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

Sphere: Related Content

Cool Tools for Pet Pests

There are LOTS of products to protect your dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, rats etc., and if you give me a minute I'll sell you all of them at http://www.gonatures.com but today I'm out to save you some money, get you much closer to your pet, and eliminate the need for my own Flea & Tick products. Here's a few tips you can easily use to deal with Ticks, Fleas and other small insect parasites that, literally, LIVE to hitch a ride on your little loved ones.

Eucalyptus: I've had 2 separate successful incidents of eliminating a flea infestation in my home using this common tree. By Infestation I mean fleas jumping on my bare feet while just walking through a room. It got that bad because we did NOT want to use an insecticide at all, let alone INSIDE our house! I did a lot of research on natural methods of dealing with fleas and ticks. Most were a bust, but we did find a write-up in Jethro Kloss' "Back to Eden" that suggested using Eucalyptus.

Here's what we did: There happened to be a grove of Eucalyptus trees just across the road from our house. We went over there and picked up a bunch of fallen branches and cut a few down too. We took them all across the street, took all the leaves off and spread them all over the house. About 48 hours later, there wasn't a flea or tick to be found, not even on Disco (the cat) or Toke (The dog). As it turns out, most insects, including fleas and ticks, are not particularly fond of the scent. They simply left on their own. We were delighted that we didn't have to harm anything, including the pests we wanted to be rid of, while solving a real problem with no cost what so ever.

Years later I had the same problem with a roommates' Cat. My roommate insisted her name was "Sly" but I called her "The Evil One"! That's a story for another day, however. This time there were no Eucalyptus trees to be found and we didn't have the luxury of raiding a nearby grove. So I tried the next best thing. I learned that it was the scent that the nasty little buggers didn't like, so I went to "the Body Shoppe" at the Mall and got some Eucalyptus oil and put it in a spray bottle with a bunch of warm water and walked through the house spraying every carpet and rug I could find. Furniture too! Sure enough, about 48 hours later, we were free of fleas and ticks.

Love that Jethro Kloss! He also suggested making a shampoo for furry animals that includes good concentrations of Pennyroyal. It's as effective as any current meds available today but it's a lot more labor intensive. You have to shampoo your pets regularly, about every 5-7 days in some cases. The labor comes in when you have to negotiate with a cat to give them a shampoo ONCE let alone every 5 days. The Dogs had fun with the whole operation, though. When they got out of the tub naturally they would run through the house shaking the water off their coats (Pennyroyal and all) all over the house. Immunizing the rugs and furniture in the process. How thoughtful!

Lastly, and this one works for Ticks much better than fleas, you can pick up some "Brewer's Yeast" or "Nutritional Yeast" in the bulk section of most grocery stores these days and certainly at any natural food store. Just sprinkle a little bit on your dog or cat's food every so often. When a tick bites your loved one they don't like the taste and start looking for another host to hitch a ride on. Don't over do the yeast sprinkling even though you dogs and cats love the taste. It gave Disco and Toke the runs because I started out thinking I had to use a heavy concentration. Just a little will do the trick and you'll save yourself the nasty chore of cleaning up runny,,, um,,, well, you get my meaning!

As an aside: A little Brewer's Yeast and soy sauce on your popcorn and/or your baked potatoes is a real delight at my house and it DOESN'T give us the runs. Since you already have some in the house now anyway…..

So if you don't want to go to all the trouble of using these "Back to Nature" tricks, we have a variety of solutions for your pets that are also natural, but we do all the work FOR you. Stop by and see what we have for you and your funny furry freaky friends at
http://www.gonatures.com
Much Love, Gregory

Sphere: Related Content

Chicken Gizzards And its Role In Preventing Cystitis In Cats

Author: Sarah Smith

Cystitis is a very common problem encountered in the cat community. Typically there are signs of blood in the urine, straining to urinate or even worse, a blocked bladder. If your cat has ever had a blocked bladder you will know that this is a life-threatening emergency. You need to get your beloved puss up to your vet as quickly as you can.

In my practice this condition is very common. It is more serious for males than for females in that the male cats urine outflow pipe, the urethra, is very fine. It can easily become blocked by blood clots or crystalline sludge. Typically there is a dietary history of feeding dry cat food. One thing we always advise is to stop feeding the dry food. Some cats are addicted to eating dry food and refuse to eat anything but dry food. These cats do better if they swap to a prescription diet designed to be lower in the minerals that cause the crystals that cause the blockage. They also contain a urinary acidifier to reduce the chances of minerals forming together to create the crystals. Some cats will still have problems regardless of what they eat.

One of my interests as a veterinarian is to look at alternative ways of treating these common, often frustrating and frequently life threatening conditions.

In my reading around the subject of cystitis in cats and possible approaches I came across an interesting thought.

In traditional Chinese medicine the development of cystitis and crystals in the urine is considered a form of DAMPNESS. Dampness is correlated to the presence of food allergies or sensitivities and incomplete digestion. Many of the Chinese medicines used specifically for the treatment and dissolution of bladder stones or crystals contain the inner lining of chicken gizzards, also called ji nei jin.

Chicken gizzard lining has been used for over 2,000 years in China. Initially it was used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Later it developed a reputation for promoting digestion and astringing fluid discharge. The digestion promoting effects were prominent on both meat and grains. The astringing effect was found to actually break down kidney and urinary stones.

An active principle, named ventriculin was named as the component that gave chicken gizzards its medicinal effects.

In the wild situation one of the main food sources for cats is birds. Obviously not chickens but chickens are birds and all birds have gizzards. I have to say I'm not entirely sure about what goes into the moist style of cat food in a can but I do wonder how much chicken gizzards are incorporated. I doubt that there are any in the dry form of cat food and I often wonder just how digestible it really is anyway.

