By Guido Nussbaum
Cats are one of the best developed species when it comes to hunting. They are very effective predators, even domestic cats can hunt and eat more than 1000 species including mice, birds, rats, moles and fish. Their whole body is made for hunting, their senses are much better developed than those of humans. Cats can hear and see better, they have skills and instincts that helps them to catch their prey. If they didn't have these skills they would starve to death in a natural environment.
Cats can hunt a huge variety of animals. They eat very little animals like roaches but also bigger ones like rabbits or rats. The fact that cats are not specialized on a small number of preys gives them a better chance to find an animal to hunt. If there is no tasty rabbit to hunt, they go for a mouse or a bird or even small animals like spiders, roaches or other insects. In order to hunt these little fast insects, cats need to be also very fast as well as intelligent.
Cats use different strategies to hunt their prey like sneaking or pouncing. Cats have developed these skills throughout thousands of years and unlike us humans even domestic cats still have these skills. Humans had similar skills but we lost them due to civilization and industrialization.
There are cats hunting in groups like lions or tiger. As you can see in various wildlife reports on TV they are very successful by hunting in a group. Although there are cats hunting in groups most cats are single hunters. They simply sneak as close to their prey as possible. If they are close enough the prey has no chance to escape. In most cases cats hunt in woods or in areas with high grass, this way they can hide and not be seen by their prey. Cats are very silent when hunting, you will not hear them coming, they suddenly appear.
You can see some domestic cats presenting their victims to their owners. These trophies are kind of a present, they give you something back in return for feeding them. This is a highly social behavior and means that the cat has adopted the human owner in her social group. Sometimes this means that the cat wants to take care of you. This behavior can be seen in wildlife , cats help each other in case one was not successful at hunting.
Cats are specialized on killing and eating other animals. They have developed special teeth to kill the pray fast and shear it up in pieces that fit into the mouth. It is probably good to give your cat raw meat once in a while for a better development of her teeth. This natural food is healthy for the cat because it provides needed amino acids, taurine, vitamines and quality fat.
Cats can not live on a vegetarian diet, they are carnivores so they need their meat. They need a high percentage of amino acids and vitamins provided by the meat. A vegetarian diet can not provide enough amino acids, it contains too many carbohydrates and other low quality ingredients. Feed your cat with a high quality meat or special cat food. Make sure the cat food does not consist of too many carbohydrates or low quality ingredients.
If you want to be nice to your cat provide her a way to get outside the house. You cat can then develop its natural instincts and behavior. It has a chance to develop its skills at hunting and sneaking. Your cat will love the nature and it will be thankful for getting outside. Maybe your cat will come home with a little present for you, something like a bird or a mouse...
If you life in a city where there is no possibility for your cat to go outside then at least play with her at home to develop her skills. This can be done in several ways, read about it in other articles on my website.
Enjoy having a cat!
Guido Nussbaum, Cologne/Germany. More information on cats, funny cat videos, cat urine cleaner and more at: http://www.caturine-cleaner.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guido_Nussbaum
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Why Do Cats Scratch?
By Jimmy Crisafi
Your cat is scratching all your most valuable possessions? It just drives you crazy and you do not know how to deal with it? First, you have to understand that behavior, better understanding is half the battle. Second, you can not stop your feline from scratching but learn that there are many possible solutions to that problem so you and your cat can live together both happier.
Why do cats scratch?
Scratching is a behavior that surfaces at the age of 4-5 weeks old kittens. The main function of scratching for the cat is communication. It is natural, instinctual behavior that helps them:
- Marking their territory: it is their way to mark their domain by leaving a visual mark and scent. Cat's paws have scent glands that leave their own special scent on their territory.
- Exercising: it exercises their claws, sharpens their nails and stretches their bodies and muscles. It also helps them to work off energy.
- Having pleasure: it feels good to scratch and helps them having even more fun with their toys.
Now, since scratching is a natural behavior and that cats are highly appreciating it, it would be unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, you should try to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
How to train cats to scratch on acceptable objects?
By redirecting onto acceptable surfaces, we mean providing objects that are appealing, attractive and convenient from your cat's point of view.
1. Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching.
- Where are the objects located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are often chosen.
- What texture do they have? Are they soft or coarse? Carpeted?
- What shape do they have? Are they horizontal or vertical?
- How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
2. Now that you know your cat's preferences, you are able to substitute similar objects for him to scratch such as scratching posts and corrugate boxes. Place those objects near inappropriate objects that he already uses
3. Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets or sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up.
4. When the cat is using the appropriate objects, they can be moved gradually to a location more suitable to you. However, you should keep them as close as possible of the location where your cat preferred it.
5. Last step, you can start removing gradually the unappealing coverings from the inappropriate objects.
Tricks to make your cat use the scratching posts
If your cat seems reluctant using the scratching post, here are some little tricks that should be helpful:
- You may rub catnip or his favorite treat against the post. You can hide treats in the locations where you install the scratching posts.
- Have your cat chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it to encourage him playing in that area.
- It's also a good idea to put a post where the cat sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night.
- You may buy a scratching post feeder. It provides a cat with the necessary incentive to use a scratching post. Any scratching motion by a cat upon the scratching post feeder will automatically release dry cat food. You set the daily limit so there is no risk to overfeed the cat.
Tricks to discourage your cat from scratching the unacceptable objects
If you notice that your cat has a hard time giving up his old scratching areas, here are some means to discourage him:
- You need to remove your cat's scent from those areas with pet odor removers that you can find in any pet stores or even some groceries.
- Cats have an aversion to citrus odors. Use lemon-scented sprays to make his former scratching sites less agreeable to him.
- Try squirting him with a water gun or a spray bottle. Another option is a loud whistle or other noise-maker. You should use those means while your cat is scratching for them to be effective.
For more information please visit Your Pet House.
Your cat is scratching all your most valuable possessions? It just drives you crazy and you do not know how to deal with it? First, you have to understand that behavior, better understanding is half the battle. Second, you can not stop your feline from scratching but learn that there are many possible solutions to that problem so you and your cat can live together both happier.
Why do cats scratch?
Scratching is a behavior that surfaces at the age of 4-5 weeks old kittens. The main function of scratching for the cat is communication. It is natural, instinctual behavior that helps them:
- Marking their territory: it is their way to mark their domain by leaving a visual mark and scent. Cat's paws have scent glands that leave their own special scent on their territory.
- Exercising: it exercises their claws, sharpens their nails and stretches their bodies and muscles. It also helps them to work off energy.
- Having pleasure: it feels good to scratch and helps them having even more fun with their toys.
Now, since scratching is a natural behavior and that cats are highly appreciating it, it would be unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, you should try to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
How to train cats to scratch on acceptable objects?
By redirecting onto acceptable surfaces, we mean providing objects that are appealing, attractive and convenient from your cat's point of view.
1. Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching.
- Where are the objects located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are often chosen.
- What texture do they have? Are they soft or coarse? Carpeted?
- What shape do they have? Are they horizontal or vertical?
- How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
2. Now that you know your cat's preferences, you are able to substitute similar objects for him to scratch such as scratching posts and corrugate boxes. Place those objects near inappropriate objects that he already uses
3. Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets or sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up.
4. When the cat is using the appropriate objects, they can be moved gradually to a location more suitable to you. However, you should keep them as close as possible of the location where your cat preferred it.
