We are all used to seeing the many advertisements on our televisions about protecting ourselves and our children from the summer sun, but do we ever think about protecting our pets? Probably not. However cats and dogs can get sun burnt too and with the same terrible consequences that causes, including the possibility of skin cancer.

Cats who are outside a lot during the summer, especially those with light coloured fur are particularly at risk from the effects of the sun and the heat. So before we let our pets outside on a summer’s day we must make sure we provide adequate care for them, just as we would for our children and ourselves.

Areas particularly at risk on your pets are their ears. They often have a much lighter covering of fur and this makes them much more likely to burn in the sun. Add this to the fact that cats will often spend hours laying in the sun and the risks of skin cancer rise dramatically. Often in Mediterranean countries you will often see a lot of cats with both their ears missing. This is because that the region receives a lot of hot sunny weather and skin cancer on cats has become so common that owners will often ask the vet to remove the cats ears to reduce the risk of them catching skin cancer. Another method used is to have the ears tattooed all over in black; this helps to reflect the sun and provides protection.

Of course there are other simpler methods to protect your pet from the effects of the sun. Simply remember when you let your pet out on a hot summers day, make sure you rub a high factor sun cream onto the ears and areas which are not as covered with a thick layer of fur. Some breeds have a very thin covering of fur all over, and it might be safer to keep these breeds inside on very hot sunny days.

Also make sure that you provide plenty of fresh water for your pet which is readily available all through the day. Perhaps have several bowls of water dotted about the garden in a cool spot. Of course making sure that there are plenty of shady places that your pet can keep cool is essential. The affects of heat stroke can come on very fast and if not treated promptly can be fatal. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke i.e. is panting very heavily and seems to be wobbly on their legs and disorientated. Cool them down immediately in a bath of cool water and then take them immediately to a vet.

All of the above are quite simple and affective steps, which will protect your pet during the summer months. A little time and thought could save both you and your pet any suffering and will ensure that summertime is enjoyed by every member of your family.

More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site our-happy-cat.com our-happy-cat.com
A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.

Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth

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As an essential part of their balance, claws are critical for cats. Cats use their claws for jumping and for latching on to objects.

For example, cats use their claws for latching on to bark when climbing up a tree.

Stretching, running and walking are other common instances when cats use their claws. Claws are also used as a defensive measure against people and other animals.

Claws and teeth are a cats basic weapons, thus, a feline will naturally keep them very sharp.

Claws are also necessary for cats when using the toilet. They need their claws to cover their waste inside of their litter box.

Cats also use their claws to mark their territory as there are glands in each paw that secretes fluids. This secretion is undetectable to humans but is detectable to other cats.

Cats often scratch things to remove an old claw so it may be replaced by a new one. Many cat owners think that it is wise to remove the claws of their cat to protect household items such as furniture or carpet. A vet must remove a cat’s claws as this is considered a surgical procedure.

If you think that removing the claws of your cat is necessary, there are a few things you should consider. Removing your cat’s claws will change his personality. This procedure is very painful for your cat and he will be very confused afterward.

He will not be able to jump and play as he once did. The majority of cats become aggressive and tend to bite more after having their claws removed. The bottom line is that removing the claws of your cat is not a good idea.

There are alternatives to removing your cats claws. One choice is to get your cat a scratching post and teach him how to use it. You can also get your cat a rush mat. This will help your cat to relieve his instincts to scratch.

If you spend time to teach your cat to use the scratching post and the rush mat, you will no longer have to worry about damage to your carpet or furniture.

Visit Feline-Diabetes-Help.info Feline-Diabetes-Help.Info
to learn about feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Treatment and feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Symptoms.

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Adding a new cat as a member of your family is often more exciting than tending to the cat you already have. Most cats will accept new additions as they are basically solitary by instinct.

You should exercise special care when introducing a new cat to your home as cats tend to be territorial. Ten to fifteen days is the normal time required for a successful introduction of your new cat.

This time may vary due to the cats individual personality and temperament. Be sure that you give you present cat plenty of love and affection during this introduction process.

This will allow your present cat to feel that happy, secure, and that he is not in competition with your new cat for your affections.

It is advised that you keep you new cat in a separate space until the introduction process has been fully completed. Recommended locations for new cats could be areas such as a bathroom, a spare room or any small space away from where your current cat sleeps.

Be sure to leave toys, food and water dishes and a litter box in the room for your new cat. Your current cat may howl and hiss at the new cat. This behavior is natural as your current cat is trying to send the new cat a message that he doesn’t belong.

If you find this situation happening, simply ignore it. If you punish your cat for this type of behavior, it will most certainly lead to more serious problems later on.

