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.

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.

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.

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.

Of course, this closeness won’t happen overnight. There’s a necessary adjustment period when you bring the cat or dog into a home with other pets. How well your pets get along with each other will depend on how you well you handle this adjustment period in your home.

Cat care is very important when you first bring the cat home. Introduce it to the house first. Put the dog outside or in a separate room that’s off-limits to the cat. Take the cat into each room and let her nose around. Show her where her food, water, and litter box are located.

Let each member of the household hold and pet the cat. She’ll likely realize fairly quickly that there’s a dog in the house. How your new cat reacts to this scent is a good indication of how much work you may have ahead of you.

Once the cat has been introduced to everyone and everything, it’s time to introduce the animal to the other four-legged members of the household. While someone is holding the cat and she seems calm, let the dog into the house. The dog will probably catch the cat’s scent immediately and run to her excitedly. If necessary, have another family member restrain the dog temporarily.

Allow the two animals to sniff each other out and make their evaluations. Don’t put the cat down until you’re certain that the dog is calm and won’t attempt to attack the cat. In most cases, the dog will remain calm and the cat will be afraid, so don’t be surprised if the cat runs away as soon as you let her go.

If the dog attempts to chase the cat, stop him immediately. Don’t let the dog meet the cat if he’s barking or trying to attack the cat repeatedly. If this happens, you’ll likely have to make the introductions at another time, in a more controlled environment. This may include putting the dog in his kennel or dog house, and holding the cat near the dog for short periods of time. Eventually, the dog will become accustomed to the fact that he won’t be allowed back into the house until he accepts this new member of the family.

After this initial introduction has occurred, you probably won’t see the cat for at least one or two hours. The cat will be staying away from what she perceives as a threat, as well as exploring her new surroundings. In time, she’ll come to trust the dog and they’ll either coexist peacefully, or become very close and protective of one another.

There are only a few secrets to successfully overcoming the dreaded nail clipping and other cat grooming practices without breaking your budget. With proper training, patience, and care, your cat may even come to enjoy the treatment. The secret is in making your cat comfortable.

When you first get your cat – whether grown or a kitten – is the best time to train her. Pet her paws gently throughout the course of your normal interactions, as this will train her that petting her paws is normal for you, and therefore, she won’t jump up and run away when you deal with her claws later.

Make sure that your cat has become completely comfortable with you playing with her paws before you attempt a nail clipping. Purchase nail clippers that are especially made for cats, as well, as this will help you cut them in the proper manner to avoid fraying or splitting. You should also keep antiseptic powder or an antiseptic pencil on hand just in case you damage the quick. Additionally, you’ll want to purchase a treat that will be given only after nail clipping.

The best time to try your first nail clipping is when your cat is already relaxed – possibly when she’s ready to sleep. As your cat gets used to the procedure, it will be possible to clip her nails at other times as well, as long as the cat is calm. Pet your cat until she reaches this stage, and you’re ready to begin.

Gently press on the paw pad to extract the nail. Using the special clippers, clip the nail about half way between the tip and the start of the pink area, known as the quick. This way, you’ll avoid injuring her by cutting the quick.

Don’t worry if you aren’t able to clip all of your cat’s nails in one sitting. It’s very rare to do so. In most cases, one paw at a time is the most you’ll be able to accomplish. If you can only get to one or two nails each day, you’ll still manage to trim all of your cat’s nails every week.

You should also avoid trimming the back claws, as these are well maintained by cats themselves and rarely need assistance. They’re also much more difficult to handle. If your cat’s back claws do need to be trimmed, go ahead and ask the vet to do this. They shouldn’t need to be done more than a few times each year.

After you’re finished with the clipping session, give your cat a special treat for allowing the invasion. This will make them more amenable to letting you do it again in the future. The treat should be something they’ll really enjoy, but only receive after a nail clipping. This training will further reinforce the routine of nail clipping, making it a pain-free, easy process.

