Archives for Cats category
A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.
A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. Youve probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cats mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.
By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.
Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.
Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You shouldnt fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether its another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.
As most already know, cats love to play. They love to played with, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and youll end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.
The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior youll see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, youll have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times youll be able to understand him better than ever before.
Tags:
Animals,
Brushes,
Cat Back,
Cat Behavior,
Cats,
House Cat,
Indoor Cat,
Lot,
Manners,
Mysteries,
Pet Allergies,
Saliva,
Table Legs,
Tv Stands,
Weird
Related posts
Feb 28, 2010 | | Cats
If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.
Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cats stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cats intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they arent treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that havent been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cats urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally dont have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems cant be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.
Tags:
Blockages,
Cats Urinary Tract Infection,
Common Health Problems,
Daily Basis,
Digestive Tract,
Dull Coat,
Fleas,
Gaining Weight,
Hairballs,
Health Problem,
Hookworms,
Intestine,
Litter Box,
Loose Hair,
Male Cats,
Owning A Cat,
Rare Cases,
Roundworms,
Specks,
Urinary Tract Infection
Related posts
Feb 04, 2010 | | Cats
There are a lot of experts out there who say that cats are strictly independent animals. These very same experts state that cats have chosen to associate with humans due to their strategy of survival. Although many argue with this statement, there are many who agree as well although those that agree are normally those in the percentile who dont agree with cats.
Anyone who has owned a cat will tell you that cats are great at bonding with people, although they are very particular. Normally, a cat will choose someone in the home that he bonds with. Youll know when a cat wants to bond with you, as he will hop on your lap seeking attention or snuggle up to you at night when you are sleeping. Purring is a strong sign of affections, especially with cats that are looking to bond.
Although many experts have tried to figure it out, no one really knows why cats choose a particular person whom they will bond with. It could be the individuals manners, voice, or simply how that person treats the cat. Perhaps it may be the individual is really gentle, or maybe a little more forceful bringing the best out in the cat.
There are a lot of ways that researchers have tried to take this subject, one of which being psychic. Some say that cats bond with someone due to a psychic aura that is compatible with both the person and the cat. If a cat feels that someone is giving them a bad vibe, they will simply ignore that person. Although this can be true to a sense for some, a majority of those who own cats will tell you that this couldnt be any further from the truth.
Even though there are a lot of theories and speculation out there, no one really knows why cats bond with humans. Theres little to no proof available as well, other than cats and their natural instinct for physical survival. Those who own cats know that cats crave attention, simply to make them feel needed. They love to be pampered by their owners, and will shower you with attention and affection if you just give them the chance.
Those who are new to owning cats may find bonding to be very different. Cats are different from other animals, including dogs, in the sense that they bond different. Different breeds of cats will bond different with their owners, although most prefer affection and attention. The more time you spend around your cat, the more he will bond with you. Over the years, youll find that the bond you create with your pet has grown very strong and simply cannot be broken.
Tags:
Affection,
Affections,
Bad Vibe,
Bonds,
Cats,
Independent Animals,
Manners,
Natural Instinct,
People,
Percentile,
Physical Survival,
Proof,
Purring,
Speculation,
Truth
Related posts
Jan 15, 2010 | | Cats
Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isnt caused by any type of worm. Its actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.
With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.
If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they are more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.
The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.
If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets to your cat, you should give them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically. You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals. The healing process will take time, normally around six weeks or more.
Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious. If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves. Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution. Even though its a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that its contagious.
Tags:
Canis,
Clippers,
Common Disease,
Dermatophytes,
Dogs And Cats,
Dogs Cats,
Fungi,
Hair Loss,
Hairs,
Immune System,
Kittens,
Paws,
Precaution,
Ring Worm,
Ringworm Disease,
Ringworm In Cats,
Skin Disease,
Symptoms Of Ringworm In Cats,
Tissues,
Vet
Related posts
Jan 12, 2010 | | Cats
Cats are one of the most popular pets in North America. They are loving pets, capable of providing you years of companionship. Like other pets, cats can sometimes get sick. There are several different types of ailments that cats can get, one of which is feline diabetes. Feline diabetes is a serious disease, although it can be treated by a veterinarian.
Diabetes is more common with humans than with cats or other animals. The cause of diabetes is actually quite simple. Sugar, or glucose, is found in the blood. The level of blood sugar in the body or the animal is kept under control by hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces. When the pancreas doesnt produce enough insulin, diabetes is to blame.
The symptoms of feline diabetes will vary. The most common symptoms include an increase in urine and an increase in thirst. Other symptoms of feline diabetes include a loss of appetite, weight loss, and a poor coat. An increase in thirst is easy to detect, as you can easily notice the water dish empty throughout the day.
If you dont get your cat treated for feline diabetes immediately, the cat will eventually become inactive, vomit on a regular basis, and eventually fall into a coma. On the other hand, if you get the diabetes treated in time, the cat will more than likely lead a normal and healthy life. Keep in mind that treatment doesnt happen overnight it takes time and dedication.
Cats that have feline diabetes will need to be given food at the same time every day. They should be prevented from going outside as well. If your cat has diabetes, youll need to give him insulin shots once or twice or a day. Once your veterinarian checks your cat, he will tell you how many shots and how much insulin you need to give your cat.
Before you give your cat his insulin shot, you should always make sure that he has some food first. If he hasnt eaten and you give him a shot anyway, he could end up with a hypoglycemic shock. This can also occur from too much insulin as well. A hypo can be really dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat gets a hypoglycemic shock and you arent around, he may end up dying.
