Cat Illness Symptoms - What to Look Out For

By Soru Kayde

There are many different act illness symptoms you need to look out for as a cat owner. They can change and vary depending on what the cat is suffering from and most of which can be very difficult to spot. Cats are very good at hiding their weaknesses and many not want you to find out they are in pain or suffering discomfort. This can make it very difficult for owner to recognise problems or illnesses without a vet’s diagnosis.

If you notice any cat illness symptoms in your own cat, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your local vet as soon as possible. Cats are unable to express to their owners how they feel, or what exactly is wrong with them. As soon as you notice a possible problem with your cat you need to get the issue looked at to ensure a condition is not going unnoticed. With the proper testing your vet will be able to identify the problem and the cause effectively, never try to self diagnose your cat. Many cat illness symptoms are caused by a variety of different illnesses and are not just a symptom of one particular condition. Inaccurate diagnosis could lead to a potentially fatal condition being left untreated.

The general cat illness symptoms to look out for include:

· Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Constipation

· Weight Loss and/or lack of appetite

· Skin Problems including rash, itchiness or patches

· Hair Loss

· Discharge of the eyes, ears or nose

· Urinal Accidents

· Excessive Thirst and/or excessive urination

· Depression or behavioral change

· Sneezing or coughing

· Fever

· Blood in Urine

· Discomfort, pain, meowing or yelping during urination

If you identify two or more symptoms you should book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible, if you encounter just one symptom, it will depend on it’s severity as to whether or not it is a possible illness. In these cases you should speak to your veterinary clinic if you are unsure and talk to them about the symptom. It is also possible that once you have identified one symptom, if you continue to examine and look more closely at your cat and its behaviour you will start to notice other symptoms as well. For severe symptoms such as blood in the urine, you should make an appointment with your vet immediately.

This article was written on behalf of Love Your Cat, a dedicated informational resource for cat owners who are concerned about their cat's health and well being. http://www.loveyourcat.info provides useful information on cat illnesses, sign, symptoms, cat pain relief, treatments, preventions and much more.

Cat Litter Box Not Working? Pet Going on Bed and Elsewhere?

By Sheri Davis Collins

If you know that your cat is not ill...

Maybe it's the litter box, why should it be, you say. Hmm, let's see.

Are you aware that most boxes are the wrong size?

Your pet propels what's in the box to the outside. It urinates over it, around it, on the walls adjacent to it. There's no way it can be the litter box, something must be wrong with the cat, right?

Is it attempting to communicate in the only way it knows how, that whoa...something is wrong here, I need help, fix it please.

Lets use the process of elimination to help determine what your feline friend wants you to know about its personal toilet.

a. Is it cleaned often enough or too dirty ? Who wants to smell and walk on stuff that should be removed? Would you?

b. Is the placement away from noisy appliances, air ducts, furnace or anything that may frighten it?

P.S. a dark closet is a no no as proper placement.

c. Could the kind of litter be the problem? Is it one that your kitten doesn't like?

d. Could the size of the box be inadequate? Are the sides really high enough to keep stuff in? Is there room for it to easily walk around inside and properly cover things up?

In summation, most of your litter box problems may be related to the size and type of the box and not a problem with your kitty. Therefore, one should evaluate your present box and make any necessary changes.

See what simple item can put an end to this dilemma. Check out stop the problem

Kittens For Adoption

By Peter Gitundu

If you love cats then you will love to adopt some kittens. These kittens have probably been abandoned by their mother at birth and were probably found by a Good Samaritan who took them to an animal shelter where they were revived and cared for back to good health.

If you have kittens for adoption then you probably are trying to get homes for your baby cats and maybe cannot afford to take care of them yourself. You can try posting up posters that say you are offering kittens up for adoption. You can also find out if your nearest animal shelter knows people who are interested in these animals.

Since there are many breeds of kittens for adoption you can choose from cats like tortoiseshell kittens, Siamese kittens, Persian kittens, and other varieties. There is also the rare kind of kittens which everyone is always looking to get especially cat lovers.

Once you have adopted the kittens you must have all the right necessities such as toys and food to be able to take care of the kitten. It would be wiser if you planned how to take care of the kitten first hand before getting one. Maybe take care of your neighbor's cat for a week and see if you can hack it. It might be easier with a full blown cat but as a kitten you might have your work cut out for you. Cats however are easier to train than most animals and they learn very fast. You will have to have kitty litter for the kitten as well as provide a nice place for it to sleep.

Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Pet Adoption. For more information on kittens for adoption, Visit His Site At KITTENS FOR ADOPTION You Can Also Post Your Views About kittens for adoption On My Blog Here kittens for adoption

How Can a Cat Get Fat When Eating Cat Food Bought From an Online Store

By Paul Kramer

Most of us know by now that excess weight contributes to many serious health problems and shortens life spans. That is as true for cats as it is for people. Very rarely, obesity is due, at least in part, to a medical problem.

More often, though, excess weight is the direct result of an animal eating more calories than she burns. Several factors determine how much food your cat needs to maintain a proper weight and optimum health.

- Activity level - an active cat needs more food than a couch kitty. As long as your cat remains active, her caloric needs will remain about the same.

- Quality of food - the nutritional value and calories in commercial and homemade feline diets vary widely. The higher the nutritional value of your cat's food, the less she needs to eat.

- Individual variations - your cat is an individual, with her own looks, personality and nutritional needs.

