What Is It Going To Be An Indoor Or An Outdoor Cat?

by: Judy Jantzen

Is your cat going to be an indoor cat or outdoor cat or an indoor cat with outdoor access? It is a big decision to make for the well being of your cat and your sanity.

You need to think carefully about the positives and negatives before deciding which way to go. Some things to consider are the dangers to your cat from other animals and mean humans. Fleas, ticks, scorpions, snakes, coyotes, rabies, etc. and do not forget annoyed neighbors.

Cats can be happy indoors, if you see to their needs. Any window with a birdfeeder and bird bath in the view can provide hours of pleasure for your cat and satisfy their stalking and hunting instincts. Open the window on nice days with a secure screen in place. A handful of chemical free grass will supply their need for green grass to eat. We keep a special patch to pick from. In the Winter months we plant a big pot of rye grass.

We lived on a 41 feet sail boat for ten years with two cats. For 5 of those years we were on a mooring and for the other five we were at a dock. We trained both cats to wear a harness when we were under way and when we were going to come into a dock. Then they quickly accepted the idea of walking on a lease, so that they could investigate their new environment. They played on the deck and went up and down stairs, dozens of times a day.

Later when we moved into a house, we continued to walk them on the lease. One cat even got to the point that we could carry him down the block and put him down. Then he would walk home on his own. He did not like to walk away from home, only the return trip. Being accepting of walking on a lease is also great for traveling purposes. It is a safe way to have your cat be outside.

Now we have two rescued cats who want nothing to do with the outdoors.They had enough fearful experiences outside. They both enjoy watching the birds from inside the patio doors, but they prefer their food in a food bowl. Just hearing a neighbors dog bark or seeing one from a window can freak them out and send them running for their safe hiding place.

We live in SE Arizona and outside cats do not last too long with coyotes, snakes, scorpions, rabies and other terrifying things.

Cats with outdoor access can treat you to fleas and ticks. They can bring you special gifts of a dead mouse or bird. They can be hurt by another cat, dog or other animals. Chase the wrong thing and it could be the last thing the cat does chase. But they do have the freedom to roam and upset the neighbors by using a flower bed as a litter box or hunting birds in the neighbors yard. Just because you think they are adorable, does not mean that others do.

The choice to declaw or not is a big and very important decision. I would suggest that you do a search and read the available information and discuss it with your vet, to make an informed decision.

As you can see the choice of an indoor cat or an outdoor cat affects not only you and your cat but your entire neighborhood so think long and hard before you make your decision. Your neighbors will appreciate your consideration.



About The Author

Judy Jantzen: http://www.authorjudyjantzen.com - My husband and I have owned cats for the past 25 years.

For more fabulous cat articles and some of the finest cat goodies available anywhere including cat food bowls, cat harness, cat leashes and cat training e-books check out our web site at: http://www.catgoodiesfinder.com

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Timid Cats

Larry Chamberlain

Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present themselves for petting, and may seem downright scared of you.

Probably, this was not exactly what you had in mind when you decided to get yourself a pet. So, is it at all possible for nervous cats to overcome their timidity and learn to trust you? The answer is yes, but you will need patience, patience, and patience.
It is usual for a kitten to be cautious and timid for the first week or so in its new home, but some kitties remain nervous of you no matter how loving and caring you are to them. Kittens that spent the first weeks of their life in the company of humans and other pets, along with the associated sounds and smells, are far less likely to be nervous cats. They will accept sharing their living space with humans more readily, and be more likely to accept petting. Your cat may have had a nasty experience before coming to your home, and is naturally apprehensive of a reoccurrence.

One way to gradually get a nervous cat used to petting is to gently wrap your pet in a thick towel, to prevent it from scratching you, and gently stroking its head. Talk to your cat
softly as you do so, and only use a light grip never hold your cat extremely tight. Set aside a time each day to perform this bonding ritual and your shy cat may grow to trust you enough to
stroke it without the towel, remember patience pays.

Great results have been obtained by owners of nervous cats by using a pet crate. Cover the sides of the crate with card or a blanket so that your cat can see through the front but still feels protected. Put the litter tray in the crate and perhaps your cats favorite toy. Start by using the crate in a room that humans are not using, but from where your cat can hear the sounds
of the house. Then, move to a place where the humans of the house can be seen carrying on their normal activity, talk to your pet soothingly. Gradually your cat may learn that there is no threat
to it from you, and you may achieve enjoying your cat's company outside the crate without any sign of nervousness.

Bribery can often work wonders with nervous cats. Try a offering a tempting healthy treat, if your cat is hungry enough to overcome its fear and stay still to eat its treat, stroke it gently, don't make sudden movements! You may have to persevere, but often your pet will eventually accept and enjoy your petting.

Never lose patience, and remember that your nervous cat is not rejecting you, it is just an in built protective reaction to something that has given kitty cause to be wary of humans. Love
and perseverance will often win the day, and you will be rewarded by your cat's affection.

Larry Chamberlain is a lifelong cat lover and webmaster of http://www.best-cat-art.com Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends

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What to do about Cat Scratching the Furniture!

