Cats & Kittens Blog

If you are adopting a pet for the first time at a shelter sometimes you will come across one that is happy to go with you but very nervous or skeptical of your actions. The minute you come home with your pet a pet care learning experience starts. You and your pet will begin bonding, and you will start getting to know and trust one another. The way to any pet’s heart is through its tummy. Proper pet care, kind hearts and treats are a good way to build trust.

Pet food is important, the better you feed and water your pet. the healthier they will be. It is recommended that you feed your pet twice a day in good portions for them to be as healthy as possible. Properly feeding your pets will keep their hair coats healthier. Do not leave food out all day for your pets because you can not monitor how much they are eating when you do this. If you feed your pets twice a day you will know if they are becoming ill, because most signs of illness in your pet start with a bad appetite. If you leave food out all day it contributes to weight problems, or even bone and joint problems.

Dry pet food for animals such as cats and dogs might damage their teeth causing costly dental visits. It is better for you to feed your feline or canine friends wet food, because it will save you money on dental visits throughout their lives. Although it exists quality dry food that is less hard than common commercial pet food.

Senior pets are different, senior pets tend to need higher quality pet care than younger pets. Senior pets should be given a senior diet. Senior diets provide your pet with more fiber, and this allows them to digest the food easier, and more comfortably. As your pet gets older food becomes harder to digest as their systems change just like adults systems.

Pets like dogs are very sophisticated and smart animals, feeding them properly is important to maintain a longer life, and more balanced diet.

Pet’s like cats are different. Proper pet care and knowing what to feed your cat are important. Cats do not drink the proper amount of water they need. Due to possible dehydration it is important for you to buy higher moisture food for them, so they will maintain a good state of health. Many of you may know that cat’s get fat quickly. It is easier to monitor your cat’s food portioning so they can loose weight if you feed them canned cat foods that are portioned properly.

A healthy pet starts with a healthy diet.

Fun Tips:
Did you know that pet owners have lower cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure levels than people who don’t own pets?
Pet owners also report less headaches and stress related problems, petting and playing with your pet can reduce stress.
Pets can improve social skills and help prevent depression.

While cat carriers are designed to make your cat feel comfortable, there are actually some cats that are reluctant and even scared to get into their carriers. So how do you assure them that they will not be harmed when they are in their carriers? The best way to approach this dilemma is to allow them to see how comfortable the carrier actually is. Here are some things that you can do to help your cat settle into its carrier.

Be patient

You have to practice a little patience when dealing with your cat. Cat carriers may actually pose a great threat to them even if you think that you have chosen the most comfortable, safest, and the most expensive kind. If you cannot make your cat settle into its carrier, keep on trying. It is also smart to try weeks in advance of your trip to make sure that the cat is comfortable in the carrier.

Place a treat inside the carrier

A huge, empty space inside the carrier may prove to be scary for your cat. Instead of depending on the carrier’s own charms, you should place familiar toys inside it to attract your pet into settling in. Once the cat sees that the toys are safely inside the carrier, it will be easy for your pet to go inside and play with those toys. Your cat won’t be bored with all those toys accompanying it inside the carrier.

Play with your cat while it is in the carrier

You can condition your cat to associate its carrier with play or anything else pleasant. Once you get it settled, even for a short time, you can play with it which will reinforce that the carrier is a safe place.

You can find cat carriers at stores selling discount pet supplies. If you are not that sure how your cat will react to a carrier, go for a cheap starter. These cat supplies are readily available at your local or online pet store.

Litter training your kittens is a crucial responsibility as a cat owner. Should you also own the mother cat, and she is litter skilled, then your job is way easier. She will teach her kittens the way to use the litter box. All you have to do is present more litter boxes for the growing kittens and scoop up the litter everyday. Initially, people used sand when litter coaching a kitten. Sand is easily out there, helps to soak up the cat urine and makes dealing with cat poop much easier. It’s nonetheless utilized by some cat owners. Unfortunately, cats usually track sand everywhere in the house.

Due to the tracking of sand, clay cat litter is extra popular. Clay cat litter is extra absorbent than sand and has a larger grain. So your cats are less prone to track it around the house. Compared to sand, it is additionally works harder to eliminate cat urine smell. Some cat homeowners use clay-based oil absorbent, which is cheaper and works quite as well. Clay-based mostly oil absorbent is actually just like clay cat litter – except that it is made for industrial use. Both of them make use of granulated Fuller’s earth for its strong absorbent properties.

