By: Jeff Mcclure
To be able to have a good experience with any pet there are a few things to consider before bringing them home. The first thing is the lifestyle of both you and the cat. It is important for the cat to be happy as well as you. Can you afford a cat? Your cat can not go without food or cat litter even for just one day. It’s important to think about the real costs of pet ownership. When you decide a cat is the right pet for you the next questions are what breed of cat and where to get your new pet.
A pet needs care on a daily basis. You can not leave your cat alone for the weekend because it has to be fed, let out and played with. You need to examine your lifestyle and decide if a cat will fit in and be happy. An unhappy cat will make you unhappy by looking for your attention doing things like clawing and peeing on furniture. The cats needs are as important as yours.
Can you afford a cat? There are costs involved in pet ownership that you may have not thought about. Such as vet bills and medicine if the cat gets hurt or falls ill. Going to a Vet can cost as much as a you seeing a Doctor and any medicine the cat may need may be expensive as well. You should make a list of the things a cat needs every month like food and cat litter then find out what it will all cost and if you can afford it.
Buying a cat of a specific breed from a reputable breeder can help to assure that you get a healthy animal. You should research both the breed and the breeder thoroughly. Some breeds require more care than others, for example long haired cats need to be brushed more. Also the cost varies greatly between both different breeds and also between different breeders. Another good option is getting your cat from a pet shelter. They have many cats that need a good home at a low cost if any.
Cats have a lot of personality and are a good choice for a pet. If you think through what you want from a pet and what the pet needs both you and your cat will be happy in the end. Pick a cat that will suit your lifestyle and budget. Most important always take good care of your pet.
Author's Resource:
Jeff Mcclure is a featured author at JimsPets.com and you can read more of his cat articles at JimsPets.com.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Nine Behavioral Causes Of A Cat Litter Box Problem
By: Kurt Schmitt
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A cat litter box problem stems from one of two kinds of causes. The first is physical, which I've discussed in another article, and the second is behavioral. Today, we're going to look at some of the behavioral causes.
Since your cat can't talk, it is often necessary to use a diagnosis of exclusion in these cases. Rule out each issue one by one until you're left with the only answer.
In this case, it is always best to use caution and assume that your cat has a physical problem, unless your vet says otherwise. So, the first step is to have a consultation with your vet.
Next, after your vet has ruled out a physical problem, you have to assume that your litter box problems are behavioral. Let's think like a cat for a minute and try to understand some of the behavioral reasons for not using the litter box.
1. Dirty Cat Box - some cats prefer the box to be extremely clean, and others are willing to allow it to be somewhat less so. No matter what, you should clean your litter box at least once per day. You should also change your litter out completely at least every few weeks. Whenever you change the litter, wash the litter box thoroughly. Be sure to wash the lid too if you have a hooded box.
2. Box Odor - some cats will refuse to use a litter box if it doesn't smell right. Remember, that means smell right to the cat, not to you. You might be thinking that your clean box smells just fine. This is not always the case.
You need to clean the box to your cat's satisfaction. Scented cleaners, not rinsing well enough, or not cleaning thoroughly are all reasons why yoru cat won't be pleased. It's recommended that you use a solution of one part bleach to 30 parts water for sanitizing. When you're finished, the box should be clean and dry and not smell like cat waste, soap, or bleach.
3. Litter Box Odor - some cats simply prefer the odor of one brand or type of litter over another. Even unscented litters have an odor your cat can detect and may not like. Be prepared to try different types and brands until you find the right one for your cat.
4. Litter Type - your cat may be turned off by the type of cat litter you use. Also, try not to switch litters too quickly. When changing litters, try adding 20 percent new litter to 80 percent old, and then increasing the amount of new litter over several days until you're at 100 percent.
5. Wrong Litter Box Type - the type of box, including the shape and size may matter. Some cats may like a hooded box, while others prefer the open type. Things like higher or lower walls, or a larger box may be preferred. If you've recently changed litter boxes, this could be your problem.
6. Number of Boxes - in multi-cat households, territory is at a premium. Use the one plus one rule when selecting how many boxes you'll need in order to prevent traffic jams. That means one box for each cat, plus one extra so that there is always a free box available. Having more boxes also keeps each box a little cleaner, which makes the scooping chore a bit easier on you.
7. Bad Location - this can be an issue since in some cases, you just can't find a good spot for the box. I've seen them in busy and noisy areas like laundry rooms and kitchens. If your cat is not pleased with the location of the box, she may stop using it. Always try to keep the box in an area that is low traffic and low noise.
