Weight Management for your Feline – What to Do When Your Cat is Overweight

Perhaps the most common malnutrition problem with cats is obesity. To be considered obese, a cat has to be at least 20% heavier than what is considered to be its optimal weight, and the excess weight is due to fat accumulation. A cat that is 1-19% over its ideal body weight is considered to be overweight. To maintain health and to ensure a long and happy life, cats should be neither obese nor overweight.

Determining if a Cat is Overweight or Obese

There is no magical body weight that is appropriate for all cats. The breed, general size, and age of the cat all have a factor in how much it should weigh. To determine the optimal weight of a specific cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian. In general, however, a cat whose ribs are hard to feel because they are covered with a layer of fat is overweight or obese, depending on how thick the layer of fat is.

A cat is also considered to be obese if it has a moderate or thick layer of fat that covers all of its bony areas. Some obese cats even develop a bulge under the abdomen, which is sometimes referred to as a “skirt.” If the cat doesn’t have a visible waist and if the back appears broad when viewed from above, the cat is obese.

Risks of Obesity

A cat that is overweight or obese runs the risk of developing a variety of health disorders. Some disorders that are common for obese cats to develop include: diabetes mellitus, lower urinary tract disease, joint stress, aggravation of osteoarthritis, non-allergic skin diseases, decreased stamina, and Hepatic lipidosis, which is fat deposited in the liver.

In addition, a cat that is overweight or obese has develops a decrease in immune function, can have difficulty giving birth, and can develop breathing problems.

Obesity Risk Factors

Some cats are more likely to become overweight or obese than others. In general, however, cats are just like humans. If a cat takes in more calories than it uses, it will gain weight. The excess energy it gains from the calories becomes stored as fat.

Purebred cats, however, are less likely to become obese than mixed breeds. In addition, cats that are neutered have a tendency to gain weight more easily than those who are not, probably in part due to the fact that non-neutered cats have the tendency to roam in search of a mate. In addition, the metabolic rate of a neutered cat decreases by about 20%. Therefore, a neutered cat needs less food in order to maintain its ideal body weight.

Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight or obese than cats that are between the ages of two and ten. This is because cats between these ages require less energy. On the other hand, geriatric cats, which are older than ten, have a tendency to be underweight. In addition, certain medications can make a cat more likely to gain weight, as some medications will cause an increase in appetite and other medications cause a decrease in metabolic rate. Some medications that commonly lead to weight gain in cats are cortisosteroids, cyperoheptidine, and amytripyline.

Treating Obesity in the Cat

It is not healthy for an overweight or obese cat to lose weight too quickly. In fact, rapid weight loss increases a cat’s likelihood of developing hepatic lipidosis, which is a fatal liver disease that causes fat to be deposited in the liver. Instead, an overweight or obese cat should lose weight steadily and gradually. In fact, it can take up to a year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal body weight in a healthy manner.

To best help a cat lose weight in a healthy manner, a veterinarian should be consulted. He or she can help create a healthy eating plan. It is important to note that cats are carnivores, which means they must have meat in their diets in order to survive. Therefore, cutting out meat in an attempt to lose weight is not a good idea. In fact, it can prove to be fatal to the cat. Furthermore, since a cat’s natural diet consists of meat, which provides high protein and low carbohydrates, the diet should contain similar foods. This type of diet actually helps the cat lose fat and still maintain lean body mass, such as muscle.

To help an overweight or obese cat lose weight, it also should be encouraged to get plenty of exercise. This is particularly true for older cats with slower metabolisms, neutered cats, indoor cats with restricted activity, and cats on medication that affects weight. Pet owners can encourage exercise by playing with the cat often. For more direct exercise, a cat harness can be purchased to walk the cat around the house or up and down stairs. Feeding bowls can even be moved to areas that require more walking and, of course, cut down on the portions of food an overweight cat receives.

Maintaining Weight

Once the cat is down to its optimal weight, its weight can be maintained by purchasing special “light” or low calorie formulas of food. These formulas are specifically created for cats who are less active or who have decreased metabolism.

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Devoted Cat Lover

This is a feel good read...