Nani, a regular reader asked me about her kitty Kaline's scratching obsession with the loveseat and as it happens I do have a couple of suggestions. First, apply a layer of double sticky tape or bitter apple spray to the area you don't want Kaline to scratch. I've never personally used the bitter apple spray I've just heard it works. I KNOW the double sticky tape works. Tin foil works as well. Cats do NOT like the feel of tape/foil on their paws and will not sharpen their claws on something unpleasant to them. Its a texture thing. Foil has no texture and tape is obviously sticky. Kitties LOVE things with texture. You can also use a Kitty Off spray (I found this at Petco). It does have a bit of a nasty odor until it dries which is just minutes but the downside is you have to keep re-applying it every day until the habit is broken. Usually several weeks. Kitties also do not like citrus odors. Lemon scented sprays, popourri or even orange peels applied to the area will also help deter Kaline.

You will also need to remove her scent. There are scent glands in her face as well as her paws that help her mark her territory so use a pet odor remover to remove her smell from that spot. Natures Miracle products come to mind on that one.


Put the post where she goes to scratch. Scratching is a territorial behavior usually done in a "family area". It shows other people and animals that this is her territory and BACK OFF! There are only 3 rooms in my home that do not have a scratching post! Spray your scratching post with kitty "feel good" pheramones like Feliway brand. You could also use catnip either the spray or just rub it on. I know some cats just aren't into catnip so Feliway would be a good alternative. Personally, I would use both. Attach toys to the post. The idea is to send a clear message to Kaline that this is hers and the loveseat is not and to make the post irresistable to her.

If all else fails a squirt bottle of water when catching her in the act will also get the message across.

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Cats and Behavior - Why Cats Sulk

By Lamar Dean

Cats sulk for a number of reasons. A cat that has been scolded by its owner oftentimes will turn its back and with disdain refuse to look at him or her. Some cat owners describes this 'snubbing manner' this way: My cat turns its back, sits down on purpose, and will not respond if we call its name as it normally does, although it occasionally lays one ear back.' This conduct, noted by some owners when their pets have been corrected or disciplined in some manner, is generally referred to as a dignified sulk. But why is the cat really behaving this way?

The answer isn't that it's exhibiting wounded pride...this is usually what the owner thinks...but rather the pet is displaying its social inadequacy. Its arrogance is external, not genuine. Accepting this for some owners is hard to understand, since they have so much admiration for their feline friend. However they miss the fact that, to the cat, they're overwhelming and thus psychologically overpowering. When a cat acts up and doesn't behave and its owner snaps at it, the cat feels endangered. An owner's wrath at the cats misbehavior usually includes rough tones and intent staring. Staring is extremely unnerving to a cat and its instinctive reaction is to evade the unpleasant image of the staring eyes.

This activity is called 'cut-off' because it cuts off the input signal...the unpleasant face towering over it. It causes a twofold effect. It reduces the fearfulness in the cat itself and allows it to remain where it is, instead of moving off into the distance. It also hinders the cat from staring back, which would spell rebelliousness and possibly encourage more animosity.

The significance of this 'anti-stare' in a cat's social life is plain whenever two cats are embroiled in a status conflict. The dominant cat constantly maintains a fixated stare pointed towards its opponent. The inferior cat, if it wishes to defend its ground, purposely looks away from its foe and makes totally certain that its stare never goes anywhere near the glaring eyes of its opponent.

The stare threat event also illustrates another peculiarity of cat behavior. A few observers have observed that domestic cats, when hunting small birds in the garden, seem to be surprisingly intelligent in one specific regard. If the bird's head disappears behind some small obstacle, the cat can be seen to charge forward and pounce, as if it knows that at that moment the bird can't see its speedy approach. For the cat to rationalize this out would call for considerable


mental agility, however there is of course a simpler explanation. As long as the bird's eye is in view, it's automatically giving the cat a stare that inhibits its attacking lurch. Once the eye is accidentally out of sight behind some obstruction, the stare is turned off and the cat can attack. Studies of big cats stalking prey have uncovered a similar interaction. If the prey looks up and stares straight at the lion or tiger, the big cat looks sheepishly away as if all of a sudden it's indifferent to the whole business of predation. So for any prey with the courage to hold its ground and stare down a hunting lion, there's some considerable advantage to be earned.

Different types of cat breeds have different temperaments and personalities. Knowing those traits is important before adopting a cat. Here are some of the more popular Cat Breeds. What do you do when your pet cat gets sick? Click Here to find out

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Why Does My Cat Bite My Hand When I Stroke Her?

by Larry Chamberlain
http://www.best-cat-art.com/

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.

Larry Chamberlain lives in London, England, and has had a lifelong fascination with domestic cats. His web site http://www.best-cat-art.com provides information about all that is best in cat art. Also
pages about cat and kitten care and information on cat breeds and types.

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Discover Ten Causes Of Feline Incontinence

Are you worried that feline incontinence is a problem for your cat? You need to realize that incontinence in cats and inappropriate urination are two different things. An incontinent cat is not able to control her urine. She dribbles urine, or leaves wet spots where she's been sleeping. Often an incontinent pet is unaware that she has a problem.

Inappropriate urination, on the other hand, is when a cat is purposely urinating in places other than her litter box. This may be a behavior issue, but it can also be cause by feline lower urinary tract disease.

It's important to know the difference between the two because incontinence in cats can be a sign of serious health issues for your feline friend.


Ten Reasons For Feline Incontinence

Usually the simplest reason is feline lower urinary tract disease. One of the symptoms of a feline bladder infection is needing to urinate often. It may be that your cat just isn't able to make it to the litter box in time.


