Cat Care Store

What should you be feeding your cat? You need to consider what cats will need in the wild to determine the best food sources for them.

In the wild, cats will eat mice and birds, and drink water. Obviously this is a diet high in protein and it is essential that your cat gets sufficient protein to maintain a good healthy diet.

What many people don’t realize is that cats can get diabetes from having a diet that is too high in carbohydrates.

By constantly feeding your cat carbohydrates it can become insulin resistant and unable to keep its blood glucose levels at a suitable level.

Some signs that your cat is becoming diabetic include drinking a lot of water and eating considerably more than they usually do. You might also notice a sign of weakness in the back legs as they tend to wobble a bit when walking.

The only way to be sure whether your cat is developing diabetes is to give it a blood test.

This is the best way to determine whether the cat has diabetes or not, although you can do a urine analysis to check blood glucose levels, but this is not as accurate.

Unlike humans and other animals it is possible for cats that have diabetes to go into remission provided their diet has been changed with an elimination of high carbohydrate foods. More protein will help to stabilize the blood glucose levels.

Dry biscuits are particularly bad for cats as they are generally very high in carbohydrates and even though your cat might love eating them, because of the additives that have been put into these dry foods, it certainly won’t do their health a lot of good.

The reason why these dry biscuits are so popular is because of the convenience and the fact that cats are very fussy eaters, and most cats like dry biscuits except possibly those that have been found straying in the wild.

If you have small children in the house and in particular those under the age of three then a cat might not be the best pet to have around.

This is taking into consideration both the child and the cat’s well-being. Cats love to snuggle into people for company and warmth and this can be particularly dangerous where cats have been known to get into bed with babies and smother them unintentionally.

Another problem can occur when young kittens like to play with children. Kittens have particularly sharp teeth and claws and when they play they can get overly excited and do a lot of damage to the tender skin of children. There is also the chance for the child to get scratched in the eye when playing with a kitten.

On the other hand, cats can get a hard life from children.  Young children often tend to be a little bit heavy-handed when handling cats, and this can lead to anxiety for the cat.

If there are cats and children in the family, then it is a wise decision to teach the children how to handle a cat correctly. Children need to be told how to pick up the cat and handle it carefully and also to become aware of when the cat doesn’t want to be handled any longer and would like to be left alone in peace.

Many cats also get quite stressed with loud noise and sudden action which is something that is quite common with young children.

It is good for children to learn to be considerate towards animals at a young age. They will not only treat animals better but will also be more considerate towards other people, so having a pet in the family that the children can learn to respect can be excellent for developing better people.

No cat wants to be dirty, and it’s up to you to ensure that your cat stays clean. Grooming is very important, as it helps your cat remain clean and healthy. Grooming starts with brushing, as brushing helps to keep the cats hair from becoming hairballs. Brushing will remove loose hair, and help prevent the risk of hairballs. A lot of cats have trouble dislodging hairballs. If the cat isn’t able to get a hairball out, it could result in a blockage of the intestines. Blockages are very serious, and can quickly become life threatening for your pet.

Cats that have long hair need to be brushed and combed on a daily basis, while cats with short hair need to be groomed on a weekly basis. When you brush your cat, you should always watch for lumps in the coat and skin irritations. You should start brushing along the cat’s back, going from his head to his tail. Do this a few times on one side, and then switch to the other. Each area should be brushed a few times in the direction of the way your cat’s hair is growing.

When you brush your cat, you should always avoid brushing his face and paws. If a cat doesn’t like to be brushed, you can still groom him using another tool. The grooming glove is an excellent alternative to the brush, as most cats don’t mind it at all. Starting out young is the key to grooming, as it will get your cat used to brushing and grooming. Some cats that have started grooming when they were kittens grow to love it, many of which often look forward to their grooming time.

When brushing your cat, make sure that you check his ears, eyes, teeth, and claws. His eyes should be bright and clear with nothing residing in the corners. His ears should be clean, pink in color, and no sign of ear mites. Ear mites result from dirt built up in a cat’s ears, and can result in the ears shriveling up and your cat losing his hearing. Ear mites are very annoying for the cat, and hard for you as an owner to get rid of. The best way to get rid of them – is to ensure that your cat’s ears stay clean and healthy.

