Cat As Natural Hunter

Whether taught by its mother or left to fend for W itself when very young, the cat quickly discovers the trick of catching its prey. The exercise is carefully planned. First the cat locates its victim. It knows the places the mouse or other creature frequents and, moving downwind of it creeps up, ears pricked. Suddenly the cat is seized by an almost imperceptible trembling.

The rear end twitches from side to side, while it seems to dig its claws into the ground. It judges the distance by sight and suddenly it bounds. The back legs provide the motive force for the leap while the front are left free to grab its victim. It gives its prey a bite on the nape of the neck, between the vertebrae, to kill it quickly if not instantaneously.

If the prey is large -a rat for instance -the cat will fight to the end and not back off. The cat was born to hunt. It is an instinct which still survives when it no longer has to hunt to eat. Without it the cat would not have survived in the wild. And even today we have invented no better method of exterminating rodents than the services of a cat. The cats does not kill for pleasure -it kills because it knows that that is its job.

SOURCE:http://www.catsaspet.com/

The Cat At The Play

From the moment it opens its eyes and moves away from its mother, the kitten begins to play. It teases its brothers arid sisters, pushes and chases them and looks absolutely enchanting as it does so.

Mother cat keeps an eye on them but only intervenes if she thinks the game is getting too rowdy. She knows that the leaping and chasing and mock fighting builds up the kitten's strength, resistance and liveliness. And as the kitten grows, even when it is alone, it will still play.

It tries to catch everything that moves within its reach: the feather carried by a draught, a cork dancing on me end of a piece of string or a rolling ball, and it also chases insects and later on mice Much has been written about the cruelty of the cat. But the truth is that the cat, as it catches the mouse and then pretends to let it go, only to catch it again, is simply playing a game.

The prey has become a live cork on a string or a ball that runs instead of rolling. Observers of the cat believe that the movement of anything small that slides, rolls, or above all runs away, triggers off an automatic series of coherent movements in response. One only has to look at the face of a cat playing with a mouse -who can honestly say there is the least hint of cruelty in its eyes?

SOURCE:http://www.catsaspet.com/

Curiosity in Cats

Even if a cat is not able to go out and about it will 'explore the house it lives in. Cats are into everything. A houseplant is an excuse to play with the leaves, an empty jar may still retain a delicious smell, and an open box is an invitation to climb in. Cats love to edge their way into exciting places.

The linen cupboard door left open is just an encouragement to curl up on the clean sheets. A hat box becomes a hiding place and some string or a necklace can be great fun to get tied up in. But it is not all playfulness thee cat explores as much out of a need to know. After all, there may be some nasty surprises in store.

It is best to be sure, and the nose, whiskers and paws are all used in approaching the strange object. You can't be too careful. Cats often like music and the composer Scarlatti claimed that his Cat Sonata was literally dictated by his cat touching the harpsichord keys with its paws.

Everything new which comes within the cat's orbit has to be examined, on the outside and, if possible, the inside. Having checked that all is well, does the cat then feel it can relax and wait for its owner to come home? Who knows what goes on in the mind of the cat?

SOURCE:http://www.catsaspet.com/

Cats Behaviour

Every species in this world have a unique behavior. Its behavior changes according to age and situation, Similar is the matter with cats. Cat behaviors are also similar to each others. Even due to change in cat age and their guardian, the behavior of the cat changes. In general, the average cat is fairly intelligent; it can easily read out its surroundings and make a quick decision.

Similarly when it comes to cats behavior according to there nature they always utilize there speed either for saving there lives or trying to get some food. This is natural behavior of cats and is commonly known, but when it comes to other cats behavior then behavior of cat changes according to there surroundings.

Cats owners usually suffers from cat behavior problems, like some cats may have behavior that is disturbing for the owner, or what we think about as inappropriate, they can not understand this behavior is wrong, and some time no matter how much you try to get them to stop it, but the cat behavior problems will still continue, in such case the cat owners may have to change the way they live and try to fit around there cat instead of any other way around.