If your cat has had repeated feline urinary problems, her bladder may be scarred. This prevents her bladder from expanding to hold urine, which leads to very frequent urination.

• Cat bladder stones can cause a partial blockage of your cat's urethra, making it impossible for her to empty her bladder completely. As her bladder fills with urine, the pressure can force some urine around the blockage. If you suspect a blocked cat, get her to the vet as soon as possible, as this can be fatal within a day or two.
• A weak urinary sphincter also causes an incontinent cat. This is more common in older spayed female dogs, but it does occasionally happen in spayed cats, too, especially if they're heavy. This type of incontinence, called hormone-responsive incontinence, can develop years after she's been spayed.

• Feline diabetes can cause an incontinent cat. A diabetic cat is drinking lots more water than normal because the disease makes her very thirsty in an effort to flush the excess sugar out of her body. Of course, this makes her urinate more, too. She may have trouble making it to her litter box before she has an accident.

• Cats with feline leukemia sometimes become incontinent, too. This can happen in both males and females.
• As a cat ages, the urinary sphincter can weaken. Your cat may develop other problems as she gets older, such as diabetes, which cause her body to produce more urine than normal. Combine a very full bladder with a weak urinary sphincter, and it's easy to see why urinary incontinence in cats is the result.
• Your cat may have some kind of neurological problem with the nerves in her bladder that cause her to be unable to hold her urine.
• Bladder tumors can be another factor.
• An older cat may be getting forgetful, or in the early stages of senility, which can lead to litter box problems.

Natural Feline Urinary Support

If your furball is having cat urinary problems, it's important to take her to the vet for a check-up to rule out anything serious. Most cases of inappropriate urination are due to feline lower urinary tract disease, which can be a frustrating condition to deal with.

The most important thing you can do is to feed your cat a high-quality canned food. Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so feeding a cat dry food all the time is an invitation to disaster in the form of cat urinary problems.

You may want to consider giving your cat one of the many natural remedies for pets that are available for feline urinary support. Herbs and homeopathic remedies have a long history of success in humans, and they're very effective for pets, too. Look for a remedy that's produced by a long-standing company with a sterling reputation for producing high-quality herbal remedies for pets.

In conclusion, if your cat is showing signs of feline incontinence, you need to take steps now to help her now.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Learn more about solving the problem of feline incontinence, and find feline urinary support information at http://NaturalPetUrinaryHealth.com

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Cat Care - The Best, the Easiest, the Most Natural

By Madeleine Innocent
Raw Food Diet - Photo: © Alison007 (Flickr name) reproduced under creative commons

Caring for your cat is easy when you try to remember her origins. Being domesticated doesn't mean you should abandon how she would live in the wild. Cats have evolved in the wild over millennia. They have been domesticated for a mere trifle in comparison.

This means that their nutritional and emotional needs remain identical to those of their forebears. In attempting to provide the best cat care means looking at these needs. Lets look at their nutritional needs first.

Wild cats hunt on their own. They hunt small animals, sometimes up to about their own size, but mostly smaller than themselves. They rarely eat anything other than freshly killed meat. Contrasting this with a typical domestic cat's diet of dried pellets and you realise how off the mark commercial pet food is. Even if dried pellets were made with the best cuts of meat (which they aren't), the meat is still not fresh or raw. So, if you're trying to provide the most complete cat care, what should you feed your cat?

In my opinion, the best cat food is raw meat and bones. You can't completely duplicate a wild cat's diet, but you can come so close as to not compromise her health. Cat care starts with food as this is consumed daily. Something done daily has much more impact on our health than say something that only happens once a year.

When a cat eats her prey, she will eat all the meat, including the bones. Bones are the best source of calcium for a cat. And meat can only be properly digested when it is consumed with bones. After all, all carnivores eat meat with bones. Not only that, crunching up on bones is the best way of keeping her teeth and gums healthy, as long as they're not too big. No dried pellets can do that as well, despite the promises on the label.

Some think that giving a cat raw meat will trigger their hunting instinct. In my experience, it does the exact opposite. Because raw meat is nutrient dense, your cat will be satisfied and won't feel the need to supplement her diet as when fed a nutrient deficient diet.

Natural cat care also means providing your cat with her basic emotional and physical needs. Cats are intelligent and inquisitive. They need visual stimulation. This is best served by being outdoors, where nature provides an abundance of stimulation. If it's impossible or too dangerous to let your cat outside, do make sure she has access to safe stimulants, perhaps in the form of toys. Make sure you play with her to ensure she gets adequate exercise.

Sun is an important aspect of good cat care. Cats love the sun and it is essential to good health for all of us, not just your cat. Regular outdoor access will allow her to choose for herself. For confined cats, make sure there are times when you can open a window (safely) to allow the sun's rays in, unhindered by glass or plastic.

Easy cat care really means allowing your cat the freedom she desires. Confining cats indoors is going against good animal husbandry, I am also of the opinion that declawing cats is not only painfully inhumane, it deprives the cat of the natural joy of stretching. If you are considering declawing your cat, maybe you should also consider having a cat is not for you. Cats have already adapted a great deal to live with us. Putting them through an unnecessary, inhumane and painful operation is purely for your benefit, not your cats.

