Author: Ken Charnely
Before we begin to give you additional information on this topic, take a moment to think about what you already know.
Cats are basically very tidy creatures. They are in the habit of grooming themselves by licking every part of their body clean with their tongue.
This habit of tongue-bathing has several benefits to your pet cat:
- promotes better circulation of the blood
- gets rid of dead skin cells
- removes excess/dead hair on their coat
- tones their muscles
- keeps the fur soft and clean
Although your feline friends groom on their own, you should still do your part in keeping your cat clean and well-groomed.
Here are several ways to keep your cat well-groomed:
1. Brushing
Depending on the breed, your cat can either have long or short hair. Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat well enough to promote proper grooming.
-For cats with short hair, use a brush with soft bristles so that the skin will not be scratched or hurt in the grooming process.
Use soft, gentle strokes while brushing. This should make them purr in pleasure and you will have an easier job of grooming your pet cat.
After brushing the coat with a comb, you can finish the job by wiping the fur with a dry, soft and clean piece of cloth. This should maintain the shine on your cat’s coat.
-As compared to cats with shorter hair, long-haired cats would require more brushing time.
For this, use a comb with wide-teeth that is specially designed for cats. This should initially remove the knots and tangles on their fur.
Afterwards, you can use a fine-toothed comb to work the smaller knots on the fur and eliminate the more stubborn knots.
Do not forget to brush the hair around the face with a smaller comb or a toothbrush.
Avoid the eye and whisker area when brushing.
Brushing your cats fur on a regular basis will help keep their coat shiny and healthy, and will also give the owner and the pet some bonding time together.
2. Bathing
Cats do not often require bathing because they basically take good care of themselves when it comes to grooming.
However, there are some cases wherein you need to give them a bath no matter how you – and your pet – dread the chore.
You need to bath your cat if the coat has excessive dirt.
Sometimes, a substance that can possibly poison them sticks on the fur and it is vital to give them a bath in this case.
Another instance where you need to bath your cat is in case of fleas, ticks and lice clinging to their skin.
3. Cleaning the eyes and ears.
For the eyes and ears which are the most sensitive areas in your cat’s body, there are solutions that you may use.
Choose one which is specifically designed to prevent cats with light-colored eyes to develop stains.
For the ears, cats collect a considerable amount or wax so you have to take care of it when grooming.
Removing this would maintain your cat’s health and help prevent infections.
There are also cat wipes that you can use for the ears, eyes and teeth.
4. Keeping the paws clean.
Cats are in the habit of scratching surfaces so it is better to keep them away from the furniture items in the house. It would also help if you keep those paws clean and trim their nails.
You can go to a pet store and buy a nail trimmer specially designed for cats.
Ask your veterinarian for the proper way to trim your cats nails so as not to hurt them in the process.
If you find that your cat exhibits a not-so-healthy clawing habit, you may go for the option of declawing your cat.
This is a surgical procedure where the nails are permanently removed so that it will not grow back.
However, you should still ask your vets advice if you want to go for declawing because with this, cats will lose a natural defense mechanism.
A better and kinder option is to regularly trim the cat’s nails, have them use a wooden post for scratching, or crate-training to prevent them from clawing at your most-treasured possessions.
By following these tips and making time in your busy schedule to groom your cat, you would have a healthy and happy cat and be a happy owner as well.
About The Author
Ken Charnely is webmaster at two of Internet's popular article directories. For more articles on this topic and for free content for your website visit http://www.articleteller.com/ and http://www.contentwow.com/.
Is Your Cat Ready for Toilet Training? Here's 5 Ways You Can Tell
Author: Rebecca Rescate
At the end of a long day, who wants to sift through a messy litter box? Certainly not me. Up until now, the litter-box has been a necessary evil, a small price to pay for our beloved companions. But not anymore. In fact, there's an underground alternative designed for those of us who are ready to kick the litter habit: toilet training your cat.
Sounds complicated, right? Not at all. Although far from mainstream, cat toilet training is gaining momentum and cat owners across the country are beginning to embrace the trend. But before you toss that box in the trash, there's a few ways to tell if your cat is ready to take the leap into a litter-free lifestyle. Think Fluffy has what it takes? Read on.
