Twenty-Five percent of cats are clinically obese, which is defined as an excess accumulation of body fat. This is important because obesity can reduce your cats life span. Obesity also predisposes to Heart Disease, Skin Disorders, Arthritis, and Fatty Liver Disease, Cancer, Lower Urinary Tract Disease, and Diabetes. Obesity can either cause or result from Diabetes. In either case weight loss helps regulate blood sugar and may decrease or eliminate the need for insulin. Obesity also increases the risk of anesthesia, makes cats more intolerant to heat and decreases their stamina. NOTE: A cat or dog in optimal body condition has 15 to 20 percent body fat.

CAUSES

* The aging process effects body weight. Cats and dogs less than 2 years old are rarely over weight. Weight problems in pets increase as they age. Six to eight years old is when weight problems peak. After 10 to 12 years of age cats and dogs become thinner and many tend to be in less than optimal body condition.

* Breed and Genetics also influence body weight. In contrast to dogs, mixed breed cats are more likely to suffer from weight problems then Pure Breeds.

CAUSES

1. WEIGHT GAIN AND NEUTERING: Neutering male and female cats decreases the rate the body functions at by 20 to 25 percent. Reducing calories by the same amount will help prevent cats from gaining excess weight after being neutered.

2. Low levels of Thyroid Hormone can cause excess weight gain. This occurs in less than one percent of cats.

3. Body weight is influenced by several factors but eating excess calories because well meaning owners indulge their cats with oversized portions and too many treats, is the most common cause of obesity.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO

* Before starting your cat on any weight-loss program, have your vet confirm your suspicions. Rule out medical problems that mimic obesity, like heart and liver disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.

* Determine whether or not your cat is overweight. Most cats should weigh between 8 and 12 pounds or 3.5 to 4.5 kilograms. Some may go up to 5.5 kilograms but cats over 6.4 kilograms are definitely obese.

* Cats should have an hourglass figure which means that their chest should be wider than their abdomen.

* To successfully lose weight owners must reduce calories, increase exercise and monitor their cat’s progress regularly.

* High quality lean protein like chicken, turkey, beef, or liver making up at least 50 percent of the diet is necessary to prevent the loss of lean body tissue. Protein levels over 50% help stimulate metabolism and promote weight loss.

* Reduce dietary fat to less than 10 percent of the diet. This may cause a dry skin and hair coat. Fatty acid supplements such as fish oil and/or flax seed oil will help prevent dry hair coats

* Increase fiber up to 15-20 percent under your vet’s guidance. Fiber provides bulk which makes cats feel full and keeps them happy while losing weight. Excess fiber can interfere with absorption of minerals and lead to other nutritional problems.

* Give a good vitamin-mineral supplement.

* Initially decrease the total number of calories by 20 percent and set a maximum initial weight loss goal at 15 percent, then make calculations accordingly.

* Weight loss must be greater than 0.5 percent per week, 1% is considered ideal, but losing over 2 percent of body weight per week is unhealthy because your cat will lose lean body tissue in addition to body fat.

* Feed smaller meals more often. Try increasing the number of meals from 1 or 2 up to 6. Spread the food out on a very large cookie platter, which makes it take longer to eat and looks like a lot more to your cat.

* Leave food out 20 to 30 minutes and remove-don’t free feed

* Avoid snacks, or feed healthy treats like fresh vegetables.

* Pet, hug, kiss, massage and brush your cat as much as possible.

* Allow free access to clean, fresh water at all times

* Play games with your cat

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Play with your cat at least 10 minutes, four times a day

* Create games and schedule play periods. Consider getting your cat a kitten to play with.

* Cats enjoy laser mice games and dangling bird toys and other games that enhance their natural hunting instincts.

* Many cats enjoy walking on a harness.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY

* Fiber sources that can be added to meals: 1 tsp wheat bran, 1 tsp of finely grated carrots or zucchini or 1 tsp of peas, corn or chopped green beans

* Cat Nip (Nepeta Cataria) is an herb that cats love. It’s available at pet food stores and may be stuffed into toys, and/or rubbed onto hemp perches/ the loose herb can be sprinkled onto food or used as a low calorie treat. It stimulates the cat’s nervous system so cats feel good and want to play. Catnip is very safe and has no known adverse effects.

