Category: General Articles

Cat Folklore

There have been many tales and legends about cats that have existed through the years. Here are some that have been passed down.

Noah did not take any cats on the ark because they did not exist at that time. When the ark started to be overrun with mice and rats, a lion sneezed and out came two cats from its nose. They quickly destroyed most of the mice and rats.

The Chinese believe that a cat is a crossed between a lion (dignity) and a monkey(curiosity and playfulness).

An Italian legend says when Mary gave birth to Jesus, a mother cat had kittens in the manger. Many artists have shown this event in their paintings.

Japanese sailors believe that cats having combined colors of red, white and black can predict storms.

The Chinese and Japanese believe the cat was excluded from the zodiac because a cat did not weep when Buddha died and killed a rat against Buddha’s orders.

Russians believe that the cat Ivanovitch reigned over the animals in the forest.

A Polish legend says when a litter of kittens was thrown into a river to drown, the willows join their branches together so the kittens could cling to them. The buds on the willows in springtime are like cat fur hence the name pussy willows.

In the Brittany region of France, it is said that every black cat has one white hair. Finding the white hair brings good luck.

A Great Britain folktale tells of a poor orphan who sends his cat on a journey on a ship. The cat returns with a fortune for the orphan. The orphan marries his master’s daughter and becomes lord mayor of London.

In the Ozark mountains of Arkansas, a woman who receives a marriage proposal and cannot decide, takes three cat hairs from a cat’s tail. She wraps the hairs in white paper and leaves them on her doorstep. The next morning, if the hairs form the letter “y”, it is yes and if the hairs form the letter “n”, it is no.

When a black cat crosses one’s path it is bad luck in the United States, good luck in Great Britain.

Owning a black cat is good luck but meeting one is bad luck. Stroking a black cat three times will bring good luck.

A cat born in May is bad luck. If a cat leaves the home of an ill person, that person will die.

If a cat sneezes near a bride on her wedding day, the marriage will be a happy one. If a cat sneezes three times in a row, members of the family will catch colds.

Fishermen’s wives believe their husbands will return safely if a cat is kept in the house.…

It’s natural that you would love having a dog. Dogs have been great pets for thousands of years. It’s always a great idea to get a dog, but you have to remember that you are also taking on some responsibility when you bring a dog into your house. Here are some ways you can handle those responsibilities.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

When giving your dog a bath, make sure that you only put on shampoo that is intended for canines. Using lukewarm water, get the entire body wet and then begin applying the shampoo to their face, working your way down their body. Wait a few minutes and then take a washcloth and wipe off the suds from your pet’s face. Wash off the rest of the shampoo as well.

When preparing to groom your pet, start the session off on the right foot by helping your dog relax. Spend a few minutes simply petting him, starting with the head and then rubbing the back, paws, belly and even tail. Once you feel your dog is happy and content, begin grooming him.

Ask your vet the amount of food your dog needs daily. Most dog food packages include guidelines but keep in mind that these instructions might not be adapted to your dog. Therefore, ask your vet the acceptable amount of dog food your dog needs to ensure its health and well-being.

If your dog spends time outside, he should have a good house. You can purchase one or build one yourself if you are handy. This is especially important during wet weather. Keep your dog safe from wind, rain and snow by providing it with a house with lots of room and a dry floor.

If you’re trying to break one of your dog’s unwanted habits, make sure that you understand that it will not happen overnight. Breaking a habit takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged and give up if it seems like your pup isn’t making progress. Keep at it and maybe try changing your approach to the training. Sometimes this can be the boost that your dog needs.

Groom your dog frequently. Keep them clean and reduce the amount of hair they shed by brushing them frequently. When the weather warms up, start checking them for ticks and fleas daily. Dogs generally require a few baths a year. Before you give your dog a bath, make sure to cut or comb out mats and tangles. Rinse their coat thoroughly to avoid dirt sticking to any soap residue.

If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!

Always be sure that your dog understands that you are the master if you want to have a well behaved pet. This is important because if your dog believes that he is dominant over you, then you have a much smaller chance of getting it to obey your commands and behave according to your wishes.

Humane Society

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

Having a dog isn’t all fun and games. You have to give yourself some time to really think about what you’re doing, and to act accordingly. You can use the tips here to help you to know what you need to do. You can always have a happy dog, if you take the time to give it a little thought.…

Kitten Care: The Responsibilities of a Pet Owner

If you’re thinking about getting a pet and the pet you’re thinking about getting is a little kitten, there are many things you have to learn about before you even get a kitten into your home. Just like with any kind of pet, you’ll have a lot of responsibilities and if you do those duties to your pet well, you and your little kitten will be rewarded with many days of happiness and satisfaction. One of the essentials of kitten care is that you kitten proof your home. Here’s your checklist to accomplish that.

