How to select a cat breeder

Responsible cat breeders produce better cats

It is your youngest son's birthday and you want to give him a pet that will be sociable and one that will fit in with your household. 

You decide that a cat would be a good idea.  But how does one go about choosing a pet cat? 

Jump ahead to the next chapter to learn how to select a breed of cat.Once you have decided on the breed of cat, then look for legitimate cat breeders who can supply you with the cat you require. 

Try to attend cat shows and ask for a recommendation.  It also helps to read the newspapers or surf the internet since most breeders have their own sites.Buying a cat from a responsible cat breeder will not ensure you have a purebred cat but will guarantee that you are getting a healthy cat. 

You can also ask about retired breeders as they can sell at lower prices.  Cats purchased from retired breeders are often better than kittens as they are probably already neutered, of high quality and they can easily adjust to their new home.

Responsible breeders will not sell very young kittens that are not yet weaned.  Also choose a breeder who will provide a health guarantee for the kitten as well as complete papers and registration.

Tips in finding cat breeders

1. To get good cat breeders, make sure to talk to people who may have purchased animals from the same breeders as they can give you insights as to how responsible the breeder is.

2. Ask the breeder for references and go check on these references.

3.Check a cat breeders cattery list because if the breeder has lots of available kittens, then it may mean that the breeder is having a hard time finding homes for these kittens and the reason may be significance to you.

4. Make sure the breeder can give you the cat registration, health records and pedigree records. 

A cat's lifespan is normally 20 years or more, depending on the care it is given.  Choosing a responsible breeder will make your cat not only healthier, but live longer.

Selecting a breed of cat

How to choose the cat breed that works for you

First you have to do some research on the breed of cat that interests you, or that would fit your son or your family's personality.  

Most people will give a cat one look and they have already decided.  Of course, a nice-looking cat would be a welcome treat but the choice of cat should not only be based on its looks but also on its temperament.

Consider if there are children in the household and research what breed of cats are friendly and are easy to groom and to take care of? 

And then decide whether you would like to get a kitten or an older cat.

If dog is man's best friend, then cats are a man's caprice. Aside from being expensive, purebred cats are difficult to care for as they require their owner's love and attention. 

Cats are like babies, because they need to be fed, sometimes bathed, combed, played with and cared for.

Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders.  Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.

If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them.  Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.

Top cat breeds

If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.

1. Persian
Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin.  Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household.  These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers.  However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.

2. Maine Coon
These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills.  These cats are good companions for children.

3. Exotic
This breed can offer you the better of two worlds.  The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. 

They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats.  These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.

4. Siamese
Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand.  This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of its stiff ears, and has a short coat.   Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.

5. Abyssinian
These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures.  Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia.  However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia.  They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.

No matter what your choice of a cat breed make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned.  The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.
 
Choosing a name for your cat

I Dub Thee - Sir Kitty: How to Name Your Cat

When T.S. Elliot wrote in a poem (The naming of cats) the lines “(when) I tell you, a cat must have three different names’, he must have owned a cat. 

Many cat owners would have to agree that finding a cat’s name is both a serious and a fun thing to do and that a cat’s name barely lasts a whole year before they find a new, better and apt name for their pets.

Most cats start out with simple and uncreative names. A black cat given to you by a friend is unsurprisingly called Blacky, much like what you will expect from a fluffy cat named (surprise, surprise) Fluffy. 

These names (along with the likes of Smokey and Tiger) are given by previous owners who really do not want to be attached to the cat because they are giving it to some other friend.  They sort of expect you to change the names of these cats as you take them to your house.

When you give a different name to a cat, you are welcoming him to your family. Most names come from favorite things, like characters from a book, movie or television show. Other names crop up from famous (and infamous) celebrities such as Britney, Saddam or Osama.

Aside from giving your cat a name that first popped into your mind, there's one fun way that a certain website mentioned.  It's acrophonology - it is the analysis of a name through the qualities of the letters. 

Before giving your cat or any pet just any moniker, it won't hurt to give acrophonology a try, right? 

You can even find online analysis of your cat's name.  Sites that offer this kind of service often deliver a brief summary of the hidden meanings that are within your cat's name.  Sure sounds fun!

Other ideas can come up from cartoons, mythology, ancient historical figures and even from common names of people. There are plenty of names out there and if you can’t think of any, just type ‘cat names’ in your favorite search engine and you’ll find great names that you might not have thought of.

These names though, however good they are, tend to change after certain circumstances.  Imagine a cat you named Fatso because he was fat when he was a kitten. 

