Cat Training and Care Guide
Cat Flap to Stop Bullying
Are you a cat lover? If so how many cats do you have? Is your cat good at home? Well, Of course, it is really very easy answering such questions, when raised by someone or the other. And what would be the answer if the question falls the other way round, such as, is your cat really secure? Does your cat return home safely at nights, without any rashes or bruises that are indeed created by other cats? Are you sure, that your loveable cat alone eats the quality cat food that you have bought to her with at most care and affection?
Most of the cat lovers would be finding it difficult to answer these questions. Indeed these are the daily problems faced by the cat lovers. These questions make the cat lovers feel worried about their dearest pets, creating a mourning atmosphere in their minds.
Sometimes it's really hard to experience situations when the pet leaves the home and stays lost for two to three days. Is there a remedy for all these hard moments? If at all there is a solution, will it guarantee on the safety and security of the pet? Or are there any permanent solutions for all these problems to come to an end? Will the pet be safe from being bullied by other stray cats? Will the pet be safe in indoor without escaping, if the weather outside is very terrible and violent? The answer for all these questions is so easy, and it is as simple as looking for sweet in a sugar factory. Of course, the answer for this is a big "Yes".
The antidote for all these physical and environmental threats that are literally experienced by the owner and the pet has now come to light. The product is a nascent technology launched in our markets, which can be readily put to working status. It is what we call as PETPORTE CAT FLAP.
Available from http://www.MicrochipCatFlaps.co.uk/ the microchip Petporte catflap is a great remedy for cat lovers and to keep other cats out. It exists to provide advanced animal access systems to make both cats and their owners lives better. This is a Collarless technology, which indeed keeps the pet away from hard and rough collars which leaves a mark on the neck of the pet, Petporte Catflap was invented and patented by one of the Guernsey's leading vets, David Chamberlain, which is just a series of inventions that will be coming onto the market intended to make your life, and your cat's life, more enjoyable.
Petporte is the first Catflap in the world to prevent other cats from entering your home and recognizing your cat without the need for cat electronic, magnetic cat collar attachments, heavy collar tags, restrictive collars and infra red. The owner of the pet need not worry because there are no harmful radiations emitted from the device that makes the pet sick and disordered, this product is highly reliable and secure and there is no danger involved in it at all. Pet Porte, indeed will be friendly equipment for the safety of the pet.
The Pet Porte product is not at all complicated, and it's really very simple and ready for use, most probably the user of this Pet Porte product will not have the need of using a Catalog or working manual, because the whole technology has come to life by the click of two buttons alone, one in red and the other in green. Only the cats which have been previously programmed by the microchip gains access through the highly tensile magic door. In the PetPorte Catflap there are two distinct modes.
The modes of operation that are likely to be used here are the VET MODE and the NIGHT MODE, The vet mode is most commonly used in order to keep the pet indoor due to some specific reasons, And night mode uses a little more advanced technology, in which the magic door gets automated according to the light intensity of the outside atmosphere, thus it remains locked at nights, and of course the pet will always have access through the Catflap when it is outside the house. Thus these multimodal operations make Petporte Catfap unique from all the other Catflaps.
Now, while talking about the initial steps of installation procedures, makes one feel that Petporte Catflap, is designed with at most simplicity and a product that shows a great deal of flexibility.
Programming the Petporte is again a very short and simple process, as there are no complex steps involved, indeed the whole installation is only a single step process. The owner has to just press and hold the green button (beep sound is heard) and then the pet is made to pass through the magic door under the range of the sensor porch (beep sound is heard again).That is all the owner has to do, in order to finish with the programming process, in this same method an average of 32 different cats (approx) can be programmed. There may be a question arising among the users that what actually happens when the pet is made to pass through the Petporte. This is nothing but, when the pet is passed through the Petporte the intelligent sensors present in the body of the Catflap recognizes the existing microchip ID implants, so this method is highly secure and reliable and its clearly evident from this fact that stray cats will never find an entry into the house .
This highly adorable product uses an adapter that is fixed directly to the power supply, rather than using batteries which may die out frequently .The power supply that enters this Catflap is very safe, and its not at all harmful for the pet in any means, here there are no chances of short circuits or earth line problems, even if the pet chews or pounces on the lead insulated cables, as the voltage is very less and it's only around twelve volts. Thus the information in Petporte's memory is left as it is even if there happens to be a sudden power failure.
The major characteristics of the magic door that is used in the Petporte is that its highly tensile and strong as it has the capacity to withstand the pouncing/attacks ,even if it is created by the toughest cat around on the streets. As the door is connected to the main line power, the magic door opens/closes at the blink of an eye, i.e. in just few microseconds, so that you're lovable cat can enjoy its play with the Petporte, even if she/he loves to dash in and out frequently.
The Petporte is friendly device to your pet, and it is designed in such a way that, there will not be any possibilities in which the tail or the paws of the pet getting stuck. Eventually there are no possibilities for other stray cats to enter, thus making your cat feel free and relaxed at all times.
The Petporte Catflap has many salient features which makes it unique and reliable when compared to all the other Catflaps. In fact the other Catflaps such as traditional, magnetic and infrared flaps have their own disadvantages at different situations. Firstly, while discussing about the features of the traditional cat flaps, when used and kept under observation for few days causes many drastic moments. The result is that within one night the owner can see his house ruined i.e. his carpets torn and scrambled, urine all over the wall, the cat food missing from its tray, the pet left with the marks of being bullied-all these are the nonsense created by the non others, but the stray cats. Thus these are the adverse effects caused when traditional type flaps are used.
Secondly, comes the magnetic Catflaps kind of flaps, all the pets which exist with magnetic collars can gain access through the door, this is a major drawback. And the other issue is that, magnetic collars are heavily and tight, that makes the pet feel uncomfortable.
Thirdly comes the infrared Catflaps, these Flaps have sensors both at the transmitting and receiving ends and the door opens only if the sensor in the collar points directly to the sensor on the door. These Infrared Catflaps are expensive too, indeed the amount of complexity involved in these methods are more.
Finally all these demerits or disadvantages experienced when using other Catflaps are in turn changed into an advantage, merit or a positive point when Petporte Microchip Catflap is used.
