Every Cat

Posts Tagged ‘pets’

Animal charities and wothing vets have noticed that the Credit crunch is now taking it’s toll on our fluffy friends.

Animal shelters are reporting a disturbing rise in the amount of animals, in particular dogs and cats, that are being dropped off into their clinics. During this credit crunch, companies are struggling to make ends meet, people just cant cope with both their bills and the bills of their pets. Paying for hospical care such as animal physiotherapy is expensive and people just cannot afford it.  The loving family pets are being left at animal shelters or left in the middle of no-where to look after themselves.

So what have been the contributions to this dire set of circumstances? Some families got a pet last xmas, only for their job situation to change suddenly. Meaning that the families new addition is the first one out the door before the kids can become too attached. Another problem is that people are moving into smaller accomidation, which dont allow pets to be kept.

Can animal hospitals cope with this sudden influx in vet referrals?

Animal charities and re-homing centres are close to bursting, now only willing to take the most severe of cases. Animal shelters are recieving less donations to, with the credit crunch tightening people’s belt and charities all round getting less handouts as people struggle to save themselves.

Though on the upside for our furry pals, January saw some charities reporting that January saw a rise in the number of people ADOPTING from animal shelters, but most shelters are still seeing more animals coming in then going out to a loving home.

Living through the credit crunch is difficult enough, but when you have pets which depend on you for food, a home and veterinary attention, anything that can be done, helps.
It’s a sad fact that many pets are given up or abandoned every day, as pet lovers struggle to cope with the current economic climate.
This is exceedingly thorny for animal charities who have look after pets when money is limited, living off on donations to keep their animals in good health.
Here are a few points which could help make owning a pet on a budget more manageable:
1. Consider every pet expenditure? Do you need that branded animal food or product? Easier said than done, bring pets up with variety, both dry and wet, as well as different brands and flavours. Keep an eye on special deals. You can stock up. Investigate vouchers, search on the net for some good deals. Buy based on price per pound / Kg, as sometimes, especially with promotions, the smaller pack can be more economical.
2. Wherever possible, pet owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the total price and passing on savings to all.
3. Vets bills are unknown but still have to be considered. If cash is a little tight, you may find a lot of Vets will consider spreading the costs, and pay in instalments. If you can, afford it – have or keep pet insurance.
4. Can you modify the way you live? It’s not all about finding ways to keep your animal more economically, what about yourself!
5. What about earning some cash? Perhaps find a dog walking job Become a Dog Walker. Good companies will require you do it regularly. Another alternative is to become a pet sitter, though good businesses such as London Pet Sitter will also require you be a London dog walker.
6. What about your other pets, you may have put your cats in a cattery, what about considering a cat sitter? The animal may prefer it and the pet sitters often do other things.
7. Do use external stabling or boarding? Many horses can live quite happily outside for most of the year, just make sure there’s food, water and protection to harsh elements available. Could this be an option for your horse, it could diminish the outlay on stabling considerably.
8. Are you thinking of choosing a pet, please think about rescuing a pet from a charity, they are suffering during this crisis.
Enjoy your pet, they are worth the cost.

Most cats can see to themselves when it concerns cleanliness. Yet in order to keep your cat in the best possible hygienic health, you also have to do your own share. You can ensure that your pet isn’t having issues with pests such as ticks and fleas by grooming it on a regular basis. It’s also advised to inspect for any skin concerns, injuries, or bald spots at this time. Continue reading for guidelines on the essentials of cat grooming.

You need to shop for suitable pet grooming supplies in order to make your grooming job a lot less difficult and more effective. Shop for items such as a comb, brush, grooming scissors, and cat grooming glove. Only use products specially made for the care of your cat.

To keep your cat looking good, you will need to groom her on a regular basis. By combing and trimming the hair on a regular basis you’ll both be able to enjoy the benefits of a well groomed cat. Utilize a brush with a number of tiny pins for grooming your cat’s coat. The head ought to be small so it is less challenging to brush. To properly groom your cat, brush it in the direction that its hair grows. Otherwise, along with several scratches, you’ll almost certainly have a furious cat to deal with.

An important part of cat grooming is that you will need to give them a bath every now and then. While the use of a towel will keep her as calm as possible, the use of a carrier will make the job of bathing easier. Choose a shampoo made for cats that will create a good lather. It should also make your cat more comfortable by stopping dry, chafed skin.

Making sure that your cat doesn’t get matted, knotty hair is another vital part of cat grooming. If your cat’s hair is naturally long, give it a hair cut frequently with a professional pair of grooming scissors and grooming comb. Your cat has delicate skin, so take care not to cut or scratch it by mistake.

