Basic cat care tips – Part 2
The History and Care of the Domestic Cat
One of our truly beloved house pets is the cat. It all started millions of years ago when the ancient Felidae family began it’s evolutionary trek into the Felis Genus, which now includes all felines, (tigers, cougars, African lions, jaguars, and many other varieties of cats).
The first evidence of the cat being domesticated came about with the Egyptians, over three thousand years ago. It is assumed that they were the result of both inbreeding and crossbreeding between the smaller jungle cats. These cats were revered and adored by their owners.
Soon, during the ninth century, the enthusiasm of the domestic cat grew. And their traits as excellent mousers and ratters were then fully appreciated.
So now, in 2006 about five thousand years later, we have our wonderful and much diversified domestic cat!
So, is a kitten or an adult cat the right pet for you? Well, let’s consider the habits and makeup of most felines. As we know, they are individualists. They are also independent and dignified. And their intelligence varies from breed to breed, as with any animal.
They tolerate us humans, and somehow seem to run our households with our acceptance!
Is that adorable ball of fluff still right for you? Remember that they will grow up in no time! They need food, water, shelter, care and training. If you decide to adopt an older cat, you won’t have to be too concerned with litter training, as the cat will already have been experienced in this area. But you will have to show your new kitten where the litter box is located. As a bonus with an older cat, she will locate and use the litter box quickly, and you will be able to understand his or her personality fairly soon as the cat starts to live in your home. A new kitten on the other hand, will take a little bit more time and T.L.C.
As for feeding a kitten, a good brand of kitten chow, along with a supplemented soft canned kitten food is recommended. You may want to soften the dry food with a small amount of water. Always have fresh drinking water available! Older cats do very well eating dry cat chow, but they do like the canned food as treats! As always, water needs to be provided 24 hours a day.
Your new kitten will love to play, so make sure you have plenty of toys to keep her occupied and happy! And also make sure that your cat sees the veterinarian for his/her necessary shots, and most importantly, a rabies vaccination at about 6 months. Also, consider having your feline spayed or neutered. Tabby will make a much better pet, and you won’t have to worry about him roaming, spraying on furniture, or unwanted kittens. Most vets run specials on these operations for your pets. They usually place their ads in the various local newspapers.
Have your pet licensed with the local licensing bureau in your town especially if your cat spends time outdoors. Then enjoy the fun and antics of your new, happy and healthy feline friend!
Tips for preventing your indoor cat from running out the door
CAT-astrophe: Those darn cats! Every time you try to go out the front door, here they come running at full speed. Now, you’ve dropped the bag with the eggs in it trying to catch Fluffy before he heads out into traffic. So, what do you do?
Despite a cat’s intense curiousity, they will only put up with so much. A few unsuccessful escapes and the cat will become bored. Here are some tips for preventing your cat from barreling out the door like a wild animal.
1. Keep a broom, umbrella or old magazine/newspaper by the door. Anything that can be used to block their path as the door opens is an absolute must.
2. When you are coming in from outside, keep a hand free to grab that broom or whatever. Set those grocery bags down before you open the door.
3. Keep a squirt bottle filled with water handy. Not only can you squirt ole’ Fluffy as he/she tries to escape out the front door but it’s useful when the cat claws furniture as well.
4. Don’t set your cat’s food bowl near the door. It’s just too risky and tempting.
5. Feed the cat right before you leave, for instance, on your way to work. Cats usually take a good long catnap after a meal. It will also help maintain a feeding schedule.
6. Use positive reinforcement. Give kitty a treat when they do NOT dart for the door. They will soon figure out that the catnip is greener on the inside.
7. Use bribery and a soft voice when trying to trick your cat into thinking that you’re not actually leaving. Keep that box of kitty treats handy at all times. If you have a super persistent cat, keep the treats on you at all times. Seriously, if you have to, throw some treats in through door as you enter.
8. If all else fails, maybe you could put the cat in a large room when you need to leave the house. Maybe you have a basement you could put the cat in while you’re gone to the store and back. Only use this method if you plan to be gone less than 2 hours and put food and water in the room with the cat.
9. Clap your hands or shake a jar of coins. Cats hate loud noises. This is also effective for other behavioral problems.
10. If you do allow your cat outside sometimes, you can actually train them to come back home at regular times of the day, such as around feeding time. Just have a “catch phrase”, such as “Piggy” Piggy!” to yell at dusk. Say it joyously and when Fluffy hears you, he’ll come running after his meal ticket. This only works with cats that have been spayed or neutered.
Again, cats are clever but they bore quite easily. If at first they don’t succeed, they will indeed try again, and again. After that, it just becomes degrading for the cat to become doused in water every time they get near the threshold. Soon, it will no longer be worth the effort.
Never let your cat outdoors if they have been declawed. Don’t let your cat out if you live on a crowded street, or live near a highway,intersection, factory, restaurant or school. Please support animal population control and never hit or abuse or your feline friend.
How to choose veterinary insurance for your pet
Adequate health insurance coverage is important for you and your family, and it can be a lifesaver for your family pets as well. Taking your beloved pets to the veterinarian for the regular medical care they need, can be very costly, but without it the consequences can be tragic. Many serious medical conditions can be prevented or successfully treated through regular vet visits, and pet insurance can help make those visits affordable.
What Pet Insurance Covers
Most pet insurance companies offer a variety of packages designed to fit a variety of health needs and budgets. Pet insurance plans typically fall into three categories: Accident and Illness, General Wellness, and Premium Care. Some plans offer discounts for multiple pets. The procedures covered, the degree of coverage, and the costs of each plan can vary based on the age and breed of your pet.
Depending on your plan, your pet insurance coverage might include some or all of the following:
Spaying and neuteringHeartworm testing and preventionVaccinationsPrescrip tion medicationsRoutine dental careDiagnostic proceduresLab testsX-raysSurgeryHospitalizat ionLong-term and chronic conditions
Coverage for many other conditions and procedures is available with some plans. Most kitten and puppy packages cover vaccinations, booster shots, and spaying or neutering. Adult coverage may include yearly exams and dental care. Mature pets can receive screenings for liver, kidney and heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and other illnesses that become more common with age.
Choosing a Pet Insurance Plan
Deciding which pet insurance plan is right for you and your pet can be overwhelming. Prices can vary greatly depending on the plan and provider, the breed and age of your pet, and even the part of the country you live in. Pet insurance plans have premiums, deductibles, maximum allowable charge limits, and maximum allowable reimbursements per incident and per year, just like any other health coverage plan. It’s important to gather as much information as you can and then sit down with it and carefully compare the benefits and costs of each.
As with your own health care, the focus of your health care plan for your pet should be on prevention; serious conditions that are discovered in the early stages will cost less to treat, and your pet will have a much greater chance at successful recovery. If your breed of pet is prone to certain illnesses , such as cancer, or certain conditions like hip dysplasia, be sure to include this information when you’re doing your research. Most pet insurance providers offer free quotes; fill out the requested information in as much detail as you can, collect as many quotes as possible, and then examine and compare them carefully to help you make the right insurance decision for you and your pet.
Dog Training – Dog Bathing
Dog bathing is a must when living with a dog. Dogs naturally get smelly and are not like cats in being able to wash themselves well and be hygienic, this is why dog owners have to look after their dogs hygiene for them once in a while.
Dog bathing should take place when your dog starts to smell or is very dirty, some breeds of dog find it very hard to keep smelling pretty as you will quickly come to notice. Running around every day rubbing yourself up against trees, bushes, benches and rolling around on grass or getting drenched head to paws in rivers or puddles are all common occurrences in a dogs life and all contribute to dog smelliness.
It is important to make sure you brush your dogs coat and fur through before every bathing session to remove all bits of debris that may have got caught up in your dog’s fur since their last bath along with tangles or matted hair that may have formed. If you ignore this step any tangles and matted hair will get worse after bathing and make it an impossible task to rid of them.
You will need to use special pet shampoo and conditioner to clean your dog; human shampoo uses a different ph level and can be bad for your dog’s skin. Starting off by letting your dog get used to running water, warm water should be used to wash your dog, it is best to use a jug or container to gently pour water on your dog. Be sure not to put water directly on your dogs face to be sure not to frighten them off or scare them.
When your dog is wet, keep reassuring them and rewarding them if the behaviour is good to get the message across that bathing is not a bad thing. Rub the shampoo and conditioner onto your dog gently and being sure to do a proper job of getting all the smells and everything else out.
To finish off, rinse all the soapy water and shampoo of your dog and dry your dog in the same way you would yourself or if your dog has easily matted hair use patting only to dry your dog, when this is all done reward your dog with praise and rewards for being cooperative with you.
How to prevent dogs from attacking livestock animals – Part 1
Preventing a dog from attacking livestock animals is part of being a responsible dog owner, and has nothing to do with being labeled as a dog hater or a dog lover. This is similar to a responsible parent preventing their child from entering a busy street in front of their home. Does this mean that a parent should be labeled as someone who hates or loves children? Absolutely not. Yet there seems to be a myth that the majority of dogs are physically and behaviorally incapable of killing livestock, with many owners feeling their pet dogs are being falsely accused. Is this also true? Absolutely not.
Truth be known, statistics show us that well-fed dogs from suburban homes near attack sites are usually responsible for killing or attacking livestock. That dog may be as small as a Silky Terrier or as large as a Great Dane, either alone or in a pack. These dogs are usually friendly and approachable by people, which is why approximately 90% of all dog owners refuse to believe their dogs have ever attacked or killed livestock.
What owners need to understand is that no matter how much they dress their pet dogs in human clothing or treat them like a member of the family, their dog will still remain a dog with the normal instinctive behavior of a dog, such as chasing and attacking. Unfortunately, there is not one dog that is not capable of chasing, tracking and retrieving everything in front of them. And unfortunately, it is not always a Frisbee or a ball. With livestock this game can turn to grabbing, killing or biting an animal of what they consider as prey. Chasing prey is instinctively rewarding to the attacking dog, as all livestock will run out of fear.
RULES FOR DOG OWNERS To prevent the family dog from attacking livestock, there are certain rules to follow to show responsibility:
1. Keep the dog fenced in at all times with a secure fence or keeping them inside the home when not supervised. 2. All restrained or confined dogs will require adequate exercise. 3. Show responsibility for your dog, as most dogs that escape is through the carelessness of the owner. a. It can be from open gates b. It canbe from insecure fences c. It can be from extremely low fences d. They can be unrestrained without fencing at all e. They can be unrestrained through the forgetfulness of owners 4. Do not allow the dog to run in the morning without supervision, as this is the time most livestock attacks occur. Killing takes less than an hour to happen. 5. Prevent any all-night
How to break your cats spraying habit
Cats are wonderful pets to have, but they can sometimes come with or develop some not so great habits. One of them is spraying everywhere. This is annoying and very disgusting. No one wants to be chasing after the cat and cleaning up its urine.
First off, lets discuss why a cat sprays. Typically it is the male cat that sprays. This is not because they do not know how to use a cat box. It has nothing to do with them being stubborn and just going where ever they are. In fact, it is the cat marking his territory. He is telling other cats that this is his turf and they are not welcome here. It is also a way for the male cat to tell a female cat that he is here and waiting for her. The urine a cat spray differs chemically from the urine a cat excretes in the squatting position. Spraying is a way of communication for cats.
Now, lets discuss some ways to curve this habit. One step is to have your cat spayed or neutered. Typically, spraying is done more by cats that have not been fixed. It is a way for them to find a mate. It is what you could call a “Cat Call” for the opposite sex.
Another way to get your cat to stop spraying is to keep a spray bottle of water handy. When ever you catch your cat spraying, squirt him with the water. Cats typically hate water and this is a nicer way of telling them NO. After a few times of spraying them, they should calm down a little bit.
If you are willing to try it, carry the cat to the cat box when you catch him in the act. This is your way of telling the cat that the only place he is allowed to urinate is the litter box. This does have it’s down side. When you are carrying the cat, he is not going to stop spraying. He is going to spray all the way to the litter box and by time you get there, he will probably be done.
If you are not able to catch the cat in the act, or you catch him at the end of the act of spraying, put his nose in the area of the urine and tell him “NO”, then carry him to the litter box and put him in it. By repeating this over and over, the cat will get the idea that you don’t want him spraying, and he might stop the habit.
Most cats don’t like the smell of vinegar. Mix a little bit of vinegar with some water in a spray bottle and spray the areas that the cat is spraying. He will stop spraying there because he does not want to go near the vinegar. This is just one thing you can spray. There are other things and even premade sprays that you can buy at the stores to stop the cat.
If none of this is working, you lock your cat in a pet carrier with a litter box on one end, or in a room with the litter box. Cats are very clean animals and do not like sitting in their own messes. They will unwillingly use the litter box because it is the only safe place to go. Once you let the cat out, if his previous behavior continues, clean the litter box and put him back into the carrier or room. This is an excellent way to litter train, or break urine habits.
Dog training basics: The sit command – Part 2
What a joy it is when you see your dog sit for the first time on your command.
Please be firm but gentle at the same time. I find the best way is to introduce the sit command first at home and then on the dog’s walk by asking him/her to sit whenever I come to cross the road.
I simply hold the lead in one hand and push gently but firmly down on the dog’s rear end with the other hand, at the same time I issue quite clearly the command “Sit”.
As soon as the rear end touches the ground I say with great joy in my voice Good Boy (or Girl) and pat the dog as if it has just done something so extremely wonderful.
The first few times the dog will immediately get up and think great this is a game, but gently and firmly put him/her back using the same command and encouragement.
After a few times they usually get the idea, no reward other than your pleasure at what they have done is needed, they will love it.
The idea of getting them to sit at the curb is also great training for road use later.
Have fun and enjoy your well trained dog.
A Guide to Buying Pet Products
Facts about pets
Australian families who share their homes with pets number among the highest in the world, with 64% of households including pets. In those 7.5 million households, fish top the pet population at over 12 million, followed by birds, at 9 million. At almost 4 million, there are more dogs than either boys or girls under the age of 14 years, and our domestic cat population is approximately two and a half million. If we group horse for pleasure riding, rodents, rabbits, snakes, lizards and others together, we can add another 2 million pets.
Pet Supplies Pet association has been shown to have enormous positive benefits on health and wellbeing of Australians. When you have a pet as a member of your family, you will visit the doctor less frequently and use less medication, have lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure, recover from illness and surgery more rapidly, deal with stress better and be less likely to feel lonely. All in all, it is estimated that pet association saves the Australian health budget almost S4 billion annually.
Around 90% of Australian familles with pets, consider those pets as fully integrated family members and the primary caregiver who assumes responsibility for the pet in the majority of situations is female. Not surprisingly, expenditure on pets, pet care and pet products in Australia is placed at more than $4 billion annually and provides employment for more than 40,000 people. Of this expenditure, two thirds (66%) is spent on dogs and one quarter (25%) is spent on cats. Dogs therefore get the greater amount of attention in pet world.
Care and grooming products
Caring for pets requires time and energy on the part of the caregiver. In today’s busy world, time is a commodity in shorter supply than perhaps it once was. There are a lot of products available to help reduce the amount of time needed for pet care. Search Myshopping.com.au for pet care products for your particular animal.
There are automatic feeding and watering products that mean your animal can access food and water when they need it and don’t have to depend on you being there to attend to it. Having water readily available for dogs and cats is important because they dehydrate more quickly than humans. Automated pet feeders not only reduce the chore of being there to provide meals for your pets, but add the convenience of timing food releases for animals that may be subject to particular dietary needs. Using an elevated pet feeder can aid your pet’s digestion because the pet doesn’t have to strain and bend over to access the food. Portable watering and feeding products are useful for those who take their pets with them at work or on the move, and include drinking pouches and feedbags for dogs and cats.
The need to groom your pet depends a lot on your living environment, and whether (or how much) your pet is an indoor or outdoor pet. Grooming could be a daily, weekly or occasionally scheduled activity, and is necessary to keep the animal’s coat healthy and to eradicate fleas and other parasites. It is also important to keep dander in check. Grooming products for pets include products for coat maintenance, nail clipping, dental care, bathing and beauty. There is a huge range of shampoos, face washes, and deodorisers and skin care products as well as styling tools and bows and ribbons for beautification. Grooming tools you may require could include a grooming table, heated blower-dryer, combs, rakes and brushes. As well as nail files and clippers.
Accommodation and transport products
As we cram ourselves into smaller and smaller living spaces, we have a need to accommodate our pets in the most comfortable manner. There is a huge range of bedding, mat and cushion products for dogs and cats, as well as cages and aquariums for birds and fish. (Aquariums are also available for hermit crabs and snails). Small ‘housing’ products such as indoor and outdoor kennels and sleeping tents and bags come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit all kinds of living environments. Rugs and shelters are also important for keeping your pets warm during cold weather, and insulated or shaded shelters are important during warmer weather. Pet that suffer from arthritis can benefit from pet warming pads, while animals that have motor disabilities can benefit from special ramps and steps that aid them in their mobility.
As a large proportion of pet owners like to travel with their pets in cars or on bicycles, there are a large number of travelling options, including specially designed car seats, harness and soft cages. Some car seats double as a travel suitcase to carry your pet’s travel needs or as a bed for a comfortable night’s sleep. For the cyclist, there is a range of pet bicycle baskets available with different safety and security features.
One of the reasons that pets help foster better health is due to the time we spend walking, running or playing with them. Searching Myshopping.com.au for leads and collars will yield a tremendous variety of products. Leads that you can belt around your waist give you ‘hands-free’ control of your dog while you walk or jog freely. Collars not only provide a way to carry your animal’s registration tags, but also provide a unique identity for your pet. If your pet is small or has a disability, you can get a pet stroller or a pocket pouch to walk or carry your pet.
Safe and secure enclosures can keep pets from wandering off, while giving them an outdoor experience. Safety pet fences or cat fences are wire mesh enclosures that can be used in backyards or on balconies to keep you pet safe while giving tem the ability to stretch in the fresh air. Portable soft pens, many of which can be coupled together to enclose a larger area, are ideal for containing a pet indoors or blocking off an entrance.
Safety products and toys
There are occasions when both pets and humans need to be kept safe from each other and from other dangers in the home and neighbourhood. These can include muzzles and safety restraints, as well as steps and life preservers to use in shimming pools and at beaches. The elderly pet may need special pet stairs or slings to help with mobility, or a brace that acts as a support crutch.
There is no shortage of toys for your pet available through Myshopping.com.au and may include scratching posts and tunnels for your cat; Frisbees, balls and bones for your dog, mirrors and balls for your birds, racing tracks for rodents. You can even find the more unusual toys along with training devices; clothing articles and pampering products here on Myshopping.com.au just click and search.
Safety tips for traveling with a pet
Many families travel during the holiday season. Pets are an important part of the family thus, should you chose to travel with your family pet here are a few safety tips to consider before hitting the road.
1-Make sure your pet is healthy and all his shots are up to date. Give him his monthly flea and tick pills before leaving on the trip. If you plan to stay longer than one month, be sure to bring the next month’s medicine along with you. Create a dog first aid kit with medicines your dog or cat might need. Take your vet’s phone number along in case your pet has a medical emergency situation.
2-You should purchase a name tag with the dog or cat’s name, address and a phone number where you could be reached if the dog or cat gets lost on the trip. You can have a GPS chip placed on your pet, too. Once the chip is activated, the pet can be tracked anywhere in the United States. This is a worthwhile feature for certain breeds of dogs.
3-Your dog or cat should lie in a cage while riding in the car. This is the safest way for him to travel. Make sure the cage is in a well ventilated area of the car; not underneath suits cases. The cage should sit flat on the car’s seat or back area. Put a familiar blanket and toys in the cage with the dog. It is possible to purchase dog safety belts. These can be ordered at your vet’s office or online. Purchase these a head of time and try them out before the trip. Make your pet feel safe and secure during the trip.
4-When traveling with your pet it’s important to stop frequently to give him exercise. Most highway rest stops provide an area for walking dogs or cats. Provide water for your animal when you stop at the rest area. Your pet can get dehydrated easily, especially in the hotter areas of the country.
5-Never leave your pet alone in your car. Even with locked car doors, thieves can break into your car and steal your dog or cat. On long trips, pets often become disoriented causing them to become upset and agitated when left alone in the car. If they jump around the car they can injure themselves. Have a plan in place for someone to sit in the car with the pet at rest stops or restaurants.
6-When you get to your destination; quickly establish a routine for your pet. This will help your pet adapt to the new surroundings and help them relax. Let them explore their new environment; establish boundaries for them early on. Always walk your pet on a leash even if you typically walk them without a leash at home.
Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? – Part 28
Asking people to choose whether a dog or a cat makes the best pet is pretty much like comparing apples with oranges. They really are totally different and there will naturally be those for whom a dog is the best pet, while for others a cat will suit them and their lifestyle best. Then of course there will be those who appreciate what each has to offer. It really depends on your own personality and preferences.
If you want a pet who’s pretty much independent and not too needy, then a cat will almost definitely suit you best. There’s no doubt about it, most dogs are anything but independent and have intense needs of their human’s company.
Many cats are by nature aloof and standoffish – and this quality makes them just perfect pets for many people, who lead busy lives and don’t have time to give a pet lots of attention. Nevertheless, there are cats who are friendly and personable and are happy to curl up in a lap for the evening or participate more in family life. My husband had a cat before we started courting and he says it was more like a dog than a cat. There are certain cat breeds which have a reputation for being very affectionate and sociable – but they do tend to cost a lot more than your average moggy. You certainly wouldn’t want to let a cat like that roam at all – but then some of them are more than happy to be “lounge lizards” anyway. What’s more, because of their impact on birdlife, it’s considered to be more environmentally friendly to keep your cat indoors nowadays anyway.
Personally, I grew up with a pet dog and I would feel very deprived and lonely without a dog in my life. My mother was one of those people who really couldn’t stand most cats. We did have a few over the years. I’m not really sure why my mother even considered taking them and, apart from one outstanding exception, none of them were successful members of our family. Sadly, the only one who even managed to win Mum’s heart as well as mine, met a tragic end.
When I moved into a house with someone else, we both wanted pets. She had a cat in mind and I had my heart set on getting a dog. I was ecstatic when I was able to adopt a golden cocker spaniel from a pound. My house-mate found a litter of kittens and adopted one. I took one of the others – but it really wasn’t successful at all. The kitten was skittish – which is probably perfectly normal – but I just wasn’t enough of a cat person to bear with it. I was too focussed on my adorable little canine
