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.

Causes of Alopecia
Read about the various physical and psychological anomalies that lead to Alopecia in cats.

• Mites, fleas or other parasites may give rise to hair loss in areas like the inner thighs and abdominal areas.
• Certain allergic reactions from food, especially the intake of certain proteins generally leads to the problem.
• Inhaling allergens such as pollens, molds or house dust mites causes ‘Atopy’ (allergic inhalant dermatitis) and leads to hair loss.
• Fungal infections like ringworm cause circular patches of hair loss in the head, body and the ears.
• Malfunctions (either a deficit or a surplus) of the hair growth hormones lead to Endocrine Alopecia in cats.
• Psychogenic Alopecia is brought about by various psychological problems like anxiety, stress, fear or nervousness.

• Provide your kitty with a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Avoid giving her table-scraps or off-brand cat foods.
• If the condition is due to stress, provide her with a fun environment with a lot of scope for recreation.
• To prevent your cat from inhaling allergens, use an air purifier and vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly.
• You can also try administering certain anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication after proper medical counseling.
• The veterinarian may also put the animal in a three month experimental diet consisting of proteins and carbohydrates.
• Certain medicated soaps, ointments and lotions are also available to cure the disease. Consult your veterinarian.
• If hair loss is induced due to hormonal imbalance, your cat might also have to undergo certain hormone therapies

Symptoms

• Welts or bumps on the skin
• Severe scratching and irritation
• Skin rashes and inflammation
• Abnormal shedding
• Dry and flaky skin surface
• Smelly and matte coat
• Puffy face and eyes (in certain cases)
• Difficulty in breathing (in acute cases)

• Bathe your pet with ice cold water or make ice poultices and rub on the irritated areas. Let the water soak for about 10-15 min everyday.
• You can also add two cups of brewed green or black tea to his bath water. The tannins in the tea will provide relief from the itching sensation. ]
• Put some oatmeal flakes in a sock and run water through it. Place the wet sock on the sensitive areas to ease the discomfort.
• You may also administer some over-the-counter antihistamines to reduce the swellings or inflammations in the body.
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids can also be administered, under medical supervision or with prior consultation with the veterinarian.
• The vet may also give epinephrine to the animal, if the disease is accompanied by breathing problems.

Breakfast Bites
Ingredients

• 1tbsp milk (non-fat and powder)
• 2 tbsp finely chopped carrot
• 2 tbsp finely chopped broccoli
• 2tbsp cottage cheese
• 3 eggs
• 2 tbsp corn oil

• 4 chicken livers
• ½ cup of cottage cheese
• ¼ cup biscuit mix
• 2 tbsp corn oil
• Salt to taste

• ½ cup grated cheese
• A little oatmeal
• 2 tbsp yoghurt
• 2 tbsp margarine

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp green beans (boiled and mashed)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped carrot
• 2 tbsp minced chicken breasts (no skin)
• 1/3 cup brown rice (coarse and cooked)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Tools Required

• Hammer
• Miter Box &Saw
• Screwdriver or Drill
• Adhesive
• Measuring Tape
• Utility Knife
• Level

• 3 ft long lumber pieces (2″x4″)
• 22″x25″x4″ lumber piece (for the top)
• 24″x18″x4″ lumber piece (for the bottom)
• A square or rectangular box (with an open front)
• 3 rolls of sisal rope
• 4 ft of Quick-Tube building forms(12 inch diameter each)
• Screws and Nails
• Corner Brackets
• Carpets
• Plywood

• Begin the process by carefully wrapping the sisal ropes in the lumber poles till about 2 ft. Nail properly to hold the ropes in place.
• Cover the exposed areas of the poles with carpets. Also carpet the lumber pieces that are meant to be placed at the top and bottom of the structure.
• Next nail two sisal wrapped lumber poles to the bottom piece (24″x18″x4″) on the front edge of the platform leaving some space from both the ends.
• Nail the remaining lumber pole at the back of the platform positioning it exactly at the middle.
• Firmly place the wooden platform (22″x25″x4″) on top of the 3 poles and nail it properly. See that the legs stand firmly and vertically.
• Carpet the exterior and interior of the wooden box properly and make it warm. It is going to serve the purpose of your kitty’ indoor sanctum.
• Use corner brackets and screws to hold the box below the wooden top platform and nail it properly to the lumber poles.
• Next measure and cut the Quick Tube at a length of 22″. Now cut it further into two halves lengthwise.
• Take one of the semicircular halves of the tube and properly glue it with carpets. It is going to function as your kitty’s bed.
• Next, locate a suitable position and use screws to attach this bed with the cat tree. Use a corner bracket to fix the back half of the bed to the tree. An ideal position to place the bed is a few inches below the carpeted box.
• The next task would be to prepare a small play tunnel for kitty. Cut a length of the Quick Tube (18″-19 “). Further hack it into two semicircular halves and carpet these two halves.
• Once both the sides of the halves are carpeted, re-join them like before with the help of an adhesive and glue corner brackets to it.
• Place this carpeted tube a few inches below the bed. Connect it firmly to the legs of the tree with the help of screws.
• Last of all, cover the brackets with cut pieces of carpet and your cat house is ready.

Dress for the Occasion
Variety is the word that describes cats’ line of clothing in the market. From colorful tees, fuzzy sweatshirts to floral summer dresses, your cat has a huge option to choose from. See how you can dress up your kitty in sync with the mood of the occasion.

Petite Princess
It is your kitty’s birthday and she no doubt deserves to be the cynosure of all eyes. Dress her up in a bright colored Baroness-style ball gown. A cute bow resembling a flower or a small beaded necklace will complete the look. See that the dress is easy to put on and comes off easily too. Use self-sticking fabrics like Velcro instead of buttons and hooks.

Fiery Fiends
Try dressing your kitty as a witch or a devil this Halloween. Dress her up in a brown or black cotton frock that fastens on the back .Add a witch hat with adjustable drawstrings to complement the witch look. You can also bring out the mischievous streak in your cat by dressing her up like a devil in a red-colored polyester dress. A cap with black horns will highlight this little fiend.

Diva and Rockstar
If your cat is accompanying you to a party, dress her up in a short and sequined evening dress with sheer bows or satin flowers and make her feel like a diva. If your companion is male, make him wear a vest with party logos and prints. Try a vest with studs and pictures of rock bands or prints of beer mugs. Tie a bandanna and a studded kitty collar for that ultimate rock star look.

Try these dresses on your kitty and hear her purr in style.

Source:petandfish.com

Types Of Cat Collars

Buckle Collars
These traditional collars are very easy to wear as they can easily be fastened and unfastened on your cat. They come in materials like nylon and leather and are sometimes studded or adorned with jewels and various embroidery patterns. These collars are suitable for cats that mostly stay indoors.

Break-away Collars
These collars are safer as compared to a buckle collar. Attached with a safety mechanism, these collars don’t click to a ‘locked’ position. If the cat is caught on something, he can easily pull off the collar by exerting some force. This prevents accidental choking. Hence, they are suitable for active and adventurous cats.

Flea Collars
A flea collar generally serves medicinal purposes. It is worn along with a conventional buckle collar. Infused with chemical products like flea-repellants, these collars are used as a type of flea-control. But, be careful while using such a collar in your cat as they might sometimes cause various allergic reactions.

Reflective Collars
These collars are made of reflective materials and come handy for pets during the night. Due to their reflecting ability, these collars prevent accidents and ensure that your pet is safe during the dark. Moreover, they also help you avoid inadvertent stepping on your pet while he is indoors during the night.

Personalized Collars
One of the most important functions of a collar is to display the identification tag of the pet. If your cat doesn’t prefer wearing an id tag in his collar, you can use personalized collars instead. Such collars are imprinted with the name of the cat and the owner’s phone number, and become very helpful, lest your cat gets lost.

A Tip
Decide on the type of collar that is most suitable for your cat. You can also try tying a bell to your cat’s collar to warn garden birds of his approach. Once you provide him with a collar, see your kitty jingle all the way with his new choker.

Causes
Listed below are certain factors that can predispose a cat to boils and other staph infections in the skin.

• Lack of proper hygiene.
• Thyroid problems in the body.
• Reduced immune system.
• Persistent constipation.
• Exposure to various allergens and irritants.
• Stress and other health-related problems.
• Medical conditions like ‘Diabetes Mellitus’.
• Consumption of commercial food high in sugars and chemicals.

• Keep a check on the personal hygiene of the animal. Give him a bath every 10-15 days with a good antibacterial soap.
• Never try to squeeze or lance a boil at home. Keep the affected area clean, but refrain from scrubbing or picking it.
• Apply warm compresses on the affected area for five minutes after every few hours. It will soften the tissue and help the boils to rupture and drain.
• Mix a teaspoon of salt or boric acid to a cup of hot water. Dab it in a washcloth and apply on the inflamed areas.
• You may even try adding a few drops of castor or tree tea oil to the water for the poultices. See that they are bearable and do not burn the flesh.
• Provide the diseased animal with a well balanced and a nutritious diet and avoid feeding him substandard commercial food.
• If the boils are accompanied by a fever, it is better to make the animal undergo a fast for a day. It will help to detoxify the body.
• Add 2-3 cloves of garlic to his food everyday. Garlic helps in boosting the immune system and is also a well-known antibiotic.
• Add some apple cider vinegar to the drinking water of the animal. It will facilitate the healing process.

Symptoms
The condition is characterized by the following symptoms

• Presence of blood particles in stool
• Increased bowel movement
• Exerting while defecating
• Inactivity and lethargy
• Sudden loss of appetite
• Excessive intake of water
• Diuresis or excessive urinating
• Sudden weight loss
• Frequent vomiting

• Bacterial infections like Clostridia, E Coli, and Salmonella
• Ingestion of toxic substances like rat poison or house cleaning agents.
• Intestinal parasites like tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms.
• Consumption of unhealthy or allergic food those are unsuitable for cats.
• Presence of benign tumors in the rectum or colon.
• Invagination of one part of the bowel into another.
• ‘Coagulopathy’ or clotting disorder in the body.
• Intake of certain allergic drugs and antibiotics.
• Cancer of the lower bowel (neoplasia).
• Inflammation of the bowel or ‘Colitis’.

• Provide a bland diet that is rich in fiber and low/ moderate in fats.
• Avoid giving commercial and canned cat food to the animal.
• Refrain from feeding him table scraps or fatty foods.
• Give medications for ‘deworming’, in case of parasitic infections.
• Providing antibiotics with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Administer drugs to control the rate of food movement in the intestines.