=============
Article Content:
Cat Grooming Video
Click EDIT above to add content to this empty capsule.

This cat has been groomed only once before this video was taken. I have never groomed this cat before today, she had gone to another groomer for her first grooming.

This cat is NOT sedated. While working with cats you have a small window of opportunity, the haircut needs to be finished as quickly as possible. The cat is not tied to anything she is just laying on the table and allowing the haircut.

———————

=============
Article Content:
There are many people that think about grooming their dogs, but when it comes to cats, they assume they take care of their own grooming. In fact, a cat might spend a third of its time grooming itself and if there are other cats in the household, they will groom each other. Unfortunately, this can also lead to hairball problems that can cause their health to deteriorate. For this reason, the importance of cat grooming tools might be overlooked by some cat owners.

There are all kinds of grooming tools to make your life easier. The most popular items might be a self-cleaning grooming brush, a shedding blade or shedding comb and there are fun, little innovations in grooming tools that can double as a lint brush for your clothes! The importance of cat grooming tools in your cats health will serve a double purpose of collecting stray hairs on furniture, carpet and clothing in some cases, but a shedding cat with long hair will almost demand some kind of grooming to keep the stray hairs under control.

There are now some ingenious products that allow the cat to clean itself, while scratching its own back and sides. These types of products will generally be part of a scratching post or station and a wire bottle brush-style “cave” is part of the features the cat can walk through or rub against. As most cat owners know, cat scratching posts or cat scratching pads might work on some cats and others will avoid them, so there is still a need to realize the importance of cat grooming tools as part of a healthy and happy cat. You should not leave your cats grooming solely up to the cat, in other words.

There are licker brushes and more intense versions of shedding devices that are specifically for reaching the undercoat, where many mats can occur. If matting starts to happen, it is likely caused by undercoat hair that needed to be brushed, combed and removed. Once this happens, you are going to need cat grooming shears to remove the mat or you might need the help of a professional groomer to remove the more intense mats that are too close to the skin.

There are a number of benefits to a regular brushing and grooming of your cat, especially if it has long hair. You can reduce shedding up to 90%, eliminate hairball problems, improve the circulation and oil distribution in your cats skin and keep your floors, furniture and clothing much cleaner and hair-free, when you realize the importance of cat grooming tools. They can help you grab and remove loose and undercoat hair that can become a matted mess on your cat, preventing a trip to the cat groomers.

You will find many of the new grooming products that have become improved at grabbing hair and dry flaky skin. If there are allergy sufferers in the household, the importance of cat grooming tools is even more pronounced because cat hair and pieces of flaky skin are responsible, even for those that might only have minor cat allergies. Keeping your cat well-groomed is easy to do if you start a regular routine of brushing, combing and de-matting and realize the importance of grooming tools to assist you and your cat.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4646133

———————

=============
Article Content:
Cats are the vainest creatures on Earth! Grooming themselves is what most cats spend half their day doing anyway, so why would you need cat grooming tips?

Well, as I say, cats are vain. And fastidious. They like to be clean. They like their fur to be smooth.

So I’ll bet you’ve seen your moggie licking her paw and washing her face a thousand times. And not just her face, right? You’ve watched her hundreds of times, rolling over to get at a hard to reach part of herself, and smoothing down her fur with her tongue.

And right there is the top reason you should make grooming your pet a task you perform daily. HAIRBALLS! When kitty is grooming all that stray fur out of her gleaming coat, a lot of it winds up in her stomach.

FIVE Compelling Reasons to Groom Your Cat

1. Prevention is better than cure. When you comb the loose fur out of kitty’s coat, it doesn’t wind up in her tummy, and she doesn’t get sick from Hairballs. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Kitty is Spared Pain and Discomfort!

2. Prevention is better than cure. Hairballs have been known to clog the intestinal tract. If your cat’s intestine is blocked that can lead to more serious disease, even Death. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees and Avoid This Risk of Losing Kitty Forever!

3. Pevention is better than cure. The two most frequent sicknesses which afflict cats are Eye Infections and Ear Mites. You can guard against both while you’re grooming your cat. And comb out dirt and snags. Also look for ticks or fleas. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Home Sanitary and Kitty Comfortable!

4. Prevention is better than cure. Does your pet’s breath sometimes make you retch? You can easily prevent that – and check for tartar build up and guard against gum disease – by brushing your moggie’s teeth gently whilst she’s perched on your knee. SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Dinner Down and Kitty’s Gums Well!

5. Read Both Sides of the De-Clawing Debate I urge you to read up on all the reasons NOT to de-claw. But even if your cat doesn’t have claws, you still have to check that her toes are clean and healthy. And clip her claws if she has any… SO, You Save Money on Vet Fees, Keep Your Furniture Safe and Kitty Comfortable!