If you are going to bring a cat home and you no about that cat behavior problems in past then you should consider about that huge impact that you and your family can have because of cat behavior problems. If you are living with a cat for a long time that it will be very easy for you to realize that cat behavior and what they mean. But when you are new with cats it might be a bit difficult for you to understand cat behavior and what they mean. Not only this cat behavior and what they mean also change according to there age and there background history.

The behavior of kitten is completely different than that of grown cat. As for a newly born kitten the only thing it knows in the whole world is a worm body from where it gets milk. The kitten behavior born and bit groomed at a home will be extremely different to kitten behavior that was that way born out in some street and was born home after some time. Kitten behavior is easy to understand then cats’ behavior and they are quick in learning than that off cats.

House cat behavior problems are also common, as you may not want to have a dead mouse brought home occasionally but you can’t stop your cat doing this. No matter how much you teach but you can still have this house cat behavior problem. Dog and cat are two most commonly adopted pets, but dog and cat behavior are different. Cats compared to dogs find difficult to learn tricks.

Dogs will obey understood commands to get approval or reward from the owner whereas cat is solitary and probably will understand a command but choose not do it. Cat’s owner can have verity of information about cat behavior by draping their questions in cat behavior litter box made by number of organizations for working for pet’s welfare. You can also have information from different webs working for same cause like you can ask questions about male cat behavior you can also have cat behavior – clawing screens, health cat behavior, analysis if cat behavior and cat dog behavior.

SOURCE:http://catsaspet.com/

Cats Health

Cat health is one of the most important issues for the people who own cats as a pet. Cat health can not be neglected in any prospect; it could be the physical problems that can be seen externally or it could be one of any other medical problems. As cat can not express his feeling or problem in words and its physical problem can be seen by a naked human eye or any other medical problem can be judge by the owner of the cat by the slight or great change in the behavior of the cat, but what if you are new with your cat and don’t know much about his behavior and feeling some change in his behavior and some weakness in his activities, than you should concern to some maternity doctor for this purpose.

Wait and see is worst policy that can be adopted by any cat owner in these conditions. There are many organizations made by the pet lovers working on the cat health issues. They are not only working locally but cat health issues are discussed globally. Anyone having problems related to cat health issues can easily access them and discuss cat health issues with them.

As the number of cats owner and pet lovers are increasing the number of social workers working for cat health issues and other pets are increasing day by day. Cat owner can even reduce more of their complexity by giving some attention towards the cat health care is far better than treatment. If you are spending some time for cat health care can easily protect your cat from many problems especially getting physical hurt.

Being a bit conscious and providing some time towards cat health care, will get your cat the minimum of chances that your cat can get any virus that can be responsible for any diseases of cat. Dr Dog pet supplies cat and dog health care is from were you can get advises for your cat health. Asking cat health questions to the concern persons regularly about your cat health can guide you to protect your cat from many diseases.

There are many forums working on cat health problems where you can post your cat health questions. Like you can ask them about cats Ear, Eye and Nose as if “Why my cat’s eyes become cloudy?” if you are observing some problem in his eyes or “Is my cat deaf?” if you fell that your cat is not responding on your call. You can even find answer to these questions.

Cat owners can also get pet health insurance for cat that will get them a bit of mental satisfaction and best of cat health care. Cat health insurance can also be taken for kitten health. You should care cat health insurance as it is matter of the health of your pet. You can get some good cat health information from different online forums and organizations like ad cat health and advice care cat free health. Having those good facilities of get good cat health care information you should not be careless about it, as it take small amount of time but provides a lot of protection to your cat.

SOURCE:http://catsaspet.com/

Cat Care

Cat care is one of the important issues for the cat owners. As the animals do not have sense of right and wrong so they can’t understand what will be better for them or what can be harsh for them. That is why cat owners in fact pet owners had to take maximum care of their pets. Kitten care is the most important thing for the owner and normally requires some extra time than cat care.

