By chan chan
By their very nature, cats are free-ranging animals. Mature males especially, are wanderers. Before the concept of selective breeding about 150 years ago, this wanderlust in domestic cats provided plenty of opportunity for the intermingling of genes. If there were teo distinct races of cat in any region, they blended over a period of time, so we cannot be sure of the origin of many of our modern domestic breeds.
Nevertheless, studies of the skeletal structure, body type and hair length of modern breeds enable us to make an informed guess. The spread of pedigree cats - and also the development of new breeds or colour varieties - continues throughout the world. There are now dozens of different breeds and hundreds of different colour varieties.
The heavier, more thickset body type, found in British Shorthairs and Persians, shows the influence of the European wild cat. The foreign and Oriental breeds retain the lithe body of the African wild cat. By the late 19th century, exports and imports of pedigree cats were starting in earnest, and by the end of that century the Siamese, Russian Blue and Abyssinian had already reached Britain.
There are no evidence for the claim that some domestic breeds (such as the Angora, Chinese cat and Siamese) have an Asiatic origin and may be descended from Pallas's cat or its close relatives, because the skulls of these cats show no similarity to the Asiatic species.
It was not until the middle of the 19th century that the idea of selective breeding and recording of pedigree cats took hold in Britain and Europe. Some breeders started their breeding programmes using ordinary shorthaired 'moggies', selecting them for their body shape and coat colour. From these humble ancestors, over the years and through selective breeding, today's British and European Shorthair breeds were created.
In America the foundation stock for short-hairs also came from local cats, but these were the descendants of the cats taken over by the early settlers 200 years earlier, and they had developed quite distinctive characteristics of their own. These are now reflected in the American Shorthair. During early days of cat breeding 'there were already longhaired domestic cats, but the main development of the pedigree longhair breeds came initially from the Angora cat, which had originated in Turkey, and later from other longhair breeds imported from Persia and Afghanistan. Both the latter types wuickly became known as Persians. Their popularity grew at the expense of the Angora, which almost disappeared from teh breeding scene.
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
Self-Love Lessons from Fenix the Cat
By Sheri Zampelli
“I want to love myself as much as Fenix loves himself. That’s my goal,” I stated firmly. You see, I was telling my master mind partner, Sharareh, “I think God loves me at least as much as I love my cat.” I was reasoning that if I, as imperfect and conditional as I am, can spoil a stray and feed him gourmet food and take him to the groomer at $50 a pop, then certainly God who is almighty, omnipotent and unconditional can take pretty good care of me if I just let Him. Shrareh said, “You have to love yourself as much as Fenix loves himself.”
Loving myself as much as Fenix loves himself has been my goal for the past 3 months. Fenix is a long-haired, Tabby Persian cat. He came to live with us in 2001, 2 days after our house caught on fire and we went to live in a hotel for 8 months.
When we came home to visit our belongings and pack needed items for our stay away from home, we saw this furry orange and white cat poking its head around corners and eventually working his way to live in a box on the porch. I had wanted a kitty for years but my husband insisted it would be disaster since we already had a dog. When I saw this scared, furry kitty on our porch, I couldn’t help but take it a can of tuna. Little did I know, two minutes later I had a friend for life. After a few bites of tuna, he darted in the front door and straight to the family room.
“We can’t have a cat now,” proclaimed my husband. I had to admit, this time he was right. So, I scooped up the kitty, walked him to the front door and set him on the porch. Before I could close the door, he whisked past my legs and straight into the family room again. With some pleading and guilt trips, I persuaded my husband to let us keep him. We named him Fenix because he’s “out of the fire”. The spelling was inspired by Felix the Cat.
So, off we went, Fenix, Hubby, me and Koya (a white Samoyed). We lived together in a condo loft for 8 months. When everything was prepared, we returned to a beautifully redesigned and brand-new home with all members of the family in tact.
Fenix was coming to live in our home for the first time so we kept a tight rein on him until he realized this is his new and permanent home. We’ve been back in the house almost 4 years now and if Fenix ever runs off, he’s usually very close by and begging to be let in the house within 15 minutes.