For the love of Brutus, Ophelia, Pansy et al. (INQ7.net)

ALTHOUGH she is on leave from the University of the Philippines Baguio this semester, Prof. Victoria Rico Costina drives to school daily, including weekends, just to feed Brutus, a ginger tabby, and Ophelia, a pure black cat with fern green eyes, two shy felines that she cannot bring home.

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Talking Cat?

I wonder what he is really saying......

YouTube - cat

talking cat ... a weird nosie my cat does it and he LOVES ... it's like my cat n my cat talks 2 me ... lol am training my cat 2 talk but i understand ...

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Beating the Heat – Protecting your Cat from Extreme Temperatures

Cats are very susceptible to becoming overheated. Think about it for a minute – they spend their entire day walking around inside a heavy fur coat, even on very hot days. A cat that is not accustomed to the outdoors is particularly susceptible to becoming overheated. If this happens, the cat runs the risk of having a heatstroke.

A cat that is acclimated to the outdoors is more likely to be able to handle excessive heat. Nonetheless, all cats can have problems if the weather becomes to hot and they don’t have a means to cool down.

Signs of Heat Problems

Cats show many different signs of trouble when they become overheated. For example, a cat may begin panting rapidly. Eventually, it may even become unresponsive. In addition, the cat’s gums may turn bright red when it becomes too hot. If the cat begins to vomit excessively or have diarrhea, it may be overheated. To test for heat trouble on a cat, the pet owner can gently pinch the scruff of the neck. If the scruff stays in an upright position after being pinched, it is getting dehydrated.

If a cat is experiencing heat stroke, it may also be lethargic and have difficulty getting up and down. In addition, its body temperature may become very high. A cat that is experiencing heat stroke may even have seizures or seem depressed.

Treating an Overheated Cat

The best way to treat an overheated cat is prevention. If, however, it does become overheated and shows any of these discussed symptoms, it should be taken to the vet immediately. While the cat is being transported to the vet, a damp towel should be wrapped around it to help cool it down. In addition, a water bottle with a mixture of water and Bach’s rescue remedy is good to have on hand. This mixture should be sprayed on the cat if it begins to have a heat stroke because it will help to lessen the cat’s stress.

Before taking the cat to the vet, it might be a good idea to bring it inside and give it cool water to drink and a cool bath to initially bring its body temperature down. With true heat stroke, it can be difficult to reverse the physiological effects. In many cases, the cat will require an IV of fluids and intensive monitoring and treatment.

Preventing Overheating

The main way to prevent overheating for outdoor cats is to be sure plenty of fresh water is available and that shaded areas are accessible to the cat. Fresh water is particularly important for cats, as they generally have little trouble finding a shaded area.

For indoor cats, temperatures can still become excessive. Of course, the best option is to have air conditioning in the home in order to keep both the owner and the cat cool. If this isn’t a possibility, indoor fans can offer the ventilation necessary to keep the cat cool. Ceiling fans are ideal, as cats can knock down floor fans. In addition, cats can usually easily stick their paws through the screen of floor fans. If a floor fan is the only option, it should be secured in some fashion and placed in an area difficult for the cat to reach, such as being mounted to the wall.

For both indoor and outdoor cats with long hair, it might be a good idea to trim the cat’s fur in the summer to help keep it cool. In addition, a black cat is at greater risk of overheating than a white cat because the black fur absorbs heat.

In addition to having several dishes of water available for outside cats, it can also be a good idea to place piles of ice cubes or chips outside for the cat to eat. Or, ice cubes or chips can be placed inside the water bowls to help make the water more refreshing and to encourage the cat to drink. A cup of Gatorade added to the bowl of water can also be helpful in keeping the cat’s electrolytes level high and preventing dehydration.

Indoor cats should have a cool place to relax. It can be helpful to leave a little water inside bathtubs or sinks so the cat can play in the water to cool off. Even though the cat is indoors, it is a good idea to leave more than one water bowl inside for it to drink from in order to cool down. Also, the shades should be kept drawn to prevent outside heat from the sun from coming in.

