• Home
  • Fine Art Prints
  • Kitty Toy Store
  • Photographic Prints
  • Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Cat Books
  • Cat Breeds
  • Cat Care 101
  • Cat Questions
  • Cat Toys
  • Cat Videos
  • Cats
  • Cats in Art
  • Kitty Pic Of The Month

Archives

  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007

Welcoming A Second Cat to Your Home

posted by Abby in January 30th, 2008 

cats  kittens If you're planning on adopting a second or third cat, there are a few things to keep in mind.

A new cat can be a nice addition to your household, but it also means added responsibility. Since there are now more mouths to feed, your cat food costs will increase each month. You will have an additional vet cost in the beginning to get your new friend vaccinated and spayed/neutered. There is also the stress of introducing the new cat to your current one - and cat fights aren't fun to watch.

Before you bring your new cat home, set up an area for him to stay in while he adjusts. You may want to put him in a crate, especially if you are unsure whether he is litter box trained. Allow him to settle in for a day or so before you worry about introducing him to the rest of the family.

Instead of placing the cats together immediately, allow your original cat to grow accustomed to the new arrival gradually. For a smooth transition, be sure he does not have to share his own litter box, food and water bowls, or toys with the newcomer. For one thing, your cat may not want to share. Secondly, you want to make sure that the new guy isn't sick or carrying a virus. Keeping your cats separated reduces the chance of your cats spreading diseases to each other. Also, cats who are forced to share litter boxes may decide to create their own private litter boxes in other, less convenient places, such as the closet floor or your bed.

Of course, there is one major problem with having multiple cats. Once you have two or more cats, everyone with a stray or unwanted cat will assume they can convince you to add just one more to the family.

SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Cat Toy Box

posted by Abby in January 26th, 2008 

cat toy  boxIf your cat is anything like mine, he spends most of the day lying about waiting for dinner time.

Unlike outdoor cats, indoor felines can become fat little lazy balls of fur, unless you take the time to keep them entertained and busy.

I've got a bazillion cat toys in the closet, but I've been thinking about getting this interesting cat toy .

One of the great thing about this toy is that it seems to appeal to a cat's natural hunting/stalking instincts. You are supposed to place toys inside the box, and Kitty will hunt and capture the prey within.

But there seems to be one thing missing from this toy -- that is, light scratchy sounds. I mean, while cats are attracted to small prey that moves, sounds really excite the heck out of them. I think this toy would work better if there was a way to make the prey squeak or scratch as kitty tries to paw them out...

I guess with any new cat toy, it takes time for Kitty to become interested....unless, that is I cover the darn thing in cat nip. That should get him going!

How to Clip Your Cat’s Nails

posted by Abby in January 23rd, 2008 

image Many cat owners opt not to de-claw their cats. After all, cats use their claws for everyday activities such as climbing, scratching, hunting, or defending themselves.

If your cat is not de-clawed, you should use do what you can to keep his nails well maintained. If his nails snag on things and get caught, it can be painful for your cat.

Trimming Kitty's Nails

The more you trim your cat's nails, the more he will get used to it. You should trim your cat's nails when your cat is relaxed, sleepy (or sleeping). You can use fancy cat clippers or regular human fingernail clippers.

Start by pressing gently on your cat's paw to extend a claw. You don't need to press hard.

Closely examine the nail closely under light to find the pink area in the center called the 'quick.' This is a blood vessel, and will bleed if nicked. You should never clip this area.

Quickly snip off the tip, being careful not to cut into the quick. You just need to snip off the sharp tip of the nail.

Repeat the process until you have finished the cat's paw.

Remember, the more relaxed you and your cat is, the easier the process will be. If your cat gets agitated or fussy, simply back off and start again when he is back in a relaxed state.

Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?

posted by Abby in January 18th, 2008 

do cats always land on their feet

While we all know it's a fact that cats rule the household, there are many facts people don't know about their feline friends.

Dr. Marty Becker and syndicated columnist Gina Spadafori put together an encyclopedia of the best questions they've ever received from readers and fans. to give people the skinny on things they've never dared to ask about cats but often wondered (or not) like: Do cats always land on their feet? Why do cats' claws detract? What's the best way to give my cat medicine?

This could not be a more perfect gift for cat lovers! Fabulous information communicated in a witty and captivating manner!

Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Feline Unfathomables, Medical Mysteries and Befuddling Behaviors

Does Your Cat Suffer From Hairballs?

posted by Abby in January 15th, 2008 

Has your cat been coughing and hacking lately? Has he been leaving disgusting skinny oval blobs all over your floor? If so, your cat might have hairballs.

imageWhat exactly is a hairball? It is a mass of hair and food that did not digest that forms inside a cat's body. The hair comes together and forms a ball in his stomach instead of simply passing through his body. Since these hairballs aren't able to break down and be digested, cats often cough them up to get rid of them.

While most cats don't have a problem with dislodging hairballs, they can occasionally pass into a cat's intestines and cause a blockage. If your cat seems to be constipated, he may be experiencing a small blockage. If he seems lethargic and his coat is dull and unhealthy looking, or he is eating less than usual, then he may have a serious blockage.

Either way, you should take him to your veterinarian to be sure a hairball is the problem and to have it removed.

Preventing hairballs

Of course, it is much better to prevent hairballs in the first place. One of the easiest ways to keep your cat from developing a hairball is to groom him frequently by thoroughly combing or brushing his hair each day to remove excess hair and dander.

If you begin this routine when he is a kitten, he will actually look forward to being groomed. If your cat doesn't care for brushes and combs, try a grooming glove, instead.

There are also several dietary aids that you can try. For example, there are many dry cat food brands on the market that are developed specifically to prevent hairballs.

There is also special hairball remedy on the market. The remedy is in the form of a gel. This gel can be added to your cat's food or placed on your cat's paw. This gel is actually a lubricant and will help the hairball pass through his body. Talk to your veterinarian before using one of these hairball remedies for a long period of time, as they can end up removing important vitamins and minerals along with hairballs.

The Turkish Van

posted by Abby in January 11th, 2008 

image If you are looking for a rare, distinctive looking cat, then the Turkish Van is for you.

The Turkish Van was developed around the seventeen hundreds from local cats. The Van is used to fending for itself in its natural environment, so it is no surprise that this breed is a bit aloof and independent compared to other breeds.

Turkish Vans are a naturally occurring breed of cat. They can still be found in east Turkey, near Lake Van. Their numbers have diminished are under the protection of the Turkish government.

Here is a bit of trivia info: This cat breed is also known as the swimming cat, since the Van, unlike other cats, actually enjoys taking a leisurely swim. With their love of water, it is no wonder that these cats are named after the Lake Van region of Turkey, which is where the breed originated.

The Turkish Van is a large, muscular cat with a wedge shaped head and large, round eyes. These cats can have eyes that are golden or blue, and eyes that are mismatched are also common. Lately, some green eyed cats are also appearing in this breed. This green color is not highly favored. This cat breed's striking appearance is completed by a long, bushy tail.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Turkish Van is the breed's unique marking pattern. These cats can only have color on their heads and tails. The rest of their bodies must be pure white. The colored portions of the Van's body can be Auburn, Cream, Black, Blue and Tortoiseshell. Although all of these colors are allowed by the Cat Fanciers Association, some other associations are much stricter and only accept Auburn and Cream colors.

Hats 2 Kittens

posted by Abby in January 3rd, 2008 

Tin Sign- Hats 2 kittens

Don't trust the weak appearance of the wolf or the disappearance of the cat: they'll both make a come-back.

Copyright © 2007 | Cuddly Kittens | Powered by Wordpress

wp