The Bengal - A Wild Pet?

Breed history

The first mention of the breed we now know as the Bengal was in 1889, when Harrison Weir mentioned them in his book Our Cats and All About Them. The first confirmed discussion of a hybrid cat was in 1934 when a scientific journal in Belgium discussed the breed, and again in Japan in 1941 when one was discussed being kept as a pet.

Jean Mill (nee Sugden) was one of the most influential people in the development of the Bengal as the breed we know today. She wrote an influential term paper for her genetics class at UC Davis regarding the cross breeding of species of cats in 1946. Greg and Elizabeth Kent were important early breeders who crossed their cats with the ALC and also the Egyptian Maus.

Today, the breed has become very popular with around 60,000 cats registered with TICA, though not all associations accept them. The Cat Fanciers Association is one example of a group that will not accept them because of their hybrid status.

In 2007, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK removed the previous requirement for owners to have a license to own these cats.

Description

The ideal of a Bengal is a cat that resembles the wild Asian Leopard Cat with the trustworthy and pleasant temperament of a domestic cat. These cats are large and very muscular with high hindquarters and a thick tail. Their coat is spotted or marbles and has a gold or pearl dusting effect to their coat that is unique to the Bengal.

The voice of these cats is also different to other domestic cats; they are known for their cooing and chirping noises as well as normal cat vocalizations. They enjoy playing in water and love to jump and somersault.

The F system

Currently there is a system used to designate how many generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat a particular Bengal is. For example, an F4 is four generations removed from the wild cat while F2 is only two generations. Experienced Bengal keeps recommend that F1-3 are not kept as pets but as breeding animals in special housing while F4 onward are perfectly suited as pets.

Living with a Bengal

While every cat is as different as every human is, when it comes to living with a Bengal there are a few points to bear in mind. These cats have a very distinct and strong personality, being intelligent, lively and very interactive cats who demand a full two-way relationship with their owners. They are dynamic and very much involved in the activities around the house, which makes them sound much like the Oriental breeds. Yet breeders are quick to say that this not the case.

Firstly, these cats are shown to be extremely athletic. They climb anything available, love to run around and can jump spectacular heights. They are known to jump onto people's shoulders from a couple of meters away to see what the person is doing. Kittens are often described as a stampede of spotty fluff that are constantly on the go and seem to be everywhere at once.

However, this isn't to say that they never rest. Around 60% of the time, they are the placid and cuddly cat that rolls onto its back for a cuddly or nuzzles your face. They like to snuggle up with their owners and will often sleep next to them at night.

The main problem people encounter with the Bengal can come from one of their most basic characteristics - their energy levels. Because they are so active, bounding around the house and jumping about people often are scratched by accident or even tripped over! This may mean that they are not ideal in a household with small children as the accidents could be more severe. They can be trained and will learn that a hiss or a firm 'stop' or 'no' will teach them not to do something but most of the time, scratches and such are accidents caused by their pure exuberance.

Protecting your Bengal

There are a few basic ideas to keep in mind to protect your Bengal:

• Keep them indoors so they don't get lost or run in front of a car
• Make sure they always have an ID tag on a collar with your phone number on it so that if they do get lost, someone can get in touch with you but don't put the cat's name or your name on the tag
• Consider microchipping for the same reason
• Install netting over windows that need to be open as they are great escape artists
• When travelling, use the correct travelling cage and face them away from strangers
• Teach your Bengal its name and get them to respond to it
• Consider insuring your cat as while generally healthy, it can expensive if anything goes wrong

Conclusion

People sometimes view the Bengal as wild and while it can sometimes act a bit wild, it is a completely domesticated cat. It is however a very energetic and full-on cat that may not be suitable for every household, particularly those with small children. If your home does seem the right place for one of these cats, they make fantastic and devoted members of the family.

For more information on breeds of cats to help you choose the right one for your family, feel free to check out my other articles at http://www.thebestcatlitterbox.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Tempest

Cat Meowing - Understanding Your Cat's Behavior

When you see your cats meowing a lot and the pitch is high, it doesn't mean that it is hungry and it doesn't mean you have to get up and feed it. This will not only ruin your cat's manners but it will also make a cat think that by meowing my human will feed me. This will just make your cat obese and will disrupt its feeding hours.

