Automatic Cat Litter - 5 Tips to Save Time When You Litter Train a Cat to Use Automatic Litter Boxes

By Katherin Towers

An automatic cat litter offers great convenience to cat owners. It will automatically scoop up the used litter after your cat uses the litter box. A good point is the wide range of modern designs available. There are many different sizes of automatic cat litter boxes. Some are open, while others are enclosed.

1. Open tray, or enclosed box? This is an important point to consider when litter training your cat to use the new automatic cat litter box. If his old litter box was an enclosed type, the new box should also be enclosed. Otherwise you may need more time to retrain him. This brings up another point - many cat owners find that they need to litter train their cats again when they change the litter box.

2. Noise factor. Some automatic cat litter are more noisy than others. If your cat is sensitive to noise, you will have to look for a quiet model. On the other hand, some cats like it loud - they are attracted to use the litter box because it is noisy. Some cats are fascinated by the mechanism of the box. You may have to experiment with several different models before you find a box which your cat likes.

3. Litter box placement is another important factor. Automatic litter boxes need to be plugged into a source of electricity - for some people, this means they have to move kitty's litter box out of the bathroom, which means more retraining. Some models are also quite noisy. You may want to place the new litter box somewhere it won't wake you up if kitty goes potty in the middle of the night.

4. What type of cat litter? Many automatic litter boxes use clumping litter. Some new models use crystal cat litter. Before you buy the new litter box, make sure it can use the same brand of litter which your cat likes. So far, no one makes a self cleaning litter box using biodegradable litter, so too bad for cat owners who use World's Best Cat Litter. Replacing the litter can be expensive. However, most manufacturers claim that a fresh tray of litter can last anywhere from two weeks to one month.

5. Attracting kitty to use the new litter box - If you can get catnip easily and cheaply, this can help to attract your cat to use the new automatic litter box. If this doesn't work, Dr. Elsey's makes an additive which claims to attract cats to use their litter boxes. You can add this additive to the litter you put in the automatic litter. Your local petshop can also recommend other solutions.

Except for the 5 factors above, litter training your cat to use automatic cat litter is no different from litter training your cat to use a normal manual litter box.

Do you want to learn more about cat potty training? Visit http://cattraining.kelvinmart.com/ to learn more about cat litter training.

Feline Heartworm Disease - Prevent It

By Gary Pearson

Heartworms are long threadlike worms that live in the hearts of dogs, usually. Most people don't know that heartworms affect the pet health of our feline friends as well. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and once bitten the worms take around four months to reach the heart. Once there, the worms can grow up to a foot long. Cats can have a very severe reaction to the worms usually causing coughing, trouble breathing, and lethargy. For the longest time, doctors only thought that dogs could get heartworms. A few years ago, a study was done on cats that died suddenly and a large majority of them were found to have heartworms. Unlike in dogs, which take as long as two years to show symptoms, cats tend to die without ever having any symptoms at all. Also in the study, one third of all the cases of heartworms were found in indoor only cats. This is an amazing statistic, showing that indoor cats are not immune to the disease.

Another factor that makes heartworm disease in cats difficult is the difficulty in testing. Owners can be very frustrated by this disease because of the lack of definitive testing. There are two blood tests that veterinarians use to help in diagnosing the disease. Antibody tests look for antibodies for heartworms that their immune system produces when worms are present in the body. The problem with antibody tests is that the infection doesn't have to be current to be positive, they could have had heartworms years in the past. Antigen tests are the main ones used to test dogs for heartworms. The antigen tests detect female worms in the body.

Since it only takes one or very few worms to cause problems cats can have infections with only male worms. Once again, if cats only have male worms it will test negative on an antigen test. The only test that will definitively confirm heartworms if the antigen test is negative is an ultrasound.The final frustration with feline heartworm disease is that it is so difficult to treat. There are no medications used to kill adult infestations with heartworms. Medications that are currently being used are designed to lessen the symptoms of the disease and medications that improve breathing. But it does nothing to rid the cat of heartworms and improve pet health. In dogs heartworms live for over seven years, but since cats are not the primary hosts they only live about two years.

Since diagnosis is so difficult, and the disease is so severe, prevention becomes the key with feline heartworms. This is the ultimate answer with heartworms, if they don't get it, you don't have to worry about it. There are a lot of preventatives out there for heartworms. Products that can be found at your local store can prevent heartworms and treat hookworms and roundworms. The disadvantage to these products is that it is a chewable, which can be difficult for our feline friends. There are also topical medications for pet health, which prevents heartworms; treat hookworms, roundworms, fleas, earmites, and the mange. This is a great product that really fully protects our kitties. On a final note, remember that one third of positive cases are in indoor only cats, so prevention is still very important even for them.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about heartworm disease visit Pet Knowledge for current articles and discussions.

