Cat Health Weight Loss

By W. P. Allen

When it comes too cat health, weight loss is an important topic. While any pet owner knows all too well the urge to pamper and spoil our animal companions, there is definitely such a thing as too many treats and too much food. It can be hard to resist those plaintive meows and those oh-so-expressive eyes, but be strong; being overweight is not good for your cat. While a overweight cat may appear happy, at least after getting those excessive treats, in the long run an overweight cat is an unhappy cat - with an unhappy owner.

Just like humans, cats can gain excess weight due to overfeeding, lack of exercise and insufficient exercise. It can be difficult for cats to lose weight, just as it is for people but at least in the case of a pet cat, you have control over their diet. If you are interested in cat health, weight loss for your pet is something which you should know about. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, a growing health concern for cats in our country where it is estimated that as many of 40% of housecats are overweight. A cat that is obese can suffer from a variety of other health problems as a result and may not be able to clean themselves properly due to the excess pounds they are carrying - a very sad problem.

For better cat health, weight loss needs to be considered if your pet has gotten a bit heavy. A weight loss program for your cat should be approached cautiously and after consultation with your vet. A few steps which may help your cat lose that extra weight is to stop making food available to your cat all the time. While some cats do quite well as "grazers", many will overeat if food is constantly present for them. Instead, feed your cat two to four small amounts of food daily and keep an eye on portion sizes! Your cat will likely complain a bit, but stick to your guns as this will be better for your cat in the long run.

Cat health weight loss should be done gradually, since a crash diet is no healthier for your cat than it is for you. Watch your cat's progress gradually and make sure that they don't get too thin. Keep in touch with your vet during your cat's weight loss and ask their advice if you have any questions. Being the proper weight is healthy for your cat and will ensure a longer, happier life for your cat.

Commercial cat food is loaded with TOXINS that are slowly poisoning your cat! Want proof? CLICK HERE!

The Importance of Sterilizing Cats!

By Audrey Frederick

Numerous articles have been written about the importance of spaying and neutering cats and the health benefits that are gained by doing so. Many people are aware that the sterilization process is a good thing and abide by the usual recommendations. However, every once in a while it is a good thing to write a reminder to those, who do not believe in spaying or neutering, about why they should.

Spring and summer is known across our country as the "kitten season." Many female cats will be giving birth and many kittens will be unwanted and end up in shelters or even put to death by their owners.

A female cat can come into heat as early as four months - especially in the springtime. Locking a cat in the house may seem like a great alternative, but it plays havoc with a cat's health.

The reproductive system that nature created in a female cat is amazingly efficient. Having kittens is a very natural part of a female cat's life and not having kittens, without the help of being spayed is very hard on a cat.

Male cats are always willing and able to mate, and if they do not have anyone to mate with, it does not present a problem. They will just sit around and wait until a female presents itself.

Female cats on the other hand have reproductive needs that have to be met, that is the way nature created the female cat. If you do not want kittens, it is important to have your female spayed by at least six months of age.

Why? The cat's breeding season is usually between January and October and females go into heat every two weeks until they are bred and have a litter of kittens. A female can produce a litter of kittens every 65 days!

If a female does not mate and repeatedly comes into heat, the danger of life threatening uterine infections and uterine and ovarian cancer can become a sad part of your cat's life. Spaying also reduces the risk of mammary cancer.

Spaying your female between four and six months is easier on them, as they have less postoperative complications, they suffer less bleeding, require less surgery time, their organs are seen more easily and they recuperate more rapidly.

Males that are not neutered can become aggressive toward their owners, will get into fights with other males as they search for amorous females. The frequent fights expose them to infectious diseases, abscesses from wounds and many males will spray pungent urine to mark their territory, which can and usually includes the house. It is recommended that males be neutered between nine and ten months of age, this is before they reach their sexual maturity.

I recently had our new male kitten neutered at six months, his surgery took less than five minutes, he needed only two minutes of anesthesia and we had him home by the end of the day, happy as he could be.

Veterinary research has shown that the earlier you neuter cats the less behavioral problems you will have. Sterilized cats tend to be friendlier.

Both male and female cats that are not spayed or neutered have a tendency to spray, wander off and are apt to get lost or hit by a car.