Cats meowing means a lot of things apart from food demands. Your cat might meow due to a number reasons, for instance, they might have some problem, they might be complaining of some pain, they might need medical attention, they might need to go to their litter boxes, they might be warning you or they might be just wanting to talk to you or to grab your attention.

Let me give you an example here. In February 2011, late after 11pm, I returned home after a one hour visit to my aunt. When I returned, my male blue Persian cat was very hyperactive, he was running here and there and was meowing in a heavy voice. My first thought was maybe he's getting excited to see me after I was away for an hour or maybe he needs food. I went into the kitchen and gave him his food in his bowl and returned to my bedroom and got busy with my computer. The meowing continued and this time my cat kept on pulling my shirt and literally dragged me towards my entrance door. However again I ignored him and took him to his food bowl where I saw that his food was untouched. I, then, reached into my cabinet and grabbed a pouch of his favorite cat food. He even resisted that. After 2 minutes my cat just ran and went under my bed and that was the time I felt strong tremors of an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the recto scale. I grabbed my footwear my cat and ran downstairs. That was the time I got to know that my cat's meowing was actually a warning for me to get out of the house and find a safe place so that I can be saved. However no harm was caused in my city.

After this incident, I figured out that cat's meowing means a lot apart from showing hunger or food demands. If one is sick and tired of useless meowing and is annoyed of this habit, then your cat can be trained well. When your cat is meowing, ignore them. Once they are silent and settled in feed them with a treat. You need to make a schedule of your life in which you can assign a specific time period in which you can play with your cat and spend quality time with it. Ignorance can also lead into excessive meowing. If you notice your cat is meowing and not purring, it means there's some trouble with your cat or there is a warning.

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How to Lessen Hairballs for Your Cat

by Ron_Ayalon

Every cat owner is well familiar with the 'horking' sound that their cat makes every week or two that results in a compact hair sausage being deposited on the floor. Owners generally become fairly blasé after cleaning up a few hairballs, but you should also be aware of how they form, how to prevent them from developing as frequently, and the complications that can arise.

Unlike most dogs who will take a lick of two at their paws and consider that they have groomed enough, cats are grooming dynamos. Even tiny kittens will start grooming at a very early age and this continues throughout the life of the cat.

The tongue of a cat is covered with little hooks which easily pick up dead and loose hairs when the cat licks herself. Cats spend a considerable amount of time during the day cleaning, so the opportunity of collecting hair is great. The hair that is taken up by the tongue is inevitably swallowed and enters the digestive system. The greater portion of the swallowed hair passes harmlessly through the stomach and intestines and is deposited in the litter box. However, some always remains and will develop into a hairball in time.

Other than being disgusting, most hairballs cause no problems at all for your cat. Unfortunately, sometimes a hairball blockage can occur in the stomach or intestines - at times a mega-hairball will form in the stomach that takes up the entire space of the organ. There are clues that will tell you that your friend may be having problems with a hairball:

• You cat may become constipated - normal passage of stool will be prevented by the hairballs.
• Conversely, your cat may have diarrhea as the intestinal irritation from the hairballs causes food to pass too quickly through the system.
• Cats with blockage have no energy and will simply lie around.
• If your cat attempts to vomit (dry heaves), but is unable to bring anything up, the hairball may be too large to expel in the normal way.
• Appetite will fall off dramatically when blockage occurs.
• A large hairball can press against the lungs, causing the cat to wheeze and cough.

At this point, you will have to consult your vet to have him or her resolve the hairball problem. The first step will be palpation of the cat's abdomen, followed by an x-ray. If a large hairball is present anywhere in the gastrointestinal system, surgery must be done to remove it. This can be very expensive so owners should make every effort to prevent hairballs from forming in the first place.

It would be completely unrealistic to suppose that you can prevent your cat from swallowing hair at all, but there are some things that you can do to help keep hairball problems at a minimum.

