Cats – The Purrfect Companion?

"You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats." - Colonial proverb

Fancy having a cat at home? It will depend on you throughout its life – around 15 years with proper care – so properly budget for visits to the vets and other costs before making a decision to get a cat.

You have to budget for cat food, cat litter and scoops and other accessories to make the cat’s life comfortable at your home.

Kitten or adult? A difficult choice since the kitten of today is going to be a member of your household for a long time. Perhaps it is better to get an adult cat since it has already developed a personality and you will know what you are getting. Adult cats easily adapt to a new home and get attached to the new owner as easily as a kitten. It does not matter whether you get a male or female because their behaviour is not dependent on their gender. Neutered and spayed cats make pleasant companions.

Any good animal shelter will have healthy cats available. Remember a cat you picked up from the shelter is actually saved from death by you. To convey a proper image, choose a name for the cat from Abby, Achilles to Zummo. There are lots and lots of fancy names to choose from.

OK, you got your cat – so now what? Open up your purse so that your cat can feel pampered. You can get elegant and lavishly designed dining bowls with a price range of £8 to £80. To promote their health and well being encourage your cat to drink more water. Drinking fountains for cats which re-circulate water and provide fresh tasting filtered water are a great idea. Like humans, pets require water as a vital element for survival. Water constitutes approximately 70% of a cat's or dog's body.

Apart from feeding the cat we have to provide mental and physical stimulation and keep them active and happy. A ball dispensing cat nip or any other small treat once in 2 to 4 hours (preset – depending upon the need of your cat) is one of the accessories which are fun to watch when the cat plays and eat.

Colorful place mats for the cat with some hilarious or funny drawing make a great gift and liven up the cat pen.

To make your cat enjoy the outdoors along with you buy a pet stroller which costs from £40 to £ 150 or a cat harness. Vaccinations, also known as kitten shots will help protect the cat from various diseases. Remember to keep your cat healthy by changing the litter box frequently.

Cats Are Very Lovable Creatures

“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?”- An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be.

Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. “A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem.” Cats for many people, are really very lovable - remember ‘Snowbell’ - the cat of “Stuart Little”.

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet. Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.

Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets - cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.

Cat Grooming:

Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.

Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Cat Grooming Supplies:

Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat. Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.

Cat Beds:

A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat - thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets.

Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.

There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.

Cat Training With A Clicker

Clicker training is a reinforcement or reward for a cat when training them. Clickers are use most often for support when training a cat for a reward. Cats associate the clicker with a good behavior they will use for a long time. Clicker training is associated with classical condition (they associate the sound with food.) and operant conditioning (cat performs movement to receive food).

Why use a clicker and not tell a cat or make a sound to get your cat to do a trick? A clicker has a sound a cat can hear and associate good behavior. With words, our tones in our voice can change from time to time, which a cat can become confused with the training. With talking for the commands, a cat could mistake the commands. With using a clicker, it is more of a training tool to get the behavior started with the cat. Then you can put the clicker away for that behavior or trick once a cat has learned the behavior

When taking the cat out for a walk or on a trip, the clicker is a good item to carry along with you. Cats can get distracted with other people, or animals in the area. With using the clicker, it will reinforce the behavior that you have taught them. In addition, a clicker can help you with having your cat walk with you instead of wondering around.

With the clicker, a cat can be trained using three easy steps: Get a behavior, mark a behavior, and reinforce the behavior. Get a behavior is the first step. A good example would be for the cat to jump a hoop. The cat will have to know that when you click that they get a treat. Start with very small treats in your pocket. Clicks, Treat, Click Treat do this for a few times until you see the cat coming for the treat on the click. Next marking the behavior: You will have to show the cat the hoop. Once the cat touches the hoop, click, treat. Then show the cat to go though the hoop once it does click, treat. Continue to do this until the cat goes though the hoop on its own or your command. Reinforce the behavior Remember to have snacks handy so when you do see your cat go though the hoop a snack is available.

Training a cat with a clicker can be fun for both you and the cat. Taking steps in training will be rewarding to you and the cat. Try not to rush a cat in training, as they can become confused especially if they did not get the step before down. The training will take time and steps to achieve this behavior. Patience, love, and rewards will be the key factor in training your cat.

The clicker is a good exercises tool for a cat. 10 to 15 mins a day you should get your cat to exercises. For exercising, you can have the cat use a hoop, play with a toy, and climb on the scratching post or something that focus on the cat getting exercise. Exercises will help the cat to stay healthy and help to keep it out of mischief.

Clickers can come with books to help you train, treats, and a clicker. Clickers come in many different size shapes, and color. You will want to research the clickers out. Check out a pet store, Internet sites give lots of information on training and using a clicker. Check out companies that make the clicker by using Internet to see what kind they offer and any additional information that you might need to get the process of training done. Check out articles about the clicker. Talk to someone that has used one. Talk to your area veterinary about training with a Clicker

Once you have used a clicker, the cat will get good exercise and be a healthy cat. The cat will be happier and you will be happier with the new behaviors that you have taught your cat.

