as their can be other health issues to consider.

Cat urine spraying and the resulting odor are problems that can be controlled provided you take the proper steps and work with your cat to solve them together.

Taking Care Of Cats

These days, cats are among the most popular pet you can own. There are several breeds available, with the most popular being Persian and Siamese. Cats are a domesticated animal, with origins dating back some 8,000 years and beyond. Like any other pet that you may own, including dogs, cats cost money to take care of properly.

When you get a cat, you’ll need to think about the costs. You’ll obviously need food, and you’ll also need to plan ahead for vet costs. You’ll also need litter, which can tend to get quite expensive as the years go by. Your cat will need a litter box, food dish, and water dish. You should also invest in some toys as well, such as a scratching post, cat toys, a pet carrier, and a bed. You should also look into getting an ID collar as well, just in case your cat ever gets lost.

Feeding your pet will depend a great deal on his age. Older cats require two small meals or one large meal for the day. Kittens on the other hand, require several feedings a day until they get around the age of 12 weeks. Cats that are between three and six months of age need to be fed three times a day. Canned food can be fed to cats, although any food that has been left out longer than 30 minutes need to be disposed of. Canned food can get expensive fast, and you should always keep in mind that some may need to be thrown away when you buy it. Cats loved canned food, although it doesn’t have any benefits to their dental health like dry food does.

As an alternative plan, you can always leave a supply of dry food out for your pet. When you give your cat dry food, you should always make sure that he has enough water. Dry food costs less than canned food, and it can also help to prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth. When you buy dry food, you should always look in terms of health and benefits, and stay away from generic food. Even though generic food may be cheaper, it may not offer the nutrients your pet needs.

If you own a kitten, you should only give you kitten food designed for him. You’ll also need to clean and refill his water dish every day. Even though kittens and adult cats like cow’s milk, you should avoid giving it to them as it can cause diarrhea. Treats are fine on occasion, although too many of them can cause your pet to get fat. Feeding your kitten human food is good on occasion, although you may have to mix it in with his cat food.

By themselves, cats stay fairly clean. Although you don’t have to bathe them that often, you’ll need to give them a brushing at least once a day. Brushing will reduce the risk of hairballs and keep your cat’s coat nice and clean. If you are keeping your cat indoors, you’ll need to have a litter box in an area that is easy for your cat to access. You should always scoop it on a daily basis, and clean it out once a week. Cats don’t like to use dirty litter boxes, they prefer for it to be nice and clean.

Although cats do require some work, they are great pets that will provide you with years and years of companionship. As long as you take care of your cat and take him to the vet for his checkups, he should remain healthy. Even though cats can get sick from time to time – knowing how to care for him will make a world of difference.

Helping Cats Adapt to New Baby in the Home

There are usually three major concerns of new or expectant parents when it comes to mixing pets with their family. Those are:

•· How to prevent pet behavior problems when the baby arrives

•· How to introduce the baby to the family cat

•· How to keep the baby safe around the cat

It is not uncommon for pet owners to assume jealousy is the cause of problem behaviors associated with the arrival of a new baby; however, this is not always the case. Cats become stressed by significant alterations in the environment. Family interactions between each other can cause distress for the cat. Stress is usually the main cause of the problems. The following changes all affect the cat:

•· Changes in feeding

•· Changes in exercise routines

•· Changes in play schedules

•· Changes in what the cat is allowed or not allowed to do

•· Changes in how the pet gets attention

•· Inconsistencies in the way the owner interacts with the pet

•· New structures and odors in the home

All the above can lead to problem behaviors in the cat.

Cats do not instinctively know how to act around children. Children need to learn to interact with cats as well. Most cats accept the new arrival without a lot of fuss; however, there are always exceptions to this rule. Some cats will not accept a new baby in their family. In addition, cats can be unpredictable around children. Their behavior can range from total avoidance to intense interest. There is good news in that most problems can be avoided with some forethought, planning and training.

The number one rule to follow is: Limit the amount of changes the cat will have to experience because of the new arrival.

Cat’s reactions to babies can be:

•· Adapts quickly to the new baby either by ignoring it completely or seeking baby out for investigation or social contact with some cheek rubbing, etc. Of course, you want to monitor all the contact, the cat may decide to check out the new baby in ways you would not approve of such as a quick scratch down the cheek, maybe not even meaning it to be malicious.

•· Other cats may respond with inquisitive, playful and affectionate overtures toward the new baby.

•· All cat and baby interactions need to be closely supervised.

•· It is rare that cats spread any kind of disease to humans. Most problems occur from a scratch or bite that can be avoided with close supervision.

Three basic considerations for helping cats best adapt to new babies include:

•· Adapt the cat’s schedule so it is prepared for the arrival

•· Adapt owner interactions with cat to be similar to what will happen when the baby arrives so there is not a lot of sudden change.

•· Adapt cat’s environment slowly to prepare for baby’s arrival. For example, if you will need to keep the cat totally separate from the family unit during certain times of the day, then start this routine before the baby arrives. If you will need to change the cat’s feeding station, play times or anything else concerning the cat’s schedule, do this well in advance of the baby’s arrival so the cat is well accustomed to these changes.

•· Most families have the baby’s room and furniture already in place before baby’s arrival. This is more important from the cat’s point of view. Be sure to have all new pieces of furniture in place well in advance of baby’s arrival. Some cats are stressed by new structures and new odors. Give your cat time to adjust to baby’s necessities.

•· Cats may be a little fearful or anxious of strange sounds. Try to record baby noises of cooing, screaming, and crying and replay the sounds for the cat to become well accustomed to new sounds of baby.

How To Repel Cats

Ever wanted to know how to keep a cat away? Hold on to your sit we’ve got a thrill of a reading! Cats in general are loveable creatures. However, it is possible that some of them get on the bad side of the household.

Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.

Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away.

Repel them!

At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most ‘humane’ way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.

Cat Powder: Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.

One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.

Sound Repellent: This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.

Cat Scatmats: Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.

Water Sprayer: The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to frighten the cats.

Liquid Repellent: It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.

Air Repellent: Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.

Odor neutralizer: Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats. The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.

With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache. Well now the next time someone asks you about this topic, you can give a little smile and provide them an informative answer

Mount Olive TNR Project cats need help

Mount Olive TNR Project cats need help

There are many Mount Olive TNR Project cats available for adoption. Available kittens and cats range in age from 4 months to adult. All have been neutered, vaccinated, and tested for FeLV and FIV. Adoption fees are $55 for an adult and $80 for a kitten. For information and photos of available cats and kittens, visit www.mtolivetnr.org.

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