Cats

January 14, 2010

The Important of a Dog’s Diet

Filed under: Cats — Catherine V. Testaratti @ 10:02 am

As the responsible car giver to our pets, we need to be sure that we give them a good balanced diet. That we can be sure is going to help them live a healthy life. With so many foods to choose from how do you know which is best?

With our pets now being part of our family, we are more concerned about getting their needs met. With diet being a major factor in that, we will share some good facts to know. Of course, some dogs might require special diets so check with your vet for their opinion.

Dogs diet needs to consist of not only meats because they are carnivores, but they also need a daily allowance of vegetables and grasses. Knowing what your dogs needs are can help you keep them healthy. After all, they are part of the family right?

Before we got involved in a dogs diet by providing them with these prepackaged foods, they were left up to their own devices. Their diets consisted of prey they caught and ate raw, fruits and berries of the season and grasses. In today’s day, we are crazy when our dogs are running after something and the thought of them killing another animal is not what we like to think of.

Within society today, it is intolerable for dogs to hunt for their fresh prey to eat. We have domesticated them to a point where they are dependent on their owners for their food. We certainly do not see our sweet little dogs as the hunter’s they were originally born to be.

The origin of the dog’s breed as well as the lifestyle of the dog can determine the diet necessary. Lap dogs of course are not going to have the same requirements as a hard working police dog or say a dog from the Artic Circle. Make sure if you are not certain about the needs of your dog concerning it’s diet that you check with your vet or the internet.

We are finding that many commercial premium brand foods are full of many of the proper nutrients required for a dog’s healthy diet. The manufacturer does regular feeding trails on these foods and monitors the dogs used for the testing throughout their life span. Just make sure that you choose the more popular well-known brands of commercial food.

I know that many veterinarian offices do carry premium brand foods that you can purchase. With most commercial goods, they have certain preservatives that can deplete the nutritional value of the food. Most commercial brands however, do meet the nutritional requirements for dogs.

Just remember that you must supplement your dogs diet with meats and vegetables if you are only feeding them dry food. Whatever you decide to do about your dogs diet, make sure that you couple that with exercise and lots of love. Dogs are truly man’s best friend and they deserve to live happy healthy lives as well.

Have a Pet that you Care For? Visit Catherine’s favorite Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature’s highest quality ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

 

How To Remove That Nasty Cat Urine Smell

Filed under: Cats — Mike Beauford @ 9:41 am

Well how do you remove that nasty cat urine smell? As you obviously know, a cat’s urine has a very horrible smell and getting rid of it can be a really difficult job. Also remember that cats like to urinate on the same area if you didn’t really clean it thoroughly. It’s best to put some muscle into it and make sure the affected area is really cleaned out.

Steps to Remove Cat Urine Odor

First you need to use paper towels and put some pressure to the urinated area until all the moisture is removed. Make sure to use enough paper towels so that the area gets dry and it may take a lot of towels to get it all dried up. Once you have the urine out then you can proceed to get rid of any excess residue that’s been left in the area.

Next, you want to get your spray bottle and add a solution of water and white vinegar. This mixture will help to eliminate the horrible smell of the urine that can still be present in the carpet. It’s very easy to remove but you have to put in an extra effort in cleaning after spraying to make sure it is dry enough. Just like I said above, this will prevent your cat from urinating in the same spot.

Use a crystalline powder and scatter it in the carpet after it’s all dried up. This will help you to remove cat urine smell that are still left in the area. The goal is to make sure that your cat cannot anymore smell their urine so they would stop urinating in the same area. Male cats are prone to do this because they like to mark their territories.

These are the steps you need to remember when you want to get rid of cat urine smell in your carpet. Clean the area as fast and efficiently as you can before your cat urinates in your carpet again. This will make it really hard to remove the smell when their urine gets deeper inside the carpet.

