You are here: Home / Archives for Cat Maven

Keep the Kitty in the Cat

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cats should stay young and happy, just as an adult needs to stay in shape and youthful. Several ways exist to help keep the kitten alive in the cat.

Adult cats need to play. Everyone thinks a kitten is cute as it plays with sacks, empty boxes, and toys. Helping an adult cat to enjoy playing throughout its life helps to keep it happy and young. Playing triggers mental and physical activity, which is good for animals and people.

Sacks and empty boxes make inexpensive and enjoyable toys for cats, too. Watching a cat of any age jump in and out of a box or sack, stick its head out and peek around, or roll around in the container is enjoyable for people as for the cat.

Hide dried food or favorite toys around the house. Cats need to hunt to stay alert. Having things to “hunt” will keep this instinct alive and focused.

Allow a cat to interact as it wishes. Tension and stress ages any living thing. So forcing a cat to interact with strangers or other pets builds stress, and often tarnishes the trust it may have with its person or people.

Feed a cat properly. A proper diet will keep a cat younger longer. The food given to any cat should meet its needs according to its age and physical condition. Overweight cats live shorter lives, as do overweight people. Cats that don’t get the proper nourishment will suffer physical problems.

Be sure cats have ample fresh water. Cats need fresh water daily. A lack of water can result in urinary problems. A sick cat ages rapidly.
Cats need privacy. As noted earlier, tension and stress ages cats as well as people. Each cat needs a place where it can have privacy when needed. One of my cats likes to withdraw into a closet, so the door is left open a bit. Another “hides” under a large stool. Both come out when ready happy to be with us.

Cats require a stimulating environment. Outdoor cats have trees to climb, bushes to attack, different levels to explore. Indoor cats need the same opportunities. The more active and alert cats remain, the younger they stay and longer.

Keep cats mentally active. Cats can be trained (books exist that explain how to train cats), and the mental activity of training and performing helps them retain youthfulness.

Much of advice given to people to help them stay youthful applies to cats, also: correct diets, activity – both physical and mental, a stimulating environment, reduced tension and stress, and interactions with others.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Thinking of Buying a Cat?

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Maybe you’ve recently decided to get yourself a cat. People tend to love their cats and relationships between cats and man has been in existence for ages. Cat ownership is also about a whole lot of other things and you need preparation, time, responsibility, and care. Your cat will be entirely reliant on you to ensure that he has the best life that is possibly available.

At first you’ll need a couple of items before you bring your cat home. Collars are a good idea as they provide identification, however some cats hate wearing collars. Some other things you’ll also need include a water bowl as well as a food bowl. You may also require a litter tray, scratching post, grooming tools, toys, a bed, and a pet carrier.
Your cat will also require food and because the cat is a carnivorous animal, its diet should be something of the same nature. Cats require the sort of proteins that you tend to find in meats and canned foods are a perfect example of this. Cats should be fed at least twice daily along with a good supply of fresh water.

As long as you have the essentials, you can then go out and buy your cat. Getting a cat into a new home is usually a very stressful time for the creature. Your cat should set the pace for the moment. Make sure he is placed in a small area or room along with all his necessary items such as bowls and litter box. The carrier door should be left open and you should allow him to make the decision to explore. You should also keep coming to check in on your new pet as this tends to make the transition a whole lot easier.

Training is an important part of pet ownership. A well-trained cat will be a happy cat, which results in a happy owner. Litter training should be done early. With proper time and encouragement, your kitty will master this quickly. It is also important to attend to the socialization aspect of training. Remember; encourage good behavior with rewards and praise. Bad behavior should be discouraged, by making it an unpleasant experience. But keep in mind: punishment plays no role in training.

Some important decisions will also need to be made when you are buying a cat. You have to determine whether you want your cat to be an outdoor or indoor cat, or a combination of both. You should just have the risk factors in mind when you allow your cat to roam freely outside. A decision will also need to be made as to whether your cat should be declawed or not, making the right research into this will help you make the right decision. Your cat will also need to be neutered around twelve weeks of age. This will be an asset to his health.
Communication with your cat is also essential and you should explore ways through which your cat can understand what you want and you can understand what it wants as well. Grooming is another essential area of cat ownership, your cat should be brushed daily and its nails should be clipped monthly. The sort of bathing you give it will determine on the thickness of its coat. Good communication will also make grooming an easy thing for you.

