Cats Problems » Cat Cats

How to Provide the Best Quality of Life for the Geriatric Cat

John Wilson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:07:06 +0000

Older cats are prone to aches, pains and health issues just like their human owners. Such problems come with advancing age. The average lifespan of the cat has increased and chances cat owners will see age-related issues have increased as well. ? ? It is not uncommon for the vets to recommend some tests for senior cats to make sure the internal organs are functioning like they should. Cats don’t always show signs that they are not feeling as well as they did in their younger years. Some tests can let the vet know something is wrong with the senior cat long before he or she shows or feels signs of illness. ? ? If the senior cat is healthy, it is probably a good idea for your vet to at least have yearly blood work done. You may actually save your cat from experiencing problems of illness when it is caught in the early stages. ? ? Always visit the vet if your cat displays any of the following: ? ? Increased or decreased water intake and urination Weight loss Decreased appetite Vomiting or diarrhea Failure to groom Appearance of a growth or mass Any changes in activity level or normal daily habits ? One of the most important things you can provide your vet is an accurate history. It is important to be able to detail any changes or symptoms the cat is displaying. ? ? Conditions more common in senior cats include: ? ? Renal (kidney) disease Gastrointestinal diseases Arthritis Hyperthyroidism Neoplasia ? Renal disease, common to senior cats, can be picked up on a yearly blood screen before outward signs appear. Some kidney problems will cause symptoms such as increased water intake and increased urination. You may notice you need to fill the water bowl more often or empty the litter box more often. Kidney disease is not necessarily a death sentence even for the senior cat. There are medications and treatments that can greatly enhance the quality of life for your senior cat. ? ? Overactive thyroid gland or hyperthyroidism is another common problem in the senior cat population. Symptoms might be loss of weight, even though the cat’s appetite increases or that the cat’s sleep-wake cycle changes. Overactive thyroid gland is another condition that is now easily diagnosed and treated. However, if this disease is left untreated or undiagnosed a host of other problems may appear such as: ? ? Cardiac disease Gastrointestinal problems High blood pressure Blindness Even death ? Many cat owners dread hearing their cat has neoplasia. This is also unfortunately a common problem in the senior cats. It is a disease that is very difficult for vets to diagnose. Diagnosing may call for extensive diagnostic testing. ? ? Arthritis is another common disease in senior cats. Signs of arthritis in cats may include: ? ? Decreases in activity level or ability/desire to jump Limping Weakness Decrease in appetite ? If you notice any of the signs of arthritis, avoid over-the-counter human medication. These medicines can be very hard for the cat to metabolize and may actually even damage their internal organs. There are new veterinary medicines for the treatment of arthritis that can be used safely in cats. ? ? Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat. You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems. ? ? ? ? ?

Written by: Connie Limon. I raise the beautiful, emerald green-eyed shaded and chinchilla silver Persian cat from champion and grand champion lines. For more information about us and to be added to our contact list, please visit http://www. fairydewsilverpersian. vpweb. com For a variety of reprint articles visit http://www. camelotarticles. com

Cat Behavior Facts Few People Know

John Wilson — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:01:52 +0000

Epics, novels and movies have always portrayed cats as unpredictable and moody creatures. Many consider cats as mysterious creatures. However, the truth cannot be further from this. A cat is as normal and predictable as any other animals. The only condition is that we need to know what to expect from a cat in terms of normal behavior. People consider cats as ‘cute’ little animals only to give them up at the slightest hint of aggression or litter issues. Most people do not do their homework well before keeping a cat. Cats are different than dogs and that’s where people greatly misunderstand cats. Being distant relatives to the much larger cats we see in the wild, (of course our kitty is much smaller), they are able to eat at frequent intervals. COnsuming anywhere from 10 grams to a quarter of a cup at a time. The reason for this is that it is instinctual to keep their digestive system in optimal condition. In addition to eating frequently these instinctual creature just like their relatives can go a day to two without eating anything, and as long as they don’t seem to be sick this is a very normal behavior. Cats love to sleep! In fact, sleeping is the main activity on their agenda followed by hunting, chasing and eating. At time it may seem like all a cat does is sleep and eat. Unlike a dog that sleeps with his ears cocked and gets up at the slightest noise, a cat can sleep through anything. So don’t be surprised if your cat finds some warm and soft place and disappears for a while for his catnap. Cats are a clean creature and like to keep things private. They like their litter boxes to be hidden in a private place. In fact after a cat uses the litter box they bury it in litter covering up and hiding their business. This behavior is a learned behavior that they pick up from their mothers at a very young age. These are just a few cat behaviors cat owners should know. Now, that you know these behaviors it is easier to know when a cat is being normal and when a cat is acting odd. If they start acting really strange like if they stop using their litter box and instead go in different parts of the house, this could be a sign of illness and should be taken to a vet immediately to rule out any illnesses. Remember, it is better to nip the problem in the bud, than to let it grow to a big problem. Many people get kittens and make them scratch since they find it fun. The kitten understands scratching as normal behavior and does it even after growing old. This scratching may lead to a lot of problems and hence should be controlled as soon as possible.

