Saturday, February 6, 2010

Keep Your Cats Warm This Winter

As this cold wintery snap continues to grip us all please make sure you take special care of your pets kept inside and out, as well as keeping a close eye on your garden guests too; because even with natural fur coats most animals will be struggling right now. It's good to take extra precautions and know where your local animal hospital is or an emergency vet.


Certain types of animal will fare a lot better in cold weather conditions however animals still need time to adapt to the new temperature the same as us.

Cat Personalities

Anyone who owns a cat knows that their character can be just as complex as humans. However, it was only until relatively recently that animal scientists have begun to understand that animals can have a wider range characteristics than simply 'bold' or 'shy'. Indeed, it wasn't until the 1970's that scientists began to contemplate the individual differences in animals.

Credit Problems Affect Your Pets

Animal charities and vets have noticed that the Credit crunch is now taking it's toll on our fluffy friends.

Shelters are seeing a disturbing rise in the amount of pets that are being dropped into clinics, cats and dogs in particular. During this time of economic crises, where businesses are collapsing and going under left, right and center and making people redundant, our animal companions seem to be hit as well, as owners just can continue to cope with their own bills of rent and then their pets food, veterinary and insurance bills.

Introducing Pets to Your Home

It's true! Not all cats and dogs need to behave like their stereotypes, but to make sure your household becomes a place of peace and calm, you need to handle their introduction correctly and that puppy gets a bit of instruction.

Nonetheless, a great deal will depend on the temperament of your cat.

Cat Grooming Supplies

Good cat grooming supplies are essential for all cat owners for the perfect maintenance and grooming of their cats.You can choose the best grooming tools for your cat only after you learn more about these tools, and how they can be used for grooming your cat.

The tangles on your cat are best brushed off your cat's fur using a soft brush.While brushing, it is always better to brush in the direction the fur lays.You have to choose combs for your cat based on the type of cat fur it has.

If your cat has long hair, it is better to get it a comb with narrow and wide teeth. It is basically enough to brush cats with short hair. You may however use a narrow tooth comb on your cat for better results.

The best way to clean your cat's ears is with cotton. You just have to pour some antibacterial solution on the cotton to use it to wipe your cat's ears. Even though cats are known to hate bathing, you have to still bathe it on a periodical basis.

You should use a gentle shampoo to bathe your cat.Just ensure that it is gentle on its fur, and does not hurt its eyes.Just use the shampoo to soap up your cat, and then rinse off the lather.Although you may buy many more supplies for your cat, these are the cat grooming supplies you should own as a cat owner.

Grooming tools are easily accessible as they are available in various places.Your pet store is sure to keep these tools; however you can always visit the many online stores on the internet to compare rates and types for the best cat grooming supplies. As you know where you can get the grooming tools you need for grooming your cat, you can start grooming them after buying them.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Cat Health Myths

As with everything, there are a number of myths surrounding cats and their health. If you want to provide the best health care to your cat, it is important to learn the difference between fact and myth. When in doubt, you should call your vet.

1.First and foremost, some people believe that spaying a female cat is not always the best choice. This is false, unless your cat has specific medical conditions, as diagnosed by your vet, that make the surgery risky. In the vast majority of cases, cats suffer more and are more at risk when having a litter of kittens.
2.It is not true that a cat needs to have a litter before spaying
3.It is not true that neutering your male cat will cause depression.

In a female cat, fixing can prevent
1.cancer
2.ovarian cysts
3.and a number of other health problems.

In a male cat, it will prevent
1. unnecessary roaming
2. unnecessary fighting

This can also help keep your cat healthy. Besides, there are hundreds of cats without good homes. If you really want kittens, go to your local shelter, because they often get litters that need good homes or foster parents.

4. Another myth about cats is that they cannot be happy or healthy if he or she does not have access to the outdoors. This is not true. If an older cat is suddenly confined, he or she may be very unhappy, but a cat that has grown up indoors can be very happy and healthy. Make sure that you provide them with lots of stimulating toys and some climbing towers for exercise. Don’t worry that your cat is somehow growing up unnaturally. Of course, you can use gates and leashes to take your cat outside in special cases. It is important to remember that your cat is naturally a carnivore, so if he or she does not go outside to killing mice and other small rodents, you’ll need to provide protein to meet dietary needs.

5. One of the scariest myths is that cat’s shouldn’t be vaccinated. A few years ago, there was a scarce amount VAS in cats, or Vaccine Associated Sarcoma. However, vaccinations are crucial in your cat’s life, and your cat’s vet should be able to tell you which ones are absolutely necessary. In general, when you have questions about health facts with your cat and his or her health, you should talk to your vet.

Monday, December 21, 2009

General Cat Care Tips

Many people think that because cats are generally independent creatures that don’t need love and care. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Although cats are small pets, they are comparable to a two-year-old child. You are responsible for all of your cat’s health care needs, so it is important to learn how to best take care of your cat. If your cat is a new addition to the family, you’ll need to work extra hard to learn how you can best care for your cat’s health.

First and foremost, it is important to get to know your cat. Cats are generally creatures of habit, so if you know your cat’s normal daily activities, then you’ll know when something is wrong. A cat who walks differently, losing or gains an appetite, or has a change in behavior, it may be ill or injured.

Your cat’s dental health is an important aspect that many people forget. If your cat is eating on one side or making loud noises, you should be concerned about sore gums or teeth. Cats with a broken canine tooth often sneeze a lot, which can indicate the problem to you. You should also brush you cat’s teeth regularly using a small toothbrush and pet toothpaste.

Remember, diet is important to your cat. Make sure that you purchase pet food that is formulated for your cat’s age and health. Your vet can make recommendations. Do not feed your cat human food unless your vet indicates that this is ok. Although cats like the taste of sweet things, items like chocolate can actually be fatal, even in small doses. Also avoid feeding your cat with dog food, unless you have no other option. Dogs and cats and genetically different, so dog food will not have the same nutritional value as cat food.

Grooming is also crucial. Cats self-groom with their tongues, but combing the fur of a long-haired cat is necessary. You can also use talcum powder to help remove dirt as you combing, and baths can be effective if you’re dealing with fleas. You can also have your pet professionally groomed, which he or she will probably find very therapeutic.

Lastly, it is simply important to make sure that you have all important numbers written down. If you got the pet from someone else, have their number on hand for the first month in case problems or questions arise. Also keep the number for your vet on hand, and make a note of the number you should call in an emergency. Doing this will help to keep any cat safe and healthy.