Adequate cat care is an important part of keeping your cat healthy on the physical and emotional levels, and basic cat care tasks like feeding your pet and making sure it is spayed and vaccinated are familiar to nearly every cat owner. However, there is more to cat care than just routine maintenance. The more you learn about cat care, the more you will begin to understand that cat care is as much about making your cat happy as it is about keeping your cat healthy. There are many benefits to offering your pet cat care that goes beyond mere maintenance. By giving your pet the best possible cat care, you are giving yourself the chance to learn about your cat’s unique personality, revel in greater understanding of the wants and needs of your pet, and increase your own personal happiness.

Cats can seem very mysterious and enigmatic, even to their owners. Many cat fans feel that this is part of feline appeal, but it can also be frustrating not to know what is motivating your cat at certain times, like when it is mewling loudly at your bedroom door at four in the morning. When you gain a greater understanding of cat care, you will also get a much stronger insight into how and why your cat functions the way that it does. The more you know about what motivates a cat to engage in the behaviors that can be inconvenient hassles in your daily life, the better equipped you will be to create a situation where those behaviors will be diminished or even rendered completely unnecessary. The study of cat care is the study of cat’s desires and demands, so the better you understand cat care the better you will be able to give your cat what it needs so that you and your pet can live together in harmony.

When you give your cat the best possible cat care rather than settling for a basic, run of the mill cat care routine, you are showing your animal companion how much you care for and appreciate its unique temperament. This process helps you and your cat bond more fully so that you can have a rich, enduringly affectionate relationship. As any cat owner who has rubbed a purring cat behind the ears will be glad to profess, the happier your cat is, the happier it will make you. By giving your pet the ideal cat care, you are sowing the seeds for your own satisfaction and joy. Going the extra mile to learn a bit more about cat care than you do today can translate into a better relationship with your pet that is a more than ample reward for a little additional effort on your part. If you can learn to provide the best possible cat care, you can help to forge a more peaceful, mutually beneficial future for you and your feline friend.

Is feline incontinence becoming a problem for your cat? You need to realize that incontinence in cats, or dribbling and leaking of urine, and inappropriate urination are two different things.

Often an incontinent pet is unaware that she has a problem. Inappropriate urination, on the other hand, is when a cat is purposely urinating in places other than her litter box. This may be a behavior issue, but it can also be cause by feline lower urinary tract disease.

It’s important to know the difference between the two because incontinence in cats can be a sign of serious health issues for your feline friend.

Ten Reasons For Feline Incontinence

1. Usually the simplest reason is feline lower urinary tract disease. One of the symptoms of a feline bladder infection is needing to urinate often. It may be that your cat just isn’t able to make it to the litter box in time.

2. Your cat’s bladder may be scarred, due to recurring feline urinary problems. This prevents her bladder from expanding to hold urine, so she may not be able to hold it.

3. Cat bladder stones can cause a partial blockage of your cat’s urethra, making it impossible for her to empty her bladder completely. As her bladder fills with urine, the pressure can force some urine around the blockage. If you suspect a blocked cat, get her to the vet as soon as possible, as this can be fatal within a day or two.

4. The result of a weak urinary sphincter can be an incontinent cat. This is more common in older spayed female dogs, but it does occasionally happen in spayed cats, too, especially if they’re heavy. This type of incontinence, called hormone-responsive incontinence, can develop years after she’s been spayed.

5. Feline diabetes can cause an incontinent cat. A diabetic cat is drinking lots more water than normal because the disease makes her very thirsty in an effort to flush the excess sugar out of her body. Because of this she’ll need to urinate more, too. She may have trouble making it to her litter box before she has an accident.

6. Cats with feline leukemia sometimes become incontinent, too. This can happen in both males and females.

7. As a cat ages, the urinary sphincter can weaken. Your cat may develop other problems as she gets older, such as diabetes, which cause her body to produce more urine than normal. Combine a very full bladder with a weak urinary sphincter, and it’s easy to see why urinary incontinence in cats is the result.

8. She may have a neurological problem with the nerves in her bladder that cause her to be unable to hold her urine.

9. Bladder tumors can be another factor.

10. An older can who is getting forgetful, or in the early stages of senility, may develop litter box problems.

Natural Feline Urinary Support

If your furball is having cat urinary problems, it’s important to take her to the vet for a check-up to rule out anything serious. Most cases of inappropriate urination are due to feline lower urinary tract disease, which can be a frustrating condition to deal with.

The most important thing you can do is to feed your cat a high-quality canned food. Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so feeding a cat dry food all the time is an invitation to disaster in the form of cat urinary problems.

