Submitted by Jude
Have you ever tried to medicate a cat? If you have, you probably have a few scratches to prove it!
Have you ever tried to medicate a cat? If you have, you probably have a few scratches to prove it! Cats only want to do something if it's their idea. And, it's never their idea to have a pill pushed down their throat. So, how do you manage getting that medicine into his body without coming out on the wrong side of his claws?
If the medicine is a pill, the easiest way to feed it to her is by putting it into her food. Of course, you'll have to crush it into powder form first. Using two spoons, put the pill into one and use the back of the other to break it down. Then, mix it into her canned cat food. If you only feed her dry food, she'll really think she's getting a treat with doctored up canned food!
If the medicine is a capsule and not a pill, you have it made. All you have to do is take the capsule apart and mix it into the canned cat food.
If you have a sick cat, he won't want to eat. In this case, you might want to purchase a pet piller. Your veterinarian will have these available for you. They are plastic rods that the pill fits into. You press the plunger to direct the pill into kitty's throat. Be careful that you don't push the rod too far or you could injure him.
Now, getting the pet piller into his mouth is another thing. He won't want it in his mouth at all! If he is still a kitten, you can wrap him in a towel so that it's easier to handle him. You can try using a towel with an older cat and it "might" work. Otherwise, you'll just have to hold on tight and not let him loose.
If you're afraid of hurting your cat or kitten with the rod and plunger system, you can try to give him the pill by hand. This is NOT easy! Tuck her under your arm to hold her still and open her mouth by pushing gently on each side of it. Put the pill as far back into her mouth as you can manage and hold her mouth closed for a minute or so. She should swallow it then, if she hasn't already.
If your cat has been sick for a while, it may be easier to give him his medicine. He won't feel like putting up much of a fight.
Treat your kitty gently while giving her the pill or other medications. She's never going to like the medication-taking process, but if you are gentle, you won't have her running from you every time you enter the room.
ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com
Jude Wright is the owner of two cats who she treats as her babies. Visit CatAndKittenCare.com for information on cat and kitten health, cat breeds and more.
8 Must-Have Ingredients for Your Homemade Cat Food Recipe
Submitted by Rona
Thinking of Preparing Your Own Homemade Cat Food Recipe? Make Sure You Have These Important Ingredients Before You Start.
If you want to know exactly what your cat is being fed each day, then the best way is to prepare a homemade cat food recipe yourself. However, for your cat to remain healthy, it is important to ensure that your homemade cat food recipe includes sufficient animal protein, calcium, phosphorus, iodine and vitamins. This is usually obtained from red meat, liver, kidney, heart, chicken and sometimes milk.
Generally, raw food contains more nutrients as cooking destroys some vitamins, especially vitamin B. If you are squeamish about feeding raw food to your cat and intend to feed your cat cooked food instead, then you may need to provide pet food supplements in your cat's diet. Your vet will be able to advise you on appropriate pet food supplements, based on your homemade cat food diet.
Here are some important ingredients which you should incorporate into your homemade cat food diet:
INGREDIENT #1 - Meat and Meat By-Products
Both red and white meat contains protein, B-group vitamins, fat and energy. Highest sources of protein are beef, chicken (meat) and liver, followed by heart, chicken skin, lamb, kidney and chicken necks.
All types of meat are deficient in vitamin A therefore, it is good to feed liver to your cat as it is rich in vitamin A. However, liver should not be more than 10% of your cat food diet as too much vitamin A can lead to skeletal problems and other abnormal bone growth. If you are worried about an overdose of vitamin A, feed cooked liver to your cat instead of raw liver. Or as a rough guide, feed raw liver not more than once a week.
INGREDIENT #2 - Fish
It is good to have a mix of the 2 main types of fish: white fish and fatty/oily fish (such as tuna). White fish is leaner but is weak in vitamins A, D, E and K.
Fatty and oily fish on the other hand, contain high levels of vitamins A and D but your cat may suffer a case of steatites (a painful inflammation of fat deposits under the skin) if it is fed too much fatty fish.
In the case of fish, it is advisable to cook the fish first. Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme which destroys thiamine, an important vitamin B. Cooking destroys thiaminase and helps to retain more vitamins in the food.
Whole fish (including the bones) is very nutritional cat food as fish bones contain calcium and phosphorus. However, to prevent fish bones from getting caught in your cat's teeth or throat, it is good to soften the bones first. You can do this by pressure cooking, boiling or stewing.
INGREDIENT #3 - Eggs
Eggs are high in animal protein, iron, vitamins, fats and carbohydrates and are ideal to include in your homemade cat food. However, too much may be harmful as the egg whites contain avidin which destroys a B vitamin that is essential for good hair and skin health and proper muscle function.
As a general guide, feed raw egg not more than once a week. If you feed the egg yolk only, then you may increase this to no more than 3 times a week.
INGREDIENT #4 - Milk, Cheese and Yoghurt
Dairy products are high in protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and the B vitamins.
Kittens generally like warmed milk and cream. But as they mature, they become lactose-intolerant and may develop diarrhea. You can get low-lactose cat milk which is available in supermarkets. Cream is fattening and too much may result in an obese cat.