If your cat has packed on some extra weight, it is up to you to help her slim down. If you have been free feeding, switch to schedules meals so that you can control what she eats. Be aware that the portions recommended on most commercial cat foods are estimates and may be too much for your cat, especially if her energy expenditures have slowed down.

Use manufacturer recommendations as a starting point, and then adjust your cat's daily rations according to her weight. A weight reduction food may help, but I have seen many overweight pets who have eaten weight control formulas for years.

The simple fact is that too much food leads to excess weight. A complete discussion of nutritious homemade cat foods is beyond the scope, but you can find accurate information at your library or on the internet.

Be careful, though, a lot of people post bad information on websites and discussion lists. Check the writer's credentials, and do not rely on a single source. Also, work with your veterinarian, especially if your aging cat is being treated for any health problems.

To learn more about the different types of Pet Foods for your dogs, cats, horse, etc., and how to get discount and cheap pet medications, make sure to visit http://callpetmeds.com/Cat_Medications.html where you will find everything on getting quality yet affordable pet medications as well as tips on how to take care of your pets like the experts.

Kitten Training Tips

By Michelle Edward

Congratulations on adopting your new kitten; your new pet will take a lot of care and will require a lot of responsibility on your part. You'll of course have to feed your pet and perhaps bathe it on occasion but there are other things to consider. Your new kitten is probably not yet trained, so you are going to have to put in the time and effort necessary to get your pet from new addition to established member of your family.

If you have decided that your new kitten will be an indoor pet, then the best time to begin training is immediately when you bring the kitten into your home. Fortunately, a kitten is easier to train than is a puppy.

You will need to understand some basics about cats and cat behavior before you begin training your new kitten. Typically, cats are affectionate and relatively well behaved. When you see your cat exhibiting undesirable behavior, these are usually due to causes which can be addressed.

Here are some tips that can help you train your new kitten at home;

1. Kittens need exercise. Provide your kitten with toys and make time to play with it -a bored kitten will tend to damage your home.

2. Your kitten will not yet be litter trained, at least in most cases. This makes litter training the first thing to teach them. The litter box should be large enough for your cat to easily get in and out of and offer them enough room to move around. Adding newspaper and possibly carpet scraps can help your kitten to learn that this is the proper place for them to take care of their needs.

3. The claws of kittens are not yet as sharp as those of an adult cat. A kitten will not do too much damage to furniture, which means that this is the best time to teach them where to scratch; get them a scratching post and teach them that this is the proper place for scratching.

Give your new kitten treats and praise when it behaves well will help you to teach your pet to behave indoors. Never hit or shout at your kitten, this will only make your new cat afraid of you, making it hard to ever train them to behave well.

Kittens are lovable animals which can be wonderful additions to your home and with a little patience; you can train your new kitten.

Michelle Edward has been a cat lover since her childhood and now she helps teach people how to train their cat with here latest website venture called, Online Cat Training. To learn more about correctly training your cat please visit her website: Go to: http://www.onlinecattraining.com/

Cat Training Tips - How to Correct Your Cat

By Michelle Edward

Correcting your cat during cat training is probably the most difficult part of cat training. There are a number of things which the trainer or owner can do in the course of training to try to change the cat's behavior - words or actions. These are some things to think about when trying to decide how to correct the behavior of a cat during training.

1. Correct your cat at the right time.

You need to punish the cat at the right time during training; wait too long and the cat will not understand that their behavior and the punishment are related.

If the cat is punished long after the undesirable behavior, then there is no way the cat is going to understand and to associate the punishment with their behavior. Animals do not make these associations the same way that we do.

2. Punishment does not mean hurting your cat.

They are animals and do not think about the world the same way that we do - inflicting pain on your cat is just not the way to go. Other than it's just plain wrong (and illegal), hurting your cat will only provoke and frighten it and it may well fight back, causing bites and setting the stage for the cat to exhibit aggressive behavior in the future.

3. There are many other ways to correct problem behavior in your cat.

One of the more effective methods is called the reward and recognition method. This consists of using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behavior; the cat learns to behave well because of the rewards they will learn to associate with it.

You can reward you cat with praise, stroking, toys and treats. If your cat exhibits a desirable behavior, then you can reward them with petting, praise, a treat or some playtime. The trainer can then immediately take away these inducements if the cat exhibits undesirable behavior. The cat learns by this that the treats and other rewards will be taken away when they misbehave.

Just like training any other pet, training your cat takes patience and you should remember that the results will not be apparent overnight. If you stick with the training and provide the necessary reinforcement consistently, your cat will learn. Cats are wonderful pets and if you train and treat them well, they will provide you with years of companionship.

Michelle Edward has been a cat lover since her childhood and now she helps teach people how to train their cat with here latest website venture called, Online Cat Training. To learn more about correctly training your cat please visit her website: Go to: http://www.onlinecattraining.com/

Help! My Cat is Urinating Often - What Should I Do?

By Laura Ramirez

Question: My cat is urinating often-way more than usual. What should I do?

Answer: If your cat seems to be going the bathroom more than normal, this could be a sign that your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI for short). Since this infection is common and can be serious, make it a point to pay attention to your cat's litter box habits.

