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Cat Declawing, Should I do it?

July 21st, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

As an owner of 6 cats (only 2 aggressive) and even more expensive furniture I know exactly how you feel. I wanted my cat declawed (onychectomy), but I heard so many awful things that turned me to so many confusing places. Through my successful experience I outlined everything here to save you the time and get straight to the answers. So lets begin, well first of all we can right off the bat say the declawing is a painful procedure and should be looked at as a last resort to control the cat’s (normal) behavior to scratch. The purpose of the actual is to remove old, worn fragments of nails. This piece will help you to eliminate the root cause of the cat’s behavior to scratch furniture and/or people, and will save you time and money. money.

* scratching is a natural cat behavior

This is a natural cat behavior and there are many ways and methods to turn cats away from the furniture and closer to more “scratch-friendly” areas, which we will discuss later in this informative piece. To find the solution we first have to find out and personalize a plan for your specific cat (what works for one cat many not always work for another) and we will talk about this more very soon. We can also say that we would take away the cat’s primary means of defense, which for some cats biting takes over being the secondary defense (rarely happens). We can also say for certain the best age to declaw a cat is between 3-5 months while it is still younger. This is because at this age the recovery period would be the shortest and it would be safest around the time they are neutered or spayed.

* cat declawing is a critical decision to make

Can a cat’s behavior change after the declaw? Numerous scientific studies have been unable to document any behavior changes post-declaw. However a lot of research also points out a lot of this depends on the cat’s treatment long before the actual declawing. We can also point out declawing does not affect the cat’s walking ability or balance after the recovery, but be sure your dedicated to being able to keep your cat indoors due to the removal of it’s primary defense. Although some cats can survive outside there have been numerous reports of cats being injured outdoors due to not being able to defend themselves well enough with their teeth. Let’s also say that if the cat has an infection it cannot spread it around.

So lets move to the more important part, how do I fix my cat’s behavior of scratching at furniture and/or people. There are a vast number of alternatives of declawing. Although some are more expensive and convenient then others we will list them all here then later in detail explain which are more expensive and convenient. Also as I said before some cats work better with some alternatives. Some alternatives to really look into are scratching posts, cardboard scratchers, cat tree construction, cat-friendly end tables and furniture, soft paws, nail trimming, training cats, and simply more exercise. There are many ways to improve the chances of each of these alternatives to work. For scratching posts, cardboard scratchers, cat trees, and cat-friendly furniture, it is recommended to sprinkle catnip on these areas to make them more attractive and to add unfriendly scratching material on the furniture usually scratched. Also remember to keep these items close to the family active areas, and to feed and play beside them so the cats enjoy using them, while slowly moving them to the areas where the cat would be alone most of the time.

For more solutions and information please browse around our website.
declawing-cat.com/ declawing-cat.com/

Cat Declawing Expert

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Cat Health

July 17th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Cat owners should make sure to visit the veterinarian at least once a year for an annual examination and shots. If a cat becomes sick or injured, it is advisable to visit the veterinarian or animal hospital immediately. Your will need a series of vaccines when it is very young. This series of shots is commonly referred to as a “3 in 1”. When your is 2,3 and 4 months of age it will receive a combination vaccine that protects your cat from panleukopenia (also referred to as feline distemper), calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. If your cat has not been vaccinated and is four months or older, it will be necessary to administer a series of two vaccinations 2 to 3 weeks apart, followed up with annual vaccinations.

There are two immune system viruses (retroviruses) that can infect your cat or ; Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). There is a vaccination available for feline leukemia but not FIV. It is possible that your cat can be infected and show no symptoms for months or years with either of these deadly viruses and the owner should make sure their cats are tested when visiting the veterinarian. Its mother can spread these viruses to a at birth or through a bite of another infected cat. Outdoor and stray cats often carry these infections but neither is transmissible to humans. To ensure that your cat does not become infected with these viruses, it is advisable to keep them indoors. If you do allow your cat to be an outdoor cat, you must vaccinate the animal against the feline leukemia virus. No vaccine is 100% effective but it is an excellent preventative measure to safeguard your cat from ill health.

Aside from FeLV and FIV, there are some other ills that can befall your cuddly companion. Tiny in the form of ear mites are a common problem that is easily transmitted between cats. You may notice your its ears or shaking its head, which are two symptoms of ear mites. Take your cat to the vet if this occurs, he or she will clean the ears of your feline friend and administer proper medication. Worms are another problematic medical condition to look out for when caring for your cat or .