To sum up training your cat, important things to remember is have patience, love and the clicker.

Cat Training for Your Intractable Cat

Cats are almost always depicted as loners, the lords of their realm, snobbish and downright stubborn. This is a type of animal that is quite proud, going their own way and rarely following orders. Think Garfield.

While this could be quite unfair to the cat, they are almost always compared to the loyalty and obedience of a dog, qualities which make them a popular pet all over the world.

That is why it is recommended to all cat owners or those who do plan to get a cat to train them immediately. This establishes the role of each person in the household. Cat training allows for the cat owner to train his or her cat and eventually leading up to a long lasting loving relationship between owner and pet.

Just like having a child, a pet cat that knows how to follow orders and is a source of pride and joy will be given great attention and love as well as more rewards.

But, before you start training your cat, you must know first its natural instincts and behaviours. As cat owners, we must respect what is but natural to every cat so we don't encroach into those natural instincts.

It is not uncommon for some cats to feel depression and stress, so do not mistake this for stubbornness or hard-headedness. This may cause a rift between you and your cat. The more you scream at it and the more you hurt it, the more the wedge and rift grows, making it harder to do cat training.

Have your cat checked out by a vet first before any cat training. There are many factors to consider first. If the vet gives the thumbs-up sign then your good to go. Cat training will provide for a happier and healthier cat-owner relationship.

Cat Mailboxes Can Mean So Much

We love our cats. Throughout the centuries, Cats have been revered, even worshipped. They can be our cuddly friends or fearsome hunters. Through it all, they are our beloved pets. For some, coming through the door at the end of a long day, being greeted by a furry feline it the best part of the day. Our cats love us unconditionally; we can do no wrong with them. Now, there is something that can lift your spirits as soon as you turn into the driveway. A new and unique way to pay tribute to the one who enriches our lives in so many different ways and this is with cat mailboxes.

Cat mailboxes, what’s not to love? A cat mailbox is a cute, fun, decorative novelty item that can bring you home to life. It is a way to personalize your property. It can show to the world that you are friend to felines. The assortment of different cat mailboxes is as astounding. There are so many different shapes and sizes that it makes the decision to purchase just one difficult. There have been some who have purchased cat mailboxes just for décor. They can be created a playful kittens or in a stalking pose. The design is limited only by cat lovers’ imagination.

Cat mailboxes are approved by the United States Postal service and are made of heavy-duty steel that is rust and weather resistant. They also can be made out of wood, or vinyl, and are all durable to withstand the often-frigid temperatures of winter or scorching heat of summer. Cat mailboxes come in many different designs. They can be freestanding, or attach to a building. They can have locks attached by request.

By searching the Internet, there are hundreds of links that will assist the cat lover in finding the perfect cat mailbox. There are even sites that will create a specific cat mailbox from a picture that is sent. It can be made to be a life size model of the your favorite pet. What better was to express love for a furry feline friends. A cat mailbox can also have a message inscribed on it to welcome guests to your home. This services is usually offer by request only. These adorable designs are usually hand crafted, and made to look exactly like a treasured family pet.

A cat mailbox can even be made with movable whiskers and tails. They are a delightful novelty item that all cat lovers would love to receive as a gift.

A cat mailbox will make an incredible addition to a home that will keep friends and loved one amazed at the quality and workmanship of the design.

Most sites on the Internet will send a cat mailbox complete with everything you need for installation. This feature is appealing to most people as all they have to do is unwrap and install their cat mailbox for all to see.

Big or small, black or white a cat mailbox will be the talk of every neighborhood.

Cat Litter Box Problems: 7 Essential Keys To Solve The Problem Quickly!

Has this ever happened to you? Your cat's peeing outside the litter box, and you're desperately trying to clean up after your cat, wondering if you're actually doing anything to stop it from happening in the first place!

Well, if you're like me, you probably want some quick solutions to the problem, or at least a list of checkpoints that you know you must, like a detective on a trail, work through, to get the litter box behavior problem under control.

By the time you finish this article, you will have learnt the 7 most important steps you must know, when it comes to this problem of the cat peeing outside the litter box.

Firstly, let's have a look at the reasons why this happens. The reasons for peeing outside the litter box are:

1. A medical problem.

2. The cat that has never been properly house trained to use the litter box in the first place.

3. Problems with the litter tray itself.

4. An unpleasant event that occurred while the cat was at the litter box.

5. A temporary physical or emotional stress, or change in the household causing the cat to urinate in an area outside the box, which is perpetuated by the urine smell reminding the cat to return to the same area over and over again.

6. Old age causing a cat to not be easily able to get to the litter box.

Now, keep these causes in mind, when checking out the 7 action steps:

1. If there's a change in toilet behavior with no obvious cause, it may be caused by illnesses such as urinary tract infections, blocked anal glands, worms and parasites, diabetes and tumors. These illnesses may have no other obvious signs, apart from this urination problem. So you must consider a visit to the vet. In other cases you may see symptoms such as lethargy, blood in the urine, diarrhea, or constant licking in the anal area. If you see this, then your first stop is the vet!