5. Last step, you can start removing gradually the unappealing coverings from the inappropriate objects.
Tricks to make your cat use the scratching posts
If your cat seems reluctant using the scratching post, here are some little tricks that should be helpful:
- You may rub catnip or his favorite treat against the post. You can hide treats in the locations where you install the scratching posts.
- Have your cat chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it to encourage him playing in that area.
- It's also a good idea to put a post where the cat sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night.
- You may buy a scratching post feeder. It provides a cat with the necessary incentive to use a scratching post. Any scratching motion by a cat upon the scratching post feeder will automatically release dry cat food. You set the daily limit so there is no risk to overfeed the cat.
Tricks to discourage your cat from scratching the unacceptable objects
If you notice that your cat has a hard time giving up his old scratching areas, here are some means to discourage him:
- You need to remove your cat's scent from those areas with pet odor removers that you can find in any pet stores or even some groceries.
- Cats have an aversion to citrus odors. Use lemon-scented sprays to make his former scratching sites less agreeable to him.
- Try squirting him with a water gun or a spray bottle. Another option is a loud whistle or other noise-maker. You should use those means while your cat is scratching for them to be effective.
For more information please visit Your Pet House.
What Cats Like To Play With
By Guido Nussbaum
In order to understand what cats like to play with, you need to first understand the nature of you cat. We call cats pets but actually 90% of their nature is still "wild". Cats don't "think", they act in most cases on their natural instincts.
Cats can be categorized as "sneakers and hunters". They hunt birds, mice and other small animals. Their method is, they sneak as close as possible towards their prey. Then they have the best chances to suddenly appear right next to the prey and grab it. If you understand this hunting behavior, you can have a lot of fun playing with your cat. Playing is absolutely necessary for the health and feelings of your cat. Here are some ideas on how you can do it:
- Take a straw and hide behind a furniture. Leave only a little piece of the straw that can be seen by your cat. Then move the straw backwards, so that the cat can see less of it. I bet you, the cat will jump at it before it's all gone behind the furniture.
- Take a piece of paper and crumple it to a ball. Then put a little cord around it and tie it up. Your cat will love this toy, you can use it for any kind of stuff. You hand hold it just as high that your cat can reach the ball. You can will jump at it. My cat used to do even somersaults when I used that toy.
- Cats will run after all kinds of little balls, like those little ones made of paper. Unfortunately they don't bring the balls back like dogs do it...
- You can use long tiny branches, sticks or blade of gras to play with your cat.
So there are various ways to play with your cat. Keep in mind that they like to chase, hide and creap than you will be able to come up with all kinds of new ideas on how to play with your cat. Be aware that cats don't always want to play. Cats sleep a lot during daytime and they might not want to be boughered. They are just different than dogs, they have their own "will". You can not force a cat to do anything, the cat will show you what it likes and what not, so listen carefully!
Finally you should give your cat the possibility to go outside the house, if possible. Cats love the nature and they love to play in the garden. Don't be afraid that your cat runs away, it will come back if you treated it good... You should get the cat used to be outside the house when it is little, then it will be able to build its natural instincts.
Guido Nussbaum, a 28 year old cat-friend from Germany. I run the website cat urine cleaner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guido_Nussbaum
In order to understand what cats like to play with, you need to first understand the nature of you cat. We call cats pets but actually 90% of their nature is still "wild". Cats don't "think", they act in most cases on their natural instincts.
Cats can be categorized as "sneakers and hunters". They hunt birds, mice and other small animals. Their method is, they sneak as close as possible towards their prey. Then they have the best chances to suddenly appear right next to the prey and grab it. If you understand this hunting behavior, you can have a lot of fun playing with your cat. Playing is absolutely necessary for the health and feelings of your cat. Here are some ideas on how you can do it:
- Take a straw and hide behind a furniture. Leave only a little piece of the straw that can be seen by your cat. Then move the straw backwards, so that the cat can see less of it. I bet you, the cat will jump at it before it's all gone behind the furniture.
- Take a piece of paper and crumple it to a ball. Then put a little cord around it and tie it up. Your cat will love this toy, you can use it for any kind of stuff. You hand hold it just as high that your cat can reach the ball. You can will jump at it. My cat used to do even somersaults when I used that toy.
- Cats will run after all kinds of little balls, like those little ones made of paper. Unfortunately they don't bring the balls back like dogs do it...
- You can use long tiny branches, sticks or blade of gras to play with your cat.
So there are various ways to play with your cat. Keep in mind that they like to chase, hide and creap than you will be able to come up with all kinds of new ideas on how to play with your cat. Be aware that cats don't always want to play. Cats sleep a lot during daytime and they might not want to be boughered. They are just different than dogs, they have their own "will". You can not force a cat to do anything, the cat will show you what it likes and what not, so listen carefully!
Finally you should give your cat the possibility to go outside the house, if possible. Cats love the nature and they love to play in the garden. Don't be afraid that your cat runs away, it will come back if you treated it good... You should get the cat used to be outside the house when it is little, then it will be able to build its natural instincts.
Guido Nussbaum, a 28 year old cat-friend from Germany. I run the website cat urine cleaner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guido_Nussbaum
Bringing Home A New Cat
By Jimmy Crisafi
Everyone is excited about the arrival of the new kitten to the home, except your kitten! This will be a stressful time for the new arrival, which can go smoothly if you provide the right amount of space, care and items. After you made sure to have the vet check over your kittens its time to bring it home.
Some planning and items are needed before bringing the new kitten into the home, the basic items are food bowls with preferably the same cat food, which the kitten is accustomed to. If you are planning on changing the cat food, do this gradually. Mixing in more of the new brand daily, until you converted the cat to the new brand.
Next, you will need a litter box, even if you already have one with another cat. A new litter box will help your old cat not feel threatened and your new one will feel much more at home away from the scent of your other cats.
Childproof your home, cats are very curious and try to climb into every dark hole they can find and may stuck or hurt. Make sure all windows and doors are shut and to remove any poisonous plants, chemicals or food from them. They are several household plants, which can be poisonous to your cats.
Preparing a room for your new kitten or cat, this is important because they will need a place to feel safe and have their necessities like a place to sleep, litter box, food, scratching post and toys.
Now the big moment of opening the cage, your kitten may be extremely scared and not want to come out. You should not force anything and let things happen gradually. They will eventually get curious or hungry and come out. Hiding under anything they can find, looking for a secure place, even though they are extremely scared it is not uncommon they may crawl into bed with you and get close for heat and protection on the first night. The first few days they can be demanding and lots of meowing but after some time this will get better.
If you have other pets and cats, make sure to keep them separated for a few days. This could be very difficult for some and will be an extremely tough few days, possibly weeks for everyone. Cats are hard to introduce to each other and may lead to a lot of fighting and biting. Making them get used to each others scent and let them meet each other at their own terms. After a few days you will start to notice a difference and most become good friends. On rare occasions two cats will not get along with and they will just tolerate each other.
This is a beginning to a great relationship; patients, knowledge and a lot of love will make this experience worth will for everyone.
For more information please visit Your Pet House.
Everyone is excited about the arrival of the new kitten to the home, except your kitten! This will be a stressful time for the new arrival, which can go smoothly if you provide the right amount of space, care and items. After you made sure to have the vet check over your kittens its time to bring it home.