Copyright 2007 Dr. Carol Osborne

Dr. Carol Osborne is the inventor of PAAWS, the pet anti-aging wellness system seen on TV. VitaLife is Dr. Carol’s newest line of pet vitamin supplements and is the best supplement available for arthritis and anti-aging in dogs and cats. PAAWS and VitaLife are revolutionary breakthroughs, with all natural nutrients that virtually peel away the years, seeming to reverse the aging process normally experienced by pets.

Get FREE pet advice from Dr. Carol at CarolonPets.com/ CarolonPets.com/

Visit Dr. Carol’s blog at CarolonPets.com/blog/ CarolonPets.com/blog/

Buy PAAWS and VitaLife dog and cat vitamin supplements and other pet health products at DrCarol.com/ DrCarol.com/

Tags: kitten

Related posts

• Your Purrrfect Companion (0)
• Your Pet’s Medicine Chest - Medications To Keep On-Hand (0)
• Your Pet’s Health - What Every Pet Owner Should Know (0)
• Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? (0)
• Your Guide to Kitten and Cat Care (0)

Tags: kitten

When the phone started to ring and my email started to fill, I knew something must have happened again in the world of dog and cat food. As of this writing more foods have been recalled and a few more ingredients besides wheat gluten have been added to the list of “not to safe.”

Evidence suggesting that a shipment of the ingredient “Rice Protein Concentrate” contained melamine has come to light. As reported by OregonLlive.com posted by The Associated Press and The Oregonian “Ingredients imported from China that went into recalled pet food may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their protein content, federal officials said today.

That’s one theory being pursued by the Food and Drug Administration as it investigates how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used to make more than 100 brands of dog and cat foods. Melamine has been found by U.S. laboratories in both wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China.”

Melamine, an ingredient in plastics and fertilizers could lead to kidney failure in animals.

Stephen Sundlof, chief veterinarian for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said melamine, which has turned up in more than 100 brands of cat and dog food, might have been used to falsely boost the apparent nutritional content of rice protein. Melamine can skew test results to make a product appear more protein-rich than it really is, Sundlof said.

You think when you are buying food that all pet food manufacturers have your pet’s best interests in mind …………..right? – After all, who doesn’t love your pets more? Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your pet. For example: by-products used (feet, bones and intestines, etc.), or as some of you heard the 4 D’s, dead diseased, dying and disabled Chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT) should not be in your pet’s food. Look for grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), which are often used as a protein source instead of meat, should be avoided

If you switch to premium dog food, switch your pet’s diet to premium treats, bones and supplements. Often times we over look what else we are giving them. Treats can contain the harmful and not so healthy ingredients as listed above.

Life’s Abundance premium pet food for puppies and adult dogs, cats and kittens is made using only fresh, human-quality ingredients. It is a nutrient dense food with high quality meat proteins and NO by-products, corn, wheat, gluten or soy. NO artificial flavors, colors, sugars or chemical preservatives.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit premium4pets.com premium, healthy dog food by Lifes Abundance for more information.

Tags: dog food, healthy dog, kitten

Related posts

• Your Dog And New Year’s Resolutions (0)
• Why Commercial Dog Food Will Kill Your Dog - What You Can Do About It And How You Can Halve Vet Bill (0)
• Which Is The Right One For Your Dog? (0)
• What You Should Know About Dog Food Natural Recipes (0)
• What Makes Dog Food Healthy? (0)

Tags: dog food, healthy dog, kitten

Even the coldest heart melts when presented with cute Kitten. A kitten is small and cuddly, full of mischief, and relatively easy to care for. However, a kitten is a living creature which will grow into a full grown cat. Responsible pet lovers, would never acquire a kitten without very careful thought.

Today cats are the UK’s ‘top pet’, ahead of dogs in the popularity stakes. It is true that cats often fit better into today’s busy lifestyle. Even if you spend several hours a day away from home at work or school you can keep a cat as a pet. Cats will usually be content to be on their own for a large part of the day.

A Cat is relatively easy to care for, and has many endearing qualities which make it a delightful pet.

The cat is a rewarding companion for both young and old alike. Children who grow up with kittens in the home will learn to respect life and to be caring - assuming that they are properly supervised, of course. Caring for a kitten or a cat can teach a child responsibility.

There is a cat or kitten to suit everyone. There are many different breeds and colours, as well as the common, lovable pet cat or moggy that come in a variety of shapes and colours. A cat will happily be kept purely as an indoor pet (if it is used to this from kittenhood).

Chosen with care, your new kitten will easily adapt to your lifestyle, with the added bonus that a cat can be inexpensive both to buy and to keep. A healthy cat will usually have a lifespan of 15 years or more.