Tapeworms and roundworms are common that can infect your companion. Your vet can properly diagnose this nasty bug and prescribe medication to treat your cat. Fleas can transmit tapeworms as well as irritate your cat’s skin. Check your cat weekly for fleas and ticks. Fleas are ubiquitous and will be all over your house if found on your cat and flea bombing your living space will be in order in addition to cat-safe flea shampoo or powder. Be sure to treat all domestic animals if you find one flea. Your vet can advise the best treatment program. Male and female cats can develop feline urological syndrome (FUS), which is an infection of the lower urinary tract. As in humans, if your cat is repeatedly visiting the litter box, you see blood in the urine or your cat is making loud cries or straining while urinating you must take your cat to the vet for medication. FUS is more common in male cats and this infection can be fatal if your cat does not receive rapid treatment.

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Cat Health Advice

January 13th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

The best cat health advice will include knowing when something is wrong with your cat. Early signs of illness may include lack of energy, reduction in appetite and bathroom habits going bad. If you know your cat well enough, you’ll know when something is not quite right.

Some good cat health advice is to keep an eye on the weight. This is an important part of caring for your cat. You really don’t need technical equipment to weigh your cat and your bathroom scales will be OK. If your cat won’t go onto the scales, pick him up and weigh yourself with kitty and take a note of the weight. Then weigh yourself without the cat and calculate the difference. The difference will be the weight of the cat. Any major change in weight and shape of your cat should be noted as this may indicate something is not right with the health of your cat.

A lot of cat illnesses will cause the cat owner to seek medication and other solutions to get them back on an even keel. Your vet may need to be contacted if your cat has a bacterial, viral or fungus infection. Your vet will also advise you on other abnormalities such as and metabolic diseases. Issues like these can cause weight loss in your cat.

Your vet will be able to give you good cat health advice. Some people attempt to administer their own medication to the cat. On occasions, dog owners may be advised to give their hound half an aspirin but this should never be attempted with a cat. It may take more time and money to consult your vet but for the sake of the cats’ health, this is not a step you should overlook lightly.

Some more cat health advice will also take in the factors of keeping your cat groomed at regular intervals, correct food and a clean sleeping area and litter tray. Cats also need regular exercise to maintain their weight and muscles. Yearly vaccinations are a must, regardless of whether your cat comes into contact with other felines or not. Barring any accidents, your cats’ life will be extended by following good cat health advice.

Teeth, skin and ears must be checked regular on your cat. If any irritations develop, your vet must be informed. As with humans, cats’ teeth can be looked after with specialists cleaning products. You should also keep your cats ears clean and clear from . Prevention of fleas with use of a flea collar and regular grooming is also a must as fleas can lead to more complications in your cat, yourself and your home. Look out for your and licking itself excessively as this may indicate skin irritation.

Following this cat health advice and taking care of your cat becomes easier the more you do it. When done on a daily basis, the quality of your cats’ life will improve.

Trying to find the best health care for your cat?

There are so many medications and advice available so how do you decide what is for your cat?

For more free advice, tips and suggestions, visit felinehealthcare.net Feline Heath Care

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Ear Mites Treatment - The Right Way

October 27th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

A common parasite that affects cats are ear mites, also known as Otodectes cynotis. These are small, crab-like creatures that infect the ears of animals, namely cats who spend time outdoors. Ear mites can be uncomfortable and itchy, but since they are easy to see, are easily diagnosed. If your cat has ear mites, it will look like there is oily black dirt in his ear. The mites feed on tissue and debris and live on the surface of the ear canal.

If you notice your their ears or shaking their head and see dirty ears, it is likely that you cat is suffering from ear mites. It is important to treat your cat for these . They are very contagious among cats and if you have multiple cats, it can spread quickly. If one of your cats gets ear mites, meticulously check all of your cats for this problem. Also, ear mites can be passed to and from other species including dogs. Ear mites can also affect humans, so treatment is imperative.

Ear mites can cause inflammation in the ears. If they are left untreated, these pesky can lead to bacterial and yeast infections and can rupture the eardrum. Often, ruptured ear drums in cats can lead to seizures and eventually deafness. If you suspect that your cat has ear mites, take your cat to the vet. There are treatments that can help your cat get rid of the ear mites.