2. Look at the litter box itself. Ensure you're cleaning out the waste once or twice a day, and changing the litter every 3-4 days for non-clumping litter (2-3 weeks for clumping litter). Clean the tray with hot water and mild detergent, without any strong odors such as citrus or ammonia, which will repel the cat from the box. If you have multiple cats, remember - the number of trays should equal number of cats, plus one or two. If you've changed brands of litter, this may have caused the problem as many cats dislike this change, especially to scented litter. Return to the older litter. If you want to change, introduce unscented litter gradually by mixing the old with the new over 2 weeks. And ensure that the location of the box is acceptable: no loud noises, has some privacy, and is not in view of other cats.

3. Consider adding in 1 more litter box to another suitable private location of the house. This is because sometimes it's not the litter box that's the problem, but a negative experience there. For example, if your kids played with the cat while she was on the litter box, or if the cat had pain when urinating, such as during a urine infection, after having kittens, or had a procedure done on the bladder or urethra at the vet, then the cat would associate pain with that litter box. Even if the pain is gone, the association and is still there.

4. Thoroughly clean the area that has been peed on. This is important because no matter what the cause, the fact that the urine remains on the bed, carpet, or sofa is a reminder for the cat to return to pee there. The cat's sense of smell is more acute than ours, so ensure you clean with a solution such as Brampton's Simple Solution. If you have remaining urine smell together with a bad association at the box, then you have 2 forces causing the problem to continue. So get rid of both!

5. Next, if possible, deny the cat access to the area that is peed on, especially if it's an area that is repeatedly used. Many people forget to do this, and their problem is prolonged. By stopping access, the cycle of repeated urination is stopped. Will the cat pee somewhere else? Possible, though less likely if you provide a second litter box, show him where it is a few times, and also do the step 7 below.

6. If you can't stop the cat from accessing the area, make the area less attractive for peeing instead. You can do this by either placing a scent, or, by placing a bowl of dried cat food there. If using a scent, try citrus or eucalyptus. If using dried food, which often works better, ensure that you top up the food bowl during the day. Either way, once you have success, continue for another 1-2 weeks to ensure it stays that way.

7. If you're at home when the cat is, then you have this step up your sleeve as well: the startle technique. Only do this method if you actually catch the cat about to urinate because if you do it at any other time, that cat will not be able to associate that urinating in the area with the unpleasant startle. Startle the cat with a loud "No!" or clap of the hands. Wait 5 minutes, then bring the cat to the litter tray, and if she toilets at the tray, reward her with praise and a food treat. As long as the length and enjoyment of the reward if far greater than the startle, this will be unlikely to cause stress. Use this method carefully as some cats may experience stress with it. Make sure that the cat seems relaxed after the food treat, and that it's actually improving the situation.

If you follow the above steps, most problems of peeing outside the litter box will be solved within days or gradually improve over 1-2 weeks.

Remember in all cases, you'll be even more effective if you reduce stress at the same time. This means more play time and attention.

In conclusion, it does take some effort and detective work to see what has caused the litter box behavior problem in the first place. And you now know how to apply 7 essential steps to help you solve this issue, as quickly and effectively as possible.

If you'd like to learn more advanced tips on solving your cat's litter box behavior problem, go to the website described in the resource box below.

Cat Furniture

I remember dreading the day I found the perfect couch to go in our appartment. Binx was never particular with what he liked scratching on and I realised that if I bought this couch, that it would end up looking like a shreaded pin cushion in a matter of hours not days!

Just moving into a new appartment (or having been there a long time) introducing your kitty to his new surroundings can be quite tough and you want to keep him inside for about a week to three weeks until you are satisfied that he is happy to know where home is and he is settled himself before deciding to let him outside. While he is inside for those one to three weeks, if you are unfortunate enough not to be able to stay home and watch your kitty 24/7, you will likely to come home and find the couch has been attacked or worse, I used to come home and find the base of my bed had been attacked!

Now declawing is definately out of the option, the only other choice left was to look at is Cat Furniture for your kitty. For starters a cat scratcher especially if you have an indoor kitty! Now I was very warey how Binx would take to this new carpeted object sitting in the lounge, and it was quite lucky I had bought him a Cat Nip plant!

Your kitty will probably go nutty over Cat Nip, but not all cats react the same way to it. If your kitty is not taking any notice of his new scratching pole, and is still using your couch, break a couple of leaves off the Cat Nip plant and proceed to rub it all over the carpeted pole. It took a few days of sniffing for Binx to actually get any interest in the pole, but once your kitty gets the idea or if need be, show kitty how it should be used first, and praise him each time he uses it properly!

Make sure the pole is secured down properly because it might topple onto kitty while he's using it, and it will just scare him off using the pole for good! I had ours wedged underneath the TV Cabnet and now the Coffee table and removed the bell attached to the top of the pole as it seemed to scare Binx everytime it jingled behind him! And guess what - He has not touched our new couch, ONCE!

