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January 28th, 2009 by PetGuru

Are you frustrated with constant bouts of cystitis in cats in your feline companion?  Has your vet diagnosed him with idiopathic cystitis in cats?  Have you wondered if cat stress has something to do with the recurring episodes of FLUTD?  Read on for answers to your questions.

What Is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis?

Your kitty is showing all the symptoms of cystitis in cats.  He strains to urinate, but doesn’t pass much urine.  His urine may be bloody.  He’s obviously in pain when he’s using the litter box.  And he may be urinating in places other than his litter box.  

But when your vet examines him and runs a urinalysis and a urine culture, there’s no sign of a bladder infection.  There’s no bacteria in his urine, and bladder stones, tumors, and even an anatomical defect have all been ruled out.  

Feline idiopathic cystitis is the diagnosis when there doesn’t seem to be any reason for feline urinary problems.  It’s very difficult to watch your cat suffer with FLUTD symptoms when there doesn’t appear to be any reason for these cat urinary problems.  The worst thing is that this condition is becoming more common in cats as time goes on.

Is Cat Stress Related To Idiopathic Cystitis In Cats?

Research is showing that this condition in cats is very similar to interstitial cystitis in people.  In both cats and people, some sort of stressful event often happens just before the cat or person suffers another bout of cystitis.

Sometimes we don’t realize how much stress our cats face.  It may be hard to believe, but being an indoor cat is stressful for felines.  We keep them inside for their own safety, but this is an unnatural environment for felines.  They do like to prowl around, especially at night.They get plenty of exercise while hunting for food every day.  

We also feed them the wrong type of diet, which is another stressor.  Most dry cat foods are made mostly from corn, which is very high in carbohydrates.  Too much of the wrong type of food leads to obesity, feline diabetes, and other health issues.  

Many cat owners aren’t aware of how important the low moisture levels in dry food are to their cats’ health.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their diet, which should be mostly meat-based.  A cat who is always fed dry food is more than likely chronically dehydrated.  Even if a cat who is fed dry food does drink water, it’s hard for him to drink enough.

The problem with a dehydrated cat is that water doesn’t pass through his body often enough to flush out toxins.  His urine is also concentrated.  Urine is caustic, and if it’s too concentrated, it can irritate the bladder, which leads to cystitis.If his urine is too concentrated, the result is high mineral levels, which can cause cat bladder stones and urinary blockage in cats.

This type of stress is low-level, but it can lead to problems over time.  

It’s possible that your kitty is facing other kinds of stress.  Cats are very set in their ways, and any kind of change can be upsetting for them.Your cat may be stressed because of a move to a new home, a new person or animal in the household, or even because of a change in the weather.  Your cat may be having problems with another cat in the home, too, especially if the other pet is more aggressive and seems to bother him a lot.

Reducing Cat Stress

It’s been shown that reducing stress in cats does reduce the frequency of cystitis in cats.It’s essential to reduce stress on your cat’s body by feeding him a diet more naturally suited to felines.

You may also want to consider trying a natural remedy for cat bladder infection.  The incidence of feline urinary problems can often reduced by giving your kitty a cat uti remedy that contains herbs and homeopathic remedies known to cure bladder problems.

By taking these steps to help your furball, you can solve the problem of idiopathic cystitis in cats.

Visit Natural Pet Urinary Health to learn how to preventidiopathic cystitis in cats, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies.

January 28th, 2009 by PetGuru

Domesticated cats have been part of human’s life since ancient Egypt or at least that is how far the history books record their existence. The domestic cat has the least body weight when compared to other family members of the cat family like tiger, panther or cheetah.

Cats As Pets

Cats make one of the best pets because they are easy to maintain, intelligent and extremely loving. Training a cat might turn out to be a challenging process specially if the cat is old and has already imbibed animal instincts along with a solid defence system, which usually comes into picture when the predictor feels a threat.

Methods To Tame A Wild Cat

There are a few methods you can apply to tame a wild cat depending on his or her age: you first must gain the confidence of the cat by showing that you pose to harm and the best way to do that is to offer him or her food. Wild cats appreciate food especially in the cold weather when it is very hard to find it by themselves.

