Friday, October 26, 2007

Cat - Create A Healthy Environment for Your Cat

Start by keeping your cat free of fleas and ticks. This is often more challenging in the outdoor cat. Be persistent and try various flea and tick products to find one that gives good results. Remember to also treat and clean your cats bed once a week to reduce fleas. Vacuum your carpets especially where your cat likes to sleep. If your cat or home seem to be heavily infested consult your veterinarian for advice and alternatives.

Cats like to be clean and will usually attract your attention in one way or another when the litter box is overdue for a cleaning. Our cats will whine and fuss in the early morning to be let outside rather than use a smelly litter box. Our cats are also quite happy to use the bathroom floor or shower as an alternative. Thankfully we learned this communication method early on and have managed to meet their need in keeping the litter box clean and fresh. Some cats will scratch around in a dirty litter box and keep scratching for a while with the sand going everywhere. That is there form of communication. Even if the litter box looks clean, is clean of clumped litter, it may still smell of urine and will need a thorough wash and new litter to meet your cats standards.

Observing your cat on a daily basis, knowing its habits and personality will help you detect any changes. Noting any changes in your cat early can prevent future health concerns. Have cuddle time with your cat where you gently inspect its overall condition. Learn to look for any signs of illness such as fever or a dull coat. If your cat is not showing any specific signs, but you know he is simply not himself, there is no harm in calling your veterinarian for advice.

Taking time to create a healthy environment for you and your cat will enhance your relationship, keeping your cat comfortable and content. Remember a healthy cat is a happy cat.

Guide to Cats. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your cat, learn about cat health.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. Price compare Fitness DVDs, read reviews, download free E-books. Read this month's e-book on "How To Spot A fraudulent Email". Grab your free copy today.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hegarty

Cat - Keep Your Cat Off of the Counter

Kitchen counters are like magnets to cats. Cats love high surfaces, and, as a bonus, the kitchen counter smells delicious. Your counter is often full of good things to eat, or at least, still smelling of them, and any self-respecting cat is required to investigate. It may seem impossible to keep your pet from "counter-surfing." Before kitty drives you to your wits' end, try a few simple tricks to discourage him.

Cats hate the sticky feeling of tape, so try applying some sticky-side up to the edge of the counter. The sensation of stickiness on your cat's paws may be enough to keep him off the counter. The disadvantage to this method is that you will have to keep applying the tape as long as you want to repel the cat, and cleaning the adhesive off your counter later can be a chore. Strips of aluminum foil are also suggested, as some cats hate not only the feel of it on their toes, but also the crackling noise. Be careful, though. Some cats find aluminum foil highly attractive and will pull it down for a toy. Make sure that your cat does not ingest any foil if this happens.

Another method of repelling your cat from the counter is to employ a loud noise that will upset your cat when he has done something wrong. A few pennies in an empty aluminum can, shaken when the cat is on the counter, can make him learn that the counter is off limits. If you place a few of these cans along the edge of the counter where the cat will be sure to knock them off when he jumps up, the resulting racket will bring down the cat. Other loud noise methods include a popped balloon, or slapping noisemakers based on mousetraps. The traditional water spray method can also work, though it is important to make sure that the cat connects the discomfort of being wet with the counter, and not with you.

It is also important to make sure that temptations that entice your cat to jump on the counter are reduced. Keep good smelling food off of the counter top, make sure that there are other high places that your cat can sit, and make sure your cat has ample space to roam. These steps, combined with the above preventatives, can help keep your cat off of the counter.

Cat - Keep Your Cat Off of the Counter

Kitchen counters are like magnets to cats. Cats love high surfaces, and, as a bonus, the kitchen counter smells delicious. Your counter is often full of good things to eat, or at least, still smelling of them, and any self-respecting cat is required to investigate. It may seem impossible to keep your pet from "counter-surfing." Before kitty drives you to your wits' end, try a few simple tricks to discourage him.

Cats hate the sticky feeling of tape, so try applying some sticky-side up to the edge of the counter. The sensation of stickiness on your cat's paws may be enough to keep him off the counter. The disadvantage to this method is that you will have to keep applying the tape as long as you want to repel the cat, and cleaning the adhesive off your counter later can be a chore. Strips of aluminum foil are also suggested, as some cats hate not only the feel of it on their toes, but also the crackling noise. Be careful, though. Some cats find aluminum foil highly attractive and will pull it down for a toy. Make sure that your cat does not ingest any foil if this happens.