It makes sense to me to consider adding chicken gizzards to our cats dinners. The eating of birds by cats is greatly frowned upon in many circles. It is especially unacceptable in the National Park where I live.

Obtaining chicken gizzards is at best a challenge. It can however, be readily accessed in its medicinal form of ji nei jin.

Given that it is a natural component of the wild cat diet and its historical use in Chinese medicine as a treatment for cystitis, urinary stones and digestive disorders in humans it seems logical to consider supplementing cats diets with ji nei jin especially if they are prone to urinary tract problems.

Sarah Smith is a student with Success University. Her online studies are teaching her to create a healthy work and home life balance. She is learning the secrets of attracting success in ALL areas of her life. Sarah is a student with Success University. Learn to Create a Successful Home Business Collect your FREE E-book

http://www.successful-home-business-connection.com

Sphere: Related Content

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

Sphere: Related Content

Tips For Spotting 5 Hot Cat Health Symptoms Needing Immediate Attention

No matter how much love and attention you give, felines experience cat illnesses. Recognizing cat health symptoms is challenging because, unlike their human caregiver, cats are rather stoic soldiers. They don't go around grumping when they have a belly ache.

Here are 5 Hot Cat Health Conditions that should alert you that your feline is fighting off sickness or injury.

1 - A Loss of Appetite

Train yourself to be a responsive and observant caregiver. Take notice when a cat has stopped eating or skipped a meal. If your cat experiences trouble eating, drinking or swallowing, then there is a cause for concern. It is a big RED, FLASHING LIGHT that something is wrong.

A change or lack of appetite can happen slowly or suddenly. Recognizing a change in appetite can be complicated if food is left out for cats to share in a multi-cat household. Her appetite may be off because she is struggling with a hairball or she ate a bad mouse. Far worse, she consumed a poisoned mouse and she is now poisoned, or she is in the early stages of a serious illness like kidney disease or fatty liver syndrome.

When your cat misses a couple of meals it is time for a visit to the vet. Do not wait to see if she is going to suddenly start eating. The sudden drop in food intake causes damage to the liver. This turns into a vicious cycle where the cat won't eat because her liver is sick and no food intake aggravates the liver damage.

2 - She Is Lethargic

A noticeable change in your cat's energy levels is also a good indicator that something is awry. Cats do sleep a lot, as much as 18-20 hours a day. However, if you notice she has zero interest in her beloved toys or catnip, she is quietly telling you something is wrong. She has pain or a fever and feels lousy.

3 - She's Losing Weight

She probably isn't eating well. When cats are sick they stop eating. When you lift your cat does she feel lighter than normal? Weight loss goes hand-in-hand with loss of appetite, but it can also be a sign of kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes and cancer. Weight loss is considered a serious sign of cat illness and should prompt an immediate trip to the veterinarian.

4 - She's Drinking A Lot of Water (Urinating A Lot Too!)

Does she fall to sleep while drinking at the water bowl? The good news is that she's still drinking. A increased need for water leads to an increase in urine. Obviously the two are linked together. After all, if she takes a lot of water in, it has got to go out sometime. Common causes of excessive thirst and urination include kidney disease, diabetes and elevated thyroid levels.

5 - Urination Is Painful or Interrupted

When a cat strains using the litter box, has accidents outside the box, squats for a long time, cries, or repositions herself over and over, you have spotted a problem indicating one or more cat illnesses. If you could view her urine under a microscope, odds are you would find traces of blood.
Male cats may lick at the tip of the penis or suddenly lose his appetite, vomit or become very vocal during urination. More than likely he is experiencing a complete blockage. A male cat that is straining during urination is having a fire-alarm emergency. Get him to the vet pronto.

When a female cat strains during urination it may not be a complete blockage because her urethra (the tube that drains the bladder to the outside) is wider than a male cat's and is less likely to clog. However, if she can't urinate that means she can't eliminate her body's liquid waste. A blocked cat becomes ill in 24 hours and can die in 72 hours -- don't wait for the weekend to pass!

Your veterinarian can unblock the urethra by inserting a catheter. This removes the obstruction allowing the urine to drain. It is most easily accomplished with early detection of the problem.
Urinary problems can be caused by a number of things, including bladder stones in the urethra, dietary causes, bacterial infections and the least understood problem, feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD). This illness can be related to stress or a virus similar to a human's cold sore.
Some cat illness can be handled with gentle care and love at home, but other conditions are potentially life-threatening requiring immediate medical attention. As a feline caregiver, there is a certain amount of on-the-job training, but delaying a trip to the vet or waiting to see if things improve can be expensive or even cost your feline her life.

Your relationship with your cat is what helps you get through your personal trials and rough times. If you lost her because you failed to recognize a life-threatening, but treatable condition would you always regret your ignorance? The answer is obvious isn't it?

Bottom line: Don't be shy about calling your vet. Also, find a trusted resource to coach you through cat behavior or cat care questions and your chances for having a delightful, loving and long-lived feline partner become a whole lot better.

Kate Rieger has been owned by 15+ cats and is a champion of spay and release for her feral cat neighbors. She is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic and together through adoptions, education programs and spay/neuter efforts, they provide affordable solutions to reducing the pet overpopulation crisis in the Kentuckiana region. Never one to be short on opinion, she is on good behavior during her speaking engagements at local schools, organizations and on local and national radio talk shows. Drop by and pick up more free tips on using natural remedies to treat

cat health symptoms and naturalize your pet care today at http://www.Pet-Natural-Remedies.com

.

Sphere: Related Content

A Guide to Holistic Cat Care For Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

By Darlene L. Norris

Have you ever wondered if holistic cat care would help with feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD? Many cat owners who have had a long and frustrating battle with feline cystitis wonder if natural feline urinary support would help.

What Is Holistic Cat Care?

