Feline Anxiety Causes Cat Litter Box Problems

Cats experience anxiety and get stressed out just like us human staffers. Unlike people, cats don't have a lot of creative ways to express their feelings. Unfortunately, when cats suffer from stress and anxiety, they generally communicate it in a very clear way that can really turn humans upside down. They usually tell us by not using the cat litter box. And since we can't speak meow, and cats don't talk, the challenge is to figure why our cats aren't feeling right. Usually when a cat stops using her litter box, it's a medical problem. But if it isn't, one of causes high on my list is stress and anxiety. What do cats get anxious about? Here's a partial list: - Moving to a new home - Gaining a new household member, animal or human - You change jobs and start a new schedule - You bring new furniture into your home - Kitty's favorite person moves out, and she misses that individual - Construction and/or remodeling of your home - Relocation of her cat litter box(es) - Change in type of cat litter This list is not complete. Felines are complicated creatures, and almost anything can set them off. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box out of the blue, eliminate any medical causes first. If kitty gets a clean bill of health, examine the list above, and think about any recent changes you've made to your home. If it appears to be a coincidence, it probably isn't. This can be a tough problem to solve, but once you figure out the cause, you can start developing solutions. If the stress-inducing situation is temporary (such as the last three items on my list), they can be dealt with. On the other hand, if the problem appears to be one of the first five, you'll need plenty of patience and a strategy to get kitty right again. Often, once kitty gets used to the change, she'll calm down and start to use her litter box again. During her adjustment period, it may work to confine her to one room with her food, water, litter box, bedding, and toys. This limits the amount of damage done to your home, and as kitty realizes the changes mean her no harm, she'll get back to her good cat litter box habits. You can also help kitty calm down by purchasing synthetic feline hormones. These will reassure her that life is still OK. You can also administer homeopathic remedies that are completely natural and cause no side effects. Many feline owners get an anti-anxiety prescription for kitty, but if your cat freaks out over being pilled, this will increase her stress. If this is the case, rely on the synthetic hormones and homeopathic remedies to solve this problem. Consult with your vet on the best course of action to help your kitty quickly get over her stress and anxiety. Reassure your cat with lots of extra attention and love, and this too shall pass!

Learn About Real Cat Care

If you are one of the many people lucky enough to own a cat or several cats as pets, then you need to take time and make the effort to learn proper cat care. One of my biggest struggles with people is that they choose to have pets but then do nothing to intentionally take good care of them. This is why, as a veterinarian, I make all of my clients come to a seminar about good cat care and dog care before they can receive services at my office.

Many other veterinarians think that this measure is extreme and that I cannot really subject all of my clients to that kind of seminar. While I have had a few clients disagree with my tactics, the majority of my clients have submitted to my request without hesitation. Why? Because I believe that people know that they need to learn proper cat care or dog care and so they are willing to atttend a seminar.

I believe that taking the time and energy to learn proper cat care or dog care is absolutely essential for all pet owners. People need to realize that owning a pet is a serious responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. On the contrary, it must be given attention. I pride myself in being a veterinarian that is committed to preventative care by teaching my clients how to give good cat care and dog care. I find that the more education pet owners get at the start, the less problems they have that need my attention.

If you are considering getting a cat, then I suggest you slow down a bit and take the time to really learn about proper cat care. Inform yourself about the reality of being a pet owner. Learn what your responsibilities will be before you commit to taking them on. If you are not sure where to look for information on good cat care, then talk with a veterinarian or other cat owners near you. An even easier method is to head off to your local library and check out a few good books on the subject of cat care. Inform yourself. Get online and see what you can learn about even the basics of cat care. The more you learn, the less question marks you will have later.

Cats are amazing animals and they make great pets. Do what is most loving for your pet and learn about good cat care before you bring your new cat home to stay.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Julee Mitchelsin is a veterinarian that is passionate about teaching good cat care methods to future and current pet owners. See www.catcarehelp.info for more details.

How to Raise a Healthy Kitten

Selecting a Kitten

It is best to choose your kitten from the whole litter, choose the frisky playful, friendly kitten that is confident and happy to approach you rather than the one that hangs back and is shy. The best time to take your kitten home is between 7 and 8 weeks old. Some pedigree breeders like to keep the kittens until 12 weeks old so they can have their initial vaccinations. Some things you have to look for when choosing a new kitten or cat are:

The ears should be clean and no unpleasant smells.

White blue eyed cats are prone to deafness (all cats eyes are blue at this age) Test this by making sounds outside its field of vision.

Eyes should be clear and bright with no sings of weeping.

Gums should be pink (not red) and teeth should be white.

The coat should be clean and unmated with no fleas or flaky skin.

Check under the tail â€" this area should be spotless in a healthy cat.

Setting in your new Kitten or cat

It is probably best to have a proper pet carrier to take your new pet home in â€" to avoid extra stress. At let your new kitten or cat come out of the carrier at its own time. It will need time to settle down, so make sure it has fresh drinking water and a little food also make sure it can find its way to its bed and litter tray â€" then leave it alone for a little while. Make sure that children behave gently and quietly around the kitten, kittens need peace and quiet to sleep as well as needing laytime. It is best to keep your kitten confined indoors for a week or so and accompany your kitten on its first trip outside â€" continue to go out side with your kitten for the next few trips. This will give the kitten a sense of security and encourage it to come when you call. Your new kitten should integrate quite well with other pets, make sure that you can introduce them slowly. Some pets will integrate at all â€" make sure you keep small mammals and birds away from your kitten as their natural instincts will take over. Once your kitten has overcome its initial fears it will amuse it self for hours with very cheap simple toys like ping pong balls, cardboard rolls and small stuffed animals.