A urinary tract infection is often first detected by the following symptoms:

• Your pet strains when urinating and seems to be in pain


• Your pet's urine is foul-smelling


• You see blood in your cat's urine


• Your cat doesn't make it to the litter box

Although the recommended treatment for a UTI by traditional and holistic vets is antibiotics, the holistic doctor will recommend natural supplements that work to strengthen the cat's immune system to prevent recurring infections in the future.

We will explore this more after we discuss another possible cause of cat frequent urination: feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

Below are some questions to ask yourself to determine if your cat has FLUTD:

• Is my cat urinating often-much more than usual?



• Does your pet frequently lick its genitals?



• Is your cat urinating outside the litter box?



• Have you noticed blood in the urine?



• Does your cat seem listless?



• Has your pet lost its appetite?

If the answers to any of these questions are yes, take your cat to the vet immediately. FLUTD can be caused by a number of factors including bacteria, diet or viruses. It is also possible that your cat could have a tumor.

UTI's and FLUTD's can be prevented. Many holistic vets have shown that by building up the cat's immunity, a pet is less susceptible to infection. First, get your cat well, then give supplements that are part of your kitty's routine care.

Holistic supplements have ingredients that work like antibiotics to keep the bladder infection-free, but also fix imbalances that allow bacteria to grow in the first place.

While prevention can save you money on unexpected vet bills and stop cat frequent urinaton and painful, life-threatening infections, before giving your beloved kitty a supplement, make sure to do your research.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies which heal disorders and keep pets vibrant and healthy. To learn more about her findings, go to http://www.pet-ut-health.com.

Cat Urination Problem - A Guide to Your Cat's Urinary Health

By Laura Ramirez

A cat urination problem can be the symptom of a medical issue. In this article, we'll take a look at the different reasons your kitty might be having trouble urinating and what you can do to help relieve suffering, pain and avoid recurring problems in the future.

Cat Urinating Problems

If your cat has difficulty urinating, your pet may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is the most common cause of urinary difficulties in cats. Some of the signs to look for are pain or strain during urination, bad-smelling urine, blood in the urine and/or urinating outside the litter box.

Another cat urination problem is feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Signs of this disease are frequent urination, excessive licking of the genital area, loss of appetite, lack of energy and urination outside the litter box.

Another possibility is that your cat might have a tumor. Although you may be concerned about what the prognosis will be, don't hesitate: take your cat to the vet.

What To Do for Cat Urinating Problems

Since urination releases stored toxins from the bladder, any problem with the urinary tract can be serious. The best way for you to detect a problem is to know your cat's normal litter box routine and compare this to the recent change in habits. Make sure to tell your observations to your vet who will use this information along with the results from blood and urine tests to diagnose the problem.

After determining the severity of the problem, your vet will recommend a course of action that might include antibiotics, a special diet or even surgery (in the case of a FLUTD).

Preventing Cat Urinating Problems from Recurring

Urinary difficulties can be painful for your cat and emotionally traumatic and expensive for you. Here is what you can do on a daily basis to prevent them:

• Give your cat fresh, clean water daily
  
• Clean your cat's litter box frequently. If you have more than one cat, make sure each cat has its own box. A cat may not want to urinate in a box that has been marked by another cat.
  
• Give your cat a daily supplement to support bladder health and keep the bladder system clean and infection-free.

Many happy pet owners are discovering that by focusing on prevention, they can minimize and even completely eliminate a recurring cat urination problem. Although you may not be happy about giving your cat a daily supplement, the one I use is made of granules that dissolve as soon as they make contact with the saliva. This makes taking care of my kitty a pleasure, rather than a hassle.

Preventative care can help your kitty side-step a common health issue and live a longer and happier life. Prevention is key for humans and should be for animals too. As always, before giving your cat a supplement, take care to do your research to ensure that you're giving your feline friend the very best.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of natural remedies which heal disorders and keep pets vibrant and healthy. To learn more about her findings, go to http://www.pet-ut-health.com.

My Spiritual Friend - Misty

By Karen Mckee

On a cold morning in March 2008, as I was on my way to catch a bus to work, I slipped on a patch of ice and broke my right arm. After taking myself to a local emergency room and coming home in a sling and pain pills I came home and crawled into bed to wait for my husband to come home. In all my 50 years I've never had a broken bone in my body, so the pain was intense, and new to me. As soon as I was settled, surrounded by pillows my cat, Misty came on the bed.

She knew something was wrong because I was home before my usual time coming home from work. She circled round and round finally settling next to my broken arm. She gently licked my hand and started rubbing my arm purring away. Although I could not pat her, she stayed with me until my husband arrived home for work shortly after midnight. During this time I lie there contemplating how I was going to get things done with only one arm in use. For the next six weeks as I tried to do small things around the house, Misty would follow me just like I was one of her own kittens. She would sit outside the bathroom while I showered, she'd stick her head out of our apartment door if I went for a walk down the hallway. It was like she was making sure I was OK.

During my long hours in bed as I recovered she was a constant companion to me. She never left me to eat or go off somewhere else to sleep. She purred softly to me hour after hour will I was there. At night after Steve came home she'd go off to eat, then come back to bed and snuggle between us. As I became stronger, I moved to the couch and Misty came to. It amazes me that she would spend 12-13 hours a day next to me, looking at me with those big green eyes. Licking my hand and gently rubbing my arm. All the time I was grateful for her attention and love.

