Category: General Articles

Caring For Your Kittens

There is no doubt that kittens are absolutely adorable but they also require proper handling and care, especially in the early days to avoid both cat health problems and cat behavior problems. Whilst they are not really difficult to look after, they require certain attention to specific areas. This article examines some of the things that you need to take note of before getting a kitten.

Visit to the Vet

Before bringing your kitten home or immediately thereafter, make sure that you schedule a visit to the vet. It is important to check your kitten for major as well as minor cat health problems and also discuss with your vet its vaccination schedule. This will ensure a healthy cat in the long run.

Creating a Place for the Kitten

Similar to any new member of your family, kittens too require their own space in your home. It is important that this chosen place is comfortable, fun and safe for the kitten. Shopping for a bed for your kitten to sleep on or toys to play with is equally important when bringing home your new pet. Apart from ensuring that they enjoy their surroundings, new toys should be able to keep them occupied and not encourage them to attack your expensive and precious furniture.

Feeding Your Kitten

Kittens eat solid food at about four weeks of age and hence you can start with ready made cat food that is available over the counter. Make sure that all the necessary ingredients for good health and growth are in the chosen cat food. You can supplement her diet at times with minced meat or fish or even chicken but it is important to understand that this does not give kittens all the nutrition it requires.

House Training Your Kitten

Kittens are often litter trained by their mothers but in rare cases when you get one that is not, it is important to start litter training immediately. Signs such as sudden panic, vocal outburst, digging in bed or paper display the need to go to toilet and should be carefully considered when litter training. Praising your kitten for using the litter box correctly will help in training your kitten faster.

While these are just a small selection of things that you need to do to get involved in caring for your kittens, we hope that it’s a good starting point for new cat owners. Remember that you will have to cat proof your home before bringing home any kittens so as to minimize any damage to your furniture. Good luck!…

Is there any pet more remarkable and intriguing than a cat? They are independent and have a busy life, even if you’re not at home all the time. Use the things that this article will teach you, and you’re going to have a cat that is happy and healthy throughout its life.

If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.

Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.

An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.

Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

Create a tablecloth for the feline. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.

Pet

Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.

Pet Adoption

If you are looking for a new home for your kitty, consider registering with an online pet adoption agency. Some of these companies screen applicants, so you will be sure that your pet is going into a good home. This is better than selling him to a creep who lurks around Craigslist all the time.

Cats make the best pets. However, you must know how to properly care for them. Keep the advice from this article in mind to become the best cat owner you can be. Educating yourself properly will improve the quality of the time you share with your cat for both of you.…

Safety for Outdoor Cats: How to Keep Your Kitty Safe While Playing Outside

With the new smells, scenery, and areas to explore, it is no wonder that cats love to have outdoor adventures. Although the outdoors can be exciting for a cat, they can also be quite dangerous. In addition to the frightening idea of a feline friend becoming lost, there is also the threat of poisonous garden plants and flowers, bug bites and ticks, and unfriendly neighbours and animals. Although those sound like reasons to keep kitty inside for good, rest assured that there are safety measures you can take to ensure that your feline can have an enjoyable time outside.

Use a Leash and Harness.

If you want to keep your kitty contained to a specific area of your yard, you can equip him with a harness and attach that harness to a leash. Make sure the leash is securely tied in place, and allow Kitty to explore the area as much as he wants (under your supervision, of course). Using a harness as opposed to a collar ensures that your cat cannot easily wriggle out of the collar. Most importantly, this option can save you and your cat from a traumatic choking experience if he gets stuck on something.

Use a Cat Stroller.

If you have a cat that can sit still for long enough, you may be interested in the idea of a cat stroller. Although a bit silly looking, this product will allow your kitty to see the world from the safety of a netted cat carrier with wheels. Although this does not allow your kitty to roam around the outdoors, it still allows him to see, smell, and hear the exciting outdoors.

Build a Cat Run Outside.

Outside cat runs are netted or caged in enclosures that are much longer than they are wide. The style of the cat run can be anything from a long tube, to a large tunnel with toys, hammocks, and different levels to stand on. These runs are great for allowing felines to run and play outside, while being safely enclosed in a specific area of the yard.

