An important part of bringing home a kitten is preparing your home for the new member. Have a good look around your house and “cat-proof” it. Keep in mind that anything that dangles (such as lamp cords, curtains, etc.) are an extreme temptation for a mischievous kitten. Kittens just love to roam around, hide, as well as chew and “paw” things. Remember this when making your house cat-proof.

Feeding and daily care of a kitten involve just four items: a place for the kitten to sleep, fresh food and water, a litter box with litter and a scratching pad or post. Kittens love toys, too, so be sure to have plenty on hand when your kitten joins the family. Several name-brand foods specifically designed for kittens are available. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations if you are unsure when feeding a kitten.

Before letting your kitten have free-reign of the house, you must consider that some everyday house plants and chemicals can be deadly to cats. If you are unsure about any items in your house, do a bit of research online or phone your veterinarian.

Veterinary visits are a major responsibility when you care for a kitten. You must have your kitten examined soon after you bring it home, not only for required vaccinations, but for a general check-up to make sure your new pal is healthy and happy. You may also be require to register your pet with the local government (many cities require this, however it is not always a requirement for rural communities).

Some people find that litter training a kitten is quite easy. Most cats seem to be drawn to the litter box and need little or no assistance at all. However, some cats can be particularly difficult. You may find it easier to keep the litter box in an open, obvious area that the kitten can easily find. Also, do not completely replace the litter. Leaving a bit of “dirty litter” in the box can attract the kitten there as his nose will associate the litter box as the proper place to potty.

Owning a cat is sure to be a wonderful experience, and with the proper care, the bond between you and your kitten can be a fast and infinite one.

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Tips on how to prevent flea from infecting your cats.

If you have a very purrty feline of your own as a pet, then, you know very well the ordeal you’re dealing regarding fleas. So, stick around if you want to know the best flea control for cats to protect, not only your tabby, but your family as well from flea-related skin disease. One of the causes why your little fur ball are having fleas even though you tried everything to make her clean all year round is you can’t prevent her from going outside and have a little fun in the sun catching butterflies, getting a fish or two from your neighbor’s house or ransacking their trash cans. These and other unhygienic activities can make her scratch herself to death, not to mention some other health problems.

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That is why you need to get a good type of flea control. If you are using the same brand every time & found out that it isn’t working out for you, then, you either need to change your brand or you need to observe a few rules or you could do both and you’d better believe it when somebody will tell you that your cat will love you for it.

Talking about flea control, here is one tip that you might find helpful. Have a little visit down your favorite pet store and find a really good flea control or you can go to your veterinarian and have your itchy little get dipped in a flea control product that will keep them look and feel good for a certain amount of time. Remember, flea control like these can be just on a temporary basis but it helps.

But what if you still can’t find what you’re looking for or what if that temporary remedy starts to wear itself off? Well, you just need to go on the Net because there are lots of sites there that offer so much stuff online for an affordable yet effective method for controlling fleas. Remember, sometimes the good stuff are only available online. Ever heard of the phrase, "Not Sold In Stores"? Well, that explains that.

But to completely eradicate this problem, you need to have your own flea control measures, too. Here are some of the tips that might be useful: Take a look at your house. You can have an initial flea control method by ensuring that all cracks, nooks and crannies are filled in thus ridding your home of safe havens in which the fleas can breed safely.

Second, always try to make it a point that you should vacuum your house regularly, not missing a single spot. Pay close attention to dark and warm places. Make sure you reach all corners, under the sofa, hard-to-reach cupboards, carpets or rugs, chairs, desks, tables and other places in which fleas are able to hide.

Lastly, to reduce the chances of another major outbreak of fleas, you should purchase an effective flea collar on your cat. Not only it will prevent future outbreaks but it will make your pet look good, too. A beautiful collar with matching beautiful flea-free fur is a nice thing to behold, isn’t it?