Holistic care involves looking at your kitty as a whole, as an alternative to focusing on her kidneys and bladder when she has cat urinary problems. Instead of just treating the symptoms of FLUTD, a holistic practitioner will want to know about your cat's diet, and stress in her life. Natural remedies for pets are often used, too.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease And Your Cat's Diet

Many cat owners don't realize that there's a direct link between their cat's diet and feline lower urinary tract disease. Ads on tv and in magazines tell us repeatedly how great dry food is for our cats. It has all the nutrients your cats needs, yes. But that's not the whole truth.

In the wild, cats don't drink much water, for the simple reason that they've been designed to get most of their water from their food. All people and animals are over 90% water. A cat who eats mice and other prey animals will almost completely satisfy her water requirements.

It's a different story for our kitties. We want to do the best for them, so we feed them what we have been told is the best possible diet. But dry cat food has a moisture content of less than 10%. This is good for a long storage life, but it's not so good for your cat's health. A cat who eats only dry food is probably a chronically dehydrated cat, since it's hard for her to drink enough water to make up the difference between what's in her diet, and what her body needs.

Did you know that kidney failure is the leading cause of death in older cats? It can be the result of a lifetime of chronic dehydration.

It's also been proven that the best way to prevent FLUTD is to increase the amount of water going through your cat. A more than adequate water intake flushes impurities out of your cat's body and his urinary system. Be sure your kitty always has access to plenty of clean fresh water.

Cat Stress Is Linked To Feline Cystitis

Most of us would think that our cats lead a charmed life. Wouldn't it be great to just lay around and sleep all day?

Well, maybe not. Cats face a lot more stress than most of us realize. Just being an indoor cat is a stress on an animal that's meant to be outside hunting, and slinking around in the dark. Add a lack of exercise, too much of the wrong food, not enough water, annoyances from other cats and pets, and just being cooped up inside, and you can see that maybe life isn't quite as easy as you thought for your fur ball.

Feline interstitial cystitis has been linked to cat stress. If your vet can't find any reason for your cat's bladder inflammation, maybe you should be looking for hidden stress in your cat's life.

Natural Feline Urinary Support

You may be interested in one of the many natural remedies for pets available now. You should look for one that contains the herbs uva ursi and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris. These remedies work together to provide natural feline urinary support to keep your cat's urinary system working well.

Your goal now? To use holistic cat care to keep your cat healthy and to prevent feline cystitis.

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 holistic cat care, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com/

Sphere: Related Content

Paws and Pesticides, A Deadly Combination

by: Dori Schwaiger

For the sake of your pets and family, please stop using chemical pesticides.

Toxic pesticides are considered an active poison. They are extremely dangerous to your health, your pets health and our environment.

Every year, thousands of domestic pets and wild life lose their lives to the ravaging effects of pesticide poisoning. Most pet lovers also enjoy gardening and the great outdoors. Little do they know what caustic ingredients are in the pesticides that are being sprayed on lawns and green areas. We take for granted that most herbicides used by gardeners or sold in stores are safe. Many name brands such as "Weed n' Feed" and "Round Up" contain the same deadly cancer causing ingredients that were found in Agent Orange. Another synthetic poison found in these two well known garden products is 2,4-D. It is also the active ingredient found in "Killex." It can cause loss of reflex in humans along with comas, kidney and liver failure. In dogs it is the number one killer causing malignant lymphomas, a form of cancer.

Sadly, just five percent of pesticides reach their target weeds and garden pest. The rest are absorbed into our earth, targeting our water supplies through a process called run off or simply just dissipates into our air. Major health damage can occur when Toxic Pesticides are absorbed through our skin, swallowed or inhaled. When not applied correctly, pesticides can settle on ponds, pools, children's toys, pets left outdoors and even drift through open windows settling on our furniture, bedding and even our floors. This deadly poison is often tracked into our homes by our shoes and pets paws.

We all face the continuing problem of toxic by-products through years of pesticide residue that is in our food supply and everyday environment. What we don't realize is how wide spread pesticide poisoning really is. These caustic chemicals are virtually used in all of our public buildings including our children's schools and play yards, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and private homes. Pesticide abuse is used in our agriculture and forest areas.

Why are Pets Vulnerable to Pesticide Poisoning?

- Pets spend most of their time close to the ground, this is where pesticide concentration is highest.

- Pets ingest most pesticides while grooming themselves. Any contact with chemicals connect with their fur and paws and is then ingested by the pet.

- Pets spend more time outside and play in heavily treated areas.

- Pets have higher absorption rates than human systems. Animals may be more sensitive and easily poisoned by conditions deemed safe to people.

Signs of Pesticide Poisoning In Pets

- Excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth.

- Loss of thirst and appetite.

- Vomiting or diarrhea.

- Immune function decline.

- Convulsions and disorientation.

- Birds and fish die due to toxic runoff in our water supply.

- Feline thyroid disease.

- Dogs contract cancer (malignant lymphoma)

What Can We Do To Stop Pesticide Poisoning?

- Adapt an alternative "green" solution for pest control.

- Enjoy your weeds and bugs. They are part of nature.

- Educate yourself about pesticides used by your HOA, Lawn Service and immediate neighbors.

- Do not allow your pets to drink from ponds or outside water sources - always keep fresh, clean water readily available.

- Leash your pets, allowing them to run free is not a good idea.

- Bathe and brush your pets often.

- Wash down your outdoor living area.

- Think Eco-conscious when dealing with your environment.

Protect yourself and your pets from synthetic pesticides by being an educated consumer and willing activist in our Eco-system.



About The Author

Dori Schwaiger is an expert author on Health & wellness, she is also an avid animal lover and very passionate about animal rights. Please visit Dori's website http://www.tophealthspot.com for more interesting articles. You will also find thousands of name brand Health & Lifestyle products for yourself as well as your pet.

Sphere: Related Content

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.
  
