Author: Mary Dwightman
Some people think cats are only happy if they have a wide and varied outdoor territory to patrol. If you live in a city, or have no garden, this may dishearten you, but cheer up! It isn't true! Simply playing regularly with your kitty will fulfill most of her exercise and hunting instincts! Here are my top tips based on 5 years of looking after Oakley
1) It's best to start when your pet is just a kitten. If they grow up indoors, they may never particularly want to venture out.
2) If possible, providing even a tiny bit of outdoor space (a small terrace, a screened balcony etc) may be enough. Just make sure your cat can't climb out and possibly fall, or otherwise come to harm. Because animals may try to come IN to the space, you should always be there when your pet is 'outside'. This is the favorite resource for Oakley, who enjoys nothing more than 30 minutes in the sun on a hot day. Beware of toxic plants, escape routes, or other dangerous things that could harm your kitten.
3) try taking your cat out on a leash. If the area is quiet, you cat may enjoy this. Just remember that if you come across any dogs, you are likely to become a 'human tree' for your cat to run up! As a rule, cats don't like leashes, but if you start early enough, they can be trained to it.
4) Treat your cat to a 'cat tree'. Cats love to climb (Oakley does!) and it's great exercise for them.
5) Be sure to play with your cat every day. The best 'lures' are always the home made variety. You cat will much prefer to chase an old bit of cloth on a string that YOU have made for her, rather than an expensive shop-bought mouse or some such. This is just a way for your cat to show affection too - they really do value your efforts to entertain and exercise them!
6) A single cat is never as happy as a cat with company. Even on a tight budget, 2 cats cost little more than 1 to keep, and they will both be happier as a result!
7) Hygiene - clean the litter tray and food bowls every day - cats are fastidious, and after all, how would YOU like to eat from a plate that hadn't been washed up, or use a toilet that hadn't been flushed?!
8) Don't forget collars. If your cat should get out, a collar is the surest method of getting her back. Oakley likes to 'shed' her collar regularly - never give a cat a hard time about this - it's just a little game they enjoy. If you can afford it, get your cat 'chipped'. This makes it much easier to reunite you in extremis.
That's about it for now! If you have enjoyed these tips, or they are useful to you, please feel free to vote for Oakly - http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=1054 is the link. It doesn't cost anything, and you will be supporting animal charities including my favorite cat charity too!
About The Author
Mary Dwightman has 4 cats, aged between 2 and 5. The oldest, 'Oakley', is entered in the http://petmillions.com Grand Prize 2007, and you can vote for her here http://www.petmillions.com/vote.asp?vote=1054.
Cat Owners' Cat Training Books
by Ken Charnely
This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the subject matter, no matter what your previous experience on the topic. Cats are wonderful animals! It is remarkable how well these animals have adapted to domesticity. It has been estimated that they have been living in close contact with human beings for approximately 3,500 years.
Not only are they good for pets, but they are also very useful to humans. The ancient Egyptians took care of them to get rid of the mice in their homes. No wonder there have been hundreds and hundreds of books written that are devoted to the subject of these animals. Most of these books have to do with cat training.
Since cats are predatory creatures by instinct; they still exhibit some behaviors that are best suited in the wilderness. This sometimes becomes a problem for people who have cats living in their households. That is why there are a lot of training books that have been written to address various issues concerning cat training.
Different types of training books:
There are various different types of training books that are available in the market. Some deal with the issue of cats' health and their behavior. Some are reference books written by veterinarians. They offer insights and tips on how to properly take care of cats. These types of books can be used as a resource by owners when training their cats.
While other cat training books are categorized according to breed, some give those readers who are seeking to gain more knowledge on a specific breed of cats more extensive, and helpful information.
Where to get these books:
These books can be purchased in local bookstores. They can even be borrowed in libraries. But the most convenient place to get them would be online. There's a wide range of cat training books to choose from in the internet. Rates and reviews of these books are also available. This gives the buyer some insight about the book, helping them decide and pick out exactly the type of cat training book they are looking for.
Who buys these books?
Books on how to train cats are perfect for first time cat owners. These books will offer them the much needed information they need in order to take care of their cats. A lot of cat lovers also have a collection of cat books. Ranging in topics from: breed books, photography, fiction, cat care, training, nutrition, etc.
Cat training books are a perfect companion for any cat owner. Every cat owner should at least have one on their book shelf.