Not only will shedding be decreased, but brushing will be less difficult and smoother through the use of cat grooming gloves. Try to find a pair that can be laundered. You should also be able to utilize it to eliminate that unwanted cat hair that gets everywhere.

Good grooming tools can mean the difference between a well groomed cat and a mangy looking one. Your grooming tools ought to be utilized in such a way that they calm and please your pet.

Feline coccidiosis is a condition in cats that causes watery stool, dehydration, abdominal pains, and vomiting. Kittens and debilitated cats are prime candidates for its more severe manifestations.

Actually, coccidia is very common among both felines and canines. It is thought that around a third of cats and dogs are in fact infected with the disease. However, not all of these animals will show symptoms of infection.

Protozoa, which are one celled organisms, are the cause of coccidiosis. Acting in a similar way to other parasites, such as worms, protozoa live in the intestinal tract of cats.

However, coccidia and worms require different treatments. You should therefore take your cat to a veterinarian for a diagnosis before proceeding with any treatment, to ensure that you get the correct medicine.

So, how does your cat get it? Through coming into contact with infected fecal matter. Oocytes, which are immature protozoa, reside in cat stool and mature in the open environment. The longer a cat stool has been to decay, the more the oocytes develop, and the more at risk cats coming into contact with it become. Another way of cats developing coccidiosis is from licking or eating protozoan infected mice.

There are various things that, as a pet owner, you can do reduce the risk of your cat or dog getting coccidia. You should:

1. Pay attention to where your pet spends most of its time. You should make sure your catteries and kennels are tidy and well-maintained. Of particular importance is the disposing of stool within a day or two of it appearing.

2. Use disinfectants. Before doing this, you may want to move your pets to a different location for the time being. The reason being that the fumes from disinfectants are potentially harmful to animals. As for what disinfectant to use, find one that contains a fair amount of ammonia. Alternatively, just mix a little bleach in with some water.

3. Not forget to tend to crevices, and hard to reach areas. You should pay close attention to them as many forms of parasites ? oocytes notwithstanding, could make their home there.

4. Repaint. Coccidian oocytes living on the walls of your house will instantly be killed should you repaint the areas where they are.

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Stop wasting money on toys for cats. Most people will put feline play things at the top of the list just under essentials like a food dish and litter box.

There are thousands of cat toys on the market, so choosing the right ones for your feline friend can be confusing and overwhelming.The tips to follow will help you in choosing mentally stimulating and fun to play with cat approved products.

Although it is tempting to buy all the best catnip toys in the store, make sure to limit the number to just a few.To prevent boredom and over exposure just keep a few toys out at any time. Keep other toys stored away and occasionally switch them out.  It will be as if your cat has all new toys every few months.

Remember that, just because your friends cat liked a certain toy does not mean that yours will be the same. Every cat has a different personality, and the toy that thrilled one kitty for hours on end may not even garner a second look from another.

Just because your cats behavior makes them appear bored with a toy now does not mean he will not love it three hours from now.Do yourself a favor and give the new toy some time before you give up on it. Your feline friend may surprise you by playing and pouncing with the toy he hated yesterday.

Favorite toys for cats

When choosing toys for cats, there are certain types that generally are a success, no matter what the cat’s personality may be.

The infamous laser pointer is often a favorite.Many cats will chase the pointer light beam for hours on end.  Just make sure not to shine the light into kitty’s eyes or into any person’s eyes either for that matter.

Another favorite is the something on a string.Items at the end of the string can include bouncy balls or fur mice.You might buy a string on a stick type toy for hours of fun for all involved.  Dangle the toy above a cat’s head and you are almost guaranteed to get a reaction.

Many cat toy makers use the hiding feature to get the feline interested.  Plastic balls on a track, or mice hidden in a big plastic piece of cheese will peak your cat’s interest and stimulate his mind while he tries to figure out how to capture the toy.

You may decide to go with an old favorite like a catnip mouse, jingle ball or a battery powered interactive cat toy that moves.  

Keep in mind when you choose a cat toy that your pet may hate one and love another.Finding a favorite toy may take more then one attempt. Have some patients and do not get upset if your pet hates the toys you have chosen.  

Give him a little time, and if he is still not interested, then try a different type of toy. Play time is important to overall feline health. So do not give up, you are sure to find the right items to keep your cat happy and active.

Deciding to get a kitten is a big step in expanding your family. Kitten care also requires additonal commitment, but kittens can grow to become excellent companions and are well worth the time and care in their upbringing.

