16. 05.
Moses Wright asked:
ats are renowned for their distinct coloring and blue eyes. Its refined coloring and poise appealed to many, and it was at its height of popularity in the 1950s. It is still a well-loved breed today, however, less attention is paid to it today compared to its heyday.
Almost everyone knows what a Siamese looks like as they are renowned. This is partially due to their popularity in the mystery film genre. People think that it is their inquisitive personality that makes them a complement to the role of a detective’s sidekick.
Appearance - The distinctive characteristics of a Siamese cat are its long rectangular shaped body, a wedge shaped head, large ears, long and elegantly thin legs, a long graceful tail and brilliant blue, almond shaped eyes. The Siamese breed is a shorthaired cat and is available in several different colors and patterns such as Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point, or Lilac Point. Should there be different coloring, it is actually seen as a totally distinct breed; the Colorpoint Shorthair Breed.
Behavior and Characteristics - The Siamese is an affectionate cat who loves to have fun and expect the owners to be around most of the time. Siamese who tend to get into trouble are usually cats who are left too much to their own devices and have nothing interesting to do or they can be thinking of running away.
But if you are busy with your career yet still want a Siamese, an solution could be to have another kitten as well. This allows your Siamese not to be so lonely as well as having a partner in crime. But don’t worry; they will both be ready and waiting to greet their owners at the door when they return home.
The Siamese is a very loyal cat to the family and is even willing to try and aid you in household chores or keep you company or even rest by your side as you unwind from a hectic day. Siamese cats are very outgoing and will meet and greet anyone who comes to the door. The older generation seem to have a fondness for the elegant and affectionate Siamese breed. A highly intelligent breed, the Siamese can be taught many tricks such as fetch and coming when their name is called.
But bear in mind that Siamese can be slightly melancholy at times and decide not to obey commands at times. In keeping with their playful nature, the Siamese breed are also known for making up their own games. Games that they adore consist of hide-and-seek as well as antics such as sudden, playful pounces on unwary family members.
If you love cats that are generous with their love and loyalty is a characteristic that you are looking out for, then the Siamese cat may be what you are looking for.
9. 05.
Jay Schindler asked:
Cats in general are loveable creatures. However, it is possible that some of them get on the bad side of the household. Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.
Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away. Repel them.
At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most ‘humane’ way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.
Cat Powder Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.
One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.
Sound Repellent This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.
Cat Scatmats Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.
Water Sprayer The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to fright the cats.
Liquid Repellent It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.
Air Repellent Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.
Odor neutralizer Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.
With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache.
6. 05.
Michael D. Rosenthal asked:
It’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old.
Cats are now living longer than ever before with the average age of a house cat that has been well cared for being around 15 years of age. Additionally, cats that have been neutered or spayed tend to live longer than those that have not been. The speculation here is that cats that have not been “fixed” tend to roam around a lot more and are there prone to even fatal injuries. It also holds true that they succumb to diseases and health maladies because of exposure to the outside environment.
Felines are amazing pieces of machinery, so to speak, in that they have the capability of repairing themselves. For instance, despite the fact that they have two kidneys, they only need a part of one of them in order to stay healthy. Eventually, the aging process in cats takes its toll on them, just like it does with us, and therefore they experience those bodily changes that are characteristically associated with getting older.
The bottom line here is that the key elements of exercise, health care, and proper nutrition, combined with the special care they need once they have entered their “golden years,” will affect your cat’s life expectancy positively. The following list, though quite lengthy, are the more common conditions and problems that older cats may eventually face and that you as an owner will have to deal with when they arise:
Anemia
Arthritis and stiff joints
Blood pressure problems
Bone brittleness and weakness
Breathing issues resulting from less flexibility of the lung muscles
Cancer
Decreased brain cell count
Decreased control of body temperature
Decreased functions of the kidneys and liver
Decreased intestinal and stomach functions which oftentimes lead to impaired digestive processes
Decreased production of saliva and difficulties in swallowing
Decreased sensitivity to all the senses excluding touch
Dehydration resulting from a decreased sensitivity to thirst
Greater occurrence of infection due to increased susceptibility
Increased bone brittleness
Mouth ulcers
Muscle dysfunction and weakness
Periodontal conditions and tooth loss
Shallower sleeping patterns which leads to irritability and temperament issues
Skin abnormalities such as abnormally brittle or misshaped claws, alopecia, and dullness of the coat
From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle.
24. 04.
Alison Grimston asked:
Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com
Introduction: Urinary problems are becoming commoner in cats. Lower urinary tract (LURT) problems are diet-related, while kidney failure increases with maturity and so is commoner in older cats.