Cats provide us with an abundance affection, love and enjoyment. To provide even adequate cat care, we should at least do the same for them.

Madeleine Innocent has been a homoeopath, a natural health therapist, since 2000. She treats both people and animals and finds that when the diet of her patient is addressed, to one that is more in keeping with natural laws, at the same time as her treatment, enormous strides in the resultant good health are made. To underestimate a good, natural diet is to play Russian roulette with life.

For more information, click on this website:- http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

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Maintaining Cat Urinary Tract Health

By Tess Thompson

Feline urinary infection occurs much more frequently than cat owners would like to believe. Most of the times, the condition is idiopathic in nature, meaning that the infection has no known cause. And therefore symptoms like urinating out of the litter pan are usually assigned to behavioral causes like stress.

In fact, urinary tract infection in cats is more likely to be physiological in nature. It is part of a number of urinary problems including obstruction in the urinary passage and bladder inflammation commonly known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. It can be extremely painful to the cat as it strains to urinate but is unable to. Cat owners can be of great help if they know the reasons behind the condition and make sure that they follow some basic rules of caring for the pet.

To understand your pet better, you must understand that there is a natural reason why cats do not consume a lot of water. The evolution factor plays an important role in how animals meet their needs for maintaining life. Cats originated in desert areas and derived most of their requirement of water from food. The prey they hunted gave them enough water to sustain life. And this is the manner in which cats developed a natural aversion to drinking water separately on their own. Lack of water intake is, therefore, one of the major reasons behind the increased incidence of feline urinary tract infection.

While specific treatment depends upon the lab reports of urinalysis and other imaging investigations, you can try to prevent the condition by keeping the health of your cat’s urinary tract in proper condition.

Water is of utmost importance.

• Mix extra water if you are feeding your cat with dry cat food. You may want to add other fluids like chicken froth.
• Keep more water bowls around the house. Use bigger water bowls so that the cat’s whiskers do not touch the sides.
• If you can, try a free flowing water drinking fountain. Cats find this attractive and curiosity may encourage them to drink water.
• Wash water bowls with clean water daily. If you are using detergents make sure there is no residue as the chemical in it can be harmful.
• Avoid feeding foods that have high magnesium content like pork, beef, heart and oily fish.
• Prefer natural foods over prescription diets. Consult your veterinarian as to what you should feed so that the urine that is produced has the correct pH level.
• Add a tablespoon of vinegar to water daily. Vinegar will keep the urine pH slightly acidic and prevent formation of bladder stones, which often lead to urinary infections.
  
  
  

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When Your Cat Pants!

By Audrey Frederick

As a general rule cats do not pant, as they sweat through their paws. Having had cats most of my life I have never seen one of our cats pant.

It is said that cats pant when they are ill or when they are stressed out. Once in awhile, a cat will play hard and pant from the exertion, as will mother cats after giving birth.

Heat stroke is another cause for a cat to pant; though cats in general are smart enough not to put themselves into a position to get heatstroke, unless they are locked in a place (like a car) where they cannot get out.

Should you feel that your cat is suffering from heatstroke the best thing to do is wrap it in a cool damp towel and get it to the vet at once. Heatstroke can be fatal and quick. If you cannot get to the vet at once, cool the cat down with water from a hose. Cool water and not ice cold water is to be used.

Cats usually breathe nice quiet breaths, at an even keel, panting causes rapid breathing, usually the mouth is open, the breaths are shallow as very little air is being exchanged deep inside the cat's lungs.

What are some of the other things that can cause panting?

• A fever can be a primary cause, as the cat's temperature rises the cat will pant to rid its body of the heat.
  
• A cold will cause a cat to pant. If a cat cannot breathe through its nose naturally, it will breathe through its mouth and this may cause panting.
  
• An obstruction in the nasal passages can cause a cat to pant. Polyps are the major cause and can be easily removed surgically.
  
• Should a cat be anemic, this will cause a cat to pant as there are not enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the body.
  
• Hyperthyroidism can lead to panting which can lead to heart disease.
  
• Poisoning can also be a sign of panting, though cats are usually very discrete when it comes to eating things they should not.
  
• Fleas can transmit a parasite that may produce a fever, red blood cell problems and anemia.
  
• Respiratory problems can cause panting.
  
• Heartworms in cats cause more of a respiratory disease than a heart condition, which is just the opposite of what it does in dogs. In cats it seems the larval stage (period before they get to the heart) does the most damage. The larvae often cause a condition that looks and acts like asthma.
  
• A urinary infection in a male cat will cause extreme pain and this will cause the cat to pant.

These are just a few things that will cause a cat to pant and will require attention by your vet.

If you cat is panting excessively do not hesitate to make that phone call to your vet.

Along with panting look for signs of:

• drooling
  
• weakness
  
• deep red gums
  
• tongue and gums have turned bluish
  
• coughing or wheezing
  
• change in meow sound (voice) along with panting
  
• snoring at night along with panting or wheezing

These are all serious signs that you should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Our job as a pet parent is to keep out pets healthy and a phone call to your vet may save your cat's life and ease your mind.

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick
http://EzineArticles.com/?When-Your-Cat-Pants!&id=1151177

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Your Female Cat In Heat? How to Tell When She Is and What You Can Do

by ronalimsy

For many new cat owners, the first time a cat goes into heat is usually a worrying situation. As a cat in heat exhibits behavior which may be similar to a sick cat or a cat in pain, many cat owners think their cat is unwell, when in fact their female cat is simply in heat.