Your cat should also get the required medical care. Immunization shots are necessary for your cats well being. You should also pay attention to the behavior of your cat to determine whether he is sick or not. The litter box is a good source of information to determine if something is wrong with your cat or not.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Cats – The Best Choice For Apartment Dwellers

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Are you interested in getting a cat or dog but have concerns because you live in an apartment? Cats can be a great choice for people who live in apartments.

First, cats are naturally clean animals. They actually prefer to use a litter box for toileting instead of making messes on your carpet. Cats clean themselves, so they rarely require you to give them a bath.
Cats are generally quiet creatures. Yes, they can meow and yowl sometimes, but when compared to a barking dog, the cat’s amount of noise pales in comparison. You won’t have the issue of a dog barking endlessly from separation anxiety and neighbors calling the apartment office to complain.

Third, cats do not have to be taken outside to use the bathroom. Apartment communities may not have convenient places for dog-walking, and there may be safety issues involved with walking a dog after dark. Also, there can be a lot of dogs in a small area which can increase the likelihood of diseases being transmitted to your pet.
You will have more choices of where to live if you get a cat. Some apartments will allow cats but won’t allow dogs. Sometimes pet-shy landlords can be convinced to let you keep a cat but would never consider a dog. You can live in a high-rise and not have to worry about your dog having an accident while you are waiting to catch an elevator to go outside.

Cats allow more freedom for their owners. If you are single and have to work late, you don’t have to worry about your dog being in agony from having to wait to go outside or making a mess. Often, people who live in apartments have fewer obligations and are more likely to want to travel. A cat can be left overnight if plenty of food and water is available. And for longer trips, you could have someone stop by once daily to check on the cat where a dog would require at least two daily stops and probably more, or you might have to pay for boarding at a kennel.

You may be worried that a cat can’t be as good of a companion as a dog. Cats can be very affectionate, but this depends on the individual cat’s personality and how the cat was handled as a kitten. Many like to be right where you are when you are home such as on the couch with you while you are watching TV. Cats can even be trained to do tricks such as fetch.

I have lived in apartments with both cats and dogs. While I enjoy both, I think a cat is the best choice for apartment-dwellers since they use litter boxes instead of having to go outside, they don’t bark, and you don’t have to schedule your life around having to be home to take the dog out.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How To Help Care For Aging Cats

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Aging cats are going to take a little more looking after as they get older and visits to the vet should become more regular to ensure that any problems are dealt with before they become a bigger worry and concern.

Older cats, in general, will need a little more comfort as they are not as lively as they once were and giving them a nice soft surface to sleep on, away from drafts and in the warmth, will ensure that they remain in good health for longer.

Quite often cats will find a favourite place to sleep and as they are very clean animals, this place will need to be cleaned on a regular basis or they may move to other sleeping areas after a while.
There are some excellent cat beds available on the market designed to be very comfortable. They are relatively cheap and most of them are designed to wrap around your cat as they lie in their natural curled up sleeping position.

This gives your cat support and also a sense of security. The better cat beds are made of materials that can be easily washed and dried to help maintain cleanliness and ensure that your cat stays in that same place most of the time.

One of the biggest problems that you need to consider as your cat ages is to have their teeth checked on a regular basis, as teeth problems are one of the biggest causes of ill health in older cats.
In fact it has often been said that cats that live the longest are those that don’t have any teeth left.

They can get a build up of plaque on their teeth and this can cause gum problems.

These gum problems can cause infections that lead to the deterioration of their internal organs and a reduction in their quality of life and in the length of their lives.

Arrange to get your cat’s teeth checked at least once every six months as they get older.

Some breeds of cats and more prone to teeth problems than others and a lot of this depends upon the type of food you are feeding them and also the way that they eat. Some cats like to chew more than others, with the chewing helping to clean plaque off their teeth.

Being aware of ways that can help you to care for aging cats must surely be in your, and your cats, best interest.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Aggression in Cats

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cats are naturally territorial animals. Therefore, it is common for a cat to have aggressive tendencies toward other cats in the house. This behavior can suddenly happen for no apparent reason. When your cat first shows aggression toward other cats it is important to take corrective action.