About The Author: Alex Matthews - the newest leader in online information publishing. For more information about this topic or/and other topics, please visit http://www.MoreDotCom.com

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Five Most Common Cat Ailments to Watch For

As a cat owner, your first responsibility is to keep your pet healthy. However, even with balanced nutrition and a good amount of love and attention, cats can still get sick. Learn about the most common ailments that affect cats so you can try to prevent them or cure them quickly with the proper medical care when you first spot the symptoms.

Fleas

Although cats and dogs can live with fleas, flea infestations should be controlled for several reasons. The most common flea, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) may carry the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm larvae. If cats eat fleas during grooming, they may become infested with these tapeworms.

Fleas also could transmit other infectious agents. If kittens are exposed to fleas, they may become anemic. Cats can also develop an allergy to flea bites, resulting in excessive scratching or possibly skin disease. Finally, humans are also susceptive to itchy flea bites, usually on the ankles.

You may suspect your cat has fleas if he seems particularly itchy or you see bites on human members of the household. To check if your cat has fleas, groom him over a sheet of white paper. Look for a few fleas caught in the comb’s teeth or flea dirt on the paper. Flea dirt is actually excrement of undigested cat blood, and appears black and comma shaped. If you place it on damp cotton wool, the flea dirt dissolves into bloody streaks.

To control fleas, all mature fleas must be killed and reinfestation prevented. Many commercial products are available both to kill adult fleas and remove fleas from the environment. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

Hairballs

When cats cannot digest hair and food debris, they regurgitate hairballs. Hairballs are formed either at the back of the throat or in the small intestines. Hairballs not only sound disgusting while your cat is producing them, but they also make an unsightly mess on your carpets and floors.

The simplest method of hairball prevention is grooming your cat to remove excess hair. The next step involves many products already on the market to prevent hairball build-up such as oils, treats, and diets. If your cat vomits frequently and the problem isn’t resolved with regular brushings, you should consult with the veterinarian to be certain that a more serious problem is not the cause.

Overactive thyroid

Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and produces excess amount of thyroid hormone. The condition is often provoked by a benign tumor on one or both lobes of the thyroid gland. The good news is that thyroid tumors have only a 2-5% chance of malignancy.

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include: increased appetite or thirst, unexplained weight loss (particularly muscle mass), nervousness or irritability, frequent vomiting, lethargy and weakness, diarrhea, or a coat that looked ungroomed. A cat with the condition may not present every symptom, but the presence of two or more should prompt a visit to the veterinarian’s office.

At the vet’s, your cat will be given a physical exam. If she notices enlarged glands, a CBC (blood panel) and a thyroid-specific test can make the diagnosis more conclusive. There are three treatments that offer a good chance for your cat’s full recovery: anti-thyroid medication, surgery, and radioiodine treatment. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should learn more about the disease and its treatments and discuss your options with the veterinarian before making a decision.

Diabetes

Feline Diabetes can affect cats of any age, but is most common in older, obese cats—typically males. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is caused by insufficient insulin production while Type 2 results from a body’s inability to handle insulin effectively. Another type of diabetes, secondary diabetes, occurs as a side effect of drugs or diseases that impair the natural secretion of insulin or its effects in the body.

The symptoms of feline diabetes include vomiting, dehydration, weakness and loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, weight loss, breathing abnormalities, and an unkempt-looking coat. If your cat has any or several of these symptoms, take him to the vet. The vet will test for blood sugar levels and sugar levels in the urine. Doing both tests rules out an increased blood sugar level due to the stress of the office visit.

If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, it is usually treated through one or a combination of five methods: diet and weight control, insulin injections, oral medications, monitoring glucose and insulin levels, and nutrient and botanical supplements. Each method of treatments has unique benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to decide on a treatment plan with your veterinarian.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

This disease is a painful inflammation of the lower urinary tract that has the potential to be fatal. Feline lower urinary tract disease has a number of causes from decreased water intake and urine retention to viruses, bacteria, or diet. Symptoms that your cat may have FLUTD include inappropriate or difficult and frequent urination, appetite loss, listlessness, blood in the urine, or frequent licking of the genitals.

Vet treatment for FLUTD can include catheterization, fluid therapy, antibiotics, or even (rarely) surgery. At home, cat owners are often encouraged to change their pet’s diet and style of feeding (more frequent, smaller meals). It is also important for your cat to drink plenty of water.