Last Saturday was different. We were gone from home most of the day and night and left an opening for the dog to get in and out while we were gone. When we came home, Fenix was nowhere to be found. Not this night or the night after or the night after that. Fenix was gone for 5 ½ days before he showed up on the porch again, ready to be let in.
So now that you know who Fenix is, I still haven’t told you about my goal to “love myself as much as Fenix loves himself.” You see, as a survivor of an abusive upbringing, I somehow got the idea that I was responsible for everything and that somehow if I controlled my behavior, I could control my environment and make people love me or treat me well. As a result, I guess you could say I became a control freak. Being a control freak is extremely exhausting and their aren’t really any good payoffs to it. In fact, it seems to me that the people who are happiest and most successful do a lot of letting go. They allow others to help them. They have fun. They work in teams. They believe that they are “worth it.” In many ways, I think that’s the majority of what sets success and failure apart. Well, I want success and happiness so I decided to take a lesson from my cat.
Fenix is a perfect example of letting go and receiving. When he wants love, he jumps on my lap, when he doesn’t, he bites me and runs away. When he’s hungry, he eats, when he’s thirsty he drinks. Never once does he have to sit and wonder where his next meal will come from. He boldly showed up on our porch one day, decided he was home and refused to leave. We caved into his wishes and went on to not only feed and groom him but give him and extremely loving environment to live in daily. When I worry about life and not having enough, I look at Fenix. Sometimes I even stretch or take a nap.
When Fenix ran off, right in the middle of this whole lesson, I had to wonder…how does all of this fit in the plan? I love Fenix, he loves me, why is he gone? Well, here’s what I realized today. Fenix was not only bold enough to come proclaiming his princehood once. He actually has the nerve to take off, do his own thing for five days, come back with no explanation and march right in like he’s the owner. He never once had to wonder “Do you think they’ll let me back in? Do you think they still love me?” I can tell you, he didn’t waste one second planning his alibi or practicing his excuses.
Just when I thought I loved myself as much as Fenix loves himself, I realized I had to kick it up another notch and let go of the past. Just like I don’t “hold it against” Fenix for leaving and “breaking my heart” for 5 days, I know that when I truly love and forgive myself, I find people and situations that accept me as I am and who can love me even when I make mistakes. I also know that when I accept myself, I’m 10 times more accepting of others and their “faults.”
What Fenix taught me is that I need to let myself off the hook for being less than perfect in the past and to realize that love conquers all. I know that at any moment I can choose to let go of the past and experience the peace of now, rather than the turmoil of the past or future, and I learned it from a long-haired Persian cat named Fenix.
About the author:
Sheri O. Zampelli is the author of From Sabotage to Success. For on-going inspiration and motivation, sign up for her weekly tip: http://www.donateyourweight.com/site/weekly_tip.html
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
“I want to love myself as much as Fenix loves himself. That’s my goal,” I stated firmly. You see, I was telling my master mind partner, Sharareh, “I think God loves me at least as much as I love my cat.” I was reasoning that if I, as imperfect and conditional as I am, can spoil a stray and feed him gourmet food and take him to the groomer at $50 a pop, then certainly God who is almighty, omnipotent and unconditional can take pretty good care of me if I just let Him. Shrareh said, “You have to love yourself as much as Fenix loves himself.”
Loving myself as much as Fenix loves himself has been my goal for the past 3 months. Fenix is a long-haired, Tabby Persian cat. He came to live with us in 2001, 2 days after our house caught on fire and we went to live in a hotel for 8 months.
When we came home to visit our belongings and pack needed items for our stay away from home, we saw this furry orange and white cat poking its head around corners and eventually working his way to live in a box on the porch. I had wanted a kitty for years but my husband insisted it would be disaster since we already had a dog. When I saw this scared, furry kitty on our porch, I couldn’t help but take it a can of tuna. Little did I know, two minutes later I had a friend for life. After a few bites of tuna, he darted in the front door and straight to the family room.