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January 13, 2010

The Pros And Cons Of Using Silica Cat Litter

Filed under: Cats — Ned Dagostino @ 4:26 pm

The newest cat litter to hit the market is one that is based on silica. Silica is widely used as a simple drying agent. You’ve seen little sachets of this material in expensive electronic or photographic equipment. The cat’s litter box is laid with the silica litter just about an inch deep. That is sufficient to absorb all kitty’s waste and especially the foul odor from the litter box. There’s absolutely no smell anymore! Cleaning the litter is also so much easier as all the waste is as dry as a bone!

You need to use very little silica cat litter. For a single cat, you’ll need to lay out one inch of the litter in the box, and this will last for two to four weeks. This saves you the bother of refreshing the cat litter every few days and in some cases everyday. This particular silver lining does have its attendant cloud! The fear is that silica is harmful to your cat’s health and well-being.

Silica is rather like powdered glass. It can be quite rough on your pet’s paws. Not only the bruising it may cause, you should also be aware of the danger that your pet cat may swallow the silica when it cleans its paws. This can have extreme repercussions if taken in large quantities. Even in trace quantities, the silica is likely to accumulate in the cat’s intestines over a sufficient period, which is just as damaging to the cat’s health.

You’ll be surprised to know that the fact that you don’t have to refresh the litter everyday or every few days, is itself a source of alarm among some pet owners and experts. They say that keeping the litter in the box for so long will encourage bacterial and microbial growth which will lead to a number of illnesses for the cat as well as for the people in the house.

There is no doubt that silica cat litter is superior to the other cat litters available now. Its odor-killing quality alone is sufficient to make it the numero uno cat litter. The application cost is so very low, that even cost conscious pet owners have no reservations in using it. The daily chore of fishing around the litter box for the cat’s droppings is now, no, not pleasant but, simple and bearable. You are spared the sight (and obnoxious smell, phew!) of stomach-turning slimy stuff. You just pick out some ’stones’ from the litter and carry it off for disposal. Then the chore of refreshing the litter box has been erased from your daily task list. Once or twice a month is like… freedom!

On the minus side, the cost advantage is countered by the fact that the traditional clumping litter works out the same on a long term basis. The second point against silica cat litter is that clumping litter must be refreshed in a couple of days, which makes it healthier for the cat.

One mustn’t forget that silica can bruise your cat’s paws. If these concerns put you off of buying silica litter, you can buy the variety which comes mixed with ordinary litters. These are more acceptable to many than the purely silica variety.

Silica cat litter is actually a very good product suffering from some severe drawbacks. The mixed variety can be a bridge between all-silica and all-clumping. This way you get the benefits of both varieties of cat litters. The clumping prevents your cat’s paws from damage, and the silica litter prevents the foul odor from pervading the house!

Another viable solution, but also a more expensive one, is to purchase an automatic cat litter box. Go to www.CatLitterBoxesPlus.com to read about all your cat litter choices. You’ll discover why clumping cat litter remains the most popular choice on the market today.

 

What is Dermatophilosis And Can My Dog Have It

Filed under: Cats — Rafael Zabala @ 4:06 pm

If your dog spends time around farm animals like horses, cows or sheep, you need to check it regularly for Dermatophilosis. This condition is contract from farm animals and it typically found in warm humid climates. It does not discriminate against age or gender of the animal.

If you start to notice a yellow-crusted spot around your dog’s body or head, he may suffer from Dermatophilosis. This condition is very common in cats and dogs but is treatable. Usually when you remove a crusty area, you will see a cluster of hairs underneath due to the impacted follicle.

Another symptom associated with Dermatophilosis can be excessive scratching. Additionally, if you notice pus under infected area, best to get the dog to the vet. In order to determine if this is actually Dermatophilosis, your dog needs to be tested.

The vet will take a sample of the infected area to run tests. Be sure that he knows that you have been around farm animals so he can test for Dermatophilosis. Once the vet has determined that it is Dermatophilosis, treatment will be prescribed.

