A distinct Cat furniture

Cat owners who want only the best for their pets will go any length of time in order to provide the best cat furniture. There are many cat furniture owners can choose from. There are unique items that will be best for you and your cat needs.

Firstly, there are cat trees that are in different shapes, colors and sizes. Cat trees are usually better to have if you cat loves zero. So, instead of letting you furniture scratch marks from suffering from your cat, you can select these cat trees. These trees can become as cat condos. When you have more than one cat, cat trees are also manufactured with multiple rooms. You can either indoors or outdoors. Indoor varieties are usually smaller than those which are made for outdoor use.

Some designs also feature a cat hammock is attached somewhere in cat tree. This will be the best method for active cats. They can keep swinging while hanging on the hammock. Also, there are cat trees that have the games installed on them. These games provide additional entertainment for your pets.

These trees are also cat towers, when made as tall structures. Your cats will love and that these towers. In addition, may be chrisimopoiithoyn as exercise equipment.

Some towers can cost more than a hundred dollars. If you only in order to have your cat scratching post, you can only pay station and exploits is no longer the condos, toys and other additions by buying only a cat scratching post. These positions can cost less than half the price of the cheapest towers.

These products can be sold at a single location that are present or may be those that have two or three places already installed.

Also, you might want to have the pet stairs. It is better to provide for cats that are too old or too weak to be able to jump up to reach certain areas of your home. These come in various pet stairs lengths. You may be able to find shops that allows you to customize how big can the stairs. This is a good opportunity to have, as you can be sure that the stairs will allow your cat to achieve comfortable seats.

These elements can be heavy, so that they not slip when your pet is taking them. There are still a number of products in which they can transform steps as drawers. This is a great way to save space, especially when you have a small home. You can save your cat toys and other items related to the drawers.

And if you need additional designs and accessories for your home, there are separate cat furniture for this purpose. Cat Scratchers are made more attractive by making more colorful. Some posts are made to resemble flowers, a small garden, or made with heart drawings. Cat Condos now as context but are designed to look like buildings or spaces for the people.

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

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Things that your Cat may not understand

Cats can sometimes be curious creatures. Do something odd, some are beautiful and some people would find it annoying, but did you ever realize why do some of them? Here are some of the most common quirks and real meaning.

Bringing gifts: many cat owners both adore and encouraged the thought of the cats is with a dead rat in the door. From the outside looking in, it seems that the cats shows his love by giving something back to the relationship. However, what in fact the cat is not-too-subtlety indicating that failure as a provider and that they can do better. By bringing home a dead critter, saying, "you cannot do this, let me show you how failure." kind of a little dynamic changes.

Generally the term Meowing agreed to his cat is the standard "meow" that we give them very often. However, this is the way they usually communicate with one another. Cats will make noise for interaction, sure, but very cat-cat-based interaction and the Freaky body movement only kind seem to read the minds of other countries ("why Yes, I was planning on breaking the vase later today, we do together?"). Why they meow is to contact us. How often the meows change depending on how we meow back? Doing what they can imitate human speech, or at least the annoying shrill consider it.

Learning something: Cats can be trained to do tricks, or to do things that you can find bothersome, but unlike dogs, a great deal of time learning how to do it for fun and I learn constantly new things, cats have quite a number of tricks they will learn (altogether about approximately 50 words) and then only learn by learning to feel if this trick or command will be advantageous for them. Typically, you will learn something such as "shake a hand" quickly enough as you handle each time you do it right, but they just stopped coming in the future is handled, somehow forgetting what you do in the first place. More than anything, learn what serves them best, and often your tricks or requests shall not call into this category.

Cats, despite the fact that cute little fuzzy friends, always looking out for their interests better. Sometimes you simply know how to play with you. Still, this does not mean they don't love you, but they sure can be a combination of little devils sometimes.

For more information or cat tips about cat training, head over to SimplyCatBreeds.org now!