“We can’t have a cat now,” proclaimed my husband. I had to admit, this time he was right. So, I scooped up the kitty, walked him to the front door and set him on the porch. Before I could close the door, he whisked past my legs and straight into the family room again. With some pleading and guilt trips, I persuaded my husband to let us keep him. We named him Fenix because he’s “out of the fire”. The spelling was inspired by Felix the Cat.
So, off we went, Fenix, Hubby, me and Koya (a white Samoyed). We lived together in a condo loft for 8 months. When everything was prepared, we returned to a beautifully redesigned and brand-new home with all members of the family in tact.
Fenix was coming to live in our home for the first time so we kept a tight rein on him until he realized this is his new and permanent home. We’ve been back in the house almost 4 years now and if Fenix ever runs off, he’s usually very close by and begging to be let in the house within 15 minutes.
Last Saturday was different. We were gone from home most of the day and night and left an opening for the dog to get in and out while we were gone. When we came home, Fenix was nowhere to be found. Not this night or the night after or the night after that. Fenix was gone for 5 ½ days before he showed up on the porch again, ready to be let in.
So now that you know who Fenix is, I still haven’t told you about my goal to “love myself as much as Fenix loves himself.” You see, as a survivor of an abusive upbringing, I somehow got the idea that I was responsible for everything and that somehow if I controlled my behavior, I could control my environment and make people love me or treat me well. As a result, I guess you could say I became a control freak. Being a control freak is extremely exhausting and their aren’t really any good payoffs to it. In fact, it seems to me that the people who are happiest and most successful do a lot of letting go. They allow others to help them. They have fun. They work in teams. They believe that they are “worth it.” In many ways, I think that’s the majority of what sets success and failure apart. Well, I want success and happiness so I decided to take a lesson from my cat.
Fenix is a perfect example of letting go and receiving. When he wants love, he jumps on my lap, when he doesn’t, he bites me and runs away. When he’s hungry, he eats, when he’s thirsty he drinks. Never once does he have to sit and wonder where his next meal will come from. He boldly showed up on our porch one day, decided he was home and refused to leave. We caved into his wishes and went on to not only feed and groom him but give him and extremely loving environment to live in daily. When I worry about life and not having enough, I look at Fenix. Sometimes I even stretch or take a nap.
When Fenix ran off, right in the middle of this whole lesson, I had to wonder…how does all of this fit in the plan? I love Fenix, he loves me, why is he gone? Well, here’s what I realized today. Fenix was not only bold enough to come proclaiming his princehood once. He actually has the nerve to take off, do his own thing for five days, come back with no explanation and march right in like he’s the owner. He never once had to wonder “Do you think they’ll let me back in? Do you think they still love me?” I can tell you, he didn’t waste one second planning his alibi or practicing his excuses.
Just when I thought I loved myself as much as Fenix loves himself, I realized I had to kick it up another notch and let go of the past. Just like I don’t “hold it against” Fenix for leaving and “breaking my heart” for 5 days, I know that when I truly love and forgive myself, I find people and situations that accept me as I am and who can love me even when I make mistakes. I also know that when I accept myself, I’m 10 times more accepting of others and their “faults.”
What Fenix taught me is that I need to let myself off the hook for being less than perfect in the past and to realize that love conquers all. I know that at any moment I can choose to let go of the past and experience the peace of now, rather than the turmoil of the past or future, and I learned it from a long-haired Persian cat named Fenix.
About the author:
Sheri O. Zampelli is the author of From Sabotage to Success. For on-going inspiration and motivation, sign up for her weekly tip: http://www.donateyourweight.com/site/weekly_tip.html
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Good Things To Know About Dog Beds and Cat Beds
By Dalvin Rumsey
Just like every single person has his or her ideas about the perfect bed they wish to rest in, the same thing happens for our beloved pets. There is no general rule that one can apply when it comes to choosing a suitable bed for the animals we care for, only that it must suit their size and needs. Pets cannot tell us what they wish for, so all the work falls on the owner’s shoulders. Only after buying a bed for our pet can we see if it was a good or a bad choice. If the pet shows that it is happy, then we can say that it was the perfect choice. Depending on the size and age of the pet and of course on their breed and especially on their personality, there is a large range of dog beds and cat beds we can choose from.
