As all cat owners know, a feline can be a wonderful addition to any family. One of the most basic aspects of cat ownership is proper health care for the cat. Health care for a cat encompasses a wide array of vaccine shots, flea protection, vet visits, medications, and even proper exercise.
However, the most important aspect of cat health is also often overlooked. People spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a cat to keep it healthy, but most cat owners don’t pay nearly enough attention to the proper cat food.
The right cat food is absolutely essential to a healthy, happy cat.
But what is the best cat food for your cat? While each cat will have slightly different nutritional needs, there are some general rules that must be considered when looking for cat food.
First of all, cats (like their human owners) need a high quality diet. This means the best types of protein, fats, carbs, and the less preservatives and chemical additives, the better. Most of the research available online does not compare specific brands of cat food, as much as specific ingredients to feed your cat, and which to stay away from!
Cats need a high protein diet. Wild cats are very carnivorous, and cats derive a great deal of their nutritional needs from protein. House cats, while not wild, still have many of the same nutritional needs as their wild feline ancestors. So, the most important ingredient in any cat food is protein.
Carbohydrates are also an important part of a cats diet, though not as important as protein. Cats really should derive the majority of their nutritional needs from protein, so cat foods that are high in carbohydrates may not necessarily be the best for them.
Interestingly enough, many of the premium brands of cat food, such as Eukanuba and Innova offer exactly what most cats need, and aren’t necessarily more expensive in the long run. This is because high end cat foods need a smaller serving amount than the low end cat foods to give a cat all the nutrients they need to be satisfied and healthy.
When comparing a premium brand such as Eukanuba, to a lower cost brand such as Purina, they cost difference for the recommended serving size is only a nickel a day. Furthermore, because a cat will eat less of the high end cat food, their waste will be reduced. This can cut down on the frequency of litter replacement and litter box related chores.
Another aspect of cat food to be considered is the quality of the protein in the food. Because of the way many pet food companies describe the meat in the food, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what the difference between “chicken flavored”, and “chicken dinner” is.
Food that contains “chicken meal” can only be made from the skin, flesh, and bones only. This is really the best type of protein for a cat. Food that has “meat byproducts” can contain nearly any animal parts, and are of lower quality than “chicken meal”. Food that is “chicken flavored” only has to taste like chicken, but may not contain any animal meat at all. Also, chicken is generally better than beef for cats.
And it goes without saying, preservatives, as well as artificial colors, should be avoided whenever possible. Although specific research is lacking on this subject, we do know that preservatives and artificial colors can have a negative impact on human health. It is only logical that cats will also be negatively affected by artificial colors and preservatives in their cat food.
With the vast selection of cat food on the market, it is easy to be intimidated and just pull the cheapest variety off of the shelf. Just remember what’s good for your cat and read the labels. Always remember, a little research can go a long way when it come to the health and well being of your cat.
About the author:
Greg Podsakoff is one of the owners of Hercules the cat and an editor at http://www.cat-care-cat-information.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Do I need a cat furniture?
By Guido Nussbaum Nussbaum
There are different kinds of cat furniture you can choose from like cat condos, cat trees and others. Depending on where you live and what kind of design you prefer, you have different choices of cat furniture. If you life in a suburban area or on the landside and your cat has a way to go outside the house, then you won't need any cat furniture. But if you life in a city and your cat stays at home all the time, then you better listen and save yourself some a lot of frustration.
Consider these things before choosing a cat furniture:
- it is cat's nature to scratch, they sharpen their claws and get rid of old material this way.
- cat's natural instincts make them jump, hide, climb and chase. In wildlife cats need to hunt and kill other animals in order to survive and this is still dominating the behavior of our pet cats.
- cats sleep up to 15 hours daily. They love safe and warm places to sleep. Cat's don't like loud or stressful places.
As you can see, your cat has cerain needs to be satisfied. If you don't provide a place to scratch, your cat will use your sofa because there is nothing else. If you don't provide a nice place for your cat to sleep, your bed will be used...
What kind of cat furniture should you look for?
There are many different types of cat furniture that you can choose from. Your choice always depends on what kind of cat you have and how much space you have in your house. You don't need to get a giant cat tree, a small one will do as well. More important than the size of your cat furniture is the quality. Your cat will use the cat tree or whatever kind of furniture you get, to scratch and climb. Therefore the cat tree must be save for your cat to use. It is always better to invest into quality once rather than purchasing a new cat furniture once a year.
The best kind of cat furniture are definately those that satisfy multiple needs of your cat. Most cat trees are combined with a scratch pole, some include a condo, a place where your cat can hide and sleep. There are some trees that include toys like hanging balls, these are great for your cat to play with.