What Equipment your cat or kitten need

A bed: a cardboard box with a blanket or cushion in it â€" makes an ideal bed for a kitten as the kitten grows you may like to find a more permanent replacement, such as wooden box or a covered bed. You may like to keep in mind that it should ideally be washable when choosing a bed. Place the bed in a quiet, draught free, warm spot.
Grooming tools: â€" A brush - preferably with natural bristles is very useful for grooming any cat â€" for long haired cats you will also need a wire toothed metal comb and a pair of rounded scissors to cut out any tangles. A pair of feline claw clippers will complete your pussy cats grooming set.
A collar or harness: Your cat should wear a collar complete with an identification disk. The collar must be elasticized in case it gets caught â€" for example on a branch whilst climbing a tree. Some owners train their cats to go for walks on a harness or lead.
Toys: There are a huge range of toys available for cats making play of exercising fun and providing stimulation. Many stuffed toys contain catnip â€" this herb also called catmint appeals to many cats, creating an apparent sense of wellbeing â€" this lasts for approximately 15 minutes.

A scratching post

â€" Cats love to scratch. Scratching serves a couple of purposes â€" firstly it keeps the claws neat and trim â€" it also marks the cats’ territory as other cats will see the marks and smell the scent. The cat has glands between the toes that release this scent as the cat scratches.
A scratching post is the best solution â€" but the cat will need to be taught to use it from the very beginning. This will save your furniture, avoid using a carpet covered scratching post as the pet cat may see the house carpet as an extension of the scratching post. If the cat ha selected a piece of furniture where it like to scratch â€" by covering it with plastic for a while the cat will stop scratching there. Cats do not like the feel of plastic.

A litter tray

â€" A litter tray will be needed when your kitten first comes home and if you intend to leave the cat in at night. Choose a tray that is deep enough and roomy enough for your cat to turn around in easily. There are numerous varieties of kitty litter available â€" choose one that suits you. Also a covered litter tray is a great idea as it keeps the smell and the mess inside also creating a more private spot for your cat.

A Cat flap

â€" Cat flaps are a great idea to allow the cat to go in and out as it pleases. You must be careful however as other cats may also come in. check what flaps are available and choose the one that suits your needs. A cat is quite easily trained to use a cat flap â€" prop the flap open at first and call the cat through form one side than the other. When it has mastered this, lower the flap a little and use the same procedure â€" continue to do this until you can close the flap altogether.

Feeding your kitten

Ask the breeder or pet shop for a diet sheet so that you can continue feeding them the same diet and quantities. This will avoid you giving it too much food or an over rich diet which can cause tummy upsets. You should also find out meal times.

Food and feeding your cat

There are three types of cat food available commercially â€"moist food, semi â€" moist food and dry food. Cats need meat or fish everyday to be healthy.

Moist food as in the canned varieties is preferred by most cats because it closely resembles fresh meat. It also has the vitamins and minerals that the cat needs. How ever canned foods will not last long once served and it is best to take the food away after an hour to encourage your cat to eat its food in a single sitting rather that picking at it all day long.

Semi â€" moist food usually comes in a sachet. It keeps well in a bowl without drying out or loosing its texture and tastes good to cats.

Dry food contains very little moisture so it is very important to have fresh drinking water available.

Establish a feeding routine where you feed your cat once or twice a day â€" at the same place and the same time. Leave the food out for an hour then take it away. This will help to make your cat a healthy eater and not pick at the food all day.

Worming

The most common worms that affect cats are round worms and tape worms. Cats must be de-wormed regularly. Your vet will give you specific advice on worming products.

Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy, healthy and rewarding time together.

(c) Katharine Logan 2005 http://www.pet-library.com

Katharine Logan is author and content manager for Pet-library.com She conducts research on specified subjects to help people with day to day issues. For more click on:http://www.pet-library.com

Training Your Cat To Use The Toilet

You can train your cat to use the toilet. By doing this it will save you time and money. There will be little or no mess. Once the cat has been trained to go into the toilet, you will be able to eliminate the cat litter and the smell associated with cats. You will need a few items to get you started. Aluminum foil, a tray, and cat litter preferably flushable kitty litter. You will not have to clean the litter box anymore and will save money on not having to buy the litter any more. You need to decide which toilet in the house you will use. In addition, what toilet in the house the cat will use. If you have two toilets it maybe easier to train than if, you only have one toilet in the house. You will have to use an aluminum tray to put on the toilet. With two toilets in the house, you can leave the tray right in the toilet and not have to remove it when you need to use the toilet in the house. If you have only one toilet, it is not that convenient to share with your cat. You will just have to remove the tray whenever you want to use the toilet. Be sure to leave the seat down and lid up for the training period. Leave a note on the toilet for guests so that your cat does not make a mess on the floor if the lid is down. Replace the cats litter box with an aluminum-cooking tray. The aluminum tray should be the right size to fit in the toilet. The seat lid should be able to close so that the seat lid holds the tray in place. Remember do not close the lid. The results may be less than attractive. Start moving the tray closer and closer to the toilet that the cat will be using. Be sure not to move it when the cat does not know it is there. Once the litter tray is in the bathroom put a something about an inch thick under the tray. Magazines are a very bad choice for this. The magazines are slick and the litter box may fall. Continue to raise the litter box about an inch every day until the litter box is the same level as the toilet. The cat will be able to just step into the litter box at first. As you raise the litter box, the cat will have to jump into the box. You may want to secure the box so it does not move when the cat jumps into the litter box. Let the cat know its there by scraping its claws in the tray. If there is, no litter in the tray the cat will be confused and will not understand what is going on. After the tray is in the toilet, you can use cat litter, which is flushable. If you use flushable kitty litter, you will have little or no mess to clean up. Continue to leave the tray there for about 3 weeks. During this time reduce the litter in the tray and make a 1" diameter hole in the tray. Every week, make the hole 1/2" bigger. If the cat messes on the floor then the cat is trying to let you know that you are moving to fast. If your cat is heavy, try using two trays to hold its weight. You may want to wait to train your cat until it is at least 6 months old. Cats younger than that cannot balance well and may end up being a big problem. Do not get discouraged as the process could take up to two to three months. The cat will start with two paws on the tray. As the hole you put into the tray gets bigger (by 1/2" per weak) it will move a third leg to the toilet seat. Finally, the cat will have all four legs on the seat. Some cats cannot grip the seat very well. If the cat is the only one to use that toilet, you might put some kind of tape it can grip to on the seat lid.