Cats and dogs are the most common pets in our homes, so it will be the purpose of our strategy in choosing the perfect place they can sleep in.
The best thing to do is buying a pet bed that provides comfort for both owner and pet. We should check whether the bed is easily cleaned, as it will have to be washed from time to time or taken on trips. As everyone wants the best things for a pet, materials must combine luxury and comfort. Dog beds and cat beds are available in all sizes, colors and shapes, so why not take a little time to find the most suitable one? You should hoose a rounded bed if your pet is still small, or a bed you can use on both sides.
In case you are the owner of a cat, you must also consider that they have a different behaviour from dogs and also different needs. They are more sensitive and must be proteceted from cold weather. Cats should have beds that keep a comfortable temperature for them.
No matter if you want to spend a large amount of money or not, you will find a perfect bed for your pet. The only thing one must is have the patience to look for it. And our pets deserve it!
About the author:
UK based Textile manufacturers offers bedroom sets, duvets & covers, Fire Retardant & waterproof bedding, adult & kids sleeping bags and sleeping bag liners, window curtains, pillows, mattress protectors, pet bed, cushions & cushion covers, bath towels, caravans awnings & camping accessory at lowest prices by Siesta's Home Textile World. Luxury Bed linen
and Discount bedding online
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Just like every single person has his or her ideas about the perfect bed they wish to rest in, the same thing happens for our beloved pets. There is no general rule that one can apply when it comes to choosing a suitable bed for the animals we care for, only that it must suit their size and needs. Pets cannot tell us what they wish for, so all the work falls on the owner’s shoulders. Only after buying a bed for our pet can we see if it was a good or a bad choice. If the pet shows that it is happy, then we can say that it was the perfect choice. Depending on the size and age of the pet and of course on their breed and especially on their personality, there is a large range of dog beds and cat beds we can choose from.
Cats and dogs are the most common pets in our homes, so it will be the purpose of our strategy in choosing the perfect place they can sleep in.
The best thing to do is buying a pet bed that provides comfort for both owner and pet. We should check whether the bed is easily cleaned, as it will have to be washed from time to time or taken on trips. As everyone wants the best things for a pet, materials must combine luxury and comfort. Dog beds and cat beds are available in all sizes, colors and shapes, so why not take a little time to find the most suitable one? You should hoose a rounded bed if your pet is still small, or a bed you can use on both sides.
In case you are the owner of a cat, you must also consider that they have a different behaviour from dogs and also different needs. They are more sensitive and must be proteceted from cold weather. Cats should have beds that keep a comfortable temperature for them.
No matter if you want to spend a large amount of money or not, you will find a perfect bed for your pet. The only thing one must is have the patience to look for it. And our pets deserve it!
About the author:
UK based Textile manufacturers offers bedroom sets, duvets & covers, Fire Retardant & waterproof bedding, adult & kids sleeping bags and sleeping bag liners, window curtains, pillows, mattress protectors, pet bed, cushions & cushion covers, bath towels, caravans awnings & camping accessory at lowest prices by Siesta's Home Textile World. Luxury Bed linen
and Discount bedding online
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cats – A wonderful creature
By Jessica Smith
What do you think about your pets? Surely the answer will be love and affection. Every one will agree that the selection of right pet is a serious project. It is most important because the pet selected by you will remain as your family member for many years to come and surely this pet will be remembered by the whole family later on. Owning a pet is also important for your children because they learn a lot from pet friendship like relationship skills, responsibility and also care for others. Always remember, the pet selected by you will have a sure impact on all your family members.