1. Your cat is already litter-box trained.
OK, I know what you're thinking: "Of course my cat knows how to use the litter-box" But the simple fact is, cats that already know how to use the litter-box can be reconditioned to use the toilet instead. That's because cat toilet training utilizes your cat's natural instincts to bury their waste to hide their scent from predators. During the training process your cat will learn to put its waste in water instead of in litter. Once your cat makes this transition toilet training becomes a breeze and - voila! Your cat is successfully potty trained!
2. Your cat is eager to please you.
Does your cat love making you happy? Whether she leaves the occasional "gift" on your doorstep or offers a warm nuzzle while you're reading, cats who are eager to please are the purr-fect candidates for toilet training. After she learns that using the toilet pleases you, she'll be happy to oblige!
3. You have trained your cat to do something in the past.
Does your cat come when you call them? Believe it or not, simple actions like responding to a voice command can help lay the groundwork for the toilet training process. After all, if your kitty already knows how to "follow the leader", toilet training will be a breeze.
4. Your cat is healthy.
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but healthy cats have a much easier time jumping up onto their new throne. Illnesses like arthritis or urinary tract infections can affect their ability to learn how to use the toilet, so sick kitties should stick to the box.
5. You know your cat.
Can you tell when your feline friend is having a rough day? If you're like many pet owners, you're probably very in tune with your cat's feelings. This unique bond works as a positive force during the toilet training process. How? Cats will use body language to tell you if they are comfortable with a particular training step. When you pick up on these signals, both of you can work together to achieve a relaxed training pace. You'll both feel satisfied when you work as a team!
Want to read more? Check out www.citikitty.com to read how to successfully toilet train your cat with the CitiKitty Toilet Training Kit.
About The Author
Rebecca Rescate is the creator of the CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit. She has helped thousands of cat owners pursue their dream of a litter-free life with their beloved feline. Visit her site to find out more about CitiKitty - www.citikitty.com.
At the end of a long day, who wants to sift through a messy litter box? Certainly not me. Up until now, the litter-box has been a necessary evil, a small price to pay for our beloved companions. But not anymore. In fact, there's an underground alternative designed for those of us who are ready to kick the litter habit: toilet training your cat.
Sounds complicated, right? Not at all. Although far from mainstream, cat toilet training is gaining momentum and cat owners across the country are beginning to embrace the trend. But before you toss that box in the trash, there's a few ways to tell if your cat is ready to take the leap into a litter-free lifestyle. Think Fluffy has what it takes? Read on.
1. Your cat is already litter-box trained.
OK, I know what you're thinking: "Of course my cat knows how to use the litter-box" But the simple fact is, cats that already know how to use the litter-box can be reconditioned to use the toilet instead. That's because cat toilet training utilizes your cat's natural instincts to bury their waste to hide their scent from predators. During the training process your cat will learn to put its waste in water instead of in litter. Once your cat makes this transition toilet training becomes a breeze and - voila! Your cat is successfully potty trained!
2. Your cat is eager to please you.
Does your cat love making you happy? Whether she leaves the occasional "gift" on your doorstep or offers a warm nuzzle while you're reading, cats who are eager to please are the purr-fect candidates for toilet training. After she learns that using the toilet pleases you, she'll be happy to oblige!
3. You have trained your cat to do something in the past.
Does your cat come when you call them? Believe it or not, simple actions like responding to a voice command can help lay the groundwork for the toilet training process. After all, if your kitty already knows how to "follow the leader", toilet training will be a breeze.
4. Your cat is healthy.
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but healthy cats have a much easier time jumping up onto their new throne. Illnesses like arthritis or urinary tract infections can affect their ability to learn how to use the toilet, so sick kitties should stick to the box.
5. You know your cat.
Can you tell when your feline friend is having a rough day? If you're like many pet owners, you're probably very in tune with your cat's feelings. This unique bond works as a positive force during the toilet training process. How? Cats will use body language to tell you if they are comfortable with a particular training step. When you pick up on these signals, both of you can work together to achieve a relaxed training pace. You'll both feel satisfied when you work as a team!
Want to read more? Check out www.citikitty.com to read how to successfully toilet train your cat with the CitiKitty Toilet Training Kit.
About The Author
Rebecca Rescate is the creator of the CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit. She has helped thousands of cat owners pursue their dream of a litter-free life with their beloved feline. Visit her site to find out more about CitiKitty - www.citikitty.com.
Your New Cat: Why Are the First 24 Hours So Important? Part 2
Author: John Young
The family brought Tiger home, but hadn’t prepared their house for him. When he saw their dog, he bolted, found a dark place and hid.
