By Vanessa Brown
One of the most popular pets to give as a gift for young children is often a kitten; their playful temperaments and small size make them not only great companions but also provide a lot of fun for kids. Before purchasing a cat as gift, either for your own children or others, or deciding they would make a great pet for your family there are a few things you need to consider.
First and foremost is what type of cat do you want? Deciding on the breed means weighing up things like whether you have time to care for certain breeds (long coats, medical problems that may be common with certain breeds etc) and how easy or costly it may be to find and buy your chosen breed. Once you’ve researched the pros and cons of a variety of breeds of cat you need to then find a reputable breeder; visit your vet, or local cat association etc and speak to as many sources as you can to discover the best breeder to purchase from.
If you’re not particularly fussy on what breed of cat you want, you may be more inclined to visit a local pet store or animal welfare. Purchasing or adopting a cat or kitten from these locations may still require a little research. Find out as much as you can about the cat before you bring it home: do they know the breed and age of the cat/kitten, has it received its vaccinations or have any known health issues etc.
Once you’ve decided on your breed and where you are going to obtain your new pet from there are still a few requirements you need to fulfil before bringing it home.
Make sure you know which food products are recommended (either from your breeder or what the pet store has previously fed it) you will also want to obtain a few toys, a collar (and possible a lead) and things like kitty litter and trays etc. Decide on where you want your cat to sleep (at least until it has settled in) by sectioning off a room of your house it will give your feline friend the chance to settle in quicker and there is less chance of it getting into trouble if it has free reign of the house. You will also want to talk to your local vet to discuss things like worming, flea control and other health related issues that may arise. Before brining your new pet home you may also want to discuss with your breeder or pet store the best ways to toilet train your kitten and cover any other issues that may arise, particularly if you’ve never been owned by a cat before.
When you first bring your new kitten home it may be a little shy to start so be prepared to give it some space to explore its new surroundings. It won’t take long for it to settle in and start playing.
Remember too, particularly if you’re planning on gifting a kitten to someone else, cats have a long lifespan so the new owners need to not only have lots of love to share with their new pet but also the time, energy and space to care for it.
Cats can be wonderful companions to those that are willing to share their lives with them.
About the author:
Visit Vanessa to learn more about caring for your cat or if you're interested in
other pets; from which pet is best suited to your family to the care, feeding and training of your chosen pet please vist the Pet Help Blog
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cat Allergy Symptoms
By Sven Ullmann
Cat allergy symptoms afflict many people. Sufferers are in real trouble if they happen to own a cat. This might not make sense to the ordinary person but to a cat lover it does. The symptoms may developed long after they have acquired their furry companion so getting rid of the rascal my simply not be an option. So for many cat lovers and owners living with cat allergies is a real problem that they have to live with.
Allergies in general are still not completely understood by the medical community. Inroads have been made but the fact remains that not enough knowledge has been gained on allergies to completely eliminate them. Some of the best experts on allergies in the medical community are themselves allergy sufferers. This in itself has allowed them to make the observations necessary to gain a better understanding of allergy symptoms.
Cat allergy symptoms can manifest themselves in many forms. They can appear singularly or in combination. They can come and go for no apparent reason. So you may have been mistaking your symptoms for a lingering cold and or a sore throat that comes and goes. A rash that sometimes responds to topical treatment and sometimes doesn't. Sneezing fits that you blame on dust or pollen allergies.
Some of the symptoms are clogged and ringing ears. Sneezing fits. Red and watering eyes. Burning eyes. Skin rashes. Cold-like symptoms. Sore throat. Sound familiar? If you are a cat owner and you have these symptoms on a regular basis that you may be suffering from cat allergies. You can however take steps to reduce your suffering and still keep your beloved friend.
Until recently the actual cause of the allergy symptoms was a mystery. People thought they knew but in the end no one really knew for sure what in fact was on the cat that was causing the suffering. Hair?small skin flakes? The cat box? It turns out it is the cats saliva that is the culprit. By licking its hair, which is a cats favorite past time, your cat is spreading the stuff that is the root of your suffering.