Other times in my life when I'm feeling down, or confused it's almost like she senses this and will appear out of nowhere to comfort me. This unconditional love is one I am truly grateful for.

karen mckee-proud pet owner of Misty

Chewing Disorders and Strange Appetites in Cats

By Connie Limon

There are cats, which are universally characterized as finicky eaters, who orally obsess upon objects such as fabric, string and plastic. They can proceed to suck, chew or ingest these materials as well.

Some animal behaviorists believe kittens that are orphaned or weaned too early were never taught by their mother to stop nursing. Consequently, later in life the cat may pick up where it left off using a synthetic mother-substitute. A little chewing or sucking is absolutely normal for inquisitive kittens, however, it can be a problem when the behavior is repeated over and over again or damaging to the cat and/or household that has been thought to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder. The disorder can occur with any cat breed of any age, but wait; animal researchers now believe there appears to be some genetic components to these behaviors.

Some veterinary behaviorists believe that when it comes to chewing disorders, wool sucking and chewing in Oriental breeds (the Siamese and Burmese Cats) are the number one problem seen for diagnosis and treatment on the behaviorist's couch.

Kittens are much like human toddlers, therefore, many of their weird chewing or ingestive behaviors can be related to their natural desire to play and put things in their mouths for exploration purposes.

It is the adult cats that suck, chew, or eat strange things who are more likely afflicted with a compulsive disorder. Some veterinary behaviorists theorize these cats may be simply following the saying of, "if it feels good....do it!" Others theorize that the act of chewing releases endorphins in the brain that gives cats a "meow high." When these cats suck or chew, the happy-hormones are released, and consequently these cats become happy-hormone addicts.

If you are experiencing a cat with a chewing disorder, the experience is certainly a challenge. You may find yourself trying to cat-proof your entire house very much like you would do for young human toddlers. And it may seem, regardless of how good you cat-proof things, the cat still finds something "unusual or abnormal" to chew on or eat.

The most favorite kind of materials for cats seems to be "wool fabric," especially in the winter season. Fabric chewing cats like the crunch of the fabric. This is especially true of cats fed only soft foods. Behaviorists theorize that cats start this bad habit because they are bored, anxious, stressed or inadvertently rewarded for the behavior.

Tips for owners of cat chewing disorders:

• The best preventive for chewing disorders and strange appetites is to provide kittens with proper chew toys and interactive forms of exercise

• You can teach kittens good habits by praising him or her for good chewing and healthy, desirable behaviors.

• Nutritional deficiencies are seldom the reason behind chewing and strange appetites

Cat chewing disorders can be a serious health and medical problem. For example, imagine if your cat chewed and swallowed something such as your daughter's hair crunchy. The cat would probably require a major surgery to remove the foreign object. Eating substances that can cause intestinal blockage are the most dangerous, and can carry a high fatality rate.

Experts recommend:

• Stopping the nasty chewing habits before the cat gains a substantial appetite for them and stops being a cat with regular routines of playing, resting and grooming itself

Treatment might include:

• Keeping household changes to a minimum

• Switching "good chew" objects for bad ones

• Using repellents or other deterrents around taboo areas

• As a last resort, drug therapy

• Remove wool or plastic or any other foreign objects for the cat and give them dry food, lettuce or whole baby carrots

• Provide alternative oral stimulation in the form of rawhide soaked in chicken broth or other dog chew treats

• Create a cat-tractive window box filled with catnip, grass and other items designed to lure your cat away from the offending items

• Bored cats can become destructive cats. Provide plenty of places to climb, crept, leap and race, use cat activity centers and the newer interactive toys to engage kittens mind and body

• Consult with a veterinarian at the earliest signs of a problem as treatment is always easiest in the early stages of any kind of problem

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of health problem in your cat. You should always consult with a trusted veterinarian for all health problems.

Source: The Winn Feline Foundation Online.

Written by: Connie Limon. I raise the beautiful, emerald green-eyed shaded and chinchilla silver Persian cat from champion and grand champion lines. For more information about us and to be added to our contact list, please visit http://www.fairydewsilverpersian.vpweb.com or http://www.fairydewpersiancats.com

Some Bengal Cat Health Problems You Might Not Know

By Charlene Rennings

In Asia, there was a time when the Asian Leopard Cat made it to the endangered species list, but now they are out in the wild still thriving. At home, there is a domesticated, smaller version of the Asian Leopard - the Bengal cat. These are great household pets that need a lot of nurturing and caring by their humans. To learn a few things about Bengal cat health problems is to know what to do in case our little leopard gets sickly at home.

Bengals are naturally playful and they love water. They are sneaky and smart and have a very keen sense of smell. These cats have the appeal of its wild animal predecessor and the qualities of a domestic pet. Like any other animals, Bengals are prone to some health problems that may be caused by food poisoning.

This breed of cats is easily affected by any food with bacteria or fungi. The usual symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, upset stomach, and fever. A Bengal cat could die immediately from this so it is important that you go to the vet at once for treatment.

Like dogs and other cats, the Bengal cat could easily be tempted to eat chocolates. But this is really bad for their health. Chocolate has bad effects on cats. It could cause vomiting, seizure, hyperactivity, heavy breathing, and weakness. It is stressful enough to worry about Bengal cat health problems, what if the cat just dies because of chocolate? That is more frustrating and even more emotionally stressful.

You will need to bring your pet to the vet at the sign of the symptoms mentioned if you suspect that it has eaten some chocolates.