Some planning and items are needed before bringing the new kitten into the home, the basic items are food bowls with preferably the same cat food, which the kitten is accustomed to. If you are planning on changing the cat food, do this gradually. Mixing in more of the new brand daily, until you converted the cat to the new brand.
Next, you will need a litter box, even if you already have one with another cat. A new litter box will help your old cat not feel threatened and your new one will feel much more at home away from the scent of your other cats.
Childproof your home, cats are very curious and try to climb into every dark hole they can find and may stuck or hurt. Make sure all windows and doors are shut and to remove any poisonous plants, chemicals or food from them. They are several household plants, which can be poisonous to your cats.
Preparing a room for your new kitten or cat, this is important because they will need a place to feel safe and have their necessities like a place to sleep, litter box, food, scratching post and toys.
Now the big moment of opening the cage, your kitten may be extremely scared and not want to come out. You should not force anything and let things happen gradually. They will eventually get curious or hungry and come out. Hiding under anything they can find, looking for a secure place, even though they are extremely scared it is not uncommon they may crawl into bed with you and get close for heat and protection on the first night. The first few days they can be demanding and lots of meowing but after some time this will get better.
If you have other pets and cats, make sure to keep them separated for a few days. This could be very difficult for some and will be an extremely tough few days, possibly weeks for everyone. Cats are hard to introduce to each other and may lead to a lot of fighting and biting. Making them get used to each others scent and let them meet each other at their own terms. After a few days you will start to notice a difference and most become good friends. On rare occasions two cats will not get along with and they will just tolerate each other.
This is a beginning to a great relationship; patients, knowledge and a lot of love will make this experience worth will for everyone.
For more information please visit Your Pet House.
Cat Care Tips - #2
By Eric Hartwell
Give cats their own area
Are you asking something from your cat that he may not be able to deliver? For example, are you asking your cat to use the bathroom in a dirty litter box? Many times owners do not clean the litter box as much as it should be cleaned. This causes their cat to not use it and go elsewhere in the house. Or are you asking him to stay off the couch but not giving an alternate spot for him? Cats love and need to have their own areas to lay down and to scratch at. Give him his own area.
Discipline your cat in the correct way
If your cat relates discipline, anger, and pain with you, then all you will do is create fear in your cat's mind. Discipline him in a way so that he relates the action with whatever is he was doing “wrong” - not you. This system of making them believe that whatever it is that they are doing wrong will trigger an automatic response that they do not like, but has nothing to do with you, is the only way to teach your cat right from wrong, while at the same time developing a loving and strong relationship with your pet.
Get a cat from a cat home
By buying a cat from a cat home you solve a number of problems. You can help the home with the financial input your are giving. Also there will be room in the home for a new, more needy cat. The cat will have been well looked after in the home and will have had vet attention. Lastly, they have probably been neutered or can arrange this at lower cost for you
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions at the worlds best homepage or submit or use content at free content resource
Give cats their own area
Are you asking something from your cat that he may not be able to deliver? For example, are you asking your cat to use the bathroom in a dirty litter box? Many times owners do not clean the litter box as much as it should be cleaned. This causes their cat to not use it and go elsewhere in the house. Or are you asking him to stay off the couch but not giving an alternate spot for him? Cats love and need to have their own areas to lay down and to scratch at. Give him his own area.
Discipline your cat in the correct way
If your cat relates discipline, anger, and pain with you, then all you will do is create fear in your cat's mind. Discipline him in a way so that he relates the action with whatever is he was doing “wrong” - not you. This system of making them believe that whatever it is that they are doing wrong will trigger an automatic response that they do not like, but has nothing to do with you, is the only way to teach your cat right from wrong, while at the same time developing a loving and strong relationship with your pet.
Get a cat from a cat home
By buying a cat from a cat home you solve a number of problems. You can help the home with the financial input your are giving. Also there will be room in the home for a new, more needy cat. The cat will have been well looked after in the home and will have had vet attention. Lastly, they have probably been neutered or can arrange this at lower cost for you
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions at the worlds best homepage or submit or use content at free content resource
Cat Care Tips - #1
By Eric Hartwell (Platinum Quality Author)
A badly behaved cat may have a medical condition
If your cat is not behaving correctly then he may have a medical condition - this will need attention. You may not be aware of this, but many cats who display behavior problems are often suffering from some type of illness. For example, a cat who has had diabetes for a while will drink lots of water and urinate almost constantly all over the place. Though this may seem like a behavior problem to a pet owner who is not aware of his cats medical issue, it is a serious occurrence that the cat cannot help unless he is properly treated.
Use spray water bottles to help train your cat
This is good technique. However, do not get too trigger-happy. Your only goal is to give a light squirt to your cat whenever you see him doing something wrong. Although you are the one shooting the water, he doesn't realize that. All your cat knows is that whenever he approaches the couch he feels shocking spurts of water hit the side of his head or body.
Neuter your cat for better behaviour
The truth is that cats whom fight a lot are that way simply because they have not been neutered. When females are not pregnant, they are in heat virtually nonstop. Males on the other hand, are constantly seeking a mate. These two combinations will undoubtedly cause a lot of friction and fighting. However, once a feral cat has been taken in and neutered, this fighting stops.
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions at the worlds best homepage or submit or use content at free content resource
A badly behaved cat may have a medical condition
If your cat is not behaving correctly then he may have a medical condition - this will need attention. You may not be aware of this, but many cats who display behavior problems are often suffering from some type of illness. For example, a cat who has had diabetes for a while will drink lots of water and urinate almost constantly all over the place. Though this may seem like a behavior problem to a pet owner who is not aware of his cats medical issue, it is a serious occurrence that the cat cannot help unless he is properly treated.
Use spray water bottles to help train your cat
This is good technique. However, do not get too trigger-happy. Your only goal is to give a light squirt to your cat whenever you see him doing something wrong. Although you are the one shooting the water, he doesn't realize that. All your cat knows is that whenever he approaches the couch he feels shocking spurts of water hit the side of his head or body.
Neuter your cat for better behaviour
The truth is that cats whom fight a lot are that way simply because they have not been neutered. When females are not pregnant, they are in heat virtually nonstop. Males on the other hand, are constantly seeking a mate. These two combinations will undoubtedly cause a lot of friction and fighting. However, once a feral cat has been taken in and neutered, this fighting stops.
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions at the worlds best homepage or submit or use content at free content resource
Training Your Cat To Walk On A Leash
By Lee Dobbins
Can you train your cat to take walks with you on a leash outside just like a dog? Yes you can! Training cats, however is a whole different ball game from training dogs. With some Patience and persistence, however, you may have your finicky feline outdoors on a leash in no time.
The best time to start training is when your cat is a kitten, at this stage the cat doesn’t have any programmed behaviors so you can try to mold him to what you want him to do. An older cat may be a bit more set in his ways and might require added patience for leash training.
One thing you will want to do is search out the leash that will be suitable for both you and your cat. There are many different leashes on the market to day. Some are retract able with a setting on the holder to be able to allow just enough leash out for the cat. On the other hand, you can just let the cat have as much as they would like. This is nice for walking and for letting the cat to play, with control that they do not run off or get in to much trouble.