The best method of determining if you are suffering from cat allergies is to remove your cat from the house for about two weeks and vacuum and clean anything your cat is in contact with and see if the symptoms disappear or are lessened. Not doing a thorough cleaning defeats the purpose of this test. This is a common test for most allergy sufferers. Remove the suspect material and see if it goes away.
Assuming that you have made a determination that you are in fact suffering from cat allergies then the next question is what to do about it. The easiest and most complete solution short of finding your cat a new home is to make it an outside cat. This might seem like a great sacrifice to yourself but your cat may love it once it has adjusted. A cat door can be installed on a side room or garage so it can still come in from the weather.
Other solutions can be had but they are not as completely as effective as putting your cat outside. Vacuuming and cleaning your house more often helps. It's a lot more work for yourself but the allergen can be removed. Receiving medical treatment for your allergies can be effective if you respond positively to the treatment. Limiting your cats access to your whole house particularly your bedroom is a must.
About the author:
Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - information on health for you and your family. Read more about cat allergy symptoms.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cat allergy symptoms afflict many people. Sufferers are in real trouble if they happen to own a cat. This might not make sense to the ordinary person but to a cat lover it does. The symptoms may developed long after they have acquired their furry companion so getting rid of the rascal my simply not be an option. So for many cat lovers and owners living with cat allergies is a real problem that they have to live with.
Allergies in general are still not completely understood by the medical community. Inroads have been made but the fact remains that not enough knowledge has been gained on allergies to completely eliminate them. Some of the best experts on allergies in the medical community are themselves allergy sufferers. This in itself has allowed them to make the observations necessary to gain a better understanding of allergy symptoms.
Cat allergy symptoms can manifest themselves in many forms. They can appear singularly or in combination. They can come and go for no apparent reason. So you may have been mistaking your symptoms for a lingering cold and or a sore throat that comes and goes. A rash that sometimes responds to topical treatment and sometimes doesn't. Sneezing fits that you blame on dust or pollen allergies.
Some of the symptoms are clogged and ringing ears. Sneezing fits. Red and watering eyes. Burning eyes. Skin rashes. Cold-like symptoms. Sore throat. Sound familiar? If you are a cat owner and you have these symptoms on a regular basis that you may be suffering from cat allergies. You can however take steps to reduce your suffering and still keep your beloved friend.
Until recently the actual cause of the allergy symptoms was a mystery. People thought they knew but in the end no one really knew for sure what in fact was on the cat that was causing the suffering. Hair?small skin flakes? The cat box? It turns out it is the cats saliva that is the culprit. By licking its hair, which is a cats favorite past time, your cat is spreading the stuff that is the root of your suffering.
The best method of determining if you are suffering from cat allergies is to remove your cat from the house for about two weeks and vacuum and clean anything your cat is in contact with and see if the symptoms disappear or are lessened. Not doing a thorough cleaning defeats the purpose of this test. This is a common test for most allergy sufferers. Remove the suspect material and see if it goes away.
Assuming that you have made a determination that you are in fact suffering from cat allergies then the next question is what to do about it. The easiest and most complete solution short of finding your cat a new home is to make it an outside cat. This might seem like a great sacrifice to yourself but your cat may love it once it has adjusted. A cat door can be installed on a side room or garage so it can still come in from the weather.
Other solutions can be had but they are not as completely as effective as putting your cat outside. Vacuuming and cleaning your house more often helps. It's a lot more work for yourself but the allergen can be removed. Receiving medical treatment for your allergies can be effective if you respond positively to the treatment. Limiting your cats access to your whole house particularly your bedroom is a must.
About the author:
Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - information on health for you and your family. Read more about cat allergy symptoms.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Choosing A Cat for Adoption
By chan chan
What should you look for in a cat? Of the thousands available for adoption, how will you select one from among the fabulous feline faces? Before you start looking, think about the characteristics you like in a cat. Consider:
1) Personality. A cat that approaches you and makes eye contact is usually a good bet. A friendly, outgoing personality is desired by most pet owners, but some people prefer a cat that is less demanding.
2) Age. Although kittens are adorable, they can be a handful. Kittens are active and require some training. Many people prefer to adopt mature cats that are trained and relaxed.
