Apr 13, 2010

Useful Tips For Cleaning Cat Urine at Home

There are over 75 million cats in the USA and all cat owners know that urine stains and odor are a big problem.

When cats urinate for physiological elimination, they do it on horizontal or flat surfaces, e.g. the ground of the litter box. When they use their urine to mark their territory, cats spray on vertical surfaces. In both cases the urine may come in contact with a carpet or some furniture.

The urine of cats is of amber color, it is a waste fluid that is excreted by the kidney and contains waste products from the cat's metabolism. The color and odor of the urine, as well as its staining potential, depend on the food the cat consumes, its age, sex, and health condition, etc.

The urine of older cats contains more plasma proteins but less uric acephalia, so it is less likely to leave stains on the carpet but its odor will be stronger.

Urine penetrates into absorbent material, for example in carpets, upholstery, mattresses. The surface of such material can be clean very well but it is very difficult to clean the inside. Odor and stain often remain even after a thorough cleaning. The following guideline may help you eliminate the odor of cat's urine.

Cleaning cat urine from the carpet

Cleaning urine from the carpet is one of the most difficult tasks for cat owners. Here are some things you can do in case your cat has urinated on the carpet.

The first thing you should do is to soak up the urine as much as possible. Use a soft, clean cloth or absorbent paper and press down without rubbing for about 30 seconds. The removal of fresh urine before it dries will makes it easier to clean and to remove the odor afterwards. Once the "accident zone" is dry, rinse it with clean water. Then, blot up as much of the water as possible. After that there are several things to do:

1. Baking soda is effective for elimination of surface odors. Get the area wet with water and sprinkle baking soda on it. Rub the soda into the carpet and let it dry. Then remove the dry material by brushing or vacuuming it.

2. Put together a quart of warm water and half a cup of white vinegar. Apply the mixture on the urine stain, put dry towels on the stain and place a heavy object over the towels to increase the pressure. Leave it for a few hours and then remove the towels.

3. Old or heavy stains are best removed with extractors or wet-vacuum cleaner machines. Force the clean water into the carpet and then force back the dirty water out. Do not use chemicals with these machines, as they are more effective with clean water.

4. You can also try a combination of Listerine mouthwash and water/peroxide mixture. It is very effective for elimination of the odor.

5. A new way to clean cat urine from the carpet is the usage of peroxide or detergents. Spray the stained area with a product that consists of a 3% hydrogen peroxide. Wait for about five minutes and use a clean absorbent cloth and blot the aria by pressing down without rubbing for about 30 second. Repeat the same until the area is dry.

After you clean the soiled area very well, you should use a per odor neutralizer. They are available at per supply stores.

In case the soiled area still looks stained after the cleaning, neutralizing and drying, then you should apply a special stain and odor removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner, for example "Outright Pet Stain Eliminator," "Pet 'Oops' Remover," or "Stain Gobbler".

Cleaning cat urine from the upholstery

You should use a soft, clean white cloth or absorbent paper. In case the usage of solvents is required, do not apply them on the stain, but pour them on a clean cloth. Use circular motion to clean the stain and work from the outside inwards. Dry the area immediately after cleaning it. You can use a hairdryer to do this but remember to use the cool setting. The air stream should be directed towards the outside of the area and then inwards. Always use soft brushes and rub the surface gently.

Cleaning cat urine from hardwood floors

Cat urine can damage a hardwood floor and can cause rotting. Here is what you can do to deal with the odor and to prevent serious damages.

You should soak up the wet area immediately with towels. Then, wash the area with white vinegar. You may have to repeat the washing several times. After that you should rinse the floor with warm water and dry it with paper towels. In the end, apply a special stain and odor removing bacteria/enzyme cleaner.

When you use such products you should read the instructions carefully and follow them strictly. Always test the products in an invisible area to see how they work.

You should be very careful about urine odor and attack the problems as soon as possible. You should remove the odor completely because if there are any traces left, the cat will urinate on the same spot again.