Cat Fights

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Feral or unferal, your kitty may get tangled up in one of these if they are in particular an outdoor cat. Indoor cats if by themselves are obviously not as prone to this risk, unless they find themselves outside, or a stray visitor inside.. but two or more indoor cats can have their "bad" days as well.

If you allow your cat to roam outside in the big wild outdoors, I seriously recommend you take kitty to your veternarian from a young age and start getting him vaccinated! And make sure this is done every year no questions! This is necessary if you don't want your kitty to get infected by nasties like Feline Aids (FIV) which is transmitted through blood while fighting. This also protects your kitty among a lot of other different diseases out there like Feline Leukemia
(FLV). It is also highly advisable to get him (or her) neutered. Unspayed males will fight feirsly for a female if she is in heat, which can leave both cats in tatters and spayed males can find themselves in the middle of something they don't understand if an unspayed males get the wrong idea...

Cats fighting outside at night time can be quite of a shock, as sometimes they can sound close to a child shreking or yelling, and it is definately the last thing you want to hear when your trying to sleep at night! My ultimate way of getting rid of cats engaged in a fight is to turn the hose on them, as noises won't startle them hardly as they are concentrating too much on the other cat!

For indoor cats, obviously water all over the carpet is unwanted so I find usually placing a large object between the two which will cut of eye contact with both cats, if they are engaged in a fight, don't get in their way as cat bites can not only hurt, but are more likely to become infected than dog bites. Use a chair and turn upside down and use the back of the chair and gently slide the chair between the cats, this will startle them and stop them from fighting. Give the cats 'time out' by placing one in a closed room for a short period of time.

A good tell-tale sign if a cat is frightened, the hair will stand up all over the body and when the cat threatens or is ready to attack, you will see the hair stand up in a narrow band along the spine and tail to make him look bigger, and this is also a good time to get out that hose or chair!

With the average lifespan of an outdoor only cat if they are feral or unferal, is only about three years! Which is why if you love your kitty and want him to have a healthy live, keep him indoors and he can live a whopping 16 years longer!

Not only will you benefit from keeping your kitty living longer indoors, it will save you expensive veternarian bills for infected scratches, broken teeth, torn ears, and so on by these nasty one-on-ones.

Cat Claw Survival Solutions To The Rescue!

Cats can be ill tempered and mean on their worst days, but even the most annoying problems have a remedy somewhere. If your cat is clawing your furniture, your carpet, and your legs with the same ferocity, understanding the how and why behind the behavior can help you redirect your feline friend’s clawing instinct to be expressed in less destructive ways.

So why IS your cat clawing everything in sight?

Here’s the jawdropper: a cat’s claws never stop growing. Let me repeat that: They NEVER stop growing. When I found that out, a big light went off in my head. Just like a pet hamster that constantly needs to knaw on wood to keep their teeth from growing too long, what cats are actually doing when they sharpen their claws is removing the outermost layer of their claws. O.K. Kitty Cat, we finally get it!

So what to do? What to do?

The first thought bubble that forms is to scoop kitty up for a little declawing action at the nearest vet’s office. But before you take such a drastic step, keep in mind that once those claws are gone, they’re GONE. Take away those claws, and you’re taking away your pet’s primary form of defense. Even if you have an indoor cat like I do, chances are, sooner or later, a window of opportunity is going to open up just long enough for your cat to slip outside and be vulnerable to attacks from other animals and people.

O.K. So now you know why your cat is actually using you as a scratching post. Let’s move away from the word “using”. In a way, it’s kind of flattering. That doesn’t make it hurt any less. Let’s get your cat to branch out. It’s time to get a REAL scratching post, so that your pet can get into the habit of using it instead of YOU, whenever those claw sharpening impulses may strike.

So how do we get kitty to break her bad habits and start to use the proper place where she can scratch to her heart’s content?

The answer lies in you.

That is of course, IF you are your cat’s favorite person in the family.

If so, then try hanging an article of clothing that belongs to you on your virgin scratching post. The idea is to make the area smell familiar. A day or two should be enough for your cat to become accustomed to its’new scratching outlet.

Don’t want to part with something from your wardrobe? Time to get a little sneakier then. Catnip can be your secret weapon. Sprinkle catnip over the scratching post and watch what happens. This one may be even worth breaking out the video camera for.

This next option sounds a little weird, but believe me, it WORKS!

Try sprinkling the post area with powdered chicken bouillon. The idea is to get the cat to feel friendly enough toward the scratching post to attack it.

While your cat is making the transition to a designated area for scratching, there are several ways to make your cat’s favorite scratching areas a lot less attractive. This will help ease the transition from the old spots to the new.

Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over them. Cover or wrap the areas in aluminum foil. Remember what it felt like when your fingernails went down the chalkboard? Ever try it again? Cats will experience the same thing and be deterred from using the areas. Finally, clean the areas well to eradicate any cat odor. This will go a long way toward removing the aura of familiarity that creates the habit of using the space. Also, just keep the doors closed to make those places inaccessible to the cat.

Now that you know more about the how and why of your cat’s clawing instinct and behavior, take these simple steps and you’ll soon see a resolution to the cat clawing issues in your household. With a little time and patience, your cat’s claw sharpening activities should be limited to its’favorite spot: the scratching post!