Now keeping all this in mind, what can be a better selection? Surely the answer will be a cute cat. It is just because of god gifted characteristics that the cat is given a priority over the other pets. Cat is a social creature and it is why a cat adjusts in the new environment very soon. If you think cats may not understand your sayings, you will be totally wrong. When you bring a new kitten in your home that walks across the kitchen or dinning room table, you should simply rattle a newspaper at her and say sit. This will simply teach her to stay off and later on you will be able to order the command without newspaper and she will surely be obeying you.
Cats have been living as domestic pets with human beings for thousand of years. Among domesticated breeds, many options are available including one without hair and tails. Another excellent option can be Maine coon cat. These cats are long, broad and muscular with larger boons than other breeds. Which breed you select does not matter too much, as the only thing that matters too much is the behavior which you opt for your pets. For this you need to develop good communication skills between you and your four legs friend. When it comes to cats, you should know how cats communicate? Simply the cats purr and hiss. When it comes to fellow felines, body language comes to play. For this you need to read the body language of cats. Remember an angry cat always twitches her tail and if the tail is high in the air, it means she is happy with you. If a cat is in fear the tail and hair on the back will become raised. On the other hand a friendly cat will always try to touch your nose and if sitting in your lap may paw you. This all means the show of affection towards its owner.
For cats, there are some defining terms like a male cat is called tom and a female cat is called queen. The cute younger ones are known as kittens. Whenever you bring a kitten home, you should always give him a name which can be after the name of some favored personality or game name or either some cartoon. These cat names help to train your cats easily. You should also make sure to fulfill all the needs of your cats. Especially their sleeping time should be looked after carefully. An average sleep of a cat is about thirteen to fourteen hours a day. But as the cats get older they need more sleep. However some cats may sleep majority of the time in the day.
Finally, the most important question about cats can be how long they live. The average life of cats is fourteen to twenty years but domesticated cats live for a longer time period. Generally speaking, when it comes to have a pet as your family member, nothing can be best than having cats as your four legs friend.
About the author:
For further details about cats just visit our website. You will find a lot of useful information about cat names and cat pictures.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
What do you think about your pets? Surely the answer will be love and affection. Every one will agree that the selection of right pet is a serious project. It is most important because the pet selected by you will remain as your family member for many years to come and surely this pet will be remembered by the whole family later on. Owning a pet is also important for your children because they learn a lot from pet friendship like relationship skills, responsibility and also care for others. Always remember, the pet selected by you will have a sure impact on all your family members.
Now keeping all this in mind, what can be a better selection? Surely the answer will be a cute cat. It is just because of god gifted characteristics that the cat is given a priority over the other pets. Cat is a social creature and it is why a cat adjusts in the new environment very soon. If you think cats may not understand your sayings, you will be totally wrong. When you bring a new kitten in your home that walks across the kitchen or dinning room table, you should simply rattle a newspaper at her and say sit. This will simply teach her to stay off and later on you will be able to order the command without newspaper and she will surely be obeying you.
Cats have been living as domestic pets with human beings for thousand of years. Among domesticated breeds, many options are available including one without hair and tails. Another excellent option can be Maine coon cat. These cats are long, broad and muscular with larger boons than other breeds. Which breed you select does not matter too much, as the only thing that matters too much is the behavior which you opt for your pets. For this you need to develop good communication skills between you and your four legs friend. When it comes to cats, you should know how cats communicate? Simply the cats purr and hiss. When it comes to fellow felines, body language comes to play. For this you need to read the body language of cats. Remember an angry cat always twitches her tail and if the tail is high in the air, it means she is happy with you. If a cat is in fear the tail and hair on the back will become raised. On the other hand a friendly cat will always try to touch your nose and if sitting in your lap may paw you. This all means the show of affection towards its owner.
For cats, there are some defining terms like a male cat is called tom and a female cat is called queen. The cute younger ones are known as kittens. Whenever you bring a kitten home, you should always give him a name which can be after the name of some favored personality or game name or either some cartoon. These cat names help to train your cats easily. You should also make sure to fulfill all the needs of your cats. Especially their sleeping time should be looked after carefully. An average sleep of a cat is about thirteen to fourteen hours a day. But as the cats get older they need more sleep. However some cats may sleep majority of the time in the day.