Designer Cat Collars : Give Style To Your Cat!

Designer cat collars come in all forms from floral, gem-stoned, personalized to even leather. Every cats different and had a personality all their own. Why should they look like all the other ones? Decide what type of personality your cat has or even what you want your cat to have and get her a designer cat collar today. Dorothy Bauer creates beautiful designer cat collars all by hand, making sure each piece will fit the cat it will belong too. Most of the collars are made from Swarovski Austrian Crystal in a variety of colors making each piece stand out on its own. Imagine your cat walking around in a 3 stranded collar made of crystals. If you can't picture that try a choker with her first initial, simple and elegant. Not only does she design collars for your cat but she provides beautiful charms to be attached to them. The prices range from $25 on up. If you like her creations for your dog you might even like it for yourself, that's right she makes jewelry for the human-kind too. Hand-sewn designer cat collar with Swarovski pearls and rhinestones will make your cat look like she's going out on a date and it's perfect for Valentine's day. Colors range from pink, black to red with little roses sewn onto the collar, rhinestones wrap around the neckline between the flowers adding to it's romantic look. Personalized designer cat collars are becoming a big hit, get your cat's name in rhinestones so she can proudly wear it around her neck. Lulu's leather cat collars are sleek and make your cat look smashing. These designer cat collars are one thin, leather strap with a small bell near the clasp. Each collar comes with a few different holes to make the collar fit to perfection and each one is made of high quality material. You'll be able to hear your cat coming with this designer cat collar. Find out which designer cat collar will look good on your feline, you won't be sorry.

Weaning A Bottle-Fed Kitten

Weaning normally occurs at 4-5 weeks of age, but keep in mind that some kittens take longer, particularly without their mom to show them the ropes. You will know that a kitten is ready to begin the weaning process when it is biting the feeding nipple and is able to lick formula from your finger.

The next step is to persuade the kitten to lap up formula from a spoon. Once they've accomplished that hurdle, try offering formula in a small, flat dish.

If the kittens appear to need encouragement to lap from a bowl, dip your fingertip in the formula and let him lick it off your fingers as you move them down to the bowl. DO NOT push their nose into the dish as they can aspirate the fluid and develop pneumonia! Once the kittens become accustomed to lapping liquids you can add weaning formula or baby cereal by combining them with the formula. While the kittens are grasping the art of eating from a bowl you will still need to bottle-feed them and monitor the amount of formula and food they are consuming. Always offer food from the bowl first, and then offer the bottle. When you see they are eating well from the bowl begin to decrease the amount of formula they are receiving from the bottle.

At that point, you can mix the kitten formula with baby food into a gruel and try to get the kittens to lap it up from a dish or a spoon. We recommend Chicken Baby Food but any meat flavor will do, just be absolutely sure there are no onions in the list of ingredients. You can also try using Dr. Hill's A/D brand which is sold at any veterinarians. Eventually, you can mix canned kitten food (we recommend Wellness, Avo Derm, Nutro Max Kitten or any other premium brand of kitten food) with formula, gradually reducing the amount of formula until the kittens are eating just the food. Try to buy high quality food for the kittens (from the vet or pet food stores). Much of what is sold in supermarkets is junk food and will not help your kitten thrive. It is not uncommon for weight gain to slow and minor, temporary diarrhea to occur during weaning.

Some kittens grasp the concept right away; others take days. Keep bottle feeding while weaning to make sure they get enough to eat. Reduce bottle feeding as their solid-food consumption grows. If you give dry food, moisten it, because kittens can’t chew dry food well until they are about 8 weeks old.

Never make the mistake of rushing the weaning process. It may seem slow and often messy, but it is an essential part of learning for the kittens and they are doing the best they can without their mother to help them. Never give up and NEVER get upset!

Remember, these changes in diet can quickly cause diarrhea, so keep an eye on your kitten's stools. Diarrhea can be life-threatening to a young kitten if left untreated; however a dose of antibiotics prescribed by your vet will get them back on track again.

Anne Pottinger is the owner, director and publisher of 4PetsOnline.com a pet and domestic animal website with a difference. This user-friendly website contains hundreds of pages of information covering pet selection and care advice, as well as many humorous and often poignant articles.

She is always available to answer pet and domestic animal related questions.

The Temperament Of Cats

First of all, a domestic cat is a highly intelligent and fiercely independent creature. It can never be placed on a leash the way dogs are. Cats do things they want to do and when they want to do it. They will demand the things they want, such as food and play. And they will also make it clear when they want to be left alone. Thus, the owner of a cat cannot expect his pet to do “work� for him.