You may want to consider giving your kitty one of the many natural remedies for cats that are available for feline urinary support. Herbs and homeopathic remedies have a long history of success in humans, and they’re very effective for urinary problems in pets, too.  Just click on any link to learn more.

Cat urine problems are probably one of the top feline behavior problems for cat owners.Frustration from finding nasty, smelly messes all over the home often leads to the pet being given up, or even put down.

Some cat owners mistakenly believe that a feline who stops using the cat litter pan is trying to punish them for something.  We all love our kitties, but let’s be honest.  Cat just aren’t capable of that kind of reasoning.

Sometimes a veterinary problem, like a cat bladder infection, is causing the kitty to avoid the cat litter pan.  Maybe your kitty is older and has developed arthritis, which makes it hard to enter and leave her pan.  Taking her to the vet for a check-up is always recommended.

Don’t be afraid this is the end of the line for your kitty.Solve the problem of a cat who won’t use the cat litter pan quickly, or it may become a habit thats hard to break.  If you’re tired of finding cat urine on carpet, here are three tips that may help.

Three Reasons For Cat Urine Problems

• Your kitty doesn’t like her cat litter pan
• She doesn’t like the cat litter you’re using
• The pan is located someplace she doesn’t like

The Cat Litter Pan Is All Wrong

The cat won’t use the pan if she doesn’t like it.  A cat with a feline bladder infection may have learned to associate pain with the litter pan, so she goes elsewhere.An overweight cat may need a super-sized pan.  An elderly cat, or a young kitten, may have trouble getting into and out of the box.

Odors are trapped in covered cat litter pans, which is why cats don’t care for them.Clean the pan regularly because your pet doesn’t like a dirty bathroom any more than you do.

If she’s being bothered by another pet, or a small child, this could be the problem?If this is the case, she may be apt to find another, more private, location.

She Hates The Cat Litter You’re Using

Cats especially dislike scented litter.  Keep the pan clean to avoid odors, instead of covering them up with scent.

Don’t change the type of cat litter suddenly.  Cats don’t like change.Using the same type of cat litter she’s already accustomed to is recommended.  If you really must change brands, do it gradually, over a period of time.

Location, Location, Location

Just like people, cats like a private bathroom area.  A bathroom closet is usually a good spot.You may want to put a block in the door so it can’t be closed accidentally.

Avoid putting the pan in the basement.  Most cats don’t care for dark places that come complete with loud, scary things like furnaces and clothes washers that come to life unexpectedly.

Stop spending your precious free time on cat urine cleaning.  If you’re dealing with cat urine problems, just click on any link in this article to find the solution.

Cat care is the most important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy. The more you know about cat care, the better you will be able to meet your feline’s physical and emotional needs. The stronger your cat’s health and the better your cat’s attitude are, the more you will be able to enjoy your cat’s unique personality. Good cat care will make your cat more affectionate, and can dramatically reduce any behavior problems that your cat may be displaying. If you want a richer and fuller relationship with your cat, try improving your cat care.

Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of cat care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet with optimum cat care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and gentle behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a good cat that will take commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to care for your cat, the better the level of health you will be able to bring your feline friend to. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.

By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, scientifically tested cat care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to sharing time with your cat doing all of you pets, and your, favorite activities together. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good cat care can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.

If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make your pet feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant mewling to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.

Choosing a cat breed can be a bit daunting, especially if you don’t know very much about cats! When considering a cat, you must be sure to choose a breed that will best suit your lifestyle. Some breeds require more physical activity than others, and some require much more grooming. Look below to find the top five most popular cat breeds. You will also find a brief description about each breed’s grooming requirements and personality type.

The Oriental is one of the most popular cat breeds around. This breed is a very intelligent, loyal companion and tends to bond deeply with its family. It has large, pointed ears, and although its body is very sleek, it is still quite a muscular breed.

The American Shorthair is extremely popular with families, as they tend to be very affectionate and friendly. The American shorthair originally was a working breed, mostly for mouse hunting, which explains the agile muscular structure and short hair. They do need a little exercise, but most are quite content being a lap cat.

The Birman breed is thought to have originated from Burma. It is perhaps best recognized by its blue eyes, white body, and smoky-brown face, ears, legs, and tail. Birmans possess a long, sturdy body structure with long, mat-resistant hair. They love to play and are quite gentle. They are affectionate without being too needy.

If you’re looking for a very affectionate, cuddly cat, then a Sphynx may be the breed for you. Although they look like they have no fur, they actually have a peach-like fuzz all over their body. As they don’t have much hair to protect their skin, they should strictly be kept indoors. This breed does require a bit of extra care, particularly with room temperature, as this breed can easily become too cold.