In order to prevent ear mites, you can keep your cat indoors and use regular flea treatment. Your vet can prescribe a number of different flea prevention methods. Most of them are applied monthly and are successful in preventing mites, as well as killing fleas and their eggs.

When you take your cat to the vet for ear mites, there is a kind of prescription ear drop that can be used to kill the ear mites. This is typically applied to your cat’s ears two to three times a day for several days. If you’ve never treated ear mites before, it would be good to have a vet demonstrate how it is done by treating the cat the first time. Then you can do the last few applications at home.

The prescription ear drop will kill the ear mites and will also defend against a second outbreak. If the cat already has an infection caused by the mites, an injections can also be given by the vet.

Ivermectin is another treatment for ear mites in cats. This is a rather new way to treat ear mites. The FDA, however, does not approve this treatment for treating ear mites. Many vets find Ivermectin to be very effective for treating ear mites but should tell you that it is not officially approved for this use. This medication is the same medicine used to treat in dogs.

There is a treatment that can be done at home if you are extremely careful with your cat’s ears. This treatment should not be used though if the ear mite outbreak has produced an ear infection. If your cat has an ear infection, he or she will usually have a strong odor in the ears. For treatments at home, use a small amount of baby oil or mineral oil to clean out the cat’s ears. Put a small amount of the oil in an eyedropper and drop into the cat’s ears. Next grasp the base of the ear between your thumb and finger and rub together for a about 5 seconds. Then take a clean tissue and gently wipe out the cat’s ear out. Do not try to stick your finger too far down the ear canal. This treatment should be continued twice a day until the cat’s ears are clear of the black mite.

When treating your cat for ear mites, it is very important to seek the advice of your vet before beginning any treatment. Most of the time, your vet will want to examine your cat before proceeding with any course of treatment. A thorough exam can rule out more serious problems like ear infections that should be treated differently than ear mites. Often, your vet will ask that you bring your cat back to the office for another exam after the treatment is complete. This is to make sure that all of the ear mites are gone and reduces the chances of re-infection.

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Signs and Symptoms of a Stressed Out Cat

December 16th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

If you are a cat owner, you know that cats are emotional and sensitive creatures. Just like us, they can be lonely, stressed or depressed, but they do not express themselves the way we would.

When your cat sharpens her claws by attacking your sofa that may not seem like normal behavior to you but rest assured, it is perfectly normal. Cats have an innate need to sharpen their claws, even if they have been removed. A post is a great way to deter kitty from your furniture. Scratching is also how cats mark their territory or anything they consider their property. If kitty kneads at your leg, consider it a compliment, she is marking you as hers.

Some signs that your cat may be in actual distress are; overeating, loss of appetite, excessive fearfulness or urinating outside of the cat liter box.

If any of these things are happening, take a look at your environment. Even a recent move can upset your feline friend. I had an incident last winter where my ten-year-old cat urinated outside of the litter box. In fact, he urinated right next to the box. In ten years, he had never urinated outside of the box! My first concern was that he had some sort of a bladder infection.

If a cat is having pain while urinating, he may associate that pain with the litter box and therefore go outside of the box. In order to rule this out, I took him to my vet immediately. (Actually, he went outside of the box one more time before I took him in). Thankfully, the vet found nothing wrong with him. She asked me if I had made any changes around my home or had any over-night visitors. I had not had any visitors, nor could I think of any recent changes. Then, it dawned on me…I made a cute Christmas bandana for him and placed it around his neck. Could he be so neurotic that this bandana upset him enough to urinate outside of his litter box?? Only one way to find out, I removed the bandana. Sure enough, after I removed the bandana he never went outside of the box again.

Other common stressors to cats are; any new addition to your family-furry or otherwise, a change in your work schedule, even loud noises such as fireworks. (My cats hate the 4th of July). If your cat is grooming more than usual, hiding more than usual, or attacking for no reason it may be stressed out. Pay attention to your cat, she will often let you know what is bothering her.

Ask your vet for additional advice on keeping your cat stress free.

Leigh Adams is an avid dog owner and pet trainer. She is a frequent contributor to this lovemypetsupply.com Online Pet Supply Store. She recommends that all cat owners who have the room get a lovemypetsupply.com/cat-beachhouse-condo.html cat condo especially if the cat will be alone during the day to help keep the cat active and relive stress.

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