Cat Wormers and Other Cat Medications

By Maricel Gomez

Dogs are the common house pets by many but as years pass, more and more people are recognizing that cats can be good house pets too. Decades may have proven these but it is only recently when medicative treatments have been invented to save the health of cats and other felines. One is the cat wormer which has saved hundred lives of the cats.

Years ago, cat wormers are only available in syrup but as the demand for an easier administration procedure of this treatment grew through the years, medicine manufacturers have develop suspension, tablets, spot on, and paste. Let us tackle these one by one and see which can be the most appropriate for your cat.

Liquid cat wormer. Liquid cat wormer is the most preferred type of medicine in worming cats. This is for the reason that some can be readily mixed to the food of the infected cat without any flavors added. Some of the varieties also have palatable taste to induce the cat to take the medicated food.

Suspension and tablets cat wormer. Suspension and tablet cat wormers are available in chewable tablets which can be digested easy by the cat. This offers convenience as the medication does not need to be measured up because it is in the tablet form. Dosage can be on the quantity of tablets that should be taken for the time intervals.

Cat wormer paste. This type of wormer is effective against all types of worms. This is easy to use as you only need to place the nozzle inside of the cat's mouth and squirt it inside.

In deciding on which form of cat wormer should you take, it is wise to take the advise of a veterinarian. It is also a pre-requisite that you bring your cat with you, so as the vet may see the actual health condition of your pet. Sometimes, it is not only one parasite that infects the animal. Most often some parasites go along together. In such case, medication that addresses both infections must be administered so as to completely treat your pet.

One of the factors that can be linked to these infections is the unsanitary and unhygienic environment conditions. It is a must that you also check the cleanliness of the area to avoid possible diseases and infections not only to your pets but also to your health as well.

Cat wormers vary depending on the severity of the infection and the disease. In choosing the form of cat wormer to be administered, consult your vet and follow thoroughly the instructions indicated for easier and effective treatment of your cat. It is not enough that you ask suggestions to your friend or consult the internet. It is best to have an authority to treat and restore the health of your cat.

Maricel Gomez is the Webmaster of http://www.ivet.co.uk a supplier of pharmacuticals for Cat Wormers. Frontline Spot from Ivet has a team of dedicated professionals including a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, and two veterinary surgeons who oversee sales and provide the free, practical advice for your pets in the form of numerous on line information sheets.

Newborn Kitten Care - Caring For Orphaned Kittens is No Easy Task

By Wendy Pan

Having kittens in the home can be an exciting thing, indeed. Newborn kitten care can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you have kittens that have been rejected by their mother or simply don't have one to care for them due to orphaning or some other instance. Either way, knowing what to do in the instance of having to care for newborn kittens is of the essence. If you want your newborn kittens to survive having such knowledge on hand is of the essence.

Understand That There is a Difference

There is a huge difference between newborn kittens and grown cats. Newborn kitten care is not an easy thing to master, and it often takes more than one person to care for a group of kittens. If their mother is present, things are bound to be a lot easier-caring for them is just a matter of ensuring that they are in a safe environment and that their mother has the proper care and nutrition is all that is needed. If you are their sole caretaker, things are bound to be a lot different-and a lot harder on you.

Taking Care of Their Basic Needs

Taking care of your newborn kittens' basic needs is of the essence. Their basic needs are for warmth, feeding, and tender love and care. Warmth is easy; if they had a mother their mother's warmth could keep them plenty warm enough. Being that you may have to be a surrogate mother your own body warmth can do just fine. A kitten who is not warm enough can die in no time; a thick blanket, a very low (very, very low) heating pad, or some other source of heat is important with newborn kitten care-perhaps just as important as feeding them.

Feeding Newborn Kittens

K.M.R is the most popular nursing supplement for newborn kittens. It is available at a local pet store or veterinary office along with a feeder, usually a small nipple bottle or syringe. The feed has directions of how to administer the feeding, but it may take some time to get them to acclimate to the artificial nipple or syringe. They must be fed every two hours as their stomachs can only hold so much, so yes-4 a.m. feedings are something for you to look forward to.

It's an Around the Clock Job

If you have a job to go to from nine to five every day, newborn kitten care is not something you will be able to do unless you have a dependable person at home. That is enough time for your kittens to become extremely chilled, ill, or starve. Newborn kittens need almost constant care and when they have no mother to give it to them, it is up to you to take care of that for them or find somebody else who can.

Caring for newborn kittens is trying at times, but very rewarding. After several weeks the hard part is over and the cute part begins. Happy and healthy kittens are worth every frustrating moment!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about newborn kitten care, please visit My Darling Kitten for current articles and discussions.

Cute Kitten Names - Find the Perfect Name For Your Cat

By Wendy Pan

So you have a new kitten and need help with cute kitten names? It is always important to pick the perfect name for your kitten as they will carry this name with them for a very long time. The kitten may not complain too terribly much about the name you have chosen. Although you can never be too sure what is going on in the minds of our feline friends. Be sure, however, it is a name that you will not grow tired of calling or that your new family member will outgrow.

Here are some important things to consider when choosing cute kitten names:

1. Gender

2. Personality

3. Durability

4. Flexibility

It is important to choose a name that is gender appropriate. Unless of course your sense of humor directs you otherwise! Again, the little fury creature may not vocally object, but watch out for those claws! What is the personality of your new family member? Are they playful, shy, or cozy? Perhaps he or she appears to be super intelligent or maybe a bit ditzy. What is the personality of you or your family? Are they humorous, studious, quiet and reserved or wild and crazy? Will the name you are considering withstand the transition from baby to adult? If he turns into a fat, lazy, grumpy cat will the name still be suitable? Cute kitten names can sometimes become even more fitting as your friend gets older. Those of us who are female may like to opt for Fluffy or Foofy, but those of us who are male may not take so kindly to using such names especially if they have their buddies around. Take into consideration also the age range of any children in the household. Will they be able to remember the name? Some of us like long names such as Mr. Fuzzy Wuzzikins. Consider also that while some mispronunciations can be cute coming from a toddler, they can also be embarrassing if they sound too similar to something inappropriate. Be sure it is a name that will fit into any give situation. If you are scolding your feline, praising them, or calling them if they are lost how will the name come across? Choosing a cute kitten name can be easy, but choosing one that fits your kitten, you and your family can be a challenge especially the bigger the family. Sit down together and make a list of name ideas from everyone in the household. Take a vote of the names that the family comes up with. If you become stumped for a name, try a baby name book. Some names that may appear peculiar for babies may resound as the perfect name for your new feline addition. Happy naming!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cute kitten names, please visit My Darling Kitten for current articles and discussions.

Cat Illness Symptoms - Keeping Your Kitty Healthy

By Wendy Pan

Cat illness symptoms can be easy to spot, like vomiting up a hairball, or harder to determine, like when they are running a temperature. Some of the more familiar symptoms of illness are eye and ear discharge, hair loss, sneezing and coughing, and diarrhea or constipation. Hairballs are quite normal, and not usually a problem. Other signs require some attention to notice, such as loss of appetite, excessive thirst or abnormal urination, skin problems, and depression.

Cats normally alternate periods of sleeping and rest with periods of play and activity. Some cats eat whenever they are hungry if you allow them to self feed, or daily when you set down some food. A loss of appetite, of course, will be seen by their food dish remaining full, or if they turn away from it. When you clean out their litter box, you would notice any loose stools from diarrhea, and if constipated, you may notice them spending a long time in the litter box trying to defecate.

One symptom alone is not usually serious, but in combinations, cat illness symptoms may indicate real problems only a veterinarian can diagnose. If your cat is lethargic, not acting normally, there could be other causes. Combined with thirst and weight loss, it could point to chronic kidney failure. While not curable, this is controllable with diet and medication.

Cat flu, or a respiratory infection can be fought with antibiotics and care. Symptoms include what you might expect, coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, fever, heavy breathing, loss of appetite and fever. Just like in humans!