Standard leashes are about 5 or 6 feet which should be fine. You want to get a leash that is lightweight - not one for a dog. Too much weight in the leash will make the cat uncomfortable and he won’t want to go for walks. Another item that you will need to consider is a harness or collar for the cat. A harness is the best for a cat. With purchasing a collar you will want to make it very narrow one and light. When looking for a collar keep in mind that you don’t want it too tight on the cat, but not too loose either as you don’t want him to slip his head out. Cat’s won’t respond well to jerking their collar so a harness is really best and should be loose and comfortable for the cat.
Once you get the leash, collar, or harness, you will want to introduce the cat to the item by playing with him. This allows the cat to get use to it and put its scent on these items. Next you want to try to put the harness or collar on the cat. Put it on as loose as you can get it, just place it him and depending on his reaction you can leave it on for a short time or if the cat does not want anything to do with it, then you might have to revert back to the “playing“ stage. This step is very important, if you force the cat to wear the harness, they are not going to be happy at all with the harness or with you. Take your time with all the steps.
After the cat is wearing the harness loose, then it is the time to tighten the harness up until it is the right fit for the cat. At this point, you will want to give the cat time to wear the harness. Next attach the leash. Remember first to have the cat play with the leash. Put the leash on and get the cat use to having it on. Then you will want to start walking the cat inside, until the cat is doing well. Once the cat is comfortable with the leash then it is time to go outside for a walk.
When walking with the cat make sure there is not too much loose leash or they will be running in all random directions. There are many distractions for a cat outdoors - birds, squirrels and the neighbors pets might cause your cat to want to run around, but you must keep a tight leash so that your cat walks with you and is not dragging you all over the place.
Lee Dobbins writes for E Pet Center
where you can learn more about pets and caring for kittens and cats.
Can you train your cat to take walks with you on a leash outside just like a dog? Yes you can! Training cats, however is a whole different ball game from training dogs. With some Patience and persistence, however, you may have your finicky feline outdoors on a leash in no time.
The best time to start training is when your cat is a kitten, at this stage the cat doesn’t have any programmed behaviors so you can try to mold him to what you want him to do. An older cat may be a bit more set in his ways and might require added patience for leash training.
One thing you will want to do is search out the leash that will be suitable for both you and your cat. There are many different leashes on the market to day. Some are retract able with a setting on the holder to be able to allow just enough leash out for the cat. On the other hand, you can just let the cat have as much as they would like. This is nice for walking and for letting the cat to play, with control that they do not run off or get in to much trouble.
Standard leashes are about 5 or 6 feet which should be fine. You want to get a leash that is lightweight - not one for a dog. Too much weight in the leash will make the cat uncomfortable and he won’t want to go for walks. Another item that you will need to consider is a harness or collar for the cat. A harness is the best for a cat. With purchasing a collar you will want to make it very narrow one and light. When looking for a collar keep in mind that you don’t want it too tight on the cat, but not too loose either as you don’t want him to slip his head out. Cat’s won’t respond well to jerking their collar so a harness is really best and should be loose and comfortable for the cat.
Once you get the leash, collar, or harness, you will want to introduce the cat to the item by playing with him. This allows the cat to get use to it and put its scent on these items. Next you want to try to put the harness or collar on the cat. Put it on as loose as you can get it, just place it him and depending on his reaction you can leave it on for a short time or if the cat does not want anything to do with it, then you might have to revert back to the “playing“ stage. This step is very important, if you force the cat to wear the harness, they are not going to be happy at all with the harness or with you. Take your time with all the steps.
After the cat is wearing the harness loose, then it is the time to tighten the harness up until it is the right fit for the cat. At this point, you will want to give the cat time to wear the harness. Next attach the leash. Remember first to have the cat play with the leash. Put the leash on and get the cat use to having it on. Then you will want to start walking the cat inside, until the cat is doing well. Once the cat is comfortable with the leash then it is time to go outside for a walk.
When walking with the cat make sure there is not too much loose leash or they will be running in all random directions. There are many distractions for a cat outdoors - birds, squirrels and the neighbors pets might cause your cat to want to run around, but you must keep a tight leash so that your cat walks with you and is not dragging you all over the place.
Lee Dobbins writes for E Pet Center
where you can learn more about pets and caring for kittens and cats.
Cat Litterbox Training - How to Encourage Faithful Litterbox Use
By Elizabeth Barton
Cats don't necessarily need to be trained to use the litter box the same way a dog or a child needs to be potty trained. It's actually a natural born instinct for them to want to bury their waste in a soft, diggable material such as litter.
So most of the house training is already done for you! However, the litterbox should always be the best bathroom option available – otherwise you can run into problems.
But let's start at the beginning.
Just because a cat naturally is driven to use the litterbox, that doesn't mean you can't litterbox train a stubborn cat or encourage appropriate behavior.
Whether dealing with a young kitten who hasn't learned any bathroom habits, or an older cat who's decided to stop using the litterbox – there are certainly things you can do to encourage faithful litterbox use.
The first thing I would do, especially when dealing with a kitten, is to have scheduled feeding times throughout the day. (this way, you will know when your kitten/cat is going to need to go to potty)
It's much easier to predict when a kitten is going to start looking for a place to go potty, because they typically need to go anywhere from 5 - 25 minutes after eating.
With an older cat, bathroom time will be harder to predict but through careful and persistent observation you will be able to pick up on a pattern.
A young cat (4 months and younger) should eat 3-4 times a day. 5-15 minutes after your kitten is done eating, gently place him or her in the litter box.
If you see the kitten showing signs of wanting to go elsewhere (sniffing around, squatting) gently pick the kitten up and place him/her in the litter box. Yelling at or scolding a cat or kitten for inappropriate elimination will not help. In fact, it will simply make your cat fear you.
What's more, if you scold your cat or kitten and then put them in the litterbox – this only worsens the problem as the cat starts to view the litterbox as a punishment.
This may also cause them to be afraid of going potty in front of you – which can cause them anxiety and stress, and also be a huge problem, so make sure you always make it a pleasant and happy experience for your cat or kitten to use the litter box.
During the early stages of training, I'd suggest rewarding appropriate litterbox use with loads of praise and a delicious treat.
On top of that, make sure the litterbox fits the cat.
What I mean by that is, a small kitten needs a shallow litterbox with short sides that he or she can actually climb into without help.
While at the same time, a large cat will get frustrated by a litterbox that isn't big enough for scratching, digging or moving around in.
If you keep finding kitty surprises right next to the litterbox rather than inside it, your cat may actually be going potty inside the litterbox, but the waste doesn't land where it's supposed to because there isn't enough room.
If you are still struggling with litterbox training your cat after following these suggestions, I invite you to visit www.secretsofcats.com to get more information about solving common cat behavior problems.
Cats don't necessarily need to be trained to use the litter box the same way a dog or a child needs to be potty trained. It's actually a natural born instinct for them to want to bury their waste in a soft, diggable material such as litter.
So most of the house training is already done for you! However, the litterbox should always be the best bathroom option available – otherwise you can run into problems.
But let's start at the beginning.
Just because a cat naturally is driven to use the litterbox, that doesn't mean you can't litterbox train a stubborn cat or encourage appropriate behavior.
Whether dealing with a young kitten who hasn't learned any bathroom habits, or an older cat who's decided to stop using the litterbox – there are certainly things you can do to encourage faithful litterbox use.
