Cats and Birds information on net.

Obese – Meaning cats that are 20% or more, heavier than their ideal weight.
Overweight - Meaning cats that are between 1-19% heavier than their ideal weight.

• It is estimated over 50% of the UK’s cats are overweight.
• 20-30% of these are Obese.
• Cats between 2 and 10 years old are more likely to be overweight.
• Cats prefer smaller, more frequent meals.
• In the wild they may eat up to 20 meals per day.
• Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they strictly feed on animals in the wild.
• Cats naturally eat raw meat; it is perfectly acceptable to feed raw meat in captivity.
• Cat’s teeth are designed to tear meat, not crunch on dry biscuits. Dry food should not be fed to benefit the cat’s teeth.
• Water is a very important part of the cats diet:

o A cat’s prey is generally 75% water.
o Dry food usually has no more than 10% water.
o Tinned food usually has approximately 75% water.
o Kidney disease is the number 1 killer of cats. Kidney disease is usually the result of lack of water.
o It is important for water to be a part of the food, as they have a very low thirst drive and will not drink as much as they should.
• Cats excrete the enzyme ‘amylase’ from the pancreas. Amylase is used to break down carbohydrates; it is lethal to feed too many carbohydrates, but a small 3-5% carbohydrate level is ideal.
o Fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate.
o Starch is a digestible carbohydrate.
o Un-used carbohydrates are stored as fat.

Causes of Obesity

• Humans are the number one underlying cause for overweight and obese cats.
• Overweight humans are more likely to have overweight pets.
• Cats that eat dry food are more likely to be overweight.
• Cats often eat when they are bored.
• Inactive cats are 16 times more likely to become obese.
• Indoor cats are twice as likely to become overweight.
• Disabled cats are more likely to be overweight.
• Neutered cats are 3 times more likely to become overweight.
• A neutered or spayed cat usually has approximately 20% lower metabolism due to being less active. This means they require approximately 20% less calorie intake.
• High energy cat food should only be fed to energetic cats. This will not make un-energetic cats more energetic.
• The temperature at which your cat is kept at will affect its metabolism. Cats that live predominantly outdoors will need more calories to maintain a higher body temperature. Cats kept in a centrally heated house will need a lower calorie intake.

Effects of Obesity

• Obesity shortens life expectancy.
• Obesity can cause the following conditions:

o Diabetes mellitus – Sugar diabetes
o Lower urinary tract disease – Several disorders involving the bladder and urethra.
o Lameness – Due to arthritis or muscle injuries
o Non-Allergic skin diseases – Due to being less able to groom.
o Hepatic lipidosis – Fat build up in the liver.
o Cardiovascular disease
o Lower stamina levels and exercise tolerance
o Higher risks when using anaesthetic
o Dystocia – Problems giving birth
o Pickwickian syndrome – Strain on the lungs due to excess fat, making it harder to breathe
o High blood pressure – Leading to heart failure • Overweight cats are 4 times more likely to develop Diabetes mellitus
• Obese cats are 7 times more likely to be affected by lameness.
• Overweight cats are 3 times more likely to be affected by lameness.
• Obese cats are 3 times more likely to get non-allergic skin diseases due to being less able to groom.
• Obese cats are twice as likely to die at middle age, between 6 and 12 years old.

So you have a cat that loves to scratch. Well, there is nothing wrong with that as it is natural for cats to love to scratch furniture and other objects. So what do you do if there is destructive scratching? For example, when your $5,000 sofa is the object of your cats claws? Well the simple answer is train them to scratch appropriate items.

Cats scratch for a variety of reasons. Some cats scratch furniture to burn energy or to stretch. After all, who doesn’t like to stretch now and again. Scratching also helps remove the dead outer layer of claws, similar to humans clipping your finger nails. Another possibility is territory marking as scratch marks are a visible sign and scent glands (in the paws) add olfactory smells to say this is my spot/territory/area.

As scratching is natural, it is not right to punish your cat for what it instinctively does. Punishing your cat for scratching only makes him or her more likely to be more aggressive and fearful of you as the trust between you can be destroyed. It also does not help because your cat doesn’t know any better if they have not yet been trained to scratch another item. The best form of punishment, should you feel it’s absolutely necessary, is to make a loud noise or squirt it with a squirt bottle if you catch your cat in the act of scratching the wrong object. However you must have given the cat an alternative to scratch beforehand or the cat will not understand. If the cat learns to associate the noise with you, then the cat may stop scratching while you’re present, but probably resume once you’re gone. This is why training your cat to scratch scratching posts and other proper objects is so important.

Now that you know why your cat scratches and what not to do, you can train him or her to scratch appropriate objects and not your prized furniture. The first step involves seeing what objects your cat likes to scratch. What type of material is the object – is it smooth, coarse, rough? The height of the object and how high up the cat scratches is also important information. Is the object flat or upright? Finally, knowing where it is located is another important step – sleeping area, entrance area of a room, etc. Observing the characteristics of items your cat likes to scratch means you can find or buy a similar item for your cat.

Put whatever stationary object you end up getting – a scratching post, a rope, a log, etc. – very close to the object you do not want your cat to scratch. However, make sure it will not fall over or otherwise move as your cat uses it or else your cat will not use it again. Then cover up the item your cat scratches with something he or she does not like – some material (double-sided tape or aluminum foil works well) or a non-harmful odor that he/she doesn’t like (try citrus). Your cat should now work its way to the new object as it resembles what your cat likes and will start scratching it instead.

As your cat starts scratching his or her new object, you can slowly move it to a new spot. However, only move it a couple inches each day as your cat won’t like sudden changes. Best results can be achieved when the object is as close as possible to what you do not want your cat to scratch. As a reminder you do not want to remove whatever covering you have put on your valuable furniture, drape or object for many weeks, even up to a month! When you do start removing your coverings, do so gradually to reinforce in your cat that he or she is not supposed to scratch it.

A final piece of advice on training is to start when the cat is young as it is easier to train a kitten than an old cat. Regardless of age, a cat can always be trained if you put in the time.

Congratulations! You now know how to train your cat to scratch objects you want, not your $5,000 sofa.

Many adults and children have a fondness for cats, they are quiet, loving, and very playful household pet but that same fondness diminishes when it comes to carry litter box duty. Everyone who loves cat look for pit holes to hide, when it comes to scoop waste out of the litter box.

Cats are intelligent pets. They instinctively know to use the litter box. Once cats are over with their business it’s time for a family member to scoop the cat’s waste out of the litter box and finish the job. This job is sometimes overlooked when loaded with busy work and school schedules leading to a smelly situation and an unhappy cat. For people who can’t clean up the litter box and are usually busy with their work or schools prefer to purchase a self cleaning litter box. Clean-up is as simple as changing a tray or waste bag once or twice a week with a self cleaning litter box.

It was a wonderful idea to invent the self cleaning litter box. The use of litter box is quite simple and helps to keep the premises clean. Once the cat has relieved themselves, the box cleans the litter itself either through a sifting process or through the use of a rake type device.

As soon as the cat exits the box an electricity mechanism starts a timer that automatically guides the self cleaning litter box to begin its work. A good self cleaning litter box is one that comes with safety precautions that ensure that the cat will not be harmed during the process.

Self cleaning litter box has a round shape if it uses shifting as a means to clean the litter. When the cat will exit the covered dome, the dome revolves for the cleaning process and the litter is shifted with the waste being discarded below the box. The litter then returned to its normal position for next use by cat.

The raking system of cleaning is used to clean a rectangular self cleaning litter box. As soon as the cat exits the box, the rake cleans all the litter and clumps of material which is the cat’s waste.

People who are away at work or school during the day purchase a self cleaning litter box is perfect for their cats. It can also be a good idea if you have to travel overnight and feel comfortable after leaving the cat alone at home with food and water. There are models of self cleaning litter box that use a regular size trash bag making them a very affordable. You can also purchase a self cleaning litter box that needs a replaceable waste tray for your convenience.

Cats need to knead. Nobody knows much about why cats do anything. There are many notions but few dependable facts. The usual suspects are: The cat is reverting to kitten behavior in which the mother is not producing an immediate supply of milk and the kneading opens the gates. Seems reasonable and likely. I have many cats. Actually I have two, they just seem like many. One kneads often, the other-never.