Somebody said that the best flea control for cats is the use of Borax. So far, they concluded that it is the safest, most effective and most commonly used method for fleas. As a matter of fact, this is the "secret ingredient" in most commercially available anti-flea products but the question is, where can you find this effective flea control for cats? Why not try to see if this is really the best option for you and your tabby friend? After all, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

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To learn more about the different types of pet meds for your dogs, cats, horse, etc., and how to get cheap pet medications, make sure to visit Pet Care where you will find everything on getting quality yet affordable pet medications.

By Paul Kramer Published: 7/1/2008 Click for short hair cats

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Cat dandruff is common among diabetic cats. A study shows that happens in 1 in 200 cats have what is known as diabetes mellitus (DM) and if you want your pet to get better, here are some things you can do.

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The cause of this problem is associated with poor nutrition. So, instead of buying one of those generic brands of cat food, maybe you should change it and go for one of those that are of good quality even if it may cost a little more.

You can also give food supplements that contain fish oil which have proven to correct the dandruff problem.  This may also come from canned tuna since it is rich in Omega 43 fatty acids that will improve their hair in about a week.

The symptoms that will tell you if your cat has a skin care problem like dandruff includes an increase in their appetite, excessive thirst or urination, dehydration, depression, muscle wasting, lethargy, weight loss and an umkempt hair coat that is a direct result of poor grooming.  It gets worse when the cat displays weak rear legs.

Aside from a cat being diabetic, other risk factors include certain steroid injections, neutering and old age. The cold weather could be another cause since it dries the cat’s skin. If your hunch is correct, you can fix this problem by buying a topical and oral treatment that is designed to treat dry skin.

Aside from dandruff, owners should also worry about allergies as this also causes skin problems among cats. This may come from cleaners, pollen, food and other sources and since it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause, owners are advised to use only natural care products in cleaning the home.

The cat should also be confined indoors to prevent them from roaming outside. Studies have shown that sunburn kills the top layer of their skin causing it to dry and flake off. Repeated sunburn may result to skin cancer so if you decide to let them go out, this should be done before 10 in the morning and after 4 in the afternoon.

During the winter, the cat should not be allowed to sleep near the fireplace as this also dries out their skin quickly. To keep them warm during the cold months, you should invest in a good humidifier.

The cat may also be infested with fleas and ticks. You can check the cat’s skin routinely to pull them out and use powder to flush the rest out. The hair should also be combed so this does not happen again.

If the cat’s skin care problem continues, it is best to bring it directly to the vet as over the counter medications and parasite treatments which you have tried are not good enough to do the trick. Some of the symptoms associated with dandruff could be something else like a skin disorder and one of them is Cheyletiella which requires the help of a professional.

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Cat skin care problems like dandruff must be taken cared off immediately before it gets worse.  Proper hygiene, diet and grooming are the best ways to keep it away and if household remedies don’t work, you better get help so the exact cause can be determined and the proper treatment can be given.

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Denver Post – Denver and Colorado letters to the editor.  

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We’ve lived with to feel safe and secure. Here are some hints and tips.    cats in the house for almost 40 years, so it is hard for me to understand how people can turn loose a pet cat to live on its own. Its not good for the cat, and its not good for the native species living

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Cat vaccinations are the most effective means of fighting a disease. This also prevents the cat from ever becoming a carrier.  Some of the common vaccinations given are for cat flu, feline leukemia or FeLV, Feline Chlamydophilosis and Feline Infectious Enteritis or FIE.

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If your cat is given a vaccination, be aware that they may experience some side effects. This goes away shortly even if they develop flu like symptoms or fatigue in the next dew days. In rare cases, the cat may develop cancer where the injection has inserted that may develop in weeks, months or even years.

Cats just like humans experience allergies. This may come from pollen, dust, disinfectants and others. If you notice your cat experiencing any symptoms, you should stop using such products, keep them away from plants and make sure your house is clean.

Another problem that your cat may face is fleas and ticks. You will know they are there if they scratch more often than usual. You should check around the neck to see if there are any black dots using a special flea comb to look deeper into the fur.