Brush your cat. Not surprisingly, long haired cats are much more likely to develop problem hairballs than short haired ones. However, a daily brushing of your cat will help remove most of the loose hairs before they do begin to form a ball. Starting this when your cat is young is a good idea not only to help prevent hairballs, but also to provide a nice time for you and your cat to interact together. After the brushing session is complete, run a damp cloth over the fur to pick up any stray hairs. Brushing will be very important if your cat undergoes an annual shedding.

Some cats are more dedicated to grooming than others, and these super-groomers are more likely to develop hairball problems. You can help to keep the cat's tongue in his or her mouth by providing a new toy or two and by playing with the cat - both of you will probably have a great time.

Oral lubricants are available at pet supply stores or through your vet. These help keep matter moving through the digestive tract more quickly and getting the hair out of the system will prevent the formation of hairballs.

Fiber rich cat foods have been found to be valuable at preventing hairballs. As with any new food, however, introduce it slowly to prevent any stomach upsets.

Cats can pick up human hair from the floor when they groom, and this can be a problem especially if the humans in the house have long hair - it will go down right along with the cat hair. Regular vacuuming can help keep these hairs out of your cat's insides.

And lastly, don't let your cat become obese; fat cats are more likely to be constipated, which slows down the normal passage of matter through the intestines and contributing to hairball accretion.

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Pet Health Care 101: Feline Diarrhea Overview

Pet Health Care 101: Feline Diarrhea Overview

by Kris_Mack

Diarrhea is one common problem that many cat owners talk about when it comes to their pet's health. Diarrhea occurs when pets exhibit loose or watery stool. Although the gastrointestinal problem can be solved in less than a week, chronic diarrhea may also be a sign of other underlying health problems.

Diarrhea Types

Diarrhea can be categorized into two types - acute and chronic. Acute diarrhea usually occurs suddenly and would last for two to three weeks. This type occurs when osmosis imbalances exist in the body of the pet or the water content in the pet food is high. Other reasons are - presence of bacteria or toxins in the body, presence of ulcer that causes intestinal exudation and motility disorder. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, occurs when the problem lasts longer and blood or mucus is present in the stool.

Causes

There are plenty of causes that can be attributed to the problem and one of them is the food that pet owners give to their pets. Felines are lactose intolerant, which can cause problems if they happen to eat dairy products. Another is when cats scavenge for food that might already be spoiled. Eating of food that contains toxins or medications may also result in poisoning of the pet and diarrhea may be one effect. Some cats may also contract bacterial infection, viral or parasitic by nature.

Natural Treatment

If the diarrhea is acute, homeowners can try some natural treatments to relieve their pet's health problem. Some experts recommend giving probiotics such as plain yogurt to introduce good bacteria to the body. Changing the food may also help especially if the previous canned food contain plenty of fillers which can be harmful to the pet's digestive tracts. As dehydration is possible during this phase, it is recommended that pet owners should always provide their cats with fresh water to drink or choose premium canned food.

When to Contact the Vet

Pet owners should contact their vet if blood is seen in their pet's stool; loose stool is coupled with vomiting, signs of fever and lethargy as well as sudden weight loss of their pet. Their pet doctor would conduct a series of tests including blood test to check for signs of parasitic infection, ultrasound as well as biopsy. It is important that pet owners should not self-medicate their pets especially using human medicines or drugs as some of these may actually cause more harm than good to their pets.

For more information on diarrhea in cats, including signs and symptoms, please click one of the links. Feline diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder among pet cats, but with proper knowledge and information, pet owners would be able to make smart and informed decisions when it comes to their pet's health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kris_Mack

Is Low Protein Cat Food Beneficial In Kidney Disease?

By Madeleine Innocent

Low protein cat food is widely recommended for cats with kidney disease (or kd as some like to call it). However, this is an assumption made by vets that has no basis in research or science. No scientific studies have been conducted to show this to be helpful.

In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is extremely damaging to the health of cats and often leads to their early demise. Following such advice, I killed a cat many years ago. Now I don't follow the advice of vets. I look to Nature for my answers. And she never fails, although I may not always fully understand.