The first thing I would do, especially when dealing with a kitten, is to have scheduled feeding times throughout the day. (this way, you will know when your kitten/cat is going to need to go to potty)
It's much easier to predict when a kitten is going to start looking for a place to go potty, because they typically need to go anywhere from 5 - 25 minutes after eating.
With an older cat, bathroom time will be harder to predict but through careful and persistent observation you will be able to pick up on a pattern.
A young cat (4 months and younger) should eat 3-4 times a day. 5-15 minutes after your kitten is done eating, gently place him or her in the litter box.
If you see the kitten showing signs of wanting to go elsewhere (sniffing around, squatting) gently pick the kitten up and place him/her in the litter box. Yelling at or scolding a cat or kitten for inappropriate elimination will not help. In fact, it will simply make your cat fear you.
What's more, if you scold your cat or kitten and then put them in the litterbox – this only worsens the problem as the cat starts to view the litterbox as a punishment.
This may also cause them to be afraid of going potty in front of you – which can cause them anxiety and stress, and also be a huge problem, so make sure you always make it a pleasant and happy experience for your cat or kitten to use the litter box.
During the early stages of training, I'd suggest rewarding appropriate litterbox use with loads of praise and a delicious treat.
On top of that, make sure the litterbox fits the cat.
What I mean by that is, a small kitten needs a shallow litterbox with short sides that he or she can actually climb into without help.
While at the same time, a large cat will get frustrated by a litterbox that isn't big enough for scratching, digging or moving around in.
If you keep finding kitty surprises right next to the litterbox rather than inside it, your cat may actually be going potty inside the litterbox, but the waste doesn't land where it's supposed to because there isn't enough room.
If you are still struggling with litterbox training your cat after following these suggestions, I invite you to visit www.secretsofcats.com to get more information about solving common cat behavior problems.
Toilet Training for Cats
By Rona Limsy
Let’s face it, we all love our cats, but who wants to really deal with the litter box? After a long hard day at work, or with the kids, or even a long hard day on the couch vegging out in front of the television, nobody would really be too thrilled about sifting through dried up wads of cat dung in a box of sand. It’s messy, it’s dusty, and it usually doesn’t smell too great, so why do it? Unfortunately, cleaning the litter box is one of the prices that we pay and there are not too many ways to get around it. You can either clean the litter box or buy one of those self-cleaning litter boxes (for however long it will last — normally not very long). Training your cat to drop its business into the toilet bowl is another alternative for your cat that you probably didn’t even know you had. It is possible to teach your cat to use the toilet, almost like you do!
Imagine a life with no more cleaning up after cat pee, no more litter boxes, and no more litter-stink! Cat owners around the world drooled with envy when the hit motion picture 'Meet the Parents' came out, and Jinx used the toilet and flushed it as well. You may not be able to teach your cat to pull the chain when they are done, but every thing else is possible.
If you have a well-trained, obedient cat that already knows how to use the litter box and he or she doesn’t go to the bathroom anywhere else in your house, you are already in great shape for teaching your cat to use the toilet. Many cats are independent of their owners and still others live to please their owners and make them proud and happy. The latter group is the best group of candidates for toilet training for cats.
Really, teaching your cat to use the toilet is not as difficult as it sounds. The main obstacle to overcome is to train your cat to step outside of what it is told to do by instinct, and that is to bury their waste in dirt or sand. Instead, they would be dropping it into a glass bowl. Some cats won’t take to this at all but many will, realizing that it is actually much cleaner and more convenient to them to do it this way - your cat has more sense than you think.
If you must have it, cat toilet training kits are on the market but don’t waste your money, because everything you need you probably already have in your kitchen junk cupboard. It shouldn’t take any longer than about a month or so to teach your cat, and it will be one of the best things you ever did for yourself and your feline companion.
Start off slow, at first. Putting your cat’s litter box next to the toilet seat is a great start, because it gets the cat used to the idea of the toilet altogether. After about a week has passed, slowly lift the litter box closer and closer to the height of the top of the toilet bowl, until eventually it is level with the seat. After that level has been reached, use one of those disposable foil roasting pans (or a kitty toilet training kit) and poke a hole in the bottom of it so that the cat can use it; if it is hard to get them to use the toilet at first, be sure to put a little bit of litter in the bottom of the pan just so that they feel something familiar under their paws - eventually it can be removed. It shouldn’t be too long now before your cat is using the toilet with the best of them!
For more tips on training your cat to pee into the toilet bowl, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com
Let’s face it, we all love our cats, but who wants to really deal with the litter box? After a long hard day at work, or with the kids, or even a long hard day on the couch vegging out in front of the television, nobody would really be too thrilled about sifting through dried up wads of cat dung in a box of sand. It’s messy, it’s dusty, and it usually doesn’t smell too great, so why do it? Unfortunately, cleaning the litter box is one of the prices that we pay and there are not too many ways to get around it. You can either clean the litter box or buy one of those self-cleaning litter boxes (for however long it will last — normally not very long). Training your cat to drop its business into the toilet bowl is another alternative for your cat that you probably didn’t even know you had. It is possible to teach your cat to use the toilet, almost like you do!
Imagine a life with no more cleaning up after cat pee, no more litter boxes, and no more litter-stink! Cat owners around the world drooled with envy when the hit motion picture 'Meet the Parents' came out, and Jinx used the toilet and flushed it as well. You may not be able to teach your cat to pull the chain when they are done, but every thing else is possible.
If you have a well-trained, obedient cat that already knows how to use the litter box and he or she doesn’t go to the bathroom anywhere else in your house, you are already in great shape for teaching your cat to use the toilet. Many cats are independent of their owners and still others live to please their owners and make them proud and happy. The latter group is the best group of candidates for toilet training for cats.
Really, teaching your cat to use the toilet is not as difficult as it sounds. The main obstacle to overcome is to train your cat to step outside of what it is told to do by instinct, and that is to bury their waste in dirt or sand. Instead, they would be dropping it into a glass bowl. Some cats won’t take to this at all but many will, realizing that it is actually much cleaner and more convenient to them to do it this way - your cat has more sense than you think.
If you must have it, cat toilet training kits are on the market but don’t waste your money, because everything you need you probably already have in your kitchen junk cupboard. It shouldn’t take any longer than about a month or so to teach your cat, and it will be one of the best things you ever did for yourself and your feline companion.
Start off slow, at first. Putting your cat’s litter box next to the toilet seat is a great start, because it gets the cat used to the idea of the toilet altogether. After about a week has passed, slowly lift the litter box closer and closer to the height of the top of the toilet bowl, until eventually it is level with the seat. After that level has been reached, use one of those disposable foil roasting pans (or a kitty toilet training kit) and poke a hole in the bottom of it so that the cat can use it; if it is hard to get them to use the toilet at first, be sure to put a little bit of litter in the bottom of the pan just so that they feel something familiar under their paws - eventually it can be removed. It shouldn’t be too long now before your cat is using the toilet with the best of them!
For more tips on training your cat to pee into the toilet bowl, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com
Potty Training for Cats
By Anita Hampton
Initially, cat toilet trainers should know that cats learn one trick at a time. Changes are made after a first trick is mastered. A cats' motto: "Slowly but surely." The capacity of cats to learn differ and so are expectations, control them to avoid disappointment.
Consider the kind of cat to be potty trained. There are pampered, indoor, and spoiled cats. These types are the ones can be toilet trained. It is vital to maintain a house that does not smell like there is a cat living in it.