Different breeds of cats have different personalities. Some cats are quiet while others like to meow all the time. Can you tolerate a cat who meows almost every hour? Some cats are fussy and choosy about the food you give them while others will eat just about anything. Can you afford the kind of food that your cat prefers? Some cats don’t mind being surrounded and petted by strange people while others will wield their claws if they face a person they haven’t met before. Does your house accept many strangers or are you alone most of the time? And some cats love to climb and curl on the lap of their masters. But others prefer to be left alone, watching the TV or listening to the radio. Are you a cat owner who likes to cuddle all the time?

You will know when your cat is trying to get your attention. It will endlessly meow at you or it will follow you around or it will rub its body against your leg. You will also know if your cat is comfortable or scared by lifting up your cat. If the body is loose, then your cat is relaxed. If the body is tight, then something is scaring the daylights out of it.

Cats like to sleep. And the specific personality and breed of the cat will determine where the cat chooses to sleep. Some like to be in secluded places where no one can disturb them. They like to lie in high cupboards and similar places. Other breeds of cats like to sleep in places where everyone is converging. These cats like to be noticed. So they sleep at the center of the foyer, in the middle of the stairs and even on the couch, especially when there are guests.

Cats like to sharpen their claws. It is their nature, similar to wild cats such as lions, tigers, panthers, and cheetahs. This may irritate the owner, especially if the cat chooses to sharpen its claws on the couch. The owner may consider giving the cat a scratching post. The cat can be taught to scratch its claws on this post.

Grace Palce's pet meds site concentrates on cat medicine and welfare.

Cat Behaviors: What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You

A common misconception about cats is that they are on their own agenda and simply tolerate their owner's existence, provided there's food and a clean litter box. The seemingly erratic behavior that cats exhibit can confuse owners and guests alike and make it difficult to tell what exactly your cat wants. However, there are some common trends that will help take the mystery out of two of the more common behaviors.

One common thing you will inevitably see your cat do is push their head into anything that will support the weight: couch legs, tables, piles of paper and, if you're lucky, maybe even your outstretched hand. You'll notice this behavior even more when people who either own other animals are over, or people who are allergic are visiting. The reason for all this is the same: the cat is trying to "own" the various things by putting their saliva on them. When your cat rubs the side of his mouth against things, he's putting a little bit of saliva on it, creating a scent that will then be familiar and comforting to them. This, coupled with the fact that it is also a soothing mechanism, explains why cats often prefer being stroked near the edges of their mouth. It will likely infuriate your allergic visitors to no end, but understand that the cat sees this visitor as an oddity, since they will likely have no scent at all. Your cat simply wants this visitor to belong to the house and therefore will brush against them several times in an effort to put a scent on them.

Unfortunately, cat saliva is the most common form of pet allergy (contrary to the popular thought of pet dander) and thus a vicious cycle of cleaning off the saliva only to have the cat put the saliva back on later ensues. Most people will just find it funny that the cat is targeting the allergic person, but to the cat, they are just trying to make the guest a member of the house. If your guest can stand it, let the cat rub on their pant leg a couple of times and likely that will be all it takes to have the cat leave them alone.

If your cat is an indoor cat, expect them to spend some time lounging near windows, especially during their playtime. You'll probably hear strange meows that seem to stutter and come from the back of their throat. You may also see their tail flick violently, knocking down whatever is on or near the window ledge. Fear not, your cat is not sick or possessed, it's simply acting out it's hunting instinct on whatever creatures, leaves, or falling objects it sees outside. Your best bet is to concede a window ledge or two in your home and to leave the shades pulled up enough so your cat can freely flick away, perhaps even pouncing into the window from time to time, without causing any damage. Trying to fight this instinct will ultimately leave you with broken blinds, picture frames and whatever else you may have near the windows. If you want to see their behavior play out in full, drag an object on the ground with a piece of string and watch them go crazy to try and pounce it. You'll see very similar behaviors to what they show at the window ledge. Don't worry, this behavior of pouncing is not only normal, it's healthy. Play with your cats in this way to give them exercise and to let them pounce around.

These are just two of the many common behaviors you'll see out of your cat in the years of owning one. By understanding why your cat behaves this way, you'll be able to keep your cat happier and healthier. And you won't have to spend your days wondering just what is possessing your cat today!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Cats Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Interesting Facts About Cats

Cats are kept as domestic pets and the species has been living with us for thousands of years. There are many breeds of cat, including ones without hair and tails. They are capable of hunting many different types of species and are highly intelligent. Because they are so intelligent, it is possible to train them to do the most unlikely of tasks, such as opening doors (although obviously not with a key of course).

How Do Cats Communicate?

They purr, miaow and hiss. They also use body language and use a combination of these things when communicating with 'fellow felines'. They are still capable of living in the wild.

Defining Terms

A male cat is known as a tom. A female, believe it or not, is called a queen. The cute young variety are known as kittens. If the cat in question has registered ancestry, then it is referred to as a pedigree cat. Purebred cats constitute only one tenth of the total cat population.

How Long Do They Live?

If kept at home as domesticated pets, cats live a very long time. The average is fourteen to twenty years. The oldest cat in recorded history lived to the grand age of thirty six. Generally speaking, cats that don't venture outside tend to live longer because they don't get into fights or risk injury from accidents.

How Much Sleep Do They Need?

Cats sleep… a lot ! The older they get, the more sleep they need, but the average is between thirteen and fourteen hours a day. Some cats though, will sleep the majority of the day ( upto twenty hours ). If only the average working person could enjoy such sleeping luxury.

Reading A Cats Body Language

If a cat is angry it will twitch the end of its tail. A tail held high in the air means your cat is happy, whereas a tail pointing down will usually indicate it is not happy. If you encounter a surprised cat, or one that is in fear, the hair on its back may become raised, along with its tail.