A single cat (spayed/neutered) has no need for sex and does not miss what is never has known. Even though a spayed/neutered cat has a lower metabolism there is no need for the cat to become overweight or obese, that blame falls on the owner's shoulders for over feeding. Our 12-year-old male has maintained his same weight for over the last 7 years and is beautiful, slim and trim.

Reduce your cat's health risks by spaying/neutering, the earlier the better and you will have one happy cat, less vet bills and when the news man on the television asks "do you know where your children are," you will know your cat(s) are home where they belong.

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Herbal Treatments For Cats - The Safe Alternative

By W. P. Allen

Ours is an increasingly health conscious world, no doubt about that - just as people are seeking out alternative and natural remedies both to treat ailments and preserve health, pet owners are doing the same for their furry friends, even using herbal treatments for cats. While this may be an unfamiliar concept to you, in fact our pets can get many of the same benefits from herbal treatments and remedies as we ourselves do. If you are interested in taking a natural route to keeping your pet the picture of health, read on for a little more information on this topic.

Herbal remedies basically aim to strengthen the body, but are also employed in the treatment of diseases as they occur; in fact, many of our modern medicines were originally derived from herbs. These are now produced synthetically rather than naturally and as such have lost some of the health benefits which are given by the natural products. Herbal treatments for cats are much the same as are herbal supplements for people, giving them the benefits of the herbal ingredients without the sometimes nasty side effects which come along with their synthetic analogues.

Herbal treatments for cats are available for the treatment of a wide variety of common health problems in cats, including skin problems, eye ailments, kidney and liver health and simply keeping your cat in good general health - today's pets live longer and this means they are prone to many of the same illnesses that older people are; diabetes, cancers and so on. They, just like us, are exposed to environmental factors which can cause poor health and disease in humans. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to the chemically based treatments offered by your vet. Herbal remedies are often just as effective as the synthetic medicines which modern science develops for us (and our pets!), while having little if any side effects - so they are far safer to use.

If you are interested in better health and a longer, happier life for your pet cat, you should educate yourself on the various herbal and natural remedies and supplement options available to the modern pet owner. Everyone who has a cat in their home should take interest in this topic; it is a field which is rapidly growing as more pet owners become aware of the health giving possibilities opened up by alternative medicine for pets and begin to seek out herbal treatments for cats.

Commercial cat food is loaded with TOXINS that are slowly poisoning your cat! Want proof? CLICK HERE!

What Kind of Food Should My Cat Eat?

By W. P. Allen

What kind of food should my cat eat? It's a common question asked by cat owners, whether they have had cats all their lives or are just welcoming a cat into their home for the first time. The answer to this question seems simple enough: healthy food. However, it is not always as simple in practice as it may sound.

Living with a cat comes with a lot of responsibilities, chief among them being the feeding of your cat (and as you are probably well aware, your cat would certainly agree heartily with this sentiment). As I said earlier, healthy food is the answer to "what kind of food should my cat eat?" But commercially produced pet foods, including cat food is often not exactly healthy; some of it can even damage your cat's health! It can be difficult to know what to feed your cat, but the answer is certainly not in that small box or can at your corner convenience store. Avoid these kinds of mass marketed, industrially produced cat foods for starters.

When wondering what kind of food should my cat eat? You may want to consider going all-out and making your own pet foods at home; these will be made of ingredients you can see and pronounce, as such these will be inherently healthier than some byproduct and additive laden commercial cat food. A diet which is free of additives and made instead of healthy natural ingredients like meat (beef or chicken), small amounts of vegetables and natural supplements is far better for providing a long, happy and healthy life for you and your cat to enjoy together. Again, your cat would agree, but may still eye up that can of store-brand cat food enviously from time to time....

If you want to ensure good health for your feline friend; and certainly you do, since you are reading this article in the first place, think carefully about your cat's diet. Stay away from commercial cat foods and do your research on any brand of cat food which you are considering feeding to your beloved cat. The internet is a good place to research these cat foods and to see what other pet owners experience has been with any given brand. This way you can be sure that your cat's food will be beneficial, not harmful to their health. You can also consider a natural, homemade diet as an answer to the common question: what kind of food should my cat eat?

Commercial cat food is loaded with TOXINS that are slowly poisoning your cat! Want proof? CLICK HERE!

New Kitten Care -Ten Tips For Raising Your Kitten

By Liz Allan

You've picked your brand new kitten from a litter, and you're now ready to bring him home. You naturally want to give him the best possible start in life. Here are 10 tips to help him develop into a confident, affectionate adult cat who'll give you years of stress-free pleasure.

