Which Of These Cat Breeds Is The Right One For You?

June 10th, 2009

There are many cat breeds out there.  If you are like most people, you don’t know much about them.  In order to help you to make a choice about breeds, here is some useful information.

Do you want a cat that can entertain himself and not get into mischief?  Then don’t consider the Sphynx, the Rex, the British Angora and the Siamese.  These cats are energetic and seem to be looking for trouble.  For those who are looking for a cat to provide them with entertainment, these are a good choice.  The Rex is a silly cat as it will attempt to amuse you.

There are other important features to consider as well.  For example, if you want a long haired or a short haired cat.  Those who do not have the time to groom the pet daily should not choose a long haired cat.  Those who choose a long hair need to realize the commitment in taking care of that coat. If you do not, it can tangle and matt up and need to be shaven.  And, it can pose a health risk too.

Vocal cats are often something that many people either consider or want nothing to do with.  They can be quite noisy.  Many cat owners do not have a problem with them, others realize that communicating with them is necessary and that in some cases, it isn’t the right choice.

Vocal/Noisy Cat Breeds:

Siamese

Burmese

Korat

Quiet Cat Breeds:

American Curl

Scottish Fold

Somali

Attitude is your next determining factor.  Some cats enjoy being held and cuddled while others want nothing to do with humans at all.  Some cats want the attention while others do not.  Choosing which the right one for you is a much is.

Affectionate Breeds are great for children:

Snowshoe

Maine Coon

Ragdoll

Abyssinian

Tonkinese

Himalayan Persian

Reserved Breeds:

Nebelung

Russian Shorthair

Norwegian Forest Cat

Lastly, choose if you would like to go with a kitten or an abandoned older cat.  Remember that kittens need to be trained but that adult cats can already be set in their ways.  You can find many breeds of kittens to choose from at the local cat show and you can look for them at your local humane society as well.  These cats need homes and these organizations are usually full to the brim with them.

I hope that you find this information useful and that it helps you find the perfect cat.

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Posted in Cats, General, Pets

Why Does My Cat Bite My Hand When I Stroke Her?

June 7th, 2009

You have settled into your favorite armchair, perhaps reading the final chapters of a gripping novel. Suddenly you are aware of the imploring stare of your cat sitting at your feet. You invite her onto your lap. Gently you begin to stroke her and your cat signals her appreciation with an audible purr.

One hand holding your book the other hand continuing to pet your mouser, you again get lost in your novel. All is well in the world with you and with your cat.

Suddenly your cat bites your hand!

Why did kitty do that? Why did she bite the hand that strokes her?

The experts don’t agree on exactly why it is that some cats enjoy being petted, but end up biting. One thing that they do agree on is that when kitty bites at you, it’s a sure sign that she has decided that she’s had enough stroking.

Cats differ in the amount of petting they will accept, and not all cats respond by biting when they have had enough. Some cats simply jump from your lap and saunter off to investigate interests anew. But many cats will nip you and your animal is one of them.

Could you have known that a bite was on its way? Yes, there are often signs that cats give before biting. And, if you had not been so wrapped up in reading your novel, you may have paid heed to your little pets warning.

If kitty’s tail begins to twitch, in a rolling flick, watch out! She’s getting ready to chomp at your hand.

If your cats ears start turning towards the back of her head, or flatten against her head, that’s a warning a bite is coming.

If your cat suddenly becomes restless, or stiffens and stares at your hand, she could be about to nip you.

If you noticed any of these signals, simply stop stroking your cat. Your pet will either stay on your lap or jump down and walk off, whichever happens you don’t get bitten.

What you should not do is punish your cat for biting your hand. That simply does not work. Cats are more likely to identify the punishment with you rather than with their bad cat behavior. If you miss a warning sign and kitty manages to get her jaws around your hand, try to resist the temptation to pull your hand away or push your cat away. Simply freeze. Chances are that your cat will not sink her teeth in, she has got her message across, and you have stopped petting her.

