Love Cat Stories: 10/24/08

Friday, October 24, 2008

Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat

By Tim Bock

Most people understand the digestive system of humans and cats are very different. The result of your cat eating something they shouldn't can range from an upset stomach, illness to even death. It's important to keep your pet safe. Below is a list of some of the most common foods that are harmful for cats to eat.

Onions and garlic

It doesn't matter if they're raw, powdered or uncooked, onions and garlic are harmful to your cat. They damage red blood cells. This causes anemia, which will make your pet pale and lethargic.

Baby Food

Even though it's great for human babies, it can be quite dangerous for cats. Many times baby food contains onion power (see above). Not only that, but the nutritional needs of a cat are very different from humans. Your cat may suffer from malnutrition as a result of eating it.

Chocolate

It's common knowledge that it's bad for dogs, however chocolate is just as harmful for cats. A chemical called theobromine is contained in chocolate. While humans digest it just fine, both dogs and cats digest it much more slowly. Even small amounts of this chemical can be deadly.

Coffee

It's not good to give your cat caffeine. It only takes 8 teaspoons for it to become deadly.

Grapes and Raisins

It hasn't been determined exactly why they're harmful; however studies have shown that cats who have eaten large amounts of grapes and raisins suffer kidney failure.

Spinach

While it's hasn't been determined exactly how harmful spinach is to cats, it does contain small amounts of calcium oxalates. This could lead to crystals in the urine. Urinary problems could be the result if your cat is allowed to eat too much spinach.

Unripe Tomatoes

Tomatoes are part of the nightshade plant family. They contain a poisonous substance called solanine. While it is harmful for humans too, we have to eat large amounts for it to hurt us. On the other hand, it only takes small amounts of solanine to be harmful to a cat. Because of this, unripe tomatoes should never be given to cats.

Don't allow your cat to become sick because you fed him something deadly. It's important to learn Basic Cat Care as soon as possible. This is an excellent article that will give you all the information you need to help your cat live a long and healthy life. http://www.easycatcaretips.com is dedicated to helping people take care of their cats.

Toilet Train Cat

By Lia Suzuki

My cat Kiku is the star of Toilet Train Cat Blog. Why? You guessed it! He's toilet trained! Yep, he uses that same white, porcelain, bathroom fixture that you and I use. You'll find no kitty litter (or should I say perhaps, "you'll smell no kitty litter") in my apartment.

So if you're like most people, you want to know how my cat learned to use the toilet. Well, I trained him to. That's how! Ok, for all of you who are thinking of toilet training cat, I'll spell it out in this article, step by step.

I'll begin at the beginning. First of all, when I adopted Kiku, he was but a young pup, er... kitten. He was 6 weeks old, to be exact. Everything I had read said that 6 weeks old was too young to begin toilet training a cat. Still, I made sure to position the kitty litter box right next to the toilet.

Kiku learned to use the litter box with absolutely no problem. I had read that the first thing to do was raise the litter box by about an inch or two every week, using newspapers or magazines. Kiku took to the litter box so well and seemed so unshakable and bold in so many ways, that I decided to start raising the litter box, in spite of his young age. But I made sure to progress with the training much more slowly and gradually than was recommended for more mature cats.

So up it went! I started collecting newspapers, bundling them, and taping the litter box on top of the bundle - about an inch or so every couple weeks. When the litter box had been at the same level as the toilet seat for a couple weeks, I removed it from the newspaper stack and secured it on the toilet seat with duct tape.

Once Kiku had a couple weeks to get used to that, I dumped the litter into a colander and set that inside the toilet bowl. (Ewww!) Oh well... During this time, the trick is to not replenish the litter as you normally would, but rather to allow the litter to gradually decrease. Finally, your cat is peeing into the empty colander. This may take anywhere from one week to three weeks.

It's important to point out that during this process, there were times that Kiku reverted to his old ways - or tried, anyway. He rebelled/freaked out and tried relieving himself in the litter box - the litter box which was no longer on the floor, next to the toilet. So there was a mess next to the toilet some mornings. There was even a period where Kiku seemed to be revolting, by peeing on the couch! When these things happened, I backed up the training. If you just go back one step, and stay there for a week or two, your kitty should come around...

The final step? Once your cat has been peeing into the empty colander for a week or two, ...take the colander away. Voila! your cat is now a toilet trained cat!

Lia Suzuki
Santa Barbara, CA
805-692-9850
Info@ToiletTrainCatBlog.com
http://www.ToiletTrainCatBlog.com

Lia Suzuki lives in Santa Barbara, California, and happens to own a toilet trained cat, named Kiku. Lia and Kiku share their living space with a German Shepherd named Tosh. By the way, "Tosh" is short for "Toshiro Mifune" and "Kiku" is short for "Kikuchiyo". If these names don't mean anything to you, comment on this article or email me, and I'll "put you in the know."

Why Cats Like To Bite

By Lara Lee

It has been observed that biting amongst cats is mostly a playful gesture. You should give your cat some outlet for biting for her satisfaction as it is a part of her nature. Mostly your cat may want to bite your fingers or a toe as that is all that is available to them. She also gives a vent to her energy in this way. It is a good exercise and you should provide your cat with good means to bite on.

For this purpose, you can provide your kitty with interactive fishing-pole toys. You can have habitual playing sessions with her. These toys keep a secure distance between your fingers and your cat's teeth. It also teaches her as what is tolerable to bite and what not. This way you can also keep control of the action and help your cat give vent to her energy positively. If two or three playing sessions are conducted with her daily, the probability of your cat biting you will naturally decrease. You should slowly end the session so that your cat does not end up frustrated or annoyed. You should slow down the activity gradually so that your cat feels like a hunter and feels satisfied by the end of the game.

Once the activity is over, make sure that the toy is not within her reach anymore as it can chew the string. Having this exercise on regular basis will build a routine in your cat's life and she will feel less inclined to bite unexpectedly.

When your cat does bite you, it is advisable not to pull her away or shout at her. This will give her an impression of a prey and it may provoke her to act as a hunter. It is better to discourage her in a gentle manner.

Sometimes if you feel your cat is acting more wild, you can divert her attention by providing her with new toys. Cats are inquisitive by nature. Providing her with new toys to bite on will help her utilize her wild instincts in a positive way. You must remember that cats are animals after all and biting or scratching is some what normal amongst them. However, proper training can tame its animal instincts and make it a better domestic cat.

Did you know that your cat may not know why you are trying to correct him? Click here to learn how to make him understand. This will remove the frustration and rapidly increase the speed of your cat's learning.

How to Rid Yourself of Cat Urine Smell

By Lara Lee

If you own a cat, managing her urine smell is always a grave issue. She may pee around in the house on the carpet or on your furniture. The urine gets soaked in the carpet or the sofa and it is very hard to remove the stain or get rid of the smell. Many times, you may use some solution to do away with the smell, but it returns after a while.

It is very difficult to treat your cat's urine from the furniture or rugs because of three elements. Your cat's urine contains urea which is the sticky deposit, uric acid which gives the bad smell to the urine and urochrome which gives her urine the hue. The presence of uric in the urine contains crystals and salts. When they dry, they give out very unpleasant smell. When moisture is reapplied to them, removing your cat's urine becomes a problem.

One thing you must preserve well in your mind is that you must never treat your cat's urine with ammonia to remove the urine or any product which contains ammonia. Her urine itself contains ammonia and if you will use such product to remove it, it may attract your cat to use the same area for urinating again.

You can find many products in pet shops to clean your cat's urine and get rid of the smell. One of the best solutions of dealing with cat's urine smell is to clean it with white vinegar. Mix vinegar with some water to form a mixture. Apply this solution on the affected area with a paper towel. Do not rub it but soak the urine. Clean the area with a wet towel afterwards. This will reduce the smell of the urine noticeably.

The most important thing is that you need to put an end to the problem from its roots. You need to stop your cat from peeing around in the house. She may do so because of medical reason or because of lack of toilet training. You need to train it to use the tray or the litter box if you do not want to spend the rest of your life tackling with her urine's smell.

How to Remove Cat Urine and Dealing With Cat Urine Smell

By Lara Lee

It often happens that cats would not use the litter box or toilet and pee outside. This can happen due to many reasons including behavior or training problems or some medical issue. If the smell of the urine annoys you, you can do certain things to do away with it. But one thing that you must remember is that the solution of the issue is not just removing the urine stains or the smell as how long can you continue to tackle with it this way. You need to know the reason behind this toilet behavior and put an end to it from its root.

The particular reason for this behavior is medical. It happens because of urinary tract infection in the cats. In this case, you need to take your cat to a vet. If your cat has not been properly toilet trained, it may pee outside the litter box. You need to make sure it has been trained properly. Other than this, if your cat is old, it may not bother to wake up to the tray. The solution is to put the tray near to her bed.

If the urine of your cat soaks in your carpet, it will give out very bad odor. You may simply clean it but the smell of the urine does not go away this easily as it forms crystals in the carpet. One of the best ways to treat cat urine smell is to use white vinegar. Once you soak up the urine from paper napkin, put a little white vinegar in water and form a mixture. Then, apply this on the stained area and rub it for a while. Let it dry. After drying just use warm water and rub it a bit. After it dries up, it is recommended to use a pet odor neutralizer of good quality. You can easily find these from pet stores.

Although this is the best and most effective solution for treating cat urine, there are many other ways to do this also. You can find a lot of information on the internet if you would like to opt for some other remedy. One thing you must keep in mind is that never use anything with ammonia for this purpose. This is because the urine itself contains ammonia and it can draw your cat to pee on the same place again.

How to Avoid Household Dangers For Kittens

By Lara Lee

Cat owners have to face a number of challenges and they have to act vigilantly if they intend to keep them safe and sound. There are many items in your house that can harm your cat. Some of them can even prove to be deadly for your kitty. Some of the things that can harm your cat are common things that you keep in your house like detergents, dishwashing detergents, dusting and cleaning fluids and sprays, bleach, oils, medicines, antifreeze, mothballs and insecticides.

You must preserve in your mind that cats are very curious animals; they like to explore new things all the time. They like to smell and lick various objects out of curiosity. This simple creature does not know that in man's world, many things can harm her and not everything should be explored. Their curiosity can lead to trouble for her and you.

If your cat consumes washing detergents or other cleaning liquids, they may cause dangerous health issue for her. It may make your cat salivate, vomit, cause ulcer in her mouth or lead to diarrhea. Cleaning products can also damage her eyes by causing irritation followed by her scratching. As cats are licking their paws all the time as they like to remain clean, she may lick some unsafe liquid that it touched.

Apart from these, antifreezes present in your house can prove to be troublesome for your kitty. You will be surprised to know that cats are fascinated by the taste of antifreeze. They contain chemical compound which is very dangerous for your cat to the level of fatality. It can become affected by antifreeze very quickly. If your cat gets into it, you must take your cat to a vet immediately.

Other than these products, there are many products that you should keep out of the reach of your cat if you desire her safety. She likes to taste everything and this is the root cause of these issues.

It is advisable that when you use these products, your kitty should not be around to lick or explore them. If you detect any sort of lethargic or sick behavior in your cat, it is recommended to take her to vet urgently before it gets too late.

Cats' Body Language

By Lara Lee

Just as the body language of human beings can convey their emotions and thinking, similarly you can know your cat's thinking by observing its body language. Observing your cat is essential to keep it healthy, for giving it meals, and for its toilet habits since it cannot speak and convey to you as to what it wants by words.

When you observe her body language, its ears and tail say a lot. She speaks mostly through these two mediums. If you notice your cat is displaying unusual body language which you are not able to study, it is advisable to take it to a vet for in such cases, the reason is mostly medical.

Upon hearing some unusual sounds, cats' ears stand erect as they are very sensitive to sounds and slight movements around them. You can read the hot temper when your cat is about to fight if it sits with its head lowered, staring down its nose, staring at some other cat or dog. This is an alarming sign and tells you that it is about to attack something. In case if the tail is puffed, it is also a sign of anger and an indication of its attacking mode.

You can know if your cat is happy if it plays with its own tails or some objects around it. Its tail stands erect if it is happy. It will hop here and there; rub her body with yours or other objects. You will notice her happy body language especially some time after the meal. It feels relaxed and satisfied and is in the right playful mood.

Sad mood of your cat can be known if its tail is drooped. It is also a sign of bad health condition and you need to take it to the vet immediately.

The better you become in studying the body language of your cat, the more expert cat owner will you become. You can find some cat body language pictures on the internet or in magazines which can help you to learn a lot on the various signs of the body language of your cat.

Can You Really Get Your Cat to Emotionally Bond With You?

By Lara Lee

Like getting attached to human beings, you can also become emotionally attached to your pets, especially your cat. This is because cats express a lot of love for their owners. They like to rub themselves against and cuddle with their owners, making them feel loved and cared for.

However, you must assess if all these gestures of your cat actually denote emotional expression and if you should reciprocate it. You need to know if the cat is using you for food and shelter or if she really loves you for her own sake. Is it possible that your cat is actually emotionally attached to you and vise versa? Let us look into some factors to know the reality.

Our first encounter with cats is mostly presumed as camp fire since cats love warmth. We love cats for their loveliness; kittens move us the most and win our attention owing to their cuteness. Cats are also very playful and easy to get along with humans instead of running away from them like other animals.

What we need to see is that if cats do this out of their habit without having emotional streak behind it or if the case is other way round. Jeffrey Masson, the writer of the Nine Emotional Lives of Cats, says that cats can risk their lives to be their owner. It is the strength of this bond that makes them return to their owner in all circumstances and not just the want of food and shelter. It proves that cats do possess emotional needs like us.

It is also natural for humans to get attached to people or animals once they get some emotional response from them. When we bring in our cat, it becomes a family member like others. You spend so much time with it and see it all around the house. Some people even treat their kitties like their kids. They feed them when they are taking their meals and also take them out with them for recreation.

With the knowledge that cats do have emotional response will make you love your cat all the more. After all what is the use of getting a pet cat if you do not love it?

Cat Spray - An Appeal to Be Fair to Yourself and Your Cat - How to Stop Cat Spraying Problems

By Katherin Towers

Nothing smells worse than cat spray. Together with cat pee outside the litter box, cat spraying is one of the leading causes of cats being given away, abandoned or put down. Marriages have come under enormous strain, when one spouse puts down their foot to stop the cat's spraying problem or give up the cat. Tenants have been forced by landlords to either move out or get rid of the spraying cat.

This is very sad, because cat spraying problems can be solved or greatly reduced in many cases. First, though, we need to tell the difference between cat spray and cat urine. Spray is actually a bit of urine mixed with pheromones secreted by glands in your cat. The positions your cat takes for spraying is also different from peeing - they stand straight up and lift their bottoms high up in the air to spray instead of squatting to urinate.

Both male and female cats spray. Unneutered males are the most likely to have this problem, neutered female the least likely. Although spraying is considered a problem by people, it is a perfectly natural behavior for cats.

Do be aware that your cat may suddenly start spraying when he is sick. For example, inflammations of the bladder are known to cause cats to spray. If your cat is neutered and he suddenly develops this behavior, you should take him for a check-up at the vet before doing anything else.

On major reason for cats spraying is to attract mates. Female cats in heat spray to advertise that they are ready. Male cats spray to mark their territory - they are saying "Keep out! Females here are mine!". This is one reason why you should always neuter your cats. Unneutered tomcats are very likely to spray. Once he develops this behavior, it is very difficult to stop even after you neuter him. Many vets are willing to neuter your male cat as long as he is at least 6 months old. Some prefer to wait until he is 9 months old while others are willing to do it even earlier. You should also spay female cats when they reach 6 months of age, before their first heat.

When you bring a new pet or new family member home, this can also cause your cat to spray. Whether you explain it as stress and insecurity or territoriality or dominance behavior, it does not really matter. The point is to make kitty feel safe and secure again. Once you successfully make him feel that he is still Numero Uno, he will stop spraying. While your vet can help you to investigate why your cat is spraying, you know kitty best. You are the best person to figure out why he is spraying. Asking your vet to play private investigator can take quite a long time - he will take a step-by-step methodical approach to the problem. Cases have been published in journals for veterinarians where it took years to resolve the problem. If you really love your cat, you are still the best person to make him stop spraying.

Once your cat has sprayed a particular location, he is likely to go back and spray it again. One way to stop this is to thoroughly clean the area he sprayed. Normal soap and water will not do the job. Just because you cannot smell anything does not mean your cat cannot smell anything. The best solution is to use a blacklight (UV lamp) in the dark to find the spots and clean it with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle.

Cat spray is a very smelly problem which has caused many cats to be abandoned by their owners. However, this is a problem which can be solved. If you love your cat, you have an obligation to him and to yourself to stop him from spraying.

Do you have a problem with cats spraying? Visit http://cattraining.kelvinmart.com/ to learn more about cat behavior problems and how to stop cat spray.

Cat Conundrum

By Joseph Devine

Seen as a convenient procedure for many pet owners, declawing cat has drawn controversy from many animal rights activists around the world. Those who are considering this procedure for their own pets should consider the facts and possible repercussions involved with declawing. The purpose of the article is not to condemn or promote this procedure, but simply to inform those who are considering or have thought about having this surgery performed on their pet cat(s).

What declawing is

Declawing is also called onychetomy and it is not a minor procedure. It is a surgical procedure that involves not only removing the cat's claws but also the last bone of each of the ten front toes as well as severing tendons, nerves, and muscles. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and most veterinarians who perform the procedure require to be over three to four months old.

Why people declaw their cats

Some pet owners feel inclined to have their cats undergo the procedure to avoid or prevent damaged furniture. If a cat does not have its claws they are unable to scratch owners, children, and guests. Typically, those who have their cats declawed intend to only keep the cat indoors.

Potential complication associated with declawing

As with any major surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications involved with declawing your cat. These complications could occur after surgery and include:

· Pain

· Biting

· Joint stiffness

· Arthritis

· Litter box problems

· Death

Some alternatives to consider before declawing

Many pet owners may feel that declawing is the only solution available to ease the stress of a scratching cat. However, there are other remedies that are not as invasive as declawing that can help solve behavior and safety issues. Scratching posts are a great addition to your cat's environment. It gives them an outlet for their scratching, instead of destroying your furniture. Many veterinarians offer cat caps, plastic coverings that go over the nails. Cat caps are best suited for passive cats that will be less likely to pick at or rip off the coverings.

For more information on cat declawing procedures, risks, recovery, and other general cat health questions, visit your local Chicago vet clinics at http://www.chicagoveterinarianclinics.com/

Joseph Devine

Cat Memorials - They Are a Nice Way to Honor Your Pet

By Jennifer Akre

It is something that every pet owner has to deal with at some time, the loss of their companion. This can be an extremely difficult time for an owner since losing a pet can be just like losing a member of your family. However, instead of focusing on the loss, you should celebrate your pet's life instead and there are many cat memorials available that will help you nicely do just that.

Yes, that is right, you can purchase cat memorials for your four legged friend and there are actually many lovely options to pick from, making it easy to honor your deceased friend any way that you might want. For instance, maybe you want to bury your pet in a special way in the backyard and are not having him or her cremated. Then, what would be good for you is to purchase a pet casket to burry your furry friend in. It is a nice way to ensure that another animal will not dig him or her up, yes a disturbing thought, but if you do not protect against it, it could happen. And, it will give you peace of mind that your pet's final resting place is a nice one where he or she will also be in peace and will not be bothered in any way.

In addition to pet caskets, there are other pet memorial selections that you can pick from as well. Like, maybe you want to mark where your cat is buried, then you could purchase a gravestone and even have your cat's likeness engraved right on it. Or, if you want something that is a little less extravagant, then you could go with a simple stone that has your pet's name engraved on it. There are also grave markers available crafted from metal too that you simply stick in the ground. If you do not want to bury your pet, there are other options you can purchase to honor your pet. For instance, if you do have your companion cremated, you can get a pet urn to put him or her in. There are many options from those that are plain and simple to others that are very elaborate and decorative.

It may be tough to think about cat memorials and your pet passing away, that is why it is really something you should do before anything happens to your little guy or gal. This way, things will be taken care of and you will not have to agonize and make any rash decisions about what is going on. A great way to be prepared is by doing some online shopping to really see the different options that are available. If you do find something that you like, simply purchase it and in just a short time it will be shipped to you. Then, you can forget about it and put it away until the time does come that you have to do something with it.

In the end, losing a pet is just hard and cat memorials are simply a nice way to honor your deceased companion.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of different niche online stores that offer customers not only products, but information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether you want to redecorate your living room or create the ultimate outdoor environment perfect for entertaining, there is a lot of helpful advice to take advantage of to make it happen. Today, she shares her insight when investing in essential cat supplies and perfect puppy supplies that are necessary to welcome a new fur ball into your home.

Cat Furniture - It is Imperative That You Invest in Some When Adopting a Kitty

By Jennifer Akre

You decided to adopt a new kitty and before you make your way to pick up the little guy, you need to make sure that your house is ready to go for him. You might be thinking, what do you mean ready to go. Well, you need some cat furniture in place in order for him to easily make the transition into your home, otherwise, it might take him awhile to get adjusted and ruin your house in the process.

So, buying the right cat furniture for your new pet is important and here are a few items that you should seriously consider investing in:

Litter box - This is not something you should just consider, this is a must have when it comes to owning a cat. Your cat will need a place to go to the bathroom and if you do not want that place to be your bed or your floor, then purchase one of these.

Kitty Condo - Just like you, your cat needs a comfortable place to unwind which is what this cat furniture selection provides. What is nice is that one will give your furry friend his own safe place to sleep and just a place to go where he can get away from it all if he chooses to. Generally, one will come with open compartments where your cat can crawl into.

Cat Tree Or Kitty Gym - Your new pet is going to have a lot of energy and you want to give him a place where he can get rid of that energy instead of ruining your own furniture. That is where these selections come into play. They offer you companion a nice spot to run, jump, climb, and just play. The trees will typically be in the shape of a tree with limbs while the kitty gym is more like a deluxe version of the tree and will feature perches, platforms, and even tunnels.

Okay, these are the big three when it comes to the cat furniture that you should really consider purchasing. However, there are additional options that you could buy for your kitty as well. Like, if you want him to be able to check out what is going on outside, but from a safe distance, then you could get a window perch for him. Or, if he likes to scratch things, then a scratching post that has sisal rope on it would be the way to go. There are even a slew more options than that and a great way to look into them all is by simply browsing the Internet and all the online retail sites. You can find what you want at pretty reasonable prices to since comparison shopping is so easy, plus, it will be shipped right to you, so you do not have to waste time, gas, or money on going to the store.

Ultimately, if you are bringing a new feline into your home, there are just some cat furniture items that you are going to need to purchase in order to help him get adjusted to his new surrounding

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of different niche online stores like that offer customers not only products, but information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether you want to redecorate your living room or create the ultimate outdoor environment perfect for entertaining, there is a lot of helpful advice to take advantage of to make it happen. Today, she shares her insight when investing in cozy cat furniture and other essential pet supplies that you will need before bringing your little furball home.

Uncover Valuable Information on Urinary Tract Health Cat Food

By Einar Eskeland

Ever wondered how your cat develops urinary tract health problems to begin with? By definition, UTI is a bacterial infection that affects the bladder and urethra of little miss kitty. (Or Mr. Kitty) As this infection spreads throughout the pet's body, it gets progressively worse, as minerals start to clump together in the urethra, which will prevent urine from passing easily or perhaps at all. Why does this condition happen? There's no definitive cause, and the problem has been linked to several probable causes, including old age, lack of water, stress, obesity, genetics, allergies and food. Cat food for urinary tract health may not be sufficient for the cat's urinary health to improve to the level wanted. The cat must usually change its lifestyle to promote easier digestion and release. Since kitty doesn't understand the intricacies of urinary tract diagnosis, it is left up to you to convey the message. The best way to convey that message to kitty (who already knows you're up to something) is to change the cat's diet to urinary tract health cat food instead of commercial food.

Is this really necessary? Yes, especially if you have been feeding your cat dry cat food for a number of years. Food determines the pH of the urine, so you owe it to your cat to buy only the best quality cat food, especially after you get the diagnosis of UTI. When you first take your cat to the veterinarian, if the condition is severe, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment, or recommend some other type of medicine for immediate relief. However, after this initial visit it will be up to you to prevent further flare ups of UTI, and one of the best ways to do this is by buying specially formulated urinary tract health cat food.

Now this does not necessarily mean that all urinary tract health cat food or any type of "special diet food" for cats will be appropriate. In fact, some believe that special dietary cat foods may actually cause certain types of crystal formation, even while they inhibit the formation of other crystals. One thing is for sure-you have to cut out the dry, generic quality cat food you buy from the grocery store. This type of cat food is so unhealthy, that some experts are actually blaming the cat food for starting urinary tract infection in the first place. Some sources state that because generic quality cat food is high in carbohydrates, low in water and contains nutrients that a cat cannot comfortably digest, this type of food does far more damage than it does good. Since your cat is attempting to recover from UTI, you need to eliminate this threat-not only until full recovery but also for the rest of its life. It's a small price to pay for significantly extending the years of your furry friend.

Beyond Urinary Tract Health Cat Food

Obviously, you're not going to only feed antibiotics or homeopathic formulas to your cat for the rest of its life. Cats want to eat what they enjoy, and they enjoy cat food. What type of diet should you be looking for? Besides accepting the vet-recommended urinary tract health cat food after your first pet hospital visit, try buying canned food. Canned food has more water in it, and your cat will require a far larger water intake in the coming months. As far as planning healthier foods, know that your cat will require plenty of protein. Since cats are carnivorous creatures, they need a steady supply of protein, not to mention some essential nutrients that can only come from meat. They also should have a low carb diet during this difficult time, which means the less dry cat food you given them the better.

In conclusion, remember that your cat is recovering from a major illness and needs some time to heal. Make sure you make this healing time as comfortable as possible with cat food for urinary tract health. Urinary tract health cat food is part of your cat's treatment for recovery and prevention.

To read more, go to http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

My name is Einar Eskeland. I am a Norwegian medical doctor, and a yoga and meditation enthusiast since youth. I promote several high quality sources of knowledge and products for self improvement, health, evolution and growth as a part of my practice as a doctor, and as a help for my patients in their struggle to regain health and balance.

http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

The Truth About Cat Urinary Health

By Einar Eskeland

Have you ever wondered how to better care for cat urinary health? Some cat owners have been shocked to find out that after taking their cat to the vet and administering antibiotics as directed, symptoms of cat urinary tract blockage or other related conditions have reappeared. Why does this happen? Nobody really knows why cat urinary tract blockage occurs beyond the scientific level-namely, a mineral build up in the urethra, which prevents urinary function, thus causing urinary stones, infection and inflammation. There are many factors that can put a cat into a high-risk category, such as old age, bad diet, lack of water, obesity and stress. A cat owner may think that once antibiotic treatment is administered, that the condition would go away for a long period of time. However, the opposite is true: unless you really stay on top of your cat's health following recovery, then it's almost certain that the symptoms will come back.

One of the most important aspects your veterinarian will stress to you is that of dieting and cat urinary health. If you're like many cat owners, you have probably bought cheap commercial cat food for most of your cat's life. This is a mistake, though you can't be blamed for it, since most of these companies market their products as "healthy" dieting food. However, practically all veterinarians and dieting experts state that it's best to replace cheap dry cat food with a special dietary brand of cat food, formulated specifically for cat urinary health. Why is it best to avoid dry cat food? Because this food consists mainly of carbohydrates, something that your cat doesn't need. In fact, starch is like the "glue" of common cat food, what holds all the clumps of junk together.

Wait a minute, what about cat food manufacturers that claim they are putting healthy nutrients and vitamins in their food? While this may be true, many veterinary authorities question whether or not cats are biologically capable of processing many of these nutrients. Cats are carnivorous creatures and require diets that are high in protein and rich with animal-derivative substances like taurine and arginine. Additionally, you really have to research the manufacturer of cat food to make sure that their production process is healthy. For example, you also have to consider how they harvest their meat products.

More Issues of Concern in Cat Urinary Tract Blockage

One of the most important factors in accommodating cat urinary health is providing plenty of water. Cats that suffer from UTI, are recovering from UTI or who have kidney problems will appear to be far more thirsty than usual. This is unusual for cats, which have historically gotten most of their water from the prey they hunt. Therefore, if a cat is actually showing signs of thirst then you know it isn't getting enough water. What are some ways in which pet owners have increased the water intake of their feline friends? Some have bought bubbling water fountains that seem to naturally pique the interest of cats. Others have left more than one water dish around the house so that wherever kitty goes fresh water is never too far away. Other owners shrewdly combine chicken or beef broth into a cup or two of water knowing that the cat needs water but will still enjoy the taste of meat.

It will also help to supply your cat with herbal remedies for urinary tract health, such as uva ursi, berberis and cantharis. These homeopathic cures work like antibiotics but do not have the same level of potency or chemical manipulation. These herbal products can help to keep the cat's bladder clean and infection-free, and even free from urinary stones.

In conclusion, eat healthy and drink plenty of water-that advice can easily apply to you and your cat! If you want to learn more about cat urinary health then visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

My name is Einar Eskeland. I am a norwegian medical doctor, and a yoga and meditation enthusiast since youth. I promote several high quality sources of knowledge and products for self improvement, health, evolution and growth as a part of my practice as a doctor, and as a help for my patients in their struggle to regain health and balance. http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

How to Buy Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health

By Einar Eskeland

Just imagine if you were a cat (you know, the cool Garfield or Heathcliff type) and were suffering from a urinary tract infection or some other related problem. This is a bacterial infection that affects the bladder and urethra, which can prevent urine from passing. Now if you have ever had to hold it in, you can only imagine how painful this experience is. In fact, you may have suffered a urinary tract infection yourself and know first hand the symptoms your cat feels. However, when you get sick with UTI you can always go to the doctor and immediately get special treatment. Your cat has a bit of a communication barrier and is reliant on you to know how to respond to UTI. You can take the cat to the vet, but the vet will be communicating instructions to you. Your cat's health depends on how well you can follow instructions and "sense what the cat feels." One part of caring for your cat's condition will be in choosing urinary tract health cat food. Cat food for urinary tract health is a specially formulated diet that helps improve health.

Different schools of thought have been reported in cat dieting, particularly as relates to urinary tract health. At one time, prominent veterinarians believed that it was best to avoid diets that were high magnesium or ash. However, this view gradually diminished over the years and now most veterinarians are more concerned on controlling the pH of urine. There is some disagreement as regards what is the best cat food for urinary tract health specifically. Some believe that highly specialized diets (such as the kind that prevents the formation of certain kinds of crystal) can actually backfire, so they recommend buying more commercial food. However, other experts disagree and state that there is no dry cat food worth buying, especially if your cat has severe symptoms. In fact, experts state that cheap dry cat food is actually causing chronic disease in cats.

Without getting into highly technical analysis and theory here, suffice it to say, many cat food manufacturers misrepresent the quality of their product. They state that their food is healthy for cats when in actuality it is mostly made of carbohydrates and nutrients that the cat cannot properly absorb. This is because, as some theorize, cats are carnivorous species and require certain nutrients that can only be found in animal tissue. Additionally, the carbohydrates found in commercial cat food is to give structural integrity, as in some type of edible cement, to keep the dry food from crumbling into even smaller bits. The point these experts make is clear: dry food is unhealthy for cats because of its very nature-it is dry and lacks water, which is what the cat needs to improve urinary tract health.

More Tips in Cat Food for Urinary Tract Health

If you are looking for a cat food for urinary tract health diet, it is best to avoid fish-flavored foods, which may increase the risk of crystal formation. Instead of relying entirely on dry food to nourish the cat, it is best that you supplement the animal's diet with a small amount of canned food every day. The ideal goal is to get the cat on a mostly canned food diet, since this provides nutrients, proteins and water. You also have to provide the cat with additional water, fresh and clean water. Some pet owners have remarked that feeding a cat table scraps can wreak havoc on the critter's little system.

If you want to provide the best treatment for cats with urinary tract infection then consider herbal supplements like UTI-Free. These are not prescription strength products and are much safer than using stronger, chemical-based medicines for treatment. Herbal pet supplements are over-the-counter products and can drastically improve urinary tract health. Cat food diet is only part of the problem that needs to be addressed.

For more information on urinary tract health cat food visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

Discovering Cat Urinary Tract Blockage

By Einar Eskeland

Let's face it, cat urinary tract blockage is not a pleasant experience-not for you, and certainly not for your cat! Everybody creature on earth is happier and healthier when it is regular. Essentially, when you have to deal with cat urinary tract blockage that means that your cat is suffering a blockage in the urethra, which is preventing normal urinary function. When a cat cannot urinate, there are far more serious issues than just an unpleasant sting. A cat's bladder is like a storage tank for unhealthy wastes that are cleared out of the body by the kidneys. When the membranous sac becomes full of waste, it will be passed out of the body through the urethra. As a matter of fact, this is the cat's only means of eliminating waste, toxins and other unhealthy substances. You can imagine then, the problems that can occur when cat urinary health has been compromised by blockage.

After cat urinary tract blockage begins, infection follows as well as inflammation. Prolonged infection and blockage can lead to death. However, this is not to say that problems with cat urinary health mean a death sentence. Some felines, if they are properly cared for after diagnosis, can still live for years on end. However, you should seek treatment for cat urinary tract blockage as soon as possible. Do not delay taking the cat to the veterinarian if you notice some alarming symptoms. Many cats of middle age, especially after a lifetime of consuming cheap dry cat food, will have cat urinary health problems.

How will the process go after diagnosis? Depending on the severity of the cat's condition, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, usually in the form of liquid drops. However, this is only for immediate treatment, and to reduce the infection. The most important step of treatment is still to come, and you must ensure that it is done. You must change the diet and lifestyle of the cat so as to encourage normal bodily function. The first directive will be to eliminate cheap dry cat food, which is very high in carbohydrates and actually contains "healthy" ingredients that a cat cannot easily digest and absorb. Most experts agree that as much wet food as a cat will eat, the better, since it contains higher protein levels and more water.

Water is especially important in treating cat urinary tract blockage, because the more water the cat has going through its system, the more efficiently its kidneys and bladder will function. When shopping for general cat food, make sure that it is high in protein, including some form of meat as the primary ingredient. Cats are not vegetarian, at least not the healthy ones, and they require high protein diets as well as specific ingredients that can only be found from meat sources. Your veterinarian may also recommend a diet that has been specially formulated to address cat urinary tract blockage or kidney problems.

Other Tips in Treating Cat Urinary Tract Blockage

Besides cat food, it might help to include berries into the cat's diet, since these fruits help the bladder to flow and actually have infection-battling properties. The more water you give your cat the better, so if you can get your cat to drink more water by putting chicken or beef broth into a cup of water, then that's worth a try. Rice and vegetables are also good for cats who are recovering from UTI. Additionally, look for products with Magnesium and a DL-Methionine amino acid, which helps to prevent crystal formation.

On the other hand, avoid giving the cat any by-products that could compromise its health like soybean meal, corn gluten meal, soy or wheat flour. Your cat may recover to near full strength if dieting is carefully observed.

To help your cat by getting to know more, please visit this web site: http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

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Friday, October 24, 2008