Please visit our cat furniture shop, where you can show how much you love your cat by giving them the gift that they always have wanted like cat condos, gyms, towers, houses and much more.

Do You Know How to Stop Your Cat From Spraying Urine?

Spraying urine is one of the main problems a cat owner has to deal with. Cats use their urine to mark their territory and to notify other cats they have already been there. This typical behavior is known as urine spraying.

Your pets are not spraying in order to make you angry. It is part of cats' natural behavior and is coded in the genes of every cat, no matter if it is domestic or wild.

Urination outside of the cat toilet is not spraying. What makes urination different from spraying is that urination is usually done on flat surface, e.g. a towel, a mat or rug, while spraying is done on vertical surface, e.g. a wall.

Male and female cats both spray urine but it is more common for male. They spray on vertical surfaces, such as walls and furniture.

Why cats spray urine

Urine spraying is a social, sexual and territorial behavior that is typical for male cats. They mark their territory by spraying it with urine. This behavior is caused by hormonal changes and usually starts when cat reaches sexual maturity. Female cats also spray, especially during the mating season.

Spraying can be stopped by neutering. However, some neutered cats continue to spray urine due to the fact they have been neutered after they have reached sexual maturity. By that time, spraying has become a habit for the pet.

Spraying urine is used as a message that given territory belongs to the cat. Cats usually spray as they turn backsides to the object and spray urine usually at the level of other cats' noses. Spraying may also mean the cat is ready to mate.

Spraying as a territorial behavior may occur when you move your pet into a new home or if you have more than one cat in the house. Cats may spray if they are stressed or just to mark an undesirable object or litter.

Occasionally cats may spray items that belong to a certain individual. Cats associate these belongings with bad experiences. Spraying could also mean the pet is angry, stressed or frustrated.

Pets can get stressed by changes in the house, such as your absences from home, changed work schedules that will prevent you from spending enough time with it. Your pet may also spray if you punish it in an inappropriate way or if it has a problem with another pet that accepts as a rival or threat.

Few ideas to stop your cat spraying?

1. The simplest way is to neuter it. This method is effective in 90% of all male neutered cats. However, neutering should be performed before the animal reaches sexual maturity - at the age of 4-6 months.

2. The litter box should be kept tidy and clean. The cat may start spraying if the box is dirty, scented or in a bad location. You shouldn't use scented cleaning agents to wash it.

3. Try reducing the cat's stress by maintaining a routine. Changes can make the pet spray.

4. Give your pet attention and affection. Play, massage, talk to him/her. Happy animals that are not threatened usually don't spray urine.

5. Some cats spray urine near doors and windows where they see other cats. Try to reduce your cat's exposure to other cats, so it doesn't feel threatened by them.

6. You should clean soiled areas very well as cats commonly urinate on places that smell of urine. Avoid using cleaning products that contain ammonia. And keep in mind that your cat can smell many things that you probably can't.

7. If you have many cats in the house, spraying may become very serious problem. Cats spray because of the competition between them. However, if spraying is caused by other reasons that cannot be determined or eliminated, drugs may have to be used to deal with the problem.

8. Hitting or yelling at the cat will not make your pet stop spraying. On the contrary, this will only make the problem worse. You should try to find out why the cat is doing so, not to punish it for doing it.

In case you can not solve the problem yourself, you should consult a vet or a cat behaviorist. There are different herbal remedies and prescription drugs that can be used in such cases

O2cats.com is an online website on quality cat furniture. For more details you can see our best selling products in the following category - cat toys.

Neutering of Cats - Advantages and Disadvantages

Many people believe neutering is cruel to cats. The truth, however, is a bit different. Neutering not only prevents the cat from having kitten, but it also keeps the cat healthy.

According to a survey from 1995, about 80% of the cats and dogs in the USA are spayed or neutered.

What does neutering mean?

Neutering is a routine surgery for removal of the cat's sex organs. After this surgery, the cat is unable to reproduce. In addition, the procedure stops the production of sexual hormones which cause the cat's sexual behavior. The decision whether to neuter your cat or not is one of the most important decisions that a cat owner has to take.