The next major advancement in cat litter was the invention of clumping cat litter. As its name suggests, it clumps collectively when your cat pees on it. As it clumps into a stable mass separate from the rest of the litter within the field, it’s much simpler so that you can just scoop up the clumps without having to change all the litter within the box. Whereas clumping litter is great on your grownup cats, some cat lovers have expressed concern in utilizing it when litter coaching a kitten. There may be some worry that the kitten will eat the litter and be harmed when it swells within the stomach. There is no scientific proof of this, but in the meanwhile, as cat lovers it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Crystal cat litter is the most recent scientific advancement in cat litter technology. It uses silica gel which absorbs cat urine even better than clumping cat litter. It lasts a lot longer than every other litter – you just need to stir it after you scoop the cat poop to stop cat urine from pooling within the litter box. One downside with crystal cat litter is that there is no such thing as a warning when it becomes saturated. The next time your kitten makes use of the litter field, it might leave a puddle behind. Crystal litter can also be lighter than clay cat litter and clumping litter – your kitten might track the silica gel around your house. As cat lovers, there may be another concern – remember when we discover silica gel in our tablet bottles and they are labeled “Do Not Eat”? Is it safe for litter training a kitten, especially since even adult cats are very sensitive to poisons?

For cat owners who need to be more environmentally friendly, you may also try biodegradable cat litter. That is often made out of materials which naturally decomposes, including wood pellets, recycled newspapers and sawdust. Some brands of biodegradable cat litter can really be safely flushed down the toilet, not like regular cat litter. Unfortunately, like many different issues that are environmentally safe, biodegradable litter is also more expensive than the normal kind.

As you can see, you have many possible choices when litter training a kitten. You could use clay cat litter, clumping cat litter, crystal cat litter and even biodegradable cat litter. For kittens, clay is probably the most effective and safest choice.

At Cattray.com you’ll find information regarding cat litter crystals, fresh step cat litter crystals,and crystal clear cat litter.

To maintain your cat’s health a majority of the time, all you really want to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water. Like different living issues however, cats can get sick occasionally no matter what you do.

As a cat owner, you’ll need to make sure that you feed your cat only the best. Premium cat food is the best for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy. You’ll also want to pay attention to his behavior, so that you’ll know when he’s sick and when to take him to the vet. A lot of the more frequent ailments and sicknesses are minor, though there are some cases when a vet might be the deciding factor between life and death for your cat.

Your cat’s habits probably will be the most essential elements when you are trying to determine whether or not he is under the weather. Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of vitality and never eating are all indicators that you’ll want to take him to the vet immediately. His coat is also a superb factor to watch as well. Should you notice his coat becoming dull and patchy or notice him shedding abnormally, it’s best to contact your vet as quickly as you possibly can.

Diarrhea and vomiting are typically common, even with primary sickness. Alternatively, in case your cat appears to be doing either one of the two for greater than a day, it is best to contact your veterinarian. Coughing is widespread also, simply because coughing will aid cats to dislodge hairballs. In case your cat seems to be coughing for an additional reason, you need to have him checked out as soon as possible.

To make sure that your cat isn’t subjected to numerous diseases, it is best at all times to make sure he stays up-to-date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is certainly one of the more devastating illnesses a cat can get. Yet it is usually one of the easiest to prevent as well. The illness strikes cats very quick and leaves you very little time to seek treatment.

Feline leukemia is one other illness that is very deadly, yet could be prevented early on with the proper vaccinations. Though the disease isn’t possible for humans to contract, it may be contracted quickly among cats. There are vaccinations that may treat the illness these days, although you’ll still wish to watch out and not expose other cats to a cat you realize has feline leukemia.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that are frequently outdoors, is worms. Cats which have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite. There are several types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, and even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which are able to later mature and fix themselves to the partitions of the intestines. In the event you feed your cat garlic often during feedings, it may help to guard him against worms.

If you give your cat great care, chances are high you’ll have him in fine health for years to come. Once again you should always ensure that he has high quality meals, and doesn’t miss any of his scheduled checkups with the vet. If he gets the right vaccinations when he’s required to get them, he should be safe towards numerous pests and diseases. Taking the proper steps with your cat now will forestall something from taking place in the future.

You can keep your cat healthy with a good cat litter system such as the Breeze Tidy Cats system. The Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System is superb for eliminating odor and keeping your cat litter clean.

If you happen to own several cats or reside in a neighborhood where there are a lot of cats you’re already painfully aware that cats do fight. Cats exhibit their discontent with other cats by picking fights. When you recognize the reasons why cats fight you can better determine how to stop your cats from fighting down the road. Itemized below are the chief reasons why cats fight.