  
  

Sphere: Related Content

The Dangers of Mulch!

Cocoa mulch is amazing for your plants and smells fantastic -- but be sure to keep your pets away!

"CLEVELAND -- Pet experts say a cocoa mulch can pose a serious health risk to pets. This type of mulch is made of the husks of the cocoa bean.
Local landscapers said it has become popular in northeast Ohio recently because of its aroma. But that aroma can also reportedly attract dogs and cats.

If a pet consumes a large amount of mulch it can cause them serious digestive problems, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA."


Read the article >>

Sphere: Related Content

The Wildlife Basics to Cat Health

By Bruce Maul

The endless cat and mouse chase has been immortalized in literature countless times. And what makes this prey and predator relationship tick also finds relevance in the diet and nutrition of felines. Ever heard about cats chasing grains, or fruits and vegetables? Felines are carnivorous creatures that find nourishment over a few pounds of meat protein daily and a steady supply of water to supplement a dry diet. Moreover, nature bestowed felines with shorter digestive tracts that would not be able to handle carbohydrate enriched foods as well as plant fibers efficiently. Thus, an omnivore diet would only render your pet obese or perhaps devoid them of the nutrients vital to cat health and this sets the stage for serious pet health problems. Likewise, feeding your pet with meat by-products often laden with preservatives and other inorganic substances does not help to this end either.

Replicating feline diet in the wild becomes the likely key to optimal cat health. Consequently, cats require natural forms of medication, as much as they need animal protein. Know that most pet illnesses are typically food based, borne of nutritional deficiencies that manifest in the form of allergies or instances of hormonal imbalance. Most likely, the overuse of antibiotics and multiple vaccines in the name of disease treatment induces more harm than healing and can breakdown your pets immune defenses. In matters of cat healthcare and disease prevention, your pet would truly achieve sustained healing from a treatment of herbal extracts, or perhaps a pet herbal supplement formula.

While veterinary medicine is known for its cunning ability to swiftly heal symptoms, the chemical substances put forth in its manufacture can also compromise cat health through the undue impairment of pet immune defenses that makes them susceptible to the antigens of chronic infections. The administration of a pet herbal supplement formula will not damage the functions of vital antibodies nor produce side effects detrimental to cat health.

Pet health products, and specifically, herbal supplement products, are manufactured from a safe and therapeutic blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients intended to mildly clear the symptoms of an infection while probing deeper into the disease in order to correct an imbalance or systemic disorder that may actually be causing the onset of an infection. Furthermore, pet herbal remedies are concocted with tonic herbs to restore wellness and vitality in your pet.

Do not risk your cats health and wellness with the daily feeding of processed pet food as well as in the administration of inorganic substances for disease treatment. Time to get back to the wildlife basics of nutrition and healing for your pet, meat protein for his feed and an herbal supplement formula to treat the symptoms of diseases. This will not only extend the life of your pet cat, but also sustain its vigor during the geriatric stage.

Bruce Maul is a partner in Goldf Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting http://www.myherbalremedystore.com

Sphere: Related Content

Making the Big Decision - Euthanasia

Copyright © 2006-2008 Gary Kurz

As an author of books in the pet loss genre, I often receive e-mail where I am asked "Do you think that I did the right thing by putting my best friend down?" The question is always qualified by a very heart-wrenching and moving story about the rapidly declining health of the family pet, which resulted in making the "big decision".

Almost without exception, the inquirer expresses a deep sense of guilt from having made that choice, which, in all probability, is the real reason for their writing to me...to help them with that guilt. Essentially, I am being asked to approve of a decision made during a period of great duress without much background information. It is a task that I do not relish, but one that I cannot and will not avoid.

Making such a decision is one of the most difficult things a person who loves animals will ever have to do. Our pets are perpetual children to us: children, because they depend upon us for all of their needs (food, shelter, medical attention, etc.); and, perpetual, because they never grow up and leave the nest.

They do not marry. They do not go to college. They remain utterly dependent upon us throughout their lives. When our children leave home, we still love them and provide help when they ask for it, but generally they have their own lives to live and we no longer make decisions for them. But for our furry children, the decision-making responsibilities permanently fall to us.

Is it any wonder then, that when we have had to prematurely hasten their passing, we blame ourselves or feel guilt? After all, they depended upon us and somehow we let them down. Somehow we should have had control and been able to prevent their illness or injury.

The truth is, however, we have no control over such things. We cannot know when illness will strike. We cannot know when an animal will dig a hole under the fence and run into the street. We can take all the necessary safety precautions, feed them the best food, get them regular check-ups, but we cannot foresee the future. Accordingly, from a reality standpoint, there is no basis for feeling guilty when unexpected circumstances force us to decide to help our best friend pass on.

From a perceptional standpoint, when someone is so broken that they feel compelled to seek my help, pouring out their most intimate emotions to a complete stranger, this suggests to me that they could never have failed their best friend by making a poor decision. It just is not in them to have not been vigilant and caring. It is my perception that they could have done nothing to deserve the guilt they torture themselves with.

It has been my experience rather, that such people possess great love and devotion for their pets. Invariably, they will have done anything within their power to extend the life of their best friend if it were at all possible to do so.

Indeed, I can attest that some who have contacted me have spent literally tens of thousands of dollars on surgery and other healthcare efforts, traveled great distances to meet with specialists, or sat up night after night all night long trying to provide comfort and care. There can be little doubt but that people who love their pets, people like you and me, will exhaust every possibility to help their animals.

Sadly, despite all of our selfless effort and expense, success sometimes is not realized and our best friend continues to deteriorate, often in great pain. We are forced to make that dreaded big decision, whether or not to let our best friend go.

It is after that decision has been made and our best friend is gone, that guilt comes, accompanied by its infamous associate, doubt. Together they rob us of our confidence and turn our precious memories into a source of pain. We beat ourselves up in our hearts and minds and are plagued by the haunting questions:

"Did I do the right thing"?