If you try and push your cat away it is likely that she will fight with your hand resulting in skin punctures for you. (An animal bite can become infected quite easily, if your cat does draw blood clean up the wound scrupulously and seek the advice of your doctor.)

Why do some cats behave in this aggressive way? The degree of tolerance to petting may be genetic, or it may be learned behavior. If when your cat was a kitten you allowed her to chew on your hand in play, she learned that biting human hands was an OK thing to do. So, when she feels that she has had enough stroking (she’s the boss remember,) she will bite at your hand to let you know - if you ignore her warning signals.

Some experts recommend the use of healthy tidbits, as a reward, in order to increase the time your cat will tolerate stroking. At the first warning signal offer kitty a treat, continue to stroke your cat gently for a time and offer her another reward. It is said that your cat will learn to connect petting with the tidbits and may, with patience, allow you to pet her for longer periods.

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Where Does Your Cat Nap? Make Him As Comfortable As Possible

June 4th, 2009

Giving your pet his own snoozing area gives you the ability to take back all of the space in your house that he has taken over.  You may even want to give him several places to call his own to keep him happy!

You’ll find a cat bed that fits your tastes, and your pets, because there are so many out there to choose from.  You’ll find a colorful cat bed in fun pet prints that will add a touch of whimsy to the room you put it in.  You’ll find designer brands to choose from as well.  You can also choose based on how the bed feels too.

Many cat beds have a pillows made of fleece to keep them warm.  They are oval shaped and have high sides or they may be completely enclosed.  Cats like to find a secure, warm spot to rest.  For many, getting into the tight warm couch cushion seems like the ideal place.

You will find that some beds you can choose from are heated as well.  If the cat spends time on the porch or in other chilly areas, you may want to give him one of these heated beds to warm up with.

Have you purchased a great bed for your cat but he’s ignoring it?  Don’t be surprised at this.  If he just doesn’t seem interested, add a catnip toy to the bed to attract him to it.  Make sure that you place it in a cat friendly location too which will help to make it appealing to him.  Cats don’t want to nap in low places so you may want to put the bed on an end table or platform that is just a bit off the ground.  You’ll need to keep  it from being in the midst of heavy people traffic as well.  He needs to be able to relax and sleep there or he won’t want to be there.

Does your cat shed?  Place the nap mat where your cat normally sleeps and then store it when you have guests.  The cushions that are under the mat will then be hair free.

Some pets enjoy a perch.  These are padded shelves that have become very popular.  You can attach the cat perch to your windowsill so that the cat can look out the window at the birds or just bathe in the sun.

More than one cat can means more than one bed as cats are territorial and don’t like sharing their beds.  You may be able to look for a kitty version of a play gym or a cat condo.  These allow several cats to nap in elevated spots.  And, the cat condo has areas where they can climb and sharpen claws.

If your cat likes to nap on your couch cushions, giving him a bed is the ideal way to make him comfortable and provide him with a place other than your furniture to nap on!

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Your Dog Will Thank You If You Read These Doggie Diet Tips

April 27th, 2009

Although it was once common practice to feed dogs whatever scrapes came from the dinner table, today we realize that there is much more to feeding an animal than we thought.  It is important to give them foods that will provide them with a healthy life and a long one too.  In fact, there are a number of researchers who dedicate their lives to understanding just what your pet should and shouldn’t eat.  You can bank on what they have found that should be in your dog’s diet.

It is important to provide your animal with the right type of food.  That means that you should give her food that is right for the dog’s age and activity levels and that is right for her size as well as her health.  You’ll find a wide selection of products to choose from in your pet store.  It is wise to purchase the best quality of food for your pet that you can afford to buy.  Realize that if you purchase poor quality food for your animal, his health can be lacking.