Cat Carriers For Safety

While some people may consider it cruel to cage up your ragdoll cat it's actually a matter of safety for both you and your cat. For example if you were driving and your cat suddenly jumped on to you, or it got trapped underneath your feet and the brake this could cause a serious accident. Pets can sometimes be unpredictable and for reasons like those mentioned above and more it is always safer to use a cat carrier when transporting your cat to another destination such as the vet.

When choosing a cat carrier you will find there are hundreds of different ones on the market to choose from. Pick one that is suitable for both you and your cat and remember you will need a place to store it when it is not in use. A good cat carrier should be both safe and comfortable for your cat, it should have enough room inside for a fully grown cat to have some freedom of movement, and your cat should be able to both stand up and turn around in side its cage. Air holes on all sides are also needed as this allows the air to fully circulate and your cat to look out.

To make your cat feel comfortable and safe in its carrier it's a good idea to put a blanket in side of it, if your cat has its own blanket on its bedding then that is ideal as the cat will be able to recognize the smell, this should help your cat to feel a little bit safer. The first time you use your cat carrier it is also a good idea to put down some newspaper in side just incase your cat has any "accidents".

It can be awkward getting a fully grown adult cat into its carrier but you can sometimes trick them with food or treats, kittens on the other hand are much easier to get in to one as you can generally just pick them up and place them in side with out to much hassle.

Cat Care: Keeping Your Cat Healthy and Your Home Clean

There's no question that our cats are full-fledged family members. Their loyalty, their love, and their ability to comfort us are unparalleled. Sometimes, though, their hair or odors can leave an unwelcome footprint in our homes. Just as we clean up the spills made by our kids (or our spouses!), it's up to us to clean up after our cats. Luckily, there are any number of products that make pet care a breeze.

Cat Litter Boxes

Cats are generally low maintenance pets, but their litter boxes often contribute little to you home decor, and can become a smelly nuisance. Today's litter boxes, though, can bring a touch of whimsy to your interior design, while their functionality can put an end to messes and odors.

One line of litter boxes comes in an assortment of patterns and colors, from solid silver and solid black, to polka dot, leopard print and wood grain. The litter tray door pulls out, and a metal sifter rake pulls and lifts litter out of the tray for easy cleaning. Another ingenious design has a triangular shape so that you can easily place it otherwise used corner space.

If you want to make cat care even easier, self-cleaning litter boxes are the answer. One style has an internal grill that traps used litter. You simply roll the enclosed litter box on its side and remove the waste tray. Another type takes self-cleaning to the next level by having a slowly but rotating system that quietly but continuously scoops used cat litter into a receptacle. The ultimate litter box is one that automatically flushes cat waste down your toilet. Instead of cat litter, this box uses permanent granules that are washable. After your cat uses the box, the granules are automatically washed, disinfected, and dried. Liquid and any solid waste are flushed down the toilet with fresh water.

Kitty Litter

When it comes to kitty litter, many cats have a preference for one brand over another. But if you start with the right litter or are persistent, you can find kitty litter that can help eliminate odors while keep your cat healthy. One brand of kitty litter on the market not only neutralizes litter box odors, but also changes color if your cat has a urinary tract infection. Given that urinary tract infections can quickly become life threatening, early detection is key. It's also helpful to have information about a potential infection to give to your veterinarian.

Shedding Tools

Many people who love cats are troubled by allergies, or by the cat hair that clings to furniture and clothes. Products that help with shedding take one of two approaches: either they work at the source of the problem (your furry feline) or they make it a snap to clean up hair off of furniture.

Cats typically shed their undercoat (rather than the hair you see), so a product that helps you remove hair from your pet - a "furminator" of sorts - means you'll never see it on your couch. These products brush out the dead hair from the undercoat (but don't cut it), while bringing your cat's natural oils to the surface. Because this type of product also helps stops over zealous self-cleaning, your cat may be less likely to be bothered by hairballs.

Cat care isn't difficult, and the great litter boxes, kitty litter, and shedding tools make it even easier!

Cat Beds

Cats and dogs spend a lot of their time sleeping so a comfortable bed is very important. Cats like to be very comfortable when they are sleeping so getting them a cat bed that will keep them warm is a good ides. Heated cat beds can be found right here, with a click of your mouse.

If you are looking for a more traditional cat bed then why not consider a wicker cat bed. Wicker cat beds are great for cats, they offer needed support, as well as comfort for size. A window cat bed is also great, and then your cat can lie lazily in the sun in its cat bed looking out the window. Windowsill cat beds take into consideration the cat’s curiosity.

If your cat is definitely a prince or princess then by all means a fancy cat bed or a designer cat bed is definitely what your cat needs. If you have multiple cats then look at getting a cat bunk bed for them to share, or a cat bed tree. Cats like to be close and share with other cats this will give them the opportunity.

If your cat stay outside most of the time then look at getting your cat an outdoor cat bed or a cheep cat bed that you can replace every few months. Discount cat beds are also great for this reason. Don’t forget to consider pet bedding for your cat bed.