All of a sudden, after 1 year he went from a kitten that always slept to a cat that prowls the night. 

This will build up his body and the once fat kitten is no more.  So what about his name of Fatso? 

It sounds ridiculous introducing him to your friends as Fatso when he is not fat at all, so you are bound to change her name after that.

Another secret with cats’ names is that you have to be creative. Sometimes you don’t even have to think of a word as cats provide them to you with their actions.

Other cats’ names change after certain incidents. These incidents include accidents such as your cat breaking a big bottle of strawberry jam (so you named her Strawberry) or like when she cries too much and you can’t sleep for several nights (so she is named Banshee).

The value of your cats name does not only extend to that term of endearment that you would like your lovely feline companion to be regarded with,  but your cats name is also important when it's time for you to train it. 

If you are planning to make your pet one of the most well-trained, making your cats name easy to say and quite unique will make it easier for you to say it when you have to issue a command. 

One tip is to use your cats name in positive commands such as "come."  When your cat gets accustomed to hearing its name in only positive commands it will learn to love its name.

Truly, naming your cat can be a very rewarding and fun endeavor. It doesn't have to be a mind-boggling feat. If you really are quite passionate with your feline friend, chances are giving it a name would be a cinch.

Another factor is make certain you are naming your cat properly.
 
Pet cats hold a very special place in the hearts of their owners.   Wouldn't it be nice to give a pet cat the loveliest name one can think of? 

Wouldn't it be great to give a pet cat a name that would reflect its personality as seen by the one who owns it or a name which would give recognition to the cat's breed? 

There are actually a lot of names to choose from in books or in the internet.  But generally, how can an owner choose a name which he will find fit for his cat?

Again, many cat owners name their pet cats with human names.   Actually, a whopping fifty percent of pet names are those of persons. 

This primarily is because there are owners who are enamored with a certain name and actually desire to christen someone, or something for that matter, with that favorite name.

Another basis for names is personality or appearance.  In this category, examples are Midnight (should the pet be a black cat), Fluffy (obviously, if the cat is fluffy or has long, soft and bouncy coat) and Whitey (of course, if the cat is white). 

Pet names based on appearances or personality make up an amazing twenty percent of all pet names. However, unlike human infants where the parents can opt to wait for a few weeks to see the baby's personality before naming the child, cats must be named more quickly.

So how does an owner actually name his pet cat?   Here are some tips which cat owners can give some thought.

First off, keep in mind that the name that the owner chooses for his pet cat will not only reflect the cat's character but also how the owner views his relationship with his pet cat. As much as it says a lot about the cat, the name given by the owner will tell much about the owner himself.  

It can then be seen how the name can portray an image of the characteristics of the cat.  Many cat names give either a positive or negative impression of the cat.  So, it is important to choose a name which will best convey the proper image of the pet.

A cat's name is for keeps.  No matter which name the owner chooses, the cat's name should be that for the rest of his life. 

It is absolutely not fair to change the cat's name every two weeks just because the owner finds another name he thinks he might prefer.   If the cat already recognizes the sound of its name it should not be changed.

Although the cat won’t mind any name its owner may wish to use, it is just not fair to give the cat an embarrassing name.  While the cat would not mind being named "Ooga Booga", it would be embarrassing for the owner to actually use this name.

Imagine a person calling out "Ooga Booga" at least eight times a day every time he is looking for his cat. The cat's owner should find his pet a name which he will be proud to use. 

Also please remember to pick a name which will be appropriate when your cat is full-grown.  A large tabby cat with a silly name like Mimi or Kitten seems ridiculous.

A name with two syllables will do best.  The response of animals is better to two-syllable names.  A cat owner may decide to give his pet a long name as well as a nick name.  However, the longer name inevitably would be shortened, and this would probably ruin the effect the cat owner originally sought.

The cat's breed heritage may provide great ideas for names.  For instance, if the cat owner owns a Siamese cat, why not name it Siam? 

If the cat is a Russian Blue, it would be nice to give it a Russian-sounding or Russian inspired name such as Sofia or Chekov.

Speaking of inspiration, there are a lot of things out there from which you can gain inspiration.  As was said earlier, the name the owner gives his cat will speak just as much about himself as the cat. 

So why not pick a name for the cat which is derived from the owner's likes, hobbies and favorites?

If the owner were passionate about world history, maybe the names Isis, Genghis, Voltaire or Osiris would sound very classy. 