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Cats and allergies: how to coexist

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Unfortunately about one fifth of people suffer from allergies, and many of those people are also allergic to cats. For many years it was thought that humans with cat allergies were reacting to cat hair, but scientific studies have since discovered that the major allergen involved in allergies to cats is actually the dander, or more specifically, a protein called Fel d 1. Fel d 1 is present in saliva, sebaceous (oil) glands, anal glands, and many internal tissues in cats.

The major cat allergen is extremely small, and is actually airborne in undisturbed rooms; it travels on air currents within the home. In other words, this allergen is not airborne only after dusting or vacuuming in a specific area, but rather it is airborne all the time. Previously it was hypothesized that cats spread the allergen over their coats with their meticulous grooming behavior, but that theory has since been disproved. The skin is actually the most significant source of Fel d 1 and there are particular anatomical areas on cats where the skin has larger concentrations of sebaceous glands: these areas are the most potent sources of the Fel d 1 protein. These regions are the face, under the chin, the back, and the back area at the base of the tail. Large concentrations of Fel d 1 are found in cat anal gland secretions as well, which means that cat feces are very allergenic.

So, what can you do if you are allergic to your cat? (Aside from going through a multitude of tissues!)

Ensure that you are actually allergic to cats: there are many potent allergens that cause allergic symptoms, so don't jump to conclusions! See your doctor and your allergist, and have yourself tested to confirm your suspicions.

Clean up after playing with your cat: wash your hands immediately after playing with and petting your cat. Do not touch your eyes, face, or clothes until you have washed with regular soap and water. This effectively removes major cat allergen and will prevent easily avoidable allergic reactions.

If you have been cuddling with your cat, it may be a wise idea to change clothes rather than carry cat allergen into other areas of the home, and risk exposing yourself to high concentrations of allergen. An alternative to changing your clothes, is to have a tight-weave house robe handy that can be thrown on overtop of your clothes and is used for close interactions with your cat. As soon as your close contact quality time has finished, throw the house robe into the washing machine so that it will be ready for its next use.

Consider small renovations and redecorating your home! Carpeted flooring traps cat allergens and the dander becomes embedded in them. Homes that are carpeted have been documented to contain much higher levels of cat allergens. Consider re-flooring with hardwood or vinyl flooring that will be easy to clean and will not trap cat dander. Avoid using area rugs on hard floors, because similarly to carpeting, rugs will trap large amounts of cat allergen. Drape window treatments should be avoided for the same reason as carpets and area rugs. Blinds and window shades that are easy to clean at home are a much better option, but beware of small slatted blinds: these can be very tricky to clean thoroughly, and may not be the best option despite their popularity in many homes!

Furniture can be a major source of cat allergens as well. Unfortunately, the best type of furniture for allergic cat owners is the kind that can be easily wiped down. This may create a rather minimalist, futuristic kind of appearance in the home, but other allergy-friendly options include leather furniture, or furniture with removable upholstery that can be easily washed and has a tight fabric weave that won't trap cat hair and dander in it. If small decorative pillows and blankets are used on couches at home, the same principles should apply to them, and they should be washed frequently.

People with cat allergies should avoid having lots of knick knacks around their homes; they collect dust and dander, and are difficult to clean. Decorations and wall hangings should not be made of fabric. Paint walls with high quality semi-gloss paint that will facilitate effective and easy cleaning.

HEPA air filters are essential for people with cat allergies (HEPA filters = high efficiency particulate air filters). HEPA filters trap particulate matter that is airborne, such as virus particles, allergens, etc. Place a HEPA filter/purifier in the rooms of your house that your cat frequents the most, and use a HEPA vacuum cleaner. Vacuum frequently, at least twice weekly if possible. Have a vacuum with an excellent set of hand tools so that you can easily clean floors, walls, furniture, windows, doorway ledges, and all other nooks and crannies thoroughly. If possible, have someone other than the allergic family member do the household cleaning. Alternatively, if the person with cat allergies must do the cleaning, ensure use of a mask and goggles.

