Archive for April, 2008
Apr
2008
Cats, despite their loveable and inimitable independent tendencies, really do thrive when attention is lavished upon them. Often nearly standoffish absent a great deal of attention, cats seem to develop a closer relationship to their owners when pampered.
As a result, cat owners often look for new and interesting ways to give their cats extra attention. Cat pampering can take a variety of forms, ranging form simple extended petting sessions to homemade meals to elaborate toys.
Many cat owners have been accused of giving too much attention to their pets. People will argue that these well-intended owners are actually “spoiling” their cats by going out their way to show them attention and concern. Is this a valid concern? Can one truly pamper their cat too much?
Tags: pet cats, kittens, cat breeds, cats, pet cat
Apr
2008
We often think of cat pampering as nothing more than laying a series of high-priced custom cat food dinners and toys in front of a pet. Although great toys and tasty meals can be a part of cat pampering, there are many more options available to cat owners who want to spoil their fuzzy friends!
It should be noted that the desire to pamper a cat generally stems from a love for the animal, combined with an awareness that providing some additional attention might also improve the nature of the cat/owner relationship.
It can be helpful to look at the cat pampering landscape as being divided into three main components. There is emotional pampering, physical pampering and food pampering.
Tags: pet cats, cat health, cat, cat care, cat information
Apr
2008
We often think of cats as being very independent animals. It seems as if they merely put up with their human owners. They seem to have their own interests, plans and preferences — none of which are really tied to the desires of their owners.
“You own a dog,” they say, “but a cat owns you.” Sometimes it can seem that way. Calling a cat to come to your side is often a hit or miss proposition. The cat will seemingly come to you when he or she feels like it, instead of when you would like it to do so. The positive reinforcement techniques that work so well in dog training are often eyed with a menacingly glare by a cat who will walk away from an attempt at training whenever the mood hits him or her.
Tags: kitten, cats, cat care, cat breeds, pet cats
Apr
2008
Be Careful When Handling Or Restraining Your Cat
April 21st, 2008 at 08:29 am by Cat Lover in Cat CareI think most cat owners will have at one time or another experienced being bitten by your beloved pet. Especially when your cat had just experienced an unpleasant experience such as being severely injured, frighten or basically suffering in pain.
Any cat, no matter how docile he may be, has the potential to bite anyone at all time . It is important to recognize this and take proper precautions to keep from being bitten. It is therefore wise to always have control of a cat’s head when handling or restraining your cat.
There are several effective ways to handle and restrain a cat. Your choice will depend on whether the individual animal is tranquil and cooperative or frightened and aggressive. Remember that cats have five sets of weapons—one mouth and four feet. They are extremely skilled in using these weapons, and will not hesitate to do so.
Therefore, it pays to be extra careful and not fall into the complacent trap even though your cat has been acting docile all the time. In a way, you can not only prevent injuries to yourself, it will also help to maintain the close relationship that you have with your pet cat all along.
Tags: kitten, pet cat, cat care, cat information, pet cats
Apr
2008
Keeping Cats As Pets
April 19th, 2008 at 03:44 am by Cat Lover in GeneralCats are low maintenance pets when compared to many other domestic pets. They are also attention seekers. They like to get lots of affection from their owners. If all the family members work full time, another cat should be brought in the family so as to provide company for the first one. Especially, young cats should not be left alone for long periods as that will affect the psychological growth of animal. Cats can also get bored easily. They always want a companion to play with.
Cats should be left outside. They are very inquisitive by nature and like to wander outdoors. Cats, which are kept indoors, develop obesity and tend to eat more out of boredom. But according to a research, cats that are kept indoors all their life have a longer life span. This is because they are not at all exposed to germs, dogs, cars, or other cats, which can harm them when living in wild habitat. Cats shouldn’t be let out unsupervised. Before doing so, the dangers should be evaluated. Some cats even go into the neighbor’s plot and dig out soil or flowerpots. They can even litter and the owner can be fined for that.
Tags: cats, pet cats, cat information, cat, kittens
Apr
2008
Domestic Cat Date Back to Middle East
April 18th, 2008 at 12:04 am by Cat Lover in Cat NewsTags: pet cats, cat health, kitten, pet cat, cat care
Apr
2008
Declawing is a surgical procedure involving removal of claws and should not be mistaken for pedicure. Declawing puts the pet in great pain not only during the surgery but also after it. Although it is practiced widely in many countries, it is still considered as an unnecessary mutilation and is illegal in some countries. Another drawback is that this surgical procedure isn’t reversible.