It's a pity a cat had to die before I learned my lesson, but I did learn it well.

Very few vets, probably none conventional, understand cats properly. They don't understand that cats are true carnivores. They are not omnivores and certainly they are not herbivores.

Carnivores live exclusively on good quality meat derived from their prey. They don't top up on vegetable matter as dogs can, in times of famine. Their body systems have sacrificed the ability to cope with the complexities of digesting plant based food, in the interest of a light body frame that allows for agility.

A light and agile body can hunt and pounce noiselessly, an attribute essential for lone hunters as cats are.

The vast majority of commercial cat food is produced cheaply, for the good of the companies profit.The health of your cat doesn't come into the equation. Meat is not cheap, even the cheapest. But cheap food is available in the form of grain and other plant based food that have been deemed unfit for human consumption. Or that comes from countries who care even less, such as China.

It is this food, with its high content of plant based foods that is the cause of most of the kidney disease in cats. To further reduce the protein shows a complete lack of understanding of feline health in the advisor.

What you need to do to address this common ailment in cats is to feed a high protein cat food.

Cats with any form of future kidney disease will start to show signs of painful urination, blood in the urine or not being able to urinate at all. The vet treats this with antibiotics, which doesn't address the cause at all.

Usually crystals are found in the urine sample.

The diet of (already, but now further decreased) low protein cat food continues, and so the kidney or renal deterioration continues.

Cats evolved on a diet of high protein cat food. This is the only diet that keeps them healthy. If there is any form of carbohydrate, grain or other plant based food in their diet, you can guarantee they are heading for a chronic disease, often kidney or other renal problems.

Don't be lured into thinking a cat with kidney problems will fair better on a low protein cat food. They won't, whoever advises you, however much you like or trust them. Reason it out logically for yourself.

Three Natural and Economical Feline Treatments

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Madeleine_Innocent

Why Cats Have Nine Lives

By Ted H Stuart 

Many, many years ago the ancient Egyptians believed that cats were sacred creatures, and they actually worshiped them. An Egyptian goddess called Bast (or Bastet) was said to have the head of a cat, and the body of a woman. Legend has it that she would bring cats back to life nine times - which gave rise to the myth that cats have nine lives.

While in most countries, cats are said to have nine lives there are some exceptions. In Arabic countries and Turkey the slightly less fortunate cats have six lives, and in Germany and some Spanish speaking countries they have seven lives.

An old book (written in the middle of the 16th century by English author William Baldwin) called "Beware the Cat" contains the phrase "It is permitted for a witch to take her cat's body nine times". During the Dark Ages, many so-called witches were burned at the stake, accompanied by their poor, unfortunate cat.

Some people believe in the superstition that cats have many lives as they can survive falls from great heights with few, if any, injuries. However cats actually survive these falls that would otherwise kill humans or other animals not because they have multiple lives, but because of several natural advantages they possess. Their small size, low body weight and flexible bodies all combine to soften the impact as they land after a fall.

Cats also have an unusually good sense of balance, which allows a cat falling upside down to right themselves by quickly determining their position (upside down or upright), repositioning their body, and making any adjustments necessary to make sure they land safely on all four paws.

By landing on all fours, the impact from the fall is absorbed by all four legs which helps cushion the landing. In addition the very flexible cat also bends its legs when it lands, which cushions the impact by spreading the load through the joints and muscles as well - rather than just the bones which could easily break.

There is an interesting note to add, in that a cat actually stands a better chance of surviving a fall from a greater hight than a lower height! Data gathered by New York veterinarians from their feline patients supports this fact. 10% of their patients died after falling from 2-6 stories, while amazingly only 5% of the cats died when the height was 7-32 stories!

The vets worked out that this was because the additional height buys the cat more time to spread their body into an umbrella shape, which slow's the cat's fall - a bit like them having their very own built-in parachute!

www.petmoneysaver.co.uk is a price comparison website for pet food, and checks hundreds of prices every day to find the cheapest cat and dog food online.

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Is Your Cat a Tree or Bush Dweller?

