CATMARIO4

Steps in Caring for Your New Ferret

Did you know that the English translation for the scientific name for Ferret is “Stinky Thief”. Ferrets have a strong body odor, due to their scent glands that are used to attract mates. They are also known for stealing food and children’s toys.

A Ferret does require a well-ventilated home with a solid floor. The habitat should be large enough for a food dish, water bowl and a hiding house. The right sized home will allow for separate areas for eating, sleeping, exercising and eliminations. A multi level home is preferred as they provide additional space for exercising.

Ferrets are social animals and can live in groups or pairs. Remember to allow extra room if you own more than 1 ferret. Ferrets love to play and exercise, they enjoy hard plastic toys as well cloth toys. Tunnels are also a favorite item. Just remember, soft rubber and foam toys must not be given to ferrets.

When outside the habitat, your pet can enjoy exercise in a exercise pen or take him for a walk on a leash.

Ferrets can be very easily litter trained. There are corner litter pans available from pet retailers and these should be placed in a corner away from food and water. There are many different types of litter available. The best for ferrets are pine, aspen or recycled paper, please do not use Cedar shavings. The litter pan and bedding should be spot cleaned daily and completely changed once a week.

Ferret are very inquisitive and outgoing and will bond strongly with their pet parents. Ferrets are sound sleepers, who sleep during the day and may not wake up if picked up and carried around.

Ferrets are carnivores and require a diet high in protein. Pellets should always be placed in their food bowl and not directly on the bedding. All food and water bowls should be cleaned out daily. You can offer you pet Papaya, bananas and melon once a week as a treat.

When you purchase your ferret just remember that it will take 3-4 days for them to get used to their new surroundings and environment. Please try and wait 3-4 days before handling your new friend, all the while you should be monitoring her behavior for any signs of excessive stress or illness. Things to watch for that are signs of excessive stress are bare patches of fur, diarrhea, or/and lethargic behavior.

You have made a great choice in a new pe., most of all enjoy your new member of the family.…

Kitten For Sale – Advice on Buying Your First Kitten

Buying a new kitten for sale can bring a lot of happiness into your home and they make wonderful pets. They require little grooming, can be easily house trained and are naturally very clean animals. Cats also make great companions but are also independent and can amuse and take care of themselves.

Before you look at a kitten for sale there are some things that you should know. Below you will find a few tips and advice on caring for your new kitten.

Choosing Your Kitten:

When looking at kittens for sale and deciding which one to choose you must first know what type of cat you are looking for. If you are buying a family pet the only thing to worry about is that it’s healthy and happy. A healthy kitten will have a glossy coat and bright shiny eyes. If however you are buying a cat to breed or a show cat you will want to make sure you get to see the kitten’s mother, as this cat should be a shining example of the breed.

Feeding:

What you feed your kitten is very important as giving it the wrong food could result in a number of health problems. Kittens for sale will be on a special diet designed specifically for kittens from the age of 4-6 weeks. Initially you should feed him 4 times a day, up until the age of 3 or 4 months and which point you should feed him 2 or 3 times a day. It is at this stage that you will have to decide on wet or dried food. It is generally agreed that dried food is a much better option for a healthy cat. You should also ensure that your cat has constant access to fresh clean water.

Vaccinations:

Once you have chosen your favourite kitten for sale and he has settled in to your home, you should arrange an appointment at the vet for his vaccinations. The first vaccination should be at 8 weeks and again at 12 weeks to give protection against a number of diseases.

If you can follow these guidelines your new kitten should be well on its way to a happy and healthy life.…

Introducing A New Kitten

Want a new kitten for a friend? If you want to have a loving kitten, or if this is your first time caring for new kitten, it’s vital that you simply follow these recommendations on taking care of cats, and of course, utilize them. This article shares basic kitten care information, so read on.

Kittens are playful and heart capturing creatures, so long as you know all about taking care of kittens properly. For those who already own a kitty, and those who would like to guarantee that they have a loving cat, here’s some cat care information. Make certain you understand your kitten and are truly caring for a new kitten the proper way. Follow the rules shared right here and see how your relationship with your cat becomes more fulfilling.

From the second you arrive home with your new kitten, it is best to carry it directly to its personal space, and its new litter box. It is important to give it time to adjust to its surroundings, adjust to you, and to the other folks in the household. Why does the new kitten need to have an area of its own? Effectively, for it to really feel comfy, it needs its personal space whether or not it’s a separate room, a small basket, or a bit of mat. So a tip on taking good care of cats is to have a space prepared even before you bring your kitten home. For your pet to adjust to you quickly, it is recommended that you simply murmur soothingly to it, pet and stroke it gently, and before you even realize it, you will start to own a loving kitten.

One important piece of information every kitten owner should know is that permitting cats to go outside is highly recommended. Nevertheless, should you live in a high traffic area, or if the neighborhood isn’t that safe for felines, you may elect to have your kitten remain indoors. If your kitten is to remain indoors, it’s a must to follow this part on caring for your cat. Be certain that it has sufficient play time so that it will hopefully still get exercise inside your house, and so that it won’t get bored. Cats, like people, need some change in their daily life. Make sure to provide toys like balls, colorful toys or strings, things that squeak, and so on. Kittens like to play, and you may make your kitty completely satisfied to stay indoors when you give it toys. Very important to your new relationship with your cat is taking time with the kitty each day. This will ensure that you will have a loving cat in your home.…

What is the Best All Natural Cat Food to Start My Kitten On?

There’s no denying the fact that the best all natural cat food, especially for a new kitten, is the one Mother Nature so adequately provides. This quality raw meat and bones diet provides balanced nutrition, a happy and healthy mind and goes a long way to satisfy the natural hunting instinct.

The problem arises in just how to duplicate this healthy diet in the context of domesticity, juggling work and family commitments and the weekly shop. Obviously there have to be some compromises, but these can be minor once you are aware of the important aspects.

Let’s look at the major points of a quality raw meat and bones diet according to Mother Nature.

1. A cat kills and eats their prey immediately, indicating the dual aspect of raw and freshness are of primary importance. This means it’s better to keep the raw food for only a couple of days in the fridge, freezing the rest and thawing out as necessary.

2. A cat will eat the whole carcass so along with quality muscle meat, you should also include raw bones and some organ meat. Small raw bones are perfectly safe for cats up to about the size of medium sized chicken wings. Larger bones may cause the teeth to chip.

3. Cats are carnivores. Although they will eat the contents of the prey’s stomach, which will be partially digested grain or plant matter, their diet needs to consist of meat and bones, with the plant matter offered as a choice rather than a part of the diet.

Inevitable compromises humans have to make for the sake of convenience is that the meat will mostly be from animals much larger than a cat would normally kill. However this is of much less importance than the quality of the protein.

When you are in charge of the quality of the food you feed your kitten, you can expect her to grow into a fine and healthy cat. Leaving this most important aspect to people you don’t know, who only have an interest in your wallet, not your kitten, is playing Russian roulette with her health.…

Many people like to go for walks with their dogs in the summer season when temperatures are highest. This can be very harmful to them, as the pavement absorbs the heat and burns their paws, causing pain, discomfort and exposing them to infections, especially when they are puppies and the skin on their paw pads is very thin. Read these 10 tips that will help you take care of your dog’s paws against the constant threat of burns caused by walking on hot pavement.

