When dealing with your cats allergies it can be a very frustrating occurance for both you and your cat. It can cause heavy agitations for your cat and also a range of discomforts for you in dealing with the treatments. If you have ever dealt with allergies of any kind personally then you know the annoyance that comes with it.
The best part can come from finding out, diagnosing, and beginning treatments as early into the cats life as possible. If the allergies are caught when the cat is a kitten the better the chances are of the kitten growing to have more manageable allergies.
Allergies can be hard to control over time and can result into a chronic nature. The most common types of skin allergies in cats are food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, and inhaled dermatitis.
Food allergies come from a few main triggers such as beef, dairy, and fish. Even premium foods have these ingredients so even if you provide the best of the best to your cat it may not stop the onset of allergies from appearing when younger. With ten percent of all allergic dermatitis stemming from food it is hard to hide cats with allergies from becoming exposed to triggers.
Flea allergies come from the flea’s saliva which is injected into the cat when the flea is piercing the skin. With the shear success of the topical flea treatments available today the flea triggers are limited to a small percentage.
The ninety percent of the remaining triggers lies from inhalant dermatitis. Just like humans pollen, ragweed, dust, dander, and even their own dander can cause allergic reactions in cat’s.
The most consistent symptom in cats is excessive itching, chewing, biting, or licking. These symptoms can cause a wide array of issues, both painful and physically debilitating, from bald spots to tooth loss. The best plan of action is to pay attention to your cats behavior. If you notice any itching, scratching, or licking that is more than usual or above their regular self-grooming schedule they need to be seen my a licensed veterinarian. This will save you and your cat a lot of pain, irritation, and aggravation. Care for your pet with precaution.
Your new girl has gorgeous green eyes, soft shinny hair, and an irresistibly slinky strut; sounds like you’ve found the girl of your dreams; but what you’ve found is a new kitty cat. They say that love comes when you least expect it, and that day at the animal shelter proved them right. It wasn’t like you were there looking for a cat, you were actually on your way to the dog kennel, when you caught a glimpse of that little ball of black fur framing those piercing emerald eyes.
You knew you shouldn’t go in for a closer look, but you honestly could not see the harm a few minutes could do. An hour later you had her named, and you found yourself filling out her adoption papers.
Deciding if you will let your new kitten venture the outdoors at will, or if you will keep her inside where it seems safer, is harder than you expected it to be. Each option comes with its own set of pros and cons that are your responsibility, to weigh and consider, for the safety of your pet, and both of your happiness.
Choosing to make your cat an indoor pet will present some difficult adjustments, and some big rewards. Everything your cat would naturally be inclined to do outside will be things she tries in your home.
You have to be okay with that because you are the one who has chosen this way of life for her. You must also resign yourself to having a litter box in your home, and be willing to be patient with her as she learns to use it. When your cat is new to your home be prepared for her to see everything as her territory, and sometimes her scratching post. Cats also have the physical agility to get themselves up and onto almost everything. There will be no way to keep her off the kitchen counter when that is where she wants to go; she is not being bad, she is just being a cat. Once you and your inside cat get to a place where both of you feel comfortable with each other’s habits, your relationship will grow and blossom. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when your kitty jumps up to sit atop your lap, content and purring; because you know that there is no other place she’d rather be.
Expect your outdoor cat to live life on her own terms.
You can build fences and put up walls, but these measures are all in vain if you are trying to keep your cat from straying and exploring. When you make the decision to let your cat spend a lot of time outside, you must do so with the complete understanding that she will use this freedom to the fullest. Days may go by when you don’t see her, and you will worry. A cat’s curious nature will have them following anything that grabs their attention, and this sometimes gets them into trouble. You may find yourself at the vet’s office more times than you would like, but being out, exposes your cat to more risks of injury and disease. But if your heart tells you that your cat feels happiest outside it will be hard to say no to her. Soon you will realize that as much as your cat loves her freedom, she loves coming home to you just as much.
We are all aware of separation anxiety, a condition of extreme distress when someone is too attached to an individual that leaves them, or a severe dislike of or discomfort with solitude. This is evident in many children going away to school for the first time, and also in a large number of dogs. The signs are clearly readable in both people and dogs: whining or crying, behavior changes, destructiveness, etc. Until recently, it wasn’t even a considerable thought that other living creatures, namely cats, experienced the same woes of this unfortunate condition. Cats don’t express the same symptoms as clearly as dogs do, so it may take a bit more discerning observation to recognize the fears of your feline friend.
Though not as aggressively apparent as most dogs when displaying signs of separation anxiety, some cats will still profess their unhappiness when watching the departure of their parents or fellow buddies by whining or meowing loudly. There are many other indicators to pay attention to as well. Hiding, slinking away or sulking, even acting depressed when noticing signs of departure are a clue that your cat may experience separation anxiety. Inability to eat while alone, vomiting (only while left alone), and inappropriate elimination (urination or even defecation outside the litter box) are other telltale signs. It is common that a distressed cat will spray or mark his owner’s personal items, most frequently eliminating on his owner’s bed for some reason as a deliberate communication of disturbance. Sometimes a cat will over groom, resulting in bald spots in one or more areas on his body. Similarly, clingy behaviors of a cat following his parent from room to room, incessantly seeking affection, and increasing his welcoming responses when the departed returns home should be acknowledged symptoms, not ignored. Often a cat owner adds to the dependency of her kitten by encouraging such excitement and attached behavior when she returns home because she finds it cute and a refreshing warmth of love.
