How To Make Sure Your NEW CAT Will Be At Home In Your Home

Cats, Kitten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Buying a cat is a big decision. Do you have time to look after her? Is your home or apartment suitable for a pussycat? Are there any health issues you need to think about, and are your family members ready for a new addition to the family? Find out from someone who has plenty of experience.

Are you thinking that you would like to purchase a cat?  If so, you may want to take a few minutes to find out if you are in fact good cat owner material.  Finding out that the beautiful pussycat isn’t for you is something that you don’t want to have to do once you bring him home.

Health First

One of the many reasons that people have to find new homes for their pets is because of allergies.  If you haven’t been around cats much, make sure that you take the time to spend a few hours around one.  Also, ensure that none of your close family members or friends have the same problem.

Is your lifestyle right for a pet?  Cats are less in need of constant attention unlike the dog but they still need to be kept from being lonely and bored. If you work long hours, consider getting two cats so that they can keep each other happy. If you have a bored cat, you will have a bad cat.

Does your cat fit within your home?   If you have kids in your home, the litter box will need to be placed in a place the kids can’t get to it but the cats can access it easily. You’ll also need a litter box, food dishes, toys and a scratching post.

What type of cat do you want?  Sure a kitten is nice and fluffy and you can instantly fall in love with it.  But, kittens need to be trained too.  And, a great reason to go with a kitten is the fact that he doesn’t have any bad habits just yet.  But, you will likely need to have them altered and de-clawed as well.  You’ll need to pay for immunizations too.  On the other hand, an older can is a good choice for those who want a cat with less energy and one that is already trained to the litter box.  Older cats have had most of their immunizations (will still require boosters though) and they will likely have been altered already.

Where To Buy Him

If you are not worried about the breed of the cat, then the best place to look in the local humane society or the animal rescue in your area.  Most cats in these organizations are healthy and sweet kittens and cats.  And, since the organizations are overrun with them, you can help to give one a home.  If you are looking for something specific, a cat show is a great place to go.  Many of those there will bring kittens along for sale.  If you can’t find them there, the exhibitors will be able to tell you where you can find them.

Great!  You have your cat, now what?  Don’t be surprised if it takes some time for the cat to settle into its new home.  And, make sure that you do what you can to help it by providing it with all the things it needs.  Put all of his items in the same place every day.

If you follow these simple tips you will find it will help your new cat to make himself at home in your home.

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CATS & DOGS - Soul Mates?

Photo  by jeffreyw 

Soul Mates?

I had heard more than once how Chows are very cat-like in their demeanor and attitudes and since I have had two of them in my life I can confirm this!  Given this similarity, I was still unprepared for my current Chow’s love of cats.  My last dog chased cats like every genetically correct pup should do, so I was amazed at my current pup and her feline fascination.

My pal Keisha was only five months old when she met her first cat.  His name was Pongo and he was also five months old.  We were visiting with family in Omaha Nebraska for Christmas and Keisha was determined to make friends with Pongo.

Pongo would have nothing to do with her!

They tiptoed around each other for three days even coming nose to nose eventually.  Then on Boxing Day, we had just finished our lunch of leftovers…you know turkey sandwiches and such, when we heard a crash in the kitchen. Assuming nothing serious we were slow to react.

When we finally moseyed into the kitchen to get going on the post-lunch cleanup they were caught in the act! There they were…Pongo and Keisha nose to nose eating the turkey that someone (?!?!?) had pushed off of the counter onto the floor.  They had a fine feast together and even after their tag team mischief, Pongo was still reluctant to become fast friends although  I think he was beginning to warm up to the idea after all Keisha had eaten the turkey and not him!

Unfortunately, we had to leave before the relationship was cemented.  We have not seen Pongo since but Keisha responds most enthusiastically to his name still, over three years later.

Keisha is almost four years old now and since meeting Pongo she has tried to make friends with every cat she meets.  They have all wanted absolutely nothing to do with her. And then came MOJO.

Mojo is owned by a neighbor and is an outdoor cat.  He totally suits his name and struts through the “hood” as though he owns it and has complete control over all that goes down in it.  He definitely has his MOJO going on!

At first, Keisha approached him cautiously, and he would bat at her with his paws, but never with claws out.  Slowly but surely they came closer and closer to each other.  There was the dancing around each other period that looked really funny as each would take their turn jumping forward then backward not unlike some ritual.  Then came the purring and then the rolling over and belly sniffing.  After that Mojo began to walk around and under Keisha strategically putting his tail in her face.

She managed to maintain her aloof dignity when he does the tail in the face thing.  All of this has progressed to Mojo coming for walks with us, he comes to visit and waits at the door for Keisha to come out to play.  Keisha will put her paw on his bum to get the game of chase going and if Mojo is in the mood he will start the game by running or he will roll onto his back and swat at Keisha with all four paws.  Mojo is the alpha in the relationship in spite of his 10 lbs to Keisha’s 60!

It is the most wonderful thing to observe and the neighborhood is mesmerized by these two fast friends.

To see them together one wonders why some cats and dogs get along and others want to destroy each other. Is it perhaps a past life spent together? Early influences like Pongo? Maybe Keisha was a cat in her last life and thus the affinity for cats and cat-like behavior? Or are they just all very different souls with very different personalities and perspectives?  Who knows for sure?  All I know is that my heart always warms when I see them together and am awed by this amazing friendship that truly looks like soul mates in action.

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An In Depth Look At SIAMESE CATS

A Siamese Cat displaying the typical blue, cross-eyed eyes typical of the breed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The exotic and somewhat mysterious Siamese cat hails from the country of Thailand.  They had always been a popular breed of cats, some even residing in royal palaces.  Siamese cats, in the past, were trusted to protect royal palaces and monasteries from evil spirits.  These cats were also thought of as bringing good fortune to their owners as well.

During the year of 1884, the very first Siamese cats began to make their way to England, when they were given as gifts to a British general.  After that, they eventually made their way over to America.  Nowadays, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized of the breed.  Siamese cats are without a doubt the most popular short haired cat and among the top 3 in the entire breed of cats.

Even though there are several different colors to this breed, some questions what makes a cat a true Siamese cat.  These cats have always been known for their bodies which are lighter in color, with darker areas throughout.  The darker areas found on their bodies are normally around the feet, tail, legs, or face.  They can weight anywhere between 6 - 16 lbs, with bright eyes that are normally slanted - which is another clue that the cat is a true Siamese.

Traditionally, Siamese cats are robust, with round heads and a truly muscular build.  They are well known throughout the world for their color points and unique personalities.  Unlike other breeds, Siamese breeds have a talent for communicating with people.  If you are looking for a cat that is nice and quiet, you wouldn’t want a Siamese cat.  These cats love to play, love to make noise, and they also happen to be the most social breed of cats out there.

Siamese cats demand a lot of attention because, in their minds, they believe that the world revolves around them.  For this very reason, they can tend to be quite a dependant on their owners.  They love to play and crave interaction.  If you leave them alone for too long, they won’t like it.  They like to get attention, love to play, and hate to be left by themselves.

Even though Siamese cats are emotionally high maintenance, they don’t need a lot of maintenance They need a minimum amount of grooming, which involves bathing every once in a while, and brushing maybe once or twice a month.  If you like cats with minimal maintenance, Siamese cats are perfect.  Their hair is short to their skin, so a gentle brushing is all you need.  They can get sick, however, which is to be expected with any breed of cat.

Siamese cats have a lifespan that is similar to other breeds, which is normally around 15 - 20 years, sometimes even longer. As long as you feed him on a daily basis and take him to the vet for his regular checkups and shots, he will be around for years and years to come.  Most people who have their Siamese cat for over 10 years, find the cat to be more like a child than a pet.

No matter how you look at it, a Siamese cat is a great pet.  Although the Siamese breed does require a lot of attention, they are excellent pets that you can spend a lot of time with.  They are great for kids as well, simply because kids can spend a lot of time with them.  As long as you give your pet the attention he craves - he will be your lifelong friend for as long as you have him.