How To Brush or Comb Your Cat

Cats love being groomed! Of course, it is much easier to accustom your cat to brushes and combs when she’s a tiny kitten, but even full grown cats soon come to thoroughly enjoy being brushed.

Brush gently and firmly following the natural line of your cat’s fur from her neck down to her tail. Patience is necessary; in fact some owners wrap their cat loosely in a clean dishtowel before beginning!

If your cat gets cross and struggles, stop and play with her until she grows relaxed.

Try to avoid bringing a brush or comb too close to her face.

Alternatives to Brushing

If your cat definitely doesn’t like being brushed, you can use a comb, or a grooming glove.

The technique is different from brushing. Don’t pull a comb through your cat’s fur, it will upset kitty. Instead, pick out a small patch of fur and groom a tiny area at a time, very gently.

Most cats love a grooming glove, it’s very easy to use and gives your cat a nice massage, too.

While you are brushing your cat’s coat, be sure you take the time to check out eyes and ears.

Eyes should be clear and bright, free of gundge in the corners. Messy, sticky, eye corners may be the first sign of conjunctivitis.

Ears should be clean and pink. Dirt can be a first sign of ear mites. Mites can make your poor cat’s ears shrivel up or even make her deaf, so be sure to check her ears regularly.

What To Do If You Have a Long Haired Cat

Long haired cats have to be combed. Brushes and grooming gloves just don’t do a thorough enough job, although they can be great for putting kitty into a relaxed mood before you get going with that comb.

Cats aren’t as keen on combs as brushes, especially if they’re long haired, but prevention is better than cure.

If your cat’s long hair isn’t combed through regularly, then her coat will become matted, which she will absolutely hate – and so will you, because matted hair turns cats into bundles of furry fury!

So then you’ll have to get her clipped, maybe even shaved, and most cats will only tolerate being clipped or shaved after they’ve been sedated – remember how vain they are, and how much they love their gleaming fur coats? More vet fees, and a very stressful experience for both you and your cat, so strive to avoid all that agony by teaching your kitty to love getting groomed

BETTY ANDREWS runs [http://www.CatFav.com] Betty also works during the day as a part time Administrator and a full time Mom – to 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a guinea pig! Betty’s spiritual home is in San Francisco, but right now she’s living in Cyprus because that’s where her other half is stationed. Her hobbies are embroidery and ballroom dancing; her fav leisure activity is “anything to do with the ocean”.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/948840

———————

=============
Article Content:
Worms can seriously affect the health of your cat. Worms symptoms are diverse and can range from mild or almost undetectable to severe, requiring immediate attention. The majority of cats have worms at some point, and often they cause the animal no real problems. Many cats have worms with no obvious symptoms, and adult cats can build up an immunity which means they are not particularly serious. However, some species of worm or levels of infection are particularly dangerous. In these cases you will usually be able to tell that something is wrong from your cat’s appearance or behavior.

In cats, worms symptoms can range from inactivity (more than usual) to severe vomiting and diarrhea. Discomfort around the abdominal area is also common, and a pot-bellied appearance can occur in kittens. Depending on the kind of worms you may or may not be able to see them in the cat’s vomit or stools – some are clearly visible with the naked eye, others need to be identified by the vet from a sample. You may also see blood in the stool. The cat may be eating less than usual, or may be eating a lot more without being able to satisfy their hunger. It is therefore best to check for a change in regular eating patterns or amounts. Some symptoms will not be clearly visible, such as anemia, but can be very serious in younger cats.

Treating cat worms is generally fairly simple, and can be achieved with a variety of over-the-counter medications. However, it’s always worth checking with your vet first, especially if it is the first time you have used such medication. It’s generally a good idea to treat cats for worms fairly regularly anyway, since they can become reinfected quickly after treatment.

Your vet will be able to advise you on the best medications, although there are several common ones that are very effective. These usually come in oral form. However, they can also be available in droplet form and are applied to the back of the neck, which can be easier for some cats. It’s worth knowing that some types of worms, such as tapeworms, are transmitted by fleas. Infections of both therefore go hand-in-hand, and it’s best to treat for both at the same time. Reinfection can occur relatively quickly if your cat regularly comes into contact with other cats, and it is often advised that you treat every month or so as a result.