Symptoms of urinary problems may include more frequent visits to the cat litter tray, weight loss, loss of appetite, and drinking excessively, and blood in the urine is common.
Stress and Cystitis: Emotion-induced cystitis in cats is related to chronic nerve stimulation, with excessive neurotransmitter release and re-use. Anti-depressants work by inhibiting the re-use of the neurotransmitter 5-HT. Additional methods of reducing stress, such as encouraging relaxation and uninterrupted sleep, and moving the cat litter tray to a calmer area, will also help.
Natural Defences: There are several ways in which the cat’s physiology reduces the chances of LURT infections, making these rare, although commoner in females. There are natural, beneficial bacteria in the urethra, which by their very presence prevent colonisation by disease-causing bacteria. Mucus in the bladder helps stop any pathogens from becoming invasive, although mucus and urate crystals can cause painful urethral obstruction in male cats. Antibodies are released into the urine to help in the defence against pathogens, and urea and urine acidity reduce bacterial multiplication. Prostate secretions in males have antibacterial properties.
Most feline urine infections do not appear to be caused by bacteria, although it is possible that they are viral in nature.
Problems in the Urinary Tract: These include genetic abnormalities, injury, infection, poisoning, poor diet, age-related chronic renal failure, tumours, stress-induced cystitis, and mineral deposits - struvite and calcium oxalate
Conventional Treatments: There is now felt to be no need for a low protein diet in chronic kidney disease. Manage uraemia (excessive urea in the blood, a consequence of renal failure) instead by maintaining nitrogen balance, reducing dietary phosphorus, and feeding a medium-protein diet. Anti-oxidants are important for scavenging free radicals (which damage kidney cell membranes), reducing kidney damage for example from excessive lipid in the blood.
1-2% of the cat population suffers from lower urinary tract disease (LUTD), and these are more likely to be fed exclusively dry cat food. Aim to reduce urine specific gravity to
22. 04.
Kathrynn Kelley asked:
It is said that ‘dogs have owners, cats have staff’. Cats are world-renowned for their independent streak and their propensity for completely ignoring their owners until they need them to do something for them.
‘Any animal can be trained’ is another saying floating around in the animal training world - and this saying is just as true. Contrary to what you may think, you can condition your cat to their crate or cage if you start early and follow some very easy steps.
You should know that the earlier you can start crate training the easier and faster it will be. It is ideal to train them as kittens, however, if your cat is full grown they can still be trained, just be a little more patient. These cats are a little more set in their ways.
First things first. You need to go out and get your cat a crate if you don’t already have one. Pick out one that can be easily taken apart to make for a quick clean up. There are even crates that have different opening.
Some at the top of the crate. Some on the side. If you think your cat will give you trouble taking them back out then get the crate that opens up top. If not choose whichever you would like.
After you get a crate for your cat, you need to make it as comfortable as possible. Get a blanket, or bed that fits nicely into it. This needs to become your cats safety zone. Anytime you see them go in their crate or you put them in their, give them lots of love.Occasionally, even give them a their favorite treat to make them really excited about the crate.
After, a little time your cat will choose to go in here when they are scared, threatened, or need to take a nap. This makes it easy for you to transport them if you need to, or if they make a lot of noise a night, this can even be their bedroom.
Put them in there before you go to sleep and in about a week, they’ll most likely sleep the whole night in it.
20. 04.
Kathrynn Kelley asked:
If you already have a cat and you are looking to bring a new one home, you’ll soon realize that there are many things that you need to think about. When you introduce two cats, no matter how sweet-tempered or shy they are, you might be surprised at how vicious they can be and how bitterly they can react to each other.
If you are looking to make sure that the introductions go smoothly, you’ll find that there are several things that you need to keep in mind.
When you are looking to make sure that your cats get to know each other safely and easily, take it slow and make sure that you have made the proper preparations. Arrange to have a small room set up for your new cat; a small bathroom or bedroom is ideal. When you are looking to make sure that your cats don’t hurt each other, let them spend a few days smelling each other through a door.
This way, your new cat will have an area that will be all his own and your old cats can deal with a new comer without getting too stressed about having them in their own places.
After, a few days have passed in this situation, you can bring out the new cat for short periods of time. If it gets too stressful or dangerous you need to take the new cat back to their safe place.
For the most part, you’ll see that they just want to explore each other, and they’ll work out their issues of dominance without harming each other.
