By Charlene Hamm
Tiger came to us as a wild little kitten, catching my son’s heart. He worked with her over several months until she was tame and very lovable. Who knew this little ball of fur would become a most revered guard animal.
How this came to be we are not sure. One day two of the New Hampshire Red roosters started following Tiger around. After that, they never left her sight. In order to feed Tiger, we had to put her and her food between the door and screen door. Otherwise, the roosters would eat the cat food faster than she could.
Shortly thereafter, Tiger sent the neighboring farm dogs running home with their tails between their legs. That is when the entire chicken coop became her domain. She would enter the chicken coop each morning when I feed. The hens would circle around her and she would observe every one of them, even the chicks, as if she was the Queen of the Coop! Never once did I see her hiss or harm any of the birds.
It became a daily event to see my mom walking to the mailbox with Tiger and two roosters in tow. Now, we did have a miniature donkey for protection but he just did not seem to be the threat that Tiger was. Even though the turkeys were much larger than she was and they tended to stay with Pepper, our donkey, Tiger would come to their aid also.
Tiger tolerated our dog. They seemed to have a mutual respect for one another and kept their distance from each other. Of course, our dog could care less about the roosters or other animals. I am sure in his mind he was King of the Farm and those other animals just were not allowed to venture into his areas.
I have always had roosters with my hens for protection. But when I started loosing hens to predators, I knew I needed help. I felt Pepper, our miniature donkey, would be the answer. While he got along with most of the animals, he tended to let them loose instead of watching over them. I guess he felt freedom was more important than safety.
Tiger served as our guard animal for four years and the day she died was a sad day for our entire family. We have never had another cat like her nor do we think we ever will. Some animals just know their place within a family and she will always be remembered as a special part of ours.
Charlene Hamm is the owner of Nature2crafts Inc. an online retail business featuring rooster home decor and country home decor at http://www.allaboutroosters.com
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
How To Have A Happy Cat
Author: Ken Charnely
Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If so, this article will be right up your alley! A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.
Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:
1. Take care of your cat's health.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.
Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.
If you see them 'shedding' excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.
Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.
2. Groom your cat properly.
Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.
In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.
Brush your cat's fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.
There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.
Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.
Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.
Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.
This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.
Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.
When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Prepare the following before bathing:
-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb
Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat's body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.
After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.
This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.
Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.
Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.
Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and nails.
3. Feed them on time.
Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.
Your feline friends can learn how to "stick" to a schedule with your guidance and training.
Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.
Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.
If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.
If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.
4. Shower them with love and attention.
By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention. In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner. When we learn, we continue on a path of growth. Therefore, learning about this subject has already helped you more than you know.
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/.
Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If so, this article will be right up your alley! A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.
Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:
1. Take care of your cat's health.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.
Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.
If you see them 'shedding' excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.
Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.
2. Groom your cat properly.
Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.
In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.
Brush your cat's fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.
There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.
Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.
Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.
Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.
This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.
Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.
When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Prepare the following before bathing:
-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb
Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat's body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.
After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.
This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.
Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.
Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.
Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and nails.
3. Feed them on time.
Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.
Your feline friends can learn how to "stick" to a schedule with your guidance and training.
Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.
Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.
If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.
If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.
4. Shower them with love and attention.
By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention. In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner. When we learn, we continue on a path of growth. Therefore, learning about this subject has already helped you more than you know.
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/.
Perfect Cat Box For Your Cat
Author: Ken Charnely
By the end of this article, you should have gained enough new knowledge on this subject to feel like a pro. Household pet cats definitely need litter boxes in which they do their business. Just like people, these feline friends can get finicky over this matter, so it is very important that they make sure the litter box they have for their pet cat suits the cats preferences; after all, it is the cat that is going to use it. But the owner should also consider his own convenience regarding this matter; he should consider his budget for the cat box as well as the ease of cleaning it.
Choosing the perfect cat box can be beneficial to both your cats health as well as the owners. The important thing is that the cat box must be appealing to the cat and comfortable for use. Rest assured, the cat's satisfaction also guarantees success.