Are you surprised if I tell you that your female cat will be in heat for most of her life, until she is spayed? A cat reaches sexual maturity by 5 months of age and from then on, will be in heat for the rest of her life, unless she is spayed, old or unwell.

The only time a healthy female cat is not in heat is when she is pregnant. She will stay in heat until she is mated. Once she is mated (usually with several toms), ovulation takes place (shedding of the egg from the ovary, 1 egg per kitten). Pregnancy lasts between 56 to 63 days.

Cats go into heat more often during the warmer months, from February through September. However, in countries where there are no seasonal cycles, a female cat can be in heat throughout the year in between pregnancies!

SIGNS THAT YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT
There is a distinct change in behavior when your cat goes into heat. You will find her meowing and yowling in a tone you have never heard before. She may also not eat as well as her usual appetite and may act as if she 's in pain.

Some cats in heat are excessively friendly and will roll around on the ground when you play with her or pet her. When rubbed on her back, she will raise her hindquarters and tread with her hind limbs.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT

This really depends on what you are keeping your cat for. Is she a pet companion for you or are you keeping her in order to breed cats?

Keeping Your Cat As A Pet
If you are keeping her as a pet, do consider spaying her. The main considerations for doing this is whether you have the resources to take care of a new litter of kittens every few months. Are you able to find her kittens good homes and if not, are you able to take care of them yourself? Many kittens are put down by humane organizations because cat owners are unable to take care of them or to find homes for them.

If you are decide against spaying, then simply allowing your female cat outdoors will attract a roaming tom cat that will mate with her. Your female is likely to mate with a few toms before she goes out of heat. Do be prepared for the fights (which will probably keep you up for quite a few nights) happening between 2 or more tom cats for the right to mate with her!

Keeping Your Cat To Breed
If you are keeping your cat for breeding, try to delay the mating until she is at least one year old. Breeding is usually better if a cat is allowed to mature first.

If your cat is pedigree, make sure to keep her indoors. Tom cats from miles away (some of dubious pedigrees) are attracted by the yowling of a female cat in heat and will wait outside your home for the first chance to mate.

Consult a registered breeder to arrange for a suitable mate for your female cat. Do take a look at the tom before sending your cat to him. Ensure that the tom is vaccinated and certified free from disease.

It is advisable to bring your cat to the tom, as some toms may be distracted by an unfamiliar environment. Your cat in heat may also attack toms that are suddenly introduced to their territory.

About the Author

For more information on giving the best cat care, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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Cats and Dogs - Is Your Home a War Zone?

By Rena Murray

Some of you out there have seen the zany film, "Cats and Dogs." It is perfect for a lot of laughs over stylized antics in the classic war of "cat vs dog" if you are in the mood for something completely silly and off the wall.

But on a serious note, many dog owners who also have cats under the same roof really do seem to have a cat vs. dog war going on daily. It is scary when you do not know how to make Dog Spike and Cat Mike coexist.

Will Spike really hurt Mike? Or does Spike just chase and pester him?

What if Mike scratches Spike? Will things escalate?

What to do?

The truth about cats and dogs who were not raised together is that you may never be able to make them love each other. But here's a step-by-step process for at least bringing peace, a détente of sorts, into your home, and to protect each pet from the ravages of attack.

The first step is for you (Dog Spike's pack leader) to tell Spike that Mike is now part of the pack. Put Spike on a leash with the leash on the most sensitive part of the neck, the way they do in dog shows.

Crate the cat (never the dog for this). You cannot accomplish your goal if they are both in pet crates. That just results in a classic cat dog face off - a barking and hissing match.

Crating is especially important if the cat has a tendency to move away or scratches. You cannot let the cat run away from the situation. Running away encourages a chase, and certainly does not encourage a harmonious pack!

Sit or lie Spike down beside the crated Mike. Correct Spike with a firm (not harsh) pull UP on the leash, if he lunges at Mike or becomes fixated on him. If Mike scratches or hisses at Spike, correct him, too, but with something like a water pistol.

Move the cat's crate toward Spike and take his leash off. What you are teaching Spike to do is to ignore the cat and to respect him.

Next time, repeat the first part of making Spike sit or lie down by the crate. This time, do not make the cat (crate) come to him. Instead, make him lie down beside the crate, off leash, until he stays there with his head turned away. Acceptance with avoidance.

When Spike is cool as a cucumber around Mike, take the cat out of the crate and put a lead on him so he cannot run. (Still have Spike on leash, and pull up on the leash if he makes a mistake.)

If Spike lunges, no panic. Simply put the cat back in the crate and make Spike sit or lie down next to it, all over again.

Finally, with Cat Mike out of the crate but on leash, bring leashed Dog Spike to him and make the dog lie down. Correct the cat with a water pistol if he hisses or scratches at the dog. Stay there until the cat has accepted Spike, even if the cat is sullen and pouting a bit.

Do this as a step-by-step process, nice and easy. Before long, the classic battle between cats and dogs will be over in you home. Spike and Mike will be peacefully co-existing.