Before getting this surgery, owners should understand many aspects of it. The claw is very different from a toenail as it is attached to the bone. The last bone and the joint are removed along with the claw, during declawing. Nature has designed the body in a way such that everything is used to balance its movement, agility and grace. The main purpose of claws is to defend an enemy and to get proper grip while walking. By amputating the joint, the whole walk is altered. Other than walking, even other behaviors like eating, hunting, grip, etc. also gets changed. They can no longer enjoy climbing trees and tall objects which also means that they cannot jump from heights. Declawing changes the life of a cat. Some owners have even sworn that the whole personality of the animal is changed after the procedure. Although medical science hasn’t reported any side effects, but there are physical and emotional complications in the animal. The recovery is also full of pain and the pet can aggravate the situation by walking and scratching the litter box.
Tags: pet cat, pet cats, kitten, cat breeds, kittens
Apr
2008
Tips For Introducing Cats
April 14th, 2008 at 03:00 am by Cat Lover in GeneralWhen you decide to add a new cat to your home, it is normally more exiting for you and your family than it is for the cat you already own. Although most cats are solitary by nature, most will also come to accept or eventually tolerate any additions. Cats can be very territorial, which is why you should always be careful when you introduce a new cat to your current cat.
If you are introducing kittens to one another, the entire introduction process can be short, lasting as little as 10 - 15 days. Introducing cats to each other all depends on their temperament and their personality. When you introduce a new cat to your current cat, you should always make sure that you give your current cat plenty of love and attention. This way, your cat will feel secure and know that he isn’t in competition with your new cat for affection.
Tags: pet cats, cat care, kittens, cat breeds, cat information
Apr
2008
Sphynx
April 11th, 2008 at 01:13 am by Cat Lover in Cat BreedsIf you’ve always had a secret longing to own that charming little alien in the ET movie, you will probably fall in love with the Sphynx cat breed. This cat’s wrinkly small face, huge ears, and enormous eyes definitely give it a very similar appearance. When you add in its whisker free appearance and a coat so fine that the Sphynx appears to be bald, it is no wonder that this unusual little cat breed gets plenty of attention at cat shows.
Surprisingly enough, the popular Sphynx cat breed is only recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. Other breed associations are concerned that this unique cat breed will have genetic health problems in the future and do not want to encourage breeders to continue developing the breed.
The Sphynx breed was actually developed twice, once in the nineteen sixties and again in the nineteen seventies. Although the first line of Sphynx cats vanished completely, the second discovery of the breed was more successful. Surprisingly enough, this second line of cats came from a stray longhair cat. This cat’s kittens were outcrossed to Devon Rex cats. The kittens from this cross had the traditional Sphynx coat and physical characteristics.
Although the Sphynx does not have a coat of hair, this breed’s light coat of fuzz still comes in a wide range of colors. In fact, these cats come in every color and pattern available. This cat breed’s powerful body is extremely muscular. The breed weighs in at eight to fifteen pounds.
Apr
2008
With all of that long, thick fur, you may have questions regarding what is required from you in terms of grooming the Maine Coon Cat. The answer to this question largely depends on whether or not you show your Maine Coon.
If you do not show your Maine Coon, the great news is that very little is required from you when it comes to grooming. Your beautiful Maine Coon is very hygienic, and pretty much takes care of his own grooming. You will find that he usually does a fantastic job – that is fur is clean, tangle free, and that he does not smell.
If you do not show your Maine Coon, there are only four things that you must do, on a regular basis. The first is to brush the Maine Coon once a week. This cuts down on the amount of fur that will be flying around your home, as well as the amount of fur going down his throat, which later comes back up as disgusting hairballs.
Apr
2008
Has your cat been coughing and hacking? If so, he may have hairballs. If you see disgusting skinny oval blobs on the floor, you will know that your cat has managed to dislodge one of his hairballs.
What exactly is a hairball? It is a mass of hair and food that did not digest that forms inside a cat’s body. Loose hair that collects on his tongue when he grooms himself. For some reason, the hair comes together and forms a ball in his stomach instead of simply passing through his body. Since these hairballs aren’t able to break down and be digested, cats often cough them up to get rid of them.
While most cats don’t have a problem with dislodging hairballs, they can occasionally pass into a cat’s intestines and cause a blockage. This can be a life threatening problem. There are a few signs you should look for to find out if your cat’s hairball is dangerous. If your cat seems to be constipated, he may be experiencing a small blockage. If he seems lethargic and his coat is dull and unhealthy looking, or he is eating less than usual, then he may have a serious blockage. Either way, you should take him to your veterinarian to be sure a hairball is the problem and to have it removed.
Apr
2008
Tonkinese Cat
April 8th, 2008 at 10:06 pm by Cat Lover in Cat BreedsIf you just can’t decide whether you want a Burmese cat or a Siamese cat, then you may want to consider a cat that is the descendant of both of these wonderful breeds, the Tonkinese. The Tonkinese cat breed was officially created in the nineteen sixties in North America when a Burmese cat was crossed with a Siamese. However, for many years before the breed was created, cat fanciers crossed the two breeds unofficially.