ADVANTAGES INVOLVED IN USING PETPORTE
The Microchip Petporte Catflap was invented with lots of advantages in it like,
The irritation caused by the collar on a cat can be averted by the use of the cats existing microchip.
With the help of locking mechanism, stray cat can be kept away from dearest cats.
To understand a cat need better, this has been purely invented by VET, therefore the cat needs can be catered much efficiently by use of Microchip Petporte Catflap.
The pains of bringing a cat at nights it's not an issue of a path, by the use of Microchip Petporte Catflap the light level will be detected automatically and thereby your cats can sub sequentially brought into house at nights.
With the presence of Microchip Petporte Catflap, you will be able to know, if your cat inside the house or elsewhere, the beeping system of pet Port will intimate you of the presence of cat inside the house.
The presence of magnetic latch in the Microchip Petporte Catflap, keeps the flap intact when the wind blows thus protecting the cats from getting hurt.
The simple two button operation mechanism Microchip Petporte Catflap, gives a full control over cats world.
Microchip Petporte Catflap allows you to program up to 32 cats of your choice and only the cats which are programmed can be under the scrutiny.
The programmable microchip within Microchip Petporte Catflap prevents the loss of information about cat during a short circuit or power failure.
All of this comes under low voltage intake with no batteries to replace so your cat can always come back inside.
This product is cat friendly where the doors are specially designed and makes it virtually impossible for your cat to get its paws stuck in the door.
Hence the Petporte Microchip Catflap is a divine product that has been launched in the markets in order to quench the thirst of worried cat lovers, and this is a great time for those cat lovers to make full use of this great product. The product has satisfied the customers whomsoever using Petporte , thus making the users feel comfortable and relaxed at nights rather than worrying about their pets , since there is a friend there at the door step giving at most security to the loveable pets.
The PetPorte microchip cat flap is available from http://www.microchipcatflaps.co.uk/
Why Does My Cat Have a Urinary Blockage and What Can I Do About It?
If you notice that only drops of urine come out at a time when your cat tries to urinate and he is urinating a lot more often than usual, he may be suffering from a cat urinary blockage.
The symptoms of a blockage in cat are many but some of the most common ones are a complete cessation of urination, blood in the urine, and straining to urinate. There are a variety of factors that can cause cat urinary blockage. Some are prostate gland infection in male cats, stones, a tumor, and crystals.
Crystals and stones are common in male cats because their urethras are long and narrow, making it easier for crystals and stones to form. Male cats also deal with prostate gland infections. Since the prostate wraps around the urethra, when it is swollen it can prevent urine flow. The symptoms of a blockage in cat are quite painful.
Your cat may not exhibit many signs of being in pain so you need to keep an eye out for particular symptoms that point to a problem. If you see blood in your cat's urine, your cat's urine smells foul, your cat only lets out drops of urine at a time, or your cat is straining to urinate, it's essential that you take action immediately. It's important that you take your cat to the vet to diagnose the problem at once. If your cat stops urinating for even a couple of days, he can die. In order to prevent that from happening, immediate diagnosis and treatment is imperative.
Your vet will do some tests to find out what is causing the cat urinary blockage. Once that is figured out, your vet will either have to remove the blockage through surgery, manually, or by dissolving it with a special diet.
Depending on the severity of the issue, you have to choose an appropriate treatment with your vet. However, it doesn't stop there. The symptoms of a blockage in cat may go away after treatment but the problem will only come back to haunt you and your cat unless you make preventive treatment a priority. The best preventive treatment for cat urinary blockage is homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies contain ingredients that are known to alleviate the symptoms of urinary problems and prevent blockages by maintaining a healthy pH level in the urinary tract and promoting the free flow of urine.
Look for a homeopathic remedy that contains cantharis and uva ursi. Also give your cat vitamin C everyday to prevent cat urinary blockage altogether. By taking these simple steps, you will be able to keep your cat healthy and blockage free for the rest of his nine lives.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Jones
Stop Cat Behavior Problems With "Complete Cat Training"
You Can Correct Your Cat's Behavior Problems
Cat behavior problems can take away a lot of the joy of having a pet cat. And worst of all it can sometimes be very confusing on how you go about stopping those behavior problems. A lot of people are under the misconception that only dogs can be trained and that behavior problems with cats are impossible to fix but that's not true. You just need to know how to go about doing it.
Common Cat Behavior Problems
- Excessive meowing, whining, and/or howling.
- Aggression (towards people or other cats.)
- Jumping onto places he should not (such as a table.)
- Getting into the trash.
- Urinating or defecating somewhere besides the litter box.
- Biting & scratching.
- General disobedience.
The Solution
The "Complete Cat Training" guide explains in step by step detail exactly how to stop all of the above behavior issues (and others as well.) It also explains how you can train your cat to follow various commands. Yes, cats can be trained to do "tricks" just as dogs can. It's a misconception that cats are not trainable in this way.
Who Wrote "Complete Cat Training" ?
Paula Robb. Paula is an expert on cats. In specific she's an expert on cat obedience which is why the methods in her guide are so effective at stopping all cat behavior issues.
"Complete Cat Training" Features
- Solve all cat behavior problems.
- Information on how to teach your cat to be more calm. This is great information if your cat tends to be very nervous and not very social.
- Info on how to stop territorial aggression.
- Instant online download.
Complete Cat Training is the top ranked guide for stopping all cat behavior problems. CLICK HERE to learn more (including how you can download this guide to your computer right now.)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Moon
8 Ways to Tell If Your Cat Has a Urinary Tract Infection
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
What Can Cause Cat Urinating Problems and What You Can Do About It
Is your cat acting strange? Is he urinating outside of his litter box or urinating more or less frequently than usual? A cat urination problem can usually be resolved quickly and if left untreated it can become life-threatening so immediate action is necessary.
Cat urinating problems can be health-related or behavioral in nature. Take your cat to the vet if you haven't already to determine what the cause is. If your cat doesn't have an infection or any other health condition, he may have a behavioral problem.
Behavioral problems such as marking can happen if your cat is in heat or if he is under stress. Alleviate stress in your cat's life by avoiding leaving him at home alone and spend quality time with him each day. If your cat is not neutered or spayed, make sure you get that done as well.
