It’s a fact, cats like heights! Whether it's for better observation, dominance over other cats or to get away from stresses, we don't really know. If you’ve ever watched a cat you realize that there’s two places they want to be, perched high above or sitting on a window ledge.
With wall mounted ramps and perches you can make their favorite spots more comfortable and introduce new spots. A couple strategically placed ramps and your cats will visit and explore parts of your home unreachable before. In fact, three 'Kitty Ramps' and a 'Corner Perch' will transform your living room into a feline sanctuary.
The benefits don't stop there. Ramps encourage natural exercise making your pets happier and healthier. "Exercise benefits felines with increased overall health, including a longer lifespan," says veterinarian Carol Tice, DVM of the Cat Clinic of Cary, North Carolina. "It relieves stress, reduces aggression and keeps cats alert. Exercise just makes cats feel better."
Ramps also provide relief to cats after they've been de-clawed. Climbing comes second nature to cats but when a de-clawed cat tries to climb he slips, slides and tumbles down. He doesn't understand why he can't climb and this damages his mental well being. Ramps and perches counter balance this disorder. De-clawed cats can easily grip the carpet and climb to their favorite spot, jump from ledge to ledge and act like a cat which restores confidence.
Is floor space limited at your house? Ramps and perches take up no floor space unlike traditional cat trees that have massive bases and poles. Ramps also have a beautiful pine finish. This keeps them looking new compared to traditional trees that are covered in carpet and show wear after little use.
You don't have to start big, you can purchase a ramp or two and grow from there. Follow these links for more information on the Kitty Run ( WallCats.com ) and this one for the Corner Perch ( WallCats.com/corner.php ).
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article12165.html
A Overview of the Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon cat is a very interesting breed of cat. What make’s it such a interesting breed is it’s history. There is no set in stone history of the breed. There are many theories and stories of it’s origin.
Some people believe the breed came about when New England domestic cats breed with Raccoons. The Maine Coon sometimes makes a chirp sound that somewhat sounds like the same sound a young Raccoon makes, not to mention that it’s bushy ring tail resembles that of the ring tail of a Raccoon. However we now know that it is genetically impossible for domestic cats to breed with Raccoons.
Another theory is that the ancestors came from Norwegian Skogkatts brought over by the Vikings. This is also very hard to track down and provide proof of.
Some people believe that instead of breeding with raccoons, that the Maine Coon was interbreed with the American Bobcat. Here again we know that this is genetically impossible.
However there is a record showing the Maine Coon is listed in a program of a show held in Boston. This show was held in 1878.
Some people believe that the Maine Coon can be traced back to France. The story goes that Maria Antoinette was going to be smuggled out of France and a ship was loaded with her belongings, including some of her favorite cats. She was captured before she could get to this ship and the ship sailed without her. The ship came to America and her cats breed with American cats and the Maine Coon came from that breeding.
Another theory was that a English Ship Captain and his name was Captain Coon, he was fond of cats and had cats aboard his ship. Since he traded goods on the Eastern Seaboard, the theory goes some of his cats might have jumped shipped and breed with local cats. Hence the Maine Coon came about.
All these could be true but, no one can be sure. We can rule out that they did not come from Raccoons or American Bobcats. Most likely they are descended from shorthair cats that Americans owned that probably breed with longhair cats that where brought over in sailing ships. During the 1860’s Maine farmers began having a cat show at the Skowhegan Fair and people would bring their Maine Coons to the show. They would compete for the title of “Maine State Champion Coon Cat”. This breed also probably developed as it did to deal with the harsh climate.
A very big show was held in New York in 1895. The show was won by a Maine cat called “Cosey”.
A real interesting fact about the Maine Coon was that it was declared extinct in the late 1950’s. However history shows that this was an exaggeration and in the early 1950’s the Central Maine Cat Club was formed. In 1968 a plan was proposed to create a universal Maine Coon Cat Club. In 1969-70 the first attempt was made to get the Maine Coon to a provisional status however, it was not given provisional status until May 1, 1975. After that championship status occurred May 1, 1976. The breed has been going strong ever since.
The Maine Coon is a very special cat and they make for wonderful companions.