Each time you groom your cat, you should always aim to go a bit further with your examinations. When your cat remains still, you should always praise him and give him a treat. If your cat doesn’t cooperate and starts to struggle, you shouldn’t fight with him, but instead let him go and try the next day. Once your cat gets used to grooming he will look forward to it each and every day.

Luckily cats are exceedingly clean animals and broadly speaking you don’t require to housebreak them at all. During the first few weeks after birth they’ll start to use the litter box, especially if they observe their mother doing the same thing.

If they’re going to the toilet out of doors, it’s natural for them to cover up after they’ve finished.

For newborn kittens you need to provide them with a litter box because they will need to be kept inside the house till they get accustomed to their new place.

Fill a box with cat litter to an adequate depth that will permit them to dig, about 2 ins, and place the box in a quiet space where they don’t sense that they’re being watched as many kittens can become rather embarrassed whenever they believe people are looking at them as they’re going to the toilet.

You should on a regular basis take out any wet litter and droppings, and ensure that the cat litter stays clean at all times otherwise the kitten will not be willing to use it.

When you have additional cats using the litter box you will need to empty it a good deal more often as they will tend to go more frequently, as cats tend to mark over each other in a similar way like they practice with marking their territory.

Whenever you discover that your cat or kitten isn’t using its litter box as it should there are a few reasons why this could be occurring.

The most obvious reason is that the litter isn’t cleaned adequately.

Instead the litter box could be in a location that the cat isn’t happy with and placing it in a more secluded place could settle the problem.

Elderly or incontinent cats may necessitate a visit to the veterinarian to ascertain if they can resolve the problem and sick cats will frequently not bother going to the litter box.

Some of the times it can merely be a behavioral problem with your cat and this will need to be settled with appropriate action and the correct training methods.

Cats in estrus will also spray so as to attract mates and the only redress for this is neutering.

Go to How To Care For Your Cat to learn about caring for the welfare of one of our most beloved animal pets.

It is important that you keep your environment safe for your cat, as they are very inquisitive animals and will get into all sorts of trouble given half the chance.

Living near a road is a major concern for any cat owner, as cats love to wander around the neighborhood in search of other cats or company from other people. It is not uncommon for cats to wander a long distance particularly at night, and the best bet is probably to keep it confined inside at night so you know where it is.

This might require that you keep it locked inside the house or have an external area that is fenced, in such a manner that the cat can’t climb out remembering that cats are extremely good at climbing and escaping from any enclosure.

They also need to be protected from other animals, and in particular dogs that can become quite vicious in the pursuit of a cat.

You really need to use your common sense and look about the environment that your cat is living in to determine any areas that could be a danger to it.

Having a cat door that will provide your cat with unrestricted access to the house is essential for any cat that prefers to spend some of its time outside during the day or night.

Cats can pick up infections from other animals, or from the feces that has been left about by other animals, so you need to know where your cat is wandering and whether those places could be endangering its health in any way.

By having your cat neutered there is less chance that it will wander about the neighborhood looking for other cats.

If your cat isn’t kept within a confined area then you will need some form of identification on it should it ever get lost.

Even cats that roam freely outside look for something when indoors that they can scratch. There are several reasons why a cat needs to scratch:-

1. They will scratch to sharpen their claws.
2. They will show their superiority over weaker cats.
3. They will be exercising the extension and retraction of their claws.
4. They will be marking their territory.
5. They might even be getting rid of anger or frustration.

You can see there are many reasons why cats we need to scratch, but you certainly don’t want them to use your furniture as the scratching pad therefore it is a good idea to supply the cat with a good scratching pad and let them know that that is what it is intended to be used for.

Put the scratching post in a place that is easily accessible to the cat particularly when it is finished eating or grooming itself and is likely to feel like having a scratch.

Anytime the cat looks like it is going to scratch your furniture or anything else that you don’t want it to scratch, quickly pick it up and put it near the scratching post so it learns that the scratching post is where it should be scratching.

If the cat tends to scratch a particular piece of furniture or other item in the house on a regular basis, then remove that item and replace it with a scratching post.
The cat will begin to learn that it is the scratching post that it should be scratching and nothing else.

The more time you spend with your cat when it is young, training it where it can scratch, the less trouble you will have as it grows older.