Don’t attempt to give the cat foodfrom your hand as they will definitely not approach you but place it on the floor in a clean dish or bowl. A wild cat usually takes significant time to get familiar, you can accelerate the procedure by being it’s regular food source, this will enable you to pet and tame it comfortably.

Once you get familiar to your wild cat, you complete the first step of taming it, here onwards you need to groom your loved pet in order to enjoy its life long company in your home.

Training A Wild Cat

Training a wild cat is probably the most difficult part as they have habits and instincts that they will not like to give up; most people who keep previous wild cats as pets let them roam freely as they please outdoors by making a dog trap in the main door because firstly they don’t like being confined to a closed place anymore and secondly some may find it impossible to get the cat to use the litter box.

Another great way to tame a wild cat and train it as well is to hire a professional trainer who will help you bring out the domestic side of the cat in only a few sessions, which can be done at home so you can continue them even after the sessions are over in case you need to.

January 28th, 2009 by PetGuru

Cats are wonderful pets; low maintenance, as you don’t have to walk them daily for exercise or do any of their needs and they are extremely loving and intelligent, which makes them enjoyable as well as a gratifying pet.

The Appearance And Origin Of The Siamese Cat

Siamese cats are an Oriental breed and even though the exact place of origin is not precisely known, it is believed to be Thailand, which shelters the sacred temple called Siam today; however, the Siamese cats are called ‘Wichienmaat’ in Thailand, which translates to ‘moon diamond’.

All Siamese cats have a grayish, creamy body coat with the ends of their feet, tail, ears and mouth in dark shades of brown and/or black. However many consider the eyes as the most prominent feature, often the blue color eyes create a pleasant looking contrast against the coat colors of the cat.

The Personality And Maintenance

Siamese cats are very loving and demanding when it comes to being pampered and loved back; they are intelligent and if you take the time to train them as kittens you will be surprised of the amount of commands and tricks a cat can learn such as, opening the doors; respecting your privacy if you train him or her not to enter a particular room such as your bedroom and your cat can even be trained to be taken for walks on a leash.

Siamese cats are very clean and they will soon learn where the litter box is and always use it however, they shed huge amounts of hair, which you will find all over the house should you not groom her or him daily.

A nutritious diet as per Veterinarian recommendations is always helpful however some amount of dry food helps in keeping the teeth clean of your cat. To keep your kitten fit and fine vaccinations and regular check ups are few of the most important aspects.

Siamese cats are very possessive and when the matting season will come you will experience the male will want to mark his territory by urinating in the corners of you house and sometimes on the sofas; it is important to decide as soon as you acquire your cat pet if you would like to send it for matting further or spay/ neuter him or her.

Helpful Tips

Siamese cats makes some of the best pets, which if groomed and trained from an early age can make it to cat shows, where they almost always excel because they are exquisite looking and extremely intelligent, which usually puts them ahead of most other cat breeds.

January 28th, 2009 by PetGuru

Cats are among the best pets that one can have, as you don’t have to go for it’s outdoor walks and daily exercise, it can stay in comfortably in small houses if you provide food and fresh water when required. Therefore, many of us prefer cats as the ideal pet besides all the mentioned advantages of having a cat, they are also extremely loving and loyal.

The Disadvantage Of Having A Cat

The only disadvantage of having a cat is acquiring or triggering cat allergy, which usually occurs from the dander and cat hair. You may not know you have cat allergy until you get a cat and encounter the following symptoms: shortness or breath, itchiness, watery eyes, blurry vision and sneezing or wheezing when in the presence of your cat or in the place where he or she shed hairs.

Cat allergy can be very painful and dangerous at times especially if you have any other medical conditions, which can be aggravated by the allergies therefore you must immediately take measures to combat the symptoms and enjoy your cat’s company.

Dealing With Cat Allergies

The first thing you will need to do is ensure your house is ventilated at all times; a good air filter will clean up the air and animal dander considerable providing you with breathable air. Grooming of your cat should be done by another family member if possible and also outside the house or where you spend most of your time, as during grooming a lot of the hair and dander will be air borne and that can affect your allergies significantly.