1. Take Your Dog For A Walk When It Is Not Hot.

It is essential to take your pet for daily walks. Still, you must take into account at what time of the day and where you take him, especially in summer, since during the afternoon, the sun’s rays are powerful and radically increase the pavement’s temperature. The best time to go out is early in the morning or at dusk when the pavement is freezing and does not burn your dog’s paws.

2. Get Your Dog’s Paws Used To Walking On The Pavement.

A good idea to help strengthen your dog’s paws against any damage is to make him walk for long stretches on the pavement when it is cold so that his skin adapts to this material’s hardness and is more difficult to break or burn because it will become harder.

3. Keep Your Dog On A Grassy Path.

If, for some reason, you can’t avoid going out with your dog during the hottest part of the day, be sure to have him walk in grassy or shaded areas to avoid burns. Parks with lots of trees are ideal for hot afternoons, and you will also avoid coming into contact with corrosive substances that may be on the street or with dirt, which eventually dries out their pads.

4. Moisturize Your Dog’s Paws

Consider moisturizing your dog’s paws daily to prevent cuts, nicks, or peeling, as these small wounds make them more susceptible to burns and other skin problems. You can find Paw Repair creams and lotions at pet stores and veterinary clinics.

5. Protective Pad Wax

Paw Repair wax can be easily applied to your dog’s paw pads to protect them from damaging surfaces such as hot pavement. You can use it whenever you need extra protection during a walk, and you can find it in pet stores and veterinary clinics, just like moisturizing creams and lotions.

6. Adhesive Pads

Just like a sticker, these pads peel off from their packaging and stick easily to your dog’s paw pads. You can find them at any home improvement store and just cut them to the size your pet requires. They are a quick solution to minimize the dangers of hot pavement and injuries and are even slip-resistant.

Another option is silicone sheets that are reusable, easy to cut, and moisture resistant. You can get them at drugstores.

7. Dog Shoes

These shoes are one of the best ways to protect your dog’s paws; the important thing is that they are of good quality, comfortable and non-slip. Not all dogs get used to them, so don’t worry if you notice that your pet takes a long time to adapt or doesn’t want to wear them.

8. Disposable Boots

Disposable boots are ideal for hot days. They are made of rubber and resist chemicals, moisture, heat, sand, salt, and much more. They can be used several times without problems, biodegradable, and sold in packs of 12 in pet stores.

9. Socks

As a quick fix to keep your dog’s paws from getting damaged by hot pavement, you can use dog socks or a pair of baby socks. Not all dogs get used to wearing them, so as with shoes, don’t worry if your pet doesn’t want to wear them.

10. Check And Wash Your Dog’s Paws Daily.

Check your dog’s paws daily for any signs of damage and frequently clean them with soap and warm water. If his paw pads are damaged, take him to the veterinarian for advice on the best way to heal his wounds.

By following these tips, you can prevent your pet from being exposed to burns from walking on hot pavement and also improve their quality of life, since their paw pads serve as shock absorbers for their weight, maintain their balance, and allow them to walk on hard or rough surfaces.

 …

Women’s Sandals – Wearing Your Kitten Heel Sandals

When it comes down to shoes, everybody has their own preference and style. Naturally, many people like the same shoes and most have the tendency to follow the trends, but there are such a wide variety of different shoes and sandals, showing that nobody’s taste is just the same as the next person’s. Let us take women’s sandals for example.

It is really possible that you might absolutely love a pair of sandals that you’d never really wear yourself. So lovable are these footwear that you could never get away with wearing them! Perhaps it is because of the pattern or color; or you just love the look of a couple of gold or silver sandals but just can’t imagine yourself wearing them.

Maybe the heel is the issue. Perhaps you have always been used to wearing only flat soled sandals. Aside from the weird, strappy dress heel that could be categorized as a sandal, you usually wear more basic and casual types of sandals for comfort. But what you need to do is break out of your comfort zone!

Any time is a very good time to spice up your wardrobe and try experimenting with those styles that you adore but haven’t tried to wear for yourself. Sandals with heels are a great starting point, particularly now that heels are worn for each occasion from casual all of the way up to the formal type!

You can’t go wrong with two heels. But what type of heel should you choose? If you’re scared of a pair of very high heels due to lack of experience balancing on them, then go for something lower. If you still need the height, platform sandals are better to walk on, but they definitely have the “fashion punch” of high heels.

If platforms aren’t for you, then your best option are the kitten heel sandals. These have only recently come into fashion and is the only answer for those that require the style of a heel without the pain that comes with walking on a very high heel.

These sandals come in various styles. You will find extremely fancy patent leather types that are very good for more formal occasions, and you may also find them in more basic colors and styles that look good with a rather more casual outfit. If you’re attempting to find a method to jazz up a couple of jeans, then these sandals are your only solution. They look lovable and sassy, with a touch of the dressy and form an ideal coalition with jeans.

For the lady who hasn’t got much experience when it comes to women’s sandals for summer, kitten heel sandals are the ideal starting point in broadening your horizon. Put on a pair and you’ll immediately feel feminine and trendy; prepared for whatever summer fun lies ahead!…

Playing With Our Cat Helped Her Get Well

When we first got our now 15 year old tuxedo cat, she was a frail, too-thin kitten. At about 8 weeks old, she was half the size of the other kittens in a feral cat colony we had been watching and supporting. I couldn’t stand by and watch that one die as the others prevented her from eating, and actually beat her up from time to time. So I snatched her one morning, which wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. She still had some strength and good reflexes. But I knew that wouldn’t last much longer. It was time for an intervention!

I had to sneak up behind her and throw a towel over her and immediately scoop her into my arms, then into a box, since we did not have a trap. She put up an amazing fight and I was astonished at her spunk. But she had never been touched by a human before. She was completely terrified. And she wasn’t just the runt of the litter, either. Her head appeared to be permanently turned and tilted to the right. Someone else had been calling her “that twisted neck cat,” so we named her Twister.

It took a few weeks, but she soon became very tame and fun to have around the house. She played with everything. Shoelaces weren’t safe, and anything dangling or left on the floor, such as a newspaper, or a jacket hanging on a chair, was an invitation to dive underneath it. So we invested in a few toys made just for cats, but also with a view to helping her develop certain physical skills and coordination.

As a physician, I decided to use her playtime drive as a means of physical therapy to correct her neck problem. It looked like a torticollis to me, a condition in which muscle spasms become permanent and the neck cannot be turned normally, and as a chiropractor, I had helped a number of patients recover from exactly the same thing.

So I created a play routine that involved forcing Twister to look both ways, and to chase a toy to either side, with a quick change of direction so she didn’t have time to think about it. In addition, I used some massage and acupressure techniques to release the muscle rigidities and allow her to use them more.

It took most of her first year, but she came out of it quite well, with only a slight twist of her head left to remind anyone of her beginnings.

Now, at 15, she has no twist whatever, but she apparently had some congenital neurological damage from which she could not recover. She is now completely deaf, for example. And she’s still a very small cat. But she’s the lucky one… none of her litter mates, nor parents, are alive today. As ferals, they lasted the “normal” year or three and gradually disappeared, as ferals often do in the sometimes hazardous outdoor life. And while we weren’t able to capture all of them for spaying and neutering, we became advocates and volunteers for a local trap-neuter-release program to help control the stray population.

