Use aromatherapy to pamper your pets. Posted By : Geet Singh

Use aromatherapy to pamper your pets. Posted By : Geet Singh
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet’s immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects.

9 Reasons for Adopting a Senior Cat ” and 6 Reasons for Not Adopting a Kitten
He leaped out of the cage and grabbed me around the shoulders. My shock quickly turned into amazement. He hadn’t sunk his claws into me! My thought was, “This cat definitely knows good manners. Somebody has worked with him.” I looked at the ticket on the cage door. It read, “Morgan, male, age 14.”

Age 14? I hesitated. That was pretty old. I put him back in the cage and walked around the shelter, looking the other cats over. There were many nice ones, as well as a few kittens.

But my mind kept going back to Morgan, and I realized that, in fact, I had bonded with him. Fourteen years notwithstanding, we had become buddies.

THE PLIGHT OF THE SENIOR CAT

One of the saddest things you’ll see in Animal Shelters is the number of older cats waiting for adoption. By and large, people are looking for kittens.

The older cats languish, many from happy homes where they were loved and cared for, but brought into the shelter for some reason known only to the owner and the cat.

Many people, who don’t like older cats, like kittens. Kittens are cute, cuddly, and funny. They make pleasing pets - but lose their “playfulness” when they grow up, and with it the “love” of their owners.

Somebody said that the mark of a true cat lover is to desire to have grown cats over kittens.

A KITTEN ISN’T ALWAYS WHERE IT’S AT

Many people don’t think through the consequences of adopting a kitten, or of taking one or two kittens from the litter a friend is trying to get rid of, or bringing into your home one left on your doorstep.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you adopt a kitten:

1. Taking care of themselves. Kittens are pretty marginal in being able to take care of themselves, especially when it comes to using a litter box. Do you have time to house train your kitten?

2. Young children. Do you have young children in the house? A child of 2 or 3 may inadvertently kill a kitten. Older children need to be taught how to play with them and need to be closely supervised.

3. Other pets. Are you bringing a kitten home to a household with other, older pets? Make certain you have the time to spend introducing and acclimating your pets to the kitten (and vice versa)

4. House dangers. Is there anything dangerous in your house that could harm a kitten? If you are not home during the day, have you made sure your kitten is safe while unsupervised?

5. Adoptions other than from an animal shelter. .If you are adopting a kitten from a friend, or taking one from a mother cat’s litter, are you prepared to neuter or spay the kitten and give her the vaccinations she needs?

6. Vaccinations. A kitten receives all of her vaccinations over a period of time. You should make sure you have the time and interest to get her the full regimen.

ADOPTING THE SENIOR CAT

Somebody said cats are like shoes: one size doesn’t fit all. Still there are some arguably general reasons for adopting a mature cat over a kitten:

1. An older cat is easier to take care of. In fact, to a great extent, an older cat pretty much can take care of itself. Great for the working person who can’t be home during the day.

2. Older cats are generally calmer than younger ones, and adapt more easily to a new environment.

3. Older cats usually come with their vaccinations and spaying or neutering. A kitten, even adopted from a shelter will need a series of vaccinations.

4. Older cats are better with small children than a kitten is. Better to get an older animal that can defend itself.

5. Older cats are usually housebroken. You’ll have to train a kitten.

6. Older cats can feed and take care of themselves whereas a kitten may need your help - not good for a busy working person.

7. An older cat can “hold its own” against the other family pets (like the dog) better than a kitten can. Unless you’re there to defend it, certain life situations aren’t good for a new kitten.

8. Older cats can better handle a move if you relocate your household. The only thing you have to make sure of is that your cat recognizes your new location as “its den” and doesn’t try to return to your old place.

9. And finally - older cats catch mice. In these days of smarter mice that avoid all known mousetraps, a mature cat can be invaluable.

THE JOY OF OWNING A SENIOR CAT

Well, his name was “Morgan”, but I renamed him “Tab” because he had the typical marks of a Tabby. Tab and I eventually learned to respect each other, and he - although a tough old alley cat - eventually enjoyed sitting in my lap having his battered ears stroked.

He lived five more years, and died at the ripe age of 19. During that time he was my companion during two years of unemployment, providing plenty of understanding, comfort, and love.

