Making a Winter Shelter For Stray Cats - Stray Cat Outside My House

Parasites: Cats that spend a great deal of time outdoors have a much higher chance of getting both internal and external parasites than their indoor counterparts do. While external parasites like fleas and ticks are fairly easy to detect, internal parasites can grow undetected for weeks or even months, causing serious problems down the road.


Heavy rocks and cement blocks from an unused pond were put on the bottom of the tarp to hold it down.


The other morning, after having had three nights with BELOW zero temperatures as low as -23 below F, I saw some sort of paw prints in the snow as I was leaving home for church. Little paw prints that may or may not have belonged to a cat, a rabbit or a small dog.


There are people and organizations that specialize in helping feral cats through the trap and release program. Your veterinarian is likely in contact with local persons who can help you. You can also get more information about feral and stray cats at the Alley Cat Allies, (alleycat.org), a national online organization.


Feral cats by nature do not directly interact with man but have learned to coexist. Feral cats associate with other feral cats and sometimes they will associate with stray cats but not often. Like their ancestors, the wild cat, they tend to keep with their own and resist outsiders. They survive quite well without our help but can present a problem if your home is in their territory. The feral cat will likely be hostile to you and your pets that will cause problems with your own pet's behavior.


In some countries, it can be summer all year round. In such climate where the sun can be burning hot, you may hope for it to rain to bring the temperature down or go somewhere where air conditioning is available. Like any other person, your cat cannot agree more to that. It is necessary for you to take extra precautious of your cat's health during hot season to prevent it from suffering from dehydration. Unless you are able to understand what your cat is telling you, you have to constantly observed your pet's behavior or at the very least, give it a cooler living condition in order to prevent it from overheated.


Taped the boxes shut and cut an entrance hole in the side.


Next we covered the insulated boxes in heavy duty plastic to keep them (boxes and cats) from getting wet. Large heavy duty garbage bags could be used instead.


If that's not feasible or if he gives you grief because he "MUST" be outside, here are a few things to consider doing to make his outside stay safer for him:


If you are one cat owner who likes to take your cat in your car wherever you go, make sure that your cat is never be left in a parked car during hot summer. By leaving your cat in a parked car even for a short while may cause harm to it. Have you ever notice that the temperature in your car can increase rapidly during hot days. This can even happen when you are parking under a shade due to the reasons that the sun will not fixed at one position and that heat travel from hot regions to cold regions. Unlike dogs, cats may not be able to alert passers-by of its discomfort and they could pass out and die in as short as fifteen minutes. So, make it habit to take your cat with you after parking your car.


· A domestic feral cat will gladly eat your food but never let you get close so trapping is the method of choice.


Making nighttime off limits: Nighttime is when the most problems happen for cats because it's when most fights and car accidents take place.

About the Author

by Jamarcus Henderson

Build Your Own Cat House - Cat House Plans.

Discover How to Treat Cat Bites and Scratches Without Risk of Infection by Madeleine Innocent

I think I'm a rescue freak. I can't bear to see an animal in need. I don't care what animal it is, I'll help them all. However, cats seem to have their own way of finding me. Once two stray cats turned up on my doorstep, the day after I had moved in.

I think they have good bush telegraph.

Or maybe I was a cat in a past life...

Catching abandoned animals can be tricky, though.

Some years ago, I adopted a very frightened young cat. Before she had properly settled in, she managed to escape from the house and luckily, ran up a nearby tree.

I HAD to retrieve her as otherwise she would run feral, not knowing where home was.

I knew I was in for a hard time. Happily the tree wasn't very high and a short step ladder was sufficient to get myself to her level. Then the fun started. She kept backing herself further and further down a narrow branch, until she could go no further. By now, she was really frightened.

I made a grab for her.

She fought and bit and scratched, but I managed to hang on. Somehow we made it back to the house and she bolted to hide under a bed. Well, she was safe, if traumatised. I'll deal with her later. How about me?

My arms and hands were covered in deep scratches and bite marks which were beginning to become sore and swell up.

I found my bottle of homoeopathic Ledum and started dosing myself. Within a couple of doses a few minutes apart, I could feel the pain ebbing away.

A few more doses and there was really only the marks left, the swelling having gone down. A few days later and they were gone too.

How I wished I had known of this remedy some years earlier when I was in a similar situation. Then, my hands and arms were swollen and very sore for over two weeks.

The most obvious problem in such a situation, apart from the pain and swelling, is the risk of infection. Because the remedy had worked quickly on the immediate symptoms (the pain and swelling), I knew it would prevent any infection, and it did.

Ledum is a great acute remedy for any puncture wound. This can be from a cat bite (or any other animal), a splinter, a shard of glass, a vaccination, a rusty nail, a poisonous spider or snake bite. They're all puncture wounds. I routinely give parents and pet owners Ledum to take before and after they have their child or pet vaccinated. This helps with any swelling and limits the harm.