Treatment against fleas and ticks is done by dabbing a small amount of liquid on to the back of their necks once a month. As for those that are already present, you can pluck them out one by one using a pair of tweezers or applying Vaseline over the affected area. Always wear rubber gloves when you are doing this so the bacterium does not transfer to your fingers. 

Unlike fleas and ticks that you can see, cat worms are inside their digestive system. There are three of them namely hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. If left untreated, they will have an upset stomach that at times can be fatal.

The best way to prevent this from happening is to give them worming tablets annually. But if it is already there, then you have to get a prescribed medicine from your doctor. Another option is to use a tick remover spray that is available in pet stores. You will notice a wound when the tick or flea is removed. This must be treated by bathing the area with salt water afterwards so no infection develops.

Cats can cause damage and hurt people. You can prevent this from happening by providing them a scratch pad to play with and trimming their nails on a regular basis.

Ever heard the line curiosity killed the cat? Well this also happens if they roam freely around your house. To prevent this from happening, make sure all cabinets are closed, the windows are shut, medicine and rat poison are hidden. You must never given them chocolate as a snack as this can be fatal.

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Proper cat care is the most effective means of keeping them healthy. Studies have shown that cats that are kept indoors and loved by their owners live 5 times longer than those you see on the street. Since you decided to own one, you should cherish it.

Click for british shorthair cats

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The eyes of your feline friends have often been used on horror films. But if you are a pet owner, you will know that the cat’s stare is really the opposite of what’s being portrayed on films. That is why you have to know the importance of cat eye care.

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I Love You

How do cats say these words? Through their eyes, of course. That is why you shouldn’t be frightened by that gaze. How does this work? First, the cat stares at you for a long while. And after that, it blinks its eyes slowly. Some people tag this as a cat’s kiss. But you can also say that this is your cat’s way of saying that it loves you.

But how do you return the favor? Easy, just follow your cat’s lead. Stare at it for a long time and then slowly blink your eyes. See? Cats’ eyes can also be used as elements for romantic films.

Not a Third Eye

Don’t believe the horror films you see. Cats don’t have a third eye. Their eyesight is really sharper than with humans. Instead of a third eye, what cats have is a third eyelid. This is called a nictitating membrane.

This inner eyelid protects the eyes of the cats from harm and also from dryness. You will notice that when a cat is sick, this membrane will somewhat close. This should alarm you to call the vet or get your cat to them fast.

But this third eyelid will also show once a cat is happy. So you will know what mood your cat is in just by looking at the membrane.

The Pupil

Your feline friend’s pupil of the eyes should also be observed. A change in size of one pupil can be an indication of an inflammation. It can also be a sign of a kind of a disorder in neurologic called Horner’s Syndrome. Or worse, it can also indicate tumors or injuries in the central nervous system.

The Nocturnal Vision

Do not believe what others say that cats are color blind. They see some. They may not see  as clear as humans do, but it’s not like that they cannot see any colors at all.

Cats can also see clearly from afar. It’s very different from people. They find it blurry to be looking at things that are so close to them.

Yes, cats have the nocturnal vision. But they can’t see in complete darkness. Do you see the muscles on their iris that surround the pupils of their eyes? They are constructed in a way that it narrows into a vertical split when they are exposed in the bright lights. And it opens fully when the acts are in a quite dim light.

This feature of the cats may be traced back to their roots. They can use such to hunt for food during the night if they were left out in the jungle or left with no one to care for them.

So forget about the horror flicks. You’ve already got the thrills. Not it’s time to put some effort into cat eye care. Do not let a minor thing worsen. Call the vet immediately when something’s amiss. You don’t want your cat to lose their sight or even lose their lives. It is always better to be safe than blind.

Cat’s Eye: Happiness is a Warm Kitty

Cat’s Eye. Now in brand new technicolor! The boyz are Diego-san, Theo, and Thompson. This is their blog. Tuesday, January 27, 2009. Happiness is a Warm Kitty. With the cold weather and my reluctance to turn up my furnace,

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Cat rehoming and other related posts:

Cat Eyes—A Cat Woman’s Photos: Fixing 8 Dominant Males Fed by …

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These Eyes … | Clan of the Cats

First of all, apologies for never giving an update on this, but my eyesight is much better than it was back in the summer. I could have sworn I gave an update. 