What exactly is done during the surgery?

Neuter is a very simple and routine surgery performed in veterinary medicine. The cat should not be feed the night before because anesthesia is performed on an empty stomach. When the procedure is for male cats, it is called castration, while for female cats it is known as spaying.

Castration involves the removal of the gonads, or testicles. This intervention removes the sperm source and the source of testosterone. Under general anesthesia, two small incisions are made in the scrotum's skin and both testicles are removed. In other words, the male cat is castrated.

Female cats undergo spaying which is the removal of the uterus and the ovaries. A small area on the stomach is shaved and a little incision is made. The ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. This surgery is equivalent to a full hysterectomy.

When should a cat be neutered?

Most vets recommend the cat undergoes this procedure when it is about six months old, before the car reaches sexual maturity. However, this may vary for the different cats. A common practice in the USA is cats to be neutered while they are very young, and sometimes cats aged eight weeks undergo such surgery.

A pregnant female cat can be neutered, too, but it may be very dangerous for the mother, especially if the procedure is performed in late pregnancy.

How long does the rehabilitation take?

Males cats are usually back to their normal lives on the day after the surgery. Female cats need some more time - about one or two days later they will be healthy.

The advantages of neutering

Most cat owners don't know exactly why they should neuter their cats. Here is a quick list of some of the key reasons.

- Male cat usually develop some undesirable changes in their behavior after their puberty, when they are approximately 6-8 months old. These changes include marking of their territory by spraying urine around the house, or expanding their territory and spraying urine outside and around the house. This is usually one of the reasons for cats being involved in car accidents. You can prevent these changes by neutering your cat.

- Neutering stops the cat spaying in the house. Urine is unsanitary and has a bad odor that can't be removed easy.

- Neutering will remove heat cycles at females. These heats occur several timed every year and cause some behavioral changes such as kneading, howling and restlessness. Also, it will prevent the cat from spraying. Neutering reduces the risk of mammary cancer and eliminates the development of pyometra - a serious infection of the uterine.

- Neutered cats cannot reproduce and will not have unwanted kittens.

- Neutering will make a female cat more attentive and loving. It will also protect her from sexually transmitted infections and some cancers.

- A neutered female cat will not attract males that urinated in her territory to mark her as their property.

- Neutered cats are more affectionate and calmer. They are more interested in their owners and are more social with people. Some statistics show that neutered male cats live longer than male cats that are not neutered.

The disadvantages of neutering

- Neutered cat cannot have kittens. Do not perform this surgery if you want to breed your cat.

- Some neutered cats make gain extra weight after the surgery because they will not use their energy to find mates, as they did before.

Check out all the nice products, that your kitty will love. Our online cat store specializes in items such as cat beds. We also have lots of well designed on cat toys.



Do You Know How to Minimize Cat Shedding?

Shedding is a normal event in every cat's life and cat owners should accept this fact. Through shedding cats replenish their fur and maintain it in a good condition.

Wild cats shed their fur twice a year - in the spring to remove the winter undercoat, and in the autumn to prepare their new coat for the coming winter. Domesticated cats, however, are subjected to artificial winter heating and summer air-conditioning. As a result, their bodies are confused and they shed constantly.
When cats shed they remove dead hair from their bodies. Dead hair should be removed because it may cause skin irritation.

Shedding indicated that the cat is healthy; sick cats do not shed. Shedding depends on the time the cat spends outdoors. It is significantly affected by daylight and can be triggered by a number of hours spent on sunlight. Shedding also depends on the bathing, grooming of the cat and the activities she is involved in.
Cats that live indoors shed at any time of the year. The amount of the shed hair is less than the amount shed by outdoor cats because of the artificial light and the temperature in the house.

Outdoor cats shed two times in the year - in the spring and in the autumn. They usually don't shed at all or shed just limited amounts of hair in the winter because they keep their fur for the cold weather.