Invest in an Outdoor Cat Enclosure.

A step up from the outdoor cat run is a large enclosure that is almost like a second home for the cat. These enclosures feature a feeding area, many play areas, and towers for bird watching. You can even connect the enclosure right to your house via a tunnel attached to a window. This direct access can let a cat wander in and outside as she pleases. If you have the budget and the motivation, you can even design the enclosure to match your outdoor decor.

Ensuring a fun and safe outdoor environment for kitty to enjoy is the key to a happy experience outside. You can be worry free the next time you take your cat outside, because you will know that you have taken the time to create a safe outdoor play area.…

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Kitten

Adopting a kitten is a major responsibility, and is unlike adopting a cat or other adult animals in many ways. Adult pets do not need as much attention and care as do kittens and other young pets. As their foster parent, it is your responsibility to care for them, and to nurture them to a healthy and mature adulthood. Before you get your furry friend, we propose you go through this checklist we have prepared for you. It shows what all do you need before you can seriously consider bringing home a kitten.

How many Kittens

You have to first decide how many kittens you want. Kittens love to play with each other – so of you get two or more kittens, the chores you need to do double, but the fun quotient of having kittens more than doubles. The rest of the factors we have listed depend on whether you want just one kitten, or more.

Time and Attention

Apart from the time you will spend cuddling and playing with the kitten, you will need to take care of their feeding, their litter box and a host of other care related tasks. This requires time. Also, were to happen that you had to leave your home for a few days, you will need to leave the kitten, and your other pets if any, in someone’s care. So if you are living alone, and plan on taking a long trip soon, it would be better if you adopted a kitten after you returned.

Money and Financials

Apart from the adoption fees you may have to pay to adopt a kitten, you will also need to pay for its medical care, vaccinations, general checkup or neutering. You will also need to spend money on cat food for your kitten. So go ahead with the adoption only if you are prepared for a small financial cut from your monthly budget.

Medical and Allergies

Make sure that no one in your family is allergic to cats. You do not want the kitten to be a source of discomfort for anyone, especially when it can easily become discomfort bordering on medical misery. If it a small case of allergenic reaction, anti-histamines may help.

Family and Small Kids

If the kitten is very young, there is a chance that it may get injured while playing with a baby or a child. So before you get a kitten, make sure kids in the family know how to play with a kitten. Also, you should also ask whether everyone in the family wants a kitten. Yes, there are people who do not like kittens as much as you do!

The above factors all add up to this: do you want a kitten and are you prepared to make small sacrifices to keep one? One you are prepared for them, get them!…

Ferret Care – A 3-Step Guide For Beginners

One of the main concerns of ferret owners is ferret care. In fact, browsing online would bring you sites and resources that have something to do with ferret owning and ferret care sheets. It has been proven that some ferret owners tend to seek advice not from professionals but through other owners and friends. This may not be such a bad idea but an expert’s opinion is definitely advised for starting owners. So, how do we really care for our ferrets? Here’s a list of pointers:

1. Ferret nutrition and diets. These are considered basics. In feeding your pets, what matters is the type of foods as well as the nutrients that come with it. For baby ferrets, you can opt to give them special kit or growth foods. On the other hand, once they reached their sixth week, you may also try giving them foods that are similar to the ones you give to adult ferrets.

Cat food is often utilized in terms of ferret care and nutrition. However it is best not to compare your ferret’s needs with that of kittens or dogs. Surely, these commercially-prepared items consist of vitamins and nutrients meant for animal needs. On the other hand, cats and ferrets have different dietary requirements.

2. Ferret shelters and cages are also part of total ferret care. If choosing for diamonds bring us the top C’s which are clarity, carat and color, ferret cages have the following elements. We have the space, security and sanitation.

Go for cages that are spacious and have large doors. Think of giving your pets the easiest access to their nest boxes or litter trays. Provide additional support by placing tiles or cabinet liners to your ferret’s cage floors.

Cleaning your ferret’s cage is definitely a must. Besides, ferret care is all about the general condition and maintenance of everything that would help our pets lead better lives. Make sure that litter trays and basins are clean. You may also need to teach your pets how to use the litter box.