Your pet’s diet should include some dry food because the crunch will help to keep her teeth clean and it will also help with gum health.  It provides the fiber in your dog’s diet that is necessary.  You can use wet food, but don’t give them too much of it.  For example, pour some over your dog’s dry food instead of giving them the whole can.  If you are interested in providing your pet with home made foods, find dog specific recipes throughout the web to use.  It is important not to give your dog leftovers from your meal though.  You need the food to provide nutrition to your dog based on his needs.  Things like fats, and fillers in human food, as well as spices, can make a dog sick.

As a puppy, your dog needs to eat frequently throughout the day, about three or four smaller meals, until they are about three months old.  Then, cut it down to only three meals a day for the next three months.  Ideally, your adult dog should each twice per day.  You should provide your dog’s food to them for up to twenty minutes.  At that point remove it if they have not eaten it and are not in the process of doing so.  This will help to stop picky eaters.  You do need to provide a constant amount of clean water for your pet to drink as well.

Ideally, you will need to get recommendations about the amounts of food to feed your dog from your vet.  Sometimes, information is also available on the food bags as well.  Not sure if your pet is eating the right amount?  Here’s a test.  If you run your hand against the dog’s side, you should feel her ribs without pressing.  If you can not feel them without pressing, she may be overweight.  If you can see them, though, she is underweight.

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Would You Know What To Do If Your Puppy or Dog Fell Ill?

April 23rd, 2009

A pet relies on its owner to look after it. Sometimes a veterinarian is too far away when your puppy needs immediate attention. Would you be able to administer basic first aid if you needed to?

It is up to you to be able to administer the first aid that your pet needs when he needs it. Something can happen at virtually any time at home or away from home.  You should have with you a first aid kit that is designed for your pet in mind.  If you take your pet away from home frequently, make sure to store the first aid kit in your car as well.  These tools can save your pet’s life.

Here are some of the things that you should have within that kit:

Hydrogen peroxide

Gauze pads and tape

Absorbent cotton/cotton balls

Scissors with a round tip

Instant ice packs

Tweezers

A bulb syringe to be used to remove mucous from the mouth/nose

Eyewash solution specific for pets

A clean white cotton sock for paws that are hurt

Flashlight

A rectal thermometer

Medication syringe for dispensing medication

An electrolyte liquid such as Pedialyte

You need to protect these products so keep them in a hard shell container that has a tight fitting lid.  You should also have the vet’s name and number written and enclosed in this package.  You should know and secure information about the local emergency pet hospital as well.  Also, when you leave your pet with another caregiver to take care of, such as when you are traveling, you need to provide them with the kit and a release form authorizing them to seek treatment for your pet.

A common dilemma is the bee sting.  If this happens to your pet, you should restrain the animal and use a pair of tweezers to remove the stinger.  Then, bath the area with a mixture of water and baking soda to relieve some of the pain.  You can help to reduce swelling by using an ice pack on the area and using Benedryl.  Make sure you know how much to give your pet by asking the vet.

What should you do if your dog is injured?

You’ll need to approach the animal slowly and carefully because they may snap or bite at you.  It is just a nature reaction for them to do this.  See what has happened to them and reassure the pet that you are not going to hurt her through a smooth voice and calmness.

Your first concern is to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible.  Apply pressure to the wound and hold it there.  Make sure to use a cloth that is clean and change them as needed.  Keep as much pressure on it as possible until you get to your vet.  If you need to, tape a thick gauze pad to the wound.  You’ll want to keep as much pressure on the wound though, so if possible have someone else transport you.

In the case of choking, you should use a flashlight to check down the throat.  If you can, remove the object.  If you can’t see it, you’ll need to use a Heimlich maneuver that is designed for your pet.  As a pet owner, you should have this basic training taught to you.  It is important to do it correctly in order to protect against serious injury of the pet.  You can get this type of training at your local humane society or through your vet.  You can also learn how to give your pet CPR and how to deal with serious injury and poisoning.

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