A very mild and gentle cat breed is the Ragdoll, appropriately named such as it can be quite floppy and relaxed when picked up. If you love a cat that accompanies you from room to room, this breed would likely be a wonderful match for you. They are very careful not to use teeth or claws when playing around, so they would also make an excellent cat for children.

Now that you have a better idea about the most popular, yet very different, breeds out there, hopefully you find choosing a cat to be a little less daunting than before. Be sure to remember that lifestyles are important factors to consider; so if you aren’t very active, you probably shouldn’t choose a cat that requires a lot of activity, and vice versa.

 

Have you ever considered giving your cat a bath? Your dog and cat both require a certain amount of maintenance to keep them happy and healthy. While most cats are self-sufficient, all cats could use a little boost in the bathing department.

When it comes to cat care, very few cat owners think to give their cat a bath. A bath can help get rid of excess fur during the shedding season.

You could take your cat to the veterinarian or a professional groomer and have them give your cat a bath, but giving your cat a bath on your own isn’t all that difficult. As long as you have patience and take things slowly, the two of you can get through the ordeal in one piece.

Before you think of bathing, give your cat a good brushing. Use a soft brush or grooming glove for short haired felines. For cats with longer fur, use a wide-toothed comb. Don’t brush too hard. Cats don’t have very thick skin like their wild cousins, the big cats.

Brush out any tangles and check the cat over for any sores or abscesses. Clean the cat’s ears and trim its nails. If your cat starts to get a little antsy, take everything in stages. Start with one task, then put the cat down and come back to the next task later.

While your cat is off wandering the house and working off stress, you can get the bath ready. Make sure you have a soft towel and shampoos made for your cat at hand. Remember that your cat will be licking himself after the wash, and some soaps might have a residue that could make your cat sick if ingested.

If you can, use your kitchen sink as a tub. The sink is much easier to work with than trying to bend over a tub. Place a towel in the bottom of the sink as a mat to keep your cat from slipping. The most important thing is to give your cat a bath in a warm room so that afterwards, he’ll have a warm place to dry off.

When you’re ready to bathe your cat, put cotton balls in its ears to help keep the water out. Run some lukewarm water into the sink, but don’t fill the sink all the way. You might want to fill the sink first, since the sound of the rushing water could make your cat nervous, especially if he knows what’s coming.

Try not to restrain your cat too much either. If the cat feels like it’s being trapped, you’ll have a harder time holding it through this cat care process.

Keep talking to the cat calmly and reassuringly. Don’t yell or try to scold him if he decides not to cooperate. If you’re nervous, your cat will be nervous, too. Hissing, flattened ears and yowling are all signs that you have a very stressed kitty on your hands.

To wet the coat, pour water over your cat. You can also take a thin towel, wrap it around your cat, and wet its fur through the towel. Once the fur is wet, apply shampoo, and then rinse well. When you rinse your cat, try to avoid using the spray nozzle. If your cat didn’t like the sound of running water, the hiss of the spray won’t be calming at all.

Make sure that you get all the shampoo out of its fur. When you’re done rinsing, dry your cat by blotting instead of scrubbing. Blotting long fur is far more effective than rubbing the towel over the cat’s body.

If your cat will tolerate the noise from this cat care routine, you can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting. If you can’t use the dryer, that’s okay. Dry your cat as much as you can and let it go find a warm place to dry off.

The best advice for bathing a cat is to start while the cat is young so that they become familiar with this form of cat care. If you get your cat used to bathing early in life and make the first experience as enjoyable as you can, your cat will be more cooperative in the future.

Many cats love to sleep in the same bed as their owner and do not require coaxing. Train cats to sleep on beds withtips from a cat behaviorist in this free video on pets and cat care. Expert: Diana Korten Contact: www.thecatbehaviorist.com/ Bio: Diana Korten is certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross, and is a member of The National Association of Pet Sitting Professionals and The Cat Writer’s Association. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge

Are you concerned about cat urinary tract infection?  All cat owners should be aware of FLUTD, or feline lower urinary tract disease, to prevent their beloved companions from becoming victims of cat urinary problems.

What Cat Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms Should You Be Aware Of?

Sometimes the most obvious symptom is that your cat is urinating outside the litter box.  As wonderful as cats are, they don’t have advanced powers of reasoning.  If your cat is hurting every time he uses the litter pan, he thinks that somehow the litter pan is causing his pain.  In his little kitty mind, if he urinates someplace else, it won’t hurt when he goes.

Of course, we humans know it doesn’t work that way.  But if your cat suddenly stops using his litter box, it may not be a behavior issue.  It could be one of several cat urinary tract infection symptoms.