Here are some of the best-selling and truly amazing cat training books that can have one's pet cat do more than meowing and scratching:
1. "Guide to Well-Behaved Cat: A Sound Approach to Cat Training"
The book says it all. It aims to train the cat to behave. Written by Phil Maggiti, this book is packed with rich information and divided into four parts. The first chapter tackles the cat's evolution, while the second is all about its domestication. Design and function of an ordinary cat is discussed in chapter three, while chapter four talks about human-pet relationship topics such as why does a kitty disobey the owner when it is called?
2. "Understanding or Training Your Cat or Kitten"
This acclaimed book is from H. Ellen Whiteley, a veterinarian who understands cats more than an average person does. This book contains 292 pages of important information that can truly make you understand, train and appreciate one's pet cat.
3. "Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat"
This book is a collaboration of Gary M. Landsberg, W. Hunthausen and L. Ackerman. Published by Elvesier Health Sciences, this is one of the most reputable books in cat training. Okay, so it is dual purpose - it is about cats and dogs, but it doesn't matter. It is as informative as any other cat training book out there.
From discussing kitten development to suggesting therapy for behavior and diet-related problems, from approaching feline agression to finding out what the "European approach to behavior counseling" is, this book is indeed helpful.
4. "Cat Training in 10 Minutes"
The "Cat Training in 10 Minutes" is 142 pages of quirky information on how to communicate effectively with cats. Written by Miriam Fields-Banineau, a certified cat lover, this guide is easy to read and highly effective. Every cat owner can toilet-train his kitty in just a few reading sessions! It will not be long before the cat also follows the owner's commands! The photographs in the book are very attractive as well.
Nobody says cat training is going to be easy. That's why cat training books are available online so one can get the gist and be the best cat owner in town. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye catching to say the least. It’s objective is to entertain and inform.
About The Author
Ken Charnely is webmaster at two of Internet's popular article directories. For more articles on this topic and for free content for your website visit http://www.articleteller.com/ and http://www.contentwow.com/.
This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the subject matter, no matter what your previous experience on the topic. Cats are wonderful animals! It is remarkable how well these animals have adapted to domesticity. It has been estimated that they have been living in close contact with human beings for approximately 3,500 years.
Not only are they good for pets, but they are also very useful to humans. The ancient Egyptians took care of them to get rid of the mice in their homes. No wonder there have been hundreds and hundreds of books written that are devoted to the subject of these animals. Most of these books have to do with cat training.
Since cats are predatory creatures by instinct; they still exhibit some behaviors that are best suited in the wilderness. This sometimes becomes a problem for people who have cats living in their households. That is why there are a lot of training books that have been written to address various issues concerning cat training.
Different types of training books:
There are various different types of training books that are available in the market. Some deal with the issue of cats' health and their behavior. Some are reference books written by veterinarians. They offer insights and tips on how to properly take care of cats. These types of books can be used as a resource by owners when training their cats.
While other cat training books are categorized according to breed, some give those readers who are seeking to gain more knowledge on a specific breed of cats more extensive, and helpful information.
Where to get these books:
These books can be purchased in local bookstores. They can even be borrowed in libraries. But the most convenient place to get them would be online. There's a wide range of cat training books to choose from in the internet. Rates and reviews of these books are also available. This gives the buyer some insight about the book, helping them decide and pick out exactly the type of cat training book they are looking for.
Who buys these books?
Books on how to train cats are perfect for first time cat owners. These books will offer them the much needed information they need in order to take care of their cats. A lot of cat lovers also have a collection of cat books. Ranging in topics from: breed books, photography, fiction, cat care, training, nutrition, etc.
Cat training books are a perfect companion for any cat owner. Every cat owner should at least have one on their book shelf.
Here are some of the best-selling and truly amazing cat training books that can have one's pet cat do more than meowing and scratching:
1. "Guide to Well-Behaved Cat: A Sound Approach to Cat Training"
The book says it all. It aims to train the cat to behave. Written by Phil Maggiti, this book is packed with rich information and divided into four parts. The first chapter tackles the cat's evolution, while the second is all about its domestication. Design and function of an ordinary cat is discussed in chapter three, while chapter four talks about human-pet relationship topics such as why does a kitty disobey the owner when it is called?
2. "Understanding or Training Your Cat or Kitten"
This acclaimed book is from H. Ellen Whiteley, a veterinarian who understands cats more than an average person does. This book contains 292 pages of important information that can truly make you understand, train and appreciate one's pet cat.
3. "Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat"
This book is a collaboration of Gary M. Landsberg, W. Hunthausen and L. Ackerman. Published by Elvesier Health Sciences, this is one of the most reputable books in cat training. Okay, so it is dual purpose - it is about cats and dogs, but it doesn't matter. It is as informative as any other cat training book out there.
