Choosing a Cat Breed - Which Cat Breed is Right For You?

By Julia S. Tuson
There are so many cat breeds to choose from that it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. The best cat breed for you will depend on what you are looking for in your new companion.

One main consideration is whether you want a cat to have in your home as a pet or one that you let go outside. Furthermore, cat temperament differs from breed to breed. You'll need to ask yourself what personality and mannerism you are looking for in your new cat.

According to the international Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance, there are over 70 different cat breeds. However, the most popular cat breeds are: Siamese, Abyssinian, Burmese, Egyptian Mau, and Persian.

Siamese Cats
Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 5 in the entire breed of cats. Siamese cats are generally believed to be highly intelligent cats.
The body of the Siamese is a light color and the face, tail, paws, and ears are darker. Siamese cats are short haired, so if you are looking for a feline companion that doesn't require an enormous amount of grooming, the Siamese might just be what you are looking for.

Abyssinian cats
Abyssinian cats are named as such because they were first imported into Europe from an African country known as Abyssinia which later became Ethiopia. Abyssinian cats are very extrovert in nature. If you want a lap cat that will lie quietly and that you can pamper at will, then the Abyssinian is probably not for you. Abyssinian cats are very quiet but playful, friendly, active and curious.

Burmese cats
If you are looking for more of an affectionate cat, a Burmese might be just what you are looking for. The Burmese is of medium size with quite a muscular body.
Burmese cats are generally inside cats as they don't seem to have any instincts to protect themselves from predators. Burmese cat are great with kids due to their quiet and easy going nature.

Egyptian Mau cats
If you are looking for a spotted cat, the Egyptian Mau cat is the way to go. They are the only natural breed that has spots. Egyptian Mau cats are very beautiful and graceful felines that are also extremely muscular. They have beautiful coats that are of medium length and can be found in various beautiful colors. The Egyptian Mau is a very smart cat that is quite active, and extremely loyal to their owners. They are a medium-sized short-haired type of cat.

Persian cats
Persian cats love to sit around and laze away the day with their owner. They are gentle, sweet tempered, and trusting. They need the attention of their owner, but they aren't obsessive about it. Persian Cats are tremendously responsive and a joy to have them around.

So which cat breed is right for me? It all depends on what you expect from your new pet. Choosing a cat breed can be a difficult task unless you know what to expect with each breed. Before picking your new kitten, make sure you know what you are looking for in your new pet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_S._Tuson

Tags: Cat Breed, cat history, Cats

8 Ways to Tell If Your Cat Has a Urinary Tract Infection

By John Paduchak
Boy, did I learn a valuable lesson. My cat was acting lethargic and strange so I got worried and took her to the veterinarian. Turns out she had a urinary tract infection that had traveled up to her kidneys! My veterinarian told me that if I had waited any longer, my poor cat would have died. That was a wake-up call for me and made me realize that in order to keep my cat safe, I needed to learn what the signs and symptoms of cat urinary infection were so I could spot it quickly. Here are 8 ways to tell if your cat has a urinary infection before it's too late.

1. If your cat is cringing in pain while urinating, this is a definite sign of cat urinary problems. It's important to know how your cat normally behaves in order to detect any unusual behavior.

2. Excessive grooming of the genitals can possibly be a sign of cat urinary infection, especially if your cat is crying while grooming.

3. Is your cat urinating more or less frequently than usual? Take note of any changes in urination patterns.

4. Dehydration can be one of the first signs of cat urinary problems so if you notice your cat drinking more water than usual, your cat could possibly be suffering from a urinary tract infection.

5. Let your cat urinate on a light-colored surface. If you see traces of blood in your cat's urine, it is most likely a sign of cat urinary infection. Take your cat to a veterinarian for immediate diagnosis.

6. If your cat is urinating outside of its litter box, it is a sign of cat urinary problems. This happens because your cat associates the pain of urinating with the litter box and therefore tries to avoid it all costs.

7. If your cat has a fever, and tender abdomen when you pick it up this is also a uti symptom you should be concerned about. Lethargy is a sign of the later stages of uti.

8. If your cat stops urinating altogether, it is a serious red flag and you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. If your cat goes even 3 to 4 days without urinating, it can be fatal.

In conclusion, if you want to treat your cat's urinary tract infection before it's too late, it's important to keep abreast of these signs and symptoms. Cat urinary infection can be fatal if not treated in time. The best way to treat these symptoms however is at home with a homeopathic remedy before they spiral out of control. Your first step should be to go to a veterinarian and get a correct diagnosis. Then you can administer a homeopathic remedy and make some important lifestyle changes. By doing so, you can kill two birds with one stone and treat the infection while preventing recurrence.

John Paduchak is a pet enthusiast and webmaster of http://pet-bladder-health.com and http://mariespetshop.com Throughout his life, John grew up on a 140 acre farm in upstate NY and had pet friends of many varieties. Now he currently has 3 cats, freshwater tropical fish, & 4 hermit crabs that he shares with his daughter, Marie. A strong supporter of naturopathy for pets he publishes articles on their care and training.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Paduchak

Tags: cat history, Cat Health Care, Cat Training