Cat Advice Archives

Are you worried about your Cat Sneezing? It is normal for a cat to sneeze. cat sneezing does not mean that the cat is sick. If you notice other things about your cat aside from the cat sneezing then you may have to visit the veterinarian. You should check if the cat has swollen eyes or glands. Cat sneezing is commonly caused by the bacteria called Bordatella. These bacteria not only make cats sneeze but humans as well.

Sometimes cat sneezing may be caused by chemicals in the environment. Cats that are more prone to cat sneezing are the Persian cats or generally the cats that have flat faces. Some cats sneeze a lot during the spring season because of pollen in the air. Just like human beings, cats also have their own allergies. If your cat is sneezing blood then you must bring your cat to the veterinarian already. If you want your cat to be treated and cured right away then bring your cat to the veterinarian right at the moment you see your cat sneezing blood.

Cat sneezing is generally irritating for the cat and its owner. Consult your veterinarian for any cat sickness signs or particular questions on cat sneezing.

Cat Sneezing Blood

Your Cat Sneezing Blood? it would be wise to have your veterinarian check the problem out as soon as possible. The cause may be something that is not too serious but it could also be nasal cancer. Your vet may give your cat a sinus flush and will certainly want to x-ray the sinuses.

Overall, a sneezing cat can be an irritating problem for any cat owner as well as for the cat. If you are having a hard time figuring out what is causing this problem, you will want to visit your veterinarian. This is probably the quickest and most accurate way of diagnosing a cat sneezing blood problem.

Cat Sneezing Infections

Cat sneezing infections are caused by bacteria such as Bordatella and Adeno-2. Not only do these bacteria causes cat sneezing, but they can also similarly infect the human system as well.

Cat litter that contains very fine particles can often be the culprit, as the dust will irritate feline noses. Persians, and other breeds with flat faces, are more prone to sneezing due to chemicals, product irritation, smoke or infection because of their constricted nasal passages.

Your cat may also be allergic to some of the same allergens that trouble humans. Cat sneezing can be combated in a number of different ways. The best way to fight cat sneezing is by trying to find out what the exact problem is.

Cat Sneezing infections is often only a problem during a certain time of the year.

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Many people doesn’t realize that kittens or cats need regular Cat Vaccinations just like as puppies and dogs do. By getting routine vaccinations for your feline companions would greatly reduced their risk of getting several feline diseases.

Below are some of the diseases and vaccinations that your cat should have to keep them healthy and fit.

Feline infectious enteritis also known as FIE is a severe and often fatal internal infection.

Cat “flu” has two types of Cat Vaccinations which are to prevent feline herpesvirus also known as FHV-1 and feline calicivirus (FCV).

Feline leukemia virus also known as FeLV vaccination is a must if your cat goes outdoors. It is very important to protect your cats from this very serious disease.

Feline chlamydophilosis causes conjunctivitis in cats. It is spread by direct contact between cats. If you have a multi-cat household or have kittens you should ask your vet if your cats should be vaccinated for this.

Once your cat has been vaccinated or receives a booster shot, you will be given a certificate stating that your cat has been vaccinated and for what. Many animal boarding places won’t allow your feline companion to stay unless you have a certificate verifying they have up-to-date vaccinations.

The average lifespan of a healthy indoor cat is 15 years. You have health insurance on the rest of your family and for peace of mind you might want to consider getting cat insurance on your feline friend.

Cats seem independent and self-sufficient, but cats need just as much care and attention as other pets. Cats are prone to a number of serious diseases and it is extremely important to ensure that your cat is vaccinated from an early age. Further prevention from diseases is necessary to maintain your cat’s health with annual booster injections.

Cat vaccinations are important as almost all catteries will only permit cats that have past records of vaccinations. This measure serves to protect your cat as well as to ensure other cats in the cattery are not infected should your cat be ill. Travel restrictions for pets can be stringent for most European countries. Your vet would also advise you on the necessity of giving your cat a rabies shot, particularly if your cat has contact with other feral cats in the neighborhood and gets into scrapes. Feline infectious enterovirus (FIE, also known as the feline panleukopaenia virus.

Feline herpesvirus (otherwise known as feline calcivirus, or cat flu)
Feline leukaemia. A vet will test a cat’s blood to see if there is already an immunity built up from previous contact, and if the test shows negative i.e. there has been no contact and therefore no immunity built up the cat should be vaccinated.

Feline Chlamydophila, which causes conjunctivitis. Vaccination may save your cat’s life should it get into any contact with any horrifying diseases. Although vaccines do hold risk for a small minority of cats who received them, proper vaccination is still the best solution and protection your cat can have against infectious disease.

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Feline Quiz

How much do you know about cats? Below you will be presented with some general trivia questions that I have compiled about cats. I have also included some facts that will be of interest. Have fun!

How many bones does an adult cat have?

