Cat Lovers

Lots of us already realize that animals add to our emotional and spiritual well-being. Since we live in times where just about everything can and is often researched, countless tests have confirmed that owning a pet is good for our physical health as well! Evidently, whilst we are taking care of our pets, our pets are taking care of us.

We live longer, age better, have reduced bouts of loneliness, and are generally healthier if we have pets. Studies abound showing that sharing our lives with animals has a positive influence on our stress levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, moods, immunity, fitness, the span and quality of our lives, and can even reduce health care expenses.

Here are just a few of the amazing benefits you can expect from animal companionship:

• Pet owners were found to have lower levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels.
• Having a feline companion has been shown to decrease your heart attack risk by nearly one third.
• In recent times, therapy dogs have been introduced into hospitals, mental health centers, and nursing homes where their positive effects on patients are well documented. Visits from these compassionate canines commonly lift the spirits of patients, calm their nerves, and alleviate their loneliness.
• Pets commonly serve to facilitate social interactions between people. Individuals who are mobility impaired speak of increased “freedom to be capable” after getting an assistance dog. Additionally, participants reported increased independence and self-esteem, decreased loneliness, and experienced regular sociability from strangers.
• Dogs and cats have been known to be able to detect cancer in people and will constantly lick and smell the affected area as a warning to their owners.
• Alzheimer’s patients who are still living at home with pets had fewer mood swings, confusion, episodes of aggression and anxiety than patients not exposed to pets.
• Pets can improve our social lives. I have met many interesting people while walking my dogs or volunteering at our local animal shelter.
• Unconditional Love; I love my family and they love me. My family is always happy to see me but it’s my dogs that show the most excitement, wagging their tails gleefully and celebrating my return every time I walk in the door from a hard day at work.
• Dogs can help you keep fit. Some mornings I find it hard to get motivated to go on my daily walk. Then I find those big pleading eyes of anticipation looking up at me and I simply can’t say no.
• Pets and Children: Psychological research and analysis of the relationship between children and animals has determined that the mere presence of animals can positively alter a child’s attitude about themselves and increases their ability to relate to others. Additionally, pets can assist children to develop positive skills in several areas including love, attachment, wellbeing and caring. Yet further studies suggest that children exposed to pets in early life experience improved immune function with reduced allergies, less wheezing and asthma.
• Quality of life can be improved dramatically in families of epileptic children when a dog that that is trained to respond to seizures is present in the home.

The ways that animal companions affect our well being are apparently never-ending. The afore-mentioned examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amazing benefits and complexities of human-animal companionship.

There are so many heart-felt stories about the bond that exists between animals and humans but they are too numerous to mention here. Sharing your life with animals will provide you with spiritual health benefits that are beyond description. Animals have a way for touching our heart and soul. They ask for nothing and will go to the ends of the earth to protect you.

Thanks for reading my article. My name is Jessica Louise and I am passionate about animals of all types, large and small.

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Cats have a particularly flexible skeleton of more than two hundred and thirty bones, in which the forelegs can turn in almost any direction without strain, the head can turn almost completely through one hundred and eighty degrees and the spine is very mobile, especially the tail which can bend in any way it wishes. The skeleton is linked by more than five hundred well-developed muscles, which are especially strong in the lumbar region and the legs, to give them a powerful spring, and in the neck shoulders, to enable them to strike their prey. The cerebellum, that part of the brain which coordinates muscular movement and controls balance and direction, is also highly developed, giving the cat very fast reactions and enabling very rapid movement of its’ lithe and agile body. The cat thus has the power and the fluidity of movement it needs to be a successful predator, but its chest cavity is small for its size,and consequently it has a small heart and lungs, which means that it is easily tired. In fact a cat’s life consists of bursts of great activity interspersed with comparatively long periods of rest and recuperation. The space saved by the small chest is taken up by large digestive organs to allow for the alternating periods of gorging and fasting which make up the life of a carnivore in the wild. Like man, the cat has a collar-bone; it is the only domestic animal to have one-though it is small and does not hamper freedom of movement. Its limbs and digits, however have developed in a quite different way.