Breeds that don't shed or shed a little

There are two cat breeds that shed minimal amounts of hair. One of them is the Cornish Rex that has short curly hair, and the other one is the Devon Rex that has similar coat. Their shedding is usually not noticed, but it doesn't mean they don't shed.

The only cat breed that doesn't shed is the Sphynx. However, these cats are not absolutely hairless. Some people describe the skin of the Sphynx as suede or chamois. This cat breed is very rare and requires special care but is a perfect choice for people with allergies.

Dealing with your cat's shedding

You can control the shedding of your cat with regular brushing and combing. Daily brushing removes loose and dead hair and maintains the cat's hair healthy.

Start brushing your cat slowly and don't continue the sessions too long; stop brushing the cat before she protests. You can use treat to make the brushing sessions more pleasant. As the cat learns to like the brushing you can make these procedures for longer period of times. They will remove dead hair from the cat's body and the cat is less likely to shed in the house.

When combing the cat, do it carefully in the hair growth direction, so that you smooth the coat and remove any knows or tangles in the fur. Longhaired cats should first be brushed with a wide tooth comb and then with a fine tooth comb.

The length of the cat's hair is very important for the good brushing. Short-haired cats, such as Siamese, Burmese and Cornish rex cats, need little brushing. Shorthaired with dense coats like American shorthairs, British shorthairs and Scottish folds need a brushing once a month. Cats with long and flowing coats like Persian cat have to be combed very often and should be bathed once in the week or once in two weeks.

The advantages of combing and brushing are innumerable:

• frequent brush of your cat removes dead and lose hair from the cat's body and she will not shed that much:
• brushing and combing will reduce the presence of hairballs, particularly in the breeds with long coats;
• brushing and combing keep the fur smooth and don't allow mats;
• both activities are a good form of interaction for you and the cat, and are perfect for bonding process;
• They give the opportunity to examine the cat's hair for any potential problems, including parasites and skin conditions.

You can also reduce the cat's shedding by feeding her with healthy food of good quality. The cat food should be balances and should contain all nutrients required by the cat for a healthy skin and fur. In addition, you may use some products that are applied on the cat's hair and can reduce the shedding. They are available is specialized pet stores. Some vitamins produced from fish oils can also be helpful as they provide the cat with omega-3 fatty acids that make the fur stronger. There are some topical sprays that are used by cat owners to change and reduce the shedding.

If shedding continues throughout the year and is significant, the cat may have food or dust allergy. In some cases then the cat becomes sick from excessive hair ball, vets recommend that the cat is shaves three or four times a year. However, you should consult your veterinarian before you do something, because he will tell you what the problem is and how to solve it.

Please visit our cat furniture shop, where you can show how much you love your cat by giving them the gift that they always have wanted like cat and dog beds, gyms, towers, houses and much more.

Is Cat Declawing Really Necessary?

Cat declawing is definitely a thorny issue and deciding whether to do it or not is one of the most important decisions a car owner has to make.

The Truth About Cat Declawing

According to the veterinarian Neil Wolff, declawing is not only unnecessary procedure, but it also inhumane. Declawing is an interference with the cat's nature and people often decide to do it because of their lack of information and incorrect knowledge.

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, who is the author of The Cat Who Cried for Help, and the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, thinks that declawing is the same as mutilation to a tee. He also says that this procedure is used as a model of severe pain for the testing of analgesic medications.

Declawing is a common practice in the USA, but it is not popular in Europe. In fact, this procedure is against the law in many European countries, for example in England, Germany and Switzerland.

The Declawing Surgery

The standard declawing procedure involves the removal of the claws, the cells that are responsible for the claw's growth, and a part of or all of the terminal bone of the toe. This procedure aims to stop the cat from scratching furniture, people or other animals. Declawing can be defined as an amputation and is similar to the removal of the fingers of the human hand at the last knuckle. The manipulation causes significant pain to the cat and the healing process is quite painful, too.