One day he definitely “earned his keep”. I found a dead rat in the living room, its neck bitten almost in half. The rat was almost as big as Tab was, but he’d wrestled it down and killed it.

So much for adopting kittens. I’d rather take a tough old alley cat any day of the week.

John Young is a write with a scientific and programming background. Discover how to safely and smoothly adopt your new cat in the new ebook, "Your New Cat's First 24 Hours" http://www.yourcatsecrets.com and care for her thereafter.

Cats and children does it fit?
Cats are know to give various benefits to their owners but does this also apply to children? Yes it does providing you introduce your child to the right behavior towards pets. Cats can help to increase the wellness of your child. It is no problem to have a child with a cat but you need to make sure your child know the right behavior towards a cat. Your child doesn’t know how to treat a cat, he or she must learn it first. It is important that your child learns to develop respect for pets and animals in general. If this is provided your child can have a lot of fun growing up with a pet cat. You can buy a a cat as a gift for your child, for example on Christmas or on his/her birthday. Such a special gift will certainly make your child happy. When you are looking for ways on how to bring out the best between your child and the pet, this article might be helpful. Be aware that children do not know how to treat animals the right way, they have to learn it first. Show to your child the proper way of handling and treating cats. Make sure your child does not hurt the cat, otherwise your child will probably get hurt back by the cat. It is very important that your child knows what he or she can do with a cat and what better not to do. Explain to your child why a cat acts in a certain way so that he or she understands how to treat a cat. Especially when it’s your child’s first time with a pet you need to be a guide. If you tell your child some facts about cats he or she can better understand why a cat acts like it does. Your child will learn the important things that he or she needs to know while playing with a cat or petting a cat. Make sure your child does not play to rough with the cat, this could end in a hurting child and / or cat. Cats may use their paws and your child could get hurt. Show your child how to use certain cat toys rather than using his or her bare hands. Let your child know that cats need a lot of sleep and that they sometimes not want to be bothered. Remind your child the importance of not letting the cats stay inside homes. To keep their pets safe, it is a must that your child learns how to protect the cat from any untoward incident. These are things you have to remember when having children and cats at home. Try to avoid any unwanted accidents or injuries by helping your child with the right treatment of a cat.

Guido Nussbaum, a 28 year old cat-friend from Germany. I have 2 cats (brother and sister) that are 13 years old. My website http://www.caturine-cleaner.com deals with cat urine cleaning products and cats in general.

CAT BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS: The Most Common Problem And How To Deal With It
Cats make excellent pets and have recently overtaken dogs as Britain s favourite pet. There are many reasons for this shift but it may well be a reflection of the fact that our lifestyles have become busier and more hectic so we no longer have the time to devote to more demanding pets. Cats need less space, less food, don t need to be walked twice a day and are generally easier to care for. However they can be prone to behaviour problems which may lead to extremely unpleasant deposits around the home, ruined furniture and limbs covered in bites and scratches. Here is some information regarding the most common cat behaviour problem and some tips to help treat it Failure to use the litter box or house soiling is undoubtedly the most common cat behaviour problem. Cats may stop using their litter box/tray or even have trouble learning to use it in the first place. One thing to remember is that you should never punish the cat by rubbing it s nose in it . This method of correction has never worked and will only serve to make the cat even more traumatised, thus adding to the problem. The three main reasons for failing to use the litter box/tray are: - 1. Medical Problems such as: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) Bacterial Infections Tumours Kidney Disease Liver Disease Treatment Always take the cat to a reputable vet in the first instance in order to rule out the possibility of any medical problems. If there is more than one cat in the household, all will need to be examined. Once all medical problems have been ruled out, you can consider the following: - 2. Problems with the litter box/tray itself: Not emptied often enough Not clean Too many cats using the same box Overuse of deodorizers Changing the type or brand of the litter Changing the location Too near to frightening domestic appliances e.g. the washing machine Treatment Change the litter at least once every 3 days or as often as daily for some cats Ensure deposits are removed on a daily basis Clean the box with an odourless disinfectant ” there are many brands available designed especially for litter boxes If there is more than one cat in the household, make sure, where possible, each has it s own litter box Introduce any new brand/type of litter a little at a time, mixing it with the old brand/type. Do this until eventually you are using only the new brand. If this doesn t work, you may have to consider returning to the old brand/type. If the box has been moved put it back to where it was previously. If this is not possible, put the box on the spot that the cat is choosing to use and then move it towards the desired new location at a rate of one foot per day Move the box away from the frightening noise or move the appliance that s causing the problem Consider a covered litter box/tray. This gives the cat more privacy, which many prefer and it also helps with odour control and prevents litter being kicked out of the box. 3. Stress/Trauma: New cats introduced to the household Visitors, especially large gatherings e.g. a party Workmen carrying out work in the household Moving house A change in routine e.g. new working hours Problems with other cats in the neighbourhood A new baby Treatment Try to give each cat it s own space within the household and introduce them gradually spending a little more time together each day. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that if the soiling continues to be persistent, then it may be advisable not to keep the second cat Remove the cat to another area of the house along with it s bed, litter box, food and water when visitors are present The above point can be used when workmen are in the house as well but if it is likely to be for more than a couple of days or very noisy then you should consider placing the cat in a cattery until the work is finished Tranquillisers prescribed by your vet may be effective or consider products like Feliway also available from your vet as a spray or in a diffuser A new baby sometimes means the cat can become jealous. Give your cat plenty of attention to reassure it that you still love him/her Above all, remember that punishing the cat using pain or fear will completely destroy any relationship you may have with him/her. At the very least, discipline in this way is likely to escalate the problem and will very likely result in the cat leaving the household altogether to escape the abusive human behaviour .