It is important to remember that because cats do shed, a washable cat bed is very important to help keep the cat dander and cat hair to a minimum in your house. Another good ideas it to have two cat beds (even if you only have one cat) this will ensure that you wash your cat bed regularly because you know that there is always a clean one waiting to take its place.

What ever your style as well as your cats needs get the bed that is right.

Caring for a Ragdoll Cat

The ragdoll cat is a large breed of cat, best known for its easygoing and mellow nature. They have long, thick fur coats and markings that resemble a siamese. Caring for your ragdoll cat should involve a regular feeding and grooming schedule, along with regular visits to the veterinarian for checkups and vaccinations. If you take good care of your ragdoll cat, they will be healthy, happy, and a better active pet for you to enjoy.

Feeding

Fresh food and water is an absolute necessity for your ragdoll. It is recommended that you always have a bowl full of dry food available for your cat, as well as a bowl of clean water. Wet food is probably not necessary on a daily basis, but it is really up to you, and what your ragdoll prefers. You may need to experiment with different brands and flavors of wet food. It can provide extra nutrients and add variety to your ragdoll's diet. We recommend feeding your ragdoll one of the premium brands of food, as the quality is usually better. Usually kittens should have a special formula of food, so check with your veterinarian or local pet store if your not sure.

You should try to clean the water bowl daily, and the food bowl as much as possible to prevent germs and bacteria from building up.

Grooming

Ragdoll coats can vary in thickness and hair type. The average ragdoll hair is fairly thick, and very soft to the touch. The length of the fur can be medium to long.

They usually do a good job of grooming themselves, and don't require excessive brushing. It is a good idea to brush them strenuously a couple of times a week to prevent matting of the fur. The other reason for brushing on a regular schedule, is if you happen to find a knot forming, you can easily brush it out before it gets out of control.

Ragdolls tend to enjoy grooming and make it easy for you to brush away!

Bathing

Bathing is not really necessary if regular grooming is done. It may be beneficial to give your ragdoll a bath a couple of times a year, to clean the coat if really dirty or if they have gotten into something that can not be brushed out.

Make sure that you use a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated especially for cats, as regular human products may be harmful to your ragdoll.

Claws

Declawing a cat is a controversial subject, and one that brings many different opinions. We generally don't recommend declawing a ragdoll unless it will help with the safety within a household, specifically with children. Clipping the claws can be done on a regular basis to avoid damage to your furniture or other items in the house, so if that is your only reason for declawing the cat, your decision should be weighed carefully because it is not reversible.

Keep in mind that if a ragdoll cat is declawed, it should be limited in it's exposure to the outside world. Without front claws, a ragdoll doesn't have much of a defense against other animals or threats that it might encounter.

Litterbox

The litterbox should be kept in a fairly secluded area to allow for privacy, but not so out of the way that it is difficult to access for cleaning. Usually a laundry room or other spare room serves as a good location.

We recommend scooping out the inside of the box at least once a day, and actually replacing the litter weekly. If you have more than one cat, then it may be necessary to clean the box twice daily, morning and night for example.

There are many different brands and types of litter out there, it is just a matter of preference. The main thing is to find something that your cat will use, is easy to keep clean and affordable for your budget.

Veterinarian

You should take your ragdoll to a veterinarian on a regular basis according to what they recommend. You will want to get vaccination shots and any other treatments that will keep your cat healthy and safe.

There may be special considerations if your ragdoll spends more time outside, such as pest control and a higher susceptibility to disease. Make sure you discuss this with your vet and work out a plan that makes sense.

Good Things To Know About Ragdoll Cats

The Ragdoll cat breed goes back to the 1960’s in California. It is very popular for the relaxation skills the cats in this category are capable of. The Ragdoll cat is able to completely relax, which allows people to handle them in almost any possible way, without the cat to complain about any pain. This is where their name comes from: they go totally limp when picked up! This is probably the fact to cause the whole controversy surrounding the Ragdoll cats. One of the accounts even claims that this breed has been left on Earth by an alien race. Many of these wild claims were made by the breed’s founder and are still passed around.

Their special traits as the characteristic limpness when picked up, as well as their easy going nature are what they are selectively bred for. They are the result of mixing Birman, Persian, and Burmese cats.

To go with its large size and long, muscular body, the legs on the Ragdoll are medium to medium long and the back legs are longer than the front ones. Their chest is very big, as well as the shoulders. To speak about the coat, these cats have silky fur, which needs to be groomed on a daily basis. A wide toothed comb is the best tool for this! This will prevent tangles and remove dead hair that can cause hairballs. A gentle brushing with a long bristled brush is also very good for these cats. The pointed color pattern can be colorpoint, mitted and bicolor. The colorpoint coat takes about two years to fully develop.

These cats come in lilac, seal, blue, and chocolate, but there are also some special colors like red and lynx point. The adult males weigh between 15 to 20 pounds, while female cats are smaller, that is from 9 to 13 pounds. This clearly qualifies the Ragdoll cats as the largest domestic cat. They are wonderful companions though!