Finally, the most important question about cats can be how long they live. The average life of cats is fourteen to twenty years but domesticated cats live for a longer time period. Generally speaking, when it comes to have a pet as your family member, nothing can be best than having cats as your four legs friend.
About the author:
For further details about cats just visit our website. You will find a lot of useful information about cat names and cat pictures.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cat Declawing - The Truth
By Claudine Plessis
What is the use of cat declawing?
The main reason people decide to declaw their cat is to protect their furniture. An untrained cat’s claws can be very destructive in a home, damaging furniture, curtains and carpets. Cats like (and need) to scratch and claw at wood and rough surfaces, and if they are not properly trained, your furniture will look very inviting to them. Another reason people give for declawing their cat is to prevent the cat from injuring them. Cats use their claws and teeth to defend themselves and to fight. Small children may mishandle a cat and provoke it in scratching them. Some cats also have a more aggressive or nervous nature and will scratch people when they feel threatened.
Toxoplasmosis and Bartonellosis are two diseases that can be transmitted from cats. It is important to note though, that those diseases are most likely to be contracted from a litter box, or even from biting – but it is highly unlikely that it will be contracted from cat scratches.
Declawing a cat is a selfish and very drastic solution for problems that could be solved in many other ways and may bring forth much more serious problems. Owners that decide to declaw their cat do this solely for their own comfort and do not take in account the problems that may sprout from doing this.
What does the declawing process involve?
Cat declawing is also known as onychectomy and is a much more complex operation than simply removing your cat’s nails or claws. The declawing operation is in fact the amputation of each of the cat’s toes at the first joint. It involves cutting of the front part of a cat’s toes and means cutting through nerves and muscles and removing bone. This operation is extremely painful (it has been proven to be much more painful than sterilizing or spaying your cat) and it will take a long time to heal. Even after the wounds have healed, the cat may suffer from a series of after-effects.
Are there any disadvantages to declawing your cat?
Yes! There are numerous disadvantages, not only to your cat but to you as cat owner as well. Cat declawing is illegal in many countries around the world and considered as inhumane and as a form of animal abuse and mutilation.
Many people don’t realize just how painful a declawing operation can be. Scientists have proven cat declawing to be extremely painful and even test new painkiller drugs on cats that are being declawed. Although the cat may not show signs of pain outwardly and seem to be content, it will definitely be in a lot of pain after the operation. Big operations or rather amputations like declawing can hold many of the usual dangers related to surgical complications. A lot of vets also only use the minimum amount of painkillers and anesthetics during the operation, and prescribe no painkillers for the recovery process at home. The wounds take several weeks to heal, and the pain may continue months after the operation.
Complications after a declawing operation are also very common. The wounds may become infected or some of the amputated toes can begin to grow back. Some cats may experience lameness and even be crippled. You may notice a declawed cat trying to scratch at surfaces. They reason for this is because it is common for the tendons of the severed joints to detract and cause a constant feeling of stiffness in their paws.
Cats need their claws for balance and also use it to hook their paws on surfaces and stretch themselves. This stretching forms a very important part of the cat’s exercise and muscle toning. A declawed cat will need to learn to walk differently (because it doesn’t have any front joints) and its body weight will rest on their feet which can even cause arthritis.
It is very common for declawed cats to develop behavioral problems. It may develop a fear for its sandbox, because scratching in the sand may be painful. So, instead of having a cat that damages your furniture, you will have a cat that refuses to use its litter box. Also, because it has been deprived of its best means of defense, its claws, it may now revert to using its teeth to protect itself and can start to bite people when feeling threatened.
Declawed cats will also not be able to defend themselves effectively against other cats or dogs and can even die in fights.
Because of these behavioral problems developed after declawing, many cat owners become detached from their cats and may even want to get rid of them.
Professional cat declawing
If you do decide to declaw your cat after all, at least make sure that it is done professionally and with as little discomfort to your cat as possible.