Normally very young kitten have to be taught the way of using bath, where to spend there maximum time, playing with ball and may other activities. Kitten care is also important because they usually haven’t gone through the experiences of different things and do not know the effect they could have, so owner have to stop them from doing anything like that. New born kitten care is bit easy as it knows nothing of the world and wont be able to do any dangerous activity by them selves, but they do require timely feedings and worm place to sleep in winters.

For bit grown kitten care they should be given a small place to spend night, for this purpose bath’s are the best place as there are no laying wires to chew are any thing with sharp edges, but remember to close your toilet b4 sending your cat in bath to spend night. In my point of view taking care of kitten is also very important because kitten will adapt that habits for permanently that you are trying to teach it and will take very small amount of time.

Cat health care is also responsibility of the owner of the cat. as owner of cat and spending some time with your cat you can easily under stand any change in the behavior of the cat and can guess the matter behind that, when you realize the fact that your cat is having some health problem that you concern to cat health care centers for guidance and help.

House cat care is bit easy when it is born and groomed at your home because it undergoes some instructions from the very first day and tries to avoid many things that can be harmful because it is guided to it since it was born. Whereas care for cats born and groomed out in streets is very difficult because it comes to new environment after spending a long time outdoor and they also require some training and extra care.

Every cat lover can have cat care information from organizations providing free cat health care advice. Not only this there are many groups on different websites and complete websites are made only for this purpose from where you can find information about holistic cat health care, caring for cats, free care cat health advise us, care cat domestic health information regarding all cat health problems, community cat health care, article care cat health natural, advice care cat health and many other, may be one you are looking for.

SOURCE:http://www.catsaspet.com/

Cat as a Pet

With the passage of time as human live is getting very busy I think everyone should have a pet. Because in living things only animal can give unconditional love and devotion. They are always happy to see you when you come back to home. Pets also teach you sense of responsibility. More over numerous studies shows that pet can have medical benefits that are beyond dispute.

To get a right pet for you and your life style is not an easy task. But to have a cat as a pet not only reduce your complexity but also provide you a good companion. Cats are also good for the people who do not want to have much responsibility of exercising their pet even though they want to have a pet as companion. Cats need less work than a dog or any other pet but they still need your attention and care. Cats though fairly do require your time. But it is as less as 30 to 60 minutes per day required by a cat.

Cats are impeccable self-groomers even though they do require assistance. As for longhaired cats they should be brushed regularly and for all cats it is must to get there claws trimmed. You may think to get a professional to perform these jobs but with some care and patience most of guardians will be able to do these small jobs themselves.

Cats should have proper name by which they should be called and introduced. The name you choose for your cat says as much about you as it does about your cat. Cats name shows how you view your and your cat relation. Some of cats name can cause people to judge a cat and react positively, negatively or fearfully while meeting them. Due to these reasons you must use a name that conveys the proper image.

The health of the cat is one of the most important considerations for the owners of the cats. You should be aware of your cat’s problems as cats are not social creatures and they just didn’t know how to read the signs of any daises. There are many animal hospitals and many other organizations working on the health issue of the cats so you can easily get your cat checked by a maternity doctor to get a good advice.

Cat’s behavior might be strange some times, cats may baffle, frustrating and may start alarming some time. But when you will understand why a cat behaves the way he does, you will start understanding the marvel of living with these creatures. But always remember; never try to hit a cat or any other animal you own for doing something which is only natural.

Making a cat companion might be the easiest and best way to get you a faithful friend with less effort, time and work.