The vet will recommend a topical medicated shampoo for the dog to be bathed in. Read the directions thoroughly before you begin. We also recommend that you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

For severe cases, your vet might prescribe an antibiotic to be given orally over a number of days. Typically, penicillin is prescribes but any type of antibiotic will work. Be sure that you are constant with the prescribed medication in order to achieve results.

As with all medications, the vet will allow some time to pass before he checks the dog again. After about 2 or 3 weeks, he will reschedule another appointment. You should start seeing results in your dog in about a week to 10 days.

It is not impossible for a family member or caregiver to contract Dermatophilosis from the infected dog. If you are living with a person with a low immune system, you might want to quarantine your dog until its condition clears. If you just want to be on the safe side, it would be best to keep the dog away from the rest of the family for a time.

As with illness, you want to make sure that you apply all medications while wearing protective gloves. Some skin conditions can be highly contagious and cross contamination is possible. Be sure to wash your hands regularly when dealing with any skin condition on dogs and cats.

Have a Pet that you Love? Check out Catherine’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs website that uses nature’s best ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

 

Cat Furniture Is A Great Way To Provide Entertainment

Filed under: Cats — Carol Navagato @ 12:51 pm

Cats are some of the most popular pets in the world. This is because they are also some of the most wonderful and playful animals there are as well. Even when a cat gets on in years, you will still be able to watch him play, provided that you have the right cat toys and the right cat furniture.

When a lot of people hear the term cat furniture, they probably don’t have a clue what kind of furniture would be for a cat. If you own a cat, you need to make sure to have some of this kind of furniture because it provides exercise, a place to hide and sleep, a place to get up high and relax, and it will provide an aversion to your cat using your furniture.

A cat tree is one of the neatest kinds of cat furniture in that it will look cool in your house. Your cat will absolutely love climbing into a cat tree. You can get then in all kinds if colors and with all kinds of toys attached as well. These are thickly carpeted and are excellent for claw scratching and for a soft place to lie and rest from all that hard playing.

Condos are some of the coolest and most inviting of all the kinds of cat furniture. These are made with a cat’s instincts in mind. There are cubby holes for a cat to hide in and sleep while there are all kinds of climbing equipment. All this is usually covered in a thick carpet that is perfect for comfort and for a cat to be able to scratch his claws on. These condos also come complete with attached toys as well.

One great piece of furniture that your cat will really enjoy is a carpeted window seat. One of the greatest times for indoor cats especially is to lie in the window and watch the birds and squirrels outside. This is for many cats a favorite past time over playing.

If your cat stays indoors all the time, you might think about getting a large cage with a kitty tree and perches built inside it for some outdoor time and fresh air. This way your cat would be protected from the neighbor’s dog and he won’t go missing. Keeping a cat indoors all the time without a little outdoor exposure is extremely unhealthy.

If you are on a budget and find that some of the advertised cat furniture you have seen is too expensive, why not construct your own cat tree from wood and logs? You could build a version for a lot less than you could buy one for, saving enough money to add plenty of toys and some carpet samples for perches to lie on.

Every cat deserves some neat toys and furniture to keep them busy, exercising and playing. These kinds of things will ensure that your house and furniture won’t be the target of your kitty’s claws and it is fun to watch them play on the furniture. You could always add some extras like catnip to the cubby holes or kitty treats on the top perch.

Even when a cat gets on in years, you will still be able to watch him play, provided that you have the right cat toys and the right cat furniture for example cat perches .

 

If You Have A Cat, You Need Cat Furniture

Filed under: Cats — Carol Navagato @ 12:50 pm

Cats are some of the most popular pets in the world. This is because they are also some of the most wonderful and playful animals there are as well. Even when a cat gets on in years, you will still be able to watch him play, provided that you have the right cat toys and the right cat furniture.

When a lot of people hear the term cat furniture, they probably don’t have a clue what kind of furniture would be for a cat. If you own a cat, you need to make sure to have some of this kind of furniture because it provides exercise, a place to hide and sleep, a place to get up high and relax, and it will provide an aversion to your cat using your furniture.

