Overweight Cat....
Cats are very relaxed and love to laze around all day in the sun and eat their fill of food. many cat owners feel that this is the main reason why they become fat and overweight. This is something that you need to avoid because obesity in cats can have a higher risk of health problems like diabetes.
Change Your Cat's Diet
You need to pay more attention to the types of cat food that you buy for your cats. Read the ingredients of the different foods for cats and find something that is low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Many people are surprised by how a large part of the cat food is filler and not nutritious.
Buy food that is healthier for them and geared specifically toward helping cats to lose weight. Also reduce the amount of food that you give your cat at meal time.
It is time to stop giving your cat treats and snacks from the table. make sure that they are getting enough food during meal times - but do not over due it.
Do not feed your cat one time during the day - but several small meals.
This will help to speed up their metabolism.
Increase Daly Activity For Your Cat
When your cat is whining try playing with them and giving them some attention. Many people think they want food then they do this, but instead they are really seeking attention.
In order to increase their activity buy unique cat toys that have attached props to the stings. Drag the toy around the house and let them chase after it. We have a huge line of fly chaser toys, pole wands and more at our store location, call or email for this product.
Take your cat out for a walk. You can buy special
leashes and harnesses that will help you to keep a hand on
your cat.
This will help them to burn calories.
Be careful because some cats will not allow themselves to be walked around on a leash.
Play hide and seek with them. Hide somewhere and then call out to them.
They love this game..
Cleaning Your Cat's Teeth...
When you have a cat you need to do everything in your power to make sure that they are healthy and well taken care of. Imagine the fact that they are children and though they are able to do many things on their own they still require your help when they want to eat, take a bath, and even clean their teeth.
It is hard for us to imagine trying to clean our cat's teeth - but it is something that more of us should be doing. By cleaning their teeth we are helping to keep them healthy and hopefully helping them to avoid certain diseases and conditions that are able to occur in this area.
What You Need..
. Sterile gauze
. Toothpaste for cats
. Small toothbrush
. Scissors
What To Do..
You will need to purchase the necessary supplies. The toothpaste for your cat can be found at our retail location or you can acquire something from your veterinarian. It is best to get something that has a flavor that your cat will enjoy to make the process just a little bit easier.
Cut off a strip of gauze and
wrap it around our index finger of the hand that you use
the most.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your fingertip.
Gently use your finger and brush their teeth in a circular motion. Make sure that you clean the area next to the gums well. When you clean the gums be gentle and gently massage them. You do not have to clean the back part of the teeth.
It may take awhile for your cat to grow accustomed to this. Once they have you should be able to go from using your finger to using the small toothbrush. (prefer using a baby toothbrush more softer)
Make sure that you work patiently with your cat and show them that you love them. If they sit quietly and patiently and allow you to brush their teeth then pat them, say encouraging words to them and give them a treat.
It is easier to do this process hen they are kittens so that they will grow use to it and come to expect it. If you start when they are adults you are going to have a much harder time and you may find that they will never let you do it.
When should I spay/neuter my cat?
Cats are spayed and castrated prior to reaching sexual maturity, which is usually at 6 months of age. In doing so, you can prevent your pet from engaging in certain unwanted behaviors, which can become permanent (such as Spraying in the unneutered male). Spaying your female cat before her first heat can also prevent her from getting mammary cancer later in life. Mammary cancer s usually always malignant The is NO good reason to not neuter or not spay your cat.
My kittens teeth are falling out. Is this normal?
Kittens and puppies have "baby teeth" just like people. It is normal for them to lose teeth at about 4 to 6 months to make room for their adult teeth, If they fail to fall out, removed by your veterinarian.
My cat is losing an excessive amount of hair. Is this normal?
This condition is probably normal. Cats, especially cats with long hair will shed their coat. This is a completely normal process. if the hair loss results in complete baldness, a trip to the vet might be necessary.
How much sleep does a cat require?
One major difference between dogs and cats is their personalities. Cats differ from dogs, in that cats prefer to remain very independent rather than socializing in packs or with humans.
Another unique trait is unusual sleeping patterns. Cats may sleep up to 18 hours a day, but wake-up quickly when disturbed.
A tendency to hide illness relates back to ancestors who would have been preyed upon by larger carnivores if they had demonstrated any sign of weakness. This characteristic, however, often makes it difficult for owners to know when a pet is sick.
My cat is scratching my furniture. I do not want to have her declawed. Is their an alternative?
While scratching is natural behavior for cats, it can often cause problems for cat owners. The standard solution has always been to declaw. Your veterinarian has an alternative to declawing that is both practical and painless. nail caps for cats.
Nail caps are vinyl caps that help keep your cat's nails blunt and harmless. Nail caps such as Soft Paws are applied to the cat's nails with adhesive and keep them blunt for as long as four to six weeks before they need to be reapplied, and you can even apply them yourself.
Tips On Caring For Kittens
Keep neonates warm by placing them in a box or basket lined with a soft, warm covering such as a fleece blanket. Since kittens do not produce sufficient body heat until they are 3 to 4 weeks old, it helps to use a hot water bottle or heating pad under the bed covering to help keep them warm. Be careful that the hot water bottle is not so hot it could burn the kittens.
Newborns should be bottle-fed a kitten formula every two hours for the first week, and every three to four hours thereafter.
After feeding, be sure to massage a kitten's lower abdominal area to encourage elimination. Usually a mother cat will lick kittens to stimulate elimination.
Be attentive for crying or other abnormal behavior. Crying is a kitten's distress signal, although kittens naturally yowl when they are hungry. A quiet kittens could be a sign of sickness and should not be ignored.
Kittens should stay clean. Wipe away runny eyes or any crusty deposits.
Litter Box
Acclimation
How can I teach my kitten to use the litter box?
You will want to keep in mind that a young kitten is still a baby and will have accidents from time to time. that is the reason that I and my mother recommend confining the kitten to a small area of your home with easy access to his/her food, water and litter box until the kitten is litter trained and gradually introduce the kitten to the rest of the house.
Cats and kittens are meticulous, and you may find that your kitten's mother has already trained him/her to use a box. If not it is usually relatively easy.
Make sure your kitten has immediate access to the litter box and that the kitten can climb in and out with no extra effort (box lids work well). Watch the kitten closely and place the kitten in the litter box when it wakes up, after meals or any time it begins nosing in corners or squatting.
If your kitten as an accident, wipe it up with a paper towel and place the towel in the litter box. Gently scratch the kitten's front paws in the filler, so he/she will earn this is the place to deposit and bury waste.
When your kitten is successful, praise him/her lavishly.
Things to Remember When Combing Your Cat
. Be gentle.
. Be patient.
. Work at a slow pace until the matted area starts to give and you can gently lift the mat away from the skin.
. After the coat is no longer matted, always make sure the brush or comb's teethe reach all the way to the skin and then pull upward and outward.
Why Cats Don't Work
* A cat has NO NEED to work. They have everyone else (including kids and those other unspeakable creatures) working for them.
* A cat knows they are the BOSS and does not take kindly to a human who thinks they are boss.
* A cat is NOT A TEAM PLAYER and will intentionally
undermine group efforts just because they can.
* A cat generally want NO CHANGES in their life style. They will use the same undermining tactics to ensure things remain as they prefer.
* A cat likes to MAKE WORK for their humans by making messes
and being hard to please.
* A cast has MORE IMPORTANT THINGS to do.
WHAT THEY DO INSTEAD
. Sleep . Eat
. Drink . Groom
. Sleep . Play
. Play . Catnap
. Eat . Litter Box
. Sleep . Sleep
SLEEPING
It is normal for cats to sleep a lot, many sleep about 16 hours a day. While they are sleeping, they are storing up energy to do the all the other things they do, such as playing and making mischief. cats will find favorite places to nap at different times of day and will sometimes seek out high places in the sun. Other times, they may choose a dark corner where they can sleep undisturbed. Wherever they are sleeping be assured that they will be immediately alert when it comes time to eat or play.
CATNIP
The majority of adult cats love catnip. There are many
catnip-filled toys available. A cat may sometimes prefer to
just have the catnip without the toy they like it rubbed between
human fingers and put it on scratching posts, on the floor or in
a paper bag. When buying catnip, smaller containers are best
to help ensure freshness.
PLAYING (and Mischief Making)
A domestic at "Plays" instead of hunting as their ancestors had
to do to survive. Playing provides stimulation to keep a cat
mentally alert and healthy. "Playing" and "mischief making"
are much related - the more time a human spends playing with
the cat, the less a cat will need to get into mischief. If you
are a cat's human, be sure to play with your cat daily.
Can You Stop A Big Dog From Pulling On The Leash?
Keith, from Woburn, MA
Yes, but not by pulling on the leash yourself. Instead, do the
opposite. When the dog pulls on the leash, stop walking. When
the dog stops pulling, resume walking. The dog will soon
realize he gets to move forward when he does not pull!
How Long Can A Puppy Hold It In His Crate?
Cindy from Allston, MA
A good rule of thumb is it is the number of hours equal to
his age in months plus one.
Can Dogs Get Sunburn?
Heidi from South End, MA
You bet they can! Which is one reason why you should
never shear a dog's coat too short.
Sunburn
White cats , or cats with white ears and faces are particularly susceptible to sunburn. Over a period of time, exposure to the sun can cause squamous cell carcinomas, a cancer found most often on the tips of the ears and nose, Early signs are a sore that does not heal or that bleeds.
White cats should kept out of direct sun as much as possible, and if they must be in the sun, you can help them prevent sunburn by using a sunscreen on their ears and nose. Your veterinarian can recommend one which will not be harmful if ingested.
The sun is a powerful giver of life and still worshipped by people all over the world (something I do not understand) but it is not always your cat's best friend. Be aware of his/her condition on sweltering summer days, and if you have any doubts at all, go to your veterinarian immediately. You are the only defense your cat has.
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