The most developed method of declawing to date is laser declawing. Laser declawing is less painful, because bleeding and swelling is reduced.
Always ensure that your cat or kitten is older than 4 months before declawing. It is also not advisable to declaw cats that are old and not so active anymore, because they will take a longer time to recover.
After the operation, your cat may be kept in the hospital for the night, or a longer period of time depending on the cat. When taking your cat home, try to keep it from getting overexcited and prevent it from jumping or putting heavy strain on its paws. It is common for the paws to start bleeding every now and again, but ask your vet’s advice if the bleeding alarms you.
To minimize the pain your cat can experience when using its sandbox, put newspaper strips in the sandbox. Sand or clay can infect the wounds on the paws or cause pain when "scratching" in the box. After your cat is fully recovered you can replace the sand again. Your cat may not like the newspapers and this can become a messy affair.
Always look out for the following warning signs, and notify your vet if any occur: Swollen paws and frequent bleeding. If your cat display extreme difficulty in standing up or walking after one day.
Alternatives to cat declawing
Before deciding on such a drastic measure or "solution" as declawing your cat, first consider some of the (often more effective) alternatives. The main reason for declawing a cat is to prevent it from damaging your furniture. Scratching is a necessary instinctive habit for removing the dead cells around its claws, practicing balance and stretching and toning muscles.
Cats are highly trainable animals and can be taught to use only a scratching post for these purposes. There are numerous scratching posts or "cat furniture" to choose from, whether your cat likes scratching vertical or horizontal surfaces. You can even buy "cat trees" with attractive objects hanging from the tree to catch your cat’s attention or build your own (just make sure they are stable and won’t fall over on your cat).
To train a cat to use scratching posts, and to discourage it from scratching your furniture, you can place netting or foil over your furniture. When you see your cat trying to scratch your furniture, pick it up and put it down in front of its scratching post.
Nail caps can be applied to a cat’s claws, this need to be applied every 3 to 6 months depending on the cat. Nail caps will prevent damage to your furniture and to yourself while causing almost no inconvenience to your cat (compared to the serious discomfort caused by declawing). You can also trim your cat’s nails frequently to keep it blunt.
For more information about taking care of cats see http://www.cat-urine.net/cat_declawing.html
About the author:
Claudine du Plessis
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
What is the use of cat declawing?
The main reason people decide to declaw their cat is to protect their furniture. An untrained cat’s claws can be very destructive in a home, damaging furniture, curtains and carpets. Cats like (and need) to scratch and claw at wood and rough surfaces, and if they are not properly trained, your furniture will look very inviting to them. Another reason people give for declawing their cat is to prevent the cat from injuring them. Cats use their claws and teeth to defend themselves and to fight. Small children may mishandle a cat and provoke it in scratching them. Some cats also have a more aggressive or nervous nature and will scratch people when they feel threatened.
Toxoplasmosis and Bartonellosis are two diseases that can be transmitted from cats. It is important to note though, that those diseases are most likely to be contracted from a litter box, or even from biting – but it is highly unlikely that it will be contracted from cat scratches.
Declawing a cat is a selfish and very drastic solution for problems that could be solved in many other ways and may bring forth much more serious problems. Owners that decide to declaw their cat do this solely for their own comfort and do not take in account the problems that may sprout from doing this.
What does the declawing process involve?
Cat declawing is also known as onychectomy and is a much more complex operation than simply removing your cat’s nails or claws. The declawing operation is in fact the amputation of each of the cat’s toes at the first joint. It involves cutting of the front part of a cat’s toes and means cutting through nerves and muscles and removing bone. This operation is extremely painful (it has been proven to be much more painful than sterilizing or spaying your cat) and it will take a long time to heal. Even after the wounds have healed, the cat may suffer from a series of after-effects.
Are there any disadvantages to declawing your cat?
Yes! There are numerous disadvantages, not only to your cat but to you as cat owner as well. Cat declawing is illegal in many countries around the world and considered as inhumane and as a form of animal abuse and mutilation.