Its legs have similar components to those of human limbs, but its wrists and ankles appear to be halfway up the leg-only when a cat is sitting does its hind “foot” rest on the ground in human fashion. Its elbows and knees appear much closer to the body. The leg joints are arranged at closed angles which, coupled with their muscle power,gives them the ability to make great jumps. The cat walks upon its toes, of which there are normally five on each forefoot and four on each hind-foot, although extra toes are not uncommon. The soft fleshy pad of paws absorb any sudden shocks and protect the cat’s weight-bearing bones. With their downy covering, and the tufts of fur between the pads, the paws make a cat’s stealthy tread very quiet indeed-but by no means inaudible to other cats. Naturally outdoor cats wear off the down on their paws, which become tough and leathery, but do not lose their sensitivity, which is acute, or more so,than that of out fingertips. Although the cat’s digits have not developed into the versatile fingers of the human hand, its front paws are used for an enormous range of activities. They will hold things down and lift things up, cupped they become a scoop, clasped together they will lift things between them, they can be dipped into cream at the bottom of a jug where no tongue can reach, they can test temperature and texture, pull, pummel, swat, fondle and clout, as well as act as a sponge for washing places where the tongue cannot stretch. Although a cat will normally carry things in its mouth, it will often first pick them up with its front paws which are much more flexible than most people imagine. The rear paws do not have such flexibility, but they are larger and stronger, and are used in fighting as well as providing the pushing power for running and jumping.

If you are searching for products for your cat for its health then feel free to browse just follow the link. http://www.PETWELLBEING.INFO

If you have only recently added a cat to your family, it may come as news to you that some cat health problems are quite common. Regardless of breed, even if you own a moggie, you can expect health issues from time to time. In thoroughbred cats, some ailments can be inherited while all the common cat health problems can be prevented.

Hairballs: Hairballs are extremely common, particularly in long haired cats because when they groom themselves, they swallow loose hair and this compacts into a hard ball in their digestive system. If it is very large, the cat won’t be able to pass the hairball and the only alternative is to cough it up. There are a few things you, as the owner, can do to help with this. Firstly, you can give your cat kitty malt regularly; most cats love it so it shouldn’t be a problem to give just about an inch on your finger for the cat to lick off. Alternatively, there are treats which can be given which are designed to prevent hairballs and you can groom your cat too. However, if your cat seems to have constipation and coughs rather a lot then see your vet who will probably dose him with liquid paraffin. Usually, this will do the trick but if not, your cat may need an operation to remove the blockage.

Worms: Worms are particularly common in cats which spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly if they hunt and catch rats, mice, voles and birds. There are various types of worms but in general, they will appear as white flecks in your cat’s faeces and your cat may become rather thin. See your vet straight away if you suspect that your cat has worms and he will be able to treat them. However, prevention is better than cure and you can give your cat worm medication every three months so the worms won’t get the chance to develop.

Urinary tract infection: This frequently occurs in male cats which haven’t been spayed although females can contract a urinary tract infection. Symptoms include the cat not being able to pass urine or very strong smelling urine. Again, veterinary treatment is essential; a course of antibiotics is usually enough or one long lasting injection.

To prevent avoidable cat health problems, visit your vet at least once a year to have him give your cat a check up and the necessary vaccinations, worming tablets and so on.

Liz Canham currently has four cats in her family so has plenty of experience in raising and caring for cats so for more information on common cat health problems, visit Liz’s website The Cat Lover.

There are definitely a whole lot of people all over the world who have an eternal attraction for cats. After all, these are just some of the most delightful four legged creatures you may ever have as an unofficial member of your home. But, there will a few times where you in fact fondle or stroke your cat’s fur or neck, and they may end up biting you instead. Why does a pet cat do that? However, with a little help from research, you will get to see that there are numerous factors why this occurs and what you need to do, of which 4 will be discussed below:

- A whole lot of animal pros have come up with a theory that petting is something that cats are not actually accustomed to. This makes them drastically different from the more social dog. Of course, that may be changed simply by educating your pet kittens to interact with individuals at a very early age. Granted you spend enough time being in contact with your kitten, it’ll soon learn to depend on you more and show more love to your petting. Naturally, this is just one possible reason.