Cat Health Questions Answered - What Do You Need to Know?

By Gary Pearson

When introducing a cat into your life, you automatically become responsible for their health and well-being. Proper diet, nutrition, exercise and medical care are all things to be weighed when adopting a kitten or cat. But exactly what is involved with your pet's health when you bring home kitty?

Cats need a balanced diet, like us. To ensure that you cat is getting a balanced diet, her food should be high in proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Their food should also contain such vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C and Niacin to ensure your pet's health. Cats also require taurine and arginine, two essential amino acids that assist in growth and maintenance. Cats do not do well with vegetarian diets, so refrain from giving your cat all vegetables. Cats need animal meat to obtain arginine and taurine to function. A diet low in these essential amino acids will result in your cat's death.

If a chronic disease, such as colitis, affects your pet's health you can make a few simple changes to her diet to help relieve the symptoms of said disease. With colitis, increasing the fiber in your cat's diet will ease her symptoms. A diet that is high in fiber and easily digestible fats can ease bowel tension and increase bowel movements. Should you cat have chronic kidney failure, a diet high in easily digestible proteins is best. Offer kitty canned, soft food if they have painful dental diseases. If your cat's diagnosis is cancer, a diet with omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene can help. Keeping your cat on a balanced diet and keeping their vaccinations in order will keep your cat from developing any medical conditions down the road. However, as with anything, a cat can develop medical conditions without warning and without symptoms. Only you know your cat's personality, so you will be the best determinate as to whether they need medical help or not.

Since several things can affect your pet's health, it is best to seek out the advice of a veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis. Whatever you do, do not give your cat human medicine. Medicine designed for human consumption can be deadly to small animals. You may think that you are helping, but in reality, you are causing more harm. Only give your cat medicine prescribe for her and nothing else, unless recommended by a veterinarian. Al though there are some emergency medicines you can give your animal in very small doses to help them until you can get to the vet. If they are experiencing diarrhea, you can offer them some anti-diarrhea medicine to ease the symptoms. But do not give them a full human dose. You can also use anti-histamines to alleviate allergic reactions. But it is best to seek immediate medical help, if your cat is suffering from a medical condition.

Your pet's health is important, so ensuring that they are happy, healthy and safe comes down to you. There is nothing better than a happy cat purring at your feet, why not make sure she is healthy too?

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat health visit Independent Cat for current articles and discussions.

Is Your Cat a Finicky Eater?

By Dr. R.J. Peters

Please refrain from becoming angry with your cat when he turns up his nose at the food you just went to a lot of trouble to put down for him. It's not his fault... and he's not really being finicky!

To understand this annoying and frustrating behavior, we must realize where cats came from, and what they've evolved into.

In the times before humans allowed animals into their lives and homes as pets, they were completely on their own, to survive in the ways that Nature provided, with instincts, aided by the chemical processes of their own physiologies. These things are beyond their own control to change.

Dogs, presumed to have evolved from wolves, needed to live in packs and always had to compete for any morsels, just to survive, no matter what it was or how it tasted. This may be why they don't seem very discriminating in their tastes.

Cats did not come from that background. They were typically more solitary and prey could be finished later, at the next meal. This could explain why cats don't "wolf" down their food and can easily walk away from their food bowls, knowing they can simply come back later to finish it.

But what about the "finicky" part? Cats will eat one food more readily than another. That's the part where their chemical makeup comes into play. For one thing, cats don't have the four basic taste groups that we have. They can taste salty, bitter and sour. But they have no ability to detect sweet.

So if your cat seems to like ice cream, for example, it's not because it's sweet, which is why we like it. Your cat likes it because of other factors, namely, the fat content, the fact that it's cold (interesting to some cats) and may have an unusual texture they also find interesting.

Since they needed to locate prey to eat, they were equipped with the abilities to hear small animal sounds, smell their scents, and detect the slightest movements out of the corner of an eye.

Thus, it may be said that cats do have a more discriminating taste than dogs, since they do have some preferences. It is up to us to help locate and provide the flavors they like. Concentrate on tastes such as fish or poultry, interesting textures, and strong aromas. Try mixing some canned or wet food in with or beside their dry food. Also, while some cats may enjoy the cold of ice cream, they mostly like their food to be slightly warmer than room temperature, you know, like the body temperature of prey.

If someone made a dry food that crackled when it got wet (you could call it Kitty Krispies!), you can be sure a cat would run over to inspect it immediately. If it smelled good, and it was warm or moved a tiny bit, they would eat it! You can't offer boring, tasteless food with a bad smell and then accuse the cat of being picky.

