Cats and Dogs Together - Are They Compatible? by Tarun Kr Das

Cats and Dogs Together - Are They Compatible?

An old stereotype exists about dogs and cats being incompatible, but many households across the globe have a dog and cat, or even several dogs and several cats, living in complete harmony. Though many conflicting characteristics make up these two species, they can often not only co-exist peacefully, but also become the best of friends.

Cats and Dogs, Living Together!
Sometimes, people are forced to blend a cat household and a dog household together, such as when couples marry or when adult children move back home. Other times, animal lovers just need to expand their love opportunities to include other species. Whatever the reason, this change in environment can be very disruptive to all parties. To reduce the stress on everyone, you can follow a few simple tips to allow the household to gradually adapt to the changes in activity, odors, schedules and status.

Dog Breeds That Accept Cats
Pet owners should understand that some breeds are naturally hostile to cats and will chase and attack them. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to provide a safe environment for both species. These breeds include greyhounds and borzois, sight hounds that instinctively chase small, furry prey. Cat-friendly breeds include the Labrador retrievers, poodles and collies. Of course, individual differences can make the adjustments easier or more challenging. If you get a dog from a shelter, choose one that was raised in a household with cats.

Cat That Accept Dogs
Cats will generally learn to accept a dog in the household as long as the canine respect the cat's space. Fortunately, cats can jump to get away from a dog when that space is violated. The cat will determine how much "closeness" is allowed and will hand out "discipline" to the dog if required. Manx cats are one breed that is known to get along well with other animals in a household, but individual cats may have problems adjusting.

Growing Up Together
The best and easiest way to have both dogs and cats in your household is to have them grow up together. Acquire the kitten and puppy around the same period of time, and they will always be accustomed to having an animal of a different species in their household.

Introducing Your Puppy To Your Cat
Puppies are full of boundless energy without a lick of restraint, so you will have to be the controlling force in keeping the animal in check while the cat gets used to him. Put the cat in a separate room so that she will be unmolested in her own space. Put her bowl, cat toys and any other articles that will make her feel comfortable. It's a good idea to start the puppy training so that he will obey your commands Allow the puppy into her space on leash and only under strict supervision. Let the cat watch the puppy from a safe distance for a time, so that she can become accustomed to the high level of energy, but don't allow the puppy to get too close to her. After a time, the cat may want to investigate at a closer range. Make sure she can safely do so by keeping the puppy on leash. If the puppy becomes rambunctious, remove him from the area. Observe your cat for signs of distress or aggression. Extend these sessions to longer and longer periods. After the puppy no longer considers the cat a threat or new "toy," try taking him off leash. If he behaves, allow the two to interact in a gentle manner. If he gets too rowdy, the cat may take a swipe at him to warn him off. The introduction may take several weeks for successful adjustment between the two animals.

Introducing A Kitten To Your Dog
Introducing a new kitten to an existing dog is similar. Many experts feel no face-to-face meeting should occur for the first week to allow the newcomer to become comfortable in the new surroundings and to allow the existing pet to get used to the new smells and activities in the household. The initial plan is the same, putting the kitten into a separate space with all that she needs. Introduce the new kitten to other cats in the household before introducing her to the dog. When this is done to satisfaction, bring the dog into the safe room, on leash, and allow the two animals to watch each other. Make sure that the dog does not show aggression to the kitten. Correct him for bad behavior and praise him for calm behavior. Allow the kitten to approach the dog on her own terms. They may sniff each other to become familiar. Be ready with a hand on the leash or a water pistol to separate them. You must repeat this encounter procedure many times to ensure that the two will not act aggressively. When you are certain that the dog will not attack the kitten, you can then try taking off the dog's leash, but only when you are there to supervise. Keep the animals separated when you leave the house. Ensure that the dog and cat have separate feeding areas where they will be undisturbed. A pet gate will keep the dog away from the cat-feeding bowl and litter box.

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About the Author

I am Tarun Kr Das,I am an Internet Researcher,Blogger and article writer...I have been writing articles and blogs since 5 years....
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CAT OF THE MONTH: Charles Barber!!

Congratulations to our July Cat of the Month: Charles Barber! I love a cat with a good people name and who can resist a story about a cat who defeats all odds! He is clearly a SUPERCAT!

Charles Barber 13yrs old. Rescued at 1yr from shelter. Has more than 9 lives! He has survived being hit by a car, being blinded in one eye by another feline (his sister may she R.I.P), bit by raccoons...you name it! He remains a precious sweet soul who loves his puppy!

Congrats to Charles and his pet guardian Arielle G.! We love this big orange tabby!

Stop Your Cat From Spraying

When you spot your cat stand by a door or any other object at home, lifts its tail then urinates then you know that it is spraying on the door or object. Perhaps if you are a neophyte in the cat world, you do not know what spraying means. When a cat is new to a place, it is bound to make that place its territory by spraying. It is not a cat's dilemma as not knowing its own litter box; rather, it sprays for marking a definite location. It is natural for them to spray and usually it is ordinarily done by cats outdoors. Yet, there are cat owners who complain about their cats spraying indoors. It could be troublesome for a home owner if a cat sprays inside the house. Do not worry too much as for every difficulty, there is a solution.

