By : Paulina Jenkins
For a cat owner, a scratching post is an absolute necessity. It is likely what will stand between the cat and the total destruction of your couch, chairs, rugs and drapes. It is a natural inclination for cats to stretch and scratch, many of them also like to knead their front paws on something as well.
Many cat owners do not realise that they need to provide their pets with a scratching post so the cats can satisfy their scratching needs and to sharpen their claws. You cannot change the scratching instinct of your cat therefore it is best to provide an alternative scratching surface for your pet to scratch on. A scratching post must be an essential part of any cat care program for your feline.
Generally a cat scratching post is made up of a base, a post structure all exposed surfaces covered with a layer of woven material such as carpet for the scratching surfaces. A cat-scratching post is not always vertical; it can be horizontal on the floor. The base of the post should be big enough so the cat can stand on it and scratch and the structure will not topple.
There are all sorts of scratching post designs with a variety of colors and heights. Some posts have lures and others don't. One design is quite different with a flat or slanted scratching surface that is on a frame-like structure and has strips of corrugated cardboard situated vertically in the frame so that a side of each strip has exposure to the top of the post's surface.
With frequent scratching by the cats, the cardboard strips have to be replaced regularly. The continual scratching tears the cardboard strips into shreds in no time at all. The most common scratching post design is the one with a base and a vertical post scratching surface. These upright styles of scratching posts are well liked by many cats because they resemble tree trunks. Tough or woven materials such as the rope or carpet are often used to cover the areas that the cats would scratch.
It is not difficult to make your own cat scratching post. Find a piece of wood that is about 2 ft long and 6 inches in diameter. Cover this with a woven material such as the carpet and secure it to the wall with screws. Another option is to hang a piece of 17 inches long carpet down from the ceiling to a level where your cat can reach and scratch. A cat tree with a sturdy base always makes a great scratching post that the cat loves as it is more like a tree.
The best type of material to use for a scratching post is any durable fabric with a pile, like carpet. The post itself can be made of solid wood or plastic. The under side of the base is usually sisal or vinyl with nylon buttons to keep the scratching post from sliding around on a hard surfaced floor such as hardwood or tile. Sisal is also a good option for wrapping the scratching post as cats enjoy the coarseness of the fibrous rope and it is very durable. It is great for conditioning the cat's claws.
With so many different sizes and styles available on the market it is not a problem to select a cat scratching post to suit your cat's preferences and needs. Try placing the scratching post close to a window or a draft-free corner and you will find your cat will stop scratching your furniture. If your cat had already begun scratching your furniture, then you can place a cat scratching post in front of the furniture and then your pet will most likely scratch on the post and not your possessions.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins has a website that is dedicated to all cat owners with informations on cat breeds, cat supplies and products. Why cat scratching post is a necessity if you own a cat? Do you know what is the purpose of a cat scratching post?
Cleaning Cat Urine Made Easy
By: Paulina Jenkins
All cat owners have to face the task of cleaning cat urine off carpets and furniture. In cat urine there are five different bacteria. Two of them are found in the cat's marking scent and the others are in the urine, spray and uric acid. Cat urine odor is difficult to remove as it is protein based. The odor of cat urine is too strong and you just cannot cover it up. Effective cleaning has to involved destroying the bacteria, removing the uric acid crystals and salts.
Cleaning cat urine is a complex problem with not quick, easy solutions and fixes. What make cleaning cat urine difficult are the three components it is made up of: Urea, the sticky part; Urochrome, the pigment component; and Uric Acid, which is what, makes it smell bad. Their urine is very concentrated and strong smelling because cats drink very little water. The strength of color and staining properties in cat urine will frequently depend on the gender, age and condition of the cat and whether he is taking any kind of medication. The hardest part of cleaning cat urine is finding all the spots, particularly the old ones.
So that you are not having to clean cat urine all of the time, you can stop the problem by finding out what the cause is in the first place. Cats not using their litter boxes to urinate can be the result of various reasons. Marking territory is one of the reasons and so is feeling threatened or stressed. Urinary tract infection can be suspected when a cat urinates everywhere.
When a cat feels that its territory is under threat, it will mark by urinating to let other cats know that this is his zone. Cleaning cat urine is not an easy job, it is best to put a stop to it before it ever starts. If you use the right products cleaning cat urine doesn't have to be a huge job. There are three types of products to use: chemical, enzymatic and bacterial.