They are being territorial

Cats are very territorial much more so than dogs. Whenever they feel that their territory has been or will be invaded they are going to fight. They will even hiss and paw at cats who have been in the house even longer than they have. Both female and male cats are just as territorial so realize that it has nothing to do with sex. One way to avoid territorial battles would be to define a place for each cat in your home.

They are fighting for Social Rank

This is certainly prevalent in male cats if you possess more than one male in the home. Even neutered males are given to fighting to establish rank. Male cats will battle to establish themselves as the head of the cat hierarchy. Two cats would posture their bodies, then begin howling and screaming at one another. If one of the cats walks away or backs down, then the catfight is invariably averted. If neither cat is willing to back down they will continue to battle until one surrenders. There is normally no harm sustained in these types of battles and it is seldom likely that your interference would be required.

They are expressing internal aggression

Cats also fight on account of some kind of redirected aggression and this is quite typical, especially with indoor cats. They will often battle for your attention, for each others attention or for something as simple as who will get the treats first. Most of these battles are very normal and short lived.

If you have to handle the occasional fight understand that this is really common for cats. When there is a bonafide risk to a cat you will more than likely be able to distinguish it. In these cases you need to intervene before there is any kind of bloodshed. When you do get involved manage this cautiously in order to avoid getting scratched. You could catch their attention by making a loud noise or spraying them with water and then administering corrective actions.

Main point here is that it’s in cats’ nature to fight and you should take whatever safety measures you can to prevent fighting. For instance, making sure each cat has his own toys, space and utensils. Keep close track of the fighting and intercede at the appropriate time.

Read more of Diane’s writing at Wii Unlock Plus, Men Made Easy and Green DIY Energy.

House owners with cats will readily attest to the joys of pet ownership. However, when it comes to the litter field, there is little joy. Fortunately, there may be one solution that may have you spending less time bending over the litter box – The Computerized Cat Litter Box. The automated cat litter box can be a cat owner’s finest friend. That is a result of it eliminating the need for the pet owner to frequently clear up the litter box.

The automated cat litter box is a modification of the normal cat litter field. It is a simple field containing litter where the cat is supposed to deposit its urine and stool whenever it needs to. The difference is that it is motorized and cleans the field after the cat uses the box. Currently, there are various manufacturers that make automated cat litter containers, and every product advertises of various options that boast to topple the current merchandise in the market.

Automatic vs. conventional cat litter box

Needless to say, there are options which are present in the automated version and not in the traditional one. That’s because the automated cat litter box is a modern-day modification of the outdated cat litter box. Nevertheless, a number of pet cat owners want the old cat litter box for many reasons. One, the old cat litter box does not require electrical energy. Therefore, it could perform even when there’s a power interruption.

Second, the standard cat litter field is economical and cheaper. It is also less expensive to maintain. The traditional cat litter field consumes much less space compared to the modernized model, and may be easily bought within the market. In contrast, there are way more advantages in getting the automated cat litter box. For one, as a result of it’s being electrically operated, there is no need for manual efforts in maintaining the device. As an illustration, the normal outdated cat litter field must be cleaned of waste clumps constantly. The automated cat litter box doesn’t require often scooping of waste clumps to separate waste and clean litter. All that is required of the owner of the automated version is just to replenish the litter every so often.

The computerized cat litter box de-clutters itself of the waste clumps consisting of urine and stool. There is a particular sifting course performed by the machine that handles the task for itself rather than needing the pet proprietor to scoop out those clumps. This sifting course automatically begins once the machine detects the necessity for de-clumping. Some house owners fear that the machine might begin the sifting course while the cat is still inside, making the elimination exercise traumatic for the cat. But the truth is that the automatic cat litter box is sensible in that it will detect the presence of the cat prior to the sifting process and not start until the cat has left the box.

Savings

Some feel the automatic cat litter box could be extra expensive compared to the standard counterpart. However, the device does not require an excessive amount of electrical consumption and the notion that it consumes a big quantity of energy to boost your utility bill is a misconception. The automatic cat litter field further ensures that the cat’s waste will not produce undesirable odor. You can also be able to travel for a couple of days without worrying that the cat will create too much waste once you’re gone.

Other than that, the comfort afforded by the machine makes it far better than the standard version. So if you are bout to make that investment, don’t hesitate to buy the automatic cat litter box. You will certainly like it. And your cat will, too.

At Cattray.com you’ll find info about fresh scoop cat litter, stainless steel cat litter scoop and feline pine scoop cat litter.

