A while ago I wrote an article discussing the similarities between a cat’s brain and a human brain (A Study of Cats and Humans,) this article is going to try and go inside of your cat’s head and see why it does what it does.

According to a report by Rolan Tripp, DMV, (www.AnimalBehavior.Net) that I found in the Catnip Newsletter (July 07, Vol. 15, page 10.) Dr. Tripp stated a cat’s behavior is based on five factors: genetics, gestation, early socialization, intentional training and experience.

When it comes to genetics, the kitten’s father plays an important part in determining the cat’s personality, while mom plays an important part in teaching social skills, hunting and eating.

The brain during the gestation period (pregnancy) develops quite quickly and anything that happens to the mother cat while carrying the kittens will have an effect on the litter. This includes stress, trauma and happy things.
This knowledge helped me to understand why feral kittens behave as they do. Since feral cat mothers are usually fighting for survival and food while carrying a litter.

Between the ages of two weeks and seven weeks mom is teaching the kittens social skills. If the mother cat lives in a house with a family, she is teaching the kittens how not only get along with each other, but with the members of the family, which may include the dog. She is teaching them to use the litter box along with playing and hunting. (Though most domestic cats are not real hunters anymore.) This is a period of great importance to a kitten, as happy and good experiences will create a friendly and outgoing cat, and not so good experiences with have a negative effect on the kitten.

My cat Boots is a good great example of poor socialization and the effect it has on a cat’s personality. Boots is 11 years old and we have had him since he was 9 weeks old and today he is still fearful, timid, afraid of people and does not like to socialize with our other cats.

Boots is an offspring of a feral mother cat my brother felt sorry for, he took the mother cat in when she was about due to have her kittens. He had two house cats of his own and had to keep the mother cat separated from his cats and though the kittens were handled sporadically, due to the fact my brother worked long hours, this lack of socialization has had a dramatic effect on our Boots.

Intentional training is training that the mother cat teaches the kittens and the training a kitten gets from being part of a human family. This education learned at an early age will have an important impact on a kitten’s personality in the future.

The last behavioral effect is life experiences. Kittens like people learn from experience. Good experiences lead to happier kittens and people, while the negative ones can lead to distrust and fear in both kittens and humans.

These are the five basics that help to make your cat what it is today. But, it does not end there, as with humans, life experiences keep going on.

Dr. Tripp goes on to offer some insights and possible solutions for a few common cat misbehavior problems, which I will share with you along with my own life experiences, having had cats for over 55 years.

The solutions to litter box problems are not new. Once medical conditions are eliminated, many litter box problems can be directed to a few things.

Is the litter box clean (empty it at least once a day and do not use an ammonia based cleaner?)

Do you have more than one cat using the box? Each cat should have its own, and ideally there should be one to spare.

Most cats prefer unscented litter. Have you changed the litter product recently and has that created a problem?

Location, location, location is important in finding a house and is equally important placing a litter box. Cats need to feel safe when using their box. Feeling safe means the cat has the opportunity to run if it feels scared. Also placing the litter box near a noisy machine is not wise. A washer, dryer or a furnace that turns off and on can create a situation that makes a cat feel insecure and it will not use the box.

Aggression toward other cats or toward their humans is to me a mystery. We have three cats (2 males and 1 female) that barely get along. The boys will tolerate each other, but the female hates both of them and the youngest male does not like the female either. Boots the oldest is very passive and therefore gets chased at times by both cats. They do not fight, but do not want him in their space. Smokey the youngest totally dislikes the female and will chase her on a moment’s notice. Again there is no fighting, just a “get out of my space” attitude. I have followed all the rules as far as introducing them to each other, and have decided that like people there are some cats that just do not like each other. We have lived like this for the last 7 years without a major war and I guess we will continue to do so.

Cat aggression toward humans needs a different outlook. If the cat is not hurting and you know it is medically well. It is necessary to look and see what is the trigger that brings on this behavior.