Improve ventilation in your home. Many newer homes are very 'airtight' in order to be more energy efficient. Unfortunately, this means that they are also more efficient at trapping cat allergens, particularly in the winter time, when there is less air circulation altogether. The easiest way to improve air circulation in your home and to try and decrease the amount of cat allergens building up, is to open windows and create a cross-breeze in the home. Even in the winter time, this may be one of the best solutions available to allergic cat owners, despite the monetary and environmental inefficiency this will create in heating the home.

Air vents for heating and air conditioning are potent sources of collected particulate matter, and when the air systems are turned on, they effectively distribute the particulate matter and allergens into the home. Hire a commercial cleaning company to clean your air vents at least twice per year. Purchase disposable air-vent filters that can be placed within all of the air vent filtration grates.

Steam cleaning: in addition to vacuuming and laundering fabrics, for the areas in your home that do have carpeting, upholstered furniture, and drapery, steam cleaning is an excellent method of chemical free cleaning that denatures allergenic proteins, and kills bacteria and mold spores.

It is widely advocated that for owners who are allergic, they keep their cats out of their bedrooms altogether. This is a personal decision, and is certainly less extreme than keeping the cat outside of the house, which is what many allergists and family doctors will recommend. Irrespective of your decision about allowing your cat in the bedroom or not, it is important to cleaning bedding frequently (ie. at least once weekly), and to try and minimize the buildup of allergens in the bed. Also wash decorative pillows if any are used. Purchase bed mattress and pillow covers that are designed to keep out dust mite allergens. Decreasing overall exposure to all allergies will help with managing cat allergies, but these allergy control products will also help decrease exposure to cat allergens. Purchase the smallest possible fabric weave since Fel d 1 is a very small particle. Use bed linens that have a very tight weave and that can tolerate frequent machine washings.

Use a low dust cat litter type, and ideally have someone other than the allergic person cleaning the litter box. If the person with allergies must do the cleaning, use a mask while doing so.

Cleaning you cat: studies have demonstrated that soaking your cat in tap water for 3 minutes significantly decreases the amount of cat dander present on your cat. Cats can easily be trained to tolerate gentle bathing, and studies have also shown that you must bathe your cat a minimum of once weekly to derive any actual benefit from it. Generally, it is suggested that twice weekly washings are more beneficial. The same precautions with bathing your cat must be taken as with bathing infants, and similarly, an infant tub or the kitchen sink may be used for this procedure. A gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo may be used, but is not necessary.

Allerpet C: this product has questionable efficacy, but can be tried if bathing your cat has not been a successful endeavor. Some owners find this product to be useful and others do not note any difference in allergy levels.

Medical Interventions:

Note: This information is only meant to provide you with a general overview about how many allergy sufferers manage to live with their allergies. It is not meant to replace information that should be sought out from your family physician or allergist, and it is highly recommended that you do visit your doctor to discuss your treatment options.

Symptomatic relief of skin reactions (urticaria), allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion and sneezing) and conjunctivitis (eye redness, pain, and itching) can be sought with antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal glucocorticoids, and nasal cromolyn (by prescription only in Canada). Asthma needs to be controlled via inhalant glucocorticoids, and 'rescue' inhalers that use beta-adrenergic pharmaceuticals to help dilate and relax airways that are inflamed. Immunotherapy can be used to help desensitize the immune system specifically to cat allergens and typically involves weekly injections. Many people find that immunotherapy helps decrease the frequency and severity of their clinical symptoms. Omega 3 fatty acid nutritional supplements can be a natural method of decreasing overall inflammatory processes in the body, and provide many systemic health benefits.

Things to remember:

1) Many people gradually build up a tolerance to the specific cat(s) that they are living with, and although this process can take months, it may be well worth waiting it out before assuming that drastic household and lifestyle changes will need to be made.

2) Your cat does not need to be given up: modern medicine, technology, and simple measures that can be implemented in your house can effectively manage your cat allergies and make them quite tolerable. Many cats that are surrendered to shelters end up getting euthanized rather than re-homed because, sadly, there is such a surplus of unwanted kitties in North America.