I think that virtually every cat owner is seeking the most effective way for dealing with cat urine smell. Your loveable pet and adorable companion to the family can suddenly generate an unpleasant predicament to manage, with the foul and lingering smell of cat urine that refuses to go away. Find out how to get rid of cat urine smell by making use of just one specific method that has been discovered to be most beneficial.

Cats can mess up the carpets, sofas, beds and any other cozy corner of the home where they choose to urinate. The reason cat urine becomes such a pungent odor is because cats prefer to go in the identical spot until such a time that they will no longer be able to sense the smell or their own urine in the place. It does not matter that you have tried many ways to clean up the mess thoroughly, the smell will remain. Cats will only stop going back to the same spot until it can no longer smell their own urine. This means that knowing a successful means for eliminating cat urine odor is the only way to rescue your carpets, sofas and beds from total ruin as a result of your cat consistently leaving their scent around the house.

You can find traditional “tried and tested” ways of trying to get rid of cat urine odor which have been used in homes for a long time. These methods still work, although you might want to test a small spot before spreading them around any expensive carpets or furniture just to make sure they don’t leave their own mark. Here are some of them:

• One method is the blotting of the cat urine with rags and paper towels.

• Mix a 3:1 ratio of water to vinegar and saturate the urine spot using this solution.

• Dry it thoroughly with paper towels or rags.

• Sprinkle the area with Baking Powder

• Next you can mix hydrogen peroxide and dish detergent and sprinkle over the baking powder then scrub it thoroughly with a brush.

• Allow it to dry after which you can vacuum it up. If the odor still persists, you need to replicate the steps once again.

Using this method when removing cat urine smell will require a certain amount of determined effort to clean it thoroughly, but it is an efficient method and can help you save a large expense rather than getting your carpets industrially washed.

There are numerous manufactured products readily available that promise to show you how to get rid of cat urine smell completely and effectively, but these are clearly very heavily laden with chemicals and for some people that just isn’t a practical solution to use in their homes, especially if there are kids around. The above method will definitely help you to get rid of cat smell, and will save you a lot of money too, and prevent you bringing too many potentially harmful chemicals into your home.

It is not uncommon for one of my clients to be absolutely stunned once they learn that their dog or cat’s weight has topped the scale either up or down. Why didn’t they discover the change? It’s because it often occurs little by little, day by day, right before their eyes.

A rise in pounds may be because of the obvious. Way too many snacks in and not enough physical exercise. Even though you think that you are practicing excellent portion control, over eating can simply happen. A cup of food to one person just isn’t adequate for the next. So they give a tad bit more. You only offer a treat, while the next overly generous member of the family presents two or three. Additional calories add up very quickly. Did you know that a one pound weight gain for a Chihuahua is just like a one hundred and twenty five pound woman gaining thirty one pounds?

There are also several fewer evident explanations for an increase of a pet’s girth. Hormonal diseases for instance an underactive thyroid,( hypothyroidism) or an overactive adrenal gland causing hyperadrenocorticisim,(Cushing’s disease), can impact the metabolic rate. Neutering, likewise, has metabolic repercussions. Numerous studies have revealed that after a pet undergoes a castration or an ovariohysterectomy (spay), the rate at which they burn energy is decreased by nearly 30%. Your neutered pet still incurs much more positive effects than the unfavorable, so I am nevertheless a solid proponent of these procedures.

Advancing age can certainly be to blame for your four-legged friend packing on the weight. As our bodies age many of us begin to drop lean muscle mass. Muscle demands significant amounts of energy levels to be able to function properly. Less muscle mass results in much less requirement for calories. Don’t be misled into serving your four-legged friend the exact same quantity you did when it was younger and carried the same weight. Its energy needs have scaled downwards.

An increase in weight can pose dangerous health dangers to your pet. An overweight pet can have respiratory concerns, a compromised immune system, be at increased risk for anesthesia, deal with skin conditions, and be misersble with discomfort because of overburdened joints or spinal disc disease. Studies have shown that overweight pets age faster and have a lowered quality of life.

Weight reduction may be just as significant. You may think that your cat has discovered the fountain of youth. Your cat is eating more food, running around just like a kitten and is slimming down. In fact, your feline may be a victim of an overactive thyroid. If left without treatment, hypertension, sudden blindness and cardiac problems might manifest.

Diseases which include diabetes mellitus, digestive problems, liver malfunction, cancer as well as dental disease may cause a pet to suddenly lose weight and condition.