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Knowing More About Cat Insurance

John Wilson — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:21:40 +0000

Cat owners should be aware that cats over the age of 8 weeks may enroll into cat insurance programs. In fact some cat insurance will allow enrollment for cats age 10 and below. A pet may stay on the same program for its entire lifetime. These insurance provides you a flexible range of programs that can gives you the option to determine the monthly premium and percentage coverage that will work for you and your finances. You can opt from 90% or 70% coverage. What’s more the coverage may start the following day. This means the illness and accident coverage starts at 12:01 am the morning following the approval of your application. Of course, this would still depend on the insurance program that you have obtained for your cat. For some cat insurance programs, there is an annual examination as well as vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian which are already included. But the coverage may not include existing conditions, medical or otherwise, injuries and symptoms of concern that have been already there before the enrollment. For maximum annual benefits there are no limitations hence you get to choose when and how you will use the benefits as recommended by the veterinarian’s treatment for your cat. The details of the maximum coverage for each incident are included in the coverage charts found on the appropriate pages. You may claim without a specific number of covered accidents up to each incident’s coverage amount. You can also claim up to the coverage amount per illness category that is stated in your insurance program regarding the lifetime of a pet cat. Cats which are over the age of 8 weeks may apply for insurance and the chances of acceptance are very good. While other programs may have an upper age limit so be sure to check or ask for the details of the insurance program you are interested in. These cat insurance programs are yearly policies that have been filed and have been approved dependent on the state rules, monthly premiums and all deductibles will not be changed for a period of one year. Pet owners may have the choice to pay the premiums on a month to month or yearly basis. However, sometimes, if you choose to pay monthly you may be charged an extra $2 each month. Finally, certain cross breeds have limited accident coverage but this would depend on the program that you are planning to obtain for your pet cat. Diseases such as FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus as well as Feline Leukemia Virus if this has been noted, treated, diagnosed before the start of some policies, in cases like these, you may not get an illness coverage for your pet despite this an accident coverage can still be available for your cat. Keep in mind, that cat insurance programs should be researched and studied before you get one for your cat. You have to be certain that the insurance you want for your cat is beneficial to your cat’s health.

The article written by Zarqoo Zaimoo. Please visit Cat Insurance for more information and other Free Cat Info visit http://www. freecatinfo. com

Choosing A Cat Name

John Wilson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:38:36 +0000

Welcoming a baby into a home comes with the joy and responsibility of naming the newest – to assign a label forever by which the world refer to him. When it comes to our pets, the responsibility may feel equally important. Choosing names for our pets is an old family tradition, whereby we come together to influence the choice, one based on our pet's personality very special. Choose a name of cat can be exceptionally difficult as the cats come with their own subtle personality may initially be difficult to identify.
? Of course, for those of us who have had cats in our homes that we were growing up, choose a name of cat can be a little easier, perhaps there is a special cat who will always have a place in your heart, after that you want the name of your New Cat. Perhaps there is a name you've always admired but works better when paired with a single cat, perhaps there is a distinctive name that is traditionally transmitted to your pet or a name that means something something special for you, and of course there is always the consideration for the popular names in different cultures.
? Then of course there is a cat name that describes the appearance of your cat – a white cat, a big cat, kitten, etc., a name of cat on the sex of your cat, or a name of cat describes the personality of your cat – so friendly, funny, shy, etc. may take some time to discover exactly what is personality, especially if you bring home a kitten. It is entirely appropriate to wait until you get to know your new cat before you choose a name that best suits him / her.
? Nowadays, the Internet may be the greatest resource for finding the perfect cat's name. You can take a casual browse through the names or find something specific. Take time to find the cat's name that best reflects the personality of you and your pet – it will be with you a lifetime!

For easy to understand in depth information on behalf of our visit Cat Cats 2 ezGuide.