From discussing kitten development to suggesting therapy for behavior and diet-related problems, from approaching feline agression to finding out what the "European approach to behavior counseling" is, this book is indeed helpful.
4. "Cat Training in 10 Minutes"
The "Cat Training in 10 Minutes" is 142 pages of quirky information on how to communicate effectively with cats. Written by Miriam Fields-Banineau, a certified cat lover, this guide is easy to read and highly effective. Every cat owner can toilet-train his kitty in just a few reading sessions! It will not be long before the cat also follows the owner's commands! The photographs in the book are very attractive as well.
Nobody says cat training is going to be easy. That's why cat training books are available online so one can get the gist and be the best cat owner in town. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye catching to say the least. It’s objective is to entertain and inform.
About The Author
Ken Charnely is webmaster at two of Internet's popular article directories. For more articles on this topic and for free content for your website visit http://www.articleteller.com/ and http://www.contentwow.com/.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Author: Drew Pilton
Some cat owners make the mistake of preventing their cat from eating grass. There are various reasons for this, one being that they think it makes their cat ill or upsets their stomach. This is an incorrect assumption and in fact the eating of grass followed by regurgitation is a perfectly natural behavior for all cats.
Cats do not possess the ability to separate meat from fur bones or feathers before eating like we do so they have to eat the digestible parts along with the indigestible parts. When the cat has finished digesting what he can the rest has to be removed from the system. To try and pass this through the digestive tract could cause obstruction and severe illness so this is where grass eating comes in.
The habit of eating grass triggers the natural process of regurgitation of indigestible foods including its own fur balls which would otherwise obstruct the system. This can appear to us humans as if the cat is being violently ill but this is not the case and in fact is very beneficial to the cat.
What about other plants and vegetables?
Cats cannot produce the enzymes needed to break down plant matter. Even when pureed or powdered, vegetables simply pass through the digestive tract without leaving any of their nutritional content. This alone is not harmful to your cat, but when undigested plant matter mixes with highly digestible food such as meat, indigestion and other complications may occur. Grass is an exception however; some cats compulsively eat grass when you leave them outdoors. This will cause them to regurgitate the indigestible matter, including raw vegetables.
If your cat is unable to get access to grass he may attempt to eat your house plants instead. This could be dangerous because some house plants and flowers are toxic to cats, so if you have a house cat like a Ragdoll cat for example you should provide a regular supply of potted grass to prevent him looking elsewhere. And most importantly do not punish your cat for regurgitating on to you carpet because he will not know why you are punishing him. Regurgitation is an involuntary action of your cat’s stomach so he could not stop it happening even if he tried. Cleaning up after the occasional regurgitation should be an accepted part of being a loving cat owner as they are only doing what comes naturally.
About The Author
Drew Pilton is the writer of 'The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook, to find out more visit: http://www.ragdoll-cat-care.com
Some cat owners make the mistake of preventing their cat from eating grass. There are various reasons for this, one being that they think it makes their cat ill or upsets their stomach. This is an incorrect assumption and in fact the eating of grass followed by regurgitation is a perfectly natural behavior for all cats.
Cats do not possess the ability to separate meat from fur bones or feathers before eating like we do so they have to eat the digestible parts along with the indigestible parts. When the cat has finished digesting what he can the rest has to be removed from the system. To try and pass this through the digestive tract could cause obstruction and severe illness so this is where grass eating comes in.
The habit of eating grass triggers the natural process of regurgitation of indigestible foods including its own fur balls which would otherwise obstruct the system. This can appear to us humans as if the cat is being violently ill but this is not the case and in fact is very beneficial to the cat.
What about other plants and vegetables?
Cats cannot produce the enzymes needed to break down plant matter. Even when pureed or powdered, vegetables simply pass through the digestive tract without leaving any of their nutritional content. This alone is not harmful to your cat, but when undigested plant matter mixes with highly digestible food such as meat, indigestion and other complications may occur. Grass is an exception however; some cats compulsively eat grass when you leave them outdoors. This will cause them to regurgitate the indigestible matter, including raw vegetables.
If your cat is unable to get access to grass he may attempt to eat your house plants instead. This could be dangerous because some house plants and flowers are toxic to cats, so if you have a house cat like a Ragdoll cat for example you should provide a regular supply of potted grass to prevent him looking elsewhere. And most importantly do not punish your cat for regurgitating on to you carpet because he will not know why you are punishing him. Regurgitation is an involuntary action of your cat’s stomach so he could not stop it happening even if he tried. Cleaning up after the occasional regurgitation should be an accepted part of being a loving cat owner as they are only doing what comes naturally.