About The Author: Alex Matthews - the newest leader in online information publishing. For more information about this topic or/and other topics, please visit http://www.MoreDotCom.com

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Six Basic Behavioral Problems in Cats

Cats are ill tempered and mean at their worst, but even the most annoying problems have a remedy somewhere. Below are six of the most common behavioral problems in cats and some solutions for them.

1. Clawing your furnishings and carpet. Cats actually need to sharpen their claws, just like rodents need to gnaw. Their claws never stop growing, and what they're actually doing when they sharpen their claws is removing the outer layer of the claw. Some people will simply declaw a cat that is having this problem. I do not advocate this. Even the most indoor of cats may wind up outside by accident or design one day, and if you remove your cat's claws, you're taking away his or her primary form of defense.

Before declawing, try getting a scratching post. If your cat loves someone more than anyone else in the family, hang a dirty sock belonging to that person on the scratching post to make it smell familiar (you can take it off after about a day). You can also sprinkle catnip over it or – this is weird but it works – powdered chicken bouillon. The idea is to get the cat to feel friendly enough to the scratching post to attack it.

Meanwhile, make your cat's favorite scratching areas less attractive. Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over them, wrap them or cover them with aluminum foil (fingernails on the chalkboard, anyone?), and clean them well to eradicate any cat odor. If you can, close doors to make those places inaccessible to the cat.

2. Eliminating outside the litter box. The first thing to ask is, is it your fault or the cat's fault? Many cats won't use a litter box that is too dirty. They just don't like it. If you think this may be the problem, change out the litter about twice as often as you currently do. You can also be prompt about cleaning any places the cat goes, spraying these areas down well with Lysol or a similar disinfectant with a nice strong smell. You can also try putting the litter box in a more attractive place to the cat; the bathroom, for instance. If it's not in too obnoxious a place, you can put the litter box on top of the place your cat has chosen to go, too, just to make the point. As last resorts, put down bleach, safely, in those spots, and cover the area with aluminum foil.

3. Clawing people. Cats generally do this because they're afraid; again, is it the fault of the cat or of the people around him? If you have a cat that is generically afraid of children, though, you should do something about it; try acclimatization, or exposing the cat to young children until he's calmer about it. Don't let the child loose around the cat. Either have the child sit down in your lap or next to you, feeding Kitty treats.

Not all cats are afraid; some are just plain mean to certain people. The only thing you can do about this is remove the cat from the situation; when the cat starts clawing or growling, pick her up and take her to the bathroom until your guest is gone; and it's usually a guest that this happens to, often one who owns pets of his or her own.. If it's a family member, try cat repellant or lemon juice to keep the cat away, then acclimatization to get them used to the other person. If all this fails, you may be forced to have the cat declawed.

4. Caterwauling. Siamese cats do this by nature, and you may not be able to get them to stop. But other cats do it because they are hungry, tired, or sick, or to let you know she has done something good. There aren't many things you can do about this, unfortunately. If you think it's a hunger thing, feed her more promptly, and refuse to feed her when she caterwauls; she won't understand what you're doing, but she'll almost certainly quit after she figures out it does her no good. If she caterwauls because she is in heat, you should get her fixed. For other caterwauling problems, try to ignore her, and keep her as far away from yourself as possible.

5. Spraying. Male cats do this to mark territory, and they usually do it when they feel threatened: when dogs or small children threaten, or when other male cats are around. There is little you can do about this beyond having your cat neutered. Don't punish for it; the cat will not understand at all.

6. Running outside. Cats get very curious about the outside. The first thing you should do is not open the door when the cat can run out. But you can also try to get the cat accustomed to the outdoors by getting a cat leash and walking her on it, or by carrying her in your arms when you go outside. Once she knows what's out there, she's less likely to want to get to it, particularly if you expose her to snow and wet conditions.

About The Author: Alex Matthews - the newest leader in online information publishing. For more information about this topic or/and other topics, please visit http://www.MoreDotCom.com

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Flea Control – Ten Measures You Can Take to Prevent an Infestation

Preventing an infestation of fleas takes a lot less effort than trying to take care of an existing problem. However, because an adult flea can produce tens of thousands of new little fleas each and every month, it takes an all out effort just to keep these hopping, pesky critters under control. It is almost impossible to completely eradicate the fleas.