Follow these steps on how to effectively toilet train cats:
1. Start by placing the cat's litter box near the bathroom door. He should know the new location and uses the litter box as usual.
2. After about a week, put something underneath the potty trainer to elevate it. It could be a bunch of old newspapers, cardboard boxes, or floor mats.
3. Raise the litter box an inch higher every other day until it reaches the level of the toilet seat.
4. At the start of the training, the cat just steps onto the litter box as usual until it slowly jumps up and down from it.
5. Lift the toilet lid up in order for the cat to learn how to tromp with only the seat to step on.
6. Next, move the potty trainer above the toilet seat. Leave it this way for a week or two.
7. The most exciting part: remove the litter box from the toilet bowl but put down the metal bowl inside. Put a few litters for cat's recognition of purpose.
8. Once the cat is used to using the toilet bowl, tutor him on how to squat the right way and that is holding the legs for the correct posture as often as possible until mastered. If the cat has his all fours on the toilet seat, begin by holding the two legs in front.
9. As soon as he knows how to squat properly, lift the hinds out. Assist the cat as he learns how to balance in that position.
10. Start removing the litter from the metal bowl. Now put water at the bottom and increase the contents everyday.
11. Once the feline is already comfortable with the water in the metal bowl, take it all off the toilet bowl.
Cat toilet training is a slow process. Time and effort are invested to obtain a kitty litter free house. Not only does an owner get rid of the ghastly chore of cleaning the litter but get more time to enjoy the catÃs company.
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Initially, cat toilet trainers should know that cats learn one trick at a time. Changes are made after a first trick is mastered. A cats' motto: "Slowly but surely." The capacity of cats to learn differ and so are expectations, control them to avoid disappointment.
Consider the kind of cat to be potty trained. There are pampered, indoor, and spoiled cats. These types are the ones can be toilet trained. It is vital to maintain a house that does not smell like there is a cat living in it.
Follow these steps on how to effectively toilet train cats:
1. Start by placing the cat's litter box near the bathroom door. He should know the new location and uses the litter box as usual.
2. After about a week, put something underneath the potty trainer to elevate it. It could be a bunch of old newspapers, cardboard boxes, or floor mats.
3. Raise the litter box an inch higher every other day until it reaches the level of the toilet seat.
4. At the start of the training, the cat just steps onto the litter box as usual until it slowly jumps up and down from it.
5. Lift the toilet lid up in order for the cat to learn how to tromp with only the seat to step on.
6. Next, move the potty trainer above the toilet seat. Leave it this way for a week or two.
7. The most exciting part: remove the litter box from the toilet bowl but put down the metal bowl inside. Put a few litters for cat's recognition of purpose.
8. Once the cat is used to using the toilet bowl, tutor him on how to squat the right way and that is holding the legs for the correct posture as often as possible until mastered. If the cat has his all fours on the toilet seat, begin by holding the two legs in front.
9. As soon as he knows how to squat properly, lift the hinds out. Assist the cat as he learns how to balance in that position.
10. Start removing the litter from the metal bowl. Now put water at the bottom and increase the contents everyday.
11. Once the feline is already comfortable with the water in the metal bowl, take it all off the toilet bowl.
Cat toilet training is a slow process. Time and effort are invested to obtain a kitty litter free house. Not only does an owner get rid of the ghastly chore of cleaning the litter but get more time to enjoy the catÃs company.
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Protein For Your Cat
Your cat needs to be vigorous and healthy at all times. It would also be great for your cat to have good behavior and have a beautiful shiny coat of fur. Good nutrition is a necessary ingredient for all these characteristics in your pet cat.
Just as you would put good nutrition at the top of the list for your own personal health, it is essential for cats to have a corresponding high level of nutrition. Cats and humans are not expected to eat the same types of food. That would make no sense. In general, they would eat different types of food. However, your cat should have a variety of foods to eat that would promote good sound nutrition.
Protein for Your Cat
Cats, like many other types of animals, need to have a lot of protein in their daily diet. This is just a simple fact of life with your pet. The amount of protein required in the human diet to maintain good nutrition is well established. Depending on the body weight, cats require about twice the amount of protein. Not only that, the younger the cat the more protein that is required. In order to supply the requirements for growth from youth to adulthood, the kitten needs an enormous amount of protein.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the compounds in living cells that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen that join together and form proteins. Protein is an important building block in the life cycle of your cat. Your cat will group the amino acids and deliver them to the protein organs. Every animal needs amino acids in different levels. Amino acids can be either essential or nonessential. The essential type must be consumed from certain food sources. The nonessential type do not have to be consumed and are produced within the body of your cat.
Food Variety for Your Cat
Variety is a key factor in the type of food to give your cat. You should select the protein sources for your cat’s diet that ensure your pet will get the essential amino acids into the body. This will then provide your cat with good nutrition and sound health. Some of the food sources that will provide the essential amino acids are: red meat, poultry, fish and certain other dairy products.
Source of Protein
Protein can come from either animal flesh or plants. However, be careful because certain protein sources can be bad for your cat. Some types of protein source may result in your cat having problems with the food. This includes diarrhea, throwing up or some other type of problem. You should be on the lookout for these reactions. This indicates your cat has a digestive issue with a particular food or an allergy. Be careful and do not continue to feed this type of food to your cat. In general, the types of foods that can be digested easily and do not result in problems are meats, eggs and dairy products.
F. Terrence Markle is a successful webmaster and publisher of information on Cats. For more information try visiting Cats.PrimeOnlineInfo.com, a popular website that offers tips, advice and resources on cats.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=F._Terrence_Markle
Why Does My Cat Bite My Hand When I Stroke Her?
You have settled into your favorite armchair, perhaps reading the final chapters of a gripping novel. Suddenly you are aware of the imploring stare of your cat sitting at your feet. You invite her onto your lap. Gently you begin to stroke her and your cat signals her appreciation with an audible purr.
One hand holding your book the other hand continuing to pet your mouser, you again get lost in your novel. All is well in the world with you and with your cat.
Suddenly your cat bites your hand!
Why did kitty do that? Why did she bite the hand that strokes her?
The experts don't agree on exactly why it is that some cats enjoy being petted, but end up biting. One thing that they do agree on is that when kitty bites at you, it's a sure sign that she has decided that she's had enough stroking.
Cats differ in the amount of petting they will accept, and not all cats respond by biting when they have had enough. Some cats simply jump from your lap and saunter off to investigate interests anew. But many cats will nip you and your animal is one of them.
Could you have known that a bite was on its way? Yes, there are often signs that cats give before biting. And, if you had not been so wrapped up in reading your novel, you may have paid heed to your little pets warning.
If kitty's tail begins to twitch, in a rolling flick, watch out! She's getting ready to chomp at your hand.
If your cats ears start turning towards the back of her head, or flatten against her head, that's a warning a bite is coming.
If your cat suddenly becomes restless, or stiffens and stares at your hand, she could be about to nip you.
If you noticed any of these signals, simply stop stroking your cat. Your pet will either stay on your lap or jump down and walk off, whichever happens you don't get bitten.
What you should not do is punish your cat for biting your hand. That simply does not work. Cats are more likely to identify the punishment with you rather than with their bad cat behavior. If you miss a warning sign and kitty manages to get her jaws around your hand, try to resist the temptation to pull your hand away or push your cat away. Simply freeze. Chances are that your cat will not sink her teeth in, she has got her message across, and you have stopped petting her.