One popular kind of furniture for cats is a cat tree. These are constructed with fun and excitement in mind while at the same time providing a perch for your cat to relax on. You will have many styles and colors to choose from. If you would like to design your own, you can do that as well and some companies will build it for you.

If you would like to give your cat a little more in a piece of cat furniture than just a playground, then you need to look at some cat condos. These are actual playgrounds and houses together. Your cat will have carpet covered boxes to hide in and sleep. Some of these are up high so that no one will bother your sleeping cat. These are the greatest additions to your home for your cat. You can also have many colors and styles to choose from in condos as well.

No cat is happy if he has to stay indoors all the time without having a spot in front of a window to call his very own. This is the ideal past time for a cat and a window perch makes that time of enjoyment for you cat more comfortable. You can get a variety of different kinds of window seat for your cat as well.

Keeping a cat indoors all the time is not healthy. You could have a large cage that has a cat tree inside it for your cat’s outdoor time. If he is in the cage, you won’t have to worry about other animals bothering your cat and you won’t have to worry about your cat getting away either. You will be able to let your cat have a great time outdoors and you better believe your cat will certainly love it.

You can build your own furniture for your cat if you would like. You could have a great time doing it and you will be able to save a lot of money. By building your on cat tree or condo, you will be able to customize all the little things for your cat that you know he will enjoy immensely.

Every cat deserves some neat toys and furniture to keep them busy, exercising and playing. These kinds of things will ensure that your house and furniture won’t be the target of your kitty’s claws and it is fun to watch them play on the furniture. You could always add some extras like catnip to the cubby holes or kitty treats on the top perch.

Even when a cat gets on in years, you will still be able to watch him play, provided that you have the right cat toys and the right cat furniture for example cat perches .

 

January 12, 2010

Cat Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Feline

Filed under: Cats — Melissa Fielden @ 12:14 pm

The modern lifestyle of today has brought new possibilities for many animal lovers to achieve the role of being responsible cat owners. However, the path of responsible pet rearing is not as simple as it may seem. This is because in the course of your pet ownership, you will come across several cat behavior problems that you may find too challenging to deal with. This may actually be surprising for some because they don’t know that behind the cat’s cuddly image and harmless demeanor, they can turn into the one of the most temperamental creatures they’ve ever seen.

The occurrence of these cat behavior problems may be rooted to the personality of your pet. Contrary to the beliefs of many, each cat is different from the other. This means that there is no single way in dealing with these problems. Each case may have a different solution and the cure for one problem may solve or worsen another. Experts have found that cat behavior problems are most likely triggered by some things or events that your cat does not like. The following are some of the most common cat behavior problems and some tips to deal with them.

One of the most common cat behavior problems is the cat’s being either overly aggressive or overly shy to the point that the cat refuses to do anything with anyone. In the case of excessive energy or aggression, such unwanted cat behavior problems can be fixed by means of training your cat to channel its aggression on to other harmless things.

Fortunately, cat behavior problems such as this can be solved by giving your cat some proper training. You can train your cat on how to deal with aggression by diverting it to other things or activities. You can give your cat things to play with such as a ball or a yarn. You can also purchase a scratching post for it to get its claw on. This method will surely relieve your cat’s stress levels and will contribute in dispersing excess energy and tension.

Cat behavior problems having to do with shyness need only be addressed by breaking your cat into the social circuit a little at a time. You may do this by playing with your cat by yourself first, and then progressing into letting your cat play with other relatives or friends one by one until he or she gets used to it.

Potty Training Perhaps the most challenging cat behavior problems you may encounter involves putting the litter in the litter box. In some cases, cats can be observed to be littering just about anywhere. And of course nobody enjoys the strong smell that emanates from cat dung. But if you look closely, the cats usually litter on the same spot or area. This means that this bad habit, like any other cat behavior problems is treatable. Sometimes this is caused by the cat owner not situating a proper and comfortable litter area.

However, like all cat behavior problems this one is also treatable. Just situate a comfy litter area and lead your cat into it whenever it litters. You can also use the trusty reward system and give it a treat whenever it uses the litter box. This method will help your cat develop better potty habits.