3) Breed or Type. If you do not like to groom, do not get a long-haired cat. All cats need grooming, but longhairs require extra brushing.
4) Healthy. Everyone wants a cat that is fit, but do not overlook the cat that has recovered from an illness. Often the care the cat is given to combat the illness makes the cat stronger in
the long run, and the handling during treatment can make the cat easier to handle at home.
Shelter personnel are trained to evaluate animals; consult them for their opinions of the cats they have on ahnd. Sometimes it is best just to wait for the right cat to come along.
The age of technology has arrived to serve the field of animal welfare. Cat adoptions have been completed via the airwaves, facilitated by television. Our cable network in California airs a terrific program, The Pet Place, which features cats and dogs from local animal shelters. This opportunity to display available cats and dogs has enabled our shelters to place hundreds of needy animals in wonderful homes.
Our local ABC affiliate occassionally features adoptable pets. Local talk-shoes are natural ways to showcase the wonderful animals waiting for homes to call their own. In addition to servicing the lucky, featured pets, these shows provide a bigger service-they call attention to the need for responsible pet ownership.
Seeing homeless cats should be an incentive for spaying and neutering the Fuffies and Pumpkins of our neighbourhoods. We depend upon this mainstream media coverage of pet issues to improve the future for all animals. Of course, the best message heard from the broadcasts is that wonderful animals need homes, and the shelter is the place to look for a cute cat.
Your local animal shelter can open the door to future happiness. Your enthusiasm for becoming a pet owner may make you impatient, but before you head for the nearest humane society, carefully examine your decision.
About the author:
1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats' health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more on pet cat and kitten care ........
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
What should you look for in a cat? Of the thousands available for adoption, how will you select one from among the fabulous feline faces? Before you start looking, think about the characteristics you like in a cat. Consider:
1) Personality. A cat that approaches you and makes eye contact is usually a good bet. A friendly, outgoing personality is desired by most pet owners, but some people prefer a cat that is less demanding.
2) Age. Although kittens are adorable, they can be a handful. Kittens are active and require some training. Many people prefer to adopt mature cats that are trained and relaxed.
3) Breed or Type. If you do not like to groom, do not get a long-haired cat. All cats need grooming, but longhairs require extra brushing.
4) Healthy. Everyone wants a cat that is fit, but do not overlook the cat that has recovered from an illness. Often the care the cat is given to combat the illness makes the cat stronger in
the long run, and the handling during treatment can make the cat easier to handle at home.
Shelter personnel are trained to evaluate animals; consult them for their opinions of the cats they have on ahnd. Sometimes it is best just to wait for the right cat to come along.
The age of technology has arrived to serve the field of animal welfare. Cat adoptions have been completed via the airwaves, facilitated by television. Our cable network in California airs a terrific program, The Pet Place, which features cats and dogs from local animal shelters. This opportunity to display available cats and dogs has enabled our shelters to place hundreds of needy animals in wonderful homes.
Our local ABC affiliate occassionally features adoptable pets. Local talk-shoes are natural ways to showcase the wonderful animals waiting for homes to call their own. In addition to servicing the lucky, featured pets, these shows provide a bigger service-they call attention to the need for responsible pet ownership.
Seeing homeless cats should be an incentive for spaying and neutering the Fuffies and Pumpkins of our neighbourhoods. We depend upon this mainstream media coverage of pet issues to improve the future for all animals. Of course, the best message heard from the broadcasts is that wonderful animals need homes, and the shelter is the place to look for a cute cat.
Your local animal shelter can open the door to future happiness. Your enthusiasm for becoming a pet owner may make you impatient, but before you head for the nearest humane society, carefully examine your decision.
About the author:
1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats' health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more on pet cat and kitten care ........
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Exotic - The facts every owner of this cat breed should know
By Robert Benjamin
In the 1960s a Persian was crossed with a Domestic Shorthair in an attempt to create a Persian with only short hair. The result was today's Exotic, a breed that looks strikingly similar to the Persian, but with less maintenance involved, hence the nickname, 'the lazy man's Persian.' There are long- and shorthaired varieties of Exotic. The coat of a Longhaired is very similar to a Persian. It is very thick and dense, and requires daily grooming, along with regular bathing. The Shorthaired Exotic coat is, well, short. However, that does not mean it does not require some maintenance from the owner.