Another method of repelling your cat from the counter is to employ a loud noise that will upset your cat when he has done something wrong. A few pennies in an empty aluminum can, shaken when the cat is on the counter, can make him learn that the counter is off limits. If you place a few of these cans along the edge of the counter where the cat will be sure to knock them off when he jumps up, the resulting racket will bring down the cat. Other loud noise methods include a popped balloon, or slapping noisemakers based on mousetraps. The traditional water spray method can also work, though it is important to make sure that the cat connects the discomfort of being wet with the counter, and not with you.

It is also important to make sure that temptations that entice your cat to jump on the counter are reduced. Keep good smelling food off of the counter top, make sure that there are other high places that your cat can sit, and make sure your cat has ample space to roam. These steps, combined with the above preventatives, can help keep your cat off of the counter.

Lauren has been the proud owner of a European Shorthair cat named Pumpkin for 12 years and an Australian Shepherd dog named Mollie for 8 years. She loves cats and dogs and is happy to provide pet owners with wonderful kitty condos, scratching posts, and dog stairs found at http://www.luckycatfurniture.com

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Brehm

Cat - Is it an Outhouse or a Cat Litter Box

You will be forced to have a litter box in your home if you own a cat. There's a good chance that you have somewhere out of the way to keep it, and it may not bother you very much if your home is spacious. However, a cat litter box can be very annoying if you have a small place like I do. I am not fond of dealing with the litter box, although I love my cats. Scooping it a few times a day may seem like an easy task, buy I can't do it all the time.

I have no choice but to keep the cat litter box in my bedroom because my place is so small. I can't put it anywhere else so there's really nothing I can do. For instance, putting it under the dining room table would not be a good idea because of sanitary reasons. The problem is that I forget to scoop the cat litter box in my room every once in a while. This can be a big problem when I go out for the day. It is very obvious that my cats have been using it when I get home. The resulting bad smell is very hard to get rid of and it just makes a lot of extra work for me.

My male cat also seems to have a sense of humor because he always decides that it's time to use the cat litter box whenever I lie down to go to sleep. This is a huge problem for me, even though this would not be a problem for most people. This is because the cat litter box in my room has a lid on the top of it. This gives the cats some privacy and the device also prevents me from looking at the contents when I walk by. However, our male cat scratches the top and sides of it when he is done for some unknown reason. This irritating act can last for more than five minutes.

You will hear the most hideous noise you can imagine when he runs his nails along the side and the top of the cat litter box because it is made of plastic. My attempts to get him to stop doing this have always failed. He walks out of the cat litter box and finds somewhere else in the house to go if I get upset and hiss at him. This is not an option because I would have a far more annoying problem to deal with each day when I wake up. This means that I have to put up with his noise instead of scaring him out of the litter box.

Cat - Is it an Outhouse or a Cat Litter Box

You will be forced to have a litter box in your home if you own a cat. There's a good chance that you have somewhere out of the way to keep it, and it may not bother you very much if your home is spacious. However, a cat litter box can be very annoying if you have a small place like I do. I am not fond of dealing with the litter box, although I love my cats. Scooping it a few times a day may seem like an easy task, buy I can't do it all the time.

I have no choice but to keep the cat litter box in my bedroom because my place is so small. I can't put it anywhere else so there's really nothing I can do. For instance, putting it under the dining room table would not be a good idea because of sanitary reasons. The problem is that I forget to scoop the cat litter box in my room every once in a while. This can be a big problem when I go out for the day. It is very obvious that my cats have been using it when I get home. The resulting bad smell is very hard to get rid of and it just makes a lot of extra work for me.

My male cat also seems to have a sense of humor because he always decides that it's time to use the cat litter box whenever I lie down to go to sleep. This is a huge problem for me, even though this would not be a problem for most people. This is because the cat litter box in my room has a lid on the top of it. This gives the cats some privacy and the device also prevents me from looking at the contents when I walk by. However, our male cat scratches the top and sides of it when he is done for some unknown reason. This irritating act can last for more than five minutes.

You will hear the most hideous noise you can imagine when he runs his nails along the side and the top of the cat litter box because it is made of plastic. My attempts to get him to stop doing this have always failed. He walks out of the cat litter box and finds somewhere else in the house to go if I get upset and hiss at him. This is not an option because I would have a far more annoying problem to deal with each day when I wake up. This means that I have to put up with his noise instead of scaring him out of the litter box.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Cat Litter Box. Visit our site for more helpful information about Cat Litter Box and other similar topics.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton

Cat - The Importance Of Appropriate Cat Food

Part of the responsibility of pet ownership is the care and feeding of our animal friends. For cat owners, appropriate feline care can greatly increase the health of our cats and extend their lives significantly. Subsequently, choosing the appropriate cat food - based on breed and size - is of the utmost importance in taking responsible care of our cats.