About The Author
Drew Pilton is the writer of 'The Complete Ragdoll Cat Keepers Handbook, to find out more visit: http://www.ragdoll-cat-care.com
Does Your Pet Wear a Cat Flea Collar?
By : Steve Gee
Do you believe that you are doing the best you can for your pet by buying a cat flea collar for her? I certainly do but have you noticed that most cat flea collars don't seem to work? They don't seem to last for a day let alone the three or four months that they claim they will. I've no idea why this is the case but I can suggest some different ways of dealing with the problem.
There is something else that I don't like about cat flea collars, or dog flea collars. They contain poison to kill the fleas. This poison can affect humans by causing irritation or soreness. If these cat collars can do this to humans then they might have a similar effect on your pet and we wouldn't want that would we?
So what else can you do about the fleas? You can try a shampoo that is designed to kill fleas, if your cat will let you that is. Personally I've never met a cat that likes getting wet, they turn into teeth and claw monsters, so trying to give her a shampoo is out of the question. Oh and if you do try this, don't expect your cat to talk to you again for the next few days.
My vet recommends treating cats with a product that stops the fleas reproducing. You need to apply this substance to the back of your cat's neck every 3 months for it to be effective. You have to remember that this does not kill the fleas but it does stop them multiplying so you should see a reduction in fleas after a few months and you can make this happen a lot quicker if you remove the fleas by combing them out.
If you love your cat as much as I love mine then you will find that there is nothing better than a daily use of the flea comb. I find it soothing and a great stress reliever. I think that my cat likes it too even though she will tell me off if I do it for too long. If your cat has a flea problem then you will see them on the comb. The hard part is catching and killing them before they vanish by jumping away. When you catch them you must crush them in between two hard surfaces.
Don't forget to treat your carpets and furniture. Fleas will jump off your cat and live in your carpets and furniture until another animal comes along. It's very important that you spray everything with a suitable anti-flea spray. Make sure that you follow the instructions on the label before you use it.
So if your pet has fleas then consider using some of the remedies that I've mentioned above before you go out and buy a cat flea collar.
Article Source: http://www.ArticlesandAuthors.com - THE Premier Site for Articles AND Authors
About this Article Author:
For more articles and news on cat collars and flea collars please visit our website at thecatcollar.com
Submitted with Article Distributor.
Do you believe that you are doing the best you can for your pet by buying a cat flea collar for her? I certainly do but have you noticed that most cat flea collars don't seem to work? They don't seem to last for a day let alone the three or four months that they claim they will. I've no idea why this is the case but I can suggest some different ways of dealing with the problem.
There is something else that I don't like about cat flea collars, or dog flea collars. They contain poison to kill the fleas. This poison can affect humans by causing irritation or soreness. If these cat collars can do this to humans then they might have a similar effect on your pet and we wouldn't want that would we?
So what else can you do about the fleas? You can try a shampoo that is designed to kill fleas, if your cat will let you that is. Personally I've never met a cat that likes getting wet, they turn into teeth and claw monsters, so trying to give her a shampoo is out of the question. Oh and if you do try this, don't expect your cat to talk to you again for the next few days.
My vet recommends treating cats with a product that stops the fleas reproducing. You need to apply this substance to the back of your cat's neck every 3 months for it to be effective. You have to remember that this does not kill the fleas but it does stop them multiplying so you should see a reduction in fleas after a few months and you can make this happen a lot quicker if you remove the fleas by combing them out.
If you love your cat as much as I love mine then you will find that there is nothing better than a daily use of the flea comb. I find it soothing and a great stress reliever. I think that my cat likes it too even though she will tell me off if I do it for too long. If your cat has a flea problem then you will see them on the comb. The hard part is catching and killing them before they vanish by jumping away. When you catch them you must crush them in between two hard surfaces.
Don't forget to treat your carpets and furniture. Fleas will jump off your cat and live in your carpets and furniture until another animal comes along. It's very important that you spray everything with a suitable anti-flea spray. Make sure that you follow the instructions on the label before you use it.
So if your pet has fleas then consider using some of the remedies that I've mentioned above before you go out and buy a cat flea collar.
Article Source: http://www.ArticlesandAuthors.com - THE Premier Site for Articles AND Authors
About this Article Author:
For more articles and news on cat collars and flea collars please visit our website at thecatcollar.com
Submitted with Article Distributor.