==================================
Article by:
Cats Only Store- Where you can find everything your cat will ever need and more. From cat products, breed information, helpful articles, we have it all. www.catsonlystore.com
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article12794.html
Some people believe the breed came about when New England domestic cats breed with Raccoons. The Maine Coon sometimes makes a chirp sound that somewhat sounds like the same sound a young Raccoon makes, not to mention that it’s bushy ring tail resembles that of the ring tail of a Raccoon. However we now know that it is genetically impossible for domestic cats to breed with Raccoons.
Another theory is that the ancestors came from Norwegian Skogkatts brought over by the Vikings. This is also very hard to track down and provide proof of.
Some people believe that instead of breeding with raccoons, that the Maine Coon was interbreed with the American Bobcat. Here again we know that this is genetically impossible.
However there is a record showing the Maine Coon is listed in a program of a show held in Boston. This show was held in 1878.
Some people believe that the Maine Coon can be traced back to France. The story goes that Maria Antoinette was going to be smuggled out of France and a ship was loaded with her belongings, including some of her favorite cats. She was captured before she could get to this ship and the ship sailed without her. The ship came to America and her cats breed with American cats and the Maine Coon came from that breeding.
Another theory was that a English Ship Captain and his name was Captain Coon, he was fond of cats and had cats aboard his ship. Since he traded goods on the Eastern Seaboard, the theory goes some of his cats might have jumped shipped and breed with local cats. Hence the Maine Coon came about.
All these could be true but, no one can be sure. We can rule out that they did not come from Raccoons or American Bobcats. Most likely they are descended from shorthair cats that Americans owned that probably breed with longhair cats that where brought over in sailing ships. During the 1860’s Maine farmers began having a cat show at the Skowhegan Fair and people would bring their Maine Coons to the show. They would compete for the title of “Maine State Champion Coon Cat”. This breed also probably developed as it did to deal with the harsh climate.
A very big show was held in New York in 1895. The show was won by a Maine cat called “Cosey”.
A real interesting fact about the Maine Coon was that it was declared extinct in the late 1950’s. However history shows that this was an exaggeration and in the early 1950’s the Central Maine Cat Club was formed. In 1968 a plan was proposed to create a universal Maine Coon Cat Club. In 1969-70 the first attempt was made to get the Maine Coon to a provisional status however, it was not given provisional status until May 1, 1975. After that championship status occurred May 1, 1976. The breed has been going strong ever since.
The Maine Coon is a very special cat and they make for wonderful companions.
==================================
Article by:
Cats Only Store- Where you can find everything your cat will ever need and more. From cat products, breed information, helpful articles, we have it all. www.catsonlystore.com
This article comes from Article Avenue - free articles and downloads
http://www.articleavenue.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.articleavenue.com/article12794.html
How to Ensure that Your Cat is Healthy and Lives a Long and Happy Life
Submitted by randall
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your cat's health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of your cats.
When you first get your cat, be sure to have your veterinarian examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never had a cat before, the first visit is a good time to get a demonstration in cleaning your pet's ears and clipping her toenails properly.
A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping your cat healthy. You must make sure the food you give your cat is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by the variety of brands of cat food available, ask your veterinarian for some help. Don't be embarrassed to tell him how much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive brands that are not very good.
Exercise not only keeps your cat's weight under control, it strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system. Some cats are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. Set aside some dedicated playtime each day with your cat, and she'll be more inclined to get physical.
Yearly "well-cat" appointments with your veterinarian help track your cat's health. A thorough going-over under the vet's expert eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease and parasites before they reach a critical state.
The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any "strange habits" your cat may have developed over the last year. Often, these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a medical condition.
One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is updating your cat's vaccinations. Even if you keep your cat strictly indoors, it is important to have her vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia and feline leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the house and wander, she has protection against some of the diseases that cost less fortunate cats their lives.
How Do You Find a Veterinarian?
* Get recommendations from other cat owners in your area.
* Ask cat groomers or emergency clinics for recommendations.
* Neighbors or your local pet supply store may be able to make suggestions.
* If you’ve just moved to the area, ask your former veterinarian if he/she could recommend a veterinarian in your new hometown
The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages all of your questions and supports you in all the health care choices you make on your cat's behalf.
About the Author
Pet Medication Supplies [http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net] can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. The quality of your cat's health is the result of a partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of your cats.
When you first get your cat, be sure to have your veterinarian examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never had a cat before, the first visit is a good time to get a demonstration in cleaning your pet's ears and clipping her toenails properly.
