Pet Care

Have you been feeding your cat, a cat that has ballooned into a considerable size? You might think that a fat cat is cute but the sad truth is, a fat cat may not be healthy. If your cat is over 19% heavier than the ideal weight for its breed, then you may really have a fat cat problem. According to many studies, a fat cat has shorter life span than a cat, which is just within the ideal weight bracket.

Cats are just like human beings, when they get too fat, they become at risk of some diseases that are associated with obesity. Studies show that a fat cat is at risk of contracting diabetes mellitus. Lower urinary tract disease, joint stress and aggravation of osteopathritis, non-allergic skin disease, and hepatic lipidosis or the deposit of fat in the liver. These types of disease could prove to be fatal for your pet so make sure that you do not over feed your cat and turn into some kind of a puffed up cat.

Aside from the diseases mentioned above, a fat cat is at risk of many complications. According to experts, if your cat is fat, it may have some breathing problems that could lead to some fatal conditions. Note that a fat cat usually does not have stamina and could tolerate much exercise. If a fat cat is suddenly exposed to rigorous exercise, it could become out of breath and might suffer from some complications. Furthermore, a fat cat may suffer complications when giving birth. There have been many cases of obese cats that die shortly after giving birth due to complications.

What To Do To Keep Your Cat From Becoming Overweight

The first thing that you should to keep your cat from getting really fat is to make sure that it is eating the right types of food and that you are not overfeeding your cat for that matter. A fat cat do not just happen overnight so there is a big possibility that you can control the weight of your cat be choosing the right food that it will eat. If you notice that your cat is gaining too much weight with the type of food that you are giving it at the moment, you should consult the vet and ask him or her to help you find other types of food that will not make your cat fat.

As cat lovers, we tend to want to spoil our pets. A fancy scratching post? No problem. The best food on the market? It’s only money. Ten dollars for a mouse made from old scraps of material? Here’s the credit card.

But what about a special house for your cat? Is that worth the expense? If your cat were a dog, there would be no question. Dogs, like their ancestor the wolf, still want to sleep in dens. An anxious or overtired puppy is often happiest tucked away in its carrier or crate.

Cats, however, have the blood of lions flowing through their veins. Lions don’t seek dens. They lie out on veldt sunning themselves and surveying their kingdoms. That’s what your cat wants to do as well. He or she will, therefore, take a dim view on being shut away in a carrier or crate like a puppy.

Another reason not to purchase a cat house for your cat is that the odds of your feline actually sleeping in it are astronomically low. When do cats ever sleep where you want them to? You can spend fifty dollars on a faux sheepskin cat bed, and ten minutes later, you’ll find the cat sleeping in your laundry basket or sprawled across your futon.

Let’s face it. Your cat doesn’t need a special house. He or she already has the run of your house.

But, if you are determined to spoil your cat by buying it the best cat house in town, here are a few options to consider.

Wicker Cat Bed - PetSmart

The Wicker Cat Bed is available through PetSmart and will cost you around forty dollars. It has the potential to be a winner, because there’s a bed on top of the basket as well as a hole on the side for your cat to crawl into the basket. Your cat may also get a kick out of scratching at the wicker. With this many options, even the most finicky cat will give this living space a second glance.

Cat Hutch - Dura Craft

This hutch, which retails for around $35, is like a teepee for your cat. A hole in the side to crawl through and soft cushions inside will tempt any feline to give home dwelling a try. And if your cat finds other…er…uses for the hutch, both the cushions and the outer cover are machine washable.

Half Moon Multi Tier Tower - Green Duck

For $130, you can make your cat a condo dweller. This cat house is wonderful for scratching, climbing, and napping. It is not enclosed, so kitty can survey his or her domain. If your cat must have a house, this is definitely the way to go.

Cats are beautiful, graceful creatures, and as Halloween rolls around, it’s only natural to want to pay homage to their mysterious beauty. And it’s always been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Therefore, why not put on cat make up and a cat costume for your next costume party?

