If you have a cat and a dog or are planing to have both, you need to know how to make them coexist. The phrase "fighting like cats and dogs" didn't come up as someone's idea of a joke just for cartoons (Tom and Jerry comes into mind). Dogs are often territorial and will fight not just new cats but other new dogs as well. They tend to mark their territory and will fight anyone who invades their space. Cats have the same tendencies and even if they are smaller than to dogs, they will scratch and fight for their territory.
Most pet lovers who have both a cat and dog have a hard time making their pets coexist with each other. The usual response to this is separating the two pets and making sure they won't meet. This is not really a practical solution to this problem as both pets tend to wander around the house and there will come a time when they will meet. This will also cause a lot of wasted time if you have to allot twice the time for playing with your pets. Another response would be to cage both pets but this method is frowned upon by most pet lovers. The best thing to do is to train both cat and dog to coexist peacefully. In this article is a series of steps to finding harmony between cats and dogs.
Perhaps the hardest thing for pet lovers to do is the introduction. Introducing a new pet requires both time and patience as both cats and dogs requires time to adjust to something new. Both cats and dogs take up to 30 days to adjust. It is even longer if you have older pet, but with proper retraining you can teach your old dogs and cat's new tricks.
The first step is obedience. This is necessary especially for the dog which is usually the aggressor in this kind of situation. You have to train your dog to obey when you say "no". This can be done by showing him some treat and every time he looks at it you say "no" you stop him from eating it. Do this every day and reward him every time he obeys.
While doing this with your dog, make sure the cat and dog are isolated from each other, allowing your cat to wander around the house. Cats love to roam and this will make her scent scattered in your home. After doing this, lock your cat in one room and let your dog wander around the house sniffing for the cat's scent. This will make your dog acquainted to your cats smell and train the dog that the cat is part of the household.
Once you've done this for about a week, it's time for them to see each other physically. This part requires that you have someone to help you. Have someone who can hold your cat safely and that knows how to react quickly and get your cat to safety if the dog is showing aggressiveness. Your part is to be able to restrain your dog and making sure that if he starts lunging for your cat, you'll be there to stop him.
Dogs usually start barking whenever they see some other animals in their territory, hoping to scare them away. They won't really lunge at something immediately. Once he starts barking, this is where the obedience part starts to come in. Say "no" and make him realize that the cat is also a pet.
If your dog starts to calm down when in the presence of the cat, then it's the time to let him sniff the cat. Once your dog starts to decide not to bark at your cat you know that you've done the introduction part successfully.
The final step is making sure that both pets have the time to coexist. This part is usually the cat's fault. Cats have the tendency to be aloof and stay away from the dog and other people. It's not because they are afraid of the dog but more because it's their nature to be alone. Be sure that your dog sees your cat as often as possible. You can allot some time nightly where you can do some activities with both your cat and dog.
This will allow them to play with each other and you'll have the confidence that they won't start fighting when they're unsupervised. As they say, knowledge equals power, so continue to read information on this topic until you feel you are adequately educated on the subject.
2007年9月25日星期二
2007年9月21日星期五
How To Repel Cats
Ever wanted to know how to keep a cat away? Hold on to your sit we've got a thrill of a reading! Cats in general are loveable creatures. However, it is possible that some of them get on the bad side of the household.
Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.
Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away.
Repel them!
At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most 'humane' way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.
Cat Powder:
Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.
One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.
Sound Repellent:
This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.
Cat Scatmats:
Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.
Water Sprayer:
The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to frighten the cats.
Liquid Repellent:
It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.
Air Repellent:
Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.
Odor neutralizer:
Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats. The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.
With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache. Well now the next time someone asks you about this topic, you can give a little smile and provide them an informative answer.
Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.
Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away.
Repel them!
At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most 'humane' way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.
Cat Powder:
Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.
One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.
Sound Repellent:
This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.
Cat Scatmats:
Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.
Water Sprayer:
The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to frighten the cats.
Liquid Repellent:
It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.
Air Repellent:
Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.
Odor neutralizer:
Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats. The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.
With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache. Well now the next time someone asks you about this topic, you can give a little smile and provide them an informative answer.
2007年8月29日星期三
How To Choose A Cat Breeder
As we all know, this subject is something that we cat lovers could all use a little education on no matter who you are. It is your youngest son's birthday and you want to give him a pet that will be sociable and one that will fit in with your household. You decided that a cat would be a good idea. But how does one go about choosing a pet cat? Well, responsible cat breeders produce better cats!