Meanwhile, Twister has lived a most fulfilling life as she became our constant companion on our many trips all over the United States.…

8 Basic Cat Care Tips

So you’ve just adopted a precious little kitten or cat. Now what do you do? Well you need to get prepared before bringing your new cat home. There are certain things you absolutely must have on hand.

1. A litterbox, litter and scoops are vital. Get a nice covered litter pan that will give your cat privacy and keep odors to a minimum. It is a good idea to get the clumping type of litter because it’s so easy to scoop out and throw away. If you only have one cat, you might want to invest in an automated litter system such as the Litter Maid – but these don’t work well with multiple cats.

2. Your cat will require 2 bowls that won’t tip over. The food dish should be relatively shallow and the water bowl should be a bit deeper. It is a good idea to feed your cat twice a day – both dry food and canned food. And water should be changed daily.

3. Your cat will also need plenty of toys to keep him/her stimulated. My cats have always enjoyed the bizzy balls best of all. They go by different names, but here’s what I’m talking about – they’re plastic balls with bells inside. There’s a wide variety of great cat toys on the market and most are pretty cheap – just try out a bunch and you’ll find what suits your kitty best.

4. A scratching post is very important as cats have an inborn need to stretch and sharpen their claws. If you don’t provide them with a suitable place to scratch, then they’ll end up doing it on your furniture or carpet. Even with a scratching post, they’ll probably still scratch where you don’t want them to. So you might want to spray cat deterrent or put double sided tape on your best furniture.

5. Of course a collar and id tag is important whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat. An indoor cat can slip out the door in a flash and without some form of identification – you might never see her again.

6. Cat beds are optional. I’ve bought different cat beds over the years and to tell you the truth, they’ve rarely been used. Most cats like to seek and find their own places to nap – and it usually varies from day to day. One day it may be on your bed; one day it may be on your couch; one day it may be on the floor; and one day it may be in a kitchen chair.

7. Flea and tick prevention are extremely important too. I am partial to the Frontline liquid stuff that you place between your cat’s shoulder blades – it works well and doesn’t cause any problems for your cat.

8. Be sure and schedule a visit to your veterinarian. The vet will let you know if there are any underlying health problems or conditions that you should be aware of and get your cat started on a good regimen of disease prevention.…

Surprise Your Little Girl This Christmas With Lulu My Cuddlin Kitty

When it comes to giving gifts for babies or young children, it is often quite a challenge to specifically think of an idea for little girls. Unlike little boys who will basically enjoy whatever you hand out to them, little girls are far more particular. Girls are picky, that’s for sure; but this shouldn’t stop you from succeeding at getting a holiday gift that would bring a smile to their faces — Lulu My Cuddlin Kitty is a good suggestion.

Most girls ranging in between 4 to 10 years of age are in their “doll” phase. This should give you an idea on the type of gift you can give? But you must not settle for the mainstream idea of buying her a new doll, especially since most girls of this age range probably have their own dolls already.

You can get her a gift package that contains accessories for her baby doll. These sets come with either bottles, diaper bags and other related baby dolls items that your little girl will enjoy during playtime.

If they’re not so much into dress up baby dolls, you can opt to give them Barbie dolls. You do not have to purchase branded and expensive doll accessories or costumes, you simply have to settle for something that is playful and will enable your child to let out her creativity.

One great and creative alternative to dolls is Lulu My Cuddlin Kitty, particularly if you don’t want real pets around the house. It will also save you money since the Lulu cuddlin kitty is relatively cheaper as compared to buying a new kitten for your child. As one of the most sought after toys nowadays, it won’t be surprise if its popularity grows as the Holiday season opens. Hence, your kid will be pleased to know that you have given this to them as a gift knowing that it is the latest toy trend among little girls.

The Lulu is covered with fur from real kitten, which is what gives that extra cuddly and soft feel. This is the closest to your child having a real kitten at home. This is battery operated, which enables it to execute common mannerisms that an actual kitten would, such as licking its paw, sitting on your lap, and making this purring sound. It also comes with blinking eyes and ears that will surely amuse your child.

The experience with Lulu My Cuddlin Kitty is more than just play. Aside from developing your child’s interaction skills, it also teaches your little one to care for others.…

Baby Kittens For Your Children

Have your children been asking you for a long time to get a pet and finally have you talked into adopting or buying a baby kitten? Maybe you already have a cat and it is fixing to have a litter of kittens for the first time and you want to know what you can expect to happen. There is a lot of work that has to be done when you are expecting a kitten in your home. You will want to read all of the tips that you can in order to have a full understanding of what you can expect to happen when that big day arrives.

One of the things that you will need to do is have a place for the kittens to rest. You will be able to make a bed out of a cardboard box. Since a baby kitten is much smaller than a full size cat the litter of kittens will not take up very much space. You will be able to put all of them in the same box as long as it is a large box.

You will want to insulate the box with some kind of blanket to keep it warm. When a kitten is born it is constantly cold so you will have to keep the kittens wrapped up at all times in order for their bodies to not go into shock from all of the shivering that they do. By keeping them in an insulated box you will be able to ensure that they are warm and comfortable.

Another task that you will have to take care of is feeding the kittens. Sometimes when kittens are babies they do not understand how to get milk from their mother. That means that you will have to go to the pet store or look around online and see if you can find a can of kitty replacement milk to feed the baby kittens. You can easily find it in either place that you look but you will be able to get a better deal by shopping at an online store.

There are a lot of things that you will be responsible for when kittens are still babies. You will need to take them to the vet and have them checked out so that you will know that they are healthy.…

Scottsdale dog obedience training is one of the fastest-growing training industries in the United States. Our professional, qualified instructors will set you up on a scottsdale dog obedience training course to get your dog on the right track to a safe and healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s about safety, socialization, dog aggression, or even just keeping your pet safe and comfortable around other people, we can help. So whether you live in Scottsdale or are looking for an entirely home-based business that will take your pet to learn new tricks and enjoy life while doing it, we can provide you with an experience your pet will never forget.

We all know that loving dogs means taking care of them, but what about when they are growing and developing? There are many things owners need to do to care for their young dogs before they turn into fully-grown dogs. Luckily, many trained professionals offer free dog care, from puppy kindergarten classes to dog behavior modification courses to specialty pet spas and kennels. Training classes and obedience lessons are also available online. For those who love their dogs but don’t have the time to commit to full-time dog care, we’ve provided the resources to care for your pet and save you time, money, and aggravation.

Dog trainers and behavior consultants can help you with everything from obedience lessons to medications to holistic approaches when it comes to behavior problems. In-home dog trainers provide ongoing support, helping you identify and manage your pet’s behavior problems while providing tools for overcoming those challenges to resolve issues. Some may work with you to create a tailored program to address your unique needs and concerns. The critical thing to remember is that every pet is different, and some behavior is expected while other behavioral problems may be caused by underlying health or life issues. With the guidance of experienced, qualified dog trainers, you can begin to find solutions to challenging behavioral problems quickly and in a way that is safe for you and your pet.