Paul Bicknell recommends<a href=http://www.cat-answers.com/> Solutions To Cat Behaviour Problems .</a> See more at <a href=http://www.cat-answers.com>www.cat-answers.com</a>

Reasons For Neutering Your Cat
Cats are warm blooded carnivorous mammals and they certainly feed on protein-rich meat. They are predators and hunters and they usually prey upon rats and mice. Cats are also known for their great fighting skills. Some can even win a fight against snakes. And cats survive in almost all climates and geographical conditions.

Historians cannot pinpoint nor describe the details of how and when the first cat was domesticated. What is known, however, is that domesticated cats have existed for more than five thousand years now. According to biologists, the modern domestic cat is either a direct descendant or a subspecies of the African Wildcat. And this is why the domestic cat belongs to the genus Felis. Some artifacts indicated that the domestic cats first appeared in ancient Egypt. Today, these cats have occupied all continents, Asia, Europe, and America, except for Antarctica. And they have evolved into over fifty different breeds.

Being one of the most popular pets in the world, cats are certainly not listed as endangered species. Female cats are also known to produce an average of three kittens about twice a year. Thus, the spaying and neutering of cats cannot hurt their world population.

A spayed and neutered cat will be to the advantage of the owner?s house. Cats that are not altered, especially the female ones, may just spray their urine in areas that they consider their territory. All owners of cats are too familiar with the obnoxious smell of the urine. And no matter how much cleaning one does, the smell can never be entirely removed, especially from carpets, beddings, upholstery, and furniture made of wood. The urine of neutered cats are less smelly and these cats may not even consider marking many territories in the house.

When not neutered, a female cat in heat will howl terrible noises at inappropriate hours, like midnight or dawn. The noises will be eagerly answered by male cats that howl outside your door. You will certainly lose your sleep. And your neighbors may not be too happy about all the racket. These cats in heat will be restless and will forget whatever toilet training you may have taught it. And such condition can last up to three weeks and occur three or more times a year.

Some cats who are not neutered may choose to roam far away from your house. This will cause you endless worry. And you certainly have reason to do so. Your cat will be facing cat fights and fast-moving cars. When in danger, dogs tend to run away. But cats stay frozen in its place. This is why many cats are run over by vehicles.

Neutered cats, on the other hand, will always stay in your house. They will be more content and less restless. They will also have longer life spans.

Grace Palce is writing articles for <a href="http://www.pet-meds-101.com/">pet meds</a> 101, a comprehensive <a href="http://www.pet-meds-101.com/your-cat.php">cat medicine</a> site.

