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

Funny Cat Videos Addiction by Lynn Carrillo

Funny cat videos are viral. Nowadays people are almost addicted to them. If you are on any social website you will find your friends forwarding and sharing links to them on a regular basis. Many of these videos are silly and weird but people just can't resist watching those cute animals.

One of the most popular sources of such videos is Youtube. If you visit the site, you can see plenty of funny cat videos having well over one million views. Another great source is Google videos. Just search for 'Funny cat videos' and you should get hundreds of results - All sorts of cats in different funny situations! You can also find good videos on sites like Metacafe.com, FreeFunnyCatVideos.org and Dailymotion.com.

Creating your own cat video can be fun but it is not that easy. Some of the videos that you see have been shot by accident. If you want to shoot your cat (with a camera, of course!) then you have to spend a great deal of time following the cat to see if it's up to a prank and then record the incident. Keep your camera on all the time and you are sure to record at least one very funny incident within a week.

If your cat has some odd or special talent then the task becomes easier. You just have to shoot her doing it. Make sure the video is not too long. People tend to avoid those as long videos get boring after a point in time. The clip should be short and funny. Even though no one expects professional video editing, you should try to edit out irrelevant and boring stuff from your video.

Upload it to Youtube and share the link with your friends. If it is good enough, it should go viral. Your friends will forward it to their friends and this goes on. Someone might even forward the link to you completing the circle. I find it quite funny when it happens. I am like 'Hey! That's my video!'

The lol cat is one of the most famous internet memes. It is not a video but since we are talking about cat humor, it is worth mentioning. If you search on Google you will find plenty of sites which allow you to create your own lol cat pictures.

In today's grim financial situation and stressed work life, funny videos provide a great dose of relief. So go ahead watch those videos and have a great time.

About the Author

To watch more funny cat videos [http://www.freefunnycatvideos.org] for free, hop over to our blog for the funniest cat videos [http://www.freefunnycatvideos.org] on youtube.

CAT OF THE MONTH: CELESTE!

Celeste came into my life when I was a gawky, weird 12 year old. Her mother had been wounded by a hunter shortly before giving birth to a heaping helping of kittens. Her mother passed, and my family hand-raised Celeste and her siblings.
When she was old enough, my mother had every intention of adopting her to a nice family, but I had other plans. Families would come to look at the kittens, and Celeste would mysteriously disappear to my room.
My mom left the house with Celeste one day, saying a family had agreed to adopt her. Minutes later, my mom returned. Since I was so upset, she had brought back a surprise for me, hidden in her coat pocket. Out of her pocket popped Celeste. Little did my mom know, she had just brought home my most loyal friend for the next two decades of my life.
She has spent 17 happy years on this earth and in my life, every second of which makes me grateful. She is currently coping with chronic renal failure and cancer in the lining of her lungs. She is spry, lively, and happy at the moment, and I am thankful for whatever amount of time she sees fit to share.
Celeste is a snuggly, gentle ball fluff. Dog people and cat people alike fall in love with this chill, demure little calico princess. Even as a kitten, her eyes have been full of intelligence and wonder.
Her favorite things are her window perch, her humans, and blankets fresh from the dryer.

Congratulations to Celeste and her humans, Britt and Andy! We wish you many more happy years with this fluffy furball.

Questions and Answers About Cat Health

Cats make wonderful pets, and can be a great addition to your family. If you are a cat owner, however, it is very important that you learn about the health of your feline friend and that you make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep your cat healthy. Cats need regular medical care, just like people do, and they can get sick just like people can. This means that you should learn how to take care of your cat and you should learn about the signs and symptoms of some common problems in order to be sure that you are giving your cat the very best care possible. To get you started on being a good cat owner, here are a few questions and answers about cat health.

