Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Cats as Predators
The cat is considered to be the most highly specialised mammalian predator. In fact, the cat is perfectly equipped by genetics to capture its food. The size of cats varies hugely, from the massive lion and tiger to the smallest domestic cat. Their habitat ranges from the wilds of Africa to farm sheds to absolute luxury in some homes. They all have basically the same approach to raising their young and their social organization. And they are all, from the lion to your beautiful moggie, a
Cats as Predators
The cat is considered to be the most highly specialised mammalian predator. In fact, the cat is perfectly equipped by genetics to capture its food. The size of cats varies hugely, from the massive lion and tiger to the smallest domestic cat. Their habitat ranges from the wilds of Africa to farm sheds to absolute luxury in some homes. They all have basically the same approach to raising their young and their social organization. And they are all, from the lion to your beautiful moggie, a
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Which Litter Should You Use
If your cat is primarily kept indoors, you will need to choose a suitable litter for it. We know how clean cats like to be, and even a kitten will wash itself daily. Finding the right sort of litter for your cat or kitten can be confusing as there are so many different types on the markets these days.
Cats must have easy access to their litter tray. And if you have a kitten, you will need to make sure that it can climb over the sides easily. The tray needs to be placed in a quiet location with
Cats must have easy access to their litter tray. And if you have a kitten, you will need to make sure that it can climb over the sides easily. The tray needs to be placed in a quiet location with
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Letting Your Kitten Outside For The First Time
Your kitten is such a precious little bundle, you want to keep it inside for a least 3 to 4 months. Even then, only let it into your garden with your present. Make sure that all vaccinations are up to date first. Please carefully check your yard and garden to make sure there are no little gaps that a kitten could wriggle through. You would be surprised at how easily a kitten can get through the tiniest of holes. And please, double check that there are no snail and slug pellets or other
Sunday, December 19, 2010
How Your Cat Is Able To Move The Way It Does
I am in absolute awe of the suppleness of cats body. It can twist itself so it can wash almost every part of its body. It can arch its back to make itself look menacing. It can lie flat on the ground so it can wriggle through the smallest opening. It can leap onto the smallest ledge effortlessly.
This, plus the speed of IN hunting, is due to the skeleton that allows for a controlled stalk with a fine all burst of speed.
Cats walk on their toes which enables them to run fast from a standing
This, plus the speed of IN hunting, is due to the skeleton that allows for a controlled stalk with a fine all burst of speed.
Cats walk on their toes which enables them to run fast from a standing
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Feline Friends
For kittens, play is not just something fun to do, it is a way of learning and practising the vital hunting skills such as stalking, pouncing and killing. The mother cat will wean her kittens when they are around three weeks old. She will then start bringing some live prey to them to play with and practice on. This will be something that she has injured so it can't get away too fast.
The majority of kittens leave their mother and litter mates at around six weeks of age. They will go to a new
The majority of kittens leave their mother and litter mates at around six weeks of age. They will go to a new
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Your Cats Claws
Your cats claws are its main method of defence. They are its weapons. They need to be kept sharp at all times and instantly releasable so your cat can grip, climb or grab and hold its prey. Your cat normally keeps these deadly weapons held in and keep. There is only one member of the Family, the Cheetah, who is an able to retract its claws. The Cheetah uses its claws is running spikes. A dog uses its claws mainly for balance when they are running down prey.
The main clause used by your cat
The main clause used by your cat
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Cat Senses - Smell
While cat have highly developed senses of seeing and hearing, and the whiskers are used for seeing, hearing and and touching developed their whiskers, their sense of smell is not very well developed for hunting purposes. Some of the larger cats such as the leopard and cheetah have been seen to use the sense of smell to detect prey.
Dogs have nearly twice as many cells in their lining of the inner nose which are receptive to scent than cats do. This is because dogs hunt by scent. You have
Dogs have nearly twice as many cells in their lining of the inner nose which are receptive to scent than cats do. This is because dogs hunt by scent. You have
Monday, December 6, 2010
Cat Poisons - Some Common Household Toxins
There is an old saying about 'curiosity killed the cat' which you have undoubtedly heard. This saying can be only too true when it comes to cat poisons inside and outside your home. Remember that owning a cat brings with it responsibilities and one of these is making your home safe for it. It is exactly the same as if you have children living in or visiting your home. You need to make it safe for them. As cats are able to get into places that children can't, you need to be extra vigilant
The Cruelty Of Claw Removal
Claw removal, or declawing as it is sometimes called, is done under a general anaesthetic and is a major surgical procedure. It is not just a removal of the claw; it is an amputation of the last joint of each toe. Claws are not like our fingernails or toenails, they are part of the last bone in their toes.