If the owner were an avid fan of the Greek mythology the names Zeus, Athena, Hercules or Jason would be sure to make a good first impression on other people.

On the more contemporary side, names of characters from favorite movies, cartoon series, TV programs or bands will do just as well. Huey, Louie and Duey would sound cute as well as Bonnie and Clyde.

A more posh touch would be naming your cat after signature designers. Tommy, Donna, Karan, Calvin and Gianni would not sound so bad for cats--just as long as they are well groomed as their names imply.

Naming cats is not the easiest task there is, honestly.  But it can be a lot of fun if these considerations and suggestions are always kept in mind.  Then no doubt, that perfect name will come easily.

Wouldn't it be great for an owner to call his pet cat a name which is close to his heart and a name he will be proud to call out no matter what time of the day?

How to litter train your cat

"Cat Health: Litter Training ABC's"

One of the most daunting tasks that you have as a cat owner is litter-training them. You would not want them to soil your bed sheet or wet your favorite furniture.

In litter-training your pet cat, make sure that you start while they are young kittens and they will surely carry this habit as they grow.

Here are the basics on how you can successfully litter-train your cat:

1. Familiarize your cat with the "safe" areas within your house. 

You may use crate-training while the cat is young. This is so that they will not roam around the house freely when they are not properly trained yet.

By giving them free rein on every area or room in your house, you will let your pet think that they can litter everywhere.

For starters, familiarize you cat with the areas around the house where they can roam around. Then start introducing the area where the litter box is located.

As a pet owner, you would basically have an idea of when your cat will eliminate.

The most likely times are after feeding, when they wake up and after going outside and walking.

2. Feed them on a regular basis.

Feeding your cat on a regular basis would help maintain a schedule of some sort within their system. After feeding, try to entice them to go to the

area where the litter box is located.

Play with them for some time and once they are about to eliminate, the litter box is easily within reach.

Doing this on a regular basis would more or less train your cat of the proper place to soil or urinate.

When your cat takes a catnap, place her near a litter box after waking. Make sure that you muster encouraging words and stroke the coat to soothe her.

This is also your way of showing your cat that you are pleased about what she is doing.

3. Clean the litter box.

Cats are very tidy creatures. If they see or feel that the litter box is dirty, they will not want to go there. These are some ways to keep the litter box clean and train your cat to use it:

-Your cat would not use a litter box that smells bad.  After your cat has used the litter box, make sure that it is cleaned for the next time that your pet needs to use it.

-Discard the old litter immediately after use. Rinse the litter box with water.
You can add some lemon juice or vinegar to remove the smell of urine. This would make the litter box clean and pleasant smelling to your cat.

-Place the litter box in an area that is easily accessible to your cat.  If you assign one room for them, you may place the litter box at the opposite end of their sleeping area.

Always supply your cat with clean water to drink; this may also be placed near the litter box so that they can urinate there after drinking.

-If you have more than one cat, place several litter boxes in strategic areas.

4. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, it may be caused by stress.

Cats will react to stress by urinating or soiling your favorite piece of furniture. There are also physical reasons why your cat will soil your carpet or wet your bed sheet. Your cat may have urinary tract problems that you would not know about.

It is best to consult your veterinarian if your cat suddenly urinates a lot or soils your furniture. A sudden change in your cats’ behavior means that you should consult with a professional.

5. Do not associate the litter box with punishment.

You may also use psychology for litter training your cat.

If they litter on your carpet, do not lead them to the litter box after the fact.
If you do this, the litter box would serve as their punishment and it will be very hard for you to get them to use it again.

Do not scold your pet because they cannot help it if they have not been suitably house-broken yet.

Praise your cat and shower them with a lot of affection for each time that they use the litter box.

With enough time and patience, you can learn to litter-train your pet cat and succeed while doing so.

Breeders’ choice of cat box

Finding the Purr-fect Cat Box for Your Kitty

Household pet cats definitely need litter boxes in which they do their business.  Just like people, these feline friends can get finicky over this matter, so it is very important that they make sure the litter box they have for their pet cat suits the cats preferences; after all, it is the cat that is going to use it. 

But the owner should also consider his own convenience regarding this matter; he should consider his budget for the cat box as well as the ease of cleaning it.

Choosing the perfect cat box can be beneficial to both your cats’ health as well as the owners. The important thing is that the cat box must be appealing to the cat and comfortable for use.  Rest assured, the cat's satisfaction also guarantees success.