For more information about cat worms (symptoms and treatment), visit http://www.CatWormsSymptoms.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6533516

———————

=============
Article Content:
If you are a cat owner and want to buy some essential supplies for your cat, than I will suggest you to search these products from online stores. Internet is the best way to buy products at affordable rates and different surveys also shows that instead of local stores, online stores are quite affordable. The best technique to find a suitable and trustworthy site of such supplies is to visit stores as many as you can. By adopting this technique you can easily compare prices of such supplies offered by different sites. Below in this article, there are few vital techniques that can be very helpful for you to buy good quality supplies at affordable rates.

Usually, those suppliers who provide inexpensive cat supplies have good connections and business relations with larger manufacturers of these products. So, if you find such dealers than try to avail all kind of benefits from them, it is a good idea to buy all kind of supplies from them. On the other hand if you want to made such supplies for cats at home, than there are many ways that can be helpful for you. By making different cat toys and other essential supplies at home is also a good way of saving money.

If you are interested to make cat toys and other supplies at home by utilizing household products than below given techniques are very helpful and you do not have to spend enough money to make them.

To entertain your beloved kitty it is a good idea to take a plastic bottle and fill it with some rice. While playing with this bottle the sound produced by rice will be very entertaining for your cat and it will attack and grab bottle considering it prey. You can also entertain your cat by rolling an aluminum foil over the ball. While playing with the ball the light reflected by the foil will provide more excitement and sharpness to your cat and it is quite beneficial for you and your beloved cat.

So, by reading this article, I am sure that you can buy and make god cat supplies without any difficulty.

The Author is an expert in article writing and has done a lot of research online and offline. Come visit his latest websites on Cat Pet Supplies and Reader Sunglasses
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3436810

———————

=============
Article Content:
Pet owners know that cats are susceptible to several cat health problems and heat stroke is one common condition that cat lovers often have to deal with. In the warmer months, cats often get heat strokes due to their furry coats. This is especially prevalent in outdoor cats or if your cat has the freedom and luxury to roam outside the shelter of your home. Whatever the case, once your cat is affected with heat stroke, here are a few things that you can do to ensure that it gets well soon.

In order to treat your cat properly, you have to first recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in your cat. Some general symptoms include:

• Excessive panting and heavy breathing

• Under this medical condition, a cat’s gum can turn bright red

• Increase in body temperature

• A cat may also suffer from diarrhea and vomiting due to heat stroke

• Your pet may also become lethargic, unresponsive and depressed once it gets affected

If you notice that your kitty has some or all of these symptoms and you suspect that she has heat stroke, here are some of the things that you can do to give her a bit of relief before you take her to the vet.

• Wrap a wet towel around her body to reduce the heat to some extent. A cold compressor will also help.

• You should also offer a bowl of fresh and cold water to your cat. Slow licking of ice can also help reduce the heat.

You have to take your cat to a vet for proper medical attention. However, once your pet is free from this common cat health problem, make sure that you take enough preventive measures to protect it from ever happening again. Here are certain preventive measures that you can employ:

• If your cat has a long furry coat, go ahead and trim it during the summer.

• For both outdoor and indoor cats, keeping the body hydrated at all times is essential. You can do this by making sure that they have easy access to a bowl of fresh water all the time.

• Occasionally, giving them a cold wrap also works wonders.

Remember that prevention is better than cure and if you have an active outdoor cat with a furry coat, you might want to take note of these tips especially during the summer. The alternative might be an expensive trip to the vet!

Visit our website today if you are facing cat health problems such as cat diabetes and ticks on cats. Do not forget to sign up for your 7-part mini-course absolutely free for a limited time only!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5873826

———————

=============
Article Content:
Outside cat houses are to the outdoor feline as the iconic dog house is to man’s best friend. Much like the dog house, outside cat houses provide shelter. In summer, this means a cool, shady spot to nap, while in winter it keeps cats out of the cold and the wind. A cat’s own body heat provides warmth, while the house itself traps that heat. But when it comes to which material to buy, is plastic or wood better? There is no right answer; it’s up to personal preference. Here are a few point by point comparisons that will hopefully help to make up your mind.

Which one is easier to clean and repair?

Both wooden and plastic outside cat houses require some basic level of maintenance so that they stay looking nice and don’t start to fall apart. Luckily, neither material requires a huge amount of upkeep. The great thing about plastics being a synthetic material is that it will never rot, though it might actually warp and crack like wood when exposed to extreme temperatures and quick temperature changes. To clean plastic, all you need is to wipe down the waterproof surface with soap and water, using a rag or even a hose. One of the few concerns with plastic is fading, especially with bright colors. Keeping your cat house in the shade will help maintain its color, as well as the temperature from heating up too much on the inside. Also remember that darker colors absorb more sunlight, and therefore more heat.

