House Cats - Eight Tips For Keeping Indoor Cats Happy

By Liz Allan

The number of house cats is increasing. More and more cat owners are deciding that it's no longer safe for their cat to go outside unsupervised; cars, other animals, poisons and malicious people are just some of the reasons.

Indoor cats can lead very happy lives, but they do need to be entertained more than outdoor cats. If house cats aren't stimulated enough, they'll get bored and may become stressed or exhibit cat behavior problems such as scratching the furniture and ignoring their litter box.

Here are 8 tips for keeping your house cat happy and entertained:

1. Make sure he has plenty of cat toys. He should have toys in every room. To add interest, split his toys into two or three batches and rotate them every few days.

2. Get him some good cat furniture. A scratching post is a must. Two or three in different areas of the house is even better. If you can afford it, cat trees and cat condos are great for entertaining house cats. If you're on a tight budget, you can make a cat condo using boxes, carpet, logs etc.

3. Use catnip. If your cat likes catnip, sprinkle it around his scratching post, bed and other favorite areas.

4. Provide seats for your cat near windows. Cats love to watch what's going on outside, and to sit in the sun. Window views at garden or street level are likely to provide more entertainment than those at higher levels in the house.

5. Grow some cat grass in a pot. This is a good substitute for eating grass outside.

6. Get a DVD specifically made for cats. Yes they do exist! Some cats love them and some aren't interested, but they're relatively cheap so it's worth a try.

7. Use a computer screensaver with swimming tropical fish. Some cats love this - it's like ultimate cat TV.

8. Teach your cat to walk on a leash. This does take some time and patience, but if you can do it you can then take your house cats outdoors in total safety.

Liz Allan has over 20 years experience of caring for cats. For more information on cat care and behavior and kitten care, visit her website: http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com For even more information and advice on cats, you can also sign up for sign up for her FREE for the Cat Behavior Explained Ezine, Kitty Chat.

How to Detect a Cat Urinary Tract Blockage

By Laura Ramirez

A cat urinary tract blockage forms when urine crystals and mucous plug the urethra, restricting or preventing bladder flow. Since male cats have a urethra that is not as wide as those of female cats, males are much more prone to this condition. In this article, you will learn how to detect a blockage and what to do if your suspect that this is what your cat is suffering from.

How to Detect a Blockage

The key is to look for changes in your cat's behavior which is the only way your kitty can tell you that something is wrong. Here are some of the symptoms you might notice:

• Increased number of trips to the litter box with little actual urination
  
• Signs of straining when urinating.
  
• Painful urination.
  
• Increasing lethargy.

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately. Since the bladder cannot release stored toxins, there is a chance that it might rupture. If your cat is unusually lethargic, this can indicate that your pet is dehydrated and suffering from a loss of electrolytes.

What the Vet Will Do

Your vet will perform blood and urine tests to diagnose the problem. If your cat has a full bladder, it will be emptied. Your vet may need to do an ultrasound to check for bladder stones, put your cat on an intravenous feeding tube and administer antibiotics.

How to Promote Cat Urinary Health

Once your pet has had a blockage, there is a greater chance of recurrence. Since you have witnessed the suffering and pain of a cat urinary tract blockage, as a loving pet owner, no doubt you'll do everything in your power to prevent this from happening again.

Your vet may recommend special cat food designed to produce acidic urine to prevent the formation of crystals. Since overweight cats are more prone to blockages, your cat may also need to lose weight.

To ensure that your pet never has a cat urinary tract blockage again, focus on prevention. I recommend this course of action whether your cat has had bladder problems or not.

There is a supplement designed specifically to support cat urinary health that has ingredients that work like natural antibiotics to promote healthy urine flow, keep the bladder free of infection and soothe tissues by maintaining the proper pH. Best of all this supplement comes in granular form, so all you need to do is sprinkle some granules daily into your cat's mouth. The granules dissolve upon contact with the saliva.

Before giving your pet a natural remedy, make sure to do your research to ensure it has the highest quality ingredients and has been proven safe and effective.

Copyright 2008 by www.pet-ut-health.com

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

Cat Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms - Is Your Cat at Risk For a Life-Threatening UTI?

By Laura Ramirez

Make no mistake about it, cat urinary tract infection symptoms are serious and should not be ignored. In this article, you will learn how to determine if your beloved feline is suffering, what to do about it and how to prevent an infection from recurring in the future.

Cat Urinary Symptoms

The only way your cat can let you know it's suffering is to get your attention through its behavior. This is why it is important to know your cat and its habits. Look for these warning signs:

• Excessive licking of the genitals
  
• Urinating outside the litter box (the cat associates the litter box with painful urination)
  
• Excessive thirst

If your cat shows any of the cat urinary tract infection symptoms listed above, take her to the vet. This is essential because, left unchecked, a UTI can be deadly. Your vet will be able to determine conclusively if your pet has an infection and which stage it is in. Be aware that unless you go to a homeopathic vet, your cat will probably be prescribed antibiotics. This is a problem because cats are highly sensitive and can experience side effects.

Since many vets are unaware that natural alternatives are just as effective as antibiotics, I suggest you go to the vet armed with research and a bottle of the natural remedy you intend to use. Since most of the remedies can be used as cures as well as prevention, you won't be wasting your money if your cat doesn't have an infection because you can still use it as part of your cat's routine care.

The best natural remedies come in granular form, so they are easy to administer. All you have to do is sprinkle some granules into your cat's mouth. They dissolve instantly upon contact with the saliva.

Use a remedy regularly and you'll never have to worry again cat urinary tract infection symptoms. The best supplements support bladder flow and organ health. The ingredients work daily to keep the bladder infection-free. Of course before giving your cat a natural remedy, make sure to do your research.

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

Cat Teeth Cleaning

By Karen Mckee

Did you know that you can clean your cat's teeth? You can take them to the vet (once a year or so but this can be expensive), or you can do it yourself. This can be tricky. First you have to wrap your cat in a towel.

First attempt to open your cat's mouth. Take some water from a can of tuna and rub your cats teeth and gums. This sounds weird, but it is to get your cat used to the sensation of "brushing". Try this on a regular basis so your cat gets comfortable with it.

The next step is to purchase some edible toothpaste from your local vet or pet store. Switch from the tuna water to the toothpaste and continue the rubbing of the teeth and gums. I strongly suggest buying a child size toothbrush and give it to your cat to play with for a couple of days, this way she gets used to it and it won't come as such a surprise when you actually start brushing their teeth.

Next, just put the toothpaste on the brush and rub or brush the teeth like you would a small child's. Make sure your cat is still wrapped in the towel so neither of you gets hurt. If you do this on a regular basis your cat will eventually get used to it and save you well over $200.00 a year having a vet do it. The younger you start with your cat the less likely you'll be to have problems.

Having said that you can also start with an older cat. It just make take a few more sessions that's all. If you are uncomfortable trying this on your own, the next time you take your cat to the vet, you can ask them about it.

Karen McKee-proud pet owner of Misty

Taking a Closer Look at Feline Obesity

By CS Swarens

While your cat may seem cute and cuddly with a few extra pounds, feline obesity is a serious health issue that needs to be addressed rather than ignored. If you do not take steps to help your kitty shed those extra pounds, he or she can develop a number of potentially serious health issues that could lead to pain, costly medical procedures and even death. Therefore, it is important to help your cat suffering from obesity so that it may live a long and healthy life.

What is Feline Obesity?

Feline obesity is defined as simply having too much body fat. Sadly, it is the most common nutritional problem for cats in the United States. Some researchers suggest that as much as 25% of the US feline population suffers from obesity.

There are many possible causes of feline obesity, though the more obvious causes include getting too little exercise and eating too much. Put simply, if your kitty is eating more calories than it is burning through activity, those calories will be stored as fat. In addition, it is rather easy for a cat to put on extra pounds because just a 1% increase in caloric intake can cause a cat to experience a 25% increase in its weight over time.

Treating Feline Obesity

It is important to consult with your veterinarian if your cat is obese. Your veterinarian or pet health consultant will run tests in order to determine whether or not there are any underlying problems (other than diet and exercise) causing the weight issue. The methods for treating feline obesity will vary depending upon the cause of the problem.

If your cat is obese because it is eating too much the treatment will most likely be straight-forward. You may be able to treat the problem by restricting food or by feeding your cat a low-calorie cat food formula. You should also avoid feeding treats to your cat. You may need to make some adjustments to your feeding plan until you find the one that seems to work the best for your cat. Just keep in mind that most cats need to follow a special diet for eight to twelve months before they achieve their ideal weight. Once your cat takes off the pounds, you might want to consider continuing with the special diet in order to help your cat maintain its new weight.

If your cat has access to food 24 hours a day and eats constantly you will need to change to a more regimented and measured feeding program. Some kitties can have access to dry cat food 24 hours a day and merely snack when hungry throughout the day. But since your cat is obese this feeding regime just won't work.

If your veterinarian has determined that your cat suffers from diabetes mellitus, you will need to be more careful about dietary changes. In addition, you will need to monitor your cat's insulin dose as well as its effectiveness. If your cat continues to experience odd changes in weight, it likely needs to have its insulin dosages modified. The good news is that often times as your cat loses weight it will most likely require less insulin.

It is also possible that a thyroid issue has led to your cat's weight gain. Often, this can be treated by taking special medications that help regulate the thyroid. Still, you will need to work closely with your veterinarian in order to make certain your cat's weight is reduced in a healthy way while still monitoring the thyroid issue.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's resource for cats for sale. Research cat information.

Does Your Cat Prefer a Particular Surface For Toileting Needs?

By Connie Limon

Cats sometimes find another surface in the house it prefers over the litter provided in the litter box. The initial cause behind the house soiling may even be something else before the cat decides to use a different spot other than the litter box. Most commonly preferred surfaces are:

• Some type of fabric

• Carpeting is the most preferred

Preferences can also develop by accident such as when a cat scratches at a bathmat hanging next to the litter box, then develops an association between elimination and the bathmat.

It is also not uncommon for cats to have a primary preference for one type of surface over another. Studies show that cats prefer soft, fine-grained litters. In view of these findings, the best litters are the sandy, scoop able litters. Substitutes can be play box sand, newspaper, wood shavings and pellets. The most preferred litter are the traditional clay type and least liked are those made from nontraditional materials like newspapers, wood shavings and pellets.

There are cats that prefer a smooth surface, such as a bare floor, in the sink or even in your bath tub. This type of cat may respond favorably to an empty litter box or one with minimal litter in it. When you see the cat return to the litter box, more litter can be added gradually. I never keep the recommended amount of litter in my litter boxes, and the cats do not seem to want any more than just a covering throughout the bottom of the box. I scoop out daily and add new litter.

Carpeting is almost impossible to clean when used as a cat elimination area. The urine usually soaks into the carpet, the underlay and the flooring underneath. Lightly soiled areas can be somewhat effectively cleaned with an odor eliminator especially made for pet urine. A professional carpet cleaning is recommended.

In some cases, the carpet may need to be removed and replaced or the area re-floored in another type of material.

If your cat has grown use to using the carpet and you need to re-floor the area, it might be necessary to place a small scrap piece of carpet in the litter box to get the cat back to using the box. Another idea might be to build a small carpeted platform surrounding the litter box so the cat can perch on the platform. You might also find it helpful to block access to areas previously soiled. For example:

• Keep the bedroom door closed

• Cover the soil in plant pots with fitted wire mesh or add lots of pebbles

• Move a large object or piece of furniture over a soiled area

The idea is to make the area "undesirable." Cover areas with tinfoil (do not use plastic) or place a citrus-scented room freshener nearby.

Some cats may get up on the countertops and urinate on objects there. You can place a strip of double-sided sticky tape on the edge of the counter so the cat's feet will touch it when it lands there (most cats do not like the sticky feeling). A motion detector that emits a noise when the cat disturbs the area may also be helpful. Just be sure it is in an area where you want the cat to learn to avoid totally.

How do you keep a cat from making the bathtub and sinks their toilet area?

• Try leaving one inch of water in these spots.

Ideas for other areas include:

• Invisible fencing system designed for indoor use

• Purchasing harmless static electricity mats

Keep in mind that all tactics used are to get the cat back to using the litter box and that if you train the cat not to use one area, it may still go in another chosen wrong place.

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 Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

Buying a Sisal Cat Scratching Post? - 3 Things to Look For

By Amy Yang

Are you in the market for a sisal cat scratching post? Which one is best for you? How do you pick a good sisal cat scratching post that will last? Here are three important things to look for when shopping for a good sisal cat scratching post.

Sturdiness

A very important factor for a good sisal cat scratching post is its sturdiness. You do not want your cat to feel that the post is not stable enough for him to stretch and really scratch on. Make sure the bottom base is wide enough and heavy enough to support the post and the weight of your cat clinging to the post. Cats love to climb and cling on posts like they do outside with trees.

Material

As a cat owner, then you know that cats are picky; about their food, about the way they are stroked, and, of course, about the material that their scratching post is made out of. Most cats love sisal material because of the way it feels and sounds when they scratch it. And sisal material is strong enough for the cat to cling to. That is why I recommend a good sisal cat scratching post. And another great thing about sisal is that it is clean. It will not leave shreds all over the floor and it will stay looking good for a long time.

Height

You want a sisal cat scratching post that is tall enough for the length of your cat fully stretched out. Ideally, the height should be taller than our cat fully stretched out to offer you cat a bit of climbing space. And if the post comes with a perch for the cat to sit on top, even better. This gives your cat a higher vantage point from which he can survey his surroundings. That is something else that cats love to do. Sit and watch the world go buy under them!

These are three guidelines for picking out a good sisal cat scratching post that most cats will love. Of course, the ultimate test is a test by your own cat. As we know, every cat is an individual and there is no convincing them otherwise!

The author's cat, Mickey, has a review of the ultimate sisal cat scratching post and you can read that at the following link: http://www.squidoo.com/sisalcatscratchingpost The author, Amy Yang, also has a blog of the best cat products that she has come across. You can read about the products by vising this site: http://bestcatcareproducts.blogspot.com/