The best way to manage these expenses is the same way you handle your own medical care – with insurance. Pet insurance is a fairly new, but widespread, concept, and it’s about time that this product has come onto the scene. Without pet insurance, it’s nearly impossible for most people to afford the major medical expenses that may arise for your cat, such as surgeries or the setting of broken bones.

Of course, we all hope that our cats will never be ill, never need surgery, and never be injured in any way. But the fact of the matter is that no matter how carefully you take care of your cat, things happen. And when they do, you want to be able to take care of your pet without having to worry about money.

Pet insurance allows you to do this, and it really isn’t that expensive when you put it into perspective. Most cats never need any medical attention beyond their initial vaccinations and being spayed or neutered. Therefore, it’s possible to keep the costs of pet insurance down – in contrast to your own medical insurance expenses.

In fact, most insurance policies will require that your pet be kept up-to-date on vaccinations, and you’ll receive a discount if they’ve been fixed. Part of this is rooted in the fact that these cats are less likely to roam and get into trouble when they’ve been spayed or neutered. In this case, your insurance won’t have to worry about paying for this later, so your premium will be lower.

When you start looking for an insurance policy, you want to get the best value for your money. This means that you must consider the services that are covered, as well as the price of the policy. Make sure that the pet insurance you choose for your cat will cover anything that may arise. For example, cat leukemia is becoming more common, and you’ll want to be sure that the insurance policy will cover these types of illnesses without raising your premium as a result.

In many aspects, choosing pet insurance is much the same as choosing your own health insurance. Look for companies that will give you discounts based on your cat’s current health and lifestyle. Also, look for companies that offer the most insurance coverage for the lowest price possible, and for policies that come from highly rated companies.

But don’t forget the most important part of pet insurance – the vet. Make sure that reputable vets – preferably the one you already use – take the insurance you choose. Not all vets are accepting pet insurance at this time, in part because it’s still fairly new. This is an important and often forgotten factor in choosing the proper pet health insurance.

In the end, the real value you get from having pet health insurance is peace of mind. You’ll feel much better knowing that you don’t have to worry about paying full price for your cat’s necessary health care, should the need arise. The relatively low cost of pet health insurance is well worth the stress-free quality of life you get in exchange.

Start off by making a list of the things you want in a cat food dish.  Does it need to automatically dispense food while you’re away during the day?  Will it feed one cat or two?  Will you be using wet food or dry?  All of these things will make a difference when you choose your cat’s food dishes.

Do the same for your water dishes.  When you have your list of the features you’d like for your cat, you’re ready to hit the pet store.  Don’t try to go to a bargain store for these items, because the selection won’t be great, and you may end up settling for something your cat really doesn’t like.  Additionally, most pet stores allow you to bring your animal into the store with you, so you can get your cat’s opinion as well.

If you’re going with dry food, it may make sense to get the dishes that automatically dispense food and water.  Try to avoid the ones that are connected, however.  Cats will often utilize the water in their dish to help clean, and if water splashes into their food, they won’t eat it.

If you’re using wet cat food, there are other considerations to make.  The food dish should be dishwasher safe and durable; because it will need to be washed more often than if you’re using dry food.  Any designs on the food dish should be resistant to constant washing as well.

In fact, you need to be sure that any designs painted on the cat dish are completely non-toxic – some porcelain food dishes are more for show than for use.  The dishes should also be shallow enough that the cat can eat and drink easily without strain and without stepping into the dishes.  Be sure that the dishes you choose are both pretty and healthy for your cat.

Water dishes are another matter.  It’s very tempting to buy the ones that dispense water automatically utilizing a small, upturned bottle.  However, if you only have one cat, these can become problematic, as the water will often become stale before your cat can drink it.  If this happens, your cat may behave as if it hasn’t gotten any water at all.  If you decide to go with these convenient water dishes, make sure it has a small bottle for water that can be refilled daily without waste.

In the end, the food and water dishes you choose for your cat must be customized to your needs.  Just make sure your cat likes it as well.  When picking out these items, don’t forget things such as a mat to place underneath the dishes to protect your floor, or perhaps a cushion for your cat to rest on while they eat.