By Jackie Rosetti

Does your cat like high places or does he or she prefer to hideout in things near the floor?

Cats that attempt to get themselves into high places like on top of the kitchen cabinets or on top of the refrigerator, are tree dwellers. Cats that prefer to hide in or under things such as under the bed, behind pieces of furniture in paper bags or cardboard boxes are bush dwellers.

The tree dweller types need a cat tree. Cat trees allow kitty to climb to a higher place and watch the goings on. They can play king of the mountain from the highest level of their tree. Trees with multiple shelves (sometimes called perches), condos or hammocks allow them to choose the level of their domain. Most cat trees are supported by sisal covered poles for scratching enjoyment. They feel safe, but still included in activities within the household. Place the tree in front of a sunny window and kitty can have a warm, secure feeling while watching you, your family and maybe the dog. When things in the house get boring, there are birds to watch, bugs flying by, squirrels running up and down real trees and who knows what interesting small animal may be seen in the yard. Stalking birds and whatnot through the window is exciting, you'll notice your cats tail wagging in happiness just wishing that he or she could catch all those interesting things. The imaginary hunting will eventually tire kitty out and will almost certainly be followed by a nap in the sun that's shining in the window. You may even hear snoring as the security of being at a higher level will allow your cat to relax and snooze. Cat trees offer multiple levels for kitty to enjoy. Some offer a comfy hammock for your cat to relax in and some offer a variety of condos for kitty to hide in. Most cat trees offer a variety of levels and comforts that will surely get a four paw approval.

The bush dweller that prefers to be in the center of things, but maybe not participate would love a small condo. A cat condo is usually a plush covered box with an opening for kitty to climb in and hide, but still see all the activity that's going on around them. It offers comfort and makes a cat feel like he or she can see you but you can't see them. Condos give your cat privacy and a space all their own. When they want to join an activity, they rise with a stretch and slowly come out to join the fun. Some condos or covered boxes include a scratch area for kitty to use instead of using the couch or recliner. Cats love to hide in paper bags and cardboard boxes. A cat condo gives them a similar feeling of hiding, watching and choosing when they will join you and/or keeping an eye on when the food is being disbursed.

Observe your cat and decide if he or she is a bush or tree dweller. Today, cat trees are relatively inexpensive and can be delivered right to your door. Most are so easy to put together, a child could do it.

Presenting your cat with a new cat tree or cat condo lets them have their very own personal space and an area to scratch their little heart out on. You'll probably enjoy an extra lap sit or two for making your cat king of the mountain or beast of the bush.

Cat Toys For Less offers you an ever-growing selection of fun cat toys that will keep your special friend busy (and active) for hours. Keeping your indoor cat active helps prevent health risks such as obesity. http://www.cattoysforless.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Rosetti

Why And How to Choose A Cat Tree

By Deborah L Mills

Online you can see the different shapes, sizes, and colors of cat trees to choose from at your finger tips and from the comfort of your own home, or of course from your mobile device any where at any time, and have it delivered right to your door.

A cat's natural instinct is to climb and get the best vantage point they can find. They love to see what is going on and yes escape the from the dog or people at times.

There are many shapes and sizes of cat trees. There are round, square, ones for corners, short and wide trees. When picking out the right cat tree know where you want the tree and the dimensions of the area you have planned for the cat tree. That way you know what size to get there are small, medium, large or outdoor cat enclosures. The outdoor ones work for condo balconies and yes even RV's because they are portable and have carry cases. For inside a small house, or apartment there are nice small trees and even some mediums will fit, also they have the window seats. For a big area inside and depending how many cats you have (and yes if you have the lovely high energy pooch also) the large tree will give your cats a safe haven. With multi cats you will probably want a medium to a large tree with several rest areas so each cat has one. Some have toys attached to keep your cat(s) active. Some trees come with little house hideaways to sleep after playing. Trees with hideaways, perches and cradles are the ultimate trees, that way your cat will have plenty to places to rest and see what's up. Some of them come with tunnels also, which cats love. The cats love to look out the window so where ever you put the tree try to have it so they can see outside. My husband and I just love watching our two cats go up and down the tree playing with each other. They go up, like up the sides, like rockets.