"Should I have waited longer"?

"Why am I feeling all this guilt"?

"What if I had done this or that"?

Again, these questions are hard to answer. If you were to ask for my help in validating your decision, I could not presumptuously determine that putting your best friend down was the right thing to do. Neither could I suggest that it was the wrong thing to do. I just cannot know.

Similarly, I do not know if the decision was made too soon, too late or whether it should have been made at all. At best, my thoughts in those areas would be nothing more than a subjective guess, based upon very limited information and my own values and level of sensitivity. It would be unfair to hold everyone to my own personal standard and to respond to them based upon that alone.

Instead, I would encourage you to remember how things were at that moment in time when you bore the responsibility of making that big decision for your family pet. Only you can know if it was the right and timely thing to do. My advice to you is to simply "trust the moment". By that I mean, that you should not second-guess now, the decision that you made then. Second-guessing will only lead to a feeling of insecurity, which will eventually manifest itself as guilt.

It is imperative to trust that at that moment, when you were forced to make that undesirable, big decision, you did so from a position of love. You didn't want to do it. It horrified you to have to decide. Nevertheless, you stepped up and assumed your responsibility. You selflessly decided, at that moment, that your best friend was suffering, that there was nothing you or anyone else could do about it, except make that decision.

Now, long after the fact, divorced from the emotion and pressure of that moment, you are allowing yourself to dissect every thought and circumstance. Now, with the luxury of time, you are starting to re-think the facts and question yourself, playing the "what if" game.

Today, it isn't as clear as it was then. You really don't know if you did the right thing. Take heart, it is human nature to doubt. We are imperfect and fickle creatures. But that does not make it right to pull a load of guilt upon ourselves, and that does not change the reality of the moment when you had to make that big decision.

Don't let your feelings of grief give birth to guilt. Remember the moment. Remember that at that moment you wanted nothing more than to help the one you so dearly loved. You would have done anything, paid any amount, performed any feat to prolong their life, but it was just not to be.

The doctor's prognosis was grim. There would be much suffering and pain. The recommendation was to bring them relief, to help them pass on. Under extreme duress and emotional strain, through tears of love, you weighed all the facts, reached down deep inside yourself, put aside your own selfish desire to have your pet hang on, and did what you thought best for them at that moment.

At that moment, your love made the selfless decision that rationale and logic now question. There was no selfishness then, but rather a somber consideration of the facts, and a decision to do something that you really did not want to do. But you did it, because someone needed for you to be strong for them.

You put self aside and found strength you did not know that you had. Don't let go of that moment. Hold on to it. Trust it. Trust that you were right and that you did what was needed. Trust that your love ruled over your selfishness and know that where your love prevailed, there is no room for guilt or doubt. Grief and sadness are important validations of your love, but do not cheat that process with doubt and guilt. It has no place.

About The Author:

Gary Kurz, helps those grieving the loss of a pet to understand the Biblical evidence that proves they live on. His most popular book, "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" delivers hope and comfort to the reader in a very gentle, yet convincing way. Visit at http://www.coldnosesbook.com for more information, tips and gifts or write to Gary at petgate@aol.com

Article Source: thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service

Sphere: Related Content

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

Sphere: Related Content

The Concerns Of The Cat Health Heart Murmur

If a vet listens to the heartbeat of a cat and if they hear any unusual sounds, they may require more tests, but generally, they give the diagnosis of a heart murmur. The vet listens to the heartbeat, heart rhythm and the heart sounds to determine if the heart has any irregularities. The health of the cat determines if any concern for this heart condition exists.

Types of Cat Health Heart Murmurs

Two types are physiological and pathological conditions. The physiological murmur results when a fever or anemia is present. The pathological murmur results when a condition affects the valves and heart muscle of the cat. Researchers conducted tests to find out more information on cat health heart murmurs.

A Boston animal hospital conducted a test on one hundred cats and found that twenty-one percent of the cats had a heart murmur. Out of the twenty-one percent, seven cats were given an echocardiography and six cats actually had a heart problem called hypertrophy cardiomyopathy. The result of the study showed that healthy cats may show signs of a heart murmur, but without proper testing, the outcome and diagnosis is inconclusive.

Heart murmurs are measured by grades. Six different types of grades exist from I to VI with grade VI the most severe and grade I mild. Veterinarians grade the heart murmur, but the murmur graded VI does not make it the worst heart murmur to have in a cat.

Cat Health Heart Murmur Issues

Some kittens are born with heart murmurs that disappear by the time they reach six months. The incidental heart murmur occurs in cats that appear healthy, but they may show signs of weakness and color changes in the skin and tongue. A cat that shows signs of poor health may also experience heart murmurs. The only way to determine if a heart murmur exists is to run tests.

The only way to determine the severalty of a heart murmur is by an ultrasound. If you need to have your cat spayed or neutered, a veterinarian may insist on an x-ray or n ultrasound to determine how severe the heart murmur is before doing the operation. The cat that is born with a heart murmur usually receives a lower grade type, rather than an older cat that develops a heart murmur later in life.

For the most part cat heart murmurs need no type of treatment unless they become severe or cause other health problems. Cats do have potential for congestive heart failure, although rare, this may lead to your vet ordering tests for your cat if it has a heart murmur. If you suspect your cat has a heart murmur, the only thing to do is have an exam to determine the grade of the murmur and then follow the veterinarian’s advice on the care and treatment of your cat. The cat needs a healthy and happy life and only you know your cat’s personality and activities.

You can also find more info on Cat Eye Health & Cat Fleas. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cats.
Article Source: http://www.reprint-content.com

Sphere: Related Content

What to do when your yard suddenly sprouts bouquet of kittens

Oakland Tribune, Apr 17, 2004

SPRING traditionally marks the beginning of kitten season, and you may soon be surprised to find a litter of tiny felines in your yard. It could be your first hint that a stray or feral cat is living nearby.