His new owner searched the house but couldn’t find him. That night he came out of his hiding place and found an open window with a torn screen....
His would-be owner knew there were predators in the area. She called Animal Control and posted signs around the neighborhood, but she knew there wasn't much chance.
She was right.
PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS
This situation could have been avoided, and Tiger could have been integrated quickly and easily into his new home if the people who adopted him had made some preparations and taken precautions.
What are some of these preparations? What should you do before you bring a new cat home?
• Prepare the house to receive your new cat.
• Make sure your new cat’s medical needs are completely taken care of.
• Make sure your other cats are adequately protected from disease.
• Make sure you have on hand the things your cat will need.
• Know how to introduce your new cat to your live-in companions, children and other pets.
And perhaps most importantly:
• Prepare yourself beforehand for a good relationship with your new cat.
People who have never owned cats before don’t really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily – but is not a dog.
BONDING WITH YOU
Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they don’t always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who “picked them up” hoping to have acquired a new friend.
This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with.
PREPARE YOUR HOME
Adequate preparation of the home is vitally important. If your new cat panics when she is first introduced and finds a way to exit your house, she will do so. Remember, she does not know where she is and has no motivation to return.
MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES
In addition, there may be serious medical consequences to adopting a stray, both to your new kitty and to your existing cats. Inadequate medical examination and vaccination can be tragic for the new addition to your family...and have serious consequences to your existing cats.
Unless you know what you are doing, your attempt to bring home a new kitty could result in tragedy.
EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT
The bottom line is that no matter how many cats you have adopted, you still may not know what you are doing with THIS one.
In Part 3 we’ll discuss five things you need to consider before you adopt a new cat.
Copyright 2006 John Young
About The Author
John Young is a writer and cat lover who has owned one cat or another ever since he was four (or, maybe they owned him). His book "Your New Cat's First 24 Hours", http://www.yourcatsecrets.com, is written for new and veteran cat owners who want to smoothly introduce a new cat to their household and care for her thereafter.
The family brought Tiger home, but hadn’t prepared their house for him. When he saw their dog, he bolted, found a dark place and hid.
His new owner searched the house but couldn’t find him. That night he came out of his hiding place and found an open window with a torn screen....
His would-be owner knew there were predators in the area. She called Animal Control and posted signs around the neighborhood, but she knew there wasn't much chance.
She was right.
PREPARATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS
This situation could have been avoided, and Tiger could have been integrated quickly and easily into his new home if the people who adopted him had made some preparations and taken precautions.
What are some of these preparations? What should you do before you bring a new cat home?
• Prepare the house to receive your new cat.
• Make sure your new cat’s medical needs are completely taken care of.
• Make sure your other cats are adequately protected from disease.
• Make sure you have on hand the things your cat will need.
• Know how to introduce your new cat to your live-in companions, children and other pets.
And perhaps most importantly:
• Prepare yourself beforehand for a good relationship with your new cat.
People who have never owned cats before don’t really realize what a cat is: A highly intelligent, independent animal which needs love and affection daily – but is not a dog.
BONDING WITH YOU
Cats will bond with people, just as dogs do, but they don’t always bond with the person who has adopted them. They will choose whom they like, much to the consternation of the person who “picked them up” hoping to have acquired a new friend.
This is one very good reason why the first 24 hours is so important. It is during that period that your cat will decide whom she wants to bond with.
PREPARE YOUR HOME
Adequate preparation of the home is vitally important. If your new cat panics when she is first introduced and finds a way to exit your house, she will do so. Remember, she does not know where she is and has no motivation to return.
MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES
In addition, there may be serious medical consequences to adopting a stray, both to your new kitty and to your existing cats. Inadequate medical examination and vaccination can be tragic for the new addition to your family...and have serious consequences to your existing cats.
Unless you know what you are doing, your attempt to bring home a new kitty could result in tragedy.
EVERY CAT IS DIFFERENT
The bottom line is that no matter how many cats you have adopted, you still may not know what you are doing with THIS one.
In Part 3 we’ll discuss five things you need to consider before you adopt a new cat.
Copyright 2006 John Young
About The Author
John Young is a writer and cat lover who has owned one cat or another ever since he was four (or, maybe they owned him). His book "Your New Cat's First 24 Hours", http://www.yourcatsecrets.com, is written for new and veteran cat owners who want to smoothly introduce a new cat to their household and care for her thereafter.