A critical skill that a scottsdale dog obedience training professional can teach you is how to use words to communicate what you want from him. This includes proper greetings, requests for assistance, directions, and recommendations for items. By spending a few hours a week practicing acceptable word use, you can quickly learn to communicate with your pet without escalating situations. Once you have mastered this skill, you can use it immediately to defuse any negative interactions and turn those into loving, positive experiences with your pet.

If you have been having a problem disciplining your pet, you can start right away. First, make a list of how you usually communicate and take that same list with you to your obedience class. Your trainer can then review this list with you during your first meeting and create a new, positive way to communicate with your pet. This simple step will make an enormous difference in your relationship with your dog, and the results will surprise you.

When it comes to training dogs on a leash, one of the essential skills a trainer can teach you is not to give in to your dog’s need to feel safe. Using a short, firm “no,” followed by a soft “okay,” is a valuable lesson to teach your puppy not to grab your leash or jump on people. Dogs are naturally protective animals, and if they sense that their owner will blame them for an impending failure, they are likely to act out protectively. You can reinforce this message by repeating this sentence repeatedly as soon as you notice your puppy making a mistake. If you say the sentence too often, ask your trainer for help and perhaps add a “not” to the phrase.

Some dogs may have behavioral issues or be disoriented after being away from home for an extended time. To help your dog adjust to its new surroundings, try using the phrase “you’re welcome” when you introduce him to a new place. It’s also important to emphasize the word welcome instead of “ugh” or “um.” Other words you can use to say to welcome your new dog to your home include “Kisses,” “Hello,” and “Good morning.” These phrases are all good ways to tell your dog that you are glad he is here and want him to do what he does best: play and please his humans.

A scottsdale Phoenix pet owner can have a fulfilling and rewarding experience raising a pup or dog. Just remember that the best thing about raising a puppy is that you get to spend as much quality time together as possible. So, spend part of each day playing, walking, or just walking around with your new pup in the vicinity of your G-spot.…

Getting to Know Your Cat’s Sleeping Habits

When it comes to sleeping, cats are truly the experts. Any cat owner will tell you that their cat sometimes seems to sleep more than it does anything else! But, what they may not know is that there are a number of interesting facts regarding cats and sleep. Here is a look at a few of them.

Where Does Your Kitty Sleep?

While some cat owners will swear that their cats will sleep just about anywhere at any given time, cats actually do have their preferences. According to one survey that was conducted online, for example, older cats seem to prefer sleeping at the foot of the bed when they sleep with their owners, while younger cats seem to prefer sleeping on the pillow. Regardless of age, most cats are simply looking for a place that is warm and cozy for their naps. If it is warm outside, however, your cat will likely look for a shaded place to sleep. In the winter, on the other hand, it will seek out a heat source or a ray of sunshine to cuddle under. While temperature is important, the cat also wants to feel safe and comfortable in its chosen spot, which is why so many prefer to snuggle up next to their owners whenever they can.

Speaking of sleeping in bed with their owners, about 96% of those who participated in the survey admitted that they allow their feline friends to sleep in their bedrooms. Only about 50% of those cats, however, are allowed to sleep in the bed and about 38% of the cats actually sleep on the pillow.

How Long Does Your Kitty Sleep?

It may seem like your cat sleeps away its entire day because it does actually sleep for the majority of its day. In fact, experts estimate that the average cat sleeps anywhere from 13 to 16 hours per day. The exact amount of time a cat sleeps, however, varies from cat to cat. The age and personality of your cat are two of the biggest factors that determine how long your cat will sleep. If it is an older cat or one that is generally inactive, for example, it will likely sleep longer hours than one that is younger and likes to keep busy.

Despite the long hours of sleep that they clock in, it should be noted that cats generally do not sleep through an entire night. Therefore, if you allow your kitty to sleep in bed with you, it is possible that it will disturb you early in the morning when it gets up and decides it wants to eat or play while you are still trying to sleep.

If your cat is causing too much distraction during the night and making it difficult for you to sleep, you might want to consider setting up a sleeping space for it in another room. Keep in mind that cats like to sleep on top of something, so purchase a feline bed or simply fold up some blankets for your kitty to rest upon. This way, you can both get the rest you are looking for.…

Cat Litter Trays

By the time your new bundle of fluff arrives home she will already more than likely have learnt how to use cat litter trays by copying her Mum. Your kitten will have followed her Mum to the litter tray and mimicked her. If however your kitten was removed from her Mum too early chances are she may not have yet learnt how to use the tray and it will be your job as her new adopted Mum to train her.

The first most important thing to consider is the positioning of the letter tray. Ideally the tray should be placed away from her sleeping and eating area and in a quiet area of the house. Your kitten won’t use her tray is there are too many people around and will more than likely go and find somewhere quiet to attend to her needs. The general rule of thumb is to have one cat litter tray per cat and an extra one but you may want to consider having more in the house whilst your kitten is still young. During her first few months whilst her body is still developing, her bladder will be weak and if she is too far away from her tray she may not make it in time.

Another important factor to think about is the fact that cats are by nature extremely clean animals. Waste should be scooped out of the tray daily, the cat litter should be changed often and the actual tray should be cleaned regularly. You shouldn’t use strong smelling detergents as it will deter little kitty from using it, hot soapy water should do the trick. If you don’t maintain a regular schedule of keeping things clean the chances are your kitten will find a cleaner spot in the house to go.

The first few days for your kitten in her new home can be quite daunting for her, with all the new smells, noises, people to get used to and she certainly won’t know where her tray is. One of the first things you should do when she arrives home is pick her up and place her in the tray. You should routinely do this particularly after meal times and sleeping. Even if she doesn’t need to go, which she more than probably will, it is a constant reminder for her of where the tray is. Move the litter around with your fingers as she will associate the noise with toilet time. When she does use the tray give her plenty of praise and attention or even a small treat. If she has an accident and you catch her going outside of the tray don’t shout at her or reprimand her simply pick her up and place her in the tray. Remember she is only young and is still learning.…

A Ferret Toy – The Secret For Your Pet’s Happiness

Most owners keep their ferrets inside their cages since they are very active animals. But if you have at least three hours a day of your free time to supervise your ferrets and allow them to play with their ferret toys, your pet will be able to stay happy and healthy at all times. You can also use this so-called playtime to clean their cage or groom your pets. The more time of play you give to your ferret, the better it is for them. This is because they love to engage in recreational activities and they are truly one of the most mischievous creatures that you can bring home with you.

Ferrets are excellent jumpers so you can opt to give them some interactive cat playthings that are appropriate for them. An example of this is the kitty teaser, which is made up of a simple wire or a toy that is attached to a plastic string. These items are securely connected to a feather or other similar objects. This is great for your pets since this will bring out the hidden gymnastic abilities in them. You can also have any of those rubber toys that allow you to fill them up with peanut butter or any other mixture. This will give the ferret an opportunity to enhance their mental powers because they need to find ways on how they can effectively get the little food out of the toy.

You do not have to buy those luxurious toys if you do not have the budget. Ferrets will truly appreciate their owner’s effort to give them the tuff that they want. A simple interactive ferret toy will bring out the best in them and sure enough, they will be able to have some fun time. You can purchase these toys in stores or if you want to save money, you can go online and search for the one that you think they will like. There are a lot of sites that offer a wide variety of toys with affordable prices.