What can you do to help the kittens survive? First, find out whether the mother cat is still around. It's always best to keep the mother and kittens together, so she can care for them during the crucial first weeks of life.

If possible, bring the mother cat and kittens indoors, where they'll be safe. Confine them in a small room or a large cage in your basement or garage. Provide food and water for the mom and let her take care of the kittens until they're weaned, or ready to start eating regular cat food.

Another alternative is to let the mother care for her kittens where you found them. The trouble is that mother cats tend to move their babies around. Encourage the little family to stay put by making the location as attractive and comfortable as possible. Supply some shelter and provide food and water every day.

If the kittens have been orphaned, they will need a lot more help from you. Bring them inside and check their condition. They should be alert and warm to the touch. If they're cold and listless, warm them up right away. Put the kittens in a box or pet carrier with a heating pad set on low. Put a towel over the heating pad and make sure the pad covers only half of the bottom of the box.

The kittens must be able to move off the pad if they get too warm. Don't try to feed them until they warm up. It's dangerous for kittens to eat when they're chilled.

Kittens typically start to eat regular canned or dry food when they're four to five weeks old. Younger kittens have to be bottle- fed. Don't use cows' milk -- it causes diarrhea, which can lead to severe dehydration.

Kitten milk replacement formula is available from a veterinarian or pet store (premixed liquid is easier to use than the powdered form). Depending on their age, kittens need to be fed every four to six hours around the clock.

To prepare the bottle, pierce the nipple with a pin or slit it with a razor. Test the formula on your wrist -- it should be lukewarm.

Kittens less than four weeks old also need help with elimination, a job that a paws-on mom cat would normally perform. You should encourage them to urinate and defecate after feedings by gently swabbing the anal region with moistened washcloth or tissue, and by rubbing their stomachs.

They should also be burped after each feeding; hold the kitten against your shoulder and gently massage its back.

Caring for orphaned kittens is no small job, but it can be a lifesaving labor of love. Many extremely young kittens that end up in animal shelters have to be euthanized.

The average shelter simply doesn't have the staff and resources to care for kittens that must be bottle-fed 24 hours a day. Your help may be the kittens' best hope for surviving until they are old enough to be altered and adopted.

For advice on caring for orphaned kittens call The SF/SPCA Feral Cat Assistance Program at (415) 554-3071.

And remember, spaying and neutering is the best way to reduce animal overpopulation.

Dr. Jeffrey Proulx is the director of veterinary services at the San Francisco SPCA. If you have any questions about dogs or cats, write to him at The San Francisco SPCA, 2500 16th St., San Francisco, CA 94103, or e-mail him at dr.jproulx@sfspca.org . To find out more about the SF/SPCA, check the Web site at www.sfspca.org

Sphere: Related Content

Reiki Therapy Should Make Your Cat Purr

by David Bates
http://www.therapiesguide.co.uk/

Reiki is derived from the ancient Eastern form of energy therapy which has now become accepted in the West as a legitimate form of alternative medicine. Although normally associated with the treatment of humans it has grown in popularity as an option for treating pets especially cats that seem ideally suited to this form of therapy.

Vets, who are legally the first port of call for sick pets, have become increasingly willing to refer owners to reiki practitioners when they are asked.

Cats often receive regular grooming and become used to and enjoy being touched, this makes them suitable when any treatment involves being physically touched by the therapist. If your cat does not enjoy being touched by strangers many therapists will use a non "hands-on" approach. The reiki energy can be transferred by the therapist if they place their hands just above the appropriate healing points. Reiki can even be administered from a distance where the therapist is not even in the same room, this is particularly useful in the case of nervous cats fearful of strangers and even those that may be old and fragile.

Cats seem to enjoy the experience of reiki and appreciate the flow of healing energy they receive from the treatment and will react very well to it.They enjoy the informal atmosphere and will often receive treatment relaxing in their owners lap.

Reiki for your cat is a gentle non invasive, powerful type of healing, it can help your cat bringing about balance which can help to boost their immune system, it gives them energy to recover after an illness or operation It can just be a calm and relaxing experience. which can also help stressed and nervous animals or those with behavioral problems. Reiki treatment is very successful in treating muscular aches and pains , back problems and strains. It will reduce stress, anxiety, nervousness and enhance the skin or coat of your pet. A reiki session for most animals usually takes about 30 minutes, but this will depend on the nature of the problem your cat is suffering, often one treatment can be enough, or further treatments may be necessary these will usually be shorter.

It is worth remembering that i f you intend using Reiki therapy for your cat that, in the UK , any sick animal must be taken to a vet, so a ny reiki therapist working with animals will need a referral from a veterinary surgeon in order to treat your pet legally.

David Bates is a complementary therapy specialist from the UK ; he has an interest in several natural therapy sites including:

http://www.therapiesguide.co.uk/

http://www.reiki-guide.co.uk/

http://www.pettrendy.co.uk/

Originally published on SearchWarp.com for David Bates Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Article Source: Reiki Therapy Should Make Your Cat Purr.

Sphere: Related Content

Senior Cats have Senior Moments Too!

by Kate Tilmouth

The increased availability and advances made in animal care and medication has now afforded our pet cats a much longer life than ever before. It is not so unusual these days for a cat to live well beyond 16 years of age and as much as we benefit from having our pets with us longer, it does give rise to some health problems associated with the older cat.

Just like us humans the senior cat will encounter general wear and tear on their bodies and general changes to their lifestyle, such as stiff joints, loss of appetite, sleep changes and other age related illnesses. These changes will start to become apparent to the cat owner after the pet reaches the age of 10 and often the first signs are general slowing down and becoming less active in their day-to-day routine.

