Picking Safe Cat Toys

Picking Safe Cat Toys

If you have a cat as a pet, you might have observed that they usually have different play styles than their canine counterparts. Toys are very important for cats than they are for dogs. Cat toys help fight boredom and it also gives them an outlet for their instinctive prey chasing behaviors. Playing with your pet can also be a bonding experience for the two of you.

However, when you are planning to buy a toy for your pet, you should make sure that the toys you are buying are safe for them. The type of toy that you buy depends on the size of your pet, their activity level, and preferences. You should also consider the environment that your pets play in or spends their time in as well. Here are some tips that you should consider in buying a cat toys.

Remember that most cats are attractive to things that are dangerous to them. So the first thing you have to do is to cat proof your home. You should remove string, ribbon, yarn, rubber bands, plastic bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips, pins, needles, dental floss, and anything else that can be ingested. These things are dangerous to your pet.

In buying a toy, you should avoid those that have ribbons, feathers, strings, eyes, or other small parts that can be chewed and ingested. Alternatively, you just avoid those that have these things. You could buy stuffed animals that are labeled as safe for children less than three years of age and that do contain any dangerous fillings like nutshells and polystyrene beads. It would be better if the toy can be machine-washed. The toy should be soft as rigid toys are not as attractive to cats.

There are different categories of cat toys. They can be active, comfortable or filled with catnip. Active types can be round plastic shower curtain rings, plastic balls, or you can put a ping-pong ball or plastic golf ball in a dry bathtub to keep your mind occupied. Paper bags are also good for pouncing, hiding and interactive play.

A toy for comfort can include soft stuffed animals, which serve several functions. The stuff animal should be small animal to be carried around. Alternatively, it should be the same size as the cat for it to wrestle it around with. You can also consider buying a toy with legs and a tail, as this is more appealing to cats. Cardboard boxes are also comfort toys for your cat.

You can also consider buying catnip filled soft toys. These are fun to kick, carry and rub. It is also perfectly safe as it is not addictive and cats can roll in, rub in or eat. Catnip can also be crushed and sprinkled on the carpet. Or, you can put it on a towel placed on the floor so it will be easy to clean as catnip oils can stay in the carpet. However, we might not see the oil, but your cat will be able to smell them.

You can also get the most of your toys by rotating your cat toys weekly or by making only a few available at a time. Keep different types easily accessible. Alternatively, you can leave a toy that your cat loves available at all times. Make sure that the toys are of different uses like a toy to carry, a toy to wrestle with, one to roll, and one to baby.

Tom has had pets since he was a young child. He hopes to share many years of experience along with targeted research to help cat owners. This includes cat health as well. By T. Houser

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Cat carriers: Transport your cat comfortably in a cat carrier

Cat carriers: Transport your cat comfortably in a cat carrier

Any cat owner can tell you that transporting their cat can be a harrowing experience. Are there ways to make your cat more comfortable and at ease during travel? You bet there are! Here are a few cat carrying tips that will keep your cat at ease during vacation, travel or transport.

How to Make a Cat more Comfortable

1. Make sure that your cat carrier is the right size.The carrier should be no more than twice your cat's size. This makes the cat feel more secure while travelling. Check, however, to make sure that your cat has enough room to stand up, turn all the way around and lie down comfortably. Discount cat carriers are great, but if they don't allow your cat to move around a little, they are not worth the savings.

2. Purchase a cat carrier that has built in seatbelt snaps. This will allow you to secure the carrier during road trips and keep your carrier and your cat from sliding all over the car. If your cat feels secure in her carrier, she will be much more comfortable.

3. Choose a cat carrier that folds into a small unit. This way, when you travel with others and space is limited you can place the cat carrier in the trunk of the car or even fold it up and put it into a bag to save room.

4. If size will allow, place your cat's favorite pillow or bed inside the carrier.

When you're travelling by air, there are often a completely different set of rules for your cat and your travel cat carriers. There are several things that you need to do before your trip to make sure that your cat will be able to accompany you in the air.

Airline Regulations for Cat Carriers

1. Check with the particular airline that you will be using for your flight. Since regulations vary from airline to airline, make sure that you find out exactly what your airline will and will not allow with cat carriers.