An important part of bringing home a kitten is preparing your home for the addition. Have a good look around your house and “cat-proof” it. Keep in mind that anything that dangles (such as lamp cords, curtains, etc.) are an extreme temptation for a playful kitten. Kittens just love to roam around, hide, as well as chew and “paw” things. Remember this when adjusting the items in your house.

Feeding and daily care of a kitten involve just four items: a place for the kitten to sleep, fresh food and water, a litter box with litter and a scratching pad or post. Kittens love toys, too, so be sure to have plenty on hand when your kitten joins the family. Several name-brand foods specifically designed for kittens are available. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations if you are unsure when feeding a kitten.

Before letting your kitten loose in the house, you must consider that some everyday house plants and chemicals can be deadly to cats. If you are unsure about any items in your house, do a bit of research online or phone your veterinarian.

Responsible pet ownership includes veterinary care for a kitten. Be sure to have your kitten examined by your vet as soon as possible. Your kitten needs a series of vaccinations to ensure a happy, healthy and long life. Be sure to stay current with their shots. Also, many communities require that you register your pet with the local authorities. Your vet will be able to provide more information.

Owning a kitten is a fun and rewarding experience. Love and take good care of your kitten and you will have a loyal companion for years to come.

Pet adoption is the process of taking responsibility for a pet or animal. The pet or animal may have been abandoned or surrendered to a shelter because their owners are unable to care for them. 

Common places where you can adopt a pet would be in animal shelters (for dogs, it is more known as dog pound).  Pets that are in captivity without any identification and unclaimed by the owner are also adoptable pets.  There are also people who put up advertisements putting their pet into adoption.  Aside from this, the internet is a good source of adoptable pets.  There are several websites that displays information, photos about adoptable pets. 

Irresponsible owners, owners who abuse their animals continuously, may lose their pets altogether.Animal rescue groups are there that do the job of saving animals from violent and abusive owners.Animal rescue groups or organizations are activly involved in providing protection to abused animals and rescue of stray or abandoned pets.  Rescue groups are frequently run by volunteers. 

Pet adoption from rescue groups most of the times has stricter or more rigid process. Most of the times, it would include veterinary reference, background check and conducting a home visit.  There would be adoption fees but these do not cover transportation for picking up the pet, providing veterinary care, vaccinations, training and food. 

It is important for most rescue organizations to do these since pet adoption really is about knowing if the new owners of the pet will be able to handle the responsibility and care of their new pet.  This is to avoid that the same thing happen again to the unfortunate animal. 

Animal shelters on the other hand, are run by the government.  However, animal shelters are the best place for pet adoption.  Not only do they have adult animals, they also have kittens and puppies.  An interesting fact about an animal shelter is that about 25 to 30 percent of animals in the shelters are purebreds. 

Animal shelters also follow necessary procedures to ensure the proper care of animals put up for adoption.  Many shelters offer adoption counselling and follow up assistance.  This process serves as a background check on the persons who will adopt but also an effort to provide good matches between people and animals. 

Animal shelters also do require adoption fees.  But adoption fees are much less than the animal’s purchase price in the pet store.  Another benefit from adopting from shelters is that the pet is more likely to be already vaccinated, dewormed and spayed or neutered. 

Even so, the new owner, most of the times, still encounter some challenges with the pet.  These cases happen mostly with animals victim of abuse and neglect.The new owners should always practice patience in order to to understand and train these animals. These will help the pets to overcome the past.

According to Kelly Connolly of the Humane Society of the United States, there is an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year.In addition to these big numbers, there are only ad estimated 3,500 active animal shelter in a country like United States, the figure does not includes the unknown count of the smaller shelters as well as local and home based rescue organizations.These records is only substantiate the fact that there not sufficient space to accommodate our pets.

For people who are interested in having pets, pet adoption is a great way of saving money.  At the same time provide a life-long home and love for animals in shelters and rescue groups. 

Cats which have been ill-treated can easily be identified with damaged and maimed  exteriors.  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, 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.As soon as he starts to come near you, allow him to sniff you and pet him affectionately.  After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.

Raising your voice, yelling, or using disciplinary tools like water guns or flyswatters on them can bring about emotional damage to your cat.  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.

Pet adoption is a great way of getting pets in a much less price.  Pet adoption is also a great way of  taking care and proving homes for pets and animals that have been left or sometimes even abused by their previous owners.