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The Definition Of A Crazy CAT Lady

Photo  by Sleeping cat beads 

There are some women who are obsessed with cats for a number of reasons. Some genuinely want to help cats because they are strays and do not have anywhere else to go. Others do it because they are lonely and need company. In both cases, society has coined the term crazy cat lady to describe women who have a large number of cats in a small living space.

There might be one woman who lives in the neighborhood and has been single for a long time. She has never been married and she does not have any children. She has a very special place in her heart for animals of all kinds but is particularly fond of cats. So she decides to have a cat as a pet since she believes in taking care of animals.

This woman is usually single and does not have any responsibilities to others since they live on their own. So they use the opportunity to use the space they have in their home to take care of these cats. The main problem is that their home is usually too small to take care of so many cats.

Every time she sees a stray cat, she takes it home with her. She just could not turn any away or ignore them when she sees them on the street. Her house is small and does not have much room, but she believes quite strongly that she was destined to do this. As a result of her dedication, sixty-five cats do not have to struggle to find food to eat and a place to sleep.

On the other hand, some women might take in many cats because they are lonely and need company. They might have been married at one time and are now widowed, and probably have children that are now adults and have moved out. This can cause a person to seek out a way to satisfy the emptiness that they feel and they might do this by having lots of cats.

Due to her need to take care of others, she ends up taking in lots of cats. These women are usually older and live on a pension, so they are not very wealthy, to begin with. Yet, they might have so many cats over a certain amount of time because taking them it helps them feel better about themselves.

As a result, she took in a cat every chance she got. She had so many cats that the neighbors were worried about the living conditions in the house she lived in. Some of them tried to talk to her, but she saw them as threatening to break up her new family, which in her mind is the only family she had at the time.

There might be many other ways to define a woman who takes in so many animals, but the two definitions discussed above are typical. Both of these women have a similar obsession with cats and having them in their home. Some may see this as crazy, but to the ladies, it is simply what they love to do and they will keep on taking in these animals.

About the Author: Tammie Caldwell Read more about The Definition Of A Crazy Cat Lady.

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JAVANESE CAT

Blue Lynx Point Javanese Cats - Adult and Kitten Females (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Javanese is a long and slender breed amongst longhaired cats. The pretty feline is very much similar to the Balinese breed of cats, except for the former's rich array of versatile colors. A spontaneous mutation of the Siamese, Javanese breed is classified to include all those felines that fall out of the blue, chocolate, lilac and seal colors of the Balinese. Hence the name Javanese is used, based on the island Java, next to Bali.

A lithe but muscular cat, Javanese is an athletic and surprisingly heavy animal. It is one of the long-haired felines though it is its rich tail that displays true plush. Body is light in color with markings occurring in the typical points, in colors ranging from red, cream and lynx to tortie and tabby variations. Head is wedge-shaped with proportionately oriented ears and slightly slanted eyes to accommodate the shape of the skull. Body, overall, is long and sleek.

With their single layered coat, Javanese don't require much grooming. Their hair doesn't shed nor matt easily. They are quite talkative and meow regularly as part of their expressive nature, though this attribute is not universal amongst all members of this breed. Interestingly, it has been suggested that the individual personalities vary with the fur colors.

Intelligent and inquisitive, Javanese are quite playful. They require attention and company and sometimes get overweight if not monitored. Affectionate animals, they attach themselves readily to people and thrive amidst them. Active and busy cats, they are often on the lookout for high places to perch and survey their 'territory'. Javanese are fearless felines and their curiosity often leads them into odd places and narrow crevices. Despite this dynamic nature, they have a warm personality and adjust readily to their owner's routine to provide company and affection to their adoring humans.

By Omer Ashraf The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Javanese cats. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Things To Know About ABUSED CATS

Photo  by Katie Tegtmeyer 

Cats that have been abused can appear severely maimed and damaged all over their exterior.  Some may appear to be in perfect shape on the outside, although all of the damage they sustained may be internal or emotional.  Even though physical damage is bad, the emotional damage is much tougher to fix.  Cats who have physical abuse will still answer to a soft touch and soft voice, as long as they know that the abuse has come to an end.