2. When shopping for a cat carrier, you can check to see that you get an airline approved cat carrier. If the carrier is airline approved, it should say so right on the box. It is more important to have airline approved cat carriers than designer cat carriers.

3. Place a familiar object into the car carrier to make your cat feel more at home over a long airline ride.

4. It is very important to label your cat carrier with information such as your name and contact information, along with your cat's name, any medical problems and the name of your vet.

5. Make sure that you obtain a current health certificate before your flight. Many airlines require this before they will put your cat carrier on board.

Don't forget to pack extra food and water for your cat when you go on a trip. Treats are great, too, for keeping your cat comfortable during a long trip.

By Jennifer Brister.

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How to introduce your new cat to other cats in the family

How to introduce your new cat to other cats in the family

So you have decided to open your heart and your home to another cat. This was not an easy decision as you already have one or more cats in your home and are worried how they will react to the new addition. Well rest easy because there are steps you can take to ensure the introduction of this new cat will go smoothly. As a feral cat caretaker I have come across this issue more times than I can count.
Over the last eight years I have successfully trapped, altered and in many cases released some 30 or more cats. However over this time span I have encountered a select few that I believed would simply not survive if re-released to the outdoors. These cats became fulltime house cats and did not always get along with new cats outside let alone in a house.

Over the last eight years I have had to introduce many cats into my own indoor colony and not all of these cats ended up best friends. They did however all find a way to live together and be civil to each other, respecting each other place within the home. After watching some of their initial introductions I never would have guessed they would have developed the relationships they have today. Many of the cats that I thought would never get along have grown quite close with one another, some curling up together for naps and bathing one another. These relationships have no set time span and can develop overnight or over years. Respecting your cats' ability to work out social issues with one another is the first step in building a happy cat family. Never force your existing cat to interact with your new cat, let the two of them meet at their own pace as the 'getting to know you' phase between cats is an interact one.

You must keep in mind that cats are like people in the sense that first impressions count a great deal, and the way you present their new sibling is crucial to their future relationship. The cats in your home have staked out invisible claims on territory throughout your house. Marking these spots with pheromones they secrete from scent glands located on their cheeks and paws lets the other cats know who has claimed these areas. While introducing a new cat into their territory can be stressful, as they need to now share it, you can help to lessen their stress by slowly introducing your cats to the new cats scent. This can be done in many ways, some of which can be very enjoyable for both you and your cat. One option is to use a brush, a brand new brush if possible but your cats existing brush will work just as well. If your cat is a fan of brush time, this is a great choice for you. First brush your new cat, from head to toe making sure to gently brush his cheek area, as this will release the new cats scent onto the brush. After you have done this, bring the brush to your existing cat, allowing him to smell the brush before you begin to brush him with it.

If he allows you to, gently brush his cheeks, just as you did with the new cat. This allows your existing cat to begin to become accustomed to smelling your new cats scent in a non-threatening manner. You may also want to return the brush to the new cat, allowing him to smell your existing cats scent under the same controlled conditions. This is a great step to take before the actual face-to-face introduction so your existing cat can become aware that there is a new cat in his house with new scents but his initial introduction to these scents has been a positive one.

If the previous step has gone well, and both cats respond positively to the brush with each other's scents on them, you may now put both cats in the same room. A great time for this meeting is during feeding time, as you want all the initial interactions between both the new and existing cats to be as positive as possible. Feeding your existing cat first is preferred, then placing the new cats bowl down, but not too close to your existing cats. You want the two to be able to see each other but not feel threatened by each other's presence. After their meal, the cats will be much more relaxed and at ease, if they each hand around and begin bathing in the same room as each other then you can rest assured you are making progress. However, don't assume that this meeting will dictate the outcome of the actual face to face when no food is involved. Cats are very intelligent often ignoring the other cat for the time being, while still feeling threatened by them being there.