In finding the perfect cat box, here are some things that must be considered:

Size and Depth

This maybe determined by the number of cats there are in the home.  However, it is ideal if the number of cats in the home determines the number of cat boxes available rather than the size. 

For kittens, shallow cat boxes, no more than three inches deep are advisable.  For adult cats on the other hand, those about six inches high are desirable.  The prescribed area of the litter box is at least 24 inches in length or width.

Material of the Box

Heavy and durable plastic is the most advisable material for a cat box and is also the most inexpensive variety in stores. Plus with their simplicity in style, cleaning can prove to be a breeze.

Ease of Cleaning

Basic flat boxes are easy to clean because of their simple design.  There is no need to remove any lids or covers to scoop or clean. 

However, some cats frequently kick litter out of the box so if you choose this option, you had better have a whisk broom and a dust pan always at hand.

Covered boxes usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the box since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside.  Covered boxes also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation.

There are also those self-cleaning cat boxes available in the market.  The self-cleaning feature of these boxes keeps the cat box neat and tidy, but

they also require some cleaning by the owner.  Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and feces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.

Style and Features

There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter boxes. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter boxes:

-Basic flat box.  This is the simple rectangular pan which is commonly made of plastic. They come in different depths, sizes and colors.  This design is preferred by most cats. An innovation to this design is to hold the cat box liners in place by securing them under the rim.

-Covered cat boxes or hooded litter boxes.  These cat litter boxes look like the traditional open-type rectangular pans except for the addition of the hood which partly covers the box. 

An opening is situated at one end of the box which serves as the entrance and exit way for the cat.  The hood is also positioned high enough so that the cat can stand and do its job with ease and comfort. 

While they provide "privacy" for the pet, they tend to get very smelly because of poor ventilation inside. Manufacturers of this type of cat boxes have offered a solution to this problem.

Some variants of the hooded type have vents on top plus a filter which aids in trapping odors. For this type of cat box, it is recommended that you choose one that is large enough to accommodate the pet, has a hood which can be easily maneuvered for easy cleaning, and large vents.

-Designer boxes. Also known as "hidden boxes", this type of litter box disguises itself as a furniture piece or even a plant. A designer litter box not only serves to be the cat's convenient toilet but it can also function as an accent for the room in which it is located.

Although the containers are commonly not large enough, there are designs which are big and more open. These are the ones which are more ideal for use.  Try to find one which provides good ventilation.

-Sifting Boxes. A few other variants of this type are available in the market but the basic model consists of two rectangular pans and a tray which acts as a sifter.

-Self-cleaning box. These electric powered high-end litter boxes work with a sensor.  The sensor activates the self-cleaning machinery a few minutes after the cat has left the box. The cleaning machinery contains a rake which works its way along the litter to scoop out cat urine and feces into a waste receptacle.

There is still the need to occasionally clean the unit, especially the cleaning mechanism itself.  Read a bit more about automatic boxes just ahead.

Cost

The basic flat box is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning box is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year.  This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.

Appealing to the Cat

Cats generally do fine with the open box type.  Covered boxes offer the "privacy" which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. 

Owners of designer boxes may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated.  However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. 

As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter boxes, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious. However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again.

Finding the perfect cat litter box may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner.  If the owner tries out a box which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. 

Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect box for your cat.  Providing the cat its preferred litter box can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well!

Selecting the right cat litter

Choosing the better cat litter

Cat litters used in the olden days, meaning prior to the commercial cat litters now found in neighborhood grocery stores, are literally litters.  Usually these were dirt gathered from gardens. 

Now, there are a variety of cat litters to choose from.  These cat litters, for the most part, are great for the cat as well as good for the environment. 

The following are tips and advice to make better a cat owner’s selection of the best litter possible for their cats.

Choose wisely

The choice of cat litters should primarily be based on how much this litter will affect the environment just as how much such litter is preferred by cats.  Although cats really do not care much about how the litter may soon end up in a landfill, cats really prefer if their litter has no bad scent. 

They also care if the litter feels good.      

Cats have a very keen sense of smell, so it is important that litters have little or no scents that are made artificially. 

It is also best if the litter contains no dust.  It will do cats no good if their noses are irritated since they will try to avoid going thru the litter if it displeases them in any way.Ask wisely

Cats love the feel of sand with pellets or any surface that has shreds and bits of chunks.  It is best that a cat owner know which kind his or her cat prefers.

But to further help a confused cat owner decide, questions such as the following should be best asked:

Is the cat litter easily flushed in the toilet?  Is it free from odors? 

