The only thing you can do to stop your cat from scratching your furniture is to provide with an appropriate scratching post.

Once you buy the scratching post there is no need to try to show your cat how to use it, your cat will use it when he/she is ready. Remember that what you may think your cat would like to scratch may not be the case at all. Cats prefer to scratch rough surfaces that are tall enough for it to extend its body and it must be secure. Studies have proven that cats prefer to mark their territory with vertical shredding marks—sisal textile is perfect for a scratch post for your cat.

Do not put the post hidden in a back corner of the house, it defeats the purpose. Make sure the post is clearly seen and then you can gradually bring it somewhere else. Above all, make sure the post is secure because if it topples or shakes, your cat won’t use it.

If all else fails, squirt your cat with a spray bottle or blow a loud whistle every time you see her scratching your furniture. This becomes effective only if you use these techniques while your cat scratches.

Regular Veterinarian Visits

Your veterinarian may schedule more frequent check-ups as your cat ages. Yearly blood tests can detect diabetes, cancer, feline leukemia, and any liver or kidney issues early, so these routine diagnostics are paramount to the elderly cat. As infections originating from gum disease are also very common, regular teeth cleaning and dental care are also essential.

Excellent Diet

Depending on activity level and any outstanding health concerns, your cat’s dietary needs will change as he or she ages. Some cats do not drink as much as they should, causing dehydration. This is stressful to the kidneys, accelerates tooth decay, and may cause crystal to form in the bladder, making urination painful. Your vet can advise you on the best food choices for your cat’s individual needs.

Normal Weight

While age alone does not cause obesity, lack of exercise, boredom eating, and some health conditions can cause your feline friend to pack on the pounds. New toys, games, and more time spent playing with your cat can help keep him trim.

In short, weight, diet, and proper preventative care are essential for the aging house cat. By following these tips, your cat can live a healthy and happy life for years to come!

The best way to introduce a dog into a home that has a cat is with patience and understanding. Understand that they will fight. The dog will want to play with the cat, the cat will not want to play with the dog and there will be hissing and scratching. The dog will keep coming back for more and the cat will continue to let the dog know that it is not welcome. Eventually the cat will warm up and get used to the dog. If you have to reprimand the animals, treat them both equally. Relax, eventually your home will be filled with harmony again, but for now you have to let them work it out.

When you are bringing a cat into a home that already has a dog, it is best to keep them separated for the first couple of days. Keep the cat in a room that the dog can’t get into. After a couple of days, take the dog outside and let the cat explore the rest of the house. After a few days of doing that, introduce the two, keep the dog on a leash. After another few days, let the dog off the leash and let the cat out of the room.

Your cat and dog could end up being best friends, or they might want to avoid each other, but they will eventually learn to co-exist in the same home.

As kittens, training and attention are critical for your happiness, and theirs. In adult years, cats get playful and want to climb and need to manicure themselves daily, such as, cleaning and bathing to giving their claws a good grooming. To prevent damage to your furniture, buy a clawing pad for them to use, or have your cat declawed.

As they age, cats can become confused and need attention to help them feel more secure. Be prepared, for they may become confused about who you are, and where they are. This is like the human Alzheimer’s disease. For cats, it is called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which may require the vet to run some test in order to insure your cats’ health and to rule out any other causes.

Cats are good to have around for comfort and a good soul mate for most people, but they take a lot of time and patients to care for. Be sure to research the type of cats you are wanting to be sure that they are good for your family, time, and climate. These can make both you and your cat happy for years to come.

European Burmese

This graceful feline has very expressive eyes and a regal quality about them. They are very social and friendly, but usually prefer to be the only pet in the household.

Ragdoll

This breed gets its name for its propensity to go limp in your arms. They are beautiful cats, known for their blue eyes and soft rabbit-like fur. They require minimal grooming. They are very receptive to training and adore children and other pets.

American Shorthair

If you want a cat who is well-behaved and bonds quickly with children, the American Shorthair is for you. They have a sturdy frame and come in a variety of colors. With good care they can live 20 years or more.

Balinese

This cat is the very definition of grace and beauty. they have a thick silky coat, but require minimal grooming. Very warm and affectionate by nature, they bond quickly to their families and surroundings.

Bombay

This is a sleek black cat with bright gold or copper eyes. They have a sturdy build and are very agile. They become very attached to their owner and are attention seekers. Bombay’s are very intelligent and learn quickly making them easy to train.

What ever breed you choose, the addition to your family will add hours of entertainment and companionship.

To bring an outdoor cat inside, leave a door or window ajar and stand outside. When your cat tries to exit, a quick water spritz or air blast will discourage the behavior. A few of these occurrences will encourage her to stay indoors.

Nutrition varies with age. Kittens over 5 weeks need solids in addition to mother’s milk. Adults need balanced diets of minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins, but no vitamin supplements unless your vet diagnoses otherwise. Geriatric cats over 7 require less fat and fewer calories. Ask your vet about antioxidant supplements.