There are 230 bones in a cat’s body.

Cats have 30 vertebrae. Cats use their tails to maintain their balance.

Which culture believed that cats pulled a chariot?

Norse

According to ancient Norse mythology cats pull a chariot belonging to the goddess Freyja.She was the goddess of fertility, love and beauty.

In the old wives tale how many lives does a cat have?

9

In the most common myth a cat is said to have nine lives but some say that a cat has seven. Cats seem to have an uncanny ability to get out of life threatening situations, this may be a part of the superstition’s origins.

Cats have how many teeth?

30

Cats have 30 teeth, including 4 canines and 4 molars.Cats are only able to move their jaws up and down. Unlike cats both humans and dogs can move their jaws laterally.

How many whiskers are on a cats face?

Twenty-four

Cats have four rows of whiskers. To help measure distances a cat uses its whiskers.

A fear of cats is what kind of phobia?

ailurophobia

People who suffer from this condition not only fear being bitten or scratched. They are often under the misconception that cats are evil. Some people beleive that cats actually bring bad luck.

If you clocked a cat at top speed, how fast would it be running?

Thirty-one miles per hour

They can only do this for very short distances. A normal cat will have four toes on its back feet and five on its front. Cats actually walk on their toes. Cats do not walk on their whole paw, they actually walk on their toes.

What was the punishment for killing a cat in ancient Egypt?

You would be sentenced to die.

Cats were so revered that if a cat died the owners would shave their eyebrows. The god Bast was a cat. Bast was the guardian of the home, and protector of the fields.

The first formal cat show was held in what year?

It was held in 1871.

The first country to have a show was England. It took place in the Crystal Palace. The first North American show was in 1884.

How may weeks will a cat be pregnant?

Cats are usually pregnant for nine weeks.

Cats usually give birth after a 66 day pregnancy. A normal litter is between 2 and 5 kittens. Kittens are blind at birth, their eyes usually open when they are about seven days old.

If you like trivia and facts, you can generate many free trivia questions at: Free Printable Trivia Questions or if you like movies, check out: Movie Trivia Games

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Anyone who has taken the bold step of taking their cat out for a stroll knows that this is almost impossible. Getting your cat to wear a leash can be the most challenging part of the deal. Those lucky few who get a collar on their cat are bound to spend the majority of your time convincing your cat to go the same direction that you want to go.

Most people quickly give up and take their cat back home. Indoor cats often miss out on the sights and smells of the outdoor world. A great new way to take your cat out for a walk is by using a cat stroller. Cat strollers are something most people have not seen. While they are gaining popularity in larger cities if you live in a smaller town you probably have not seen one.

You can select from several different styles of cat stollers. Larger models will resemble a baby stroller with an an enclosed area that allows you cat to view out comfortably. Others are smaller and look more like a pet carrier with wheels and a handle. Before you select a pet stroller it helps to think about how it will be used.

Small folding cat strollers are the best choice for those who are short on space. Unless you have an extremely large cat most cost strollers can accommodate almost any cat. It may be a little more difficult to find a cat stroller for a very large cat. When picking a stroller for your cat consider their personality and which style of stroller they are most likely to enjoy riding in.

While cat strollers are available at most local pet stores online retailers will usually have the best selection at the best price. When you shop for cat strollers online it is easier to browse through many different retailers to compare prices and selection. When shopping online always make sure the company accepts returns in case your cat does not like it.

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Cat Treatments and Therapies

Cat Illness Symptons

Giving cat’s pain relief is not recommended without the say so of a veterinarian and prescription and should always be under supervision. We should always be sure that there is something wrong with the animal before administering any kind of help. Unfortunately for cats they often suffer from bone and joint diseases. Most of the time, animals just ignore their discomfort so you do not know that they are in any pain. One common problem is cat arthritis pain.

As cats are unable to actually comminucate what is wrong with them, it can be hard sometimes to know what is making them ill. A cat is able to hide the fact that it is suffering much better than humans or dogs can, they dont appear to like sympathy. 2. It can be hard to tell what is wrong with your cat especially if it sleeps a lot anyway but you should check how much food it is eating and if it is being overly aggressive. Sometimes cats can seem disinterested in grooming themselves as well, which is in most cases unusual. A lot of people go overboard when grooming their cats, which can result in very red and raw patches.

Signs of illness can include obvious agitation and growling, as well as fast breathing. Most of the time it is best to just book an appointment with the veterinarian and get the cat diagnosed as quickly as possible. Pain relief for cats is often varied as a lot of the time it is hard to predict just how much pain the cat is in or how the cat will react to the medication. As cats can suffer side effects from their medications it is better to look for joint meds that can be given in lower doses. Seeing your cat in pain is something no one likes and so you should make a real effort to get it treated as soon as possible. As soon as your cat begins to behave differently to how it does normally, you should book a vet appointment for it could be very ill.