A Couple Of Caution For Cat Owners

John Wilson — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:51:28 +0000

Cats are curious and a little love to chew on things, especially what they are not supposed to be chewing. For this reason it is very important to cat proof your house. Part of the cat proofing is to keep the son power beyond the reach of your cat because they invariably end up chewing on them. If it is not possible to have your string shortcut, there is another method you can try to prevent them from chewing on cords that have an electric current passes through them. Try coating the rope with some different mixes, such as cayenne pepper, hot sauce, nail biting, or orange zest. You can also try to organize your cables in tubes such as wrapping paper in on. This will keep them out of reach of your cat and allow them to stay safe from electrical shocks. Climbing the Walls, nope, just the CurtainsCats love to climb and explore, if you have any curtains in your house when you get a cat you just asking for disaster. This is certainly a good time to consider moving to blinds. If you do not want to redecorate your home, there are a few ways you can make things a little safer for your cat. If your cat has a habit of climbing the curtains, you can watch on a shaft that will fall when the pressure is put on it a few times by falling curtains might just scare your cat to climb in the first place. In addition, you want to do if you have a bead on your curtains that your cat can not end up choking themselves on this point. If the cord is in a loop, you will need to cut your cat does not get caught and eventually hanged. We hope you can get your cat out of the habit of assembling your curtains before he ends up ruining them completely. Jumping on Kitchen CountersIt is simply not safe for your curious little cat jumping on counters and tables while in the kitchen. Not to mention he is just as unhealthy for them to go do their duty in their litter box, and then walk on the counters that you prepare your meals on. In all, this is not a good idea for you or your cat. You really do not want your cat to get used to jumping into the kitchen because they will eventually jump on a hot stove and seriously injure themselves. There are different ways you can go about training your cat to the kitchen area is off limits for jumping and discovery. The first method is to simply choose the reload when they jump on a kitchen counter or table and say No! In a firm voice, then put them back on the floor. Another idea is to stack items that can not necessarily hurt your cat, but do a lot of noise near the edge of the desk so they fall and scare your cat when the jump up. If any of these ideas work, you can always resort to using the water bottle, but try them first before resorting to more drastic means. Just remember that you are looking for both safety and health of your cat and yourself.

To read about Cat biting and disease of cats, visit About Animals.

Information On Disciplining Your Cat

John Wilson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:11:41 +0000

Cats tend to be more independent type of company that is why many people prefer other types of pets. However, you may find that your feline friend is not always what it is supposed to. At this point, you must find a way to discipline your cat does not knock and yelling at him. If you bought your cat as a kitten, chances are they will seize on what is allowed and what is not fast enough. If you bought an adult cat you may have to work on some bad habits, but need to remember to be patient in doing so. Here are some ways that can help you cope with the discipline of your cat, especially when it comes to specific areas. The first thing you should know is that it allows to use the same words to discipline your cat, do not change all the time because you end up confusing your cat in the long term. If there is more than you in the house, you must ensure that your discipline techniques are unified so that the cat will not be confused about who they should listen. Fluffy Come, come! You need to realize that your cat is not like a dog. They do not always obey when you call because they have basically a mind of their own. Although they have a completely different personality, it is possible to get your cat to come to you if you call and reinforce your command with a positive attitude. You can do this by offering a kind sort of reward such as petting, brushing, or giving them a treat. If you shout at your cat to come to you with the thought that such action will shock them into coming right over, you quickly realize that these tactics do not work with a cat as they walk in the direction totally opposite. It is green and leafy, it's a plant! If you happen to have plants in your house that are not harmful to your cat, chances are that you do not want your cat to destroy them. As previously mentioned, cats are very curious and they try to enter any. It is also important to note that it is instinctive for cats to scratch or dig as they do in the litter box so if you're mad, they could do the same for your plants. To avoid the mess that some otherwise occurs, you must go to a craft store and purchase plastic lattice embroidery. Then cut to fit the opening of the pot and location for your installation and then apply on the ground. This will keep your cat from clawing at the dirt in your plant. Chewing on plants is another question altogether. All you need do is to spray the leaves and coat them with a blast of cayenne or bitter apple spray that you can find in most pet stores. The bad taste will keep your cat from chewing away. Ouch! He bit me! Biting is not something fun when you cat has small sharp teeth. Often, cats tend to bite or nip when they play around and actually is quite a painful shock when the teeth in contact with your skin. To get your cat to stop this painful behavior, you need to take the right steps. The next time he decides to take a playful nip at some skin is very convenient, you can choose to make one of two things, you can either whistle on him as another cat would do, or scream in pain. Either one of these reactions is sure to attract the attention of your cat and make him stop.