When a cat is being friendly with another, it will tend to touch the others nose. If a cat is happy and sitting on your lap, it may paw you. They will often use this in combination with purring as a display of affection towards their owner.

Please visit our site resource dedicated specifically to cat pictures.

Article by Sarah Parker of http://www.catpictures-information.com ( Providing you with a wide variety of cat pictures )

Cat in a Tree? What Goes Up Doesn't Necessarily Come Down!

Not long ago, our cat climbed the tall trees around our house and refused to come down.

We tried all the tricks:

• Opening a can of tuna and putting it at the base of the tree.
• Standing below and sweet talking it.
• Leaving it alone till it figured out how to come down on its own.

Nothing worked. She cried all day and all night.

It was pitiful.

The first time she did this, I was traveling for the week. My wife called and said, "What do I do?"

"She got herself up there. She'll come down when she's ready," I said.

That advice was filed in the "no-help" category. She called the volunteer fire department. They really didn't want to call out the boys to come drag the cat out of the tree either.

At the end of the second day, I called her back and told her that according to resources on the web, cat's (almost) always come down between the third and fifth day when they get hungry enough.

"FIVE DAYS!?" came roaring through the phone line. "I'm not waiting five days. She'll be dead!"

She was overreacting of course. The cat came down, hungry and tired, and extremely affectionate for an otherwise crabby cat.

"See," I said. "You just have to let nature take care of itself. We didn't have to worry about her. She knew how to solve her own problem."

Two weeks later, I was working from home. The cat went up another tree - all the way to the top! All day, while my wife was at school teaching and I was home, tapping my computer at the kitchen table, while the cat cried outside the window.

On the second day, I stood at the base of the tree and talked to the cat trying to coax her down. With her big eyes locked into mine, she talked back to me as if she were pleading for help. After breakfast I put the little bit of yogurt that remained my bowl under the tree and clanged the spoon against the side of the dish. That sound always draws her.

She looked at me crying even harder. If I could talk CAT, I'm sure she was saying, "Of course, I want that yogurt, you idiot. But do you see me - I'm 50 feet in the air in this huge tree!"

I was feeling pretty helpless.

After lunch, I dragged the 40-foot extension ladder to the tree and precariously positioned it on a slanting hillside so I could get a little higher in the tree. Then, donning a long sleeve shirt and leather gloves, up I went, one shaky step at a time.

The cat went higher.

I stepped on the top rung - right on the yellow sign warning me not to use the top rung as a step - and climbed another 7 or 8 feet up the tree.

As I looked down, I realized I'm a 52-year old seditary man, 20 pounds overweight (on a good day) and about 50 feet off the ground coaxing a scared cat to come a little closer so I can grab her - or worse - so she can grab me.

"This is a disaster in the making," I remember thinking.

Latching onto the cat by scruff of the neck, I held her at arm's length so that her horizontal paws, flailing at me like a small windmill with claws attached, couldn't get me. I shinnied down the big oak leaving deposits of flesh from my one arm wrapped tightly around the bark while peeling the cat off of every limb within paw-reach.

Slowly, and sweating off most of that 20 pounds, we made it to the ground.

When my wife came home, she looked at the tree where the ladder still leaned and said, "Tell me you didn't climb that tree."

I confessed.

"I couldn't take it anymore. The cat needed our help and somebody had to rescue her. She gets scared of something, runs up the tree and can't come down by herself."

She thought for moment, looked at me, and said, "That's Ryan, too, you know."

My youngest son, scared for the moment, climbs a metaphorical tree and can't come down. So, for years I, or another member of his family, climbed up to rescue him.

I hate it when she's right!

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Solar-Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats

Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancerous disease that most commonly involves skin. Fair-skinned people tend to be predisposed to this type of cancer after chronic, excessive exposure to sunlight. Likewise, white or light-colored cats are also susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma. Solar-induced squamous cell carcinoma usually occurs in areas with little hair coverage that are chronically exposed to sunlight. The most common area affected in cats is the ear tip. This disease occurs in older cats and may first become apparent in summer, when sunlight exposure is greatest. The first symptom of this disease that you will notice is reddening of the ear tip. Other early signs of this disease include mild hair loss and flaking of skin on the ear tip. Usually the first impression is that your cat has psoriasis, in which the skin seems scaly and inflamed. If caught early, these clinical signs may be indicative of the precancerous form of the disease known as actinic dermatitis. A small skin biopsy is required to differentiate precancerous actinic dermatitis from squamous cell carcinoma. It is best to perform the biopsy procedure early because the clinical lesions of squamous cell carcinoma are subtle and similar to this form of dermatitis. One or both ears may be affected. If only one ear is diseased, the other should be monitored closely because it may also acquire the disease in the future. Early, effective treatment of precancerous lesions may prevent the onset of squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment for actinic dermatitis includes sun restriction, especially during times of peak solar intensity; water-resistant sunscreens with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or greater applied to the ear tips twice daily; topical steroid application; and possibly oral steroid or anti-inflammatory therapy. The drug etretinate may also be used to alleviate symptoms. The effect of etretinate is to decrease inflammation and skin flaking while normalizing skin cell metabolism. Medical therapy is not effective for lesions that advance to squamous cell carcinoma, underlining the importance of early diagnosis for suspicious lesions. Surgical removal of squamous cell carcinoma of the ear tip (partial pinnectomy) is most effective when performed as soon after diagnosis as possible. Early intervention decreases the amount of the ear that must be removed, because the lesion is smaller. Early surgical removal also decreases the incidence of spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes near the ear. There are different surgical methods that are effective in removing the cancer. With cryosurgery, like frostbite, the ear tip is frozen. The frozen tissue dies and is removed. Although this method may be effective, it is sometimes difficult to control the precise area of tissue freezing. Freezing an inadequate area may lead to recurrence of the cancer, and excessive freezing may result in an unsightly appearance and be associated with excessive scar and deformation of the remaining ear. Laser surgery is available in veterinary medicine, but the equipment is expensive and may be available only at special referral facilities. Laser surgery provides precise removal of the cancer with minimal, if any, side effects. Finally, traditional surgical methods may be used to remove the cancer. The procedure is similar to ear cropping in dogs, in which part of the ear is removed with scissors and the skin edges are sutured together. In cats with squamous cell carcinoma of the ear tip, the veterinarian caring for the pet will remove the cancerous ear tip and about one-quarter inch of normal-appearing ear. A small amount of normal-appearing ear is removed to ensure that the entire cancer has been removed. You should insist that a pathologist evaluate the excised tissue to make sure that the cancer has been completely removed. If the biopsy shows that the cancer has not been completely removed, further surgery should be performed. Incomplete removal of the cancer at the initial surgery is not the fault of your veterinarian. Microscopic evaluation of the tissue after special processing is required to determine whether cancer cells are present in the tissue. The naked eye is not able to make this determination. Cats tolerate the surgery well, and healing should progress without complication. The healed surgery area will have more hair than the ear tip, which will aid in preventing recurrence of the cancer. Preventive care should be continued after successful surgery. In summary, prevention of precancerous actinic dermatitis is recommended by limiting the outdoor activity of white or light-colored cats to periods of nonpeak solar intensity. Appropriate sunscreens should be applied to the ear of pre-disposed cats who are outdoors during periods of peak solar intensity. If your cat is diagnosed with actinic dermatitis, it should be treated aggressively in the hope of preventing cancer. Progression of actinic dermatitis to squamous cell carcinoma requires surgery to remove the cancer. Because of availability and financial considerations, most cats with this form of cancer receive treatment consisting of traditional surgery. The appearance of your cat's ear after surgery will depend on the extent of the disease. The ear may simply appear rounded at the tip or require complete removal. If the entire ear is removed, your cat will still be loved and cute with a striking resemblance to "E.T." of movie fame. Either result is far better than uncontrolled spread of cancer to deeper tissues of the head. The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.

Cat Training Aides

The market is flooded with all different types of aids for training a cat. From simple little things to very large expense items, there are sprays to keep cats off furniture to large housing for cats, to a simple leash to help with training a cat. Let us take a Looking at some of the training tools that can be helpful in training. A simple lightweight leash is a good idea. The leash can be use for many purposes when training. Letting the cat outside is a time to use a leash to train the cat for staying in the yard. Using a leash to take a walk, or ride in a car. Cats need exercise and using a leash when walking is a perfect way to get a cat to walk with you not run off or walk ahead of you. When walking the cat you want the cat to walk with you. Train the cat, as they are not the leader in the walk that you are. This will make the walk more enjoyable for both you and the cat. Another good tool to use when training a cat is scat mat. By using a mat with training, mats can serve the purpose of not allowing the cat on that area. Scat mats send out pulses to static electricity to let the cat know they are not to be on that item. There are many different sizes, colors, even clear ones so that the cat can see the area. The mats are battery operated with no real electricity running in them. In addition, scat mats are safe to use with your cat. You can also purchase scat mats to connect to each other for larger areas to cover. Dummy scat mats do not have pulse or static going though them. These are for after the cat is trained just a reminder to stay off. Another great tool for train a cat is catnip. Cats love the scent of catnip. Transneptalactone a substance found in a plant used for catnip. Catnip scent is close to the urine of female cats. Male cat are usually more intrigued with catnip than female cats. Catnip comes in different forms for training for cats. Toys with catnip fill in them may also attract the cat to play with. Catnip does come in Sprays design to spray areas for the cat to help learn a behavior. Such as spraying around the cat, litter to let it knows that is where they should go. For fun play, they have catnip in bubble form. Just like the kind, the children play with. It is made of safe products so it will not harm your cat. With blowing bubble, the cat will enjoy pawing at the bubbles and enjoy the scent of it. Catnip also comes in ground dry form so that you can rub on your hand to let the scent fill the air for the cat. You can also purchase catnip seed, which you can plant inside or outside of your home. Is your cat pouncing on items thinking that it is a mouse? By nature, a cat will do this for killing purpose. There are many different play mice out on the market. From simple little stuff ones to ones that have catnip in them to large one that can be wound up and let go for a fun chase and capture. Remember in training that the cat has natural instincts to do things. We need to fulfill them to have a happy healthy cat. Healthy rewards for the cat is another tool when training the cat. Many different treats can provided for a reward for the cat. There are vitamins that are natural to give the cat. This is a good idea, as you know that they are getting the vitamins for strong healthy bones, hair, and body. When looking for a good healthy snack, simple little biscuits are a good choice. Alternatively, if you are a good baker there are recipes or prepackage treat mix you may purchase and baked for your cat. With the family making snacks for your cat, can be a great family project. Have patience with your cat they are learning, and you are learning more about them.

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them

Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes this means a simple "kitty cold," at other times the disease might have a more lasting or even fatal result. The following are some of the more common causes of serious illness in cats.

An upper respiratory infection (URI) is the medical term for what many cat lovers call a "kitty cold." Indeed, the symptoms match those of a human cold, sneezing and discharge from the nose. While they seem similar, the human and cat version of this infection are different, and one species cannot be infected by the other. However, URI is highly contagious among cats. If you have a multi-cat household and notice URI symptoms, isolate the cat immediately.

