Selecting a Cat Cage to Fit Your Needs

By D. Goossens

Like most people who own cats, or to be more correct are OWNED by the cats in the household, we want them to be as safe as possible. Many areas are putting restrictions on cats being allowed to run free about the neighborhood and for good reason. Like any pet allowed to roam without restriction, they can be hurt by traffic, attacked by other animals or just generally get into mischief that can be a real problem and can cause some major expense with your Veterinarian. If your community has a local posting board or newspaper, look and see how many missing or lost pets are posted every day and you will quickly realize how heartbreaking, but preventable this can be.

Cats do like to be outside when possible and should be able to enjoy that freedom just like we humans do. A great way to allow this freedom is using a large cat cage. When people think of a cage, they picture in their mind a small enclosure with the cat pacing back and forth waiting on when it's time to be released from their prison, but it does not have to be this way. Large cat cages allow the cat to play in a protected area without the worry of harm from other animals and these cages keep your pet in a controlled area. Some of these cages have shelves, toys, playgrounds, chairs, items that you would have in your home available for your feline friend while in the cage.

When shopping for a cat cage, I suggest the bigger the better. This gives your pet plenty of room to move around in the cage so they do not feel confined. Pay attention to the quality of the metal used in the cage and the size of the openings in the metal. If the openings are too large, the cat may be able to get it's head through and become trapped. Examine the door opening and the security of the door latch.

Consider a modular cat cage system. These systems use panels which can be added or subtracted to, making the cage very versatile. Remove a few panels and you can move the cage indoors when you are away from home to keep your pet in the area you want. Take the cage outside and add a few more panels and you can create a large playground and not worry about where your pet is. A good quality cat cage must be able to do 2 things, keep your pet in the area you want them to be and protect them from other roaming animals. I have seen fabric cat enclosures which may work well indoors, but I would never consider them for use outdoors as they offer no protection from a wandering neighborhood dog.

I suggest people to visit Cats-on-line which has a great selection of quality cat cages and cat products. These people know pets and can help you find the right cage to suit your needs.

Dealing With Feline Aggression

By CS Swarens

Cats have a long-lasting attitude for being a little on the snobby side and for being a bit finicky. While this type of behavior may be somewhat normal in many cats, showing signs of aggression is not a behavior that should be tolerated from your cat. Nonetheless, this is the second most common behavioral issue faced by cat owners today. So, if your cat is showing signs of aggression, it is important for you to take steps to put an end to the behavior so you and everyone else in the house can get along nicely.

Reasons for Aggression

There are many reasons for feline aggression, though most aggression is caused by one of four main reasons:

• Dominance

• Fear

• Territory

• Redirection

Understanding the cause of the aggression is the first step toward putting an end to this undesirable behavior. It is also important to remember that some signs of aggression are related to your cat's natural instincts, such as the desire to be left alone and to protect its property.

In nature, cats are solitary animals who hunt alone. Therefore, if food is not plentiful in your household, your cats may show signs of aggression toward one another. But, it is important to note that even those cats that are fed well may exhibit territorial aggression, this is particularly true of those that are kept outdoors.

Cats may also exhibit aggression if they have to live together within a small area, such as if they are contained to a single room. In many cases, cats living in the same household will divide the house up among themselves. For example, one cat may seem to favor a particular windowsill while another may have a spot that it frequently uses on the couch. This is there way of setting up territorial boundaries in order to live together in a more harmonious manner.

Putting an End to Feline Aggression

Sometimes, cats that once got along with each other will suddenly begin exhibiting aggressive behavior. This usually happens when one cat has been away, such as when one has spent time at the veterinarian, and the cats do not recognize each other. Therefore, it is best to slowly reintroduce the cats to one another so the relationship is not irreparably damaged due to lack of recognition.

If you have cats that have simply never gotten along with each other, there are several steps you can take in order to put an end to the behavior. These include:

• Keeping your cats' nails trimmed

• Neutering all of the cats in the household

• Putting bells on your cats so they are easier to locate and so each cat can hear the other one coming

• Rub your cats each day with a towel that has been rubbed on the other cats in the household so they can become familiar with each other's scent

• Setting time aside each day to spend with each of your cats

If these methods don't work, you may have to physically separate your cats within your home. By slowly reintroducing them to each other, you may be able to finally achieve the level of harmony you want in your home.

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 pets for sale. Research cat information.

Cats Hair Problems and the Importance of Good Grooming

By Charlene Rennings

Looking at your pet cat, have you ever wondered how they get to have so much hair? The answer is because their follicles are unique - each one can accommodate two to three strands of hair instead of one, compared to humans. The density of the hair makes for a nice coat of fur for these lovely pets. But what happens when we encounter cat hair problems with our beloved pet?

Hair loss in cats is normal at some point. Shedding of hair is necessary to make way for new strands. This usually happens during grooming when the cat licks his fur off to keep it clean by his standards. Losing hair is natural because of the rough tongue surface. For the cats with longer hair, regular grooming is necessary so that their hair won't get entangled. They are also more prone to hair loss.

On a more serious note, excessive hair loss could be worst. Take the cat to the vet for an examination in order to detect the problem early. The vet may be able to diagnose a few problems like ringworms and other such parasites, hormonal imbalances, skin diseases, and other diseases, which could be related to circulation.

To help avoid any of the cause of cat hair problems, it will be best to comb the cat's hair regularly to get rid of the dirt, dust, and skin flakes that reside on the skin surface. This will keep the cat's coat tangle-free and the will help promote better circulation in the skin for healthier hair growth.

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

Cats Digestive Problems - The Common Causes

By Charlene Rennings

Like humans, our little friends at home - our beloved pets, go through occasional digestive problems too. If you're curious about what the usual causes of cat digestive problems are, this article can help out.

There are quite a few causes of digestive problems in cats. These include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hair balls, intestinal obstructions, pancreatitis, parasites, and parvovirus.

* Exocrine insufficiency

The pancreas is a small organ that is vital for humans and animals to survive. This organ supplies insulin for sugar absorption and secretes enzymes that aide digestion. When there is insufficient supply of these digestive enzymes, food will be absorbed without going through the proper process. This will result to weight loss, soft or poorly formed stools, and constant hunger. Failure to treat it could lead to worst conditions.

* Hair ball problem

Due to regular grooming rituals, cats always swallow a lot of their own hair. Since hair strands do not really get digested well, they get accumulated in the stomach until they get excreted back up again through the mouth when the cat throws up. The hair ball that does not get thrown up is the problem because it could block the intestines and eventually require surgery. Cats can cough them out naturally but if they show signs of struggle, better go to the vet fast.

* Obstructions in the intestines

Since dogs and cats are not really wise eaters, some indigestible stuffs end up in their stomachs. Gloves, small toys, corncobs, thread or strings, and a lot more wouldn't really get past their digestive tracts, which are relatively smaller in size than their mouths. You'll know when there's a problem when your cat tries to throw up but there's nothing coming out.

* Pancreatitis

The digestive enzymes get spilled into the pancreas and they digest the tissues like they're digesting food.

* Parasites

Hookworms, tapeworms, giardia, and other such parasites live in the digestive tracts. When the number gets out of hand, cats will begin to lose weight, have bloody stools, show fatigue, or become very weak.

These are some of the things to watch out for if you want to make sure you avoid having cat digestive problems.

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

Cat Diabetes - When Too Much Sweetness Can Kill

By Charlene Rennings

Cat Diabetes occurs when the hormone insulin in cats fails to balance the levels of glucose or blood sugar in the body.

Glucose is the byproduct of foods which flows into the blood stream right after digestion. In normal body setup, insulin is secreted which converts glucose into energy to be used for body activities. In Type 1 diabetes, there is not enough insulin in the body to perform this important glucose conversion. The total failure of the cells to respond at all in the presence of insulin falls in the Type 2 category of diabetes.

A basic sign for cat diabetes would be frequent urination or polyuria. Excessive levels of blood sugar will be passed into the urine, with the kidney reacting by flushing them out through urination. In parallel with polyuria is polydipsia, the cat will feel excessive thirst. Having diabetes under control will similarly regulate this two conditions. Other major symptoms of feline diabetes are weakness of the rear legs, weight loss inspite increased appetite and lethargy.

Older, obese cats and those of the male gender are the group most affected by cat diabetes. Although there is no specific cause to be pinpointed, possible contributing factors can be hormonal imbalance, pancreatic disease, obesity and genetics.

Diabetes in cats can be determined though urine and blood evaluation. A good news for this kind of disorder is that it is treatable. With dedication and good collaboration with an expert veterinarian, your cat will certainly be a warm companion for a long period of time.

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

7 Ways to Know If Your Cat is Suffering From Urinary Tract Infection

By Ann Matthews

It's unbelievable how clueless some people are when it comes to treating lower urinary tract disease in cats. Mainstream veterinarians are quick to prescribe antibiotics and other strong drugs that suppress symptoms but don't get to the root of the problem. It's about time that people learn how to maintain cat urinary tract health at home through safe, natural methods in order to prevent urinary tract inflammation in cats. Waiting until the last minute to take your cat to the vet can have serious consequences since urinary tract infections can be deadly if they travel up to the kidneys. Here are 7 ways to spot a urinary tract infection in your cat so you can get rid of the infection before it's too late.

1. Is your cat urinating more or less than usual? This can be one of the first signs of urinary tract infection in cats so it's helpful to observe your cat's behavior closely.

2. If your cat has stopped urinating altogether, it is a serious problem in cat urinary tract health. A bladder stone aka urolith can block the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine so it's important to take your cat to the vet for diagnosis if you notice that your cat is not urinating.

3. If there is blood in his urine, your cat is most likely suffering from a urinary tract infection. To check if there are traces of blood in your cat's urine, try to get your cat to pee on a light-colored surface so you can see better.

4. Is your cat drinking more fluid than usual? Thirst due to dehydration can be one of the symptoms of urinary tract infection in cats and for that reason it's important to make sure that you provide your cat with plenty of fresh, clean water to drink.

5. Has your cat lost his joy in eating? Is he acting lethargic? Such changes in behavior are sometimes associated with problems with cat urinary tract health, especially when seen in combination with the other symptoms listed.

6. Licking and grooming of the genitals more frequently and crying while doing so are very likely signs of urinary tract infection in cats.

7. An almost certain sign of problems with cat urinary tract health is when your cat urinates outside of his litter box. Cats do this when it is painful to urinate. They associate the painful urination with the litter box and try to avoid it.

Now that you are armed with this information, you will be more capable of spotting and treating urinary tract infection in cats. It is important to keep in mind however that in order to achieve permanent health and healing, you must implement dietary changes that address any deficiency of vitamins or minerals as well as administer a homeopathic remedy on a regular basis.

Just treating the infection when symptoms start to show is not going to help you get to the root of the problem and prevent recurrent infections. As with treating any diseases, drug treatment may be a quick fix but if you want long-term results, holistic treatment is the most beneficial.

If you want to make sure you are giving your pets the best health care available, please take time to read more about the many natural alternatives at my site: http://www.natural-pet-treatment.com BIO: Ann Matthews is a long time pet health enthusiast with Pet Alive who has a real passion for the well-being of all pets

Looking For the Right Flea Treatment For Your Cat

By Damian M Murphy

What do cats and dogs have in common? Aside from four legs, tail, paws, and being outright adorable cats and dogs may be infested with fleas.

Dogs are not the only ones affected by fleas. Your feline sweetie may also have flea problems. Cats who love to roam around your back yard or your neighborhood is prone to flea infestation. Their activities may expose them to environments and other pets which have fleas. When they have them, you will see them scratching. Far worse, fleas may be a serious threat to their health.

What can you do to Help Your Cat

I know it pains you seeing your purr ball so uncomfortable, scratching itself all day. No need to worry since you have a lot of options you can explore:

If you have been using a certain brand of flea control for quite sometime and think it is not effective then by all means change it. Ask your vet or other cat lovers for recommendations.

It may also be helpful to have the veterinarian dip your cat in a very effective flea treatment solution. This treatment may help your pet to be free of fleas for several months.

Remember that these flea treatments are only temporary. It will be best if you incorporate it with other preventive measures like the following:

• House Check- Check the spots where fleas and other pests may cling into. Have carpets and mats cleaned the first time you see signs of these parasites. You also have to be very conscious of cracks which can serve as breeding spaces for the fleas

• Vacuum Regularly- This will suck the fleas out of your home environment. Maker sure that you clean up the dark and warm corners of your home where fleas can tribe. Run the vacuum over carpets, mats, chairs, sofas, and other places where fleas can cling to.

• Flea Collar- Ask your vet for an effective flea collar that your cat can wear. Aside from making your cat prettier, this will also prevent flea outbreaks which may endanger your pet and your family.

• Flea Treatment Products- You can find a lot of these in the supermarket. There are sprays, flea bombs, or concentrates to get rid of fleas. Read the labels carefully and make sure that it will be safe for your family and your pet.

The best tool for flea control is knowledge. Read on and be aware of how fleas propagate, what harm they can do to your pets and family, and how you can best eliminate them. There are a lot of free articles and online resources where you can find the best flea treatments. Most of the time, knowing your enemy is the best way to conquer them.

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