3) While there are cat breeds that are considered to be less allergenic than others, you need to consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a pedigreed cat:

Pedigreed cats are more prone to health problems due to their restricted gene pool; out of the various breeds of cats that are considered to be less allergenic than others, Siberian and Maine coon cats are likely the least 'unhealthy' of these breeds. Sphynx and rex cats are extremely unhealthy, generally speaking, and they frequently suffer poor quality of life due to their physical ailments. Additionally, they tend to be very expensive pets to keep because they require so much veterinary care. For anyone considering purchasing a pure bred cat, pet insurance is highly advisable since there is a high probability that larger veterinary bills will be incurred in the future.

There are many cats available in shelters that may be just as 'hypoallergenic' as pedigreed cats, and shelter cats are in desperate need of loving homes.

To read more of Dr. Ko's articles, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com/

The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.

catdoctorko.com is a brand new site dedicated to providing cat owners with information to help them provide effective and preventative health care for their cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, has created Know-How Videos, Cat Health Articles, Ask Dr. Ko tips (in which she answers your cat health questions), information on toxic substances, product recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition, the website houses a store filled with products specifically selected for their benefits to optimizing your cat's quality of life!

All of the topics that Dr. Ko writes about are provided by members of her website. To suggest an article topic for Dr. Ko, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com/ and set up a membership - it's fast and free!

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Cat Dandruff-what you should know

Not only the people who suffer from dandruff. Also, cats have the same problem. Well, there are many different causes. Fortunately, dandruff as a symptom and underlying cause may be controlled or treated.

Cat Dandruff occurs as dry and scaly skin. Your cats will scratch the area often as it is outside. Sometimes, the region can become red and inflamed appear. Some cats suffering from diabetes should have more frequent oyrisis and thirsty longer. Diabetes can be a cause of dandruff.

Another cause of cat dandruff may be excessive production of oils in the skin. This is called seborrhea. The term is not only the skin look and feel fat but also contains harmful organisms. These bodies are the specific causes of dandruff.

Cats can be bathed regularly, or when the coat is very oily. It is not sufficient to apply usual cat shampoo. So be careful of dandruff, you need to use a wording that is specifically to solve the problem. Consult with your veterinarian about such SOAP or shampoo or other product. Make sure it is safe to use in your cat before you apply it to your cat's coat of arms.

Dirty skin can also be the result of the lack of private funding by the cat. This can occur in cats that are too old and too sick to care for themselves. To prevent dandruff, you can give them regular bath. In addition to this, you can clean the cat yourself combing of the hair and removing any dirt.

Poor nutrition can be a cause. If your cat does not need food, the skin will not be the proper nutrients it needs protection from bacteria or fungi. This may be the cause of dandruff.

For this problem, your most important task is to provide proper nutrition. Cat Food may be enough. But, make sure you feed your cat the right kind of foods for cats. You can consult a veterinarian to know what is best for your cat to feed. You need to consider not only the amount, but also your cat's age, size and physical activity, among others.

It will take Omega 3 fatty acids, along with several vitamins and minerals in the diet of your cat.

Sunburn can also be a cause of dandruff. Zone of the Sun burn can be applied with a topical anti androgens-cream that is provided by your doctor.

When your cat dandruff is believed to be caused by a condition such as diabetes, your veterinarian will try to verify this. The dandruff will disappear if you are working in diabetes treatments for your cat. Moreover, preserving the right of abode will keep temperatures coat of arms of your cat as healthy as possible. During the summer months, you need to make sure you are comfortable sleep in bed and the room is too hot for them. During the months of winter, should be installed humidifiers.

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

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A brief history of the domestic Cat and understand your cat's behavior

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Understanding normal cat behavior is essential when establishing and cultivating a relationship with your feline that is mutually rewarding. Being in tune with the your cat's behaviors and how they communicate with you enables you in maintaining and continually improving your cat's quality of life.