1: Should I declaw my cat?
This is a question that new cat owners sometimes ask, especially as they see their cat tearing into the sides of furniture to have a good scratch. In general, this decision should not be taken lightly. Declaw is an amputation of the last segment of the toe, so there is some significant degree of discomfort associated with this procedure.
Most veterinarians will advise trying scratching posts and engaging in play with the kitty as much as possible to try to avoid scratching behavior and in turn avoid the procedure. In many cases, cats will not develop the itch to scratch furniture or other valuable surfaces when given an alternative, especially when presented at a young age.
If all fails and it comes down to declaw or the kitty must go, then be certain to find a veterinarian who is proactive and vigilant about peri-operative and post-operative pain management. Ideally if you can find a veterinarian who declaws by cutting laser, post-op recovery tends to be less traumatic and healing times are faster using such a device.

2. Should I allow my cat to be an indoor/outdoor cat?
While every family has to make this decision on their own, there are a number of risks associated with allowing your cat to be an outdoor cat. Diseases including FIV can be contracted through contact with infected animals and your cat may become the prey of coyotes or other animals that wish it harm. Keeping your cat in your home can be a far better choice to ensure your cat's safety.

3. Does my cat need vaccines?
Cats should be vaccinated against common and dangerous medical conditions including rabies, feline leukemia, herpes virus, calicivirus, and panleukomenia [herpes, calici, and panleukopenia typically come bundled in one vaccine]. A commercial FIV [feline immunodeficiency virus] is commercially available, but it has overwhelmingly been rejected by the veterinary community as ineffective. Vaccine protocols and vaccines chould only be taylored and administered by a licensed veterinarian.

4. Why is my cat coughing up hairballs?
Your cat licks himself or herself as part of his/her grooming routine. In some cases, this can lead to your cat coughing up hairballs or to your cat vomiting up hairballs. You can help to resolve this problem in some cases by having your cat regularly brushed (especially if your cat's fur is becoming matted or knotted) and by feeding your cat food that is designed to help with hairballs.

5. Why is my cat spraying urine?
Cats spray urine in order to mark their territory. While this behavior is normal- especially in multi-cat households, it is not to be encouraged. Try to minimize or eliminate the stress in your cat's environment and be sure to clean up all marking sprays thoroughly to avoid future spraying. Do not use ammonia-based products when cleaning up urine, as the ammonia can have a smell similar to urine and cause your cat to mark again.

Speaking to a Vet
These are just a few of the common cat health questions that cat owners may have. The best way to get your questions answered is to speak with a licensed veterinarian, either online or in person, for information about caring for your cat properly and meeting your cat's health needs.

Know more about cat health problems and online dog health questions at Web-DVM.Net.

Questions and Answers About Cat Health by Roger Welton

Preparing Your Car For Harsh Winter Weather

Severe winter weather can cause a lot of wear and tear on the exterior of your vehicle and potentially result in damaging accidents. If you live in an area that gets plenty of snow and sleet during the winter months, there are a few important things you should do to prepare yourself and your car for the ice and cold.

You should always protect your car from the elements. Salt and sand used on roadways can build up on various parts of your vehicle and cause damage to the finish. Late every fall, you must hand wash your car and make sure that it is extremely clean. Apply one or two coats of synthetic wax according to the directions provided by the manufacturer. After waxing, apply a commercial auto paint sealant. This will help protect your wax job and help you get a little extra mileage out of your efforts. The exterior of your vehicle should be adequately protected for the duration of the winter. You should routinely visit a touch-free car wash to remove dirt and debris from your car. Avoiding gunk and grime buildups will help extend the life of your finish.

It's also a good idea to have a routine maintenance check conducted on your vehicle at the beginning of winter. An oil change, tune up, and diagnostic check can help ensure that your vehicle is in good running condition and prevent a potentially inconvenient breakdown. Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Having the brakes checked is also a very good idea. The last thing you want to do is get break down or slide off of the road and become stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Every driver needs to assemble a roadside emergency kit in case an accident occurs. Grab an old toolbox or other container from the garage. Fill it with some basic supplies, such as a flash light, road flares, matches, bandages, and other first aid supplies. It is also a good idea to carry a small shovel and a container of cat litter mixed with salt incase you happen to get stuck on a patch of snow or ice. These simple tools can help you out of a bind when you least expect it.

With just a little bit of time and money, it's very easy to take the proper precautions that will ensure you can handle any situation that arises this winter.

About the Author

E. B. Chuong writes articles about recreational vehicles, and outdoor activities. Are you still looking for a good price on Shoei Helmets [http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/CTGY/shoei]? It's no secret Shoei is a popular helmet. Check out our top selling Shoei Multitec helmets [http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/CTGY/shoeimultitec] today.

Choosing the Perfect Kitten Name

So you bring home your brand new kitten for the very first time. You're looking forward to all the wonderful years ahead with your beloved new pet. You have everything she needs: Food, water, toys to play with, a litter box, and a bed to sleep in. But does she have a name yet?

It's not difficult to choose names for kittens, but you'll want to bear a few things in mind. To begin with, your kitten isn't going to stay a kitten forever. She will grow up to be a cat. If you focus too much on the way she is now as a kitten, you might choose a name that she'll soon outgrow. So think ahead. Is Tiny going to be the best name for your kitten five years from now? What if she puts on some weight and becomes a 15 pound cat?

Your kitten's appearance may help determine the name. For example, if you have an orange kitten, you might call her Ginger, Tabby, Cinnamon, Spice, or Sandy. If you have a grey kitten, you could choose a name like Ash, Soot, Dusk, Dusty, or Silver. If you have a fluffball of a kitten, perhaps Furball should be her name.

And then there is your kitten's personality to consider. Does your kitten run so fast through your house that all you see is a flash of fur? You might call her Zoom or Flash. A nervous, shy kitten might need a name like Mouse or Ghost. If you have a kitten that does all kinds of silly antics, you might decide to call her Clown or Jester.

You could also pick names from history. Plato and Aristotle are very dignified names for an intelligent male kitten. Or you might enjoying naming your kitten after famous fictional characters, such as Sherlock Holmes or Cinderella.

The perfect name just might occur to you all of a sudden while you're watching your kitten. If your kitten's favorite toy is a ball of yarn, maybe you decide Yarn is the best name for her. If your kitten's favorite box used to be filled with pippin apples, you might call her Pippin.

When it comes to picking out names for kittens, there is no right or wrong way to do it. The important thing is taking your time to choose a name for your kitten that you'll be happy with for years to come.

About the Author

Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who loves cats. If you want more ideas on what to name your kitten, be sure to visit her site at http://kittykittennames.com [http://kittykittennames.com/]

Halloween Safety for Cats Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for kids (and many adults) to engage in fun and frivolity, but for cats it is filled with dangers—some of them extreme. This article shows you how to make the holiday delightful, not frightful for your cat. Background: Why is Halloween Scary for Cats? Throughout history, Western culture has had a love-hate relationship with cats, especially black cats. Although the ancient Egyptians revered cats, our culture has maintained various unpleasant superstitions about them. Starting in the Middle Ages, certain groups associated cats with witchcraft and evil and actually believed that witches could turn themselves into cats. Far too often, misguided ideas about cats have led to the violent persecution of both cats and people who cared for them. For instance, in the 16th and 17th centuries, tens of thousands of cats, and humans accused of being witches, were cruelly put to death. Today, although cats are the most popular pet in the United States and other Western countries, mean-spirited anti-cat bias still persists, sometimes with disturbing echoes from the past. Unfortunately, some unstable people who have been exposed to callous or hateful attitudes toward cats use Halloween as an excuse to capture cats and viciously abuse them. Because Halloween season seems to spark violence against cats in general and black cats in particular, many shelters refuse to allow adoption of black cats during the month of October. Unfortunately, this does not protect cats who are normally outside during Halloween from would-be sadists and other miscreants. Felines face additional dangers from Halloween that typically do not occur with other holidays. On Halloween night, there are great numbers of people outside, including children who may be quite rowdy on this occasion. Teens and adults attending or returning home from Halloween parties may be emboldened by the role-playing and faux-satanic nature of the event—and possibly alcohol—to commit acts of cruelty toward cats that otherwise might never cross their minds (or at least be stifled by common sense). Keep in mind that Halloween parties may take place throughout October and even early November. Combine all these dangers with increased traffic, noise, and shouting, and the great outdoors can turn into a very frightening, unsafe place for a cat. Create a Safe Haven for Your Cat So to keep your cat safe, all you have to do is keep your feline inside, right? Actually, not letting your cat out on and around Halloween is your first priority, but it's not enough. All the trick-or-treaters ringing your doorbell over and over and yelling every time the door opens may scare the wits out of the bravest cat. Here's what you need to do to help ensure your cat's safety and comfort on Halloween: •If your cat is an indoor-outdoor cat, start keeping your cat indoors the weekend and several days before Halloween night because many communities celebrate Halloween before the traditional day on October 31st. It may also take several days for your cat to get used to staying indoors, and you may have to deal with a lot of yowling at the door and several attempts to sneak out. It's better to know how to handle this behavior beforehand. •Secure your cat—whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor feline—in a comfy room with everything he or she will need on the night of trick-or-treat: litter box, favorite nap cushion, food, water, and toys (Check out these Halloween toys for your cat). While you're at it, toss in a perch, one or more scratching pads or posts—and maybe some catnip (although some cats are over-stimulated by catnip). Make sure your cat has a place to hide, as well; space under the bed usually suffices —though you may want to dust there first. •Give your cat something to distract her from all the nerve-wracking noise going on in and outside the house. Try an entertaining cat video or some soothing music if that appeals to your cat. Spray a little Feliway® in selected spots to help alleviate some of your cat's stress. (Feliway is a synthetic product that simulates the action of a special cat pheromone, a chemical marking agent, to induce relaxation in cats.) Most importantly, visit your cat frequently in her room and be reassuring and affectionate so she won't feel she's being punished. If kitty's in the mood for playing, see if you can spare a couple of minutes here and there to engage her. There's nothing like stalking and pouncing on a toy mouse to take the edge off. You may also want to leave kitty with a treat on one or two of your visits. •As tempting as it may be, don't allow your kids to parade their Halloween costumes in front of your cat. Cats do get frightened when their human companions look different than usual. Although it may seem funny to see your cat's reaction to your kids' masks, it can truly be terrifying to the cat. And please don't dress your cat up in a costume; cats balk at being constrained in human clothes. (But if you do want to get your cat in the act in a happy way, check out Halloween theme-colored protective nail caps for your cats from Soft Paws.) •Keep your cat away from Halloween candles and Jack-o-lanterns. While they're a great way to highlight the ambiance of the holiday, they're very dangerous for your cat. He may try to swat the flickering flame and burn himself or knock over the candle, starting a fire. For this reason, we recommend against using Halloween candles in households with cats. Electrical wires, which some cats are fond of chomping on, are also a hazard, so keep them away from your cat. •If you have a Halloween party, keep your cat secure in his safe haven for the duration of the festivities. Put a sign on the door informing guests not to open it and not to let the cat out. If someone isn't familiar with your home, he or she may mistake your cat's sanctuary for the bathroom or coat room. •Don't let your cat get into decorations that could be harmful to him. Be especially careful with string, ribbon, yarn, and tinsel. They can be very dangerous if your cat swallows them because they can sever parts of the intestines, which may then require life-saving surgery. •Prevent your cat from eating Halloween candy—especially chocolate, which is poisonous to cats. Relay this warning to your kids who may decide to be generous with their candy with the cat. •Watch out for candy wrappers, as they can also be harmful if your cat ingests them. And those plastic bags that the candy comes in can be dangerous, especially to rambunctious kittens who could get trapped inside them and suffocate. You may want to store your children's Halloween bounty in a place that's inaccessible to your cat. •After Halloween, get rid of aging pumpkins, which can quickly harbor bacteria. If your cat samples a rotting pumpkin, she can get very sick. If Your Cat Bolts There are all sorts of reasons why a cat might dart out the door. Here are several precautions you should take well in advance of Halloween, to minimize the chance of your cat wandering off and to help ensure that she quickly returns on her own, safe and sound. •Above all, create a warm, secure, fun, accommodating, and meaningful home environment for kitty. You want to be confident that kitty feels that the safest, most comforting place for her is her own home. You want to have a strong sense that when kitty feels threatened, she considers her home to be her best refuge. Kitty should like where she lives and have an attachment to it. •Get your cat microchipped. A microchip is a tiny, harmless, permanent identification device inserted just below the skin by your veterinarian. The procedure takes a few seconds and is usually painless. •Put a breakaway collar with an attached identification tag on your cat. The breakaway aspect of the collar is a potentially life-saving safety feature. If your cat is wearing the collar and it gets caught on something, your cat's weight or tugging will cause the collar to come apart, thus freeing her from the threat of strangulation or getting caught by a predator. •Train your cat to come when called. Devise a simple unique call that you think sounds enticing.Once a week—once a day at first—initiate the call in kitty's presence while letting kitty see that you're getting her favorite treat. Reward her with the treat and lots of praise when she approaches you. She'll catch on soon enough. •Try to train kitty to accept being picked up and held. Start slowly, just touching her sides, then her belly, then picking her up for one second, and so forth. Reward her each time she complies and always let her go when she indicates that that's what she wants; the exercise should not be stressful for kitty. Rewards may include petting and praise and/or looking out a window that's impossible for her to reach without your help. Not all cats agree to being picked up, but it's worth a try. When you have guests over, consider implementing the following strategies: •Assign a volunteer whom you know to be trustworthy to be an assistant cat-watcher. This person can make sure that kitty stays in her private party suite and that guests quickly shut the door behind them when they exit the house. •Put signs on the all doors that lead to the outside and that guests might use. The signs can say something like "Please don't leave the door open, so kitty doesn't escape. Thank you!" If your cat does get out, here's what to do: •Remain calm. •If you're hosting a party, ask your guests to refrain from being boisterous until you get kitty back in. You may have to repeat this request. •Get rid of any Halloween accoutrements that you think might frighten kitty. Extinguish any flames. Since you temporarily don't want to attract trick-or-treaters, you may want to turn off the front porch light. •Use the call you practiced with kitty to get her to come to you. Have kitty's favorite treats ready. •If you have not established a "come here, kitty" call, call kitty as you would under normal circumstances. •When you see kitty, try to encourage her to come in. Conspicuously open a can of her favorite food, or shake the treat jar—whatever sounds kitty usually responds to. •If kitty doesn't come in on her own, approach her calmly, perhaps speaking to her in a quiet, reassuring voice. Unless you know she runs away when you try to pick her up, consider picking her up. Swoop in quickly but gently. This is a judgment call. If you live in an apartment or condominium complex and your front door does not lead directly to the outside, the risks if your cat gets out are reduced, but certainly not eliminated; all the aforementioned safety precautions are still recommended. If you live in a high-rise and have a balcony, and throw a party, it is crucial that your cat be kept securely in a safe room for the duration of the party. At the End of the Day After the commotion has died down, and you've put all the dangerous stuff away, give your cat a hug or chin scratch for being such a good kitty and putting up with all us loud humans. Let her sniff around the house and reclaim her territory. She may want to indulge in some play to relieve pent-up stress. Going Forward... The outdoors holds many amusements for your cat, but danger is lurking as well—and not only on Halloween.Cats are safer living indoors. You may want to make Halloween an opportunity to turn your outdoor cat into an indoor feline and secure her safety forever, not just on this holiday. Make the indoor environment compelling from kitty's point of view. Fill your home with sturdy scratching posts, comfy perches at different heights (and with scenic views), and interesting hiding places. Engage in daily interactive play for kitty's mental stimulation and physical exercise. Knowing your cat is safe and happy inside with you is the best treat you can give yourself and your feline this Halloween season. (Note: If kitty shows an abiding interest in the outdoors, as a compromise between her wanderlust and her protection you may want to consider training your cat to walk with a harness and leash.) Disclaimer: This is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this. cathealth.com