Another great way to introduce your cats to one another is by allowing your new cat to sleep on a clean blanket, and then spreading the blanket out for your existing cat to inspect. If he curls up on it and goes to sleep or takes a bath, he is letting you know that the new cats scent does not make him feel threatened. One final method for introducing a new cat to your existing cat or cats is to place a tiny drop of perfume in between their shoulder blades making sure he cannot reach it to lick it off. Then do the same with the other cats. This way, when your cats come in contact with one another they will smell only the perfume, and each cat will smell the same. This can be helpful in situations where the mere scent of another cat upsets your existing cat.

Remember that cats have a social hieirchy, and the addition of a new cat disrupts that hieirchy. Even in a house with one cat, the addition of another changes the social status of each cat. One cat will end up the alpha and the other will step down below him. In some cases, two cats will share the alpha status, while simply tolerating the other alpha cat. Be patient with your cats, there may be small fights as they need to figure out where each of them stand letting each other know what they will tolerate and what they will not. For the first few weeks, do not leave the new cat alone with your existing cats until you are sure there will not be any fighting which could result in injury. Giving your cats time, equal attention and affection, and making each interaction as positive as you can will help them to bond at their own pace in their own time, and result in a more positive experience for you and all of your cats.

By Nicole Cook

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A Guide to Common Cat Illnesses

A Guide to Common Cat Illnesses

If feline urinary infection sounds bad, it's somehow comforting to know that this is not a common disease, only causing 10% of vet visits. Male cats are more prone to feline urinary infection, but aside from this condition, cat owners have to contend with more common diseases that their precious pet might develop.

As responsible cat owners, we need to be aware of common illnesses among cats. Part of our responsibility is to be aware of these diseases for prevention or early detection. Although vet visits may be unpleasant to both pet and owner, it's best to go to the vet if you notice certain behaviours or manifestations that your cat is sick.

Here are some of the more common illnesses among cats to watch out for:

Worms - If this goes unchecked, it can lead to malnutrition and cause complications. Be sure to take your cat for de-worming, your vet would know when to administer treatment or prevention.

Food poisoning - It's true: Curiosity can kill a cat. Sometimes, cats with high hunting drives especially those who are let loose outdoors come across smaller animals or 'prey.' These unfortunate creatures may carry a slew of disease which may be transmitted to your animal. Be observant. And it would be better to keep your cat indoors if you know that it's got a habit of hunting successfully.

Abscess - When cats get into fights, things can get bloody. If your pet gets into a scuffle with another feline (or another creature for that matter), check for wounds or bruises. When wounds get worse, this can lead to infection. Your cat might be feverish, and there would be noticeable swelling in the affected area. Take your cat to the vet to see what kind of medication it would need to fast-track healing.

Cat flu - It is unconfirmed whether cats truly have nine lives, but vaccination from cat flu can save you the pain of losing your cat to this sickness in the long run. The symptoms are very similar to what we humans manifest when we're down with the flu. For cats, this is a respiratory illness that's very contagious and has not direct treatment available. The symptoms are sneezing, coughing, noisy breathing, runny eyes, loss of appetite and fever.

Skin problems (ring worms) - If you notice that your cat is developing dry skin on its ear and eye areas, and these dry spots develop into red lesions, your cat might have ring worms. This is highly contagious, and can be transferred to humans.

Feline distemper - Also called Feline Infectious Enteritis. This is a potentially fatal disease, and kittens are the most prone to this viral infection. Protect your kitty by vaccination.

Feline infectious peritonitis - Sounds complicated, and it actually is. A virus causes abdomen inflammation; the symptoms include loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, weight loss, and fever. This is more prone among households with more than 2 cats. Kittens and elderly cats are more prone to this disease, and it is almost always fatal.

It seems that you don't just have to watch out for feline urinary infection. The list above shows how big the responsibility is of taking care of a cat. And this holds true for all pets. With tender loving care, your cat will live a long happy life with you. Regular visits to the vet for check ups are a must, and we must be truly concerned of our cat's health. Fat cats are not necessarily healthy cats, and they're not just cute cuddly creatures that you feed and play with sometimes. They're wonderful animals that make good companions, all with their own individual character and charm.

By Puneet Aggarwal

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Interpreting Your Cat's Body Language

Interpreting Your Cat's Body Language

It is already difficult to understand animals because they cannot directly speak to us, unless you are like Dr. Dolittle. However, since most people do not have that ability, we must rely on interpreting our pets' body language in order to understand what they are trying to tell us.