So is your cat truly healthy? Learn about the various cat health problems and what you can do about it before it's too late. Visit CatHealthProblems.org

Fibrosarcoma - Cat Cancer Alert

By Charlene Rennings

Many pet owners are worried that their cats or dogs will get fibrosarcoma or fibroblastic sarcoma. A fibrosarcoma cat patient exhibits malignant tumors that form in the skin. It is a type of soft-tissue sarcoma that can develop because of vaccines.

The tumor is found at the site where the vaccines are usually administered. Whenever a cat is brought to the vet for vaccines like rabies and feline leukemia virus, you are increasing the risk of having fibrosarcoma in your pet. The tumors that grow are often difficult to treat and they are a lot of incidences where the condition recurs. It is a great area of concern because the cat can die of this disease.

This invasive cancer originates from the fibrous connective tissues and could spread to other areas of the body. There are three known causes of this musculoskeletal cancer:

First, as mentioned before, is the use of vaccines. As such, fibrosarcoma is also known as vaccine induced sarcoma or vaccinosarcoma. Next, it can be due to old age since most cats that have it are already old. The affected areas, which include the trunk legs, and ears, often have irregularly shaped mass inside. Younger cats can also be diagnosed with fibrosarcoma caused by the feline sarcoma virus or FeSV. This one occurs in multiple tumor masses instead of one lump.

The telltale signs if you already have a fibrosarcoma cat patient are if there is swelling and if they get weaker and lame by the day. The Veterinarian will conduct physical examination and several tests including urinalysis, complete blood count, biochemical profile, biopsy of the mass, x-ray of the lump, and x-ray of the lungs to check if the cancer has already spread.

Treatment is often in the form of surgery or possibly amputation of the limb in some cases. This disease needs to be checked because it usually recurs. The cat undergoes radiation therapy after.

Your cat can't tell you when it is sick. It is up to you to learn about the various cat health problems and what you can do about it before it's too late. Visit CatHealthProblems.org.

Cat Arthritis - Can You Imagine a Creaky Cat?

By Charlene Rennings

Cats are known to be naturally agile and athletic. These animals are popular to be sleek and light, with acute sense of balance. This will lead one to wonder though, how in the world could a cat get cat arthritis?

Cats have the ability of landing on their feet because of their boneless forelegs. With these legs not connected to the rest of their skeleton, they are least likely to suffer from orthopedic problems even in compromising falls. Nevertheless, they are still prone to suffer from arthritis, the most common form being traumatic arthritis (sprain) and osteoarthritis. Sprain results from a sudden injury to the cats' joints. This happens after an accident or a strong impact with a speeding vehicle or due to an awkward fall. Osteoarthritis is the wearing and the tearing of the joints due to recurring sprains in the past. This type of cat arthritis commonly affects the elbow and the shoulder joints.

A sudden limp in a cat should be taken seriously, because just like in humans, arthritis is a rather painful condition. This pain becomes worse during damp and cold weather. Depending on its severity, cat arthritis in the simplest, uncomplicated state can be treated with a long rest. Anti-inflammatory medicines should also be given. Worse conditions of feline arthritis should be seen by an expert veterinarian for the affected joint to be constructed with supportive dressings. Physiotheraphy, massaging the joints and keeping the cat's body warm will also be a great relief.

Arthritis in cats may progress if left untreated. Any cat lover will never want to see their sleek cat limping.

Your cat can't tell you what is wrong. It is up to you to learn about the various cat health problems and what you can do about it before it's too late. Visit CatHealthProblems.org

Cat Acne - When Your Cat Gets the Zits

By Charlene Rennings

Just like humans, a cat's skin pores can also get clogged whenever there is an oversecretion of oil by the sebaceous glands. However, cats do not have to wait for their teenage years to get pimples. Cat acne can sprout at any time of a cat's life and in any area of its face. Nevertheless, the most common site these zits can be seen are on the chin.

A severe case of acne can cause hair loss and skin pigmentation. A reddish hue will be left in the affected area long after the acne is gone. Acne marks or black spots are also some after effects of this skin condition. Yeast infection and staph bacterial infection may be misconstrued as acne because they have appearances similar with it. These mentioned conditions however, are more serious, and needs immediate treatment.

Bringing your cat to a veterinarian is one of the wisest ways to make this condition retreat. This is because the cat will be subjected to the much needed antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the situation, treatment can last up to three weeks.

For deep lesions caused by cat acne, faster skin healing can be realized by using Epsom salt compresses. This method is administered with a separate mixture of two tablespoons of salt in every quart of medium hot water. Using a soft, thin towel, soak the cloth first into the warm salt water solution, then into the Epsom salt liquid. Rest the towel on top of the acne, letting the liquid solution linger unto the skin. This will surely quicken the drying and the healing process of cat acne.

Acne is something humans never really appreciate. If cats can talk, they will surely share the same sentiments.

So is your cat truly healthy? Learn about the various cat health problems and what you can do about it before it's too late. Visit CatHealthProblems.org

Cat Abscess - Don't Let it Ruin Your Gorgeous Cat

By Charlene Rennings

Just as people wouldn't want zits on their faces, cats with their vanity, will not wish for abscess as well to ruin their beauties! Besides, cat abscess can be very physically irritating for these animals. It robs the felines of their much desired sleep because it can be very itchy in some conditions.

Cats' innate playfulness sometimes leads them to minor accidents that can result to bodily punctures. These punctures are caused by cat fights (mock or real ones) or by splinters, grass seeds, bushes or any material that cats stumble upon in their play. The cat abscess is formed when bacteria enters through the puncture, lodging into the skin's underlying tissues. The severity of the abscess will depend on the kind of bacteria present and the ability of the cat's immune system to fight this infection. Ill effects of abscesses are lethargy, loss of appetite and fever which will occur in several days after the wound was initially acquired.

Treatment of an abscess can be administered by a veterinarian through lancing and draining the pus, certainly not for the faint of heart. It would also help to encourage natural discharge by clipping away the surrounding fur. This is helpful when the pus spontaneously ruptures.

Finally, it would be better to avoid any type of wound to develop into a full blown infection by paying attention to possible symptoms. If the cat doesn't want to be touched because he feels pain on certain body parts, it could mean that he is physically wounded. Being less active, loss of appetite and a warm body temperature can also indicate formation of a cat abscess. Be aware of these signs and keep gorgeous cats as they are.

So is your cat truly healthy? Learn about the various cat health problems and what you can do about it before it's too late. Visit CatHealthProblems.org

Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

By Annie Clark

Have you ever longed for to be a feline since they sleep most of their lives away? In fact, an eight-year-old kitty has only been awake for three of those years. Why does cat behavior involve so much sleeping?

Kitties actually have two types of sleep. One is what is commonly referred to as the cat nap where the animal can awaken easily. This sleep type allowed felines in the wild to wake up quickly if a threatening situation developed.

The other type is the deep sleep similar to human slumber. Cats dream during their deep sleep. You may sometimes see tails flicking or hear small meows as the kitty dreams of chasing that mouse. Their eyes may move rapidly while closed as they are in the REM stage of sleep.The deep sleep phase only lasts for a few hours every day. The rest of the time the feline is sleeping is made up of cat naps.

Felines enjoy snoozing in high places. Then, they have a better view of everything going on around them. Laying in sunny spots or soft, cozy places like your bed are also kitty favorites.

The main reason that felines sleep so much is because in the wild, they had to be able to chase prey which involves short bursts of tremendous energy expenditure. A kitty had to be well-rested in order to have enough strength to catch dinner. Since most cats do not have to provide their own meals these days, many are overweight.

If you notice a major change in your kitty's sleeping habits, a veterinary exam is in order. Certain illnesses can disrupt sleep, and you will want to treat any medical condition as soon as possible.

Whenever you get jealous of your pet's lazy lifestyle, remember that he or she is genetically wired to sleep away most of the day. Continual sleeping is just normal cat behavior.

Is your cat behaving badly? Visit cat behavior problems to learn how to train your cat, Find cat beds, furniture, litter boxes, and other supplies at cat products.

Natural Alternatives to Clay Litter - PaPurr Scoop, Swheat Scoop and World's Best

By Amy Yang

Indoor cats use litter boxes, and those litter boxes need to be filled with litter. I, personally, am allergic to clay litter. Since I have an indoor cat, I have to find an alternative to clay litter. I'm going to review a few of the alternative non-clay litters that I have tried, namely PaPurr Scoop, Swheat Scoop, and World's Best.

My criteria for a good litter are:

- Dust-free (or as dust free as litter can get)

- Good odor control

- As little tracking as possible

- Good clumping for easy removal

- Smells good

With that, let me get on with the review of each.

PaPurr Scoop Review

First off, let me review PaPurr Scoop.

PaPurr Scoop litter is a clumping litter made out of recycled paper. It is lightly scented with a somewhat floral scent. This litter does not have much dust since it is made out of recycled paper. What I like about this litter is that it feels just like clay with the little round particles. It feels good to the touch, so I would imagine it would feel good to a cat's paws as well.

My cat is really good with his litter box habits and so he will use whatever I put in his box. Which works great for me as I don't have to worry when switching litters for testing purposes. When I first put this litter into his box, he came over and sniffed it. He used it, but he didn't really like the smell of it. It made him sneeze. It made me sneeze too after it was sitting there for a while. It was the fragrance they put in it.

It didn't work out . . .

Moving on to World's Best Cat Litter . . .

World's Best Cat Litter Review

World's Best Cat Litter is made from corn. I know some cats and some people are allergic to corn, so caution needs to be exercised in this regard.

The litter is lightweight and so it does track quite a bit, unfortunately. This litter IS dusty. I ended up with a fine layer of corn dust everywhere my cat stepped. And my cat, whose feet are white, ended up with yellow feet a few weeks into using this litter . . . It was kinda funny . . . and if you happen to own a yellow cat, then this wouldn't be a problem . . .

Clumping-wise, World's Best does clump well. The clumps are rather loose though. My cat would end up playing with the clumps to the point of breaking it into many little clumps which would end up not getting scooped since they were so little . . . Not good.

World's Best is good at controlling odor though. The bag states that you can use this littler up a month, but I was only able to use it for about two weeks before it started smelling foul. This is probably due to my cat breaking apart his clumps . . . (I scoop twice daily.)

And another note, a rather interesting one at that. This corn litter attracts moths, a lot of moths. It took me a few days to realize where they came from . . .

Next, we have Swheat Scoop.

Swheat Scoop Review

And thus, my trials took me to Swheat Scoop, my current favorite.

Swheat Scoop is truly a dust free litter. But again, this litter is not for those with wheat allergies.

Swheat Scoop has small granules that are denser than World's Best and so it tracks a bit less than World's Best.

It's odor control is great. I like the light scent of the wheat as well. My cat isn't bothered by the smell of it either. Out of these three litters, this is the only one that does not make him sneeze.

The clumps are hard and I haven't seen any broken clumps since I started using this product.

One word of caution, the bag states to keep at least 3 inches of litter in the box. This is a necessity! If you keep less, then you will end up with a mushy pile of litter at the bottom of the box. Not very pleasant to clean up . . . I currently keep about 4 inches of it in my jumbo size box (I have a big cat). It works great!

Thanks for reading! And I hope this helps in your search for a good alternative to clay cat litter.

Do you have a cat? If you do, you might be interested to see the products that I have personally rated as the best cat products I have come across. Follow the following link to see the products: http://bestcatcareproducts.blogspot.com/.

History of Cats

By Amber Markham

For centuries in Europe the cat was seen as evil and feared, particularly black ones who were always associated with witches and believed to be in league with the devil. Persecution was so fife that by 1400AD the cat was almost extinct in many parts of Europe. The Church of the times was very much to blame for this and was responsible for the 'Cats' bad press. It became obsessed with its pagan connections.

However, in ancient Egypt, Rome and pagan Scandinavia the cat was always associated with fertility, pleasure and good fortune, and was never connected with anything to do with the Devil. Ancient Egyptians were the first to domesticate this animal, first as rat catchers and then as sacred animals. Much worship was focused on a cat-like goddess of fertility named "Bastet" or Bast, cats were mummified and buried in temples as a mark of respect. Even after the fall of the Egyptian Empire cats were revered and treated as good luck omens.

In Europe the situation was they enjoyed a great degree of worship and superstition but in the middle ages this came to an abrupt end. The by then, the very powerful Christian Church was in fear of Pagan cult worship, and they embarked upon a terrible campaign against so-called witches who, were believed to be able to transform into cats at times of trouble or persecution.

Women in particular were targeted and many were tortured until they at last gave in to false confessions, they were cruelly executed. Many were solitary elderly woman who maybe kept a cat as a companion, they would be drowned or burnt at the stake,along with their pet cat. Cats would suffer the same fates, and not just black ones but all colours. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries the cat population diminished. It was not until the 18th century that the cat was restored to favour, and the witch hunts died out.

The cat resumed its place as an household pet and rat catcher. In Britain today black cats are considered to be lucky, whereas in North America the reverse is true.

Many cats even today are found in buildings mummified under the foundations of old buildings, it was thought to bring luck and good fortune for both the structure and its occupants.

Sailors are renowned for their superstitious natures and they still today have cats on board their vessels both as rat catchers and to bring good luck to the ship. Even so cats generally dislike water but seem to take up residence on ships quite happily (especially fishing vessels). In fact cats have migrated all around the world thanks to their affinity to ships.

Sailors always believed the cat had the power to protect them from dangerous weather and disasters at sea. Throw a cat overboard and this would mean impending doom and at least nine years bad luck for all the crew. Cats are excellent weather forecasters and it was believed that a cat could start a storm with its tail if it was angered, hence many cats fared very well.

Cats today are very much at the centre of many peoples lives, and it would seem they now enjoy a pampered existence. Purrrrrrrrr!

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Is it OK to Give My Cat Milk?

By Randa Magdi

Many cat owners wonder if they should give their cat milk (especially when they are still kittens). It is not uncommon to see images of kittens lapping up a bowl of milk or the white moustache-like after effect on a contented little face leaving an empty bowl. Who has ever offered a kitten a bowl of milk thinking they were giving it a healthy treat? Yes, milk is enjoyed by kittens and cats but should the milk be cow's milk?

I spoke with our vet Glen Kolenc to find out.

He advised that cats and dogs don't need milk once they have been weaned from their mother. They get all the calcium they need from good quality pet foods.

He added that a small amount of milk is OK but some dogs and cats can't digest it properly once they are adults and they can get diarrhea. If your pet has diarrhea do not give it any milk at all. Fresh water is better for animals and should be available at all times Glen suggested.

Lactose free pet milk is available from your supermarket, however you should remember that cats and dogs do not have a dietary requirement for milk, so there is really no need for you to give it in the first place!"

In summary, it's worthwhile remembering that puppies and kittens do need to drink milk - but this should only be their mother's milk only while they are nursing.

A mother's milk is full of the fat and protein which enables them to grow into a healthy cat. Cow's milk does not contain many of these essential ingredients to keep your pet healthy.

Randa Magdi is plain mad about animals and their welfare. She is particularly passionate about the welfare of cats and dogs and is active in many animal groups that aim to give animals a fairer life. Randa also volunteers her time where possible to help at animal fundraisers. A recent fundraiser Randa helped organize was to raise funds for the desexing of dogs in outback and remote Indigenous communities in Australia. Randa's heart breaks when she hears about the number of unwanted pets that are euthanized each year. Randa's family consists of a partner, four cats and two dogs (only one was planned and the rest were strays or rescues). Randa wanted to combine her communication skills with her passion for the well-being of domestic pets and hence the dogs and cats website was borne and is currently being populated. Randa has spent the last 18 months learning the ins and outs of business over the internet and has been working with a programmer to offer a must-visit site for dog and cat owners. An A-Z directory of services, owners can find the nearest dog or cat service provider in their local area. The differentiator with say a yellow pages, is that people can leave a rating allowing future visitors to make a more informed decision about the service provider they choose. Feel free to visit http://www.dogsandcats.com.au Randa's other passion is great food and the company of friends. Randa also created and manages the blog dinner party ideas.

Pet Health and Behavioral Problems

By Crystal Chooi Chan

As I said, stray cats can make great pets, but they sometimes come with a number of health and behavior problems. Most will be infested with external and internal parasites, including fleas, ticks, and numerous types of worms. In addition, strays usually have not received any vaccinations and can carry a host of infectious diseases. These deadly diseases can all be spread from cat to cat through bites, saliva, or even by sharing food or mutual grooming. Taking in a stray without bringing it right to your veterinarian can, therefore, mean a death sentence for any cats you may already have at home. Strays might also have been injured by vehicles or by other animals at some time. Breaks, sprains, abscesses, eye disorders, internal injuries, or other structural problems can result, which can end up costing you plenty to treat. In addition, many strays become very cautious around people due to the hardships of the street. Often they remain this way for the rest of their lives, perhaps warming up to only a few people - you being one.

Although this all sounds ominous, don't give up on strays. If you involve your veterinarian immediately and have no other pets, a stray just might work out fine. After all, any domestic animal tough enough to make it on the street deserves a second chance. For owners who have not had their cats neutered, a bevy of unwanted behaviors can pop up. Males will want to get outside and roam the neighborhood in search of females and to claim and defend what they perceive to be their territory. In doing so, they will almost certainly get into fights with other males, and run the risk of getting injured by a vehicle or infected with one of many will spray urine all over the home and most likely become quite vocal in his attempt to tell you he wants out.

Unneutered females allowed to venture outside will almost certainly become pregnant over and over and may also get into fights with other cats, both male and female. Like a male, she, too, could expose herself to injury or infection, possibly leading to death. If kept in the home, she will cry and perhaps mark with urine and leave spots of blood - all in all, every unhappy owner-pet relationship.

The drive to breed is a strong one among all unneutered cats. By the time a male or a female cat is 6 to 8 months old, it will begin showing an instinctive need to find a mate and will also become less playful and more competitive toward cats of its own gender.

1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats' health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more on pet cat and kitten care ...

Pain Relief For Cats

By Soru Kayde

Many people prefer having a pet cat to having a pet dog purely because of the low maintenance factors. Cats do not require daily walks, they aren’t demanding creatures who beg for your attention and they don’t take up a lot of space in the house and block doorways. However, cats still require looking after and as a cat owner you need to be aware of how your cat is feeling, even if you only see them at mealtimes.

One of the most difficult cat illness symptoms to look out for is pain. Cats are especially clever at hiding their own pain and suffering. Naturally, pain is a sign of weakness in the wild and even thoroughly domesticated cats have strong natural instincts. This unfortunately, makes it even more difficult for c at owners to detect the signs of suffering in our feline friend’s behaviour. If you suspect any signs of injury, illness or suffering in your cat please do not hesitate to book an appointment with your vet as it could be more serious than your cat is letting on. Pain relief for cats can be obtained with the proper authorisation, advice and guidance of a vet.

As cats get older they age in a very similar way to us humans, albeit much faster than us. They can suffer many of our own common problems such as arthritis, and general joint or muscle pain along with many other long term pain issues. Even with these types of general issues your cat may be suffering you should ensure you take your cat to see your local veterinary clinic for advice.

Never try to self medicate your cat. Without the proper diagnosis you could just be treating the symptoms and not the cause, leaving room for a potentially fatal condition to go unnoticed. You may also be concerned to learn that household medication can cause severe liver damage to cats and in many cases proves to be fatal. Even the tiniest powder of household pain killers can cause severe and fatal damage to cats. Even if you administer baby products such as Baby Tylenol (Calpol) or products for dogs or other small animals you can cause severe and serious damage to your cat’s liver.

Cats are incredibly special creatures that require special considerations when attempting to provide pain relief for cats. This is why it is always strongly recommended you never attempt to administer drugs or medicine without the full consent and advice of a qualified veterinarian. If you suspect your cat is in pain please talk to your local vet as soon as possible, they will be able to advise you on the correct medication, dose and guidance as well as carefully monitor your cat’s condition and liver to avoid damage.

If your vet has not prescribed pain killers then do not attempt to provide pain killers yourself. It can be very distressing to see your cat in pain but it could be more harmful to them to administer pain killers as a cat pain relief method. Your vet may not wish your cat to have cat pain relief medication if they feel your cat’s pain is durable and the risk is too great. They may also consider that the pain will prevent your cat from its normal lifestyle which may distress the injury further while the cat cannot feel the damage. If you feel your cat’s pain is increasing or your cat is suffering severely, you should talk to your vet about your cat’s condition and whether or not they think pain killers would be appropriate. If your vet has decided against pain killers, you can try a variety of different natural methods which would be much safer for your cat and still be fully beneficial pain relief for cats.

This article was written on behalf of Love Your Cat, a dedicated informational resource for cat owners who are concerned about their cat's health and well being. http://www.loveyourcat.info provides useful information on cat illnesses, sign, symptoms, cat pain relief, treatments, preventions and much more.