Does the litter contain any form of perfumes or chemicals?  Is the litter safe for the cat, the owner, the environment? 

Does the cat like the feel of the litter?  How much does it cost and is it easily accessible? 

Be aware

There are environment-friendly litters that are made from newspapers that are recycled.  These types of litters can be easily flushed, can easily be burned and are almost a hundred percent free from dust. 

There are also litters that came from plants.  These litters usually come from corn – its husks, the cob and the corn itself.  Byproducts of wheat such as wheat grass are also a source of cat litter.

But the best among all of these are the corn cobs because they are odorless as well as it control odor.  It is absorbent as well.  They also do not produce a lot of dust and are easily flushed.

Litter from pine and sawdust

These types of litter are also biodegradable.  They are made by drying and compressing them into pellet-forms.  They absorb moisture a number of times more than their weight until they break down again into natural sawdust. Due to their easily absorbent nature, any odor is naturally eliminated.

Be wary though, pine has natural resins and chemicals that aid in the elimination of insects and odor-causing bacteria because of its insecticide-like properties. 

This same feature could also cause respiratory damage as well as asthma and allergies.  Humans as well as cats may easily be susceptible to such allergens. 

Do not be afraid of odor

Odor is one way by which nature tells the un-aware cat owner that it is time to replace the litter.  Cat litter should be regularly changed so that bacteria or micro-organisms will not collect in it.  If odor persists check the diet your cat is consuming as that may also be the cause.

Cats and Clay

Clay is the most common type of litter being used today.  A specific kind of clay made of sodium bentonite has a special feature that when it is urinated on by cats a clump is formed making it more convenient to remove the clumps from the litter. 

However, this clay is carcinogenic and is easily absorbed by the lungs of cats.

All in all, the choice depends on the cat owner’s preference, budget and favorites.  After all, cats are everyone’s best fuzzy, soft, cuddly and gentle meowing friends.

~ More about litter ~

What about those automatic litter boxes?

Cat Products: Automatic Litter Boxes

Litter boxes are important to cats and are considered to be the next in importance to their food. Like people who love their toilets clean, cats don’t really love messy and smelly litter boxes.

They want some place where they can move around and do their stuff. Litter boxes are available on the market and come in different size and shapes.

Be sure to buy something your cat won’t outgrow easily. Most cats, especially those below 5-6 months old can easily outgrow their litter boxes.

Make sure to buy something that your cat will not out-grow or you’ll end up buying more litter boxes in a short time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some cats don’t want to poop in the same box they pee in.  Peeing is an animal’s way of marking her territory and she may not want to poop because it will erase her scent.

So if your cat is like this, just buy another litter box and put it some place far away from the first one so she will not look at it as another box to pee in.

Automatic litter boxes are for people who don’t cherish the chore of cleaning litter boxes each day. These boxes are not cheap but a great idea when time is of importance.

These self-cleaning boxes use robotic trays where your cat’s waste is automatically raked into a sealable container shortly after your cat uses the litter box.

These will not operate until your cat leaves the box since it uses motion detectors and a safety bar to stop the cleaning rake from harming your cat.

The best thing about these automatic litter boxes is that you’ll find that the odor is greatly reduced. Once the cat’s waste is in the container, it will automatically seal itself and cause the odor to be trapped inside.

However, you must remember to empty this container once it is full or close to being full or its odor will become unbearable. Simply empty the storage container and reinsert it or purchase a replacement container.

One thing about automatic litter boxes is that they generally need electricity to run so you should place it close to a power outlet. There are some automatic litter boxes that can be operated with batteries so it is advisable to keep extra batteries on hand.

Another thing to remember is that the automatic litter box should be one-half to three-fourths full of litter. Use premium litter with it because some litter clumps will break up and cause the box not to be properly cleaned.

Most of the cat owners who have tried automatic litter boxes are happy with them and would prefer them to scooping up a mess. Other cat owners though have a hard time adjusting to it.

Automatic litter boxes, especially when the rake is in motion are not that quiet and the noise is something that needs to take time to get used to.

One good reason for using automatic litter boxes is health considerations. There are certain flu-like diseases that are caused by cat’s waste and can cause a person to have swollen glands, muscle pain, fever and headache.

In some cases it can also cause brain damage and damage to your eyes and internal organs. For newly born children, this could cause mental retardation and/or hearing and sight loss. This is often caused by coming in contact with a cat’s waste and accidentally swallowing the virus in it.