Selection

Often cat owners tell me that they never actually selected their cat: it selected them! You may find a stray cat in your garden and decide to give it a home. Please take reasonable care to ensure that your new cat is a genuine stray and you aren’t leaving another household heartbroken over their missing cherished pet.

You may find a friend or neighbour has a cat with unplanned litter.

An opportunist approach can work out very well, but please never take on a kitten just because it is so cute and appealing. Please ensure that you will be able to care properly for a cat for all of its natural life. Rule out somebody in your household being allergic to cats? Be prepared for scratch marks on your furniture, is this going to be a disaster? Please involve the whole family in the decision making before taking the step of getting a pet cat. Think carefully before you bring a kitten home, to avoid the heartbreak, 0f having to part with it at a later date.

There are thousands of unwanted cats in the UK; many are put to sleep by animal charities simply because there are not enough good homes available. Many of these cats are abandoned, simply because the novelty of owning a kitten wore off when it was no longer quite so small and cute.

Pedigree or Non-Pedigree

Most people will simply opt for a non-pedigree, sometimes called a ‘moggy’, these make great pets for millions of people. Non-pedigree kittens are relatively easy to come by, and will be very inexpensive to buy, sometimes being offered as ‘free to good homes’.

A great place, from which to obtain your non-pedigree kitten is your local animal shelter, or Cats Protection League. The staff will be on hand to help you to select a suitable kitten, and they can also give you advice regarding its care. Be prepared to answer several questions about yourself, they will want to ensure that you are a suitable cat owner. The kittens at a shelter will have been checked over by a vet, so you can be reasonably certain that you will acquire a healthy kitten – something which is not always the case when you pick a kitten from the litter down the road.

Please bear in mind that there are many adult cats in shelters all over the country, waiting for new homes. An adult cat can make just as good a pet as a Kitten.

When looking for a pedigree kitten, then you should do some research before hand. A pedigree kitten has an advantage over the non-pedigree: you should be better able to predict a cat’s behavior and temperament as an adult, as most individuals within a particular breed follow the same basic behaviour patterns. If you want a well-bred cat of a particular appearance that will have a temperament to suit you and your family, then opt for a pedigree kitten. A pedigree kitten will cost considerably more (often several hundred pounds) but you are paying for the knowledge that you have a carefully bred and reared kitten. It’s parents should have been tested for hereditary diseases and is likely grow up just as you want it. A pedigree kitten will also have had its inoculations by the time you buy it, which is seldom the case with non-pedigrees.

A responsible breeder will ask your questions about you and the environment that you intend to take your new cat home to.

Terry King runs pets2home.co.uk/ Parcel Pets, a leading UK pets2home.co.uk/ pet supplies web site and has had pets all his life. He lives with his wife Louise, dog Sam, Cat Sabrina and 5 fish!

Tags: kitten

Related posts

• Your Purrrfect Companion (0)
• Your Pet’s Medicine Chest - Medications To Keep On-Hand (0)
• Your Pet’s Health - What Every Pet Owner Should Know (0)
• Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? (0)
• Your Guide to Kitten and Cat Care (0)

Tags: kitten

In recent years, the vaccination of cats has become more popular. The three most common vaccines give protection against feline infectious enteritis (FIE), feline influenza (cat flu) and feline leukaemia (FeLV). An initial course of two injections, the first at nine weeks are usually given, and yearly boosters are recommended thereafter.

FIE causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and the cat develops a very high temperature. Before the vaccine was introduced, it killed a great many cats by dehydration due to the bowel symptoms. Cat flu is caused by two viruses: the feline rhinotracheitis (FCV). FVR is the more severe of the two, causing coughing, sneezing, and nasal and eye discharges.

FVC has milder discharges but more gum inflammation and mouth ulcers. Neither FCV nor FVR is usually deadly but the infection can linger on in the form of snuffles, and some cats become symptomless carriers of the disease. When stressed, these cats develop mild symptoms and spread the virus.

FeLV suppresses the activity of the cat’s immune system, allowing a wide range of symptoms to develop. It often results in the death of the cat after several months of illness. The virus is spread mainly in the cat’s saliva. It is a disease of cats that fight a lot, and of cats in large colonies, who share the same food and water bowls. It should not be a threat in a well-run boarding cattery, where the feeding and grooming utensils are properly cleaned, and the cats do not mix with each other.