Baking soda is good to remove surface odors, try to sprinkle baking soda over the area. Suck up the baking soda when dried with a vacuum cleaner. Detergents that contain peroxide help to deactivate the cat urine odor. Spray that onto the affected areas and mixing with some Listerine can help cover up the cat urine odor.
If your cat has a favorite spot first use tin foil to cover this area. Then apply some mothballs or Citronella smell to the area to repel your cat from coming back. There are special formulas that destroy the bacteria and the odor causing crystals in cat urine. Once the affected area is clean, apply a good quality pet odor neutralizer. The most effective cat urine removal product is those of enzyme based.
To successfully eliminate cat urine stains and odor from carpet and upholstery you have to use a. high quality cat urine remover. If you use cleaning products that contain ammonia, it will only attract the cat back to the same spots because ammonia smells just like cat urine. You can eliminate cat urine odors completely by using a blacklight and premium cat urine cleaner together.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins is a great cat lover that is keen to share and exchange information on Cleaning Cat Urine. She understands that many cat owners like to find a solution to Cleaning Cat Urine
All cat owners have to face the task of cleaning cat urine off carpets and furniture. In cat urine there are five different bacteria. Two of them are found in the cat's marking scent and the others are in the urine, spray and uric acid. Cat urine odor is difficult to remove as it is protein based. The odor of cat urine is too strong and you just cannot cover it up. Effective cleaning has to involved destroying the bacteria, removing the uric acid crystals and salts.
Cleaning cat urine is a complex problem with not quick, easy solutions and fixes. What make cleaning cat urine difficult are the three components it is made up of: Urea, the sticky part; Urochrome, the pigment component; and Uric Acid, which is what, makes it smell bad. Their urine is very concentrated and strong smelling because cats drink very little water. The strength of color and staining properties in cat urine will frequently depend on the gender, age and condition of the cat and whether he is taking any kind of medication. The hardest part of cleaning cat urine is finding all the spots, particularly the old ones.
So that you are not having to clean cat urine all of the time, you can stop the problem by finding out what the cause is in the first place. Cats not using their litter boxes to urinate can be the result of various reasons. Marking territory is one of the reasons and so is feeling threatened or stressed. Urinary tract infection can be suspected when a cat urinates everywhere.
When a cat feels that its territory is under threat, it will mark by urinating to let other cats know that this is his zone. Cleaning cat urine is not an easy job, it is best to put a stop to it before it ever starts. If you use the right products cleaning cat urine doesn't have to be a huge job. There are three types of products to use: chemical, enzymatic and bacterial.
Baking soda is good to remove surface odors, try to sprinkle baking soda over the area. Suck up the baking soda when dried with a vacuum cleaner. Detergents that contain peroxide help to deactivate the cat urine odor. Spray that onto the affected areas and mixing with some Listerine can help cover up the cat urine odor.
If your cat has a favorite spot first use tin foil to cover this area. Then apply some mothballs or Citronella smell to the area to repel your cat from coming back. There are special formulas that destroy the bacteria and the odor causing crystals in cat urine. Once the affected area is clean, apply a good quality pet odor neutralizer. The most effective cat urine removal product is those of enzyme based.
To successfully eliminate cat urine stains and odor from carpet and upholstery you have to use a. high quality cat urine remover. If you use cleaning products that contain ammonia, it will only attract the cat back to the same spots because ammonia smells just like cat urine. You can eliminate cat urine odors completely by using a blacklight and premium cat urine cleaner together.
Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}
About the Author: Paulina Jenkins is a great cat lover that is keen to share and exchange information on Cleaning Cat Urine. She understands that many cat owners like to find a solution to Cleaning Cat Urine
Cat Neutered Post Operative Care Of The Male Cat
Author: Wade Robins
Cat neutered post operative care requires some basic rules. Castration of the male cat leaves the cat unable to reproduce with a female. This also prevents behavior problems such as spraying, which does make a stink. Once the cat is neutered, you need to take some precautions.
