We all love our bubble wrap. As a matter of fact, we used to play with these a lot when we were young boys and girls. Even now when we have aged, these plastic cushions are still pretty exciting to play with.

More than you can ever imagine, your cats, too, would enjoy plastic air cushions in a whole lot of ways. Cats, as we all know, are tremendously playful creatures which love to play with all sorts of things that they can get their hands – or paws – on. The plastic air cushion is one of them.

So, how can you take advantage of these cushions in order to keep your cat entertained? Here are two or three important things that you can do or prepare which would be great for your cats.

First, get a box which is probably more than two feet across. This way, the box would be big enough for two cats to fit in. Or, if you have only one cat, it would be big enough to do somersaults as it pleases.

Line the interior of the box with your plastic air cushions. This means, therefore, that the plastic cushion should be at least 4 feet wide in order to cover the entire box. Now, put your cat inside the box without closing it, of course. This might freak the cat out.

Observe as your cat tries to pounce at every bubble in the box. Believe, me, it will never get tired of this.

The second thing that you can do is to simply cover a climbing pole with the plastic air cushion. This pole should be wide enough and tall enough for your cat to be interested in. With this, you will notice your cat try to climb up the pole. It will do all sorts of fun things as it gets excited over the popping sound of the plastic.

The third thing that you can do is the simplest, and, at the same time, the most exciting for you and your car. Simply get a wrap while you are playing with your cat, and play with it with the plastic that you have. You can play with it any way you want. One of the most enjoyable things that you can do is to try to cover your cat with it, and as the cat struggles to get out, the bubbles will pop thereby exciting your pet.

There are many creative way to go about this bubble wrap device. All you need is your imagination.

For more information on bubble wrap, address labels or mailing bags check out our site and see what cheap bubble wrap we have available.

Feline (Cat) Diabetes – found predominantly in older obese male cats – This can be either type 1 or 2 diabetes the same as in humans. Type 1 is caused by insufficient insulin produced by the pancreas and Type 2 is the inability of the body’s cells to efficiently handle insulin.

Why has this happened to my cat, why not my neighbors cat. How devastating it would be for you to have your best friend diagnosed with feline diabetes. Do not despair diabetes in animals like humans is treatable.

Questions, so many to ask, so many answers needed. How long will he/she live will it cost me a lot, what medicines are needed, how can I make things right again. A complete overview of caring for your cat is paramount if he/she is to live a long life. Most diabetic cats cared for properly have a normal life expectancy (around 17 years or more).

Initially the cost can be quite substantial. However once diagnosed and the diabetes regulated the costs decrease as vet visits become less often and you can manage your cats’ diabetes from home. Your pet will now have to be given daily medications/insulin and a proper diet. Commitment to providing love and care will be paramount to ensure your cat will have a long life expectancy.

Prevention as a rule is better than cure

Avoid cat junk food – for example dry kibbled cat food. This is the number one cause for the onset of cat diabetes. This type of poor-quality, highly processed carbohydrate rich food causes many felines to become diabetic. Avoid any brand of dry cat food.
Choose a canned/pouched or a raw meat diet.

Early signs of diabetes – This includes Weakness in the limbs evidenced by limping. It can also be related to some other diseases, for example pancreatitis. So it is best to get veterinary advice promptly.

Symptoms of diabetes

Loss of appetite, excessive thirst and urination.
Weakness and lethargy.
Vomiting.
Breathing abnormalities, poor coat and skin condition.
Dehydration.

Treatment – As with human diabetes feline diabetes is treated the same way. Either by insulin or diet control.

Insulin – Cats with Type 1 diabetes as well as some Type 2 will need insulin. Your vet will train you to give these injections. Often they may prescribe oral medication. You will also need to monitor your cats’ glucose level with a special monitoring machine.

By following professional advice and providing your cat with fresh water, quality food a pleasant environment and lots of love and care your cat will live a long stress free life.