Our cat, Miss Tiger will bite if she is held too long. She was a feral kitten and still has those instincts. We know when we hold her if her tail starts to thump quickly that means let her go at once. Her bite is a message that she has had enough loving and wants to be free.

Dr. Tripp suggests that once you understand the trigger of an aggressive behavior, avoid the behavior until you find and appropriate behavior modification program. I am not certain how you find an appropriate modification program that a cat understands. My feeling is once you understand what the trigger is, avoid it and leave well enough alone.

Destructive behavior, the first lesson here is to learn that cats are not vindictive and do not do anything for spite. However, I have had an experience that I feel proves that statement incorrect. I once had a cat named Cinders (a male) that loved to eat boiled ham and cheese. It was his food of choice and would demand it on occasion quite loudly. Being a person of strong will myself, there were times when I did not feel like living up to his demands and for that I suffered. He retaliated by urinating on me. The first time I thought it was funny, but after a time or two I realized he meant business. Was it possible to change the behavior, possibly, but I never tried; I just got him his ham and cheese on demand. Which goes to prove that “dog’s have masters and cat’s have staff.”

Seriously though, if your cat is clawing your couch or stereo speakers, maybe you do not have proper scratching posts. A good post is sturdy and about 3 feet in height or long. Why such length? Cats need to stretch, stretching is good for their muscles and gives them room scratch and shed their claws. Cats also scratch in order to leave their scent on things. The scent is not noticeable to humans, but other cats will be aware that they are in another cat’s territory.

Cats are farsighted, and are able to learn to do more things that require their sense of smell or dexterity, rather than their sight. They are also more active at dawn and at dusk. Nature planned it that way, so they can catch their breakfast and dinner and that is why they wake you up at the crack of dawn looking for breakfast.

Hearing also plays an important part in what a cat learns. Familiar sounds such as your car, the can opener or the sound of a person’s footsteps all have taught your cat a thing or two.

Some cats learn faster than others, some cats learn by experience, and some by observation. But, all cats learn to do only what they want to do, when they want to do it and there is not much we can do about it.

Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a cat healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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Obesity is the most common health problem for cats. A cat is considered obese if it weighs 20% more than its optimal weight and if the extra weight is a result of the accumulation of fat. If a cat is anywhere from 1 to 19% heavier than its ideal body weight, then it is considered overweight and not obese. In order for a cat to maintain good health and have a long and happy life, the cat must maintain a healthy weight.

Determining If A Cat Is Overweight Or Obese

There is no magical body weight that is appropriate for all cats. The breed, general size, and age of the cat all have a factor in how much it should weigh. To determine the optimal weight of a specific cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian. However typically, a cat whose ribs are difficult to feel because they are covered with a layer of fat is overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.

A cat is also considered to be obese if it has a moderate or thick layer of fat that covers all of its bony areas. Some obese cats even develop a bulge under the abdomen, which is sometimes referred to as a “skirt.” If the cat doesn’t have a noticeable waist and if the back appears broad when viewed from above, the cat is obese.

How Obesity Affects

When a cat is either obese or overweight, it runs the risk of developing a variety of health disorders such as aggravation of osteoarthritis, decreased stamina, diabetes mellitus, Hepatic lipidosis — which is fat deposited in the liver, joint stress, lower urinary tract disease, and non-allergic skin diseases.

An obese or overweight cat might also have breathing problems, develop a decrease in immune function, and even have difficulty giving birth.

Pre determiners for Obesity

Some cats are more likely to become overweight or obese than others. Typically, however, cats are just like humans. If a cat eats more calories than it uses, it will gain weight. The excess energy it gains from the calories becomes stored as fat.

Purebred cats, though, are less likely to become obese than mixed breeds. In addition, cats that are neutered have a tendency to gain weight more easily than those who are not, probably in part due to the fact that non-neutered cats have the disposition to roam in search of a mate. In addition, the metabolic rate of a neutered cat decreases by about 20%. Therefore, a neutered cat needs less food in order to maintain its ideal body weight.

Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight or obese than cats that are between the ages of two and ten. This is because cats between these ages need less energy. On the other hand, geriatric cats, which are older than ten, have a tendency to be underweight. In addition, certain medications can make a cat more likely to gain weight, as some medications will cause an increase in appetite and other medications cause a decrease in metabolic rate. Some medications that tend to lead to weight gain in cats are cortisosteroids, cyperoheptidine, and amytripyline.

Treating Obesity In The Cat

It is not healthy for an overweight or obese cat to lose weight too quickly. In fact, rapid weight loss increases a cat’s likelihood of developing hepatic lipidosis, which is a fatal liver disease that causes fat to be deposited in the liver. Instead, an overweight or obese cat should lose weight steadily and gradually. In fact, it can take up to a year for a extremely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight in a healthy manner.

If you are trying to help your cat lose weight, it’s best to consult a veterinarian who can help you create a healthy eating plan. The veterinarian will ensure that your cat is still getting enough protein. Since cats are carnivores, it could be lethal to your cat to cut out meat. They need a lot of protein and not very many carbohydrates. If you feed your cat a similar diet, your cat will be able to lose weight without losing lean muscle mass.

To help an overweight or obese cat lose weight, it should also be encouraged to get plenty of exercise. This is particularly true for older cats with slower metabolisms, neutered cats, indoor cats with restricted activity, and cats on medication that affects weight. Pet owners can encourage exercise by playing with the cat frequently. For more direct exercise, a cat harness can be purchased to walk the cat around the house or up and down stairs. Feeding bowls can even be moved to areas that require more walking and, of course, cut down on the portions of food an overweight cat receives.

Maintaining Weight

In order to keep your cat healthy and at an ideal weight, you might want to purchase special “light” or low calorie food. This food will still taste good and keep your cat happy, but will also help to maintain lower weight as it is specially formulated for cats who have slower metabolism or are less active.

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Tags: cat healthy

Dogs have long been known as “man’s best friend”. If you own a dog, you’ve likely already discovered the truth of that statement. Our dogs bring us hours of joy and companionship, provide unconditional love, and ask very little in return. But your dog does rely on you to provide the care required to keep your dog healthy, safe, and happy.

Fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to help maintain your dog’s health.

One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to make sure your dog is kept up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations.

Vaccinations, often simply called “shots”, work to protect your dog against many different illnesses which could be quite serious, even fatal, for your dog should your dog catch these diseases. When your dog is fully vaccinated, these diseases no longer pose a significant threat to your dog. Your dog’s veterinarian can easily help you determine which vaccinations your dog needs and how often your dog needs to be vaccinated. This will vary depending on your dog’s individual lifestyle, your dog’s risk of exposure, your dog’s age, and your dog’s previous vaccination history. If you are unsure which vaccinations your dog needs, or are not sure whether your dog is vaccinated properly, please contact your dog’s veterinarian at once.

Another very simple thing that you can do for your dog’s health is to make sure your dog is protected against heartworms. Heartworms are, as the name suggests, worms which live inside of your dog’s heart. They can cause a great deal of damage to your dog’s heart in a very short period of time. Your dog can be exposed to heartworms very easily through the bite of a mosquito.

Fortunately, preventing heartworms is easy and safe, through the use of medications which only need to be administered on a monthly basis. If your dog has not previously been tested for heartworms, a simple blood test performed by your dog’s veterinarian can determine whether or not your dog is already infected before starting the preventive medication.

Fleas and ticks are another risk to your dog’s health. Both fleas and ticks can cause significant health problems for your dog. Your dog can also carry these insects into your home where they may also pose a health threat to you and our family. You should check your dog’s skin and hair coat regularly for evidence of fleas and ticks and act immediately if you find evidence of them on your dog. Luckily, there are a number of very effective flea and tick medications which are not only safe but easy to use. These products can help keep your dog free of fleas and ticks and assist you in keeping your dog healthy and happy.