Abscess can be from an injury or cat fight, when infection sets into a wound. Symptoms will include swelling, fever, and lethargy. This is treatable with antibiotics or occasionally surgery is needed.

Combinations of cat illness symptoms can mean more serious problems like feline diabetes or distemper. The signs of feline diabetes are similar to human diabetes symptoms, increased thirst and urination. Other signs include weight loss, poor coat condition, loss of appetite, and general lack of energy. This condition can be treated, again as in human cases, with insulin injections and diet.

Other cat illnesses symptoms the vet can diagnose include feline distemper, leukemia, ringworm, urinary tract infections, worms and cat AIDS (FIV). Cat illness symptoms mirror our human symptoms, and if you take your cat in to see the veterinarian on a regular basis, just like seeing your own doctor, prevention is the best medicine.

Keeping your cat healthy is part of cat care and your responsibility as a caring cat owner. Your kitty may need special food, or medicine, and testing only a vet can provide. Most cats enjoy happy, healthy, long lives and become part of the family. And you can usually tell when your cat is not feeling right because their activity patterns will visibly change. That is the time to stop and pay attention closely, so you help your little friend through a problem time in their life. They depend on you for everything!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat illness symptoms, please visit New Cat Scratch Posts for current articles and discussions.

Uncover the Problems With a Cat Urinary Tract Infection

By Tina Matsunaga

Let me tell you a quick story about a cat urinary tract infection that did not necessarily have a happen ending, so you can avoid making the same mistakes.

A few years ago, a beautiful calico cat was given to my daughter. She was absolutely gorgeous, with a very gentle demeanor. Unfortunately, soon after coming to our house she chose to avoid the litter box on occasion. Instead of enjoying her companionship, money and time was spent trying to clean furniture, carpet, and more. I knew nothing about cat urinary tract infection.

Eighteen months later, I cannot take it anymore! I have already thrown away kids toys, stuffed animals, and more to try an eliminated the odor and discourage the problem from reoccurring. Finally, I get the wise thought to take her to the veterinary before totally giving up. Someone tells me she may have a feline urinary tract infection.

With crystals in her urine, an antibiotic is prescribed. However, the damage is done. After the medication is long gone, the problem is obviously a behavioral issue. Well, I am not in the habit of making my children cry, but with no signs of a cat urinary tract infection, the health issues for my children come first.

With tears and trepidation, I call animal control to come take her and place her up for adoption. Unfortunately, I do not have the privilege of discovering where she is today. Hopefully, she has a family who love her dearly and the change in location has addressed the problem. But, I will never know.

So, can you relate to my problem? Do you have a cat worth loving and hating all at the same time? Are you busy doing all the tips and tricks to change an elimination challenge? Before giving up, check and make sure your furry friend does not have a cat urinary tract infection.

In addition, do not assume it is only a problem for female felines. In truth, veterinarians say males may be victims of this health issue more frequently. A smaller urethra lends to more bladder and elimination problems. In the meantime, if you suspect your kitty may have need for antibiotics, here are some of the symptoms you and your health care professional will evaluate to make a proper diagnosis:

1. Bloody urine

2. Straining as if to defecate

3. Urinating in strange places

4. Urinary blockage

5. Licking

Although you may not be able to tell, a vet can detect bloody urine, and it needs fixed right away. If you think your pet has a cat urinary tract infection, watch and see how he or she goes potty. It should not be difficult. Any signs of struggle or taking much too long may constitute a problem, just as much as urinating in strange places. Seriously, some cats will prefer to go potty in the kitchen sink or some other slick surface. Why? Unfortunately, the poor kitty now associates the litter box with pain.

Alternatively, your kitty may be avoiding the litter box because he has urinary blockage. Going potty is never truly successful. He feels the need to go all day long, and he cannot live in the box. Obviously, a pet suffering from a feline urinary tract infection will lick a lot because it hurts, and that is the only means to make it feel better. Ouch!

Are you at risk of getting rid of a loved family pet? Is he or she literally ruining the home? Well, you know my story. I hope you do not make the same mistakes. Seek the advice of a veterinarian. If it is a cat urinary tract infection, there are medications available. If not, hopefully someone in the office will know about behavioral therapy. Good luck!

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University. For more information on cat urinary tract infection, please visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

The Truth About Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

By Tina Matsunaga

Discover he truth about urinary tract infection in cats. Otherwise, you may have to live my story for yourself:

When my daughter is 10-years-old, we add a gorgeous calico kitty to our family. She is so pretty, and she has an almost shy demeanor. In fact, she seems to believe my daughter belongs to her. However, shortly after she comes to live at our house, she starts going potty everywhere but the litter box. I knew nothing about urinary tract infection in cats.

For the next eighteen months, we clean up mess after mess. Scrubbing furniture is a daily chore. Machine washing stuffed toys and blankets are a common occurrence. Assuming it is a behavioral problem, we cope. Unfortunately, the problem only gets worse, as urinary tract infection in cats will do.

Finally, I cannot deal with the problems any longer. I am ready to send her packing to find a new home. Then, someone suggests she may have questionable cat urinary tract health. Great! While we have suffered a love/hate relationship for over a year, she may have been in real pain and misery. Now, I feel just horrible!

Of course, before giving her the boot, I have to discover whether she is sick. So, now it is time to go to the vet. With crystals and microscopic blood cells in her urine, it calls for a strong antibiotic. Now, I feel like a real heel! Unfortunately, the damage has been done. Even after the infection is gone, she still associates the litter box with pain. Unable to break the vicious cycle, I adopt her out, hoping a changed environment will give her and me a happier life. I wish I had known about urinary tract infection in cats.

On the hand, maybe you already know all about cat urinary tract health because your furry companion seems predisposition to get one frequently. Then, maybe what you need to know is holistic methods to keep sickness at bay:

• Keep water fresh, clean, and in abundant supply


• Soak foods in broth or liquid


• Cranberry juice


• Vitamin C


• Cantharis pellets


• Chemical free diet

Although most of the items on this short list make some sense, a couple of points are probably unfamiliar or merit further explanation.

Fresh water, and plenty of it, is imperative. Although you cannot force your feline friend to drink, the offer should always be available. A big bowl of water tends to get stale, have food crumbs mixed in, or more likely to be harboring harmful bacteria, so it is really important to provide clean water to help ensure optimal cat urinary tract health.

Liquid soaked foodsalso help make more frequent urination possible. Since you cannot explain the importance of drinking, even if your pet is not thirsty, this is a roundabout way to increase liquids. I ask you, what kitty would not love food soaked in chicken broth?

Cranberry juice is a surprise to me. Of course, I have known about the medicinal effects in people-but cats!? Yes. It works the same in pets. Nasty bacteria cling to the juice and are literally eliminated out of the system. Personally, I have never checked to see if cats like cranberry. If it will help prevent the pain and suffering caused by urinary tract infection in cats, I am all for it.

Vitamin C is touted as a health booster. But, this home remedy can be a challenge. Too much of a good thing, and your precious kitty will have a health issue of diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to lower the dose to the point of toleration, without the awful side effects.

Cantharis pellets are also being sold as a great homeopathic treatment for urinary tract infection in cats. One or two pellets, two or three times a day, is supposed a natural boost for fighting the sickness. However, I am suggesting talking to a vet before administering, because too much can do much more harm than good.

A Chemical free diet is also important. Like people, you cat should not have to ingest anything that is unhealthy and may cause problems down the road. Also, use a food appropriate for the age of your cat. For example, kitten food provides too much of some nutrients for grown cats, which can cause problems like bladder stones.

Now that you know this about urinary tract infection in cats, I hope you can avoid the nightmares of my story, and have many years of companionship with your furry little friend.