The best treatment for URI is time and loving care. Use a warm, moist cloth to keep your cat's eyes and nose free of discharge. You might need to warm her food to enhance the smell to encourage your cat to eat.

URI symptoms, which include a decreased appetite, can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Watch your cat carefully; not eating or drinking can lead to dehydration. Also, if your cat becomes extremely lethargic, it may mean the URI has turned into something more serious.

The symptoms of URI may last a few days to several weeks. Cats with URI may also be lethargic and have a decreased appetite. Monitor the cat carefully; a growing lack of appetite and fever can lead to dehydration. Not eating can lead to liver problems. Lethargy can mean a minor URI has become a more serious problem, such as pneumonia. If you notice this occurring, or if the discharge becomes very thick and yellowish-green, contact your veterinarian. Severe URIs may need to be treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia is a type of bacteria that has many variations. Usually, each variant is species specific; feline Chlamydia is not transmitted to humans. In cats, the bacteria usually infects the eye, causing conjunctivitis. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms of Feline Chlamydia

* Anorexia (loss of appetite; may occur as the disease progresses)

* Coughing

* Difficulty breathing

* Fever (may occur as the disease progresses)

* Pneumonia (in young kittens 2 to 4 weeks old, which could be fatal)

* Runny nose (rhinitis)

* Sneezing

* Watery eyes due to conjunctivitis (either one or both eyes)

Panleukopenia is a condition in which a cat's white blood cell count drops dramatically. Since white blood cells are vital to the cat's defense against disease, this condition leaves cats vulnerable to deadly infections. The virus is transmitted via body secretions. Feces are particularly common transmitters. It can be carried in water or on shoes.

Panleukopenia is often referred to as a number of different terms, such as

* Panleukopenia (often shortened to "Panleuk" in verbal discussion)

* FPV (Feline Panleukopenia Virus OR Feline Parvo Virus)

* FP (Feline Panleukopenia)

* Feline Distemper

* Feline Infectious Enteritis

* Feline Infectious Gastroenteritis

* Feline Agranulocytosis

* Cat Plague

* Cat fever

* Show fever

* Psuedomembranous Enteritis

* Maladie du jeune chat

* Feline Typhus

* Feline Tyfoid

* Colibacillosis

* Agranulocytosis

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) causes a variety of diseases, one of which is leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. Infected cats often appear healthy in the early stages of the disease. The illness may take months or years to cause death. For a long time, FeLV was the most fatal disease among cats. Today, although vaccinations are available to protect cats from this disease, it continues to be a leading cause of death, as there is no treatment.

FeLV is usually transmitted through cat fighting with each other. Because large quantities of the FeLV are shed in puncture wounds and cat saliva associated with fighting result in the injection of PeLV into other cats. Other less frequent routes of viral spread include sharing food and water bowls, cats grooming each other, and transmission from mother to kittens before birth.

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You Can Help Reduce the Number of Unwanted Cats - Spaying and Neutering of Cats

Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are destroyed because they are unwanted. Animal shelters that take in these animals and try to find them homes are overcrowded. With so many animals in need, they cannot support all animals indefinitely. The solution is not to open more shelters, but for cat owners to become more responsible about spaying and neutering their pets.

A female cat can have two litters of kittens each year. The average survival rate is about 2.8 kittens per litter. If her offspring are not spayed or neutered, the result is 12 cats the first year, 66 cats in the second year, and at the end of ten years, the total would be 80,399,780 cats.

"Spay" is the term used for the surgical removal of a female animal's uterus and ovaries. When a male's testicles are removed, it is called "neutering." Both procedures leave the animals unable to reproduce. Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying and neutering of pets has other benefits for cats and their owners.

Benefits of neutering a male cat

* Neutered cats are less likely to spray strong urine

* Neutered cats will lose the urge to fight

* Neutered cats will be less likely to try to escape

* Neutered cats will not suffer the abscesses from fighting

* Neutered cats will be less likely to contract diseases such as FeLV and FIV

* Neutered cats will not be subject to testicular cancer

* Neutered cats will not likely develop "stud tail," caused by overactive glands in the tail

* Neutered cats have a decreased risk of mammary cancer

Spaying a female cat prevents mating behaviors such as fighting and yowling/hyperactivity in females. Spayed cats don't roam the neighborhood as much, protecting them from the dangers of vehicles and aggressive dogs. Their tendency to stay closer to home also provides protection against deadly diseases such as FeLV and FIV. Finally, "fixed" pets tend to be more loving, because they are not subject to the erratic effects of hormones.

One of the biggest benefits of spaying/neutering is that it dramatically reduces the cat's risk of developing cancers of the reproductive system. A female cat spayed before her first cycle, or heat, has a greatly reduced chance of mammary cancer. Less than a decade ago, conventional wisdom dictated that pets should be neutered at between 5-7 months of age. Recent studies have found that it is not only possible to spay/neuter cats at a younger age, it actually is better for them. Today, cats undergo spay/neuter procedures at about 7 weeks of age. They recover much more quickly than if it was done later, and ensures that a female does not become pregnant with her first heat.

In the past spaying was limited for a number of reasons

* It was better to let a female cat give birth to one litter of kittens before spaying.

* That female cats in particular, might later develop incontinence as a result.

* That certain behavioral problems might result.

However, these theories have since been disproven.

In the past, animal shelters and humane societies sent unaltered cats/kittens to their new home because they wanted them to start their new life as soon as possible. Usually, owners signed documents promising to have the animal neutered. Some facilities took it upon themselves to follow up with phone calls to make sure the owners were living up to their commitment. The overwhelming number of animals coming and going in a shelter today makes this unfeasible. Instead of allowing their charges to add to the overpopulation problem, most animal welfare/adoption groups routinely spay and neuter animals before they are made available for adoption. A number of municipalities have passed laws so that no animal can leave a shelter unless it has been spayed/neutered.

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Want to Feel Better? Go Stroke Your Cat!

Stroking your cat can be good for your health! It has long been known that pet ownership is good for you, we all need someone or something to love. It is also believed that stroking a pet, such as a cat, reduces stress levels and helps you to have a more positive perspective on life.

Stroking a cat, and listening to the sound of its contented purring, reduces tension and lowers your blood pressure it is believed.

A study was made of a group of people before and after they acquired a pet, the majority reported that their health had improved in as little as three to nine months. The people who owned dogs reported the greatest health benefits, because of the exercise involved in walking the dog, but cat owners too said that they felt a lot better even though they were not so active.

Many senior citizens homes have "residential" cats, and staff report these pets as being of great benefit to the residents, helping them feel more comfortable and to remind them of normal home life. The physical contact with the pet can be therapeutic, and the activity needed to care for the cat gives the residences a sense of purpose. The need for medications falls quite substantially in nursing homes where there is a cat available for stroking, and the act of stroking can help recovery after an illness.

Of course, it is not only seniors that benefit from the company of a cat. Whatever your age sharing your home with a cat means that you will need the services of your doctor less often and be less likely to feel isolated or lonely. Children also benefit from having pets in the home. Studies have shown that many children believe that their cat helps them with their relationships with other family members and friends.

The American Journal of Cardiology published an article in 1995 attesting that those of us that own pets are more likely to make a recovery from a heart attack than non pet owners. One of the explanations for this was that stroking a pet releases endorphins into the brain calming the nervous system, and therefore lowering your heart rate.

So, if you want to feel better, forget about your favorite tipple, forget about chocolate, simply go stroke your cat.

About The Author

If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com. Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends.

Cat Owners' Cat Training Books

This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the subject matter, no matter what your previous experience on the topic. Cats are wonderful animals! It is remarkable how well these animals have adapted to domesticity. It has been estimated that they have been living in close contact with human beings for approximately 3,500 years.

Not only are they good for pets, but they are also very useful to humans. The ancient Egyptians took care of them to get rid of the mice in their homes. No wonder there have been hundreds and hundreds of books written that are devoted to the subject of these animals. Most of these books have to do with cat training.

Since cats are predatory creatures by instinct; they still exhibit some behaviors that are best suited in the wilderness. This sometimes becomes a problem for people who have cats living in their households. That is why there are a lot of training books that have been written to address various issues concerning cat training.

Different types of training books:

There are various different types of training books that are available in the market. Some deal with the issue of cats' health and their behavior. Some are reference books written by veterinarians. They offer insights and tips on how to properly take care of cats. These types of books can be used as a resource by owners when training their cats.

While other cat training books are categorized according to breed, some give those readers who are seeking to gain more knowledge on a specific breed of cats more extensive, and helpful information.

Where to get these books:

These books can be purchased in local bookstores. They can even be borrowed in libraries. But the most convenient place to get them would be online. There's a wide range of cat training books to choose from in the internet. Rates and reviews of these books are also available. This gives the buyer some insight about the book, helping them decide and pick out exactly the type of cat training book they are looking for.

Who buys these books?

Books on how to train cats are perfect for first time cat owners. These books will offer them the much needed information they need in order to take care of their cats. A lot of cat lovers also have a collection of cat books. Ranging in topics from: breed books, photography, fiction, cat care, training, nutrition, etc.

Cat training books are a perfect companion for any cat owner. Every cat owner should at least have one on their book shelf.

Here are some of the best-selling and truly amazing cat training books that can have one's pet cat do more than meowing and scratching:

1. "Guide to Well-Behaved Cat: A Sound Approach to Cat Training"

The book says it all. It aims to train the cat to behave. Written by Phil Maggiti, this book is packed with rich information and divided into four parts. The first chapter tackles the cat's evolution, while the second is all about its domestication. Design and function of an ordinary cat is discussed in chapter three, while chapter four talks about human-pet relationship topics such as why does a kitty disobey the owner when it is called?

2. "Understanding or Training Your Cat or Kitten"

This acclaimed book is from H. Ellen Whiteley, a veterinarian who understands cats more than an average person does. This book contains 292 pages of important information that can truly make you understand, train and appreciate one's pet cat.

3. "Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat"

This book is a collaboration of Gary M. Landsberg, W. Hunthausen and L. Ackerman. Published by Elvesier Health Sciences, this is one of the most reputable books in cat training. Okay, so it is dual purpose - it is about cats and dogs, but it doesn't matter. It is as informative as any other cat training book out there.

From discussing kitten development to suggesting therapy for behavior and diet-related problems, from approaching feline agression to finding out what the "European approach to behavior counseling" is, this book is indeed helpful.

4. "Cat Training in 10 Minutes"

The "Cat Training in 10 Minutes" is 142 pages of quirky information on how to communicate effectively with cats. Written by Miriam Fields-Banineau, a certified cat lover, this guide is easy to read and highly effective. Every cat owner can toilet-train his kitty in just a few reading sessions! It will not be long before the cat also follows the owner's commands! The photographs in the book are very attractive as well.

Nobody says cat training is going to be easy. That's why cat training books are available online so one can get the gist and be the best cat owner in town. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye catching to say the least. It’s objective is to entertain and inform.

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