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.

CAT OF THE MONTH: Mookey

Mookey is a 6 year old Manx, which means he was born completely without a tail. He was rescued from an animal hoarding situation in North Carolina by Prince William/Raleigh County Animal Rescue. He then went to live with his foster family Andrew and Kristen and is considered a "foster fail" since they loved Mookey so much they decided to adopt him! He loves sitting on laps and kneading. He enjoys stretching out and dangling his leg off of things which we like to call "trucker foot." A shy, but affectionate boy, Mookey is in LOVE with belly rubs and frequently will put his bikini patch on display while awaiting pets. Congrats Mookey for being our June Cat of the Month!

Common Behaviors Of Cats And Their Meanings

How well do you understand your cat? Even if it were only days or decades, perhaps you have observed a cat's actions. The acts of your pet are different from other animals. Some people think it perplexing when they see their pet behaving in a strange way. You may have a dilemma in raising your pet if you fail to read your cat's action. It may be difficult to find out what your cat means when it acts differently but there are methods to uncover your kitty's mystery.

You probably have become aware of your cat pushing an object (e.g., cabinet, stool, table leg) or a person. Then it strokes its head against the individual or thing. You will most probably notice this action done on individuals with allergies to cats or to those who have other animals. The cat does this because it wants to mark the person or object as its possession by putting a hint of its spit on that person or thing. This kind of cat behavior can be irritating for others. In the cat's point of view, however, the individual or object stands as someone or something odd; thus, it exhibits this action to establish it as part of its property.

For the cat, it serves it well to perform this pushing and rubbing act. In this world, however, there are some with pet peeves and those allergic to cats. They will try to get rid of the saliva because it upsets them. If they are successful, they will rid themselves with the cat's scent. The feline will, however, repeat the same process if it cannot smell the scent that it left on the guest. This will really pose as a predicament for the individual with allergies or with pet peeves. As a cat owner, you have to explicate to the inconvenienced person why it does this behavior - that it is just a welcome greeting for the cat. What you should do is to talk to the guest and request him to permit your cat to do this behavior. Once the cat does its business, it will leave your guest alone eventually.

Hunting is almost a must for cats. Do not be shocked if your cat is peeking out the window, creating strange sounds and doing bizarre movements. It just has its hunting instinct acting out. If your cat sees a cat or some movement, it will readily be on its paws. Again, do not be shocked because it is normal for cats.

There are individuals who think it baffling why cats pounce at things. Pouncing is one of a cat's favorite activities. Pouncing is part of play for them. Do not stop your cat from doing this behavior unless you want to get some troubles. You and your cat may wind up with trouble breaking a lot of stuff in the house. If you like to manage how your cat plays, buy a toy that it can pounce on. A yarn or a string may even be adequate enough for it to play with. Your cat will surely enjoy your company as it runs after the yarn or string.

If you have detailed understanding of how your cat behaves, you will have lesser problems because you will be dealing with it the correct way. Go beyond feeding and providing litter to your cat. Know your cat a little more by knowing its behavior.

About the Author

Kitty Bee is the owner of two lovable cats.

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Is Cat Food Making Your Cat Sick? by Julia Sage

Are you concerned that what you are feeding your cat is making him/her sick? Are you worried with all the pet food recalls that have happened in the last year? More and more animals today are getting sick, and some of the causes are directly linked to the commercial pet food that we are feeding them.

If your cat has symptoms such as: bad breath, itchy skin, dull dry coats, and intestinal gas, then chances are it is coming from the food they eat. A common disease that can be attributed to diet is diabetes in cats.

Not all commercial pet food provides all of the nutrients our pets need to be healthy at different times in their lives. Some pet food has ingredients that our pets do not need and can cause them to be extremely ill. A common ingredient found in pet food is a preservative called propylene glycol. It is used to keep pet foods moist. This preservative has been linked to anemia and bloat in animals, as well as other conditions.

What is propylene glycol? A petroleum derivative acts as a wetting agent. Propylene glycol is a colorless, vicious, hygroscopic liquid, CH3CHOHCH2OH, which is used in anti-freeze, laundry detergent, deodorant, floor wax, processed foods, and Pet Food.

Factory workers are warned by the FDA to avoid direct skin contact with propylene glycol because it penetrates the skin quickly and can cause brain damage, skin irritation, and kidney malfunction. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for propylene glycol says that it may be harmful by ingestion or skin contact.

The philosophy here is that if used in small amounts, and with other chemicals, that it will not produce harm to our bodies or our pets. Perhaps a small teaspoon or a quarter of a teaspoon will not produce serious side effects if given once. What is ignored is that it is not given once. In addition, most preservatives that are ingested DO NOT pass their way through the body. It is a foreign substance that builds up and stays in the body. Each teaspoon that may remain in the body is added by another -teaspoon, and another, and so on.

If you are using commercial cat food, check the ingredients. If propylene glycol is listed, do yourself and your pet a favor and stop giving it to them.

If this toxic substance is not present, other things to consider to determine if your commercial pet food is quality food are how the ingredients are listed. The ingredients will always be listed in descending order. That means what is listed first, is the primary ingredient.

A whole animal-based protein should be listed first. Stay away from by-products, these are left over's from processing human foods. Avoid other ingredients that are fraction of a whole; wheat middlings, corn gluten, anything that is not a whole grain.

You will want natural preservatives like ascorbic acid, Vitamin E or mixed tocopherols. Cats do not need artificial food coloring or flavors to be healthy. Essential fatty acids are a must; they help to prevent cancer, skin problems, and allergies. Taking these out, as is done in some special formulas will actually harm our pets in the long run.

We as humans are beginning to be more cautious about our own diets and what we ingest. Isn't it time we start considering the same for our furry friends?

About the Author

If this concerns you and you want to learn healthier alternatives that will prolong your cats life, visit:
http://healthycat.blogspot.com