You find these cat trees unattractive, even ugly?
You can get a designer cat furniture that is designed to appeal to humans as well as to cats. These designer trees and codos are sometimes mado of maple or oak hardwood and therefore not cheap. You can find designer cat trees in all variations and forms.
Before you go and purchase a cat tree you might want to
- read online reviews from other pet owners, see what types of cat trees they found most useful.
- compare the prices of different companies
- compare the quality of the cat furniture
- think about the color of the cat furniture
- what about the cleanability?
As you can see, there are quite a few things to consider before getting the new cat furniture. Write down what you expect to get and then look for it and compare the prices.
About the author:
Find more information about cats here:cat urine cleaner
Guido Nussbaum
Admin of http://www.caturine-cleaner.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
There are different kinds of cat furniture you can choose from like cat condos, cat trees and others. Depending on where you live and what kind of design you prefer, you have different choices of cat furniture. If you life in a suburban area or on the landside and your cat has a way to go outside the house, then you won't need any cat furniture. But if you life in a city and your cat stays at home all the time, then you better listen and save yourself some a lot of frustration.
Consider these things before choosing a cat furniture:
- it is cat's nature to scratch, they sharpen their claws and get rid of old material this way.
- cat's natural instincts make them jump, hide, climb and chase. In wildlife cats need to hunt and kill other animals in order to survive and this is still dominating the behavior of our pet cats.
- cats sleep up to 15 hours daily. They love safe and warm places to sleep. Cat's don't like loud or stressful places.
As you can see, your cat has cerain needs to be satisfied. If you don't provide a place to scratch, your cat will use your sofa because there is nothing else. If you don't provide a nice place for your cat to sleep, your bed will be used...
What kind of cat furniture should you look for?
There are many different types of cat furniture that you can choose from. Your choice always depends on what kind of cat you have and how much space you have in your house. You don't need to get a giant cat tree, a small one will do as well. More important than the size of your cat furniture is the quality. Your cat will use the cat tree or whatever kind of furniture you get, to scratch and climb. Therefore the cat tree must be save for your cat to use. It is always better to invest into quality once rather than purchasing a new cat furniture once a year.
The best kind of cat furniture are definately those that satisfy multiple needs of your cat. Most cat trees are combined with a scratch pole, some include a condo, a place where your cat can hide and sleep. There are some trees that include toys like hanging balls, these are great for your cat to play with.
You find these cat trees unattractive, even ugly?
You can get a designer cat furniture that is designed to appeal to humans as well as to cats. These designer trees and codos are sometimes mado of maple or oak hardwood and therefore not cheap. You can find designer cat trees in all variations and forms.
Before you go and purchase a cat tree you might want to
- read online reviews from other pet owners, see what types of cat trees they found most useful.
- compare the prices of different companies
- compare the quality of the cat furniture
- think about the color of the cat furniture
- what about the cleanability?
As you can see, there are quite a few things to consider before getting the new cat furniture. Write down what you expect to get and then look for it and compare the prices.
About the author:
Find more information about cats here:cat urine cleaner
Guido Nussbaum
Admin of http://www.caturine-cleaner.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Finding Ideal Cat Furniture
By F Herl
For cat owners, it's a fact that all of the furniture in the house is cat furniture, as cats will lay and make themselves comfortable on just about any piece of furniture in the house. If this isn't idyllic, however, shopping for furnishings specifically designed for cats can be helpful. Cat furniture doesn't need to be expensive, but it should be snug and secure for the cat.
Getting cats to use the cat furniture purchased exclusively for them can be another matter altogether, of course, as training is required to ensure that the feline friends stay where they're supposed to. Shopping responsibly for cat furniture can help show cats which furniture belongs to them and which furniture does not.
The Right Stuff
The truth is that cats don't really need all that much in terms of cat furniture. There are some basic health needs, however, that a cat should have met by the furnishings designed exclusively for him. The best place to start looking for ideal cat furniture is the place that knows the most about cats and their needs. That place is typically the pet store.
The scratching post is the most indispensable piece of cat furniture. Cats need to scratch to keep their nails healthy and to get suitable exercise, so it is important to provide cats with an appropriate way to do that. A sturdy, tall post is probably best. Picturing the cat's full stretched body is a good way to purchase a properly-measured cat scratching post, but taking the cat to the store is an even better idea.
A cat bed is a good idea, too, but not as essential as a scratching post in terms of cat furniture. Cats need a clean place to sleep and privacy is a must. There are a number of special padded cat beds available on the market, many of which are significantly more lavish than necessary for the average cat. Owners that are prone to excessively pampering their feline friends, however, may want a cat bed of the highest quality. A basic clean folded towel is usually enough to suffice as an impromptu cat bed, though.
A cat perch is another luxury item in terms of cat furniture, but it does help the cat do the things he enjoys most: looking out of the windows and sitting way up high! Cats love to perch and watch things, so a cat perch can put the cat up where he wants to be and give him a wonderful vantage point so that he doesn't miss a minute of activity.
Finally, the "kitty condo" is a trendy item for pet owners that love to spoil their felines. Kitty trees or cat condos have been requisite pieces of cat furniture for the cat lovers that have it all, but most people skip the kitty condo and simply let their cat run free. Kitty condos are available in a variety of sizes and usually have more lavish carpeting than the average home. A simple carpeted box will usually do in most cases, but for the more discriminating cat owners, there are a number of other options at the pet store for these extravagant items.
About the author:
Text Resource Box
Are you looking for cool cat furniture to please your feline? Do you want accessories for your cat that look great in your home? Check out this selection of the hottest cat furniture on the internet, from divans and mega climbers to sofas and settees! Pamper your pet today!
http://QualityCatResources.com/auctions/cat-furniture.php
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
For cat owners, it's a fact that all of the furniture in the house is cat furniture, as cats will lay and make themselves comfortable on just about any piece of furniture in the house. If this isn't idyllic, however, shopping for furnishings specifically designed for cats can be helpful. Cat furniture doesn't need to be expensive, but it should be snug and secure for the cat.
Getting cats to use the cat furniture purchased exclusively for them can be another matter altogether, of course, as training is required to ensure that the feline friends stay where they're supposed to. Shopping responsibly for cat furniture can help show cats which furniture belongs to them and which furniture does not.
The Right Stuff
The truth is that cats don't really need all that much in terms of cat furniture. There are some basic health needs, however, that a cat should have met by the furnishings designed exclusively for him. The best place to start looking for ideal cat furniture is the place that knows the most about cats and their needs. That place is typically the pet store.
The scratching post is the most indispensable piece of cat furniture. Cats need to scratch to keep their nails healthy and to get suitable exercise, so it is important to provide cats with an appropriate way to do that. A sturdy, tall post is probably best. Picturing the cat's full stretched body is a good way to purchase a properly-measured cat scratching post, but taking the cat to the store is an even better idea.
A cat bed is a good idea, too, but not as essential as a scratching post in terms of cat furniture. Cats need a clean place to sleep and privacy is a must. There are a number of special padded cat beds available on the market, many of which are significantly more lavish than necessary for the average cat. Owners that are prone to excessively pampering their feline friends, however, may want a cat bed of the highest quality. A basic clean folded towel is usually enough to suffice as an impromptu cat bed, though.
A cat perch is another luxury item in terms of cat furniture, but it does help the cat do the things he enjoys most: looking out of the windows and sitting way up high! Cats love to perch and watch things, so a cat perch can put the cat up where he wants to be and give him a wonderful vantage point so that he doesn't miss a minute of activity.
Finally, the "kitty condo" is a trendy item for pet owners that love to spoil their felines. Kitty trees or cat condos have been requisite pieces of cat furniture for the cat lovers that have it all, but most people skip the kitty condo and simply let their cat run free. Kitty condos are available in a variety of sizes and usually have more lavish carpeting than the average home. A simple carpeted box will usually do in most cases, but for the more discriminating cat owners, there are a number of other options at the pet store for these extravagant items.
About the author:
Text Resource Box
Are you looking for cool cat furniture to please your feline? Do you want accessories for your cat that look great in your home? Check out this selection of the hottest cat furniture on the internet, from divans and mega climbers to sofas and settees! Pamper your pet today!
http://QualityCatResources.com/auctions/cat-furniture.php
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Tips For Training Your Cat
By Laura Marsh
You can’t train a cat, like you can a dog. If you try to, you’ll probably cause behavioural problems later on. But you can teach it not to perform bad habits. But most times the owner will have to change to fit in with the cat.
Every one in your house, should agree with what you are going to allow the cat to do. Do not change the rules when you’ve decided them, as this can cause difficulties.
• If your cat trusts you, it will probably do what you want, so speak in a calm tone.
• Your cat can tell if you are anxious, so don’t worry if things go wrong. Keep calm and start again.
• Don’t force training on your cat, only attempt it when it seems happy to do so.
• Don’t move too quickly, or the cat might misunderstand.
• When teaching a kitten only do it for ½ hour a day and only repeat a few times. As an annoyed kitten will not learn anything.
• If you are forbidding something, be consistent. Don’t change your mind, and stick to the same command.
• If you’ve caught your cat doing something bad, give it a quick squirt of water from a plant sprayer. This will soon curb the behaviour.
• Never hurt or shout at your cat, or it will associate you with the unpleasantness. Instead put some dry beans in a tin and shake it briefly if you cat is being bad.
• When the cat obeys, praise and stroke it.
• Treat your cat with food when it does well, it will learn to associate a good behaviour with food. But don’t over do it, it will soon so it without help.
• Do not ignore your cat when you are mad at it, cats do not understand this behaviour and will feel insecure.
Your cat will not know from the start that it has to use a scratch post to sharpen its claws. You need to teach it to do so.
If your cat beings to attack the furniture, clearly say ‘NO’. Then take the cat to the scratching post and put its paws on it. You can scratch with your own nails too, as the noise will make the cat curious.
If your cat refuses to use the scratch post, then it may not like the fabric that covers it. Try putting an old piece of clothing that smells like you over the board; put some hemp rope around the scratching tree, or put down some straw mats, cats often like these better.
Make sure where your cat sleeps is quiet and comfortable. Provide your cat with a covered basket, with a soft filling such as a blanket or towel. You cat can get away in here and feel safe, but still be able to see things going on.
Don’t let your cat beg, once it has formed this habit, you won’t be able to break it. Don’t give in to a meowing cat! Keep your cat away from the dining table!
• Don’t offer your cat food from the table.
• Don’t give treats outside of feeding time, just because it wants them.
• Don’t put your cat on your lap when eating dinner at the table.
• Set your cat certain feeding times.
• Feed your cat when you eat, so it will be occupied.
• If you cat jumps on your lap or the chair next door while you are eating say ‘NO’ and place it far from the table.
About the author:
http://www.caringforyourcat.info
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
You can’t train a cat, like you can a dog. If you try to, you’ll probably cause behavioural problems later on. But you can teach it not to perform bad habits. But most times the owner will have to change to fit in with the cat.
Every one in your house, should agree with what you are going to allow the cat to do. Do not change the rules when you’ve decided them, as this can cause difficulties.
• If your cat trusts you, it will probably do what you want, so speak in a calm tone.
• Your cat can tell if you are anxious, so don’t worry if things go wrong. Keep calm and start again.
• Don’t force training on your cat, only attempt it when it seems happy to do so.
• Don’t move too quickly, or the cat might misunderstand.
• When teaching a kitten only do it for ½ hour a day and only repeat a few times. As an annoyed kitten will not learn anything.
• If you are forbidding something, be consistent. Don’t change your mind, and stick to the same command.
• If you’ve caught your cat doing something bad, give it a quick squirt of water from a plant sprayer. This will soon curb the behaviour.
• Never hurt or shout at your cat, or it will associate you with the unpleasantness. Instead put some dry beans in a tin and shake it briefly if you cat is being bad.
• When the cat obeys, praise and stroke it.
• Treat your cat with food when it does well, it will learn to associate a good behaviour with food. But don’t over do it, it will soon so it without help.
• Do not ignore your cat when you are mad at it, cats do not understand this behaviour and will feel insecure.
Your cat will not know from the start that it has to use a scratch post to sharpen its claws. You need to teach it to do so.
If your cat beings to attack the furniture, clearly say ‘NO’. Then take the cat to the scratching post and put its paws on it. You can scratch with your own nails too, as the noise will make the cat curious.
If your cat refuses to use the scratch post, then it may not like the fabric that covers it. Try putting an old piece of clothing that smells like you over the board; put some hemp rope around the scratching tree, or put down some straw mats, cats often like these better.
Make sure where your cat sleeps is quiet and comfortable. Provide your cat with a covered basket, with a soft filling such as a blanket or towel. You cat can get away in here and feel safe, but still be able to see things going on.
Don’t let your cat beg, once it has formed this habit, you won’t be able to break it. Don’t give in to a meowing cat! Keep your cat away from the dining table!
• Don’t offer your cat food from the table.
• Don’t give treats outside of feeding time, just because it wants them.
• Don’t put your cat on your lap when eating dinner at the table.
• Set your cat certain feeding times.
• Feed your cat when you eat, so it will be occupied.
• If you cat jumps on your lap or the chair next door while you are eating say ‘NO’ and place it far from the table.
About the author:
http://www.caringforyourcat.info
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Choosing the Right Breed of Cat
By Albert Tang
Choosing a suitable breed of cat as a pet can be quite a dilemma to many people. There are many breed to choose from and all of them look so cute and adorable when they are still at the kitten age. In order to have a harmonious relationship with your cat from the onset, it’s important to take note of your lifestyle and personality before making a decision. It will also be good if you can seek the opinion of your family before making a firm decision.