For at least two weeks after neutering the cat, the cat needs to stay in the house and be kept from playing or fighting with other cats or other pets. Cat neutered postoperative care requires the cats to be able to have access to food and water along with a clean litter box. In a male cat, urination does not require monitoring as it does in a female who has been spayed.
Most male cats resume normal eating habits within twenty-four hors after surgery, but if the lack of food intake continues for longer, a call to the vet might give some ideas. For the most part, a cat will eat when it is hungry. Females may take a little longer to feed due to the trauma of the trip to the vet and the surgery. Cat care after neutering or spaying requires monitoring for redness, discharge and swelling around the area where the stitches are located.
If you see, any unusual redness and swelling out of the ordinary you need to contact the vat as soon as possible for an evaluation. Cats do not require any pain medication after surgery because they have been properly cared for at the clinic. Cat neutered post operative care just requires watching for unusual behavior and weakness or vomiting within a week or two after the surgery.
Discomfort and tenderness is present after the operation and cats may be a little moody if someone tries to inspect the area. Males are less likely to complain, where females will have angry outburst if you get near the area of the incision. Males will have some hair growth within three to four weeks and you will not notice any signs of surgery, whereas a female may take up to two months to have complete hair growth.
After surgery, most cats will not allow anyone to touch the area. You do not need to clean the area; the cats will take care of this need. Proper care when picking up the cat is required for a newly neutered or spayed cat be careful not to touch the area, or stretch the area by improper lifting. For more info see http://www.aboutcathealth.org/cat/Cat_Health_Issues/Ear_Issues.php on Cat Ear Issues.
In some areas, veterinarians have begun to do a new type of surgery on male cats, which does not require castration. The procedure is similar to a vasectomy in men. This procedure causes less pain and requires minimal care as well. If your vet chooses the method the cat will be unable to reproduce, but will have testicles visible. Either way, cats still need to be cared for as you would a human, with available food and water and plenty of love of the owner.
About the Author:
You can also find more info on Cat Health Tips and Cat Wiskers.
Read more articles by: Wade Robins
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=177733&ca=Pets
Cat neutered post operative care requires some basic rules. Castration of the male cat leaves the cat unable to reproduce with a female. This also prevents behavior problems such as spraying, which does make a stink. Once the cat is neutered, you need to take some precautions.
For at least two weeks after neutering the cat, the cat needs to stay in the house and be kept from playing or fighting with other cats or other pets. Cat neutered postoperative care requires the cats to be able to have access to food and water along with a clean litter box. In a male cat, urination does not require monitoring as it does in a female who has been spayed.
Most male cats resume normal eating habits within twenty-four hors after surgery, but if the lack of food intake continues for longer, a call to the vet might give some ideas. For the most part, a cat will eat when it is hungry. Females may take a little longer to feed due to the trauma of the trip to the vet and the surgery. Cat care after neutering or spaying requires monitoring for redness, discharge and swelling around the area where the stitches are located.
If you see, any unusual redness and swelling out of the ordinary you need to contact the vat as soon as possible for an evaluation. Cats do not require any pain medication after surgery because they have been properly cared for at the clinic. Cat neutered post operative care just requires watching for unusual behavior and weakness or vomiting within a week or two after the surgery.
Discomfort and tenderness is present after the operation and cats may be a little moody if someone tries to inspect the area. Males are less likely to complain, where females will have angry outburst if you get near the area of the incision. Males will have some hair growth within three to four weeks and you will not notice any signs of surgery, whereas a female may take up to two months to have complete hair growth.
After surgery, most cats will not allow anyone to touch the area. You do not need to clean the area; the cats will take care of this need. Proper care when picking up the cat is required for a newly neutered or spayed cat be careful not to touch the area, or stretch the area by improper lifting. For more info see http://www.aboutcathealth.org/cat/Cat_Health_Issues/Ear_Issues.php on Cat Ear Issues.
In some areas, veterinarians have begun to do a new type of surgery on male cats, which does not require castration. The procedure is similar to a vasectomy in men. This procedure causes less pain and requires minimal care as well. If your vet chooses the method the cat will be unable to reproduce, but will have testicles visible. Either way, cats still need to be cared for as you would a human, with available food and water and plenty of love of the owner.
About the Author:
You can also find more info on Cat Health Tips and Cat Wiskers.
Read more articles by: Wade Robins
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=177733&ca=Pets