The reason why cats spray can either be one of the following: for marking a location, for calling a mate or for relieving stress.

A cat, just like other territorial type of animals, wants to mark its territory. In order to do this, it sprays a bit of urine on its territory. The smell of the cat's urine will alert other cats and animals to get off its property. It is natural for cats to spray on things, so extend a little understanding towards your cat.

Pheromones are a substance that animals utilize to communicate. This substance is released with the urine sprayed by cats in heat. This hormone is similar to fingerprints because animals use this to identify the kind of creature that sprayed in the location. Often, this hormone is released when cats are in heat. The pheromones tell the other cats that it is searching for a mate. Other cats in heat are attracted towards the scent of the urine due to of the pheromones. This serves as an open invitation to get engaged in procreation. Later, you will get kittens in the house.

Getting rid of stress is another reason why cats spray. It could be stressful for a cat to find another of its kind in its territory. When it catches a glimpse of another animal, it also sprays. The spraying of urine allows the cat to release some of the built-up stress generated by seeing another creature in its territory.

The scent of cat's urine can be odious. The problem is sometimes the cat sprays inside the house. The urine can stain furniture and leave foul odor. When your cat sprays, do something at once like shooing it away.

The most effective way to eradicate this spraying behavior is by neutering or spaying the cat. This applies to both male and female cats. The spraying activity will immediately stop after being neutered. Since a male cat will no longer mate after being neutered, it will get rid of its spraying. It is important to consider whether you do not want to breed your cat or otherwise because spaying or neutering is irreversible. Do not spay or neuter if you still wish to have kittens. Consider another option. It is best to ask for your vet's opinion regarding spraying if you do not want to sterilize your cat.

Find out how cats spray [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/what-to-do-when-your-cats-spray/] is affected when you neuter a cat [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/what-to-expect-when-you-neuter-a-cat/]. Check here for more information on cat marking [http://www.kittybehaviour.com/understanding-cat-marking/].

About the Author

Kitty Bee is the owner of two lovable cats.

Cat Training: Scratching by Romolo Lerza

Cats have a strange way of saying that they like you, they leave marks in a lot of places of your home. You will frequently know if the house you're in has a cat for a pet yet without seeing the cat. You will be able to see scratch marks in practically each corners of the house. Scratching is very normal behavior for cats and there are lots of factors as to why they do this. A few cats scratch furniture or flooring in order to discharge pent up energy inside of them, they scratch so they become fatigued instead of restless. An additional reason they scratch is because they want to get rid of some parts of their claws or they want to sharpen their claws. Cats also mark their territory by means of scratching surfaces or leaving their scent on it. Cats additionally scratch surfaces for the reason that they want to flex their bodies and move their muscles.Most owners take time to train their animal to change this type of destructive behavior. Kitties can be disciplined to follow instructions so they can also be disciplined to change their behavior towards objects and people. When cat training scratching should be one of the areas you should focus on. Because this is a natural trait for them, you can't actually prevent them from scratching but you can change where they do it. You can provide your cat with things that it can scratch freely. You have to observe what kinds of objects the cat likes scratching, look at where it is situated and aim to figure out what its texture is. You will have to make the cats preferred scratching object appear unappealing by covering it or by spraying it with an odor that cats do not like. Look for a scratching post that will match the consistency of the thing your cat likes scratching and place it close to the area where this favorite object is found. Make sure that the new scratching post has the precise same texture as the preferred object and remember to make it steady. When the cat utilizes the scratching post give it goodies and pet it lovingly. If that cat really comes to like the scratching post, you can gradually move it to a better location. These movements should not be big jumps, keep in mind that you need to take it slow with cats. The much loved scratching object of the cat has to remain unappealing until you are certain that the cat will not go back to using it and has really taken to the scratching post.
You will typically progress with altering this behavior gradually but surely. Just stick to it and you will see results in no time.

About the Author

As a pet lover and someone who devoted his life to animals I consider myself an expert trainer and the one person you can go to when needing advise with regards to your cats. [http://www.howtotoilettrainingcats.com]

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.

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4 Alternatives To Declawing Your Cat by James Laurie

Your cat scratching the furniture, carpet and other places around the house can cause considerable damage and some people think the answer is declawing the cat. Declawing can cause damage to your cat's paws and possible behavioral problems. I would like to provide you with four safe alternatives to declawing your cat.

Trimming Claws- Trimming your cat's claws is something that should be done periodically anyway. You should start to trim at an early age to get your cat used to doing it. They will never like having it done. But they will learn to tolerate the trimming, while vocally protesting the indignity of it all. Never use scissors to cut claws because that will shatter the claw and be very painful for your cat. Talk to your veterinarian about how to properly trim your cat's nails and choosing what type of trimmers would be the best to use.

Scratching Post- Choosing a sturdy, heavy, tall post is the one of the best alternatives to declawing your cat. It must be tall enough so they can stretch out and get a good grip on it and it has to be sturdy and heavy enough so that it won't move. If it moves or falls over they will stop using the post. The post should be made of a good gripping material like carpet or rope. I personally have had better luck with carpet than with rope. Place the post near or, if you can, on the area being scratched. As an extra bonus to help entice your cat into using the post, sprinkle it with a little bit of catnip on the top and base. Your cat will love you for it.

Use Double Sided Tape- Using a double sided tape is another great alternative. Taping the areas that are being scratched gives the area an unpleasant feeling. Cats don't like sticky feeling or having the hair on the paws pulled and they will avoid the area. Using double sided tape and a scratching post can be a very effective combination to a scratching problem.

Cat Claw Covers- Claw covers are fairly new and I have not personally tried them yet. The word that I've heard is, they work great. However, like declawing, you must keep them in the house, because the claws are covered and, it reduces the ability to defend and escape. Before applying them you will need to trip your cat's claws. The covers are filled with nontoxic glue using a syringe and slid over the nail. They should last between 4 to 6 weeks before falling off due to natural growth of the claws. Keep an eye on your cats paws to see when one falls off. You can then replace it quickly. The first few times applying claw covers you may need some help doing it, as your cat will wiggle around, and it is possible to get glue on their paws and glue their toes together. An added bonus to using cat claw covers is the fact that they also come in assorted colors, creating a great effect.

As always, before doing anything new with your cat, always consult your veterinarian.

About the Author

I have been working with cats for over 30 years, by volunteering at private cat rescue shelters, with feral cats and having a number of cats at home. If you are having litter box issues with your cats I would like to help point you in the right direction. Visit my website http://www.catpeesonbed.com/

Why Cats Flip For Catnip by Cody Nervis

If you've at any time watched being a cat "flipped" around refreshing catnip maybe you have been struck aided by the query; "what leads to Catnip to affect cats that way?" Catnip is without a doubt an unusual phenomenon amongst cats, it has the skill to alter your cat's tendencies like practically nothing else can. So what specifically would be the purpose for what scientists have coined as "the Catnip effect"?

Sad to say for these types of inquisitive minds the actual cause of why Catnip affects cats in these types of a manner stays largely a mystery. There may be on the other hand much that we do know about Catnip and cats even though we usually do not hold the final solution of precisely "why?" nevertheless answered.

The Technology Things

Catnip is scientifically classified as Nepeta cataria and can be a perennial herb from your mint household and is in truth also known as "Catmint". It is a plant indigenous to Europe but may be exported and is now observed all through together with the United states and Canada.

The energetic ingredient in Catnip is surely an oil; Nepetalactone, which can be discovered within the leaves of your plant. This will be the motive that you are able to seek out Catnip in a very bottle or spray kind in some pet retailers.

Other Uses For Catnip

Catnip isn't only good to stimulate action in cats, it can also be used by humans as an herb for the medicinal tea which might soothe toothaches, enable versus coughs, and may well also complete as being a rest assist. Furthermore, Catnip might be utilised as an herb on salads or other food items as has been the case for centuries in France. Recently Catnip has also been garnering favor being a pure insect repellant rivaling the effectiveness of several retailer bought varieties of repellant.

Catnip and Kitty

Catnip has an effect on approximately half of all cats. What determines no matter whether or not a cat will react to Catnip is often a genome that's inherited (or not inherited because the circumstance may be) at birth. Kittens, regardless of whether or not they carry this genome, usually do not react to Catnip right up until reaching about three or more or four weeks of age and starting to be sexually mature. Older cats are also much more possible to possess a diminished or non-current response to Catnip, which potential customers scientists to consider that the Catnip effect is dependent at least partially on sexuality and which the response may very well be anything like an aphrodisiac. Additional including to this belief may be the similarity of your sexual pheromone found from the urine from the male cat to nepetalactone (the active product or service in Catnip).

Cats that is often traced to regions exactly where Catnip is not indigenous appear to be unaffected by Catnip. The domesticated housecat will not be the only cat that may be affected by Catnip. Larger cats can also be affected by the Catnip impact, felines such as the bobcat, lynx, tiger and also lion are acknowledged to react a lot exactly the same way the frequent housecat would. It can be interesting to observe that while Catnip can act like a stimulant when a cat sniffs it, it might conversely act as being a relaxant if ingested. For that reason, you could possibly see a distinct, virtually opposite result depending on whether your cat chooses to consume the Catnip you provide for him/her or merely sniffs it (the latter getting the more typical habits).

The best way to Use Catnip With the Cat

Catnip can prove for being an incredibly helpful instrument for your number of widespread problems along with your cat. If you happen to be lucky sufficient to own a cat that does react favorably to Catnip then listed below are a few ideas to suit your needs and your furry very little friend.

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.