Cats are just like small dogs, aren't they?

Definitely not! Cats are very social creatures, BUT their social behaviors and communication methods differ greatly from dogs.

Are cats always solitary creatures?

Not always! While it's true that cats are not 'pack' animals like dogs, the domestic cat is not as solitary an animal as was once believed. Domestic cats frequently DO live in social groups. Group living may be by choice (e.g. feral cat colonies) or may be secondary to circumstances beyond their control (e.g. multi-cat households).

The number of cats within feline colonies varies significantly; cats may live in large colonies and develop unique relationships with various colony members, or they may live in small, modest colonies. Cat groups typically form hierarchies, and strange new cats are not always welcome to the group: in fact, unfamiliar cats are frequently chased away, and it can be a long, difficult road for a cat to achieve acceptance into a group.

Thus, while it is true that cats can, and do, live happy solitary lives, they are ALWAYS solitary creatures. Many kitties are content to live alone, but now we also know that cats DO form social living groups too. What is the moral of the story? Cats have very flexible social requirements; cats are not only physically flexible, but companionably as well!

Cats have remained the way nature & evolution intended them to be - purrrfect!

Unlike dogs, today's domestic cat (non-purebred cat) is not far removed from its original ancestors with respect to its physique and behavior, and this is part of the cat's charm and appeal. Until recently cats have been lucky enough to have escaped humankind's desire to create "breeds" through inbreeding and selection for genetic mutations. While there now do exist cats that are bred for deformities, specific types of coats (or lack thereof), certain behavioral traits, and so on, the majority of today's cat population is made up of healthy, normal, and beautiful cats.

African Wild Cat descent

Modern cats are thought to have descended from African Wild Cats which are still found in deserts throughout Africa. Ancient Egyptians had significant influence on the domestication of the African Wild Cat because they revered felines and considered them to be sacred animals. In Europe, Christianity lowered cats' status but cats did succeed eventually in becoming popular domestic pets for the purpose of rodent control. Over time, the African Wild Cat hybridized with the jungle cat and European Wild Cat.

Behavioral development

Cats are often considered to form stronger attachments to their environment than dogs, and to then form secondary social bonds to the humans and animals within their environments (although many of us cat owners would beg to differ!). Many cats do not cope well with changes in their environments. Cats' ability to cope with new stimuli is strongly influenced by their genetic inheritance. There are two broad genetic categories of cats with respect to 1) capability to face novel situations and animate beings, and 2) the tendency to respond to these stimuli with aggressive behavior versus acceptance.

Neophilic cats have a significant tolerance for novel stimuli (both animate and inanimate) and neophobic cats are those that do not. But, despite the fact that both aggression and tolerance for novel situations have a genetic basis, owners can help decrease their cats' genetic predispositions to neophobia and aggression by properly socializing kittens by exposing them to new people, animals, and places during the appropriate developmental periods.

Just like people, cats have particularly sensitive periods when social behaviors and skills are developed. The most important time for cats to be socialized to humans is between the ages of 3 and 9 weeks. During this time frame, kittens are also learning how to play and interact with one another, and are developing important skills such as bite inhibition. Social play peaks at 3 months of age, and cats' personalities mature between 2 and 3 years of age. Cats' personality traits, like humans, are both genetic and a result of early social experiences and environmental factors. Cats that have not been regularly, and pleasantly, handled by humans before the age of 14 weeks, are more prone to being fearful, reserved, and even aggressive in human encounters, regardless of their genetic tendencies.

When a kitten is adopted, it is important to spend time gradually socializing them to men, women, children (under supervision and with gentle handling), other kittens and cats, and new inanimate objects. However, always be sure to provide escapes, or 'outs,' for the kitten, such as perches, cat beds, and secluded areas so that they may retreat to if feeling uncomfortable. This way the kitten does not feel trapped in the encounter, and will be far more relaxed and receptive to all interactions and to simply observing the situations. Provide treats, toys, and other forms of stimulation to make the experiences positive and fun.