Cat food comes in a dizzying array of choices; as we browse the shelves, we hardly know where to start. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cat food is that each particular brand is specifically designed for a particular stage in a cat's life. So a food that is appropriate for a kitten is not appropriate for an older cat. Read the packaging to determine what cat food is meant for your specific age of cat.

That being said, there are still quite a lot of ingredients and nutritional contradictions when it comes to cat food. A reputable veterinarian will be able to tell you what is essential to the health and longevity of your cat. It is important that you follow these guidelines when making a selection of cat food based on the nutrients it offers.

To narrow it down even further, when it comes to choosing between brands, look for those that carry an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. This ensures that this particular brand of cat food meets with the nutritional guidelines as set forth by the AAFCO.

Other things to take into consideration when it comes to cat food are the size and health of your cat. Stay within the feed guidelines - as recommended by your veterinarian - for your cat's size. And if your cat has any existing health conditions you must be sure to take this into consideration when asking your veterinarian about appropriate cat food.

Cat food can be found anywhere from your grocery store to your local large retail outlet or pet supply store. The pet stores tend to carry a larger selection and offer a more competitive price so if you have one close by it is worth checking out.

Feeding your cat the most appropriate cat food for them is an essential part of an overall program for good health and long life.

Cat - The Importance Of Appropriate Cat Food

Part of the responsibility of pet ownership is the care and feeding of our animal friends. For cat owners, appropriate feline care can greatly increase the health of our cats and extend their lives significantly. Subsequently, choosing the appropriate cat food - based on breed and size - is of the utmost importance in taking responsible care of our cats.

Cat food comes in a dizzying array of choices; as we browse the shelves, we hardly know where to start. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cat food is that each particular brand is specifically designed for a particular stage in a cat's life. So a food that is appropriate for a kitten is not appropriate for an older cat. Read the packaging to determine what cat food is meant for your specific age of cat.

That being said, there are still quite a lot of ingredients and nutritional contradictions when it comes to cat food. A reputable veterinarian will be able to tell you what is essential to the health and longevity of your cat. It is important that you follow these guidelines when making a selection of cat food based on the nutrients it offers.

To narrow it down even further, when it comes to choosing between brands, look for those that carry an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. This ensures that this particular brand of cat food meets with the nutritional guidelines as set forth by the AAFCO.

Other things to take into consideration when it comes to cat food are the size and health of your cat. Stay within the feed guidelines - as recommended by your veterinarian - for your cat's size. And if your cat has any existing health conditions you must be sure to take this into consideration when asking your veterinarian about appropriate cat food.

Cat food can be found anywhere from your grocery store to your local large retail outlet or pet supply store. The pet stores tend to carry a larger selection and offer a more competitive price so if you have one close by it is worth checking out.

Feeding your cat the most appropriate cat food for them is an essential part of an overall program for good health and long life.

For easy to understand, in depth information about cat food visit our ezGuide 2 Cats

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery

Cat - The Importance Of Appropriate Cat Food

Part of the responsibility of pet ownership is the care and feeding of our animal friends. For cat owners, appropriate feline care can greatly increase the health of our cats and extend their lives significantly. Subsequently, choosing the appropriate cat food - based on breed and size - is of the utmost importance in taking responsible care of our cats.

Cat food comes in a dizzying array of choices; as we browse the shelves, we hardly know where to start. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cat food is that each particular brand is specifically designed for a particular stage in a cat's life. So a food that is appropriate for a kitten is not appropriate for an older cat. Read the packaging to determine what cat food is meant for your specific age of cat.

That being said, there are still quite a lot of ingredients and nutritional contradictions when it comes to cat food. A reputable veterinarian will be able to tell you what is essential to the health and longevity of your cat. It is important that you follow these guidelines when making a selection of cat food based on the nutrients it offers.

To narrow it down even further, when it comes to choosing between brands, look for those that carry an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. This ensures that this particular brand of cat food meets with the nutritional guidelines as set forth by the AAFCO.

Other things to take into consideration when it comes to cat food are the size and health of your cat. Stay within the feed guidelines - as recommended by your veterinarian - for your cat's size. And if your cat has any existing health conditions you must be sure to take this into consideration when asking your veterinarian about appropriate cat food.

Cat food can be found anywhere from your grocery store to your local large retail outlet or pet supply store. The pet stores tend to carry a larger selection and offer a more competitive price so if you have one close by it is worth checking out.

Feeding your cat the most appropriate cat food for them is an essential part of an overall program for good health and long life.