In finding the perfect cat box, here are some things that must be considered:
Size and Depth:
This maybe determined by the number of cats there are in the home. However, it is ideal if the number of cats in the home determines the number of cat boxes available rather than the size. For kittens, shallow cat boxes, no more than three inches deep are advisable. For adult cats on the other hand, those about six inches high are desirable. The prescribed area of the litter box is at least 24 inches in length or width.
Material of the Box:
Heavy and durable plastic is the most advisable material for a cat box and is also the most inexpensive variety in stores. Plus with their simplicity in style, cleaning can prove to be a breeze.
Ease of Cleaning:
Basic flat boxes are easy to clean because of their simple design. There is no need to remove any lids or covers to scoop or clean. However, some cats frequently kick litter out of the box so if you choose this option, you had better have a whisk broom and a dust pan always at hand.
Covered boxes usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the box since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside. Covered boxes also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation.
There are also those self-cleaning cat boxes available in the market. The self-cleaning feature of these boxes keep the cat box neat and tidy, but they also require some cleaning from the owner. Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and feces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.
Style and Features:
There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter boxes. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat.. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter boxes:
-Basic flat box. This is the simple rectangular pan which is commonly made of plastic. They come in different depths, sizes and colors. This design is preferred by most cats. An innovation to this design whose is to hold the cat box liners in place by securing them under the rim.
-Covered cat boxes or hooded litter boxes. These cat litter boxes look like the traditional open-type rectangular pans except for the addition of the hood which partly covers the box. An opening is situated at one end of the box which serves as the entrance and exit way for the cat. The hood is also positioned high enough so that the cat can stand and do its job with ease and comfort. While they provide "privacy" for the pet, they tend to get very smelly because of poor ventilation inside. Manufacturers of this type of cat boxes have offered a solution to this problem. Some variants of the hooded type have vents on top plus a filter which aids in trapping odors. For this type of cat box, it is recommended that you choose one that is large enough to accommodate the pet, has a hood which can be easily maneuvered for easy cleaning, and large vents.
-Designer boxes. Also known as "hidden boxes", this type of litter box disguises itself as a furniture piece or even a plant. A designer litter box not only serves to be the cat's convenient toilet but it can also function as an accent for the room in which it is located. Although the containers are commonly not large enough, there are designs which are big and more open. These are the ones which are more ideal for use. Try to find one which provides good ventilation.
-Sifting Boxes. A few other variants of this type are available in the market but the basic model consists of two rectangular pans and a tray which acts as a sifter.
-Self-cleaning box. These electrical-powered high-end litter boxes work with a sensor which activates the self-cleaning machinery a few minutes after the cat has left the box. The cleaning machinery contains a rake which works its way along the litter to scoop out cat pee and poop into a waste receptacle. There is still the need to occasionally clean the unit, especially the cleaning mechanism itself.
Cost:
The basic flat box is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning box is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year. This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.
Appealing to the Cat:
Cats generally do fine with the open box type. Covered boxes offer the "privacy" which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. Owners of designer boxes may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated. However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter boxes, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious. However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again.
Finding the perfect cat litter box may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner. If the owner tries out a box which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect box for your cat. Providing the cat its preferred litter box can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well! We hope that you finished reading this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job.
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/.
By the end of this article, you should have gained enough new knowledge on this subject to feel like a pro. Household pet cats definitely need litter boxes in which they do their business. Just like people, these feline friends can get finicky over this matter, so it is very important that they make sure the litter box they have for their pet cat suits the cats preferences; after all, it is the cat that is going to use it. But the owner should also consider his own convenience regarding this matter; he should consider his budget for the cat box as well as the ease of cleaning it.
Choosing the perfect cat box can be beneficial to both your cats health as well as the owners. The important thing is that the cat box must be appealing to the cat and comfortable for use. Rest assured, the cat's satisfaction also guarantees success.
In finding the perfect cat box, here are some things that must be considered:
Size and Depth:
This maybe determined by the number of cats there are in the home. However, it is ideal if the number of cats in the home determines the number of cat boxes available rather than the size. For kittens, shallow cat boxes, no more than three inches deep are advisable. For adult cats on the other hand, those about six inches high are desirable. The prescribed area of the litter box is at least 24 inches in length or width.
