Cats Make Great Pets If You Understand Them 2

By: Ian White
When picking out your kitten, you should understand that kittens should not have an odor. While puppies do tend to have a smell about them, kittens do not. You should observe the entire litter of kittens. Do any of them have crusty eyes or a runny nose? If so, you may want to reconsider choosing a kitten from that litter. You certainly shouldn’t take one home simply because you feel sorry for it, either. Especially if you have other pets in your home. All of the kittens should have bright and clear eyes and be very alert.

You should handle the kittens. Their fur should be soft and silky, and never stiff or dry. Likewise, their coat should not feel oily or greasy. When you are petting the kitten, you should run your hands along her skin to ensure she has no sores. When you are holding each kitten, place them up to your face and nuzzle them. Listen for any breathing noises. You should not hear any raspy or breathy breathing. If you do, this is possibly a signal that the kitten has a respitory infection.

After visiting with the kittens, instinct will usually dictate to you which kitten is your match. You may feel the rowdy, rambunctious kitten will fit the best into your lively home. Or, you may decide the laid back kitten is more your speed, especially if you have a quiet home. Once you have made your decision and chosen your kitten, you should have a kennel waiting for travel. You should never try to ride in a car with a cat unless they are restrained or in a kennel. While most dogs love car rides, cats tend to scare. They can cower under your feet and this can lead to a wreck.

When you bring your new kitten into your home, you should immediately show her where the litter box, food and water are located. You should also have a supply of cat toys on hand to distract the cat from missing her mom and litter mates. While this cannot entirely be avoided, lavishing attention on a new kitten will do wonders in the transition to her new family.

You should expect your new kitten to explore every nook and cranny in the home. This is a necessary part of a kitten’s disposition. (Even older cats seem to perk up when a new piece of furniture is brought into a home they have lived in for years.) You will want to kitten proof your home. You should keep the lids down on the toilet, and you may want to remove potted plants and the like until your cat learns the rules.

Cats are social creatures, and they can learn the rules of their new environment with consistency. While you may think they do not understand what you are saying, this is not true. If you have a new kitten who wants to walk across the kitchen counter or dining room table, simply rattling a newspaper at her and saying “down” will teach her to stay off. With time you will be able to put the newspaper away and simply speak the command.

Kittens can add joy to any home. Part of the fun is knowing the kitten is oblivious to the fact that she is the center of attention. She is not trying to gain your attention by performing. She is simply being a cat. You should also not be upset if your kitten is not interested in being a lap cat. While she may be content for a few moments on your lap, kittens have to roam, play and explore. As your cat matures she will be more inclined to take it easy curled up on your lap. Until then, just make her feel loved and you will have a feline that will adore you and her new home.

Ian White is founder of cat-breeders.biz Those seeking kittens can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Cat-Breeders.biz automates the matching of kittens for sale with kitten wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties. http://www.cat-breeders.biz

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Cats Make Great Pets If You Understand Them1

By Ian White
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover. Let’s face it, folks, cats are just different from dogs. Cats do not usually perform any special tricks, and they certainly do not guard your possessions while you are away. In fact, the only thing you can be guaranteed of by having a cat is that a mouse won’t last long if they creep into your home.

Cats are loved by many because of their independence. Cats have a life, so to speak. Most cats do not follow you around the home with their tongues hanging out of their mouths waiting on your attention. While they do love their owners fiercely, cats will not grovel like a dog and worship and fawn over their owners. Cats are perfectly content simply being themselves--and they do not seem to need constant reassurance, unlike canines.

This does not mean cats do not need love and affection, it simply means cats are not “fragile” characters. In fact, cats exude a self assurance which can often be misunderstood as aloofness or coldness. Yet, cats are far from aloof or unfeeling. They feel deeply and love deeply. If a cat comes to sit on your lap, you know you are truly loved.

Anytime the family thinks about bringing a new pet into the home, it is exciting. Cats are a favorite of many because as kittens they are so entertaining to watch. Cats have a mind all of their own and only a true cat lover can even claim to understand the psyche of a feline. Cats are mysterious animals, which is part of the draw to them. While cats have been brought into the home, their instincts still remain. Cats adopt their owners and will even go out and provide “dinner.” Many cat owners have stepped out on the stoop to find a dead mouse, opossum, or mole waiting for them. Now, that is love and loyalty!

If you are planning to bring a cat into your home, you should look at it as a life long commitment. Cats can live fifteen years and beyond. You should also understand that as cats mature, they will often sleep and laze around the home. If you are wanting a cat to entertain you throughout her life, you should seriously think about whether a cat is the pet for you. Kittens are very entertaining and young cats are always curious and open for a challenge. However, older cats aren’t easily excitable and usually prefer to watch the antics in the home from a distance.

When you have made the decision to bring a new cat into your home, you will have to decide between a domestic or purebred cat. If you choose to go with a purebred cat, you can be guaranteed of size and appearance, and possibly temperament. There are more than 40 breeds to choose from, so do your homework. You will want to research the grooming requirements of the breed you are considering, along with the general disposition of the breed.

Domestic cats come in all colors and shapes. When you look at any cat, there are some things you should consider. For instance, while all cats are fairly in proportion to each other, there are some cats which are more lanky and lean than others. These cats will be the ones who may be more interested in running and exploration. The chunkier, heavier cat will probably be more laid back and not get into too big a hurry about anything. You have a choice between a domestic long hair or domestic short hair cat.

