At first sight the title of this article seems a reasonable question for any cat owner. As with most individual members of the human race, we tend to orient our personal world into our own system of logic, predictability and orderliness. We establish our routines and habits to fit a life style that gives us a comfort level free from the fears that always seems to surround us. We are continually reminded of those fears whether it's broadcast yellow journalism espoused by the news media, or from neighborhood gossip by people who seem to need such excitement because they are either just bored, or think that you're in need of some kind of realistic jolt into seeing things the way they do. As narrow as that may seem, there's no doubt that each person organizes their home into some kind of system, that is a life style, that encompasses the concepts of order and predictability with logical results that ensures peace, comfort and tranquility.
It's about that time many will decide they would like a pet to complete the picture. Some may want the company of a pet because they live alone; others might want surrogate children, either because they don't have any yet, or maybe their children have grown and flown the nest. Of course, there are those who just appreciate the easy love and fidelity pets seem so easily capable of. Many will opt to get a cat. It's here that the peace and tranquility you have established and come to know and expect is sure to be interrupted, if not challenged.
The introduction of any new pet, and cats in particular, will require a new way of thinking. With this new way of thinking, to be a successful cat owner will depend on how well one can incorporate balance and perspective, as an evaluation of oneself, into their new relationship. In other words, one needs to balance their own personal needs and the needs of their cat with a perspective that allows them to see the relationship in the long term as well as on a daily basis.
There's a lot hidden in that last paragraph.
Balance and perspective as an evaluation of oneself requires complete honesty when analyzing ones emotions and reactions to a given situation. Any biased rationalization of an event or circumstance just won't do when one is seeking the 'truth' of a situation.
A person's needs can be either emotional (a harmonious, peaceful and happy home environment), spiritual or physical (food, warmth & shelter). The same goes for your cat. She has emotional and physical needs not dissimilar to your own. As for the spiritual needs of either people or cats, we'll leave that for other discussions.
Perspective is necessary to perceive a relationship with your cat as a long term affair, what you might call the forest, in light of the activities of day to day living, or the trees that make up a forest. Moreover, reactions to a given situation can change from one day to the next, some of which can have an altering effect on the long term view. You can see that moving from the long view to the short view and back again requires a good measure of mental agility.
So, what's all that got to do with cat behavior?
The instincts of cats have been ingrained over eons of evolution. The qualities that distinguish a cat from all other animals (people included) can be listed as follows:
Cats are nocturnal: Cats learned a long time ago that they could find prey and avoid predators by doing their hunting at night. Physiologically, they evolved senses that allowed them to be quite successful at night time activities. Senses such as eyes that could detect motion in very little light. Hearing that allows them to accurately pinpoint a prey's movements in the dark. Their hearing range far exceeds that of humans so that they can not only hear noises people can't, but they can communicate in those ranges, too. They've the ability to lay a scent trail that doesn't require light to follow which is useful when escape from predators can be the difference between life and death in total darkness.
Cats are territorial: A cat will mark off an area with her scents and claim it for herself. Usually her territory would be just large enough to support her, and any of her kittens, with a food source in the form of prey. Her scent marking also warns other cats that this is her land and it would be best if they just move on.
Cats are solitary: Except when mating, cats are used to living alone. This is closely related to the territorial aspect of the cat's personality. In order to keep from spending all their time marking a territory, the claimed land is usually small enough for only one cat. Besides, to many scents can be confusing especially if she is trying to escape a predator in the dark of night.
Cats are predatory: They have learned to be quite proficient at hunting, especially for small nocturnal prey. The cat's hunting technique can be divided into four phases:
Stalking
Catching
Killing
Eating
Most cat owners are familiar with the staking phase. All cats will stalk from kitten-hood. But, the success of any cat's ability to stalk, catch, kill and eat prey is solely dependant on what their mother teaches them when they were a kitten. If they didn't get good training in these predation techniques, they may be less than stellar at being a predator. Still, the instinct to act out all four phases is inherent in every cat's nature.
Cats are maternal: Because a cat is solitary and her territory will only provide prey for her and her brood, it's necessary for the kittens to learn a lot before mom kicks them out of the house. Otherwise, there would be too many mouths competing for a limited supply of food. Not to mention all the different scents cluttering up the territory. The maternal instinct has to be strong to teach so much in a short period of time. Unlike pack animals that will share in child rearing, a cat has only herself to rely upon to successfully raise her brood and perpetuate the cat species.
So, when someone decides to own a cat as a pet, they should realize that the cat comes with some pretty deeply ingrained characteristics. Most see only a package that doesn't require a lot of attention (unlike dogs), is basically clean and doesn't have to be house trained. But, then when a person's logical sense of order and predictability comes into conflict with the basic natural instincts of a cat... the fur begins to fly!!
When a cat's feeling at home, she will rub her cheeks against prominent pieces of furniture, your pillows, or your leg. Most people find that an endearing quality. She's really marking her territory which she shares with you. If she becomes stressed (due to a change in or invasion of her environment such as a move to a new home, or the introduction of a new pet or family member), or due to certain illnesses, she may feel the need to mark her territory a little more strongly, say with urine. In both cases she is marking her territory, but only one marking is acceptable to you. The other can cause you fits and wonder why you brought her home in the first place. Your reaction will have a lot to say about you and how you evaluate circumstances. It will say less about your cat since she will only be doing what comes naturally to her.
It's sometimes hard to believe, but cats really aren't diabolical.
I know that there are many who'll disagree with me. But, I've found that cats are just as loving, faithful, playful and needful of attention as any dog. They just manifest those qualities in a different manner which is unique to cats in general. Mostly, I've found that with an understanding of the instinctual feline characteristics, many of the problematic behavioral confrontations people have with their cats can either be corrected, albeit with some compromise on the person's part, or avoided altogether. Yes, you'll have to be smarter than the cat. And, being smarter than anything requires a lot of work. In the end, cats aren't diabolical, or out to make your life miserable; they don't try to get even, even when you think they should. They just do what comes naturally. Whether what they do is normal or not... that depends a lot on their childhood experiences. Something even people have a hard time being. Normal, that is. Kitten-hood experiences and how they relate to adult cat behavior will be discussed in the next newsletter. For now give yourself a little test. Without looking at your cat, ask the following questions:
What color are your cat's eyes and coat?
Describe the quality of your cat's coat, skin, teeth and gums.
What sex is your cat? Is your cat neutered or intact?
How much does she/he weigh?
How much does she/he eat and drink every day?
When, how much and how often does she/he urinate and defecate?
If you can answer these questions, then you are on your way to really knowing your cat and a big step towards a peaceful coexistence which you both want, for sure. Learning her instinctual drives will complete the picture. Then your life together will be remembered as a life of harmony. Not of strife or détente. Or worse with her staring at euthanasia or becoming feral.
Work in Progress: Coming to Cat Lovers Gift World will be a section entitled Cat Behavior which will discuss the concept of the cat's natural instincts and how they affect the cat in her relations with people.
Robert J Gallegos, author of http://www.catlover-giftsworld.com a web site dedicated to proper cat care with quality cat lover gifts based on an understanding of cat behavior, instincts and the unique requirements for healthy cats as pets. Cats are the newest of animals to be domesticated and still have one paw in the wild. It's a major reason why they're so mysterious and resistant to human expectations. Robert is a life long lover of cats. He is dedicated to sharing his understanding of the cat experience, reducing the epidemic feral cat situation, and helping cat lovers to provide the best care for their cats.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Monday, 17 January 2011
10 Cat Care Guidelines
There area many common sense rules to follow when caring for your cat. These rules are simple and will ensure your cat will be healthy and happy.
1. When your cat arrives at home:
Bringing your new cat home cat be frightening for it. Be prepared by having a food and water spot already set up. Also have a litter box setup in a quite spot away from the food. Your new cat should be transported in a cat carrier. When you bring the cat inside set the carrier down and open the door. Let the cat come out and explore on its own. Confining the cat to a quiet room for a day or two will make the experience less overwhelming.
2. Going Outside:
Before letting your cat outside for the first time be sure it is comfortable with you and its indoor surroundings. There are many dangers outside so let your cat have an escape route in case it needs it. My cat uses a cat door and it has save him a few times.
Judge the risk to letting your cat outdoors. If you live close to lots of traffic having an outdoor cat may not be a good idea.
3. Litter Boxes:
If you are using a cat box it should be cleaned daily. Clumping cat litter makes this easy. Simply scoop out the clumps and you're done. Put the litter box in a place where the cat will not be disturbed.
4. Food and water:
Your cat should always have a supply of fresh food and water. I prefer to use a heavy ceramic bowl to prevent the cat from pushing it or tipping them over.
The water bowl should be changed daily and food should be added to maintain a good supply.
My cat is now on a high quality dry food. I found feeding him can food was a waste. He generally left some behind at each meal regardless of the portion. At 15 I weaned him onto dry food only.
5. Scratching Posts:
Any cat is going to have the urge to scratch. The question is where is it going to do it? Best to have a scratching post that is safe and secure. Play with your cat on the post so it gets used to being allowed to scratch there. Rubbing a bit of cat nip on the scratching post will encourage your cat to scratch.
6. Cat Toys:
There are so many different cat toys on the market these days it is hard to choose a toy your cat will like. After much trial and error I determined my cat likes the string attached to the toy much better then the toy. Whenever I want to play I get a string, or better yet, my gold necklace (his favorite).
7. Sleeping Places:
A cat always needs a quiet, out of the way place to sleep the day away. A bed near a heater or furnace vent is ideal. In the winter most of the vents in my house have a cat bed near them.
If you have small children make sure they can't disturb your cat when it sleeps
8. Care for eyes and ears:
When cats get a build up of discharge around the eye simply clean it with a damp cloth. A small amount of discharge is normal for a healthy cat but if there are excessive amount then consult a vet.
Regularly check your cats ears for dirt or ear mites. Any dirt can be removed with a damp Q-tip. If you spot small brown clumps of discharge you should consult your vet. This is a sign of ear mites.
9. Care for the claws:
If you have an outside cat, claw care is less important. Climbing trees, and other outdoor stuff helps to keep claws well maintained.
An inside cat has far less need for its claws. There is really no environment where your cat needs to use its claws. You should trim your cats claws once or twice a year. Clip the very tip of each claw. Taking any more then just the tip can hurt your cat. It is recommended that you have a vet show you how to clip their claws properly.
10. Care of the mouth and teeth:
As cats age their teeth start to get calcium build up which can cause gum inflammation. Check your cats mouth every 6 or 8 weeks. Find and remove and calcium build up before deposits get too large.
Caring for a cat is quite simple, common sense really. I believe that good food, fresh water, lots of love and exercise is best for a cat. By following these 10 simple guidelines your cat can live a long and healthy life.
Copyright 2005 Dave Markel
Visit [http://house-cat-supplies.com/cat-articles.html] for more great articles related to cats.
1. When your cat arrives at home:
Bringing your new cat home cat be frightening for it. Be prepared by having a food and water spot already set up. Also have a litter box setup in a quite spot away from the food. Your new cat should be transported in a cat carrier. When you bring the cat inside set the carrier down and open the door. Let the cat come out and explore on its own. Confining the cat to a quiet room for a day or two will make the experience less overwhelming.
2. Going Outside:
Before letting your cat outside for the first time be sure it is comfortable with you and its indoor surroundings. There are many dangers outside so let your cat have an escape route in case it needs it. My cat uses a cat door and it has save him a few times.
Judge the risk to letting your cat outdoors. If you live close to lots of traffic having an outdoor cat may not be a good idea.
3. Litter Boxes:
If you are using a cat box it should be cleaned daily. Clumping cat litter makes this easy. Simply scoop out the clumps and you're done. Put the litter box in a place where the cat will not be disturbed.
4. Food and water:
Your cat should always have a supply of fresh food and water. I prefer to use a heavy ceramic bowl to prevent the cat from pushing it or tipping them over.
The water bowl should be changed daily and food should be added to maintain a good supply.
My cat is now on a high quality dry food. I found feeding him can food was a waste. He generally left some behind at each meal regardless of the portion. At 15 I weaned him onto dry food only.
5. Scratching Posts:
Any cat is going to have the urge to scratch. The question is where is it going to do it? Best to have a scratching post that is safe and secure. Play with your cat on the post so it gets used to being allowed to scratch there. Rubbing a bit of cat nip on the scratching post will encourage your cat to scratch.
6. Cat Toys:
There are so many different cat toys on the market these days it is hard to choose a toy your cat will like. After much trial and error I determined my cat likes the string attached to the toy much better then the toy. Whenever I want to play I get a string, or better yet, my gold necklace (his favorite).
7. Sleeping Places:
A cat always needs a quiet, out of the way place to sleep the day away. A bed near a heater or furnace vent is ideal. In the winter most of the vents in my house have a cat bed near them.
If you have small children make sure they can't disturb your cat when it sleeps
8. Care for eyes and ears:
When cats get a build up of discharge around the eye simply clean it with a damp cloth. A small amount of discharge is normal for a healthy cat but if there are excessive amount then consult a vet.
Regularly check your cats ears for dirt or ear mites. Any dirt can be removed with a damp Q-tip. If you spot small brown clumps of discharge you should consult your vet. This is a sign of ear mites.
9. Care for the claws:
If you have an outside cat, claw care is less important. Climbing trees, and other outdoor stuff helps to keep claws well maintained.