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Your cat is pregnant and you need to administer proper nutrition and fluids so that she can have a normal and easy labor. The pregnant cat health plan requires a birthing room. A cat usually picks a place away from people and other animals. This place is where the kittens are born and cleaned. A mother may move the kittens to a new area when they are about one to two weeks old. If you do not want this to happen, you may have to pick a place that confines her during labor and nursing.

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Proper exercise is needed for the pregnant cat and monitoring of all activities with other pets must be done to prevent miscarriages. The first sign your cat is pregnant is about three weeks after conception, the nibbles appear pink and will be tender. Now is the time to feed a healthy diet that will nutritious the unborn kittens as they grow to term. If the mother cat is healthy, the kittens should be born healthy.

A pregnant cat health plan does not include rabies shots or distemper shots during pregnancy. This can harm the unborn kittens. The only things a vet will do are check for heartbeats and recommend the proper food and maybe some vitamins. A Blood test is done to check the mother’s health. By nine weeks, you need to monitor the mother closely as she will deliver anytime.

The pregnant cat will require some help from you, the owner, if complications happen during the birthing process. Try to read up on some simple birthing mishaps that might require your help and learn the proper way to do them in case the need arises. A veterinarian’s telephone number should be in place in case something serious happens either to the mother or to the kittens.

Once the mother delivers, she will clean her new kittens and start to nurse them. Keep her litter box clean and supply her with plenty of water and plenty of food during the next six weeks. Pregnant cat health does not require a lot of work as the mother usually does everything. You want to make sure the birthing area is cleaned up after the mother has done the necessary cleaning.

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The pregnant cat health does not stop after birth; you must keep the mother in perfect health to care for her kittens. These means checking the nipples from time to time to see if they look healthy and have no problems or sores. The cat must be kept away from other male cats and left to nurture your kittens. Once the kittens start moving around, the mother will be busy trying to control them and eventually, she will get sick of them bothering her. She needs to wean the kittens by about five weeks. This is when you need to supply the kittens with kitten food. The mother will reach them to use the litter box, but in some cases, the mother does not and you will have to train them yourself.

By: Judy Wellsworth

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more info on cat care, cat rehoming, illnesses and more here are some other blog posts:

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Also remember a mother cat can do it on her own…never pull a kitten out of her or take them away from the mother after birth. You will only stress out the mother and she can stop her labour.

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Here are a few diseases you should watch out for and their symptoms.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and in fact is the leading cause of death among cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worse part is that the cats symptoms are very common with other ailments so it is really hard to tell.

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There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the human version, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat. 

Cats can also in infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Fortunately, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is transmitted through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it cannot survive that long in the environment so it is only contagious when the infected cat stays with another cat for a long period of time. 

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through the spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you don’t to do anything to make it go away. It will eventually clear up but it may just take a few months.

If you cat is overweight, chances are it already has feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease include excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Vets are not yet sure what causes this but there have been a few research studies that have shown that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and certain medications.

The symptoms of most of the diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than 5 days in one leg,   a decrease in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests.

The vet will take some blood, urine and feces samples. Any input that you have observed and give will also be useful. When the tests come out, only then will the proper treatment be administered to the cat as each case varies so what worked for one cat may not have the same positive effect with yours.

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Your cat could still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by feeding it high quality food, giving it fresh water, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making sure it stays indoors and taking it regularly to the vet.

If you have missed any of these simple steps, something wrong is bound to happen and you will soon notice a change in the behavior of the feline and doing nothing about it just going to make matters worse. So observe proper cat care tips and look out for symptoms.

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ABOUT CATS AND CAT BREEDS

The system of cat licenses is therefore fundamentally flawed. However, I personally applaud them for trying. It is far better than simply encouraging Australians to go around shooting up cats like the Bengal cat mentioned above.

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