When you have a cat that has been emotionally abused, you’ll need to wait until the cat comes to you.  You’ll need to use patience, as the cat will be confused and not know if you plan to hurt him or not.  If you take your time and let him know that you are nothing to fear, he will eventually come to you.  When he starts to come to you, you can let him sniff you and pet him.  After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.

Yelling, raising your voice, or using disciplinary tools such as flyswatters or water guns the wrong way can lead to emotional damage.  If you continue to use the wrong means of discipline on an emotionally damaged cat, the cat can become mean or lethargic.  When a cat turns mean, it’s not always a bad thing.  Meaner cats are easier to reach, as they still care a bit about what happens to them – while lethargic cats could really care less.

Cats that have become lethargic won’t play, take treats, or respond to anything you say to them.  With a lethargic cat, the ideal way to get him to respond is to bring in a companion cat.  Over time, a lethargic cat will eventually look for attention, normally a scratch or a pat.  When this happens, you should always use a soft voice and snuggle with him.  Never raise your voice at this point, and make sure you let the cat know that his behavior is a lot better.

You should make slow movements around a lethargic cat, as he is still quite traumatic.  Once he is coming around and letting you touch him again, he is getting back to his normal self.  Keep in mind that it may take some time, which is to be expected with this type of situation.  If your cat starts to get upset again or if you raise your voice, he will hide again.  If you continue to use a soft voice and have patience, your cat will eventually get past this.  If you get a cat that is lethargic, you should prepare yourself for a long and very intensive healing period.

Angry or mean cats, on the other hand, will either fight and scratch with you or simply run away from you.  With mean cats, the best thing to do is use gentle treatment with a soft voice.  You can never try to raise your voice or use strict discipline, as it will only make the cat meaner.  Never attempt to trap the cat either, as trapping it will only make the cat react.  If you take your time and let the cat know that you are there for him, he will eventually calm down.

Abused cats are truly a sad thing, although they are out there.  Abused cats can be a sad thing to see indeed, especially those that were physically abused.  Abused cats need a loving home and a loving owner who will give them the type of lifestyle they deserve.  Always remember that if you are dealing with an abused cat – you should always be as gentle as you possibly can.

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SERVAL CAT

Recently, two Serval cats were delivered to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. The nine month old cats are named Bosco and Amos. The kittens came from the Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Serval cat is considered one of the best hunters in the wild with the ability to catch it prey over 50% of the time.

Serval - Photo by Steve Wilson – over 5 million views Thanks !! 

A Serval cat is a medium sized African wild animal. It is a strong, slender cat with long legs and relatively short tale. It has a small head and oval ears. The fur of the animal is striped on the head and back of the neck and the body is spotted. The coloring is tawny with black stripes and spots. The Serval has traits similar to the cheetah. From a distance, a Serval will resemble a cheetah but up close the Serval is a smaller animal. A Serval cat will weigh from 20 to 50 pounds. It has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Besides it's normal sounds, it can purr like a domestic cat.

The Serval cat lives in savannas and likes to feed on rodents. It will feed on other prey like fish, frogs and insects if it finds them. A Serval is very fast and has excellent jumping ability making it a good hunter. The cat tends to eat quickly causing it to regurgitate it's food. If the prey is small enough , it will swallow it whole. It is also a very intelligent animal enabling to outwit it's prey. Although the Serval does very little, it is a great swimmer. Larger cats like the leopard prey on the Serval.

The cat is normally bred in the wild but can also be bred in captivity. In the wild, the young are raised in sheltered locations for protection from bigger cats. The litter can contain up to five kittens. A kitten can mature to an adult in as little as 190 days.

A Serval cat can be domesticated. The animal is friendly, good-natured and easily tamed. But like any wild animal, the cat may become destructive and dangerous before fully grown. A Serval is very loyal to it's owner and is difficult to transfer to a different owner. The cat popularity's as a pet has increased in the United States. In the United States, a special license is required to have a Serval as a pet. A Serval has been bred with a domestic cat called the Savannah. Most states consider the Savannah as a domestic cat and do not put special conditions on the breed.