In general, any wood for outdoor use should be oiled up to a few times each year to prevent the wood from fading, rotting, cracking and splitting. To clean these outside cat houses, wooden surfaces can be cleaned using mild detergents or special wood cleaners.

Which one is lighter?

As far as assembly and transportation, plastic outside cat houses are lighter than wood, unless they’re extra reinforced or are especially ornate in design. This makes them easier to move around when needed. This begs the question, however, of how often you really need to be moving these cat houses around. Plus, it logically follows that something that is more lightweight is not necessarily as strong against the elements.
Is one better for the environment?

Interestingly enough, although one is natural and one synthetic, both plastic and wooden outside cat houses have their benefits when it comes to being eco-friendly. Wood is a renewable, sustainable resource. At the same time, many companies have been making efforts to minimize the levels of deforestation by replanting an equal number of trees to the number of harvested ones. At the same time, however, there is illegal logging going on in various parts of the world, especially in areas like South American rainforests, where highly prized wood is becoming endangered.

As plastic is a cheap, manmade material, it’s easy to come by and its supply will never run out. Plus, plastics are easy a material to recycle, so many of today’s poly resin furniture and other pieces are already made from recycled material. The biggest problem with plastics and other such synthetic compounds is where they go when they’re not recycled, i.e. landfills. Unlike wood, which is a natural substance that decomposes relatively quickly, plastic furniture that has been thrown away will sit in landfills for centuries before it begins to break down.

That’s all well and good, but which one costs less?

No matter what people might tell you, price is one of the biggest factors that influence any purchase. Speaking in black and white terms, the price tag on plastic outside cat houses is cheaper than that of wooden houses. Wooden cat houses are simply more expensive of a material that also requires more manpower, in addition to whatever shipping costs are included to transport the lumber from the forests to the workshop. In general, the creation of plastics has provided mankind with a cheaper and sustainable alternative to many building and manufacturing materials.

But which one will last in the end?

The problem with a cheaper price is that you pay for what you get. And in the case of plastic outside cat houses, they’re simply not as durable and long-lasting as wood, so the chances are good that you’ll be buying a new cat house every few years. So then you have to ask yourself whether you’d prefer to save some money now by buying plastic, but then have to spent money again later, or whether you’re willing to pay more upfront for a cat house that will last so long you probably will never have to buy another in your cat’s lifetime.

Tonya Kerniva is an experienced research and free lance writing professional. She writes actively about Outside Cat Houses and Cat Houses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2609505

———————

=============
Article Content:
Dogs, cats, and other pets can enrich our lives, by sharing companionship, love and entertainment with those who love them. Cats are favored by many people who are looking to adopt a pet because they are less demanding of time and space, making it easier to include them in a hectic lifestyle.

This does not let cat owners out of their responsibility for proper training and maintenance of their cat. Despite the independent nature of cats, several house rules need to be defined to ensure that all of those living in the house will be healthy and well.

It’s especially important to train your cat where to relieve himself. It is a health hazard for both humans and cats to live in a house covered with urine and/or feces. It’s also messy and unsanitary. Cats may urinate to mark their territory indoors or to let you know when you’re in their bad graces. However, the owner needs to stop this behavior as urine and feces can cause both the humans and cats living in the house to become ill.

For most people, the reasons for cat house training are obvious. No one prefers to spend time in a space smelling of cat urine. The smell can be strong to the point of overwhelming. Although treatments exist to remove the odor from carpeting and bedding, it is better to avoid dealing with the problem.

Most cats can be easily house trained. As a owner, you must identify and maintain the area where your cat will relieve themselves. Cat house training may seem difficult, but because cats prefer a clean environment without feces or urine where they sleep or eat it is not as hard as you might think.

Any cat owner, with a little patience can achieve successful training. After you purchase a litter box, you need to fill it with clumping kitty litter or special crystal granules designed for that purpose. After each meal and whenever he or she seems ready to eliminate, you need to lift and place the cat in the litter box.

It is a cats instinct to naturally cover up their bodily excretions by digging in dirt or litter. Cat house training is utilized by making your cat feel praised, and reinforcing the positive aspects when they use the indoor litter box correctly.

We love our pets they enrich our lives. Cats are favored by people looking to adopt a pet. They are less demanding for our hectic lifestyles. It is dangerous to our health to live in a house that has cat pee everywhere. Therefore making it extremely important to house train your pet. Cat house training is a must if care for the appearance and smell of your home. Cats will litter box train easily. Then you won’t have the smell of cat urine on your furniture, or flooring that is nearly impossible to get out. Remember to praise your cat for using the litter box.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/949563

———————

=============
Article Content:
Cats love to go outside and dig in the soil or just walk on the grass. I’m sure you know how good bare feet on grass feels. And nothing can replace the sensation of breathing fresh air or feeling a breeze on the face. Cats have a much more developed sense of smell than we do, so the fresh air brings all sorts of aromas to your cat.

