They say cats have nine lives but in reality, we all know they only have one. We need to make sure that they are properly looked after and given the best care and attention to ensure they live as long as possible. Pets are great friends to humans and cats are one of the most popular pet choices in the UK. So, here's some cat health care tips on what you can do to give your cat the best possible chance of living a long and happy life.
It's A Cat's Life
Did you know that indoor cats can live up to 20-22 years old? This poses the question of whether it is better to keep your cat inside permanently, and there are many that would be against this, as they feel it hinders the cat's innate sense of curiosity and outside familiarity. However, outdoor cats can live a long time too.
Cat Health Care Tips
The best thing you can do to make your cat live longer is to ensure their health is good. Feed your cat a normal, healthy diet and try to give it lots of physical activity. Although cats don't need as much exercise as dogs, they still need to be able to get some fresh air and have long lazy days on the lawn. Some people do mistake of under-feeding their cats though, and this is mostly due to the owner thinking the cat's frame is so small that they couldn't possibly require a lot of food. Although a cat is quite a small animal, it still requires regular and routine feeding to ensure it stays in good health. This should also help your cat to live longer.
Hairballs Are Nasty
Another good tip is to brush your cat's fur regularly as hairballs are a common problem with our feline friends. They are caused by loose hair which the cat then licks and gets stuck in its throat. You have to remember that a cat's throat is tiny and hair can make them choke. As cats get older, they might struggle with being able to cough up hairballs so it is even more important that you keep on top of this. Brush the fur every day if you can and check its claws while you're at it - make sure they are at a safe length for your pet.
Let Your Cat Be Happy
It is important to remember that these cat health care tips are nothing out of the ordinary; they are mostly just common sense. Pet owners should always do their research before owning a pet. Having a cat that lives as long as possible is nice, but many pet owners would say it is far more important that your cat has a happy and fulfilling life.
For more information on cats, be sure to visit this very popular site all about Cat Health Care. Visit http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ today.
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Is your cat misbehaving? An aggressive or overly angry cat is not a very pleasant animal. Cats can actually be a danger to those around it and especially when anger is directed at you with biting or excessive scratching. Kittens that play rough are trainable provided you do not play rough with them. How does a cat owner deal with this situation? Bad cat behavior when handled in a tactful manner is correctable without much retaliation from your cat.
- Do not yell at your cat. This action will do more harm than good. Cats, much like other animals, do not respond well to yelling and that will only make the cat fearful of you, or worse yet, angry with you. Pets that are angry with their owners tend to act out and misbehave on purpose, which creates an entirely different set of problems and does not correct the behavior problems.
- Cats hate water. The easiest way to discourage bad behavior is by spraying a cat with water if they are doing something you do not approve of. It will help reduce the chances of happening again because it learns faster from the negative conditioning of getting wet. Cover up your efforts and hide the spray bottle so your cat does not associate the spraying coming from you. You do not want the cat to become afraid of you because of the water bottle. This is called modifying behavior through repetition. Stick to that standard, and the cat will soon realize what is "bad" and what's "good," because bad behavior gets a spray to the face.
- Loneliness or boredom can also make a cat become aggressive. In either case, give the cat with something to do. A scratching post or a toy is a simple way of entertainment, or you can handle it yourself and give your cat some personal attention. Playing with your cat makes him feel wanted and loved. Cats require less maintenance than dogs, but they do not handle loneliness and boredom as well.
- If you own a cat that routinely fights with other cats then the aggression is far too much to tolerate. Have your cat spayed or neutered if the activity is sexual in nature, or you can quit putting your cat out at night to stop the chances of getting into fights with other neighborhood felines.
- A firm no is a sign to a cat that such bad behavior is not wanted. As mentioned before, do not combine this no with hitting or slapping, because that will just make the cat act out more. However, a firm "no" without yelling, combined with a lack of affection such as petting or treats will send the message to the cat that get the things he or she enjoys, (namely treats and affection), a change in behavior is necessary.
These five steps can change your cat's behavior for the better and leave you with an all-around better pet than before. Changing your cat's bad behavior requires patience, but the cat will eventually learn what to do if you deal with the behavior effectively.