Some suggest that the cat who kneads in adulthood was weaned too early. Maybe so. (I guess I should explain that ‘making biscuits’ is a colloquialism for kneading. Sounds good to me).

Some say that the cat who kneads in adulthood was weaned too late. For this we need scientists?

Who can say? Purring is even worse. It seems that cats purr as they are dying. How does that relate to all the happy purring? The kiss of death? No, that’s a whole other scenario. Purr them an offer they can’t refuse. I don’t know.

The Rising Rump Syndrome is another matter and cannot be discussed without adult supervision.

Some of my two cats are chicken and some are bold. I say some because they switch sides; one day chicken one day bold. They sniff-to-death things they have sniffed for years as if they had never sniffed them before. I bring in a new object; they don’t know it exists. Two days later it is the exclusive property of one and the other should drop dead before touching it.

I bring home an elegant cat toy full of catnip and bells. They play with the bag. I’m gone for a week and a neighbor feeds them. I come home, they never heard of me.

A stranger comes to the door, they run for the hills. A friend they have met a hundred times comes to the door, they run for the hills. I come home from shopping. They yawn.

I’m trying to watch television; plop, right in front of my eyes. I go make dinner, plop, right on the counter. I go to the bathroom; plop, all over me.

Now I want to pet and cuddle; sorry, sleeping time. I run the vacuum, I’m Frankenstein. I get a piece fish; oy! What can I tell you?

People write books about cats. What do they know? All they got is facts. You want to know about cats? You don’t want to know.

Cats are wonderful, loving creatures. It's not uncommon to see a cat in every other home, sleeping cozily on the laps and furniture of their owners. It wasn't always this way. It is said that the cat wasn't domesticated until about 5000 years ago, in the valley of the Nile, but where did they come from?

The people of Upper Egypt had learned to grow and harvest their own crops. The wellbeing of the people depended on these crops. A means of storage had to be used. At first, these people just kept their grain in baskets, which they soon found was a mistake. Mice, rats and other vermin were eating the grain. This, in turn, attracted the African Wildcat. These cats ate the vermin that was destroying the crops.

The people were grateful to the cats and encouraged them to stay by feeding them fish heads and other scraps. The cats, being abundantly fed and seeing the men as no threat to them, moved in permanently. The African Wildcat was naturally calm and adapted well to living with humans. With time, the cats allowed the humans to approach them, even touch and hold them.

Cats proved to be loyal and endearing companions. They made for excellent hunters, since they sleep in a series of short periods and wake much easier than dogs do. This made their work possible night and day. Cats can also see better than dogs at night and their hearing surpasses a dog's. Cats would even wake the dogs in the house if they heard something suspicious that the dogs managed to sleep through. They got along greatly with the dogs and humans loved them.

Today, cats are used for show and companionship. Most people don't keep cats for hunting vermin anymore, as this is generally unnecessary in this day and age. There are many different breeds of cats, each different in their own way. Here are some tips to follow when looking for a purebred kitten.

Look for a kitten in your area. You'll want to visit and inspect the cattery of your choice before you make any decisions to purchase, so finding a breeder in your area will make this more feasible. The cattery should be clean and in good order. There shouldn't be an overcrowding of kittens and their habitat should be open and clean. The litter boxes should be kept up nicely and the food and water dishes full and clean. The kittens should never be caged. If there are breeding males present, their cages should be large and clean. The cats should look healthy, having full, shiny coats and no ribs showing.

The kittens should be used to being handled everyday. They should be sweet and outgoing, not timid and afraid. Cats that are handled regularly have a better temperament. Ask to see the parents of the kittens. Both parents should have good temperament and be very healthy. This will also help determine the personality of your kitten. Ask the breeder how soon after birth they sell the kittens. A good breeder doesn't allow the kittens to be taken home until they are at least twelve weeks of age. Some even wait until they are sixteen weeks of age. This is to ensure the health of the kitten is good and that the immune system has developed properly.

Also, ask if there is a waiting list. Good breeders don't have an overabundance of cats and many have waiting lists you can be placed on to ensure you get the kitten of your choice. If the waiting list is too long, or there are no kittens available at the time you want one, the breeder might refer you to another cattery.