This can happen by touching your face after cleaning your cat’s litter box so wash your hands thoroughly after contact.

Cats will have certain problems when using non-automatic litter boxes also.  Cats can have UTI (urinary tract infection) after using a dirty litter box.

After using litter boxes, cats usually clean themselves up by licking their paws causing them to ingest the virus and cause them to get sick. Although not really fatal, this will cause discomfort for your pet and can only be cured by consulting a veterinarian.

Dealing with behavior

How to Deal with Feline Manners

Cats find security in their own territory.  They establish a special place where they can eat, sleep, and where they can hunt and play with their mates.  There are signs which cats use to mark their home base by spraying, leaving urine and feces, scratching, and even rubbing. 

These marks provide vital information about their age, sex, and health, thus preventing any close encounters with rival cats.
 
Cats have high regard for their territory.  They make sure that their little home bases are kept well tended so they will get a prospective mate’s attention.  Their being keen observers allows them to master each piece of furniture in the house. 

They would love to be pampered, fed, bathed, and put to sleep in a routinely manner as to maintain anticipation in their minds. 

Familiar situations make them aware of their activities for the day as well as the sequence of actions of their masters.  Once they’ve gotten used to the routine, they will surely give a reminder if someone forgets in the future.
 
Heard of any deep and long sleepers?  Yes, cats!  They can spend the whole 15 hours of the day just sleeping.  Believe it or not, an eight-year-old feline has only had his eyes open for less than three years. 

They have three different categories of sleep:  the short nap, the long but brief sleep, and the deep full sleep.  They have a way of slipping in to a deep full sleep and alternating it with just a short nap. 
 
Be aware that cats spend at least three to four hours of cleaning themselves when they are awake.  The sequence is as follows:

- licking the lips
- licking the sides of their paws
- rubbing the head, the eyes, the ears, with the wet paw
- licking the front shoulders and legs
- licking the flanks
- licking the genitals
- licking the hinds
- licking the tail
- and lastly, the cat’s most awaited part, sleep.
 
Cats love to have their nap times in an area where they can actually have a bird’s eye view of what is going on around and below them. 

In this way they can be quickly awakened if some unusual things happen from afar or beneath them.  Work hand in hand with the cat to develop their instincts.  Endow them with standard home bases where they can feel the security they need. 
 
Create an environment that is suitable to their needs and wants.  It could be for their viewing pleasures or even just for resting.  This will give them the sense of feeling important and being cared for and that they are indeed part of household.

How to select a scratching post

Make your cat happy by providing a scratching post

Cats are generally lovable animals until the time when they ruin your sofa and your carpet, no thanks to their scratching talent. 

How does one get rid of this irritating hobby called cat scratching?

Well, there is no remedy for your cats scratching mannerisms.  In fact, cat experts discourage human from interfering with their scratching because it is already second nature to cats.

Scratching is inherent in cats as they were made to scratch.  The rear paws of a cat were made for scratching.   As your cat grows, their claws also grow.  Cats have to remove the sheath on their claws by scratching, so they can expose their new claws.

Remember that maxim "if you can't lick them, then join them"? 

This is especially true for cats.  If you do not want further damage to your furniture, draperies or carpets, then encourage your cats to scratch - but not on your things.  Instead, buy him his own scratching post.

Buying a scratching post for your cat will give them an outlet for their scratching urge.  It will not only save your precious furniture but will also keep your cats happy.

Why do cats use a scratching post?

A scratching post is used for:
1. Scratching to remove an outer layer of the cat's nails.
2. Cats also need to exercise and move their muscles by climbing on the post
3. The post is not only used for scratching but also for stretching because while trying to scratch himself, the cat will stretch his whole body towards the post.
4. Marking the post for territorial purposes.
5. Just for the fun of it.

Outdoor cats usually use wooden fences or objects for scratching, so a good scratching post would be one made of wood.  A cat owner can get firewood or a log and convert it into a scratching post.  Others who are still training their cats make do with the less expensive cardboard posts.

Since the primary use of the post is for the cats to sharpen their claws, the scratching post must be upright and steady.  It should also be tall enough or a half size more than the cat, to make sure your cat can stretch his whole body on the post. 

Much care should be placed in choosing the right post because if the cat feels it is not steady enough for him, then he might not use it and will revert to scratching your furniture.

Training your cat to use the scratch post

Cats 101: Using the Scratch Post

As we mentioned, cats really, really, really love to scratch and that is no exaggeration either. If you’re a first-time owner of a cat, you’ll find that out as soon as you see your new furniture full of claw marks and your sofa and the pillows are shredded and torn to pieces.