That's why I say give them room. Cats like to hang out on the tree just checking out what you are doing. The trees work out great for if you have a big dog. Put the cat food on a perch so the dog won't get to it. No dirty bowls on your counter and the food is safe from the dog. Most trees come with rope scratch post which hopefully will deter and claws on regular furniture. The trees also come in some different colors to fit your decor. There is a tree the fits every cats personality.

So as you see there are things to consider when purchasing a cat tree if you have any questions contact us a CatCondoConnection.com. We will be happy to help you find the cat tree for you and your cat so that you will both be happy.

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How to Raise Baby Kittens 2 Weeks Of Age Through 5 Weeks Of Age By Vicki Stanley Brown

How to Raise Baby Kittens 2 Weeks Of Age Through 5 Weeks Of Age

By Vicki Stanley Brown

At two weeks of age I became the parent to two baby kittens, if you can call them kittens. I prefer to think of them as simply babies. They were so tiny both because of their age.

Both babies are female. I named them Joli and Molli. Joli is calico with dark blue/gray eyes. Molli is orange/blonde with light crystal blue eyes. I always use names that end with the letter I. This is probably due to my name which ends with the letter I as well, Vicki. Joli and Molli were strays found in my mother's neighborhood. The birth mother is calico and had a litter of 7 babies, as far as we know. She gave birth in a tree and only brought her litter down after their eyes had opened. According to research, kittens eyes open around 2 weeks of age.

I stopped at the Pet store for formula and bottles. Every few hours I fed them. At this age, two weeks old, they really didn't understand the bottle and I squeezed the bottle gently until formula dropped into their mouths encouraging them to drink. They did not like the store-bought formula at all and would not eat. I started to worry about them and decided to just let motherhood take over. They are very similar to a human baby so I would treat them like one. I knew how to take care of a child then I surly could take care of a kitten.

I gave them half/half creamer that I buy for my coffee. It is organic and has no added ingredients. I warmed it up and poured it into the bottles. The kittens loved it and drank right away. I continued to do this for several days until I felt I could introduce the formula again. I added a little formula at first to the creamer and increased it as they were accepting of it.

Each week changes occurred showing me they were growing and becoming actual kittens. When I first brought them home they would stay wherever I placed them with very little movement. They also slept a lot. They even fell asleep while drinking from the bottle.

We turned my bathtub into the nursery. I filled it with baby blankets that they could snuggle with. At this age they are unable to regulate their body temperature and need to be kept warm. At two weeks of age the kittens are trying to focus and pretty much just stare. They don't really react to sounds yet and do not move around very fast. They are just like a human baby.

Our next hurdle was using the bathroom. I had no idea they needed help with this. After feeding them and feeding them without seeing results come out I started getting concerned. I used a cue tip and gently massaged them until I started to see pee. This was a highlight during my day, I was so excited because this signified they were OK. One more step to kittenhood achieved.

We went from ½ of a bottle to them downing an entire baby bottle (4 tbsp) at a time by just over 3 weeks of age. Just like babies, the kittens were having side effects of the formula. One had loose stool and the other constipated. I adjusted the mixture again until I had it agreeable to each.

Now 3 weeks old the kittens are more aware of their surrounding. They notice toys even though they still don't know how to play with them. They are walking around better and only losing their balance a few times compared to taking a few steps and falling over at just under 3 weeks of age. Molli is trying to nurse off my dog Jacki but she is spayed. They have become friends and Jacki has started mothering them. She makes sure they stay in the correct room I put them in and cleans them. She also patrols their bed when Alli, our cat, comes around. This is interesting to watch since my dog has never had a litter.

At just over 4 weeks of age the kittens are now eating solid foods. They eat pieces of cheese and a little lunch meat, turkey. They still drink bottles though.

They have started tearing the nipples apart on the bottles indicating to me they are almost ready to drink from a bowl. I did attempt to give them formula from the bowl but they still snort it and cough. I brought out the spoon and simply poured a drop at a time into their mouths which they did drink. While feeding them bottles, if they attempt to chew on the nipple, I simple remove the bottle from their mouth and re-insert it until they decide to drink.