Cats' claws are part of their balancing mechanism, which is why they are able to spring high onto a surface and remain there without falling. If they do fall or the leap is too far, they can catch hold of some surfaces, such as tree bark, with their claws and thus save themselves from a tumble to the ground. Apart from the extremes of leaping and climbing, the claws provide balance for normal walking, running and stretching. In addition, the claws are the cat's weapons, for use against other animal, or indeed human, threats and enable them to dig so that this fastidious creature can cover up it's toilet area with fresh earth.

Cats scratch objects to mark their territories. There are glands in their paws containing a secretion, which transfers to the scratched area and which is detectable by other cats, although not by human noses. They also scratch to remove the old, rough-edged claw which falls off to reveal a new claw beneath.

It beggars belief that a person will put their own possessions above the contentment of their pet, but it is a fact that this does happen. Some humans (fortunately, relatively few), in their own selfish way, don't want their expensive furniture or carpets ruined by a scratching cat, so they solve the problem by having the cat's claws surgically removed. This can only be done by a vet and many vets will require a medical reason to do so and will not pander to the vanity of a human. However, some will undertake the required operation, particularly if the alternative is the destruction or re-homing of the cat and others just have no scruples at all.

In addition, cat owners should be aware that de-clawing a cat can change its personality completely. It may be in pain and it will certainly be confused. It may not be able to jump at all even onto the armchair or the window sill and it may not be able to enjoy a game of football. It may become introverted or even aggressive (it will still have teeth, so beware). In short, it will be miserable and you will be the cause - can you really live with that?

Anyone who decides to have a cat knows full well that cats do scratch on occasion, so if they're not prepared to put up with that, why have a cat, why not adopt a small dog or a goldfish - now that won't harm the precious furniture, will it?

In any event, there are plenty of ways to prevent cats from scratching the furnishings. Contrary to what dog owners would have you believe, you can train cats.

Firstly, buy a scratching post and introduce your cat to it. Alternatively, you can use a rush floor mat. When the cat starts to scratch, pick it up and place it by the post or on the mat. You may have to demonstrate what it's supposed to do but it will soon catch on. Imagine the fun you can have, crawling around on the floor, pawing at a piece of cat furniture!

Secondly, in exactly the same way that a dog only understands a human's tone of voice, not the actual words that they're saying, so does a cat. If you say the cat's name loudly then "NO" in a stern tone, wag your finger at the cat, then pick it up and put it outside or by the scratching post or mat, it will soon understand that clawing at the carpet or sofa is not acceptable behaviour. However, you must be consistent. You can't ignore the scratching one day, then shout about it the next and never, never hit your cat or threaten it, particularly after the event. It won't have a clue why you're angry.

Thirdly, as with dog training, reward lessons learnt with treats, tickles and cuddles.

If you really can't train your cat, just put a throw over the sofa and enjoy its company. What are a few rips or tugs in the cover of your armchair compared with the purring companionship of a happy cat?

Growing up over the years I have had very few times where a cat has not kept me company. From a very early age I was delighted to spend the night snuggled up to a fury purring cat. For several years I managed to become attached to female cats which I found to be very affectionate and devoted. All my cats have lived outdoors, in fact growing up I never heard the mention of an indoor cat. Meal times were only in the morning and evening. My kitty was there for me when I went to sleep and again when I arose in the morning. That was my first lesson in training my cats to come home.

My first male cat was not affectionate at all as a kitten. Unfortunately it took a car accident to turn our bond into one of deep trust and a caring connection. There is of course the opinion that had the cat been an indoor cat, he would not have been run over. I do at this stage acknowledge that, however where I grew up the notion was unheard of and litter boxes were for kittens until they learned to go outside.

When relocating to the USA I was eager to own cats all over again. Filling out the application form at the local shelter was when I first learned the term "indoor cat". The safety it offers made it quite appealing and I considered having an indoor cat. Both cats and kittens are curious creatures. The two kittens I took home with me were no different. As soon as the front door opened they were under my feet trying to peak outside and escape. They managed to stay in for two weeks and then there I was with a halter and leash in hand educating them to the outdoors.

As regards to which Is better, well that is dependent upon where you live. In the event you leave your cat out and then on a regular basis it comes home bruised and battered then I suggest bringing it in. By the way cats can live very happily indoors. I cannot not talk to cats but you can see by there demeanor and eating habits that they are just fine. The first few weeks can be tough but overall you and your cat’s happiness are what are most important.

"You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats." - Colonial proverb

Fancy having a cat at home? It will depend on you throughout its life – around 15 years with proper care – so properly budget for visits to the vets and other costs before making a decision to get a cat. You have to budget for cat food, cat litter and scoops and other accessories to make the cat’s life comfortable at your home.

Kitten or adult? A difficult choice since the kitten of today is going to be a member of your household for a long time. Perhaps it is better to get an adult cat since it has already developed a personality and you will know what you are getting. Adult cats easily adapt to a new home and get attached to the new owner as easily as a kitten. It does not matter whether you get a male or female because their behaviour is not dependent on their gender. Neutered and spayed cats make pleasant companions. For more information visit www.felinefunk.info

Any good animal shelter will have healthy cats available. Remember a cat you picked up from the shelter is actually saved from death by you.

To convey a proper image, choose a name for the cat from Abby, Achilles to Zummo. There are lots and lots of fancy names to choose from.

OK, you got your cat – so now what? Open up your purse so that your cat can feel pampered. You can get elegant and lavishly designed dining bowls with a price range of £8 to £80 To promote their health and well being encourage your cat to drink more water. Drinking fountains for cats which re-circulate water and provide fresh tasting filtered water are a great idea. Like humans, pets require water as a vital element for survival. Water constitutes approximately 70% of a cat's or dog's body.

Apart from feeding the cat we have to provide mental and physical stimulation and keep them active and happy. A ball dispensing cat nip or any other small treat once in 2 to 4 hours (preset – depending upon the need of your cat) is one of the accessories which are fun to watch when the cat plays and eat.

Colorful place mats for the cat with some hilarious or funny drawing make a great gift and liven up the cat pen.

To make your cat enjoy the outdoors along with you buy a pet stroller which costs from £40 to £ 150 or a cat harness. Vaccinations, also known as kitten shots will help protect the cat from various diseases. Remember to keep your cat healthy by changing the litter box frequently.

Stray and Feral Cats

Stray and feral cats are a huge problem in the United States. Strays are simply cats that have wandered off, but feral cats may have bred for a generation of more in the wild and know how to survive without the care of humans. The problem is that they may carry diseases, fight with house cats and spread those diseases. Left uncontrolled they breed more and more cats. They can however perform a useful roll in local rodent and pest control.

Don’t walk up and try to pet it. Strays are not always friendly or immunized so there the possibility that they man carry rabies. If you do get bitten, either the cat gets trapped and tested for rabies or you will need a full series of rabies shots, which are not pleasant. A bite or scratch from a feral cat should have you on your way to the doctor immediately.

If the cat happens to be friendly, do it favor and take it to the vet. Get it immunized, spayed or neutered and try to find it a good home if you don’t want to keep it yourself. You should also read up on how to deal with cats that have behavioral problems.

Getting Rid of Stray Cats

Most of the products for sale that claim to keep stray and feral cats away don’t work at all. It couldn’t hurt to try them if you have the money to spend, but there are many tried and true methods below.

1. Don’t feed the kitties and remove any food sources that you can find. Leaving food out can also attract other animals such as skunks.
2. Block entryways to places feral cats like to live. The get under homes, decks and into shed. Make sure you do not have a haven for feral cats next to your home.
3. Call you local animal control center and see if they will come out and catch them or let you borrow or rent a trap to catch the cats.
4. Buy your own trap and catch the cat yourself. Take it in to the closest animal control. Releasing elsewhere is just condemning it to a worse life. Take care though – this isn’t a tamed cat, but a snarling scratching ball of menace.
5. Use pepper spray liberally in the areas the cats frequent. It will bother their sensitive noses and the cats may stay away.

If you’ve got a heart of gold, trap the cat, take it the vet and have it immunized then spayed or neutered. Release back on to your property and provide it with food. Perhaps you could use a great mouser? Regardless, the important thing is that the stray doesn’t continue to breed.

Cancer does not just affect human beings, cats can also be prone to the ill affects of this deadly disease. I have a cat who is called Pip and in this article I will be writing about my families experience in protecting her from cancer, which the vet has informed us, has ultimately saved and prolonged her life.

Pip is a beautiful and loving cat and is very much part of our family. She is treated like our third child and has what we hope to be a very happy and comfortable life.

I have been surrounded my animals for most of my life as my parents run an animal sanctuary in the Birmingham area of England. I have learnt quite a lot about these different animals and have a particular love of cats and dogs.

Pip herself is ninety-five percent white in colour, the other five percent is black. I am aware that cats which are mainly white are basically at a higher risk of catching a type of skin cancer than other cats. In the summer Pip would always love to sunbathe, basking in the sun. I would ensure that I put sun cream on her, mainly around her ears and tried to encourage to sleep more in the shaded areas of our garden. Pip is however quite stubborn and insisted on resting out of the shade.

Over the years I would check Pip out at regular intervals and one day noticed that she had some little black spots in and around her ears. These spots had not been there the last time I had checked her over and therefore I decided to take her to the vets. I felt confident that everything would be fine but just wanted to make sure.

The vet examined Pip and looked quite worried. He told us that Pip had a form of pre-cancer and that the only way that she would survive, in his opinion, would be to have her ears amputated.

This was very sad but we realised that in a way we had no choice. This all happened four years ago and Pip is still going strong today, unaware of how close she was to losing her life. The vet has stated that if I had not checked her out and brought her in to be examined that the cancer would have spread and that Pip would have only lived for around three to six months.

My advice for anyone who has a cat as a pet, especially if they are white in colour, is to check the cat every week or so and if you spot anything out of the ordinary, to take them to the vets.

Archaeologists have estimated that the ancestors of cats date back to 200 million years ago. The ancestors of cats are a group of meat eating animals that include the tiger, panther, leopard, lion and cheetah, all of these being skilful hunters. These animals all fit into the 'felius catus' family. They have extraordinary senses including hearing, sight and smell which are up to 10 times better than human senses. Scientists estimate that the domestic cat that we know today have been around for roughly 2 million years.

No one knows for sure, but most people believe that the Egyptians were the first ones to tame the wild cat in around 3500bc. These tamed cats were not just pets but were used to protect farms and gainery's from being over-run by pests including mice, rats, cockroaches and snakes and any other animals that were harmful to their grains. About 2000 years later the domestic cats were considered sacred and were worshiped by the people of Egypt. Laws were made against harming cats and anyone who did were executed. At one point they were considered above royalty and the pharaoh. When a cat died the family that owned it shaved of their eyebrows as a symbolic of the person’s mourning. The family then went to a sacred ceremony where the cat was mummified and placed in a temple or a tomb. There were eventually more cat mummies than human mummies around Egypt and archaeologists found a single tomb containing more than 250 000 cat mummies.

Cats were honoured in paintings, sculptures and scriptures in temples, tombs and pyramids made by the people of Egypt. Many of the upper-class Egyptians owned pet cats, but poorer people could not afford to own one but if they owned a farm or grainy it would protect their crops and grains.

Because cats were skilful hunters many people wanted them to kill pests that lived in their homes. Egyptian law stated that it was strictly forbidden to export cats to neighbouring countries. Historians believe that unlawful traders brought the tamed cat to countries such as the Middle East and Europe. Gradually people wanted cats into their homes and into their local community. The domestic cat spread all over Asia and eventually to nearly everywhere people lived. At one point during the Middle Ages people were suspicious that cats were associated with witchcraft and the devil. For this reason people started to kill cats all over Europe, anyone who owned a cat was thought to be practising witchcraft and was killed. There were no cats to kill mice, rats and other pests, they started to take over; people became very sick and died because of the deadly diseases that they carried. About one quarter of Europe’s population died because of this. People eventually changed their mind, cats became popular again and people accepted cats back into their homes.

Today cats are the second most popular pet, with dogs being first. Today, 1/5 of households own a cat. They are popular because they are one of the easiest pets to look after and because of their loyalty, affection and playfulness. There are many different breeds today but there are 36 main pure breeds.

Cats, tigers, panthers, leopards, lions and cheetahs all communicate in similar ways. When you own a cat it is very important to understand how it communicates. By reading this short article you will learn the basics of cat communication. You will learn how to tell what mood your cat is in and if anything, what it wants. Your cat will communicate differently with you than other cats and animals. They use a range of different ways to communicate including noises, body language etc. If you spend some time observing your cat, sometimes it can be easy to understand what type of mood they are in and other times it can be impossible. This section will give you the right information to understand your cat’s communication.

Noises and sounds

Cats can make a great number of noises and sounds; some scientists think they can produce up to 81 different sounds and pitches. All of these have different meanings. The amount of noise your cat makes depends on its personality; some cats don’t make any noise. The most common out of all the sounds that cats make is ‘meow’; it can mean that your cat is hungry, curious, angry, happy or welcoming you home. The second most common sound is purring, scientists don’t know much about it, most of the time it is a sign of happiness and content but on rare occasions it can mean your cat has a serious illness. Other sounds such as growling and hissing mean that your cat is angry, upset or scared.

Body language

Cats use a variety of body language, some examples are the movement of its tale, the position of its ears and even how it is standing. The most obvious body language your cat uses is the movement of its tale. In general, the higher your cat’s tale, the happier it is. When your cat is in an extremely happy mood it will point its tale directly up and when it is scared and afraid it will tuck it between its legs. When your cat is angry or annoyed it will throw its tale from side to side. Short quick movement’s and twitching indicates restlessness and excitement.

In conclusion, when a cat is happy or excited it raises its tale to a vertical angle and rubs against you and may possibly lick you when you put your hand out, an example of this is when you are about to feed it. On the other hand when your cat is angry it puffs up its hair, its eyes become big, it growls, flattens its ears and spits. When a cat is happy and content, it lies on its stomach with its paws tucked under its body. When your cat wants to play it lies on its side with its paws and feed outstretched.

There’s this old lady (Mrs. Mann), who lives next door to my mother, and believe it or not she has 11 cats. Her place is not like one of those homes that you see on reality TV shows where cats are run amok fouling up and stentching out the house. Everything is neat an tidy and the lady obviously takes great care of her feline companions, but it’s the awful howling and wailing that’s disturbing my mother’s sleep at night.

Most of the moggies were pretty well behaved until about a month ago. Okay, so there was the occasional cat fight outside the bedroom window, but that was more not than often. Anyway, my mother suggested her neighbor check to make sure her wailing whiskers were healthy and not crying because of medical problems. According to Mum, Mrs. Mann looked a little upset at first by such a suggestion, as if to insinuate she wasn’t taking care of her animals. My mother went on to explain that many cats can have latent problems that are not always apparent from just looking at the animals and that it might be a good idea to get a vet take a look.

Mrs. Mann did as my mother suggested and it appeared that one of her cats had feline acne and it was this one that was doing all the wailing at night. In fact, it was having a knock on effect among the other pets because when the troubled one started it’s crying they all joined in. A kind of cat’s choir if you like!

Apparently, it was the introduction of a stray that was the culprit. A lost and crying kitten on the way back from the shops one day was more that old Mrs. Mann could bear, and she took the kitty home with her to join the rest of the family.

Whenever taking a stray cat into any home, one of the first jobs should be a trip to the local vets to get the animal checked over. Even our well groomed moggies can pick up fleas, worms and all manner of other cat complaints, so just imagine what kind of health problems an unchecked stray could bring into the home?

Mrs. Mann’s big heart cost her a big cheque as she had to get all of the animals checked over in order to find the culprit. Feline acne is not always obvious and can sometimes look like a couple of other complaints that mimic the condition, which are ringworm (dermatophytosis) and demodecosis. These were ruled out by the vet and feline acne was diagnosed as the problem. This was somewhat of a relief for ole Mrs. Mann as demodecosis could have spread through all the animals, and then she really would have a job on her hands.

Demodecosis is extremely contagious among cats and the way this is treated is by using a kind of lime sulfur dip and it can prove to be a very uncomfortable treatment for the cat.

In this case, the feline acne was treatable by a topical treatment which was a benzoyl peroxide shampoo. There are other treatments but the vet will usually advise what to use on a case by case basis. Vitamin A ointment (Retin-A, Rx), metronidazole gel and mupirocin ointment are perhaps the other most common recommendations.

In some cases a topical treatment alone is not sufficient, and it’s necessary to use systemic antibiotics or corticosteroids, but once again, the veterinary surgeon is the one to advise here.

Owning a cat can be a very gratifying experience especially if you’ve done your homework and understand the tasks involved in having one as a pet.

The First Few Days

It is only natural that when you take your new kitten home, it may feel lost and disorientated. It will meow in search of her mother, hide in tiny places, refuse to eat and in general be sad. The way to alleviate this stress is to try and make her feel at home and comfortable all the time.

Cats, like many other pets, like good habits. It is important to keep a clean litter pan as they are very fussy. Feeding should be carried out at regular intervals especially in the first few days. It is wise to check the diet required for particular breeds, as various foods will be composed of different nutrients and vitamins which may apply to some breeds and less to others

Attitude and Training

Cats are an independent species and can be very hard to control especially if they have reached a certain age. It is advisable that training starts from the first few weeks. If this is done properly, the sacrifice and time spent to train your cat will serve a lifetime. Here is a short list of some cat attitudes and their meaning:

Biting – starting to having new teeth

Constant meowing – hungry, lonely or possibly dirty environment Trying to get out the minute you open the door – need more outdoor time Burying everywhere except the litter box – not pleased with litter box Rubbing of head against you – marking you or your stuff as its territory Scratching against windows – frustration of not getting hold of what’s out there Hissing while petting – thank you, but I had enough of stroking and petting for today!

Care

Brushing and grooming is very important for your cat. As much as diet is the primary important factor in taking care of your cat, psychological attention forms an important part in the formation and character of your cat’s actions. Taking care of your cat, however, does not stop in giving it food and petting it. Reproduction is an aspect one needs to consider when owing a cat. Unless breeding is something you are into, taking precautions such as spaying and neutering your cat are some things to consider.

The experience of owning a cat should be a pleasant one both for you and the cat. Cats are very difficult pets to please and they are very choosy in what they like, but with some research, particularly on the breed one prefers and some good advise, the feeling of having a cat or even many of them, is without doubt an enjoyable and rewarding one.

Cat owners will tell you that they are furry, funny, and an emotional treat to have around – so long as you realize that the feline is the boss. Kids can be funny, not quite as furry, and quite a handful. Trying to decide whether to head over to the animal shelter or stop by the fertility doctor? Here are some great things to keep in mind while you make your choice.

1. Cats start out life fiercely independent and won’t acknowledge their reliance on you for food and nourishment. It takes kids a good ten to twelve years to realize they don’t need you, even though they do.

2. Cats need to have their litter box changed daily their entire life. Kids finish with diapers after only two or three years.

3. You may gawk at how long your son’s hair has grown, but at least it stays on his head. Cats prefer to shed all over the furniture.

4. When your kids climb a tree, they can usually manage to come back down. Cats require assistance from the fire department.

5. Kids bring you homemade presents that you can display for years on end. Cats bring you dead birds and mice that you generally want to hide as quickly as possible.

6. Cats realize at birth that they are the center of the universe. Kids don’t come to this conclusion until they are teenagers, at which point the world automatically revolves around them.

7. Kids and cats are both excited by food from a can – either cat food or Chef Boyardee. But the kids don’t cough up hairballs in unexpected places.

8. Kids may decide to get random piercings, but at least they confine the self-mutilation to their own bodies. Cats prefer to sharpen their claws on your favorite couch, with antiques ranking high on the list.

9. When you have to take your child to the doctor, the odds are good that you can catch him or her easily, especially while they are small. Cats, however, are faster than greased lightning and have an instinctual dislike for the vet’s office. Plus, kids don’t scratch you at the doctor’s.

10. When your cat permits you to hug and cuddle with it, it acts as though it is doing you a favor. A child’s hug can be spontaneous and from the heart, and all embracing.