There are cat people and there are dog people. The two camps have been arguing over which makes the better pet for quite some time. Obviously, there is no right answer. Some folks like felines and some folks like canines. It really is a matter of preference. Both animals, historically, have made fine pets and companions. But when it comes to bragging rights, cats can claim a small victory. Until only recently, dogs were America’s most popular pet. They have since been surpassed in numbers by their feline friends.

According to statistics compiled by the American Pet Products Association, there are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs and 86.4 million owned cats in the United States. But that is not the statistic we want to focus on today. The only reason there are more cats in America is because cat lovers are far more likely to own more than one cat than dog lovers are. Only 28 percent of dog owners have more than one canine, compared to 52 percent of cat owners that have more than one feline. Why is this important? Because caring for pets can be expensive, especially when you own more than one!

The same survey of American pet owners informs us that the average dog owner spends a little bit more on veterinary visits each year ($248 to $219). But that owner typically only has one dog, while the average cat person has at least two! In other words, those who are fond of felines often spend more on an annual basis to take care of them. Furthermore, many cat owners live on fixed incomes, which can make it extremely difficult to afford pricey prescription medications and vet visits. What can they do?

Practice Prevention

Before we begin, it is important to note that the following is not medical advice. Only an experienced and licensed veterinarian can properly diagnose an illness or condition and provide treatment for your pet. With that said, every cat owner should know a bit about feline healthcare. This includes the illnesses they are more likely to suffer from than other pets, not the treatment. As we mentioned, treatment should be left to the professionals.

Hairballs

Cats like to take care of themselves. No offense to dogs, but they tend to be a bit more independent. A hairball is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a ball of hair that cats swallow during regular self-grooming routines and later have to hack or vomit up because they can’t be digested. Of course, a cat doesn’t do this on purpose. It is his instinct to try to clean himself, even if he isn’t dirty.

Fortunately, hairballs aren’t deadly. But they will make your cat uncomfortable and they will cause quite a mess. Regurgitated cat fur is not a pleasant thing to find lying around the house. In extreme cases, if your cat is a meticulous groomer, the accumulated hair in his intestines may cause digestive problems. It may cause decreased appetite, which often results in lethargy or fatigue. He may also have problems with constipation, since the accumulated hair in his intestines can make it difficult to get things out.

As we mentioned, if your cat is hacking up a storm and the problem seems to be getting worse, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. The good news is that in the overwhelming majority of cases the treatment for hair balls is fast, effective, and affordable.

Your kitty’s doctor will most likely prescribe a type of lubricant which makes it easier for the hair to pass through your cat. It typically comes in oral gel form and will stop your feline friend from coughing up his own hair. In addition, it is probably a good idea to brush your cat on a regular basis to remove loose hair, especially if he has long hair. This will prevent him from swallowing large and uncomfortable hairballs that he may not be able to pass.

Diabetes

Just like their owners, pets can get diabetes. This serious condition occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the cells do not respond to the hormone as they should (insulin resistance). If it is not properly diagnosed in a timely manner, diabetes will cause early death.

The symptoms of feline diabetes often include increased appetite with no subsequent weight gain, even weight loss. This is because the lack of insulin is not allowing your cat to store fat as he should (insulin is essentially a fat-storing hormone). He may also drink and urinate more than he did before. As the disease takes hold of him, your cat will suffer from weakness and fatigue. In a younger cat, this should be relatively easy to observe. Lastly, when in the final throes of the disease, his breathing will become labored or stertorous and he may vomit or suffer from diarrhea. If your cat experiences any of these serious symptoms, take him to his veterinarian immediately!

Joey Glenden is a freelance writer who writes about pet care and pet meds.

Many people are very worried about flea infestations. This can put them off the idea of sharing their home with pets. However with the right cat flea treatment steps in place you don’t have to worry about infestations.

There are many products and methods available these days to deal with infestations and allow you to enjoy pet ownership with fleas getting in the way.