SOURCE:http://cataspet.com/

Maintenance - Guinea Pig

Clean the food bowls everyday and the water bottles twice a week. Change the bedding at least weekly. Wash the pan weekly and wash the entire cage thoroughly with hot water and a safe cleaner monthly, or more often if needed. It is important to use ecologically safe cleaners, such as vinegar or lemon based agents. Avoid cleaners with chemical agents as they can cause skin irritations



Social Behaviors:
Guinea pigs are social creatures and will like to have a companion. Most get along fine together however there are some things to take into consideration. Females almost always get along, and you can usually keep as many of them together as you want. Males may also be fine together, especially if they are use to each other or grew up together. However, new males may occasionally fight if in the presence of a female, and the dominant (older) animals may also chew on the ears or hair of subordinate cage mates.
Guinea pigs are great companions for children, and though it is okay to have only one as long as it is given a lot of attention, they will do best with another guinea pig companion. They should be kept away from other household pets unless they are well acquainted with each other.
Though rabbits and guinea pigs may or may not get along fine together, there are a some important considerations regarding shared housing. Their dietary needs are very different and often one species can carry a virus that can be deadly another. Also, a kick from a hyper rabbit can harm or even kill a guinea pig, and sometimes a guinea pig will nuzzle the rabbit's fur creating bald spots.

Guinea pigs can also be quite vocal, making a variety of noises. Guinea pig sounds can range from chirpings, rumblings, purring to squealing. These sounds indicate when they are hungry, courting, aggressive, enjoying attention, just plain happy, in pain or are experiencing other things. You may find that your guinea pig will start chirping or squeaking whenever you open the fridge or have a plastic bag in your hand, this is often because they've learned it means they are getting a treat. Getting familiar with their different sounds can help you know what your pet needs or wants.

Housing - Guinea Pig

Housing your guinea pig is limited only by your imagination, ingenuity, and budget. Adequate housing is a major factor in the maintenance of a healthy pet. Important considerations include what it is constructed from, that it provides good ventilation, is easy to clean, and provides plenty of room. There is no single correct way to house your guinea pig as long as its well being is the most important criteria.
Enclosure can be made of wire, stainless steel, durable plastic, or glass; wood is not as good being more difficult to clean and guinea pigs may destroy it by chewing. The size of the enclosure needs to allow for normal guinea pig activity, the more room the better. Some authors and sites recommend a minimum size of approximately 2 square feet of space but the trend is going up to a larger cage, over 7 square feet. Ideally pet guinea pigs will appreciate lots of room, the bigger the space the better!
Use bedding materials that are clean, non-toxic, absorbent, relatively dust free, and easily replaced. Some available bedding's for the cage are wood shavings such as aspen and kiln-dried pine (not cedar), shredded paper or Carefresh (a recycled paper bedding), processed ground corn cob, and commercial pellets. Put in a cardboard house or logs for the guinea pig so that he has a place to go when he gets frightened or is tired.
Keep the guinea pig cage up on a sturdy stand or table away from cold damp areas, out of drafts, and away from direct sunlight. Guinea pigs have a sensitive nature and are more comfortable in a quiet spot away from noise and stress. Keep them in a place to keep where other animals can't get at them. Clean the cage thoroughly with hot water at least once a week.

Care and feeding -Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are herbivores and thus need fruits, vegetables, and grains in their diet. Carbohydrates and fibres are the basis of their diet. They have a high Vitamin C and folic acid requirement and unlike most mammals, they cannot manufacture their own vitamin C. It must be provided in their diet. A good staple food is guinea pig pellets, found in pet stores, and provides all these essential nutrients. Rabbit pellets will not work as they are not equivalent in nutritive value.
Even with the guinea pig pellet though, much of the necessary vitamin C is lost in a short amount of time. You should supplement their pellets with a vitamin C supplement either by offering a small piece of a chewable tablet or a small amount of liquid drops; alternatively a handful of kale, cabbage or other dark leafy greens high in ascorbic acid.
Other additions to the guinea pig's diet should be made carefully. The majority of their diet should be pellets along with the Vitamin C supplements mentioned above. The balance of their diet includes the addition of fresh greens, timothy / grass hay, and small amounts of fruit. Some of these supplements can include such things as Romaine lettuce (no iceberg), carrots, apples, tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, endive, kale, cucumber, strawberries, and grapes. An excellent food for them is bell pepper (especially red bell pepper), because it is high in Vitamin C. Grass can also be given, but make sure it is pesticide or spray free.
Always remove any non-eaten greens at the end of the day. Food should be put in heavy china or pottery dishes (making it harder for them to spill the contents) and should be thoroughly washed with hot water at least twice a week.
Also make sure that a constant water supply is available, as water is very important. Gravity-flow water bottles, which can also be found in pet stores, are a good idea.