Ian White is founder of cat-breeders.biz Those seeking kittens can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Cat-Breeders.biz automates the matching of kittens for sale with kitten wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties. http://www.cat-breeders.biz

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The Five Things My Cat Smooshie Helped Me Realize About Life2

By: Paul Bunting
There was also the time when the other cat I lived with bit her throat and it got infected. She had to be rushed to the vet for emergency surgery. At this point the vet discovered her jay was also broken, and it was an old break. She then had her jaw wire enforced.

About a year later I noticed something kind of off about the way Smooshie looked. It was as if she was telling me something. Again, I took her to the vet. The vet discovered lumps in her breast and recommended a biopsy. The results of the biopsy confirmed cancer. I was told that I could elect to have another surgery for Smooshie, but the chances of the cancer coming back were about 99%. I was also told this cancer was common in female cats that were not spayed in their first couple years of life.

Smooshie had been through a lot, and I decided to allow her to live as long as she wanted to without subjecting her to a battery of surgeries. After another five months Smooshie was not doing well. Her once beautiful coat looked battered. She had lost weight and stopped eating. I knew it was time, but I waited a couple more days somehow hoping she would get better. I loved Smooshie, and it was painful to let her go. She taught me so much.

One: Smooshie had been there for me when I was not there for myself.

Two: She did not judge me when I judged myself.

Three: She allowed herself to have fun whenever she got the chance.

Four: She had no difficulty speaking her mind.

Five: She was quick to forgive when upset.

Now it was time for her final lesson. Both my wife and I took her to the vet in the morning. Routinely, she fussed about being in the carrier on the way to the vet. On this occasion we opened the door to her, and allowed her out if she pleased. Once in the vet we were ask the difficult question of whether or not we wanted to be in the same room when she was euphonized.

We decided to stay in the room. I also deiced to hold her as she was being put to sleep. This part was difficult, and as difficult as this was I knew that is what she wanted. Smooshie was sitting in my lap looking like a ghost of the cat she once was. She looked at me as if to tell me it was ok. She was ready to go, and her body no longer worked in this world. I still had difficulty letting go.

I did not want to see things end like this, and I had no control. It was my turn to show her unconditional love and support. It was my turn to allow Smooshie to act however she wanted without resistance. It was my turn to be there for her no matter what the circumstance.

The vet injected her and within a matter of seconds she was gone. Her diseased looking coat lay down and looked just as beautiful as the day I met her. Her eyes closed and she looked to be in the most peaceful of sleeps. I wanted to hold her until she woke up, but I knew that would not be. She was no longer in pain, and she no longer suffered. I knew she was grateful to leave this world in my loving arms, and I was grateful to be able to be with her as she peacefully left.

The most important thing Smooshie reminded me is to respect life. Enjoy life. Life is a gift, and she was letting me know I would be much happier if I realized how much a gift life is NOW rather then as I exit this world. Thank you Smooshie!

The Five Things My Cat Smooshie Helped Me Realize About Life1

By Paul Bunting
Although she had a lot of hard times in her ten year lifespan, Smooshie maintained her princess-like demeanor all the way until parting. Smooshie and I first met when I was out of state visiting family. My sister worked at a veterinary clinic, and I decided to drop by to say hello. My sister gave me a tout of the vet clinic, and that was when Smooshie first caught my eye!

She was a beautiful beige color Oriental Short Hair (picture a Siamese with a solid coat) sitting in a cage with her back turned to the noises of the clinic. I thought it was quite obvious that she was unhappy her small cage. Feeling for this beautiful cat, I commented how nice it would be to adopt her. Of course, being that I was visiting from out of state, and living in a building that cats were not welcome, I did not think it was actually going to happen.

I thought wrong. As life would have it, I moved to a building that was cat friendly, and my sister decided to move to Florida not far from where I was living. Of course, this was about six months after I made the comment about how nice it would be to adopt that Oriental Short Hair at the vet.

When Smooshie arrived she pranced out of her carrier and started sniffing around the place. It was then I was informed about the prior life if Smooshie. I discovered that Smooshie used to be called Misty, and she was five years of age.

Misty was raised in a cattery, and used for breeding show cats, as she herself was a purebred Oriental Short Hair. When Misty had had her share of kittens, she was adopted by a woman who decided to have her front and rear claws removed so that she would not risk having her wood floors scratched by cat claws.

Somehow Misty managed to cause enough havoc at this woman’s home that she was taken to the vet as an unmanageable cat. Now she was living with me, and I decided to name her Smooshie because I think all cats are Smooshie little creatures!

The time in my life in which Smooshie was living with me was not a very enjoyable time. I had many reasons to not be happy with my life, and I blamed. I blamed the economy for my troubles. I blamed the state I lived in for my troubles. I blamed the condo board of directors for my troubles. I blamed anybody and everything outside of myself for my “troubles”.

Through this Smooshie was right there. She was always waiting for me to get home, and she never judged me. I would even get angry with Smooshie for waking me up by purring and wanting to be fed in the mornings, and she still loved and accepted me. She accepted me when I retreated in front of the computer to spend hours upon hours in cyber space avoiding my “troubles”. Smooshie was still right there accepting and loving me.

In the course of our time together there were many challenges for Smooshie. There was the time when I was gone for the weekend and upon returning I discovered the alarm clock had being going off for just about the entire weekend. She really did not appreciate that. I will never forget the look on her face as I walked through the front door. She was on top of the counted screaming – and let me tell you, that cat could meow!

Paul Bunting founded the Bryn Marr Institute, which provides Hypnosis and Life Coaching certification via home study. For additional information and to contact the author please visit http://www.brynmarrinstitute.com

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