What You Should Know

Cat owners should know that the cat's claws are not toenails as in other animals. Claws are movable digits that are attacked to the muscle in the same way fingers are attached. Cats have very strong ligaments and tendons that extend and retract the claws. If you remove these, the cat will not be able to grasp, walk, run and spring in a proper way. If the end digit and the claw are removes, the sensory and motor nerves are damaged and destroyed. Thus the cat should walk on the stub end of the second digit. People who undergo such procedure usually rest while cats must continue scratching in their litter box, they walk and try jumping, no matter the pain they feel.

How is Declawing Performed?

Declawing can be performed in several different ways but the aim is the same: to completely remove the third phalanx, which is the last bone in the toe, and the claw that is growing from it.

There are some veterinarians who use laser surgery which is considered to be less painful and to cause less bleeding. The procedure uses a laser to cut the tissue by heating it. This means that the bleeding, the pain and the healing time are significantly reduced. However, the cat's toes will still be in bandages and a few weeks will be needed before the cat starts walking normally again. In some cases, cats recover very quickly; this is typical for kittens.

There is another method, called tenectomy, which is becoming very popular. During this procedure, the claw is not amputated but is removed a piece of the tendon that controls the extension of the claws. The result of the surgery is intact claws that are permanently extended. Cats usually are able to use their claws to some extent but they cannot scratch properly. Cats cannot sharpen their claws and they grow excessively, so claws' trimming is required very often.

Alternatives of Declawing

1. Provide a scratching post

The scratching post should be strong enough and tall enough. You can use sisal and corrugated cardboard for the service of the scratching post. The usage of carpet is not recommended as it tears up very easy and the cat may be confused with the carpet on the floor and scratch there instead on the post.

Cats should be praises when they use the post. You can try making it a fun place by putting toy on it or around it. The post should be easily accessible. In case you want to make your cat stop scratching a piece of furniture, place the post in front of it and gradually move it way when the cat begins using it regularly.

2.Train your cat

You should train your cat to scratch on the "right" things. Praise the cat every time she scratches on the post. If the cat scratches on place where she should be doing so, call her by her name, tell her "no" and move her by the scratching post. You can put the cat's front legs on the post and start making scratching motions to show her what she is supposed to do. In addition, you can dangle a toy on the post and the cat will touch the post as she goes for the toy.

3. Trim your cat's claws

You should trim your cat's claws regularly because it is very important for maintenance of the cat's hygiene. This will also reduce the scratches you and your furniture may suffer. If you clip the cat's claws once a week, the destruction of furniture caused by scratching will be reduced to a minimum. It is recommended that the clipping is performed by two people - one to hold the car and the other to clip the claws. Do not use regular scissors. You should use only special cat clippers. Also, remember to clip only the tip of the claw. Be careful about veins that are near the claw's base.

4.Nail Caps

Some years ago, a new product that reduces the damage on furniture has been presented on the market. "Soft Paws"™ (or Soft Claws®) presents plastic nail caps. They are glued to the cat's claws after the claws have been trimmed. The results of using the product are great and there are almost no scratch damages on the furniture. The caps should be replaces every month.

If you really love your cat and care about your cat, you should not declaw her. You can train the cat to not scratch the furniture if you follow the above-mentioned advices. However, a declawing procedure is really painful and unnatural. So, give your cat love and affection, and provide her with a long and happy life without declawing it.

O2cats.com is an online website on quality cat furniture. For more details you can see our best selling products in the following category - cat scratching posts.

Apr 6, 2010

Cats and Cold Weather - How to Protect Our Pet From the Cold

Cats don't like cold weather just like people don't like it. When the weather becomes cold you should protect your cat. What you should do it to keep the cat indoors during winter in order to improve the quality of life of your cat.

Problems associated with cold weather. Cat care questions - where to go? Here is one of the answers.

Often people forget to take their cats inside in cold weather because they believe cats are adapted to live outdoors. However, cats prefer the warmth of the indoors just like people do in specially made for them - cat gifts. Leaving a cat outside in the cold for a longer period of time can endanger the pet seriously.