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University. For more information about urinary tract infection in cats, visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

5 Big Reasons to Be Concerned About Cat Urinary Tract Health

By Tina Matsunaga

Are you frustrated with a cat that seems to be going potty everywhere but the litter box? Does it seem like all of your spare time is spent cleaning stains out of the carpet or furniture, not to mention doing extra loads of laundry? Even more importantly, do you have a love/hate relationship with your pet? Then, you need to hear 5 big reasons to be concerned about cat urinary tract health.

I used to think urinary tract infection in cats was largely a female problem. In fact, the opposite is true. Because their urethra is so small, males have a greater tendency to have urinary ailments, including blockages. So, it is important to visit a vet, if your beloved pet shows any sign of having an elimination problem.

In the meantime, here or the 5 reasons to be concerned about cat urinary tract health:

• The problem will NOT go away on its own


• You kitty will be in pain


• Behavioral issues can follow


• Drastic steps may be necessary


• Could indicate a more serious problem

If you suspect the presence of an infection or other elimination problem, do not delay in seeing a vet. Should you be correct, the problem will only get worse the longer you put it off. In addition, your furry friend cannot tell you if he or she is in a lot of pain. Chances are your kitty will be constantly licking around the opening, as the only available means to relieve some of the pain. Thus, cat urinary tract health can be more than a big nuisance and should not be taken lightly.

Like their human counterparts, urinary tract infections in cats are quite common. In addition, felines who have suffered from the malady once before are probably prone to have another infection in the future. However, the worst part is the behavioral issues that may follow, even after the infection has been cured. Unfortunately, since the litter box is now associated with pain, your kitty may still prefer to go potty elsewhere.

Unless your pet can be taught to go back to the litter box, he or she may have a bigger problem than questionable cat urinary tract health. In order not to risk the health of your family, drastic steps may be necessary. Your kitty may have to be taken to the pound, adopted by someone who has the patience and skill to retrain the feline, or be put to sleep.

This year, a family pet had to be put down. Elderly, he is taken to the vet to rule out health issues, when he suddenly neglects to use the litter. Instead, he goes outside the box or wherever it suits him. The trick of laying tin foil in the inappropriate urinary choices did not work. Neither did any of the other methods the vet advised to correct the problem. Knowing his age, suspecting it might indicate a more serious cat urinary tract health issue, and worried it is an indicator of behavioral issues, a humane and tearful choice is made.

In conclusion, cat urinary tract health is nothing to ignore until it goes away. Without his or her guardian to help, your kitty could suffer much pain before you decide to seek a vet. Unfortunately, they do not cry or have a way of telling you when it hurts. Therefore, if your beloved pet starts to show signs of not eliminating properly, too often, or in unacceptable places, get help as soon as possible.

Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University. For more information about cat urinary tract health, please visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

Tips For the Long Term Cat Care

By Steve Millerman

If you are planning to be a pet owner, you must be ready for the long term cat care. If you are settled on having cat as pet then you must get off to a good start and everything must be planned in order to avoid future mistakes. Cats are nice companions but you have to understand their needs, one of which is your cat has to eat but you can't feed your feline friend your leftovers. It is better to look for the best cat food that can give your pal energy boost as well as good health. You need to allocate money for that so you may need to sacrifice some luxuries to be able to provide for your pet's needs. Ensuring a safe environment for your pet is your responsibility so make sure that there are no items lying around which could be dangerous for the cat.

Cats by nature are clean animals and like to keep themselves that way. Overt grooming might prove to be harmful for the animals, as they should not be allowed to overdo it. This can also a sign of fleas and therefore must be taken to the vet for a quick fix. Because you have a vain house mate, you must also be tidy with everything so you need to keep their litter boxes clean and well maintained.

Did you know that the cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than yours? You may not smell a thing but your cat will. They would refuse to use the litter box, for the purpose it is meant for, if it is smelly. Cats can easily use the belly of your clean carpet for depositing their poops or a basket of clean clothes perhaps would be just right for them. When it is a matter concerning these aspects of cat care, let not the cat wander away, just do what they want, and give them a clean and odor less litter bin.

Make friends with your local vet as soon as you decide to keep a pet, as you would need them more often than you think. Long-term cat care is all about remaining vigilant of early signs and symptoms, which show up, and if you just observe them critically, you would know if there is something that needs attention.

If you are settled at the thought that you want the cat to be with you for long, then you may really be the rightful owner of one. Never dilly dally with your decisions of wanting something now and then the next minute it becomes irrelevant as this is dangerous for your pet and you too. So before you welcome a cat into the household, think things through over and over again. Do not act on your impulse because once you are there, you must be able to carry out the responsibilities of being a pet owner. Long-term care is a decision, which you would never regret as you get the opportunity to give those affectionate animals a good home and in turn have a good time too.

Steve Millerman is a specialist in Cat care. If you want more information about Cat care, visit http://newcatcare.com

Cat Wormer - How Should it Be Used?

By Maricel Gomez

Unlike the dogs, who give visual symptoms of intestinal diseases when infected like being pale and loss of appetite, the cats show symptoms less. In worming the cats, unlike the dogs which can be dewormed for three consecutive days, and then during an interval of two to three months, there are factors to consider before worming the cats with cat wormer. Some of the few are the age, the level of infection, the maternity conditions and the environment to which he lives.

Before we proceed on how cat wormer should be used based on the above mentioned factor, we should have a background on what and how intestinal parasites affect an infected cats.

Typically, the common parasites that infect the cat are the tapeworms, the hookworms and the roundworms. Tapeworm is one of the most common parasites that affect canine and feline animals. This is for the reason that tapeworms can be transmitted easily through various means such as dirty environment, through infected animals, scattered feces and the like. If you suspect your pet cat to be infested, he should be able to show one or more of the symptoms like upset digestion, vomiting and itching of the bottom.

Tapeworms can be treated by administering proper dosage of cat wormer. Products containing the ingredients called "praziquantel" or "epsiprantel" are most reliable cat wormer for tapeworms.

Hookworms on the other hand, as the name suggest, hook themselves to the intestines of the cat. Hookworms feed on the blood of the animals. For this reason, this can cause digestive problems and visual loss of weight. This parasite gives severe problem to the infected cat as hookworms cause severe anemia and even threat death among young animals.

Cat wormers for hookworms vary depending on the severity of the infection. Therefore it is a must that a veterinarian should be consulted prior to the administration of the treatment.

For kittens, most veterinarian prescribe that cat wormer should be given at six, eight, ten and 12 weeks of age. Care should be taken when a cat is pregnant and administration of cat wormer should be done at least ten days before birth and every two weeks when the kittens are suckling.

Round worms cause diarrhea, scruff coat, pot bellied appearance, cough and block the intestine. Infection of round worms should be alerted at once as the parasite also place as hazard on humans.

Cat wormers are available in different forms. This can be available in syrup, suspension and tablet. Your veterinarian should be consulted on the dosage and the type of cat wormer to be applied on your pet.

It is equally important that after the cat has been treated against these parasites with cat wormer, there must be a routine worming of the cat. Most importantly, proper hygiene and sanitation are a must for a healthy environment.

Maricel Gomez is the Webmaster of http://www.ivet.co.uk a supplier of pharmaceuticals for Cat Wormers . Frontline Spot from Ivet has a team of dedicated professionals including a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, and two veterinary surgeons who oversee sales and provide the free, practical advice for your pets in the form of numerous on line information sheets.

Be Cost Effective Using a Cat Wormer

By Maricel Gomez

Having medical problems can be costly whether it is for humans and even for animals. Aside from the fact that the medication you have for your cat should be effective to remove all the infections and it should be cost-effective as well. Remember that aside from the medicines that you buy, you also pay for the medical services of the veterinarian which include consultation fees, laboratory tests, clinic housing and other follow up treatments to further improve the health condition of your pet. While some pet owners are hesitant to try inexpensive health treatments like buying generic cat wormer instead of the branded ones because of the question of effectiveness, this should be given a second thought if you really want to be cost effective and at the same time restore the health of your pet.

Generic brands are as effective as the branded cat wormer. This is for the reason that the Drugs administration of the government will not allow any medicines to be out in the market without due documentation and test for its effectiveness.

Buying cat wormer generics save you money as most are half the price of the branded ones. However this does not mean that it is half as effective. Nonetheless, when you opt to buy generic ones, you still have to see your veterinarian as they have the knowledge which medicine can be appropriate for your pet cat.

If however, you are still hesitant to try generic brands, you can ask the veterinarian to prescribe an all-in-one cat wormer and which can be really effective to be cost effective in the medication process. This saves you money in the long run as there are cat wormers that cut the administration intervals. This means that instead of bringing your cat for worming every two months, you can have the worming done every quarter of the year.

Your veterinarian will be able to determine if your feline pet can manage the dosage as the age of the cat is also a consideration in effective worming. The severity of the infection will also determine if it is appropriate.

The key to cost effective use of cat wormer is using the most appropriate kind for your cat. If you save money but still bring your cat for new infections within the year, it is an indicator that you are not saving money. Choose the most effective but cost less. If you think that your vet failed to do this for you, you can take a second advice from other veterinarians.

Learn which cat wormer saves you cost by reading reviews and asking the doctor. These people have the authority over the matter as they have the experience in the use of cat wormer.

Maricel Gomez is the Webmaster of http://www.ivet.co.uk a supplier of pharmacuticals for Cat Wormers. Frontline Spot from Ivet has a team of dedicated professionals including a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, and two veterinary surgeons who oversee sales and provide the free, practical advice for your pets in the form of numerous on line information sheets.

Urinary Tract Health Cat Food - Questions and Answers

By Madeleine Innocent

Question - Is there really such a thing as urinary tract health cat food, one that will make a difference to my cat's health?

Answer - It depends on how advanced the disease is, what treatment has taken place up til now, how healthy your cat was before, how old you cat is and so forth. But if you don't try, you'll never know.

Q - So what is the best urinary tract health cat food?

A - You can never go past raw food as the best all round, healthy cat food, for any disease.

Q - My vet tells me that raw meat has worms and parasites which will exacerbate an already ailing cat.

A - Cats have evolved on raw food over millennia. Their digestive system can deal very effectively with any worms or parasites when they are healthy. When they are not healthy, caution needs to be taken during the change over, to ensure it doesn't become a problem.

Q - I have heard that the best urinary tract health cat food should be a low protein diet. Surely a raw diet is high in protein?

A - Cats have evolved on a high protein diet. I don't believe you should reduce their protein intake. What I believe is at the heart of the problem here is the modern farming methods. The artificial fertilisers that are commonly used today upset the delicate mineral balance in farm animals. Address that and the high protein then isn't a problem.

Q - Why is it so common for cats to develop renal failure?

A - The kidneys are cats weakest link. So getting into the habit of giving your cat the best urinary tract health cat food from the start will ensure optimum health and life expectancy.

Q - Is it difficult to work out what the best urinary tract health cat food should be?

A - I've already done it for you, so all you have to do is follow in my footsteps.

Q - Is a good urinary tract health cat food expensive?

A - When I worked out the cost of the best cat food versus the highest priced dried or processed cat food, I found they came out at about the same. And look at the additional bonuses of a healthy cat, so fewer trips to the vet!

Q - Is it time consuming to prepare a good urinary tract health cat food? I work, so have limited time.

A - Once you've got your head around the concept, it's really easy. Just make the change over slowly, so you and your cat get used to it gradually. I find that's the best way of learning something new and guarantees you'll find it easy to stick to.

Q - What about high ash? I've heard that's not a good thing in cats with ailing kidneys. Shouldn't a good urinary tract health cat food be low in ash?

A - High ash means high mineral levels. Again, I feel that comes down to bad farming methods putting the delicate mineral balance out of whack. Cats need minerals to be healthy, but they need them in a natural, balanced form. Quality, raw food is the best source.

Q - I'm a vegetarian. It would be difficult for me to prepare raw meat.

A - I totally understand your predicament, I am too. But cats need meat, they're true carnivores. So if you want to give your cat the best chance, with a healthy urinary tract health cat food, you're going to have to get used to handling raw meat. Or get your partner to.

Madeleine Innocent has been a homoeopath, a natural health therapist, since 2000. She treats both people and animals and finds that when the diet of her patient is addressed, to one that is more in keeping with natural laws, at the same time as her treatment, enormous strides in the resultant good health are made. To underestimate a good, natural diet is to play Russian roulette with life. http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

Holistic Cat Food For the Healthiest Cat

By Madeleine Innocent

Once you've started looking around for holistic treatment for your cat, it's a natural sequel to think about holistic cat food. There's a saying that currently people have never been so well fed, but so under nourished. As this is a direct result of poor farming methods as well as bad dietary advice, it's no less true for your cat as it is for you.

Returning the diet of your cat to an holistic cat food, will not only benefit him, but your pocket too. Because your cat is healthier on this diet, you'll have fewer visits to your preferred cat health professional.

But what exactly is holistic cat food?

Well, it's that which so closely resembles a wild cat's diet, as to be in the same league as far as health is concerned.

You'll probably be relieved to know, I'm not suggesting you go out and catch mice. What I'm asking you to do is to consider the diet of a wild cat and then be mindful in duplicating it as closely as you can, within the framework of readily available food and the constraints on your time.

Actually, I've already done that for you, so you don't have to do all the hard work. I just want you to know the reasons behind giving your cat an holistic diet to ensure better health and longevity.

It's worth remembering that cats have evolved on a wild diet over millions of years, and are extremely healthy on it. Otherwise they would have died out.

So trying to duplicate nature's bounty for your cat is the best way to ensure his good health and longevity.

Providing an holistic cat food isn't difficult once you've opened up your mind to the idea of it. Isn't that always the biggest hurdle? Once you're open to the idea the rest, as they say, is easy. With a bit of guidance from someone who has made all the mistakes possible.

A quality, balanced holistic cat food:

• will provide your cat with all his nutritional requirements.
• will make your cat content and much less interested in hunting - hunting domestic cats usually means they are lacking nutrients in their current diet and they're trying to redress that
• is free from chemical residue, which cats are so sensitive to, such as preservatives and colour
• contains no synthetic vitamins or minerals - which are difficult to absorb and utilise so tend to be excreted
• is raw and so contain all the enzymes and other nutrients lost in cooking

Holistic cat food contains only naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, in a balanced and whole food form. You know, you shouldn't need to supplement your cat's food. All the necessary nutrients should come from the food, and in the wild, they do.

But, because modern farming methods cut corners in quality to boost quantity (and so profit), the resulting foods are often poor in nutrients. So supplementing becomes necessary.

Most supplements on the market today are isolated nutrients. In nature, nutrients are always found with other nutrients that they co-depend on. For example, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium must be in the natural balanced ratio and need vitamin A and D to be properly utilised. Iron, copper and cobalt co-depend on each other. And so on.

In addition to the isolation, most modern supplements are synthetic. Synthetic nutrients aren't easily absorbed or utilised by the body. And you can overdose on synthetic nutrients more easily than on natural ones, which the body knows how to deal with.

Holistic cat food, on the other hand, is easily absorbed and utilised by your cat. The supplements are a whole food, and are nutrient dense. This means all that is needed is readily absorbed.

A natural holistic cat food is not time consuming to organise or prepare, once you know what you're doing. It may take you and your cat a while to work things out, but it's well worth it for the huge benefits which follow.

Madeleine Innocent has been a homeopath, a natural health therapist, since 2000. She treats both people and animals and finds that when the diet of her patient is addressed, to one that is more in keeping with natural laws, at the same time as her treatment, enormous strides in the resultant good health are made. To underestimate a good, natural diet is to play Russian roulette with life. http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

Diabetic Cat Food - How You Can Reduce the Need For Insulin

By Madeleine Innocent

It is now generally accepted that human diabetes is an immune disorder. There seems no reason to suppose that feline diabetes is any different. This particular immune disorder has the form of failure of the pancreas to produce insulin.

An immune system brakes down because of the burden put upon it, mostly a chemical burden. When you consider all the chemicals most pets are subject to, there is little wonder their immune systems go on strike. Drugs, vaccinations, pesticides in the garden, harsh cleaners in the house, but perhaps worse of all by virtue of it's frequent ingestion, are the preservatives in their daily diet.

A typical cat food is processed and comes in a box, packet or can. The dried cat food must contain high levels of preservative to keep it at room temperature, indefinitely, despite what the packet may say.

Cats are particularly sensitive to chemicals, so readily succumb to them. A stay in a cattery may well overload them, as most catteries fastidiously clean their pens with strong disinfectants or bleach.

There are several things you can do immediately, to help your cat overcome this serious disease, even if they have had it a while. You never know how much good you can do until you try.

1. The first thing that's really important to address is their diet. Start giving your cat a good quality, raw, diabetic cat food. Human grade raw meat, from a butcher, will not contain any preservatives or colour as most countries have laws against that.
2. It's better to feed a diabetic cat 3 or 4 small meals a day, rather than 1 or 2 larger meals.
3. Diabetic cat food differs slightly from a normal healthy cat food by the fat content. The food must be low fat (but not no fat), as the pancreas is responsible for the production of enzymes which help break down fat.
4. No healthy cat food should contain any sugar, in particular diabetic cat food.
5. Diabetic cat food should not contain any carbohydrates, which are a large part of almost all processed cat foods.
6. The mineral chromium assists the body in utilising the insulin more efficiently, so the addition of half to one teaspoon of brewers yeast to the diabetic cat food will help your cat. Chromium is also in liver, beef and spirulina.
7. Including vitamin E in the diabetic cat food reduces the amount of insulin required. Vitamin E occurs naturally in raw meat fat and spirulina. Vitamin E is also in eggs and wheat germ oil, but diabetic cat food should be low in oil and fat, so these are recommended, only in very small quantities. You can also supplement it in the d alpha tocopheral (the natural form). Try to avoid the synthetic form, which is more commonly used. Synthetic vitamins are not as well utilised by the cat. Dose 30 IU per day until you see improvement.
8. And play with your cat, so she gets some exercise. Exercise tends to decrease the need for insulin.

A good diabetic cat food, like any good cat food, is as close to that of a wild cats food as possible. Cats have evolved to efficiently use raw food. They can't use processed and cooked food in the same way as they lack the nutrients destroyed by cooking.

Once you have your cat regularly eating a good quality diabetic cat food, she may need less insulin. And if it isn't too far advanced, there's no reason why she shouldn't recover completely. Recovery from serious disease is not uncommon when the cause is addressed. Ensuring your cat only eats a healthy, high quality, raw, diabetic cat food, at the very least will reduce her need for insulin.

Madeleine Innocent has been a homeopath, a natural health therapist, since 2000. She treats both people and animals and finds that when the diet of her patient is addressed, to one that is more in keeping with natural laws, at the same time as her treatment, enormous strides in the resultant good health are made. To underestimate a good, natural diet is to play Russian roulette with life. For more information, click on this website:- http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

How to Manage Bad Cat Behavior

By Lara Lee

The issue of bad cat behavior is something that every cat owner has to encounter sometime. It is very natural for cats to misbehave. We must not forget that they are animals after all and have the tendency to go wild anytime. It is interesting to know that most of the cats are wild by nature. You can do an experiment by letting your cat be free for a while outside the street; it will act almost similar to stray cats. It will chase mice, hunt doves and do all sorts of things and shock you as if it were never tamed or trained.

Like all cats, your cat may also scratch things in the house, however, the solution for this is definitely not declawing. Declawing your cat for its bad behavior is the worst thing and solution; it is nothing but barbarianism! Instead of doing this hideous act, you can do a few other things to stop this bad behavior. In the present epoch, there are a number of other alternatives to this. The list of solutions includes training courses, professional tips and guidance, tricks, scratching posts or pads. All these ways can help you to stop your cat from creating a mess within or outside your home.

Cat declawing is almost like chopping the fingers off so that the nails may never grow! It is an inhuman act and should never be carried out. In this present world where we talk to humanism and modernism, every living thing has rights to be free. Cat declawing is a heinous treatment since it implies to remove almost half of its feet, not only the claw. The claw may not grow again once it removed from the paw. It destroys the cat for its whole life and inflict great pain and suffering unto it.

Rather than declawing, it is better not to keep a cat if you are too concerned about the well being of your furniture, as animals can go wild anytime. However, you can minimize the chances of such bad behaviors by making your cat undergo proper training and taming.

Click here to learn how to make your cat understand. This will remove the frustration and rapidly increase the speed of your cat's learning.

Pet Door - It is an Automatic Gate Keeper For Your Cat!

By Jennifer Akre

No one wants to be a gate keeper for their car or dog, that's why a pet door was made. A pet door is a fixed up frame, set into a wall, window, or a door with a hinged flap to enable your pets to move out or in, on their own, without bothering you and you are free from those messy litter boxes, ruined carpets, and of course the night-time trips to let your pet out.

Many kinds are available for different pets with simple or more advanced features. The cost depends on the features but one can always have an access to this magic even with a few bucks. The lowest range just lies under twenty dollars while the more fancy or high- tech gadget could run several hundreds in cost.

The simplest pet door is a weighted flap, but now days they also come with magnets so as to have a good hold and to prevent opening by a strong wind. One-side access options are also available that allow only single side movement for the pets. The other variety comes in way of Electromagnetic ones, which can detect the matching magnet on the collar of pet so as to ensure only authorized entry. Infra red rays based or transparent flaps are just few other varieties from large kinds available. The pet door concept though is not a new one but the advancements in this product do pace with present time. With more popularity this selection also emerges with new features making its functioning better and easier then before.

A few things should be considered when deciding which pet door is best for you, issues like frames, material used, color to match your main one or window where it is to be installed, security levels desired, budget and the seals available as poor quality in this regard can hamper processes like climate control. The reflection should be not only your love for the pet but also your fashion.

The one you get should be in accordance with the size of your pet so to allow him easy entry. For this, measure the pet's body at its widest as well as the proper height and then add few inches to both measurements to have perfect fit.

Installation of a pet door is not the hard one, all of them should come with full installation instructions and it is important to follow the steps exactly. But if something that you do find difficult then you could always get someone to install it for you. This should not take long and should not be too expensive.

Last but not the least, having a pet door is not all. You have to train your pet to use it to keep you away from the boring work of a gate keeper. When your pet finally does go through it, don't forget to reward them and make it fun, this way your pet will be happy to use it and you can both enjoy the benefits. A smart pet never bother its master.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of many niche online stores providing consumers with products and information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Plus, there are stores perfect for getting your cat nice and situated in your home. Today, she shares her insight when investing in those necessary cat supplies and puppy supplies. Each would be a great purchase.

Cat Furniture - Remember to Grab it in a Natural Disaster

By Jennifer Akre

Natural disasters are a way of life for people in many areas of the country. There is nothing you can do to stop them, other than move away from your area to avoid a threat. But once you move out of one threat zone, you'll likely move into another one. Instead of trying to constantly run from one kind of disaster or another, it is better to just prepare for what may happen and be ready to act.

This means you need a family preparedness plan. Generally this includes information like where all the members of the family should meet up in a disaster or where to call to let each other know you are ok if you are separated in a disaster. This also includes what items you would want to pack up and take with you if you had to leave in a hurry.

If you have cats, you need to extend the things to think about to include them.

Cats are not the kind of animal to appreciate an upheaval in their life. They like things normal and where they know what is going on in the home. This means they are not going to adjust well to a natural disaster.

There are a few reasons for this:

They know something is coming - Animals have a sense that things are happening and that something bad is coming. In the days before a natural disaster you may notice your cat is spending more time on his cat furniture or in another area he thinks is safe.

They feel your stress - Cats are smarter than most people give them credit for. They know you are stressed out even if you are trying to act normal. They can feel the change in your emotions and they will react to them. Once again, as they know you are dealing with stress they will become stressed out and you may see them curling up on familiar spots like their cat furniture where they feel safe from whatever may be about to happen.

Things are changing - As you start packing up your survival items and documents, your cat will notice that you are pulling out things you don't usually pull out and taking a lot of trips back and forth to the car, this is confusing and scary for them as they know something just isn't right.

The Solution

The best way to deal with your cats in a natural disaster is try to keep some part of their world intact. While you will have to move your cat out of your home when you evacuate, you should try to take a piece of your cat furniture with you. Pick your cat's favorite piece and take it along, if you can. This piece of cat furniture is a space where your cat feels safe and comfortable and like at least some part of their world is normal.

While it won't completely relieve their stress, taking along a piece of your cat furniture will be able to allay some of your cat's fears that his whole world has come apart.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of many niche online stores providing consumers with products and information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. There are also stores perfect for getting your pet nice and situated in your home. Today, she shares her insight when investing in sturdy cat furniture and those necessary dog supplies that your pet might need.

Symptoms of a Pregnant Cat - What to Look For

By Ian Pennington

If you have a cat, knowing the symptoms of a pregnant cat is a very important piece of information to possess. They have a tendency of becoming pregnant when you least expect it, even showing signs of being in such a state without actually being pregnant. For this reason, knowing what to expect and what specific signs to look for are extremely important. It may take up to two to three weeks after conception for the signs to truly begin to show themselves but with the proper attention paid to your queen being able to diagnose pregnancy in your cat. Here are a few signs for you to keep an eye out for:

Her Nipples are Pink in Color

One of the main symptoms of a pregnant cat is a change in her nipples. A pregnant cat will have pink nipples after the first few weeks of pregnancy. If you see pink, you only have about six weeks to wait until the kittens arrive if she is pregnant, so seeing a veterinarian is of the essence!

She Turns into a Sweetheart

Pregnant cats are a great deal more loving than they would normally be. They become a great deal quieter, less interested in other cats-especially male ones. Her heat cycle will have stopped at this point and she probably won't care to spend much time outside if any. The more time that she wants to spend with you, the more apparent her pregnancy should be.

She Gains Weight

She may not look pregnant at first, but if your cat is becoming a little chunky that is one of the surefire signs of pregnancy. This is one of the most important symptoms of a pregnant cat, because if she isn't gaining any weight and continues to remain the same size all of the other signs are out the door. The gain in weight may be slow at first, but as time goes on it will get quicker and quicker until she is all belly. If she is in fact carrying kittens it should not be too difficult to observe after a few weeks have gone by.

She Has a Ravenous Appetite

If your cat is pregnant she will definitely want to eat more. Humans eat for two; cats eight for five, or six, or seven or eight sometimes. This doesn't mean that you have to feed her eight times the food but she does need more food and at a higher plane of nutrition. Regular cat food mixed with nutritious kitten food should give her all that she needs to be healthy and nurture the little lives growing inside her. While you want to make sure to have food available at all times for her it is important not to over feed her. The closer she gets to pregnancy, her appetite will begin to decrease a bit.

Diagnosing a pregnant cat is easy, but there is no substitute for a vet. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of a pregnant cat you may want to start to prepare yourself for kittens before too long!

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about symptoms of a pregnant cat, please visit My Pet Cat for current articles and discussions.

Catch Your Cat's Illness Early by Knowing What to Look For

By Ian Pennington

Cats are able to hide their symptoms much more readily than dogs. If your dog is sick, you usually know it immediately. If your cat is sick, though, she may show it through only through a slight change in behavior. This means that you may have a very sick cat on your hands by the time you get her to the vet. If you know how to recognize sick cat symptoms, though, you can intervene early and your cat has a better chance for a full recovery.

Behavioral Changes

Illness in cats is generally accompanied by behavioral changes, so you need to have a good idea of your cat's habits and general way of interacting with others. Any change-even one that appears positive-can be a sign of an underlying illness. For example, an elderly cat that suddenly becomes kittenish and playful may actually be showing sick cat symptoms, as this can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, which is fatal if untreated. In general, if you see a behavioral change, even a very slight one, first look for its origin in the environment, such as the introduction of a new pet, a new person moving in, a change in the household schedule, or even a change in the weather. If there's no clear environmental change, you should monitor your cat closely and consider taking her to a vet if she displays the following behavioral changes:

• Clinginess in an independent cat.

• Aloofness or hiding behavior in a social cat.

• Higher or lower tolerance of other animals and people in the household than usual.

• A marked increase or decrease in vocalizations.

• A marked increase or decrease in activity.

• A marked increase or decrease in food consumption.

• A change of any sort in your cat's daily rituals.

Balance Problems

Cats are built to be able to easily jump onto tables and counters and elegantly pick their way among knickknacks displayed on your shelves. As much as you don't want your cat to do this, if she's no longer able to do these things, she may be showing sick cat symptoms. You cat may have an infection or other problem if she shows the following symptoms:

• Inability to jump on surfaces that she was previously able to jump on.

• Lack of confidence in jumping either onto a surface or onto the floor from a surface.

• Falling or slipping.

• Appearance of dizziness when walking on the ground.

Overt Sick Cat Symptoms

Of course, sometimes your cat's symptoms may be overt, even from the beginning of the illness. Some things, even a cat can't hide. Seek veterinary advice immediately when your cat has any of these overt symptoms:

• Refusal to eat or drink.

• Excessive drooling.

• Straining at the litter box.

• Bloody urine.

• Bloody stools or continuing diarrhea.

• Discharge from eyes or nose.

• Expression of pain when you touch a certain area of her body.

Catching your cat's symptoms early is the key to intervening early enough to help your cat be on her way to a full recovery.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cat illness symptoms, please visit My Pet Cat for current articles and discussions.

Cat Not Eating? Why Cats May Not Eat

By Garry Chaples

Reasons Your Cat May Not Be Eating:

Stress - Cats can experience stress from even the simplest of changes around your home. If you recently moved residences, cats can have difficulty adjusting. Introducing a new pet into the home can also be very stressful for a cat. Other changes around the home that give cats stress and possibly cause them not to eat are moving furniture in the house, or even moving the food bowl to a new location. Cats love routines, and any changes to those routines cause stress.

Other Cats - Cats are very territorial, and may lose their appetite due to a territorial dispute with another cat. If your cat is an outdoor cat, perhaps a new cat moved into his territory, thereby upsetting him. A new cat introduced into your home can upset your indoor cat.

Illness - If your cat seems lethargic, hides from you more than usual, and in unusual places, or goes for more than 24 hours without eating, then a trip to the veterinarian is probably in order.

Food Issues - If you have recently changed cat foods, or if the current food changed formulations, your cat could be reacting to the change in diet. If it is an outdoor cat, he may also have found food elsewhere.

There are a number of other food-related issues that could explain why your cat is not eating, and they deserve more explanation...

Cats were initially bred in Egypt, so therefore, they are instinctively desert-dwellers. Since there is little water in the desert, cats depend on getting their liquid nutrition (water) from their food. Sure, cats have been domesticated to where they will drink water from a bowl, but instinctively, they depend on getting it from their food.

Have you ever had a cat that died from kidney problems? I have, and I've learned that it was probably caused by feeding my cats a diet of dry, crunchy brown things. Sure, cats will be fine for a number of years eating dry food exclusively, but it takes a toll in the later years.

Try a variety of canned foods for your cat. They are much more easily processed by the digestive system, and they will help your cat live a longer, happier life.

For more information on feeding your cat, visit my pet food blog at http://www.thepetfooddude.blogspot.com For more cat behavior tips, sign up for the FREE Cat Behavior Tips Newsletter at http://www.TrainYourCatNow.info

Cat Meowing Constantly? Why They Do It, and How to Stop It

By Garry Chaples

Medical Problem - You first need to rule out an kind of medical problem with your cat. If the excessive meowing is a recent event that is out of character for your cat, then it may be a good idea to get your cat checked out at the veterinarian. Instinctively, cats do not usually "complain" much, unless there is a real problem.

Something Has Changed - Cats like routines. If you have recently moved residences, if you have recently added a new pet to the environment, or if you have recently lost a pet, that could cause excess meowing. Give your cat some extra attention to reassure her that she is still an important member of the family.

Necessities Not Being Met - Check the food and water bowls, and don't overlook the litter box. Cats can be very picky about the condition of their litter box. If it is not clean, your cat will not be happy, and may even refuse to go until the litter is cleaned, or worse, find a new place to go that is cleaner. If you have recently changed the type of litter being used, your cat may disagree with your decision, and vocally let you know about it.

Boredom - Cats need some playtime too. Most cats sleep the day away while you are at work, and need a little exercise at some point. Take a couple minutes to play with your cat. Fishing pole, or string toys, are good, or perhaps something with some catnip in it. My cat loves to chase the little red light from a laser pointer, which is great, cheap entertainment for our family too!

How to Stop Constant Cat Meowing

Do Not "Reward" the Behavior - Sometimes, cats are just looking for attention, even negative attention. The best way to fix the problem is to simply ignore your cats excessive meowing (not easy I know,) then, when she quiets down, reward the quiet behavior with some attention. If that does not work, then try using a squirt bottle, or a firm "No!" with a clap of your hands.

Spend Some Time With Your Cat - Sure, cats are "lower maintenance" than dogs, but they do like some attention. A little play time, chin scratch, or a good daily brushing will go a long way to having a happy, quiet cat.

Daily Maintenance - Make sure your cat has a fresh supply of food and water, as well as a clean litter box.

Some cats are just more vocal than others. Your cat may simply love you and be asking how your day was. Usually, just a little care and attention are all that's required to cure an excessive cat meowing problem.

For more cat behavior tips, sign up for the FREE Cat Behavior Tips Newsletter at http://www.TrainYourCatNow.info For help in finding unique or hard-to-find gifts, the author of this article also publishes the website http://www.OnlineShoppingFAQs.com

Mange on Cats - A Mite Infestation

By Elsa Albro

Mange on cats is a parasitic infestation of the skin. Common symptoms include hair loss, itching and inflammation. This skin condition is classified by the type of mite that causes it.

We are not talking about the common ear mite; ear mites do not cause mange. The pests that cause this condition are microscopic spider-like parasites that live on feline skin.

HEAD MANGE

Feline scabies, also known as head mange, is a skin ailment caused by the head mite. This parasite reproduces only on felines and cannot live for more than a few days off the host.

These mites cause intense itching around the head and neck. Due to the incessant scratching, besides hair loss and bald spots, the cat may actually mutilate itself causing open sores and infected skin. Other symptoms include gray to yellow crusts around the face, neck and edge of ears. And, in extreme cases, the result is thickened wrinkled skin. Head mange is transmitted by animal-to-animal and is highly contagious.

Treatment:

Clip the hair around the affected areas and bathe in a mild shampoo to loosen the crusts. Then dip the animal in a 2.5% lime sulfur dip weekly. In order to reduce the severe itching, use a cortisone product. Infected sores should be treated with a soothing topical ointment.

CHEYLETIELLA MANGE

This skin condition on felines does not itch as much, but is known as Walking Dandruff due to and unusual amount of dandruff on the back, neck and sides. These large reddish mites are also highly contagious, and can not live more than two weeks without access to a feline.

Humans can easily become infested and will have symptoms of itching and a rash that looks like insect bites.

Treatment

All cats and dogs should be treated with either a shampoo containing pyrethrin or the 2.5% lime sulfur dip, weekly, for at least two weeks beyond the apparent cure. Humans will improve as soon as the cat is treated.

TROMBICULID MITES

Commonly called Chiggers, are parasitic only in larval form. Cats pick up these barely visible mites prowling in grasslands in late summer or fall. These red, yellow or orange specs tend to clump in areas where skin is thin; between toes, around ears and mouth. Chiggers larvae feed by sucking on the skin which results in severe irritation, patches of raw skin and scabbed, draining sores.

Treatment

Chiggers can be eliminated by one application of the pyrethrin shampoo or lime sulfur dip. Antihistamines or corticosteroids will control the intense itching. Prevention is the best medicine; keep your pet indoors during chigger season.

DEMODECTIC MANGE

This non-contagious skin condition is common in dogs, yet rare in felines. The demodex mite is a normal resident of a felines skin, seldom causing more than a mild, localized infection. Most often this skin condition is seen in young cats causing a couple areas of hair loss, crusty sores and sometimes an infection. Usually within three months it clears up.

Treatment

If these symptoms do not clear up within a couple months, it is best to seek the guidance of a veterinarian.

SARCOPTIC MANGE

Similar in symptoms and treatment to head mange, this disease is rarely seen in cats, yet common in dogs.

Treatment

It is always best to seek guidance from a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Mange on cats can be avoided if your pe remains indoors. However, regular grooming can prevent many of these disorders caused by mites.

For more information on your favorite furry pets, visit: lovefatcats.com.

http://www.lovefatcats.com

What We Love and Don't Love About Cats

By Doris Canova

The emotional life of cats, in some ways, may even be richer than a person's, because they have no inhibitions about what they feel. In a short period of time, a cat can go from contentedness to anger to desire to affection. True, studies show that people with pets live a bit longer and have better blood pressure than non-owners, but in the literal sense, we don't really need all those dogs and cats to survive.

One of the things we love about cats is watching them play. Kittens love playing but don't know yet how to control their sharp claws and teeth. Also children can unknowingly be a little rough with a kitten and may cause it harm. Kittens that are obtained after 12 weeks may be more difficult to manage. The experiences of kittens during their first few months of life are important in helping to shape their temperaments and personalities as adults. Your kitten will need time to adjust to her new environment, and understanding this is the first step in getting off to a positive start.

One of the things we don't love is hair shedding but hair shedding is considered a sign of health in the cat, because sick cats do not shed. It happens for different reasons, but basically it depends on the time your cat spends outdoor or whether your cat is purely an indoor cat. Hairballs can be prevented with certain cat foods and remedies that ease elimination of the hair and regular grooming of the coat with a comb or stiff brush. Cats expend nearly as much fluid grooming as they do urinating. Long-haired cats obviously are more high-maintenance than its short-haired counterparts. You'll need to at least bath them once a week and brush their long manes frequently. Owners should wipe away the moisture that is emitted from the eyes at least once in the morning and at least once in the evening hours. Persians should also be bathed frequently.

Hunting is something you may or may not like about cats. Cats are fun to watch as they pretend to hunt by attacking toys, each other, or miscellaneous items and this is something we like. They may hunt for real and present you with a dead mouse "trophy" and this we have mixed emotions about. On the one hand we are glad to have the rodent eliminated, but then and again, we don't want to know about it. Hunting has become central to cat's behavior patterns, even to their wild like playing for short bursts of intense exercise punctuating long periods of rest. Hunting mothers generally pass all their hunting abilities, including the ultimate killing of their prey, onto their kittens. Non-hunting mothers, by contrast, often pass along the hunting skills except the ability to kill.

Scratching is another thing about which we may have mixed emotions. On the one hand, scratching behavior seems enjoyable to the cat, and even declawed cats will go through elaborate scratching routines, with every gesture of great satisfaction, despite the total lack of results. Then again, without a scratching post your furniture or draperies may suffer.

One thing is that generally speaking, smaller pets mean less responsibility, but even a tiny goldfish needs love and care, but then and again, smaller pets also have a shorter life span -- which means you or your child will experience an early grief.

Generally, cats are naturally well-behaved creatures, unlike dogs, who want to please you; cats want to feel they are the ones in total control of their lives which some people love and other people hate.

As the saying goes, "everything has its price" and yes cats do have things that can potentially be annoying, but I feel the benefits far outweigh the bad side. For me, there is nothing that is as comfortable as having a purring cat lying on my lap on a cold winter night in front of the fireplace. No matter what has gone wrong during the day, it is all forgotten during this daily ceremony.

NOTE: This article is for information only. See your veterinarian for medical advice.

We plan to post articles that are informative and helpful to other cat lovers. Having been "owned" by cat for years, we know they can be demanding, but also be very entertaining and fun. Please visit our site today for a wide array of products that will make "His Majesty" very happy - http://www.besthousecatcare.com or our blog for more information - http://www.besthousecatcare.blogspot.com

Tips on How to Make Your Cat's Indoor Life More Interesting

By Connie Limon

Cats that live free in the wild or anywhere spend much of every day "hunting" for food. Indoor cats have life easier......or do they? We probably need to find more creative ways to provide cats with some of the same kind of stimulation free living cats enjoy. It is very much a cat's instinct to hunt for food; however, our indoor cats usually have their food put literally at their paw-tips.

What can a cat owner do to provide the indoor cat with more food hunting stimulation?

• Buy food puzzles or cat toys that allow the insertion of bits of food or treats

• Special fountains make drinking water more interesting

• Timed feeders allow you to vary the times at which they will dispense food for your cat

Make your own food puzzle:

• Start with a clean yogurt container with a lid

• Cut a small hole in the side

• Make sure the edges of the hole are smooth

• Put some dry cat food in the container and roll it along the floor

• The cat will learn it has to continually roll the container so the food will spill out, piece by piece

You can also hide your cat's food in several locations around the house instead of putting it in one spot. It is much more entertaining for your cat if he or she has to hunt for its food every day. This helps to satisfy the cat's basic instincts of hunting for food. Don't allow your cat to see where you have hidden the food. Start with hiding small amounts of dry food under a paper cup or a plate in various locations. Another interesting option is to use an egg carton. This way the cat will have to scoop bit by bit out of the wells.

Mental stimulation using tricks:

Tricks are not just for kids! Tricks are not just for dogs! You can teach your cat tricks much in the same way dogs are trained. Many cats can be trained to fetch or perform other simple tricks using conventional training methods or clicker training. There are many books and videos to help you learn how to train your cat. Trick training will help your cat avoid boredom and also provide another way for owner and pet to interact and bond.

Socializing is another worthwhile way to spend time with your pet. What you can do:

• Spend some time every day just sitting and petting your cat

• Everyday, brush your cat's coat

Even though cats have the strong reputation of being solitary hunters, they are also social creatures that do indeed enjoy human company. They need attention from their owners. Studies show interaction between humans and pets helps make people healthier and calmer. Enjoy the experience. The time spent with your pet is just as therapeutic for you as for the pet.

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 For a variety of reprint articles visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

Changing Your Cat's Food Successfully

By Connie Limon

Cats may not welcome a change in their food. If you need to change the food consider the following tips:

• Be sure to introduce the new food gradually for the most successful change. This way the cat is eased into the change.

• Start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of old food

• Change the amount of food you give over the next three days by gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old food

• In the end of this weaning process, you should be feeding the new food 100%

• During the first two days of the weaning period, do not give the cat treats or table scraps

Negative affects might include:

• Your cat picks out the new food and just eats the old food

• The cat refuses to eat

Don't be upset if this occurs; just continue with the weaning process until you are feeding the new food 100%. Cats can miss meals for a couple days with no adverse effects.

Also be aware of how you bring in the new food and present it to the cat. Introduce the new food using a pleasant voice and don't demand your cat eat the new food right away. Just stay calm and positive about the entire process. Cats can read your body language even if you cannot understand what they say to you.

I have been reading a lot about raw diets and I have decided not to try them for my cats. I am going to stick with the commercially prepared dry cat foods. I fear bacteria from raw diets will cause sickness in my cats.

One of the biggest challenges in switching diets is when there is a switch from moist food to dry food. My cats do just love the Fancy Feast moist foods, however, I fed them this all the time, they would not have firm stools and the feces sticks to their coat around the anal area, which is something they hate to have cleaned away, so I avoid giving them too much of the moist food and stick with the dry food.

If you have a cat on moist food and you want to change him or her to the dry food, try mixing the dry food with a little warm water if the cat resists changing over. You can even put the moistened food in the microwave for a few seconds. If you mix the food with water is sure to throw out the uneaten portion after 20 minutes. This prevents food spoilage. Apply this same rule to canned food. When you have your cat accustomed to the moistened food, wean him or her onto the dry food.

If you notice your cat is not eating the cat food as usual, take a look at whatever else you are feeding before you decide the cat is a finicky eater. Do you give just a few table scraps or treats throughout the day? This can really make a difference in how much cat food is eaten. Extras can drastically change the cat's normal intake of cat food. Consider how you feel after eating too much candy or potato chips. Are you really interested in a three course meal? Neither is the cat interested in the nutritious food if you fill him or her up with treats and this and that throughout the day.

It is not true that cats need variety in their diets. They normally eat to meet their energy requirements. Their ancestors ate meat in the wild. Domesticated cats thrive on routine and really do not tire of one particular flavor of food. However, there are different formulas to address different needs such as obesity and hairball remedies.

Always keep plenty of fresh water out for your cat and provide a comfortable place to eat away from a lot of family confusion. For mental stimulation you might try hiding a few dry kernels of cat food under a small cup and place the cups in different areas to stimulate the hunting instinct. In the wild, cats spend most of their day just hunting for their food.

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.

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 For a variety of reprint articles visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

Cat Carriers - How to Choose the Perfect Carrier For Your Cat

By Claudia Escobar

Cat carriers are an essential item for any cat lover. You need one to transport your cat from one place to another easily and safely. You need a carrier to take your cat to vet, to the groomer, and to the boarding facility. A carrier is especially necessary for those long trips either by plane or by car. Fortunately, you can easily find a wide selection of cat carriers online as well as at brick and mortar pet stores.

So how do you choose the right carrier for your cat? Of course, price is going to be an important factor. But there are other elements to consider, too. Here are some tips to help you choose the right pet carrier for you and your kitty:

1.) Make sure your cat fits comfortably inside the carrier. Most cats don't like being confined, so choose a carrier that provides your cat with enough room and ventilation.

2.) Choose a carrier that is made of long lasting and easy-to-clean materials. In the long run, buying a good quality carrier will save you money as you don't have to replace it as often. You can find cat carriers made of different materials, including hard plastic and nylon.

3.) Ask yourself, what do you need the carrier for? For example, if you are traveling by car or plane, make sure that the carrier you select is safe and secure. Many airlines have specific requirements for pet carriers.

4.) Do you want a soft carrier or a hard carrier? These are the most common types of carriers and they both have their pros and cons. It all comes down to your cat's needs, safety and comfort. Soft carriers are perfect for small to mid-size cats while hard carriers are better for larger and heavier cats. Regardless of the type, make sure the carrier is secure and comfortable for your cat.

5.) If you want a more sophisticated carrier, then consider pet strollers and carrier backpacks. Many of these pieces are easy to handle and store away. They are also great to take your cats on "walks" around the neighborhood.

Other things to consider: The latch of the carrier's door should lock firmly and securely. You don't want your kitty jumping out of the carrier at the worst possible time and place. Also, many soft carriers come with a small mat, if yours doesn't bring one place a soft blanket so that your cat can lie down comfortably.

© Claudia Escobar is a cat lover who loves anything cat-related. For more on cat carriers and gift ideas for cat lovers visit her site at http://www.cat-lovers-gifts-guide.com If you would like to reproduce this article please feel free to do so, provided that you publish the article in its entirety and include this resource box.