However it is not just physical changes that could affect the senior cat, mental abilities may also be affected. A condition known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS can affect older cats and is similar to the human illness of Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms include becoming generally confused about where they are, who you are and forgetting where the litter tray is etc.

CDS can be quite a distressing situation for the cat and will often cause changes in the cat's behaviour. Examples of some of these behaviours are:

1. Pacing around a room as if they are unsure where they are and are exploring it for the first time, or going from room to room looking for food and or the litter tray. 2. Loud persistent meowing, especially at nighttime. Again this is thought to be because the cat is unsure of their surroundings and is calling out in distress or for your attention to reassure them. 3. Being either over clingy to their owners or becoming more wary or changing their behaviour towards their owners.

In these situations, medication may be able to be prescribed by the vet to calm the distressed cat, but also the cat owner can help by reducing the amount of rooms the cat has access to so that it is less confusing for them and playing soft quiet music in the room where the cat is may help to reassure them my providing extra reassurance especially at night time.

Cat owners also need to be aware of other changes to their elderly cats behaviour and needs to be able to provide the right care and comfort for their pet.

Litter Tray habits may change due to the cat's inability to climb easily into it as they once did due to arthritis or stiff joints. By making sure that several litter trays are provided around the home with at least one low side will make it far more convenient for the senior cat to use them.

Appetite issues may arise die to the fact that elderly cats may have a reduced sense of smell. This is important to a cat to stimulate their appetite and desire for a particular food. Changing food brands regularly and feeding only wet canned food, which is the most pungent is the best thing a cat owner can do for their old cat. Pouring a little hot water onto the food will also increase its smell. Sleeping patterns may change as well. These changes can either be an increased amount of sleep and activity carried out by the cat, or being awake all night pacing the house and meowing. In either case there is not much a cat owner can do but to try and encourage gentle play with a ball for the lethargic cat to try and increase their alertness or to be sympathetic with the night time cat and try to confine them to a cosy comfortable room during the night.

As with any change in cat behaviour old or young it is always advisable to get them checked by a vet to rule out any underlining illness that may produce similar symptoms. But if your senior cat is pronounced fit then just old age will have to account for their lifestyle changes and allowances will have to be made to make it easier for your cat to live a normal comfortable life.



About the Author
Kate and her partner co-write http://www.our-happy-cat.com/ a site full of further cat care and cat health topics. As well as being a feline friendly community site for happy cat and a happy owner.

Sphere: Related Content

Herbal Products for Kitty

By Renske Buursma

Many cat lovers want to pamper kitties with natural, holistic herbal products instead of conventional store brands or even at times, costly veterinary medicine. The herbal practitioner focuses on natural diets and lifestyles as the preferred foundation for your cat’s optimum health and age for your cat. Here are tips to help with choosing herbal products for kitty:

1) Herbal products and treatments like those for treating and preventing health issues for pets, feature natural products from the environment instead of man-made materials and medicines.

2) Many herbal products for pets are offered in either liquid or powder forms. You puy them and then either mix the products with food, give them to your pet with a dropper or syringe, or you can mix it with liquid like water.

3) There are herbal products that act as treatments for a variety of ailments and chronic conditions, some that are vitamins for promoting good health, some for dental care, for relieving constipation and other medical conditions. There are also herbal products for cats that have allergies, and cats that needs calming – like before heading off to see the veterinarian, pet groomer or before traveling in cars or airplanes. OYu can also find herbal products to help with vision care, and teeth and gum cleaning.

4) Try a herbal purifier to detoxify your cat’s system, relieve your cat’s diarrhea and help with soft stool issues and diarrhea relief. Try digestive relief herbal products for upset stomachs or weak digestive systems with your kitty. And check out gas relief herbal products to help with digestion, to relieve inflammation (of digestive tracts) and to help with intestinal issues, gas pain and pressure.

5) For itch relief, try skin and coat herbal products. And for joint pain and inflammation plus good circulation, seek out herbal products for joints.

6) To help with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea due to motion sickness, seek out herbal products for motion sickness relief. To help kill parasites and aid your kitties’ digestive system, seek out help from herbal products to help, too.

7) Check into getting Echinachea in herbal form to help your pet’s immune system and to help fight off infection.

Regardless of your pet’s situation, when in doubt, ask first. And make sure to read directions thoroughly before giving herbal treatments and other products to your pet. Always think safety first for your pet!

About the Author: Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles and a free newsletter about pet care at http://yourhealthypetsonline.com

Sphere: Related Content

Smokers Put Pets At Risk

by Marilyn Pokorney

Do you smoke? Need an incentive to quit? Do you have pets? Then that beloved pet just might be the incentive you need to stop.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have discovered that pets are affected by second-hand smoke.

Cats living with a smoker are two times more likely to get feline lymphoma than one that's not. After five years the rate increases to three times as likely. When there are two smokers in the home, the chances of a cat getting feline lymphoma increases to four times as likely and after five years, three times the rate of cats living in smokefree homes.

Dogs living in a smoking household have a 60 percent risk of getting lung cancer.

Long-nosed dogs, such as collies or greyhounds, are twice as likely to develop nasal cancer if they live with smokers.

Pets of all sizes and ages are affected. But especially small pets, the very young and the old.

Second-hand smoke contributes to a other pet ills as well. As a smoker exhales, the air is filled with poisonous fumes.

A pets eyes can become irritated due to the smoke's effects on the tiny blood vessels found within the eye.

Smoke can damage the sensitive lungs in a pet. Additionally, the noxious fumes can cause a cold that can lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions.

Smoke inhalation quickly irritates an animal's throat because animals have a shorter esophagus than humans.

Just as smoke affects furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. the smoke also affects a pet's living quarters and gets into the pet's fur and skin. A cats hair continuously traps large quantities of smoke particles just like drapery, furniture and clothing. The cat sniffs and inhales these concentrated particles from his fur while grooming which leads to lymphoma in the nasal passages and intestines as well as the chest.