Several changes have taken place during their fourth week. The kittens are now running around, aware of sounds, learning to climb, and actually playing with toys. Another change that occurred at the just over 4 weeks is learning to scratch the paper after using the bathroom. In the past the kittens would just relieve themselves without really knowing what to do. We used newspaper since they would eat the litter mix too. Last night was the first time that I saw them scratch the paper in trying to hide their waste.

My new babies are almost real kittens now. I miss them needing me but am glad they are perfectly healthy and developing normally.

Thanks for joining me on this out of the ordinary motherhood experience. I currently mother two human children, two tortoises, 2 baby kittens, and a dog. It is very rewarding seeing babies transform into adults. For more about me visit http://www.vickistoughlove.com and check out my other articles on ezine articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Stanley_Brown

Essential Cat Toilet Training Tips That Every Owner Should Know By David M. Gonzalez

Essential Cat Toilet Training Tips That Every Owner Should Know

By David M. Gonzalez

Cat toilet training may seem like something of a movie trick, but it can really happen. Humans can teach cats how to use the bathroom and forget about the litter box forever. However, it's important to be familiar with prerequisites for setting off on the right footing, if your cat is ever to learn the new toilet arrangement.

Follow a Strict Routine

One of the factors that make cat toilet training a feasible idea is that the pets are almost slaves to routine. Once they learn something, any contradictory disturbance can turn their life upside down. That's why a pet owner does well to stick to the training once it's started. For instance, once the litter box is off the table, it should never be an option again.

Avoid Accidents

Cat toilet training has its own minor risks for the pet, but an unpleasant experience can mean the end of training. Some people have seen cuts fall into the toilet never to try the system again. Thus, be careful with set up of trays and their size and introduce larger holes only when appropriate, otherwise, you might have a hard time convincing the cat that you're not trying to set up another death trap.

Be Patient

While cats are learners, rushing the lessons can be counterproductive. If you're too quick to introduce new steps that the cat can't measure up to, it will explore alternatives such as furniture or vegetation within the home compound. In the end, it won't have learnt anything worthwhile. Thus, cat toilet training calls for patience every step of the way.

Have Reasonable Expectations

If your cat can learn how to use the toilet on its own, that should be a milestone and congratulations should be in order at that point. It's not necessary that your cat learns how to flush the toilet, even if it can. Firstly, the 'standard' cat toilet training manual does not include such advanced lessons. Secondly, the cat that 'flushes' a toilet in "Meet the Parents", the movie that inspired the Litter Kwitter idea, was not trained to do that.

Not All Cats Can Learn

Outdoor cats are not the best of learners and it can be pretty difficult to tame them into an indoor toilet arrangement. However, it's all worth trying until a cat proves non-responsive. Certain cats will resist change at all costs, especially the type that seems harder to accomplish.

David is a dedicated cat owner with years of training and care experience under his belt. He loves educating owners about Cat Toilet Training, and understands a lot about the subject.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_M._Gonzalez

What's the All-Time Best Selling Cat Toy? By Jackie Rosetti

What's the All-Time Best Selling Cat Toy?

By Jackie Rosetti

You would think it's one of those cat toys that you see on TV right? You know the one that seems to have a TV commercial every ten minutes? While thousands of that [as seen on TV] toy may have been sold, the number sold does not surpass the all-time best selling toy for kitty. Which is... Mice, mice and mice!

If your cat has been part of your family for a while, I'm sure that mouse toys have been a hit in the entertainment department for your cat. Mice just never seem to fail at making your cat want to play.

If you're getting a new kitty, some of the necessities that should be included in your preparation for his or her arrival is, of course, cat toys. With a new cat or kitten, you don't yet know the preference of your fur baby. Therefore, it's best to get a variety of toys and let the cat decide which type of toy he or she likes best. Cats seem to like mice better than some of the other toy types because of their natural instinct to hunt mice.