The Tonkinese was created to combine the best traits of both of its parent breeds. Unlike many other breeds created from a cross, this breed was designed to have a body, character, and coat that combined traits from both the Burmese and the Siamese. Usually, a cross breed is only created to establish a specific color or coat trait.
Since the Tonkinese is such a balanced cross breed, it is no surprise that these cats have a wonderful personality. This breed is very loving and affectionate. These cats are the ideal choice for families or multiple cat homes. They even are tolerant of dogs and other pets. These cats actually seem to enjoy children and don’t mind a bit of undignified play.
Your cat may even be willing to attend your child’s tea party in fancy dress. When you sit on the couch, your cat will either leap onto your shoulder or curl up in your lap. When you climb into bed at night, he will snuggle under the covers with you. If you don’t want a cat that is cuddly, this breed is not right for you.
Apr
2008
Siberian Cat
April 7th, 2008 at 06:00 am by Cat Lover in Cat BreedsIt is no surprise that any cat that was created in the bitter cold temperatures of Siberia has a thick, long coat that helps protect it from the weather. The Siberian cat breed is a large cat, weighing up to twenty pounds, with an insulating coat of slightly oily hair.
While the Siberian is actually an extremely old breed, it has only recently been considered a breed by cat organizations. In the nineteen eighties, a cat fancier began importing these big cats from Russia to the United States. Interestingly enough, although they have the same ancestry, American Siberians are developing a slightly different body shape than the cats that are still being bred in Russia, perhaps because the cats that were imported to the United States were not the best representatives of the breed.
The Siberian cat has a wedge shaped head with a wider than average top, large, slightly slanted eyes and ears that point out slightly from the head. In addition, this cat breed has a short, thick neck, a rectangular, powerfully muscled body, big rounded paws, and a broad tail that tapers slightly at the tip. American Siberians are a bit rounder and softer looking than Russian cats and have a gentle expression. Russian Siberians have a wilder expression and look more like the dangerous big cats than sweet domesticated animals. You can find this beautiful cat breed in a wide range of colors and patterns in the United States, but only Black or Red colors are permitted in its homeland.
Apr
2008
Cat Growth Stages – How a Cat Matures
April 6th, 2008 at 05:58 am by Cat Lover in GeneralWhen a kitten is born, it is hard to believe that one of these helpless little pink things will become a graceful and powerful hunter. However, within a year, that tiny kitten will be a mature cat.
Since kittens are born blind and are completely dependent on their mothers, it is no surprise that their first stage involves little more than eating and growing. However, once your kitten’s eyes open, he will begin to explore the world around him. By the time he is four weeks old, he will be romping shakily about with his siblings. He can begin to learn to use the litter box and should start to become socialized. In the wild, a kitten’s mother will start to supplement his diet with dead mice or other small prey. You may prefer to give him some soft kitten food or some dry food softened in water.
By the time your kitten is six to eight weeks old, he is ready to begin exploring a bit further from home. If he is indoors, he will venture into other rooms, while a feral kitten will begin to follow his mother when she goes to hang out with the rest of the local cat colony. While the kitten’s mother may still bring him mice, they are no longer already dead. The kitten begins to develop his hunting abilities. Eight week old kittens are usually completely weaned and ready to go to a new home.
Apr
2008
Devon Rex
April 5th, 2008 at 02:16 pm by Cat Lover in Cat BreedsIs the Devon Rex Right For You?
If you’ve always wanted a monkey, then you may just want to take a look at the charming Devon Rex cat breed. These playful, good natured little cats have been frequently compared to monkeys and mischievous children.
These cats have oversize ears, enormous eyes and a slightly pug nose. This combination of features makes the Devon look like a naughty fairy tale creature or a fun loving monkey. This breed is on the small side, weighing in at a delicate six to nine pounds. However, there is nothing delicate about the breed’s build. These cats have powerful, compact bodies and are actually quite sturdy despite their small size.
The Devon Rex is not prone to serious health problems. This is because breeders have been extremely careful to introduce additional cats into the gene pool by crossbreeding the Devon to both American and British Shorthairs, which are two very sturdy and healthy breeds.
Since this breed has a coat that is much less heavy and thick than the coats of most other cats, it is no surprise that the Devon Rex is a cuddler. These cats love to snuggle up on the nearest available lap in the evening and will often crawl right under the covers to stay warm at night. Although you may think the Devon has a higher body temperature than other cat breeds when you feel the heat that one of these cats emit, this breed just feels warmer to us because there is less hair covering its body. Even a full grown Devon can have such a thin coat that some parts of the cat are almost hairless. In fact, kittens developing an adult coat may end up completely bare as they shed their old coat.