At the start, your current cat and your new cat should eat from separate dishes in separate areas. In time, you can begin the socializing process by allowing them to eat from the same dish but at different times. This will allow the scent of each cat to be present at the food dish.

In time, each cat will get used to the different scents on the food dish. You can begin to bring their feeding times closer and closer together until eventually you can feed them together at the same time from the same dish.

In time, and with much patience, they will soon adjust and enjoy their meals without hissing or growling at each other. Once this step has been achieved, you can begin introducing the new cat to the areas of the house where your present cat is accustomed to .

Allow your cats to smell and greet each other in their own way. There may be occasional growling or hissing. When this occurs, simply break them up and re introduce them to each other at a later time.

Visit http:/Feline-Diabetes-Help.info Feline-Diabetes-Help.Info
to learn about feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Treatment and feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Symptoms.

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1. Keep your pregnant cat indoors.
Don’t expose an expecting kitty to danger. But there are more reasons. Some queens go into heat even during pregnancy. Cats are capable of being pregnant of two different litters at the same time. And of course, a pregnant cat should not give birth in a cold place outside.

2. Give your kitty the right food.
It should be high on calcium and protein. Kitten food is specially designed to meet the need of pregnant and nursing felines. Vitamin supplements are recommended too.

3. Do not give any medication during pregnancy.
A pregnant cat should get medication only in emergency. The same goes for deworming products, or products against fleas. If she has worms or fleas, first consult your vet.

4. Make your cat a comfortable nest bed.
A box filled with newspaper usually does the trick. Put in a warm sheltered place, preferably a location your cat frequently visits. Make sure all is ready two weeks before birth.

5. Find a home for your kittens - before they are born.
It will give you peace of mind to know where the kittens will go. Finding a home for a kitty can be time consuming. You’ll have more time for that before they are born.

6. Use non-clumping litter for her box.
Sometimes cats give birth in the litter box. If a kitten is delivered in clumping litter, the mother kitty might refuse to clean her newborn off as the clump is all over the sac. And the baby drowns in its own fluid.

7. Keep other cats away from her.
You have more than one kitty? Your pregnant cat wants privacy. She doesn’t like the company of other cats during this period, even if she knows these cats very well.

8. Buy enough food for your kitty… and you.
You should have no reason to leave your kitty alone on the days before and after birth.

9. Check which vet is available.
Have a piece of paper with the phone number of the closest emergency veterinary clinic. If there’s no such clinic in your area, find out which vet is available for emergency care. One phone call to a local vet is usually enough.

10. Get the right information about cat pregnancy.
Only if you understand what you see and hear, you will be able to recognize complications. Plus… there are many problems you can solve yourself, if you know how. So, do not panic. Get the right information instead.

Marc de Jong is a journalist and long-time cat lover. For his easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidebook How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat - available through

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A large majority of cats that are maimed and damaged have probably been abused. Most cat mental health damage is internal and emotional as opposed to their physical appearance. Emotional and internal cat mental health are the most difficult problems to fix.

A soft voice and a gentle touch are key elements when dealing with a cat that has been abused. The cat needs to be made to understand that the abuse has come to an end.

When dealing with a cat that has been neglected, you should wait until he approaches you for affection. Because the cat is confused and unsure of your intentions, you will need to exercise extreme patience.

The cat will eventually feel confident in approaching you if you convey to him that he has nothing to fear from you. Let him smell you and pet him when he decided to come to you.

He will quickly learn that he can trust you and in time, he will come to you when you call him. As this is a critical time, yelling and raising your voice to your cat can add to his fragile emotional state of mind.

Your cat will become lethargic or even mean if you use incorrect methods of discipline. However, it is important to understand that if a cat does become mean, it is not always a negative thing.

If a cat is mean, it shows that they care and are still concerned about what happens to them. A lethargic cat, on the other hand, is tougher to reach as they have lost the will to care.

Lack of response, lack of playing or lack of eating properly are all signs of a lethargic cat. The recommended method to inspire a lethargic cat is to introduce a companion cat.

Over a period of time, a lethargic cat will soon desire attention. You should always use a gentile voice and allow him to snuggle with you when this happens.

Give positive reinforcement to your cat and praise him when you notice his behavior improving. Be careful not to raise your voice or make sudden movements as your cat is still recovering from a traumatic experience.

You can consider him returning to his normal self once he approaches you and allows you to pet him again. Remember, this is a delicate situation and requires the utmost of patience on your part.

Finally, if you do have to discipline your cat, use a soft, gentile voice. If you are patient and let the cat know that you are here to help him, he will eventually recover and develop into a loving and warm companion.

Visit Feline-Diabetes-Help.info Feline-Diabetes-Help.Info
to learn about feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Treatment and feline-diabetes-help.info Feline Diabetes Symptoms.

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