Often times aggression is the result of sexual maturity which leads to territorial behavior in cats. In most cases, a cat’s sexual and territorial urges will be minimized once they are spayed or neutered. If both cats have had this procedure and you are still having a problem, then consider some other options.

If you have several cats in your household, a single aggressive cat will often want to dominate the pack. Many times a single cat or pair of cats will be the problem. One will be the aggressor, and the other cat will be on the defensive. One method is to single out and focus on the aggressor.

If you can catch the aggressive cat in the act, try and spray him with a squirt bottle. Make sure the spray is directed only toward the aggressive cat. The defensive cat will be under enough stress and should not be provoked with water or noise. Noise making devices such as air-cans, will essentially scare both cats which is what you want to avoid by using a squirt bottle.

Unfortunately it is not always possible to catch an aggressive cat in the act. This is a must if your discipline is to be effective. Luckily, there are other effective solutions such as setting up your own conditions for the behavior to occur.

Try moving the two problem cats away from one another by putting each of them in a separate area of the house. Try this for a full day and make sure they do not have any contact with each other. The following day, allow them to trade places. This allows each cat to get familiar with the others scent yet does not allow for direct contact.
Continue with the cat’s separation for several days, switching their quarters regularly. When you think the cats are ready, allow them to be together for several minutes under close supervision. Have the squirt bottle ready in case the aggressive cat attacks. Then proceed to separate and reintroduce the cats several more times.

Upon reintroduction, try an activity together such as eating or playing. Create a stress free environment for the cats to re-associate with one another. Give them praise and speak to them in a soothing voice. If the aggressive behavior occurs, make sure you are ready for it!

You may have to continue with the separation and reintroduction process for several days or even weeks. Your cat’s aggression toward other cats is a problem that you must be patient to solve. The time it takes to overcome the problem will depend on the personality of both cats.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Should Cats Drink Milk

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than good.

While milk might seem like a natural choice for your cat, the truth is that cow’s milk offers no nutritional value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in many. The reason is that most cats develop intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. This means that they are unable to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive problems.

Some people think that cats need to have milk in order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not true. In fact, cow’s milk does nothing to meet a cat’s nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do not usually have the opportunity to drink cow’s milk.

As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for any cat, and should never be given in place of food OR in place of water. Replacing a cat’s food or water with milk can cause your cat to become malnourished.

Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, milk should never be given in place of food, but as a treat.

If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for meals. Even if you feed this “cats milk” on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and fresh water should always be available. Another option for lactose intolerant cats is to give lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores.

In addition to cat’s milk, there are a lot of other ways to treat your cats to special food.

If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is important to you.

Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a variety to keep her from becoming bored with her food. Another version of this is to pour the water from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as an occasional treat.
Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, and you will see row after row of treats. While most of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that treats should be given as such, and should not be fed to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy weight gain.

Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the milk they need is their mother’s. The mother’s milk is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow’s milk. Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten’s mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a substitute that should be available at your local pet store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk substitute several times a day. While the pet store personnel can probably answer most of your questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the kitten is getting exactly what it needs.

The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn’t going to hurt.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Should You Declaw Your Cats?

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you own cats, the question you’ll probably be faced with is whether to declaw your cats or not. In the end your decision will end up affecting your cat more than it affects you. People tend to take different sides on the issue and each side has its own theories and facts to support their claims. A lot of people don’t understand what is involved in the declawing of a cat and the short and long term effects of their actions on the cat.

It is usually important to first think about what cats use their claws for. Cats usually use claws to mark out their territory. Claws are also a contributory factor in helping the agility characteristics of a cat in jumping, chasing as well as running. Retractable claws also tend to help them establish good footing and balance as well. Cats also use their claws for defensive purposes against predators; most owners tend to see cat’s claws as a nuisance and the reason behind their ruined sofas, carpets or curtains.