A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping your cat healthy. You must make sure the food you give your cat is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by the variety of brands of cat food available, ask your veterinarian for some help. Don't be embarrassed to tell him how much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive brands that are not very good.
Exercise not only keeps your cat's weight under control, it strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system. Some cats are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. Set aside some dedicated playtime each day with your cat, and she'll be more inclined to get physical.
Yearly "well-cat" appointments with your veterinarian help track your cat's health. A thorough going-over under the vet's expert eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease and parasites before they reach a critical state.
The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any "strange habits" your cat may have developed over the last year. Often, these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a medical condition.
One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is updating your cat's vaccinations. Even if you keep your cat strictly indoors, it is important to have her vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia and feline leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the house and wander, she has protection against some of the diseases that cost less fortunate cats their lives.
How Do You Find a Veterinarian?
* Get recommendations from other cat owners in your area.
* Ask cat groomers or emergency clinics for recommendations.
* Neighbors or your local pet supply store may be able to make suggestions.
* If you’ve just moved to the area, ask your former veterinarian if he/she could recommend a veterinarian in your new hometown
The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages all of your questions and supports you in all the health care choices you make on your cat's behalf.
About the Author
Pet Medication Supplies [http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net] can help you get the best possible protection for your pet. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.
Pets: Common Meanings Of Cat Behavior
By Nicholas Tan
A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner – provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.
A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. You’ve probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cat’s mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.
By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them – which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.
Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.
Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You shouldn’t fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether it’s another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.
As most already know, cats love to play. They love to played with, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and you’ll end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.
The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior you’ll see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, you’ll have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times – you’ll be able to understand him better than ever before.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner – provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.
A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. You’ve probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cat’s mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.
By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them – which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.
Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.
Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You shouldn’t fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether it’s another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.
As most already know, cats love to play. They love to played with, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and you’ll end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.
The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior you’ll see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, you’ll have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times – you’ll be able to understand him better than ever before.
We provide grooming for dogs and cats, and free pet grooming consultation services and free grooming tips by breeds! Our pet products include fashionable carriers, embroidered shirts, reversible raincoats, pet shoes, cotton dresses, pet food, pet carrier, dog ribbons, and other related pet products.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Historic Cats: A 9,500 Year Old Pet Memorial
By Kristin Gabriel
Our cat companions have been worshipped as idols and used for pest control and good luck. Cats are more than 9,500 years old. It's been estimated that there are currently more than 90 million domestic cats in the U.S.
In an April 8, 2004 article in National Geographic magazine, archaeologists from France found the remains of a human and a cat buried in a 9,500-year-old grave site on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island.
People honor their beloved cats upon their passing, according to Peternity.com.com Founder Colleen Mihelich. Her company offers hand crafted, cremation pet urns, grave markers and engraved pet memorials for cat-lovers who have lost a beloved pet.
Cat domestication appears to be ancient. Many experts believe that the Egyptians tamed and bred felines to produce a distinct species by around the 20th century B.C.
Ancient Egyptians Cats were revered by ancient Egyptians more than in any culture in history. Because they were so respected, cats were often mummified and buried in tombs along with their human owners.Back then it was also considered a high crime to kill a cat, and it was punishable by death. Families that owned cats made shrue their felines were respected long after their death. The family would go through a period of grief after a pet cat died, and they even shaved their eyebrows to express grief. Cats were often mummified after they died and then entombed with fine jewelry and treasures; a custom that was often reserved for the most wealthy. Evidence also shows tombs with mummified rats and mice. All of this signals that the Egyptians believed in life after death.
Bast, the Egyptian Goddess with the body of a young woman and the head of a cat. (The Book of the Dead, 3000 B.C.)
In ancient times, the cat, or miw, which means "to see," was a sacred companion. Domesticated Egyptian cats were used for warding off rodents and even snakes. As time went by cats became more important to the Egyptians, and almost like a God. Cats were also represented in Egyptian mythology as the feline goddesses named Bastet, Sekhmet. In early times Bast, also written as 'Bastet' by the scribes, was a goddess that was shown as a woman with the head of a cat or lion.
In an April 8, 2004 article in National Geographic magazine, archaeologists from France found the remains of a human and a cat buried in a 9,500-year-old grave site on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island. Unearthed in 2001 in the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos, the mummified remains were found along with seashells, polished stones and offerings such as ochre and flint tools, axes, and other decorative artifacts. This predates the known early Egyptian art that depicted cats by more than 4,000 years.
An archaeologist named Jean-Denis Vigne at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France noted that when humans and cats are buried together it indicates a strong bond between the human and pet.
Other researchers have found hints that cats were domesticated even earlier than this, with experts who have found 10,000-year-old engravings and pottery depicting cats that actually date back as far as Neolithic period, or the late Stone Age, which also provides evidence that cats had a spiritual significance.
The world today is still fascinated with cats, and why pet memorials are growing in significance. Mihelich is always on the lookout for unique, handcrafted pieces of art to help her customers express their love, joy and memories.
A professional writer based in Los Angeles, California, Kristin Gabriel works with Peternity.com, a place where people honor their pets for eternity. Peternity provides custom products including pet memorial stones and grave markers, pet urns, garden statue pet memorials, pet memorial headstones, pet keepsake memorials, pet portraits, burial boxes, custom engraved glasswork, and other pet memorials. Call 877-PET-PEACE or go to http://www.peternity.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Our cat companions have been worshipped as idols and used for pest control and good luck. Cats are more than 9,500 years old. It's been estimated that there are currently more than 90 million domestic cats in the U.S.
In an April 8, 2004 article in National Geographic magazine, archaeologists from France found the remains of a human and a cat buried in a 9,500-year-old grave site on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island.
People honor their beloved cats upon their passing, according to Peternity.com.com Founder Colleen Mihelich. Her company offers hand crafted, cremation pet urns, grave markers and engraved pet memorials for cat-lovers who have lost a beloved pet.
Cat domestication appears to be ancient. Many experts believe that the Egyptians tamed and bred felines to produce a distinct species by around the 20th century B.C.
Ancient Egyptians Cats were revered by ancient Egyptians more than in any culture in history. Because they were so respected, cats were often mummified and buried in tombs along with their human owners.Back then it was also considered a high crime to kill a cat, and it was punishable by death. Families that owned cats made shrue their felines were respected long after their death. The family would go through a period of grief after a pet cat died, and they even shaved their eyebrows to express grief. Cats were often mummified after they died and then entombed with fine jewelry and treasures; a custom that was often reserved for the most wealthy. Evidence also shows tombs with mummified rats and mice. All of this signals that the Egyptians believed in life after death.
Bast, the Egyptian Goddess with the body of a young woman and the head of a cat. (The Book of the Dead, 3000 B.C.)
In ancient times, the cat, or miw, which means "to see," was a sacred companion. Domesticated Egyptian cats were used for warding off rodents and even snakes. As time went by cats became more important to the Egyptians, and almost like a God. Cats were also represented in Egyptian mythology as the feline goddesses named Bastet, Sekhmet. In early times Bast, also written as 'Bastet' by the scribes, was a goddess that was shown as a woman with the head of a cat or lion.
In an April 8, 2004 article in National Geographic magazine, archaeologists from France found the remains of a human and a cat buried in a 9,500-year-old grave site on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island. Unearthed in 2001 in the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos, the mummified remains were found along with seashells, polished stones and offerings such as ochre and flint tools, axes, and other decorative artifacts. This predates the known early Egyptian art that depicted cats by more than 4,000 years.
An archaeologist named Jean-Denis Vigne at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France noted that when humans and cats are buried together it indicates a strong bond between the human and pet.
Other researchers have found hints that cats were domesticated even earlier than this, with experts who have found 10,000-year-old engravings and pottery depicting cats that actually date back as far as Neolithic period, or the late Stone Age, which also provides evidence that cats had a spiritual significance.
The world today is still fascinated with cats, and why pet memorials are growing in significance. Mihelich is always on the lookout for unique, handcrafted pieces of art to help her customers express their love, joy and memories.
A professional writer based in Los Angeles, California, Kristin Gabriel works with Peternity.com, a place where people honor their pets for eternity. Peternity provides custom products including pet memorial stones and grave markers, pet urns, garden statue pet memorials, pet memorial headstones, pet keepsake memorials, pet portraits, burial boxes, custom engraved glasswork, and other pet memorials. Call 877-PET-PEACE or go to http://www.peternity.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com