A cat urination problem could even be caused by the simple fact that your cat's litter box is dirty. Some cats even avoid litter boxes that have been used just once. Your cat may also be particular about the type of litter used.
De-clawing a cat makes him more likely to have cat urinating problems since claws are their only defense mechanism. They in turn become more territorial and defensive when their claws are removed.
Common health problems that can cause a cat urination problem include urinary tract infection and bladder stones. These problems can be easily alleviated if you take your cat to the vet.
Urinary tract infections and stones are chronic problems so you need to make sure you use preventive treatment. Stones will have to be dissolved with special treatment by the vet but you can prevent their recurrence by giving your cat a homeopathic remedy.
Homeopathic remedies aim at curing your cat's urinary problems rather than just treating them. Your cat's bladder will be healthier and his urine will flow freely if you give him a homeopathic remedy twice a day that contains urinary tonics such as uva ursi and cantharis.
Unlike herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies are side effect free. They contain only minute traces of natural ingredients that aid your cat's natural healing abilities.
Homeopathy operates on the "like treats like" principle, which means a small amount of an ingredient that would cause the symptoms of UTI in a healthy cat are used to actually get rid of UTI in an infected cat.
To get rid of a cat urination problem, you first have to determine if the cause is medical or behavioral. After doing so, you can help your cat achieve optimal health by treating the problem and making prevention a part of his daily routine with homeopathy.
If you want to make sure you are giving your pets the best health care available, please take time to read more about the many natural alternatives at my site: http://www.natural-pet-treatment.com
BIO: Ann Matthews is a long time pet health enthusiast with Pet Alive who has a real passion for the well-being of all pets
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Matthews
Cat Scratching
Cat scratching is normal behavior for a cat, and you need to re-direct his scratching to appropriate objects. The consensus from the various Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is that de-clawing is cruel and unnecessary. However, if you feel that you must either declaw your cat or give her up, we would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion. Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats. It helps cats shed small sheaths on their claws, and also is a way of scent marking objects in the house or outside Scratching is also an instinctive method of marking territory. Each scratch leaves secretions from glands in a cat's feet, a scent the gets other cat's attention.
Scratching and climbing are highly enjoyable feline activities and are part of the essence of being a cat. It takes care of his claws and helps keep his muscles toned and healthy. Cat scratching is an innate behavior and because of this, you cannot get your cat to stop the scratching by chasing him away, squirting water, hitting or scolding. Regardless of what you do, they will still need to scratch. Since your cat will want and need to scratch, provide her with a variety of scratching posts and teach her to use them. Scratching is important, biologically, for your cat. So you can't really punish her for clawing the furniture, unless you have provided her with an alternative like a scratching post.
Covering a favored scratching area with tinfoil, sand paper, double-sided sticky tape or plastic carpet runner (pointy side up) makes the surface unappealing to scratch. Once the scratching habit has been broken and the cat has learned to prefer the post, the covering can be removed. Cover that corner of the couch with double-sided sticky tape that is completely unattractive to your cat (the tape can easily be removed for entertaining company). This will repel your cat away from your couch and right there is a post that they will love. Covered with carpet or sisal our cat scratching posts are made only from solid wood, and all they have sturdy bases that ensure stability. Put some of our cat scratching posts near a sunny window or draft-free corner, and your cat will leave your furniture untouched.
You can make your own scratching post by wrap the rope to the top, and drive several nails in to secure it. You can put some carpet on top of the post to give it a finished look, or you could run the rope over the top, and coil the rope to an end there. Wrap the post with the sisal, making sure it is tight and that there are no spaces between each row. You can tap it down with your hammer to ensure that it is tight. Carpet may not be the best of surfaces, it does not stand a lot of laceration, and it may lead your cat to think it is OK to also scratch at your floor covering!
Train your cat to scratch her post on command. Stand by the post with a treat in hand. Training is more commonly associated with dogs and cats are seen to be an easier type of pet to own. However, as many cat owners have found out - owning a cat can actually be an extremely frustrating experience!
Praise them whenever you see them using the new post, and gradually bring it closer to a preferred location, away from his old favorite. You may want to set it up near his regular resting place. Praising her when she goes for the real one? And can you move what you get to a prominent place? Praise him and tell him 'Good Kitty' and stroke him to make it an enjoyable pleasant experience. You will have to be diligent at first and try to catch him in the act of scratching your furniture.
Punishment in both cases is counter productive. Punishment after the fact won't change the behavior, may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment, and may elicit defensive aggression. Used by itself, punishment won't resolve scratching problems because it doesn't teach your cat where to scratch instead.
You can also try trimming there nails, one or two at a time, reward her with affection or food, and then let her do as she wishes. Cats are not strong on patience or restraint. Trim only the clear tip of the nail. Do not clip the area where pink tissue is visible or the slightly opaque region that outlines the pink tissue. Trim only the clear tip of the nail. Do not clip the area where pink tissue is visible or the slightly opaque region that outlines the pink tissue.
We plan to post articles that are informative and helpful to other cat lovers. Having been "owned" by cats for years, we know they can be demanding, but also be very entertaining and fun.
Best House Cat Care
Visit our website for products your cat may enjoy http://www.besthousecatcare.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doris_J_Canova
Understanding Cheap Cat Insurance
Do you own a cat? Then chances are that you have a couple, or even more. With this being the case it is of the utmost importance that you provide them with the protection of insurance. that way they, or it can be cared for in the face of illness or accidents. A cat insurance policy will pay a lump sum if your cat/s ever need veterinarian care. This will provide essential cover which otherwise may not be affordable in the event of something happening to your beloved pet/s.
These days what with the Internet, there are plenty of companies out there that offer affordable coverage packages that protect your pet in all circumstances. It is pretty much down to the owner to decide the level of coverage that they want for their cat/s, and they range from basic cover to really comprehensive cover that protects against just about anything.
You can get cover that provides your cat/s with protection against disease through vaccination, routine-care that will protect against any injuries that your cat/s sustain, as well as any illnesses or emergencies. A good policy will also provide cover for prescriptions, diagnostic tests, x-rays, laboratory fees, and anything else that may be related.