- Another possibility is that some cats are more receptive than others, and petting them has led you beyond their threshold. Naturally, initial human contact may seem satisfying to them, but overdoing it can cause them to become disturbed. Biting you is their manner of saying that they have had enough petting for the moment. In such cases, best leave them for the time being. Give them their personal space.

- You might not know this, but every now and then when you pet your pet, they become irritated because of the static electricity caused by caressing their fur coats way too much. This could cause hurting to their nervous system. You may also wind up stroking a pretty responsive area on their bodies which may ultimately trigger some sort of aggression in them. Always be cautious when you stroke your cat, as they’re pretty delicate creatures.

- There’s also the reason that, once your pet cat has woken up from quite a nice nap, your manner of caring and being affectionate may lead them to believe that you’re in fact confining them. This would then cause them to bite out of instinct and run before you actually get a hold of them. at times cats would like to be in full control and not have any human being interfere with that. They would wish to be petted at times, and left alone in others. It’s significantly necessary that you avoid being all touchy-feely with your cat always, and give them some of their own personal time.

Bernard Yao invites you to http://www.petsinfoplace.com dedicated to sharing useful information on raising happy and healthy home pets for the online community. Come on by for more great information on Cats.

The obesity epidemic in this country has not been lost on our cats. A 2011 study by the APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention), stated that more than 50% of domestic cats are considered overweight or obese. Feline obesity is responsible for numerous diseases and disorders, including feline diabetes, arthritis, respiratory problems, heart disease, and liver disease, most of which can be eliminated once your cat is back to a normal weight. Armed with an understanding of feline obesity and a weight management strategy, it is possible to get kitty back to a healthy weight.

Common Reasons for Feline Weight Gain

Physical Activity – Cats gain weight the same way humans do, by consuming more calories than they burn. In nature, food acquisition requires physical exertion. Animals in the wild never know when or where their next meal will be making an appearance, so they are frequently on the hunt. Hunting for food requires a great deal of physical activity. With the domestication of cats, the need to hunt as a means of survival is no longer required; therefore, the physical activity of hunting is not essential.

Nutrition- Cats are strictly carnivorous animals. They were not meant to eat carbohydrates. Cats lack two important enzymes, amylase andglucokinase, which break down and help the body process carbs. Cats have the ability to convert proteins to energy, therefore needing fewer carbs. This results in the unused carbs being stored as fat.

Feeding Schedule- Ad libitum or free-choice feeding is when food is left out for consumption all hours of the day. Free feeding is like being on a kitty cruise ship – 24 hour buffet. Unfortunately, this provides opportunity for cats to feed for reasons other than hunger, including boredom.

Things You Can Do

1. Make an Appointment with Your Veterinarian – Cats are made of up of different breeds, body types, sizes, etc; therefore, before beginning a weight management program, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Determining the extent of your cat’s weight problem, and whether it could be caused by an underlying medical condition is crucial to your strategy. This is especially important if your cat has put on a few pounds in a short period of time.

2. Keep kitty busy- Cats typically sleep 13-16 hours per day, so making the best of the time when kitty is awake is crucial. Cats need some type of physical activity each day, so set aside a few minutes to focus on playing with your cat. Not only will your cat benefit from the exercise, you both will benefit from the time spent together. With so many cat toys on the market, you should have no problem finding one that your cat will love. Here are some of our favorites.

Laser pointers – I have yet to find a cat that doesn’t love playing with a laser pointer.

Feathery wand – While each cat will have his or her own toy of choice, the feather topped wand is a favorite of all our cats.

Milk rings- If you purchase milk in a plastic jug, you will have an unlimited supply of these little rings. Our cats bat and chase these things all over the house.

3. Read labels- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) suggests that you look for the following information when reading cat food labels to ensure that the food you are purchasing falls within the recommended guidelines.

What to look for on the label

- Compliance with AAFCO’s requirements for “Complete and Balanced,” as evidenced by that wording on the label.

- Named protein source – look for “chicken, lamb, or beef,” rather than “meat.”

- On canned food particularly, the protein source should be the first listed ingredient

- Check the expiration date for freshness

What to avoid

- Words such as “by-products,” “meat and/or bone meal,” “animal digest,” and most other descriptions including “digest” or “meal,” and added sugars

- Chemical preservatives, including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propyl gallate

- Corn meal as a filler

- Excess of carbohydrate “fillers” (Dry food can contain as much as 50 percent grain)

If your cat is severely overweight or has a weight related health issue, there are a number of prescription cat foods that are formulated for specific needs. Please contact your veterinarian for guidance on which food would be best suited for your cat.

4. Implement a feeding schedule- If you have been free-feeding your cat, then you will need to slowly transition to scheduled feedings. Obese cats who are deprived of food, or whose food intake is greatly restricted can develop hepatic lipidosis, or Fatty Liver Syndrome, which is a very serious disorder, and left untreated could be fatal. If your cat is already obese, again, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before making any food or feeding changes. He should be able to offer additional tips on how to transition to a feeding schedule without risking the health of your cat. A change in feeding schedule can also help your cat maintain a healthy weight, thus reducing the chances of obesity related health problems later in life. In addition, a scheduled feeding plan is a good way to keep track of your cat’s food intake.

Feeding schedule example:

Begin by determining the appropriate food portion for your cat based on the packaging guidelines. Place half that amount in her bowl each morning, and encourage her to eat at that time. After she has finished, remove the bowl. At the next scheduled feeding time, place the remainder of the food in her bowl, and again, encourage her to eat. Since she has not been able to graze during the day, she will probably be grateful and hungry. Again, remove the bowl when she walks away. Eventually she will understand that she needs to eat until she is full at each feeding, since the food will not be available all day. With some time and patience you should have her on a routine schedule; eating when she is hungry, and eliminating the temptation of eating when she is bored.

In addition to feeding your cat a good quality, well balanced cat food, you should also provide plenty of clean drinking water. Water is essential to your cats’ good health. Water helps to regulate your cat’s body temperature, aids the body in the digestion of dry cat food, and helps with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Cats that do not consume enough water are prone to acquiring bladder and/or kidney health issues.

Unfortunately, cats have no control over how or what they are fed, and they don’t understand the importance of physical exercise, a balanced diet, or counting carbs. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to the health of your cat, and as cat owner, you are his only resource to help him stay healthy and happy. With time and patience, you can help your cat slim down to a healthy weight, and hopefully add many more years to your life together.

Kim W. Traff owns and operates Kitten Smitten, a cat enthusiast web site which provides cat and kitten health and wellness information, videos and photo galleries for the avid cat lover. Kim is also mom to four spoiled house-cats, and spends a great deal of time researching and writing articles about cats. If you are looking for more cat related articles and entertainment, visit http://www.kitten-smitten.com. You can also find Kitten Smitten on Facebook and Twitter.

The death of a family pet is an event that brings with it a special sorrow. Making this mournful period even more stressful is that fact that the owner is immediately faced with the decision of what to do with the remains of the loyal friend. While a pet cemetery can be a viable option, costs can range from $500 with a simple plastic casket and stone marker or more elaborate burial packages of $2000 or more, which may not be within the budget of most pet owners. A veterinarian’s office can dispose of the remains for a nominal cost but such a choice may seem cold hearted. For most people, a simple backyard burial or cremation remain the only viable alternatives, but which one is the best choice?

BURIAL

PROS – Given the necessity to quickly provide a final resting place for a treasured pet, burial on or near the owner’s property is the most popular choice made by pet owners.

Not only is this method relatively inexpensive, but it can also provide the grieving owner with comforting closure in knowing that the pet has received a final resting place near their home. The addition of a memorial stone, engraved marker, or wind chime on or near the pet’s grave adds a lasting remembrance and memorial to the beloved pet.

CONS – Unless you live in a rural area, local city laws and/or home associations may limit or even bar pet burials on an owner’s property. Even if burial is allowed, special care must be taken, not only to prepare a hole deep enough to discourage scavengers, but also in cases of large pets, to use a proper container so as to prevent a depression in the grave once decomposition begins.

CREMATION

PROS – When the cremation option is chosen, the grieving owner is spared the grief of handling the remains, checking the local laws regarding pet burial, and digging the plot. (This would be a particular advantage during the winter months.) Most veterinarians will be able to either handle the cremations themselves or make arrangements to have the procedure performed elsewhere. The ashes can either be kept in an urn next to a framed picture of the beloved pet or scattered in a yard that the animal loved to play in. If so desired, a small portion of the ashes can even be put into a tasteful piece of memorial cremation jewelry.

CONS – Depending on the size of the animal, the costs of “Private” pet cremation (one pet only, rather than communal) may range from $75.00 to $400.00, depending on the size of the animal. Some crematories may charge extra fees for services performed after hours and on weekends. There may also be some laws in the owner’s town that may limit the scattering of the ashes.

The choice between a yard burial and cremation is not an easy one for a pet owner to make. While the factors of cost and convenience should be considered, ultimately it will be the heart of the pet owner which will decide upon the final resting place for their lost companion.

For additional information on pet memorials, contact Heart to Heart Sympathy Gifts, an online sympathy and memorial gift store that offers gifts of remembrance.

Although it is hard to believe but cats can be stressed also like human beings and they need an avenue to de-stress themselves to return to their normal routine and to feel good.

What are the causes of cat stress?

Like human beings, there are things and events which serve as stressors for cats such as:

- Traveling
- House relocation
- Visiting the veterinarian
- Presence of other cats within their territory
- Scary noises
- New pet in the house
- Strong scents
- Fleas

- Loss of companion

Like humans, cats also show signs of stress like scratching on the furniture, their tails become full, persistent urinating in places other than their litter box, loss of appetite, overeating, irritability, persistent meowing, bedding, eating of plants, unusual behavior, frantic running around and biting. If your cat shows these symptoms, then you should de-stress your pet immediately because like humans, stress is harmful to their health also.

Some pet owners bring their pets immediately to the veterinarian due to fear that something bad will happen to their beloved pets. Nevertheless, there are other ways that you can de-stress your cats without bringing them to the veterinarian. Some pet owners fear that stress in cats will cause detrimental health effects like hair loss, urinary problems and eating disorders. Before you initiate a move to de-stress your pet, you should evaluate the stressors first.

Ways to de-stress your pet cats:

- If the stressor is other pets in the house, then you should keep the cat away from other pets or cats.

- Avoid feeding or doing immediate fix when your cat is violent or stressed because it reinforces their bad behavior. However, you can give them reward for their good behavior.

- When stressed, you can speak to them in calm voice and avoid yelling at them because it will make them more stressed.

- You can give your cat her favorite cat food to calm her down. You can also massage her to relax her and to help her to sleep.

- You can provide a hiding place for your cat to give him some privacy when relaxing and resting. Bear in mind that cats too need to cool their anger down before they can interact and can socialize with other cats and other people. You can either give her a cat box or a quite room which serves as their resting haven.

- If your pet is stressed with loud noises, you can turn off loud music and put on soothing music to calm her down.

- You can give your cat her favorite toys to play, to distract her or to give her exercise.

By following these simple tricks, you can de-stress and can relax your stressed cats in no time.

Ella Hall enjoys writing for Thecatpetshop.com which sells cat bed and cat carrier as well as a host of additional products.