An inside cat has far less need for its claws. There is really no environment where your cat needs to use its claws. You should trim your cats claws once or twice a year. Clip the very tip of each claw. Taking any more then just the tip can hurt your cat. It is recommended that you have a vet show you how to clip their claws properly.
10. Care of the mouth and teeth:
As cats age their teeth start to get calcium build up which can cause gum inflammation. Check your cats mouth every 6 or 8 weeks. Find and remove and calcium build up before deposits get too large.
Caring for a cat is quite simple, common sense really. I believe that good food, fresh water, lots of love and exercise is best for a cat. By following these 10 simple guidelines your cat can live a long and healthy life.
Copyright 2005 Dave Markel
Visit [http://house-cat-supplies.com/cat-articles.html] for more great articles related to cats.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
A Backward Glance into the History of Cats
Have you ever wondered where "today's cat" came from?
I have and so I began a little research on the history of cats.
Apparently no one really knows when or how "the cat" first appeared on our planet.
According to some sources it is said that Miacis, a weasel-like animal that lived about 40 or 50 million years ago is the cat's closest ancestor.
I have not been able to find any pictures or drawings of this animal, that is supposed to be the father/mother (if you will,) of all land-dwelling carnivores, including the dog.
Since I cannot prove otherwise, I will accept this information for as close to the truth as I can get.
According to a DNA study that was done in 1997 by two members of the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, it appears that cats have been known to live in Asia as early as 11 million years ago and here in North America as early as 9 million years ago.
Their research was based on DNA analysis of 37 living cat species.
Millions of years ago, as sea level rose and fell, the earth formed natural bridges and the cats being nomadic creatures traveled all over to colonize, everywhere that is, except Antarctica according to some scientists.
Why not there? I believe cats were smart enough to know it was too cold.
If you are picturing in your mind a cat that looks like your cat wandering around the earth, forget it.
These cats did not look like our cats, some were big cats and some were smaller cats, it took a long while for "our cat" to emerge.
The 1997 study by the National Cancer Institute also helped determine that most of the 37 or so living species of cat that exist today, belonged to one of past eight lineage's according to their DNA.
It is said that the first association of cats with humans may have occurred during the Stone Age.
Apparently, the cats figured out "where there were humans" there would be food and where there was food a mouse or two could be found.
However, it took a long time for cats to be considered household pets, as cats were considered useful, but wild beasts.
Then came the days of ancient Egypt.
The Egyptians about 5,00 to 6,000 years ago had learned how to stockpile grain for future use.
With the stockpiles of grain came mice and rats and a serious need occurred.
The Egyptians were the first civilization to domesticate the cat on a large scale and to make the world aware of the usefulness of the cat not only for catching mice and rats, but also as a household pet.
The Egyptians were so enamored with "the cat" and its importance in their lives that they not only allowed it in their households, they eventually worshipped the cat and treated it like royalty.
"The royalty treatment" is something the cat never forgot.
In Egypt when a cat died they were mummified and buried in elaborate ceremonies, even in the poorest of households.
Mice were mummified along with the cat, so that the cat would have food in is afterlife.
There were some cats that were considered sacred and they lived in the temples with the priests.
These cats were considered oracles and people would come from long distances to ask the cats questions. The priests would interpret the cat's actions (such as licking its paw) and tell the visitor what the cat was saying.
It was considered a crime to kill a cat and if you were guilty of that crime, you were killed, too.
It has come to light during an archeological excavation in Saqqara, where thousands of cat mummies were found that all the cats did not die a natural death.
By x-raying some of the mummified cats it was revealed that many did die of natural causes, but some were young cats (year old) with broken necks.
There are two schools of thought here, one being that the cat population had grown too large and it was a way to slow it down.
The other possibility was that the priests raised these cats and later killed and mummified them to sell to people who attended festivals.
It was considered proper to buy a mummified cat as a way to please the "cat goddess" called Bastet and then ask a personal favor from her.
Researchers are fairly certain the people buying the cats did not know they were intentionally killed.
It did not take long for the word to get around (about a 1,000 years or so) about the usefulness
of cats in a household.
Soon the Romans and Greeks realized the value of a cat and made them members of their household. Here they were not worshipped.
During the 11th century cats became extremely important in killing the rats that were causing the Black Death.
Then came the Middle Ages and trouble followed for the cats.
Pope Gregory IX apparently did not like cats and decided that they were diabolical creatures and needed to be destroyed.
It was a sad time for cats as they were beaten, killed and driven away from the villages.
Anyone who had a cat was considered a "witch" and was put to death along with the cat.
Cats were sacrificed, burned to death and even buried alive inside walls of houses (supposed to bring good luck.)
As the cat population was being destroyed, the rat and mice population grew by leaps and bounds.
Causing a great many plagues and other epidemics all over Europe.
People were dying everywhere and soon they realized the error of their ways.
By the 17th century, cats were back in favor, doing what they did best, catching mice and rats.
However, people began to see that cats were nice to have around and soon they became treasured household pets once again.
It has been said that the first cats came to North America by crossing over the Bering Strait about several million years or so ago.
However, in more recent times (1600-1700) cats came on board ships with the traders and explorers. Cats were very important on board ships in order to protect the cargo from the rats and mice.
Many early settlers in the colonies brought their own cats with them. Life seemed pretty good for cats until the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 and once again cats became a product of discrimination along with the people who owned them and were destroyed or driven away.
Once again "people" learned the error of their ways and cats were once again welcome as the rat and mice population grew.
In 1749 cats were brought to Pennsylvania to help control a serious rodent plague.
As more and more colonists came to the New World the need for cats grew. It was necessary to import cats and the new cats needed to be stronger and sturdier.
Without cats, the New World would have faced many plagues and ships would have lost much of their cargo.
You might say "cats" saved our country.
As time went on and our country grew, people started moving west.
They packed up their worldly possessions into wagons, gathered up the family and livestock and forgot the cats.
They seemed to forget, that where there were people and food (grain) soon there would be rodents.
It's Murphy's Law.
It is said that during the Gold Rush of 1849, people were buying cats off trading ships for $50.00 a piece.
In 1884 during the rat plague that came to San Francisco, people were willing to pay up to $100 for a cat.
Cats like our country prospered and like the people, cats came from all countries of the world. This mix of cats and the breeding that took place has managed to give our country a great mix of what is known as "domestic shorthaired."
Today there are more than sixty-five million cats living in our homes. Cats far outnumber dogs.
The number of actual breeds varies according to the source you check. Some sources say that there are 36 species, others say 37 species, but we have found with the new breeds coming along that there are probably over 40 different varieties of cats.
This has been a very brief history of cats; they certainly have played a very important part in the growth of the Universe.
It is hard for me to imagine life without having at least one of them around and I hope you feel the same.
If you found this article interesting I invite you to visit me at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com Here you will have a chance to view many interesting articles regarding cats and dogs.
I have and so I began a little research on the history of cats.
Apparently no one really knows when or how "the cat" first appeared on our planet.
According to some sources it is said that Miacis, a weasel-like animal that lived about 40 or 50 million years ago is the cat's closest ancestor.
I have not been able to find any pictures or drawings of this animal, that is supposed to be the father/mother (if you will,) of all land-dwelling carnivores, including the dog.
Since I cannot prove otherwise, I will accept this information for as close to the truth as I can get.
According to a DNA study that was done in 1997 by two members of the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, it appears that cats have been known to live in Asia as early as 11 million years ago and here in North America as early as 9 million years ago.
Their research was based on DNA analysis of 37 living cat species.
Millions of years ago, as sea level rose and fell, the earth formed natural bridges and the cats being nomadic creatures traveled all over to colonize, everywhere that is, except Antarctica according to some scientists.
Why not there? I believe cats were smart enough to know it was too cold.
If you are picturing in your mind a cat that looks like your cat wandering around the earth, forget it.
These cats did not look like our cats, some were big cats and some were smaller cats, it took a long while for "our cat" to emerge.
The 1997 study by the National Cancer Institute also helped determine that most of the 37 or so living species of cat that exist today, belonged to one of past eight lineage's according to their DNA.
It is said that the first association of cats with humans may have occurred during the Stone Age.
Apparently, the cats figured out "where there were humans" there would be food and where there was food a mouse or two could be found.
However, it took a long time for cats to be considered household pets, as cats were considered useful, but wild beasts.
Then came the days of ancient Egypt.
The Egyptians about 5,00 to 6,000 years ago had learned how to stockpile grain for future use.
With the stockpiles of grain came mice and rats and a serious need occurred.
The Egyptians were the first civilization to domesticate the cat on a large scale and to make the world aware of the usefulness of the cat not only for catching mice and rats, but also as a household pet.
The Egyptians were so enamored with "the cat" and its importance in their lives that they not only allowed it in their households, they eventually worshipped the cat and treated it like royalty.
"The royalty treatment" is something the cat never forgot.
In Egypt when a cat died they were mummified and buried in elaborate ceremonies, even in the poorest of households.
Mice were mummified along with the cat, so that the cat would have food in is afterlife.
There were some cats that were considered sacred and they lived in the temples with the priests.
These cats were considered oracles and people would come from long distances to ask the cats questions. The priests would interpret the cat's actions (such as licking its paw) and tell the visitor what the cat was saying.
It was considered a crime to kill a cat and if you were guilty of that crime, you were killed, too.
It has come to light during an archeological excavation in Saqqara, where thousands of cat mummies were found that all the cats did not die a natural death.
By x-raying some of the mummified cats it was revealed that many did die of natural causes, but some were young cats (year old) with broken necks.
There are two schools of thought here, one being that the cat population had grown too large and it was a way to slow it down.
The other possibility was that the priests raised these cats and later killed and mummified them to sell to people who attended festivals.
It was considered proper to buy a mummified cat as a way to please the "cat goddess" called Bastet and then ask a personal favor from her.
Researchers are fairly certain the people buying the cats did not know they were intentionally killed.
It did not take long for the word to get around (about a 1,000 years or so) about the usefulness
of cats in a household.
Soon the Romans and Greeks realized the value of a cat and made them members of their household. Here they were not worshipped.
During the 11th century cats became extremely important in killing the rats that were causing the Black Death.
Then came the Middle Ages and trouble followed for the cats.
Pope Gregory IX apparently did not like cats and decided that they were diabolical creatures and needed to be destroyed.
It was a sad time for cats as they were beaten, killed and driven away from the villages.
Anyone who had a cat was considered a "witch" and was put to death along with the cat.
Cats were sacrificed, burned to death and even buried alive inside walls of houses (supposed to bring good luck.)
As the cat population was being destroyed, the rat and mice population grew by leaps and bounds.
Causing a great many plagues and other epidemics all over Europe.
People were dying everywhere and soon they realized the error of their ways.
By the 17th century, cats were back in favor, doing what they did best, catching mice and rats.
However, people began to see that cats were nice to have around and soon they became treasured household pets once again.
It has been said that the first cats came to North America by crossing over the Bering Strait about several million years or so ago.
However, in more recent times (1600-1700) cats came on board ships with the traders and explorers. Cats were very important on board ships in order to protect the cargo from the rats and mice.
Many early settlers in the colonies brought their own cats with them. Life seemed pretty good for cats until the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 and once again cats became a product of discrimination along with the people who owned them and were destroyed or driven away.
Once again "people" learned the error of their ways and cats were once again welcome as the rat and mice population grew.
In 1749 cats were brought to Pennsylvania to help control a serious rodent plague.
As more and more colonists came to the New World the need for cats grew. It was necessary to import cats and the new cats needed to be stronger and sturdier.
Without cats, the New World would have faced many plagues and ships would have lost much of their cargo.
You might say "cats" saved our country.
As time went on and our country grew, people started moving west.
They packed up their worldly possessions into wagons, gathered up the family and livestock and forgot the cats.
They seemed to forget, that where there were people and food (grain) soon there would be rodents.
It's Murphy's Law.
It is said that during the Gold Rush of 1849, people were buying cats off trading ships for $50.00 a piece.
In 1884 during the rat plague that came to San Francisco, people were willing to pay up to $100 for a cat.
Cats like our country prospered and like the people, cats came from all countries of the world. This mix of cats and the breeding that took place has managed to give our country a great mix of what is known as "domestic shorthaired."
Today there are more than sixty-five million cats living in our homes. Cats far outnumber dogs.
The number of actual breeds varies according to the source you check. Some sources say that there are 36 species, others say 37 species, but we have found with the new breeds coming along that there are probably over 40 different varieties of cats.
This has been a very brief history of cats; they certainly have played a very important part in the growth of the Universe.
It is hard for me to imagine life without having at least one of them around and I hope you feel the same.
If you found this article interesting I invite you to visit me at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com Here you will have a chance to view many interesting articles regarding cats and dogs.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Best Gifts For Cats - What To Get Them
Do you have a gift list that includes a true cat lover? If so, you're in luck! Buying for a cat lover is more simple than ever, especially with the selection and specialty items available on the web. Before you purchase the first kitty-themed item, pause to consider the following idea. The best gifts for cat fanciers are unique and specific to their cat.
Before you buy a present for the cat lover on your list, consider the following:
What type of cat breed does the prospective recipient most like or own? Many potential offerings to cat lovers are also breed specific. If possible, get a gift that reminds the recipient of their favorite feline.
If you are buying a gift for someone who currently owns a cat, find out the cat's gender. Many cat-themed gifts are gender-specific, so you will want to know what sex your recipient's cat is.
Does your recipient like to dress up your cat? If you are getting a gift for a person who likes to dress their cats in sweaters or other types of apparel, your search for an appropriate gift will be much easier. Don't assume that the recipient dresses their cat, however.
Now that you've taken a few moments to think of your recipient's cat, here are the top 6 gifts that any cat lover would be happy to be given.
1. A cat-themed picture frame. What better way to show your love for your animal than putting the feline's picture on display? People looking for gifts for them would be pleased to receive a lovely picture frame to show their favorite pet. You may desire to ensure your intended recipient doesn't already own a stockpile of cat picture frames. This is a popular gift to give and to receive, so it is common for avid cat lovers to own more than one cat picture frame.
2. Feline-themed jewelry. It may be common to run across a lovely cat broach, pin, charm bracelet, necklace, or other piece of jewelry. Nothing could be more personal or intimate than a nice piece of jewelry. If you have a personal acquaintance who you think would relish this type of gift, you will find many online retail websites dedicated to offerings for cat fanciers that carry a wonderful selection of feline-related jewelry. For an even more personal effect, you can often have these type of gifts engraved with a message as well.
3. Cat-related stationary, desk calendar, engagement calendar, diary, or books. Every New Year, hundreds of beautifully-designed calendars are put on the market for purchase. The selection can be incredible with hundreds of breeds and cat themes represented. This is an outstanding choice that any cat lover would enjoy receiving, typically if you can find a calendar that represents the recipient's favorite breed. If you hope to go beyond the ever-popular cat calendar, you can also purchase lovely cat-related stationary for your recipient. Another superior choice is to get a nice cat-themed diary for your recipient.
Gifts for cat lovers may include a cat calendar, stationary set, or diary that you like. Consider buying the cat lover on your list a beautiful cat-themed coffee table book. Most will delight in feasting on the gorgeous photography and text of a good cat coffee table book.
4. Feline themed clothes and coffee mugs. Cat lovers will enjoy receiving cat-themed T-shirts and sweaters. You can generally find funny cat-themed coffee mugs too.
5. A work of kitty art. They abound nowadays, so it easy to find works of art that is cat related. For the true cat lover, a lovely feline sculpture can be a wonderful and whimsical gift. You can easily find all sorts of cat-related ceramic pieces, wooden sculptures, planter, fountain, or other types of cat art. For the truly dedicated cat lover, you can even commission a local artist to paint a portrait of your friend's cat!
6. A gift subscription to Cat Fancy magazine! For people looking for gifts for cat lovers, the die-hard cat fanatic will love a subscription to a cat themed magazine. If you can't get cat-related magazines at your local newsstand, see your local pet supplies store. You'll find other magazines besides Cat Fancy that your recipient can be happy to be receiving for many issues to come.
For more info, see Best Gifts For Cats and The Best Gifts For Cats. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Fanciers.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Cat Health
Keeping your cat healthy is a fairly simple task. Proper food, water and yearly trips to the vet, just about covers it all for most cats.
Many people have both cats and dogs and do not realize that the physical makeup of these two animals is not the same.
Cats are not small dogs and small dogs are definitely not cats.
Because of the differences, there are some things that a cat owner should be aware of and this is what my article is about.
A cat's metabolism differs from that of a dog and thereby creates different reactions to some of the same situations that both species may get into.
Drugs: Drugs are very beneficial to both humans and animals. Cats however, are very sensitive to certain drugs and should never be given any medication without first consulting your veterinarian.
Regular aspirin even in small doses can be fatal to a cat.
Tylenol® and Ibuprofen drugs like Advil® can cause organ damage.
Giving a cat a pill is a job I do not enjoy. I think wrestling an alligator might be more fun. Unfortunately, you cannot fool a cat like you can a dog and hide the pill in its food.
When my cats need medication, I try to get it in liquid form, so that I can wrap them in a towel and feed it to them with an eyedropper.
I understand that some medicines for cats are now being made in a gel form that can be absorbed through the skin.
Personally, I think the best bet is to have your vet give the medication, if possible, by injection. That saves a whole world of trouble.
Poisons: There is an old saying that says "curiosity can kill a cat," and that can be true in the case of poisons.
If your cat is a plant lover, you need to be very careful of what you have growing around your home. Most plants of the lily family are poisonous to cats, one quick bite can cause serious problems, especially if not treated promptly.
We have often been told that Poinsettias are very poisonous to pets, however in cats, it will just upset its tummy.
The ASPCA has a poison control web site listing all plants that are harmful to cats.
Antifreeze is also a deadly weapon to both cats and dogs. For whatever reason, our pets love the taste and it can be the taste of death.
Be certain, if any antifreeze is spilled, that it is promptly cleaned up and be especially alert if your car overheats and the driveway gets the runoff. Clean it up at once.
Nutrition: Cats are carnivores which means they are meat eaters (mice preferably.) Dog food is meant for dogs, cats need cat food, because it contains the nutritional substances necessary for a cat's good health.
Obesity is as bad for a cat as it is for us humans, so do not over feed your cat.
If your cat is overweight be very watchful of its eating habits, as overweight cats are good candidates for a condition known as "hepatic lipidosis" also known as "fatty liver disease."
If your "fat cat" stops eating even for a 24 hour period or shows signs of vomiting, diarrhea or just plain strange behavior, a quick trip to the vet is highly recommended.
If your cat is overweight and stops eating, the liver becomes alarmed at the lack of food and starts utilizing the body fat so fast that it stuffs its own cells with so much fat that they cannot function properly. This is a very serious matter and needs veterinary help at once, as the liver cannot function.
Lean cats have muscle and little fat, so if they stop eating for a day their body burns the muscle, while fat cats have little muscle and lots of fat for the liver to devour.
Do not think if your overweight cat stops eating for a day it will not hurt it because it has plenty of weight to live off of. That thought can create serious problems for you and your cat.
Overweight cats are also prone to diabetes.
Cat diseases:
When it comes to illness, cats tend to be "sneaky."
Cats are not as active as dogs are, when it comes to jumping and playing. They are more or less sitting creatures, so unless you are aware of your cat's normal behavior, it may be hard to tell if it is sick or not. A sick cat will tend to go and hide or just stay in one spot quietly, moving very little.
Cats are prone to upper respiratory illnesses and kidney problems. Watery discharges around the nose or eyes could be a sign of a respiratory infection.
Litter box problems could be a sign of urinary tract infections. Cats with a urinary tract infection will sometimes associate the litter box with pain and stop using it.
Take time to pet and pat your cat, feel for lumps or bumps and if you find any, a trip to the vet is a great idea. Cats are known to have different kinds of cancers.
Cats can also develop "sarcomas" which are tumors generally caused by vaccination injections. These need to be looked after.
Cats are also prone to heart disease, this is why a good cat food with Taurine is necessary.
As your cat gets older, instead of the once a year visit to the vet it is recommended that you make it twice a year, just to be on the safe side.
Cat bites and scratches from other cats are two things that should get immediate attention, in order to prevent abscesses and /or the spread of any infectious disease that could be picked up from the other cat.
This article was written as a reminder that cats act differently from dogs when not feeling well and you need to be more watchful of their behavior in order to prevent any unexpected problems.
I am currently the caregiver for 3 cats. It is amazing how each one reacts to being ill. It seems to me that as a cat caregiver you need to be very attuned to your cat's behavior in order to realize that they may be ill. If this artcle was of benefit to you, you might enjoy reading more articles at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Many people have both cats and dogs and do not realize that the physical makeup of these two animals is not the same.
Cats are not small dogs and small dogs are definitely not cats.
Because of the differences, there are some things that a cat owner should be aware of and this is what my article is about.
A cat's metabolism differs from that of a dog and thereby creates different reactions to some of the same situations that both species may get into.
Drugs: Drugs are very beneficial to both humans and animals. Cats however, are very sensitive to certain drugs and should never be given any medication without first consulting your veterinarian.
Regular aspirin even in small doses can be fatal to a cat.
Tylenol® and Ibuprofen drugs like Advil® can cause organ damage.
Giving a cat a pill is a job I do not enjoy. I think wrestling an alligator might be more fun. Unfortunately, you cannot fool a cat like you can a dog and hide the pill in its food.
When my cats need medication, I try to get it in liquid form, so that I can wrap them in a towel and feed it to them with an eyedropper.
I understand that some medicines for cats are now being made in a gel form that can be absorbed through the skin.
Personally, I think the best bet is to have your vet give the medication, if possible, by injection. That saves a whole world of trouble.
Poisons: There is an old saying that says "curiosity can kill a cat," and that can be true in the case of poisons.
If your cat is a plant lover, you need to be very careful of what you have growing around your home. Most plants of the lily family are poisonous to cats, one quick bite can cause serious problems, especially if not treated promptly.
We have often been told that Poinsettias are very poisonous to pets, however in cats, it will just upset its tummy.
The ASPCA has a poison control web site listing all plants that are harmful to cats.
Antifreeze is also a deadly weapon to both cats and dogs. For whatever reason, our pets love the taste and it can be the taste of death.
Be certain, if any antifreeze is spilled, that it is promptly cleaned up and be especially alert if your car overheats and the driveway gets the runoff. Clean it up at once.
Nutrition: Cats are carnivores which means they are meat eaters (mice preferably.) Dog food is meant for dogs, cats need cat food, because it contains the nutritional substances necessary for a cat's good health.
Obesity is as bad for a cat as it is for us humans, so do not over feed your cat.
If your cat is overweight be very watchful of its eating habits, as overweight cats are good candidates for a condition known as "hepatic lipidosis" also known as "fatty liver disease."
If your "fat cat" stops eating even for a 24 hour period or shows signs of vomiting, diarrhea or just plain strange behavior, a quick trip to the vet is highly recommended.
If your cat is overweight and stops eating, the liver becomes alarmed at the lack of food and starts utilizing the body fat so fast that it stuffs its own cells with so much fat that they cannot function properly. This is a very serious matter and needs veterinary help at once, as the liver cannot function.
Lean cats have muscle and little fat, so if they stop eating for a day their body burns the muscle, while fat cats have little muscle and lots of fat for the liver to devour.
Do not think if your overweight cat stops eating for a day it will not hurt it because it has plenty of weight to live off of. That thought can create serious problems for you and your cat.
Overweight cats are also prone to diabetes.
Cat diseases:
When it comes to illness, cats tend to be "sneaky."
Cats are not as active as dogs are, when it comes to jumping and playing. They are more or less sitting creatures, so unless you are aware of your cat's normal behavior, it may be hard to tell if it is sick or not. A sick cat will tend to go and hide or just stay in one spot quietly, moving very little.
Cats are prone to upper respiratory illnesses and kidney problems. Watery discharges around the nose or eyes could be a sign of a respiratory infection.
Litter box problems could be a sign of urinary tract infections. Cats with a urinary tract infection will sometimes associate the litter box with pain and stop using it.
Take time to pet and pat your cat, feel for lumps or bumps and if you find any, a trip to the vet is a great idea. Cats are known to have different kinds of cancers.
Cats can also develop "sarcomas" which are tumors generally caused by vaccination injections. These need to be looked after.
Cats are also prone to heart disease, this is why a good cat food with Taurine is necessary.
As your cat gets older, instead of the once a year visit to the vet it is recommended that you make it twice a year, just to be on the safe side.
Cat bites and scratches from other cats are two things that should get immediate attention, in order to prevent abscesses and /or the spread of any infectious disease that could be picked up from the other cat.
This article was written as a reminder that cats act differently from dogs when not feeling well and you need to be more watchful of their behavior in order to prevent any unexpected problems.
I am currently the caregiver for 3 cats. It is amazing how each one reacts to being ill. It seems to me that as a cat caregiver you need to be very attuned to your cat's behavior in order to realize that they may be ill. If this artcle was of benefit to you, you might enjoy reading more articles at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Cat Declawing - The Truth
Cat Declawing
What is the use of cat declawing?
The main reason people decide to declaw their cat is to protect their furniture. An untrained cat's claws can be very destructive in a home, damaging furniture, curtains and carpets. Cats like (and need) to scratch and claw at wood and rough surfaces, and if they are not properly trained, your furniture will look very inviting to them. Another reason people give for declawing their cat is to prevent the cat from injuring them. Cats use their claws and teeth to defend themselves and to fight. Small children may mishandle a cat and provoke it in scratching them. Some cats also have a more aggressive or nervous nature and will scratch people when they feel threatened.
Toxoplasmosis and Bartonellosis are two diseases that can be transmitted from cats. It is important to note though, that those diseases are most likely to be contracted from a litter box, or even from biting - but it is highly unlikely that it will be contracted from cat scratches.
Declawing a cat is a selfish and very drastic solution for problems that could be solved in many other ways and may bring forth much more serious problems. Owners that decide to declaw their cat do this solely for their own comfort and do not take in account the problems that may sprout from doing this.
What does the declawing process involve?
Cat declawing is also known as onychectomy and is a much more complex operation than simply removing your cat's nails or claws. The declawing operation is in fact the amputation of each of the cat's toes at the first joint. It involves cutting of the front part of a cat's toes and means cutting through nerves and muscles and removing bone. This operation is extremely painful (it has been proven to be much more painful than sterilizing or spaying your cat) and it will take a long time to heal. Even after the wounds have healed, the cat may suffer from a series of after-effects.
Are there any disadvantages to declawing your cat?
Yes! There are numerous disadvantages, not only to your cat but to you as cat owner as well. Cat declawing is illegal in many countries around the world and considered as inhumane and as a form of animal abuse and mutilation.
Many people don't realize just how painful a declawing operation can be. Scientists have proven cat declawing to be extremely painful and even test new painkiller drugs on cats that are being declawed. Although the cat may not show signs of pain outwardly and seem to be content, it will definitely be in a lot of pain after the operation. Big operations or rather amputations like declawing can hold many of the usual dangers related to surgical complications. A lot of vets also only use the minimum amount of painkillers and anesthetics during the operation, and prescribe no painkillers for the recovery process at home. The wounds take several weeks to heal, and the pain may continue months after the operation.
Complications after a declawing operation are also very common. The wounds may become infected or some of the amputated toes can begin to grow back. Some cats may experience lameness and even be crippled. You may notice a declawed cat trying to scratch at surfaces. They reason for this is because it is common for the tendons of the severed joints to detract and cause a constant feeling of stiffness in their paws.
Cats need their claws for balance and also use it to hook their paws on surfaces and stretch themselves. This stretching forms a very important part of the cat's exercise and muscle toning. A declawed cat will need to learn to walk differently (because it doesn't have any front joints) and its body weight will rest on their feet which can even cause arthritis.
It is very common for declawed cats to develop behavioral problems. It may develop a fear for its sandbox, because scratching in the sand may be painful. So, instead of having a cat that damages your furniture, you will have a cat that refuses to use its litter box. Also, because it has been deprived of its best means of defense, its claws, it may now revert to using its teeth to protect itself and can start to bite people when feeling threatened.
Declawed cats will also not be able to defend themselves effectively against other cats or dogs and can even die in fights.
Because of these behavioral problems developed after declawing, many cat owners become detached from their cats and may even want to get rid of them.
Professional cat declawing
If you do decide to declaw your cat after all, at least make sure that it is done professionally and with as little discomfort to your cat as possible.
The most developed method of declawing to date is laser declawing. Laser declawing is less painful, because bleeding and swelling is reduced.
Always ensure that your cat or kitten is older than 4 months before declawing. It is also not advisable to declaw cats that are old and not so active anymore, because they will take a longer time to recover.
After the operation, your cat may be kept in the hospital for the night, or a longer period of time depending on the cat. When taking your cat home, try to keep it from getting overexcited and prevent it from jumping or putting heavy strain on its paws. It is common for the paws to start bleeding every now and again, but ask your vet's advice if the bleeding alarms you.
To minimize the pain your cat can experience when using its sandbox, put newspaper strips in the sandbox. Sand or clay can infect the wounds on the paws or cause pain when "scratching" in the box. After your cat is fully recovered you can replace the sand again. Your cat may not like the newspapers and this can become a messy affair.
Always look out for the following warning signs, and notify your vet if any occur: Swollen paws and frequent bleeding. If your cat display extreme difficulty in standing up or walking after one day.
Alternatives to cat declawing
Before deciding on such a drastic measure or "solution" as declawing your cat, first consider some of the (often more effective) alternatives. The main reason for declawing a cat is to prevent it from damaging your furniture. Scratching is a necessary instinctive habit for removing the dead cells around its claws, practicing balance and stretching and toning muscles.
Cats are highly trainable animals and can be taught to use only a scratching post for these purposes. There are numerous scratching posts or "cat furniture" to choose from, whether your cat likes scratching vertical or horizontal surfaces. You can even buy "cat trees" with attractive objects hanging from the tree to catch your cat's attention or build your own (just make sure they are stable and won't fall over on your cat).
To train a cat to use scratching posts, and to discourage it from scratching your furniture, you can place netting or foil over your furniture. When you see your cat trying to scratch your furniture, pick it up and put it down in front of its scratching post.
Nail caps can be applied to a cat's claws, this need to be applied every 3 to 6 months depending on the cat. Nail caps will prevent damage to your furniture and to yourself while causing almost no inconvenience to your cat (compared to the serious discomfort caused by declawing). You can also trim your cat's nails frequently to keep it blunt.
For more information about taking care of cats see cat-urine.net
Claudine du Plessis is a cat lover and webmaster of http://www.cat-urine.net.
What is the use of cat declawing?
The main reason people decide to declaw their cat is to protect their furniture. An untrained cat's claws can be very destructive in a home, damaging furniture, curtains and carpets. Cats like (and need) to scratch and claw at wood and rough surfaces, and if they are not properly trained, your furniture will look very inviting to them. Another reason people give for declawing their cat is to prevent the cat from injuring them. Cats use their claws and teeth to defend themselves and to fight. Small children may mishandle a cat and provoke it in scratching them. Some cats also have a more aggressive or nervous nature and will scratch people when they feel threatened.
Toxoplasmosis and Bartonellosis are two diseases that can be transmitted from cats. It is important to note though, that those diseases are most likely to be contracted from a litter box, or even from biting - but it is highly unlikely that it will be contracted from cat scratches.
Declawing a cat is a selfish and very drastic solution for problems that could be solved in many other ways and may bring forth much more serious problems. Owners that decide to declaw their cat do this solely for their own comfort and do not take in account the problems that may sprout from doing this.
What does the declawing process involve?
Cat declawing is also known as onychectomy and is a much more complex operation than simply removing your cat's nails or claws. The declawing operation is in fact the amputation of each of the cat's toes at the first joint. It involves cutting of the front part of a cat's toes and means cutting through nerves and muscles and removing bone. This operation is extremely painful (it has been proven to be much more painful than sterilizing or spaying your cat) and it will take a long time to heal. Even after the wounds have healed, the cat may suffer from a series of after-effects.
Are there any disadvantages to declawing your cat?
Yes! There are numerous disadvantages, not only to your cat but to you as cat owner as well. Cat declawing is illegal in many countries around the world and considered as inhumane and as a form of animal abuse and mutilation.
Many people don't realize just how painful a declawing operation can be. Scientists have proven cat declawing to be extremely painful and even test new painkiller drugs on cats that are being declawed. Although the cat may not show signs of pain outwardly and seem to be content, it will definitely be in a lot of pain after the operation. Big operations or rather amputations like declawing can hold many of the usual dangers related to surgical complications. A lot of vets also only use the minimum amount of painkillers and anesthetics during the operation, and prescribe no painkillers for the recovery process at home. The wounds take several weeks to heal, and the pain may continue months after the operation.
Complications after a declawing operation are also very common. The wounds may become infected or some of the amputated toes can begin to grow back. Some cats may experience lameness and even be crippled. You may notice a declawed cat trying to scratch at surfaces. They reason for this is because it is common for the tendons of the severed joints to detract and cause a constant feeling of stiffness in their paws.