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Building Cat Houses is Easy

Cats enjoy to have their own houses which provide them hours of entertainment as well as safe and warm places to rest. There are many different plansof cat houses you can buy, but it is relatively uncomplicated and handy to build a cat house yourself. By doing your own project yourself, you have the advantage to design exactly what you need for your location and your cat or cats.

You will need the following paraphernalia, which you can get at your local hardware store: One 4′x8′ sheet of 3/8″ plywood, three 2″x4″x8″ studs, one box of 5/8″ wood screws and rug remnants. Divide the plywood and the each stud in half and then take each piece and cutsaw them in half again. You should end up with eight pieces of plywood each measuring 2'x2'. These sections will be used for the floor, walls and roof of your cat house. Cutting the studs will result in twelve pieces that are each 2′ in length. These will form the configuration to screwthe plywood to. Use a staple gun or glue to attach the carpet remains to the plywood. The carpet covering lends a expanse for your cat to to take care of his need to scratch and stretch his claws, sparing your furniture.

Congratulations! Your cat house do it yourself project is now complete. This project is not slated to be used as an outdoor cat house since supplies used are not waterproof. You may change the house for use outdoors by the adding a roof in the form of a triangle. This will require extra studs and plywood covered with roof shingles so any rain will run off without affecting the house.

The project to be used outdoors should not have carpet on the outside because moisture trapped in the fabric will eventually cause the plywood to rot. For outdoor use you may alter the carpet with a water sealant to strengthen the life span of the habitat.

A safe and warm habitat for your cat to hang out does not have to be opulent nor expensive. Add your own particular touch and construct what is right for your pet and yourself.

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Cat lovers enjoy almost every thing about their pets. The purring, adorable antics, meowing and affection the cats show their owners, make cats a joy as pets. The litter box is another story, nobody enjoys cleaning out a dirty, smelly litter box. Cats are clever and clean creatures and with a little effort on your part, your cat can be trained to use the toilet. Professional animal trainers have been potty training cats for years. Training your cat to use the toilet, not only eliminates a dirty job, it saves you money. Cat litter is expensive and it’s an environmental hazard. Training your cat to use the toilet will rid your home of the unpleasant smells of a litter box. Here are some basic tips for cat toilet training.

Move the Litter Box

The first thing to do is to move the litter box to your bathroom one day at a time in two inch increments. You can train a cat to use the toilet, but it is a step by step process. Next, you will want to place the box up so that it is higher. Try using telephone books or cement blocks for this purpose. Do this until the litter box is at the same level as the toilet itself. Each time you increase the height of the litter box, be sure to remove some of the litter. Be sure to secure the box to the base you are building.

Once the litter box is at the same height as the toilet, you need to start moving the box closer to the toilet. Try to do this in half inch increments. You can train a cat to use the toilet by teaching the cat that the litter box is the same thing as the toilet. Physical proximity will help with this. Keep removing a bit of litter with each move so that the cat becomes used to their being less and less litter. Keep doing this until there is less than an inch of litter left.

Making the Switch

You can train a cat to use the toilet if you can teach the cat that the toilet is where he or she should be when it comes time to use the bathroom. Thus, you now need to replace the litter box with a training box. To do this, lift the toilet’s seat and secure an aluminium pan to the edges. Next, put the seat back down so that the pan is secure. Add flushable litter to the mix. You may need to use industrial strength tape to keep the pan from moving when the cat sits in the device.

For the final step in toilet training your cat, cut a small hole in the bottom of the pan. If you have a kitty training aid, it may have pieces that can be removed so you won’t have to cut a hole. Gradually enlarge the size of the hole a little at a time.. As you enlarge the hole, the cat will get used to not having litter in the pan. When the hole is nearly as large as the opening of the toilet, you can remove the pan. Toilet training your cat is mostly an investment of your time and patience. The investment is worth it and you don’t have to deal with litter boxes again. Now, if you could only potty train the dog.

 

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Toys for Cats

Stop wasting money on toys for cats. The first thing you do when you get a new cat is grab the necessities like a water bowl, food and of course cat toys.

There are thousands of cat toys on the market, so choosing the right ones for your feline friend can be confusing and overwhelming.The tips to follow will help you in choosing mentally stimulating and fun to play with cat approved products.

Although it is tempting to buy all the cat toy items in the store, make sure to limit the number to just a few.  Cats can easily get bored with toys, so a good idea is only to leave a few toys out at a time. Keep other toys stored away and occasionally switch them out.This will be like new presents after a few months.

Remember that, just because your friends cat liked a certain toy does not mean that yours will be the same. All cats have a unique personality, the toys that made one feline happy for days may not interest another cat at all.

Just because your cats behavior makes them appear bored with a toy now does not mean he will not love it three hours from now.Let the new toy have some time to catch on before you give up and toss it. Some cats will surprise you when they attack and play with the item they did not care about the day before.

 

Favorite toys for cats

When choosing toys for cats, there are certain types that generally are a success, no matter what the cat’s personality may be.

Laser pointers are usually a popular favorite.Many cats will chase the pointer light beam for hours on end.  Just make sure not to shine the light into kitty’s eyes or into any person’s eyes either for that matter.

Another favorite is the something on a string.Items at the end of the string can include bouncy balls or fur mice.You might buy a string on a stick type toy for hours of fun for all involved.  Dangle the toy above a cat’s head and you are almost guaranteed to get a reaction.

Some toys will use the hide concept to interest the feline customer.  Plastic balls on a track, or mice hidden in a big plastic piece of cheese will peak your cat’s interest and stimulate his mind while he tries to figure out how to capture the toy.

In addition, you may want to consider the classic favorites: the little ball with a jingle bell inside, the furry mouse, a good scratching post, and the crackly toy.  

Keep in mind when you choose a cat toy that your pet may hate one and love another.Finding a favorite toy may take more then one attempt. Do not get frustrated if you cat does not like the toy you picked out.  

Give him a little time, and if he is still not interested, then try a different type of toy. Play time is important to overall cat health. So do not give up, you are sure to find the right items to keep your cat happy and active.

 

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Teaching Your Cat to Use Its Litter Box

A lot of people realize that teaching a cat to use its litter box isn’t the difficult process that they thought it might be. Nearly all of them will promptly learn how to find their way to their box. And normally the full process of cat toilet training has already begun before you even bring your new kitty home. The mama cat starts the education phase before her brood is even weaned.

One more situation that makes it easy to train your cat is that they are finicky creatures and desire cleanliness in both their bodies and their environment. It’s inborn for a cat to hide its own waste. So offering them a convenient spot to do it in the form of a fresh litter box is normally all that’s needed.

In case your kitty isn’t trained, though, the entire mission of teaching your kitten to utilize its litter box can be accomplished in a number of simple steps. Litter box instruction is really all about producing a new routine for your kitty.

Every time you feed your cat, get into the practice of taking it to the litter box right after it has completed its food. It’s natural for cats to eliminate right after they’ve been fed, and you’ll further that instinctive inclination if you place them in the box on a frequent basis. When this has developed into an established habit, your kitty will begin to go to its litter box after every meal.

If your efforts concerning litter training your cat don’t go as swiftly or productively as anticipated, it’s critical that you remain tolerant. There might be all kinds of causes for why your kitten does not want to employ the box you have provided for it. It may be in an area that’s very open. Cats don’t care to do their business when they’re on display and can be seen by everyone who saunters by.

Also, there could be a problem with the brand of litter you’re using. Cats are exceedingly fussy and a specific consistency or odor could be sufficient to prevent them from using the litter box. When that’s the situation, experiment with different brands and types until you hit upon one your cat finds adequate.

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bird watching in lion country

Anyone who is a bird watcher belongs to a passionate group of people. Filled with a unique sense of wonder about the natural world, they also possess an element of perseverance and patience that might drive many in our busy society to the brink of insanity. Those who bird watch are a different breed, and the world has a lot to learn from them.

A bird watcher will find as much delight in telling you about how they got to the place where they saw a particular species as they will about the bird itself. There is something satisfying about trotting up a hill, climbing an old barbed wire fence, and then sliding down a muddy ravine just to catch a glimpse of a warbler family flitting amongst some remote treetops. Western society has made people quite content to drive up to a window, order, and then be on the way without ever getting out of the car. If only birding were that easy. Bird watchers can teach the busy world around them about what it means to deliberate, and to spend all day working towards a goal that may not even come to fruition. After all, not every outing is a successful one.

The ability to be quiet and observe is one of a bird watcher’s greatest attributes. Many folks in this culture spend all of their time rushing and being proactive and frowning upon idle moments. Bird watching however, teaches that there is something gained by being still. It teaches that, when one allows a sense of quiet to settle in, an amazing number of intricate details can be observed about the world.

To be a bird watcher is to do a great service to society by being passionate about conservation. Building processes and roads continue to destroy acres of forested ground and prime avian habitat. Various voices of the bird watching community are speaking loudly and clearly about the importance of preserving these habitats. Bird watching enthusiasts know that progress is inevitable, but that we must work diligently to find a balance with the natural world. This passion for conservation is often born out of the time that a birder spends in the field, marveling over the complexity of not only the birds, but the entire eco-system that they call home as well.

A veteran bird watcher must understand the responsibility he or she has to the bird watching community. An experienced bird watcher needs to be proactive about bringing new enthusiasts along and teaching the proper methods and ethics of birding. As long as every generation is willing to take the time to pass along their knowledge, then the movement to conserve habitat will continue to thrive.

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