3. Toys and accessories are truly secondary items, but ferret care also includes these provisions in general. Be cautious when shopping for these supplies. Consider the toy’s materials and small parts. Specialty stores usually have an array of items good for ferrets, which is why checking out these shops is greatly advised.

The given list is often referred to by beginners, with hopes of increasing their knowledge about ferrets. Ferret care may be an overwhelming idea but making time to learn them is beneficial in the process. There are other resource sites where you can get great tips, all you need to do is constantly search and digest what’s best for your ferret.…

Cats are among the most popular pets in the world. They make excellent companions and require much less work than owning a dog. However, it is important to note there you still have several responsibilities to take care of when you own a cat. The article below will show you what those responsibilities are.

Make a free toy for your cat by placing a little dry rice or a few dry beans inside an empty pill bottle. Close the lid and roll the rattly toy across the floor. Most cats can’t resist the sound and motion. You can also tie a length of twine around the neck of the bottle to make a pull toy or a dangly toy.

Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.

To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!

Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.

Keep your cat indoors. Unlike dogs, it is nearly impossible to confine a cat to a yard. This can lead to many dangers for your cat, from cars, dogs, diseases from feral cats, and simply disappearing to parts unknown. Loose cats also be a nuisance to others, often killing songbirds and leaving unwelcome “deposits” in neighbor’s gardens. If your cat really enjoys the outdoors, they can be trained to wear a harness and leash or you can invest in a specialty cat fence or screened-in porch.

If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat’s litter kicking problem.

Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.

If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.

When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.

Animal Control

Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.

As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, owning a cat can be a wonderful experience. However, it is going to require some work on your part. Be sure and use the information provided in this article so that you are taking proper care of your cat. Doing so will ensure that your cat lives a long and happy life.…

Understanding Cat Adoption

I have found that many people adopt a cat on a ‘spur of the moment’ decision. They may be vaguely thinking about it, or have a friend with a beautiful new kitten, or just be walking past the pet shop when they see this adorable kitten that just can’t be left there. Sometimes it can be a friend who has a litter of kittens to find homes for and many times it is your children saying ‘please, please’ just one time too many.

Kittens are really like children. Absolutely adorable when they are young and playful but then they grow up. And like children, they are a lot of work to begin with when all the training is needed.

However, just like with children, if you treat your cat with love and respect and train it properly, it will give you much joy and love in return for many years.

I have a friend who loves cats. Like me, she is lucky enough to live in a rural setting on a fairly large block of land. However, she has never had any of her cats neutered or spayed and so they keep breeding. And keep breeding. The last time I was at her house there were well over 20 cats of all ages there. It got too hard trying to count them as they never stayed still.

This is her choice so I’m not criticizing her but for me that would be irresponsible. The feeding of that many cats would be way outside my budget, and the vet bills would be prohibitive.

Because your cat will be a part of your family for anywhere up to 20 years, it would be prudent to make sure you choose wisely and make a considered decision.

Make sure you know what sort of cat you want to adopt before you go into to that pet shop. How much are you prepared to pay for your kitten. Do you understand the ongoing costs of food, toys, litter, vet bills etc? There are also the ‘start up’ costs such as bedding, litter tray, feeding bowls etc.

You also need to take into account the wear and tear on your furniture, especially at the beginning. You will need to train your cat not to use your favorite couch as a scratching post. We have chairs that have been shredded because we didn’t introduce the scratching post early enough. Funnily enough when we finally bought some new furniture, the cats didn’t scratch it.

Are you prepared to invest the time to train your new kitten and put up with messes and puddles for a while? You also need to have time to play with and bond with your kitten, getting to know each other. The more you can understand your cat’s body language, the better your relationship will be.

If you have children, who is going to be responsible for the day to day care of your cat. It is wise to instill in children early on that a cat, or any pet for that matter, is for life, not just while they’re in that ‘cute’ stage. Teaching children to be responsible for their pet will have life long positive repercussions.

Understanding what is involved in cat adoption before you choose your new pet will not only help you make a truly informed decision, it will also help you deal with problems as they occur.…