Many people don’t realize just how painful a declawing operation can be. Scientists have proven cat declawing to be extremely painful and even test new painkiller drugs on cats that are being declawed. Although the cat may not show signs of pain outwardly and seem to be content, it will definitely be in a lot of pain after the operation. Big operations or rather amputations like declawing can hold many of the usual dangers related to surgical complications. A lot of vets also only use the minimum amount of painkillers and anesthetics during the operation, and prescribe no painkillers for the recovery process at home. The wounds take several weeks to heal, and the pain may continue months after the operation.
Complications after a declawing operation are also very common. The wounds may become infected or some of the amputated toes can begin to grow back. Some cats may experience lameness and even be crippled. You may notice a declawed cat trying to scratch at surfaces. They reason for this is because it is common for the tendons of the severed joints to detract and cause a constant feeling of stiffness in their paws.
Cats need their claws for balance and also use it to hook their paws on surfaces and stretch themselves. This stretching forms a very important part of the cat’s exercise and muscle toning. A declawed cat will need to learn to walk differently (because it doesn’t have any front joints) and its body weight will rest on their feet which can even cause arthritis.
It is very common for declawed cats to develop behavioral problems. It may develop a fear for its sandbox, because scratching in the sand may be painful. So, instead of having a cat that damages your furniture, you will have a cat that refuses to use its litter box. Also, because it has been deprived of its best means of defense, its claws, it may now revert to using its teeth to protect itself and can start to bite people when feeling threatened.
Declawed cats will also not be able to defend themselves effectively against other cats or dogs and can even die in fights.
Because of these behavioral problems developed after declawing, many cat owners become detached from their cats and may even want to get rid of them.
Professional cat declawing
If you do decide to declaw your cat after all, at least make sure that it is done professionally and with as little discomfort to your cat as possible.
The most developed method of declawing to date is laser declawing. Laser declawing is less painful, because bleeding and swelling is reduced.
Always ensure that your cat or kitten is older than 4 months before declawing. It is also not advisable to declaw cats that are old and not so active anymore, because they will take a longer time to recover.
After the operation, your cat may be kept in the hospital for the night, or a longer period of time depending on the cat. When taking your cat home, try to keep it from getting overexcited and prevent it from jumping or putting heavy strain on its paws. It is common for the paws to start bleeding every now and again, but ask your vet’s advice if the bleeding alarms you.
To minimize the pain your cat can experience when using its sandbox, put newspaper strips in the sandbox. Sand or clay can infect the wounds on the paws or cause pain when "scratching" in the box. After your cat is fully recovered you can replace the sand again. Your cat may not like the newspapers and this can become a messy affair.
Always look out for the following warning signs, and notify your vet if any occur: Swollen paws and frequent bleeding. If your cat display extreme difficulty in standing up or walking after one day.
Alternatives to cat declawing
Before deciding on such a drastic measure or "solution" as declawing your cat, first consider some of the (often more effective) alternatives. The main reason for declawing a cat is to prevent it from damaging your furniture. Scratching is a necessary instinctive habit for removing the dead cells around its claws, practicing balance and stretching and toning muscles.
Cats are highly trainable animals and can be taught to use only a scratching post for these purposes. There are numerous scratching posts or "cat furniture" to choose from, whether your cat likes scratching vertical or horizontal surfaces. You can even buy "cat trees" with attractive objects hanging from the tree to catch your cat’s attention or build your own (just make sure they are stable and won’t fall over on your cat).
To train a cat to use scratching posts, and to discourage it from scratching your furniture, you can place netting or foil over your furniture. When you see your cat trying to scratch your furniture, pick it up and put it down in front of its scratching post.
Nail caps can be applied to a cat’s claws, this need to be applied every 3 to 6 months depending on the cat. Nail caps will prevent damage to your furniture and to yourself while causing almost no inconvenience to your cat (compared to the serious discomfort caused by declawing). You can also trim your cat’s nails frequently to keep it blunt.
For more information about taking care of cats see http://www.cat-urine.net/cat_declawing.html
About the author:
Claudine du Plessis
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