Though Shorthaired Exotics tend to be able to keep themselves clean via regular grooming, the occasional brushing is recommended to lower the occurrence of fur balls. Both Long- and Shorthaired Exotics are seen in a wide array of colors and both will shed, though not nearly as much as a Persian. Both tend to be of an average size and weight and tend to live around twelve years, though they are not considered mature until approximately two years of age and enter puberty later than other breeds.
Exotics, though loving towards their human families, tend to be aloof. They do not demand much attention or interaction, but, from time to time, will want to enjoy their company. This is accomplished not by tricks or antics but by sitting and waiting patiently while staring to get their point across. This does not mean that Exotics are not playful. They do enjoy the occasional romp around the house and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. They do well with children and other pets but some children may not like their independent nature.
The Exotic does have some health concerns. Since it was bred with a Persian, Exotics have flat faces, making their tears prone to overflowing and staining the face. They can also suffer from constricted nostrils (causing them to breathe loudly), dental malocclusions, seborrhea oleosa (itchy, dry skin or hair loss), and polcystic kidney disease. Exotics are also prone to ringworm.
There is a website that has great information on Exotic and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2006
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
About the author:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.
RB59 Software
http://www.rb59.com/software
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
In the 1960s a Persian was crossed with a Domestic Shorthair in an attempt to create a Persian with only short hair. The result was today's Exotic, a breed that looks strikingly similar to the Persian, but with less maintenance involved, hence the nickname, 'the lazy man's Persian.' There are long- and shorthaired varieties of Exotic. The coat of a Longhaired is very similar to a Persian. It is very thick and dense, and requires daily grooming, along with regular bathing. The Shorthaired Exotic coat is, well, short. However, that does not mean it does not require some maintenance from the owner.
Though Shorthaired Exotics tend to be able to keep themselves clean via regular grooming, the occasional brushing is recommended to lower the occurrence of fur balls. Both Long- and Shorthaired Exotics are seen in a wide array of colors and both will shed, though not nearly as much as a Persian. Both tend to be of an average size and weight and tend to live around twelve years, though they are not considered mature until approximately two years of age and enter puberty later than other breeds.
Exotics, though loving towards their human families, tend to be aloof. They do not demand much attention or interaction, but, from time to time, will want to enjoy their company. This is accomplished not by tricks or antics but by sitting and waiting patiently while staring to get their point across. This does not mean that Exotics are not playful. They do enjoy the occasional romp around the house and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. They do well with children and other pets but some children may not like their independent nature.
The Exotic does have some health concerns. Since it was bred with a Persian, Exotics have flat faces, making their tears prone to overflowing and staining the face. They can also suffer from constricted nostrils (causing them to breathe loudly), dental malocclusions, seborrhea oleosa (itchy, dry skin or hair loss), and polcystic kidney disease. Exotics are also prone to ringworm.
There is a website that has great information on Exotic and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2006
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
About the author:
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.
RB59 Software
http://www.rb59.com/software
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Of Cats, Scratching Instincts And Your Favorite Furniture
By Sarika Kabra
You spent a small fortune on buying the latest dining room furniture for your house and are the proud owner of a cat who loves it equally well. In fact, while you spend your time cleaning up your table, your cat decides to caress it too – with its claws of course. It is a different matter that your cat is actually using it to sharpen its claws, a natural phenomenon you could well do without.
While it is natural for cats to scratch, it often destroys perfectly laid out dining tables and other pieces of furniture that may come in the way. Most people leave it at that – they cannot curb natural instincts of the animal, they say. Though sad, they just watch their favorite dining set going to pieces due to the cat’s actions.
To understand how to take care of this problem, you must understand the problem in detail first.
The cat family are natural hunters by the laws of nature. Claws and teeth are the basic requirements for the cat to hunt, and hence the need to keep them in good shape. Scratching their claws on tree trunks (read your dining tables legs) helps them keep them sharp and removing old tissue. Another reason is the secretion of certain scent from their paws marking their territory (your home, what else?) to ward off strangers. Moreover, it gives them some much needed exercise and straightens out the kinks in their body.
They can be de-clawed to rid you of your problem, but there are more humane methods to help out your cat while avoiding damage to your furniture.
One way is to get a scratching pad or a post. A wide variety of them are available as part of a cat condo. If you do not wish to spend the money, you can easily make one of your own. All you need is a two feet high section of heavy plywood, cut into a size of four by four or two by two, and tie a piece of old carpet on to it. Place it next to the furniture your cat is fond of scratching, gradually moving it away as your cat gets used to it. Let your cat scratch away to its heart’s content – all you need to do is to replace the old carpet for it to get back to its original shape once it is destroyed.
To supplement your efforts, use a pet repellant spray on the furniture to make your cat turn to the scratching post. If you are hesitant to use the spray on your costly furniture, cover the material with tape with the sticky side up, or use aluminum foil instead.
Still facing problems? Your cat still does not stop? Well, it may be time for you to adopt some more drastic measures. De-claw it if it stays indoors. Be aware, however, that it will affect the cats natural gait and its immunity from minor ailments as well. The procedure can be painful and may involve certain risks as well. Those wanting to avoid this may use nail caps as a viable alternative. These are applied as false nails to the cat’s nails.
Some of these measures could definitely help you save your new furniture from the cat’s natural instincts. If you love your cat more than your furniture, however, be prepared to shell some extra cash every few months to allow it to destroy all you bring!
About the author:
The author believes it is essential to buy a table pad to protect your dining room table. With good care, your dining room chairs and table will look as good as new for years.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
You spent a small fortune on buying the latest dining room furniture for your house and are the proud owner of a cat who loves it equally well. In fact, while you spend your time cleaning up your table, your cat decides to caress it too – with its claws of course. It is a different matter that your cat is actually using it to sharpen its claws, a natural phenomenon you could well do without.
While it is natural for cats to scratch, it often destroys perfectly laid out dining tables and other pieces of furniture that may come in the way. Most people leave it at that – they cannot curb natural instincts of the animal, they say. Though sad, they just watch their favorite dining set going to pieces due to the cat’s actions.
To understand how to take care of this problem, you must understand the problem in detail first.
The cat family are natural hunters by the laws of nature. Claws and teeth are the basic requirements for the cat to hunt, and hence the need to keep them in good shape. Scratching their claws on tree trunks (read your dining tables legs) helps them keep them sharp and removing old tissue. Another reason is the secretion of certain scent from their paws marking their territory (your home, what else?) to ward off strangers. Moreover, it gives them some much needed exercise and straightens out the kinks in their body.
They can be de-clawed to rid you of your problem, but there are more humane methods to help out your cat while avoiding damage to your furniture.
One way is to get a scratching pad or a post. A wide variety of them are available as part of a cat condo. If you do not wish to spend the money, you can easily make one of your own. All you need is a two feet high section of heavy plywood, cut into a size of four by four or two by two, and tie a piece of old carpet on to it. Place it next to the furniture your cat is fond of scratching, gradually moving it away as your cat gets used to it. Let your cat scratch away to its heart’s content – all you need to do is to replace the old carpet for it to get back to its original shape once it is destroyed.
To supplement your efforts, use a pet repellant spray on the furniture to make your cat turn to the scratching post. If you are hesitant to use the spray on your costly furniture, cover the material with tape with the sticky side up, or use aluminum foil instead.
Still facing problems? Your cat still does not stop? Well, it may be time for you to adopt some more drastic measures. De-claw it if it stays indoors. Be aware, however, that it will affect the cats natural gait and its immunity from minor ailments as well. The procedure can be painful and may involve certain risks as well. Those wanting to avoid this may use nail caps as a viable alternative. These are applied as false nails to the cat’s nails.
Some of these measures could definitely help you save your new furniture from the cat’s natural instincts. If you love your cat more than your furniture, however, be prepared to shell some extra cash every few months to allow it to destroy all you bring!
About the author:
The author believes it is essential to buy a table pad to protect your dining room table. With good care, your dining room chairs and table will look as good as new for years.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com