When you declaw a cat, it isn’t like cutting off a person’s toenails. Cats’ claws are usually attached to ligaments as well as tendons and bones. Removing the claws of a cat would bear much more similarity to amputation. Declawing a cat cuts off the first bone in each of the cats toes and it can be quite painful for your cat as no pain medication is usually given to the cats later on. Declawing cats also tends to have a psychological effect on cats as they usually become quiet and aloof unlike their former playful selves.

Declawing is usually an operation which requires some form of anesthesia but different complications that result from procedure can come up as well. In some rarer cases other complications may include, infection, excessive bleeding, possible paralysis and death from anesthesia. If declawing is performed improperly, the claws may also grow back in an abnormal manner from the top or bottom of the cat’s paws.

A cat’s entire defense system is completely reliant on its claws. Once a cat is declawed, it should never be allowed outdoors. When a cat is confronted by another animal, a cat usually claws, chases or runs away. When a cat chases or runs, it is reliant on its claws. Without these claws, the cat will not be able to fight. Some people think that if their cats are kept strictly indoors, there will be no need for self-defense and thus choose to declaw these cats. However, even house cats get loose and what would happen if your cat was faced with great danger?

The practice of declawing is banned in a lot of countries; a lot of these countries consider declawing as an inhumane procedure. Declawing nevertheless has its alternatives. If the cat is trained properly, it eliminates the tendency they possess to scratch human beings and furniture. You can easily deal with furniture scratching by buying a scratching post for your cat. The scratching post shouldn’t be made of carpeting but rather a kind of material that is similar to the backing that comes with carpeting. You should also ensure that cat’s claws are trimmed regularly as it is one routine aspect of cat grooming; this also reduces part of the inconveniences associated with cats and their claws.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Grooming Issues and Cats

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One thing that all cat owners are aware of is the meticulous attention their cats tend to pay to self-hygiene. These cats do this in a variety of ways; one of such ways is by licking their fur. However, cats can’t do the hygiene bit all on their own and they also require your help in sorting out their hygiene issues.

In order to help in grooming your cat, you ought to have introduced your cat to the idea at an early age. By doing this, the cat will become used to the attention and will allow you handle the grooming without creating a fuss. The grooming will usually entail brushing their coat and trimming their claws as the occasional bath.

By brushing the cat’s fur, you achieve a number of things. It helps you keep the hair of your cats clean, shiny as well as free from tangling. It also helps you bond with your cat and gives you the chance to look out for things like fleas, ticks as well as a number of other parasites. The practice also helps you reduce shedding and hairballs which are a major cause of digestive problems associated with cats. You should also brush your cats on a regular and daily basis.

Nail clipping tends to be somewhat trickier than just brushing. Cat’s nails have a regular need to be kept trim. Having a scratching post can easily aid you with accomplishing this goal and it will prevent your furniture from getting ruined as well. When you are clipping the nails, make sure that you don’t cut the vein or quick in the paw of the cat as it may prove painful for your pet. The cat should be kept as still as possible and if you reward such behavior with treats, it usually helps. If you have issues with the nail clipping, it is usually advisable to get some help from a professional groomer or veterinarian.

Cats that have shorthaired coats have little or no need for bathing, on the other hand if your cat is longhaired then you should perform this task every one to three months. You can easily perform the task in a sink; you should first wet the cat, shampoo with a pet shampoo when cleaning the cat’s coat and then a tearless baby shampoo for the face. Cats with a normal coat will need about two shampoos while cats with a much longer coat will require three shampoos. You should then rinse off your cat with a mixture of vinegar as well as water. You should also remember that although cats are groomers and like being clean, they do not like baths. You should try and make their experience as pleasant and as quick as possible. When you’re through you can dry the cat completely with towels and keep the cat in a warm room. If your cat likes it, then you can blow-dry its coat but make sure you use a low setting. If your cat really hates being wet, then you can easily buy shampoo in its powder form, that way you don’t have to rinse the cat.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Cats are Definitely Smart!

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If we choose to define ‘intelligence’ as the ability to acquire and remember information and the capability to use them while solving different problems, then the cat is without doubt the most intelligent animal from all those surrounding us.

