Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of cat care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet with optimum cat care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and gentle behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a good cat that will take commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to carefor your cat, the better the level of health you will be able to bring your feline friend to. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.

By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, scientifically tested cat care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to sharing time with your cat doing all of you pets, and your, favorite activities together. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good cat care can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.

If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make your pet feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant mewling to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.

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Succeeding at offering your pet the best possible cat care helps you maintain a positive attitude about your abilities, and can boost your confidence in other arenas. Mastering cat care can be a great first step towards overcoming challenges and difficulties in other areas of your life. Psychological experts agree that caring for a pet is a great way to improve your self esteem. When you see how much your cat care regimen matters to your pet, you will be able to appreciate how much of an impact your actions can have. This helps you feel confident and upbeat about your chances of success at work or school, and in the social sphere.

Cat care can be great for your social life. In addition to the confidence boost that taking excellent care of your feline companion can offer, cat care teaches you to expect and feel comfortable with positive interaction. When you bond with your cat, you are practicing the basic social skills that will help you win friends. Caring for your cat may even help make you more comfortable expressing love and affection, and it will certainly let you feel more confident about your feelings being reciprocated. When you pay careful attention to cat care, you are strengthening your ability to be responsible and trustworthy, qualities that will help you keep friends. Experts recommend pet ownership as a great way to help children learn good social skills, and adults may be able to see substantial social benefits as well.

Many people think that caring for their cat and enjoying their cat are two separate activities. However, the truth is that cat care is largely about showing your cat love and affection. That’s why it is called cat care: because it is how you show that you care about your cat. Cat care can be a satisfying part of your day every day because it lets you see that you’ve had an effect. When you groom your cat or clean its litter box, you will see a visible difference result immediately from your actions. When you spend a few minutes curled up with your cat on the couch, you will be able to notice a distinct attitude change in both your cat and yourself as you both bask in the calm glow of shared affection. Cat care can make your life richer and fuller on a daily basis.

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Cats can seem very mysterious and enigmatic, even to their owners. Many cat fans feel that this is part of feline appeal, but it can also be frustrating not to know what is motivating your cat at certain times, like when it is mewling loudly at your bedroom door at four in the morning. When you gain a greater understanding of cat care, you will also get a much stronger insight into how and why your cat functions the way that it does. The more you know about what motivates a cat to engage in the behaviors that can be inconvenient hassles in your daily life, the better equipped you will be to create a situation where those behaviors will be diminished or even rendered completely unnecessary. The study of cat care is the study of cat’s desires and demands, so the better you understand cat care the better you will be able to give yourcat what it needs so that you and your pet can live together in harmony.

When you give your cat the best possible cat care rather than settling for a basic, run of the mill cat care routine, you are showing your animal companion how much you care for and appreciate its unique temperament. This process helps you and your cat bond more fully so that you can have a rich, enduringly affectionate relationship. As any cat owner who has rubbed a purring cat behind the ears will be glad to profess, the happier your cat is, the happier it will make you. By giving your pet the ideal cat care, you are sowing the seedsfor your own satisfaction and joy. Going the extra mile to learn a bit more about cat care than you do today can translate into a better relationship with your pet that is a more than ample reward for a little additional effort on your part. If you can learn to provide the best possible cat care, you can help to forge a more peaceful, mutually beneficial future for you and your feline friend.

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One important part of making cat care fun is taking enough time to enjoy it. If you whip through your cat care routine with one eye on the clock at all times, you won’t be able to fully appreciate the experience of being with your pet. Try thinking of cat care as a chance to relax and escape the hassles of daily life. Put on your favorite album and relax as your complete cat care tasks like grooming your pet and playing with him or her to help you both gain trimness and agility. The process of caring for a pet is an inherently satisfying and enjoyable one so long as you allow yourself to have fun while doing it instead of trying to rush through and minimize the time you take for cat care. After all, the time you spend on cat care is quality time indeed.

Another crucial part of making cat care a pleasurable activity is education. Teaching yourself a bit more about cat care technique can help you be certain that you are offering your cat the most excellent possible care. The more you know about cat care, the better equipped you will be to keep your cat healthy and happy, and there are few things as satisfying as seeing your cat’s health improve because of your attention. If you want cat care to be a treat for yourself as well as for your pet, it is important to make sure that you are doing a good job of it. The better you are at cat care, the more fun you will have when caring for your cat.

There are few experiences more rewarding than reveling in the knowledge that you have done a job well, and cat care is no exception. When you improve your cat care skills or brush up on your cat care basics, you are taking steps to transform your cat care from a run of the mill experience to something that you can be proud of. When you provide your cat with the optimum cat care for his or her personality, age, and type of cat, you will be able to feel a sense of accomplishment in your abilities that is invaluable, and very enjoyable. In fact, it may feel almost like a treat. When you improve your cat care skills, you can look forward to a happier cat, and to a happier you as well.

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The overall impact of better cat care on your household atmosphere can be quite powerful because different aspects of cat care have many different effects on how your home feels. One important part of cat care has to do with hygiene and taking care of any messes that your cat creates. This side of cat care will keep your home smelling fresh and looking its best. Another part of cat care has to do with the love and affection that you give your cat. Showing your pet that they are safe in your presence and that they are loved is an important aspect of cat care that can have many different benefits.

Peace and quiet are two important parts of a relaxing atmosphere, and they are the core of a pleasant home environment. A cat’s plaintive mewling can add an air of anxiety or tension to your home’s atmosphere. Luckily, cat care can help you minimize this aspect of pet ownership. When you spend a lot of time making your cat feel safe and appreciated, it is less likely to whine or screech. Indirectly, cat care can actually help your furnishings and decorative items stay looking newer for longer. When you provide your cat with ideal cat care, it is less likely to indulge in destructive behaviors like scratching your furniture, climbing the drapes, and other activities that can take a toll on your home’s appearance.

Cat care is often a matter of routine, and can sometimes feel like a burden. When cat care feels like work, it is tempting to avoid it, or to procrastinate for day after day. Nobody looks forward to dealing with cat care issues like a messy litter box or scruffy fur that is just asking for a bath. However, changing your attitude towards cat care can make these tasks much more enjoyable. Every time you take a step towards a healthier, happier, or cleaner cat you are taking a step towards making your home a better place to be.

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There are of course other reasons that it will do this such as when it is a kitten and noticing it is telling the mother cat everything. In most cases the mother cat will also back up again and let them know they are safe and out of danger. Most kittens can purr when they were only two days old and this helps them to communicate with their mother.

There are other reasons that cats purr and in the wild it is very common that a cat will purr when they are injured. This lets other cats know that they are in distress and they need help. A cat will let you know when they are happy and when they are not because they have a lot of emotion. If you for example accidentally put your cat’s tail they usually will snap at you at this let you know they are not happy. When you bet your cat and a beginning her this is a sign they are communicating with you and letting you know they enjoy what you’re doing to them.

Remember that it is very common for cats to put her and this is a way they can communicate with you and other animals. The basic reason for preferring is to let people know they are content and happy. Kittens also will purr when they are nursing because they are communicating with their mother that they are getting a proper nutrition. it is also very common that the mother cat will purr back at the kitten to let them know everything is okay and there is no danger.

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As a frequent visitor to pet discussion boards, a subject that comes up way as well consistently is that of cat dandruff. It really is a challenge that impacts most of us cat entrepreneurs, and if youown a cat, it is really a matter of time prior to you have to offer with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies…
But dread not, there is a residence remedy for cat dandruff that you can try out with no spending an high-priced trip to the vet, just by observing the signs and symptoms and surroundings and taking action based mostly on these indicators.

Most cat dandruff concerns are invariably linked to 3 aspects:

An aged or obese cat with dandruff on her rump or tail
If you have a cat that is obese or a cat with sudden fat gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it’s a certain indicator that she’s unable to attain these spots to clean herself. This is also a trouble for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom by themselves.

A superior brushing would guide in this case and it may be a excellent concept to groom your cat every single few of months. If you are ready to bathe your cat devoid of getting your self scratched as well badly in the process, then it would an outstanding notion to do this each couple of months. But if you do so, stay away from applying human shampoos as that could possibly dry her skin more and exacerbate the issue. If you have to, use a cat shampoo and keep in mind to wash extensively as excess shampoo caught on her undercoat will only make matters even worse.

It’s winter season If your cat only experiences dandruff problems in winter season, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather conditions. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which swiftly dries her skin triggering it to flake.

Basically move her away from the fireplace every last once in a although and observe if the dilemma persists. Finding a fantastic humidifier would be an outstanding idea, equally for your feline close friend and also oneself (people get dry skin also…)

My cat is neither fat nor older, and neither is it winter season now! Aid! Loosen up…if none of the over use, just think, have you bought any new furniture recently? A new carpet maybe? Examine if there are any alterations to her atmosphere that she may well be sensitive to and consider to make the essential changes.
If this does not aid, then it’s most probable a diet program problem. You see, cats dislike drinking water and most wouldn’t go around it even when they’re thirsty. The only way our feline buddies get their water requirement is as a result of the moisture information of their cat food. Dilemma is, most of us go for cheap dry cat meals that do not contain adequate moisture subject material, therefore creating her skin to dry and flake.

Make a alter to large good quality canned food and include some fish oil to her eating habits and you’ll see success in no time!

source from: articlealley

The major signs of shock are:

1. Pale or muddy gums.

2. A weak and rapid pulse.

3. Capillary refilling takes longer than two seconds.

4. Rapid breathing (over forty breaths per minute).

5. A low rectal temperature (below 100°F), with skin and legs cool to the touch.

Shock requires prompt veterinary attention. For immediate aid you should be sure the cat’s airway is clear so it can breathe. If not, administer artificial respiration, check the heartbeat and pulse, and control any bleeding. If necessary, apply CPR.

Maintain body heat (with a blanket or coat) and very gently transport the cat to the veterinary hospital. If your pet is unconscious. keep its head lower than the rest of the body. If possible, phone the hospital so that the staff can prepare for your animal.

Large quantities of intravenous fluids, critic aster and oxygen given in can save your pet’s life. In shock, the capillaries are like a dry riverbed. The intravenous fluids flood the capillaries and renew the vigorous blood flow that nourishes the dried-out cells.

Do not change the injured pet’s position rapidly. A fast lift or rotation can cause shock to move into the irreversible stage.

If the cat is in electrical shock from chewing on wires, there is an added precaution: do not touch the cat if it is still in contact with the current! Unplug the electrical cord from the outlet and then check the cat’s pulse and heartbeat and continue treating as for shock. You may also need to treat for burns in the mouth.

If you find your cat to be in shock, try out the following remedial steps to recover your pet from the shock.

• At first gently lift up the upper lip of the cat so that the gums and upper lip gets visible. If the color of the gums is white then the pet certainly is in shock and is not if the color is pink.
• Place the cat sideways on a blanket or a towel with its head extended.
• Then gradually try to clear the airways of the cat.
• Lift up the head and rest in your hand while put the other hand over its head so that the thumb and the index finger is just behind the fang teeth or the canine teeth.
• The slowly move the head towards the back so the nose points upwards. Then push your thumb towards the index finger so that the mouth gets wide.
• Pull the cat’s tongue out to clear the air passage.
• Elevate the hind parts of the cat by placing it on a raised pillow or folded towels.
• Try to stop the bleeding as early as possible.
• The wrap the body of the pet with blanket or towel in order to preserve the body heat of the animal.

You are recommended to take your pet to a veterinary clinic for proper treatment.

source from: petcaregt

Veterinarians are occasionally confronted with an injury or minor illness thathas healed itself even when the owner did not use the medication or follow theinstructions. The owner calls a week later to say that the ear infection is completelyhealed or the diarrhea has disappeared. This does not mean that you should notfollow your doctor’s instructions!

The following is a list of medications that are good to have on hand, as well as the ailments they treat. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Constipation

Laxatives should not be used on a regular basis unless recommended by yourveterinarian. Safe laxatives are made from psyllium (see below). Alternative laxa-tives are milk of magnesia or mineral oil. If an enema is needed. use warm water(best) or a Fleet enema.

1. Bulk Laxatives

Products such as Metamucil and Mucilose are refined from the psyllium seed.The substance from this seed is not absorbed by the digestive tract; it only passesthrough. Thus, it is a natural product and one with essentially no contraindicationsand no side effects. It provides bulk by drawing water into the stool. If youthink your cat has an intestinal obstruction or impacted feces, do not use a laxative.

Dosage:

1 teaspoon mixed in the food once or twice daily. Be sure to mix water82into the food and supply drinking water at all times.

2. Milk of Magnesia

The active ingredient, magnesium, causes fluid to be retained within thebowel and in the feces. It is also helpful in speeding passage of any poisons throughthe digestive tract.

Dosage:

1 teaspoon per five pounds of body weight. (One dose should do the job.)

Be sure to mix water

Side Effects:

Milk of magnesia is nonabsorbable, but it does contain magnesium and somesalt and should not be used if your pet has kidney or heart disease.

3. Mineral Oil

This is the cheapest and most effective laxative, but it can be dangerous ifadministered improperly or given for a long period of time. Mineral oil should neverbe given directly in the mouth because it is bland and may enter the breathingtubes and lungs before your pet can cough. Mineral oil in the lungs will cause asevere pneumonia. Instead, mix it in the food. If mineral oil is given for a longperiod of time, it can cause deficiencies of the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K.

Dosage:

1 teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight, mixed in the food once daily, fortwo days at the maximum.

Side Effects:

Pneumonia or vitamin deficiency if administered improperly.

Constipation

1. Fleet Enema

If your pet has obstipation (impacted or hard feces in the lower intestine andrectum), you should see your doctor. If you must give the enema, use the Fleetpediatric enema. This may lubricate and soften the hard feces. Use only the mineral oil enema, not the phosphate type.

Dosage:

The lubricated nozzle is inserted into the rectum, and one ounce of the so-lution is gently administered. Another enema can be given half an hour later, ifnecessary.

Side Effects:

Severe complications can result if used when fever, nausea, vomiting,or abdominal pain is present. Do not use in cats that are dehydrated or have knownkidney disease.

Coughs

The only safe cough medicine I recommend for use without veterinary con-sultation is an expectorant. The expectorant liquefies the secretions and allows thebody’s defenses to get rid of the bad material. Cough suppressants should not be used without your doctor’s advice, because they contain such narcotics as codeineOver-the-counter cough suppressants may contain dextromethorphan. a closechemical relative.

1. Glyceryl Guaiacolate (guaifenesin)

If your cat has a dry, hacking cough, a lubricant soothes the inflamed area. Ifyour pet has a cough with mucus, glyceryl guaiacolate liquefies the mucus secre-tions so that they may be coughed free. It does not suppress the cough reflex, butrather encourages the natural defense mechanisms of the body.

Read the label: Do not use Robitussin or 2-G with the additives PE (for thedecongestant phenylephrine), CF or DM (for the cough suppressant dextromethor-phan), or AC (for codeine). Use Robitussin or 2-G with only glyceryl guaiacolate(guaifenesin) in 3.5 percent alcohol.

Dosage:

I/4 teaspoon every four hours.

Side Effects:

No serious side effects, but check with your doctor if the cough persists.

2. Kaopectate

Kaopectate is a very safe medication for cats. Do not use paregoric – it maybe toxic to your cat. See your veterinarian if diarrhea persists.

Kaopectate contains kaolin and pectin, which coat the intestinal tract andhelp to form a solid stool.

Dosage:

2 teaspoons per ten pounds of body weight every four hours.

Eye Irritations

For short-term use, apply an ophthalmic ointment such as Neosporin or Neo-polycin to your cat’s eye three or four times daily. These ointments contain threeantibiotics: polymyxin, bacitracin, and neomycin.

Fungus

1. Tinactin

If your pet has only one ringworm lesion, you can use this cream. It is avail-able over the counter in drugstores.

Dosage:

Apply the cream to the skin lesion with a Q-tip twice daily. Do not touchthe lesion with your finger.

Side Effects:

If the skin becomes more irritated, stop the medication and see your veteri-narian. Do not get the medication in the eye.

Hair Balls

Brushing and combing your cat frequently will help prevent hair balls (swallowed hair from self-grooming). If your cat still vomits hair balls, a lubricant such as white petroleum jelly may help. A commercial hair-ball medicine (Ka t-a-I.,Lax atone) from your veterinarian or pet store can also be used.

1. White Petroleum Jelly

Dosage:

1/2 teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight. Apply it to the cat’s nose and it will be licked off. This can be given once weekly. The jelly melts in the stomach to an oil that lubricates the hair ball for easier passage in your cat’s bowels.

Side Effects:

Keep in mind that white petroleum jelly has the potential to decrease the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E. and K) if given in large doses or for prolonged time.

2. Bo nine

If you are unsuccessful, an antihistamine called Bo nine (medicine hydrochloride) can be used. It is effective against the apprehension, salivation, and vomiting or diarrhea that some pets experience when traveling. If Bo nine is not successful eliminating the motion sickness, your veterinarian can provide you with tranquilizers or antihistamines that are effective.

Dosage:

12.5 milligrams given on an empty stomach one hour before traveling. The dose can be repeated in twenty-four hours.

Side Effects:

Your pet may experience drowsiness. Do not give Bonnie to a pregnant cat – it may cause birth defects.

Pain and Fever

Do not give aspirin or Tylenol to cats without your veterinarian’s recommendation. Cats have problems detoxifying and excreting these substances.

Poisoning

1. To Induce Vomiting: Hydrogen Peroxide

If your cat swallows a poison that can be expelled by vomiting, a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide works very well. Do not induce vomiting if the poi-son swallowed is a petroleum-based compound or a strong acid or strong alkali . Be sure that the hydrogen peroxide purchased is not a higher strength (such as for bleaching hair).

Dosage:

1 teaspoon every ten minutes until your cat vomits. You can repeat this two or three times, if necessary. If this treatment is unsuccessful, 1 or 2 teaspoons of salt or a mustard-and-warm-water solution put on the back of the tongue should induce vomiting.

2. To Absorb Poison: Activated Charcoal

After vomiting, a few teaspoons of activated charcoal mixed in milk or water can be given to absorb the poison if the specific antidote is not known. Activated charcoal can be purchased in drugstores.

To Speed Passage Through the Digestive Tract: Milk of Magnesia

Dosage:

1 teaspoon per five pounds of body weight once daily.

Skin Irritations

1. Sterilizing Agents and Antiseptics

Soap and water is the best way to clean a wound. Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent strength) foams and cleanses wounds very well, and is inexpensive. Beta dine,a non stinging iodine preparation, kills germs and is a good agent to use on the skin, but it is expensive. To soothe the skin temporarily, calamine lotion can be applied, but it loses its effectiveness when it dries out. It must be washed off and reapplied frequently. Do not get it in the eyes.

Dosage:

Cleanse the wounds three times daily. Trim the hair around the wound, if necessary.

2. Domeboro Solution

This is a soothing wet dressing for relief of skin inflammation. It has antiseptic properties and reduces itching.

Dosage:

Dissolve one teaspoon or tablet in a pint of warm water. Bathe or apply wet dressings of the solution to the affected skin for fifteen minutes. You can repeat this three or four times daily.

Vitamin A & D Ointment soothes irritated skin and can be applied three or four times daily to affected areas. The ointments containing antibiotics (Newsprint,Nonpaying, and Maintain) can be applied to affected skin three times daily.

Urinary Infections

Acidifiers help control bacterial infections of the lower urinary tract and help prevent a recurrence of crystal or stone formation in the tract.

1. Vitamin C and Juices

Tomato juice and cranberry juice are excellent urinary acidifiers – if your pet will drink them. You can measure their effectiveness by testing urine with litmus paper. If blue litmus paper turns red, the urine is acidic.

Dosage:

1/4 to 1 cup of cranberry juice or tomato juice per day should be adequate.100 milligrams of vitamin C three times daily.

Vomiting and Stomach Upsets

Apostate, Maalox, Mylanta, Poeticism

All of these products soothe the stomach lining.

Dosage:

2 teaspoons of Apostate per ten pounds of body weight every four hours. 1 teaspoon of Maalox or Mylanta per ten pounds of body weight very eight hours. 1teaspoon of Poeticism per ten pounds of body weight every four hours.

Side Effects:

Maalox and Mylanta may loosen the stools a little. If your pet has a history of heart or kidney disease, consult your veterinarian before using either of these.

THE FIRST AID KIT

This is a must. Keep the kit in a convenient location but out of the reach of
small children. A fishing-tackle box works very well, by the way.

- Adhesive tape, 1 inch wide
- Gauze bandages, 1-inch rolls Absorbent cotton
- Sterile gauze pads, 3 x 3 inches Cotton-tipped swabs (Q-tips)Rubbing alcohol
- Rectal thermometer
- Teaspoon
- Tweezers
- Sharp scissors with rounded ends
- Medications

source from: petcaregt

Physical Changes
There are few noticeable changes during the first couple of weeks. For 4-5 weeks, it is very difficult to determine if a cat is pregnant. The animal gains a few extra pounds and the abdomen enlarges only after the fifth week. Enlargement of the abdomen depends on the size of the litter inside the womb. The nipples become pinkish and the surrounding hairs slightly recede. Visible enlargement of the mammary gland occurs after the seventh week. The mother generally starts producing milk two days after delivery.

Behavioral Changes
Many conspicuous behavioral changes are noticeable in your pet during the gestation period. In the last few weeks of the pregnancy, a cat might display various symptoms like restlessness and anxiety. The animal might also avoid socialization and seek solitude. The growing discomfort of an enlarged abdomen during the last three weeks, might also make her a bit violent, if teased or disturbed. She might also frequently soil the house during the last few weeks, as the growing uterus presses on the bladder or colon.

Tips for Owner
When you are sure that your feline has had a successful mating, it is your duty to keep a check on her overall health. Feed a well-balanced diet and lots of fluids to the expecting mother, so that she gives birth to strong and healthy kittens. A pregnant cat tends to get hungry easily. So provide her with large servings. Chart out a diet plan after consulting a veterinarian. Do not include any supplements unless advised by the vet, to avoid unnecessary overdose. Also provide her with a good ‘birthing box’ or ‘nest bed’ lined with old newspapers and sheets. Place it in a secluded and warm corner of the house, away from harsh lighting and noise.