If you use clumping cat litter, be observant of the size of the clumps when you scoop or change his litter.  You should see a few large clumps.  A whole bunch of little clumps indicates that he can’t pass much urine at one time.  This is another symptom of cat urinary problems.

Bloody urine is another clue to watch for.  It’s a little harder to see in cats than it is in dogs.  However, if your cat is urinating outside his box, you may be more apt to notice it.

Be aware of your cat’s behavior in his litter box.  Is he crying out in pain when he tries to urinate?  Is he straining to pass urine?  Often cat owners mistake this for constipation.

Your kitty needs to be visiting his litter pan several times a day.  If he is urinating less and less, or stops completely, he may have a cat urinary blockage, which is a veterinary emergency.

Treatments For FLUTD

In order to treat a cat urinary tract infection, your vet will need to run several tests to find out what’s going on with your cat.  A urinalysis is necessary to determine if your cat has feline cystitis, or if he has feline bladder stones.  A cat urine culture will tell your vet which bacteria are causing the problem, and a sensitivity test indicates which antibiotic will work best.

A cat with a cat urinary tract infection is usually treated with antibiotics.  Bladder stones in cats are a common problem, too.  Your cat may have to eat a special diet so the stones can dissolve.Your feline friend may need to be catheterizedif he has a urinary blockage.

Can Cat Urinary Problems Be Prevented?

Keep your kitty from becoming another statistic by taking these steps.

First, feed your cat a high-quality canned food.Cats don’t seem to drink much water because they’re meant to get their water from their food.  When we take our cats out of a natural situation and feed them an unnatural diet of dry food with an extremely low moisture content, we’re setting them up for cat urinary problems.

Canned cat food has a moisture level of about 75%, which is much closer to a cat’s natural diet.  If your cat has always been fed dry food, he may resist a change in his diet.It takes with patience, time, and persistence to switch a cat over to canned food, since felines are notoriously resistant to change.

A steady supply of clean, fresh water is a must, too.

Consider giving your feline friend natural remedies for cats that support bladder health.  Look for a remedy that’s made especially for cats.You’ll want to choose to do business only with a company with a sterling reputation for producing only the highest quality pet remedies.

If your furry friend is already a victim of FLUTD, click on any link in this article to learn more about natural remedies for cats that can help treat and prevent this problem.

Having a pet can be a wonderful experience as our furry friends integrate themselves into our daily lives and become cherished members of our families. We all certainly have our allegiances when it comes to our pet of choice. Just as dog owners will brag of the canine’s family-friendly quality and loving demeanor, cat owners will boast of the cat’s intelligent nature and subtle personality. Of course, part of having a pet – of any variety – is the responsibility for their daily care. And cat care, as any cat owner will tell you, is paramount to ensuring your feline’s good health and longevity.

First and foremost, when it comes to cat care – just as you would do for a baby – you must take steps to make your home a safe place for a curious kitty. When doing this, it is helpful to get down on the floor so that you can get a perspective for what may look interesting to your tiny new family member. Remove any small things from the floor that could be a choking hazard, and look for small, dangerous places where your kitten could inadvertently get stuck. Also, be mindful of lit candles and open windows!

Of course, cat care also means proper medical supervision. If you don’t already have a reputable veterinarian with whom you feel comfortable, it is important that you seek one out. Do some research among the animal lovers in your community; you will often find that there is a consensus among them regarding the best choice in area veterinarians. It is essential that you set up an initial appointment for your cat to make sure that all of your cat’s protective shots are in order. The same veterinarian will be significant going forward for regular check-ups, teeth cleaning, and any other medical intervention that you may need.

Ask your veterinarian about the food most appropriate for cat care. As you will find, there are a variety of cat foods on the market today, all advertising their own all-important nutrients; it can be difficult to navigate. Your cat’s nutrition needs will change as it ages so it is important that you keep pace. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what is nutritionally most important for your kitten – as well as your older cat.

Finally, when it comes to cat care, it is important that your cat feel comfortable and that is has a place of its own. A litter box placed in a removed area of your home will offer your cat a place to go to the bathroom. Talk with your veterinarian about how best to introduce the litter box to your cat.

Ultimately, the most important cat care is the love and protection that you offer, allowing your cat to grow healthy and strong.

If a cat has fleas, the first thing to do is give the cat a bath with flea prevention shampoo. Get rid of fleas on cats withtips from a cat behaviorist in this free video on cat care. Expert: Diana Korten Contact: www.thecatbehaviorist.com/ Bio: Diana Korten is certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross, and is a member of The National Association of Pet Sitting Professionals and The Cat Writer’s Association. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge