Does Your Cat Need A House?

Our affection for cats often leads us to spoil of loved pets. A fancy post especially for scraching? No problem. The best food on the market? It's only money. A good value for an artificial mouse carved out of scrap material? Here's the credit card.

But what about a special house for your cat? Is that worth the expense? If your cat were a dog, there would be no question. Dogs have inherited the willingness to sleep in dens from their ancestors like wolfs. An anxious or overtired puppy is often happiest tucked away in its carrier or crate.

Cats, however, have the blood of lions flowing through their . Lions do not look for a den for them. They lie out on veldt sunning themselves and surveying their kingdoms. That's what your cat wants to do as well. He or she will, therefore, take a dim view on being shut away in a carrier or crate like a puppy.

Another reason not to purchase a house for your cat is that the odds of your feline actually sleeping in it are astronomically low. Has any one seen cats sleeping in accordance to it's owners wish? You can spend fifty dollars on a faux sheepskin cat bed, and ten minutes later, you'll find the cat sleeping in your laundry basket or sprawled across your futon.

Let us come to terms with it. Your cat doesn't need a special house. He or she already has the run of your house.

But, if you are determined to spoil your cat by buying it the best cat house in town, here are a few options to consider.

Wicker Cat Bed - PetSmart

The Wicker Cat Bed is available through PetSmart and will cost you around forty dollars. It has the potential to be a winner, because there's a bed on top of the basket as well as a hole on the side for your cat to crawl into the basket. Your cat may also get a kick out of scratching at the wicker. Considering the plethora of available options, even the most choosy pet cat will not be able to avoid noticing this living space.

Cat Hutch - Dura Craft

This hutch, which retails for around $35, is like a teepee for your cat. An opening to the side crawl making way to the cushions will lure any pet cat to live in a house. And if your cat finds other…er…uses for the hutch, both the cushions and the outer cover are machine washable.

Half Moon Multi Tier Tower - Green Duck

For $130, you can make your cat a condo dweller. This cat house is wonderful for scratching, climbing, and napping. It sould not be closed from all ends and allow the kitty to survey it's dwelling place. If your cat must have a house, this is definitely the way to go.

Cat and Its names

Whether you are a first time cat owner or you have had cats before, it can be a difficult process to select an appropriate cat name. If you have had cats before you have no doubt experienced issues in selecting a cat name, Henry soon became Henretta. Perhaps you named a cat Tiny and later they outgrew their name. By following a few ideas you can find the perfect cat name for your four legged companion.

Many people will find a cat name in surrounding things and areas. Cats have been named after people, song titles, movies and other things that appeal to their owners. One thing that is certain, there are almost as many ways to find and select a cat name as there are cats.

Choosing A Cat Name

Anyone who has had a cat knows how independent they can be and if you are a first time cat owner you will soon find out the range of their independence. Consequently cats used to a routine and often difficult to train. Dogs are easy to name since it is known that they hear hard consonants. However, cats typically learn a name better when it is only two syllables or names that end in ‘ie’ or ‘y’ which makes it a little more difficult to choose a cat name.

As Cats carry themselves gracefully an aristocratic long name always suits them. However, if you select on of these names for your cat you will soon find yourself shortening it for every day use. Sometimes when a name has to be shortened it may not sound good or it may not be the type of cat name you originally had in mind. Therefore, you should consider this when naming your cat.

Kitten Names

If you are getting a new kitten then you should be even more careful with choosing a name. People typically think of naming their kittens after their cute appearance. However, you should keep in mind that kittens quickly turn into cats and the name you selected may no longer work. You do not want your cat to be stuck with a name that doesn’t match them for the rest of their life. Changing name may also create confusion in the cat's mind and your pet might lose it's interest in you completely.

While finalising a Cat name the right stratergy is to take your own sweet time. It process gets simplified if you resist the instict of eary name selection and wait for a week or so and consider all available options. Take a little bit of time to sit back and watch your cats character and personality. However, always keep in mind that the name you select for your cat will also be the one that you are calling out in the middle of the night when neighbors might be able to hear. So choose your cat name carefully.

Cat Meow: The Art Of Communicating With Your Cat

Cat lovers have a way of communicating with their cat. When they hear a cat meow, cat lovers would have this sense of understanding of what their cat wants. For some people, understanding what their cat wants comes so naturally that a stranger would often wonder if the owner actually speaks cat language. Well, whether a person do or do not speak cat language, a cat meow would definitely tell you something by merely paying close attention to the tone of the cat meow.

How Does One Understand A Cat Meow?

Body language that accompanies the cat meow would help to comprehend what your cat is trying to tell you. If your cat meow incessantly and would start walking towards the food dish, this means that your cat is hungry and would like to be feed. You see, your cat has a way of telling you what it wants so pay close attention to the tone of the cat meow and the body language that accompanies the tone.

Now, what if your cat starts rubbing itself on your leg and producing some soft cat meow? Typically, this means that you cat wants to be petted and cuddled. Cats are really very sweet creatures and they like to be cuddled so pay attention. Now, what if your car start to make that harsh cat meow and its fur stand up? The fur is a good indicator of the mood of you cat, if erect, it implies that the animal is agitated and angry. And and hostile cat looks quite offensive with erect fur imparting it a bigger look than real. If your cat meow and move away with its fur standing up, do not push it. Your cat is not in he mode to play with you so let it be. Cats love to have sometime on its own so if your cat shows some resistance when you try to cuddle it, don’t force it.

The cat meow of a sick cat takes on some other dimensions. If you hear your cat crying in the night in that soft pitiful sound, there is a big chance that your cat is not really feeling so well. Check your cat and find out what is wrong. Forget that cliché that your cat has nine lives because there is no such thing as cats having nine lives. As soon as you realize that you Cat is not keeping well, immediately bring it to a Veterinary doctor to avoid any complications.

The Truth about Cat Flea Medicine

If you have pets you know that fleas can really be a big annoyance. If you are allergic to fleas your self you may find that they are painfully irritating as well. A good cat flea medicine can help you keep pest free all year long.

I am allergic to bites from fleas and I have had my share of painful experiences with these little buggers. I know that when I see my pet scratching and squirming that I need to invest in a cat flea medicine that will do the trick, the last thing I want is for boys bedding of my little one for be infected, not only for my cat but for me as well. I will get nasty welts from a few bites and I want to avoid this by any means possible.

I try to keep my pets chemical free so I avoided getting cat flea medicine in order to try natural methods instead. Nothing really worked. Most of the home remedies for these pests are lacking and they are basically ineffectual in keeping my boys bedding sets free of fleas. One item did a little better than the rest.

A flea comb is a good method that can replace cat flea medicine but I don’t recommend it on a regular basis. The comb is useful when your cat is unable to take medication because she is having kittens or she is nursing kittens. Cat flea medicine is not for pregnant and nursing cats.

I make sure to use the comb instead when a feline is expecting a litter and when she is nursing them. Once the kittens are grown and ready to move on I start the mother on the cat flea medication again after consulting with the vet.

Since I have cats and dogs in my house I use two different treatments. It is important to remember that dog and cat flea medicine are quite different from one another. You should avoid using dog products on felines because they can be harsh on your kitty’s system.

This can be a little tricky. Some bottles are difficult to read and others can be really vague. Just because a product boasts insect and boys bedding control does not mean that it is cat flea medicine. You really want a product designed specifically for your pet. When in doubt, talk to you vet.

I found that the veterinarian is the single most important resource when it comes to making sure that my home stays flea-free. The perfect cat flea medicine will be preventative in nature. Hopefully, we won’t see another one ever again.

Discover How To Relieve Cat Urinary Problems With Five Natural Remedies For Pets

Ever wondered if there's something you can do at home to prevent or treat cat urinary problems?  Here's a list of five natural remedies for cat bladder infection, along with how to choose the best natural remedies for pets.

Feed Your Cat A High-Quality Canned Food

But, you say, this isn't a natural remedy.  Actually it is.  Feeding your cat the best diet possible is the easiest natural way to keep him healthy and prevent future problems due to poor nutrition. 

Did you know that cats that eat only dry food are chronically dehydrated?  Dry food has an extremely low moisture level, compared to canned food.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so many of them don't drink enough water, which can lead to cat urinary problems.

Fresh, Clean, Water Is A Must

Lots of clean, fresh water is another natural remedy that promotes bladder health in your cat.  Your tap water may taste funny to your cat, so give him filtered water to make it more appealing to him.  If your cat still won't drink enough, you can add a little extra water to his canned food to increase his moisture intake.

Recommended Supplements

If your cat has developed a feline bladder infection, try giving him a daily dose of between 250 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C.  Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to relieve the pain of a cat bladder infection.This vitamin soothes an irritated, inflamed bladder and helps in healing also.

Too high a dose of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so start with a lower dose and increase it to find the best dosage size for your cat.

Cranberry is a well-known remedy for cystitis, which works by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.  Avoid the super-sweet cranberry juice at the grocery store, and give your cat cranberry capsules instead.

Herbal Pet Remedies

Many of these same herbs that people have been using for centuries can be used on pets, too.  The best-known herbal pet remedies for feline urinary tract infections are uva ursi and Oregon grape holly.

Uva ursi, a strong diuretic, also kills bacteria in the bladder and supports urinary tract health. 

Oregon grape holly contains berberine, a natural antibiotic that's effective against strep and staph bacteria.  It also relieves inflammation in the bladder.

Homeopathic Remedies For Cat Bladder Infection

Cantharis is a homeopathic remedy that is very effective for relieving pain.  It's also useful when your cat is straining to empty his bladder, since it gets rid of the feeling that the bladder is still full, even after it's just been emptied.

Staphysagria also relieves pain and promotes healing of inflamed tissues.

How To Choose The Best Natural Remedies For Pets

You're probably asking how you're going to get your kitty to take four different herbs and homeopathic remedies.  Wonder no more.  There is a product available now that combines all four of these traditional remedies.  It's safe and effective, as well as being easy to use. 

You'll be relieved to know that you can give this remedy right along with any antibiotic treatment your cat is on.  This herbal remedy for pets doesn't interfere with the antibiotics in any way.  And you can continue giving your cat this remedy to support bladder health long after the antibiotic is finished.

Now that you're armed with this information, you can prevent cat urinary problems from sneaking up on your feline friend.

Going For A Cat Make Up?

Cats are beautiful, graceful creatures, and as Halloween rolls around, it's only natural to want to pay homage to their mysterious beauty. And it's always been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Therefore, why not put on cat make up and a cat costume for your next costume party?

Cat Make Up Kits

There are several cat make up kits on the market. Some emphasize the sexuality of a hot blooded female cat, others focus more on the goofiness of the kitten, still others are slightly forbidding, reminding us that the cat is only partially domesticated whatever we may think. Many cat make up kits will transform you into a feline who looks like an extra for a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. 

The kits vary greatly in price, but they all come with basic cat make up and instructions for applying it.

Cat costumes are also readily available both online and in costume stores. Again, you'll have a wide selection to choose from--everything from the comic-looking Cat in the Hat to outfits so skimpy a Las Vegas cocktail waitress would be shy about wearing them.

But I Want to Do My Own Cat Make Up!

You can't go too far wrong with a cat make up kit, but there's always the chance that you'll show up for your Halloween event looking just like someone else. In order to become unique, insist on doing your own make up.

You'll need grease paint (color according to your preference), a white highlighter, eyeliner, mascara or false eyelashes, and lipstick and lip liner. If you're really into creating the perfect costume, consider purchasing a latex nose, some spirit gum, and a bristly black paint brush to provide whiskers.

Sufficient references are available on the net enumerating the method of beautifying your cat. Study them to get ideas. Then, take a paper sheet and draw a sketch of a model cat face. Think about the image you want to project. Is your inner cat warm and cuddly, or aloof and mysterious? Are you a kitten or a crone?

When you're ready to start applying your cat make up, do so carefully. If you make a mistake with grease paint, it's hard to wash off. You might want to enlist a friend to help you get your make up just right.

After you finally complete the work, it is finally time for the party. Just remember to conduct yourself with the appropriate amount of feline pride. For a matter of fact, centuries ago, your ancestors too were regarded and revered as gods.

Where to Buy a New Cat?

If you’re planning on getting a new cat for your family, why don’t you start at your local cat rescue?  There are so many adorable pets there that are in dire need of a loving home.  These types of facilities are ideal when shopping for a new cat, because you can get a great deal on your new pet!

The motive for a Cat Rescue?

A cat rescue shelter sells awesome cats at less price than prevailing market price.It is better to visit the rescue shelter with your child and allow them to " rescue" a pet as per their discretion!  These animals may have come from an abusive household, or been a stray their whole lives, they would thrive in a loving environment!  Most local cat rescue shelters offer a spayed or neutered cat, with full shots, de-worming, and flea treatments for less than a hundred dollars.  You’ll end up spending at least that amount on the shots and neutering/spaying alone! 

With so many people neglecting to get their animals spayed or neutered, the number of strays is increasing.  There are not enough homes for these animals.  And to add to that increasing number, there are families that decide that they can’t take care of their pet anymore, or they move to a place that doesn’t allow pets.  Unfortunately, some of these poor little creatures will have to be put to sleep if they’re considered to old for adoption.Statistics reveal that on an average more than 2000 animals are euthanized monthly in absence of adequate rescue resources.  People don’t think about that when they’re dropping their five year old cat off at the cat rescue shelter.  Luckily for you, sometimes the older pets come at a lower price because most families want a little kitten.  It can be much more rewarding to adopt a full grown cat from a cat rescue shelter, leaving you with the knowledge that you may have saved a life in addition to getting a great new pet. 

Most of these animals have has tragic lives so far, they have been dumped, or never really had a family at all, so, many cat rescues take special care in finding these cat’s a good home.  They make sure you are ready for this pet, and they give you as much information as possible about your new friend’s personality so that you know what to expect.They might not actually trying to sell their services, they might just by figuring out the extent of your motivation for buying a cat, and your knowledge about the coming ordeal.  These people love animals, and want to see these pets become part of a special family, maybe even yours.

Cats as a pet

Cats share the spotlight with dogs in terms of house pet popularity and are considered to be sweet, loyal, useful and delightful pets that their owners truly delight in. Cats are small domesticated animals that have gained popularity for their intelligence and their ability to follow simple commands once trained, and their capacity to catch and destroy vermin, more specifically rats. You can find multiple cat varieties with contrasting color, fur type and of course size originating out of natural interbreeding or human intervened breeding.

The African Wild Cat is believed to be the closes pre-domesticated of cats and present day cats still carry innately wild characteristics like being carnivorous and instinctive in hunting, known to hunt over a thousand species for food. Association of human beings and cats is relatively older, documented reference comes in Egyptian, Chinese and Viking literature, these cultures often placed cats at a higher status over other domestic and wild animals.
Cat-Aloguing Cats
Cat are often called as Tom, while the female of the species is often called Queen, snow cats, pedigreed or purebred cats at times are referred as sirens for males and Dams for females. Purebred and pedigreed cats both have recorded ancestries; purebred, however, have a long-lineage of only one cat variety or breed, while pedigreed cats may have ancestors of different, mostly new breeds. Breeding different cat varieties are subject to strict rules of cat registries and associations that study, regulate and assess the compatibility of varieties to come up with better offspring, both in terms of health and appearance.
Domestic longhairs, shorthairs, random-bred and mongrels are some terms that refer to cats with mixed ancestry that vary from one country to the next. Most of the cat population the world over is comprised of random-bred felines, with purebreds only totaling to less than ten percent of the feline population. Domestic cats, in general, have been classified by Carolus Linnaeus as Felis catus back in the 17th century as the domestic sub-species of the wild cat family.
Cats commonly weigh anywhere between two to seven kilograms with some breeds such as the Maine Coon weighing over ten kilograms. As a result of overeating, some of the bigger cat varieties can weigh more than twenty kilograms but are considered by veterinarians as unhealthy and more susceptible to illnesses, ailments and diseases. Additionally, adult smaller cats that weigh less than two kilograms are also found but are not considered as part of miniature type, these are often considered underweight and unhealthy cats.

Selecting Toys for Cat

You’ve shopped for Aunt Suzie, you’ve shopped for the kids, did you by anything new for Mister Pickles your cat?Can you recall when was the last time you bought any thing of significance for your pet to play with?  And here you are yelling at him again for tearing up the carpet, or knocking the ornaments off of the Christmas tree.  Get the poor guy a new cat toy! 

Cat Toy Options

Which one should you by him?  You see all of these toys in the aisle, some with bells, some with cat nip, some that are just plush mouse shaped cat toys.  The options are almost limitless, or so it seems.Will he appreciate it?Consider if it may annoy you at any point?How much time would he take to lose it?  These are some of the things to consider when you’re shopping for a new cat toy. 

If you’re not a fan of anything that makes jingling noises , but know that your cat would be crazy about it, try getting him a ball with some sort of foil or mirror in it that will reflect light.  This will give the same sort of interactive idea that cats love.
Cat nip might turn up equally entertaining for you and your loved cat.The drug Cat nip has contrasting effects of cats making them hyperactive or at times making them behave like alcohol intoxicated.  It is important that you give them a little at first in order to see how they react, because they just might drive you up the wall with their new found energy level.  Also, make a mental note that if you buy your cat the cute little animal shaped cat toys with the cat nip inside, they will probably completely annihilate the cat toy trying to get to the cat nip.  You may want to grab a few of them while you’re at the store. 

Another great option for a monitored cat toy that will allow you to interact with your furry friend as well as give hours of entertainment to the both of you, is a simple laser pointer.  You’ve seen them, they’re small enough to fit on your key chain, and it shoots a red dot from across the room.  You’ll have your cat chasing that thing all over the house, and up the walls.  And this is a toy they can’t tear up.These are the selected ones from the heap of options available to consider when you move out for buying stuff for your cat.

Role Of Kids In Nurturing Pets

Most children love to have pets in the house. One advantage of having domestic pets is that you subconsciously inculcate a sense of responsibility in your children. Taking care of their pets such as cats and kittens, could be a very enjoyable task for your children that they don’t really mind if the care of their pets would take much of their time. As your children learn how to take care of their pets, they will also slowly become responsible and reliable.

Involving Your Kids In The Care Of Your Cats And Kittens

Having some cats and kittens in the house could be enjoyable but it will also take much of your time. If you have children, you should request assistance from them in taking care of Cats and Kittens to free yourself for other important tasks. You should also make sure that you know how your kids feel about taking care of the cats and kittens so that you will be able to gauge a to whether or not they are ready for the task.

Your children at home can effortlessly learn the nitty-gritty’s involved in taking care of your Cats and Kittens. However, before you do turn over the task of taking care of the cats and kittens to your kids, you should first make sure that you understand each other well. When asking the help of your kids to take care of the cats and kittens, you should talk to them about the job first and make sure that they understand their responsibilities towards the cats and kittens. Discuss the idea of taking care of the cats and kittens with your kids openly. While explaining the intricacies involved in nurturing domestic Cats and Kittens, you should stress on the importance of giving appropriate care to your loved pets. Allow you kids to realize that Cats and Kittens are like us and require proper care. Do not just give out orders to your kids that they should feed the cats and kittens at certain times of the day because that will really raise much sense of responsibility in your kids. Worst, your kids may not like the idea of being ordered around that way and they will not really take the job seriously.

Cat Walk: Well Balanced, Agile And Silent

The cat has five toes on its front paw and the back paw has four and, there are also cats that have seven front toes and, extra toes on their hind feet. A cat is known to step with both of its front legs and, then both of its right legs, when walking or running and they normally walk on their toes. Domestic cats are known to sprint at approximately thirty-one miles an hour.

Special Manner Of Walking

The cat is a skilful hunter and this may be the reason for a cat to walk in a special manner. Most animals will walk with alternate legs with the left front and right rear followed by the right front and the left rear. Three out of the entire list of animals deviate from this trend, these are Cat, Camel and Giraffe. The cat walk moves two legs on one side together first and, then shifts to repeat the motion with the other side. The beauty of such a method of walking is that it is a diagonal movement that conserves the animal’s energy as well as provides speed, agility as well as silence.

The tail of the cat also plays a part in the cat walk as it provides balance, much in the same way as the tightrope walker uses a long pole. A cat that walks along a narrow ledge or fence can peer over in one direction by taking the help of its tail that moves in the opposite direction. Also, the footpads of the cat are extremely calloused and are of a modified skin that will cover the connective tissue and, thus is much tougher than normal skin. This allows the cat to walk even in the cold, without any problem.

When the cat walks, its paws bear the full weight and a cat will stand as well as walk on the entire paw and, if were to be de-clawed, it will have to modify its stance. This would force the cat to walk unnaturally and puts extra strain on its paws. It generally takes some time for a cat to get accustomed to the new environment, however once through, the pet will adjust its walk as per situation.

Big cats walk with their tails tucked behind them or tucked between their legs and this may be a ploy to conceal them to avoid being spotted by their enemies and, domestic cats may also walk this way, when stalking a mouse. That may be the reason why the term ‘cat walk’ was coined.

Making The Right Cat Food Selection

If you are getting a new cat, one of the most important first decisions you will make is which cat food to feed them. Your cat food selection should be made carefully since it has a lot to do with your cat’s health and longevity. At times it becomes really cumbersome to select the appropriate cat food from the pile of options available in today's market.

What To Look For In Cat Food

When it comes to dry cat food, it is important that you choose one to meet your cat’s specific life stage. If you have just adopted or purchased a kitten then you should only purchase kitten food. When a cat reaches the adult stage then you should use a regular dry food. Once your cat is in the senior stage a food specifically formulated for their age can go a long way to helping them age gracefully.

When selecting your dry food always check the package and make sure it is AAFCO approved. This means it will have a seal on the package showing the contents are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This means the food conforms to the minimal diet standards that the association has set up to guarantee good cat food.

Finally, you should consider what your veterinarian recommends. No one knows better than your cat’s doctor does what food is best for his or her needs. If you do not have a veterinarian recommendation then you should look for food that has high quality and consistent ingredients on the label.

What To Take Into Consideration

The most important aspect of your cat’s health is good nutrition, which as a major affect. The fact especially holds true for growing kittens. If possible, you should feed them the highest quality food you can afford without cutting back on your own food.

Before you choose which cat food to purchase you should consider several things. Included in this is your specific cat breed, their age, size and health. It is also a good idea to keep in mind where you will be feeding your cat and how much you are willing to spend on cat food. By carefully considering all these aspects, you will be able to select a cat food that is appropriate and beneficial to your cat, which will help it to lead a long and healthy life.

Discover The Three Natural Ways To Prevent Feline Urinary Crystals

You may not know this, but if your cat is prone to feline urinary tract infection, he may have urinary crystals in cats.  Feline urinary crystals are a major cause of cat urinary problems.  Here are three natural ways you can prevent these crystals from forming in the first place.

Your Cat's Diet Is Very Important

Most people who are owned by felines are very conscientious these days about feeding their cats a diet low in magnesium.Struvie stones in cats were seen a lot more often in the 1970's and 80's.  It was found that if a cat was fed a diet high in magnesium, he was more prone to developing mineral crystals in his bladder, which often led to a feline urinary tract infection.  Cat food manufacturers changed their formulas, and everyone thought the problem was solved.

But do you know that your cat is probably chronically dehydrated if he is fed only dry food?  Since kidney failure is the leading cause of death in older cats, it makes sense to put these two things together.

Dry cat food has a very low moisture level, usually under 10%.  This is great if your only concern is to keep mold from growing on it, but if you're worried about the amount of water your cat is taking in, it's not so good. 

Cats normally don't seem to drink a lot of water.  This is because a cat in the wild gets most of his water from the prey he eats.  Did you know a mouse is 98% water?  Canned cat food has a moisture level of around 75%.To bring the moisture level up to that of a cat's natural diet, add a little water to it.

Of course, your cat should always have plenty of clean, fresh water to drink at all times.

Stress Causes Feline Urinary Crystals

Your kitty develops a certain routine.  They really don't like change at all.Your kitty may become stressed if you move, or add a new pet or new baby to your home, or even take him to the vet.

A stressed cat can develop many different types of health problems, including urinary crystals in cats.Give your stressed cat lots of extra love, time, and attention.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Cat Urinary Problems

Many cat owners use herbs and homeopathic remedies to treat their own ailments, so it's only natural that there would be rising interest in natural remedies for pets. 

Uva ursi and barberry are traditional herbal remedies for human bladder problems.  Homeopathic remedies used for urinary tract infections in people include Cantharis and Staphysagria.

Wouldn't it be great if you could give these safe, effective remedies to your kitty to support bladder health and prevent inflammation from urinary crystals in cats?  Well, now you can. 

There's a remedy available now that combines all four of these traditional remedies for urinary problems.  This product has been specially formulated for pets, which is a very important safety consideration.  It's made by a long-established company that has a sterling reputation for producing only the highest quality natural remedies for pets. 

So there you have it; three natural ways to prevent feline urinary crystals and support your cat's bladder health.

Ionic Air Purifier Technologies - Genius or Fraud?

Introduction

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. The harmful impurities in the air are not visible to our naked eye. Invisible weapons against invisible enemies seems the obvious answer. The intuitive logic draws me. But these days, finding a simple and quick solution is rare. Googling the subject unearths a ton of controversy. Even though I am tempted to quickly get an ionic air purifier to clean the air I breathe, it is clear that more time and effort is needed. Safety, more than effectiveness, must be given higher weightage in the selection of an ionic air purifier.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. Where the reactive agent is invisible, it becomes even more critical to focus on it. Invisible ions of ionic air purifiers fall squarely in this realm.

In this article, I am laying out the roadmap as I look into the existing ionic air purifier technologies in the global marketplace. Trying to understand the science behind the technologies seems to be the logical place to begin searching for the ideal ionic air purifier. The current key trend appears to be the creation of a potent invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants that threaten our well-being. The dominant global health threat under the scrutiny of scientists is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Passive typically means that impure air is drawn into the air purifier for the reactive agents to work on before re-emerging as cleaned air into the environment. Active mode depicts the proactive process of bringing the purifying reactive agents into the surrounding impure air. Combinations of both passive and active modes are often found in many types of ionic air purifiers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator - positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator - negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator - Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. Developed by Japanese ingenuity, Sharp Corporation to be exact, they are known as plasmacluster ions.

Sharp explains that the plasmacluster of positive and negative ions clump to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When this happens, hydroxyl is produced. Known as nature's detergent, hydroxyl is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates, thereby killing them. This chemical reaction generates harmless by-products, the main of which is water.

A differential ion generator is used in this technology, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the real state of the natural environment. Diametrically, believers of the negative ions technology take the view that negative ions dominate the space in natural habitats and that positive ions are actually harmful. In this regard, I have yet to find independent scientific studies as evidence for the contradictory claims of both camps.

Ion Generator - Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. This technology appears to have the main market share currently but is facing a serious challenge from Sharp's plasmacluster positive and negative ions technology.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. Negatively charged ions are naturally attracted to these particulates until they sink to the ground by sheer weight. Regular vacuuming removes these impurities from our environment. Critics of negative ion technology charge that the weighed down particulates are not destroyed and the mere act of walking around the room kicks them back into the air that we breathe.

Apparently, there are a number of ways to produce negative ions. This has significance as the various methods result in different by-products, some of which are harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method - this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Onto a metal plate that is electrically-charged, water droplets are splashed. This simple action results in the splitting of water droplets, causing the production of large numbers of negative ions. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.

(2) Electron radiation method - this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. The simple application of a high voltage pulse to the electrode results in millions of negatively-charged electrons being produced. This method does not result in ozone being generated. This is due to the application of a "smaller" energy pulse.

(3) Corona discharge method - this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. High voltage is applied between the electrodes. This creates a massive movement of electrons between the electrodes and ionises the air in between them. An inherent weakness of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. The key reactive purifying agent is hydroxyl, nature's detergent.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Complete and comprehensive action is the pillar of POC technology. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. biological compounds that may be infectious or contagious (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious and non-contagious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours - benzene, toluene, chloroform, ethanol, formaldehyde, etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

Critics of POC zoom in on the power effects of hydroxyl, claiming that they cannot differentiate between the organic structures that make up molecular contaminants and our lung tissue, eye cornea or nose membranes.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. Typically, an electrostatic filter is made of a porous dielectric material that is positioned between two electrodes. The dielectric material impedes electrical conductivity whilst the electrodes efficiently conduct electricity.

As impure air is drawn into the electrostatic purifier, it passes through the dielectric material which acts as a sieve. Electrostatic forces between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.smoke contaminants, dust, etc, to stick to the dielectric surface. Purified air emerges from the other end of the purifier.

An ion source is often placed before the electrostatic filter to impart an electric charge to the airborne particulates. The impurities, now carrying an electrical charge, stick more effectively to the dielectric material.

The general criticism of ionisation technology applies to electrostatic filters as well i.e. that harmful ozone is a by-product.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. And I have not even touched on the safety aspects of each technology. I have also not examined in greater depth the claims of each technology. I urge you not to rush out to get the latest air purifier for your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. Do your homework and check back here for updates as I continue to find the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Cat Breeds

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Cat Breeds

Some of the different cat breeds are given below:

Asian Cat:

There are five varieties of Asian cats: Asian Shaded (Burmilla), Asian Smoke, Asian Tabby, Asian Self, and Tiffanie, and are identical to European Burmese. This breed was developed in the UK in the 1960s. They are the product of accidental mating of Burmese and non-pedigree cats and also an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a lilac Burmese which developed varieties like Burmilla, Tabbies, Smoke and Tiffanie. These varieties are now classified as Asian cats.

Bengal Cat:

Bengal cat is a result of crossing a domestic cat with a wild cat to get the wild cat markings on a domestic cat. The first generation of these Bengal cats are always on demand as they have a distinct patter of a leopard on them. Their body is long and muscular. They have large and horizontally aligned spots and sport background colours ranging from golden, orange to ivory. The first deliberate cross took place in 1963. These cats usually have good temperament but sometimes they may not and it is definitely difficult to take care of them if they are not patient.

British Shorthair:

The British Shorthair cat medium, well built cat with a short, dense coat, which is usually blue. It is an extremely friendly cat and also is independent and alert. The British Shorthair was in the spotlight for some time until the Persian cats took over.

Burmese:

Burmese cats are famous for their ability to adapt well with their masters and are credited for their temperament. They are affectionate and love being groomed by their owners. This loyal medium-sized breed compact and muscular and has bright yellow or golden eyes. The coat colours come in champagne, sable, blue and platinum. They are one of the quietest breed of cats.

 

What You Need To Know About Urinary Crystals In Cats

If you're like me, you probably haven't thought too much about urinary crystals in cats.  But if you have a cat who's prone to cat urinary problems, you need to know more about cat bladder crystals.

Why Are Feline Urinary Crystals Important?

Even though these crystals are hard to see without a microscope, they have sharp edges which rub against the bladder walls, causing your cat's bladder to become inflamed and irritated.Symptoms of a feline bladder infection are the result of this inflammation.

Because a male cat has a long narrow urethra, it can easily become plugged if large numbers of feline urinary crystals are present.  This is a veterinary emergency, as a cat that can't pass urine will fall victim to a fatal case of uremic poisoning within a couple of days.  Since it's hard for an owner to tell if the cat is blocked or not, it's important to have your cat examined by the vet if he has a feline urinary tract infection.

There are several different types of urinary crystals, but struvite and calcium oxalate are the most common ones.

Struvite Crystals In Cats

Struvite crystals, which contain magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate, used to be very common in cats.  This problem was thought to be a result of a diet with high levels of magnesium.  Cat food manufacturers responded by producing diets lower in magnesium.  Cats eating this food also produce more acidic urine. This helps to prevent the formation of struvite crystals, which are still the most common type of crystal that causes feline urinary blockage.

Although this dietary change helped to lower the incidence of struvite crystals in cats, now vets are seeing calcium oxalate crystals more often.   

Why Do Some Cats Get Calcium Oxalate Crystals Instead?

Certain breeds of cats seem to have a genetic predisposition to developing calcium oxalate crystals if they're fed a diet low in magnesium.  This problem is often seen in Himalayans.The strange part is that by feeding these cats the type of diet that prevents struvite stones, you might be encouraging calcium oxalate stones to form instead.  

This is why a urinalysis is essential, so that the crystal type can be properly identified.  You don't want to feed your cat a diet that will encourage his body to form feline urinary crystals.

Can Urinary Crystals In Cats Be Prevented?

Cat owners can do several things to prevent their felines from developing cat urinary problems.  The first is to feed your cat a high-quality canned food.  People don't realize that cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, which is why cats don't seem to drink much water.  

Canned food has a moisture level that's much closer to what your cat would eat in the wild.  You can also add a little water to the canned food to increase the moisture even more.   Be sure your cat always has plenty of fresh, clean water available, too.

You may want to give your cat one of the many natural remedies for pets that are available now.These remedies lower his risk of developing a feline bladder infection by supporting bladder health.  You'll want to be sure to buy one that's especially formulated for pets, and that's safe enough to give your cat every day.

Make no mistake about it, if your cat has already had a feline urinary tract infection, you can't afford to be ignorant about urinary crystals in cats.  Take steps now to protect your cat's health.

Is Your Cat At Risk For Feline Bladder Infections?

Let's face it.  Until your cat is one of the lucky ones who comes down with a cat bladder infection, you probably don't even think about feline bladder infections.  But they can be prevented, with a little care on your part.  Here's how.

Does Your Cat Drink Enough Water?

It comes as a shock to many cat owners to find out that their cats are chronically dehydrated.  Cats don't always drink a lot of water.  This is because your cat's ancestors lived in the desert, where there's not much water around.Ideally, cats get most of the water they require from what they eat. 

Did you know that a mouse is more than 90% water?  A cat in the wild who is living on the animals he catches and eats gets most of his water from what he eats.  This isn't true of our domestic house cats.  Dry commercial cat food contains about eight percent water.  So if your cat's diet consists exclusively of dry food, he could be heading for trouble in the form of cat urinary problems.

The problem with a dehydrated cat is that his urine is very concentrated.  This puts him at a much higher risk of developing cat bladder stones and cat bladder infections.

The best thing you can do is to feed your cat a good quality canned food.  Most canned cat food has a moisture content around 75 percent.  The problem is that many cats are addicted to dry food, so it can be very difficult to get them to eat canned food.  But with patience and persistence, it can be done.

Clean fresh water should always be available for your kitty to drink.Give him filtered water to avoid any worry about contaminants.  Change your cat's water several times a day so it's appealing to him.  You wouldn't drink bad-tasting water with stuff floating in it, and your cat won't either.

Avoid Cat Bladder Infection with Natural Remedies For Pets

Humans have been using herbs to treat and prevent bladder infections for centuries.Natural remedies are still used on a regular basis in many places in the world. 

Homeopathic remedies have also been proven to be safe and effective in treating bladder infections in people, with no side effects.

Wouldn't it be great if there were herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats that would prevent cat urinary problems?Such a product should be formulated specifically for cats and dogs, not people.  It would have to be safe enough to give your cat every day, along with being effective for preventing feline bladder infections.  Most importantly, it needs to be in a form that's easy to administer.Giving a cat a pill is not somethng most people (or cats) enjoy.

You'll want to purchase this remedy only from a reputable manufacturer who has years of experience in formulating natural remedies for pets.  Do your homework to be sure that the company stands behind the safety and effectiveness of its products.

Do your kitty a favor.  Prevent the pain and stress of feline bladder infections by using a safe and effective natural remedy for cats.

The Well Groomed Cat

As a rule, cats can take care of their own cleanliness and grooming. However, sometimes you still need to do your part in order to keep them at optimal health and cleanliness. Your cat will continue to look good if you help to keep her hair clean and tidy. The best way to accomplish this is by combing and trimming the hair regularly.

Proper cat grooming helps to ensure that your pet remains free from ticks and fleas. This is also a good opportunity to check for any skin irregularities, injuries or bald patches. Here are some simple grooming tips that will help your cat look her best at all times.

To get the best results from your cat grooming endeavors you'll need to buy some cat grooming tools. Some of the items you're looking at are a brush, comb, scissors and grooming glove, all of which should be made specifically for this purpose.

When brushing your cat’s hair, use a brush that has lots of tiny pins. The head should be relatively small so that brushing goes more easily. It's important that you brush your cat in the same direction as her hair grows. Otherwise, you might have one furious cat on your hands, not to mention several scratches.

Bathing your cat is another important aspect of good grooming. To make the job easier, bathe her while in a carrier and use a towel to keep her as calm as possible. You need to use a cat shampoo that will work up a good lather. The shampoo should also be effective at relieving dryness and flaking on your cat's skin.

For optimal grooming, you need to make sure that your cat's hair doesn't get tangled or mangy. If you own a long haired cat, you must trim it on a regular basis. It requires using a proper pair of grooming scissors along with a comb. Be careful not to accidentally puncture or scratch your cat’s sensitive skin.

The use of cat grooming gloves will help to reduce shedding. They also make brushing easier and gentler. Find a pair that can be easily laundered. You should also be able to use them to remove cat hair from your upholstery and carpet.

Pet grooming tools can actually be a source of pleasure for your cat if you use them properly. The right cat grooming tools can make the difference between a clean and healthy cat and one whose hair is knotted and mangy.

Is Your Cat Quirky?

Cats are generally quirky and lazy.  Their personalities range just like a human, and their moods fluctuate just like one as well.  But does your cat’s attitude have something to do with his or her breed? 

Stereotypically, people associate pit bulls with a bit more of a temper than, say, a golden retriever.Can it also be implied for cats also?  Are calico cats nicer than tabby cats? Are Siamese cats as grouchy and snobby as they are portrayed in children’s fairy tales?  What about a black cat, are they the angriest cat of all?

Apparently, it has nothing to do with breed or color at all, it’s just ingrained in their personalities to be the angriest cats around.Many researchers feel that almost 10 to15% of cats become hostile suitable for distant admiration than petting.  This has nothing to do with breed or color, it’s just a general preference. 

Do You Think You Have The Angriest Cat?

If you are worried that you bought the angriest cat at the shelter due to constant hissing and a general aggravation that surrounds your little critter, give him some time!  Don’t immediately regret your purchase.  Let him get used to the family.As a trait Cat are exeptionally sensitive animals, often, you need to give them sufficient time to adjust.  He or she may hide out under the bed for a few days, or not even touch his or her cat food.It does not imply that he is the angriest or grouchiest, it might be that he is just shy, or probably has a short memory for the family.  Remember, a lot of animals rescued from a pet shelter have been previously abused or ditched.  Your cat could have been a stray or an alley cat, making your “getting to know you” process a little more difficult.

What Do You Do?

A good rule of thumb for starting out on the right foot with the angriest cat in the batch, is to start slow.Do not force interaction, this may threaten your pet to get distant.  Let him get used to the new atmosphere, eventually he will come up and want to check you out.  It might be a little frustrating at first, thinking you ended up with the angriest cat you’ve ever seen, but he could turn out to be a great pet once he gets used to his new home.  There are also products on the market to ease his introduction like Feliway, which is a spray that is advertised to help relax a cats nerves.  You may find that these types of products make your first few weeks of pet ownership a little more tolerable. 

Emergency Treatment For Urinary Blockage In Cats Can Save Your Cat's Life

urinary blockage in cats

This is a scary thought.  If your male cat has had FLUTD, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, he's at risk for developing a cat urinary blockage.  This life-threatening complication needs immediate veterinary care, as your cat can die within 36 hours if he's not treated. 

What Are the Signs Of Urinary Blockage In Cats?

It can be hard for cat owners to tell if a cat urinary blockage is present.  The symptoms are pretty much the same as for a feline urinary tract infection:  straining, not able to pass much or any urine, crying in the litter box, urinating in places other than the litter box. 

Your vet will diagnose this by feeling your cat's belly for a distended bladder.Normally your ca'ts bladder is soft and small if it's empty.  A cat with a urinary blockage will have a hard bladder about the size of a peach.You can understand how painful this is for your kitty.

It's also dangerous.  When a cat can't empty his bladder, his kidneys stop filtering waste products out of the blood and making urine because it can't go anywhere.  When this happens, toxins start building up in your cat's body, which will kill him within a few days.

What Causes A Cat Urinary Blockage?

Bladder stones are the culprit.  These stones form from minerals present in your cat's urine.If the mineral level is too high, the minerals can crystallize in the urine and form stones ranging in size from sand grains to pea gravel.  Your cat may have only one stone, or he could have dozens. 

A male cat has a very long, narrow urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body).  If he has even a few tiny cat bladder stones, it's very easy for him to develop a urinary blockage.

How Is A Urinary Blockage In Cats Treated?

Your vet may be able to get the blockage out by putting pressure on your cat's bladder.This sometimes works, but usually your cat needs to have a catheter inserted. 

A build-up of urinary toxins in your cat's system often leads to vomiting and loss of appetite, along with heart-rhythm disturbances.  Your cat will probably be dehydrated too.  He may need fluids, either by IV or under the skin. 

Your cat may need to stay at the animal hospital for several days, until the catheter can be removed. 

Home Treatment

When you bring your cat home, you'll need to feed him a special diet.A diet lower in magnesium is helpful in keeping the levels of minerals from getting too high.  He'll have to eat this diet for the rest of his life to prevent another blockage from occurring.

He needs to have constant access to clean, fresh water.  The more water he drinks, the more dilute his urine will be.  This helps to prevent cat bladder stone formation.

Homeopathic and herbal remedies are now available for cat urinary problems.  Probably the best way to prevent this problem in the first place, or to keep it from happening again, is to put your cat on one of these remedies.

Take action now to prevent a urinary blockage in cats from happening to your feline friend.

How The Vet Treats Urinary Blockage In Cats

Just imagine if your feline friend developed a cat urinary blockage.  This condition is a serious complication of feline lower urinary tract disease, also known as FLUTD.  It's often caused by cat bladder stones blocking the urethra so your male cat can't pass any urine.

Why Does This Happen To Male Cats?

A cat blockage is rarely seen in female cats.This is due to the fact that the urethra in females is much shorter and broader than in males.  Although this puts females at greater risk for cat bladder infections, this does protect them somewhat from a feline urinary blockage. 

Because male cats have a much smaller urinary opening than females do, it doesn't take a very big feline bladder stone to cause urinary blockage in cats.

How Your Vet Treats A Urinary Blockage In Cats

If your cat is unable to pass any urine, or can pass very little, this is an emergency.  Your cat's kidneys stop functioning when the urine has no place to go, which allows toxins to build up in the body very quickly.  This toxin build-up causes death within a few days if it's not treated.

Your vet will insert a catheter to allow the urine to drain out of the bladder.  Your cat will probably need to stay at the animal hospital for a few days, as the catheter may be stitched in place.Flushing out your cat's bladder with fluid may be done to get rid of any bladder stones that are there. 

Your feline friend will need to be given fluids, by IV or injections under the skin, so he won't get dehydrated.  He'll also be assessed for any problems related to the toxic build-up in his system.

Most cats can go home after a few days.  But you'll need to feed your cat a special diet for the rest of his life to prevent bladder stones from forming again.

What If The Blockage Happens Again?

If your cat continues to have problems with a cat urinary blockage, surgery may be the next step.Blockages can be prevented permanently with an operation called feline perineal urethrostomy, which enlarges the urinary opening. 

This operation only prevents cat blockage, not FLUTD.  A cat who has had this operation is more likely to develop feline bladder infection and bladder stones.  He should have urine cultures done three or four times a year to be sure he's not suffering from a feline lower urinary tract infection.

Prevent Cat Bladder Stones

Prevent a blockage by working to keep your cat from developing cat bladder stones in the first place.  Cats with very concentrated urine are more prone to developing stones. 

Avoid this problem by avoiding dry cat food; feed only a high quality canned food.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from the food they eat.  A high quality canned food has a moisture content closer to what a cat in the wild would eat.  A cat who is always fed dry food is probably chronically dehydrated.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies for cats are now available.  These remedies are especially formulated to treat and prevent cat urinary problems.The company you purchase these safe, effective remedies from should have a reputation for only providing the hightest quality products for pets.

Now that you have this information, you can take steps to protect your kitty from ever experiencing a cat urinary blockage.

Do You Have Questions Abut Cat Urinary Infection Treatment?

cat urinary infection treatment

Do you have unanswered questions about the cat urinary infection treatment your vet provides?Many pet owners have unanswered questions about cat urinary tract infections, which are the most common reason for feline vet visits.In this article, you'll find answers to your questions.

Are Feline Bladder Infections Contagious?

The short answer is no.You'll be relieved to know that your kitty can't give his cat urinary tract infection to you or another feline.

What's The Difference Between Feline Bladder Infections And Cat Urinary Tract Infections?

People get really confused about this, and for good reason, since the terms are used interchangeably.  However, to answer the question, a cat bladder infection really only affects his bladder.  A feline urinary tract infection (also called a UTI) can affect any part of your cat's urinary tract.  This includes his kidneys, his ureters (the tubes that carry urine from his kidney to his bladder), his bladder, and his urethra (the tube that carries urine out of his body).  

Usually, when someone is talking about a UTI, they really mean a feline bladder infection.

What's The Difference Between A Urinalysis And A Urine Culture?

Your vet may want to perform both of these tests.  Many cat owners don't understand exactly what they are, and what they're for.

Usually a urinalysis is done first.  Your vet looks at the sample to see if the urine is cloudy or bloody.  Cloudy urine is due to the presence of white blood cells, which indicate an infection.One obvious problem is if the urine is bloody.  Your vet may see that crystals are present, which indicate cat bladder stones.  The urine is also checked for protein.  

Based on the results from the urinalysis, your vet may want to do a urine culture.

A urine culture involves separating out the bacteria found in the urine sample from your cat.  These bacteria are then grown in the lab.  This test gives your vet some important information, namely, how many bacteria are present, what kind of bacteria it is, and which antibiotic will kill it.  

It takes at least a couple of days to do this test, as the bacteria need time to grow.

Why Do I Need To Give My Cat All Of The Antibiotic?

The good thing about antibiotics is that the cat urinary problems go away quickly.Don't believe that the infection is over, though.  Many cat owners make the mistake of not giving their cats the antibiotics for the entire ten or fourteen days.If you don't give your cat all the antibiotics, the infection may come back.  

A more serious problem is that of antibiotic resistance.  More and more disease-causing bacteria are becoming resistant to common antibiotics.  One of the reasons is that people are not finishing up all the antibiotics, which encourages the bacteria which aren't killed right away to keep growing.So you can understand that no matter how hard your cat makes it for you, it's essential to finish the antibiotic treatment.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Help

You may be interested in learning more about herbal pet remedies.  These remedies are safe and effective, and can be given every day to prevent cat urinary problems.You should buy them only from a reputable company that's known for manufacturing the best quality products for pets.

Now that you're armed with this information, you can understand cat urinary infection treatment better.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

Feline Bladder Infection And What Every Cat Owner Should Know

cat bladder infection symptoms

Has your cat ever been blindsided by a feline bladder infection?  Don't let this happen to your kitty.Protect your feline friend from bladder infection in cats by reading this article.

Your Cat's Urinary Tract

Your cat's urinary tract includes his kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.  The kidneys are constantly filtering waste products out of your cat's blood.  These waste products are carried out of the kidneys into the bladder by the ureters, tubes that run between your cat's kidneys and his bladder.

The bladder is a muscular little bag that holds the urine until it leaves the body.  The urine passes out of the body through the urethra.

This system usually works with no problems, but sometimes trouble arises in the form of a bladder infection.

Cat Bladder Infection Symptoms

Your cat's bladder normally doesn't have any bacteria in it, as it's a sterile environment.  However, if bacteria find a way in, they can cause a bladder infection in your cat.

• Symptoms of a feline bladder infection include:
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Straining to urinate or having trouble passing urine
• Crying out in pain when trying to urinate
• Bloody urine
• Drinking a lot of water

Inflammation in the bladder is what causes these symptoms, not the infection itself.If your cat is being treated with an anti-inflammatory drug, he could have a bladder infection without showing signs of inflammation.

Be aware that if your cat can't urinate at all, this is a blockage, which is a veterinary emergency.  Get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

How Your Vet Treats Cat Bladder Infection

Your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection.  Tests ordered may include a urinalysis to check for white blood cells and crystals in the urine, and a urine culture to identify which bacteria is causing the problem.  The results of the urine culture can help determine which is the best antibiotic to use.

Tips For Preventing Cat Urinary Problems

There are several ways to prevent your cat from getting a bladder infection in the first place. 

First, try to feed your cat canned food.If you feed your cat only dry food, you may be shocked to find out he's more susceptible to bladder infection.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, and moisture levels are much too low in dry cat food.

Second, your cat must have access to lots of pure, clean water at all times.  You may want to give him filtered water to be sure he's not being exposed to any contaminants in his water.

Prevent Cat Bladder Infection With Natural Remedies For Pets

People have been using herbal and homeopathic remedies for bladder problems for centuries.  Now many cat owners are wondering if these remedies are available for cats. 

The answer is yes.  You'll want to look for a remedy that has been specially formulated for pets.  The remedy should include the herbs uva ursi and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris.  These ingredients have a proven track record for treating bladder problems.

You'll also want to find a remedy that's safe enough to give your cat every day to prevent cat urinary problems.  It needs to be easy to administer, too.  You won't use it for long if you have to force your cat to take a pill every day.  Be sure you purchase your remedies only from a company with a good reputation that stands behind its products.

Now it's time for you to put these tips into action so your cat won't suffer from feline bladder infection.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infection.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

What You Should Know About Feline Bladder Infections

Are you sick and tired of dealing with feline bladder infections?Your cat and you aren't alone.  Cat urinary problems are probably the most common reason for a vet visit.  In this article, we'll take a look at how your vet treats a cat bladder infection, and what you can do at home.

Cat Bladder Infection Treatments

Your vet may want to do a urinalysis to check your cat's urine for the presence of bacteria, blood, white blood cells, or crystals.  White blood cells indicate an infection, while crystals can show that bladder stones are forming.  If your vet suspects bladder stones, x-rays or an ultrasound may be the next step.

Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics.  If your cat suffers from frequent feline bladder infections, your vet will want to do a urine culture to try to identify the bacteria involved.Your vet needs the test results to choose the correct antibiotic.

If your cat has a bladder infection, it's very important to treat it.  If you don't, it can progress to a feline kidney infection, cat bladder stones, or other cat urinary problems.

Home Treatments for Bladder Infections In Cats

Diet is very important for cats with urinary problems.Chronic dehydration is often seen in cats fed only dry food.Cat bladder stones or a cat bladder infection can happen when your cat is dehydrated, and his urine is too concentrated.

Some cats don't drink enough water either.  This is because cats in the wild get most of their water from their prey, so they don't have to drink a lot of water.It can lead to big problems down the road for your cat if you feed him only dry food.

How can you avoid this?  The best answer is to feed your cat a good-quality canned food.Your cat gets almost the same amount of moisture from canned food as he would from eating his natural diet in the wild.  

Be sure that your cat always has access to clean, fresh water.  You wouldn't want to drink water that's old and has stuff floating in it, and your cat won't either.

Cranberry juice is an old remedy for preventing bladder infections in people.  However, most cats won't drink it.  You can find cranberry capsules at the drugstore.  If you're good at giving your cat pills, this can be an effective way to prevent and treat bladder infections in cats.  But if you're like most cat owners, poking a pill down your cat's throat is not high on your list of fun things to do.

Treat Cat Urinary Problems With Natural Remedies For Pets

Over the centuries, people have learned by trial and error which plants can help heal different health conditions.  Uva ursi and barberry are two herbal remedies for human urinary tract problems that have stood the test of time. 

People with urinary problems find that homeopathic remedies are safe and effective.  Cantharis and Staphysagris are proven natural remedies to support bladder health.

The question is, how to use these natural remedies on your cat.  It's very important to find a product that's specially formulated for pets, not people, so it's safe for your kitty.  And of course, it has to be easy to give to your feline friend, or you won't use it for long.