Sometimes a cat will scratch as a form of devotion, or leave its scent over your own scent.
By rubbing your hands or clothing over the scratching post you will be leaving your scent and often this is all that is needed to encourage your cat to scratch the post.

One thing many people don’t consider when getting a cat is the lifespan of the pet and the fact that they need to be responsible for the health and well-being of the cat for between 15 and 20 years.

There are additional factors that need to be taken into consideration and one of the most important factors is the expense of owning a cat.
Obviously you’re going to need to spend money on food and good nutrition but there can be additional expenses such as vaccinations and other veterinarian costs that need to be considered.

As with people, the personalities of cats are many and varied.
Ideally you will find the cat whose personality is matched to your own.
There are many excellent books available at libraries and bookstores that will give you a good description of the type of personality to be expected from the various different breeds of cats.

Some breeds of cats require a lot more attention than others and particularly those cats that tend to live inside more often than other breeds that are happy to run around outside and keep themselves occupied.

Cats with longer fur will tend to shed had a lot more fur about the house which will require more cleaning and they will also require more grooming which means you will have to spend more time looking after them.

Cats are a lot more independent than dogs and are more difficult to train, and this is something that you need to realize and accept.

If you like to travel a lot or you are away from the house a lot of the time, you will need to arrange some other person or service that can mind your cat and ensure that it gets fed regularly.

It is always worth considering where you’re living and if the environment is suitable for owning a cat.

And one thing that surprisingly many people don’t consider before getting a cat is whether any person in the family is allergic to cats as there are quite a large number of people who are allergic to cats.

A cat is a lovable and adorable pet. But a cat could also be messy most of the time and this is the primary reason why there is a need for cats training devices which enables them to live with the behaviors you want them to have. This is one of the reasons why there are a lot of training devices available in the market.

Like any other animals, training a cat can be difficult. To make the work easier, several cat training devices are invented and applied during cat training. Some of these devices are proven to be effective on training cats.

Cat Training Devices

Repellent. To avoid your cat from scratching house furniture, a small amount of liquid repellent can be put into some furniture. When the cat tastes the awful taste of the repellent, it will not scratch the furniture.

Scratching post. Aside from liquid repellent, a scratch post can be provided to your cat to prevent it from scratching valuable things because cats have the nature of clawing something.

Yarns and balls. Cats love to exercise and are very playful. To avoid them from playing with other things, provide a ball of yarn to serve as their play thing.

Food Tray. Your cat should know where it could only eat its food. Thus, a food tray should be provided.

Water Sprays. A cat fights with another cat very often. To prevent this from happening, spray water to the fighting cats and they will learn not to fight anymore.

Litter Box. To deal with cat’s dirt, a litter box should be used. This is an essential thing in a cat’s toilet training.

Nesting Spot. Because cats love to go to elevated spots, a nesting spot should be provided. This will keep them from jumping on house furniture and things.

Cat Grass. Cats have a habit of eating grass to induce vomiting and sometimes just out of curiosity. To prevent this, a cat grass should be provided.

These cat training aids cannot teach the cat alone. You should also show your complete patience, consistency and willingness to teach your cat. Your cat’s good behavior would be the greatest reward that you could get.

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At one point in history cats were revered, praised even worshiped. If you ask your cat, it probably thinks things should still be that way. Your cat would probably point out that he doesn’t think he’s getting all the things he deserves in life. While you may think a few toys, some catnip, food and water are enough, cats like it all. But we’re going to ask your cat to give you the benefit of the doubt that you may not know about all the pieces of cat furniture that your feline is missing out on.

One piece of cat furniture that seems to transcend all cats is something to scratch. That is part of cat nature. They need to work their claws, mark their space, and if you don’t give them something to scratch, they’ll find something, most likely your furniture. While some pet stores will sell you little blocks for your cat to scratch on, that is not going to do for the long run. Your cat needs something he can really get a good work out on. You may want to look for long or tall scratching posts, or even cat trees. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the scratching surface you are getting for your cat is taller or longer than your cat when he is stretched completely out. And if you look into cat trees or posts that are covered with carpet or woven sisal material, your cat will be addicted to getting his claw work out there.