One of the major problems is hypothermia. This is a condition which occurs when the body temperature falls below the normal. Cats can develop hypothermia if they are left in the cold for a long time. Less serious cases of hypothermia may be manifested by shivering, signs of depression, lethargy and weakness. However, if the condition progresses, the cat's muscles may stiffen, the breathing and the heart rates may slow down. The cat may even stop responding to different stimuli. If you notice these symptoms, you should warm your cat as soon as possible and take the animal to a veterinarian.

Another problem that can occur because of cold is frostbite. It can result if the cat is left outdoors for a long time in cold weather. In case of frostbite, remember to never rub frozen tissues because this may cause extra tissue damage. If you can't take your pet to a veterinarian, you should quickly warm the affected areas. You should do this by immersing the areas in warm, but not hot water.

Another way to warm the affected tissues is to put over them warmed moist towels and change them frequently. The warming should be discontinued as soon as the affected areas become flushed. Then you should dry these areas and cover them with a clean and dry bandage. Cat gifts such as cool cat houses a great way to provide you cats with home of their own.

Helpful tips and guidelines

The following advices and guidelines may be helpful to keep your cat healthy, warm and safe during winter.

• You can fortify your cat's coat by providing it with essential fatty acids included in their diet. This will stimulate the growth of thicker coat during the cold months. Fatty acids may be provided with the addition of canola oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, butter and fish oils in the cat's meals.

• You can increase the amount of protein in the cat's food in order to keep its fur thick and healthy. You can also give your cat more food and treats during winter if the cat doesn't have weight problems.

• Provide the cat with vitamins E and B-complex in order to make the tissues stronger. The cat will also become more cold-resistant. However, be careful about the dosage of vitamins because they may cause
medical problems.

• Older or arthritic cats should be provided with addition care because the cold can make their joints very stiff and tender. Make them a thick and soft bed in a warm room and modify their environment to facilitate their movements.

• Prepare a warm place for your cat to sleep, for example a basket or a cardboard box with a warm blanket.

• In case you have to take the cat to the vet, put a hot water bottle in the carrier to keep the animal warm.

• Groom the cat's coat very well because matted fur cannot protect the cat from the cold in a proper way.

Taking care of outdoor cats

Here are some tips that are very useful if you allow your cat to go outside or if the cat lives outside permanently, even if they have cool cat houses.

• You should let your cat outside as the weather starts getting colder. The cat needs to adjust to the cold, to grow thicker coat and to develop a cold-resistance.

• Cats that live outdoors will need more food in the winter.

• Make sure the food and the water of the cat are not frozen. If the water is frozen, the cat may drink from puddles or gutters which may be polluted with various chemicals, for example oil, household cleaners, etc.

• Outdoor cats should have a shelter during winter. Provide them with a house to keep them warm and to protect them from cold weather.

• Do not use newspaper, towels or blankets for the inside of the cat's shelter because they will retain the cold and will become stiff and hard. You should use straw instead.

Thanks for taking this cat care questions seriously, you will can see that is important to you as well.

Please visit our cat furniture shop, where you can show how much you love your cat by giving them the gift that they always have wanted like cat trees, towers, beds and much more.

8 Useful Tips For Feeding Your Cat

Nutrition is essential for the good health and long life of every creature. Cats are not an exception. Young cats are especially pliable to nutritional imbalances and feeding errors. The feeding habits of the cat established after weaning are very important for its future health status. Cat owners should be familiar with the nutritional requirements of their cats.

Cats are carnivorous animals and cannot receive nutrition from the majority of vegetable proteins. Wild cats eat the whole of their preys - muscles, organs, viscera, bones, offal, skin. Thus, they ingest the digested food the prey has eaten. This gives the cat the opportunity to receive nutrition from various sources - meat and vegetable sources.

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements - cats need more protein and have greater tolerance for fat.

We cannot mention one particular food that all cats will like. Cat foods can be found in different flavors and textures. When you find the food your cat likes, and if it meets the nutritional requirements, stick to it and don't change it often because frequent changes may make the cat fastidious and may cause digestive problems.

What do cats need?