Grooming needs vary depending on the breed and the activities of the guinea pig. Guinea pigs with short or smooth fur only need to be groomed a couple of times a week, and this is only in the spring and fall during shedding season. Those with long fur need to be brushed daily. Guinea pigs rarely need bathing.
The nails of caged guinea pigs will grow faster than they can be worn down, so will need to be clipped occasionally. Proper nail clippers are available at pet stores. Be safe and only clip the tips, as the nails further in have nerves and blood vessels. Clip at a slight slant from the front of the nail to the back.
Guinea pigs teeth grow constantly. Be sure to provide hard chewables to give your pet something to wear its teeth down on. These can include hard bread, twigs from willow, birch or fruit trees, as well as chew sticks and chew toys from a pet store,

Purchasing a Guinea Pig

You can readily find cute guinea pigs for sale, or you can adopt a guinea pig. But there are many types of guinea pigs, so it is good to know what you want. If you plan to show then you want one that matches the show standards as closely as possible. If you plan to breed then make sure it is the proper age and with the desirable characteristics. But if you want a pet, then you will want a good disposition, and will have to decide how much maintenance you want to do based on its type of coat.
The most important thing though, is choosing a guinea pig that is fit. A young guinea pig, about 5 to 8 weeks old and completely weaned from its mother can be ideal, but even an older pet guinea pig can make a good companion. A healthy guinea pig should feel full and solid, have bright eyes, good sound teeth, a dry nose and clean ears, a healthy coat with no hair loss or thinning fur, and the nails on its small feet should not be splaying out in different directions. Observe the guinea pig in its cage. It should be active with a lively spirit and be able to run in a swift and smooth manner.
Guinea pigs are social animals and either sex will make a good pet. Males do get a little larger and can be somewhat more active. Also as males reach sexual maturity they can put off a bit of an odor, but it will go away if you have your pet neutered. If you plan to buy more than one, two females would be the better choice since males that have not been neutered will almost certainly fight (especially if there are females around). But if they are neutered there is generally no problem.

Popular Guinea Pig Color Variations

•Agouti: Every hair has the bottom and the tip the same color, with the middle being a contrasting color. There are silver, golden, and cinnamon Agouti's.
•Self: Solid colored coats
•Himalayan: White body with a black nose, ears, and feet.
•Tortoise Shell: Patched dark and light brown colors with all the patches having distinct lines.
•Tortoise Shell and White: These are basically the same as the Tortoise Shell, but also have white.
•Dutch: White body with brown or tan markings.
•Brindle: Dark and light tan.
•Roan: Dark hairs evenly mixed with white.
•Albino: Completely white coloring with pink eyes.
•Dalmation: White with dark spots.
•Mixed: Any assortment of colors, including collared varieties.

