Toys For Your Cat

Author: Daniel Moore
Is your cat getting fat, lazy, and bored?

Cat toys are a great way to keep your cats occupied and entertained. They arouse the cat's curiosity and the cat spends considerable time chasing, mangling, twisting, and playing with the toys. The toys that excite them most are usually those that make sounds, swing on strings, or are easy to catch. Cats have a limited attention span, however. It therefore makes sense to rotate out the toys on a weekly to monthly basis. Otherwise your cat will lose interest.

Toys need not be bought from the pet stores alone. You can create an endless number of cat toys at home. There are a number of household objects that may appeal to your cat's fancy; these include toilet paper rolls, plastic milk bottle rings, plastic drinking straws, aluminum foil balls, Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, cardboard boxes and even walnuts!

You should, however, carefully examine each item, and reject the ones that have sharp edges. You should also avoid small objects that could be swallowed, objects that tear easily, or those which could stain. These can sometimes cause injuries to your cat.

Pet shops, of course, have a variety of toys, and these are generally safer. These include line-based toys (which have an object dangling from a rod or a string for your cat to chase), and wire-based toys (based on the principle that cats love to chase birds). These flying toys make for good fun. Also popular are 'bat and swat' toys, which come in an array of shapes, colors, sizes, and patterns. You can choose from a fluffy pom-pom to a simple Ping-Pong ball. A major advantage with the bat and swat toys is that your cat can use it on its own; you don't have to be around to entertain it.

Catnip toys can also be highly entertaining to cats. However, these toys should never be given to a kittens less than four weeks of age, as catnip can have a hallucinatory effect. Always ensure that the catnip you buy is fresh, otherwise it could lead to serious health complications for your cat. Fresh organic catnip toys can frequently be found at arts-and-craft shows and cat shows.

Some of the most popular toys among cats are those shaped like rats, insects, birds, or other small creatures; these add a hint of realism to the sport and can stimulate even the laziest cat into action.


About The Author

Daniel Moore contributes to several online magazines, including http://sufup.com and http://kydel.com.

What Are The Characteristics Of The Siamese Cats?

Author: George Adams
Almost everyone knows about the Siamese cat. Even those who are not particularly fond of cats have heard about this breed. Producers of mystery movies and TV series have used a Siamese cat as a character in their productions.

The Siamese cat appeared in Thailand before the sixteen hundreds. At that time Thailand was known as Siam. In the eighteen hundreds, a number of these cats were brought to Great Britain by a British ambassador. The Siamese became an immediate hit with the Brits. Although not as popular today, the Siamese cat was considered to be one of the most popular breed of cats in the nineteen fifties.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a cat, the following description of the Siamese is provided to help you to identify the breed. The body of a Siamese is long, graceful and rectangular shaped with large ears on a wedge shaped head. The tail is long and graceful and the legs are thin. The eyes are large, almond shaped with a stunning blue color. The coat of the Siamese cat is short and comes in Chocolate, Seal, Lilac or Blue Point colors. All other variations of color in the Siamese breed are considered to be a wholly different breed.

A Siamese cat is not recommended for anyone who spends a great deal of time away from home. This breed loves attention and if left alone for long periods will become lonely and bored. A lonely and bored Siamese can get into more trouble than your average cat, spending much of its time planning an escape. If you are away from home much of the time you might want to get a second Siamese kitten. The two will keep each other company while you are away.

This breed is an excellent choice for retirees and families. Siamese cats are very affectionate and playful. They soak up attention like a sponge and are very clingy and devoted. They will follow you from room to room inspecting everything you do and curl up on your lap or perch on your shoulder when you sit.

The Siamese cat has keen intelligence and is highly trainable. They sometimes have a mind of their own but are easily taught to fetch, or come when they are called. They make up their own games such as pouncing on people from atop a high objects or playing hide and seek.

If an attention loving, clinging and devoted cat that has a mind of its own is what you’re looking for, then the Siamese might be the breed for you.


About The Author

George Adams is a staff writer at http://www.pets-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com.

Russian Blue - The Facts Every Owner Of This Cat Breed Should Know

Author: Robert Benjamin
Little is known about the true origins of the Russian Blue cat. Some think Russian Blues are a natural breed originating in the Archangel Isles in northern Russia. It is thought Russian Blues were brought to England and northern Europe in the 1860s. What is known is that Russian Blues were first shown at the Crystal Palace in England in 1875 in competition, but were not recognized as a separate class of cat until 1912. Though Russian Blues were brought to American in the early 1900s, interest in the breed did not develop until after World War II.

Russian Blues have striking green eyes and an expression that makes it look as if they are always smiling. They have a solid slivery blue coat that is short and thick and feels silky. In fact, it is this legendary silkiness that caused Russian Blues to be hunted for the fur at one point. Some Russian Blues are born with 'ghost stripes' that fade by adulthood.

Their coats do not require much grooming, though Russian Blues do enjoy being groomed by their human companions. Described as shy (especially around strangers), Russian Blues are still excellent pets especially for people and families with busy lifestyles. Russian Blues do not require or crave much human contact and are able to entertain themselves for hours at a time. However, they are affectionate and loyal towards their families. In fact, Russian Blues have been described as sensitive to their families and will try to lighten up the mood of the house by entertaining those around if necessary. They are good with children and other family pets, but do startle easily and prefer to be handle gently. Russian Blues are prone to obesity so it is important to monitor their diet.

There is a website that has great information on Russian Blue and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.


About The Author

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25 years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.

RB59.COM Software
http://www.rb59.com/software