Your Loving Cat

Is your cat a licker?

2010-03-02T12:08:00.001-06:00

One of my current cats, Sapphire, who is a chinchilla colored Persian, loves to lick my hands and arms while she is getting pet and scratched. This is my second cat who likes to lick more than a lot of dogs that I know. The first licker that I owned was my first cat, a red tabby Persian named Topaz. When I first went to the Humane Society looking for a new family member, I put my fingers in her cage, and she immediately started licking my finger tips. That was all it took, she went home with me. The real question is, why do some cats do this?

While it is not possible to really know why a cat does anything (!), there are many things that make a lot of sense, from the cat’s point of view. One reason is that, like all animals, cats need a certain amount of salt, and some cats, just like some people, really like the taste of salt. They can get that taste from the skin on your hands, arms or face either because of the food you have handled or because of perspiration. Or it may have been something else that you have handled, such as a little fat or grease from a burger, or maybe a little fish or chicken flavoring, or something else that just tastes good to your cat.

Another reason that your cat may be licking you, especially when you are petting them, is a grooming behavior. Especially when very young, kittens are often groomed by their mother. From this, they usually learn to groom themselves and their litter mates. Now, you are the one that helps keep your cat groomed, or you are just petting them in the right spot, and they lick you to return the favor, or they may lick you the way they lick their own paws or legs to be able to get their fur washed in spots they can’t lick directly, mainly all around their heads and ears, so they may lick your finger and then rub their chin or the top of their head against that finger right away. If your cat likes to lick your arms, face or hair, then they are probably trying to groom your “fur”, the hair on your arms or face or the hair on your head.

The final reason, and the one that most people who are owned by cats would like to think is the “real” reason that their cat likes to lick them, is that they are doing it to show their affection for them. This could very well be the case. Dogs are not the only animal who likes to lick or groom their companions as a sign of affection. Licking is a show of affection and comfort to that a mother cat gives to their young, so your cat is giving this affection to you. While the scratchy tongue feels a little strange, just enjoy it and accept what your cat is trying to give you.

Make sure that your cat is getting all the benefits of grooming that you can give it. You can get all of your grooming supplies at my website www.yourlovingcat.com/stores.html and clicking on "Health and Grooming".

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Where to get a cat

2010-02-26T11:14:00.000-06:00

Image by Wombatunderground1 via Flickr

OK, so now comes a big question, and I know that I am going to make large groups of people angry with me, but I have to go with what I believe. If you feel I am treating any particular group unfairly, please respond to this post. I am more than happy to listen to other points of view.

The question that I am referring to is “Where do I get my new cat?”.

First, I would emphatically say to stay away from pet stores, unless they are offering Humane Society or other animal rescue adoptions. The animals that you find in most pet stores are often cats from breeders that they could not sell themselves, or they are from large breeders who just supply pet stores . These are often the cats that become the cats you will later find at the Humane Society/Pound/ASPCA/Rescue.

Second, unless you want show cat with a pedigree, don’t go to a breeder. While you can find the purebred cat you want, there is often more inbreeding than is good for your pet. Even if this is not the case, and it often is not, there is no need to use a breeder to find the breed you want.
As you may have already guessed, I want you to get your new family member from an animal rescue or Humane Society adoption center. You can find just about any breed of cat you are looking for, if you can be a little patient. I personally have always had long haired cats, mainly Persians, although I have also had one Himalayan and one Maine Coon cat. I haven’t always gotten a new family member on the fist trip, or at the first location, but it has never taken overly long to find what I was looking for.

Also along the same line, showing patience, please don’t see a cat you like and take it home immediately based just on appearance. Hopefully the location you are adopting from has a private room that you can spend a few minutes getting to know the personality of your possible new friend. Whether they like to cuddle, or are playful. If they may be more of a scratcher or biter, or don’t like to be held or petted. You can get a real feel for the cat in only fifteen minutes or so.

My other strongly held opinion is, adopt an adult cat, not a kitten. Yes, I know. “But kittens are so CUTE!” And maybe that is my point. There will always be people willing to take home a cute kitten. The adult cats don’t always have it so easy. The adults also can be easier to integrate into your home and schedule than a kitten might be. But, it may also be that you find the perfect cat and it is only three months old. Please consider the adults and even the “mature” adult cats when looking for someone to take home.

Finally, I will just touch on want ads in the paper. If someone has had an “unexpected” litter, and is giving away kittens, just remember that you will probably have more out of pocket expenses at the vet for this type of cat, and that “Free” never is. This is also a great reminder to spay/neuter your cats.

To find a shelter near you, and to see what they have to offer, use the pet finder link to the left. It is a free service and offers wonderful resources for finding a new companion for your home. And make sure you get your cat "Tagged" with an electronic identifier so your new friend doesn't end up back at a rescue.

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The Oriental Cat

2010-02-23T08:06:00.000-06:00

Image by jiva via Flickr

The Oriental is a breed that has been created only recently. It’s history only started at the beginning of the nineteen sixties. This breed came about when breeders wanted a Siamese like cat, but without the Siamese color point patterns. They achieved this by breeding the Siamese with domestic cats and the Abbysinians. In that short period of time, however, these cats have been bred in over three hundred color and pattern combinations, giving them the nickname of the “Rainbow Cat”.

The oriental cat is a medium sized cat with a slender build. Its legs are long and fine boned. The tail is long and tapers down to a point. Their heads are triangular shaped with large ears. They eyes, unlike the Siamese, are usually green in color, but they are still usually almond shaped. There are two varieties in the fur, either short haired or medium haired after some Orientals were crossed with the Balinese. The short haired variety needs very little grooming help, and an occasional brushing is enough. The medium haired variety should be brushed on a weekly basis.

Like their Siamese cousins, the Oriental is a very talkative cat. They are also curious and extremely intelligent as well as highly social animals. Because of this, they are one of the easier cats to train, whether that means bringing you a toy to play fetch with, or learning to walk on a halter and leash. Some of their favorite toys can be some of the least expensive. They love crumpled pieces of paper, ping pong balls and fuzzy mice.

One important thing to note about the Oriental is that they are extremely social animals. They do not do well at all if left alone for long periods of time, such as when you are out to work. Having a companion animal to keep them company can certainly help. They get along well with both other cats as well as dogs. Children are also well tolerated by these friendly cats.

If you plan on getting an Oriental, make sure that you have plenty of time for play and cuddling, and you will have a best friend for many, many years.

Fuzzy Mice

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The Sphynx

2010-02-18T09:45:00.000-06:00

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The Sphynx, or hairless cat, is a very unique cat all around. People will either love these cats, or will dislike them. There don’t seem to be many that will be indifferent to this breed.

Where did the Sphynx come from? There seems to be some disagreement about this. I have seen sources that state that there were hairless breeds of cats in Mexico as far back as the Aztecs. Another conjecture that I have seen state that the Sphynx was a recent natural mutation, discovered in Canada in the nineteen sixties. Whichever side you take, it does appear that the hairless gene is a recessive, and so it requires both a tom and a dame that carry this gene to produce a Sphynx kitten. The Sphynx had been bred with several other breeds to broaden the genetic base.

The Sphynx is a strong, medium sized cat with a slightly wedge shaped head rounded muzzle. The ears of the Sphynx are very large and a distinctive feature of these cats. Their paws are oval shaped, with long toes and thicker than normal pads. To compensate for the lack of hair, the skin temperature is actually about four degrees higher than a typical cat. Also, the coloration of these cats all come from the skin coloring. It also appears that unlike hairless dogs, UV sunlight does not pose the same threat to the Sphynx. They do not suffer from sunburn as you might think they would, but their skin pigments may darken, or they may develop freckles.

One thing about these cats is that they do need regular grooming, but not in the usual feline way. The Sphynx skin produces oils that will build up, along with dander that the skin produces. The Sphynx needs to be bathed two or three times a month, but at least they seem to enjoy the water, so they won’t be fighting you each time! You will also notice that I mentioned dander. This means that people who are allergic to cat dander will still be allergic to this breed of cat, although the bathing can reduce this effect.

The Sphynx is a very, very high energy cat, and can have an appetite to match. They need companionship, and do not do well if they are left alone too much. Having other pets as companions can help with this, but they still want to have a lot of attention from the people he lives with, and lots of play time too. They like the spotlight so much that they even like to star in the movies! (Mr. Bigglesworth, Austin Powers movies)

The American Shorthair

2010-02-15T07:40:00.002-06:00

Image by dianainvisible via Flickr

Because of their resemblance to the common house cat or street cat, many people think that the American Shorthair is the mutt of the cat world, but this is not correct. The American shorthair is a recognized pure bred cat with a long history.

The American shorthair can trace its ancestry back many centuries. They were originally introduced into Northern Europe by the Romans in about the 10th century, where they developed into the British Shorthair. These cats then came over with the pilgrims on the Mayflower, being on board hunters of shipboard vermin and then used to control pests on the farm. They spread all across North America with the Pioneers.

The American shorthair is a medium sized cat, with a strong, well muscled body which is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a round head with medium sized pointed ears. It can have any of about eighty recognized colors and patterns, although color points and Burmese markings are not recognized for this breed. Grooming is simple. They just need to be brushed occasionally, otherwise they can take care of their grooming all by themselves.

The American Shorthair is considered to be one of the finest mousers in America. It is reported that they will make a hit once every three pounces, which is a very impressive record. From this, you can see that hunting and chasing play are very important to the happiness of these cats. They love to play with the people they live with, and some of their favorite toys are wands with an attached toy and laser pointers. A large cat tree is also appreciated by these cats.

While the American Shorthair can keep themselves entertained, they prefer company. They are a very loving and loyal cat. They get along very well with children and other animals, such as dogs and cats. These cats can add years of enjoyment and activity to your home.

Laser Pointer

Da Bird

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The Birman Cat

2010-02-11T09:52:00.000-06:00

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Sacred cats are a staple in the far east. But the Birman’s origin does come from the temples of Burma. While there are myths and legends about their origins and coloration, it is fact that they are a lovely, sweet tempered cat that is very popular in the US.

The Birman is a breed with a medium to long silky coat. Unlike some other longhair breed, the Birman has little in the way of an undercoat. The hair is also a little different from cats such as the Persian in that there is usually very little matting associated with the coat, and so they only need a weekly brushing with a stiff bristle brush.

The coloration of the Birman is in the Himalayan or color point pattern, lighter in the body, with darker markings on the face, ear and tail. One difference is that while most cats with point coloring also have darker colors on the lets and paws, the paws of the Birman are always white. Like many of the seal points, the birman kitten is all white, with the color points developing with age. They are also blue eyed, which seems to be more typical of the point colored breeds.

The birman is a sweet tempered and loving cat. They can be a little shy, and do prefer a quieter home environment. Although they are moderately active, and enjoy some play, they also like to snuggle up or even get off by themselves for some quiet time every now and then. They often become one person cats, attaching themselves to one member of a family. They can get along with other cats and even dogs, as long as there is not too much interaction and chasing involved.

I just have one question that I have not been able to find an answer for. If this breed originally came from Burma, why aren’t they called Burmans instead of Birmans? The world may never know!

Click on either of the images below to get information on purchasing these cat perches.

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The Ragdoll Cat

2010-02-07T10:59:00.001-06:00

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“Rag Doll livin' in a movie
Hot tramp Daddy's little cutie
You're so fine they'll never see ya leavin' by the back door, mam” (Ragdoll by Aerosmith)

All right, so maybe it isn’t a completely fitting tribute to this beautiful cat, but hey, I think that you can see the Ragdoll cat in here. They are certainly a cutie, but you wouldn‘t exactly them little!

The ragdoll cat is a very popular breed of cat. It is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, with some tipping the scales at thirty five pounds. The seal point coloring is also a distinctive mark of the silky, medium length coat. They also have round, very blue eyes.

But, why are they called a ragdoll? A full grown cat wouldn’t exactly be something a little girl would be carrying around. Well, they are called ragdoll because of how they behave when picked up. The ragdoll is a very loving and trusting cat, and will go limp when held. They also let their limbs go all akimbo when lounging around the house.

The ragdoll is also called the puppy cat, because it loves to follow you around the house. This is both because of its friendly nature, and also its inquisitive nature. They are a highly intelligent breed who love to explore the house. They also want your love and attention. Because of the medium length of their coat, grooming is simple and only needs a couple of times a week, but can be done daily just for the pleasure it will give both you and your cat.

The ragdoll is a great family pet. Because of its laid back attitude, it gets along with children and other pets in your home. They are a breed that do very well as a strictly indoor cat. And remember, you need to be in shape to be owned by a ragdoll cat. Lifting a thirty-five pound weight several times a day or having it on your lap for long periods of time can tire your out!

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Keeping your cats off the Counter

2010-02-02T11:07:00.000-06:00

Image by delgrosso via Flickr

There is the pitty pat of little feet, and all of a sudden a plate is missing some food or something ends up on the floor or in the sink with a crash. It couldn't be have been my sweet little cat! He isn't allowed up on the kitchen counter!