Keeping your dog free of internal parasites, frequently called “worms”, is another task which is necessary to keep your dog healthy. Finding out whether your dog is infected with worms is as easy as collecting a small fecal sample to be tested by your dog’s veterinarian. Do not assume that your dog has no worms because you do not see them in the stool. Your dog’s veterinarian has special laboratory techniques which find the worm eggs in your dog’s feces. These eggs are too small for you to be able to see. If your dog’s veterinarian finds worms in your dog’s feces, there are medications which can safely and effectively be used to rid your dog of these worms. Your dog’s veterinarian can provide the proper medication for your dog.

Besides preventing the birth of unwanted puppies, spaying or neutering your dog has a number of health benefits for your dog also.

Female dogs that are spayed at a young age are less likely to develop breast cancers later in life and cannot develop the serious, life-threatening uterine infections that unspayed female dogs frequently suffer from.

Neutered male dogs are less likely to develop prostate problems later in life. In addition, your dog’s personality and behavior will only improve when spayed or neutered.

Lastly, regular physical examinations by your dog’s veterinarian can help detect subtle signs of illness in your dog before the illness becomes serious. Often, early intervention and treatment can solve medical problems even before your dog’s health begins to suffer as a result of them. In some instances, early intervention and treatment may drastically prolong the life of your dog.

Copyright 2006 The Pet Med Site

Lorie Huston has been a veterinarian for over 20 years, working with both dogs and cats. She emphasizes the use of routine preventive pet health care to keep your pets healthy and safe. Lorie is the owner, editor, and webmaster of The Pet Med Site where you will find a library of information pertaining to pet health care, including free audio recordings describing the secrets to keeping your dog or cat healthy. For more information, visit thepetmedsite.com/dog-health/ thepetmedsite.com/dog-health/

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Tags: cat healthy, heartworms, parasites

Cats make great pets. They are quieter than dogs, require less care, and can provide their owners with plenty of attention and love.

Also, cats adjust well to indoor living, take great care in grooming themselves, and are easily trained to use a cat box. For these reasons they can live in an apartment as well as a large house.

But there are some diseases that can strike your cat even if you are giving the best of care. Here are a few.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a common skin disease in cats and dogs. Cats usually pick up the disease from contaminated objects such as clippers or bedding or by coming in direct contact with other animals infected with this disease.

One to two tablespoons of colloidal silver should get rid of ringworm on your cat in about one week, or you can take them to the vet for medication.

Diabetes

Some cats become diabetic. Its scary when you first know your cat has diabetes but once you start understanding the disease and get more used to the monitoring it, it becomes easier for you and your kitty. Informing yourself of the disease is crucial. It is not the same as human diabetes.

Obesity

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in pets; estimates suggest that up to 45% of dogs and up to 13% of cats are obese (many doctors think these estimates are quite low judging by the number of obese pets they see every day in practice).

The only thing you can do is regulate how much food they eat. If your cat is overweight, don’t leave dry food out all the time. Begin feeding him or her once in the morning and once in the evening.

Basic Care for Your Cat

The best things you can do for your cat is to keep him or her inside away from cars and other dangers, give your cat plenty of water and a healthy, balanced diet that is high in protein, and brush him or her daily. Daily brushing will help prevent hairballs, which is a common malady for cats.

Aside from those basic things, keep poisonous plants out of your home or yard, and keep your home free from any small strings or objects that your cat might accidentally swallow. It’s fairly common to hear of cats that have swallowed an object such as a string, and dying from the resulting obstruction in his digestive system.

Fleas

Fleas multiply fast and do not voluntarily leave the body of the pet. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and cause itchy allergic reactions, which can lead to scratching, hair loss, and infection.

It is highly recommended that at the first sign of fleas you put something on your cat to get rid of the fleas, such as Frontline or Advantage. Don’t let fleas take over.

Infections

Urinary tract infections are another health danger for cats. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, a urinary tract infection is suspect.

Conclusion

Cats can be wonderful companions. With some basic care and a lot of love, they can be your good friend for many years.