Whether you would like to give them some interactive toys or those that are squeaky so that they will b able to respond to the sounds, what matters is that you give them enough playtimes. They will be able to perform plain tricks such as rolling over or even standing up so that they can reach for a treat with the help of a simple yet efficient ferret toy.…

Supply Checklist For Bringing Home Your New Kitty

* Food

* Treats

* Food and Water Bowls

* Litter

* Litter Box

* Collar

* Name Tag

* Kitty Toys

* Kitty Bed

* Grooming Tools

* Scratching Post

* Kitty Carrier

* Lint Rollers

I recommend a higher quality of food for your kitty. It is more costly but is also more nutritious, which means your kitty can live a healthier life. You will notice a difference in their skin and coat when using a higher quality cat food.

I usually buy the cheaper kitty treats because I know that it is just a treat and is not something they need to live off of.

It is fun picking out the food and water bowls, but be mindful of its function. The plastic food bowls can harvest more bacteria then ceramic or glass. Ceramic and glass are also easier to clean in the dish washer.

Finding the right litter is very important. There are so many types, clump-able, non-clump-able, corn and even crystal. I have tried all of them but the choice is yours. Are you going to clean the litter box out every day? Then use the clump-able. If not use the non-clump-able. Do you have the litter box in a room you use all the time, if so I would use the corn or crystal litter for the smell. Whatever litter you train your cat on is what you should stick with. If you change the litter type your kitty may get mad and refuse to use the box.

There are many varieties of litter boxes, corner ones, covered ones and plain ones. I use a plain one because I have scoop-able (clump-able) litter and it is much easy for me to scoop it without the hassle of a lid. However covered litter boxes do help more with the smell.

Do you want your kitty to wear a collar? If so you will need to buy a collar that is designed for cats. It will be a break-away collars, so if your cat get the collar stuck on a fence it can still get away without choking itself. The collar does not do any good unless you also buy a name tag (*with a phone number*). This will be the only hope of getting your kitty back if it escapes.

Toys are a must if you have a kitten, they will help socialize the kitten.

Kitties also love their beds, however the kitty usually chooses where it wants to sleep all by themselves. I have several kitty beds, I put them in shots that my cats have already chosen to stay. For example, Madison loves to sleep on top of the dog kennel so she can look outside and enjoy the sunlight. I put a bed on top of that kennel and you will find her there most days.

Cats usually groom themselves, but sometimes their hair can get matted and will need to be brushed out. Cats with long hair will need to be brushed out more often then short haired cats. It may be best if you had a selection of brushed to use.

Is your kitty declawed? If not you will want a scratching post. If you don’t have a scratching post it will be very likely that you will have some torn up furniture in the first few month of owning a cat or kitten.

Your cat should always be transported in a carrier. When buying a carrier make sure to get it big enough that your cat fit into it as an adult. No need to waste money on a carrier that will be to small in 6 months.

Lastly, I would purchase a lint roller cats can shed a lot and you don’t want to go to work in a nice black suit and have white kitty hair all over it.…

Ferret Training – No Bites

The first thing we all want to do in ferret training is to teach him not to bite. If you have been suffered from ferret bites before, you know that this is a very important thing you must solve. If you want to keep the ferret as a pet, especially when there are kids in the house, the ferret bites must be resolve.

Ferrets often bite, but you have to understand that they do it just if they are scared of something. In this way they use their own defense tool – the sharp teeth. The young ferrets bite as a part of game, but also because in the early stage of life they don’t know how hard they should bite, in order to eat different kinds of food. They are doing experiments with their teeth that for you might look dangerous, but still it’s a major part of the ferret training life.

Some of the ferrets bite when they hear loud noises so if this is the case try to facilitate your ferret by reducing unwanted noises from the living area. By doing it you might get rid of the ferret bites without even conducting full ferret training. It’s true what they say that the solution to every problem is very simple.

There are so many other methods you can use to stop the ferret from biting. It all depends on the reason of bites. For example if he is sick or hurt than the right solution is to take him to the veterinarian. It is always advised to treat your lovely ferret with care, but if he in deep rages you can keep him in his cage just for a few minutes so he will calm down.

A very create idea to stop the ferret from biting is using the “bad taste ferret training”. In this method you cover your hands with a bitter taste of food, let’s say bitter melon. And put your fingers near his mouth. The ferret will avoid biting your fingers because he will want to avoid the bitter taste. After a few trainings he will remember not to bite your fingers.…

Why and How Do You Train a Kitten

You have adopted a kitten from a family whose cat had a litter of five kittens. Your kitten has just arrived and is ready for training. She is a lovely tortoiseshell kitten with a ginger, and tortoiseshell siblings and a tortoiseshell mother. It was sad to remove her from these other amazing animals but you and your family are excited about the new addition to the household. Take a look at why you need to train your kitten and how you train your kitten.

Why Do You Train A Kitten

Everyone in the family has to comply with a set of guidelines so why should the kitten be an exception. Angel, the name of the kitten needs guidance just like children do when they are babies, toddlers. preschoolers and beyond. After all she will need your help to feed and water her and protect her from the elements. it is great to provide a calm, warm environment and training Angel will ensure that you have a loving cat that does not eat your furniture, pee on your houseplants and is protected from potential dangers. Angel needs to know what behaviour is acceptable and what behaviour is unacceptable, especially as there are some unacceptable behaviours that can also be dangerous.

It is important to realise that cats are wonderful creatures filled with curiosity and like humans, have different personalities. Some are snugly, affectionate, friendly and are content to nap on your lap. Some are standoffish and will only allow the occasional solemn head pat before regally stalking of to stretch and preen in the sunshine. And others are ‘wild cats’, hell bent on running straight up the walls in pursuit of invisible prey, knocking down all who dare get in their pathway. Although you won’t be able to change the basic nature of Angel, you can try and change the more obnoxious behaviours – should they occur. You will have to try and remember to have patience – some cats take to training quite well, others take a little longer. You will get to know Angel.

Also cats do the things they do for various reasons and before training begins, it is important to have basic understanding of why?

Angel may misbehave due to:

~ boredom

~ growing from kitten to adult – see picture of an adult tortoiseshell cat

~ an impending or ongoing illness. It is best to rule out this one first. Maybe a health professional will be required to help out.

How Do You Train Your Kitten?

1. Make a List:

everything which needs changing and start with the worst offender first. It is best to teach one behaviour at a time because too many changes will make the cat confused and potentially worst behaved than before.

2. Give Clear, Consistent Guidelines:

Do this immediately as to what is and what is not acceptable in your home. We will have to remember not to change the rules from day to day eg if Angel climbs on the bench you should not tell her off on one day and then accept this on another day. You will have to organise consistency with all family members.

3. Treats and Rewards:

These can be effective with cats as long as they are given immediately after the behaviour.

Do not bother reprimanding your cat as it is often ineffective.

4. Clicker Technique:

This is when a loud noise from a clicker can be given to Angel should she misbehave. This intolerable noise will grab her attention and she will learn to avoid the undesired action and do an action that will give her a treat. It is not the treat that motivates her but the intolerance of the clicking sound.

5. Cat Training Classes:

You could always take Angel along to training classes to find out some appropriate techniques.…

Names For Kittens and Cats – How to Brainstorm For a Unique Kitten Name

Finding great names for kittens or cats can seem overwhelming at first. You want something that’s unique, different, and cute. And it has to be something you won’t get tired of repeating every day for the next fifteen to twenty years! It has to fit your new kittens looks, personality, and your lifestyle.