A vaccine exists against the chlamydial organism, which can cause not only mild eye and nasal symptoms, but more importantly, infertility and abortion. This vaccine is used mainly in breeding colonies to protect against infertility.

1st-cat-care.com/index.html 1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats’ health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more …

Tags: cat care, groom, kitten

Related posts

• Useful Tips On Caring For Your New Cat Or Kitten (0)
• The ABC’s of Himalayan Cat Care (0)
• How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them (0)
• How Cat Care Sweetens Life (0)
• Housecat Care; How to Handle Specific Problems (0)

Tags: cat care, groom, kitten

Understanding the stages of development in cats will go a long way toward raising an intelligent feline.

Most people who call my cat shelter are looking for a kitten… the younger the better. The common
belief is that the youngest ones will bond more satisfactorily with the new family or owner, and that they will more easily learn the routine at their new home.

However, the next question is always, “Is it litter box trained?”

Somehow, people expect what is basically an infant to be well trained to minimize any potential for
accidents, as well as socialized for human contact, yet naive enough to fit in with the members of a new family, with no issues to resolve.

This is a rather tall order for a baby!

Human infants are expected to wear diapers until they are about 2 years old, and are not expected to know many words until they are 5 or so. Kittens, however, are expected to be “potty trained” before the timeline set by Nature. (Fortunately, this behavior comes quite naturally.) Then they are expected to learn things rapidly so they bond with the new family and their home routines. In effect, they are expected to know things they aren’t yet able to comprehend. Some people think instincts are a form intelligence in animals. In a way, that might be a valid concept, but animals are not driven by instinct alone. Their ability to learn is affected by the conditions in which they must live.

When we consider the normal stages of development of the kitten as it becomes a cat, perhaps one can learn to be patient with their “new baby” at home:

From birth to 2 weeks, kittens’ eyes are just opening, usually around 10 days. They follow sound, and are completely dependent on their mothers. If separated from her now, they will become slow learners in life, and often will be aggressive toward people and other pets.

During the 3rd week, they are able to locate things by sight and smell, especially their mother.

Four weeks: Sense of smell is well developed, as is hearing. They can walk pretty well and begin playing with their littermates.

Five weeks: They are playing vigorously now, which is part of their schedule for learning the various skills they will need as adults, such as pouncing, stalking and running. At this point, they are also learning how to use their feet, as cats are masters of balancing and grasping. Their claws are essential equipment now. They also begin grooming themselves during this stage, as well as each other. Shared grooming is a social mechanism that helps them learn to bond with others. Removing the kitten from its mother and siblings now interrupts this process and they may not learn how to form relationships. This may explain why some cats never accept a companion or a new pet in the home later in life. They never learned that skill!

From 7 to 14 weeks is the stage where they are most active, where playing is not just for fun, but for learning the valuable skills they will need as adults. This is a critical time in a kitten’s life, and appropriate toys are essential if they are not playing with a littermate. Separation from their mother and siblings at this stage is very common, and the new owners must understand the essential use of playtime, grooming and gentle handling.

From 3 to 6 months of age, kittens are learning about the “totem pole,” that is, their social ranking. They may become aggressive if necessary for survival due to rough handling either by humans and/or by other pets, such as dogs or larger cats who may see them as intruders.

At this age, kittens may be regarded as “teenagers,” a time when they experience new feelings, especially those associated with the onset of puberty. If not spayed or neutered at this time, they will begin trying to dominate others in the home, including the humans.

This is normal and is quite necessary in the “wild” for survival. But your home is not a wild place… or shouldn’t be… and dominance should not be needed for survival. By this time, they should trust their humans completely, but it must be earned. Cats, more so than dogs, will not respect a human who mistreats them. They will become distant, living up to the perception that cats are aloof, and may even become aggressive with all or most members of the home.

Treating a new kitten with respect, gentleness and love, along with proper nutrition, will result in having a loving, well adjusted and smart cat!

Dr. R.J. Peters has an extensive background in health care, animal care, journalism, computer repair and systems administration. She has co-authored a book on PC security, writes articles over a wide spectrum of topics and has numerous ebooks available on the Internet. Visit her website, theproblemcat.com theproblemcat.com for more articles and information about pets.

Tags: groom, kitten

Related posts

• Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? (0)
• You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too (0)
• Which Of These Cat Breeds Is The Right One For You? (0)
• What Is That? It’s A Ferret (0)
• Useful Tips On Caring For Your New Cat Or Kitten (0)

Tags: groom, kitten