8. Territorial Disputes - multi-cat households pose unique problems, and cats sometimes fight over territory, even when they normally get along. Some cats like to sneak up on others when they're using the box and pounce. If one of your cats keeps getting attacked every time she's in the box, she may grow to hate it. Keep to the one plus one rule to help avoid this situation.
9. Stress - if your cat is stressed by a recent move, a new addition to the household, or perhaps simply a behavior shift on the part of a family member, this may be at the root of the box issue. Try to think about what might have changed recently in your cat's life, and then try to ease whatever stress she's under.
Cat litter box problems can usually be solved, and the solution doesn't mean getting rid of the cat. Knowing which solution to use means knowing the cause. Use your veterinarian to rule out physical causes first, then work on the behavioral possibilities. A little learning on your part so that you can think like a cat may be in order, but if you keep at it, you'll come up with the solution.
Author's Resource:
About the author: Kurt Schmitt is an experienced cat owner and offers advice on cat litter box problems and other cat care subjects at Cat Lovers Only.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Your Ad Here
African Grey Parrot
A cat litter box problem stems from one of two kinds of causes. The first is physical, which I've discussed in another article, and the second is behavioral. Today, we're going to look at some of the behavioral causes.
Since your cat can't talk, it is often necessary to use a diagnosis of exclusion in these cases. Rule out each issue one by one until you're left with the only answer.
In this case, it is always best to use caution and assume that your cat has a physical problem, unless your vet says otherwise. So, the first step is to have a consultation with your vet.
Next, after your vet has ruled out a physical problem, you have to assume that your litter box problems are behavioral. Let's think like a cat for a minute and try to understand some of the behavioral reasons for not using the litter box.
1. Dirty Cat Box - some cats prefer the box to be extremely clean, and others are willing to allow it to be somewhat less so. No matter what, you should clean your litter box at least once per day. You should also change your litter out completely at least every few weeks. Whenever you change the litter, wash the litter box thoroughly. Be sure to wash the lid too if you have a hooded box.
2. Box Odor - some cats will refuse to use a litter box if it doesn't smell right. Remember, that means smell right to the cat, not to you. You might be thinking that your clean box smells just fine. This is not always the case.
You need to clean the box to your cat's satisfaction. Scented cleaners, not rinsing well enough, or not cleaning thoroughly are all reasons why yoru cat won't be pleased. It's recommended that you use a solution of one part bleach to 30 parts water for sanitizing. When you're finished, the box should be clean and dry and not smell like cat waste, soap, or bleach.
3. Litter Box Odor - some cats simply prefer the odor of one brand or type of litter over another. Even unscented litters have an odor your cat can detect and may not like. Be prepared to try different types and brands until you find the right one for your cat.
4. Litter Type - your cat may be turned off by the type of cat litter you use. Also, try not to switch litters too quickly. When changing litters, try adding 20 percent new litter to 80 percent old, and then increasing the amount of new litter over several days until you're at 100 percent.
5. Wrong Litter Box Type - the type of box, including the shape and size may matter. Some cats may like a hooded box, while others prefer the open type. Things like higher or lower walls, or a larger box may be preferred. If you've recently changed litter boxes, this could be your problem.
6. Number of Boxes - in multi-cat households, territory is at a premium. Use the one plus one rule when selecting how many boxes you'll need in order to prevent traffic jams. That means one box for each cat, plus one extra so that there is always a free box available. Having more boxes also keeps each box a little cleaner, which makes the scooping chore a bit easier on you.
7. Bad Location - this can be an issue since in some cases, you just can't find a good spot for the box. I've seen them in busy and noisy areas like laundry rooms and kitchens. If your cat is not pleased with the location of the box, she may stop using it. Always try to keep the box in an area that is low traffic and low noise.
8. Territorial Disputes - multi-cat households pose unique problems, and cats sometimes fight over territory, even when they normally get along. Some cats like to sneak up on others when they're using the box and pounce. If one of your cats keeps getting attacked every time she's in the box, she may grow to hate it. Keep to the one plus one rule to help avoid this situation.
9. Stress - if your cat is stressed by a recent move, a new addition to the household, or perhaps simply a behavior shift on the part of a family member, this may be at the root of the box issue. Try to think about what might have changed recently in your cat's life, and then try to ease whatever stress she's under.
Cat litter box problems can usually be solved, and the solution doesn't mean getting rid of the cat. Knowing which solution to use means knowing the cause. Use your veterinarian to rule out physical causes first, then work on the behavioral possibilities. A little learning on your part so that you can think like a cat may be in order, but if you keep at it, you'll come up with the solution.
Author's Resource:
About the author: Kurt Schmitt is an experienced cat owner and offers advice on cat litter box problems and other cat care subjects at Cat Lovers Only.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
Cat Facts : Social Behavior And Interaction
By: Kurt Schmitt
The following cat facts on social behavior and interaction should help you better understand your pet. Cat behavior is largely misunderstood, even by experienced cat owners. I hope you find this helpful.