The possibilities are endless. That’s the great thing about naming an animal. There are no boundaries on your creativity. He doesn’t have to fit in on the playground, and no one will make fun of his name if it’s really off-the-wall. So go ahead, express yourself!

Right, so now what? Well one idea is to browse lists of popular cat names. But, that just might defeat your plan to be original. You want to be unique, so why choose the same name as everyone else? It is a good way to get started, though. It might give you some ideas.

The first thing to think about with each name is how it will sound. You are going to have to say it a lot, and you don’t want to get tired of it. Also, you want your cat to hear it easily. That’s why many cats have a name with a long vowel sound- they quickly pick up on their name if it has a long vowel, such as the “e” in Leo.

Names for kittens can reflect their appearance. If you have a black cat, how about Luna, Midnight, or Ninja? A white cat could be called Bianca. A tiger cat could be named, well, you know!

The next idea is to take brainstorming one step further. For example, let’s say you have a gray kitten. Smokey is an obvious choice. Instead, think about all things gray. Gray weather makes me think about clouds, storms, how about Twister, or Nimbus (short for the cumulonimbus cloud type)? Or maybe your kitten is more silver? Platinum is a clever name. Silver leads to jewelry, how about Bling?

You might want to think about your kittens personality. Does he love to climb? Is she a total snuggle-bug? These traits can lead into a name! I once knew a kitten that was just crazy. His owner gave him a Native American name that reflected his wild nature.

Some of the best names for kittens are ones that reflect your unique character. Do you have a favorite author, sports hero, or even hobby? Take some time to think about it, and you may just come up with the perfect name!

If you are getting two kittens, you may opt to have their names match. Twin kitten names are fun and convey a special relationship between the kittens. On the other hand, many choose to name each kitten individually. It’s totally your choice.

Want to get outlandish? I’ve personally known a Hosehead, Chainsaw, and Three. There really are no boundaries when it comes to unique kitten names!

Some of the greatest names for kittens are human names, precisely because they are human! Some of the best human name choices are so very human, that they are absolutely quirky and unique on a cat!

There is no rush. Get to know your kitten. Spend some time bonding and observing him, and in the meantime think about some of these categories:

Human Names

Mythology

Real Life Celebrities

Mythology

Literature

Weather

Your Hobbies and Personal Interests

Names for kittens can come from anywhere. These all provide great inspiration, and once you pick the perfect name, you’ll know it!…

How Many Cat Toys Do You Have?

We are very busy these days trying to make end meet and to do this, most of us are away from our home most of the day. That action forces us to leave our cats or kitten at home all day alone. One great motivator for purchasing that cute squeaky toy, bouncy ball with a bell inside or Mr. Wrestle packed with catnap is guilt. We think of our pets as part of the family and we would feel that same type of guilt if we had to leave or children by themselves for any length of time. Curiosity may not kill the cat or kitten but it sure can leave the house a mess when you get home. You need to have something for your cat or kitten to keep their minds and body occupied while you are at work or go for the day.

There are some great toys for cats and kitten out on the market in your local pet store, Wal-Mart or online. I had mentioned the toy with catnap inside they are great and most cats will react to from differently. All cat except Australian cats so not only are Aussie different from the rest of the world so are their cats. The 30% of cats that are not affected by catnip are Australian cat 60% of the cat population cannot help themselves from reacting the catnap keeping them attention focus on the toy for five to fifteen minutes until they become accumulated to the scent. Even after that if the cat is away from the catnip toy for more than an hour and the toy is reintroduce it will trigger an immediate response over and over again. That only leaves 10% of the cat population they are the kitten younger than three months old that just do not know any better and the older mature cats that knows better or just do not care.

Cat and kitten have a built in instinct within them to help bring out or develop this instinct there are a wide range of interactive toys for cats and kitten. There are small birds or mouse that are fastened to a spring steel wire that are self supporting and other that attach to a chair, counter top or door with a clamp. They capture cats attention and when they become interacting with this toy whenever they swat, grab, pounce or bat at the life like toy it will dance unpredictably bouncing this way and that causing your cat or kitten to stay focus. If they concentrate on what the toy is doing that will give them a chance at capturing its prey.

If you want to keep your cat and kittens healthy they need to be active and exercise and play with them one on one daily will help keep the Vet away. Sharpening their skill will help them grow not only physically but mentally as well.…

Common Health Problems For Cats

Owning a cat, you must be prepared for any health problems that may arise. Among common cat health problems we have a multitude of minor inconveniences up to dangerous or life-threatening accident and conditions. It is our duty as an owner to always check if our pet is healthy. If we notice a lack of appetite, constipation or strange behavior we must assume that our cat is sick and may need care.

How do we recognize if our cat is sick? As an owner, you can certainly see changes in your cat’s behavior or demeanor that is not normal for your feline. Some signs that your cat may be sick include lethargy, poor appetite, unusual itching, a dull coat, failure to groom after a meal, vomiting, hiding, problems with the litter box, elimination in strange locations, increased water intake, and noticing a third eyelid from the corner of the eye while your feline is awake.

Of course, this is not a complete checklist, and in the case of your cat you may notice other strange behaviors, because all cats are different. If you are a new cat owner, it’ll be a good idea to become more educated on basic cat health as it will not only help you act quickly in case of illness, but will improve the quality of your cat’s life.

If you feel something is not right with your cat, a visit to a veterinarian is a must. A doctor will help you diagnose problems that your cat is suffering from and will know how severe the problem is. They will also know the proper treatment for your cats health problem.

Some of the more common cat health problems you may see include fleas, hairballs, plant poisoning, various infections and viruses, and parasites including worms. In addition to these problems our cat may also be the victim of other health issues just like other animals and ourselves. They can suffer from indigestion, urinary infections, skin conditions, vitamin deficiencies and a wide range of other problems. They may also suffer injury from accident.

As a cat owner we must be prepared to address these issues by being knowledgeable and taking the proper steps as early as possible.…

Great Tips to Increase Your Ferret’s Lifespan

In case you are unaware, your favorite ferret pet lives as long as eight years, there are some who have even survived up to 12 years. Of course, all of us want our furry pet to live the longest time possible. So here are some great tips on how you can improve your ferret’s health and lengthen your ferret’s lifespan.

1. Feed him a proper balance diet – Providing him a well-balanced diet is very easy, you just have to remember and practice it regularly. The only thing that some people do is to neglect and forget these things some times. You have to remember that ferrets are very different from other pets. There are times that what is best to some pets is not the best for your ferret.

Provide good nutrients to your pet ferret by giving him foods with 35% protein, 20% fat and 3% fiber (or even less than that). Ferrets are carnivorous animals so you have to increase their intake of protein foods. Their diet should be high in fat and low in fiber. To make sure that he will have a longer ferret lifespan, provide him enough vitamin supplements like A, D and E. These vitamins are very important in maintaining his metabolism. Vitamin C is also essential in order to prevent him from scurvy. Offer him clean and fresh water, and make sure that his water bottle is always full.