Cats need their claws for balance and also use it to hook their paws on surfaces and stretch themselves. This stretching forms a very important part of the cat's exercise and muscle toning. A declawed cat will need to learn to walk differently (because it doesn't have any front joints) and its body weight will rest on their feet which can even cause arthritis.
It is very common for declawed cats to develop behavioral problems. It may develop a fear for its sandbox, because scratching in the sand may be painful. So, instead of having a cat that damages your furniture, you will have a cat that refuses to use its litter box. Also, because it has been deprived of its best means of defense, its claws, it may now revert to using its teeth to protect itself and can start to bite people when feeling threatened.
Declawed cats will also not be able to defend themselves effectively against other cats or dogs and can even die in fights.
Because of these behavioral problems developed after declawing, many cat owners become detached from their cats and may even want to get rid of them.
Professional cat declawing
If you do decide to declaw your cat after all, at least make sure that it is done professionally and with as little discomfort to your cat as possible.
The most developed method of declawing to date is laser declawing. Laser declawing is less painful, because bleeding and swelling is reduced.
Always ensure that your cat or kitten is older than 4 months before declawing. It is also not advisable to declaw cats that are old and not so active anymore, because they will take a longer time to recover.
After the operation, your cat may be kept in the hospital for the night, or a longer period of time depending on the cat. When taking your cat home, try to keep it from getting overexcited and prevent it from jumping or putting heavy strain on its paws. It is common for the paws to start bleeding every now and again, but ask your vet's advice if the bleeding alarms you.
To minimize the pain your cat can experience when using its sandbox, put newspaper strips in the sandbox. Sand or clay can infect the wounds on the paws or cause pain when "scratching" in the box. After your cat is fully recovered you can replace the sand again. Your cat may not like the newspapers and this can become a messy affair.
Always look out for the following warning signs, and notify your vet if any occur: Swollen paws and frequent bleeding. If your cat display extreme difficulty in standing up or walking after one day.
Alternatives to cat declawing
Before deciding on such a drastic measure or "solution" as declawing your cat, first consider some of the (often more effective) alternatives. The main reason for declawing a cat is to prevent it from damaging your furniture. Scratching is a necessary instinctive habit for removing the dead cells around its claws, practicing balance and stretching and toning muscles.
Cats are highly trainable animals and can be taught to use only a scratching post for these purposes. There are numerous scratching posts or "cat furniture" to choose from, whether your cat likes scratching vertical or horizontal surfaces. You can even buy "cat trees" with attractive objects hanging from the tree to catch your cat's attention or build your own (just make sure they are stable and won't fall over on your cat).
To train a cat to use scratching posts, and to discourage it from scratching your furniture, you can place netting or foil over your furniture. When you see your cat trying to scratch your furniture, pick it up and put it down in front of its scratching post.
Nail caps can be applied to a cat's claws, this need to be applied every 3 to 6 months depending on the cat. Nail caps will prevent damage to your furniture and to yourself while causing almost no inconvenience to your cat (compared to the serious discomfort caused by declawing). You can also trim your cat's nails frequently to keep it blunt.
For more information about taking care of cats see cat-urine.net
Claudine du Plessis is a cat lover and webmaster of http://www.cat-urine.net.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
The largest breed – Norwegian Forest
This race is one of the latest cats in fashion, especially because of the ad that is done, as that would be one of the largest breeds of cats in the world (even 20 kg). Is it? Its origin is controversial, certainly being the fact that the work of selection and improvement of Norwegian breeders, led to obtaining one of the most beautiful breed of semi long cat hair , which was standardized in 1977.
Morphological traits.
It is a race for an extraordinary suppleness, managing to keep balance in the most difficult situations .She is characterized by a triangular head, he looks round because of the collar which is extremely small and obvious .The head has a long nose, relatively straight and free of stop. The ears are wide and long, well apart from each other, the ends provided with tufts of hair. The eyes are large, expressive, open, lively and always very vigilant. The color of the eyes is in the same tone with the animal coat. The body is robust, but flexible, is supported by strong and resolute legs, the rear being longer than the front ones .The claws are long and very strong . The tail is appropriate, proportionate and very bushy.
The hair covering the body surface is semi long, often composed of two types of different hair, that provides the cat with a perfect barrier against bad weather . No other breed of cats did not have a similar coat, which looks like, because the structure coat with a cape . It can also be observed the remarkable development of the hairiness at the hind limb, that it forms the so-called “trousers.” Color hair and eyes, moreover, may be variable, the only requirement being to harmonize with the coat color.
Character and behavior .
Highly intelligent breed, is simultaneously one of the most effective hunter . She is reserved around any unknown person, in turn, she shows more gentleness and attachment to its master. She likes to play, but she is the one that has to run the hostilities and she doesn’t like to be constrained. She likes to be caressed, but not excessive, she has more personality and elegance, she had to be understood and sometimes whims are accepted.
Accepts to live in the house, but it requires, if the term is not too demanding, to have freedom of movement in the apartment and eventually outside access, particularly where are trees, where she prefer to relax. Once a week she needs to be brushed or combed.
Varieties.
And within this race there are some varieties, which differ only by the color of the robe ,so we meet motley Norwegian, Norwegian merged with white spots and without white spots.
View the original article here
Morphological traits.
It is a race for an extraordinary suppleness, managing to keep balance in the most difficult situations .She is characterized by a triangular head, he looks round because of the collar which is extremely small and obvious .The head has a long nose, relatively straight and free of stop. The ears are wide and long, well apart from each other, the ends provided with tufts of hair. The eyes are large, expressive, open, lively and always very vigilant. The color of the eyes is in the same tone with the animal coat. The body is robust, but flexible, is supported by strong and resolute legs, the rear being longer than the front ones .The claws are long and very strong . The tail is appropriate, proportionate and very bushy.
The hair covering the body surface is semi long, often composed of two types of different hair, that provides the cat with a perfect barrier against bad weather . No other breed of cats did not have a similar coat, which looks like, because the structure coat with a cape . It can also be observed the remarkable development of the hairiness at the hind limb, that it forms the so-called “trousers.” Color hair and eyes, moreover, may be variable, the only requirement being to harmonize with the coat color.
Character and behavior .
Highly intelligent breed, is simultaneously one of the most effective hunter . She is reserved around any unknown person, in turn, she shows more gentleness and attachment to its master. She likes to play, but she is the one that has to run the hostilities and she doesn’t like to be constrained. She likes to be caressed, but not excessive, she has more personality and elegance, she had to be understood and sometimes whims are accepted.
Accepts to live in the house, but it requires, if the term is not too demanding, to have freedom of movement in the apartment and eventually outside access, particularly where are trees, where she prefer to relax. Once a week she needs to be brushed or combed.
Varieties.
And within this race there are some varieties, which differ only by the color of the robe ,so we meet motley Norwegian, Norwegian merged with white spots and without white spots.
View the original article here
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