The Serval population has been shrinking due to humans encroaching on it's habitat and hunting the animal for it's fur. Since the Serval is a relatively small cat, it takes numerous pelts to make a garment. In many countries, the Serval has become a protected species. The CITES organization has put the Serval on it's watch list.

This article does not endorse or recommend a Serval cat as a pet.

By Frank Loethen Frank Loethen. married, owner of an Internet business for cat products and grandfather of 4. Article Source: EzineArticles

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CATS Are Very Lovable Creatures

“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?”- An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be. 

Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. “A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem.” Cats for many people, are really very lovable - remember ‘Snowbell’ - the cat of “Stuart Little”. 

Lulo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet.  Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.

Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets - cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.

Cat Grooming:

Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions. 

Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Cat Grooming Supplies:

Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat.  Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.

Cat Beds:

A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat - thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets. 

Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.

There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.

Understanding Why CATS Fight

If you have a household with multiple cats, you know that cat fights do happen. Even if you cats generally get along, at times, they can still fight. While humans may not completely understand why their kitties are fighting, cats have their reasons for fighting.  Some of these reasons are similar to the reasons that humans have disputes. Cats express their discontent with other cats by picking fights. The reasons why cats fight can help you determine how to prevent your cats from fighting in the future.

A catfight in the literal sense between two house cats.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fighting for their territory: Many cats fight because of their territory. One of the reasons that cats fight is because they feel like an unwanted cat has invaded their territory, even if it is a cat that has lived with them for a long time.  Cats are much more territorial than dogs and the gender of the cat has very little to do with it.  Contrary to what many people believe, female cats are sometimes just as territorial as their male counterparts are.  If you have two cats in your home, you might notice that one cat hisses and swats at the other whenever he feels his territory has been invaded.  This can also happen if you bring a new cat into the home. They are simply defending their territory. 

Social ranking: Either male cats frequently threaten and fight with each other for social ranking or despite what you may think; even neutered males may do this. If you have multiple cats, especially more than one male cat, one cat is usually considered the “alpha male” and will be at the top of the cat hierarchy. Two cats might posture their bodies, then begin howling and screaming at one another.  If one of the cats walks away or backs down, then the catfight is usually avoided.   However, if neither one wants to throw in the towel and surrender, then one cat will attack the other by jumping forward and attempting to bite the neck.  The other cat will fall on his back and tries to bite or scratch the attacker with its hind legs.  The two cats might go through this several times before walking away.  There are usually no injuries sustained in these kinds of fights. You may even notice that kittens or young cats play with one another this way. Most of the time, you will not need to interfere.

Aggression: Cats also fight as a result of some kind of redirected aggression and this is quite common, especially with indoor cats.  Your cat might be looking outside the window at another cat or dog crossing the yard.  Your cat begins to feel territorial and aggressive at this cat, but since this other cat cannot be reached, he may instead attack the other family cat. Another example is if you are giving your cats treats. One cat may reach the treat first and begin eating. The other one wants a bite, but the cat that is eating may become aggressive over the treat and begin to swipe or yowl and the other cat. 

If you find your cats fighting occasionally, you should know that this is common and quite typical of cats. Most of the time, you will be able to tell whether or not your cats are fighting for “blood” or just playing around. The time to stop a fight is when it gets nasty otherwise; allow your cats to work it out themselves. If you feel the need to stop a catfight, then you should do it carefully. Even the most loving cat can bite or scratch you in aggressive passion. To stop a fight, you should make some kind of loud noise, such as a handclap.  Since cats are startled by loud noises, they will both stop to see what is making the noise.  You can also spray water on them to interfere with the aggressive behavior..

When you find your cats fighting, it is best not to punish the cats for their fight. Cats do not understand punishment and fighting is a natural instinct in cats. The best thing to do is only interfere when necessary. If you find your cats are fighting more than they should, it is time that you find out why. Do they fight over a litter box, a food bowl or a prime window location? Make sure each kitty has his or her own “things” and a place to retreat when they feel overwhelmed by other pets in the house. This will go a long way in preventing real catfights.