Adopting pets from shelters is very cheap in comparison of buying a pet from the stores because we have to pay only a nominal adoption fee.  Adoption fees range from $35 to $200 and almost always include medical treatment like vaccines, deworming, and spaying (neuter).  There are even shelters that offer follow up veterinary services to ensure that pets remain healthy and able to get the necessary vaccines. 

Animal shelters provide great choices for adoptable pets.  Shelters not only have adult animals, but they also have kittens and puppies that a pet parent can choose from. However there are some myths about animal shelters and why it is not a good place to adopt from.

Most of us believe that pets in shelters suffer from problems of behaviour. It is important to remember that these animals have bad experiences from their previous owners. They might have experienced neglect and abuse.  Animals in shelters normally exhibit minor behavioural problems.  Some of these pets may be scared while others can be excited.Animals having major problems with respect to behaviour are not displayed for adoption.

Animal shelters perform screen test to know the temperament of animals in the shelters.  The shelters try to get as much information they could get from the animals’ previous owners.  Soon-to-be pet parents are happier and at ease to know that their new pet has healthy and friendly temperament. 

Since these animals have been neglected, abused and abandoned, the next parent should display more patience to train them. Also since these pets already know and encountered difficult hardships they display more loyalty and devotion to their new owners. There are some pet parents who have adopted from shelters saying that their pets are more loyal and loving than other pets.

Another shelter myth says that pets from shelters and pounds are mature animals and cannot be trained. Most pets in shelter are older animals but there are also kittens and puppies that is available for adoption. 

Adoptable animals from shelters can be trained like other animals.Patience, consistency and understanding are the key factors during the training.  Animals (regardless if they are in shelter or in homes) respond to good, effective, loving and humane training techniques.

There are shelters that offer the new pet parent the opportunity to participate in obedience training and pet parenting classes.  These sessions serve as a transition period for the pet and the parent to bond together. 

It is commonly believed that pets in animal shelters are inferior to purebred animals.  According to the Humane Society of the United States there is an average of 25 to 30 percent of purebreds in animal shelters. 

Also, mixed bred animals are not inferior to purebred animals.  Animal shelters have pets that are healthier and have better temperaments than purebred.  Interested pet parents just have to talk to the shelter and provide the what kind of behaviour they would like to have in their pets.  Mixed bred pets oftentimes exhibit traits of several breeds.  If a pet parent like to have a purebred because of its temperament, the shelter would likely have a mixed bred that exhibits the qualities of the purebred. 

Going to a shelter for a pet adoption is a great way of helping animals in need in a much affordable and economic way.  Adopting a pet from a shelter is not only a solution for the pet parent’s problem but also a way of saving a life. 

A cat whisper is somewhat similar to a dog or horse whisperer, although cat whisperers relate quite well with cats.  These types of people are unusually lucky and very successfully with cats.  In most cases, a cat will be abandoned or just show up at someone’s door.  In this event, the cat will adopt this individual as the cat whisperer.

Often times, alley cats and black cats will show up at someone’s door and decide to move into their homes.  This can be a result of abandonment, or the cat’s family moving away and simply leaving the cat behind.  Sometimes, the cat may decide that he likes someone else’s home better and decide to move there instead of staying with his owner.

Many a people will explain you that a cat whisperer can be taken as a therapist for cats.Normally all cat whisperers have not gone through any training, it seems that what they know is by birth.  These types of people understand the way a cat thinks and knows how to work with the cat to achieve the results they want.Although many think that cat whisperer are a therapist, it really could not be related to the truth.

Cats who have been abused or mistreated, often times won’t respond to anyone but a cat whisperer.  Although others may have tried to help the cat, it will only make matters worse by making the cat feel scared and afraid.  In most cases, these cats will end up in a pound.  This is very tragic, as the cats have already endured more than they ever should have.  A majority of the cats who have been abused were once loved pets.  Along the way, they were abandoned, mistreated, attacked by dogs, and in some cases tortured.

Cats who have been treated unfairly often times won’t trust anyone. They are often times confused, in a lot of pain, and not sure what they should do.  Like humans, cats feel pain.  Those that have been physically abused are a sad sight indeed.A cat which is damaged emotionally may appear to be fit in health, but its emotions might be ruining it.  Emotionally abused cats are much harder to get through to, especially if they were stray cats to begin with.

Cat whisperers on the other hand, can communicate with physically and emotionally abused cats.  Cats know who they will choose to be their cat whisperer, which is normally an individual they sense trust with.  Cat whisperers are common with cats, although most people have never heard of them before.  Even though a cat whisperer may be able to communicate better with cats, it will still take time to heal a cat that has been abused.