By : lizzieb
You will need a great deal of commitment in order to own a cat as they do require some care (although not as much as dogs!) and can live as old as 15 years (or even longer in some cases).
Cats require feeding (daily), care and ‘play time’ on a regular basis. You will also have to take into consideration, before getting your cat, that you will have vets’ bills to pay for annual vaccines, worming and if treatment is required for any illnesses. These bills can sometimes be very costly, but you can purchase insurance for pets – it may be a good idea to ‘shop around’ to get the best deal.
Before getting your cat, you should purchase bowls for food and water, a collar (if you want the cat to wear one), a bed (or pet quilt), a few suitable toys, and some food.
A kitten should be fed throughout the day 4 times with a small amount of food each meal, reducing to 3 times a day at 3 months old, then at 6-8 months 2 meals per day. Older cats (over 12 months) should only be fed twice in the day (usually morning and early evening).
Cats groom themselves, but using a soft brush on the cat, especially the long haired variety, will help to cut down the number of hairballs in the cat’s stomach, which are caused by them licking / grooming themselves.
If you decide to have a cat-flap fitted to your door in order that the cat can come and go as it pleases, you will have to train it to use the flap. You can use tit-bits to entice the cat to go through the flap, when it is fully open. Start by opening the flap fully, just showing the tit-bit, then next time close the flap a little bit and keep on doing so until the cat realises that the flap will open with a small push of the head.
Cats like to sharpen their claws on most household furniture! Suites, corners of walls (thick paper), carpets. Invest in a scratch post – there are many to choose from. When the cat starts to scratch, lift the cat and place him/her next to the scratch post, they will soon get the message and use the post instead of the furniture.
If you are concerned about your cat going missing, or it being involved in an accident, you can have a micro-chip (approximately the size of a grain of rice) inserted into the back of the cat’s neck. The chip contains information, which can help to identify the cat as belonging to you.
It is often said that ‘a cat looks after itself’. This is obviously not really true, but they do have a more independent nature than some other domesticated pets. That said, they still make ideal companions when they ‘allow’ you to be their friend.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
Written by Liz for Rentaccomspain.com. Rent or buy your perfect Spanish retreat direct from the owner.
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4 Common Cat Symptoms That Need Your Attention
Of the most common illness symptoms your cat can exhibit, these 4 probably have the most potential to signal a possible emergency. If any of these systems appear as I describe below, an immediate consultation with your vet is recommended. While it is possible that your cat may exhibit some of these symptoms and not have a serious problem, caution is in order.
The fact is, cats are fairly self-sufficient, and they may recover from a mild illness even before you know they're sick. It's easy then, to overlook something that we are sure our cat will recover from. It's also possible that one or more of the following cat symptoms could indicate that your cat may have a serious illness or underlying condition as the cause. Pay very close attention to your cat's behavior, and if you notice any of the following possible symptoms, take action right away.
Vomiting - Vomiting is a very common activity for a cat. Hairballs are probably the most frequent cause of vomiting, and are usually of little concern. Well, except for the clean up. But cats get into all manner of things, so it's not too surprising they have a habit of giving some of those things back. They may also have allergic reactions to plants and other items that can cause digestive distrubance. It might just be a hairball, but be alert to the possibility of a more serious problem if your cat is persistently vomiting. Poisons, intestinal disturbances, or serious illness could be the reason.
Diarrhea - Diarrhea, like vomiting could be a sign of a more serious problem than simply indigestion. It also causes dehydration, so do not let this go on for long without contacting your vet.
Refusing to eat or drink - Refusal to eat or drink for extended periods, or outside of your cat's normal routine is a red flag. Make sure you know your cat's eating and drinking habits well, and be alert to any changes. Sick animals often stop eating, so pay attention to what your cat is trying to tell you.
Lethargy - Cats sleep a lot, it's true. Lethargy, however, is one cat symptom that should not be ignored. It is an indication of a problem and a sign to watch out for. Since cats sleep so much, it may be hard to detect if they are sluggish. If your cat is normally bubbly and active, but suddenly begins sleeping in a corner for an entire day, something is probably wrong. I failed to catch this behavior change with one of my cats once for about a day since she was out in the open and seemed fine. By day two, however, she was too weak to jump, and she ended up needing IV fluids and an antibiotic.
For the most part, cats are pretty sturdy creatures, and will recover from mild problems. There will be those times, however, when cat symptoms indicate a more serious condition that must be treated. Be on the alert for those occasions.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
Kurt Schmitt publishes www.cat-lovers-only.com where you can learn more about cat illness symptoms and all things cat.
The fact is, cats are fairly self-sufficient, and they may recover from a mild illness even before you know they're sick. It's easy then, to overlook something that we are sure our cat will recover from. It's also possible that one or more of the following cat symptoms could indicate that your cat may have a serious illness or underlying condition as the cause. Pay very close attention to your cat's behavior, and if you notice any of the following possible symptoms, take action right away.
Vomiting - Vomiting is a very common activity for a cat. Hairballs are probably the most frequent cause of vomiting, and are usually of little concern. Well, except for the clean up. But cats get into all manner of things, so it's not too surprising they have a habit of giving some of those things back. They may also have allergic reactions to plants and other items that can cause digestive distrubance. It might just be a hairball, but be alert to the possibility of a more serious problem if your cat is persistently vomiting. Poisons, intestinal disturbances, or serious illness could be the reason.
Diarrhea - Diarrhea, like vomiting could be a sign of a more serious problem than simply indigestion. It also causes dehydration, so do not let this go on for long without contacting your vet.
Refusing to eat or drink - Refusal to eat or drink for extended periods, or outside of your cat's normal routine is a red flag. Make sure you know your cat's eating and drinking habits well, and be alert to any changes. Sick animals often stop eating, so pay attention to what your cat is trying to tell you.
Lethargy - Cats sleep a lot, it's true. Lethargy, however, is one cat symptom that should not be ignored. It is an indication of a problem and a sign to watch out for. Since cats sleep so much, it may be hard to detect if they are sluggish. If your cat is normally bubbly and active, but suddenly begins sleeping in a corner for an entire day, something is probably wrong. I failed to catch this behavior change with one of my cats once for about a day since she was out in the open and seemed fine. By day two, however, she was too weak to jump, and she ended up needing IV fluids and an antibiotic.
For the most part, cats are pretty sturdy creatures, and will recover from mild problems. There will be those times, however, when cat symptoms indicate a more serious condition that must be treated. Be on the alert for those occasions.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
Kurt Schmitt publishes www.cat-lovers-only.com where you can learn more about cat illness symptoms and all things cat.