The key to flea control is treating both the inside of your home as well as your outside yard area. You also have to control what other animals your cat may come in contact with as well as the roaming or prowling on properties other than your own. In addition, there are a multitude of products on the market today to help with the fleas’ cohabitating on your cat as well. Let’s take a brief look at ten measures you can take to prevent an infestation of fleas:

1. Flea baths and dips – Flea baths use a topical medicated shampoo that is used specifically for flea treatment. These baths work great for a day or two; however, the effects wear off quickly. You cat would have to have a bath practically every other day and this is something most people simply have no time to accomplish. That is why flea dips are more effective and last for several weeks. However, these flea dips are a last resort because of the heavy chemicals involved in the process. These dips can cause a buildup of chemical deposits that can be unhealthy if too much is ingested.

2. Flea powder and spray treatments – Flea powders and sprays offer only a short term defense against fleas and really are not used as often as other methods of flea treatment. It should be especially noted that only adult fleas are affected by this preventive measure.

3. Flea Collars – Flea collars are another measure for cats in getting rid of fleas. What happens is that the collar exudes a “poisonous” gas that fleas absolutely hate and this gas is then absorbed into your cat’s skin. The drawbacks are that the flea collars only seem to work in the general vicinity of its wearer – which is usually around the cat’s neck. You can also drop a flea collar inside of a vacuum cleaner bag to kill these creatures.

4. Flea medication – Usually in pill form, this flea medicine can keep the flea eggs from hatching, stopping reproduction in its tracks. However, this medication has to be a continuous treatment program in order for it to be successful. Please note these flea medications in pill format do not kill the adult fleas, but rather halt the reproduction process. For cats, they are notorious about not taking medicine, so there are also certain flea medications in the form of a shot. Just be sure to ask your doctor about this delivery method of medication.

5. Absorbable medications also known as “spot on” flea medication - These absorbable flea medications are customarily in an ointment or thick liquid form. Cat owners, you should apply the medicine on the back of your pet, usually between the shoulder blades. You would have to part the hair to apply the flea medication on the skin for better absorption. Effectiveness is usually a month and kills adult fleas for sure. Some medications will also halt the development of the larva within the flea eggs.

6. Vacuuming – Your carpets and furniture are harbor quite a bit of adult fleas, flea eggs, pupae and larva. If you want to get rid of these critters before they multiply and take over your home, daily vacuuming working wonders. Be sure and put a flea collar inside your vacuum cleaner bag! Fleas don’t like the minute gases it gives off. Changing your vacuum cleaner bag frequently will keep the flea eggs and other parts from hatching and hopping away from the vacuum cleaner to other parts of the house.

7. Flea foggers – This approach is a bit more drastic simply because it is such an inconvenience to the whole family. You have to ensure food items are put away as well as anything else that might suffer from the effects of the fogger. Your family and pets would have to vacate the premises while the fogger is doing its job and you would not be able to re-enter your home until everything is dry.

8. Washing laundry – By washing your cat’s bedding as well as any other items the cat is fond of, you can get rid of quite a few fleas. Be sure to wash in hot soapy water when possible. Clothes, tablecloths, slipcovers … all should be washed frequently.

9. Flea treatments for the yard – If your cat goes outside at any time, it would pay off to treat your yard for these fleas. Every time your cat goes outside, it has the potential of carrying back into your home hundreds of fleas and flea eggs. By treating your yard with some type of insecticide, you cut that probability way down.

10. Flea combs – This method is ridding your cat of fleas is time consuming. However, if your cat is sick or expecting kittens, this is a workable method. You would use a special medicated flea comb on your pet, making sure to capture the fleas that come out and dousing them in water that has soap or detergent in it. That will ultimately kill the fleas and any eggs that are picked out by the comb.