Dog Obedience Trainer - Dog Behaviorist, Rena Murray, dares to tell it like it is! Growing up with the Horse Whisper, avid wolf pack studies, Pit Bull and other dog training, Rena solves "impossible" situations, e.g., teaching an old dog new tricks, solving dog dominance and dog destructive behavior, even stopping a Doberman attack in mid-launch! Available for Consultations, Rena blends the best of the Dog Whisper and other techniques to each specific situation and will bring fresh insight to yours. See Rena's Expert Articles and subscribe to her FREE Ezine at http://www.PawPersuasion.com and comment on Rena's BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/

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How to Use Catnip if Your Cat is Stressed

Did you know that catnip can help you to de-stress your cat? Two thirds of the feline population possesses an inherited gene which is responsible for producing the classic feline reaction to catnip. This article contains some guidelines.

By Tricia Craggs

Did you know that catnip can help you to de-stress your cat? Two thirds of the feline population possesses an inherited gene which is responsible for producing the classic feline reaction to catnip.

The 'catnip effect' is caused by a volatile oil in the stems and leaves containing the chemical Nepetalactone. This chemical appears to minimize a cat's inhibition. It creates a feeling of euphoria that can last for about fifteen minutes. However, catnip is very safe for cats, with no side effects, and is not addictive at all. Overuse of catnip, though, can cause a cat to eventually become immune to the effects.

The 'catnip effect'

When a responsive cat comes into contact with catnip, she will sniff it, lick it, roll in it, bite it and rub her head and chin against it repeatedly, purring, growling or meowing, and even leaping about. Many of these movements imitate those seen when a cat is in heat, leading to one theory that catnip is a female feline aphrodisiac. However, the fact that male and female cats react in the same way to catnip casts doubt on this.

Using catnip to improve behavior problems

1. Catnip is very good at relieving stress and tension. This makes it a very useful tool in dealing with stressful situations you may have to place your cat in. Examples of this would be taking your cat in the car with you, moving your household, or perhaps having company in the house that frightens your kitty (like small children when your pet is unused to them). Catnip will help in any situation where your cat is uneasy.

2. Catnip can be used to help a very timid or frightened cat become more confident. You may be bringing home a new timid cat or perhaps have rescued a scared one from a cat rescue shelter; catnip will almost always help it to react in a more positive and friendly way. It will be easier to get it to play with you - which is a great start to making it feel at home with you, and less anxious.

3. If you are trying to encourage a cat to play more and be more active, (perhaps after an illness) try some toys containing catnip. Cat toys containing fresh catnip are more effective than ones which have been around for a while. The fresher the catnip, the more the reaction.

4. If you have more than one cat in your home, be careful not to introduce catnip to them all at the same time. Some males may have a tendency to cross the line from friendly play to dominant aggression while they are under the influence of catnip. By keeping them separated, you can assess the effects of catnip on each one and avoid any possible confrontations. If they react in a friendly manner, then they can all play with catnip together.

To conclude, remember not to overuse catnip or the effects will eventually diminish as your kitty becomes immune. Catnip is easy to grow, so use fresh catnip in catnip toys as much as possible. Although, even after a catnip toy has lost the catnip odor, cats will still play with them, but more from habit. Catnip is a herb which is harmless and non-addictive to cats, both wild and domesticated.


About the Author:

Find the best tips on using catnip to improve your cat's behavior by visiting www.all-about-cat-care.com.

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CATS ARE SMART!!

If the right definition for the term “Intelligence” would be “the ability to acquire and remember information and the capability to use them while solving different problems”, then the cat is definitely the most intelligent animal from all those surrounding us.

Try to put an adult cat in a room in which she has never been before and see how she is inspecting every corner of that room. This detailed search gives her valuable information about the environment, information that can even save her life in some cases. Actually, the curiosity specific to cats never harmed them, on the contrary it gave her the reputation of having nine lives!

We all know that the ability cats have to inspect surroundings is legendary, but, at the same time it has been proven that this ability is superior to that of any other domestic animal.

The intellectual capacity of the cat is demonstrated by her ability of using information she already has to pass safely through certain situations. Cats are capable of forming “learning methods”, a characteristic that was supposed to belong only to primates.

Cats learn through observation, imitation, trying and of course, mistakes, just like people. The stories with cats being able to open draws or cupboards are many, but there also are cats that can turn on the lights or use the toilet, and this is possible only by carefully observing the ones that know how to do these things, their owners.

Considering the fact that the cat is the most intelligent domestic animal, it is very important that the owner knows very clearly the limits of her cognitive processes, because conferring the pet human motives can cause damage and behavioral problems.

For example, a cat cannot reflect upon the past or think in perspective, so punishing her for something she has done only minutes earlier is useless, because the cat is not capable of connection the punishment with her actions. The same way, cants can’t claim revenge for a past punishment.

In conclusion, don’t underestimate the intelligence of your cat! Try and know better your pet and act in such a manner that living together can be a benefic experience for both of you.

About the Author:

Ken Charnley is a personal finance enthusiast with http://www.online-loans-pro.com/ dedicated to quality information on online loans. For all your online loan needs visit and Apply For Loans Online

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How to Recognize a Neglected Cat

by Morgen Marshall

Many people think their cat's behaviors are because the cat was abused or neglected. I want to clear this up for you. Abused cats are rare. Most cats are just wary of strangers. Bad behavior is usually because they were never taught correctly or played with aggressively. So, how can you identify an abused or neglected cat? Let's look at what cat abuse and neglect look like and then we can talk about the cat's responses:

Cat Abuse can be intentional or unintentional. Usually, unintentional abuse is called "neglect" and is addressed by humane societies all over the world. There are actually three levels of abuse. Neglect, Over-Discipline (over use of discipline tools) and Intentional Abuse. This article addresses the Neglect, which is the most benign form of abuse.