But how can you keep your cat safe. You don’t want it to escape into the busy road, or get into fights with neighbourhood cats, or dogs, or risk catching a dose of fleas or worse. If you have enough room, you can create your own cat run or kitty condo outside. This way your cat will have the best of both worlds.

An outdoor cat house can be built in an area of the garden or up against the house. It can be like a large aviary or a small shed or pen. There are some commercially constructed cat houses that are sold in kit form. These are easy to assemble and saves you having to build something yourself. If you have a small backyard, you can turn it all into an outdoor cat house by putting up some strong poles to around 9 foot or 3m high, and attaching some netting between them. By keeping the netting loose, your cat won’t be able to climb up it and there won’t be any need for a roof.

A good outdoor cat house should have different surfaces for your cat to walk on. These can include soil, grass, some rocks to climb and perhaps some pebbles to dig around in. You can plant some cat safe plants in there to give your cat some greenery to eat. If you have the room, I suggest having some logs and branches so your cat can jump, climb and curl up somewhere high to see what’s going on around it. The branches will also be ideal for your cat to dig his claws in and have a good stretch.

Have some areas that are open to the sun and some that are shaded. Having some toys and other playthings in there will keep your cat happy for hours. Depending on your budget, you can create tunnels and hidey holes and ledges for your cat to sleep on.

You can soften the appearance of your outdoor cat house by growing some climbing plants over it. Be careful in what you choose and make sure they are not poisonous to your cat.

You will need to install a cat flap so your cat can access its outdoor enclosure. The best ones are those that are gravity operated – they automatically close behind the cat as it enters or exits. I suggest having a clear plastic flap so your cat and see what is outside before it ventures out. Make sure the cat flap has a catch so you can lock it at night.

If you don’t want to have the outdoor cat enclosure right against your back door, you might like to invest in a removable ‘tunnel’ that attaches to the cat flap and the enclosure. This way you can remove it when you need to use the door for normal purposes.

By building or purchasing an outdoor cat enclosure for your cat, you will be giving it some of the freedom of the outdoors while keeping it safe from harm.

Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4804109

———————

=============
Article Content:
Cats have a complete different digestive system then dogs. Cats require different nutrients. For healthy cats, they require more protein in their diet. Unlike dogs, cats are carnivores. It pains me to say it but cats cannot be vegetarians. Matter of fact carbs and too much of them can be harmful to your cats health.

Cats are susceptible to the same diseases as dog, like kidney stones or crystals; diabetes is becoming more frequent in cats then ever. That could be because of all the by products and fillers they tend to put in commercial cat food. Cats need less corn meal, rice, and veggies in their food. They need protein like beef and poultry. Some fish is okay but not a steady diet of fish. In addition, innards such as kidneys and liver and giblets should be limited for cats.

A well balanced diet filled with the right vitamins and nutrients will give your cat a long and healthy life. Also always, make sure your cat has access to clean fresh water. Cats should not have food that include by-products, such as meat and or bone meal, animal digest and added sugars. If you see a food with 45% or more carbs and preservatives, you should stay away from them.

Cats need protein. Cats need meat not meat by products.. Cats should get their basic nutritional need from meat, poultry, taurine that is an essential amino acid. Vitamins, minerals enzymes and fatty acids as well. If you notice your cat drinking more water then usual, increase the protein in their diet and limit the carbs to below 50%. Check your cat food to make sure it contains more protein then carbs, and not filled fillers like corn meal and soy.

Cats do get sick of the same food, so it is recommended you change their food from time to time. That is how they get the nickname finicky eaters.

Here is a recipe for your finicky eater
1-cup chicken boiled
¼-cup fresh broccoli steamed
¼ cup shredded carrots steamed
Chicken broth low sodium
Mix chicken and veggies in food processor until well mixed add enough chicken broth to hold it together. You can omit veggies and add a little brown rice. Just keep your carbs less then 50%.
For a change, use this recipe with beef simmered or even a piece of fish simmered until flaky.

Yes, our cats can be finicky but they do deserve the best we can give them. There are hundreds of recipes available for dogs and cats along with natural home remedies. Learn how you can give your cat and dog the best food and health care from products right in your own kitchen.

Stop paying for expensive drugs for your pets. Get a free e book with many natural home remedies for treating your pets. Learn about 100’s of home remdies then you can use for your cats and dogs. No more harmful side effects. For your free ebook go to http://www.allthingspets.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4311476

———————