About The Author: Alex Matthews - the newest leader in online information publishing. For more information about this topic or/and other topics, please visit http://www.MoreDotCom.com

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Four Things to Look for When Adopting a Cat from an Animal Shelter

When choosing a cat to adopt from an animal shelter, there are several things that must be considered. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that adopting a cat means the furry friend will most likely be around for a long while. In fact, a cat can easily live up to 20 years. Therefore, owning a cat isn’t just a small commitment in time. Once the decision is made to adopt a cat, there are four main things to look for to ensure the pet will be healthy and a good match for the family and its lifestyle.

Activity

When visiting a cat shelter to choose a new feline friend, the first thing to do is to simply observe all of the cats and kittens. While observing them, just to get an idea of how active they are and what type of attitude they have. If the cat is hunched in a corner or appears lethargic, it might not be too healthy. The last thing a new pet owner needs is to adopt a sick cat that will rack up the vet’s bills. Similarly, a pet owner looking to add a new cat along with the pets he or she already has doesn’t want to bring home a sick cat that will spread illness to the other cats.

Observing the cat while it is in its cage is helpful in determining the attitude of the cat. Some pet owners are looking for playful cats that will scamper about the house and chase and play with toys. On the other hand, some pet owners would like a cat that is a little more docile and that will spend hours cuddled up in the owner’s lap. Watching the cats in their cages will help determine which type of personality they have. Of course, a cat that is sleeping doesn’t provide much information about its personality, because all cats sleep the majority of their day away. For sleeping cats, it will be necessary to rouse them to get an idea of their unique personalities.

Look at the Cat

After the selection of potential adoptees has been narrowed down, the remaining cats should be looked at more closely. To do this, the attendant should be asked to release the cats fro the cage, one at a time.

A good place to begin the physical examination is to look at the cat’s eyes. It is a good sign if the eyes are bright and clear. There also should be no discharge or running eyes, as both are signs of illness.

After inspecting the eyes, the nose should be looked at next. It should be clean and slightly moist. Again, there should be no discharge. The ears should also be clean. Ears that are extremely dirty are potentially contaminated with ear mites. Ear mites can be very difficult to get rid of and can easily spread to other cats at home.

Finally, the cat’s fur should be clean, shiny, and free of fleas. Fleas can be particularly bothersome to both the cat and to the owner. Furthermore, getting rid of fleas once they infest the home can be very difficult.

Listen to the Cat

Of those cats remaining, the next step is to listen to the cat. First, listen for signs of illness. A cat that coughs, sneezes, or sounds congested can be quite ill and should be avoided. Also, listen for sounds of contentment. A cat who is purring is likely happy and healthy. If the cat is meowing, the sound of the meow can often indicate trouble or contentment. A long, pleading meow could indicate the cat is ill. On the other hand, a playful meow could mean the cat is already developing a bond with its potential new owner!

After handling each cat, it is important to wash up with an antiseptic. That way, any illnesses one cat might have will not be spread to the other cats.

Play with the Cat

After finding a couple healthy cats that appear to have the appropriate personality, it’s time to play! Get the last couple of cats out of their cages and set them on the floor. See how they interact with one another to get a feeling for the cat’s disposition. Seeing how the cat gets along with other cats is especially important for pet owners who already have a pet cat at home.

Also, take out a string or car keys and dangle them in front of the cat. The one that seems most alert and active is likely the better choice. Of course, both cats can be adopted if the decision is just too hard to make!

About The Author: Alex Matthews - the newest leader in online information publishing. For more information about this topic or/and other topics, please visit http://www.MoreDotCom.com

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Cat Herding?

Have you ever seen so many cats?.....

YouTube - Cat Herding

Learn about the skilled art of Cat Herding ... Cat Herding. Hello, you either have JavaScript ... this is hysterical All cat lovers will adore it ... Cassidy Herding Training. 04:18. From: fidelis4bcs. Views: 521. Cat Herding Commercial ...

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Clicker Training Cats: Easy and Effective

Clicker training incorporates the use of a clicker as a reward or encouragement when training a cat.

Cats are able to relate with the clicker, displaying good actions and behavior. Clicker training is often linked with conventional condition, where cats associate sound with food and operational condition and where cats execute movements for food.

A clicker is found to be more effective than verbal command because cats can hear clicker sounds more clearly than a voice, as human voice tones change while the clicker sound is always steady or constant.