I have been a pet owner all of my life and for the last thirty years my wife and I have raised over a dozen cats. Please visit my website at: http://tipsaboutcats.com is your information source for their health, diet, disposition, and exercise. We even show the basics of making your own cat toys and condos. All tips and proceeds from this website is contributed to our local animal shelter who is short of funds from the county. I have a number of recommended natural food, supplements, products and books that are in my store which will save you time hunting on the web for at http://tipsaboutcats.com/store/. There are two expert interviews in the blog pages that are must reads because they will answer most of your questions and concerns about natural cat health and diet. Please feel free to leave comments on my website where you will also find links to me on Facebook and Twitter.
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Often, pet owners choose a cat because they are fairly independent creatures. However, as self-sufficient as they may seem, it is vital that they have regular health checks and that owners keep an eye out for any changes in behavior or health that could indicate serious problems. The following is a brief guide to basic cat health care.
Buy a Secure Cat Carrier
When buying beds, litter boxes and toys, one of the most essential purchases is a travel carrier. Carriers are essential, because it is unsafe for both you and the cat to travel without one.
A carrier can be bought from all good pet stores. However, it is wise to ensure that the carrier of your choice is secure and comfortable, with enough room to stand and turn around. The carrier can be used when traveling with your cat, but it may principally be used for trips to the vet.
Find a Good Vet
The first job of any new pet owner is to find a good local vet. This may seem simple enough, but you will find that many vets are overcrowded and perhaps understaffed, which means that your cat will not be offered the time and care that he, or she, needs.
In addition, when visiting prospective vets, it is wise to ensure that the premises are clean and sanitary. Moreover, it is a good idea to check the policy regarding dogs in the waiting room. If leashes are not mandatory, then a dog could intentionally, or unintentionally, harm another patient.
It may be helpful to speak to friends and/or relatives with pets to find out which vet they use and what their opinions of the service are.
Ensure Your Cat Has Regular Check Ups
Once you have found a good vet in your area, it is important that your cat has regular check ups. Usually, this should be carried out annually. Remember, even if your cat is an indoor pet and seems in tip-top condition, it is important that he, or she, gets the once over from the vet. Cats are very stoic creatures, which means illness may not be spotted until it is too advanced to treat effectively. Regular checks can indicate the early stages of illness or prevent possible health problems. Your cat probably will not thank you for it, but it is in the animal's best interests.
Keep Up to Date with Vaccinations
Cats will need to have annual booster vaccinations for a number of diseases, such as rabies, cat flu and distemper. It is important to ensure that these booster shots are given, because otherwise your cat has no protection against theses conditions. Bear in mind, even if your cat is kept indoors, bacteria and germs can be brought into the house by you and others. Therefore, it is crucial that all vaccinations are kept up-to-date.
When your cat is given a shot, it is always a good idea to ask the vet if there are any side effects that you may notice.
Don't Forget Your Cat's Teeth
When your vet checks the overall health of your cat, he, or she, will pay particular attention to the animal's mouth and teeth. If your cat's oral health is cause for concern, your vet may encourage you to brush your cat's teeth. If so, it is wise to follow his, or her, advice.
Make Note of Changes in Your Cat's Behavior
For any pet owner, it is a good idea to make note of any change in an animal's behavior. For example, is your cat scratching or grooming more than usual? Have you noticed a change in his, or her, eating habits? Any changes, no matter how small, should prompt you to consult with your vet. As mentioned above, cats are good at masking symptoms of illness, so any unusual behavior should be taken seriously.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of cat health care requirements. However, the above should give new or prospective owners a good idea of basic health care responsibilities.
Samantha Markham is a professional writer, she is currently composing articles for remmeer.com, a high quality supplier of unique pet products. Visit remmeer.com for a range of personalized cat name collars, cat frames & photo albums and much, much more.
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The incredible pleasure of companionship given by your feline friends comes with certain responsibilities and obligations. Continuing your joy of keeping them company would greatly depend on how well you understand and provide for their needs. Learning about proper cat health care is important for all cat owners. Giving them love, proper care and attention will not only ensure great health for your cats. It also ensures a long and happy life.
General Needs
Your cat has several needs, which you need to pay close attention to. It needs to receive proper nourishment, proper grooming, the right medical attention in the event of a cat illness and the right pregnancy care for female cats later in its life. Not only does proper cat health care demand time and attention, it also demands a certain amount of budget to sufficiently and timely provide for all your cat's needs.
Feeding
The key to health is getting the right food. The same rule applies in ensuring optimum cat health. Putting it under a good diet and giving it the best cat food you can obtain will not only protect your cat from getting any common cat illness. It will also yield huge savings on veterinary bills. Hence, compromising the quality of cat food over value is poor economy. Investing on your cat's health means trusting the name of American Association of Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) approved cat food manufacturers. You can consult your veterinarian on this regard so you can give your pet the kind of food that is appropriate for its age, breed or health condition.
Grooming
A kitten is born with the innate ability to groom itself. You see mother cats licking her kittens soon after they were born to help them breathe. Grooming is something that comes natural among cats. For the most part, your cat can answer to its grooming needs. However, there are a number of reasons why you should use some grooming techniques for your cat. Long-haired cats need extra help to prevent getting matted fur. Occasionally combing your cat's fur prevents parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks from settling on the fur. Some cat owners even enjoy occasionally bathing and trimming the claws of their cats. Some would even go to the lengths of brushing the cat's teeth. Aside from giving them a pleasant experience with their best pets, it also prevents the onslaught of common cat parasites.
Common Cat Health Problems
From simple inconveniences, cat illness, to life threatening accidents, the concern about common cat health problems is an experience shared by all cat owners. These problems range from simple inconveniences to life-threatening illnesses. Noticing a cat illness coming is extremely helpful in limiting the risks involved. The following should guide you through your pet care experience.
Hair Balls
You cat is likely to experience a problem called hair ball. The condition is caused by the accumulation of fur inside the cat's body due to its grooming habits. The accumulated fur or hair ball usually becomes a source of irritation when the cat fails to eliminate it on the litter box or through coughing. Once the hair ball compacts with the undigested food in the intestines, it needs to be surgically removed to avoid serious health complications. Noticing symptoms such as dry and hacking cough, vomiting after meals, hair entwined with feces, constipation, diarrhea, poor appetite and weight loss means that your cat suffers from hair ball. A veterinarian's instructed use of mineral oil or petroleum lubricants and other petrochemical products may be used to relieve these symptoms.
Plant Poisoning
Cats love to chew on things, especially green things. Your cat's fondness for your indoor as well as outdoor plants can be very dangerous especially when you are using pesticides on these plants. As you cat chews on its leaves, it might ingest the chemicals you have applied on your plants. Also, there are some ornamental plants that are toxic in nature and can possibly harm your naughty cat.
Infections
Viral and other infections answer to majority of the causes of common cat health problems. Depending on the severity and nature of the infection, a particular infection can lead to complications that can compromise your cat's health. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and Feline Leukemia Virus are the known plagues of a cat's health. Thankfully, there are vaccinations and treatments that are available for these serious infections.
Parasites
Common cat parasites include fleas, worms, ticks and lice. Fleas and lice not only cause chronic itching and infections but also deliver parasites such as worm larvae inside your cat's body. The worms thriving in the intestines can cause anemia, weakness and weight loss. Proper grooming and the use of powders, pest sprays, lotions and shampoo can help remove these parasites. Ask a veterinarian for the most suitable product that can help you eliminate common parasites.
Caution
Loss of appetite, dull coat, more frequent grooming, excessive itching or constant scratching, not grooming after eating, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling and display of unusual behavior are tell-tale signs of a sick cat. Familiarizing yourself with these symptoms of cat illness is important in ensuring the health of your feline friend. Upon noticing these symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Kathy is another cat lover and runs Cat Lover Products [http://www.catlover-products.com] where you can learn more about cat health [http://www.catlover-products.com/cat-illnesses/88/].