Take charge of your cat's health by finding a product that's effective and easy to use, and so safe that you can give it to your cat every day. This is the easiest way to prevent feline bladder infections.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat feline bladder infections.  Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

A Guide To Cat Bladder Stones

Has this ever happened to you?  You find your cat in his litter box, straining to urinate, crying out in pain.  He can't seem to pass any urine.Your vet tells you that your cat's urinary problems are caused by cat bladder stones. 

Bladder Stones In Cats

A bladder stone, or urolith, is made up from minerals present in your cat's urine.  These minerals sometimes form crystals that stick together to form a stone in your cat's bladder.The stones can range in size from a grain of sand to a piece of pea gravel. 

Your feline friend may have only one stone, or he could have several dozen. 

Why do the minerals form crystals?  There are several theories.  Your cat's urine may be high in minerals due to his diet, or it may be because he has an infection in his bladder.

Bladder stones usually take several months to form, but they can grow in just a couple of weeks.

Symptoms Of Cat Urinary Problems

If your cat suddenly starts urinating in places other than his litter box, this can indicate that he's having a urinary problem.Another sign of trouble is when your cat is licking his bottom more than he usually does. 

Blood in the urine is another symptom to watch for.  It can sometimes be hard to see this in cats as they usually go in the litter box.  But if he's urinating outside his box, you may see it.

If your cat is straining to urinate, or can't pass any urine, this indicates a blockage.  A urinary blockage is a veterinary emergency, and you need to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Treatment For Cat Bladder Stones

Tests required to make a diagnosis of bladder stones include an ultrasound or x-rays.  Once they are diagnosed, you vet will probably outline two treatment options.

Your vet may want to do an operation to get the stones out of your cat's bladder.If the problem is severe, surgery is the fastest way to eliminate a blockage. 

The second is to try to dissolve the stones with a special diet.Unless the stones are causing blockages, this can be a good treatment option for most cats.  However, it may not work well for all felines.  The major reason is that it's a slower treatment.  It can take several weeks or months for the stones to dissolve.  During this time your cat will still be passing bloody urine, and may still be straining to urinate.

Diet therapy doesn't work with all stones.  It's helpful if the cat passes a stone so that you vet can analyze it to see what it's made of.  Some types of stones can't be dissolved.

Some cats won't eat the special diet food.Unfortunately, if your kitty won't eat it, it won't do him any good.

Are Herbal Pet Remedies The Answer To Cat Bladder Stones?

Many cat owners are turning to herbal pet remedies to help solve cat urinary problems.  These herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used by people across the world for centuries.These remedies don't just treat the symptoms, but they help to heal the underlying problem. 

It's very important to buy these herbal pet remedies only from reputable companies that specialize in producing them.  Do your homework and be sure that the company stands behind its products.  You want to be sure that you find remedies especially formulated for pets.

These natural remedies are inexpensive and readily available.  They have stood the test of time, and there are no side effects to worry about. 

Now that you have this information, you can take action to prevent cat urinary problems.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help treat cat bladder stones, and find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com

Clomipramine for Cat Anxiety

dog separation anxiety disorder turns out to be a traumatic and tough to deal with concern for dogs and their people, as can obsessive-compulsive grooming or spraying can be for cats who are under this stress and their subjects. What exactly do the two conditions have in common, you want to know? You’ll see in just a moment just particularly what it is that relates together these two conditions and what really they share as potential cures and means to relieve the situation. You definitely don’t want to let a continuing pattern of destructive actions to proceed and cause issues both for your little friends and you.

Animal Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety for dogs is definitely quite a traumatic problem. Canines are extremely social animals and lean heavily on the structure of the pack in their social relationships. As pet owners, humans become the head dogs in the pack and end up as the leader. However in today’s busy lives, the pack alpha dogs wander away and abandon the dogs at home by themselves for large portions of the day. Pet separation anxiety shows up by means of many well apparent and increasingly traumatic symptoms. Beginning with barking, over-salivating, and hyperventilating, it often does quickly progress into further stages of inappropriate pooping with peeing, eating furnishings, and tries to escape and re-join the pack themselves. This will of course fail and lead to significantly more strain on the poor animal.

Obsessive Compulsive Grooming Disorder

Anxiety problems in felines are quite completely different. Cats are often independent of their owners, yet social relationship concerns do still occur. Cats are quite territorial or aggressive, so felines can have issues both when moving out of a familiar home to a new, unfamiliar location, or anxiousness because of aggressive cats either around the area or the home. Cat anxiety can also be seen in obsessive compulsive grooming actions, where the cat over cleans themselves and actually ends up to remove patches of their own fur!

Clomipramine

Clomipramine for dogs is a promising cure to these types of problems. The same way with people and their anxiety disorders, pets may get treated with medicines for the exact array of conditions. In a nutshell, we’re dealing with pet prozac. Medications such as Clomipramine work to assist take the edge off from the animal’s stress, allowing you time and breathing room to deal with the specific underlying concerns. Effects of Clomipramine may include drowsiness, dizziness, dehydration, weakness, constipation and loss of appetite, so you will want to be careful that your animal gets lots of water and you watch them closely for a few days. They clearly can’t tell you in plain English if they’re not feeling well. A Clomipramine canine is a happy, healthy pet!

 

Discover How To Prevent Bladder Stones In Cats

If you've ever had any experience with a cat bladder stone, you want to know why this happened to your cat and how to prevent it from happening in the future.  By the time you've finished reading this article, you'll have a better understanding of bladder stones in cats.

Why Do Bladder Stones In Cats Happen?

Researchers have several theories on this.One that most agree on is that stones are formed when mineral levels in the urine get too high.  This can be due to a bladder infection or from his diet.  When the mineral levels get too high, crystals form.  These crystals grow and form stones in your cat's bladder.  These stones can be very small, about the size of a grain of sand, or they can grow to the size of a small pebble.

A stone can block your cat's urethra or one of his ureters, the tube that goes from his kidney to his bladder, making it very difficult for him to pass urine. 

Tips For Preventing Bladder Stones In Cats

The most important thing you can do is to start feeding your cat a high quality canned food.  Cats who eat dry food exclusively are more prone to developing bladder stones because they are usually chronically dehydrated.  Cats are made to get most of their water from their prey.  A mouse is over 90% water, so a cat in its natural environment doesn't need to drink as much water.

Most canned foods have a moisture level of about 78%.  You can see that feeding your cat canned food will help prevent him from becoming dehydrated.Dehydration is not good for cats, as it causes the urine to be more concentrated, which can lead to bladder stones.

You need to provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your kitty.  It's best to give him filtered water to be sure it's pure.  A cat that drinks plenty of water will have dilute urine, which is helpful in preventing bladder stones.

Some cat owners give their cats a supplement containing cranberry.Cranberry prevents bladder stones from forming by raising the acidity level in the urine.  It also helps to prevent cat bladder infections, too.

Herbal Pet Remedies Can Help Prevent Cat Urinary Problems

People have been using herbal remedies like uva ursi and barberry to treat and prevent urinary problems for centuries.Homeopathic remedies are also becoming very popular. 

Now pet owners are questioning whether herbal pet remedies are effective for pets.  The answer is yes.  The advantages of these remedies is that not only are they safe and effective, but they're inexpensive, and don't have any side effects.

However, it's extremely important to buy products that are formulated especially for animals.  You'll want to purchase herbal pet remedies only from reputable companies that stand behind their products.

Natural remedies for cat urinary problems can help treat and prevent the problem of cat bladder stones.  This is an easy way to keep your kitty healthy.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help treat cat bladder stones, and find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com