The click is brief and concise, whereas a voice, phrase or a word, is fairly long in cats' point of standing. To say “good boy” will take time than a click.

With the use of a clicker, cats can be successfully trained in three simple steps: obtaining the cats behavior, marking its behavior, and reinforcing its behavior.

Guidelines when training with a clicker:

1. To make a sound, push the clicker’s spring end and then release. Treat the cat.

2. When you notice a behavior that you want your cat to continue on doing, click during while the behavior is being performed, never after it.

3. Click only once, to express enthusiasm towards the act of your cat and add more treats.

4. Note that practice periods should be short. More can be learned in three brief five minute sessions per day than hours of boring and stressful repetition.

5. Correct bad acts by ignoring and clicking when good behavior is displayed. Click when your kitten uses the litter box or when it plays on the scratch post, not on the furniture.

6. Click for accidental and voluntary actions nearing your objective. You should entice the cat into a position, but never pull or push it or hold it.

7. Never wait until your cat performs the perfect act that you told it to do, instead click and reward for little actions towards the correct direction. When your cat is signaled to sit and it crouches in its back, click.

8. Carry the clicker at all times when you are with your cat, so you can catch good acts.

9. Make sure to put aside the clicker when you are scolding your cat.

The non-confrontational character of a clicker makes it an ideal tool for training your cat.
You too, can be happy with the results, having achieved all positive behaviors that you worked for with your cat. With lots of understanding, love, and patience, cat clicker training will continue to give you wonderful results that you and your cat will benefit from for years to come.

LJB

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Cat Training: Do It With Gentle Care

Cats are trained and encouraged by treats or rewards. A clear illustration of such behavior is when cats come running when it hears the food bag rustle or the can opener’s sound. Cats often relate the sounds to food rewards.

Keep in mind that your cat must be closely examined on a regular basis by the veterinarian, to ensure that there are no unknown problems in your cat’s health that could be aggravated or intensified during training activities.

To further encourage your cat to maintain a good behavior, the most effective way is to offer immediate treats, a full tasty meal, or a favorite toy as rewards.

When saying “good” and offering a treat all together, your cat will later relate the word with its positive act, even if later, food is not available and upcoming. In place of food rewards, you can give your cat an enjoyable playtime or a rub behind its ears.

With the use of positive emphasis and reinforcement, your cat will be willing to learn good behaviors and basic instructions or commands.

Here are training guidelines:

1. It is best to begin training with kittens. They will be more open and responsive to training. Bad behaviors have not yet been formed and not given a chance to develop.

2. Use positive emphasis and reinforcement at all times. A gentle hug, caress, or a whisper has a longer lasting effect than harsh or bitter words.

3. Limit the training time. Make it brief but frequent. Cats normally have short attention and interest spans; so it is much more effective to have four to six sessions of five minutes each, during the course of the day than an hour or two of continuous training.

4. Confine the training to indoors. This is essential so that your cat will not be distracted by other neighboring pets or be attracted to climbing trees instead.

Discipline should be instilled for a well behaved cat, but tough punishment must be avoided. In training your cat so to avoid negative acts, you need to approach it positively. Cats generally will not respond to certain punishments like hitting or yelling. They usually correlate the undesirable act with you rather than with their bad behavior. The outcome will be that your pet either stops loving you or will be afraid of you; not the result that will lead to a loving and warm relationship with your wonderful pet cat!

LJB

technorati tags:cat, care, training

How To Have A Happy Cat

"Taking Care of Your Cat”


A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.

Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:

1. Take care of your cat's health.

As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.

Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.

If you see them 'shedding' excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.

Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.

2. Groom your cat properly.

Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.

In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.

Brush your cat's fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.

There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.

Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.

Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.

Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.

This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.

Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.

When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Prepare the following before bathing:

-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb

Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat's body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.

After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.

This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.

Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.

Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.

Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and nails.

3. Feed them on time.

Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.

Your feline friends can learn how to "stick" to a schedule with your guidance and training.

Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.

Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.

If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.

If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.

3. Shower them with love and attention.

By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention.

In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.

By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner.


LJB

technorati tags:cat, care, training