Did you find those tips on Cat Behavior Problems useful? Melissa Fielden, who has been a zoo keeper for over 8 years, runs an informative website about cats. You can learn a lot more about how to solve cat behavior problems by visiting www.CatBehaviorProblems.info

 

Cat Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Cat

Filed under: Cats — Melissa Fielden @ 12:13 pm

Today’s modern way of life has opened doors for more animal lovers and pet enthusiasts to become responsible cat owners. However as they traverse the path of pet rearing, they are most likely to encounter several cat behavior problems. This is because despite of the cat’s cuddly image and affectionate demeanor, they can also be temperamental and stubborn at times.

The occurrence of these cat behavior problems may be rooted to the personality of your pet. Contrary to the beliefs of many, each cat is different from the other. This means that there is no single way in dealing with these problems. Each case may have a different solution and the cure for one problem may solve or worsen another. Experts have found that cat behavior problems are most likely triggered by some things or events that your cat does not like. The following are some of the most common cat behavior problems and some tips to deal with them.

Aggression- This is the one of the most frequent cat behavior problems a cat owner will encounter. This is when the cat becomes too aggressive on other cats, animals or even people. They may display these aggressive tendencies by intimidating them. This happens when a cat gets really stressed out or gets frustrated over something. Sometimes this causes damages in home furniture and upholstery.

These unwanted cat behavior problems can be resolved with proper training. You can teach your cat to channel his aggression on other things and not furniture or people. You can buy your cat a scratching post. This medium will help your cat release the tension and excess energy. Experts also say that scratching posts are very helpful for health of the cat.

Extreme Shyness of cats- Some cats have a case of extreme awkwardness whenever they are in the company of people it does not know. This aloofness is observable when in the presence of visitors it doesn’t recognize. The reason for this is that some cats are not comfortable to be around things or people that are not familiar to them. However, with some exposure training it can get over this kind of behavior problem.

Potty Training Perhaps the most challenging cat behavior problems you may encounter involves putting the litter in the litter box. In some cases, cats can be observed to be littering just about anywhere. And of course nobody enjoys the strong smell that emanates from cat dung. But if you look closely, the cats usually litter on the same spot or area. This means that this bad habit, like any other cat behavior problems is treatable. Sometimes this is caused by the cat owner not situating a proper and comfortable litter area.

However, like all cat behavior problems this one is also treatable. Just situate a comfy litter area and lead your cat into it whenever it litters. You can also use the trusty reward system and give it a treat whenever it uses the litter box. This method will help your cat develop better potty habits.

Did you find those tips on Cat Behavioral Problems useful? Melissa Fielden, who has been a zoo keeper for over 8 years, runs an informative website about cats. You can learn a lot more about how to solve Cat Behavioral Problems by visiting www.CatBehaviorProblems.info

 

January 11, 2010

Cat Behavior Problems – How To Train Your Feline

Filed under: Cats — Melissa Fielden @ 9:10 am

Today’s modern way of life has opened doors for more animal lovers and pet enthusiasts to become responsible cat owners. However as they traverse the path of pet rearing, they are most likely to encounter several cat behavior problems. This is because despite of the cat’s cuddly image and affectionate demeanor, they can also be temperamental and stubborn at times.

The occurrence of these cat behavior problems may be rooted to the personality of your pet. Contrary to the beliefs of many, each cat is different from the other. This means that there is no single way in dealing with these problems. Each case may have a different solution and the cure for one problem may solve or worsen another. Experts have found that cat behavior problems are most likely triggered by some things or events that your cat does not like. The following are some of the most common cat behavior problems and some tips to deal with them.

Cats with Aggressive Behavior- One of the most common cat behavior problems a cat owner can stumble upon would be aggression. This behavior problem is known to cause damage in the house. In addition, cats with this issue are also known to pester visitors and start fights with other cats.