Essential Cat Behavior Facts for Cat Owners:

- Physical pain and illness are most commonly recognized by owners as behavioral changes. If you recognize a sudden, or a slowly developing, behavioral change in your cat, it is best that you make an appointment with your veterinarian. - Never physically or verbally punish a cat for performing unwanted behaviors. Ignoring undesirable behavior is the most effective means of stopping it.

- Scratching is a natural cat behavior that involves grooming claws, stretching muscles, and leaving territorial marking pheromones behind. Simply direct this normal cat behavior to surfaces of your choosing so that your home does not incur damage from your cat's scratching habits.

- Petting aggression is normal in many adult cats, and avoiding injury or unpleasant interactions with a petting-aggressive cat is as simple as shortening interaction lengths, and learning to recognize the early warning signs of aggression onset.

- Predatory behavior in cats is normal, even when cats are not hungry. To prevent your cat from hunting birds and animals, an outdoor enclosure, or leash-walking should be used.

- Introductions to new cats need to happen very gradually and with proper guidance. Seek the advice of your veterinarian if you plan to introduce a new cat to your household.

- Contrary to popular belief, cats that urinate and/or defecate outside of the litter box do not do this to "get back at" their owners. There is commonly an underlying medical issue causing discomfort upon elimination, or, there may be an easy solution that involves ameliorating the litter box situation at home, and it was simply that the original situation was suboptimal.

- Cats are trainable with positive reinforcement and methods such as clicker training. Starting at a young age can help accelerate willingness to learn, and can be used to encourage helpful behaviors such as tolerating certain types of handling such as checking ears and teeth.

- Cats can become easily fixated on one type of food, and this may become problematic if dietary changes are required for health reasons later in life. It is important to introduce cats to a variety of shapes, sizes, tastes, and textures of food so that they do not become resistant to changes if they are needed later in life.

- Cats express stress with hiding, withdrawal, dilated pupils, increased respiratory rates, flattened ears, crouched postures, and hissing and growling. However, long term stress may be expressed by more subtle changes such as decreased grooming behavior, less playing, decreased social interaction, and poor appetite.

For more detailed information regarding particular behavioral issues and questions, please refer to our library of specific behavior topics, or call your veterinarian if you are concerned about a sudden serious behavioral change in your cat.

To read more articles written by Veterinarian Dr. Ko please visit www.catdoctorko.com

The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian. c 2011 K & J Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.

catdoctorko.com is a brand new site dedicated to providing cat owners with information to help them provide effective and preventative health care for their cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, has created Know-How Videos, Cat Health Articles, Ask Dr. Ko tips (in which she answers your cat health questions), information on toxic substances, product recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition, the website houses a store filled with products specifically selected for their benefits to optimizing your cat's quality of life!

All of the topics that Dr. Ko writes about are provided by members of her website. To suggest an article topic for Dr. Ko, please visit her website and set up a membership - it's fast and free!

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Caring for your senior Cat

Aging in cats can be a very individual process, just as it is in humans, but generally speaking, most cats are considered to be entering the senior years at 8 years of age, and are categorized as being geriatric once they are 10 years old.

Many aspects of caring for your cat change once they enter their geriatric years, including the expense of their veterinary care: this is something to be aware of in advance so that you can be sure to be able to provide the necessary medical care that they may require. Just like in humans, diseases of all kinds become more prevalent with age. Dental disease is a particularly commonly seen issue in older cats, and maintaining your older cat's dental health is both essential, and rather costly.

To begin with, your veterinarian will likely start recommending that annual, or even semi-annual, health screening tests be performed at your cat's regular physical exam times. These diagnostic tests will include blood pressure measurement, blood tests, urine tests, and sometimes survey x-rays as well.