Good Cat Care Means A Happy Cat
Cat care is the most important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy. The more you know about cat care, the better you will be able to meet your feline?s physical and emotional needs. The stronger your cat?s health and the better your cat?s attitude are, the more you will be able to enjoy your cat?s unique personality. Good cat care will make your cat more affectionate, and can dramatically reduce any behavior problems that your cat may be displaying. If you want a richer and fuller relationship with your cat, try improving your cat care.

Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of cat care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet with optimum cat care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and gentle behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a good cat that will take commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to care for your cat, the better the level of health you will be able to bring your feline friend to. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.

By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, scientifically tested cat care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to sharing time with your cat doing all of you pet?s, and your, favorite activities together. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good cat care can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.

If your cat isn?t getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make your pet feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant mewling to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.

For more Cat Care information please visit "The Cat Care Compendium" Located at: <a href="http://www.cat-guide.com" title="http://www.cat-guide.com" target="_blank">http://www.cat-guide.com</a> This Blog created by Doug Rogers shares with readers helpful cat care information for all cat lovers.

The Trouble With Long Hair - Cushing's Disease.
As summer sets in most horses have shed their winter coats. But some older horses are still clinging to their winter coat. Some have not shed it at all.

Failure to shed the winter coat is a good indication that a horse has Cushing’s disease.

Cushing’s disease is being recognised more and more frequently in older horses and ponies. The condition is named because of its similarities to the human disease of the same name. But there are significant differences.

Equine Cushing’s disease is associated with excessive cortisol production by the adrenal gland. In almost all cases, it is caused by increased activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain. The underlying problem seems to lie with nerves that should limit the activity of the affected part of the gland.

In normal horses, ACTH, a hormone from the pituitary gland, stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. The blood cortisol level is controlled by a complex “feed back mechanism. Basically, an increase in blood cortisol inhibits further ACTH release, which in turn causes the cortisol level to fall.

In horses with Cushing’s disease the abnormal pituitary gland produces ACTH, and other related molecules, some of which increase the potency of ACTH. In addition, the abnormal gland does not respond to the normal feedback controls. Most of the signs seen with Cushing’s disease are due to the increased cortisol activity.

Often the first sign that a horse is affected with Cushing’s disease is hirsutism, the development of an excessively long and often curly coat. Shedding of the coat that normally occurs in summer either does not occur at all or is greatly reduced.

Other signs include excessive sweating, weight loss, poor performance, increased drinking and passing increased amounts of urine. Almost all affected animals go on to develop laminitis eventually. Because the laminitis in these cases is the result of internal problems rather than a momentary dietary indiscretion, it is often more difficult to treat than laminitis due to dietary causes.

Various tests have been used to help to confirm the diagnosis. Unfortunately the tests can sometimes be misleading. In most cases they are not necessary. There is really only one condition that causes older horses not to shed their hair in summer - and that is Cushing s disease.

So, what can be done for horses with Cushing s disease? Veterinarians have used a variety of medications, originally intended for human use, to treat Cushing’s disease in horses. The most effective seems to be a drug called pergolide. If the treatment is successful, as well as showing a general improvement in condition, a horse may start to shed its coat again.

Some people have found that herbal mixtures containing chaste berry extracts have helped, but others disagree.

Clipping the excessive coat will make the horse more comfortable, and may reduce the risk of skin infections. Regular corrective trimming of the feet is likely to be necessary once laminitis develops.

The onset of Cushing s disease need not necessarily mean a horse s days are numbered. But once you spot the telltale signs have a word with your veterinarian to discuss the options that are available for managing the condition.

Copyright 2006 by Mark Andrews / Equine Science Update. This article may be freely used by newsletters and web sites without permission as long as the copyright notice, links and contact information remain unchanged. Mark Andrews, an experienced equine veterinarian, is author of The Foaling Guide, (<a href="http://www.thefoalingguide.com" title="http://www.thefoalingguide.com" target="_blank">http://www.thefoalingguide.com</a>) and publisher of Equine Science Update. For the latest information in equine science, subscribe to the free newsletter from Equine Science Update. (<a href="http://www.equinescienceupdate.co.uk" title="http://www.equinescienceupdate.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.equinescienceupdate.co.uk</a>)

Keeping Your Cats Happy And Loving Posted By : Nicholas Hunt
Cats can be affectionate and loving pets, but can also be distant and wary if treated badly. Find out how to keep your own cats happy and contented.

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