Just as dogs like houses to hide away from the world, so do cats. They are predatory animals and like to have their cover, even if all they are stalking is a mosquito that has gotten into the house. These pieces of cat furniture can come in a number of shapes and heights, all the way up to kitty condos that can hold multiple cats.

Unless your cat has medical issues that prevent climbing, cats love height. This is noted by the creators of cat furniture because many of the cat furniture items on the market are nice and tall so your cat can do plenty of climbing and pouncing. Jumping up and down the perches of cat furniture play areas are also a good way for an indoor cat to get much needed exercise.

If you want to get bonus points with your cat, place a piece of cat furniture near a window. Nothing pleases cats more than letting them watch what is happening in the outside world. And it’s even better if they can do it from the safety of their own cat furniture.

In the fun portion of the cat furniture market are some unique pieces. If you have a cat that used to live outside, that you have turned into an indoor cat, there are cat scratching and climbing posts that have been molded to look just like a real trees, to remind them of their outside years. Or if you really want to pamper your cat, some cat furniture items have been built as elaborate palaces and retreats where your cat may live in better fashion than you.

Author Jennifer Akre, owner of many sites dedicated to indoor and outdoor home decor products and information, provides online consumers with advice on purchasing gorgeous [http://www.simplycatsupplies.com/]cat furniture, luxurious [http://www.simplycatsupplies.com/]cat houses and swanky [http://www.simplycatsupplies.com/]cat trees.

Which types of cats are right for you and your family? There is a large number of different cat breeds that one can choose from. Many of these breeds can easily adapt to home living, and make excellent pets for you and your children. So how do I find the best breed that is appropriate for me? Here is an excellent list of tips that you can use before making your final decision.

Quiet Or Noisy Cats

Some cat breeds can be very loud and noisy. You will want to consider this when choosing your pet cat. You and your family will need to determine if you can handle a vocal type of cat within your home, or would a quiet cat be more enjoyable. A number of cat owners don’t usually have any issues with a more vocal cat, although if you live in an apartment, then you might have to reconsider choosing a loud cat. Some of the more loud or vocal types of cats include: the Korat, Siamese Cats, or the Burmese. If you are in the market for a quiet cat, then the following breeds may be more to your liking: Scottish Fold, Somali, or the American Curl.

Cuddly Or Playful

The next decision that you will want to make is to determine whether you want a cat that is more of an aloof breed or one that is more affectionate and cuddly. Some of the considerations to keep in mind are the amount of free time that you can spare. If you have a lot of available time then a cuddly cat who craves attention may be a great choice. Affectionate cuddly cats are also a great choice for those with children.

Friendliest Cat Breeds:

Maine Coon

Snowshoe

Abyssinian

Ragdoll

Tonkinese

Himalayan Persian

Less Sociable Breeds

Nebelung

Russian Shorthair

Norwegian Forest

If you are looking for a cat breed that will not get into constant mischief, and ones that can amuse themselves, then the following breeds may be a bad choice:

Siamese

Rex

Sphynx

Balinese

British Angora

These cats have a lot of energy and can be very inquisitive. These breeds are an excellent choice for someone who has a lot of free time and is home-bound. They can be a great source of entertainment; in fact the Rex can be enjoyable and silly to watch as he attempts to amuse those around him.

Other Important Features

There are also other important features that you want to look at in addition to the right temperament of the cat. An important feature to consider when choosing the right cat is whether you want a long haired or short haired breed. This is especially important to those owners who do not have a great deal of time to devote to a pet. These owners may want to opt for a short haired breed. The attraction of a fuzzy ball of fluff may look great, but grooming adult long haired cats can be very time consuming. A cat’s coat of hair can tangle and matt up right down to its skin at an alarming rate if you do not provide proper grooming. If this should happen, your only choice is to have him completely shaved, which can be very traumatic. Your cat would need to be sedated, and this could pose some potential health risks.

Making The Final Choice

Having looked at the many different cat breeds and their unique features, you are now able to begin selecting your new cat. You should first ask yourself a few questions such as: should I get a baby kitten, or start with a feline that is somewhat older or even one that has been abandoned.

There are many new kittens available at various cat shows, and you might want to check out your local listings. There will more than likely be a number of cat exhibitors who are looking at selling some of their kitten litter. A great place to find an older feline would be at the humane society, or possibly the animal shelter in your town.

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