Why You Need to Stop Fleas

Fleas are nasty little bloodsuckers that can make life miserable for cats and pet owners. They are very small and difficult to spot and so infestations can develop before you realise there is a problem. This is why you do need to take a proactive approach to preventing fleas. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they are not affecting your pets and home. Here are just 3 easy steps to preventing fleas in your home.

Step 1 – Frontline Cat Flea Treatment

You do need to treat your pets against fleas all year round. Frontline is an excellent product with a proven history of flea prevention. With Frontline flea treatment for cats you will be able to quickly and easily treat your pets and exterminate any fleas that try to feed from them.

Frontline is a great way to deal with adult fleas as it will kill them very quickly once they have tried to feed from pets. This means when pets pick up new fleas they can be killed before they have a chance to jump off and infest other areas.

Step 2 – Home Cat Flea Treatment

You also need to tackle any fleas that may have already started breeding in your home. Fleas will breed in any warm, dark places such as in the weave of carpets or under floorboards. As most modern homes are centrally heated this means they can even thrive during the colder months.

There are some excellent Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) cat flea treatment products available. They work to disrupt the life cycle of fleas to prevent them from breeding and infesting your home. You can use these IGR products twice a year (they should last for 6 months) to keep your home free from fleas.

Step 3 – Cleaning Schedule

Flea infestations do not mean your home is unclean. However a few tweaks to your cleaning schedule can help to control fleas and assist with successful flea treatment for cats.

• Fleas get into carpets, bedding and soft furnishing in places where pets sleep. This means you can help to control fleas by washing bedding and pillow covers frequently.

• You should also vacuum rugs, carpets and sofa cushions every two or three days as well.

• This works to pick up adult fleas and will also trigger eggs to hatch so that when you do carry out treatments they will be more successful.

A successful cat flea treatment program will help to prevent infestations in your home. With just a few easy steps you can use effective products and techniques to ensure fleas don’t ruin your pet ownership experience.

Cats shed microscopic pieces of dead skin to make way for newer healthier skin. These flakes are called dander and are one of the most potent allergens know. Here are 7 other facts about it that will help you understand it better and deal with it effectively.

What you can’t see can be a problem. There’s an old saying that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. But if you are sensitive to the protein found in these dead skin flakes, your body doesn’t have to be told that it’s there. And it can definitely hurt your quality of life by causing you to sneeze, wheeze, itch, have watery eyes, and a congested nose. Because these particles are microscopic, they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Don’t let that give you a false sense of security about your air quality.

There’s no getting rid of it. Replacing older skin with newer skin that is more able to protect the body against disease and infection is the body’s ingenious way of keeping your pooch as healthy as possible. So this process is normal for all warm-blooded animals. That means that it’s a fact of life for as long as you have your pet.

Grooming your cat can help minimize the amount of dander on your cat. That means there is less to attach to furniture and go airborne with daily activities. Feeding it a healthy diet can also help keep skin healthier and reduce unusually high amounts of shedding because of improper nutrients.

Every cat produces it. There is no such thing as a cat that doesn’t produce dander. Even with minimal hair this process of rejuvenating skin continues. And even though the hair and fur are not the actual allergens, because dander is sticky stuff, it often attaches to these particles and makes it seem as though these big particles are the allergens.

Eliminating hair and other particles can help. In addition to pet-related pollutants there are a number of particulates found in indoor spaces regardless of how clean it is. They include dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollen, bacteria and viruses.

By reducing the number of airborne particles, you are also reducing the microscopic particles (dander, bacteria, and viruses) that use them to travel from one host to another. That means you can eliminate multiple sized particles. And that’s a good thing.

Filtering the air is the most reliable way to reduce dander. A high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter is specifically designed to remove airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater in size. A micron is defined as one millionth of a meter is considerably smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

Nothing will get rid of all of the airborne particles. But by continually filtering the air of normal pollutants as well as the ones your cat generates will drastically reduce the respiratory issues that can be caused by the protein in dander.

You can drastically reduce the amount of cat dander in your air with HEPA filtration. PurerAir.com offers the Cat Dander Air Purifier to help you keep the dander down. See it now at http://purerair.com/cat_dander_air_purifier.html

Kneading is when a cat extends and retracts its claws, usually while resting on its owner’s lap or perhaps on a comfortable,furry cushion or blanket. Most of the time it’s followed by purring and closing their eyes, clearly showing that they are content. In some parts of the world this is called paddling and purring.

Explanations for this behavior may vary, but without doubt it is an instinctive trait.

One of the theories is that kneading comes from the time they were kittens, when cats were kneading their mothers while nursing to make the milk flow more freely. From the age of three weeks until weaning, kittens spend a lot of their time kneading and purring around their mother’s milk supplying nipples. They are fast learners when it comes to fun and food, discovering that the movement of their paws on either side of the mother’s nipple stimulates the milk flow. If a cat dribbles or sucks its owners clothes while kneading, it has probably been taken from its mom too early and never had a chance to grow out of the behaviour.

A soft, warm, comfortable area, whether it is our laps or the favorite cushion on the couch seems to bring out this kitten behavior in cats. Although this is the most common explanation for kneading, there are other reasons. Adult female cats, coming into heat might also produce this very same behavior.Kneading may also take us back to when wild cats patted down tall grass or shredded leaves to make a bed for sleeping or giving birth.

Touching soft and furry materials such as blankets, cushions, carpets, stuffed toys and sweaters makes some cats and kittens want to use their paws. It can also be seen as a pre-sleep routine for some gorgeous felines. They see it as a way of making themselves comfortable before sleeping. The area they are usually purring and kneading is where they will have their cat nap.

There is also a practical explanation to cats kneading. They have scenting glands in the soft pads on the bottoms of their paws. When they are kneading, some of their unique smell is released onto the surface, and that smell serves as a kind of territorial marker for any unfamiliar cats that might come along and try to stake a claim. So, when your cat is kneading your lap, it is not only telling you it feels comfortable and secure, but it is claiming you as its own.

Kneading is a sweet behaviour to watch, but it can be painful if your cat does it with its claws bared. Kittens are kneading with their claws retracted because their moms wouldn’t allow it any other way. You can train your kitty to do it with claws retracted too, by gently tossing it off your lap when it uses its claws, and praising it when it’s kneading gently without. Or you could just put a nice thick blanket on your lap and relax.

Kneading is a sign that your cat is happy, comfortable and relaxed. You should feel proud if it deems you worthy of sharing this pleasure. It is your cat’s way of saying it is glad you are there. It’s nice to be kneaded! Whatever the precise reason, one thing is for sure: A kneading cat is a happy cat.

http://www.catskneading.com/

Dental health is often overlooked in cats and since they are so clean themselves, you would never expect their teeth to be dirty. However, feline dental problems are one of the largest causes of health problems in cats so owners must be aware of problems that can occur and what to do about them. Here is a list and description of some common dental problems that occur in cats.

1) Feline Periodontal Disease.

Feline periodontal disease happens when a buildup of plaque forms tarter, pushing food debris and bacteria under the gum line, infecting the gum and bone structure that support the teeth. The most common symptoms include: inflamed gums, swelling/bleeding gums or bad breath. There are several ways to treat periodontal disease including antibiotics, dental cleaning, and extraction.

2) Feline Stomatitis.

Feline Stomatitis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, so the body becomes allergic to plaque around the teeth. It is often found in cats with other autoimmune problems. If your cat has this, you may notice an inflammation of the mouth which may extend into the throat. The cat will appear to be in pain-he may not eat or may constantly paw at is mouth. Feline stomatitis is a serious condition and should be taken care of by a veterinarian.

3) Feline Odonotoclastic Oral Resoprtion Lesions (FORL).

Cats with feline odonotoclastic oral resorption lesions have painful lesions that start as shallow pits that occur in the enamel of a tooth. The tissue surrounding the tooth becomes inflamed because of plaque accumulation. Most of the time, a veterinarian will need to remove the infected tooth to prevent further problems.

4) Malocclusion.

Malocclusion This may be the result of abnormal tooth alignment. It can cause difficulty in eating along with weight loss. The problem can be fixed by a veterinarian who specializes in feline dental health and orthodontics.

Remember that you should take your cat in for an examination when you first notice symptoms of dental problems, pain is usually the last sign that shows up, so don’t let it progress that far. In order to detect dental issues, you should brush your cat’s teeth and examine them regularly, feed them a nutritious and well-balanced diet, as well as take them in for regular veterinarian examinations. By taking the right steps, you may never have to deal with unfortunate feline dental problems! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask the veterinarian.

We love pets! Probioticsmart.com knows your pet deserves the very best care possible, and we’re here to help. Visit our blog for more information, tips and stories on all things pet health. See you there!

Doc, I am going to get rid of this cat if he doesn’t stop peeing everywhere! I have heard this complaint so very often. The leading reason for people getting rid of their cats is due to marking or urination in the wrong places. The problem must be diagnosed to determine whether it is medical or behavioral. Medical problems affecting the urinary tract in cats will force them to change their habits. Cats that are normally litter trained may urinate on the floor right before your eyes or in other obvious places such as your shoe or pillow. This is their cry for help. Rather brilliant on their part to bring the problem to your attention. A urinalysis (urine tests) will diagnose a bladder infection or feline lower urinary tract disease (F.L.U.T.D.). Medical treatment resolves the problem. If the urinalysis is normal than you have behavioral urination problems.

Behavioral urination provokes cats to mark. Most cats mark with the tail straight up and a horizontal spray of small amounts of urine out the back end will leave their scent. Male and female cats mark. Unneutered males mark the most but females in the peak of their breeding cycle mark as well. Reasons for marking include sexual, territorial and competitive interactions between cats. If your cat is totally an indoor pet they will still know if a new tom cat or a breeding female is prowling outside the window. This is even more frustrating for an indoor cat. Indoor marking of doorways, windows, furniture and clothing are acceptable items for your cat. Of course, this is not acceptable to humans because the odor is so offensive.

Aggressive behavior in cats I believe is the most offensive. This is a situation you will take personally. Your cat is unhappy and is selecting the individual in the household who is making him/her unhappy. Perhaps the threat is a new partner, newborn baby or another cat in the household. This is not a common behavioral problem. An analysis of the urine and the environmental conditions are of utmost importance to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatments for marking include cleaning with a neutralizing product and usually use of oral medications to control anxiety. A wonderful product contains pheromones that cats release when they are happy. If sprayed where previous urinating has occurred the cats will not mark. They don’t want to spray in happy places. It also works with aggression problems. Additionally, retraining your cat to use the litter box is necessary. Having a very clean box for each cat and additives that attract your cat back to the box are basic steps. Sometimes anti-anxiety drugs are added to the list. Whether medical or behavioral most problems can be resolved. There is a reason for their complex actions. Give your feline friend a second chance.

Did you know that an estimated 54.0% of cats in the United States are classified as overweight and 55.6% of dogs are also overweight? To make it worse, 20% are obese (these statistics were taken from the 2010 Pet Obesity Study). It’s a shocking statistic, considering being overweight is a major problem in the United States for people, and now we see it overflowing into the lives of our pets. What causes this increasing problem of unhealthy pets?

There are many causes, but the major cause is the owner’s negligence of what consists of a healthy diet for a pet. Popular feeding methods for pets are either putting huge amounts of food in a bowl so the pet has constant access to food, or feeding the pet too many times throughout the day, with the combination of unhealthy food. Now let’s get real, owners feed pets like this because it’s the easy way out. It’s no different than going to pick up some fast food for dinner. Americans are slowly falling into the trap of taking the quick and easy way out.

Now I’m not trying to write an article on who we should be as Americans, I’m trying to make everyone aware of this health risk we’re literally hand feeding our pets. Whether we’re lazy or not, it’s best to look at solutions, so how can we help keep our pets healthy and happy so they love us? Well, there are a few options. The most obvious solution is to research healthy foods and research healthy portions for your pet. As much as I would like to advise you on the proper amount to feed your pet, I honestly can’t because it varies so much from pet to pet. The other solution is perhaps much easier. The amount of automatic pet feeders bought is increasing almost every year and they offer an exceptional way of keeping your cat or dog fed with very low maintenance. Automatic cat or dog feeders probably seem expensive but I bet they cost less than you’d think. Depending on how complex you want your model, they are sold between 10-$100.

There are plenty of benefits from getting an automatic pet feeders. To outline a few real quick, you can choose the amount of times you want to feed your pet per day, how much each portion is, and some models even allow your cat or dog to learn to feed themselves! This might seem to defeat the purpose, since your pet would get as much food as it wanted, but not to worry, most automatic pet feeders like this only dispense a few pellets at a time. Usually pets are so persistent and settle for less food than they would normally gorge themselves with. Thanks for reading, and I hope you take action on helping your pet or other pets from the increasing health risks for them.

John Dodson

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Best Automatic Pet Feeder

So you’ve decided to adopt a new playmate for your kitty? Choosing a new cat or dog to bring home is the easy part, but what you really have to work at is socializing the new animal with your feline. Often the newcomer cannot wait to make a new friend, but it is your cat who may become uncomfortable with the new presence in the home. Many cats look upon the newcomer as a stranger and may react negatively if not properly introduced to this new friend. The following steps will help to ensure a harmonious introduction and relationship between your feline and the newcomer.

1. Keep the animals separate. You will want to have a spare room in the house reserved specifically for the newcomer. Keep the new cat or dog in this room for about one week to ensure that she can begin to feel comfortable living in your home.
2. Introduce the animals through scent. Keep your kitty and the newcomer on separate sides of a door and allow them to smell one another under the door. You will want to have someone on each side of the door to comfort the animals during this stage of the introduction. Smell is a very strong sense among animals, and allowing them to get used to the scent of one another early on will get them used to the presence of each other.
3. Allow the animals to see each other. For this step you will want to introduce your cat and the newcomer through something such as a baby gate or a screen door. Allow the animals to see each other, but not touch each other. This step is important because the animals are now face to face with one another. Each time you repeat this step, monitor their reaction to the encounter. If they react positively to seeing the other animal you will be able to move onto the next step.
4. Allow a physical introduction. This step is the most important because it will show you if the animals are ready to live together in harmony. For this step you will allow the animals to be in the same room together, closely monitored by you of course. Allow the animals to mingle or play with one another, and notice if your cat is comfortable with the newcomer, or if you sense tension between the two animals. Make this first encounter quite short and if it is successful, slowly extend the meetings until you know that you can leave the room without something going wrong.
5. Watch this new relationship grow. Now that your kitty and the newcomer are able to live together in peace, you can sit back and watch the friendship blossom between these two animals.

The most important thing to keep in mind during this whole process it to take it slow. Although some animals can become friends quickly, others can take up to a year to become fully comfortable with one another. Do not try to rush the process because this might just create tension between the animals.

You will also want to give each animal the same amount of attention because a lack of attention to either the newcomer or your cat can result in tension between the two animals. For this reason, it is best to have at least two people present during the introduction so that each animal receives the attention he or she deserves.

Remember, this process may not always go as planned. The animals will not react to one another how you will want them to. You may even have to begin at step one again because something went awry during the last step. Be patient with your animals, and always give them praise and treats when they act positively toward one another. The patience will rub off on your cat and the newcomer, and soon enough the animals will be great friends.

Niki Rebin, along with her parents Norm and Delva, have helped over 3,000 stray and feral cats through their non-profit cat sanctuary Paws On Your Heart. Having worked with cats for over 70 years, the Rebin family is often asked: “How can I stop my cat from scratching the furniture?” To find out the answer, and more, download our FREE e-book “Solving Your Top 5 Cat Behaviour Concerns” here: http://www.pawsonyourheart.org/squeeze_pages/8909-solving-your-top-5-cat-behaviour-concerns