Recognized Guinea Pig Breeds

•Abyssinian Guinea Pig - Abyssinian Satin Guinea Pig:
These guinea pigs have swirls of hair that resemble cow-licks, called rosettes. Their hair is more rough and wiry. For showing, the more rosettes the animal has, the better.
•American Guinea Pig - American Satin Guinea Pig:
These are the most common guinea pig with fine, short, glossy hair. Because of their short hair, their coat requires little care. (also referred to as the English Guinea Pig)
•Coronet Guinea Pig:
These are longhaired guinea pigs with a single rosette on the top of their head, a 'roman' type nose, and no part in their coat.
•Peruvian Guinea Pig - Peruvian Satin Guinea Pig:
With long, soft hair, these guinea pigs take more time and dedication to care for since daily brushings are needed. These animals are often used for showing.
•Silkie Guinea Pig (Sheltie Guinea Pig) - Silkie Satin Guinea Pig:
As mutations of the Peruvian, these are also long-haired guinea pigs, only without hair growing over the eyes. Rather, they have long hair growing to either side of their face, like a mane.
•Teddy Guinea Pig - Teddy Satin Guinea Pig:
These guinea pigs have short kinky hair that is similar to that of teddy bears.
•Texel Guinea Pig:
These fur of these guinea pigs is thick, long, and soft. The hair forms ringlets, making it one of the most difficult to groom.
•White Crested Guinea Pig:
This breed is also known as the American Crested Guinea Pig. These guinea pigs look like the English short-haired ones, with one single rosette on their foreheads. For showing, the rosette must be white and there can be no other white on it's body.
Other Guinea Pig Breeds:

•Coronet Satin Guinea Pig
A variety of the Coronet Guinea Pig with a 'satin' coat.
•White Crested Satin Guinea Pig:
This variety of the White Crested Guinea Pig has a 'satin' coat.
•English Crested Guinea Pig
This variety has short hair with a single crest on the head and is one solid color.
•Himalayan Crested Guinea Pig
This crested variety has short hair with a single crest on the head and both are either white or off-white. This is contrasted with black or chocolate feet, nose and ears, and the eyes are pink.
•Marked Crested Guinea Pig
This variety has short hair with a single crest on the head and is one solid color.
•AOV Crested Guinea Pig (any other variety)
"Any Other Variety" of Crested Guinea Pig includes the Magpie, Belted, Harlequin, and solid Agouti types.
•Texel Satin Guinea Pig
A variety of the Texel Guinea Pig with a 'satin' coat.
•Alpaca or Boucle Guinea Pig
This is a like the Peruvian Guinea Pig, but with coarser hair that parts in the center. Like the Texel Guinea Pig, the hair forms ringlets, making it more difficult to groom also.

•Skinny Pig (Hairless Guinea Pig)
This variety has almost no hair on most of its body with the exception of the nose and feet. Some have a small amount of hair in other areas.
•Baldwin Guinea Pig (Hairless Guinea Pig)
These hairless guinea pigs are noted for having no hair on most of its body.

Guinea Pig Background

Background:
Scientific name: Domestic Guinea Pig ("cavies") - Cavia porcellus
Wild Guinea Pig ("cuis") - Cavia aperea and Cavia tschudii
The domestic guinea pig was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Mus porcellus. Guinea pigs, more accurately called "cavies," are generally classed as rodents and originated in South America. Cavies occur over a large portion of South America from Venezuela south to southern Patagonia, though absent in Chile and some parts of the Amazon basin. They live in a wide variety of habitats including tropical marshy floodplains and open grasslands, to barren rocky slopes and high mountain meadows, but are not generally found in the dense jungles.
They were domesticated between 9000 and 3000 B.C. by the Incas of Peru, and were used for their fur as well as used for food. English and Dutch slave traders took some of these guinea pigs to Guinea (thus the name "guinea") and then to Europe, where they became popular pets. Guinea pigs have a great ability to adapt to different climates, and are therefore found in low to high regions as well as both moist and dry climates.
Domesticated guinea pigs are rounder and plumper than wild ones, and are bred to display many different fur types and colors. They are also used extensively in research laboratories to study heredity, one reason for this being that they can reproduce fairly quickly.


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Description:
Guinea pigs can vary in size anywhere from the size of a large rat to that of a small dog, with an average weight of approximately 2 pounds. If well taken care of they can live from 8 to 10 years.
There are thirteen different recognized breeds of guinea pigs, as well as several types that have not yet become recognized. The recognized types of guinea pigs are acknowledged by the American Cavy Breeders Association, with the American, Peruvian, and Abyssinian being the most generally available and well-known. There are also different color variations in guinea pigs, with nineteen that are acceptable for showing.
Satin varieties of guinea pigs have a glossy satiny coat. The actual hair particles are smaller in diameter, which gives these pigs the satiny look.