Remember that kittens are very playful and also curious. They love to chew on things. When you’re kitting proofing your home, you have to ensure that all the cords running around your house, especially electrical ones are taped securely down. You can treat your cords with products like Bitter Apple but as part of kitten care, you have to teach and discourage your kitten from chewing on them. When a new kitten is coming to your home, you have to forgo decorating with nice curtains for a bit of time. At this stage, you have to teach your kitten that these curtains aren’t meant for scratching or for climbing.

If there are toxic chemicals and other harmful things in your home, you have to be sure that they’re placed in secure places. Maybe you like to use antifreeze or some other chemical for cleaning your toilet. While these may smell sweet, they can be very toxic and your little kitten might be tempted by the sweet scent enough to lick it. It’s essential kitten care to keep these chemicals and toxic plants out of reach either keep them stored in a locked overhead cabinet or keep them outside the house.

Part of kitten care is the cat litter. It’s the most basic necessity if you have a cat. When you get a good quality cat litter, you have to make sure you have a spot picked out for it in your home. It should be a place where it can’t be seen and it has to be a place where it can’t be smelled. Together with your litter box, you also need a litter scoop. If you live in a small space, you can buy a litter box that comes with an odor filter. They’re available in a variety of designs that can blend well with your home d?�cor.…

Caring for a Cat is a Serious Responsibility and Should Not Be Taken Lightly

When you’re caring for a cat, do your research before the cat comes so that it’s an easy transition for the both of you. Although caring for a cat is not as high maintenance (or people say) as dogs, they’re going to still need for you to do something (feed, lodge, provide health care, train and pay attention).

Feeding kittens

When it comes to feeding kittens, they should NOT be taken away from their mother’s until they are seven to eight weeks of age.

If the kitten was without a mother, and is less than six weeks old, consult a veterinarian about feeding.

When they’re kittens their calorie level is much higher because of the higher energy level.

What kind of food should you feed them

Canned food should be the preference for kittens less than six months old. Remove any excess food after ten them 3-4 times a day,anymore can result in diarrhea or vomiting.

Around six to eight months you can scale back the feedings to 2x a day.

Keep dry kitten food and plenty of clean,fresh water available continually.

Age 1

Slowly change the dry kitten food to adult formula.

Mix in 1/4 of adult food with 3/4 kitten food. Then over a five to ten day period switch over completely.

DO NOT buy generic cat food and be careful about leaving dog food where the cat can eat it (cats need more protein and amino acids than dog food provides) and same for dogs.

Cats love variety so switch up their food. Studies show cats do better on canned food. Feed your cat mostly canned food and a little dry food which will keep your cat from gaining weight and allow it to stay more active.

Feed moist food at room temperature and store uneaten food in a glass container in the refrigerator.

Avoid giving them scraps,avoid uncooked food and never give them cat bones.

Avoid giving them milk as it can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

Health care

Vet visits are important and as soon as you take possession of the cat schedule a visit. The vet will explain to you all of the necessary steps you should take to care for it.

Take a fresh stool sample to your cat’s vet at the time of your first visit. This allows it to be tested for parasites, then they can be treated if needed.

Avoid over the counter medicines.

Neutering

What is it?

It’s a surgery performed by your vet so that your cat will not breed or have kittens(littering the streets with kittens that can’t be cared for).

Spaying is done on females.

ID Tags

Cats should have these and it should include your name, address and phone number.

Special safety collars for cats are recommended.

These collars have a short piece of elastic that stretches so they can free themselves from the collar if accidentally caught avoiding risk of injury.

A microchip is another ID option which is harmless and inserted under the skin in the shoulder area.

How to handle and train your cat

Handle your cat with care, when they’re eating, sleeping and using the litter box, they should be left alone during these times.

Hold your cat by putting one hand under the front of the body (chest) and the other under their back legs and holding them close to you.

This should help you with your efforts of caring for a cat.…

When you adopt a dog, you never know what you’re going to get. Like a box of chocolates, every single dog is different. That said, there are a few things they have in common, such as unconditional love. To make your dog the best he can be, you have to be the best owner, so read the advice below.

You must dog-proof your residence. Make sure any area your dog will be in is safe. Put all medication and cleaning supplies away, and keep your indoor trash can inside a cabinet. Certain common house plants are toxic, so remove them or keep them out of reach.

Avoid insisting that your dog socialize nicely with every other passing dog. Experts recommend that your dog be able to tolerate introductions through sniffing and eying with another animal, but say forcing the issue can create problems. Accept your dog’s lead when meeting and greeting other animals and allow for natural interaction.

Never bring your dog with you while flying during the hot summer months, unless the airline provides a climate-controlled cabin for him. Most of the major carriers use the same area for pets as they do for cargo, meaning your dog will have to endure some pretty high temperatures as you travel to your destination, jeopardizing his safety.

Before deciding on what type of dog to get for your family, consider space. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Take your home and yard size into consideration before bringing home a new pooch.