If you try and push your cat away it is likely that she will fight with your hand resulting in skin punctures for you. (An animal bite can become infected quite easily, if your cat does draw blood clean up the wound scrupulously and seek the advice of your doctor.)
Why do some cats behave in this aggressive way? The degree of tolerance to petting may be genetic, or it may be learned behavior. If when your cat was a kitten you allowed her to chew on your hand in play, she learned that biting human hands was an OK thing to do. So, when she feels that she has had enough stroking (she's the boss remember,) she will bite at your hand to let you know - if you ignore her warning signals.
Some experts recommend the use of healthy tidbits, as a reward, in order to increase the time your cat will tolerate stroking. At the first warning signal offer kitty a treat, continue to stroke your cat gently for a time and offer her another reward. It is said that your cat will learn to connect petting with the tidbits and may, with patience, allow you to pet her for longer periods.
If you have a cat or pet related web site you are welcome to reprint this article. Please keep all links as hyperlinks and keep the article intact (including this resource box.) Thank you.
All the best in cat art from Best Cat Art - and a whole lot more.
Cat Lover Jewelry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Chamberlain
Cat Health Awareness and Cat Health Care
You may be the proud owner of a lovely pet cat. In such case you would consider caring for the cat and looking after its health to be your responsibility. It is important for you to provide little time and extend a bit of effort on your part to ensure that your pet cat stays healthy, fit and fine. You may, if you wish, get hold of some good pet cat care books that are available in local bookstores for reference. You can get some useful cat care tips from there.
Awareness about cat health needs to be made beforehand if you are planning to get a pet cat. This does not require much learning though. A bit of learning about the normal habits, behavior and temperament of a cat is what is required of you. This will enable you to detect when there is any sudden change in habits of the cat so as to take care of it. Behavioral changes, changes in eating and sleeping habits etc. need to be taken note of to decide whether some health problem has arisen. Usually it is the vet who takes the final decision about health concerns of the pet cat though you can provide preliminary attendance.
Problems with cat’s health are quite common and cat owners can appropriately control such problems by gaining knowledge about cat health. This can go a long way to ensure that your pet cat stays healthy and playful. Isn’t it a rewarding experience to cuddle and have fun with a healthy pet cat?
Taking the pet cat to the veterinary specialist on a regular basis is of crucial importance. The vet needs to conduct checkups on a yearly or half yearly basis even if apparently no problems are there. Only then can you remain sure that the health condition of your loved feline pet is sound. At other times during the year if it comes to notice that there has been the development of behavior or mood changes in your cat then the vet needs to be approached at the earliest possible.
Common problems that cats usually develop are lumps, ticks, black specs in the ears, eye gunk or rashes. These can generally be detected pretty easily and upon detection of these problems the vet is to be immediately consulted. Medical attention can thus be provided quickly, remedial action measures adopted and relief from the problem obtained soon.
Grooming of the pet cat frequently is an important health endowing measure. A lot of dead hair gets removed in the process. Getting hold of the special combs available that can help extract ticks and fleas from the fur of the cat provides further help. A trim of the claws of the pet cat may be needed to from time to time to promote cat health. It must be noted, however, that the nails of the cat are not cut too short.
Tania Penwell is a contributor for The Cat's Meow - where you can find information on cats, cat health, and more on our feline friends.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tania_Penwell
How To Give Your Cat Medicine
Have you ever tried to medicate a cat? If you have, you probably have a few scratches to prove it! Cats only want to do something if it's their idea. And, it's never their idea to have a pill pushed down their throat. So, how do you manage getting that medicine into his body without coming out on the wrong side of his claws?
If the medicine is a pill, the easiest way to feed it to her is by putting it into her food. Of course, you'll have to crush it into powder form first. Using two spoons, put the pill into one and use the back of the other to break it down. Then, mix it into her canned cat food. If you only feed her dry food, she'll really think she's getting a treat with doctored up canned food!
If the medicine is a capsule and not a pill, you have it made. All you have to do is take the capsule apart and mix it into the canned cat food.
If you have a sick cat, he won't want to eat. In this case, you might want to purchase a pet piller. Your veterinarian will have these available for you. They are plastic rods that the pill fits into. You press the plunger to direct the pill into kitty's throat. Be careful that you don't push the rod too far or you could injure him.
Now, getting the pet piller into his mouth is another thing. He won't want it in his mouth at all! If he is still a kitten, you can wrap him in a towel so that it's easier to handle him. You can try using a towel with an older cat and it "might" work. Otherwise, you'll just have to hold on tight and not let him loose.
If you're afraid of hurting your cat or kitten with the rod and plunger system, you can try to give him the pill by hand. This is NOT easy! Tuck her under your arm to hold her still and open her mouth by pushing gently on each side of it. Put the pill as far back into her mouth as you can manage and hold her mouth closed for a minute or so. She should swallow it then, if she hasn't already.
If your cat has been sick for a while, it may be easier to give him his medicine. He won't feel like putting up much of a fight.
Treat your kitty gently while giving her the pill or other medications. She's never going to like the medication-taking process, but if you are gentle, you won't have her running from you every time you enter the room.
Jude Wright is the owner of two cats who she treats as her babies. Visit CatAndKittenCare.com for information on cat and kitten health, cat breeds and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jude_C_Wright
How to Toilet Train a Cat
Have you read a million books by now on how to toilet train your cat? Most of the ideas come across as impractical? How your pet cat takes to your training cannot be certain as it varies from cat to cat. The focus is to have a successful transition from the litter box to the toilet. The same can be achieved in a series of stages.
It has to be a slow transition as when you make a small change you need to give your cat time to adjust to that change. If you find that he has gone back to choosing his favorite corner in the house then you probably haven’t given him the time he needs to adjust to that change.
Lets look at what goes into toilet training your cat
1. You can toilet train your cat if you train yourself first to always keep the "lid up" and the "seat down".
2. Make sure everyone in your house also makes a conscious effort to do so. Leave the door open.
3. Move his litter box to one side of the toilet. Make sure your cat knows where it is and uses it.
4. Raise the height of the litter box inch by inch on a weekly basis, let your cat get used to the small change. You could raise the height of the litter box by keeping something sturdy like a thick book or a cardboard box under it. It is important for the base to be sturdy as if it isn’t then the litter box could move around the place making your cat very uncomfortable. Raise the litter box up to the height of the toilet seat. By now your cat would be jumping into the box to use it.
5. Now what you need to do is lift the toilet seat, measure the inside of the top of the bowl at its widest point. Go ahead and buy a metal mixing bowl of the same measurement, please do not use a plastic one as it tends to bend with the cats weight and bounces back, not only giving you extra work to clean up the mess but also scaring your cat and making your efforts so far futile. If your cat has taken time to adjust to all these changes, take it slow. Move the litter box half way and then with time you can have your cat sitting on the toilet seat. Don’t make any more changes till your cat has adjusted to this. Then move away the litter box entirely and fix the metal bowl with some litter in it, inside the toilet bowl and put the seat down.
The toilet would need to be used by humans as well of course. During such times remove the metal bowl and remember to replace the bowl and more importantly leave the door open. This is not the end though; you need to teach your cat the squatting posture. Once he is on the toilet seat, get him to put his legs on the seat. Make sure the front feet are in front and the hind feet on the sides. He will take time to get the act together on his own, so you will have to keep at it till it is successful. Once your cat gets used this as well get him used to the two different kinds of squats.
Remember- a lower squat for urination and the higher squat for bowel movements. At this point you can also begin to reduce the litter in the metal bowl. Finally you can remove the metal bowl completely and leave the bare toilet bowl for your cat to use. Remember to give it all time and don’t rush it. Even if it takes going back a step, it’s worth it. It’s goodbye to cleaning-litter-box days.
To learn the secrets of training your cat visit http://highly-rated.org and click on the "How to Toilet Train a Cat" link.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julian_Bates
How To Get Rid Of Flea On A Cat
How to get rid of flea on a cat without harming it
There are many ways to get rid of fleas on cats and dogs but doing it without harming your pet is a bit more of a challenge. This is probably most true with cats and especially kittens because they seem to be far more vulnerable to the poisons in home flea control remedies than your average dog is.
All flea sprays and other chemical cat flea killing solutions have one thing in common and that is that they are poisonous both to your pets and to you to some extent. If you are going to use any of these then please consult your vet first and try not to overdo the treatment.
The best way to get rid of fleas on cats
All the cat flea remedies that I know of have some drawbacks. They are either toxic to you or your pets or they don't get rid of the fleas very well. In any event it's likely that you'll have to repeat the process regularly because fleas have a habit of coming back sooner or later. Here are some ways to get rid of fleas:
Cat flea collar
Simple but in my experience they're not very effective. They're not expensive and not too harmful to your pet but they do contain poison to kill the fleas. More about that in this article: Does Your Cat Wear A Cat Flea Collar?
Cat flea spray
You can get sprays for your pet and for the home. Make sure that you use the correct one on your cat because the house flea spray could be more deadly. Consult your vet first.
Cat flea shampoo
You could try and use one of the flea killing shampoos on your cat if you feel up to it. I tried it once on my cat but he turned into a monster. He hated it and I've got the scars to prove it.
Frontline
This is a product that you put on the back of your cats neck out of their reach. It's absorbed into their body and should reduce flea numbers over a period of about 3 months. It prevents the fleas from reproducing.
Cat flea comb
This is the only way that I know of how to get rid of flea naturally. You need to use it on your pet every day to keep them from becoming a problem. When you find a flea you must kill it between two hard surfaces. You won't get rid of fleas completely like this but it won't harm your cat at all.
How to get rid of flea in your home and in your carpet
To eradicate fleas in your home you must get a suitable flea spray that is toxic to fleas. Again you should consult your vet before using it. You have to make sure that you spray everywhere and I mean everywhere because fleas can live in all sorts of places. It's best to vacate the premises for several hours after treatment and you will probably need to do it again a few weeks later to kill any fleas that hatch since the last spraying.
More interesting articles on cats and flea control: The Cat Collar Articles at http://thecatcollar.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Gee
Cat Health and Grooming
Cat health and grooming are related to one another. Grooming plays very effective role as far as hygiene of the cat is concerned. The cat with poor hygiene will be highly susceptible for various health problems. The cats that are kept well groomed can be maintained at their best health.
The grooming of the cat must done vet regularly. Grooming once in a day, preferably first thing in the morning is best. This way both the cat and the owner or the pet care taker will be used to it. Regular grooming is very essential if the cat is found to possess longhair. The grooming helps in prevention of hairballs, tangled hair etc. these tangles in the hair can be a source of infection if contaminated with pathogens. This way the cat health is assured by proper grooming.
The toe nails of the cat need to be trimmed regularly. This will help the cat walk with ease. The scratching of the body of the cat by the nail can pave way for infection. Hence cat health is protected by grooming. Let the trimming the toenail start early in life of the cat so that the cats will be used to it and will not trouble the pet owner as they grow older, when they attempt trimming of the toenail. While trimming the person must take not to cut the pink vein and only the tip of the nail needs cutting. While trimming the toenail, the pad if gets pressed, will make the nail to come out and the trimming will become easy then.
The teeth of the feline also require regular cleaning. Cleaning can be done by rubbing a cloth dipped in baking soda or salt. The eyes of the cats do require cleaning. For this, cotton swab dipped in salt solution is used.
There are some useful tips when it comes to grooming the cat. It is better to use a brush that is provided with soft bristles. The soft bristled brush will give comfort ad not irritate the skin of the cat and the cat will start cooperating with you. One can think of rewarding the cat after successful grooming in order to encourage the cat to cooperate in the future too.
The grooming must be done only in the direction of the coat of the cat as discussed already. The grooming brush can be placed in different places of the house. This will prevent you from running here and there in search of the comb, having the cat secured at one place. One can think of attaching a self grooming plastic combs anywhere in the house preferably in the lower portion of the wall so that the cat can rub his body over it whenever she wants. Hence if the pet owners want to protect the feline health, grooming is must for that.
Learn more about cat insurance on our site. You'll also find other information such as urinary cat health problems and domestic cat health problems. AboutCatHealth.org is a comprehensive resource to help cat owners identify their cat's illness symptoms and treatment options.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_Fain
Cat Flea Control - Are Fleas Bugging Your Cat?
Flea control is an essential part of owning a cat. Some cats are allergic to fleas and can develop a condition called “pruritus”, where the scratching escalates to the point of making the skin bleed. To avoid this or any discomfort at all for you and your cat, you need to understand how those little blighters work.
Because fleas can cause a condition in cats known as “pruritus” or an allergic reaction, keeping them at bay is an important step to keeping your pet healthy. For most cats, fleas are a nuisance; for cats that suffer from flea allergies, they can be life threatening. Knowing a little about fleas will help you to control them and to protect your pet better.
If your cat has allergic dermatitis caused by flea bites, you will notice that the scratching is elevated and may be accompanied by chewing of the bites as well. This type of severe reaction can lead to loose of fur and may need additional medical treatment in addition to the elimination of the fleas themselves.
Because fleas can cause other health issues besides the allergic reactions, controlling them is important. Fleas can cause tape worm infestations, anemia and skin infections if left unchecked for too long. Any one of these health concerns can be detrimental to your cats health.
So, how do you go about controlling fleas so that your cat does not have to suffer any of their consequences? A good place to start is with flea powders, sprays and dips. These products are especially good as flea preventatives.
When deciding what type of flea preventative to use for your cat, don’t overlook the traditional flea collar. A flea collar works very well in conjunction with the dips, powders and sprays. However, the best defense for a flea infestation is to use a spot treatment. This medication not only prevents adult fleas, but many also kill eggs and larvae that your cat comes in contact with. Many of these types of treatments begin to work in a couple of days.
When it comes to the environment, there are also several options for flea control. Flea bombs can kill fleas in carpets and bedding, though careful washing and vacuuming will help greatly in this endeavor also. For outside use, yard sprays can be quite effective.
Because flea treatments are in fact medications, it is important to apply them exactly as the manufacture suggests. If the directions are not followed, it could lead to an overdose of medications and a sick cat or to the fleas not being irradiated and the problem being ongoing for you pet.
Get more info on cat related subjects such as Nutrition in cat food or cat kidney disease. For kitty comforts such as cat furniture, cat tree, pet carriers go to AceCatFurniture.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_P._Lee
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