The cat’s ability to acquire and gather information through careful observation and studies is uncanny. This can be observed by putting a cat in a room in which it has never been before. The first thing you will notice will be that the cat will inspect every nook and corner of the room and make note of the different aspects of the room to give it valuable information about the environment including if there are exits and if there are, it will note where that exit is and how fast it can use the exit in case of emergencies or just use it as an outlet for escape if it feels that it is being trapped inside the room. This information is valuable and can save its life in some cases. This curiosity specific to cats gave her the reputation that cats have nine lives.

The with Nine Lives

This legendary ability of cats to inspect surroundings is superior to that of any other domestic animal. The intellectual capacity of the cat is demonstrated by her ability of using information she already has to pass through certain situations. Cats are capable of forming learning patterns, a characteristic that was supposed to belong to primates.

Learn through Observation

Cats learn through observation, imitation, trying and of course mistakes, just like people. By observing their owners, cats are capable of imitating on how to open drawers or cupboards, turn on the lights or use a toilet. If you allow the cat to roam free, then you will not have any problem regarding where the cat will ease or urinate itself but if you keep the cat in the house all the time, you may have such problems. The good news is you can program the cat to know exactly where to ease or urinate itself by preparing a special toilet of hardboard placed at one corner of your house, probably in your extra toilet room. Once you program the cat to use that special toilet, the cat will automatically utilize it every time it needs to go to the toilet. If you remove the toilet, it will be stressed to find another one which is definitely not available in the house. And if the toilet is full or dirty, the cat will approach you and requests you to clean it or it will refuse to ease itself or urinate in the toilet box. It will not use a replacement box because its memory does not record that new box as the proper box recorded in its memory.

Considering the fact that cats are the most intelligent domestic animal, it’s important the owner clearly knows he limits of their cognitive processes. Conferring the pet human motives can potentially cause damage and behavioral problems.

Think in Perspective

A cat reflect upon the past or think in perspective, so punishing her for something she has done minutes earlier is useless because the cat is not capable of connecting the punishment with her actions. The same way, cats can’t claim revenge for a past punishment. So don’t underestimate the intelligence of your cat. Try to understand better your pet and act in a manner that living together can be a beneficial experience for both of you.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The History of Cats in Modern Society

July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

People rarely remember how the cats became the household pets that they are today. From one age to the other people have had a love/hate relationship with cats. The cat as we know it has played different roles in different cultures and this was all before it became the household pet that we know today.

Bones which were found in a grave in Cyprus from around 7500 B.C. have suggested that some form of domestication may have occurred at an earlier period with some wildcat species. A lot of people believe that the domestication of cats started sometime around 4000 B.C in the ancient Egypt and precisely in the Valley of the Nile. The cat was a very useful creature to ancient Egyptians and these cats protected their stored grains from rats. While ancient Egyptians had many animals, the cat was the only animal which was allowed to roam as it wished; they were only kept in when they were needed to perform their duties. Egyptians came to see cats as sacred animals and in turn they become the symbol of the Goddess Bastet. Bastet was portrayed with the head of a cat and the cat became highly regarded in society and it became a crime to kill a cat. If you killed a cat it could result in death or the receipt of a stone beating. The actual death of a cat was a very sad event for a family and involved a full-scale burial.

The domestication of cats later spread and Nile bargemen would keep their cats on ships in order to control the rodent population. Sometimes when goods were being unloaded the cat would wander off the boat and establish a new territory as a home. In ancient Rome, cats were used to keep the rat and mice population in check and they were also kept as pets as well. Cats became a favorite house pet because of their unique features. And Islamic countries held the cat in great esteem, as the Egyptians did.

In the Middle Ages, there was a change in opinion about the cat. Cats were thought to have certain magical powers and were said to be associated with the devil. People who owned cats were seen as witches. Pope Gregory IX even went as far as labeling the cat
a “diabolical creature.” Cats were put to death and sometimes burnt with their owners. This almost wiped out the domestic cat population in Europe, and is believed to have been the reason for the bubonic plague, since the rodent population was able to increase. To this day, superstitions still bestow an ominous power on the cat, as we often think it bad luck to have a black cat cross our paths. It is also associated with Halloween.

In the 1800’s, people started thinking differently and cats became the popular pets they once were. The domestication of cats did not begin until European settlers arrived; these cats were brought over on boats from overseas in order to control the rodent population in settlements.

Filed Under: Cat Maven Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts