Cat - Why You Should Be Concerned With Dental Care For Cats

Dental care for cats is something that every cat owner should take seriously. If you have a cat and have never checked his teeth, you may want to do that soon. You need to know how take the best care possible of your cat, and that includes dental care as well. Your cats teeth are important, just like yours are. Cleaning Your Cats Teeth Chances are if you have never been concerned about dental care for cats, your cats teeth need immediate attention. There are things on the market that you can buy for your cat to eat and chew on, and help keep their teeth clean. You should clean your cats teeth about one time a month. If you have never done this, you might need to schedule a dental check up for your cat with your vet. Your Vat and Dental Care for Cats Your vet will be more than happy to give your cats teeth a good cleaning. If they are really bad, he may need you to bring your cat back for a follow up visit. Of course, you cat will probably not love getting his teeth clean, but it is something that is very necessary. Your vet will know how to handle your cat and keep him from stressing over having his teeth cleaned. After all, they are experts and do this for a living. Why is Dental Care for Cats So Important? Making sure that your cats teeth are up to par is important because their teeth can decay and rot just like yours. Imagine never brushing your teeth, and how that would make them feel, not to mention the damage that can cause to your teeth. Or the problems that can create for you. If you do not have teeth you cannot chew your food properly, same thing for your cat. For more information on Dental Care For Cats Please visit Kitty Cat Care Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mylar_Skye Cat - Cat Health Keeping your cat healthy is the key to extending your cats life. Although cats are independent by nature they really do need a good caretaker. As an owner of a cat you take on the responsibility of caring for your cat and making sure its needs are met. Your cat needs access to fresh water daily. The water bowl should be cleaned out regularly. Feed your cat good quality cat food. Ask your veterinarian whether the brand you feed meets your cats requirements for his lifestyle and age. Obesity in cats is common in indoor cats. If you have an indoor cat and he has free access to food all day, you may try a light variety to slim him down. If you have a senior indoor cat he may need more nutrients than the light food offers, so once again it is a good idea to ask your veterinarian. Exercise is very important for your cat. An indoor cat will often eat out of pure boredom. Provide a selection of cat toys and cat furniture such as a cat tree, to entertain your cat. Even an outdoor cat can benefit from this. Taking time at the end of the day to play with your cat will help keep it active. When we have been away from home and our cat has been indoors the entire day, we help him unwind his excess energy with a bouncing ball. As a kitten he learned to jump in the air and catch a bouncing ball and we keep him entertained for half an hour with his attempts. Our other cat prefers to play 'fetch', where we throw a toy mouse for her to run and find. She does not always bring it back, but as soon as I say "are you ready?" She jumps behind our bedroom door and gets prepared to stalk her prey. Providing a good scratching post is a wise investment. It may well limit the damage to your furniture and it satisfies your cats need to scratch. Keeping your indoor cats nails trimmed is important to keep them in good condition and so that they do not get too long. If you notice your outdoor cat getting his claws stuck in carpet or fabric he may be in need of a trim too. Most outdoor cats are able to keep their claws worn to a reasonable length. Grooming your cat regularly helps reduce shedding and prevents matted hair. Both long and short haired cats will benefit from a groom. A brush is often a better suited grooming tool than a comb as it does not pull the hair. Keep your cat free of fleas and ticks. A healthy cat is a happy cat. Taking time to meet your cats needs will keep your cat comfortable and content. You are rewarded with a purring companion cuddled up in your lap.

Cat - Cat Health

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! Keeping your cat healthy is the key to extending your cats life. Although cats are independent by nature they really do need a good caretaker. As an owner of a cat you take on the responsibility of caring for your cat and making sure its needs are met. Your cat needs access to fresh water daily. The water bowl should be cleaned out regularly. Feed your cat good quality cat food. Ask your veterinarian whether the brand you feed meets your cats requirements for his lifestyle and age. Obesity in cats is common in indoor cats. If you have an indoor cat and he has free access to food all day, you may try a light variety to slim him down. If you have a senior indoor cat he may need more nutrients than the light food offers, so once again it is a good idea to ask your veterinarian. Exercise is very important for your cat. An indoor cat will often eat out of pure boredom. Provide a selection of cat toys and cat furniture such as a cat tree, to entertain your cat. Even an outdoor cat can benefit from this. Taking time at the end of the day to play with your cat will help keep it active. When we have been away from home and our cat has been indoors the entire day, we help him unwind his excess energy with a bouncing ball. As a kitten he learned to jump in the air and catch a bouncing ball and we keep him entertained for half an hour with his attempts. Our other cat prefers to play 'fetch', where we throw a toy mouse for her to run and find. She does not always bring it back, but as soon as I say "are you ready?" She jumps behind our bedroom door and gets prepared to stalk her prey. Providing a good scratching post is a wise investment. It may well limit the damage to your furniture and it satisfies your cats need to scratch. Keeping your indoor cats nails trimmed is important to keep them in good condition and so that they do not get too long. If you notice your outdoor cat getting his claws stuck in carpet or fabric he may be in need of a trim too. Most outdoor cats are able to keep their claws worn to a reasonable length. Grooming your cat regularly helps reduce shedding and prevents matted hair. Both long and short haired cats will benefit from a groom. A brush is often a better suited grooming tool than a comb as it does not pull the hair. Keep your cat free of fleas and ticks. A healthy cat is a happy cat. Taking time to meet your cats needs will keep your cat comfortable and content. You are rewarded with a purring companion cuddled up in your lap. Guide to Cats. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your cat, learn about cat health. Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. Price compare Fitness DVDs, read reviews, download free E-books. Read this month's e-book on "How To Spot A fraudulent Email". Grab your free copy today. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Hegarty Cat - Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? Part 2 The family brought Tiger home, but hadn't prepared their house for him. When he saw their dog, he bolted, found a dark place and hid. His new owner searched the house but couldn't find him. That night he came out of his hiding place and found an open window with a torn screen.... His would-be owner knew there were predators in the area. She called Animal Control and posted signs around the neighborhood, but she knew there wasn't much chance. She was right. PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS This situation could have been avoided, and Tiger could have been integrated quickly and easily into his new home if the people who adopted him had made some preparations and taken precautions. What are some of these preparations? What should you do before you bring a new cat home? ? Prepare the house to receive your new cat. ? Make sure your new cat's medical needs are completely taken care of. ? Make sure your other cats are adequately protected from disease. ? Make sure you have on hand the things your cat will need. ? Know how to introduce your new cat to your live-in companions, children and other pets. And perhaps most importantly: ? Prepare yourself beforehand for a good relationship with your new cat. People who have never owned cats before don't really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily - but is not a dog. BONDING WITH YOU Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they don't always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who "picked them up" hoping to have acquired a new friend. This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with. PREPARE YOUR HOME Adequate preparation of the home is vitally important. If your new cat panics when she is first introduced and finds a way to exit your house, she will do so. Remember, she does not know where she is and has no motivation to return. MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES In addition, there may be serious medical consequences to adopting a stray, both to your new kitty and to your existing cats. Inadequate medical examination and vaccination can be tragic for the new addition to your family...and have serious consequences to your existing cats. Unless you know what you are doing, your attempt to bring home a new kitty could result in tragedy. EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT The bottom line is that no matter how many cats you have adopted, you still may not know what you are doing with THIS one. In Part 3 we'll discuss five things you need to consider before you adopt a new cat. Copyright 2006 John Young

Cat - Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? Part 2

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. The family brought Tiger home, but hadn't prepared their house for him. When he saw their dog, he bolted, found a dark place and hid. His new owner searched the house but couldn't find him. That night he came out of his hiding place and found an open window with a torn screen.... His would-be owner knew there were predators in the area. She called Animal Control and posted signs around the neighborhood, but she knew there wasn't much chance. She was right. PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS This situation could have been avoided, and Tiger could have been integrated quickly and easily into his new home if the people who adopted him had made some preparations and taken precautions. What are some of these preparations? What should you do before you bring a new cat home? ? Prepare the house to receive your new cat. ? Make sure your new cat's medical needs are completely taken care of. ? Make sure your other cats are adequately protected from disease. ? Make sure you have on hand the things your cat will need. ? Know how to introduce your new cat to your live-in companions, children and other pets. And perhaps most importantly: ? Prepare yourself beforehand for a good relationship with your new cat. People who have never owned cats before don't really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily - but is not a dog. BONDING WITH YOU Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they don't always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who "picked them up" hoping to have acquired a new friend. This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with. PREPARE YOUR HOME Adequate preparation of the home is vitally important. If your new cat panics when she is first introduced and finds a way to exit your house, she will do so. Remember, she does not know where she is and has no motivation to return. MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES In addition, there may be serious medical consequences to adopting a stray, both to your new kitty and to your existing cats. Inadequate medical examination and vaccination can be tragic for the new addition to your family...and have serious consequences to your existing cats. Unless you know what you are doing, your attempt to bring home a new kitty could result in tragedy. EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT The bottom line is that no matter how many cats you have adopted, you still may not know what you are doing with THIS one. In Part 3 we'll discuss five things you need to consider before you adopt a new cat. Copyright 2006 John Young John Young is a writer and cat lover who has owned one cat or another ever since he was four (or, maybe they owned him). His book "Your New Cat's First 24 Hours", http://www.yourcatsecrets.com, is written for new and veteran cat owners who want to smoothly introduce a new cat to their household and care for her thereafter. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Young Cat - Cat Eye Care-Do You Properly Care For Your Cat? As a loving cat owner, you want your feline friend to be as healthy as possible, and a big part of that means taking care of her eyes. You should frequently inspect your cat's eyes, and if you notice any changes or problems, seek prompt medical care, before your cat's health is impacted. There are many things that you can do for your cat on a regular basis that can help keep her eyes healthy, but are you willing to invest the time to do them? One of the easiest things that you can do for your cat is to keep her eyes clean and free of mucous, which could build up and turn into a raging eye infection. Use a damp cloth and gently wipe her eyes at least once a day or whenever you notice mucous. This small step goes a long way in caring for your cat's eyes. You should also protect your cat's eyes anytime that you need to use chemical treatments on her skin, such as flea dips. Talk to your veterinarian before treatment, and ask him for suggestions on how to protect your cat's eyes from the chemicals. He will likely give you a neutralizing ointment, which you will apply to your cat's eyes before using the chemicals, and will neutralize any chemicals that may inadvertently come into contact with her eyes. If your cat has long hair, you should keep in trimmed so that it stays out of her eyes. Anything that comes into contact with the eyes can cause irritation, and even lead to infection, so this is an important step in your cat's eye care. When you look at your cat's eyes, they should be moist and clear, as well as free of mucous. Anything to the contrary could indicate a problem that may need veterinary treatment. Although your cat won't enjoy it, you should clean her eyes at least once a week, even if you wash then with a cloth and water everyday, they still need to be cleaned. You can ask your veterinarian for tips on doing this, and he may suggest a commercial product that you can use, or you can make your own. To make your own cat eye cleaning solution, mix about 1 capful of baby shampoo with about 20 capfuls of water. Dip a cotton ball or Q-tip into the solution, and use it to clean your cat's eyes, starting with the eyeball and working outward. Once you have finished, use another cotton ball with just water and rinse the eyes in the same manner. If your cat develops an eye infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotic medication, which you apply directly to her eye in the form of eye drops. Again, your cat will not like this treatment, but it is for her own good, and something that you must do if you want her to be healthy. Eye ointments are much easier to use, however if you apply too much at once, you could worsen the problem, so you have to be careful. Few people realize how important it is to take care of their cat's eyes, and often don't even think about it until a problem develops. By properly performing cat eye care, and seeking veterinary care for any problems promptly, you are ensuring that your cat stays healthy and happy, so that she can be with you for a long time to come!

Cat - Cat Eye Care-Do You Properly Care For Your Cat?

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! As a loving cat owner, you want your feline friend to be as healthy as possible, and a big part of that means taking care of her eyes. You should frequently inspect your cat's eyes, and if you notice any changes or problems, seek prompt medical care, before your cat's health is impacted. There are many things that you can do for your cat on a regular basis that can help keep her eyes healthy, but are you willing to invest the time to do them? One of the easiest things that you can do for your cat is to keep her eyes clean and free of mucous, which could build up and turn into a raging eye infection. Use a damp cloth and gently wipe her eyes at least once a day or whenever you notice mucous. This small step goes a long way in caring for your cat's eyes. You should also protect your cat's eyes anytime that you need to use chemical treatments on her skin, such as flea dips. Talk to your veterinarian before treatment, and ask him for suggestions on how to protect your cat's eyes from the chemicals. He will likely give you a neutralizing ointment, which you will apply to your cat's eyes before using the chemicals, and will neutralize any chemicals that may inadvertently come into contact with her eyes. If your cat has long hair, you should keep in trimmed so that it stays out of her eyes. Anything that comes into contact with the eyes can cause irritation, and even lead to infection, so this is an important step in your cat's eye care. When you look at your cat's eyes, they should be moist and clear, as well as free of mucous. Anything to the contrary could indicate a problem that may need veterinary treatment. Although your cat won't enjoy it, you should clean her eyes at least once a week, even if you wash then with a cloth and water everyday, they still need to be cleaned. You can ask your veterinarian for tips on doing this, and he may suggest a commercial product that you can use, or you can make your own. To make your own cat eye cleaning solution, mix about 1 capful of baby shampoo with about 20 capfuls of water. Dip a cotton ball or Q-tip into the solution, and use it to clean your cat's eyes, starting with the eyeball and working outward. Once you have finished, use another cotton ball with just water and rinse the eyes in the same manner. If your cat develops an eye infection, your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotic medication, which you apply directly to her eye in the form of eye drops. Again, your cat will not like this treatment, but it is for her own good, and something that you must do if you want her to be healthy. Eye ointments are much easier to use, however if you apply too much at once, you could worsen the problem, so you have to be careful. Few people realize how important it is to take care of their cat's eyes, and often don't even think about it until a problem develops. By properly performing cat eye care, and seeking veterinary care for any problems promptly, you are ensuring that your cat stays healthy and happy, so that she can be with you for a long time to come! Jean Morgan is a writer of articles concerning pet health and the owner of Natures Healthy Pet Visit Natures Healthy Pet for more information about Cat Eye Care and other pet health matters. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Morgan Cat - How to Teach YOUR Cat to Use a Litter Box - Secrets to Litter Tray Success Even the most dedicated cat lover has little patience with a cat that doesn't use its litter box. Yet, patience is the key to creating litter box success. A positive introduction when young, and simple housekeeping on your part will solve most problems. Most cats instinctively use the litter box. However if you see your kitten crouching or sniffing in a corner lift her and place her in a litter tray - this is a sign of oncoming urination. If your kitten is not using the litter box you should place her in the box every morning. It is important for your cat to be able to easily access the litter box. If you have a large home, put litter boxes in more than one place. If your house has many levels, make sure each floor is equipped with a litter box. As in real estate, location is crucial to your cat successfully using the litter box. The best spot offers your cat a certain amount of privacy, but not so out of the way that you forget to clean it. Some people put the litter box in a seldom-used closet. Be sure, however, to use a hard-rubber stop to keep the door, or install a pet door so your cat can go in and out whenever she wants. If you need to move a litter tray you should move it by only a few feet at a time. If the cat stops using it you have probably moved it too far. If your cat doesn't use her litter box study the situation carefully for the reason(s) why. Some cats will avoid a "dirty" litter box. Scoop out feces and wet litter daily. Completely empty and replace the litter at least once a week. Don't be too generous with the litter; most cats prefer a shallow layer of about two inches. If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Cats are very particular and won't eliminate in a "used" litter box. The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat. Location, location, location; sudden noises, or lack of privacy can scare a cat from using a litter box. Try moving it to a different spot. Never punish your cat for having an accident. She won't make the connection unless you catch her in the act. Even then, punishment only creates fear of you, not a desire to change behavior. Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove the smell of the accident. This will help prevent future soiling in that spot as the smell of urine will make the cat think its OK to go there. If you notice that accidents happen in the same place over and over, try putting a litter box there. Perhaps your cat prefers this spot for reasons you'll never understand. If accidents tend to happen when your cat has free run of the house or while you are away, keep her confined to one room until you can watch her. Be sure to provide food, water, and that all-important litter box in whatever room you place her in. If your cat uses the litter box successfully for several years, then begins to have accidents, have your veterinarian examine her for a possible urinary tract or kidney infection.