First you have to do some research on the breed of cat that interests you, or that would fit your son or your family's personality. Most people will give a cat one look and they have already decided. Of course, a nice-looking cat would be a welcome treat but the choice of cat should not only be based on its looks but also on its temperament.
Consider if there are children in the household and research what breed of cats are friendly and are easy to groom and to take care of? And then decide whether you would like to get a kitten or an older cat.
Once you have decided on the breed of cat, then look for legitimate cat breeders who can supply you with the cat you require. Try to attend cat shows and ask for a recommendation. It also helps to read the newspapers or surf the internet since most breeders have their own sites.
Buying a cat from a responsible cat breeder will not ensure you have a purebred cat but will guarantee that you are getting a healthy cat. You can also ask about retired breeders as they can sell at lower prices. Cats purchased from retired breeders are often better than kittens as they are probably already nurtured, of high quality and they can easily adjust to their new home.
Responsible breeders will not sell very young kittens that are not yet weaned. Also choose a breeder who will provide a health guarantee for the kitten as well as complete papers and registration.
Tips on finding cat breeders:
1. To get good cat breeders, make sure to talk to people who may have purchased animals from the same breeders as they can give you insights as to how responsible the breeder is.
2. Ask the breeder for references and go check on these references.
3.Check a cat breeders cattery list because if the breeder has lots of available kittens, then it may mean that the breeder is having a hard time finding homes for these kittens and the reason may be significant to you.
4. Make sure the breeder can give you the cat registration, health records and pedigree records.
A cat's lifespan is normally 20 years or more, depending on the care it is given. Choosing a responsible breeder will make your cat not only healthier, but live longer. Find out more by reading our other articles on this topic and other subjects we have written related to it.
First you have to do some research on the breed of cat that interests you, or that would fit your son or your family's personality. Most people will give a cat one look and they have already decided. Of course, a nice-looking cat would be a welcome treat but the choice of cat should not only be based on its looks but also on its temperament.
Consider if there are children in the household and research what breed of cats are friendly and are easy to groom and to take care of? And then decide whether you would like to get a kitten or an older cat.
Once you have decided on the breed of cat, then look for legitimate cat breeders who can supply you with the cat you require. Try to attend cat shows and ask for a recommendation. It also helps to read the newspapers or surf the internet since most breeders have their own sites.
Buying a cat from a responsible cat breeder will not ensure you have a purebred cat but will guarantee that you are getting a healthy cat. You can also ask about retired breeders as they can sell at lower prices. Cats purchased from retired breeders are often better than kittens as they are probably already nurtured, of high quality and they can easily adjust to their new home.
Responsible breeders will not sell very young kittens that are not yet weaned. Also choose a breeder who will provide a health guarantee for the kitten as well as complete papers and registration.
Tips on finding cat breeders:
1. To get good cat breeders, make sure to talk to people who may have purchased animals from the same breeders as they can give you insights as to how responsible the breeder is.
2. Ask the breeder for references and go check on these references.
3.Check a cat breeders cattery list because if the breeder has lots of available kittens, then it may mean that the breeder is having a hard time finding homes for these kittens and the reason may be significant to you.
4. Make sure the breeder can give you the cat registration, health records and pedigree records.
A cat's lifespan is normally 20 years or more, depending on the care it is given. Choosing a responsible breeder will make your cat not only healthier, but live longer. Find out more by reading our other articles on this topic and other subjects we have written related to it.
2007年8月14日星期二
Should You Declaw Your Cat?
As you begin to read through this informative article, give each point a chance to sink in before you move on to the next. Cats are born with claws, the same way that humans are born with fingernails and toe nails.
Cats need claws in order to mark or scratch a specific place or territory that they have been in. Humans need finger nails to, scratch themselves or others, or for opening a letter envelope. Cats basically stretch their agile bodies in order to prepare their muscles when they dig their claws deeply into wood perhaps or a tree, and then they pull back from their hold. Scratching is a basic physiological need of cats. To claw or declaw, that is the question!
So do cats need to be declawed? If cat owners truly care for the welfare of their cats, they would have to think twice on declawing their cats.
Declawing, what is it?
Declawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat. In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being. For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.
Though the recovery of declawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and psychological effects could last a cat's lifetime.
The following are the possible results once a cat has been declawed.
Ouch, ouch and ouch:
Immediately after surgery, declawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing. Declawed cats could be considered as amputees. Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from
aches.
Complications after the surgery:
After the surgery, declawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects: presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth. Based on studies performed on declawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. The same result has been found on cats who went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to declawing. It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.