If they are being to aggressive towards each other at this stage, then take the extra precaution and put the new cat in a cat carrier, and let them explore each other that way. The new cat will feel secure, and the other cat will see them as less of a threat. Once they seem comfortable with each other in this situation.
Then, open the door to the cat carrier, and let the new cat come out at their own pace. Don’t rush either one into a situation they are not ready for. Be patient.
Start with the meeting being a few minutes at a time. Then move on to a few hours at a time. When introducing a new cat into your home, you’ll need to be patient. It will take some getting used to on everybody’s part. However, if done properly you’ll have them getting along in no time.
19. 04.
Mikael Rieck asked:
When you think of all the illnesses that you need to protect your cat against, one of the last ones that comes to mind is dental problems. Believe it or not dental problems can make life unbearable for your cat. A cat with sore cavity ridden teeth will find it to painful to eat; the change in their diet due to their dental problems can wreak havoc on their other systems. Along with the painful eating, dental problems left uncared for can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease.
Your cat can not get take care of her teeth all by herself; it is your responsibility to see that your cat gets the proper preventive care that they need. What are the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do before you go to bed at night?
More than likely you answered brush your teeth. If it is something that you do for your personal health then your cat needs it too. You should begin brushing your kitten’s teeth right away. You can buy feline toothpaste. Ingredients in human toothpaste can be harmful for your kitten so it is very important never to use your toothpaste on your kitten.
Remember that this is a new experience for you and your kitten both. Get the kitten use to brushing her teeth with your finger first (never try to force a feline toothbrush into their mouth at first you may break some teeth. It is important that you brush your kitten’s teeth at least three times a week.
If you have an older cat that has never been introduced to the tooth brushing process there is a good chance that they will not take to it if you try to start it now. Tooth brushing is just like any other trick, you will have far more success they earlier that you get started. If you don’t see any problems with your adult cat’s teeth, call around to your local pet boutiques, a lot of them are starting to offer scraping services. They will clean away any built up tarter on your cat’s teeth.
50 percent of cats over three years of age have some kind of dental problems. In order to make sure that your cats dental problems don’t turn serious or even deadly; take the time to set up and appointment with your vet. Similar technology that human dentist used are now being used by vets.
Vets can now clean your cat’s teeth using a rotary scalar. A scalar cleans the surfaces and just below the gums where most feline cavities occur. After the cleaning that cat’s teeth are polished and seal, these steps help to prevent the onset of any dental diseases. Depending on how serious the problem is your vet may suggest surgery in order to repair any problems.
It is easier to understand the importance of proper dental care if you have ever seen a cat that can not eat solid food. There is nothing more pathetic and sad than having to sit back and watch the cat that you love waste away to nothing because they can’t eat because of all the pain they are feeling. It is never too late to get your cat back on track with their dental health. Do not be afraid or ashamed to take your cat to the vet. That is what they are there for. You want your cat to be a part of your family for many years to come, do not over look the small health risks that can shorten your cat’s lifespan.
17. 04.
Alison Grimston asked:
Introduction- Diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes is a chronic endocrine (hormone) illness characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which in cats may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.
Pathology - Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans, stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body’s glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).
Symptoms:
* Weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes)
* Thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia)
* Increased urination (polyuria)
* Increased appetite
* Increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
* Blindness
* Weakness
* Depression
Causes:
* Obesity
* Chronic Pancreatitis
* Stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin)
* Genetic predisposition - it affects cats of all ages, sexes and breeds, but is commoner in older, castrated male cats, especially Burmese cats Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.
Effects of Diabetes - There is an increased incidence of:
* Cataracts
* Premature death
* Problems in pregnancy
* Infections, especially bladder
* Pancreatitis
Current Western Treatments
* Insulin
* Diet
* Exercise
* Neutering of diabetic female cats
Insulin - The discovery of insulin in 1921 ( see www.discoveryofinsulin.com) was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition.
Insulin is the most important treatment in many cats, although some cats, once stabilised, can be managed with diet alone. Diet
Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Glucose control is easier to obtain if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates. However, if your cat’s routine is to eat several times per day, your vet is unlikely to change this.
If your cat is overweight, getting his/ her weight down to normal is essential over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.
Exercise - Your cat should be allowed to take exercise as normal. Other considerations
A diabetic cat will take up a lot of your time and finances over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship.
Complementary Therapies - Stress Reduction by whatever means will help with glucose control, and can be helped by:
* Spiritual Healing
* Reiki
* Crystal Healing with crystals such as amethyst
* Massage
* T-touch technique
Herbal remedies
* Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite
* Garlic - for digestive problems
* Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss
* olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control
Bach Flower Remedies tend to be favoured over aromatics by cats. Your choice of remedy will depend on your cat’s personality and current circumstances.