Cat Make Up Kits

There are several cat make up kits on the market. Some emphasize the sexuality of a hot blooded female cat, others focus more on the goofiness of the kitten, still others are slightly forbidding, reminding us that the cat is only partially domesticated whatever we may think. Many cat make up kits will transform you into a feline who looks like an extra for a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats.

The kits vary greatly in price, but they all come with basic cat make up and instructions for applying it.

Cat costumes are also readily available both online and in costume stores. Again, you’ll have a wide selection to choose from–everything from the comic-looking Cat in the Hat to outfits so skimpy a Las Vegas cocktail waitress would be shy about wearing them.

But I Want to Do My Own Cat Make Up!

You can’t go too far wrong with a cat make up kit, but there’s always the chance that you’ll show up for your Halloween event looking just like someone else. If you want to be truly unique, do your own make up.

You’ll need grease paint (color according to your preference), a white highlighter, eyeliner, mascara or false eyelashes, and lipstick and lip liner. If you’re really into creating the perfect costume, consider purchasing a latex nose, some spirit gum, and a bristly black paint brush to provide whiskers.

There are several online sites that can coach you on the basics of applying cat make up. Study them to get ideas. Then, on a piece of drawing paper, make a rough sketch of your ideal cat face. Think about the image you want to project. Is your inner cat warm and cuddly, or aloof and mysterious? Are you a kitten or a crone?

When you’re ready to start applying your cat make up, do so carefully. If you make a mistake with grease paint, it’s hard to wash off. You might want to enlist a friend to help you get your make up just right.

When you’re finally finished, it’s off to the party. Just remember to conduct yourself with the appropriate amount of feline pride. After all, just a few thousand years ago, your ancestors were worshipped as gods.

One of the most desirable cat breeds today is the Persian cat and it is no wonder since they have such a majestic and exotic appearance. The Persian cat is excellent for those who want a companion who is affectionate, laid back and very devoted. However, before selecting a Persian for your household you should be aware of the care that is involved in having a Persian cat.

Their History

The Persian cat was present at the very first cat show held in London in 1871 and was extremely popular in the United Kingdom by the early 1900s. However, the first reference to Persians was found in the history of the Romans when they were brought on the caravans arriving from Persia, which is now modern day Iran. These early cats arrived in Europe in the 1500s and are now known as the Angora and Persian cat breeds.

In the late 1800s, the Persian breed found its way to the United States where it quickly became one of the most popular cats. Throughout the years, the Persian was changed by breeding into the cat we currently see with the extreme face, long coat and short ears.

Their Appearance

The long soft fur of the Persian cat is perhaps the most notable feature. However, the Persian is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns so you are sure to find the perfect cat for your individual preferences. Despite their elegant appearance, the Persian is actually a very solid built cat that has better muscle tone than most cat breeds.

The Persian cat has two different types of faces, the extreme and traditional. The difference in these two types is that the extreme face has a very snub-nosed appearance. The face is typically almost completely flat with the nose almost as high up at the eyes. However, the Persian with a traditional face will not have a flat appearance. The extreme face type has gained most of the popularity due to its appearance at many award shows.

Their Personality

For those who prefer a cat breed that is laid back and doesn’t show much energy then the Persian cat would be an excellent companion to add to your household. Persians would much rather lounge around all day then chasing after toys. However, Persians are also an extremely affectionate breed and need human interaction and affection. If you give your Persian cat enough attention and love then they will become a devote companion to you for the rest of their life.

While Persians prefer attention, they are not to demanding of it as some breeds are. They are also very responsive to the moods of their owners. They are also a quiet breed, which makes them ideal for apartment living conditions so the neighbors won’t be disturbed by constant vocalization. A Persian cat is a good option for those who want to be comforted and soothed by their pet companion.

Caring For Your Persian

Persian cats require long periods of grooming care otherwise their soft long coat will turn into painful mats that will need to be shaved off by a veterinarian. Each day you should be prepared to spend about ten to fifteen minutes grooming your Persian and more during shedding months.

To remove oil buildup you will also have to bath your Persian often, every two weeks is a good recommendation. With Persians tear staining is often a problem so you will have to wash their faces daily.

As pet ownership continues to rise, companies have envisioned a growing need for pet insurance. Despite the large number of households with pets, pet health insurance providers have not seen a huge increase in the number of policies issued. While pet health insurance providers have been around for more the 25 years, there have been some past history that turns people away from insuring their pets’ health.

With many veterinarians now having the same diagnostic tools available for pets as doctors have for their owners, escalating treatment costs has sparked much of a boost in the demand for pet health insurance. Providers are still trying to understand the public’s reluctance to insure their beloved animals and help cut down on their pet’s medical bills. For a few, the answer could be as simple as a lack of marketing to the pet owner by means other than pamphlets in the vet’s office and a few posters in pet stores. Additionally, in the past 20 years over 60 pet health insurance providers have gone out of business, but they did not take the fine print in most contracts with them.

While most people will enroll in a health insurance plan for themselves and their family, many containing the same type of fine print limiting the coverage paid for by the insurance company, they are reluctant to absorb the expense for their pets. Citing the history of pet health insurance providers collecting premiums and not paying any claims, they prefer to pay for the services as needed.

Professionals Remain Skeptic Of Insurance Providers

Even some veterinarians are skeptical of pet health insurance providers’ ability to pay claims in a limited market, and since most insurance companies work on a reimbursement nature, the vet is going to receive payment from the customer. Whether they have insurance or not, their involvement with pet health insurance providers will be limited to what they hear from the patients owners.

Those interested in insurance for their animals can compare policies offered by different pet health insurance providers and the approximate one percent of pet owners who insure their pet’s health look for the insurance contracts that are straight forward about what is covered and how it will cost them out-of-pocket,

Most pet health insurance providers have found that contract with a lot of fine print, outlining what they do not pay for, is turning people away from obtaining health coverage for their pets. Instead of focusing on what they will not pay, companies shifting to highlight what they do cover are receiving a better reception from pet owners.

There has been a virtual explosion in the pet insurance industry with more than a dozen pet insurance companies cropping up - mostly on the web. Having brought a pet home, it only follows asking one the question whether insurance for it is necessary and how much will it likely cost. Will the financial outlay pay back dividends and also knowing what the coverage is are other questions that will beg an answer.

A Few Concerns That Require Being Addressed

You would also need to know whether insurance for pets covers all kinds of pets and what the choices for protecting the pet are, which are other concerns that will take up your time in this matter. Pet insurance policies for your lovable dog or cat or other pet are many, and thus you will need to extensively research different policies to find the most suitable one.

It is common for different pet insurance companies to offer different products for your pet’s health care coverage, though certain features will be common to almost all plans. If you manage to get a good plan, you will no doubt praise the insurance company to the skies and also revel in the peace of mind that it will give to you. However, many of these plans come with their own stipulations and the money you pay annually may often seem to be a waste of good money, especially when you are informed that the pet has a pre-existing or hereditary problem and thus cannot be covered.

Don’t be surprised if your pet insurance company turns down your request to insure your pet because of your pet’s previous health records, which need to be submitted when making a claim. And, if the claim is passed, it is not uncommon for owners of pets to wait weeks to get paid, and also not knowing how much of the claim is going to be paid which will depend on the company’s fee schedule is another botheration. Finally, there are also deductibles to consider before you get your claim paid out.

You also need to contend with the possibility that rates of pet insurance will go up each year, and there is also the possibility that your pet may get dropped by the insurance company. So, once you realize these pitfalls, you may come to realize that peace of mind is a pretty distant possibility and frustration would be more like what you are going to experience with your pet’s insurance.

Nevertheless, most pet owners will want a cost effective solution and in spite of the fact that many perceive pet insurance to be a trap that they must avoid falling into, they may get what they want from benefit programs such as Pet Assure which is used by many thousands of pet owners and which offer members many discounts as well as affect savings on veterinary care, as well as anything else related to caring for your pets. However, Pet Assure is not pet insurance. So, you need to weigh the pros and cons before choosing it.

Pet insurance is becoming more and more important as people realize how important their animals are in their lives.  Animals have a certain innocence about them that makes a deadly accident or illness especially unfair.  Pet insurance can help your defray the costs of not only a pet’s health expenses, but also (depending on the policy) can help you defray the costs of finding your pet after he or she has wandered off  or can cover any damage your pet might do.

But pet insurance has only been since the 1980’s and more and more companies are popping up all the time.  You want to and should compare all pet insurance companies before picking a policy.  You could try looking at pet insurance ratings.

In Print

Although pet insurance companies advertise heavily in pet magazines and annuals, the editors of these periodicals are not shy printing reader’s opinions about their pet insurance companies!  Check to see if your favorite pet magazine has a pet insurance ratings issue.  If you have a friend or family member who subscribes to pet magazines, you could ask them if you could borrow the issues with pet insurance article in them.  For instance, Horse Illustrated usually has one pet insurance ratings article at least once every other year, and often has many back issues for sale.  You could even write to the subscriptions or back issues departments of your favorite magazine to see what issue has pet insurance ratings.

On Line

To quickly find pet insurance ratings, you need to get online and roll those sleeves up.  There are many “ratings” sites that let anyone post reviews of everything from potholders to Paris Hilton look-alikes.  Pet insurance ratings are sure to be mentioned somewhere.  You can even look at ratings within the insurance industry’s websites to see which pet insurance companies (or the companies that underwrite a pet insurance company) are given what rating in the insurance world.

One of the sites you should check out is for A.M Best, which gives ratings for insurance companies all over the world.  They are the definers of excellence in the banking and insurance industries.  They’ve been around since 1899, so they are not going anywhere.  On their website, you have to register in order to view pet insurance ratings, but the registration is free.  You need to know the name of  either your pet insurance company or it’s underwriter (preferably the name of the underwriter!) in order to find pet insurance ratings on A. M. Best’s website.

You’ve shopped for Aunt Suzie, you’ve shopped for the kids, did you by anything new for Mister Pickles your cat?  When is the last time you gave him more than a plastic bag from the grocery store to play with?  And here you are yelling at him again for tearing up the carpet, or knocking the ornaments off of the Christmas tree.  Get the poor guy a new cat toy!

Cat Toy Options

Which one should you by him?  You see all of these toys in the aisle, some with bells, some with cat nip, some that are just plush mouse shaped cat toys.  The options are almost limitless, or so it seems.  Will he like it?  Will it annoy you?  How easily will he lose it?  These are some of the things to consider when you’re shopping for a new cat toy.

If you’re not a fan of anything that makes jingling noises , but know that your cat would be crazy about it, try getting him a ball with some sort of foil or mirror in it that will reflect light.  This will give the same sort of interactive idea that cats love.
Cat nip can be almost as entertaining for you as it is for your cat.  Cat nip is a drug for cats, making them a little more hyper than usual, or causing the adverse effect, and making them seem a little drunk.  It is important that you give them a little at first in order to see how they react, because they just might drive you up the wall with their new found energy level.  Also, make a mental note that if you buy your cat the cute little animal shaped cat toys with the cat nip inside, they will probably completely annihilate the cat toy trying to get to the cat nip.  You may want to grab a few of them while you’re at the store.

Another great option for a monitored cat toy that will allow you to interact with your furry friend as well as give hours of entertainment to the both of you, is a simple laser pointer.  You’ve seen them, they’re small enough to fit on your key chain, and it shoots a red dot from across the room.  You’ll have your cat chasing that thing all over the house, and up the walls.  And this is a toy they can’t tear up.  These are just a few of the many options out there to consider when Christmas shopping for a new cat toy this year.

Proper cat health relies heavily on preventative measures; this includes routine veterinary care as well as grooming on a regular basis. To make sure you cat stays both happy and healthy it is a good idea to watch for any changes in their condition. An excellent time to monitor for cat health is during grooming sessions.

Cat Health According To Life Stages

The best way to keep on top of your cats health is by knowing the life stages and what proper cat health is for each stage. This way you can easily recognize when something is going wrong with your cats health and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The first life stage is from birth of sixteen weeks. During this stage you cat is just starting to learn about the world around them. Cats in this stage are often playful but still shy around humans. Cat health is also extremely important in this stage so that they can grow up to be healthy throughout the rest of their life.

The next stage is from sixteen weeks to one year. During this period, cats are often still very playful. To maintain cat health you should make sure you cat is spayed or neutered at about six months old unless you are planning on using them as a breeding cat.

Next comes the one to eight year period, which are the prime years for cat health. During this stage of your cat’s life, it is very important to have yearly visits to the veterinarian. From there is the eight to twelve year stage of a cats life. This is when pre-geriatric cat health comes into play. Your cat will often slow down but their behavior will remain the same.

Geriatric cat health will start when they turn twelve. At this age, you will start to notice health problems in your cat and they will often become worse as they age. Cats will often move very slowly since their joints will start to become stiff. Elderly cats may also be very irritated.

Common Cat Health Issues

There are varieties of health conditions that can affect your cat. A big part of keeping your cat healthy is proper prevention. Contact your veterinarian right away, if you notice any health problems. The following are some of the more common conditions your cat may get.

Flea allergy is a common problem for cats. A cat’s sensitivity to fleabites will increase as they age. Food allergies can also have similar symptoms to fleabite allergies including dermatitis and severe itching, vomiting or diarrhea.

Hairballs are a persistent cause of vomiting in cats. You can reduce this issue by maintaining a regular schedule of coat brushing. Even with shorthair cats, they can get hairballs if you don’t keep them down with routine brushing. You should take your cat into a veterinarian if they have persistent vomiting since this can also be a sign of thyroid or kidney problems.

Cats are wonderful creatures that bring a lot of joy in our lives and should be given more than devotion as well as love. Welcoming the cat into the new home can be an exciting as well as overwhelming experience but, need some action before they can be safely added to the family circle. The first thing one may need to do is to kitten or cat proof the home, which means removing small items like tinsel, rubber bands etc. that may choke the new addition. Have a cat carrier on hand, which are safe as well familiar places for the cat and, having a litter box would help the cat understand where to eliminate.

Cat Care Also Means Socializing The Cat

Once you have your cat secured in the home, you would need to socialize it and, this cat care chore is essential for it will help it to adapt to new social as well as environmental change. Also, understanding cat behavior can be a bit perplexing and needs time before cat training techniques can be successfully applied to keep the cat from engaging in unwanted behavior. Cat care will normally revolve around its food and nutrition needs and these will also change as it grows older. Premium cat food formulas can be given at different stages of her life to help it stay fit as well as healthy.

Giving the cat food that has all the necessary nutrients as well as being palatable is essential for its health and, one should refrain from giving it human food, which will upset the nutrient balance of its diet. Obviously, its food would contain milk but, it should be supplemented with raw eggs, though in limited doses, and raw fish and meats should be given with other ingredients to complete a nutritious diet for your cat.

It is also essential to take good care of the cat’s teeth as dental diseases affect it as much as humans get affected by dental problems and, the cat should be regularly brushed and be given food in conformance to dietary controls, as well as have its teeth cleaned regularly by the veterinarian. Good veterinarian dental care would prolong the life of the cat’s teeth as well as ensure that it does not require painful oral treatment.

One should also ensure the cat care that we give it should provide adequately for its safety and, this should be given priority. One should keep windows locked, especially if living in high rise apartments and keep it away from essential oils whose toxicity can harm its skin or be harmful to it, if inhaled. One may also need topical flea control products to keep it free of pests and, also have a First Aid Kit handy to prepare for emergency treatment of the cat.