Separation anxiety can be a very traumatizing feeling for your pet. It is a serious disorder that physiologically affects him, and calls for rectification. Of course, when your cat displays signs that may be indicative of separation anxiety, it is important to first rule out other diseases or medical disorders. Loss of hair may otherwise be caused by an allergy, and urination outside the litter box may simply be because the box has not been cleaned. Once ruling out other possibilities, it may be important to see an animal behavior specialist. Usually separation anxiety calls for certain insisted behavior modifications in order to wean the cat away from such a dyer dependency. It is recommended to ignore your overly dependent pet prior to leaving the house and also upon returning home. This makes your departure less overwhelming, and also lessens the catalyst to your cat’s symptoms. Leaving a treat for your cat to find, or pulling out a special toy only during the time of your disappearance adds a positive association. Desensitizing is the most important aspect of this modification that must be taught to your pet, and usually runs the course of at least a few weeks to gradually work. Begin grabbing your keys or purse, performing the simple cues of your regular departure. Open and close the door, and be sure to draw attention to yourself, but don’t actually leave the house. Increase the repetition of this and gradually leave the house for only a few minutes at a time, lengthening your absence by small increments. Perhaps after a few weeks, this practice will show your cat that when you leave, you do come back. This gradual desensitization should dramatically help boost your cat’s confidence and independence in assuring your little friend that you will always return for her.
As a cat owner, separation anxiety litters the house with some unwanted feline behaviors that may be very frustrating, even angering at times when returning home to a mess in the house or an irritable cat. However, it is important never to punish your pet for the urination or defecation during your absence. Be assured that this condition is a disorder that is much harder on your animal than it is you. The bond between you and your pet is comprised of a strong sense of love and attachment, which is bound to force you to take the bad with the good. After some patience and dedicated behavioral training, it is likely that you will soon return home to find the pleasant little angel you originally welcomed into your life. Of course, when you love something it is hard to say goodbye. Given the undying, unconditional love your little friend has for you, it is easy to understand the difficulty in watching you walk away. Please, do your part to remind your cat that you are in his life to stay, and goodbye is only temporary.
We all know that cats are second in the line to dogs in the line of favored domesticated pets in America. It’s not hard to understand why. They are lovable, adorable, understanding, and cuddly. America has a soft-spot for felines.
Year after year there lists are created, votes are taken and tallied, and we are given a Top 10 list of America’s favorite breeds of cats. And who, might you ask, is number One? Who is the breed that America favors over all others in the domesticated feline kingdom. (No panthers or lions included?)
The Persian! That’s right. This unmistakable breed has been top of the list since the idea of the list was created. Remaining the most popular breed and consistently ranking as the number one breed since 1871! Year after year families and individual alike buy, adopt, and take-in these fluffy felines to be a part of their homes and lives.
The Persian is the aristocrats of the feline specie. This breed is known to have between twenty to thirty different varieties of color within its classification. So the selection is amazing. Their thick and lustrous coat of fur is beautiful, yet one would say that it does require a bit of up-keep and maintenance. Though they do instinctively preen themselves often this thick coat of fur easily tangles and needs close attention paid to the combing and grooming by the cats owner.
Persians are known to be ‘bug-eyed’, with large glowing eyes. Their eyes usually hold shimmery tones of grey, green, and orange, with flecks of other different colors that only enhance their mystifying stare.
Persians are mostly short but sturdy legged with a thick stature and balanced frame. They are known for having a slow-moving heir and dignity. Giving their breed a good name and leaving them a proud bunch.
All though Persians are indeed a relaxed and quiet breed they are still prone to acting wary around children. This does not seem to hinder their loving and affectionate attitude. They are still one of the most loyal breeds available.
Even though all domesticated cats stemmed from the same origin, these felines have stepped away from the pack and made a name for themselves. And from the obvious looks of it that name has traveled through the generations leaving them at the top of the charts. When you’ve found a friend in a Persian, you’ve a friend for life.
When your female cat goes into heat it can be a trying experience for the both of you. This is an important time, since you need to know what to do if you do or do not want a cat pregnancy. Knowing the signs can help you help her, which in time aids the both of you.
The first sign will always be over affection on her side. When she comes and snuggles up to you, rubbing her nose against you and purring an affectionate, yet different purr there is definatly something afoot here. She may continually move around you rubbing her nose and head on you in a loving way.
The second sign will be her traveling wherever she is allowed to and moaning a long drawn out drawl. It resembles the sound of their normal meow, but usually deeper in tone and very long or drawn out. She may travel from place to place making this unusual noise. This is her way of letting the male cats in the area that she is in heat. This is a time to watch her around entry ways or windows as she may attempt, if she isn’t an outside cat already to seek farther venues to find a mate.
The next is always the best sign and will undoubtly let you know if you have any fear that your cat is in heat, is if she begins to position herself low to the ground while rasing her buttocks and arching her tail. This is the invite for males in the area and do be warned that it is common for many cats to rub themselves against floors, doors, furniture, or even you.
They will prance about constantly purring, meowing, and yeowling. Very often don’t sit still as they would usually do and you’ll find that they will follow you everywhere and come up against you whether that is normal behavior for them or not.
She will also have a very terrible and much stronger oder in her urine than normal. You will want to change her litter box much more often than usual. If she is not an indoor cat, you obviously won’t notice this as much.
She will lick herself and be much cleaner, while keeping a constant purr that will thrum in her throat and vibrate her entire body. She’ll rub against anything that comes into view and will sometimes find somewhere comfortable to be, but until she does, woe be he or she who is responsible for her entertainment, for her over affection will become dull very quickly and get into the way of everyday life.
You need to understand that it is extremely uncomfortable for her and shouldn’t be un-spayed without proper reason. Whether you are hoping to bread or don’t feel that it is necessary to get her spayed, it is a high health risk for her and can even lead to death. You should always consult her animal doctor to know what is best for her. In the long run, even if the up front payment may be slightly costly depending on many different variables, the end result will constitute a much happier and healthy companion.