Guess what? Your cat has learned that there are all sorts of delicious, fun or just interesting things up there where mommy and daddy work when they are in the room where my food comes from. At some point, usually because of smell or just because of an association of place and outcome (IE filling the food bowl) your cat has started visiting your kitchen counter. Now, how do you get them to stop, without danger to yourself or your cat?

While there are product to act as repellents, are they safe to use around areas where you prepare your food? There are some natural scents that cats do not like but you might not find offensive. There are essential oils such as lemon, lavender, orange, cinnamon and rosemary. You can place a little bit on a soft absorbent item such as a piece of a sponge or a cotton ball.

Another way to make an herbal repellent is to seep lavender, rosemary or cayenne in boiling water, and then, using a clean spray bottle (purchase a new bottle for this purpose, don't recycle a bottle used for cleaning products), spray a little of infusion on the counters. The scent, while very mild to a human nose, should discourage your cat with its more sensitive sense of smell.

Another method is to cover your counters with surfaces that your cat will find unpleasant. The method that I have had recommended to me most often is to put out aluminum foil. Apparently cats do not like the feel of the foil on their feet. Another recomdation is to use car or bath mats that have the little stubs on the back side that prevent slippage. The final deterrent is to use shallow baking pans with a little water. The one problem with any of these is that the cat can learn to avoid these barriers or knock them off the counter. They also interfere with your use of the counter space, and have to be removed and replaced, so the natural deterrents would be my recomendation.

Of course, you can be like friends of mine. Because they also own dogs, they feed their cats on the counters, and don't object to their "help" in the kitchen, or the occasional cat hair in their food.

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Do you know Siamese Cats?

2010-01-29T09:53:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

“We are Siamese if your please… We are Siamese if you don’t please…” Yes, the Siamese cat, famed in song, story and as the villains in Disney movies such as “Lady and the Tramp”.

One of the oldest domestic breeds, these cats were raised and kept in Thailand, formerly known as Siam. They were not, however, common everyday cats there. The Siamese was a cat reserved for the Buddist Monks and for the royalty of Siam. The Siamese were introduced to Europe after being given as gifts to visiting dignitaries by the royal families.

Because of their coloring, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized breeds around. At birth, the Siamese kitten is all white, and the color points on ears, tail and legs, as well as the mask on the face, don’t start coming in until later. It can actually take up to three years for the final color of the Siamese to develop. The color points for the Siamese can be Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point and Lilac Point. These are the four accepted colors for the cat to be called a Siamese. There are other color point classifications. These are Tabby Point, Tortie Point, Red Point, Cream Point and Cinnamon Point. However, in the US, cats with these colors are classified under the Colorpoint Shorthair breed.

The other distinguishing feature of the Siamese are the piercing blue almond shaped eyes. The eyes can sometimes be crossed, which is considered a defect in the breed, and which breeders try to breed out of the line.

What are the personalities of these cats really like? Are they the evil cat that they are sometimes made out to be? Absolutely not! That being said, there can be some drawbacks to the Siamese personality for a lot of people. First and foremost for most people is how talkative and vocal the breed is. They will let you know when they want something, whether attention, food or to have their litter box cleaned. And it is not a quiet reminder. They can be very loud as well as continuous with their meowing. Also, while the Siamese can be a very affectionate cat, loving to be involved with their families, they also want a LOT of attention, so a home that is empty during the day is not good for them.

Other than that, they are an active, healthy cat with no real genetic health problems. Their short coat is easy to maintain with just a weekly brushing or using rubber coated grooming gloves while petting your cat which they enjoy. All in all, a good, if demanding family cat.

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400 Dogs and Cats rescued from Shelter

2010-01-27T08:43:00.004-06:00

400 Dogs And Cats Rescued From Shelter
Clarksdale, Mississippi

More than 400 dogs and cats have been rescued from "deplorable conditions" at a shelter in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

On Sunday morning an operation involving multiple animal rescue organizations swooped on the city's animal shelter under the authority and request of the city of Clarksdale. Animals were being kept in overcrowded conditions and many had serious health complaints. The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), who assisted in the rescue, described the facility as being suitable for only 60 animals.

The ASPCA worked with local authorities to establish a temporary shelter for the animals, which included 40 cats and around 320 dogs, and was assisted by local organizations including In Defense of Animals, Mississippi Animal Rescue League and Mississippi Animal Response Team. These coordinated efforts were assisted by 4 local veterinarians. In addition, the Atlanta Humane Society is transporting at least 100 animals to Georgia where they will become available for adoption.

Tim Rickey, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response, said that many of the animals appear to be healthy, but some have medical conditions, including mange, as well as injuries and bite wounds from living in communal, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. "We are making sure that the animals' immediate needs are being met, and all animals are being evaluated by a veterinarian and will receive appropriate care," Rickey said. "This was a situation where the intake of unwanted animals was much higher than the number of animals being adopted, and it led to horrible living conditions. We are glad to be able to provide relief."

Photograph courtesy In Defense of Animals

Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/general/400-dogs-cats-rescued-from-shelter.htm

The Abyssinian

2010-01-24T08:46:00.003-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

One of the popular cats today, may have been one of the popular cats in ancient times. And they have certainly maintained the look and coloring of their ancestral wildcat heritage. What cat can this be? Why, the Abyssinian of course!

It is believed by many that the modern day Abys, as it is affectionately known by its fans, is related to the cats that are depicted in pictures and statues, and that were even mummified in ancient Egypt, being a royal cat of the Pharos. This would make the Abyssinian one of the oldest domestic cat breeds in the world.

This isn’t the only link to the past. They also maintain a lot of the same traits felis lybica, the African wildcat ancestor commonly accepted as the predecessor to all modern domestic cats. Their fur is most often Tabby Ticked, and comes in four primary colors, Ruddy, Blue, Fawn and Red. A weekly brushing is usually all that is needed to keep the coat in good condition. They have a broad head with large ears that can have small tufts on them. The eyes are almond shaped, and can be green or gold.

The Abys has several nicknames. They are known as the Border Collie of the cat world and the clown of the cat kingdom. They have earned these affectionate handles because of their intelligence, curiosity and boundless energy. They love to play, and want to be played with by the people they live with several times a day. They have to check out everything in the home, and especially new things as they come in, like the shopping. They like some lap time, but only when they want to, so they don’t always make the best family pet with small children. They also love to climb, so a good cat gym or other cat furniture is desired.

From all of this, you can see why the Abyssinian is consistently in the top five breeds of cats in the US.

Cat Gym Fling-ama-string

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Helping animals in Haiti

2010-01-18T14:32:00.004-06:00

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I have pulled the following two articles from the respective sites of the ASPCA and the US Humane Society. I am passing this information on to people who read my blog as a service to those organizations.

ASPCA update:

While humans are the first concern for rescue in Haiti, organizing are lining up for the right time to step in and help the animals.

The ASPCA has joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). The coalition was created to address the needs of animals in Haiti following the earthquake that devastated the country. ARCH is headed by The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and in addition to the ASPCA consists of a number of animal welfare groups including American Humane, Best Friends, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International (HSI).

There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.

The ASPCA has joined ARCH under the belief that partnering across organizations is the most effective way to address the serious and enormous problems facing animals in Haiti.

Currently, a team is staging in the Dominican Republic waiting to get into Haiti to begin work. IFAW and WSPA have also begun to stock a mobile clinic with vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food, and other supplies in anticipation of bringing direct aid to animals.

Here's an ASPCA link to send contributions to for the animals.

Humane Society update:

Like you, all of us at Humane Society International are deeply saddened by the reports of death and destruction in Haiti caused by Tuesday's massive earthquake. We're grateful that government and relief agencies are mobilizing to assist the hundreds of thousands of people in need of water, medical care, and shelter.

And as with any disaster of this magnitude, animals are also suffering and in dire need of care. To try to help these animals, here's what HSI is doing right now:

We're working with Sociedad Dominicana para la Prevención de Crueldad a los Animales, which is based in the Dominican Republic and has offered to get a team of animal responders and veterinarians into Haiti;
We're sending a veterinarian trained in disaster response associated with our partner organization, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, to the Dominican Republic to spearhead our assessment;
We have joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, and will be working with the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other partner groups on a coordinated response to this crisis;
We've communicated with humanitarian relief agencies and are poised to address the security, transportation, housing, and supply challenges that accompany deployment.

As you read this, we remain uncertain about how we will be able to respond to the crisis in Haiti, but I can tell you that we will do everything we can to help that country's people and animals in the coming days. If you'd like to support HSI's International Disaster Fund, which we use to help relief efforts around the globe, click here.

I will send you another email as soon as I have more information to share.

As always, thank you for your compassionate concern.

The Exotic

2010-01-15T11:48:00.008-06:00

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The Exotic, or Exotic Shorthair cat, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Depending on the ranking source, they are either in third place, or in second, right behind the Persian. This is fitting, because the Exotic is a cross breed, combining the Persian and the American short hair, producing a cat with the look of a Persian, but with short hair. For breeders now, the cross breeding is between the Exotic and the Persian. This can produce mixed litters of both Persians and Exotics, depending on the length of the coat.

Like the Persian, the Exotic has a strong, big boned body, a short muscular neck and short, strong legs. The head is large and round, with a flat face and large round eyes. The ears are short and set wide apart on the skull. Like the Persian, the flattened face can cause problems with breathing, which is the main health problem you will encounter with this breed.

The color of the coat can be any color found in the Persian line such as Tortie, Cream, Smoke, Silver Tabby and even the Siamese/Himalayan coloring and color points. Grooming for the Exotic, while less demanding than for the Persian, is still essential for the looks and wellbeing of your cat. While the Exotic is a short haired cat, its fur is very thick and plush. The coat can become matted, so weekly brushing is essential. Also, unlike a traditional shorthair, where the fur lies flat, the fur of the Exotic should stand out from the body, giving it a slightly fluffy look. The Exotic also sheds, which is why brushing is important. Also, the face should be washed to prevent tear stains and to help keep the nose clear. This is especially important if your Exotic doesn’t have a traditional face, but the more flattened face of the extreme.

It is not just the body type that the Exotic inherited from their Persian heritage, but also their temperament. They are a quiet, even sedate cat, who likes nothing better than to snuggle down into your lap for a little quality time and affection. They are also great with other cats and dogs. The will get along well with children too, making them a great family pet. A little play time is ok, but a lot of quiet time is always nice. All of this makes it obvious why the Exotic is such a popular breed.

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The Maine Coon Cat

2010-01-14T12:47:00.008-06:00

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The Maine Coon cat is the second most popular breed of cats, just behind the Persian cat, in the United States. It is the only “home grown” breed of cat, having originated in the state of Maine. The exact ancestry of the Maine Coon is a little bit murky. The cats brought into the US by sailors are thought to have been either the Norwegian Forest Cat, or the Angora. It has even been suggested that the original Angoras had belonged to Marie Antoinette.

The Maine Coon is the largest breed of domestic cat. The typical weight is 15-20 pounds. They are also a very long cat, often reaching 40 inches in length, with the longest on record being 48 inches! They also have the longest whiskers of any breed. The paws are large and flat, sometimes called snowshoes, and can have extra toes. The fur is very thick, having two under layers and one top coat. It is of medium length. Grooming should be done once or twice a week. The coat coloring can be in any of the tabby colors, with a very long tail with ringed coloring, which gave it the raccoon look for which it is named. The ears are large and tufted, and are one of the defining features of the Maine Coon.

Besides it’s beautiful appearance, it is the personality of the Maine Coon that has contributed to its popularity. The Maine Coon was a very popular cat in the country because it is an excellent mouser and climber. This means that in a family home, they love to play and to climb. The more time you can play with them, the better they will like it. A good climbing gym is a very good idea as well to keep your cat happy. The Maine Coon is a very friendly, good natured cat. It gets along well with both adults and children. They also get along well with other cats. If they are going to be living with a dog, it is a good idea to try to introduce the cat to the dog when the cat is very young.

The Maine Coon has very few, if any, inherent health problems, but like all pets should be vaccinated and have check ups with the vet on a regular basis. As stated, grooming can be done just once or twice a week, and will usually be treated by your cat as a special occasion.

All in all, the Maine Coon cat has all of the traits that make it a wonderful family pet.

Cat Play tower available from

Drs Foster and Smith

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What color is my cat?

2010-01-12T13:56:00.008-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

The description of the color of a cat’s coat can be confusing. We are just going to take a quick look at some of the conventions of colors and patterns that make up the fur of your cat.

The first thing to understand is that there are two types of pigments (Melanin) in the hairs of you cat. Eumelanin produces the black color in the fur, and Phaomelanin causes the red coloring. Different shapes of the eumelanin can produce shades from black to chocolate to cinnamon. The color differences caused by the different shapes of phaomelanin are not as pronounced, so that the coloring is still just referred to as “red”. If the melanin is diluted in the fur, the color intensity fades. Then black fades to blue, chocolate fades to lilac and cinnamon becomes fawn. Diluted red is usually referred to as cream. Now, lets look at some of the patterns that these colors form.