When it comes to their personality, you must know that these cats are very gentle and easy going. They are loyal and loving towards their owners. Ragdoll cats are famous for their placid temperaments as well as their affectionate nature. Unlike the other cats, they do not have any fighting instincts, so you they must rather be kept inside than left to defend themselves. They are not aggressive and might therefore be easily hurt by other cats.

Guide to Owning a Ragdoll Cat: Colors & Patterns

In this article, I will discuss the different types of Ragdoll Cats. Although Ragdoll Cats are a unique breed in themselves, they can be further divided into groups based on the colors and patterns of their fur. The combination of color and pattern can then be used when describing a Ragdoll.

Colors Ragdoll Cats are one of the following four colour types:

* Seal - Mostly cream/beige/fawn with dark brown points, nose and paw-pads
* Chocolate - Mostly ivory with milk chocolate colored points, nose and paw-pads
* Blue - Mostly bluish-white with blue-gray points, nose and paw-pads
* Lilac - Mostly white with pink-gray points, nose and paw pads

Patterns The colored patterns of a ragdolls fur are either:

* Colorpoint
* - The body is predominantly lighter, with darker ears, nose, tail, face and feet points. There is no white fur. Mitted
* - As the colorpoint except with white front paws, rear paws and legs, chin and ruff and a white strip on the stomach. Bi-Color
- Predominately white with darker back, tail and ears with a trianglular pattern on the head between the eyes. Pink nose leather and paw pads.

Training Your Cat to Use the Litter Box

A lot of people discover that training a cat to use its litter box isn't the difficult process that they imagined. Most of them will quickly figure out how to find their way to their box. And typically the whole process of training has already begun before you even take your new kitten home. The mother cat begins the training process before her brood is even weaned.

Another thing that makes cats easy to train is that they are finicky animals and prefer cleanliness in both their bodies and their surroundings. It's instinctive for a cat to cover up its own waste. So offering them a convenient place to do it in the form of a clean litter box is usually all that's needed.

In case your cat is not trained, however, the whole undertaking of getting your kitty to use its litter box can be accomplished in a few simple steps. Litter box training is really all about creating a new habit for your feline friend.

Each time you feed your cat, get into the habit of taking it to the litter box right after it has finished its meal. It's usual for cats to want to do their business after eating, and you'll encourage that natural tendency if you place them in the box on a regular basis. When this has become an established habit, your cat will start to head off to their litter box as part of their after dinner routine.

If your attempts regarding litter training your cat don't go as quickly or successfully as anticipated, it's important that you remember to be patient. There could be all sorts of reasons why your kitty doesn't want to use the box you have provided for it. It might be in an area that's too exposed. Cats don't like eliminate where they're out in the open and can be viewed by everyone who walks by.

As well, there might be a problem with the brand of litter you're using. Cats are very finicky and a certain texture or smell could be enough to put them off using the box. If that's the case, experiment with various brands and formulations until you find one your cat will use.

There are lots of reasons why you should learn how to toilet train your cat. Visit Cat Toilet Training to find out why and how you can easily teach your cat to give up its litter box and use the toilet instead!

Toilet Training a Cat

Cats - we love them, however we aren't so keen on the mess they sometimes leave for us to clean up. Cat Urine Stains in our homes are a big problem. The stain is incredibly hard to remove and the smell - disgusting is a word that comes to mind, but still doesn't quite describe cat urine odor effectively. This is where toilet training a cat comes in.

But first, when your cat is urinating in your home there are 3 things we need to look at.

1. Why - what is causing your cat to pee inside on the carpet and furniture, rather than where it should be peeing. We need to address this as part of toilet training a cat.

2. How - we need to clean cat urine out of our carpet and furniture, clothes and any other item we own that our cat has taken a liking to. There is little point toilet training a cat if your home still stinks of cat pee from it's previous mis-adventures.

3. When - NOW! This is when we say "enough is enough!" This is when we start to toilet train a cat.

Lets look at WHY. There are many reasons why your cat is peeing in all the wrong places. The first place to start is with a visit to your vet. You must make sure there is no medical reason first. Then we go on to look at our cats home life - are there other pets, new cats to the home, have you moved, has someone new come to live with you, or someone left. Any of these changes can be traumatic to a cat. Although none of these issues should affect us in toilet training a cat, but they should be addressed just the same. We don't want a sad cat.

Now on to the HOW. There are soooo many different methods available to clean cat urine, some of them work, but unfortunately most don't. Cat urine is one of the hardest stains to remove, I wont go into too much detail as I could fill 10 pages on the subject and this topic is about toilet training a cat, not how to get rid of cat urine. But I will say you need an effective cleaner that will penetrate deep into the fibers of your carpet, or furniture, or clothes or whatever else your cat is urinating on. You need a Natural Cat Urine Cleaner, one that will remove the stain, the smell and above all else, make sure the stain NEVER comes back. I use a recipe that I mix myself when I need it. This recipe uses everyday products that are readily available from your local store, it's easy to make and even easier to use and the best part is the smell never returns.