1. Make sure you're fully prepared for his arrival. Have his toys, food, litter box, scratching post and bed all ready for him. This will help him to settle in more quickly.

2. Handle him - a lot. If kittens are handled a lot when they're young, they get used to it and learn to enjoy it. As a result, they're much more likely to turn into affectionate adults that love to be cuddled and stroked. Your new kitten should always be handled gently. If you have young kids, you'll need to supervise them with Kitty at first, to make sure they don't accidentally hurt him.

3. Get him used to receiving everyday care from you. This includes grooming him, washing his face, bathing him and cleaning his ears and eyes. If he gets comfortable with all this when he's a kitten, you'll have few problems with it when he's an adult.

4. Safely introduce him to the everyday things that will form part of his world as soon as possible. This may include other people, kids, other pets, travelling in your car, boarding at your sister's house when you go on holiday etc. etc. Doing this will turn him into a confident, happy, adaptable adult.

5. Play with him and talk to him every day. Bored kittens and cats often seek amusement in activities that you won't be too keen on, such as destroying the furniture. Playing with your kitten will build your relationship with him and help to prevent boredom.

6. Feed him a wide selection of foods that are suitable for kittens. This gets him used to a varied diet, and reduces the risk of him becoming a gourmet cuisine snob who'll only eat fresh wild salmon caught in the Scottish Highlands...

7. Gently and calmly set boundaries. Kittens are like kids - they'll push their luck to see how much they can get away with. Common naughty kitten behavior includes scratching, biting, jumping on the kitchen worktops, scratching the furniture and abseiling the curtains. If your kitten is being naughty, stop him, say "no" (don't shout) and move him away from the scene of his crime. It's much easier to train a new kitten to be good than an adult cat, so setting the boundaries whilst he's young can save you years of frustration in the future.

8. Don't give in to vocal blackmail. Some kittens try to get what they want by meowing non-stop. If you keep giving in to this, your kitten will turn into a very vocal adult cat who'll drive you nuts with his constant noisy demands.

9. Keep him safe. Nasty frights - for example falling down the toilet, being tormented by a kid or having a dog bark in his face - will have a negative impact on him. The more unpleasant experiences he has as a kitten, the more likely he is to become a nervous, mistrusting adult.

10. Accept that your new kitten is a baby with loads of energy. Whilst you can discourage him from acts of willful destruction, you'll need to accept that your house is unlikely to survive completely unscathed. But hey, he's worth it!

Liz Allan is a cat behavior expert with 25 years experience of caring for cats. She lived and worked in a cat rescue centre for 3 years, and has fostered hundreds of cats at home. For more information on cat care and behavior, sign up for her FREE ezine at http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/cat-behavior-explained.html To find out how to deal with the most common, frustrating cat behavior problems, visit her website: http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/index.html

Choosing Names For Kittens

By Catherine Conway

It's exciting to bring home a kitten for the very first time. But even if you have everything your kitten needs--a place to sleep, a litter box, food, toys, water--you still need to think of a good name for her. It needs to be a special name that you'll enjoy using whenever you call her.

When picking names for kittens, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, kittens don't stay kittens forever. Kittens grow up to be cats, and if you don't bear this in mind, you might pick a name that your kitten outgrows. So you should think ahead and decide if you really want to name your kitten Tiny. Will you still be all right with this name if she grows up to be a 15 pound feline?

One way to choose a name is to consider your kitten's appearance. If you have a white kitten, you might name her something like Snow, Blizzard, Opal, Milky, or Vanilla. If you have a black kitten, your kitten's name might end up being Obsidian, Soot, or Raven. If you have an especially fluffy kitten, you might decide Fuzzy is the best name.

You could also take your kitten's personality into account. Is your kitty shy and nervous around other people? Perhaps you should name her Ghost or Mouse. Is your kitten in the habit of dashing around the house at top speed? Maybe her name is Flash or Speedy. Does your kitten demand attention and do goofy things? She might be a Clown or a Ham.

If you prefer something more dignified, you could name your kitten after famous people in history. An especially intelligent or dignified cat might be well suited with a name like Plato or Aristotle. Or you might prefer to lift names out of famous works of fiction, such as Juliet or Sherlock Holmes.