Obviously to be covered for all of the aforementioned you will need to go for a really comprehensive package. There are varying packages where you can pick and choose elements of cover, which will adjust the premium cost that you have to pay, in relation for the protection of your cat/s. therefore it is a really flexible type of policy and it is easy for a cat owner to get exactly the amount of cover that they require.
Due to the fact that cats have an atavistic propensity to develop cancer, the majority of cat insurance policies carry the option to have coverage against the treat of your cat/s developing cancer. This is seen as very important, due to the fact that all cats carry the risk of developing cats, at any stage during their lives.
Prior to choosing a cat insurance policy you need to be aware of the type of cover that you require. Then you need to access all of the different websites in order to decide which company is offering you the best deal in relation to your personal coverage requirements. It is then a case of making sure that you understand the terms and conditions of a policy before you sign anything.
Many people keep cats as pets, but some will ultimately struggle to cope financially should anything happen. Look online for some Cheap Cat Insurance quotes online at http://www.CompareIt4Me.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_L_Walker
How to Stop Cat Scratching Problems
For many, understanding the reasons behind why cats need to scratch has remained an elusive mystery. From the wild cats of the jungle to the domesticated feline companion, scratching has been a means for survival. This predisposed instinct has unfortunately led to the untimely demise of our sofas, window screens, curtains and walls. In order to decide what the best methods for alleviating this problem are, you must first understand why it is done.
In the wilds of the mighty jungle, it was necessary for cats to be mighty hunters in order to survive. Cats instinctively used their claws as a means for support for climbing trees, giving them the opportunity to pounce on their unsuspecting prey. Razor sharp claws were required for hunting as well as fending off other predators. Today, the domesticated cat does not have to depend on their skills as a hunter as their food bowls are always full. However, the instincts to keep their nails hunter ready are still there.
Not only is the act of scratching a way to sharpen claws, it is also a way to trim them as well. In addition, cat scratching is significant in that it is used for the purposes of marking territory. When cats scratch a surface or object, they are also releasing a chemical that is marking their scent, letting other area cats, whether in the same household or general location know that this is their territory. Scratching is also a great way for cats to work out any muscle tension they may have or as a means to release excess energy.
The most common and frequently used method for deterring cats from scratching and damaging our possessions is to have them de-clawed. However, this method does require your cat to undergo anesthesia which comes with some minor risks. Before you make the decision to de-claw, there are other alternatives available for consideration.
Scratching posts are an excellent choice for giving your cat his own personal area to scratch. They are available at pet stores and online. They can come as part of a fancy cat condo or as single models in many colors and styles. A scratching post can also be cost effective as it is a simple project you can create yourself. All that is required is a two foot tall section of a four by four combined with a two foot by two foot section of durable plywood and a small piece of carpeting.
Another inexpensive item available for cat scratching is scratching mats. Regardless of which you choose it is important that you place it as close to your cat's favorite scratching area at first. After your cat has become accustomed to using the post instead of your furniture or walls, gradually move it away from those areas.
Another option for discouraging your cat from scratching where you don't him too is by using a pet repellant spray. All that is required is a quick spray on the area you wish your cat to stay away from. This product, most commonly referred to as Bitter Apple spray, is an unpleasant tasting liquid that gets on their paws after scratching and they do not like the taste.
Although this method is effective, it is wise to test a small area of carpet or upholstery to ensure the repellant does not alter the material in any way. Some additional helpful hints include wrapping the areas in aluminum foil or placing tape on the area, sticky side up. Cats definitely do not like anything sticking to their paws.
As a final result, many people have tried using nail caps. Just as a manicurist would place faux nails on your fingers, these caps are placed on a previously filed down nail using a pet friendly adhesive. Of course, just as faux nails do, these caps also tend to fall off.
If you have tried every alternative and your cat still can not break this habit, surgery may be the only answer. Weighing the positives and negatives to each of the methods, along with consulting a veterinarian will help you make the right decision for both you and your cat.
Moses Wright is a cat lover and likes to help new cat owners learn more about their cat breed. You can find more resources on cat illnesses symptoms and treatments and cat behavior at his site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moses_Wright
Cat Furniture - The Indispensable Element in a Cat Lover's Home
Cat furniture? The very term may be puzzling for some people. Why on earth would you need a sofa, a chair or a table for a cat?
However, among cat lovers, it has a become common enough phrase. In fact, the concept of cat furniture has gained in popularity, with more people shopping for a cat tree, a cat bed and even cat condos. Not to mention scratching posts, now considered a mandatory item in the cat owner's household.
Why More Cat Furniture?
A major shift in responsible cat care has taken place over the past two decades: more cats than ever spend their entire life living indoors only. These felines never leave the comfort of their homes, unless traveling to the veterinary clinic in a secure cat carrier. And "comfort of their homes" is more than just a figure of speech in this case.
Raising cats indoors-only has brought on changes relating to cat nutrition, vet care, entertainment and more. By the same token, owners of cats invest more than ever in various items of cat furniture, to create purrfect environments for what they consider to be their "furbabies".
So, why cat furniture for the indoors-only cat household? Let's review the two main advantages of cat furniture.
Cat furniture Can Add space
When we look at a room and try to estimate its size, we tend to look at its width and length, thus measuring its floor space.
Things look different from a feline perspective: you can actually make a room larger, if you take into account the room's height and make good use of vertical space.
The taller units of cat furniture can do just that, adding more surfaces on various levels, in effect creating space where none existed before.
Cat Furniture Can Trigger Exercise
Living indoors is safe and comfortable. It also means a lack of the intense stimuli of outdoors life; and the absence of the intense physical activity associated with having to hunt for food.
Moreover, with owners being away from home for long hours, many cats simply get bored. The result? a cat that sleeps more, gets less exercise and is prone to becoming overweight.
This is where a sturdy, complex set of cat furniture, perhaps decorated with some hanging cat toys, can help. Jumping up, running across beams, climbing, or simply stretching, can all help to keep a cat more active and thus healthier.
Even More Benefits
It doesn't end with exercise and added space. Cat furniture can help in creating a unique environment for your cat, where she may feel safer. Being out of reach of small children, or simply having a nest up on her cat tree, can all add to a cat's sense of security.
Cat furniture can even be an aesthetic addition to your household. A practical and decorative statement which says loud and clear: cats are part of our family.