Cats scratch for a variety of reasons. The obvious reason is for marking their territory. Cat’s paws leave their scent and every time they scratch something their scent stays there.

Scratching is also an exercise for them; you’ll usually see their love for scratching every time they wake up from a nap.

The first response to this is confining your cat to some place where she can’t damage new furniture or scratch anything valuable. This can be seen as a temporary solution only and can’t be permanent as cats love to wander around too. The best solution is a scratch post.

A scratch post is something you can buy or create yourself. There are several scratch posts on the market and you are sure to find something suitable for your cat. Remember, though, that a cat’s idea of something good to scratch at is different from your idea.  

Never ever make the mistake of buying something expensive just because you think it looks good or looks exactly like your sofa.

An excellent post is something where your cat can fully stretch her body and should be stable. Once your cat starts scratching on it and it topples over, you can be sure that she won’t return to it.

After buying one, the next step for you is to train your cat to scratch it. Never make the mistake of forcing her claws to scratch the post.

Your cat is just like a child and showing her something she knows how to do is something that can make your cat behave aloof to you for a couple of days.

One suggestion is to put the post where your cat used to scratch. For example, if she loves scratching your wooden chair, then put it close to your chair.

Other places include a place close to where your cat is sleeping so she’ll have some thing to scratch after her nap. This won’t work at all times, though, so you have to do something clever to entice her to scratch the post.

One of the best solutions is to rub catnip into it. This will have her happily digging at the post in no time. If this doesn’t really appeal to your cat, don’t lose hope because there are other ways. Some cats just don’t love catnip and won’t be fooled easily by this treat.

Another way is to associate the post with something fun. Put some food treats around it or dangle some toys that will entice her to reach out for the toy and inadvertently scratch the post.

You must remember to praise your cat every time she scratches your post so she will remember that scratching the post is both fun and agreeable to you.

Another way to “fool” your cat into scratching the post is to play games with her running around the scratch post. Once she finds that scratching the post is better than playing your game, don’t feel bad as you have done your job of “fooling” your cat into using the scratch post.

Of course you can try to train them directly to scratch the post. You can give the order to “scratch” and point to the post while you give the order and every time your cat scratches the post give her a treat and praise her loudly so she can be proud of pleasing you.

Once your cat starts using the scratch post, the next step is to prevent her from scratching your furniture. You could do this by covering your furniture with aluminum foil or double-sided tape.

These are surfaces that your cat will find not so good to scratch and she will soon realize not to scratch things other than her scratch post.

The only thing to remember is that to prevent your cat from scratching your furniture is to provide her with something better to scratch.

Should your cat be de-clawed?

To claw or de-claw, that is the question

Cats are born with claws, the same way that humans are born with fingernails and toe nails.  Cats need claws in order to mark or scratch a specific place or territory that they have been in. 

Humans need finger nails to, scratch themselves or others, or for opening a letter envelope.  Cats basically stretch their agile bodies in order to prepare their muscles when they dig their claws deeply into wood perhaps or a tree, and then they pull back from their hold.  Scratching is a basic physiological need of cats. 

So do cats need to be de-clawed?  If cat owners truly care for the welfare of their cats, they would have to think twice on de-clawing their cats. 

De-clawing, what is it?

De-clawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat.  In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being.  For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.

Though the recovery of de-clawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and/or psychological effects could last a cat’s lifetime.

The following are the possible results once a cat has been de-clawed. 

Ouch, ouch and ouch

Immediately after surgery, de-clawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing.   De-clawed cats could be considered as amputees. 

Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable.  Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from aches.

Complications after the surgery

After the surgery, de-clawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects:  presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth.   Based on studies performed on de-clawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. 

The same result has been found on cats that went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to de-clawing.  It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.

Stiffness of the joints

Cats that are de-clawed experience stiffness of the joints since the tendons that manipulate the toes retract because of the surgery.  As time goes by, these same joints freeze and ultimately they will no longer be able to extend their toes.

It has been thought though that cats really do not miss their claws since they also “scratch” continually even if they no longer have anything to scratch with.  However, this act is really the cats' way to stretch those frozen joints.

Catarthritis

Believe it or not, research shows that de-clawed cats immediately shift the weight of their bodies to the back and onto the larger pad in the front of their feet, away from their toes. The result is still evident despite giving these cats strong anti-pain relievers. 