Owning a diabetic cat proves to be a rather frustrating affair for several people, especially when it comes to finding the proper diet for them. Considering that you may not have the slightest idea on what to feed your cat, you will have to look for a lot of resources that can educate you on how to provide proper cat care.

There are definitely a lot of processed foods available, and these don’t really amount to a whole lot of health benefits for your furry feline friend. In such cases, you will have to make some extra effort in finding the best choice with which you can feed your cat. Below are just a few of these choices to consider:

Royal Canin – This is dry food which is specifically made for diabetic cats. This actually promotes the reduction of the effects of diabetes. Its manufacturers invested a lot of time and effort in the research of providing cats with such a condition not only a healthy but also delectable diet. This type of cat food is filled with a lot of protein content as well as a low carb count, which is essential in keeping them as healthy as possible. Royal Canin is a brand that is officially approved by several veterinarians all over the world, However, it is extremely important that you get a prescription from them in order to buy it. The reason for this is that this cat food is highly effective and is meant to be fed only to cats that are diabetic. In a nutshell, Royal Canin affects the way your feline friend reacts to insulin, so it is essential for you to closely observe them after starting on a Royal Canin diet.

Purina – Though considered to be rather expensive, this type of dry cat food is proven to be highly beneficial for your pet. This comes in a can, and offers a lot of benefits which aim to improve your cat’s condition. It is infused with omega fatty acids and is also rich in Vitamin E. This means that your cat’s skin and fur will be a lot healthier than before. You will also need a prescription to purchase Purina.

These are just two of the best dry food options for cats with diabetes. If you want to ensure proper cat care, purchase either of the two and see just how beneficial it can be for your lovable feline pet.

Bernard Yao invites you to http://www.petsinfoplace.com dedicated to sharing useful information on raising happy and healthy home pets for the online community. Come on by for more great information on Cats.

Although it is hard to believe but cats can be stressed also like human beings and they need an avenue to de-stress themselves to return to their normal routine and to feel good.

What are the causes of cat stress?

Like human beings, there are things and events which serve as stressors for cats such as:

- Traveling
- House relocation
- Visiting the veterinarian
- Presence of other cats within their territory
- Scary noises
- New pet in the house
- Strong scents
- Fleas

- Loss of companion

Like humans, cats also show signs of stress like scratching on the furniture, their tails become full, persistent urinating in places other than their litter box, loss of appetite, overeating, irritability, persistent meowing, bedding, eating of plants, unusual behavior, frantic running around and biting. If your cat shows these symptoms, then you should de-stress your pet immediately because like humans, stress is harmful to their health also.

Some pet owners bring their pets immediately to the veterinarian due to fear that something bad will happen to their beloved pets. Nevertheless, there are other ways that you can de-stress your cats without bringing them to the veterinarian. Some pet owners fear that stress in cats will cause detrimental health effects like hair loss, urinary problems and eating disorders. Before you initiate a move to de-stress your pet, you should evaluate the stressors first.

Ways to de-stress your pet cats:

- If the stressor is other pets in the house, then you should keep the cat away from other pets or cats.

- Avoid feeding or doing immediate fix when your cat is violent or stressed because it reinforces their bad behavior. However, you can give them reward for their good behavior.

- When stressed, you can speak to them in calm voice and avoid yelling at them because it will make them more stressed.

- You can give your cat her favorite cat food to calm her down. You can also massage her to relax her and to help her to sleep.

- You can provide a hiding place for your cat to give him some privacy when relaxing and resting. Bear in mind that cats too need to cool their anger down before they can interact and can socialize with other cats and other people. You can either give her a cat box or a quite room which serves as their resting haven.

- If your pet is stressed with loud noises, you can turn off loud music and put on soothing music to calm her down.

- You can give your cat her favorite toys to play, to distract her or to give her exercise.

By following these simple tricks, you can de-stress and can relax your stressed cats in no time.

Ella Hall enjoys writing for Thecatpetshop.com which sells cat bed and cat carrier as well as a host of additional products.