Tortoiseshell

Tortoiseshell, or Tortie, is a fur pattern almost always associated with female cats. The coat contains both eumalanin and phaomelanin. The colors can be either strong or diluted. This combination of colors is because of the XX, one X chromosome carrying the eumalanin and the other X chromosome carrying the phaomelanin, which is why the tortie has both fur colors, unlike the other coat patterns. The tortie can also have tabby patterning, and are called Tortie Tabby or Torbie.

Tabby

Striped Tabby

The tabby patterning can take one of four different forms. They are Spotted, striped (mackerel), ticked, and classic (or blotched). I have provided photos of the different patterns. The thing to remember about the tabby is that the coat is made up of shades of the same coloring melanin, either eumalanin or phaomelanin, but not both (see Torbie above).

Cream Spotted Silver Ticked Striped

Tabby Tabby Tabby

The final coloring that we will look at is the Colorpoint. This is the coloration most people associate with the Siamese, Himalayan and Birmans. Colorpoints are darker colored face, ears, legs or tailed in association with a lighter colored body. Colorpoint patterns is actually a form or partial albinism, and the true coat color can only show in the areas listed. The coat can have any of the patterns already listed. One other fact about Colorpoint cats is that they are all blue eyed.

Please see the book recommendations below for more information about cat colors.

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The Persian Cat

2010-01-07T18:03:00.003-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

The Persian cat is the number one most popular cat breed in the United States, and around the world. Lets take a look at some of the characteristics that make this breed of cat so popular.

As the name suggests, these cats were first bred in Persia (modern day Iran). They are related to the Angora cats of Turkey. Like the Angora, the early breed of the Persian cat were predominately white in color. The Persian cats were a very popular breed with the royalty and aristocracy of Great Britain starting during the Victorian age. They had many famous owners, such as Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale. They were then brought to the United States during the 1800s. During this time, breeders began the process of lengthening and thickening the coats of the breed until today the Persian breed has the longest and thickest coats of all cat breeds. This is also when they developed some, but not all, of the of the physical characteristics of the modern Persian. This includes large, round paws, short legs, short, strong necks and compact, deep chested bodies. The changes have continued until very recently, with breeders concentrating on the heads, and particularly the shape of the face.

In just the last 50 years, the face of the Persian has gotten flatter and flatter. This has led to some potential problems for the Persian. These include problems with the jaw, dental problems, respiratory problems and even problems with the tear ducts. Along with the now classic flat face, the face of the Persian has other distinctive characteristics. The head itself is very rounded. and all of the other features of the head also reflect this. The ears are short and rounded at the tip, and are located lower down on the sides of the head. The eyes are also large and round, and are typically copper, dark orange, green or blue in color, or even two different colors. The eyes should also be level with the bridge of the nose.

Let's look at that thick, luxurious coat. While the coat color started out as predominantly white, in the early 1900's the Blue Persian grew in popularity. Today, the Persian comes in just about every color and pattern commonly found in modern day cats such as tabby, tortie, solid colors, silvers and smokes. The thick, beautiful coat does have one drawback for many people, and that is grooming your Persian. Unlike shorthairs, where grooming can be done on a weekly basis, you have to set time aside every day to brush and comb your Persian to try to prevent matting. And I do say try, because it seems that no matter how much attention I give my Persians, mattes can still develop, especially in the winter when static electricity here in the northern US makes my cats less than enthusiastic about getting brushed. One product that I like to use on the really bad days is a product called "Grooming Mist Plus". Also, if you can convince them, a bath every three months or so can also help with the beauty and luster of your cats coat. Your Persian's coat will be thickest in the winter, and the time of maximum shedding will be during the springtime. Another daily grooming practice for many Persians is taking a damp cloth and washing your cats face at the inner corners of the eyes. Otherwise your cat can develop tear staining on the fur under the eyes.

Persians are especially subject to a few illnesses including urinary tract blockages, kidney disease and respiratory problems. However, they are a long lived breed, with the average lifespan being 15-20 years of age or even more.
Ok, we have talked about the physical, lets talk about the behavioral. Early in this article, I talked about how the Persian cats were much loved by the European royalty. This has caused people to call the Persian the royalty of cats. Of course, others have called them the sloths of cats, lazy, or if being polite, "docile" and "laid back". They are very mellow, being happy to lounge for hours in their favorite spot. They do like to be invited to play, but you have to ask them. Otherwise, they are happy to be a couch potato. Because they are so mellow, they make a great family pet. They get along very well with other pets, and are an especially great cat around children. They are not easily provoked, and will very rarely bare their claws for anything other than climbing. All in all, a wonderful, loving family member.
　
　
Cat Shampoo
Grooming Mist

I have to apologize to everyone!

2010-01-05T18:53:00.004-06:00

Image by zoomar via Flickr

I am just doing an update and apology. My computer had a major crash (it was toasted!), and for financial reasons, I couldn't afford to replace it and recover hard drive information until this week, thanks to some caring friends. I should be posting again as soon as I can get all caught up on several months of e-mails and other things, as well as updating a lot of info. Please keep with me, and thanks for the people who are still visiting the site! New articles VERY soon! Happy new year everyone!

Who is writing this blog?

2009-09-22T18:10:00.005-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

It occured to me that, aside from the introduction blurb on the sidebar, I don't think that I have ever told people who I am, my experience with cats and why I have chosen to write about them.

Growning up, my family had hunting dogs, mainly German Shorthairs, although they did have a Brittany Spaniel and a German Wirehair. I had a couple of friends who's familys owned cats, so I got to know a little bit about them, but I really had very limited cat experience until I left home.

At the time I got my first cat I was still married, and my wife wanted a pet. The apartment we lived in did not allow pets except for cats, and so I took a trip to the local humane society. (BTW, this was in the days prior to the internet!) This particular branch of the humane society had their cats in large cages, usually with each cage having one cat. In one, there was a very pretty red tabby persian, and when I reached in with my fingers to pet it, it started licking my fingers. Of course, I took that cat home! The name that it came with was "Mabel", but because of the big yellow eyes, my wife changed the name to Topaz.

From that point on, I owned persian cats. I have had pure white cats, black cats, a Himilayan, and other colors. My current two are Chinchilla colored persians. They have had names like Onyx, Jade, Diamond, Sapphire and other names related to precious and semi-precious stones. This covers about the last 30 years of cat ownership.

It also has not always gone well. I have had one cat that died because of a urinary tract blockage. I had one cat that died from complications caused by diabetes. I have also had a cat that lived about 25 years. All my cats have come from the humane society.

After researching the last article on cat breeds, I may try to find an Exotic shorthair the next time I want to adopt a new family member. Or possibly a Birman. I don't know how hard either will be to find, but hopefully I have many years before I have to start looking.

I have been enjoying researching and sharing information about cats. Several articles have come from people here or on facebook and twitter suggesting topics, which saves me from trying to think up topics on my own! (Just kidding, I have a lot of topics to cover yet!)

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Top Ten Cat Breeds

2009-09-16T13:54:00.017-05:00

The order of the top ten cats seems to be in a constant state of flux, and it also depends on the source of your information. The cat breeds and the order presented are a compilation of lists, so please take this information with a grain of salt, and not as an absolute list.

1. Persian Cat The Persian cat is well know for its long haired, fluffy coat and flat face. It is an extremely laid back cat, and is very affectionate. It is also one of the oldest domestic cat breeds. The Persian requires daily grooming and frequent bathing. It is strongly recommended that the Persian be an indoor only cat.

2. Maine Coon The Maine Coon is native to the state of Maine, and is one of the largest domestic breeds. Even with their long hair, they don’t require as much grooming as the Persian. They are a very affectionate cat, and with their water resistant under coat and large paws, they do very well outdoors. They also make good mousers. They get along well with other pets, including dogs.

3. Exotic (Shorthair) The Exotic, or Exotic Shorthair, is a short haired version of the Persian. They have many of the same physical and personality traits as their Persian cousins, but they don’t have the demands of grooming of the long haired breed.

4. Abyssinian Another ancient breed of cat, some say related to the worshiped cats of Egypt, Abyssinians are an active, playful cat that will keep their owners entertained. They form strong bonds with their families, but are shy around strangers. They are also reported to love the water, and may want to join you for a dip.

5. Siamese One of the most recognized cat breeds, and star of motion pictures (Lady and the Tramp, the Aristocats), they are often thought of as being aloof, and possibly downright evil. The truth is that the Siamese is a very talkative cat, with a short coat that you can groom just by stroking the cat. They love stability and routine in their home environment.

6. Ragdoll The Ragdoll is a very large breed of cat, that looks even larger because of its long, thick coat. The name Ragdoll was given to this breed because they are relaxed, almost limp, when picked up. They are excellent family pets, because when playing they prefer not to use teeth or claws. However, this also means that they should be kept inside because they do not defend themselves well.

7. Birman The birman cat is a long haired cat, with a coat not as thick as the Persian. The coat also does not matt up like the Persian. It was a protector or temples in Burma, often has “Siamese” coloring, and four white socks on its feet. It can be very playful, but can also be very patient and will quietly wait for your attention.

8. American Shorthair The American Shorthair is a purebred cat, although it looks like generic domestic short haired cats. They are a very athletic cat, loving to play a lot. They can also be gentle, and are low maintenance, needing little in the way of grooming. There are a wide variety of coat colors and patterns.

9. Sphynx Cat Don’t like cat hair all over? Here is the perfect cat for you. Actually, the Sphynx cat has a peach like fuzzy coat, but is basically considered hairless. They are also subject to sunburn, and should be an indoor cat only. They are very active and affectionate, almost dog like in their need for attention.

10. Oriental The Oriental is related to the Siamese, but instead of the point coloring of the Siamese, the Oriental can be about any color and pattern found in the feline world. They have many of the same personality traits of the Siamese, being both loyal and vocal.

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Cat Parasite Problems

2009-09-10T11:36:00.008-05:00

Image by Stacy Lynn Baum via Flickr

When your family feline has parasites, just remember that it bears no reflection necessarily on your own hygiene habits. You can maintain a super clean home. You can wash and groom your pet regularly. You can treat them for fleas and ticks. However, chances are that your cat will still get some type of parasite. Parasites in your family cat are embodied in both external and internal forms. Externally, fleas and ticks are the most common parasites and are usually treated regularly. However, other external parasites include ear mites and lice. Internal parasites are primarily in the form of a worm. And unfortunately for cats, these worms come in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as bring a number of different health issues too.

To understand the possible forms of parasites that might inhabit your cat's body, let's get a little more in-depth about the most common parasites that were previously listed above:

Fleas – These pesky critters are perhaps the most known parasite of them all. And because adult fleas can reproduce thousands upon thousands of young, this makes a flea infestation hard to control. In cats, fleas can be particularly bothersome. They bite cats to obtain a meal of blood and the saliva the flea produces and injects into the cat can cause severe skin allergies. When the cats scratch, this action irritates and sometimes breaks the skin causing scabs.

Ticks – These blood suckers are also a widely know external parasite. They live for blood and need it in order to lays eggs so that even more ticks can hatch. Ticks are mostly commonly found in heavily wooded areas as well as fields of grass. They will latch onto the tops of blades of grass or weeds, just waiting for the next available warm body to latch onto. Ticks carry several diseases like Lymes disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. More common in cats however are various conditions like Cytauxzoon and Ehrlichia. The Cytauxzoon is a protozoan that causes such symptoms as fever, anemia and lack of appetite. This condition is usually fatal.

Ear Mites and Lice – Ear mites are tiny little crab-like creatures that live in the ear canal and nibble on ear secretions and other tissue in the ear. This critter is common and easily treated. The most obvious signs of an ear mite problem include head shaking, ear scratching and dark grainy discharge from the ears. Lice cause a similar reaction in cats as they do in humans. The poor cats scratch a lot and they tend to lose some fur or have a dull coat. Luckily, lice are easily treated with topical shampoos.

Worms – These internal parasites come in a variety of shapes, sizes and names. The most common internal parasites are the roundworm and tapeworm. These can be seen in the cat's feces without the aid of a microscope if the animal is indeed infected. Roundworms can be transmitted via a mother's milk or while still inside the mother's womb. These worms look like spaghetti noodles. The tapeworm can be transmitted via flea larvae, especially if ingested. This worm looks flat and segmented. When veterinarians test your cat's fecal matter, the tapeworm is the least likely to be detected.Other worms that can inhabit your cat's body include the hookworm and the whipworm. The hookworm is small and skinny with a hook-like end that can easily latch onto the lining of the intestine. It loves blood and will latch on for a filling meal. Signs of poor appetite, weight loss and anemia are often indicators of the hookworm. The whipworm gets its name from its shape and their eggs are usually ingested by contaminated food or water or when your cat nibbles on another animal's droppings.

It is important that your cat's feces be tested for worms by your veterinarian at each check-up. And if your family feline is exhibiting any abnormal behavior, chances are, an infestation of worms could be the culprit. Knowing exactly which parasitic worm is the problem will also help greatly in the treatment and deworming process because not every worm medication will treat every parasitic worm. The best way to prevent parasite invaders is to take precautions. Wash frequently and note any unusual behaviors in your cat. Treat them regularly for fleas and ticks. Make deworming a part of your normal routine in maintaining your cat's health.

Cat Article courtesy of I-Love-Cats.com

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Cooking for your cat

2009-09-05T14:16:00.004-05:00

Image by foooooey via Flickr

Have you ever wanted to make your cat a special treat for dinner, instead of just opening up a new can of cat food or pouring out the dry kibble? There are a lot of things that you can do to make a special meal for your feline friend, and that are also good for your cat, and can be good for your budget too!

One of the first things to remember, is to not serve your cat raw meats, poultry or fish from the store. Your cat can get the same parasites from raw meats and fish that people can, so make sure that you fully cook the meats you give your cat.

Your cat will enjoy any type of meat, whole or ground, beef, pork, lamb, chicken or fish. You can grill, fry, bake or boil the meat. The meat should be chopped into small pieces before you give it to your cat. The cuts of meat that you use can be very inexpensive, and you can even use organ meat such as liver and kidney, or giblets from a chicken or turkey such as hearts and gizzards. You can also add very small amounts of cooked rice, potatoes, pasta or vegetables to help extend the food and provide additional nutrients.

It isn’t a myth that cats love fish. White fish like cod, haddock and scrod are very good fish for your cat. These can even be used to tempt a cat that is sick or has a poor appetite to eat more. Broiled, poached or steamed are best. Canned tune and salmon are also a tasty treat. Tuna packed in oil can also be better for your cat than that packed in water. Other canned fish that you can feed your cat are sardines, herring and mackerel.

Shredded chicken, both the meat and the skin, are a great treat to you cat. When feeding your cat chicken or fish, make sure that you have removed all of the bones. Another chicken product that your cats will love are eggs. Gently scramble the eggs, and allow to cool before giving to your cat.

With chicken, or with any of the cooked meats, you don’t need to make a special preparation just for your cat. They will love your leftovers, as long as it has not been overly spiced. Part of a hamburger, some beef or pork or lamb steak, ground meats such as turkey, lamb, beef or pork that you are going to use in another dish are all wonderful treats, to your cats way of thinking.

I will offer one word of warning when feeding your cat “people food”. Do not feed your cat directly from your plate by hand. It isn’t dangerous to your cat, but it could cause problems down the line. What happened to me is that I was eating some cold fried chicken as a snack while watching television. I gave one of my cats a small piece of chicken off of the piece that I was eating. I have never been able to eat fried chicken since then without the cat being almost in my face demanding his fair share!

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Feline dental health

2009-09-01T16:37:00.004-05:00

Image by John Morton via Flickr

The reason for this article is because of recent experience with one of my cats, Diamond. He was behaving strangely, keeping himself hidden away under furniture and being very antisocial, which is certainly different from his normal behavior. After a trip to the vet, and several tests for some of the symptoms that had crept in, it was finally determined that he had a bad tooth and wasn’t eating, and ended up having two teeth extracted. He has since recovered fully. This article will, I hope, keep you from going through this very difficult and expensive experience.

Cats, like people, have “baby” teeth which are replaced by permanent teeth as they grow older. Kittens teeth start to come in at about two weeks of age. They have 14 teeth on top, and 12 teeth on the bottom. These teeth are replace by the permanent teeth at about four months, sixteen on top and 14 on the bottom. They consist of the Canines (shouldn’t that be felines?), incisors, pre-molars and molars. These teeth should last your cat for life.

So, how do you tell if your cat might be experiencing dental problems? And what sorts of problems can develop? The first, and easiest step, is to give your cats breath a quick sniff. True, your cat’s mouth may not smell like mint, (well, maybe catmint), but it shouldn’t be very smelly either. If you do detect a strong, foul odor, it may be an indication of either a tooth problem or gum disease.

Next, you will need to use your eyes instead of your nose, and is a little more difficult. Bring your cat to an area with good lighting. You may want to use a counter top or table top, although I prefer to hold the cat on my lap for their comfort. You will need to push back the lips so that you can examine the tongue and gums of your cat. Some things that you will need to look for are swelling of the gums, a red line along the gums, ulcers on the gums or tongue or a pussy discharge. You should also gently press on the teeth looking for sensitivity or tenderness. Other warning signs can be your cat pawing at it’s mouth, excessive drooling, or changes in eating habits. Any signs that you may see should be brought to the attention of your vet.

Just like people, good dental health means brushing the teeth, foods that help keep the teeth clean, and additives to the water to promote good health. Lets start by looking at how you can clean your cat’s teeth at home, and then look at some of the supplements.

As with most behaviors, the younger you start, the easier it will be. The best way to start, either with a kitten or an adult cat, is to start by either gently touching your cats gums with a cotton swab or with your finger tip. You can also start getting them use to the taste of feline toothpaste (NEVER USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE, it contains chemicals that can be harmful to your cat when swallowed) by just touching a little to your cats lips. There are several flavors of feline toothpaste, my cats have developed a taste for the fish flavored one. Now you are ready to begin brushing your cats teeth. Just like with people, it is recommended that you brush your cats teeth on an daily basis. I have included a helpful video at the end of this article on proper tooth brushing methods.

When brushing your cat’s teeth, there are different products that can be used. A good way to start is with a dental starter kit. This kit contains a toothbrush designed for pets, toothpaste, specifically formulated for use with pets, and a fingertip toothbrush

Another cleaning method is to use a cleaning solution and applicator pads, which is more of a paint on method instead of the traditional brushing method. There are also solutions that can be applied to the teeth with a sponge applicator or swab.

A diet that includes primarily hard foods will help prevent plaque buildup. There are also treats that can help maintain dental health. The Greenies company offer many different flavored treats. My vet recommends C.E.T. Chews to help with dental health.

One final thing that you can do to help your keep your cat’s teeth healthy is to use a drinking water additive such as CET Aquadent. It helps prevent plaque buildup and helps to keep the breath fresh.

Once you have started brushing your cats teeth, keep up the inspection of your cats mouth. Here are the main oral diseases of cats, according to the ASPCA website:

Gingivitis: This inflammation of the gums is mainly seen in older cats. It may start as a dark red line bordering on the teeth. If left untreated, gums may become sore and ulceration may occur. May be a sign of FIV or other infection.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis invades the tooth socket, the tooth may become loose and an abscess may form.
Stomatitis: This inflammation of the mouth lining may result from a foreign body in the mouth, a viral disease or dental problems. The cat will have difficulty eating and the inside of the mouth will appear red.
Rodent Ulcer: A slowly enlarging sore or swelling on the upper lip.
Salivary Cyst: If salivary glands or ducts that carry saliva to the mouth become blocked, a cyst may form under the tongue.
Mouth Ulcers: Ulcers on a cat’s tongue and gums are sometimes caused by feline respiratory or kidney disease.

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Why won't your cat let you pick him up?

2009-08-12T13:31:00.005-05:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I have been asked by one of my readers to cover a topic I have noticed, but probably wouldn't have thought about writing about. I even experience it with my own two cats. One tolerates me picking him up and giving him attention, but the other one will move away if I make a move to pick her up. The question is, why?

Here is the message that I had gotten, and I will try to answer the question, based on observation, research and asking my vet.

"I rescue and foster cats for Forever Feline Friends in Laingsburg, MI. I have 6 kitties of my own and 3 fosters right now. I just rescued Icy from Animal Control about 2 months ago and she is one I'm keeping. She is the sweetest kitty, but when I walk up to her, she runs away. I can never just go and pick her up. But, when I'm in bed, she jumps right up, comes over to me, rolls around, wants to be petted, will shove her face in my hand and roll over and let me pet her belly. She will jump up on the Lazy Boy while I'm watching TV and get in my lap. She purrs like crazy. I can't understand why she runs from me all other times. I have 2 other cats just like that, that I've had for over 6 years. One of those cats sleeps on my back every night, loves to be brushed if she's in her kitty tree and she also jumps up on the chair with me. She rolls all over like she's in heaven when I pet or brush her then. But I can never walk up to her or she will run. Got any ideas?"

The conclusion that I have basically come to is that at some point, some cats come to associate someone picking them up or coming after them with a traumatic experience. And, from what I have read, it is often small children that have been the cause. Because your cats are rescue cats, we can't know what their background was, so lets look at what might have happened.

When cats are picked up by people, they want to feel supported. You should always support the cat under the hindquarters and under the chest. If a cat is carried by a child, they will often just wrap their arms around the cats chest behind the front legs with the hind legs dangling, which is not a position most cats would appreciate. They may also have been pursued and petted roughly, hugged too hard or abused in some other way. Therefore, they run when reached for. Another clue might be that one of your cats will let you approach them when they are on her kitty tree. Is she higher than young hands could normally reach?

But as you can see, they still like attention if it is on their terms. It is not that they do not trust you, it is just that their learned behavior overrides their love for you. They still love to get attention from you, and have you brush and pet them. They are willing to surrender themselves to you completely by exposing their bellies to you. It just has to be done their way, which is very cat like!

Breaking them of the behavior of running away can be a long road. Start with very short trips after picking them up. When they are in bed with you, pick them up and set them on your stomach and then reward them with lots of attention. You can also do this while sitting on the floor and picking up the cat and placing them in your lap. Another thing to do is to reach down for them but not pick them up. Either just give them a quick petting, or offer them a treat. After a few days of this, you should be able to pick them up, once again for the short trip. This may set back some of the earlier training, so you may need to back up again, but very slowly you should be able to get your cat to accept you reaching for them and picking them up. It will just take a lot of time and patience!

I came across this lawn/garden ornament, and I wanted to share it with you. If you click on it it will take you to the page it is available at.

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How old is your cat?

2009-08-06T12:04:00.006-05:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Have you ever taken the time to wonder how old your cat is compared to the typical human? When will the kitten start slowing down a little? When will my cat become an elder statesman? Here is a quick chart to show you approximately what age your cat would be equal to if, heaven forbid, it suddenly became a human.

As you can see, the first couple of years equate to the pre-teen and teenage years. High energy, inquisitive, always exploring and pushing the limits of their world.

The next four or five years, your cat is, what in human terms, out playing softball or football after work. Very active, although not as frenetic as a kitten. Outgoing, still learning, and enjoying life to the fullest.

If the early years are the baseball years, the next few years I will call the golf years. Your cat still wants to be active, out and about and showing how athletic they can still be, but they are starting to slow down a little bit, enjoying a more leisurely pace, and enjoying looking as much as pursuing life.

At about eleven or twelve, your cat is entering its retirement years. They are starting to slow down more, and in human terms would prefer a nice game of bridge, or to simply watch the sports on TV. They still like to take an occasional "nip" as it were, but it just doesn't effect them like it used to.

Finally, you cat has entered its final years. He is moving very slowly, he doesn't jump up like he use to, but he still wants the attention and petting as much as he ever did. This is not a time to introduce a kitten, he will be like the old man yelling at the kids to get off his lawn. This is the time to make the most of your remaining time with your cat, and to make their last years a pleasure for them.

Cat Years Human Years
1 15
2 24
3 28
4 32
5 36
6 40
7 44
8 48
9 52
10 56
11 60
12 64
13 68
14 72
15 76
16 80
17 84
18 88
19 92
20 96

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Catnip revealed

2009-07-30T13:55:00.007-05:00

Image by Amai via Flickr

Enough of the smelly business of litter and litter boxes! How about something that cats like the smell of? Actually, that many cats love, and their humans love to watch them react to? Yes, I am talking about catnip!

The scientific name for common catnip is Nepeta cateria. It has white flowers and grows up to about 3 feet high. This is the catnip that most people associate with a “high” cat. There are also a large number of other varieties. These include Catmint, which has purple flowers, Lemon Catnip, which has white flowers with purple spots, with a light lemon scent to their leaves, Camphor Catnip which also has a white flower with purple spots and smells of camphor and Greek Catnip. These are just some of the more common varieties. There are over 250 species of catnip. Catnip is a member of the mint family of plants. It is also distantly related to marijuana, believe it or not!

The active ingredient in catnip is the essential oil nepetalactone, which is found in the leaves and stems. It is the inhaling of the nepetalactone that produces the high in cats. The will rub against it, sniff it, nibble on the leaves and lick it all to help release more of the scent. The high usually lasts between five and ten minutes. Cats also will know when they have had enough, so you don’t need to worry about them ODing on catnip.

Only about 50% of cats react to catnip, and those reactions can vary greatly. Cats can become aggressive, playful and hyperactive. They can roll around on the floor, or exhibit hunting and stalking behaviors. Basically, for the dignified cat, they become silly morons (but don’t tell them that!). Some people feel that the reactions are similar to those experienced by people who use LSD, while others think that the reaction is more closely related to marijuana. While inhaled catnip is a stimulant to your cat, ingested catnip usually acts as a sedative.

While your cat may not want to share it with you, catnip is also reported to have beneficial uses by people. It can be brewed as a tea, which has a sedating effect. It can help with cuts if you crush fresh leaves, dampen them and apply them to the cut. Other medicinal uses for catnip have been as an anesthetic, antibiotic, anti rheumatic, antispasmodic and astringent. It has been used to treat stomach problems, headaches, scarlet fever, insomnia and even smallpox. One warning that I have seen in several places is that if you are pregnant, avoid catnip.

Catnip can be easily grown in full sunlight, and can be grown outside or inside. It should be available from your local garden store. You can also get catnip toys and dried catnip from your local pet store. Your cat will thank you, once it comes down off its high.

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Litter Boxes, part 3

2009-07-26T14:27:00.006-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

For the final article in this series, I am going to look at the automatic, self cleaning litter boxes. While I am sure that there are many more out there, I am going to take a look four different types of litter boxes.

The first one that we will look at is the Litter Robot. When your cat enters the dome, the litter robot detect the cats weight. Seven minutes later, the globe rotates, sifting the solids from the clean clumping litter and depositing the wastes in a large drawer that can be lined with a standard garbage bag. The unit is recomended for a household of up to four cats per unit. It is not recomended for kittens or cats that weigh less than five pounds.

The next one we will talk about is the scoop free automatic litter box. This box is similar to the scoop free slider that I talked about in the last article, but this one automatically scoops after each use. Once again, this box uses the silica crystaline litter which comes in replacement trays made to fit the litter box when the tray that is in the box becomes saturated. You can set the delay to five, ten or twenty minutes after the cat uses the box for the rake to sweep the solids out of the litter box into a covered container. The litter box also tracks how many times your cat is using the litter box, helping you to keep an eye on your cats health.

One of the newest litter boxes on the market is the Cat Genie litter box. This box uses a permanent, washable litter. The liquids drain through, and the solids are scooped out and liquified. Then all of the liquid wastes are flushed down the drain. The litter is sanitized and then dried with warm air. The litter box comes with the equipment needed to hook it up to a cold water line. The wastes can either be fed into a toilet, or down a laundry room drain. Accessories that are available are high sidewalls and also a cover for the litter box.

The final automatic litter box that I will look at is the Litter Maid litter box. This box uses standard clumping litter, and operates using either batteries or a power adapter. An infrared detector detects when your cat uses the litter box. Then the box rakes the litter after ten minutes, depositing the wastes into a plastic container that also has an activated charcoal filter to help control odors. This box also has a carpeted ramp up to the litter box to help control the spread of litter outside the litter box.

There is one more option that you can consider. This is actually the most economical and green solution to the problem of your cat eliminating its waste. I have just never had the patience or time to use this method. I am talking about toilet training your cat. I have added a link here for an e-book on training your cat to use the toilet. If anyone uses, or has toilet trained their cat, let us know how it went.

Click Here!

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Litter Boxes, part 2

2009-07-26T13:31:00.003-05:00

Image by aloha orangeneko via Flickr

Well, it is time to broaden our views of litter boxes. We have covered, if you will pardon the expression, litter boxes that you need to scoop out by hand. Now, I would like to take a quick look at litter boxes that use scoopable litter, but that are cleaned manually, but not by scooping.

One of the first types that I can remember seeing advertised, and that are still available, are the type that has three tiered pans. The first pan is the sifting pan. As it is lifted out, the clean litter falls through into the middle pan, which has a solid base. The clumps stay in the first pan for disposal. Then the first pan is put into the third pan, which also has a solid base. The clean litter from the second pan is poured into the first pan, additional litter is added if needed, and the second pan is put under the third pan. Repeat as needed.

Another type of manually filtered litter box is shown below. How this one works is that you remove the top half of the litter box from the lower half that has the dirty litter in it. The top is now going to become the bottom. The "gate" is lifted up, and the clean litter is filtered out into the other half of the litter box. The dirty litter is then disposed of, the gate lowered back into place, and the box reassembled.

The two boxed above are of a smaller size, and can be tucked away where a standard sized litter box can be used. The Omega rollaway litter box is a larger box. It measures 19 1/2 by 22 by 20 inches. How this item works is that to clean, you lift and roll it. The soiled litter drops into a removable drawer for disposal, and the clean litter returns to the bottom of the litter box.

The final litter box that I will look at today is from Scoop Free. This litter box uses the scoop free litter box tray. These trays use a crystaline silica litter. This litter absorbs the moisture from urine and from the solid wastes to help prevent odors. This is a non-clumping litter, only the fecal waste is removed. The litter tray has to be changed when it becomes satureated with liquid wastes.

Next time, we will be looking at the last type of litter boxes, the automatic cleaning litter boxes.

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Litter Boxes, part 1

2009-07-22T15:34:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Ok, so we have talked about all kinds of litter that you can use. Now, the next couple of articles will cover the litter box itself, the different designs that are available, and automatic versus manually cleaned boxes.
The most basic litter box is just that, a box, usually made of plastic. The non-plastic ones that I have seen have been made by a couple of artistically inclined friends. One of them was a sealed ceramic with great cat designs on the outside. The other was metal, decorated with etched images. If you are using traditional clay litter, I would recommend using disposable litter box liners to make clean up and disposal easier. You can also use a liner with clumping litters, but you probably do not need to.

Which style of plastic pan you use depends on several factors. Kittens and older cats might need a box with lower sides to make getting in and out easier. If your cat scratches a lot, either before or after using the box, you may want a high sided box, or a covered box. One feature that many covered boxed have that people like is an air filter system, usually activated charcoal, that will help control odors. One other type of litter box, that I have seen some very good reviews on, are top entry litter boxes. These provide the privacy your cat wants, but also helps stop a lot of the tracking of litter.

Where you are going to put your litter box might make a difference on the size you get. If you have an out of the way spot picked out, you may need a smaller box. There are also boxes that are specially designed to fit in a corner of your home.

Some cats don’t care where the litter box is. High traffic, low traffic, public or private, when they need to use it, they will. Other cats like privacy, and will do better with a covered box or one that is out of sight and in a very low traffic area. There are also ways to hide the litter box, to make it more estetically pleasing. This can be anywhere from a screen in front of the litter box, to furniture that you can hide the litter box in.

I have placed images and links below regarding some of the items that I have been discussing here for litter boxes that you need to scoop. In the next article, I will talk about some different types of manually cleaned scoop free litter boxes, and finally a look at the different types of automatic scoop free litter boxes.

Covered Litter Box Top Entry Box

Corner Litter Box Litter Box Screen

Rattan Pan Cover Nightstand Pan Cover

Cat Litter, part 2

2009-07-16T14:35:00.009-05:00

Image by xeni via Flickr

Well, here is the other half of the cat litter issue, non-clay litters. There are several good reasons to use the non-clay litters, one of the main ones being that it is a great way to reduce your cats carbon paw print to use recycled materials or organic products rather than clay.

If you want to look at recycled materials, you can use a couple of different products made out of recycled paper. One company that sells a recycled paper litter is ExquisiCat? Recycled Paper Fragrance-Free Cat Litter - 25 lbs. Another company that uses recycled paper Purina which offers Yesterday's News Cat Litter which is a little more expensive than the Exquisicat brand. These companies state that their product is three times more absorbent than conventional clay litter, that it is virtually dust free, and is low tracking. If you prefer clumping litter, this is probably not a product for you.

Organic materials are also being used by many different cat litter producers. You can find cat litters that are made out of pine wood, usually made from scrap material after processing of different wood products, litter made out of corn and wheat. Some are scoopable, others are not. One of the leading brands of pine based litter is Feline Pine Cat Litter by Nature's Earth Products also Feline Pine Clumping Cat Litter. In the reviews that I have seen, users of this product like the smell of this product, and the odor control. They also like the fact that you need less of the non clumping version than the non clumping clay litter.

For corn based litter, the leading brand is World's Best Cat Litter - Original Formula. The leading product for wheat based litter is Multi-Cat Swheat Scoop Litter. The reviewers say that these types of litters are safe for kittens and infection prone cats, that it clumps quickly, controls odor well, and works very will with self cleaning litter boxes. Another fact about the corn and wheat based products is that they will not harm a pet that ingests the litter. These litters are also low dust and low tracking products. They are also flushable, which are not the most environmentally friendly solution, or can be composted, which is much more eco-friendly.

The last item is the silica based crystalline litter, such as ExquisiCat? Crystals Cat Litter. This is also a litter that is biodegradable and can be composted like the wheat and corn products. This product absorbs the liquid of the urine and also helps to remove moisture from the solid wastes, helping to control odors. However, from reviews that I have read, it does tend to get tracked out of the litter box more readily. Also, it reaches a saturation point where the crystals can no longer absorb liquid and the contents of the litter box must be completely changed. You can also get products like Tidy Cats Scoop Crystals Blend for Multiple Cats - 20 lb, which is a combination of scoopable clay litter combined with the crystals to improve absorbency and reduce odor and bacterial growth.

Next time, we will look at litter boxes, to put all these litters in.

Cat Litter, part 1

2009-07-13T14:48:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

There are some things that your cat needs every day. Food, sleep (lots of sleep!), water, and of course, someplace to eliminate their wastes. Most people will use a litter box of one sort or another, and one of several types of litter. First, we will focus on the different types of cat litter. After that, I’ll look at the different types of litter boxes.

Basically, there are four types of litter commonly available for cat owners today. These are conventional, non-clumping clay litter, clumping clay litter, plant based litters and silica gel litters. Lets look at some of the pros and cons of the different types of litters.
Conventional, non-clumping clay litter was first sold in 1948 by Ed Lowe, who worked with his father selling commercial, industrial absorbents. He gave this to a neighbor to use instead of the ash that she had been using. She loved it so much that he started marketing it under the name “Kitty Litter” which became a generic term for all cat litters. Actually, conventional clay litter is no different than commercial absorbent used for spilled oil, etc. in garages. The oil absorbent is often less expensive than product labeled as kitty litter, and is often substituted for the brand product. Standard clay litter was used almost exclusively until 1980s, when scoop able litter was developed. A couple of the main problems with clay litter is that while it is absorbent, it does not particularly eliminate odors. It also needs to be completely changed with far greater frequency than any of the other litters. While it is the cheapest per pound, because you need to use so much more, it is actually one of the more expensive options, and the least sanitary.

Clumping, or scoopable litter, was first marketed in the 1980s. It is made up of sodium bentonite. According to one source, about 69 percent of all cat owners use clumping clay litters. One of the big selling points is that it controls odors very well, and is very economical to use because you only need to remove the litter that has clumped up when the cat urinates on it, so you use far less scoopable litter than standard litter. The down sides that have been reported have not been verified in any studies that I have been able to find in the literature that I have researched. However, the problems that have been reported would appear to make sense. It is felt that as the dust or litter is ingested, often because of the cat cleaning its paws after using the litter box stays in the cats digestive system, causing blockages in the intestinal and urinary tracts, or contributing to bacterial or viral infections. Inhaled dust can also cause clumps to form in the lungs as moisture is absorbed from the tissue. Because of the lack of tangible evidence, this is not something that I feel you should be concerned about.

I will research and post information about the other two types of litters in my next posting.

*The photo on this post is of Ed Lowe, the first person to sell kitty litter.

First aid for cats

2009-07-09T13:01:00.017-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Has your cat been injured? Has it been cut or scratched? Maybe it got stung by a bee? Or maybe it is more serious than that, and you want to treat your cat before you rush it to the vet? Here is how to put together your own first aid kit for your cat. I have also included a couple of links of where to get a commercially available feline first aid kit, and a book on feline first aid.

You will need the following for storage, etc. First, a one quart storage container with a lid that can be sealed tightly. Then you will need several ziplock bags. The last item you will need is a small empty travel sized bottle, about the same size that you get hotel shampoo in.

First, make sure that you label this as the cats first aid kit. On the top of the container, tape a copy of your vets phone number, daytime, night and emergency numbers. Keep a copy of these phone numbers in a zip lock back on the inside of the container also, along with your cats medical history.

In the small bottle, store some hydrogen perxoide. Make sure that you clearly lable the bottle with what is in it. They peroxide can be used to clean out scratches and cuts, and will not harm your cat even if they lick they peroxide. Two other medicines that you should include are an anticeptic (I prefer the small "Neo to Go" Neosporin) and Hydrocortisone oitment for insect stings. Lastly, you will want a small bottle of sterile eyewash solution.

What were the other ziplock bags for? You will want to put items such as gauze pads and rolled gauze, along with white surgical tape in one bag, keeping these items dry and clean. In another bag you can put cotton balls and cotton swabs. Then in the last bag you will want to put your "tools", which should be some sharp scissors, preferably with rounded tips, tweezers with sharp, pointed tips, and possibly a digital rectal thermometer.

The one thing that will not be in the kit, but that you should have, is a reusable ice pack. I prefer the soft, flexible type. Always make sure that you wrap the ice pack in a light towel before applying it to your cat.

If you don't want to put together your own kit, here is a kit that has been put together for you. It is called the ME-OW, and includes a first aid book, materials for splints, and a lot of other items including those I have listed in a DIY kit.

Creative Pet Products Me-Ow First Aid Kit for Cats

Here is an excellent book that I picked up a couple of years ago. Luckily, I haven't needed it yet, but I have gone through it a couple of times and keep it where I can find it quickly.

I hope you never need this information, but it is much better to be prepared for an emergency and not need it than to need it and not have it. I hope that you found this information helpful. This article was the direct result of a suggestion from one of my followers. If you have any ideas for articles that you would like to see, please let me know.

Kitten Season in Minnesota

2009-07-09T12:09:00.004-05:00

Image by freeparking via Flickr

This, sadly, is what they call kitten season. It's the time of year between May and September, when cats reproduce so many kittens that animal shelters can't keep up. And this year, the problem is outpacing normal years. At the Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud, they expect to take in nearly 3,000 homeless cats this summer. In the Twin Cities, the Animal Humane Society's five branches will take in a total of 10,000. "There are a lot of cats out there," said Vicki Davis, the executive director of the St. Cloud shelter. "People aren't investing the money in their outdoor cats, to have them spayed or neutered, and those are the cats that are reproducing at alarming rates." It means some sick cats won't make it, because treatment rooms fill up and doctors don't want infections to spread. "Those cats we will have to euthanize, unless we can find foster homes for them, which we are trying to do," Davis said. She said the Tri-County Humane Society euthanized 26 cats in June. Humane societies say it's not a problem with dogs, who get adopted quicker and whose owners are better about spaying and neutering. Cats, however, come with incentives during the summer -- like two-for-one discounts on adoption and sales on certain colors. Shelters also are looking for foster homes to keep a cat or two until the winter, when the kitten supply shrinks. "Please go to a shelter and adopt a cat - or two," Davis said. For more information: Tri-County Humane Society (St. Cloud): http://tricountyhumanesociety.org/ Animal Humane Society (Twin Cities): http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/doublethelove AHS cat fostering program: http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/missionmeow
(Copyright 2009 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

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Toxic and Non-Toxic House Plants

2009-07-07T15:52:00.006-05:00

Image by OmniUni via Flickr

I just had a friend who had to take their cat into the vet because they saw them eating the leaves off of one of the plants in the garden. Luckily, it was not a plant that was toxic to cats, but becasue of that, I just wanted to publish a couple of links to lists showing toxic and non-toxic plants. The two lists are:

http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants-non-toxic.html

and

http://www.catscans.com/plants.htm

Please be aware of the plants that you have in your home, and plants that you have around your yard if your cat is an outdoor cat.

How your cat says I'm Sick

2009-07-06T13:28:00.002-05:00

Image by elycefeliz via Flickr

Is your cat telling you that it isn’t feeling well or that there might be something seriously wrong? Would you know it if your cat was trying to tell you? What are some of the ways that will tell you that your cat needs a trip to the vet to have it checked out? There are many different signals that can tip you off.

When your cat comes up to you while you are relaxing on the couch or laying down in bed and meows in your face, and you get a whiff of bad breath, your cat is communicating with you in more than an auditory manner. This is probably an indication of tooth problems. Just like with people, a tooth that is decaying can cause all sorts of problems, from slight pain to infections and jaw problems. Your vet will be able to help with a tooth cleaning and extraction and any other treatments that may be needed.

What if your cat starts making even more noise than usual? Caterwauling, especially at night, can be an indication of things such as high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism, both of which your vet can help you with. Another problem that can be associated with this indicator is changes in an aging cat as its mental processes change.

But what about when your cats behavior heads in the opposite direction? Is your cat spending a lot more time off on its own? Is it staying under your bed or other furniture? It may be that your cat is in pain, or is suffering from some other stressful situation that your cat is trying to hide from.

What about vomiting? Is it just a hair ball? Hair balls are usually just a tube shaped mass, usually fairly solid, and possibly a little food mixed in. But is it something else? Does it look more like vomit? A little thinner and waterier, and doesn’t show much fur? If this only happens once every two or three months, there probably isn’t anything to worry about. But, if it is happening more often than that, it may indicate pancreatic or bowel problems.

Keep an eye on the litter box too, and your cats urinary output. Is your cats urinary output way up? It may be an indication of feline diabetes, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. Diabetes can be treated with either oral medications or insulin injections. Hyperthyroidism can also be treated with medications. Your vet can give you treatment options regarding kidney disease.

Is your cat not using the litter box at all for urinating? This could be an indication of urinary tract infection or disease, which can sometimes lead to blockages or other life threatening situations.

The final item that we will look at is your cats grooming habits. If your cat is looking unkempt, not grooming itself as well, as long or with as much attention as normal, it could be an indicator of problems such as feline diabetes and kidney disease because of an endocrine system imbalance. It may also be an indicator of oral problems.

Any time you notice a marked change in your cats behavior over a period of time, don’t be afraid to take your cat to see the vet, and give the vet all of the information on the changes that you have observed. These observations are key to the vet determining possible conditions and what tests to run.

Joint Ailments in Older Cats

2009-07-02T10:37:00.004-05:00

Image by Kevin Steele via Flickr

One thing that you hear about in dogs a lot is problems with their joints and arthritis as they age, but you almost never hear about it in cats, but they do have joint problems as they get older. Some of the symptoms of joint problems can be signs of stiffness when the cat gets up, a hesitation to jump up, a change in their walk and signs of pain when walking. Obesity can also be a contributing factor. If your cat is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian.
But, what can you do? The most popular treatment is the same thing that people use, a combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in a product called Cosequin.
Cosequin is available at most pet supply stores and websites. When giving your cat any type of pills, I find it much easier using greenies pill pouches. My cats really love them.
One other thing that you can do, if your cat will let you is to massage the areas around the joints, to help relax tight muscles and sore joints. An excellent book that I have picked up recently is “The Healing Touch for Cats”. My older cat really likes the attention and techniques that I have learned about from this book.
If your cat is over weight, please discuss weight loss options with your veterinarian including diet and exercise. This can also help with joint problems.

Spaying and Neutering Cats

2009-06-29T11:49:00.004-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, since the last article talked about one kind of itch, lets talk about another kind of itch, the sex itch. Almost all cat owners will want to spay or neuter their cats. There are many good reasons to have your cat spayed or neutered. First and foremost, it helps control the feline population. Unless you are a breeder with high level show cats, you probably won’t be looking to breed your cat on purpose, and accidental breeding is not desirable. Also, research suggests that spayed and neutered cats live longer lives, are healthier overall, and that spaying and neutering reduce diseases such as mammary cancers and uterine infections. Also, your cat is less likely to mark their territory with spaying or scratching. There are two methods for sterilizing both your male and female cats, so lets take a look at them.

Spaying your female cat

Spaying is a surgical procedure where the vet removes the ovaries and uterus of the cat. The incision is then closed with either stitches, which must be removed by the vet after seven to ten days, or sutures might be used, which are slowly absorbed by the cat. The cat can usually go home the same day and will be recovered in two or three days. After spaying, the female cat will not go into heat again. The other method of sterilization is called tubal ligation, or having their tubes tied. With this procedure, the cat can no longer get pregnant, but will still go into heat and attract roaming toms, so it is not as popular an option for most cat owners.

Neutering your male cat

Neutering your male cat involves the vet removing the testicles of your male cat under anesthesia. This is a very simple procedure with very small incisions that usually don’t even require stitches or sutures to heal up. The other way sterilize your male cat is called a feline vasectomy. This second method is not preferred, because the tom will still mark his territory and may still wander looking for the ladies. Both spaying and neutering should be done by the age of six months. Talk to your vet about the earliest that it can be done. But please, don’t let the six month recommendation keep you from having an adult cat that you may adopt spayed or neutered. Please check with your rescue or adoption group about discounts for spaying and neutering.

*If you are not familiar with the animated movie "Fritz the Cat", the picture won't make any sense. Fritz the Cat is a look at the late sixties Love Generation using animals. Sorry, but I thought the picture was funny and fitting.

Fleas and your cat

2009-06-26T18:12:00.001-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Ok, I got an email request to look at a problem a friend of mine is having with their cats right now, although it can be a problem that anyone can have at any time of year, and that problem is fleas!

Fleas? Aren’t they just a harmless little insect, best known for camping on a DOGS skin in cartoons and working in a flea circus? How can that hurt my cat? Do cats even get fleas? Unfortunately the answer is yes. The Ctenocephalides felis is the common flea that live on cats. Basically, the adult flea bites your cats food to release blood which the adult flea feeds on. The fleas are also busy laying eggs. These eggs will stay on your cats skin or will actually drop off into your carpeting, your furniture upholstery, your cats bed or your bed. Once the eggs hatch, the larve feed on the droppings of the adult fleas, or the “Flea Dirt”. It then goes through a cocoon or pupae stage, and then they grow into an adult and the cycle continues.

So, what kind of problems do fleas cause your cat? They are so small, that little bit of blood can’t hurt can it? Actually, there are at least three different medical conditions that can be caused by fleas. The first is Anemia, which is caused by the blood loss from the fleas. This can even be fatal in kittens. Another health concern comes from the cats ingesting the fleas they get off their fur. The fleas can carry Tapeworms, and when ingested can infest your cat with this parasite. The third is caused by H. felis, which while it appears to be anemia, it is actually an illness called Haemobartonellosis, which has to be diagnosed through lab testing and treated with antibiotics. There is also the problems of excessive scratching, raw patches of skin and misery for your cat.

What do you do about it? While I know that there are many opinions about this, I can only go with what has worked for me in the past. I have never been a fan of flea collars, too easily chewed and a chance of ingesting a large amount of the active ingredients. I also don’t have any experience with the “Green”, “Natural” and “Non-toxic” treatments, so I can’t really speak to the effectiveness of these products. In my 30 plus years of cat ownership, I have only had one flea infestation that I have had to deal with, and once I started the treatment, it actually didn’t take long to see marked improvements. Basically, I used three items to clear up the problem. They were, a good vacuum, a flea comb, and a topical flea treatment that was recommended by my vet.

First, I applied Advantage topical flea treatment. This treatment works on several levels. First it kills fleas living on your cat quickly. Also, as it continues to work over the four to six week time frame that each treatment lasts, it kills the new fleas as they hatch on your cat. Third, as your cats dander spreads around your home, any fleas that are surviving in other areas where your pet normally goes eat the dander and are also killed.

You will need to comb your cat daily with a very fine toothed flea comb.
This fine toothed comb will help you remove the dead fleas, the flea dirt, the eggs and pupae from your cats fur and skin. A regular comb or brush has gaps that are too large to catch the flea debris from your cat.

You must also vacuum your home thoroughly , including furniture and even your mattress. You should do this every couple of days for at least a week after first treating your pet. You will also need to lauder your blankets and sheets on your bed, and also if possible your cats bed.

One final tip. Even if your cats never go outside, please treat them in some way. I never treated my cats because they were indoor cats. Unfortunately, they still got fleas even though they never went outside. Now I treat them as recommended on a monthly basis. This prevention is well worth it to prevent the pain and suffering that can be caused by a flea infestation.

I would love some feedback from people who have used the green products, what they used and how it worked. I would like to hear from others who used other methods that worked, or didn’t work.

Should you declaw your cat?

2009-06-23T16:11:00.003-05:00

Image by anniebee via Flickr

Ok, this may be a bad idea, but I am going to tackle a very heated topic for cat lovers. I will try to keep my own opinions out of this and just provide some factual information. I invite anyone who would like to too add their own views on this under the comments area.

What is Declawing?
I guess the first thing to look at is what exactly is involved in declawing a cat? It is a surgical procedure that is done by a Vet after a consultation with the cat owner. Declawing is actually not an accurate way to describe the procedure. It is not just removing the retractable claw, but an amputation of the first joint of the paw that contains the claw. It is recommended that this procedure is done while the kitten is between three and five months of age. According to what I have read, most vets don’t seem to think that this does any real harm to the cat.

Why have a cat Declawed?
There are several common reasons to have a cat declawed. One is that the scratching behavior of cats will ruin the furniture/drapes/carpet. Another reason is that the cat will use its claws on family members or other pets, either when playing or as a more aggressive act , for instance when saying “Enough attention, I want some alone time!”. I have also seen it suggested, but not by everyone, that declawing can also help lessen the possible spread of disease from the litter box when a scratch breaks the skin.

Why shouldn’t you Declaw a cat?
Once again, there are several reasons for not declawing a cat. The declawing procedure is painful, and it takes about 10 days for the cat to heal. During that time, because of the pain when scratching, a cat might start avoiding the litter box. Also, a cat might start biting because it no longer has claws for defense. If your cat is an outdoor cat, declawing is a bad idea because you have taken away their first line of offense, and also their first line of defense, which is being able to climb away from trouble.

Options for a cat that scratches?
There are a couple of options that you have to save your furniture if you don’t want to declaw your cat. The first is that trusty method, the scratching post, covered by carpeting, rope or other materials. The hardest part is getting your cat to exclusively use the scratching post. Consistency in training and a little catnip go a long way towards this goal. Another option, and I wasn’t aware of this until a friend told me about it and how they love this, is a product called “Soft Claws”. This is sort of the Lee Press On Nails for the Feline world. They are a soft plastic cover that is actually glued onto the tips of the claw to prevent scratches. They retract with the claws and don’t harm the cat in any way.

Once again, this is a solution for indoor cats only, and should not be used on outdoor cats because it takes away both their offensive and defensive capabilities against other animals.

I would love to read your comments about this article. Please also refer this blog to your friends.

Cat Toys, part 2

2009-06-21T13:31:00.001-05:00

Image by Esdras Calderan via Flickr

Ok, a quick look at what many pets and owners consider to be one of the best cat toys ever invented. Can you guess what toy that is? Drum roll please… brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr… the laser pointer, or as most people call it, the red dot!

For a product that started out as a tool to help with presentations, both in the business world and for teachers, it went through a stage of people using in in annoying and often inappropriate ways, to one of the biggest pet toy booms that has ever been seen as the price for one dropped from over one hundred dollars for a simple pen to a dollar or two now at the low end.

From personal experience, I know that different cats react differently to the dot. For the two cats I currently have, Diamond has become less interested as he has gotten older, but he still likes to play with the dot, just not as actively. Sapphire, on the other hand, is afraid of the dot and runs away from it. If you have never played with a laser with your cat, I would recommend starting with an inexpensive one, such as the following to see if your cat likes this as a toy.

It seems like everyone has a pointer these days. The following is an assortment of different types of toys and includes a laser pointer.

This last item is one that I haven’t seen before. It is for cat owners who want to give their cat entertainment and exercise, even when they are doing other things. It is a battery operated unit that shines a moving red dot around a room for a timed fifteen minutes and then shuts down.

Next time, even other types of cat toys that my cats love to play with!

Cat Toys, part 1

2009-06-18T12:48:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

This is the first in a several part series on one important facet of your cats daily life. TOYS!

Cat toys come in several categories, and in a wide range of prices. Some categories would be toys on strings/wires, balls, animal shapes, with or without catnip, plastic, cloth, fur, feathered, noisy, silent and on and on. Prices range from free (today’s topic) to more than $100. But no matter the cost or construction, toys are important both for your cat’s health as well as an important way for you and your cat to bond.

Have you ever noticed that you went out and spent money on what you thought would be a great toy for your cat, you get home and they ignore it, or get a hold of the wrapping and play with that? Have you ever watched your cat find a twist tie and play with it for an extended period of time, stalking it, pouncing on it and biting it? Or you wad up a piece of paper, miss the waste paper basket, and the cat suddenly has a new toy? How about that classic cartoon picture of the cat or kitten happy with ball of yarn?

There are a lot of ways that you can make toys for your cat. I like to do this myself for a number of reasons. First, I love to see my cats happily playing with something that I made for them, not just bought for them. I am proud that they like something I make. I also think that a toy I make has my scent associated with it and so it strengthens the bonds we have even more. Another reason is cost, especially in these economic times. If I can make new toys for my cats with materials I have around the house, I have saved money. Another thing that is great about it is that I can make a basketful of toys, and just sort of cycle through them so the cats don’t get bored with “The same old toy”.

Not feeling that creative, or need new ideas? I have listed three books below that I have purchased and used for toys for my own cats. I hope that they will give you ideas too.

Ideas to get a lost cat back

2009-06-16T20:36:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

The biggest problem with overpopulation in Shelters is people not providing proper ID for their pets or not knowing where to look for their lost animals. Shelters and pet owners should check into a new program that provides id tags with live operator rescue support–called Pawtags. They shelters receive 72% of the profits from the program and it cuts down on animal control pick-ups and service costs because they reunite the lost pet with their owners!
Not only are 90% 0f non-id lost animals not found—over 75% of all domestic animals captured nationwide by Animal Control facilities are euthanized! There’s a great new pet rescue tag service called “Pawtags Rescue”- where each tag has its own id number and Live trained 24/7 Operator rescue services for $10!
Their service allows you to develop a profile with up to ten contact numbers, listing rabies id, microchip info, city licensing, vet and medical info along with the pet’s profile. When someone finds your pet the Operators access this confidential info and use it with Google Maps, 3-way conferencing, etc. to get your pet home or to a safe place until picked up. The service also auto-creates a PAWS Alert poster to print or PDF and more importantly gives an owner an Animal Control Facilities zip code search that provides the only locations in 50 square miles that intake lost pets! This is so important since in some cities animals only have 3 days to euthanizaton!
The tags are guaranteed for life, weatherproof, cool looking and for $10 you get tag and one year free service. You can upgrade to a lifetime for 19.99–so overall with a pets life average of 14 years that’s less than a $1.50 a year. It kind of reminds me of the Verizon support team commercials–you know if anyone finds your lost animal a live trained rescue person will make sure it gets home or to a safe place. Great deal–it’s at http://www.pawtags.com/

I have re-printed this from the comments on the previous post because it has some very good information. I would like to add to it here though. PLEASE, whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat, get an ID Chip implanted, and keep the information up to date. While a pet tag is great, unless you are using a harness instead of a collar, your cat may have slipped its collar and won't have the tag available for the shelter or pound. At least with the ID Chip, the cat can't loose it, and I think that all shelters check lost pets for a chip. Once again, keep the information up to date so you can be contacted. And please, in the words of Bob Barker, have your pet spayed or neutered.

Can't afford the cat anymore? Neither can the shelter

2009-06-14T17:26:00.003-05:00

Can't afford the cat anymore? Neither can the shelter
More animals. Smaller donations. Wrenching stories of homes and jobs gone. The economy's toll mounts for those who care for abandoned felines.
By Bob Shaw
Pioneer Press
Updated: 06/13/2009 01:58:53 PM CDT

Browse more photo galleries » Watch video » In good times, there are lots of clicks in Vickie Lachelt's office.

It is the sound of people hanging up after hearing the recorded message that Feline Rescue's cat-saving programs are only for low-income families.

Now, the hang-up clicks are gone. Thanks to the recession, the callers have less money and qualify for help. Day after day, they leave a stream of messages about their unwanted cats.

"It is never-ending," said volunteer Lachelt, "and it is heartbreaking."

Cats — and the groups that rescue them — are victims of the economic downturn. Animal rescue groups are staggering under the burden of thousands of cats, turned in by people who have lost jobs or houses.

At the same time, donations to the cat-saving groups are dropping. Several groups are pulling back or failing — making more work for those that remain. This, in turn, increases stress on those who love cats.

After 31 years of caring for dogs and cats, Rita Knudson recently shuttered the Brooklyn Park-based Lucky Dog Rescue. "We just couldn't take it anymore," she said.

"I do not want to drop dead with a leash in my hand. It's stressful when the phone is ringing seven days a week, night and day."

For shelter workers, the cat glut isn't just about money.

It rattles their faith in humanity. It makes them bitter to think that kindness to animals only prevails when the stock market is up.

"There is so much more neglect now. So much more cruelty. I don't understand it," said Laura Johnson, president of the cat-rescue group SCRAM, based in Shoreview.
"I get these calls. I say, 'We only have so many hands. Can't you put this animal in your garage? Is there any way you can help?' " Johnson said. "Nine out of 10 say no.

"The suffering I have seen in the last nine months ... I have nightmares."

ABANDONMENT BURNOUT

Johnson saw a Siamese cat that had been set ablaze with lighter fluid. She has seen several cats turned loose after having been declawed on all paws, which renders a cat unable to feed itself.

"A cat like that doesn't have a chance in hell," Johnson said.

"People get mad because (cats) are killing songbirds. That is sad but true. Nature is cruel. But how are these cats supposed to survive?"

One reason Knudson quit was burnout over the increase in abandonment and cruelty.

She was called after kids in Minneapolis shot guns near a chained-up dog — as a training exercise.

"They said they were making it a police dog," Knudson said. "It was the stupidest thing I have ever seen."

Other times, stress comes from listening to owners abandoning pets they love.

"A young gal called me to see if any assistance was out here," said Erin Hauer, director of Our Paws Cat Sanctuary in Wyoming. "She said her cat was hungry. She said she was hungry."

This June is a perfect storm for unwanted cats, said Deb Balzer, spokeswoman for the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.

Winters are steadily becoming milder, so the cat-breeding seasons are longer. "They used to have one or two litters a year. Now they have multiple litters," Balzer said.

The recession compounds the problem. The river of unwanted cats is swamping the Humane Society.

"We average 75 cats a day, more than 500 cats a week," Balzer said. Last summer, the Humane Society took in 10,000 cats. About half were adopted. The other half — old, diseased or unadoptable — were euthanized.

The national average of cats euthanized after being admitted to shelters is 71 percent, according to the Humane Society.

FEWER CATS OR MORE HOMES

SCRAM's Johnson said calls for help have doubled in nine months. "We are averaging 30 to 40 calls a day, because of this economy," she said.

The economic downturn hurts other animals, too.

Because of a foreclosure, the Humane Society recently received an entire petting zoo. Later, a goat named Billy was taken from a foreclosed farm in Woodbury.

But cats are by far the most common abandoned animals. The ultimate solution to an abundance of cats, rescue groups agree, is an aggressive and cheap spay-neuter program.

Many such programs already are in force. For some cat owners, SCRAM charges a rock-bottom $33 for neutering and $69 for spaying — procedures that normally can cost $300.

The Humane Society's Balzer said people need to learn that they have a responsibility to spay and neuter their cats.

"We hear people say, 'Oh, I never got around to spaying and neutering them.' Then it's 'Oh, look at all the cats running around here,' " she fumed. "Pretty soon they are giving away free kittens at their kid's lemonade stand."

Another solution?

"People need to open their homes," Johnson said, "and take in another cat."

Animal welfare groups need money and volunteers to help with the rise in abandoned cats.

The Animal Humane Society, five metro locations; animalhumanesociety.org, 763-522-4325. Its programs include spaying/neutering, placing cats in foster homes and offering one cat free to anyone who adopts a cat during the summer (for most cat adoptions, fees are $80-$120).

Animal Ark No-Kill Shelter in Hastings; animalarkshelter.org. Programs include spaying/neutering.

Pet Haven of Minneapolis (pethavenmn.org), Feline Rescue of St. Paul (felinerescue.org) and SCRAM of Shoreview (petfinder.com/shelters/MN178.html) match cats and dogs with foster homes.

This Article appeared in the June 13th, 2009 St. Paul Minnesota Pioneer Press

Where to find a cat for adoption

2009-06-11T13:02:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

So, we have covered the Humane Society and the ASPCA. As you may or may not know, there are literally thousands of other cat rescue organizations out there, and probably dozens in your area. So, how do you decide where to adopt from, or where can you find exactly what you are looking for? There are three main ways on line to find your new family member.

The Humane Society is associated with a site called www.pets911.com. This site provides you with a lot of information on the adoption process, information on vets and spaying services, licensing information and a service to find a large number of different types of shelters and rescue organizations in your area, including Horse Adoption, rescue groups, feral cat adoption, fostering opportunities and special adoption events. You would then pull up the listed websites for each rescue/adoption center in your area and find your new friend.

Now, the ASPCA website has a link for www.petfinder.com. Petfinder works a little differently from pets911. If you know what breed you are looking for, then you can enter that into their search engine and find all cats of that breed at a variety of locations, including humane society facilities, cat rescue groups, feral cat groups and so forth. This site also provides information on various groups, adoption information and videos.

The third way, and probably the least efficient, is to do a google search on cat rescue, cat adoption, etc. If you know what specific kind of cat you are looking for, I would recommend petfinder.com. If you want to see what is out there in your area, I would recommend pets911.com where you can go to each adoption centers website and view all of the animals currently available. For me personally, when I next need to add a member to my family, pets911.com gets my business.

ASPCA information

2009-06-08T11:15:00.000-05:00

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, is another of the best know animal rescue and education organizations in the US. Unfortunately, it is not as well known to me as the Humane Society is, but I will do my best.

The ASPCA was formed in 1866 in New York City. They were the first humane organization to be granted the legal authority to investigate and make arrests in regards to crimes against animals. The ASPCA offers a wide range of services including pet adoptions, veterinarian services, spaying, neutering and electronic tagging services in the NYC area as well as in other cities in the US. They are against the euthanasia of adoptable animals.

The ASPCA works with companion animals and pet parents, with working animals, horses, farm animals and animals in research and education. They are also involved in the education of law enforcement and the judiciary regarding issues of animal cruelty.

The ASPCA has a large web presence. I will list a few of the links here, but you can find more by entering ASPCA into a search engine such as Google. To find more local information, do a search under SPCA which will list city sites. If you feel I have missed something, or wish to add more information, please feel free to post to this site.

Next time I will be discussing other adoption resources.

ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Visit the ASPCA website to learn how to fight animal cruelty, read expert pet care advice, and view dogs and cats available for adoption. http://www.aspca.org/

Pet Insurance for Cats and Dogs - ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
As part of our mission, we're proud to offer ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance helps you pay your veterinary bills

ASPCA Education: Providing materials and resources for a more ... DoSomething.org and the ASPCA have teamed up to create a new Animal Welfare section on Do Something's website. As a great online resource for young people

ASPCA Online Community The ASPCA Online Community is a great place to meet fellow animal lovers and discuss everything from pet care to animal cruelty.

The Humane Society of the United States

2009-06-01T15:36:00.000-05:00

The next few posts will talk about different types of adoption organizations, and where to get info on the different types and where to get more information on them.

Lets start with the Humane Society today. The web address for the Humane Society of the United States is http://www.hsus.org/. Their website has news reports and videos, what they are doing as far as legislative initiatives, what types of legal actions they have taken and information about they different types of activities taken by the Humane Society.

Now, you may think that the Humane Society is just a place where abandoned animals are brought in, or where people who need to surrender pets are brought so that you and others can adopt them. That is a start, but is only a small part of what the Humane Society is about. They not only deal with companion animals, but they also are involved with protecting wildlife such as seals, and also protecting animals used for fur. They also deal with large animals such as farm animals and horses, and with wildlife. Animal abuse situations are also a concern of them. They are involved in the detection and shutting down of animal mills, dog fighting groups, and animals used for research.

Another area that they Humane Society is active in is emergency services, and trying to take care of animals during an emergency situation. They offer DART (Disaster Animal Response Team) training, animal first aid courses and courses in setting up emergency shelters.
Please keep in mind that the fees that you pay when adopting from the Humane Society go towards the operation of the facility, including food, medicine, litter etc. for the animals. It also pays for the building and for the staff, although at most locations there will also be volunteers working there as well as a paid staff. The fees also contribute towards the humane society efforts locally to help companion animals, farm animals and wildlife.

Next time, looking at the ASPCA.

Where do I get my new cat?

2009-05-26T12:58:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the delay, the Memorial Day weekend threw me off.

Ok, so now comes a big question, and I know that I am going to make large groups of people angry with me, but I have to go with what I believe. If you feel I am treating any particular group unfairly, please respond to this post. I am more than happy to listen to other points of view.

The question that I am referring to is “Where do I get my new cat?”.

First, I would emphatically say to stay away from pet stores, unless they are offering Humane Society or other animal rescue adoptions. The animals that you find in most pet stores are often cats from breeders that they could not sell themselves, or they are from large breeders who just supply pet stores . These are often the cats that become the cats you will later find at the Humane Society/Pound/ASPCA/Rescue.

Second, unless you want show cat with a pedigree, don’t go to a breeder. While you can find the purebred cat you want, there is often more inbreeding than is good for your pet. Even if this is not the case, and it often is not, there is no need to use a breeder to find the breed you want.
As you may have already guessed, I want you to get your new family member from an animal rescue or Humane Society adoption center. You can find just about any breed of cat you are looking for, if you can be a little patient. I personally have always had long haired cats, mainly Persians, although I have also had one Himalayan and one Maine Coon cat. I haven’t always gotten a new family member on the fist trip, or at the first location, but it has never taken overly long to find what I was looking for.

Also along the same line, showing patience, please don’t see a cat you like and take it home immediately based just on appearance. Hopefully the location you are adopting from has a private room that you can spend a few minutes getting to know the personality of your possible new friend. Whether they like to cuddle, or are playful. If they may be more of a scratcher or biter, or don’t like to be held or petted. You can get a real feel for the cat in only fifteen minutes or so.

My other strongly held opinion is, adopt an adult cat, not a kitten. Yes, I know. “But kittens are so CUTE!” And maybe that is my point. There will always be people willing to take home a cute kitten. The adult cats don’t always have it so easy. The adults also can be easier to integrate into your home and schedule than a kitten might be. But, it may also be that you find the perfect cat and it is only three months old. Please consider the adults and even the “mature” adult cats when looking for someone to take home.

Finally, I will just touch on want ads in the paper. If someone has had an “unexpected” litter, and is giving away kittens, just remember that you will probably have more out of pocket expenses at the vet for this type of cat, and that “Free” never is. This is also a great reminder to spay/neuter your cats.

Please consult your local phone book for your local humane society, ASPCA, pound or cat rescue organization.

2009-05-19T12:31:00.000-05:00

So, you are now ready to bring home a cat and become a cat owner for the first time. But wait, what are the basic items you will need when you first get your new friend home? We can get into more of the high end items in later posts. Lets just start with the basics.

First, you will need two bowls, one for water and at least one for food. Some prefer two food bowls, one for dry food and one for moist food. It is recommended that you use stainless steel, rather than plastic or ceramics because it is easier to clean and will not develop rough edges that can irritate your cats skin. Make sure that you change the water at least once a day.
You are going to need cat food. Please do not get the very cheapest food. Many of the mid range foods are very good, or you can look at the high end foods like Science Diet or Iams. Start with small bags, because you may need to get a couple of different kinds of foods to find one that your cat likes. I have always had “Free Range” feeders in my house. This means that there is always dry food out and the cats can eat on their own schedule. I have never had a problem with a cat that over eats.. I then give them moist food a couple of times a week as a treat. If you do notice that your cat is getting “plump”, you may need to set up a feeding schedule and limit the amount of food they get at each meal.

Next, you will need a litter box, litter and a litter scoop. A basic plastic pan will be fine. I personally prefer scoopable litter. There is a higher initial purchase price, but you end up using so much less that it becomes more economical. It also keeps the litter box cleaner and you don’t need a box line and you don’t need to wash out the litter box each week. Make sure that you clean out the clumps at least once a day, more often if you can.

Finally, you will need a collar or harness for your cat. I like the cat harness better, because cats have a real talent for slipping out of a collar. Once you have gotten your new cat, as soon as possible get a tag for the collar with the cats name and your name and phone number.
Next time - where to get a new friend.

Adding a cat to your family

2009-05-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

So, you have a cat at home, you really love having one cat, and if one is good, two must be better? I couldn’t agree more! Now, in my previous posts, I talked about selecting a breed of cat. This can still apply to adding another cat to your home, and I would recommend your reading these posts and possibly looking at getting a book on cat breeds. It doesn’t matter what breed you currently have. Cats, from what I have seen, in a lot of different homes, don’t seem to care if you have a Persian and a domestic short hair or a Maine Coon and a Sphinx.

There is one thing that you have to make sure of though. House cats seem to be more closely related to lions than any other group of cats. What this really means is that when you have more than one cat in your home, you have to pay attention to the sex of your cats. Two females will get along just fine. A male and female will get along fine. Two males can be (not necessarily WILL be) trouble as they try to assert themselves as the dominant cat. I have personally had this happen to me many years ago, and the cat that lost the battle had a miserable time. This same idea also works with more than two cats, usually you can have one male and several females and still have relative peace in your home.

The other delicate thing that needs to be done is introducing the cats to each other. What I have always had recommended to me, and what I have always done, and it always worked out well, was to isolate the new cat in a room of their own, with a small litter box, food and water. This allows the new cat to get used to the scent of the current cat, which will be all over the room that you put them in, but it will also let the current cat start to get used to the scent of the new cat coming from the room, and get used to the idea of another cat in their territory. I have seen recommendations of anywhere from a day to two weeks for this process. Personally, I have never had it go more than two or three days. What this does is prevent a fight, or hiding behavior which may mean you seldom see your new friend. There is a very good book relating to this, which is:

(this book is also availble via Kindle)

Next up, what you need before you bring home a cat for the first time. See you on my next posting!

Getting a different cat

2009-05-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

In the previous post, there is information for people who haven’t owned a cat before. But what if you have had a pet pass away and you are looking to replace it. Please don’t rush out and pick up the first cute cat you see that either looks the same, or is of the same breed. There is nothing wrong with this, but you may want to consider the following.
First, not all cats of the same breed have the same personality traits. Thinking so can get you into trouble. For example, I find that most people consider Siamese cats to be stand-offish. I have personally met some Siamese that are very people friendly, and others that don’t care a bit about people. Also, are you looking for an adult cat, or a kitten? Where do you want to get your cat from?
As in the previous post, you may want to research different breeds of cats. The same books that I recommended there can be used now, and I’ll repeat them at the end of this post. Another consideration is do you want to bring home a new kitten? Or do you want to bring home an adult cat? Kittens are cute, but they can be very hyperactive and need more attention and a different kinds of attention than an adult cat does. Do you have the time, or are you home enough to take care of a kitten properly? If not, please consider an adult cat. They can acclimate faster to a new home, and will need less time to get used to you and your habits. Please keep this in mind when looking for that purrfect companion.
Next time, adding another cat to your home!
Recommended Cat Breed books:

Click Here! Hoplink to “Guides for Cats” Chosing a cat e-book

ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing and Caring for Your Pet (Aspc Complete Guide to)

CATS - Choosing, Caring and Training.

The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care

Cats for Dummies

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Cat

Choosing a new Cat

2009-05-10T10:34:00.000-05:00

So, you want to bring home a new cat or kitten? I think that is just great! But please don’t rush into getting the first cute face you see. (I know, they are ALL cute, but you know what I mean!) I want to break this down into two categories. Today I would like to talk to the people who are looking to get a cat for the first time. Next time I will talk about people who already own/have previously owned a cat.
Before you bring home your new family member, there are several things that you should do first. The most important is to make sure that no one in your family is allergic to cats! I know it sounds like common sense, but I have seen a lot of cats surrendered to the animal shelters because of allergies. So, how do you know about pet allergies? Well, you could get all of your family members tested by your family doctor, but that is time consuming, possibly expensive, and certainly no fun. My suggestion? Visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization and visit the cat area. Make sure everyone interacts with the available animals, petting with them, playing with them etc.. Make sure you spend at least half an hour, unless symptoms show up sooner, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and so forth. Please, do not think that these will just go away over time or that you can take an occasional pill for the sake of a pet. Eventually, you will become tired of taking the pills or possibly more serious reactions will occur and you will need to say goodbye to your pet, which is harder than never having one in the first place.
Ok, so you are compatible with a cat as a pet and there are no health issues. Now, it is time to do a little homework. Do you want a kitten or an adult cat? Do you want a long haired or short haired cat? They require different amounts of grooming and effect your house differently because of shedding. Different cat breeds have different personalities, so are you looking for an independent cat who can spend a lot of time on its own, or do you want a snuggler? Now, I am not going to tell you that I know all about this. There are a couple of good books that I have read that I can recommend.
ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing and Caring for Your Pet (Aspc Complete Guide to), then there is The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care
and finally there is the DVD CATS - Choosing, Caring and Training. I have also had these three books recommended to me, I just haven’t been able to read them yet, but I trust the people who recommended them. They are
Cats for Dummies and also
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Cat and finally
Click Here! Hoplink to “Guides for Cats” Chosing a cat e-book. The e-book also includes a free book of recipies that you can fix for your cats.
Next time, we will discuss where the best place to get your new cat is, and what you will need when you bring home your new friend. Having everything before your pick up your cat will save you time and headaches and trips to the store.

Welcome to Your Loving Cat

2009-04-30T13:04:00.000-05:00

If you are visiting this Blog, it means that you are either a cat owner or you are considering becoming a cat owner. Congratulations! In my opinion, cats are one of the finest pets available. Cats can be easy to care for, but also a challenge to keep your pet their happiest. Cats can be funny, lazy, energetic, lethargic, graceful and never clumsy unless they want to be.

This last observation may need a bit of explanation. Have you ever had your cat walking along the window ledge behind the curtains, or taking a stroll on the rim of the bathtub, or walking along the back of the couch, and suddenly they take a tumble? When they emerge, they walk slowly, head and tail held high, and are telling you “I meant to do that!”

Another great thing about cats is that they are both independent and affectionate (hopefully). They can take care of themselves if you want a weekend away (assuming that they are “Free Range Feeders”, that you can leave them dry food out all the time, which with most cats you can do) and don’t want to board them or impose on your friends/family to watch your pet. You don’t have to be opening the door a dozen times a day. You don’t need to worry about noise. They won’t be underfoot while you cook dinner. They may sit with you, on you or over your head and politely request attention, and will let you know when they have had enough. They may want to share your food. One of my current cats loves fried chicken (peeled off the bone and fed to him daintily by hand, no skin please) and loves to get a small spoonful of milk left at the bottom of the cereal bowl.

In the dog vs. cat debate, another reason to choose a cat, if you are not a home owner, is that more apartment rentals are willing to accept a cat vs. a dog, for many of the same reasons already provided. I will not get into the other pet genres to compare cats to, such as aquariums (which I find relaxing and my cats sometime enjoy), lizards, birds and insects/spiders. I just don’t know enough about these other pets. My experience has always been cats and dogs.

I am looking forward to sharing my insights about cats, and my experiences to hopefully help you in enjoying your feline friends. I also look forward to your sharing your stories and pictures here and your questions about being a cat owner.