If you looking at buying a purebred, mark out those breeds that interest you and do an extensive research on them first to find one that match your own lifestyle and personality. It pays to do your own research to prevent unhappiness and regrets in the future.
Certain breeds are renowned for particular behavior traits. Take for example the Persian cats which are reserved and laid back, while the Siamese cats are known for being vocal and active. So would you prefer the cool, passive personality of the Persian or would you go for the more bubbly and lively Siamese as your household companion?
Chances are an if you have a household full of children, the reserved and passive Persian would be easily frighten by the noisy antics of your children. Likewise, the bubbly and lively Siamese would probably be bored to tears by a quiet elderly owner, but would otherwise thrive in the company of a household full of noisy and active children.
If you decide on buying a purebred, get it from a reputable breeder. When you buy from a reputable breeder, many concerns are automatically taken care of. A responsible breeder will usually provide clients with a health guarantee and will have already begun a cat’s necessary vaccinations. Buying from a reputable breeder also increased the likelihood that the cat was raised in a good environment wit ha clean sociable atmosphere. Check with the breeder first if they allow their kittens to access their homes because this helps them to get acclimatize to people and household settings well before they are sold.
Before you bring home a cat, please go through the list of factors below and consider them carefully first:
1) Do you have the financial and legal responsibilities to become a cat owner?
2) Should you adopt or buy a cat?
3) Are you able to make some sort of adjustment to your living and working arrangements when you bring home a cat?
4) Are you able to commit to long term care of a cat?
5) Are you or any of your family members allergic to cats?
6) Do you have other pets?
Once you have addressed these factors, you can then make a final decision. There are many other factors to consider too, but the few above should be enough to deter you if you are one of those people who just want to get a cat because they look cute without consideration on the responsibilities of being a cat owner.
About the author:
Albert recently developed a eCourse for looking after your cat's mental and physical needs. If you are interest in learning more about this free eCourse and taking good care of your cat, please go to http://catcentral.justastore.com or you can send an email to catcentral@getresponse.com to request for your free eCourse.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Choosing a suitable breed of cat as a pet can be quite a dilemma to many people. There are many breed to choose from and all of them look so cute and adorable when they are still at the kitten age. In order to have a harmonious relationship with your cat from the onset, it’s important to take note of your lifestyle and personality before making a decision. It will also be good if you can seek the opinion of your family before making a firm decision.
If you looking at buying a purebred, mark out those breeds that interest you and do an extensive research on them first to find one that match your own lifestyle and personality. It pays to do your own research to prevent unhappiness and regrets in the future.
Certain breeds are renowned for particular behavior traits. Take for example the Persian cats which are reserved and laid back, while the Siamese cats are known for being vocal and active. So would you prefer the cool, passive personality of the Persian or would you go for the more bubbly and lively Siamese as your household companion?
Chances are an if you have a household full of children, the reserved and passive Persian would be easily frighten by the noisy antics of your children. Likewise, the bubbly and lively Siamese would probably be bored to tears by a quiet elderly owner, but would otherwise thrive in the company of a household full of noisy and active children.
If you decide on buying a purebred, get it from a reputable breeder. When you buy from a reputable breeder, many concerns are automatically taken care of. A responsible breeder will usually provide clients with a health guarantee and will have already begun a cat’s necessary vaccinations. Buying from a reputable breeder also increased the likelihood that the cat was raised in a good environment wit ha clean sociable atmosphere. Check with the breeder first if they allow their kittens to access their homes because this helps them to get acclimatize to people and household settings well before they are sold.
Before you bring home a cat, please go through the list of factors below and consider them carefully first:
1) Do you have the financial and legal responsibilities to become a cat owner?
2) Should you adopt or buy a cat?
3) Are you able to make some sort of adjustment to your living and working arrangements when you bring home a cat?
4) Are you able to commit to long term care of a cat?
5) Are you or any of your family members allergic to cats?
6) Do you have other pets?
Once you have addressed these factors, you can then make a final decision. There are many other factors to consider too, but the few above should be enough to deter you if you are one of those people who just want to get a cat because they look cute without consideration on the responsibilities of being a cat owner.
About the author:
Albert recently developed a eCourse for looking after your cat's mental and physical needs. If you are interest in learning more about this free eCourse and taking good care of your cat, please go to http://catcentral.justastore.com or you can send an email to catcentral@getresponse.com to request for your free eCourse.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com