Some pets are allergic to smoke.

Animals have a very acute sense of smell and the odor of smoke is very offensive to them.

Nicotine is a highly toxic chemical. Some pets may suffer the effects of nicotine poisoning when exposed to high concentrations.

If a pet has respiratory allergies such as asthma, the illness is going to be worsened by constantly breathing the second hand smoke.

Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and a collapsing trachea are the most common possible causes of a chronic cough in dogs. The constant irritation eventually causes the trachea to lose its round open shape. It begins to collapse resulting in even more coughing and irritation, and to an untreatable, intolerable condition usually leading to euthanasia.

So the next time you light up, think of the air that your beloved pet is being forced to inhale.

Here is more information on helping you to kick the smoking habit: smoking pets.

********************************
Author:
Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: www.apluswriting.net

********************************

Sphere: Related Content

Allergies In Cats - The Basics

Just like humans a common health problem in cats is allergy. It's strange that we always worry about humans being allergic to cats, but so seldom hear about what cats are allergic to!

In this way, cats aren't that much different from humans. Some foreign substance, commonly referred to as an allergen or antigen, triggers a situation in which the cat's immune system goes into hyper drive and produces symptoms of an allergic condition.

When a cat is allergic to something, common indications will be itchy skin, coughing and/or sneezing in the case of a respiratory problem, or vomiting or diarrhea in the case of a digestive allergy.

Allergies in cats seem to fall into these major categories. Allergies to fleas, foods, things inhaled, or something they have come in contact with.

Contact allergies generally result in a fairly localized reaction on the skin. The cat may scratch a lot and/or there may be an indication of irritation at the place of contact. Most common causes of contact allergies in cats would obviously be items with which they come in close contact such as flea collars, bedding, toys, etc. The simplest cure is to remove the contact. Take the collar off or change the bedding, for example. If the irritation persists, or if you still need effective flea control, consult with your veterinarian.

Some cats may also experience allergic reactions to certain plastics and/or metals. If you suspect this in your cat, you may wish to change to a ceramic or glass feeding bowl. Another problem which may mimic a contact allergy can occur if you simply do not rinse your cat carefully and completely after its bath. Residual shampoo or soap on the skin can cause dermatitis which can be mistaken for an allergic reaction.

Happily, contact allergies in cats are the least common type.

Flea allergies, on the other hand, are very common in cats. Any normal cat will commonly experience irritation from flea bites, but a cat with a genuine flea allergy will have a more severe itching reaction to the flea's saliva. A normal cat may simply bite or scratch for a while and then go on to other things, but a cat with a flea allergy may scratch, chew, and worry at the spot until large amounts of fur are lost. This constant attempt to relieve the maddening itch or irritation may result in open sores which can add the risk of infection to the allergy's list of evils. In most cats, the most common area to be affected is going to be on the back just before the tail. The cat may also create spots of sores or scabs on the neck and head. Inhalant types of allergies (atopy) are even more common cat allergies than flea and contact allergies! In fact, this type of allergy is probably the most common allergic problem in cats. It is possible that your cat may be allergic to the exact same allergens that you are! Tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens along with the rest of the items we humans fear; mold, mildew, dust mites, and dust itself can all trigger allergic reactions in both cats and the humans they have trained to tend them.

A big difference between humans and cats, however is that while humans will most commonly react to inhaled allergens by sneezing or coughing, a cat will more commonly react by scratching an itch caused by those same allergens. Unlike a contact allergy, the cat's reaction to inhaled allergens will be a general itching of the skin as opposed to a severe reaction at a specific spot. If your cat seems to be scratching a lot and it doesn't appear to be local, as in reaction to a flea collar for example, there is a good chance that he or she is experiencing a reaction to some inhaled substance.

As in humans, true food allergies in cats can be extremely difficult to pinpoint. One reason is that they commonly demonstrate many of the symptoms of distress seen in the other groups. True food allergies in cats can cause itching and/or respiratory problems. Additionally, true food allergies can cause digestive difficulties as can other illnesses or toxic substances. In cats, food allergies are usually not present from birth, but are developed after long exposure to foods that have been eaten for long periods. Most food allergies will center around the type of protein common in the cat's diet, such as beef, pork, poultry, or lamb. Simply eliminating that type of protein by changing to another type of food will usually take care of the problem.

There are two difficult points for the cat owner when they begin to detect signs that lead them to believe that their cat may have an allergy.

1. The cat may actually be reacting to an irritant, rather than an allergen, and

2. The symptoms may be the result of some other condition, possibly one more dangerous.

For example, a flea infestation may cause flea bites which will itch and the cat will scratch. This is normal. You would scratch too, and extensively, if fleas were munching on you! However, if your cat is allergic to the flea's saliva, they will actually inflict damage on themselves in an attempt to relieve themselves of the intensified itch. However, the itch could be, as pointed out, the result of a food allergy, a contact allergy, or some undiagnosed medical condition such as a fungal infection (perhaps caused by ringworm, for example), mange, or some other type of skin infection which might have been caused by bacteria.

While a little astute detective work on the part of the pet owner may often alleviate the problem, only the veterinarian will usually be able to tell for sure what the cause and effect may actually be...and how to best deal with the situation. However, the vet does not live with your cat, so it is important to note carefully what the symptoms are, when they began, how they have progressed, what steps you have already taken, and what happened as a result of those steps. All of this information will help your vet in getting to the truth behind the apparent allergy in your cat. Your cat's veterinarian will also have diagnostic tools at his or her disposal for getting at the cause of your pet's apparently "allergic" reactions.

---

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa, and is retired from the U. S. Army. Learn more about caring for your cat at http://cat-and-kitten.com

Sphere: Related Content