This article is copyrighted to the writer. You may re-publish it on your website as long as the resource box at the bottom remains intact and with active links. Any other use of this article, in full or in part, is forbidden.
Shop online for cat furniture at Meowhoo.com's Cat Furniture section, or get the latest recommendations on the Cat Shopping Blog - Furniture Category.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Moss
How Do I Know If My Cat Has a Feline Urinary Tract Infection?
Does this describe your cat's behavior: frequent urination, no urine at all, urine with a foul odor, or blood in the urine? These are common, even life threatening, symptoms and signs of cat urinary tract infection. Immediately take your kitty to the vet if you have noticed any of these signs. The difference between life and death for your pet depends on your ability to recognize the symptoms early and get treatment.
It is important to know your cat's normal urinating patterns. If your cat is using the litter box more or less often than usual, this is a sign that there could be an infection. There is a test you can do at home to check for a feline UTI. You can do a simple pH test before the cat feels the pain. You'll save time, money, and be helping to determine if your kitty needs veterinarian care. Kitty won't have to experience the sometimes traumatic visit to the vet.
Begin checking your cat's pH by placing either a little aquarium gravel or some non-absorbent kitty litter into a clean litter box. Only enough for kitty to scratch around is necessary and will keep kitty content.
Next, confine your pet with this litter box in a quiet room, so kitty feels secure. You should do this close to your cat's elimination schedule. For more accurate results, check the sample as soon as the cat urinates.
As soon as kitty has used the litter box, dip a urine pH strip into the specimen. Gently shake off excess, then read and compare the test strip to the chart that accompanied the strips. A level of 6.6 to 6.8 means you pet is healthy. If the results are higher or lower, consult your veterinarian immediately.
BEWARE: This type of test if greatly affected by when your cat last ate. For this reason, retesting might be necessary. For best results, check you cat's pH soon after it has eaten. A later test may read high. If the test strip reads normal, then you have no worries. If there is a difference, take kitty to the vet quickly.
This is a simple, cost effective, and kitty sensitive way to check for feline urinary tract infection. Though this process is simple, the possibility of infection is a serious matter to handle quickly for the safety of your feline companion.
Janet Markowitz has been a German Shepherd Breeder for over 20 years. She has always been interested in using natural and holistic remedies for her Shepherds whenever possible. She has found that by using natural Remedies in conjunction with conventional medicine, she has achieved great success in the health and longevity in her dogs.
Janet Markowitz has been a German Shepherd Breeder for over 20 years. She has always been interested in using natural and holistic remedies for her Shepherds whenever possible. She has found that by using natural Remedies in conjunction with conventional medicine, she has achieved great success in the health and longevity in her dogs.
http://www.PetsNaturalRemedies.net
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Tips To Start Your Cat Toilet Training
You may have heard stories about cats that use a toilet to relieve themselves. Many people want to know how to potty train their cats to go on the toilet simply because they are sick and tired of handling and changing the litter box, and lugging home large sacks of expensive litter.
The process of cat toilet training can take anywhere from 3 or 4 weeks to 3 or 4 months, depending on the receptiveness of your cat. With patience, you too can banish the cat box forever.
To start potty training your kitty, go slowly. The transition from litter box to toilet should be accomplished in a series of stages. If at any time he has a setback and uses a rug instead of the potty, then you may be going too quickly. Just back up a stage or two and try again.
You have to gradually train your kitty to use the toilet properly. Start your cat toilet training off by placing the litter box next to the toilet bowl. Gradually, after a few days or a week, when you know he's used to the new arrangement, add newspapers or a phone book under the box to raise it a few inches at a time. Continue adding height until the bottom of the litter box is even with the top of the toilet seat.
Now, move the litter box over so that it is sitting directly over the toilet seat. Let your cat adjust to this for a few days. The next step in potty learning is a big one. Take away the box entirely.
Toilet training for cats is big business and many companies sell "kitty potty training" kits or a toilet training system online and at pet retailers, or you can purchase a metal mixing bowl or aluminum roasting pan for this next step. Place either container (measure the inside of the rim to make sure your bowl or pan is big enough) inside the toilet bowl and lower the seat.
Fill it with a few inches of scoop-able litter. You may need to tape it in place to prevent it from sliding around.
Begin reducing the litter in the container every few days. Go as fast as your cat will feel comfortable with. Make sure to flush the waste immediately to minimize both the smell and the possibility that your cat tries to cover it up and ends up tracking unpleasantness into the rest of the house.
By now, you should be down to a teaspoonful of litter in the bottom of the container. Start adding a little bit of water to the container. Increase the water level every few days. Remember that if your kitty isn't adjusting well, back up a step and try again more slowly.
Once the water in the bowl or pan is a couple of inches deep and your cat is comfortable with everything, take the container away, leaving the bare toilet. The task of potty training is now complete.
Cat toilet training timeframes are different for each cat. If your kitty is reluctant at any stage of training, then go back a step or two. Don't sweat it. Just slow down and just follow these potty training tips. You have to be patient.
About the Author
Discover more information about cat toilet training from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our potty training advice blog.
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Cat Spray: An Appeal To Be Fair To Yourself And Your Cat - How To Stop Cat Spraying Problems
This is very sad, because cat spraying problems can be solved or greatly reduced in many cases. First, though, we need to tell the difference between cat spray and cat urine. Spray is actually a bit of urine mixed with pheromones secreted by glands in your cat. The positions your cat takes for spraying is also different from peeing - they stand straight up and lift their bottoms high up in the air to spray instead of squatting to urinate.
Both male and female cats spray. Unneutered males are the most likely to have this problem, neutered female the least likely. Although spraying is considered a problem by people, it is a perfectly natural behavior for cats.
Do be aware that your cat may suddenly start spraying when he is sick. For example, inflammations of the bladder are known to cause cats to spray. If your cat is neutered and he suddenly develops this behavior, you should take him for a check-up at the vet before doing anything else.
On major reason for cats spraying is to attract mates. Female cats in heat spray to advertise that they are ready. Male cats spray to mark their territory - they are saying "Keep out! Females here are mine!". This is one reason why you should always neuter your cats. Unneutered tomcats are very likely to spray. Once he develops this behavior, it is very difficult to stop even after you neuter him. Many vets are willing to neuter your male cat as long as he is at least 6 months old. Some prefer to wait until he is 9 months old while others are willing to do it even earlier. You should also spay female cats when they reach 6 months of age, before their first heat.