The overall best selling cat toy is the toy mouse. Of course, that in itself is not simple. Cat toy mice come in so many varieties that it can make your head spin. There are tiny mice, realistic looking mice, mice that rattle, some have catnip inside, some come in bright colors, some are natural colors, long tails, furry tails, corded tails, tails with bells, yarn tails, corded mice, yarn mice, you get the picture right?

Kitty needs a mixture of balls, mice, toys on a string and battery-powered toys are usually a hit too! Getting your new fur baby an assortment of toy types is a plus. This lets him or her choose what type of toy they like best.

Once your cat shows a preference to the type of toy they like best, branch out with some variations of that toy. For example, if your cat likes mice the best, you could literally provide a hundred different variations such as: Mice with feathers, bells or rabbit fur, plush mice, rattling mice, big mice, small mice and brightly colored or real looking mice. Then, let kitty decide which ones are the best for them.

When your cat has decided what type of toy mice they prefer, stock up! I can't say this enough! I talk with pet parents daily and I can't tell you the devastation they feel when their cats favorite toy suddenly gets discontinued by the manufacturer. It's not uncommon for a toy that's in demand to be discontinued and no longer available. You've never seen such a sad face as that on a cat that has just lost the very last one of his favorite and special toys. You'll find yourself turning the house upside down trying to find that special toy that has gone missing and your cat will continue to give you that sad face hoping that you find it. It helps to keep at least a few of the top picks of cat toys that your cat likes on hand. Then, if that toy becomes unavailable, you'll have some in reserve until you can find an alternative that kitty will hopefully like just as much.

Mice toys are without a doubt the most loved toy by cats and are probably less expensive than some of the other toy types. I sure hope you won't encounter that "look" from your cat when that loved toy disappears into who knows where!

Cat Toys For Less offers you an ever-growing selection of fun cat toys that will keep your special friend busy (and active) for hours. Keeping your indoor cat active helps prevent health risks such as obesity. http://www.cattoysforless.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Rosetti

Tips on Selecting the Best Cat Food for Your Kitty By Munira A

Tips on Selecting the Best Cat Food for Your Kitty

By Munira A

You want to have a healthy, active and happy cat. The health and mood of your feline pet depend greatly on the cat food which you provide to him. There are numerous products to select from so you will definitely benefit from some practical advice on how to make the right choice. Find out what you need to give to your kitty to ensure his wellbeing.

Make sure that your pet will get all necessary nutrients.

Felines are carnivores. This is the reason why cat food must be rich in healthy protein. The best sources of protein include beef, chicken, turkey and fish. Other types of meats are acceptable as well provided that they do not have high concentration of fat. In general, felines require some amount of fat, but it should form less than a fifth of their meal.

The food which you buy must provide carbohydrates as well. They can come from grains, rice or potatoes. It is a common misconception that felines do not need carbs. These animals metabolise carbs easily. At the same time, these nutrients are a great source of instant energy.

Felines need fibre, zinc, iron, calcium, vitamins B1, B6, B12, E and D and linoleic acid as well. These must come from their diet. Keep in mind that the sources of these compounds are typically by-products and oils. The by-products should not cause concern as they are animal organs and skin. Things like hooves and hair are not used.

Know how to read the label.

On the label of cat food, the ingredients are listed in order depending on their weight. You should expect to see the meat ingredients first followed by the sources of fat and carbs. The ingredients delivering vitamins and minerals are listed last.

The guaranteed analysis on the label enables you to compare the nutritious value of different foods. Just make sure that you compare likes with likes. You should compare canned products only to other canned ones and dry products only to other dry products.

Let your cat sample the food before buying larger amounts.

This is a simple technique which is bound to product good results. Sometimes, felines simply refuse to eat a certain type of food due to the scent which it produces or for another reason. You would not want to risk buying large amounts of a product before you are certain that your pet will eat it.

Finally, you should pick only healthy treats. Cat grass is an excellent choice since it is actually a healthy source of carbs. Catnip is another low-calorie cat food treat.

Shop online for top-quality Pet Supplies NZ at great prices. Choose from a wide selection of natural and healthy food for pet animals and farm animals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Munira_A