Filled with information about cat breeds and how to take care of your cat, catloversportal.com catloversportal.com is for cat lovers around the world. Learn about catloversportal.com/21/the-american-shorthair-cat-a-good-family-pet/ popular cat breeds, about catloversportal.com/27/feeding-your-kitten-and-cat-what-do-they-need/ cat health, and much more.

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The Story Continues…

Following the first of many visits to the vet, Ginger underwent a 2-week course of antibiotics to clear up the remnants of cat flu and to control the infection that resulted from his decaying teeth. And he responded very well. He started grooming properly again and all of the matted hair around his rump was replaced by sleek smooth hair. His coat was again shiny and well looked after rather than being matted and dull, lifeless and unclean. The skin allergy was also addressed by the antibiotics and the fleas killed off with a flea control treatment. The antibiotics also cleared up the septic lip although the lip appears to be slightly damaged from the prolonged sepsis. As a result, he dribbles a bit! He’s also now interested in playing - savaging bird feathers is his current fun activity.

After the antibiotics treatment was finished, we returned to the vet so he could undergo some blood tests to determine if he suffered from feline leukaemia or feline aids and I’m happy to report that he didn’t have either.

That then left the way clear for him to undergo the dental treatment and have the six rotten teeth extracted. He was put on antibiotics again as the infection from the teeth was starting to reassert itself and he was on the tablets until the surgery (15 days later, when the vet determined that he was ready to undergo the extractions).

The operation went smoothly and he returned home later that day. Naturally, with such a large number of extractions, he found eating to be somewhat comfortable. But you can’t keep a good cat down! After a couple of days, he was eating normally again. A week after the surgery I took him back to the vet for his post-operative check-up. His gums had healed over nicely after the extractions but he still had a bit of gingivitis. The vet was a little concerned that Ginger might be carrying the cat-flu virus - apparently prolonged gingivitis is a symptom. On the other hand, the inflammation may just have been the last remnants of the chronic infection he suffered last year from his teeth. He was put on a further two weeks of antibiotics which, we hoped, would finally clear everything up.

Aside from that, he was in fine fettle. He must have been a lot more comfortable with the teeth removed as his purring became much louder over the following week. And he was much more playful.

After the latest two-week antibiotic treatment, it was time for another check-up visit to the vet. The good news was that Ginger was in good health. His gums had healed perfectly after the extractions. He’d even put on weight, weighing in at 5.2kg (11.5 lbs) which is pretty hefty for a cat. His gums, in general, (i.e. not related to the surgery) remained inflamed even after all the post-op antibiotics. The vet came to the conclusion that Ginger was suffering from persistent cat flu. His only current symptoms were the gingivitis - while no other symptoms were present, he is a cat-flu carrier. Aside from that, he’s very healthy. The downside is that he cannot be placed in a home where cats already reside. The vet was adamant about this saying that any household that takes him in will just introduce long term problems for their own cats.

Ginger’s still living at his old house. My buddy is still care-taking out there and is giving Ginger lots of care and attention. We’re on the lookout for someone who’ll be willing to give him a home in the next couple of months. He’s such an affectionate cat that I don’t think that’ll be a problem.

I’d like to thank all those who took the time and effort to send in donations, but the following people in particular who provided substantial donations to cover Ginger’s medical bills:

Wayne Folsom
Tim Carr
Amanda Bloxham
Hilary Bloxham

It’s life-affirming to know that there are caring people out there. But the story’s not over. Ginger still needs to be re-homed but at least we have a few months to line up a new residence…

One final note: I only recently learned Ginger’s real name. Apparently, it’s Redpuss!

Gary Nugent, a software engineer by profession, has been a life-long animal lover, especially of cats and is the webmaster of cat-oholics.com cat-oholics.com - a site that helps you make the best choices to keep your cat healthy, happy and long-lived. Information about cats in general, health issues that can affect them, some of their weird and wonderful behavior patterns, their history, and how to choose various products, supplies and toys for your feline furball. And, not to forget about you…there are a few things on the site to keep cat owners amused as well.

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Tags: cat healthy, groom