When you bring a new pet or new family member home, this can also cause your cat to spray. Whether you explain it as stress and insecurity or territoriality or dominance behavior, it does not really matter. The point is to make kitty feel safe and secure again. Once you successfully make him feel that he is still Numero Uno, he will stop spraying. While your vet can help you to investigate why your cat is spraying, you know kitty best. You are the best person to figure out why he is spraying. Asking your vet to play private investigator can take quite a long time - he will take a step-by-step methodical approach to the problem. Cases have been published in journals for veterinarians where it took years to resolve the problem. If you really love your cat, you are still the best person to make him stop spraying.
Once your cat has sprayed a particular location, he is likely to go back and spray it again. One way to stop this is to thoroughly clean the area he sprayed. Normal soap and water will not do the job. Just because you cannot smell anything does not mean your cat cannot smell anything. The best solution is to use a blacklight (UV lamp) in the dark to find the spots and clean it with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle.
Cat spray is a very smelly problem which has caused many cats to be abandoned by their owners. However, this is a problem which can be solved. If you love your cat, you have an obligation to him and to yourself to stop him from spraying.
By: Katherin Towers
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Does your cat spray? Click here to learn more about cat behavior problems and how to stop your cat spraying.
How to Correct a Cat in Cat Training
Punishing is the hardest part in training a pet especially with cat. There are many ways a trainer can punish the cat. It can be through words, actions or something physical. However, there are things that need to be considered when punishing a cat during cat training.
1. Find the perfect time. There is a perfect time a cat should be punished during training. A punishment will only be effective if delivered immediately after the cat has done something that is not desirable.
If the cat is punished later after the misbehavior, it will not be able to associate the punishment with the misbehavior. Cats do not understand the same way people do. That is why it is important to associate the undesired action to communication of the punishment.
2. Punishment does not mean that the trainer has to hurt the cat. Cats are just animals and do not have a sense of what is right or wrong. Punishing a cat by inflicting pain in their body is not right.
Aside from the fact that inflicting physical pain is against Animal Rights, the cat will only be provoked and might fight back. It may only cause the trainer to be bitten by the cat. This will also result in making the cat become violent which may be very dangerous to kids and other people who may come close to it.
3. Other alternatives may also be used in correcting a cat. One effective way is the reward and recognition method. In the rewards and recognition, the cat is reinforced to continue a likable behavior because a reward is associated to it.
Rewards can be in the form of praises, petting, food or toys. If a cat did something good that it was taught to do, the cat may be given rewards like food, a yarn toy, or a hug. The trainer can immediately remove the rewards if something undesirable is done. The cat will then learn that the treats will be removed if the undesirable action is made again.
Training a cat, like any other pets, requires patience and understanding in order to be effective. Results may not be fast, but if one is consistent in training, results will be a lot faster. Cats are the sweetest pets one could have and it is only fair that they be treated the same.Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Cat Behavior - How To Avoid A Cat Bite
Some owners are appalled the first time their cat has bitten them and want to make sure the act doesn’t occur again. In most cases, there are signs that a cat gives to warn of an impending nip or bite, but often an owner is unaware of what each signal means. For instance, when the tail of a cat begins to twitch with a rolling flick motion, a bite may soon follow.
The ears of the cat are also quite telling. When they begin to turn towards the back or become flattened against the head, she is letting out a warning. If your cat appears restless, stiffens her body, or begins to stare at your hand, these are also signs that a sharp attack may occur.
When any of the above signs presents themselves during a session of stroking, it is suggested to stop the petting and allow your cat to remain positioned beside you or on your lap, jump down, or walk away when they feel ready. Whatever they decide to do, biting doesn’t have to become one of the options.
If your cat bites you, it never pays to punish your pet for the action. Not only does it not work, but also many cats start to equate punishment with your presence and don’t even consider biting as a bad behavior. As hard as it may seem, but if you have missed the cue that a bite is coming, the proper way to handle the situation is to not pull the hand away or push the cat aside. Freezing is the best solution because often, a cat will not puncture the skin if they feel their message was received in full. Their aim is to stop you from petting them, not to cause intentional harm.
Some cats revert to aggression for a many number of reasons. They may have inherited the behavior through genetics or learned the conduct as a kitten. Owners who allow their kittens to chew on their hand during play have learned that it is OK to respond in this manner when they have "had enough" of the stroking and warning signals have been ignored.
Some owners have found ways to make petting a more enjoyable activity for their cat by using treats as incentives to encourage a lengthening of their tolerance. Overall, avoiding a cat bite means paying attention to the signs and signals associated with your feline.About the AuthorHave a cat behavior problem, but don't know how to fix it? If so, you'll want to visit secretsofcats.com today to find out how to train your cat and eliminate bad cat behavior quickly.
Cat Furniture – It Keeps Your Cat From Destroying The House
If you do not have room for a huge cat tree, not a problem because there are other cat furniture selections that let your get blow off some steam. Like, the infamous scratching post, which gives your cat a nice place to just go nuts with its claws instead of your sofa. Or, maybe you are sick of your cat sleeping on your head every night. Well, to keep that from happening, just get it a nice place that it can call its own for resting and sleeping. A kitty condo would be a nice option. Just like with the cat tree, a kitty condo usually is made out of wood and is then covered in a durable carpet fabric. However, unlike the cat tree, it will usually be cylindrical in shape and feature enclosed openings where your cat can crawl inside and just take it easy. Again, if you do not have the space for one, another great choice would also be a cat bed and there are many plush ones to choose from.
For a great way to check out the different cat furniture options, instead of getting into the car and heading to your local furniture store, just jump on the internet and do some online shopping. There, you can compare products and prices of all the online stores in a matter of minutes and then when you do find something you like, it is shipped right to your front door. Shopping has never been more convenient.
In the end, if you are a new cat owner and feel like keep your house in one piece, then it is probably a good idea if you purchase some cat furniture for your space. If you do not, then your cat might tear about your house and you definitely do not want that to happen.About the AuthorJesse Akre, owner of many online sites, offers buying advice on comfortable cat furniture, luxurious cat houses, and lavish cat trees.