Dr. Peters is a retired health professional who established an animal shelter in 2002. For help with cat problems, visit http://www.theproblemcat.com

7 Ways to Protect Your Cat's Health

By Dr. R.J. Peters

Summer is almost over, but certain risks are present year 'round. While it's less likely for your cat to pick up fleas and other parasites after hot weather has ended, some are persistent throughout the year, especially if you live in warmer climates. Even in cold areas, where snow and ice make life uncomfortable for us, the cold sends insects and other pests into hiding, but not necessarily to die. Lying dormant through the winter, they simply reappear in warmer weather... even warm days in the winter.

By taking the following precautions, you can reduce your cat's risk for becoming infected, infested, or terminally ill from the effects of some parasites.

1. Keep the litter box clean. Not just "clean," but CLEAN. Scoop it more than once a day if more than one cat is using it. The rule of thumb is to have one box per cat, but it's also useful to have litter pans in strategic locations so no one is stuck with a full bladder when they're on the wrong side of a door when the urge hits.

2. Wash your hands after this task, to prevent accidental spreading of infectious material that might be in the box. Some of the parasites that infect cats can also spread to people and other pets in your home, such as hookworms, roundworms, and some bacteria.

3. Prevent your cat from hunting mice or other rodents, if possible. Cats who are allowed outdoors are most at risk, though sometimes mice can enter our living spaces and even indoor cats may instinctively wish to catch and eat them. The risk is that rodents often carry fleas and ingesting them causes tapeworm infections.

4. Never let your cat come into contact with the feces of other pets. This is one reason to keep all litter boxes clean. You don't want Cat A stepping into a box Cat B just used and picking up some fecal residue on their paws. They will clean themselves by licking it off. You also don't want them stepping in the dog's business in the yard, so take care of that, too.

5. Keep an eye on your pet to be aware of any changes in behavior, appearance or habits. If they have ear mites, for example, they may scratch their heads or necks a lot, sometimes drawing blood. Some parasites, such as hookworms, will cause the cat's stools to be quite dark. Tapeworms leave tiny white segments that resemble grains of rice in their fur, under their tails. Others, such as round worms, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Brush or massage your cat daily to get a feel for the condition of their fur and skin. Check for ticks, fleas, and sores.

6. Keep your veterinarian's phone number handy, and take your cat in whenever you spot signs of potentially serious health problems.

7. Take your cat in to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated as required in your area, and to get a professional, clean bill of health for the coming season. Have your cat tested for diseases or parasites that are common where you live, too, such as heartworms and giardia. Treatment is effective only if you catch it soon enough.

Enjoy your feline companions to the fullest by taking care of their needs as fully as you can.

Dr. Peters is a retired health professional who established an animal shelter in 2002. Want to know how to give your cat a massage? Visit http://catmassagesecrets.com

How to Stop Your Pet From Ruining Your Furniture

By Derek Rogers

One of the biggest worries that pet owners have is how to stop their pets from ruining their furniture. Often, you do not realise how at risk your furniture is of being scratched, chewed and even urinated on. It isn't until you bring your pet home that you see just how much pet proofing you still have to do around your home.

Cats are the main culprits when it comes to ruining your furniture. This is because they instinctively need to sharpen their claws. If an alternative is not given then they will use whatever is nearest to them and that does often end up being your furniture! Dogs mainly chew the furniture and male dogs could use it as a territory marker. So just how do you stop your favourite pets from ruining your furniture?

Preventing Furniture Damage

There are a number of ways in which you can stop your pet from ruining your furniture. If you own a cat then the best way to prevent it is to provide them with a scratching post.

Scratching posts are designed to be appealing to your cat and they can use them instead of your furniture to sharpen their claws. You can purchase several different types of scratching posts and ideally, you want to choose one that will be appealing to your cat. You can purchase plain ones or posts that have toys attached to them. You can also purchase scratching posts that have additional levels for your cat to climb on.

Basically, it would be a good idea to get the post with as many features as possible as that will gain your cats attention. Posts with toys are a great option because it is often after your cat has been playing that they need to scratch their claws. So even if you purchase a plain post, placing it close to their toys is definitely a great idea.

If you own a dog then to prevent chewing, it would be a good idea to make the furniture taste uninviting. Generally, most dogs do not like bitter tastes sousing a bitter apple spray should stop the problem. You should also provide them with plenty of toys to chew on instead. That way if you catch the dog chewing the furniture you can say a firm "No" and then place a toy that they should be chewing in front of them. You will need to keep a close eye on your dog if you want to successfully stop them from chewing the furniture but your persistence will be worthwhile!

If your pet is allowed to sleep on your sofa then there is a large chance that they will ruin it as they get on and off it. Placing a cover over the sofa will not only protect it from scratch marks, but it will also prevent it from getting covered in pet hair.

Overall, it isn't overly difficult to protect your furniture from your pets. You just have to keep a close eye on them and provide them with something else to keep their attention on. If you follow these tips then you should end up with clean furniture that remains in excellent condition for years to come!

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on pet supplies, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Cat Scratch Posts.