If you have to give insulin shots to your cat due to feline diabetes, you should always keep a watchful eye on him after you have administered the shot. After your cat has been on insulin for a period of time, your vet may reduce the amount of insulin. Even though he may have to stay on insulin the rest of his life, he will lead an otherwise healthy life.
Tags:
Ailments,
Blood Sugar,
Cat Diabetes,
Cause Of Diabetes,
Companionship,
Glucose,
Hormone Insulin,
Insulin Diabetes,
Insulin Shots,
Loss Of Appetite,
Loving Pets,
Pancreas,
Pets Cats,
Several Different Types,
Simple Sugar,
Symptoms Of Feline Diabetes,
Thirst,
Veterinarian,
Vomit,
Water Dish
Related posts
Jan 04, 2010 | | Cats
These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat. Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.
Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well. During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats.
Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat. If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat. They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs. Youll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat. Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it. Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy. Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians cant. Their fur is long and dense and youll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.
The Persian breed is gentle and sweet, getting along great with everyone including kids. They have a pleasant voice that is always good to hear. Using their voice and their eyes, they can communicate very well with their owners. They are very playful, yet they dont require a lot of attention. They love attention however, and love being admired. Unlike other cats, they dont climb and jump much at all. They arent destructive either; they just love being admired and lying around. A majority of the time, Persian cats love to bask in the sun and show others just how beautiful they truly are.
Although most breeds can be kept indoors or outside, Persian cats should always be kept inside and never allowed to go outside of the house. Keeping them inside with protect their coats and also keep diseases and common parasites away from them as well. You wont have to worry about cars or dogs either if you keep your pet inside.
To ensure that your Persian pet stays healthy, you should always take him to the vet on an annual basis. If cared for properly, such as grooming, shots, and checkups, Persian cats can live as long as 20 years. One thing youll need to be aware of thats common with Persians is their eyes. Their eyes are very big and can sometimes be too much for the cat to clean. This is a common healthy problem with the breed, and should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it doesnt get out of control.
When you compare Persians to other breeds, youll notice that the Persians are among the easiest to keep. You dont have to worry about things like jumping or climbing, as Persians dont like to do either. All youll need to do is feed your cat and groom him or him on a daily basis. Even though grooming can be quite a bit of work in the long run its well worth it when you have a healthy an beautiful Persian cat.
Tags:
Attractive Features,
Breeds Of Cat,
Coats,
Colors,
Competitions,
Fur,
Great Companions,
Long Hair,
Love,
Metal Comb,
Persian Breed,
Persian Cat,
Persian Cats,
Persians,
Siamese Breed,
Silver And Gold,
Sun,
Sweet Personalities
Related posts
Dec 13, 2009 | | Cats
The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand. They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces. Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits. These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.
During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general. After that, they eventually made their way over to America. Now days, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed. Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.
Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat. These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout. The more darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face. They can weight anywhere between 6 – 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted – which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.
Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build. They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities. Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people. If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldnt want a Siamese cat. These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.
Siamese cats demand a lot of attention, because in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them. For this very reason, they can tend be quite dependant on their owners. They love to play, and crave interaction. If you leave them alone for too long, they wont like it. They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.
Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they dont need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month. If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect. Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need. They can get sick however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.
Siamese cats have a life span that is similar to other breeds, which is normally around 15 – 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come. Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.
No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet. Although the Siamese breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with. They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them. As long as you give your pet the attention he craves – he will be your life long friend for as long as you have him.
Tags:
Breed Of Cats,
Bright Eyes,
Cat Cats,
Clue,
Communicating With People,
Different Colors,
Doubt,
Evil Spirits,
Good Fortune,
Interaction,
Legs,
Monasteries,
Personalities,
Royal Palaces,
Short Haired Cat,
Siamese Breeds,
Siamese Cat,
Siamese Cats,
Thailand,
True Siamese
Related posts
Nov 19, 2009 | | Cats
Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose – hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Now days, there are several different breeds of cats – which you can tell if you look closely.
These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.
There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.
The more common cat breeds that are found in North America include the alley cat, long haired cat, and Persian cat. Siamese cats are also common, although they are well known to be destructive and to have a foul temper. Persian cats are very popular, proving to be loving companions. Persian cats can be very expense, depending on where you get it and what type of Persian cat it is.
Alley cats are the most common in North America. There are actually several different breeds, although most of us just refer to them as alley cats. They make good pets, although there are literally thousands of them in existence. Cats are known to breed more than any other pet, and they will continue to breed until they are stopped. Alley cats are among the most bred, as there are hundreds of thousands of cats that are homeless – and have nothing to do but breed.
The look of the cat is the easiest way to tell what breed he or she may be. Some people choose to go by color, although color isnt as easy to identify. Different breeds of cats have different looks, such as the Siamese and Persian cats. Siamese cats are almost always black, and easy to identify by their color and their eyes. Persian cats on the other hand, are easily identified by their body type and their hair.
Over the years, there has been quite a few breeds come along. Cats were one of the first pets, and easily one of the most popular. Millions of people around the world own cats, with many people preferring a cat over any other pet – including dogs. No matter breed of cat you get – youre sure to get a pet who make for a great companion for years and years to come.
Tags:
Alley Cat,
Alley Cats,
Breeds Of Cats,
Cat Breeds,
Cat Cats,
Cat Registries,
Different Breeds Of Cats,
Entire World,
Japanese Bobtail,
Japanese Breeds,
Liking,
Long Haired Cat,
Longer Hair,
Loving Companions,
Medieval Japan,
Persian Cat,
Persian Cats,
Rodents,
Siamese Cats,
Wild Cats
Related posts
Nov 17, 2009 | | Cats