If Ledum is given quickly after a bite, it will prevent an abscess. Abscesses are common in cats who fight other cats, or in cats who hunt.

A quirky keynote of Ledum is that they are cold, but feel better for cold applications. Heat aggravates the situation. So if the area of the bite feels relief from cold applications (we're not talking about the numbing effect of ice here), Ledum is the first remedy to use.

If the remedy doesn't help the acute symptoms (pain and swelling), then infection could set in. If relief is obtained from the remedy, it will also stop infection, even tetanus. So it's important to keep an eye on this.

The homeopathic remedy Ledum is available from homeopaths, homeopathic pharmacies, health shops and now even some chemists. It is in any homoeopathic first aid kit.

About the Author

Madeleine Innocent is a practicing homeopath, a specialised modality of natural health care. She treats both people and animals in her busy West Australian practice. Madeleine loves to spread the good work of homeopathy and other areas of natural health care and writes extensively on the subject.

For a complimentary ebook on how to naturally treat some common ailments at home, visithttp://www.twolegsandfour.com.au or http://www.twolegsandfour.blogspot.com

How to Prevent and Treat Cat Hairballs by Claudia Escobar

Cat hairballs can really become a problem for your cat, especially if they occur frequently. What causes hairballs? Cats are very clean animals. They wash themselves constantly, and in the process, they ingest a lot of fur. Eventually, all that hair builds up creating a hairball. Cat hairballs are not only uncomfortable for you cat, but they can also lead to other problems like constipation. There are ways, fortunately, to reduce and even prevent hairball buildup.

So if you already own a cat, or if you just adopted a cat, and need information on cat hairballs, here is some information about the symptoms and prevention of hairballs. You'll also find information on cat hairball remedies.

Hairball Symptoms

A hairball problem is somewhat easy to spot. Your cat will start hacking and coughing, followed by vomiting. These episodes might occur frequently, especially if you have a long-haired cat.

Even if you don't see your cat going through what I call a "hairball episode", you can still see the evidence: a ball of hair on the floor, or the carpet, or wherever your cat chose to spit out the ball. Usually, a hairball is an long mass of hair, similar to a cigar in shape. It is definitely not a pretty sight.

Hairball Prevention and Treatment

The easiest step to help you prevent hairballs is brushing your cat on a regularly basis, preferably every day. Even if brushing does not completely eliminate hairballs, it will reduce the amount ingested, thus reducing the frequency of the problem. Furthermore, brushing your cat will help your cat stay in great condition. And remember that a grooming session is always a great bonding opportunity.

If despite your efforts, your cat continues to have a hairball problem, try a hairball remedy. Consult your vet, and he or she will suggest the best treatment for your cat. Some common hairball remedies include petroleum-based gels, which are given orally. You may also give your cat a fiber-rich diet, or special-formula food designed to prevent hairballs.

And finally, you may also try home treatments, like giving your cat a little bit of butter once or twice a week. Canned pumpkin is another known home remedy used to treat hairballs. You can mix a bit of pumpkin with your cat's wet food. Again, always consult your vet before using any of these remedies.

About the Author

Claudia Escobar is the owner of two 10 year-old tabby cats. For more information on cat hairballs or cat lovers gifts, you can visit her site http://www.cat-lovers-gifts-guide.com. You may publish this article provided you do so in its entirety and include this resource box.

Experiencing A Cat Health Problem

Cats rely on its human companion about their health problems. It is up to the pet owner to whisk off his cat to its doctor for diagnosis. Encountering a cat health problem has the same process when we get sick, go to our doctor to discover what's wrong and what medicine to take to feel better, the only difference is that you are the one to take your cat to the hospital which, you can load into a cat carrier.

Observing a Cat Health Problem

It is necessary to be aware of your cat's behavior especially that they are introvert and independent creatures. A couple of issues that can indicate misery in your cat include continuous scratching, for instance, which could stem from an active flea problem or your cat could have allergies. A bit else to look for is drooling, shying away from everything that gets too close to the face and the incapacity to eat dry food. This can hint you that the cat has a bad tooth that could require extraction. Check their paws for splinters that can become infected or broken nails.

Recognizing a Severe Cat Health Problem

Observing your cat going back and forth to the litter box with no results can signal a cat urinary health issue. This health problem can be found in both male and female cats and can be caused by residues building up in the tract making it impossible for the cat to urinate. This can rapidly turn out to be a precarious sickness for your cat and should you observe this behavior, call your veterinarian right away and tell him the situation. In nearly all cases, an instant visit to the doctor is obligatory so the veterinarian can put a catheter in the cat to vacate the bladder. If this is not executed, the urine can back up into the kidneys.

Treating a Severe Cat Health Problem

Determining a cat health problem requires understanding your cat's behavior because it enables you to care more for the health and well being of your cat. Put your decision on the hands of a veterinarian to find out the course of treatment necessary for your pet once a cat urinary health problem arises. In this way, you must be updated with information relating to a cat health problem that your feline may be encountering along with cat related problems. This in turn helps you in determining the signs of distraught when your cat is not in a good condition.

About the Author

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Andy Immotna has been maintaining a number of premium membership websites that constantly provides members with resell rights products and highly valuable information products that may be added on membership sites or article directories.

The Truth About Vaccinating Our Pets by Julia Sage

Why is it that yesterdays cats have far out lived the pets of today? More and more cats and other pets are acquiring diseases normally found in humans; cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart and liver disease, skin allergies, and sinus problems.

There is a great myth out there that we must vaccinate out pets on a regular basis. Experts say, Your pet NEEDS this vaccine and it won't do ANY harm€.

WRONG!

Vaccines, although have benefits for preventing serious illnesses in pets, are being over used, too often. Vaccines work by stimulation the immune system. They do have a positive effect by protecting against infectious diseases. However, over vaccinating has long-term negative effects that lead to hosting immune related diseases.

These diseases can include: immune mediated hemolytic anemia, immune mediated skin disease, vaccine induced skin cancer, skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, inflammatory bowel disease and neurological conditions. Today we are seeing more cats and dogs acquiring cancer before the age of five years old. And autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well.

The combination of over vaccinating year after year, inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices, and other environmental stresses have left each generation of our pets more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease.

Veterinary schools are beginning to advise alternative vaccine protocols. New research is showing that vaccine immunity is lasting longer than previously thought.

The decision about vaccinating your pet is an individual choice. Although they can prevent serious illnesses in our pets, they should be used with caution. Research the vaccine you are giving your pet before visiting the vet.

Consider the risk factors for your particular animal. Are they an indoor or outdoor animal? Cats that strictly indoor pets, never going outside, are at low risk for acquiring infectious diseases from other animals that may be unvaccinated and infected. They may not require all the vaccines that an outdoor cat needs. In some cases, vaccines given at 1 year of age can provide life long protection.

Yes, it is important to protect our furry friends from serious illness, but we as humans owe it to these helpless creatures to do the research. They are depending on us for their well-being. Save yourself the agony of having a shorten life with your pet, and seek out the truth about vaccines.

About the Author

If this has been an eye opener for you and concerns you, visit my blog now. http://healthypet.blogspot.com

Understanding Your Cats Behavior by Julia Sage

People often fail when they try to train their cat. The main reason for this is failure to understand how your cat thinks. Cats and dogs do not think a like, yet many will use the same techniques for dog training with their cat.

Cats do not respond positively to yelling or physical punishment. This only causes your cat to think you are an unsafe person, and adds mistrust to your relationship. In fact, most cats, being of a stubborn and dominate nature will refuse to cower down, as a dog might when you raise your voice. Their naughty behavior may escalate, or cause your cat to become aggressive.

Cats respond to positive and negative consequences. Make sure though that the negative consequences are attached to the behavior and not to you. Reward positive behavior, no reward for negative behavior teaches your cat to behave better.

By nature, cats are creatures of habit. They respond much better when they are on a set schedule and their environment stays the same. Something as simple as moving the furniture or adding a new piece of furniture can send your cat into a frenzy.

Cats will spend a lot of time each day marking their environment with their friendly pheromones by rubbing their faces on things. This adds their scent throughout the house and helps them feel safe in their environment. Understand that when you move furniture or bring in a new piece of furniture, your cat has an instinctual need to remark his/her territory in order to feel safe again. This scent is not the same as when a male cat sprays to attract a female cat. They are simply putting their friendly scent on things so it is familiar to them once again.

A common reaction for adults when their cat begins to rub up against new furniture is to chase the little critter away and sometimes start yelling. Unless your cat is clawing at the furniture, they will not damage your furniture by rubbing against it.

If you are concerned that your cat will get your furniture dirty somehow, it is safe to bathe a cat once a month, sometimes more often if they go outside and get all muddy from the rain. Some people think bathing a cat will cause the cats to quit cleaning themselves. This generally happens when it is done in access. You may want to use a natural bath solution, so your cat is not ingesting chemicals when they lick themselves dry. Or you could use a dry bath if your cat turns into psycho kitty when they get wet. You can use baking soda for a dry bath. Just rub it into their coat, wait a few minutes, and then brush it off.

Understanding how your cat thinks, and their nature will help you have better results in attempting to train them. It will also help you bond more with your animal friend, and lead to a more fulfilled relationship for years to come.

About the Author

Cats are wonderful companions when we understand their nature and how to provide the care that they need. Learn how you can get your cat to be more affectionate and behave better by visiting:
http://healthycat.blogspot.com