In case your cat suffers from persistence allergy, it is advisable to consult a Vet who will prescribe appropriate medication, which are the most suitable solution for this problem. Even after taking drugs or shots, it is important you still continue to ensure that the house is always properly cleaned as well as the air filter always running in order not to activate your allergies again.

Helpful Tip

Cat allergy can be fatal especially if you are suffering from respiratory diseases therefore, it is important you consider spending sometime in your pet’s presence before you acquire it and that will be the best way to know whether you can have a cat pet or not.

Cats are wonderful pets and some people will want one at any cost however, while the allergy drugs usually will do a great job at combating the symptoms, it is recommended you always be on the watch in case your allergies gets aggravated and treat it more aggressively if and when necessary.

January 28th, 2009 by KittyKitty

For the dog that deserves a fashionable collar to fit their high sense of style look no further. The caesar collar is made to last. It has a intricate gold stitched pattern on it that is reminiscent of interlocking puzzle pieces over a black background. It comes with a shiny chrome buckle with the words diva dog etched on it in black. There is also a chrome d ring for attaching the matching leash to and a charm if you so desire. This handsome collar comes in sizes extra small to large and you can get the harness instead if you don’t want the collar. This one is a must have for dogs that are into fashion.

January 27th, 2009 by PetGuru

One of the most desirable cat breeds today is the Persian cat and it is no wonder since they have such a majestic and exotic appearance. The Persian cat is excellent for those who want a companion who is affectionate, laid back and very devoted. But, Before you finalise on domesticating a Persian breed you must be familiar with the care methodology suitable for a Persian Cat.

Their History

The Persian cat was present at the very first cat show held in London in 1871 and was extremely popular in the United Kingdom by the early 1900s. However, the first reference to Persians was found in the history of the Romans when they were brought on the caravans arriving from Persia, which is now modern day Iran. These primitive cats came somewhat during the fifteenth century and are now currently referred as Angora and Persian breeds.

In the late 1800s, the Persian breed found its way to the United States where it quickly became one of the most popular cats. Throughout the years, the Persian was changed by breeding into the cat we currently see with the extreme face, long coat and short ears.

Their Appearance

The long soft fur of the Persian cat is perhaps the most notable feature. However, the Persian is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns so you are sure to find the perfect cat for your individual preferences. Despite their elegant appearance, the Persian is actually a very solid built cat that has better muscle tone than most cat breeds.

The Persian cat has two different types of faces, the extreme and traditional. The difference in these two types is that the extreme face has a very snub-nosed appearance. The face is typically almost completely flat with the nose almost as high up at the eyes. However, the Persian with a traditional face will not have a flat appearance. The prominent faced type has managed to take maximum share of popularity primarily due to its prevalence at public functions.

Their Personality

For those who prefer a cat breed that is laid back and doesn’t show much energy then the Persian cat would be an excellent companion to add to your household. Persians would much rather lounge around all day then chasing after toys. However, Persians are also an extremely affectionate breed and need human interaction and affection. If you pay a proper attention and care to your Persian kitten they will grow as your committed companion for life.

While Persians prefer attention, they are not to demanding of it as some breeds are. They are also very responsive to the moods of their owners. They are also a quiet breed, which makes them ideal for apartment living conditions so the neighbors won’t be disturbed by constant vocalization. A Persian cat is a good option for those who want to be comforted and soothed by their pet companion.

Caring For Your Persian

Persian cats require long periods of grooming care otherwise their soft long coat will turn into painful mats that will need to be shaved off by a veterinarian. Every day you should take out at least fifteen minutes in grooming your pet Persian and increase during the months of shredding.

To remove oil buildup you will also have to bath your Persian often, every two weeks is a good recommendation. With Persians tear staining is often a problem so you will have to wash their faces daily.

January 27th, 2009 by PetGuru

Ten to fifteen percent of people in the United States are allergic to dogs or cats, cats being the most common allergy by far. Unfortunately, many of these people love cats, or have children or life partners who do, so they sniffle and sneeze their way through the days, wishing someone would invent a hypoallergenic cat.

When people speak of being allergic to cats, they often believe they are allergic to cat fur. In fact, the allergy is caused by a protein secreted by the cat’s skin and salivary glands. When the cat licks itself (and we all know cats are indefatigable groomers) the saliva/protein mixture dries into a powder like substance that coats the cat’s living space.