Other possibilities might occur to you in a sudden flash of inspiration. If your kitten has a strange fondness for black olives, you might decide Olive is the best name for her.

It's up to you to decide what name is best for your kitten; there is no right or wrong way when it comes to choosing names for kittens. Just take your time, get to know your kitten, and you'll soon pick the perfect name for her.

Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who adores cats. If you want to learn more about choosing names for kittens, be sure to visit her site at http://kittykittennames.com

Black Names For Kittens

By Catherine Conway

Do you have a kitten with the darkest fur you've ever seen? Perhaps your kitten is as dark as midnight, or perhaps his fur is more like a shining drop of ink. Or perhaps your kitten is a shade between gray and black, like a shadow or a dark wisp of smoke?

Whatever the shade, there are a lot of good names for kittens with dark fur! Have a look:

Black Beauty - This is the name of a horse from a great work of fiction by Anna Sewell. But there's no reason why you can't name your pretty black kitten Black Beauty as well!

Blackbeard - An infamous pirate who made himself look even more frightening by tying lit fuses to his large black beard. Your cat probably doesn't have a beard, but it's still a good name if your cat somehow reminds you of a pirate.

Blackberry - A cute name for a playful, sweet-natured black kitten.

Domino - A great name for a black-and-white cat, since dominos are usually black with white spots.

Ebony - A hard, highly prized wood from a tropical tree. The color ebony is a deep, lustrous black.

Ink - For the kitten as dark as an inkwell.

Ninja - The deadly assassins who dress in black. An appropriate name for a black cat that has a habit of stalking and striking out when you least expect it.

Obsidian - Dark volcanic glass. A great name for a cat with sleek, shiny black fur.

Onyx - A black mineral, often used as a gem stone.

Panther - A fine name for a sleek, graceful black cat.

Raven - Might be best for a slightly spooky cat, since it brings Edgar Allen Poe to mind.

Soot - The fine particles that are produced when something is consumed by flames.

Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who loves cats. If you need more ideas for kitten names, visit her site at http://kittykittennames.com.

White Names For Kittens

By Catherine Conway

If you have a little white kitten, you might be thinking about giving her a name that goes with her beautiful fur. You're in luck, because there are lots of possibilities! There are many different shades of white: Snow, milk, and pearl are just a handful of examples.

Here is a short list of white names for kittens:

Albino - This is the term for a person or creature that can't produce their own melanin pigments, which gives their skin and hair a white appearance.

Angel - While your fluffy white cat may look like an angel, it could end up being an ironic name if she behaves like a little devil.

Blizzard - A driving snow with powerful winds. This would suit a white kitten with boundless energy.

Cloud - A perfect name for a fluffy white kitten.

Cream - Good choice if your kitten is somewhat off-white.

Daisy - The white daisy is a cheerful flower and a sun worshipper. A suitable name for a good-natured kitten.

Fog - A gray-white fog is slightly unsettling, since it obscures your vision and makes everything look ghostly. This might be a good name for a mysterious cat.

Frost - Sometimes white fuzz and look like the frosts of winter.

Ghost - Might be especially appropriate for a kitten that hides a lot.

Ivory - A hard, valuable substance that comes from the tusk of an elephant. Ivory has been prized throughout history.

Porcelain - Suggests delicacy and great value.

Snow - For the kitten that's white as snow.

Winter - A name I would give a white kitten with chilling blue eyes.

Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who adores cats. She has many more name ideas for your kitten at http://kittykittennames.com

Do You Have a Mean Cat? How to Deal

By Yvette Cabrera

Most people bring home a cat or a kitten expecting a friendly cat that will become a companion and lie cozily in the lap. It is unlikely that a cat will be confident enough to adjust easily to a new home and people. However, apart from the initial short period that the cat may take to get used to a new environment, most cats adjust easily in new homes.

On the other hand, some cats remain fearful of the new surroundings despite patient efforts of the cat owner. Su situation may be the start of a problem. If the fearful and anxious situation continues you can be sure that you have landed yourself with a stressed and unhappy cat.

A fearful or defensive cat is likely to resort to aggressive behavior like fighting, biting and scratching. Understanding cat behavior is critical to handle an aggressive cat or to stop cat biting behavior. Unlike treating aggressive dog behavior , which requires re-training, handling a mean cat may require a little bit more than that.

However, before you try anything it is recommended that you take precautionary measures and trim the cat's claws. Trimming the claws should actually be a regular practice since the feral wild traits can manifest anytime.

It is normal for owners to confuse playful aggression of cats with typical aggression. Cats need to play aggressively to spruce up their survival instincts. Play activities of cats include cautious, exploratory and investigative behaviors. This may appear as aggressive behavior to owners who have other expectations from their cat.

Play that looks like aggression may be initiated by the owner or the cat himself. Do not use your hands and feet as toys for the cat. Do not play rough games with him nor indulge in any physical punishment. Cats are not likely to understand the association of the punishment with an act that they have done.

On the contrary, they are likely to associate it with the individual who metes out the punishment. Try to divert the cat's attention and offer toys so that he can play in a manner that is acceptable to you.

Although domesticated cats have all their food available at home, they are prone to practice hunting skills. For some inexplicable reason cats get fed up with petting very quickly. Watch out for signals that resemble predatory behavior and stop the moment you see those shifting eyes, pulled back ears and a twitching tail.

Maternal dog aggression seems soft when compared to the maternal aggression of cats. Cats are very protective mothers and therefore it is best never to disturb a cat when she is with her kittens. Such aggression usually dies as the kittens grow up.

Cats are instinctive hunters. If you have small pocket pets at home, keep them out of reach of the cat. A cat may play with a pet canary is equally capable of eating it at a later date. Also, cats are expert predators like tigers and should not be let outside alone. They are likely to like the predatory killing if they get a flavor of it once.

Both cats and dogs need a significant amount of socializing while they are young. Cat and dog biting is common among pets that have been weaned away early in life. It does not provide them with enough opportunities to learn to control their aggression.

Also consider treating your cat with homeopathic remedies. There are many to choose from that control your pet's aggression. You'd be amazed at how well they work.

If you'd like to learn how holistic pet treatments will help your pet, then visit my squidoo lens, where I list several good resources for getting more information and trusted sites to order holistic remedies from. Article Courtesy of PetAlive.

How To Stop My Cat From Biting Me

By Jovan Johnson

So you're wondering how to stop your cat from biting? Right? Then you are in the right place, there are so many people asking there selves "how do I get my cat to stop biting," and most of them never find out how to solve this cat biting nightmare. Here are some simple tips for you to go home and try.

Cats bite, that's the normal thing all animals do, but when they draw flesh then it's a real problem for you and your family.

Tip 1

This is a real great tip and it works for any cat problem you can dream of. When your cat bites you cry out "ouch" or "stop" and firmly press on your cat's nose and say "no" with a firm voice. What this does is let your cat know that this behavior is not acceptable and that you will not tolerate this behavior.

Tip 2

Use a water filled spray bottle. Your probably saying to your self that there's no way a spray bottle is going to stop my cat from biting me. Well sorry to inform you but your wrong. What this does is surprises your cat and not one cat on this planet likes to be surprise. So surprise your cat with a spray of water and you will be surprised yourself on how good this works.

Tip 3

Try getting a toy like a clean peacock feather or a fishing pole-type toy that keeps hands away from the attack zone! Laser lights are popular, but make extra sure that you don't let the cat look at the source, which could actually damage the eyes. This will distract your cat and keep it busy from biting you.

Tip 4

Don't ever hit your cat! it will do nothing but make your cat fear you, and you will never have a good relationship with your cat if you decide to hit it.

No more cat biting Stop your cat from biting now, if you don't want any more bruises on your body then click here to learn how to stop your cat from biting.

The Mystery Behind Cat Training

By Allison Marie

Cat training in 10 minutes...sounds mysterious...it is everyone's dream yet it seems to be no one's reality. This is because cat training in ten minutes just doesn't exist. A cat like a human requires consistency, patience, and rehearsal to fully grasp the concepts behind necessary training.

The behaviors of cats can be fun and playful, but at the same time-destructive and menacing. Unwanted scratches in the furniture, broken ornaments, ruined stockings...we all know the drill.

The mystery reason behind why cats misbehave is the key to knowing how to stop it. So do you know the answer to the mystery?

While cat training in ten minutes or even twenty minutes may not exist, these tips will put you one step closer to your training dream.

It is a well known fact that cats find trouble when they are bored. Sometimes they're just looking for attention and other times they're looking for something to spend their time with. your job is to make sure that their curiosity needs are met.