If such an effect continues after de-clawing, the cat will ultimately stress its own joints in the leg, its spine and eventually suffer from arthritis. 

Cats that cannot claw, bite

Since the natural instinct of cats is to claw especially when threatened or scared, in the absence of claws cats are forced to resort to another form of defense – their teeth.  De-clawed cats that are aggressive naturally are more prone to biting.

De-clawed cats have no “nine lives”.

There is a serious risk of death for cats that are de-clawed. Death could be brought on by the anesthesia they received, or any complications in surgery or hemorrhage. 

De-clawed cats that resort to biting run the risk of being abandoned by their owners.  These cats could then be put in a shelter, and since they turn to biting, the probability of being adopted becomes slim. 

Usually un-adoptable cats are put to sleep or they are used to train dogs to fight usually as bait. 

In summary, cats are extremely and highly trainable to be taught to use a post for scratching instead of common household furniture, rugs or curtains.  Though de-clawing cats is one of the options a cat owner can take, it is basically an unkind and a very animal-unfriendly thing to do. 

It all depends on the cat owner whether Kitty is more (or less than) valuable than that expensive Italian rug. The choice is theirs.

Grooming your cat

“Tips on Grooming Your Cat”

Cats are basically very tidy creatures. They are in the habit of grooming themselves by licking every part of their body clean with their tongue.

This habit of tongue-bathing has several benefits to your pet cat:

- promotes better circulation of the blood
- gets rid of dead skin cells
- removes excess/dead hair on their coat
- tones their muscles
- keeps the fur soft and clean

Although your feline friends groom on their own, you should still do your part in keeping your cat clean and well-groomed.

Here are several ways to keep your cat well-groomed:

1. Brushing

Depending on the breed, your cat can either have long or short hair. Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat well enough to promote proper grooming.

-For cats with short hair, use a brush with soft bristles so that the skin will not be scratched or hurt in the grooming process.

Use soft, gentle strokes while brushing. This should make them purr in pleasure and you will have an easier job of grooming your pet cat. 

After brushing the coat with a comb, you can finish the job by wiping the fur with a dry, soft and clean piece of cloth. This should maintain the shine on your cat’s coat.

-As compared to cats with shorter hair, long-haired cats would require more brushing time.

For this, use a comb with wide-teeth that is specially designed for cats. This should initially remove the knots and tangles on their fur.

Afterwards, you can use a fine-toothed comb to work the smaller knots on the fur and eliminate the more stubborn knots.

Do not forget to brush the hair around the face with a smaller comb or a toothbrush.

Avoid the eye and whisker area when brushing.

Brushing your cats’ fur on a regular basis will help keep their coat shiny and healthy, and will also give the owner and the pet some bonding time together.

2. Bathing

Cats do not often require bathing because they basically take good care of themselves when it comes to grooming.

However, there are some cases wherein you need to give them a bath no matter how you – and your pet – dread the chore.

You need to bathe your cat if the coat has excessive dirt.

Sometimes, a substance that can possibly poison them sticks on the fur and it is vital to give them a bath in this case.

Another instance where you need to bathe your cat is in case of fleas, ticks and lice clinging to their skin.

3. Cleaning the eyes and ears.

For the eyes and ears which are the most sensitive areas in your cat’s body, there are solutions that you may use.

Choose one which is specifically designed to prevent cats with light-colored eyes to develop stains.

For the ears, cats collect a considerable amount or wax so you have to take care of it when grooming.

Removing this would maintain your cat’s health and help prevent infections.

There are also cat wipes that you can use for the ears, eyes and teeth.

4. Keeping the paws clean.

Cats are in the habit of scratching surfaces so it is better to keep them away from the furniture items in the house. It would also help if you keep those paws clean and trim their nails.

You can go to a pet store and buy a nail trimmer specially designed for cats. 

Ask your veterinarian for the proper way to trim your cats nails so as not to hurt them in the process.

If you find that your cat exhibits a not-so-healthy clawing habit, you may go for the option of de-clawing your cat.

This is a surgical procedure where the nails are permanently removed so that it will not grow back.   See the chapter on de-clawing.

However, you should still ask your vets advice if you want to go for de-clawing because with this, cats will lose a natural defense mechanism.

A better and kinder option is to regularly trim the cat’s nails, have them use a wooden post for scratching, or crate-training to prevent them from clawing at your most-treasured possessions.

By following these tips and making time in your busy schedule to groom your cat, you would have a healthy and happy cat and be a happy owner as well.

http://www.whatisgossip.com/