Over the years, desperate pet lovers have tried many breeds and types of feline to find a hypoallergenic cat.

Short Haired Cats

Since the problem is with the cat’s skin, and not with it’s fur, getting a short-haired cat doesn’t help curtail allergies.

Siberian Cats

Some people whose allergies are usually triggered by cats find that they can own Siberian cats with no reaction. This has led some to call the Siberian a hypoallergenic cat. Scientist arguably present that the Sieberian breed of cats secretes considerably less amount of allergy causing protein. The unadulterated breed of Siberian cost more than $500.

Rex Cats

Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats both have both been billed as hypoallergenic cats by some fans. They have very light coats of fur. Because they still secrete the protein that causes allergies, however, most cat allergy sufferers will continue to experience allergy symptoms around them. Rex cats cost between $500 and $700.

Hairless Cats

Some people are so frustrated by their allergies, they decide to get hairless cats, thinking they can’t possibly be allergic to a pet without hair. The average price of Sphinx cat is more than $900, this makes one really disheartened if they suffer cat allergy. Hairless or not, Sphinxes produce enough allergens on their skin to cause a reaction in many allergic cat lovers.

Gender/Color

Studies have shown that female cats produce fewer allergens than do male cats, and that light-colored cats produce fewer allergens than do dark-colored cats. Although these facts are substantiated by scientific data, it does not change the scenario for the allergy sufferers.

ALLERCA Hypoallergenic Cat

In 2004, a company named ALLECRA claimed to have bred a genuine hypoallergenic cat–one that would not produce allergens. ALLECRA claims that their specialty cats are sweet, friendly, free of genetic defects, and long-lived (although of course it’s too soon to tell about the latter claim). Scientific studies so far have shown that in ALLECRA cats the amount of protein that causes allergies is so small as to be undetectable. The price tag for this perfect pet? $3,950.

It’s a lot cheaper to keep buying Kleenex.

January 27th, 2009 by PetGuru

How would it be to present your child a cute cat for this Christmas?  Pets are climbing the want list this holiday season and cute cats are easy to care for and make great pets!

Pet Care

Cats are a lot easier to take care of then dogs.  You don’t have to walk them, they basically potty train themselves, and they are generally less hyper and rambunctious than a dog is.All you have to do for you new cute kitten is to bring a litter box and arrange some food. A dog would need more time and attention as well as daily walks and lots of bones to keep them from chewing the furniture.  Cute cats like to play and get petted as well, but they don’t require constant attention like a dog would.  Since cats aren’t as hyper and needy as dogs are, you don’t have to kennel them when you go to work, or find a pet sitter to walk them while you’re on vacation.

Why A Cat?

Cat’s make better pets for a child than a kitten would, depending on the age of the child.  Sometimes a kid can be a little rough at first and may scare the kitten and cause it to be more withdrawn and independent.  A cute cat will give all the fun of a new cuddly pet, with more patience for a child.  Also, when comparing cats and dogs, cats are far less dangerous, and easier to care for, and you don’t have to bathe them!  We all know that children hate chores!

Where Can We Get One?

A great place to find a cat is at an animal shelter.  This is the first place you should look, considering these pets are in great need of a loving family.  You can adopt a cute cat with all of its shots that is spayed or neutered relatively cheap.  This is ideal because you won’t have to take it to the vet immediately, and these pets are usually inspected and fairly healthy.  This is especially important when shopping for your cat because so many “outdoor” cats get pregnant and have up to eight babies a litter causing so many of them to be discarded by families into these types of shelters.There are plenty of animal shelters located in your vicinity that can offer you an awesome looking cat for your young child.

January 27th, 2009 by PetGuru

For such parasitic insects, cat flea can cause an unbearable physical and emotional stress upon you and your pet. Just when you think you’ve got an infestation under control, a whole new generation rises up ready to feed.

Cats usually get fleas when they go outdoors, but even indoor cats can be vulnerable. All it takes is a flea hitching a ride on the owner’s Reeboks. The cat rubs its head against the shoe in greeting…and there you are, dealing with a plague of cat fleas.

How Will I Know?