Cats are particularly mysterious animals by nature. Therefore, they tend to be more of an enigma than your typical friendly, up-front dog. Despite what you may think, cats communicate their feelings as well as dogs do. The problem is interpreting the subtleties of their body language.

A happy cat is probably the easiest to pinpoint. Obviously, purring can be a dead giveaway that your furry friend is enjoying a good chin scratch or back rub, but a cat can be in a good mood without purring. A contented feline will most likely hold his ears high and up, or slightly turned to the side. The tail can either be directly upright, or with a slight curve towards the bottom. Additionally, if your cat has his eyelids half-lowered or is barely blinking, this can be a sign of a happy pet as well.

A scared or nervous kitty will display her fright in several ways. Most obvious will be a fluffed-out, poofy tail. Sometimes, a cat will fluff up the hair along its backbone or all over if it is really frightened. Occasionally, a cat will lick its lips or blink very quickly when it is feeling nervous. When feeling threatened by another feline, a cat might refuse to meet its aggressor's eyes. It could arch its back and stand at a sideways angle to the source of anxiety rather than facing it head-on.

Perhaps a cat is most fun to watch when it is feeling predatory. When your kitty is about to pounce, you might notice her crouching and wiggling her hindquarters right before the leap. His tail tends to twitch or swish rapidly when eyeballing potential prey. The cat's pupils will probably dilate in order to be on full alert. Once your feline is in possession of the object of desire, a crouched back, slightly lowered and sideways ears, and perhaps a bit of fluffed fur should tell everyone to back off.

By having the ability to interpret your cat's body language, you can better interact with your pet and understand what your kitty wants. As always, a healthy cat is a happy cat, no matter what other emotion it might be feeling. It is important to provide your feline with nutritionally balanced and natural food.

Joseph Devine

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How Well Do You Know Your Cat

How Well Do You Know Your Cat

Cat cat cat. Everyone live this animal for pet. Do you have a cat? How well do you know your cat? Is it even possible to know your cat? Yes, but it requires a bit of hard work on your part. The cat will have to do nothing at all, but, then, that is what cats do.

Cats retain many of their instincts from their wild past. They are not "big" cats such as lions or tigers. They are small so their instincts are designed for survival among larger predators as well as for survival itself.

Domesticated cats, when they were wild, were hunted as well as hunters.

You cat hides. It hides to play. It hides when it is afraid. Its natural instinct encourages hiding. Remember that the very next time you look all over the house to try to find your cat, cannot, and then it appears out of thin air. Your cat will find places to sleep where it is hidden and secure from harm, even if there is no possible harm around it. That its wild ancestors.

Your cat is curious. It is constantly checking out its environment, looking for changes and ensuring that familiar objects are where they belong. Rocks, hills and trees do not move for the wild cat. A cat needs to reassure itself about its surroundings, finding reliable hiding places, locating food and water and a place to "litter".

Your cat will come to understand the relationship between owner and pet. It will discover that certain activities, certain actions, produce a reward. A wild cat might learn to rest near a game trail. Your cat will learn that if it climbs all over you in bed in the morning, you will put food in its bowl.

Has your cat ever brought you a gift? That is high praise from a cat. In the wild, cats hunt for family. When your cat brings you that cricket or mouse that it caught, it is telling you that you are family.

Many cats are very vocal. They learn that from you. You talk to them and to other people. Wild cats make sounds to warn of danger, to challenge for a fight, to call to kittens. But, because silence is a survival issue, wild cats are not as vocal as domesticated ones. Your cat vocalizes because you do, and because it has learned that vocalizing cause you to do things that it wants.

Your cat has emotions. As you watch it, you will see it be playful, happy, anxious, demanding, and others. Can you see how your cat feels in its facial expression? Does the way your cat approaches you tell you how it feels? Cats do not hide their emotions so your study of your cat should help you understand them fairly easily.

How well do you know your cat? You should get to know it. It will enrich the relationship, the bond that the two of you share. Just remember that your little kitty was once wild and it still acts like it sometimes.

By Charles Simmins

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