The solution to this pesky problem is by giving your cat the behavior he desires. By spending more time with your cat, he will be less likely to destroy the house. It is important that you don't spend time with your cat immediately following bad behavior because this will lead to an association between bad behavior and more attention. This association will in turn only lead to more bad behavior.

Secondly, cats are naturally nocturnal.

This means they are most comfortable being active at nighttime. Activities are more exciting by the light of the moon, but at the same time he can find more trouble when he is not under your watchful eye.

The way to fix this is simple. By giving your cat activities during the day, his exhaustion will kick in right as the sun will be going down so he will not be in the mood for any troublesome games. These activities could include so good "one-on-one" time. Playing with a mouse toy or a ball or yarn are great ways to tire him out because those involve physical activity. Also, just doing your own activities during the day that spark his interest will keep him from sleeping the days away. He won't want to miss out on whatever you are doing!

These simple tricks of outsmarting your kitty are great ways to train them. Again, this isn't "cat training in 10 minutes", but in the long run it will be more efficient and productive. These training tips for good cat care will ensure happy and peaceful life between you and your feline friend.

For more information on cat care visit howtocatcare.com where you will find practical tips on cat training, cat communication, important cat owner information, and cat proofing your home, even how to teach your cat tricks, and more.

Tips For Choosing a Name For Your Kitten

By Catherine Conway

It can be a challenge to choose the right name for your kitten. You can stumble across a ton of ideas, but sometimes looking at a long list of names for kittens can lead to more indecision. To help you stay on track, here are some tips to help you choose a name that fits perfectly.

• Make doubly sure you know the kitten's sex. It would be a little embarrassing to have a girl cat named Bob or a boy cat named Lizzie.
• Take your time. Spend a few days observing your kitten and becoming familiar with his personality before you pick a name.
• Avoid picking a name you'd be embarrassed to use in front of other people. If you don't think you could handle shouting "Mouse Breath, get back in the house," you might want to rethink it.
• Pick a nice, short name. Ideally it should be no more than two syllables. A short name is easier for your cat to learn, and it will be easier for you use.
• If you do decide to give your kitten a long name, make sure the shortened version sounds good. You will inevitably give your cat a nickname if his full name is Aristotle Meezer.
• If you want to make it really easy for your cat to learn his name, consider one that ends with an "ee" sound. For example, Bucky or Willy.
• Remember that people will form judgments about both you and your cat based on what you name him. People may be somewhat afraid of your cat if you name him Vampire or Scratch.
• Choose a name that will grow with your cat. A name like Teeny Weeny might be perfect for a little kitten, but it will be positively ironic for a large ten-year-old cat.
• Perhaps most importantly, don't stress over picking a name. Choosing names for kittens isn't like choosing names for children. If you want to name your cat Fluffy, you don't have to worry that the other pets in the neighborhood will make fun of him.

Catherine L. Conway is a writer who loves cats. If you need more tips and ideas for choosing the perfect name for your kitten, she has a site that can help: http://kittykittennames.com.

Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box - Litter-Robot I VS Litter-Robot II

By Gail Jones

One of the best automatic cat litter boxes available today is the Litter-Robot. The Litter-Robot consists of a removable globe that sits atop a base containing a large waste drawer. The globe contains a heavy duty rubber coated screen for sifting litter. Seven minutes after the cat leaves the Litter-Robot, the globe begins to rotate. The litter is sifted by the screen. Clumps are separated and dropped into the waste drawer through a trap door.

Litter-Robot has many advantages. First, the globe shape minimizes the cat's ability to kick litter out. Second, it requires no special receptacles or bags. Any type of bag may be used in the waste drawer. Bags are held by rubber grips. Third, any type of clumping cat litter can be used. Other brands, such as Littermaid or ScoopFree use a rake to sift the litter. The rake has a tendency to become clogged. It has been reported by users that more expensive brands of cat litter will improve the performance of rake-style automatic and self-cleaning cat litter boxes. On the other hand, Litter-Robot can use the least expensive brand of cat litter, which saves money in the long run.

Additional advantages of the Litter-Robot include a 60 day money back guarantee, an 18 month warranty and it is very easy to maintain. The removable globe just lifts off the base. It has no electronics in it, so if it needs to be cleaned, it is very easy to do. First the remaining litter is emptied into the drawer by pressing the "Empty" button. Then the globe can be lifted off and hosed down with a garden hose. A scent-free mild soap and deodorizer can be used, if desired. Scent-free products should be used so unusual smells will not deter the cat from using the Litter-Robot. Similarly, the drawer contains no electronics and can be cleaned in the same manner as the globe.

The currently available Litter-Robot is Litter-Robot II. The original Litter-Robot has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Although occasionally it can be found on eBay. The original Litter-Robot (let's just call it Litter-Robot I), had a few differences than the new Litter-Robot II. First, Litter-Robot I had a smaller waste drawer. In addition, its motor was much louder. Third, it did not have any odor control features.

Litter-Robot II has a much larger waste drawer than Litter-Robot I. The motor is also much quieter. Recently, Litter-Robot II was improved further with odor control features. There is a soft breathable ring between the base and the globe to trap odors in the drawer. The drawer has an odor-neutralizing carbon filter that destroys the odor as it escapes through the drawer's ventilation holes. Since many of the early Litter-Robot II's do not have odor control, the manufacturer sells an upgrade kit so users may add it themselves. In addition, the manufacturer sells replacement carbon filters.

Overall, Litter-Robot II has improved dramatically vs. Litter-Robot I. The odor control features work extremely well. The larger sized waste drawer makes travel very convenient. With an automatic pet feeder, a pet waterer and the Litter-Robot, it's very easy to justify firing the pet sitter. If you travel a lot, these products pay for themselves.

Gail Jones is a staff writer and expert in home automation products. She works for Paradise Robotics, a Chicago Area company that specializes in products that make life better. Gail may be reached at "info@paradiserobotics.com".

View animation and buy Litter-Robot II now Paradise Robotics Home

Advanced Cat Training

By Erika Nilsson

If you already know the basic cat training and want to dig deeper for advanced cat training, then this article is for you. From the basic training you should know that everything has to be taken in small steps and that you need a lot of patience.

For the more advanced cat training I will take toilet training as an example. Toilet training is considered very difficult and I don't mean toilet training as in using the litter box, I mean using the human toilet. This will save you money on cat litter and you don't need to have that stinky box in your house.

To get your cat to use the normal toilet you need to use incremental training. You need to slowly change your cat's behavior. For most cats it takes a couple of weeks to learn this. Let it take the time, you should never stress your cat.

First you start by slowly moving the litter box closer to the human toilet. After about a week the litter box should be right next to your toilet. I would keep it here for a few weeks to make the cat feel used to human toilet. After a few weeks you will start to raise the litter box up slowly. You need to use something that's stable but can still raise the litter box a little by little. Keep raising the litter box every other day and watch the cat's behavior. If it seems to be ok with it just keep raising until at the same level as your toilet.

Now you can try to move the litter box on top of your toilet. When it feels comfortable using it there you can insert a box that sits into the rim of your toilet. Once the cat is used to the new litter box, you just remove the whole thing. Your cat should now be toilet trained and you have mastered one of the advanced cat training methods.

To learn more advanced cat training methods have a look at Cat Training Secrets. Here you can learn to bond your cat with a dog and how to keep peace in a multi-cat home. Erika Nilsson is a cat lover and writing about her cat training experiences at http://www.cat-training-information.com

How to Solve Cat Litter Problems

By Jovan Johnson

Is your cat using your carpet or favorite rug for its litter box? Cat litter problems will happen to just about every cat owners, so don't think that your cat do not like you! Cat litterbox problems can become a real problem if you do not educate yourself. This article will help you learn how to deal with your cat litter box problems, but to get a full understanding you will have to invest in a cat training book.

Here are a couple of ways to stop your cats bad litter habits and pay attention because you will learn how to have stain free carpet.

The right litter box

Make sure you get the right size litter box for your kitten. If you buy a huge litter box and you have a tiny kitten, your cat will become too afraid to use it because of the size of the litter box. When you go to buy your litter box from a pet store, don't be afraid to ask a store clerk "what will be the best size litter box for my cat."

Where's your litter box?

This is very important to your cat and you have to keep a couple of things in mind when you look for a place to place the litter box.

• Do not place the litter box in a busy area
• Make sure its in a place that is not busy
• Do not move the litter box frequently
• Do not have one litter box for just two cats

Wrong litter?