This is the important one - NOW.

Successfully toilet training a cat can be done with cats and kittens, your kitten needs to be more than 8 weeks old. You can't properly toilet train a cat that is less than 8 weeks old.

If you haven't already, name your cat. Your cat needs to know its name, this is an essential part of toilet training a cat. You'll get much better results if your cat knows its name.

Cats are very private animals when it comes to them peeing and pooing, they tend to hide their "business". Before starting toilet training a cat, buy a litter tray so that the cat knows where it has to go. Make sure the litter tray you buy is enamel or plastic. Fill the litter with some soil, sawdust, sand and cat litters (commercial). These materials are essential for toilet training a cat.

If a kitten is raised with a mother who uses a litter tray for her business, the kitten automatically learns to use litter tray too. Try to familiarize your cat with the litter tray. Put your cat inside the litter tray after she's finished eating or after she's finished playing or even after she wakes up. This will help her to become familiar with the litter tray. Make sure that you put the litter tray in a hidden and quite place while toilet training a cat as like us, cats don't like to be watched.

Praise the cat or acknowledge her after she uses the litter box. Make sure she knows you're happy with her behaviour by patting on her head or some food rewards can also be used.

If your cat isn't using the litter tray, then try to teach her by correcting her immediately after she has finished her business. This can be done by shouting loudly "NO" or more effectively with a squirt bottle full of water, give the cat a light spray at the time she pees or poos in the wrong place. This will help her in learning what is right and what's wrong. Make sure you don't use physical punishment as this is unnecessary and can ruin your relationship with the cat, it's quite ineffective in toilet training your cat, she'll look at you with complete contempt - not respect, and you'll be back to square one.

The last stage of toilet training a cat is to get puss to actually use the toilet. To do this, move the litter tray towards the toilet slowly and steadily. Make sure that you make only slight changes as a big change to the place of litter tray can make your cat suspicious or can even confuse her. You eventually want the litter box sitting on the toilet, once your cat is used to this place you can remove the litter tray and your cat will keep coming to the toilet bowl.

Your mission of toilet training a cat is accomplished. You need to immediately clean up any accidents along the way, if you don't get to it straight away your cat will be drawn back to the site of her accident, rather than the litter box and toilet training you cat will take longer.

Cat Health Insurance Pet

Cat health insurance pet. When you adopt or purchase a pet cat, the last thing you think about is the

impending financial burden this little darling adds to your family expenses. You may not have heard of

cat health insurance pet, but it does exist and it helps you keep your kitty in the best of health without

placing you in deep debt with vet bills. Whether its for emergency care, unexpected illnesses or

routine care, you need to put a plan in place for cat health care.

By the time you finish this cat health insurance pet article, you will be able to put some real dollar

numbers to the cost of keeping a cat. Being a responsible caretaker of a cat - or any creature -

carries with it certain commitments to physical care. If your current circumstances don't allow for

pet care it is better that you don't take in a cat.

The cost of keeping a cat doesn't end at the cat food bowl. But it usually starts there. Here's a list

of the costs associated with typical care. These costs do not include care for emergency situations

and illnesses. That's where cat health insurance really can pay off.

Typical Cost of Keeping A Cat health insurance pet For One Year :

1. Food: This number is based on commercial dry and wet cat food products. $400

If you use raw meat instead of dry or wet commercial products, your cat will benefit, but you will

have more work to do to prepare and store her meals;

2. Kitty litter $60;

3. Bedding, scratch post, travel carrier $220;

4. Spay or Neutering $50 (when adopted at a local shelter) or $125 outside of a shelter service

veterinarian;

5. Basic Core Vaccinations $75 - $125;

6. An annual veterinary examination with re-vaccination $75 - $125.

In short, you can expect a first year cost of keeping a cat to be about just shy of $1,000 for the

first year. Thereafter $475 - $525 per year and this doesn't included any goodies like toys, treats,

and flea care.

You can see the cost of keeping a cat isn't small change. So what happens if Ms Kitty swallows a yard

of string or rubber bands or Christmas tree tinsel? Now her intestines are all bound up and you have

an emergency veterinary bill to face.

Now you have a big choice to make your cat health insurance pet
You can take on the big expense of this surgery to save her life or end her suffering and humanely

euthanize her.

When you have cat health insurance you don't have to think twice about treating your cat's illnesses

or accidental injuries. You can choose to treat your cat without taking on huge debt to pay the vet.

Standard cat health care plans reimburse from 70% to even 100% of vet bills after you pay the

deductible, typically $100.

When emergencies and unexpected illnesses hit your pet cat, you can bank on cat health insurance to

help you pay the vet bills. A typical kitten insurance plan is around $12 / month. Even senior cats

can enroll in cat health insurance programs for about $26 / month.

The choice is yours. Our life choices are often made in times when love and charity tugs at our

hearts. When it comes to our pets this is a choice for a lifetime.

Your next move? Take a few minutes to compare the best cat health insurance pet deals available for

your cat. Its one of the cheapest cat care choices you can make.