Cheese may be a better dairy alternative as it does not contain lactose. However, some cats do not appreciate the taste and will not eat it.
INGREDIENT #5 - Fats and Oils
Fats are essential in your homemade cat food to ensure your cat's skin doesn't become itchy, dry and scurfy.
Good sources are safflower or corn oil and fish fats. Safflower is the preferred choice.
INGREDIENT #6 - Vegetables
Vegetables provide vitamin C and some are rich in B vitamins. It also provides fibre which should form about 5% of your homemade cat food diet. Mix vegetables with meat or fish and cook it as a stew. Most cats will eat the vegetables if cooked this way.
INGREDIENT #7 - Grains
Grains provide carbohydrate, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Good sources are:
Wheatgerm - thiamine, vitamin E
Yeast - B vitamins, minerals, recommended for older cats
Rice - most cats will eat this and it is a good base for mixing with meat and fish
Wheat, oats, barley - higher protein content and less fattening than rice
INGREDIENT #8 - Water
Lastly, and probably more important than any of the above, a fresh clean supply of water must always be available. Generally, your cat will need about 40ml of water per kg of body weight. However, environmental temperature, your cat's consumption of dry food and ailments may require you to adjust accordingly.
Your cat is an individual and will have its own likes and dislikes. Different pedigrees may also have different requirements. It is always advisable to check with your vet and seek professional advice before preparing your homemade cat food.
ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com
For more information on giving the best cat care for your cat, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com
Thinking of Preparing Your Own Homemade Cat Food Recipe? Make Sure You Have These Important Ingredients Before You Start.
If you want to know exactly what your cat is being fed each day, then the best way is to prepare a homemade cat food recipe yourself. However, for your cat to remain healthy, it is important to ensure that your homemade cat food recipe includes sufficient animal protein, calcium, phosphorus, iodine and vitamins. This is usually obtained from red meat, liver, kidney, heart, chicken and sometimes milk.
Generally, raw food contains more nutrients as cooking destroys some vitamins, especially vitamin B. If you are squeamish about feeding raw food to your cat and intend to feed your cat cooked food instead, then you may need to provide pet food supplements in your cat's diet. Your vet will be able to advise you on appropriate pet food supplements, based on your homemade cat food diet.
Here are some important ingredients which you should incorporate into your homemade cat food diet:
INGREDIENT #1 - Meat and Meat By-Products
Both red and white meat contains protein, B-group vitamins, fat and energy. Highest sources of protein are beef, chicken (meat) and liver, followed by heart, chicken skin, lamb, kidney and chicken necks.
All types of meat are deficient in vitamin A therefore, it is good to feed liver to your cat as it is rich in vitamin A. However, liver should not be more than 10% of your cat food diet as too much vitamin A can lead to skeletal problems and other abnormal bone growth. If you are worried about an overdose of vitamin A, feed cooked liver to your cat instead of raw liver. Or as a rough guide, feed raw liver not more than once a week.
INGREDIENT #2 - Fish
It is good to have a mix of the 2 main types of fish: white fish and fatty/oily fish (such as tuna). White fish is leaner but is weak in vitamins A, D, E and K.
Fatty and oily fish on the other hand, contain high levels of vitamins A and D but your cat may suffer a case of steatites (a painful inflammation of fat deposits under the skin) if it is fed too much fatty fish.
In the case of fish, it is advisable to cook the fish first. Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme which destroys thiamine, an important vitamin B. Cooking destroys thiaminase and helps to retain more vitamins in the food.
Whole fish (including the bones) is very nutritional cat food as fish bones contain calcium and phosphorus. However, to prevent fish bones from getting caught in your cat's teeth or throat, it is good to soften the bones first. You can do this by pressure cooking, boiling or stewing.
INGREDIENT #3 - Eggs
Eggs are high in animal protein, iron, vitamins, fats and carbohydrates and are ideal to include in your homemade cat food. However, too much may be harmful as the egg whites contain avidin which destroys a B vitamin that is essential for good hair and skin health and proper muscle function.
As a general guide, feed raw egg not more than once a week. If you feed the egg yolk only, then you may increase this to no more than 3 times a week.
INGREDIENT #4 - Milk, Cheese and Yoghurt
Dairy products are high in protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and the B vitamins.
Kittens generally like warmed milk and cream. But as they mature, they become lactose-intolerant and may develop diarrhea. You can get low-lactose cat milk which is available in supermarkets. Cream is fattening and too much may result in an obese cat.
Cheese may be a better dairy alternative as it does not contain lactose. However, some cats do not appreciate the taste and will not eat it.
INGREDIENT #5 - Fats and Oils
Fats are essential in your homemade cat food to ensure your cat's skin doesn't become itchy, dry and scurfy.
Good sources are safflower or corn oil and fish fats. Safflower is the preferred choice.
INGREDIENT #6 - Vegetables
Vegetables provide vitamin C and some are rich in B vitamins. It also provides fibre which should form about 5% of your homemade cat food diet. Mix vegetables with meat or fish and cook it as a stew. Most cats will eat the vegetables if cooked this way.
INGREDIENT #7 - Grains
Grains provide carbohydrate, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Good sources are:
Wheatgerm - thiamine, vitamin E
Yeast - B vitamins, minerals, recommended for older cats
Rice - most cats will eat this and it is a good base for mixing with meat and fish
Wheat, oats, barley - higher protein content and less fattening than rice
INGREDIENT #8 - Water
Lastly, and probably more important than any of the above, a fresh clean supply of water must always be available. Generally, your cat will need about 40ml of water per kg of body weight. However, environmental temperature, your cat's consumption of dry food and ailments may require you to adjust accordingly.
Your cat is an individual and will have its own likes and dislikes. Different pedigrees may also have different requirements. It is always advisable to check with your vet and seek professional advice before preparing your homemade cat food.
ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com
For more information on giving the best cat care for your cat, visit http://www.My-Pet-Cat.com
The Task Of Toilet Training A Cat Is Not Different From That Of A Toddler
By Muna wa Wanjiru
Training a toddler to use the toilet is hard enough think about toilet training your cat! There are many books that have been written on this particular subject. Earlier times when people actually lived in houses that had gardens you would find that cats go into the garden and do their potty right in the garden soil and then cover it up with more soil. However, times have changed now and more people are living in apartments where there are no gardens for the cats to use and it is very difficult toilet training a cat.
Now that you have a cat in your apartment and would like to toilet train it. Just imagine how you would go about it. You could buy books where they teach you how to toilet train your cat. But most of the advice that is given in those books simply do not work on all cats.
Each cat has its own unique personality and what works for one cat need not work for another. Normally in homes we have what is called the litter box where the cat goes and eases it self. But the litter box can get smelly too and the whole smell can pervade the house causing an unpleasant experience especially to guests.
But to toilet train your cat you must first make your cat use the litter box. Slowly as time goes by you can get your cat toilet trained easily with a little bit of patience. Begin by keeping the litter box all over the room and slowly move the litter box to the toilet area.
Once the cat is aware that it has to use the litter box it will begin to look for the litter box to ease itself, so in a matter of time it will also come to the toilet. This is a good way of toilet training a cat.
As you move the litter box close to the toilet seat make sure that you also trim the sides of the litter box. Next place the litter box on the toilet seat and allow the cat to go up to the litter box. Allow the cat to be comfortable with the box on the toilet seat.
Next make a small hole in the centre of the litter box and allow the cat to get used to this also. Slowly the cat will get used to the hole in the litter box. The last step is to cut out the brims of the litter box fully, leave only the flat cardboard on the toilet seat, and watch your cat.
Once the cat has learnt to balance it self nicely on the toilet seat you will find that he has learnt to use the toilet all by itself and you can pride yourself that you have been successful in toilet training a cat.
You can read books written by many people on toilet training a cat and also look up the internet for articles written by many people who have toilet trained their cats successfully.
About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Toilet Training for Years. For More Information on toilet training a cat, Visit His Site at TOILET TRAINING A CATI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On toilet training a cat At My Blog here Toilet Training A Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Training a toddler to use the toilet is hard enough think about toilet training your cat! There are many books that have been written on this particular subject. Earlier times when people actually lived in houses that had gardens you would find that cats go into the garden and do their potty right in the garden soil and then cover it up with more soil. However, times have changed now and more people are living in apartments where there are no gardens for the cats to use and it is very difficult toilet training a cat.
Now that you have a cat in your apartment and would like to toilet train it. Just imagine how you would go about it. You could buy books where they teach you how to toilet train your cat. But most of the advice that is given in those books simply do not work on all cats.
Each cat has its own unique personality and what works for one cat need not work for another. Normally in homes we have what is called the litter box where the cat goes and eases it self. But the litter box can get smelly too and the whole smell can pervade the house causing an unpleasant experience especially to guests.
But to toilet train your cat you must first make your cat use the litter box. Slowly as time goes by you can get your cat toilet trained easily with a little bit of patience. Begin by keeping the litter box all over the room and slowly move the litter box to the toilet area.
Once the cat is aware that it has to use the litter box it will begin to look for the litter box to ease itself, so in a matter of time it will also come to the toilet. This is a good way of toilet training a cat.
As you move the litter box close to the toilet seat make sure that you also trim the sides of the litter box. Next place the litter box on the toilet seat and allow the cat to go up to the litter box. Allow the cat to be comfortable with the box on the toilet seat.
Next make a small hole in the centre of the litter box and allow the cat to get used to this also. Slowly the cat will get used to the hole in the litter box. The last step is to cut out the brims of the litter box fully, leave only the flat cardboard on the toilet seat, and watch your cat.
Once the cat has learnt to balance it self nicely on the toilet seat you will find that he has learnt to use the toilet all by itself and you can pride yourself that you have been successful in toilet training a cat.
You can read books written by many people on toilet training a cat and also look up the internet for articles written by many people who have toilet trained their cats successfully.
About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Toilet Training for Years. For More Information on toilet training a cat, Visit His Site at TOILET TRAINING A CATI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On toilet training a cat At My Blog here Toilet Training A Cat
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com