Cats are well known and loved for their independence and self-absorbed nature. When they do pay us some attention, we usually feel quite special. A cat that rolls over on its back and asks for a belly scratch should be rewarded with affection.
If you often wonder what your cat is thinking, you're not alone. Cats are mysterious creatures and we're often not sure why they behave the way they do.
As a good pet owner, though, one of your responsibilities is to learn how to better care for your cat. Here are some unique cat facts that may help you better understand your feline friend.
1. Leave me alone. Unlike dogs, domestic cats do not form packs. When forced to live closer to other cats than they normally would in the wild, cats will often time share their territory when possible.
2. A kitten's tendency to be friendly and sociable comes from two sources; genetically, primarily from the father's genes, and behaviorally, primarily from learning to be sociable from their mother.
3. When a kitten is between two and seven weeks old is the most important time to instill proper socialization.
4. When a cat experiences a trauma, it can go through a second socialization process during recovery. This can result in the cat becoming friendlier than before the trauma. Unfortunately, it can go the other way and make the cat more aloof as well.
5. Descending from solitary creatures that stake out a territory and hunt alone, domestic cats have a limited set of body language skills.
6. Cats make up for limited body language in social settings in a number of ways. One of those ways is to scent everything; another is to be stealthy and fast!
7. Your cats will leave their scent in strategic places all over their territory. They'll also leave their scent on you and other animals in the house. This creates a communal scent, and provides your cats with comfort knowing that these animals are part of the same social group.
8. When you scratch your cat's back, you'll notice that she will raise her back end up so as to better scent your hand. She'll also very often stiffen her tail while keeping it bent.
9. A tail held vertically is a greeting, and an indication of happiness. If you had a tail, your cat would probably appreciate it since he'd better understand your mood.
10. When the front paws are curled up and tucked in, and the back legs are outstretched to the side, your cat is relaxed and secure.
Did you find these cat facts interesting? I hope at least some of them surprise you a bit. If you take a minute to read between the lines, most of them will allow you to better understand how your cat communicates.
Author's Resource:
Author Kurt Schmitt, an experienced cat owner, writes more about cat facts at the web site for cat lovers.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.
The following cat facts on social behavior and interaction should help you better understand your pet. Cat behavior is largely misunderstood, even by experienced cat owners. I hope you find this helpful.
Cats are well known and loved for their independence and self-absorbed nature. When they do pay us some attention, we usually feel quite special. A cat that rolls over on its back and asks for a belly scratch should be rewarded with affection.
If you often wonder what your cat is thinking, you're not alone. Cats are mysterious creatures and we're often not sure why they behave the way they do.
As a good pet owner, though, one of your responsibilities is to learn how to better care for your cat. Here are some unique cat facts that may help you better understand your feline friend.
1. Leave me alone. Unlike dogs, domestic cats do not form packs. When forced to live closer to other cats than they normally would in the wild, cats will often time share their territory when possible.
2. A kitten's tendency to be friendly and sociable comes from two sources; genetically, primarily from the father's genes, and behaviorally, primarily from learning to be sociable from their mother.
3. When a kitten is between two and seven weeks old is the most important time to instill proper socialization.
4. When a cat experiences a trauma, it can go through a second socialization process during recovery. This can result in the cat becoming friendlier than before the trauma. Unfortunately, it can go the other way and make the cat more aloof as well.
5. Descending from solitary creatures that stake out a territory and hunt alone, domestic cats have a limited set of body language skills.
6. Cats make up for limited body language in social settings in a number of ways. One of those ways is to scent everything; another is to be stealthy and fast!
7. Your cats will leave their scent in strategic places all over their territory. They'll also leave their scent on you and other animals in the house. This creates a communal scent, and provides your cats with comfort knowing that these animals are part of the same social group.
8. When you scratch your cat's back, you'll notice that she will raise her back end up so as to better scent your hand. She'll also very often stiffen her tail while keeping it bent.
9. A tail held vertically is a greeting, and an indication of happiness. If you had a tail, your cat would probably appreciate it since he'd better understand your mood.
10. When the front paws are curled up and tucked in, and the back legs are outstretched to the side, your cat is relaxed and secure.
Did you find these cat facts interesting? I hope at least some of them surprise you a bit. If you take a minute to read between the lines, most of them will allow you to better understand how your cat communicates.
Author's Resource:
Author Kurt Schmitt, an experienced cat owner, writes more about cat facts at the web site for cat lovers.
Visit Animal Pets & Friends for more pet and animal articles.