For more information do not eat cats and loss of cat hair, visit About animals.

Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy

John Wilson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:59:10 +0000

Keep your cat indoors is the safest option. Helps: to protect the trauma of attacks from animals other infectious diseases even if indoors in the best place for your cat's inner life can also contribute to boredom and stress that can lead to medical problems and behavior. Some cat owners how to achieve inner life interesting for feline companions. Try to think of your cat as a guest in your home. Know just a little preparation will make the cat feel welcome and happy. First, try to understand the needs of your cat, physical, mental and emotional. For more information, please follow the link in the resource box to my site Persian cat. On this site you will find helpful articles on all aspects of care and live with cats. Add to favorites as I will be adding information continuously. On this site, I will also try to find other members of the cat family such as tigers and lions to help you understand the natural instincts of the cat. Cats are not cattle or beasts of burden. They have evolved as solitary hunters of small prey and spent much of their day foraging. Another part of their time was devoted to establishing, marking and defending territory. Free-living cats lead a very busy life. Our cats live inside, which eliminates the need for food and territory to patrol, but does not eliminate their daily needs and for stimulation and activity that find food and territories on patrol . You can imagine how much "extra" time of our domestic cats have on their hands every day live inside with us. Most of us realize the cat's basic needs within the food, water and bedding. What we may not achieve certain needs is mental and emotional. These include: A place to scratch a resting place A place to perch above the ground some interaction with the toys to mimic hunting prey needs of mental and emotional appeal to a cat informed understanding and ownership. For example, cat scratching is a natural activity that helps cats to exercise their muscles, shed the old outer layers of their claws and mark their territory using both visual and olfactory sings. Scratching is an instinctive behavior of a cat. This urge to scratch can vary from cat to cat as the preferences of location and other materials. You'll need to experiment with different devices scratch to see where your cat or cats prefer. Some prefer horizontal surfaces, others prefer vertical. Observe your cat to see what their preferences are, and then accommodate them with appropriate devices scratch. I see my diamond fairy and vertical scratching areas, and my male Taz seems to be very few scratches. As you observe your cat especially, you'll learn how to communicate with them and what they tell you. A funny story about my Taz is with the addition of a new daughter, Diamond, she taught the others, it seems more games to play. Taz sat on my knees and roll and try to grab my hand or arm with his legs, then very lightly and almost in question begin to bite. At first I was a little worried, and of course I told him it was absolutely out of question. He could not bite "Mom." After a few rounds of this, Taz suddenly jumped off my lap, ran across the room, jumped on a tree climbing, slapped the little bird suspended, then enter the top with his hands and legs starting to bite . Then he came toward me, jumped on my lap and looked straight in the eye. I felt as he said: "I just want to wrestle and play with you." "I do not want to hurt you." And I think that is what he communicates with gestures and body language. Diamond I noticed was grappling with Taz and fairies, I concluded Diamond Taz taught this new game. Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose or treat any health problems your cat. You should always consult a trusted veterinarian for all health problems. Source: The Winn Feline Foundation Online

Written by: Connie Limon. I raise the beautiful, emerald green-eyed shaded and chinchilla silver Persian cat from champion and grand champion lines. For more information about us and be added to our contact list, please visit http://www. fairydewsilverpersian. vpweb. com For a variety of reprint articles visit http://www. camelotarticles. com

Factors To Consider When Traveling With Your Cat

John Wilson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:52:18 +0000

Some cats like to travel where others do not, it really depends on the personality of your cat. Travel can be and is it easy or difficult when you have your cat in tow. There are different ways you can travel and there are different things that you need to consider each mode of transport. Articleing your Air TravelTraveling air can be very difficult if your cat hates flying. You may be able to have in your aircraft or having to send them below in an air conditioned cargo area designed specifically for travel companion. Some airlines allow you to take your cat along with a carrier that can fit under the seat in front. You must specifically ask the airline if it is an option or not, the more you should consider if your cat will fit into such a carrier. If this practice is not allowed, you should have your cat in a carrier and test them in the cargo area. If you plan on traveling with your cat you need to make your reservation well in advance and inform the airline you are traveling with a cat. You should also make sure your carrier meets the criteria of the airline. You might even be able to have your cat sedated during the entire flight by your veterinarian to make travel a little easier. Packing the car for a cat you TripIf loves going on car trips with you, then travel a long distance by car will be a piece of cake. On the other hand, if they hate it, it might not be the trip more enjoyable. Anyway, you must ensure that your cat is ready to travel with you. First, you must certainly be a cat carrier when driving to help keep your cat safe and you will not be distracted while driving. You should also make sure that your cat has a collar with its identification tag on it. If your cat does not like the car, you may want to try to get him used to advance by taking your cat out for short trips in the neighborhood or the street. Before you leave on your trip, you must make sure you carry the bag for your cat as well as yours. You must ensure you have their bowls, food, medication, litter box, litter, cat beds, cat toys, and a sort of scratching post so that it does not tear the room where you go. If your cat absolutely freaks when you put it in the car, you may need to find another plan for your cat while you're away. Brining Non Fluffy on TripIf you have a cat who freaks every time you try to travel by plane or car, you will probably arrive at a different level. You can choose to leave your cat with friends, at home or place of embarkation. Whatever your choice will probably depend largely on your cat and their attitudes and their ability to adapt. A place of shipment you will leave your cat in a place where they will be supported. Unfortunately, all animal shelters facilities are an ideal place to leave your pet, you'll need to do a lot of careful research before falling next to your cat. A friend of family member could take your cat so they can handle all the needs of your cat during your absence. You can also choose to leave your cat at home if you want to be gone only a short time, or have a guardian cat to stay home with your cat. Do not ask anyone, make sure they can trust, and be sure to leave with a list of things like the food you feed, when you eat, when to clean the litter, and all the numbers d urgency as well. For some, this could end up being the best option for their cat.

To learn more about the life of cat and ear mite in cats, visit About Animals.

Do You Have Any Funny Incidents Involving Your Cat Or Cats?

John Wilson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:55:46 +0000

I'm trying to get ideas together for a book on cat behavior. I will not use your story unless I get permission, but I'm trying to decide if their equipment will target the book.

Some Reasons Why You Should Get Insurance for Your Cat

John Wilson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:25:43 +0000

Cats are funny creatures. One minute they want to be petted and stroked, the next day, they take a drag of your hand and act like you are public enemy number. Some people love the conundrum of pet cats and other people hate them. Love them or hate them, they are still a common animal and enjoy a multitude of potential health problems which will need veterinary care and their owners may be considering the pros and cons of health insurance for pets company. When cat owners first put their brand new kitten to the vet, they should have the kitten vaccinated against distemper. Owners of cats with a cat entering the golden age of his life should know that kidney failure is the most common problem senior cats have to be treated. Hairballs are often the first owners of cats think when they stop to consider possible threats to the health of their cat. Hairballs are clumps of hair found in the digestive system of the cat. Cat owners can buy food additives that help to eliminate hairballs. In extreme cases, the cat will undergo surgery to have a ball of hair removed. As owners of their cats can develop urinary tract infections. Cats that have a urinary tract infection generally cry when they use their litter. If a cat is suddenly "missing" the litter and accidents around the house, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Treatment of urinary tract infection generally depends on the type of infection. After testing to determine the origin of the infection vets will normally put the cat on a course of antibiotics. If the infection has spread to the kidneys or cause an immediate blockage veterinarian is necessary. Cats kept indoors do not develop normally upper respiratory problems. Cats that have a respiratory illness often cough, sneeze, have runny noses, runny eyes, and are apathetic. Some cats fever. Just like humans cats that have a disease of the upper respiratory tract are contagious and must be separated from other cats. Cats suffering from disorders of the upper airway should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. If your cat develops a fever take him to the vet for a course of antibiotics. High fever, if left untreated, can lead to brain damage and death. Some cats are prone to get abscesses. Abscesses are wounds, sometimes small, that heal, trapping infection under the skin. As the pus gathers a bump appears on the skin of the cat. Cats with abscesses could be taken to the veterinary clinic to have lanced the abscess (open), drained, and an antibiotic cream applied. According to veterinarians abscess can attach a tube to the animal to leave the evacuation of pus. When the abscess was drained, cleaned and dressed the veterinarian will probably prescribe a round of antibiotics. Some cats that have abscesses will run a fever. Many cats develop diabetes. Many health insurance plans for pets will help offset the cost of veterinary bills.

To learn more about the facts and wolf facts elephant, visit the Animal Facts page.