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As is the case with any animal - and humans - some cats can be aggressive by nature and this is something that can cause a problem for their owners. Cat aggression can often stem from the way that the cat was reared as a kitten and the environment that it was brought up in. Luckily it is relatively easy to read the physical signs of an angry cat. It is important that cat aggression is dealt with quickly as otherwise you could find yourself having to give up your pet, particularly if you have other pets or children in the household. This is an outcome that can be avoided though, as long as you know what warning signs to look for in advance.
Some of the signs
If it is not dealt with swiftly, aggressive behaviour can become a regular habit with some cats. Some of the signs of an angry cat include:
- Flattened ears
- Flicking tail, which is up in the air
- Eyes wide open
- Pupils dilated
- Hissing, growling, or spitting
How to stop him
One thing you should never do is to physically smack or even raise your hand in a threatening gesture towards your cat, as this will simply make him fearful and anxious. It could make the problem worse by making the cat even more aggressive.
Whilst there are medications that are designed to calm cats and reduce aggression it is important to look into treatments that will work on changing the cat's behaviour at the root rather than just doping him up with medication. This could involve a change in surroundings, and you could even use treats to reward good behaviour.
Providing your cat with tools on which to take out their instinctive aggression can be helpful - this means some toys that they can bite and chew, a scratching post to claw at, and even something along the lines of a cat activity centre to help them to burn off some energy.
Get him checked
If your cat's aggressive behaviour continues you may want to send him to the vet for a quick check up. Remember, ill health can cause even humans to become grumpy, bad tempered, and aggressive, so there may be some underlying problems, especially if the aggressive behaviour has come on pretty suddenly. A vet will be able to tell the symptoms of any possible illnesses and will tell you the steps you can take to treat your furry friend.
Do you want to learn more about Cat Aggression? Go here to learn all about the different types of Cat Behaviour.
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Every week, about 2,500 dogs and 3,000 cats go missing from their homes in the U.S. alone. Unfortunately, only 17% of dogs and 2% of cats are ever returned to their owners after getting lost. Losing a cat or a dog is a nightmare for a pet owner, as it can take weeks to find a pet, causing emotional stress for the whole family. Fortunately, the technology of today is advanced enough that you can plan ahead for this kind of problem with a pet GPS system.
The same GPS technology that your car uses to give you directions is used to ensure that your pets never get lost. There are a couple of options you have after making the decision to use GPS tracking on your dog or cat. You can choose to get a chip embedded in your pets skin, which requires a brief medical procedure. These chips last for your pet's lifetime and never need to be replaced. If you ever lose your pet, your veterinarian's office will be able to track him or her down.
Another option is to use a household GPS system for your pet. These systems come with a handheld device for you to track your pet with, and a small tag for your pet to wear. The tags for any system are designed to be comfortable and lightweight for your pet, and fit on the collar that he or she already wears. The handheld device will show you a map of where your pet is, or give you other visual and audio clues to tell you where he or she went.
Some systems use technology similar to your vet's office. If you're willing to pay a monthly fee, you can track your pet on your computer or your smart phone. A map of your neighborhood will appear online, and you have the power to set a safety zone for your pet. If your pet ever wanders too far from home, you will get an automatic text message to your phone and e-mail with driving directions leading you right to your pet.
Pet GPS systems are particularly important for hunting and farming dogs. These dogs cover a huge amount of land, and have very specific jobs to do. There are GPS systems specific to hunting dogs that can tell you where your dog is, where your dog has been, and whether your dog is resting or has spotted prey. This kind of information is vital to hunters, and can make the experience more productive and enjoyable.
Make sure that your pet has a collar with all of the correct information in case he or she ever does get lost. Pets without collars drastically reduce their chances of finding their families. With updated information on a collar, and one of the pet GPS systems, you can feel safe and secure knowing that you will always be able to find your pet.
Those who have outdoor cats can use a pet GPS to ensure that their cats make it back inside the house at the end of the day. Those who live in cities can make sure that their dogs haven't roamed far from the apartment. Whether you have house cats or hunting dogs, a GPS system can really protect your investment. With the growing statistics of missing dogs, using a GPS system is a great way to ensure safety and many more enjoyable years with your pets.