Cats can be allergic to anything from mold to grass to their own cat food. Symptoms include chronic coughing or sneezing, excessive itching, vomiting, diarrhea, paw-chewing and loud snoring. Veterinarians can determine the cause and a solution.

Almost all human medications can be fatal to cats. Keep them away from antidepressants, diet pills, pain killers, vitamins, etc.

Ear cleaning is very important. If the ears are swollen, blistered, contain excessive earwax, or exude strong odor, see a vet.

If your cat breathes too rapid, passes out, suffers seizures, cannot stand, has a weak pulse, or pale gums, it is an emergency for your veterinarian.

Should I Declaw My Cat?

Cat owners who choose to declaw their pets are asking for years of problems. When cats cannot walk, run or leap in comfort, they become depressed or resentful. Unhappy felines are not always pleasant creatures to share your home or life with. With the joys of itch-scratching, grooming and playtime gone, many clawless cats develop real or imagined health problems and eating disorders. Outside, declawed cats are invalids and helpless.

There are two sides showing in every declawing issue; cats are intelligent animals with admirable long-term memories. The cat-mind is preprogrammed to dispose of smelly waste materials through burying to prevent predators and diseases from invading their home in the wild. Declawed cats will continue the important waste burial practice daily until their feet are sore and raw. Cuts on cat feet can allow litter box germs to invade.

Alternatives To Declawing:

Experienced feline owners often safeguard their homes against unwanted scratching. Important pieces of furniture are covered or otherwise made unavailable, scratching posts and throw rugs are provided for clawing and these owners try to view the world through the eyes of their tiny four-footed friends. Parent cats will often hiss at their offspring to show displeasure. Since scratching is a territorial behavior, cat owners can hiss at their intelligent kittens to explain who owns the furniture.

One of the most severe cat diseases is feline distemper. This disease is also referred to as panleukopenia. This is a highly contagious viral disease. It attacks areas such as the digestive system, bone marrow, nervous system and other tissues. Unfortunately, this disease is very resistant and hard to eradicate. It can be transmitted to other cats through the feces or urine of an infected cat. If a cat becomes infected with this disease, it requires very quick and aggressive medical care as it can quickly become life threatening or fatal. Thankfully, there is a vaccine available to protect your cat from contracting this potentially fatal disease.

Another disease that is preventable by vaccinating is rabies. This well known disease is almost always fatal, so it is very important to keep your cat on a proper vaccination schedule.

Cats can also be prone to contracting upper respiratory infections. In some cases, the signs of this illness resemble that of a cold or flu in a human. They may have a runny nose or eyes, decreased appetite, lethargy, sneezing or fever. If you suspect your cat is suffering from a respiratory infection, it is wise to seek out medical attention as their condition can quickly deteriorate if left untreated.

CRF is usually congenital or acquired. Some breeds of cat are simply more susceptible to heritable factors for kidney conditions, while others acquire it from bacterial infections or antigen antibody reactions to unnecessary, annual, vaccinations for distemper. Though the condition is commonly recognized as an old cat disease, not all older cats will acquire CRF.

With careful consideration of an affected felines diet and fluid intake, the progressive nature of CRF can be seriously delayed or inhibited altogether. Many veterinarians will prescribe guidelines, specific to an ailing cat’s needs, that usually involves dietary measures to reduce the amount of waste filtered by the kidneys and plenty of fluids to keep the animal hydrated; aiding the kidney’s in waste removal.

Part of a good care plan is prevention, so avoiding unnecessary, annual, distemper vaccinations is a good policy. Distemper vaccinations, being good for several years, are unnecessary annually and put an otherwise healthy feline at greater risk of developing CRF disease.

With proper health management, dietary modifications and ongoing precautionary measures, a cat affected with CRF can life a quality, fully sustainable lifestyle. And owners can rest assured that the best care possible has been administered.

One of the major health problems that occur in cats in caused by parasites, internally and on the skin. Flea infestations can cause a multitude of health problems for a cat. Dermatitis caused by flea bites in a very common problem. Some cats have a severe reaction to flea bites, which causes their skin to erupt in sores. The cat may have intense itching and may continually lick a certain area on the skin, which worsens the condition. Having the cat on a vet approved flea medication will usually keep this health problem from occurring.

Tape worms are also caused by fleas, and can cause the cat to be quite sick if left untreated. Tape worms infest the body when a cat swallows a flea. Tape worms can cause weight loss and severe diarrhea. Anemia is also a common symptom of a tape worm infestation. Owners may notice very thin, string-like worms in the cats litter box, which is a sure sign of a tape worm infestation. The vet can give the proper medication to rid the cat of worms, but the owner will need to wash all of the cats bedding in hot water, or better yet, buy new bedding. Flea control is essential for avoiding a tape worm infestation in your cat. A second treatment at the vet may be necessary for a severe case of tape worms.