Cat Toilet Training
The behavior of a cat; the does, moreover don’ts of training a cat.
Since we are going to talk about potty training a cat, we need to set various fundamental rules overdue. most important one is that if you do not grasp the cat going potty on the floor at the very instant; it will not make any sense to the cat pardon you perform to them about it. Cats remember things similar to that barely shortly. negative rubbing the nose of the cat in it, that will only fetch regarding pain, or perform anything that would harm or hurt your cat. by performing various of these painful acts will barely create the cat afraid of you and you will encompass a absolutely rigid era training your cat to do various behaviors, otherwise taking feel for of your cat.
permit us look above the potty training a cat. Having a cat potty trained active various household toilet will save you thousands of dollars into kitty litter. Will keep the cats area clean, safe moreover dry, also seeing as a cat does not related to messes this is a great way to aquire rid of the mess for you.
now you are wondering why someone would desire to have the cat use the toilet moreover not the litter package. into the fecal, of the feline, meantime mixed inclusive of kitty litter can bring concerning persons of all ages to aquire sick. meantime the cat comes elsewhere of the litter box to a individual, on its paws are the germs seeing as the litter package. while you otherwise family member is sick or aged people, they are absolutely expectable to this disease.
inclusive of a cat being potty trained, the fecal goes beneath the liquid this will help prevent the disease from spreading. thither are devices active the market that will assist you potty train your cat. The devices approach inclusive of books to help also sustain you inclusive of toilet training your cat.
permit’s look at the potty device, to see pardon steps are taken to aquire the cat to utilize the toilet.
first, you will need to put the device in the toilet. It is basically a little shallow version of a toilet bowl that fits beneath the ring active the toilet.
The recommendation is to put small amount of cat litter in the little portion of the plastic bowl. next remove all different cat litter boxes, thus the cat will barely situate litter in one location. additional contemplation is to cover the plants on the floor, thus the cat will not be capable to dig into the dirt.
inclusive of the device, that you aquire, there possibly be some type of fragrances to put active the toilet device to help attract the cat to that region. leave the cat intended a meantime in the bathroom, inclusive of the entrance closed, privacy is rather that cat require also craving and will the cat will explore that the litter in on the toilet moreover use it there. If thither seems to be a problem inclusive of the cat going, you might craving to put the litter box subsequently to the toilet, this way the cat will get utilize to this moreover see the toilet, before aquiring the training started. into this era if you see that cat needs to go, pick the cat up also position it on the toilet inclusive of the device on thus that kitty will see the device also the litter
This will wholly take time and plenty of patience since you also various acceptable training to the cat. The cat does not encompass biological instincts to go into the bathroom moreover go on the toilet. When a cat is experient, this can be a real task as the older cats are usually location into their ways also perform not like conform. inclusive of this, you will craving to utilize the sluggish approach.
in the conclusion, you moreover your cat will be contented that thither are no greater kitty litter boxes in the residence.
Rewards are very crucial into this training moreover hard moreover; you may not view otherwise catch your cat active thither going but remember to reward them when you do see them.
How To right A Cat into Cat Training
1. locate the perfect time. thither is a ideal era a cat should be punished throughout training. A punishment will only be effective if delivered just after the cat have done rather that is not desirable.
If the cat is punished subsequential after the misbehavior, it will not be capable to equate the punishment with the misbehavior. Cats perform not understand the same way people perform. That is why it is crucial to associate the undesired action to communication of the punishment.
2. Punishment does not imply that the trainer have to anguish the cat. Cats are just animals also perform not encompass a sense of pardon is correct otherwise incorrect. Punishing a cat by inflicting pain in their body is not correct.
Aside seeing as the actuality that inflicting physical pain is opposed to animal Rights, the cat will only be provoked also may fight back. It may only bring regarding the trainer to be bitten via the cat. This will moreover effect into producing the cat convert violent which may be absolutely unsafe to kids also different persons who may approach shut to it.
3. dissimilar options might moreover be used into correcting a cat. one efficient method is the reward also recognition way. into the rewards also recognition, the cat is reinforced to continue a likable behavior because a reward is linked to it.
Rewards can be into the form of praises, petting, provisions or toys. If a cat did rather acceptable that it was taught to perform, the cat might be imparted rewards related to food, a yarn toy, or a hug. The trainer can just remove the rewards if rather undesirable is done. The cat will next discover that the treats will be removed if the undesirable activity is made again.
Training a cat, related to some different pets, requires patience also understanding into command to be efficient . Results may not be swift, although if single is consistent into training, results will be a lot quicker. Cats are the sweetest pets one possibly have moreover it is only fair that they be treated the equal.
Learn About Cat Training And Cat Litter Information
People who own cats may come across this question very often. Well, the answer is yes. Imagine a cat causing damage to valuable articles at home such as glassware, the sofa set, electronic items such as DVD player or computer.
The owner may run wild even at the thought of the cat doing this. Hence, it is essential to train cats so that they become familiar and get used to the environment around them. For the human-cat relationship to last long, it is recommended for owners to train their cats with extreme love and affection.
Bases Of Trainability:
Cats show their own interest in particular things. Cats like nutritional food and do activities that refresh them. Recreational activities may include watching squirrels climb the tree, pouncing on passing toys and finding out the things hidden in the cardboard box, left in the center of the living room.
Cat owners know that cats are curious by nature. They like to examine things around them, especially new things. They smell it and sometimes even sleep on it. To help a cat overcome shyness, the owner may move a catnip mouse across the room to catch the attention of the cat. This will draw the cat nearer to the object and help get over the tough task easily. This helps the cat to mix up with other members of the family quickly.
In the wild, cats tend to work alone. However, when they become part of a family, they rely on their owners for their usual tasks such as eating and bathing. This way cats develop an eternal relationship with their owners and other cats as well. Cat owners need to train their cats on normal activities and things such as relaxing, playing and eating.
Cats have the habit of playing, scratching and rubbing their body against objects. Many cats jump, look from the windows, sleep in many places and hang out with their owners in certain locations.
Some cats run back and forth in a house for no reason. Here, the activity can cause damage to the furniture. If the owner troubles the cat, the cat may raise its claw in self-defense. Several institutes engaged in training pet animals do their bit to bring abilities of pets at the forefront. Owners may take some time out of their busy schedule to visit such institutes for the betterment of their cats.
Cats - Waste Disposal
Disposal of cat waste is not a problem. Generally, cats tend to remain clean. It is in their nature to bury or hide their droppings. Owners may make available litter trays for their cats.
They may bury solid waste from the litter trays. The uncontaminated litter can be left in the tray. Pet shops sell biodegradable cat litters that break easily, when they add it to garden beds.
Litters built of clay break down slowly and as they are white in color, the owner can easily notice them in the garden bed. Cat owners may even wrap the contaminated litter and place it in garbage bins at home.
About the Author
Go to Cat and Kitten Zone to get your free ebook about Cats and Kittens at Cats. Cat and Kitten Zone also has information on Kittens, Cat Supplies and a Cat and Kitten Forum where you can connect with others who love cats and kittens. You can Find Cat and Kitten Zone at www.catandkittenzone.com.
Dogs and Cats, Training Eternal Enemies to Co-exist
The first mistake that most pet owners make when introducing their pet dogs and cats is to allow them to make their own introductions. This is a mistake! As I stated above, these two species are eternal enemies. You can’t just set one down near the other and expect great results. (Ok, I know that can happen and does happen, but my job here is to teach you about dog training. My version of training calls for prevention with dogs and cats rather than creating a problem and then being forced to fix it. As Mom used to say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.) There is a good deal of prevention that should be used before allowing your dogs and cats to co-exist.
Whether you are introducing a new cat to a home with a dog or vice versa I want you to start out the same way. Start out by using your trusty dog crate. Put your dog in the crate and allow the cat to be in the same room. There are several possible outcomes to this action :1. Your dog shows complete indifference. This is ideal. If your dog behaves like this you will have a quick transition.2. Your dog shows fear. This is not ideal but it will make the transition easier than some other outcomes.3. Your dog shows nervousness and anxiety. He whines, he paces in the crate, paws at the door of the crate, etc. This behavior tells you that he wants out. There is something about that cat that is exciting and he wants to know what it is.4. Your dog shows overt aggression. He barks, claws at the door of the crate, and he knows exactly what he wants to do with that cat. This is going to be the toughest dog to train, but it can be done.
For the first few days don’t let your dogs and cats near each other. Keep the dog in the crate. This doesn’t mean you need to keep him in the crate 24/7. When you want him out of the crate just make sure that your cat is shut off in another bedroom to avoid contact. What you hope to accomplish with this action is to train your dog to be indifferent to the cat. You want your dog to view the cat as ‘background noise’. The cat is inconsequential, the cat doesn’t matter, there is nothing interesting or exciting about the cat. In other words, your dog is safely tucked away in the crate and casually observes the cat move around the house. For categories 1 and 2 this will be simple. It will take no more than a day or two for your dog to think of your cat as just another 'thing' in the house. Categories 3 and 4 will take more training and time.
For categories 3 and 4 you need to attach a negative association to showing cat aggression. To do this, get a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with either plain water, water mixed with lemon juice, or for very stubborn dogs, water with vinegar. At this point, your dog is still tucked away safely in the crate. The next part of training will be conducted while you are sitting near the crate, ready for action. The instant your dog shows aggression (barks at the cat, claws at the door, whines in frustration, etc.) toward the cat spray him in the face with your spray bottle. Every time he shows aggression spray him with the bottle. When he isn’t showing aggression give him soft praise, “Good boy”.
Make sure that your dog never gets a chance to show aggression toward the cat without having a bad experience. This means that you must always be ready with the spray bottle or make sure the cat isn’t near the dog. If you aren’t vigilant and your dog has the chance to show aggression with no adverse consequence, you are training him to show cat aggression.
If you are consistent with this exercise you will soon notice that your dog will show less and less aggression while in the crate, it just isn’t worth the squirt in the face for him. You are on your way to getting your dogs and cats to co-exist.
When your feel comfortable that your dog is indifferent to the cat move on to the next step. As I said, for categories 1 and 2 this is probably one or two days after beginning the crate training. For categories 3 and 4 get your dog to the point where he is indifferent and maintains that attitude for several days if not a week.
The next step is to get your dog out of the crate and get those dogs and cats together at last! You are going to move slowly, though. Put your dog training collar and leash on your dog and make sure that he is always wearing it around the house. Keep your dog near you and allow your cat to be in the room. If your dog makes any move whatsoever to chase the cat, bark at the cat, or perform any of the stereotypical behaviors that dogs and cats do, give him a very strong correction with the leash. You want this leash correction to be a very memorable one so it must be very strong. You want to form a very negative association toward cat aggression.
Be consistent with this training. If you do this properly you will notice that your dog has less and less of a desire to chase after or bark at the cat. As you notice your dog changing his behavior give him more and more freedom by allowing him to be closer to the cat and further away from you. Eventually you will phase out the use of the dog training collar and leash.
Even if your dog isn’t showing aggressive tendencies, never let him chase after the cat in the house, even playfully.
Even some of the hardest to train dogs will respond to the above method. There exist, however, certain dogs that have such strong prey drive that only drastic measures will cure them of their desire to chase and kill cats. For these dogs I employ an electric dog training collar.
Read the instruction manual on proper fitting for your electric dog training collar. With a stubborn dog that needs an electric collar the method is simple. With the collar on his neck and turned on to a high level of stimulus you are going to correct your dog every time he even looks at the cat. As your dog even sneaks a glance at your cat press the button to deliver the correction. Don’t say ‘no’, don’t react in any way, just correct him for looking at the cat. Do this as many times as it takes. Let’s examine this from your dog’s point of view. He wants to get to the cat, wants to chase, wants to kill. But the very act of looking at the cat causes him pain. You don’t tell him anything so he doesn’t associate the correction with you. He soon will learn to believe that the cat is ‘evil’ and he had better not even look at it because it the act of looking causes pain.
As with all training, you must be very consistent. Your dog must never have a successful chance to even chase or want to chase the cat. Be consistent, though, and soon your dogs and cats will be able to co-exist.