Material of the Box:
Heavy and durable plastic is the most advisable material for a cat box and is also the most inexpensive variety in stores. Plus with their simplicity in style, cleaning can prove to be a breeze.
Ease of Cleaning:
Basic flat boxes are easy to clean because of their simple design. There is no need to remove any lids or covers to scoop or clean. However, some cats frequently kick litter out of the box so if you choose this option, you had better have a whisk broom and a dust pan always at hand.
Covered boxes usually minimize the trouble of having cat litter and waste scattered outside the box since they have hoods which keep all the litter inside. Covered boxes also tend to become stinky due to poor ventilation.
There are also those self-cleaning cat boxes available in the market. The self-cleaning feature of these boxes keep the cat box neat and tidy, but they also require some cleaning from the owner. Every few days the receptacle must be emptied of urine and feces and sometimes the rake does not get every bit of cat waste so there may be an occasional need for scooping them out.
Style and Features:
There is a wide variety of designs, styles and features for cat litter boxes. The owner may have to choose which one will be most convenient for him and his cat.. Below are listed some basic designs for cat litter boxes:
-Basic flat box. This is the simple rectangular pan which is commonly made of plastic. They come in different depths, sizes and colors. This design is preferred by most cats. An innovation to this design whose is to hold the cat box liners in place by securing them under the rim.
-Covered cat boxes or hooded litter boxes. These cat litter boxes look like the traditional open-type rectangular pans except for the addition of the hood which partly covers the box. An opening is situated at one end of the box which serves as the entrance and exit way for the cat. The hood is also positioned high enough so that the cat can stand and do its job with ease and comfort. While they provide "privacy" for the pet, they tend to get very smelly because of poor ventilation inside. Manufacturers of this type of cat boxes have offered a solution to this problem. Some variants of the hooded type have vents on top plus a filter which aids in trapping odors. For this type of cat box, it is recommended that you choose one that is large enough to accommodate the pet, has a hood which can be easily maneuvered for easy cleaning, and large vents.
-Designer boxes. Also known as "hidden boxes", this type of litter box disguises itself as a furniture piece or even a plant. A designer litter box not only serves to be the cat's convenient toilet but it can also function as an accent for the room in which it is located. Although the containers are commonly not large enough, there are designs which are big and more open. These are the ones which are more ideal for use. Try to find one which provides good ventilation.
-Sifting Boxes. A few other variants of this type are available in the market but the basic model consists of two rectangular pans and a tray which acts as a sifter.
-Self-cleaning box. These electrical-powered high-end litter boxes work with a sensor which activates the self-cleaning machinery a few minutes after the cat has left the box. The cleaning machinery contains a rake which works its way along the litter to scoop out cat pee and poop into a waste receptacle. There is still the need to occasionally clean the unit, especially the cleaning mechanism itself.
Cost:
The basic flat box is the most affordable of all the designs mentioned. The self-cleaning box is obviously the most expensive and their guarantee commonly lasts for only one year. This can be a risk which the owner must consider before actually buying a unit.
Appealing to the Cat:
Cats generally do fine with the open box type. Covered boxes offer the "privacy" which some cats like but some cats feel trapped inside them. Owners of designer boxes may find it attractive to put them in places where they will be most appreciated. However, they must be sensitive to the fact that cats most often opt to do their business in a place which is quiet and safe. As for the automated self-cleaning cat litter boxes, some finicky cats may find them comfy since they are clean and spacious. However, they may get psyched out by the mechanical action if they chance to see it actually happen. They might be afraid of using the unit again.
Finding the perfect cat litter box may be a hard task and may require experimentation on the part of the owner. If the owner tries out a box which his pet really does not like, he should not insist on the cat using it. Though this experimentation may become tedious, it can be necessary to find the perfect box for your cat. Providing the cat its preferred litter box can bring good health and satisfaction to both owner and pet, and the carpet as well! We hope that you finished reading this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job.
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/.