Cats use their claws for many varied purposes. They walk and balance on their toes so therefore their joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons are designed by nature for that purpose. Cats
Cats use their claws for many varied purposes. They walk and balance on their toes so therefore their joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons are designed by nature for that purpose. Cats
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Who Cleans the Cat Litter Tray
Cleaning the cat litter tray is probably the most unpleasant task of owning a cat. We all love our cats and talk about how clever and beautiful they are, but no-one mentions the litter tray. Why? Probably because our society is conditioned not to talk about anything to do with the elimination of bodily wastes, even from our pets, unless there is a problem.
Cleaning out the cat's litter tray is a chore that often gets pushed to the end of the list, purely because it is smelly and not
Cleaning out the cat's litter tray is a chore that often gets pushed to the end of the list, purely because it is smelly and not
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Older Cat - Kidneys and Liver
As our cats age, their bodies stop working as well as they used to. Just like with us. I'm sure most of us have noticed our grandparents needing more care as they age. Our senior cat needs to be watched more closely for signs of body functions not working as well as they could.
Kidney disease is something your older cat is at risk of. Sometimes it is because of changes in the kidney, and sometimes it can be due to other organs in the body not functioning properly. If the heart is not working
Kidney disease is something your older cat is at risk of. Sometimes it is because of changes in the kidney, and sometimes it can be due to other organs in the body not functioning properly. If the heart is not working
Sunday, November 28, 2010
How to Train a Cat to Come When Called
Training your cat to respect boundaries and use the litter tray are the very basic essentials you must do as soon as possible. I also believe it is important to train your cat to respond to their name. It will help increase your cat's intelligence and awareness as well as making it easier for you to do further training later on. And if your cat learns to respond to its name, you will have a much easier time getting it back inside when it does escape.
To have your cat recognize and respond to
To have your cat recognize and respond to
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Older Cat - Kidneys and Liver
As our cats age, their bodies stop working as well as they used to. Just like with us. I'm sure most of us have noticed our grandparents needing more care as they age. Our senior cat needs to be watched more closely for signs of body functions not working as well as they could.
Kidney disease is something your older cat is at risk of. Sometimes it is because of changes in the kidney, and sometimes it can be due to other organs in the body not functioning properly. If the heart is not working
Kidney disease is something your older cat is at risk of. Sometimes it is because of changes in the kidney, and sometimes it can be due to other organs in the body not functioning properly. If the heart is not working
How to Train a Cat to Come When Called
Training your cat to respect boundaries and use the litter tray are the very basic essentials you must do as soon as possible. I also believe it is important to train your cat to respond to their name. It will help increase your cat's intelligence and awareness as well as making it easier for you to do further training later on. And if your cat learns to respond to its name, you will have a much easier time getting it back inside when it does escape.
To have your cat recognize and respond to
To have your cat recognize and respond to
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Should Your Cat Wear a Collar
Cats seem to need or have a never ending supply of 'things'. There are the toys, bedding, feed dishes, litter box, scratching pole etc and then there are the 'extras'. One extra I heartily recommend is a cat collar with identification on it.
If your cat has access to the outdoors, even for short periods of time, one day it will wander, even just to explore the neighborhood. I have a friend who feeds this beautiful smoky gray cat who visits regularly on weekends when John comes to work on his
If your cat has access to the outdoors, even for short periods of time, one day it will wander, even just to explore the neighborhood. I have a friend who feeds this beautiful smoky gray cat who visits regularly on weekends when John comes to work on his
Overweight And Obese Cats
Overweight and obese cats are at risk of developing serious health problems, just as you and I would under the same circumstances. Feline obesity is a more serious condition than most owners realize.
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Should Your Cat Wear a Collar
Cats seem to need or have a never ending supply of 'things'. There are the toys, bedding, feed dishes, litter box, scratching pole etc and then there are the 'extras'. One extra I heartily recommend is a cat collar with identification on it.
If your cat has access to the outdoors, even for short periods of time, one day it will wander, even just to explore the neighborhood. I have a friend who feeds this beautiful smoky gray cat who visits regularly on weekends when John comes to work on his
If your cat has access to the outdoors, even for short periods of time, one day it will wander, even just to explore the neighborhood. I have a friend who feeds this beautiful smoky gray cat who visits regularly on weekends when John comes to work on his
Overweight And Obese Cats
Overweight and obese cats are at risk of developing serious health problems, just as you and I would under the same circumstances. Feline obesity is a more serious condition than most owners realize.