If your dog has long hair, make sure to take the time to trim the fur around his feet. If you allow your dog’s hair to grow too long, they can get things stuck in their fur. This could lead to injuries between the pads of the feet and around the nails.

If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away. Shelter dogs have numerous opportunities to be exposed to harmful bacteria and viruses; these can result in dangerous illnesses. Your puppy needs to get a few shots before you can safely bring it home.

No matter what kind of dog you may have, hang up a few “Beware of Dog” signs on your property. They are known deterrents to would-be burglars and can help protect you and your family. Just the sign alone indicates probable failure of any robbery attempt and a single bark will have them running away!

If your dog seems lonely because you’re not home all the time, get him a little friend. Dogs are naturally pack animals, and they like to be around other dogs. Match them carefully based on energy levels and temperament.

Never leave your dog home alone for more than a few hours each day. For example, if you are planning on being away from home for a few days, you should find a place to house them where they can get regular care. Dogs can become anxious when left alone for extended times, so consider their feelings and provide them with the care that they need.

Do you have a hard time keeping your dog from barking? You might be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Your dog will keep barking if you acknowledge this behavior. It is best to ignore your dog until it stops barking, even if your dog wants to come inside.

Humane Society

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

When you want a dog who loves you as much as you love him, you have to treat him the right way. Once you know what it takes to achieve this high level of care, you’re ready to go. Reading this article was step one, so move on to step two: starting using the advice!…

Does a Black Cat Bring Bad Luck?

I thought I would share my views on a black cat bringing bad luck. This cat has always been portrayed as a mysterious animal. Due to it’s reputation as a bad omen, the cat has a lesser chance of being adopted at an animal shelter.

The cat has black fur but is not of any particular breed of cat. The black fur can be found in a male or female. Some of these cats have white markings on their face and paws. It does not matter if it is a mixed breed or pure breed, the black fur will still prevail.

Since the 1880’s, the color black was associated with anarchism and this cat became a symbol of that political movement. The cat symbolized the idea of sabotage. The symbol was used to influence managers of companies when there were labor disagreements. Sometimes the employee(s) would put the cat in a manager’s office as a reminder of the dispute.

In the western world, a black cat is suppose to bring bad luck. If this cat crosses someone’s path, bad luck will follow. This belief started with the Pilgrims. The cat was associated with a witch. Any person seen with this cat might have been considered a witch and associated with the devil. If a witch was caught, both the witch and the cat would be burned at the stake. Every Halloween, you can still see images of witches and black cats.

There are many other tales of how this cat brought bad luck. When King Charles I’s cat died, he was accused of high treason. In ancient times, this cat in front of a fireplace symbolized an evil spirit and could see ghosts. If a farmer thought his land was cursed, he could shoot this cat with a silver bullet and remove the curse.

On the other hand, there are instances when a black cat was considered to bring good luck. The Egyptians worshiped this cat and banned it from being killed. Sailors believed this cat would bring them good luck. In the British Isles and France, owning a black cat brings good luck.

These cats have been portrayed in movies and literature for many years. Edgar Allen Poe wrote a short story titled The Black Cat. The Black Cat was a 1934 horror film starring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. The Aristocats, an animated Disney movie, featured Berlioz, a black male cat, as one of it’s main characters. The movie, Bell, Book and Candle starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak, featured witches with black cats. On the TV series, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, there was a black cat named Salem Saberhagen.

Who is to tell who is right? I have been lucky so far. When you see a black cat, remember it’s only a cat unless it is with a witch on a broomstick.…

Cat Aggression – Is There Too Much Biting and Scratching

Sometimes your cat is not the sweet little pet that cuddles. She seems at times to get moody and lapse into scratching or even biting. First of all, cats and kittens can be playful and some pouncing is normal. Crouching and staying in a fixed pose is often a sign that your cat is about to pounce. Try to not surprise your cat by doing something unexpected. This can cause a pouncing response. Also look at whether you play too aggressively with your pet and may be sending a mixed signal to her.

Many people notice that when being pet on the belly a cat will try to bite your hands. Also sometimes cats will try to bite their owner’s hand when they’ve been pet for too long a period of time and wish it to discontinue. Each cat has it’s own personality and preferences so it’s hard to make a specific rule to follow. However, you can observer certain signals such as the ears moving back and forth or tail moving in a twitching motion.

We often speak about how someone can come home from work after being yelled at by their boss and then

end up being blunt with their wife or kids. Well, cats too can react this way after having a bad experience with another cat or even human. If a cat has a fight with another cat outside, when it returns home it may still feel aggressive and turn it towards a family member. Keep your eyes open and watch your cat’s posture and demeanor.

Keep in mind that punishment is not advised by experts towards cats. They report that this can increase aggression because if cats are fearful they can react with biting and scratching due to defensiveness. Your vet or an animal specialist can help you with an ongoing problem of aggression. It is always important to be sure your cat is in sound medical condition as health problems can cause erratic behavior as can an improper diet.…