Description of Neglect

Neglect means not addressing the animal's primary needs for survival - water, food, shelter, rest and hygienic elimination. Then there is the more severe type, where a cat is forced to live in filth, confined to a cage all the time, or denied companionship with people or other animals. Many times, this can be caused by not spaying or neutering your pet. Unwanted kittens, or too many cats, is the primary cause for almost all of this type of abuse. Sometimes, a person is too ill or has allergies. Maybe a person is trying to keep a cat in an environment that makes it impossible to properly care for a cat.

I remember many years ago, seeing a homeless man walking down the street with his belongings in a shopping cart. Homeless people were harder to find then, so he stood out. He was pushing the cart with one hand and had a carrier with a cat in it, in the other. I felt sorry for both, but being a child, I didn't know what to do. The cat was experiencing neglect, but felt much love. The man, I'm sure, didn't know he was doing harm to the cat. He just knew that he couldn't let his beloved cat go into a shelter - at that time all the shelters I knew of were kill-shelters.

An older cat (over a year) has little chance of coming out of a kill shelter. Most people want a kitten. The grown cats are often given no more than 2 weeks to find a home and then euthanized. This heartbreaking situation often occurs when people lose their homes, develop allergies or find that they just don't want to deal with the discipline and behavior problems that developed in the cat. The single biggest reason people give up a cat is inappropriate elimination. Next, come allergies, followed by death of the cat's owner. Some cats are surrendered because the person moves and is unable to find pet-friendly accommodations.

I understood the man's feelings of love and concern for his feline companion. I also understood that the cat couldn't live in that carrier for long. There was no safe place for them. No homeless shelter would take a man with a cat. In this case, I think the abuse is unintentional - neglect, by description. However, I think the heart of both the cat and the man were in the right place, just that the situation was unfortunate.

In news reports, we sometimes hear of breeding farms where cats are bred to the point of exhaustion and kept in sub-optimal conditions. We hear of people who just keep bringing home strays until they are over-run and can no longer take care of them, and the cats become a neighborhood problem. All of these situations can produce neglect.

Now, let's turn to the cat's response to neglect. How does a cat respond? Why does it do that? By understanding the specific situation and response, we can address the resulting problem behaviors with love, patience and training.

Effects of Neglect

A cat left in a cage with other animals nearby is often skittish and afraid of people. It expects food and a clean litter box on occasion, but cuddles and attention may make it uncomfortable. These cats often have no privacy issues in the cage, but once free, they are very private about their litter habits. If the cat was kept in a small carrier, it may soil itself, or hold back elimination until it is very uncomfortable. It may be dehydrated and need medical attention. The cat will be overweight from lack of activity. It may be apathetic when play is offered, not knowing what is expected. Electric lights may be something that set off a fear response in the cat because it means that people are coming. In other cases, darkness may be scary at first. Once the cat's eyes adjust to the light level, it will be all right, but when the lights are turned off or on, the cat may cry or hiss. In the case of a cat kept in the dark except when people are coming, it may be fearful the entire time the lights are on, while also expecting food, water and a clean litter box to be provided.

These cats don't do well with handling. The less you try to pet, hold or cuddle these cats at first, the better. Let the cat come to you. It will, given time. Be sure to care for it's creature comforts - food, water, bed, clean litter box - but don't expect a cuddly cat for a while. That will come when the cat feels that it can trust you. It may be afraid of the sound of your feet on the floor. It may run when you come into a room. As time goes on, the cat will stay and just watch you. Another time, you may be able to approach and offer a scratch behind the ear. Eventually, you will be able to give a full cuddle. Do not try to pick the cat up, but you can pet it and the cat won't run away or feel assaulted. When the cat responds with a purr, an offer of a cheek or an ear, or you can stroke the spine and the cat isn't trying to run away, then you have a cat that is only cautious of you. Continue until the cat comes for cuddles, which may already be happening. Still do not try to pick the cat up. If it wants your lap, it will come. This cat may still run from you if discovered in a windowsill, on a dresser or surprised in the litter box. Say your cat's name in a conversational tone and the cat will eventually not run away and perhaps allow a stroke. In the case of the litter box, just say the cat's name, but never try to cuddle a cat in the litter box. If you can provide a privacy screen, the cat may stay in the room.

These cats need socialization. They need to learn to live with others outside of a cage. They need gentle discipline and may not know the meaning of the word "no." They will love feeding time but be afraid if you need to walk near their food bowls, and run from the food. Give them time, move slowly and talk gently in their vicinity. They need to learn what people are about in a good way.

Once your cat has learned to trust you a little bit, enough to not run away when you enter a room or even starts to come to you, then you can begin to bond with your cat. A tickler wand is your best friend for this. Gently shake the wand so that the end twitches. Your cat will be interested, but may only watch at first. If your cat goes for it, excellent! When your cat gets hold of the business end of the wand, allow your cat to feel the success by keeping the wand steady for a few moments. When the cat lets go, you can start to twitch it again. The cat will play with you in this manner for quite a while. When the cat tires, put the wand up out of the way so that your cat is forced to play with you, not just the wand. If your cat grabs the wand in it's mouth and tries to run away with it, offer resistance and don't let go of the wand. Some cats want to take the wand and hide it under a couch or in a corner so they can worry over it for a while. Don't allow this - the cat needs to play with you, not just the wand. After about ten days of playing with the wand, you will see your cat become more accepting of its new circumstances. Your cat should assimilate into the household well. There may be people it does not accept, and those persons can also play with the cat to promote bonding.

Under no circumstances should you perpetuate the abuse or neglect! Any discipline needs to be done gently and with care. A squirt bottle, long a favorite tool for discipline, should only be used in the beginning stages of training, while the cat is learning the word "no." After that, you should not need it. Redirection is your best training technique. When your cat gets into or expresses interest in something that you don't want to see it getting involved with, redirect it's attention to something that it is allowed to be involved with or have.

Some of these cats can be clicker trained, but the bond with the person needs to be present, first. Concentrated training to condition the cat to the clicker will be needed. Some cats may be so skittish that even the best treats will not condition the cat to the clicker. If your cat runs from the clicker after a week of conditioning, do not continue. Your cat will never be comfortable with the unexpected noise it makes. You are better clapping your hands and saying "no" to stop bad behaviors than trying to clicker train for positive behaviors.

These cats will be extremely grateful for good treatment. One expression of that love, biting, may not be acceptable - especially if the cat bites hard and uses the canine teeth. Push your hand or finger into the mouth instead of pulling out so that the cat will not be able to bite down and cause you injury. You can push in hard enough to cause the gag reflex, but never harder. Never cause the cat injury in response to an injury to your person. Hitting is never acceptable - but raising a flat hand so that the eyebrow whiskers can feel it is acceptable.

If you must pick up your cat, as in putting the cat in the carrier or removing it to another room, pay attention to the cat's body. Be sure to pick the cat up by the ribs and the hind legs at the same time to minimize stress to the cat. If the body is stiff, don't hold the cat to your chest. Allow the cat to struggle, but stay out of the way of the claws. When you place the cat down (don't let it jump), stroke its back if you can. Talk to the cat. It will stop a few paces away and look at you. The cat may come to you for a scratch if offered. Always talk softly and lovingly to your cat.

With all these admonitions and dos and don'ts, you may think that a neglected cat is too much trouble. Not that much, really. They take some time getting used to people, but once they trust you and know you have their best interests at heart, these cats will come to love you very much. The early stages with a neglected cat are the most critical. After that, you may find a loving, caring, demanding cat. Demanding because it may never want to be separated from you. Demanding because whatever it was denied before it will crave from you. Moreover, you will be loved, very deeply. It will care about you in its fashion. If your are down or blue, possibly sick, the cat will worry over you and try to find a way to comfort you. These cats are very responsive to their people. Hypersensitive is a good description. Empathic is another good description of their behavior. Some cats even approach a symbiotic relationship with their people.

Give love and patience, and love and patience will be returned. Give concern and care and those are returned. A neglected cat is one of the best pets for a single, older person. The cat will be tuned to that person in short order. It will give love and affection to ease the loneliness and loss these people sometimes experience. When the person is ill, the cat will understand and be there to comfort, while allowing the person to care for him or herself.

Morgen Marshall, an online Cat Whisperer, helps people who love cats live in harmony and health with the cats in their worlds. She counsels cat owners and cat lovers from all over the world at her website For the Love of Cats

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Cat Chat - The Communication Between Cat Whisperer and Felines

By Kelvin Westly

A cat whisperer is a person who communicates with cats better than other cat owners. But they communicate so much better with cats such that their conversations are sometime what we called as a cat chat.

They are just people who are lucky enough to have a cat show up at their doorstep. Plus they are very successful with that cat.

Many a times, cats such as the black cats and alley cats will "knock" at someone's door and decided to move into their homes. The reasons can be many, such as being abandoned or just taken a liking for that particular person's house.

Many people will assume that a cat whisperer is being regarded as a therapist for cats, as they can understand the felines about their needs and wants as if they are having a conversation with them all the time. Plus, most of the entire whisperers did not go through any kind of training but they just know it naturally.

Abused or mistreated felines have been traumatized and will not respond to anyone other than a cat whisperer. Others who wanted to help the cat will only make matters worse by making the cat feel scared and afraid.

Cats that have been mistreated previously will not trust anyone so easily. They are often traumatized and confused and they feel pain just like humans do. You can always know which cat is being physically abused by the sight of it. But emotionally depressed felines can be perfectly healthy but emotionally, they have been wrecked. Thus, they are harder to understand, especially if they are strays initially.

Conversely, the whisperers can communicate with both physically and emotionally abused cats via their special "cat chat" ability. Cats instinctively know who can be their cat whisperer - one who they sense trust with. Felines are familiar with cat whisperers, but they are unknown to most people. Although a cat whisperer can communicate better with cats, time is still the catalyst to help heal the abused cat.

Kelvin Westly is a caring and passionate cat owner. You can discover more about cat chat and cat care tips at: Cat Care Secrets Revealed

Get a Free minicourse and more cat chat, cat care and training tips, visit: http://www.catcaresecretsrevealed.com/cat-chat-how-cats-communicate.html

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