Guinea Pig

Guinea Pigs make wonderful pets! They are have a sweet disposition and very rarely bite!
Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, have been beneficial to humans for thousands of years!

The ancestors of Guinea Pigs have been around for millions of years. They were first domesticated by the Incas in Peru, and today they are distributed throughout the world. Their small size, hardiness, and ease of care make them widely enjoyed as pets.

Guinea Pigs are popularly kept as a pet, but are also used for both meat and laboratory research. The guinea pig history is very long. They known as cavies and are classified in the sub-family Caviinae, which is one of two sub-families in the Caviidae family. Members of the Caviidae family first appeared in fossil records in the Miocene period some 20 million years ago.

Cat Care

Cats make wonderful pets. Before owning a cat, you should make sure to have a basic understanding of how to take care of a cat. Proper feeding, bathing, grooming and exercise of your cat are very important and will help your cat live a long and happy life.

There are a number of cat care tips we recommend for optimal cat care:

Feeding
•Provide your cat with a fresh supply of water throughout the day.
•If you make a change to your cat's diet, do so as gradually as possible.
•If moist pet food goes uneaten for two hours, refrigerate it.

Bathing

•Place a small towel over the side of the tub to provide a surface for your cat to cling onto. Hold the cat with one hand and lather with your other hand.
•Water temperature should be approximately 100 degrees.
•Wash your cat's head, ears and neck first to prevent any fleas that are on your cat from taking refuge there while you clean the rest of it's body.
Grooming
•Brush your cat daily to minimize shedding.
•For problems with matted fur, use your fingers to work out the tangles.
•Trim claws by pressing the paw to expose the nails. Make sure to use clippers for cats.
Here are a few additional cat care tips for you to keep in mind:

Care of Your Cat's Ears

Cleaning your cat's ears should be done weekly. Doing so will ensure your cat stays healthy and happy for years to come. Use a small amount of veterinary ear cleaner and a cotton ball.

Care Of Your Cat's Eyes

The wax-like secretions that forms in the corner of their eyes should be gently cleared away to prevent irritation. Use a damp cotton ball to clean around the cat's eye. Take extra care not to touch the eyeball.

Exercise

Exercise is an important part of cat care. Regular exercise helps your cat maintain body tone, muscle and keeps it feeling younger longer. Try to play with your cat every day to make sure it gets enough exercise.

Proper cat care is a very important component of responsible cat ownership. We hope these tips are helpful to you and that you are now better familiar with how to take care of a cat.

SOURCE:By Cathy Powell,http://animal-world.com

Types Of Cats

Cats are great companions for most people. However, some breeds are more appropriate for certain age groups and personality types. For example, some breeds are easier to handle than others. All breeds are usually appropriate for adults, but different types of cats can be better suited for each person's lifestyle and personal preferences.

The amount of affection a cat shows depends upon breed type, upbringing and genetic makeup. A cat's personality towards humans depends to a certain extent on the kind of first contact a cat has with humans and the cat's own personality. And even with plenty of socialization, some types of cats do tend to be less affectionate than others.

In addition to personality traits, there are also varying body types for cats.

Types of Cats and Body Types:

Slender
•Lithe and graceful but firm and muscular as well
•Examples include: Abyssinian, Russian Blue and Turkish Angora
Cobby
•A broad, round body type with a broad head and shorter legs
•Examples include: Persian and Exotic Shorthair
Semi-Cobby (also called Robust)
•Slightly less compact and usually less round than the cobby
•Examples include: Chartreux and British Shorthair
Moderate (also called Medium)
•Falls midway between cobby and svelte
•Examples include: Bengal, Birman, Traditional Siamese and Maine Coon
Svelte (also called Foreign)
•A sleek, long bodied, tubular and firm body type
•Examples include: Extreme Siamese. Balinese, Oriental Longhair and Shorthair
Semi-foreign
•Rectangular and elongated but not tubular
•Less long than the svelte body type
•The head is a modified wedge shape
•The ears are not as large and the muzzle is usually shorter than the svelte breeds
•Usually fine or medium boned
•Examples include: Nebelung, Snowshoe and American Curl
Now you can see that not all types of cats have the same body type. Take a close look at your cat and you can determine it's correct body type. Consult with you vet if you require further confirmation.