2. Excellent Living Conditions – It is much better if you could offer your pet big cages, in order for him to be comfortable. You have to provide essential accessories inside his cage such as a box for his litters. Also make sure that the door to his cage is low to allow him easy access to it. He must also have a water bottle, dish water, blankets, linoleum and a food container. Toys are very important too, just choose the safe ones. Ferrets love to hide in dark areas so you have to provide a dark place in their cage where they can hide for privacy. These dark areas should have some nest where they can snuggle comfortably.

External conditions are as important as the internal condition, so you have to place their cage in the coolest place of the house, especially during summer time. It is much better if you could place them in an air-conditioned area but they will be alright in a well-ventilated room as well. Always remember that your furry pet is sensitive to heat and are very prone to heat stroke if you leave them unattended in a warm place for a long time.

You also have to keep in mind that ferrets are active and full of energy so they have to use their energy all the time and they might not able to use it when they are kept in their cage for long. You have to take them out from time to time and play with them. Keeping them in a cage might get them bored, and affect their health. They might get sick and die. Make sure that their living area is in proper sanitation to keep them healthy and safe.

3. Regular check-ups – To ensure that your pet will attain a longer ferret lifespan, you have to get him all the necessary vaccines to prevent dangerous diseases. Regular check-ups to his veterinarian are also important to ensure his good health. Find the best veterinarian for him by asking referrals from your friends or relatives. You could also use the internet for your search.…

It is important that you know what you are doing before even attempting a project. This article can help you figure out which jobs should never be attempted and which ones are simple enough.

The better your home’s curb appeal is, the more money you can get out of it when it sells. That beautiful view is not an investment but more of an added pleasure of your investment. Future buyers might not appreciate the view as much as you do.

Don’t neglect all that space outside the walls of your home. The living space of your home can be extended into your backyard. This creates an idyllic outdoor environment for relaxing or cooking out with the family.

Free up space on your nightstand by using a floor lamp as opposed to using a table lamp. Consider replacing any table lamps you might have with floor lamps. Select a lamp that has an attractive design that fits your style.

Do not underestimate the value of a high quality door. It is what welcomes guests and sends them on their way. If your door doesn’t have good insulation and a proper fit, you’re wasting a lot of energy. You’ll lose security, too, if the locks are poor quality or the frame is not solid.

Brighten up your kitchen with new cabinet knobs and handles! Cabinet knobs quickly and easily add a fresh look. When replacing handles and knobs, Kitchen Remodel think about cleaning out your cabinets because it is easier to do when you don’t have snagging hardware. Attaching the knobs is the final step.

As was discussed earlier, some home projects should never be attempted by someone who is just learning about them or has only read a book about it. Keep this advice in mind to ensure that you don’t get in over your head and waste a lot of time and money.…

Why a Kitten Rather Than A Cat?

Kittens are adorable, hard work, entertaining, often destructive, and usually delightful. It is a joy to own one at least once in your life. Many people take on older cats, often because there are many more of them needing a good home than kittens, find homes more easily because of their appeal. It is hard work – they keep you on your toes like any baby or toddler. Indeed, many people taking on a kitten for the first time after many years of owning adult cats comment that they had forgotten what hard work it is!

Some aspects of your personality may also affect the type of kitten you choose, or should choose, and the lifestyle you will have with it, such as whether it goes outside or stays indoors.

Are you patient?

Kittens do require patience, and if you are taking on a long-haired cat you may have to spend a great deal of time grooming – Persians especially will not be able to look after their coats on their own.

Are you house-proud – do you mind accidents, scratched furniture or wallpaper, hair on the furniture, litter boxes, etc.?

Tales of kittens climbing up curtains are based on truth -they may well shin up anything they can and in the process knock off ornaments or pull down curtains that are not securely fixed! Remember when you had children or friends visiting with children and put all the valuables away? Time to do it again. Cats do shed hair, and longA�haired cats shed a lot of it.

Are you overprotective?

Some people could not bear to take on a cat and then let it face the risks of going outside. They may want to keep it indoors – but there are things to consider if taking this option, both at the outset and as it grows.

What sort of owner will you be? What do you want from your cat? Do you want a close relationship, or are you happy to live with it and respect it for its independence? Owners can be dissatisfied with their cat because they have unrealistic expectations of how it might live with them or because the cat does not fit what they want. One such story was told to me recently by a member of a rescue organization. A very nice lady came in and adopted a beautiful tortoiseshell-and-white cat. She brought it back the next day because, as an artist, she could not cope with the fact that the markings on its legs were not symmetrical – she had even considered coloring it in! Suggestions by staff that she could use artistic license when she was painting it fell on deaf ears!

OK, self-analysis finished – you have thought it through and are ready to choose your kitten. It may have seemed a little labored but, if a dog is for life, then a cat is for even longer! Many cats live for fourteen years and upward, so they are potentially with you for a long time, sometimes longer than children. What are the choices available to you?…

The Mystery of Kitten Behavior

When I watch my little kitten sometimes I think that he has unlimited energy. He loves to play, is very curious, and exploring is his favorite thing to do. Sometimes it gets him in to trouble so I gave him things to play with to prevent it. Kitten behavior can be a mystery to us humans.

Although toys are good there is something better you can give to you kitten. Your time and friendship is something that is most precious to your cat. Through playing with him you will develop a relationship that is necessary for you to live together happily. Of course, that is not saying that your cat needs more than your play ideas.

Your kitten needs you to develop instincts that are natural for him and to learn how to play safely and act on his instincts in a way that is acceptable to you. You will probably find your cat off hunting or jumping on things; this is an instinct that he needs to act upon. You should not get mad at your cat when he does it. Your cat will attack your legs to play with you. Learn to like it. Your cat does this to develop his instinct to hunt.

Little kittens are like children: they will test you to know what is allowed. If you do not teach him properly when he is young, you will have a problem when he is older. And just like the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, it is very hard to change a cat’s behavior when he is an adult. Use common sense to determine what kitten behavior is acceptable for you while keeping in mind the welfare of your cat.…

How To Introduce An Orphaned Kitten To A Foster Mother

Have you ever faced the daunting task of introducing an orphaned kitten to a foster-mother? It is not the easiest task in the world, but it is still doable with lots of time and commitment from you. In this article you will find a proven way to do this, as I had success with this method three times with three different mother cats and kittens.

It is only required to have a foster-mother feed the kitten if it still has not been weaned or it is too small or weak to eat on its own. You need to ensure that the mother cat has kittens of its own who still feed on her milk. You also need to ensure that she is healthy enough to feed another kitten before trying to get her to adopt the orphan. It is also best if she has more than one kitten as she will tend to notice the new addition much less if her brood is greater than one. However this method has worked well for me even with cats who have just one kitten with them.

First you need to ensure that the mother cat has a safe and comfortable place to feed her kittens. While she feeds her kittens. It is also good to introduce an object, which has the smell of the new orphan and let her sniff at it. When she has settled down to feed her kittens it is good to introduce the orphan to suckle from her. You may need someone to guide the orphan to suckle, while soothing the cat if she starts to get agitated. Do not use force on her, but you should proceed to soothe her by rubbing her head or the underside of the chin. This will calm her down.

However if she moves away do not worry, she will be back to feed her kittens again need to repeat the process again and again until she stops becoming agitated and settles down to feeding this kitten. You will need to be here each time it happens. If the kitten does not get much milk, you need to feed it with some formula for kittens or even babies if it is all you can get. I have used a pipette to do this for one of my kittens.