Stiffness of the joints:
Cats that are declawed experience stiffness of the joints since the tendons that manipulate the toes retract because of the surgery. As time goes by, these same joints freeze and ultimately they will no longer be able to extend their toes.
It has been thought though that cats really do not miss their claws since they also "scratch" continually even if they no longer have anything to scratch with. However, this act is really the cats' way to stretch those frozen joints.
Catarthritis:
Believe it or not, research shows that declawed cats immediately shift the weight of their bodies to the back and onto the larger pad in the front of their feet, away from their toes. The result is still evident despite giving these cats strong anti-pain relievers. If such an effect continues after declawing, the cat will ultimately stress its own joints in the leg, its spine and eventually suffer from arthritis.
Cats who cannot claw, bite:
Since the natural instinct of cats is to claw especially when threatened or scared, in the absence of claws cats are forced to resort to another form of defense - their teeth. Declawed cats that are aggressive naturally are more prone to biting.
Declawed cats have no "nine lives".
There is a serious risk of death for cats that are declawed. Death could be brought on by the anesthesia they received, or any complications in surgery or hemorrhage.
Declawed cats that resort to biting run the risk of being abandoned by their owners. These cats could then be put in a shelter, and since they turn to biting, the probability of being adopted becomes slim. Usually un-adoptable cats are put to sleep or they are used to train dogs to fight usually as bait.
In summary, cats are extremely and highly trainable to be taught to use a post for scratching instead of common household furniture, rugs or curtains. Though declawing cats is one of the options a cat owner can take, it is basically an unkind and a very animal-unfriendly thing to do.
It all depends on the cat owner whether Kitty is more (or less than) valuable than that expensive Italian rug - the choice is theirs. Understanding this article is a good way to fully appreciate the complexity of this subject.
Cats need claws in order to mark or scratch a specific place or territory that they have been in. Humans need finger nails to, scratch themselves or others, or for opening a letter envelope. Cats basically stretch their agile bodies in order to prepare their muscles when they dig their claws deeply into wood perhaps or a tree, and then they pull back from their hold. Scratching is a basic physiological need of cats. To claw or declaw, that is the question!
So do cats need to be declawed? If cat owners truly care for the welfare of their cats, they would have to think twice on declawing their cats.
Declawing, what is it?
Declawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat. In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being. For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.
Though the recovery of declawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and psychological effects could last a cat's lifetime.
The following are the possible results once a cat has been declawed.
Ouch, ouch and ouch:
Immediately after surgery, declawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing. Declawed cats could be considered as amputees. Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from
aches.
Complications after the surgery:
After the surgery, declawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects: presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth. Based on studies performed on declawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. The same result has been found on cats who went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to declawing. It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.
Stiffness of the joints:
Cats that are declawed experience stiffness of the joints since the tendons that manipulate the toes retract because of the surgery. As time goes by, these same joints freeze and ultimately they will no longer be able to extend their toes.
It has been thought though that cats really do not miss their claws since they also "scratch" continually even if they no longer have anything to scratch with. However, this act is really the cats' way to stretch those frozen joints.
Catarthritis:
Believe it or not, research shows that declawed cats immediately shift the weight of their bodies to the back and onto the larger pad in the front of their feet, away from their toes. The result is still evident despite giving these cats strong anti-pain relievers. If such an effect continues after declawing, the cat will ultimately stress its own joints in the leg, its spine and eventually suffer from arthritis.
Cats who cannot claw, bite:
Since the natural instinct of cats is to claw especially when threatened or scared, in the absence of claws cats are forced to resort to another form of defense - their teeth. Declawed cats that are aggressive naturally are more prone to biting.
Declawed cats have no "nine lives".
There is a serious risk of death for cats that are declawed. Death could be brought on by the anesthesia they received, or any complications in surgery or hemorrhage.
Declawed cats that resort to biting run the risk of being abandoned by their owners. These cats could then be put in a shelter, and since they turn to biting, the probability of being adopted becomes slim. Usually un-adoptable cats are put to sleep or they are used to train dogs to fight usually as bait.
In summary, cats are extremely and highly trainable to be taught to use a post for scratching instead of common household furniture, rugs or curtains. Though declawing cats is one of the options a cat owner can take, it is basically an unkind and a very animal-unfriendly thing to do.
It all depends on the cat owner whether Kitty is more (or less than) valuable than that expensive Italian rug - the choice is theirs. Understanding this article is a good way to fully appreciate the complexity of this subject.
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