SOURCE:By Cathy Powell,http://animal-world.com

How To Give A Cat A Bath

Some people say cats never have to be bathed. They say cats lick themselves clean. They say cats have a special enzyme of some sort in their saliva that works like new, improved Wisk - dislodging the dirt where it hides and whisking it away!

I've spent most of my life believing this folklore. Like most blind believers, I've been able to discount all the facts to the contrary; kitty odors that lurk in the corners of the garage, dirt smudges that cling to the throw rug by the fireplace.

The time comes, however, when a man must face reality: when he must look squarely in the face of massive public sentiment to the contrary and announce:

"This cat smells like a port-a-potty
on a hot day in Juarez!"

When that day arrives at your house, as it has in mine, I have some advice you might consider as you place your feline friend under your arm and head for the bathtub:

* Know that although the cat has the advantage of quickness and lack of concern for human life, you have the advantage of strength. Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don't try to bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a very small bathroom. If your bathroom is more than four feet square, I recommend that you get in the tub with the cat and close the sliding-glass doors as if you were about to take a shower. (A simple shower curtain will not do. A berserk cat can shred a three-ply rubber shower curtain quicker than a politician can shift positions.)

* Know that a cat has claws and will not hesitate to remove all the skin from your body. Your advantage here is that you are smart and know how to dress to protect yourself. I recommend canvas overalls tucked into high-top construction boots, a pair of steel-mesh gloves, an army helmet, a hockey face mask, and a long-sleeved flak jacket.

* Prepare everything in advance. There is no time to go out for a towel when you have a cat digging a hole in your flak jacket. Draw the water. Make sure the bottle of kitty shampoo is inside the glass enclosure. Make sure the towel can be reached, even if you are lying on your back in the water.

* Use the element of surprise. Pick up your cat nonchalantly, as if to simply carry him to his supper dish. (Cats will not usually notice your strange attire. They have little or no interest in fashion as a rule. If he does notice your garb, calmly explain that you are taking part in a product testing experiment for J.C. Penney.)

* Once you are inside the bathroom, speed is essential to survival. In a single liquid motion, shut the bathroom door, step into the tub enclosure, slide the glass door shut, dip the cat in the water and squirt him with shampoo. You have begun one of the wildest 45 seconds of your life. Cats have no handles. Add the fact that he now has soapy fur, and the problem is radically compounded. Do not expect to hold on to him for more than two or three seconds at a time. When you have him, however, you must remember to give him another squirt of shampoo and rub like crazy. He'll then spring free and fall back into the water, thereby rinsing himself off. (The national record for cats is three latherings, so don't expect too much.)

* Next, the cat must be dried. Novice cat bathers always assume this part will be the most difficult, for humans generally are worn out at this point and the cat is just getting really determined. In fact, the drying is simple compared to what you have just been through. That's because by now the cat is semipermanently affixed to your right leg. You simply pop the drain plug with your foot, reach for your towel and wait. (Occasionally, however, the cat will end up clinging to the top of your army helmet. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to shake him loose and to encourage him toward your leg.) After all the water is drained from the tub, it is a simple matter to just reach down and dry the cat.

In a few days the cat will relax enough to be removed from your leg. He will usually have nothing to say for about three weeks and will spend a lot of time sitting with his back to you. He might even become psychoceramic and develop the fixed stare of a plaster figurine. You will be tempted to assume he is angry. This isn't usually the case. As a rule he is simply plotting ways to get through your defenses and injure you for life the next time you decide to give him a bath.

But at least now he smells a lot better!

SOURCE:By Cathy Powell,http://animal-world.com