The reason why your cat is not using the litter box is mainly because you have the wrong litter. Do not use cheap litter, its just that simple. Cheap litter hurts your cats lungs because its to dusty. Also make sure that you are not using scented cat litter. most cats do not like the scented cat litter so check and make sure that you are not using any scented cat litter.

Get a cat training book Here's a great Cat training book that I strongly recommend. It will teach how train your cat to use the litter box guaranteed! Its a really great book check it out And not only will you learn litter training but you will learn how to solve any cat training problem in a couple days!

Cat Trees - Perfect For Helping Your Kitty Get Rid of Its Energy

By Jennifer Akre

So, the pesky feline of yours has decided that the furniture in your living room is now going to be his personal play area. He is on a tear and just won't stop jumping over everything. But, before you get all mad at him, just stop and answer this question, does he have his own place to play? Probably not, right? For that reason, you can't really blame him and if you really want to save your furniture, simply rely on cat trees. One, or a few if he's really feisty, would be a great investment.

Not quite sure what cat trees are? Well, they have a pretty basic design and yes, they pretty much look like trees as they have a base that supports a center pole with limbs that stick out of it. They can range anywhere from two to three, even four, to five feet in height, making it easy to find one to match that amount of space that you have in your home for one. Generally, they will be crafted out of some sort of wood, sometimes plastic that is thicker, that is then covered in a durable, sturdy fabric with carpeting being the material that is most commonly used. What's nice about them is the fact that they will give your cat one awesome place to jump, scratch, and just play. So, instead of your furniture taking the brunt of your cat's energy, this selection will instead.

In addition to cat trees, there are also other cat furniture options that allow your cat to expel some of its energy. Like, if you want to give your cat the most deluxe place ever to have a good time, then a fantastic selection for you would be a kitty gym. This is similar to a cat tree, but it has way more features including juxtaposing limbs, perches where your cat could even take a nap if he wants to, and some will even have ramps and hanging toys built right into them. Now, if you are short on space, but want to give your cat a nice place where it can scratch, then a scratching post is what you're looking for. And, one great option is one that has a sisal rope.

If you think that cat trees, and any of the other cat furniture, is a good investment, a great way to browse the different available selections is by foregoing that trip to the pet store and instead just plunk yourself down in front of the family computer to do some online shopping. Browsing through the multiple online stores is easy so you can find the best prices on what you want to buy. And, it will also be sent right to you at your home. Talk about convenient.

When it comes to that pesky feline of yours, if you want to keep him from destroying your furniture, make sure that cat trees are something that you take the time to buy. If you don't, you're going to end up with a mess in your home.

Author Jennifer Akre, owner of many sites dedicated to indoor and outdoor home decor product and information, provides online consumers with advice on purchasing the perfect cat furniture and coziest cat houses for your finicky feline.

To Declaw Or Not to Declaw?

By Gary Madden

To us humans the easy way often seems to be the only way. Cats have claws right? They scratch furniture, doors and door jams, not to mention the kids, etc. So, just take him or her to the vet and get those claws removed ... simple enough and all the problems are solved ... right? Wrong?

Have you ever accidentally scratched yourself with a fingernail that got a little too long? My wife is always after me about my toenails and threatens to have them removed if I don't trim them often enough.

This research may make you stop and think ...

Scientific journals refer to declawing as "elective mutilation". It is an amputation of the cat's toes comparable to the removal of the human finger at the first knuckle.

It handicaps the cat physically, socially and psychologically for the rest of its life, predisposing the cat to certain temperament and behavior problems such as shyness, biting and litter box avoidance. No wonder your clawless wonder won't use that expensive litter box...even your terrific Omega Paw Self-Cleaning litter box.

It's a bit of a problem, but the solution is really not all that difficult ...

By regularly trimming your cat's nails and offering a suitable scratching target you are providing a natural outlet for a normal, healthy behavior and you will be rewarded with a content and confident companion. There are many scratching posts, scratching pads and couch scratch protectors on the market that will transform that scratching kitty into the wonderful pet you have loved.

Married with two children age 22 and 13 and two beautiful pets, I have been a pastor for over 30 years. Since 2005, I have been working online to develop a secondary income due to the onset of a progressive disability that at this time has rendered me unable to stand or walk on my own and forced me to resign my life-long profession. I have been blessed to find a way to secure my family's financial future and hope that you purchase with confidence on any of my Sites. It is my desire to provide you excellent products at affordable prices. http://nicedogshop.com