Going out and purchasing a scratch pad or ball of yarn might be a good idea in that your cat will be able to release his or her energy in the process of playing rather than damaging your belongings or possessions. On the other hand, behavioral problems in your cat that involve your cat being overly shy may be fixed by training your cat to overcome his or her inhibitions.

Extreme Shyness of cats- Some cats have a case of extreme awkwardness whenever they are in the company of people it does not know. This aloofness is observable when in the presence of visitors it doesn’t recognize. The reason for this is that some cats are not comfortable to be around things or people that are not familiar to them. However, with some exposure training it can get over this kind of behavior problem.

Potty Training Perhaps the most challenging cat behavior problems you may encounter involves putting the litter in the litter box. In some cases, cats can be observed to be littering just about anywhere. And of course nobody enjoys the strong smell that emanates from cat dung. But if you look closely, the cats usually litter on the same spot or area. This means that this bad habit, like any other cat behavior problems is treatable. Sometimes this is caused by the cat owner not situating a proper and comfortable litter area.

Some experts advise pet owners to direct the cat to litter on the litter pan, and the best way to do this is to implement the good old reward and punishment program. There are dozens more cat behavior problems that one may encounter but nothing can’t be corrected by proper training and undying effort to teach your pet what is right.

Did you find those tips on Cat Behavior Problems useful? Melissa Fielden, who has been a zoo keeper for over 8 years, runs a helpful website about cats. You can learn a lot more about how to solve cat behavior problems by visiting www.CatBehaviorProblems.info

 

Effective Strategies for Cat Leash Training

Filed under: Cats — Jason Greening @ 8:42 am

Whether your cat likes to spend its times indoors or outdoors, there might come a time when you need to take your cat outdoors and this is where you need to train your cat to walk on a leash. You might have seen dogs taken out on a leash, you even might have seen ponies on leash, but have you ever seen a cat on a leash? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Here are some practical tips for leash training your cat.

Before deciding whether you want your cat to be leash trained, you need to determine whether it’s even necessary. Does your cat love the outdoors or is it a cat who likes to stay indoors all the time? If all their needs are satisfied within the house, they will seldom leave the house. Considering their feline nature, they have certain hunting instincts in them. These instincts can be satisfied by placing a protected birdfeed or birdbath within view (not reach) of the cat. Also try to place some green grass within their reach, so whenever they need to eat it, it should be freely available to them. If all this doesn’t seem to satisfy your cat, however, leash training might be your best option.

Just as with any type of training, cat leash training will take a considerable amount of time. Do you remember the first time you tried to put a collar on your cat? The cat might have resisted putting it on and after you managed to put it on somehow, the cat would have been busy for hours trying to remove it. You will have a similar experience with the leash, but if your cat is already accustomed to a collar, half of the battle for leash training is won.

Start training your cat for a leash by attaching a leash to your cat’s collar. Do not tighten the leash and keep it slackened, so that the cat gets used to it. Also, do not walk or drag the cat the first time you put the leash on your cat. Let her get used to it. This is the secret of successful cat leash training. Try this method for a few minutes on the first day.

Kitty training, especially training your cat to walk on a leash, is a lengthy process. During the training period, you need to have lot of patience. Keep an eye on the reactions of the cat all the while. If you try to force your will on the cat, you are bound to lose, so do it with patience. You can also entice your cat to cooperate by giving him treats.

The next step is to walk your cat with the leash on within the house. Praise him if he takes it easily and give him some motivation by offering food or a toy. If the cat is not responding favorably, repeat the above mentioned steps till he gets completely comfortable with the idea of a leash.

Cats are very independent animals and like to stay that way. It is often said that humans do not make cats their pets; it is the other way round. Cats use humans so that they can get food and shelter. For this they have adapted themselves in such a way that we feel affectionate towards them and take them as pets. You need to use these attributes in order to coax your cat to walk on a leash.

Leash training is just one unusual form of cat training. Visit Cat Toilet Training to find out why and how you can easily teach your cat to give up its litter box and use the toilet instead!

 
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