How can you tell if your pet is healthy? While your pet is standing up, you ought to notice a waist line after it’s ribcage. Position your hand on the side of its chest and with light pressure, you should be able to feel the ribcage. If you are pinching an inch, it is obese. In the event the ribs are very extremely prominent, it might be under weight. Which food and how much is correct for your pet’s phase of life? Your veterinarian is the best experienced expert to help with making these determinations along with your help. However things will change. Develop a twice yearly wellness visit for your pet. This very simple act can improve the likelihood that your dog or cat will grow older successfully.

Urinary problems are amongst the most frequent cat health care problems our feline pets experience. Some illnesses, undesirable behaviours and diseases that we see most often in our feline friends are related to urinary problems. Cystitis, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, spraying and kidney failure are some of the biggest urinary problems faced by cats.

Cystitis and FLUTD are umbrella terms used to describe the cat health care problem of inflammation in the urinary bladder. The symptoms include irritation and inflammation affecting urination, an increase in the frequency of urination and the urgency of it, general difficulty urinating and evidence of blood in the urine. The causes of this illness can be very varied but often food causes urinary crystals to form into bladder stones, triggering the illness. It is also the case that overweight cats, which are more prone to developing cat health care problems generally, are often affected. This problem can be easily treated by a vet.

On the other hand, spraying is more likely to be considered a problematic behaviour than an actual cat health care issue. At the age of eight or nine months, a male cat is likely to become more territorial and begin behaving in new ways. He will begin spraying strong smelling urine around your house to mark his territory. The smell is very difficult to remove. With this behaviour will come other masculine, tom cat behaviour, including fighting with other cats, which can cause cat health care problems: this can be avoided by neutering the cat.

Kidney failure is another associated cat health care problem which is commonly associated with middle aged and senior cats. This is partly because of the way cats’ kidneys work so hard because of the concentration of their urine and the infrequency with which they pass urine. It is therefore not uncommon for the kidneys of older cats to begin to fail. Renal failure causes cats to drink and urinate more and in serious cases, vomiting bile, appearing disorientated and losing weight are not uncommon. The causes of this particular cat health care problem can also be varied, including cancer, infections, ingestion of toxins or, sadly, old age.

For the most part, cats don’t require any extra help getting and remaining clean. They are diligent with regards to their hygiene and most cats dedicate much of their day primping and preening so as to stay clean. It could be that this is instinctive to their nature to do so and the fact that mothers show their kittens really early the art of bathing seems to bolster their natural intuition. Whatever their grounds for doing so, it bodes well for cat owners because they will rarely have to bathe their cats. There are times however when your intervention is necessary, specially in cases where your cat is suffering from skin allergies or flees. When your cat is sick or getting down in age you may also have to step in then to provide him with a bath.

It is at times difficult to get cats into the bath water as they might be resistant. So preparation is needed before making an attempt to do so.

Have your materials ready and within easy reach

Make certain you have everything you need to give your cat a bath before starting. It will be nearly impossible and sometimes disastrous to stop what you are undertaking with a struggling cat to seek out a towel or shampoo. Line up several towels, mild, non-irritating shampoo such as baby shampoo or pet shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. You may also need a pet comb or brush and scissors for getting rid of any matted hair. Please keep all these within reach of the place you’ll actually be giving your cat his bath.

Preparing the bath

Lukewarm water is best suited for the majority of cats. They are going to react strongly to very hot or very cold water so beware. Fill the tub, sink or whatever container you plan to make use of with just enough water to rinse your cat. Don’t fill with too much water as this will alarm your cat. If available you can place a non-skid mat at the bottom of the tub to avoid slipping.

Introducing your cat to the water

If you’re bathing your cat for the first time this might be a challenge. Many cats will fight at any attempts to immerse them in water. The key here is to do this slowly and gently and submerge the hind legs first and then the remainder of the body after the cat calms down. Wrapping a towel around your cat while immersing in the water might help to prevent scratches. Another possibility is to get into the bath with your cat so he feels secure in your presence.

A few Safety measures

While bathing your cat use a small amount of shampoo so not as much rinse action is required. Also be careful of getting lather into the cat’s eyes. Don’t bathe your cat more than once per month. If you must bathe your cat, this ought to be restricted to two to three times a year.

Bathing too often will strip natural oils from your cat’s skin. Natural oils are required to give your cat a healthy coat.

Whenever possible replace harsh shampoos with natural herbal shampoos, this is often more calming for your cat.

Diane likes writing on various topics including reviews of products like Green DIY Energy, Wii Unlock Plus and Men Made Easy.

Whisker City&reg Anti-Hairball Shampoo