Protect your pet today at Pet GPS [http://www.petgpsreviews.com] Reviews. If you own a hunting dog, the best product on the market is the Garmin DC40 [http://www.petgpsreviews.com/garmin_dc_40.html].
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This article will look specially at your feelings around your cats death, whether they are normal and what emotions to expect.
Cats like every think else die and this time is no less painful than losing a human. So this brief article will focus on the top questions you may be asking yourself when your cat dies or your vet has to put them down.
It really hurts that my cat died - is this normal?
Yes it perfectly normal, however those who haven't had a pet to lose may find it a bit strange but that's because they haven't spent time caring for a cat or spending time snuggled up on the sofa watching TV with your cat settled on your knee purring away. Nor will they have spent time talking to a cat when they've been upset because sometimes cats are better to talk to than people. Expect it to hurt because it definitely will no matter whether you were blessed with your cats company for a few years or a large part of your life.
Will I feel a range of emotions?
Yes you will, you may feel guilty, especially if you've made the decision to put your cat down. You'll feel guilty if your cat was run over for letting them go out and play that day. What ever the circumstances chances are you'll feel guilty for not being able to stop your cat from dying.
You'll also feel anger, you may be angry at yourself for not being able to save your cat, angry at the vet, angry at any person who was involved in your cats death. If you're religious you may be angry at your own deity for not being able to prevent your cats death. This emotion is perfectly normal and part of the grieving process.
There will be times when you're in denial about your pets death, this will be worse if you've not actually seen the body or witnessed the vet administering the lethal injection. This is because if you've not seen the body then you will always have hope that it didn't happen or that it wasn't your cat it happened too.
It's also normal to feel depressed over your cats death, they were a huge part of your life, a part where you will have many cherished memories to look back on and no you no longer can make new memories. If you find yourself in a deep depression seek out medical help as this will affect all areas of your life, find online support groups, speak to others that have lost pets. Understanding and support go a long way in helping you to deal with depression.
You can find more information about dealing with the death of your cat over at Cat Party [http://www.cat-party.co.uk].
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Is your cat an angry cat? Keeping an angry cat in your home takes all of the fun out of cat ownership. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to help change your angry cat's behavior and make her a welcome member of the family.
When people complain about their cats it usually comes down to a one or two problems: aggression and failure to use the litter box. These are the two most common problems cited when owners are forced to give their cats to shelters. After dealing with the problem for a long time it just becomes too much for them and their family.
You can find a way to deal with your aggressive or angry cat. There are many levels of aggressive cat, ranging from kitty who nips at your toes when you don't expect it, to very frightening physical attacks.
It isn't uncommon to hear that someone is quietly petting their cat and suddenly the cat bites and runs away. Usually there is more shock than injury, and if you start watching your cat a little more closely, you should be able to pick up the signs that kitty is in an aggressive mood.
Angry Cat Warning Signs
My daughter's cat would only bite our legs and toes when we were sitting on the sofa. After a while my daughter saw that when kitty was approaching with her head and her tail low, she was in a biting mood. If her head and tail were held high she wanted to be petted.
By recognizing the warning signs we knew what her cat was up to, and saw what she was communicating to us.
How to Distract an Aggressive or Angry Cat
Sometimes a hand clap or other noise will be enough to distract an angry cat from attacking. Giving your cat a toy to play with is another method of distracting it. In extreme cases, you might need to keep a spray bottle of water handy and give a soft squirt at the cat's backside. Never squirt water at a cat's face.
Retraining an Angry Cat
It is possible to retrain your cat so it doesn't attack you. It will require time and patience on your part but it is worth it. My kitten Asha would dig her claws into my legs under the desk if she felt angry that she wasn't getting enough attention or she wanted something. She would come in behind me so the first I knew that she was angry about something was the claws in my thighs. It took practice for me to not yell at the sudden attack but I refused to pay attention to her until she just put paws, minus claws, on my legs. When that happened she got my immediate attention and was praised. I would then go see if she wanted a cuddle, a game or to tell me her biscuit bowl was empty.
Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660
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You want to have a healthy and happy kitty. For this, you need to ensure that your beloved feline pet enjoys a proper diet. This can only be achieved with the right cat food. With so many options available, you will certainly benefit from some essential advice which will help you with making the best choice.
Get both wet and dry food for your pet.
In general, wet cat food is recommended since it is in the nature of felines to get water with what they eat rather than drink it separately. It is essential for the product to have moisture content of over 70%. Most canned products have moisture content of over 75% or 78%, but you have to check just to be on the safe side. It is best if canned products make up three quarters of the diet of your pet. In this way, it will have lower risk of urinary tract infections and diabetes. The remainder should be made up of dry food, which is good for the teeth. Of course, you have to ensure that your kitty has access to drinkable water as well.
Watch out with the terms on the label.
You will discover that not all products are labeled as "food". The ones which contain a different name such as "formula" or "dinner" usually contain a much lower concentration of the main ingredient. Similarly, if the label says that the product comes with a specific type of ingredient, then this ingredient is found in a smaller amount even though it is in a big print.
Ensure that the nutritional needs of the cat are met.
Protein should take up some 40% of the diet of the cat. Fat should take up around a third of it. That is why you have to ensure that the cat food which you get has a high concentration of protein and sufficient amount of fat. The lower the concentration of carbohydrates is the better. It must not exceed 50%. It is best if it comes from healthy sources such as rice and vegetables and not from corn meal. Felines require vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and taurine which should come from their food as well.
Opt for a good source of protein.
Good sources of protein include chicken, fish and beef. You should watch out with the products which contain more than one source of protein. You need to check what amount of each type of meat is included. Often, manufacturers use proprietary amounts. Hence, if you want to ensure that your pet gets enough fish, you should consider going for a product which contains it as the main ingredient.
Consider food with natural preservatives.
The natural preservatives used in cat food are vitamin C and vitamin E. They are good for felines when they are in optimal concentration in the body. There is no solid scientific evidence that the artificial preservatives are dangerous, but the natural ingredients are always better.
If your feline pet has any medical condition, you should definitely consult your vet before buying any type of cat food.
Get the best advice on pet nutrition and care from the experts of Ultra Pet Food. Learn how to take perfect care of your beloved pet to make it even happier.
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A lot of domesticated cats are overweight because of inactivity and the kinds of food they eat. Many indoor cats are fed dry cat food because it is very convenient for cat owners. Others feed their cat whatever food is on sale that week in order to save some money. These scenarios are understandable, however do not be surprised if this is you and your cat is overweight.
This is because dry food and cheaper brands are loaded with grains and wheat sources. Many manufacturers use these sources because they are cheaper to produce and the profits will be higher. Cats are not built to digest carbohydrates from these sources.
The best cat foods for overweight cats have a real meat source as the number one ingredient. This means the first listed ingredient is chicken, turkey, or beef. Many of the middle-tier and top-tier brands ensure that their food comes from mainly a meat source. These brands make sure that no-or minimal-grain sources are present in their foods.
Prescription Diets
When people have cats with overweight issues, it is common to take a trip to the veterinarian and get prescribed cat food with the goal of weight loss. A lot of the time the brand prescribed is Science Diet. This cat food is twice as expensive as normal cat food, because you are getting it prescribed to you.
What many cat owners do not know is that this special diet food is worse than something you can get at your local pet store. If you actually look closely at the ingredients listed, this vet food is full of the wheat and grain sources that I mentioned above. A lot of these foods do not have a meat source as the main source. Actually, a lot of these foods do not have a meat source period.
It is important to not get caught up in the hype of prescription diets. If you do your research and look at the ingredients in any cat food, you should be able to determine what cat food will be healthy enough for your cat to eat and lose weight from it.
In order to see weight loss in a cat, it is important to look at the ingredients. Once you find a brand that you trust, make sure you regulate the eating habits of your cat. If you maintain adequate eating levels of a healthy cat food, weight loss can certainly be achieved without having to spend a lot of money at the veterinarian.
If you wish to learn more about feline food and nutrition, please visit catfoodandnutrition.com for a variety of information regarding many topics.
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