You will gradually find that the mother cat will take to licking the kitten. Sometimes she may hiss and take a spat at it. When this happens remove the kitten to stop it from getting hurt. Reintroduce it later so that it gets another chance. Eventually the mother cat will come around to licking it and before long she will not be able to make it out from her own litter.

This may take two or three days at the most even with the fiercest mother cats and the most wayward kittens. All you need is some patience and time to achieve success. So, next time you find an orphaned cat do not shy away from it you could follow the above steps and get a foster-mother to adopt it as her own.…

Tips to Know Before You Adopt a Ferret

So you want to or at least you are thinking about taking that first step to adopt a ferret. If this is so you will be happy to know that you have plenty of options on which to decide of where you are going to source your new pet. Because of this you are given the chance on whether to get him from a pet store, a rescue center, one taken care of by a friend, or other various places. No matter where you plan to get him there is one thing that is for sure and that is the fact that this is truly a rewarding experience to be in.

If you are ready to adopt a ferret here are few things that you may want to know:

As of these days, ferrets are considered to be one of the most popular pet there is in the entire United States as well as in other parts of the world. Next to dogs and cats, ferrets are among the most beloved animals to have in every home! Although this is good news, there is actually something bothering about this. It is the fact that more and more animals are finding their way into rescue shelters because of financial reasons or due to the fact that there are just some owners who aren’t responsible enough to take care of this pet properly.

If you want to save your cash from buying a ferret you may like the idea of going to your nearest rescue center and check out the selections they might have regarding these warm, lovable fur balls. In order to decide exactly which rescue center that you should get your pet from, you can try searching for them online, from magazines or your local newspaper. Remember though that the process of adopting from a shelter is never easy because people from the center will have to ask some things about your history and a little background information about you so they can be assured that you can take care of the ferret once it is inside your house.

Ferrets are normally friendly but if not trained the proper way you can expect some troubled times ahead if you are not careful. Because of this, you should always give your pet plenty of good, loving attention like the way you would give a puppy or kittens. Just be careful in the beginning that it is not a very good idea to allow your pet to stay inside the room with very small children because of the unintentional harm they may cause to kids.

Another concern that owners would normally face is the cleanliness of their pet. Well, ferrets are normally clean as they can be taught on how to use the litter box when nature calls. On the other hand, they can be very messy if they are not properly trained in this discipline.

Now that you know some of the tips to equip yourself with in owning this kind of pet, you can be prepared for the responsibilities involved when you are ready to adopt a ferret.…

How to Build a Cat Tree

No matter what kind of cat tree you want to build, you need to take into consideration the following three things – cost, size, and your construction experience. Don’t let any one of these things stop you from building your own cat tree, but do plan according for what you can manage.

Let’s start with experience. If this is your first time doing a project like this, you might want to look around and check out what others have done. This will give you ideas for your own project. However, if you have done this before, then you most likely have a good idea of what you want.

Beginners should start with a simple cat tree. This will – most likely – keep the costs down and the size of your project small. However, your cat will never know the difference, and will enjoy your hard work immensely – no matter what the size.

And, if you’re concerned about your budget, don’t worry – costs can be kept to a minimum, unless you’re building an extravagant cat tree or you just want to use really high quality materials. For instance, you can find scrap pieces of plywood from a construction site or carpet squares at a discount from a building store. Maybe a friend or relative just got done with a renovation project and there’s left-over scrap materials you can use on your project.

You can also go to your local lumber yard and ask them for scraps or partial pieces of plywood that only cost a couple of dollars, if anything. If you go to a carpet store, you’ll be able to find empty tubes or scraps of carpet for anywhere from a couple of dollars to free. By now, you should be getting the idea that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to build something nice for your cat.

As far as size goes, you can go as simple as a 14″ x 14″ platform mounted to 12″ long center post sitting on a 2′ x 2′ base, all wrapped in carpet or fake fur. On the other hand, you might decide to go with a more expensive multi-story “cat condo” extravaganza – it’s all up to you and what your pocketbook can handle. Also, take into consideration on how much time you want to put into this project. After all, you can always start small and add to it as time progresses.

To build a simple cat tree, all you really need is a square piece of plywood, a wooden post of appropriate width, carpet, wood glue, and nails. Use the glue to attach the carpet to the base and the post, and use nails to attach the two pieces together. You can then use a spring or heavy rope to attach a fun cat toy to the top of the post so that your cat has something to play with.

Whatever method you use – and however much you spend – you can be sure that your cat will love her new home-built cat tree. As long as you build it with love and care – being sure that there are no dangerous corners, edges, or loose parts – your cat will enjoy its tree for years to come.…

Domestic Cat Behaviour: 5 Tips For a More Exciting Playtime

One of the top questions that people have about domestic cat behaviour is why their feline does not want to play with them. Usually the problem is not that the kitty doesn’t want to play, but instead, that the forms of play or toys offered to the cat are just plain boring. Every feline has a different personality, so the type of play that one cat is interested in, may be completely dull to another!

Your job is to find out what types of toys are the most exciting for your cat. To help you with your decision we have come up with the top 5 toy options to make playtime more fun.

Catnip Toys

Catnip toys have always been a favourite choice for cats and pet owners. Not only do these toys come in all sorts of shapes and materials, but they are stuffed with catnip too! The best way to play with a catnip toy is to place it beside your cat, slowly begin to move it around in front of or on top of Kitty, and finally to throw it across the room to see if she decides to chase it.

Strings

Wriggly, squiggly strings are a favourite form of prey for many felines. Any string-like item will do, just make sure to interest your kitty fully in the activity by dangling it in front of him, on top of him, or by slowly pulling the string past him. If your cat is interested in the game you will notice a sudden attentiveness to the string, and he may even get into a pouncing position to attack the string.

Laser Pointers

Cats go crazy for the little red dot that is just impossible to catch. Playing with this toy is simple, just shine the light anywhere in front of your kitty, and move it around for her to chase. You will want to make sure to shine the light only on areas around your cat. Never shine a light on a feline’s face, especially not in his eyes.

Feathers

Felines love to catch feathers, especially when they are moving around in front of them. To initiate a playtime with feathers, rub the feather on your kitty’s nose or slowly drag the feather beside him. If he begins to get excited about the feather, you know you have found a winner and will be able to purchase all sorts of feathery toys that will excite your kitty for future playtimes.

Paper Bags and Cardboard Boxes

One of the strangest types of domestic cat behaviour is their interest in cardboard boxes and paper bags. Some cats will have no interest in the new toy you have just bought for them, and will instead be more excited by the box or bag that the present came in. The next time you find yourself with a spare box or bag, place it on the floor in front of your feline to see if he or she gives you any reaction. You may have to move the box or bag around a little bit to gain your cat’s attention, but this play option is sure to be a hit.

Try out these tips to see if you can make playtime more exciting for you and your feline friend. Remember to never leave any strings, feathers, or bag handles unattended, as these can be harmful items for your cat to play with on his own. If you’re still having a tough time enticing Kitty to play, try adding a sprinkle of catnip to the mix either on top of or inside of the toy. This addition will definitely make playtime more exciting for any cat.…