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
Overweight And Obese Cats
Overweight and obese cats are at risk of developing serious health problems, just as you and I would under the same circumstances. Feline obesity is a more serious condition than most owners realize.
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Overweight And Obese Cats
Overweight and obese cats are at risk of developing serious health problems, just as you and I would under the same circumstances. Feline obesity is a more serious condition than most owners realize.
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
If your cat is more than 20% heavier than what is considered to be the normal weight for its breed and age, and if that excess weight is due to an buildup of fat, then that cat will be classed as obese.
Just like humans, different breeds of cats can have different body structure. Some are light
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Older Cats - Problems to Be Aware Of
Your older cat's body will go through changes that can and often do cause problems. Those of us who have reached what is called a 'respectable' age, have probably found that our bodies don't work as well as they used to. Your cat is no different so you need to be aware of what is going on and what to look for.
Movement
Older cats can become arthritic, especially if they have been injured in the past. Some cats might show some stiffness when moving around, others may be showing signs of
Movement
Older cats can become arthritic, especially if they have been injured in the past. Some cats might show some stiffness when moving around, others may be showing signs of
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Cleaning Cat Ears
Keeping your cat's ears clean and parasite free is an essential part of owning a cat. This is especially important for cats who are allowed outdoors as their ears can become infested with ticks, fleas, grass seeds and general dirt. If you notice your cat shaking its head or scratching at the ears, holding its head to one side or perhaps miaowing persistently, it is time to check and clean the ears.
You will need to have your cat on your lap and relaxed if possible. Begin with a gentle stroke
You will need to have your cat on your lap and relaxed if possible. Begin with a gentle stroke
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Checking Your Cat's Temperature and Pulse
Sometimes you will be worried that your cat may be sick. With children, we know what to do first, how to take their temperature and/or pulse. But do you know how to check your cat's pulse?
To take your cat's pulse, put your fingers on the inner surface of a rear leg, just where it joins the body. As a major artery is close to the surface there, it is an ideal place to feel and count the pulse. Count the beats for 15 seconds then multiply by 4 to get your beats per minute. By only counting
To take your cat's pulse, put your fingers on the inner surface of a rear leg, just where it joins the body. As a major artery is close to the surface there, it is an ideal place to feel and count the pulse. Count the beats for 15 seconds then multiply by 4 to get your beats per minute. By only counting
Friday, October 22, 2010
Cat Care - Your Cat's First Aid Kit
I'm sure you have a first aid kit in your home for your family. But do you have one for your cat? Both are essential items in any home. The more complete your first aid kit is, the better prepared you are to treat your pet in an emergency. Old tackle or tool boxes are good containers but I suggest getting everything together first so you can find something that will hold it all. Your cat's first aid kit needs to have the following items, many of which you most likely have. However, keep them
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Cat Care - Treating Minor Burns and Insect Stings at Home
We know how curious cats can be, and sometimes this might get them into trouble. They might see an insect hopping around outside and decide to play with it. Usually this won't be a problem but occasionally, they will get stung, usually around the paws or head. They might get too close to something hot and burn themselves.
If your cat is injured, you must remain calm so you can calm your cat down. If you are visibly upset, your cat will pick up on this and become more frightened. You
If your cat is injured, you must remain calm so you can calm your cat down. If you are visibly upset, your cat will pick up on this and become more frightened. You
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Cat Cancer
Cats are living creatures and they also can get cancer. Cancer is a frightening word to any person, whether they are talking about a beloved family member or friend, or a beloved cat. The definition of cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. And your cat can get cancer on any part of the body, internally or externally.
True cancers are those that are diagnosed as malignant. This means they grow uncontrollably. Benign cancers such as cysts stop growing at some point. A
True cancers are those that are diagnosed as malignant. This means they grow uncontrollably. Benign cancers such as cysts stop growing at some point. A
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Cat Breeding - Pregnancy and Birth
Your pure breed cat has been mated with a suitable tom and the pregnancy has been confirmed by your vet. Your role in breeding cats for a living or as a hobby is only in the early stages.
During the pregnancy, you will need to keep a very close eye on your queen to make sure everything is going as planned. You will need to feed her specialised food to enable the kittens to grow healthily. And as the pregnancy develops, you will need to increase the amount you feed her. You will also need to
During the pregnancy, you will need to keep a very close eye on your queen to make sure everything is going as planned. You will need to feed her specialised food to enable the kittens to grow healthily. And as the pregnancy develops, you will need to increase the amount you feed her. You will also need to
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