The purpose of these tests is to assess overall organ function and health, and check for many common problems that are seen as cats age. For example, these blood tests generally include thyroid hormone levels, electrolyte levels, a total blood protein value, blood sugar, kidney values, liver enzyme levels, red blood cell and white blood cell counts, platelet counts, hemoglobin levels, etc. The urinalysis is used to help interpret the kidney blood values, and also to detect bladder or kidney infections, liver dysfunction, and diabetes. Blood pressure measurement is very important in older cats, because elevated blood pressure is seen quite frequently with diseases that are commonly seen in aging cats, and like humans, high blood pressure is considered to be a 'silent killer' (despite the fact that it occurs in cats for different reasons than in humans).

Survey x-rays are also invaluable, particularly in obese cats; as cats get older and older, their physical exams become of greater and greater importance, particularly for the detection of masses and diseased organs. However, because obesity in cats greatly limits what can be detected on physical exam, survey x-rays can help provide a better overview of organ shape and size than can be obtained on physical exam.

If your geriatric cat becomes ill with kidney insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or other diseases, your veterinarian will treat your cat accordingly, and will advise you on what treatments can be done both in the clinic and at home to manage your cat's disease. More frequent examinations and tests may be recommended if your cat has been diagnosed with a health problem.

Even if your elderly cat has received a clean bill of health from the veterinarian, there are still methods with which you can provide your geriatric cat with greater daily comfort and improved quality of life. Some important techniques you can implement at home are discussed below.

Diet

Your geriatric cat should be fed an appropriate diet, and your veterinarian can give you samples for your cat to try, or make recommendations about suitable commercial diets available

Mature cat diets generally have more restricted protein levels in comparison with adult cat diets, and you will want to be cautious not to over-restrict your cat's protein intake since some geriatric diets will do so

Many geriatric cat diets are restricted in phosphorus and sodium levels in case of the presence of kidney insufficiency, hypertension, and/or heart disease

Geriatric diets often have increased fiber levels to help with slowing intestinal motility and encourage healthy daily bowel movements

Geriatric cats should be fed highly palatable canned food to optimize hydration status, particularly because renal insufficiency, which can result in dehydration and constipation, is so common in cats as they age

Access to the essentials

Geriatric cats often become less easily mobile due to decreased muscle tone and the onset of arthritis

It is important that geriatric cats have easy access to food and water dishes, as well as to their litter boxes

Weight loss and dehydration are common in older cats, so having food and water dishes on all floors of the home is important to encourage optimal intake at all times

Having comfortable access to litter boxes is necessary, which also means having access on all floors - geriatric cats that are forced to contend with staircases and longer distances to reach their litter boxes, may or may not end up doing their business in their boxes

Arthritis

Many geriatric do gradually 'slow down' as the years go by, and frequently we are too fast to assume that this is a regular part of the aging process

Well, it is a 'normal' part of the aging process in the sense that older cats are quite prone to developing arthritis, similarly to humans

However, arthritis is an ailment that all too frequently goes untreated in our feline family members, and it is well worth inquiring about pain management and nutrient supplementation for your cat with your cat's veterinarian - while we are unfortunately rather limited in the types of medications available and safe for long term usage in cats, there are some options that may be tried, and it can be amazing the transformation that can take place in your older kitty once it experiences relief from the chronic pain that arthritis imposes on them

Providing your arthritic cat with steps or boxes with which they can more easily access the bed and the couch, rather than needing to struggle to jump up or down onto them, can greatly decrease daily stress levels and also help avoid self-injury from an unsuccessful jump

Litter boxes themselves not only need to be placed in easily accessible locations, but they also need to be amenable to easy entry and exit for the geriatric cat - jumping in and out of litter boxes becomes more challenging as age progresses, and having roomy litter boxes with shallow entrances becomes more and more important

Monitoring Behavior

While your veterinarian will review your cat's behavior with you at its geriatric wellness exam, it is important for you to monitor your cat at home for any behavioral changes and bring your cat in for an appointment if you note any changes

The reason that behavior in older cats is so important, is because it is very commonly associated with underlying medical problems, despite the fact that the changes may seem 'personality'-related

Changes to watch for include differences in activity levels, alterations in sleeping habits, increased or decreased vocalization, increased or decreased appetite, increased thirst, increased socialization with people within the household, or conversely, withdrawal from the people in the house, increased irritability, aggression, and decreases in grooming behavior

Dental Care

Dental disease can easily lead to kidney and heart disease, systemic infections, and significant pain for your geriatric cat, and maintaining your cat's oral health will be one of the most important aspects of prolonging your cat's quantity and quality of life

Older cats with dental disease will not stop eating, contrary to popular belief, because to stop eating means to starve to death

Many owners expect that their cats will let them know, or will show symptoms, if they have dental discomfort, but this is simply not the case - animal instinct dictates survival above all else, and so cats that experience even severe daily dental pain will continue to eat, because doing so means that they will continue to live

While dental care for your cat is quite expensive, as it is for humans as well, it is one of the most important aspects of taking good care of your older cat, and ensuring that it is not suffering - it is an expense to consider before ever adopting a cat, and one that is well worth the investment once you are caring for your elderly cat

While this summary provides some good pointers on caring for your elderly cat, it is not a comprehensive list of all aspects of geriatric health care, and should you have any questions or concerns about the health of your geriatric kitty, it is best to contact your veterinarian to inquire about your concerns.

To read more articles written by Veterinarian Dr. Ko, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com

The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian. c 2011 K & J Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.

catdoctorko.com is a brand new site dedicated to providing cat owners with information to help them provide effective and preventative health care for their cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, has created Know-How Videos, Cat Health Articles, Ask Dr. Ko tips (in which she answers your cat health questions), information on toxic substances, product recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition, the website houses a store filled with products specifically selected for their benefits to optimizing your cat's quality of life!

All of the topics that Dr. Ko writes about are provided by members of her website. To suggest an article topic for Dr. Ko, please visit her website and set up a membership - it's fast and free!

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Should be given a cat food canned?

Pet owners should be smart when choosing the type of food that will give their pets. For cats, there is no dilemma about whether to feed their pets with canned foods or not.

Many think that canned foods are simply processed and commercial data. So, here's the thought that these foods, although I may be able to provide the right nutrition, it can come with harmful ingredients. However, to present potential risks to the health of your pet?

Ideally, your cat needs a diet containing substances that are close to what we eat in the wild or domesticated cats have been before. This means a mixture of meat from other animals that are rich in protein and have limited quantities of seed. And so, if you provide the best for your cat, you should be able to come up with a diet that resembles the mineral and vitamin information.

Protein is the most important mineral and that should be present in significant quantities. Food item can also contain some amount of fat. Of course, vitamins and other essential minerals must be present as well. Taurine, which is an essential amino acid should exist. The quantity of water contained in food item is also considered. Sufficient quantities of water may significantly improve the Solvation of your pet.

If there is one thing that should be avoided or kept to a minimum level, is the presence of the seeds. In commercial products, filler materials may be present. Generally, these fillers have no nutritional benefits and therefore should be avoided.

Canned foods may or may not contain all the necessary nutrients. But, of course, this will depend on the brand and the manufacturer of the product. So, you just need to find the right canned cat food.

In this way, the first step will be to get recommendations. This can be from your friends that have been taken care of cats and fed them canned food. Can provide the valuable contribution which signals that worked best for them. However, what has worked for pets can work well with yours. Your next option is to seek recommendations from a veterinarian. Pet your doctor will tell you the nutritional requirements of your cat. They will rely on your cat's age, activity, and even development stage. The right type of canned foods will rely on these dietary requirements.

You should also know the membership restrictions and recommendations regarding food canned cat. This will allow to know which items will be safe for your cat and is potentially dangerous.

Then, you may go to a search for the correct food on your own. To ensure that you can buy a product good and safe, is a point to read the label. Food label will tell you everything you need to know about this product.

Jerri Torres enjoys writing for Petflow, which sells solid gold cat food and taste of the wild, as well as a host of additional products.

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