Cat owners should choose foods that provide all necessary nutrients and promote the good health of their cat. There are foods specially developed for kittens, mature cats, pregnant cats, but all food should contain the following essential nutrients: water, proteins (essential amino acids and nitrogen), essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Proteins provide energy. They contain amino acids which stimulate the body to rebuild tissues and to perform its functions. Fats are a good source of concentrated energy and unsaturated fatty acids. Minerals regulate the functions in cat's body. Minerals include macro minerals - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and micro minerals - copper, manganese, iron, and iodine. Vitamins are involved in many physiological processes and can be divided into two groups: fat-soluble - vitamins A, D, E and K, and water-soluble - thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12.

Types of cat food

There is a variety of cat foods on the market produced by different manufacturers. We can divide cat foods into three main categories:

Dry Food

It contains approximately 6-10% moisture and has an abrasive function, so it cleans the teeth and gums, and keeps them healthy. Dry foods have a long shelf life. Food that contains 34-38% protein and 19-22% fat provides a healthy balance.

Soft - Moist Food

It contains about 23-40% moisture and cat owners prefer it because it is convenient and has a long shelf life. However, soft-moist foods are more expensive than dry foods. You should be careful because soft-moist foods contain a lot of preservatives.

Canned Food

Canned food contains approximately 68-70% moisture and most cats like it most of all other foods. However, it is not recommended to feed your cat with canned food only because it sticks to the cat's teeth and this may lead to dental problems.

You should give your cat small amounts of canned food two times per day and leave some dry food because most cats like eating dry food all day long.

What should you be careful about when you feed your cat?

Cats don't need to eat the whole day long. Do not give your cat more food than your vet has recommended. Distribute the amount of food into two or three meals and give it to the cat throughout the day.

Do not give your cat dog's food because it doesn't have the necessary amounts of protein and amino acids. For the same reason, avoid feeding the cat with vegetarian food. Do not over feed your cat as obesity can cause diseases, pre-mature aging and early death.

Do not give your cat chocolate, alcohol, onions, pork, raw fish, raw eggs and bones.

Consult your vet if your cat refuses to eat more than two days because fasting may be harmful and may cause serious liver problems.

Do not put your cat's food near her litter box. Cats eat far away from the place she eliminates. If you put her food near her litter box, the cat may eliminate away from the litter box.

You shouldn't give your cat hairball remedy around her meal because many hairball remedies and treats contain mineral oil or petroleum jelly which will extract the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K from the intestines.

Reduce the usage of tuna because it contains high levels of mercury.

Tips about feeding your cat

1. Cats that live free in the wild eat grass every day. Domestic cats will also eat grass if they have the opportunity, so cat owners should provide sources of green vegetation for their cats.

2. Milk is a food, not a drink. The only drink that cats use is water. Milk is a good source of calcium and phosphorus which make bones and teeth stronger. It also provides many vitamins and minerals. However, you should keep in mind that many cats cannot digest milk as they grow older.

3. Provide your cat with varied food. You can mix some of the new food with the old for 3-5 days in order to make gradual changes.

4. Cats should be fed in quiet parts of the house where no one will bother them because they feel vulnerable while they eat.

5. If you have more cats, you should provide each of them with a separate food bowl and you shouldn't keep them close to each other while they are eating, because cats compete for their food and feel uncomfortable if they are too close to one another.

6. It is recommended that you don't feed your cat from plastic bowl. Provide ceramic or stainless steel bowls because plastic dishes may give shelter to bacteria. Moreover, some cats may develop allergies to plastic and may get pimples on their chins.

7. Older cats would like you to raise their food and water bowl a few inches off the floor because this will make it easier on their backs and necks.

8. You should observe your pet closely after you give it new food. Any changes in the coat, appetite, weight or mood may indicate a problem. If you have any questions about the dietary plant of you cat, consult your vet for advices.

Check out all the nice products, which your kitty will love. Our online cat store specializes in items such as cat pet feeder, cat beds and condos, houses, trees and towers. We also have lots of well designed cat toys.

© Cat Articles