Conclusion - With Diabetes mellitus it is very important that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin (where needed), diet and exercise is pivotal. Other measures can be used to help support your cat’s management.
16. 04.
Kathrynn Kelley asked:
Everybody gets stressed out sometime in their lives. As humans we get multiple options on how to deal with stress.
However, most people don’t know that your house cat also gets stressed out, leading to any number of behavior issues. Here are a few helpful bits of information to understanding the everyday stress your cat can be dealing with.
#1: A New Family Member
Since cats are creatures of habit, it is extremely distressing when a new member of the family comes in your home. Whether they be human, like a new baby, or some other person moving in, or an animal, like a new dog, or cat being adopted into the family it can cause stress to your feline friend.
#2: A Move
Once again, a change in the status quo disrupts your cat’s routine. When you move to a new house or apartment, you move your cat into a completely new environment. For some, this is like a big adventure into a new place, but for some it can be quite scary and stressful.
The best thing you can do here is to bring along all of your cat’s stuff, toys, litter box, bed, etc. and put it in a room in which they can get comfortable before exploring the rest of the house.
#3: Holidays and Parties
Cats like peace and quiet. During big parties or the holidays when you have lots of people over, ringing the doorbell and playing loud music, your cat can get stressed out. In fact, most cat owners know that their cats are nowhere to be found during these occasions. The best thing you can do is provide your cat a place in which they can get away from it all and won’t be bothered.
#4: A Change in Routine
A change in your daily routinesuch as a change in employmentalso changes your cat’s routine. Your cat is used to you being around at certain times and not being there the other times. When you change this, it can stress your cat out. The best thing you can do is to break up your routine even more.
Instead of following your normal routine to get ready for work, jingle your keys a bit beforehand to desensitize your cat to the sound of you getting ready to leave. When you do leave, don’t make a big deal out of it; if you do, this will often cause the cat to get even more stressed with anticipation.
#5: Window Gazing
Being a cat owner you know that cats like to look out the window. However, if a strange cat passes a particular window and your cat can’t get to it, or that strange cat marks their territory around your house, this can stress out and even anger your cat.
This will lead to misplaces aggression. The way to avoid this is to block the cat from looking at that particular window.
Remember, that cats are creatures of habit, and disrupting their day to day lives will cause stress. You as a cat owner should try to minimize these stresses as much as possible.
14. 04.
Janet Nusbaum asked:
a cat to share your life with can be a rewarding experience. This furry family member can often be aloof, but he needs your love and care to thrive. In order to protect the health of your cat, it is important that you become familiar with common feline health problems. By knowing what to watch for in your cat, you will be able to keep him healthy and happy throughout his life.
HEARTWORM
Heartworm is one of the most common and well-known health problems that your cat may encounter. Heartworm is contracted by contact with mosquitoes and can cause very severe reactions in cats. Dogs get heartworm as well but they do not have the same reactions and symptoms as do cats. For obvious reasons, it is more common for an outdoor cat to contract heartworm. There is a possibility of a mosquito getting inside your home, so indoor cats can be at risk as well.
There are several symptoms to be aware of that are consistent with heartworm. These symptoms are coughing, lethargy, weight loss, and vomiting. Prevention is the best way to protect your cat from this deadly disease, which can come from heart worm medications.
FELINE DISTEMPER
Feline distemper is a viral disease that is very contagious. This disease is most common in younger cats and kittens. Feline distemper is passed from cat to cat through direct contact, which makes it more common for cats to contract this disease that are around other cats.
There are many symptoms of feline distemper. These symptoms are very common to many feline health problems. The symptoms that you need to watch out for are loss of appetite, fever, and depression. It is important to take your cat to the vet if you observe any of these symptoms.
When the need to board your cat arises, be sure that the facility you choose requires that all cat boarders are current on the Feline Panleukopenia vaccine.
FELINE LEUKEMIA
Feline Leukemia is one of the most fatal diseases that your cat can contract. The most important thing to do to help your cat with feline leukemia is to through prevention. There are vaccines that your cat can get at the vet to help prevent this disease. Some of the symptoms of feline leukemia are fever, vomiting, and yellow around the nose and mouth.
Keeping your cat healthy is important to you both. By being knowledgeable about the common health problems in cats and their symptoms, you will be able to protect and advocate for your furry loved ones.
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