If your pet is suffering from fleas, soon the entire community will know about it. Watch kitty for excessive scratching. If you do notice your cat scratching a lot, purchase a flea comb (available at any pet store), place your pet on a light colored towel, and gently comb his or her fur. At times you might come across the fleas, however it is more likely that you notice black dots on the comb and towel. This is flea excrement–i.e., cat flea poop.

I Came Across The Dreaded Black Dots. Now What?

First you have to know your enemy and that means a quick lesson on the flea life cycle. A mature female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Most of these eggs will go on your cat, others will go on your cat’s favorite places to sleep and eat. When the eggs hatch, the larvae survive by eating the adult flea’s feces. After about a week, the larvae cocoon themselves into pupae. A week later the pupae come out of their cocoons as adult fleas, ready to start the whole cycle over.

To cure your cat of fleas, you must not only kill all the adults, but also all of the eggs, larvae, and pupae. To be effective, you must carry out your campaign of destruction all at once.

Killing The Adult Fleas

The quickest way to accomplish this is to take kitty to the vet for a flea dip. During your presence there, make sure to enquire the vet about available products for getting rid of flea eggs. Also ask your vet about cat flea prevention so you don’t have to go through the same thing again next year.

Killing The Eggs, Larvae, Pupae

While your cat is at the vet being dipped, it’s time to take on the flea babies. It is important to clean and vacuum your cat’s bed at regular intervals (also clean any piece of cloth that your cat might have used). Vacuum or steam clean all the carpets in your home. Make sure you cover the entire area of carpet, especially the parts around the floor boards. Take the vacuum bag out to the trash immediately so fleas do not start to breed inside it. Finally, release an insect bomb (or several) in your home. Ask your vet for a recommendation and follow the instructions exactly.

If you follow these instructions, your cat should be free of fleas in short order, but put him or her on a prevention program recommended by your vet. One flea annihilation per cat is more than enough.

January 27th, 2009 by PetGuru

Although almost all cats have an air of beauty and dignity to them, for sheer charming prettiness, none surpasses the calico cat. This three-toned (black, orange, and white) feline inspires awe in some, terror in others, but indifference in none. This article offers some interesting info about the elusive calico cat.

What Makes A Calico?

Calico cats, by definition, have patches of orange, white, and black fur. In the calico, these patches are distinct. Tortoise shell cats have the same coloring as calicoes, but their colors blend together.  

Yes, We Have No Boy Calicoes

First for a quick lesson in basic biology: Female cats are formed when each parent donates an X chromosome. Male cats are formed when the mother donates an X chromosome and the father donates a Y chromosome.

Part of the genetic anomaly that gives calicoes their unique coloring is linked to the X chromosomes. In calicoes, one X chromosome carries the gene for black fur and the other X chromosome carries the gene for orange fur.

Since males only have one X chromosome, they rarely become calico cats. The very few male calicoes usually have genetic abnormalities (such as carrying an XXY chromosome pattern). They are almost always sterile and may experience other health problems as well. 

Calico Cats Are The Bane Of Breeders

Calico cats are not a species unto themselves, and there’s no such thing as a “purebred” calico cat. They’re usually part domestic shorthair (e.g., alley cat), part Manx, part Persian, and part kitchen sink. For this reason, it’s very difficult to breed a calico cat. Breeders can increase the odds of getting a calico (say by breeding a black cat with an orange cat) but the results depend largely on gender and luck. There are no guarantees.

The Price Is Right

Given that the genetic combination must be just right to get a calico, you’d think they might be expensive cats, but most often, they’re not. Most of the pet owners who end up with calicoes are not specialized at cat breeding but ordinary pet owners who were not expecting litter. If you check your local newspaper in the spring, you probably won’t have much trouble finding a calico for either a very low price, or “free to a good home.”

The only time calico cats can get pricey is if they’re also bred for another trait. A calico Munchkin, for instance, will cost upwards of $500, not because it’s a calico but because it’s a Munchkin.  

Devil’s Plaything?

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft was afraid of calico cats. He believed them to be signs of the devil.

And The State Cat Is…

In 2001, calico cats were voted the state cat of Maryland, because their colors match the state bird (the Baltimore oriole) and the state insect (Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly).