Top 3 Cat Breeds for Your Home

Domestic Cat Breeds
Have you always wanted a cat, but heard some breeds make better pets than
others? Maybe you have always wanted a cat, but do not know anything
about them? There are plenty of ways to learn about cats and what breeds
fit your personality. The choice can come from having an indoor, outdoor
or indoor and outdoor cat. The tough and smart survive in the out of
doors. Small cats are often pray for birds and other wildlife and should
be kept indoors. Tomcats, a mixed breed, are great at surviving outdoors
and mousers. So let us look at a few breeds of cats and then you will be
able to choose which one may be right for your lifestyle.
Siamese: The Siamese cat can be a fickle creature. They often require a
lot of attention when they determine it is necessary. They tend to meow
quite a bit and can tear up a home if left alone for too long. These are
the downsides. Siamese can be great pets, especially when raised from
infancy. They are often white with brown ears and blue eyes. You may
recognize them from Lady and the Tramp? Those two were a little mean and
not the typical portrayal of a Siamese. Siamese are generally very
affectionate. They are also one of the most intelligent of the cat
species. They tend to be very social, which is why they meow or “talk” a
lot. A sign for attention is usually a very vocal meow much like a babies
cry. Siamese typically bond to one person very strongly and are
territorial of that person.
Persian: The Persian cat breed is one of the oldest cats around. They
are longhaired cats with beautiful shinny coats. They are very soft and
friendly; however, they are prone to health problems such as allergies.
The Persian does not always play as much as other breeds, but they do
enjoy a bit of fun for exercise especially in a social situation. They
love to have other cats around to play with as well as have a lap
available when they are in need of a lap. Persians are a variety of
colors from solid black, white or a mix of white and browns around the
face. A popular Persian is the Himalayan.
Manx: The Manx is known for its stubby tail or having no tail. The
downside to Manx cats is the lack of tail. Often a Manx can suffer from
worms and other parasites due to improper cleaning and not having the
protection of a tail. This does not mean you should discount the Manx as
a breed. The Manx breed is extremely intelligent and playful. They are a
lot like dogs in the play area because they can fetch when you through
toys and bring them back to you. They are very social animals and depend
on human care. They don’t like to be left alone for too long, so it is
wise to have other cats to play with when you are gone during the day.
The best home for a Manx is one filled with children.
These are just three of the more popular breeds of cats. There are over a
dozen cat breeds to choose from and finding the one to fit your lifestyle
is important. Cats are very social and intelligent, but some breeds can
be loners. Most often, a cat chooses when the time is right and what type
of attention they want at the time. The phrase “you do not own a cat it
owns you” is very true.

Fascinating and Novel Pets: The Turtle
Do you remember reading children’s books with turtles as the main pet?
Children adore turtles as pets. They are very interesting creatures and
there are many species. When you decide to have a turtle for a pet, you
will need to know the exact species for the proper care. Let us look at
some turtle species you can own. There are two types of turtles, the
terrestrial and the aquatic. This means the first type of turtle spends
more time on the land, while the aquatic turtle needs to have a great
deal of water.
Box and mud turtles are the terrestrial turtles. They require land to
hibernate during the winter and sun on during the day. Most terrestrial
turtles need 12 hours of sunlight, which can be provided by a UV lamp.
Turtles are very susceptible to temperature changes often living in 80
degrees during the day and 70 degrees during the night. Terrestrial
turtles also need water not only to drink, but also to swim around in.
Aquatic turtles are sliders and painted turtles. Sliders typically live
in swampy areas or near lakes with a lot of mud. They tend to basic in
the sun during the day as well as swim to cool off. The painted turtle
like the slider is mostly aquatic so they spend more time in the water
than out sunning themselves. The painted turtle is the most complicate
turtle to take care of because they require special care.
Once you have decided on the type of turtle you wish to have you will
then know what size tank you need. Most turtles require a 40 gallon tank
or larger to have room for land and water. You will want to have plants
in the tank, but make sure they are not poisonous to your turtle because
they will eat them. You pet shop should be able to tell you the right
type of plants to have. Wood chips and bark are not a good idea, not only
do they harbor bacteria and molds, but the turtle can eat them. A turtle
does not have a large digestive track and therefore wood chips often
cause blockages. Certain turtles can even have small rocks to burrow
under along with the dirt.
Some proper food for turtles is often lettuce, goldfish, special feed
sticks, berries and insects depending on the species of turtle you own.
Water is very important to your turtle. You never want to give them tap
water to drink. It is also best to give them natural spring water or non-
chlorinated water for swimming in. Chlorine and other chemicals of tap
water can cause bacteria in their digestive systems.
Turtles can make great pets if you know a little about their habitat
needs. Turtles are wondrous creatures that you can find in most warm
climates walking along the roads or basking in the sun, so what better
way than to give you child a great pet than to own a turtle. Keep in mind
that turtles are sensitive and you will not want to handle them a lot.
They do need to hibernate to live a longer life requiring you to keep the
turtle somewhere little children cannot disturb them during the fall
period. Turtles are both fascinating and novel pets for children.

Ferrets A Friendly Playful Pet
Ferrets, often considered a rare pet to own. Most individuals choose
dogs, cats, birds, or fish to complete their family, however a select few
turn to the ferret for its social, playful, curious qualities. Ferrets
love to play and explore not only with others and their owners, but also
on their own. For this reason, you need to know a few things on how to
take care of a ferret.
First, you will want to ferret proof your home before you introduce them
as pets. They will crawl into walls, furniture, and anywhere they can get
their little bodies. It is much like childproofing a home for a baby. You
will want to make sure all of the dangers are eliminated when you allow
them out of their cages for playtime.
Ferrets are also biters. The kits, baby ferrets, tend to bite more. You
can eliminate the problem or tone it down with frequent handling. It is a
sign of their behavior as mock fighting or sparring. The younger ferrets
tend to bite more when they are teething and do not mean any harm. For
this reason, you will want to handle the ferret or ferrets as often as
possible to help reduce the biting behavior. Often those who do not take
the time or patience to train their ferret end up leaving the animal in
its cage and thus it has a shorter lifespan. Please make sure you are up
to the task of training a ferret before brining one into your home.
Trained properly they can be as great a pet as cats or dogs.
A ferret’s lifespan is usually six to ten years, however proper care and
feeding can lead to a little longer life. Ferrets are carnivores so they
require a high protein diet. Most owners decide to feed their ferret’s
mice, rats, rabbit, and other raw meats such as chicken. Stores carried
other types of ferret food that many owners choose over the live food.
Carefully reading the label will tell you if it has the proper high
protein diet. Most kitten food can be used for example because it is
designed to be high protein and fat for growing cats.
While play is an important part of your ferret’s life so is sleep. Most
ferrets spend fourteen to eighteen hours a day sleeping. Part of sleeping
is to rejuvenate them from the active play life they have. They love to
explore and to play with toys. Many pet stores have toys for ferrets, or
you might have something around the house that your ferret will find
appealing.
The type of cage is important. Ferrets tend to be very smart so you will
need a cage they can get plenty of air, but small enough bars they cannot
break away. You will also want to clean the cage once or twice a week
depending upon the number of ferrets you have, how dirty the cage looks.
They are also burrows so some type of bedding is required.
Ferrets are little balls of fur that love to play and interact with
humans and each other. While there are some special concessions you need
to make to have a ferret the results are worth it. Proper training as a
kit will give you even more joy when they reach adulthood.

Getting Your Pet Through An Animal Rescue Group
Animal rescue organizations or groups offer you a great place to get your
next family pet. These groups are all different, but they do have common
goals. These groups work hard to locate a permanent loving home for
unwanted or misplaced cats and dogs. Many of these rescue groups rely on
volunteers and donations to care for these pets while they are between
homes.
When you begin looking for a rescue group to work with, you will find
that most of these groups do rely on their hard working volunteers and
support from the local community to operate. You will also find a wide
variety of animals available through these rescue groups. Many of these
groups handle all types of animals and you will find kittens, puppies,
and even older pets available for adoption. You might be surprised to
learn that some groups even offer exotic pets such as reptiles, pot
bellied pigs and even guinea pigs.
As you begin looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in
mind some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog
that was abused by its owner. You may find a female cat that has just
given birth. Their owners have relinquished many of the animals offered
by rescue groups because they are moving or can no longer care for them.
In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in kill shelters
or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer spay and
neuter release program for feral cats.
Rescue groups do a good job of screening animals before adopting them out
to new homes. They also screen potential pet owners. IF you find a pet
offered through a pet rescue group, you will be asked to sign a contract
saying that you agree to care for the pet long term. You will also be
asked several questions about your home, your children and other pets you
may have. This is not to be nosey—it is simply to help match an owner
with the right pet. If the animal suffers from a medical condition, such
as diabetes, the new owners know this up front before adopting. Having
the animal’s health history at the time of adoption helps the animal find
a permanent home.
You can gain a lot of personal satisfaction by adopting your next pet
through an animal rescue organization. You know you have done something
to help and your new pet will show its appreciation. If you are
interested in adopting through one of the many rescue organization, it is
easy to find one in your area. Your vet can give you the contact
information for organizations near you. Most of the time, these pets are
kept in private homes (foster homes) until they are adopted. This gives
the animal time to be socialized with other pets, children and time to
get used to living in a home. Sometimes, animal rescue groups will bring
their animals that need homes to pet stores or other locations for
interested people to see and meet the animals on certain weekends.
When you choose a pet in a rescue program, be prepared to go through an
interview and application process. The organization wants to know these
pets will be well cared for the long term. You will probably be asked
about other pets you may have, the age of your children, the size of your
yard and your thoughts on a cat with claws if you are looking at a cat.
This is to help match the pet with the right owner. Adoption fees vary by
each organization, but you can expect to pay $100-$200 for a rescued
animal. These groups do not make a profit. These fees cover the cost of
the animal while it was in the care of the organization. This adoption
fee usually covers vaccinations, medical exams, spaying, and neutering.

Getting your next pet through an animal rescue organization is a
responsible way to get your next family member. You can also find many
volunteer opportunities through these organizations.

Hamsters Fuzzy Balls Of Fun
As a child, most of us grew up with hamsters or friends who had hamsters.
Even our children are fascinated with the small fuzzy creatures. There
are many types of hamsters, dwarf, Syrian, Russian, Chinese, and hybrid.
The hamster is a burrower so they prefer to have lots of bedding to hide
under as well as tubes to create little nests in. The most difficult
aspect of hamsters is telling if they are female or male and being wrong.
Who has bought two hamsters thinking they were the same gender and ending
up with ten hamsters? I certainly have.
A lot of biologists and geneticists use hamsters and other rodents to
show genetic possibilities. In genetics, we often discuss the genome and
how genes are dispersed in relation to eye color, hair color, and other
traits. When you have hamsters as pets you are seeing this first hand. I
had one gold hamster and one white hamster. When they bred I ended up
with several color traits from gold, white, black, white and black to
many more. Half the fun for kids is seeing the baby hamsters grow up
with different colors. It can be a great science project for school as
well as having a wonderful pet.
Hamsters are relatively easy to take care of. You can feed them hamster
food, vegetables, and little hamster treats to give them a good life. The
bedding should be changed weekly or twice a week depending upon how many
hamsters you have. The downside to hamsters is their short lives. Most
live only a year or two making it difficult on the younger children.
There are lots of hamster accessories from tubes to wheels. Hamsters like
other pets need to have exercise so giving them wheels to run on or
having a hamster ball to run around the house in is good for them. The
tubing and cages come in a variety of colors to add to a child’s fun. You
can create straight pathways to other larger home areas or curve them
around to reenter the same cage. Most of the caging is plastic and your
hamster will try to chew or claw there way free. You will want to monitor
their activity when you clean the cage to make sure they are not
producing a hole. Some hamster owners go with a metal wire cage with tiny
slits to avoid the chewing escape. Your preference will determine the
type of accessories you purchase.
Handling hamsters should be kept to a minimum and you should always wash
your hand before and after. Hamsters can have a tendency to bite if they
are not handled at least once a day or if they become scared. Be cautious
with little children.
Hamsters are a lot of fun for all ages whether you have a budding
scientist or just want an easy pet your child can care for. You will want
to make sure you feed your hamster properly by not over feeding them
while maintaining proper exercise. When your hamsters procreate, you will
want to separate out the mother and children from the rest of the crew. A
cautionary note before concluding this article: Dwarf hamsters are very
susceptible to infections with cedar chips because it can tear holes in
their tiny mouths.

Helpful Hermit Crab Basics
Hermit crabs are fun pets to care for in your home. They used to be
reserved for souvenirs from seaside vacations, but now they can be bought
almost anywhere. They make wonderful starter pets for kids. They make a
great alternative to the more traditional gerbils or hamsters, and they
have a much longer lifespan than goldfish! Contrary to what you might
expect if you are new to hermit crabs, it is possible to play with them,
and they do have little personalities of their own. Do you think hermit
crabs may make a great pet for you? Here are some helpful hints to get
you started.
Before you get your crab, you need to get the basic equipment and
supplies in place. First, they will need an aquarium for their house.
Forget those teeny, tiny cages you see at the shops by the beach; hermit
crabs really need a ten-gallon aquarium to be comfortable. If you are
getting more than one crab, obviously you will be a bigger aquarium. A
pet shop will be able to advise you on the best size for the number of
crabs you will be housing. Make sure the aquarium has a snug fitting lid
so your little friends do not make a run for it! Place a heating pad
under the tank to keep your crabs feeling nice and tropical.
You will need something to cover the floor of the tank, as well. Three to
four inches of sand works best, but you can also use crushed coral or
reptile fiber bedding. If you use something other than sand, it is still
a good idea to cover a portion of the floor with sand, so the crabs will
have somewhere comfortable to go when they molt.
Now that you have the house and the flooring covered, you will need to
get two shallow water dishes and a food dish. Shallow shells work well
for this job. In one water dish, you should keep fresh water, and in the
other, keep salt water, made with a marine aquarium salt solution. The
dishes need to be shallow enough for the crabs to crawl into. A natural
sea sponge is a nice addition to the fresh water dish, your crab will
love to pinch it, and it will help keep the humidity levels up the
aquarium.
The last thing you will need to gussy up your hermit crab home is some
decorative wood pieces for the crabs to climb on. Coral and coconut
shells also make great additions that your crab will love to play with.
Once you get your crab, to feed it, you will need to get some commercial
hermit crab food. You can supplement that food with small pieces of
fruit, meat, cereal, or fish. Additionally, make sure your crab gets
crushed eggshells or oyster shells to boost their calcium level; it is
important to keep their fragile skeletons strong. Cuttlebone is another
option for this purpose.
To care for your crab, clean their water and food dishes daily, and spot
the clean the tank when necessary. You will want to provide plenty of
extra shells, in increasingly larger sizes, so your crab can change homes
as they grow. Shells with wide openings are best. When your crab molts,
remove the skin they have shed as soon as possible.
One optional, but useful accessory to get is a tank thermometer and
humidity-measuring tool. Your hermit crab will be most comfortable when
the temperature is kept around 72°F - 80°F and the humidity level is
between 70% and 80%.

With these helpful hints, you are ready to get your hermit crab. All that
is left to do now is come up with a name for your new pet!

Indoors Or Outdoors: What is Best For Your Pet
Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or dog, you need to
take the time to consider the living arrangements for your pet. Many
people adopt pets with the idea that they will be raising an outdoor
animal. How many people in your neighborhood keep their dogs or cat’s
outdoors at all times? The fact of the matter is, outside is not a safe
place for a cat or a dog. When you adopt a pet, you need to make sure
that you are ready to allow your pet into your home.
Pets Love Being Outside
It is true that cats and dogs both will love being outside, it is their
natural environment. Cats delight in chasing birds, climbing trees, and
hiding in shrubs. Dogs adore barking at the neighbors, chasing squirrels,
and digging. However, there are many dangers to keeping your pet outside
at all times. Dogs tend to get more outside time in cats. Owners take
their dogs out for walks, and in some cases allow their dogs,
unsupervised access to the backyard from time to time. Cats are usually
either indoor pets or outdoor pets.
It is more common nowadays, for owners to keep their cats indoors as they
begin to realize the dangers of allowing their cat to live outdoors at
all time. It is highly recommended that you keep your cats and dogs
inside. For cats, you can help them explore their natural instincts
inside by giving them plenty of places to run and play inside your home.
Buy your cat a good scratching post with a high perch and install a
window seat so they can gaze at the birds outdoors.
Dangers of Outside
The number one danger to your pets when they go outside is other animals.
You never know when your dog or cat will encounter a stray or strange cat
or dog from down the street. You know that your pet is properly
vaccinated, but you do not know that health condition of other animals
outside. In addition, if your dog or cat gets into a fight with another
animal. Your pet can be seriously injured or harmed. Unless you
supervise your pet at all times when they are outside, you never know
when your cat or dog will encounter a strange animal.
Other dangers of allowing your pet to live outside are cars and other
people. A cat darting across the street late at night is a recipe for
disaster. What if your dog gets loose from your yard and encounters a
child? How will your dog react? You hope that your dog will be good and
stay friendly. However, what happens if the child begins to taunt or
tease your dog or poke a stick at him? If your dog bites or scratches
another person, chances are, you will be responsible for your pet's
actions. Many pet owners have found themselves in a serious situation
when their dog or cat has acted aggressively when outdoors.
When your cat or dog stays indoors, you can also help control fleas,
ticks, and the exposure to heartworms. This is not to say that you should
not treat an indoor pet for these problems. All dogs, whether the event
indoors or outdoors, should be on a monthly heartworm preventative. Both
cats and dogs should also be treated with monthly preventative. It is
important to remember though, if your cat or dog lives outdoors, you will
have many more problems when it comes to fleas and ticks.
As you can see, there are many reasons why you should keep your dog or
cat indoors. Pets that are indoor pets live longer and healthier lives
than pets that live outside. This includes all pets, once you make them
an indoor animal; you need to protect them from anything that might

happen if they get outdoors, they now depend on you to provide a home for
them.

Keeping Your Pet Safe In The Warm Weather Months
The hot summer months can pose a real threat to pets. Cats and dogs
simply cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. As a responsible pet owner,
you need to make sure that your pet is safe during these warm weather
months. Here are some tips to help you and your pet.
Never leave an animal in a car: All pet owners should know the dangers of
leaving any pet in a hot car, even if it is just for a few minutes. This
especially applies to dog owners. Dogs love riding in the car and it is
very tempting to let your dog ride to the grocery store with you.
However, pet owners should never leave cats or dogs inside a car during
hot weather. Even with the windows open, a car parked in the hot sun can
reach sweltering temperatures. Pets left in hot cars can die within
minutes or can suffer from severe dehydration. The best rule of thumb is
the leave your pet at home in the cool air conditioner during the hot
weather. You should also know that if you are a dog owner that allowing
your dog a ride the bed of a truck could be very dangerous for a dog at
any time of the year. One jolt can send your dog flying out of the bed of
the truck, resulting in injury or worse. Even putting your dog
unsupervised in the bed of a truck in a public place can be a recipe for
disaster. Be extra careful with your pet during traveling. If you must
travel with your dog or cat, secure your pet in the car and leave the air
conditioning on at all times. Let your pets take frequent breaks on long
trips and give them a chance to get a drink of water.
Be Careful Walking the Dog: There are many areas where the temperatures
soar in the warm months. In places where the temperatures reach an all-
time high, it is a good idea to walk your dog either in the morning or in
the evening when temperatures are lower. During the summer, temperatures
will be at the highest during midday. You should refrain from walking
your dog during this time. Not only will you and your dog become hot and
dehydrated, the hot concrete can burn your dog’s sensitive paws. When you
do walk during hot weather, take along water for your dog and stop
frequently to let your dog drink. Your dog will thank you for this.
Practice Proper Pet Grooming: It is always a good idea to keep your pet
properly groomed, but it is especially important during the summer
months. If your dog has very long fur, it is like wearing a fur coat in
95-degree weather. It is not comfortable to your pet. Also, keep an eye
out for pets that have much of their fur trimmed off, such as poodles.
Longhaired dogs can quickly overheat in the high temperatures. Poodles
and other breeds with short cuts can get sunburned. Sunscreen does not
protect dogs. With long haired dogs, regular brushing also helps remove
the winter undercoat and can help your dog better regulate body
temperatures during hot weather. Regular clipping of long hair can also
help keep your dog cool. Even longhaired cats can benefit from a summer
clipping. Longhaired cats are easily overheated, even if they do stay
indoors.
Watch for Insects: Insects can be bothersome to your pet during the warm,
summer months. Spring and summer are when fleas and ticks are the
highest. Mosquitoes are also out during this time of year. It is always a
good idea to make sure your dog and cat are getting their monthly flea
and tick preventative. Your dog also needs to stay current on heartworm
preventative, as mosquito bites can cause heartworms. Also, keep a first
aid kit on hand for bee or wasp stings.
Outdoor safety: Summer is often when people spend a lot of times
outdoors. Whether it is working in the yard, visiting the lake or

swimming in the pool, you need to take extra caution when your pets are
with you outside. If you mow your yard or put chemicals on the grass, be
sure your pets are indoors and away from the dangers. Also, if your dog
enjoys the water, keep a close eye on your pet. Most pets can swim
instinctively, but it is always a good idea to watch. If you enjoy taking
your dog out boating, you can buy life preserver vests for your dog to
wear. You can never be too safe when it comes to your beloved furry
friend.

Picking The Right Food For Your Pet
Pets are wonderful creatures to share our lives with, and they need just
as much care as humans. All pets need to be fed properly, though we
always have the question of what that might be. There are individuals who
give their pet’s human food, while others strictly give pet food. We will
concentrate on dogs, cats, and rabbits for proper feeding.
Rabbits
How many times have you heard that rabbits like their vegetables? This is
true. Most rabbits need a steady diet of rabbit food that includes
lettuce and carrots. Most of the time we raise our rabbits on pellets,
however, this may not be fibrous enough and can cause obesity. A steady
diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets will lead to a healthy rabbit.
Dogs
Is it wise to feed your dog human food? Most dogs are related to the wolf
family a very carnivorous bunch, which means they need to have meat in
their diet. This does not mean human food is the correct food for them.
It is best to find a dog food product where the first ingredient is meat.
Make sure it is real meat and not some processed substitute. Feeding your
dog human food is a bad idea because it can be too greasy for them and
block their arteries. Dogs have very sensitive digestive tracks so they
are susceptible to diarrhea and upset stomachs if you change their food.
It is best to find a dog food you prefer and that is healthy for them.
You also want to keep them on the same food. Changing food can cause
problems. If you feel you need to change food, you should slowly
integrate the new food with the old until you have fully replaced the
old. This should take two weeks or a little more. Dogs when full grown
should be fed once a day at the same time.
Cats
Cats are great hunters if you let them explore the outdoor world. They
will often find mice, birds, and other animals to gain protein. Like a
dog, your cat needs a consistent diet. You should find a cat food that
has the proper amounts of protein. Cats can also have a very sensitive
digestive system. Finding the right food may be difficult and take a few
tries. If they have a smelly litter box, you will need to change their
food. This is a sure sign they are not receiving a proper diet. When you
change their food you will want to integrate it slowly over two weeks.
Cats also need the vitamins from milk, though our processed milk can be
too rich for them, they do sell milk for cats in the pet stores. Another
idea is occasionally giving them a small piece of cheese to help with
their dietary needs, however you should try and find pet food that fits
all of their needs. Grass is also available for indoor cats and may be a
needed to get rid of hairballs. Cats eat grass when they have an upset
stomach. The grass will allow the cats to rid themselves of the problem
and can help them cough up hairballs.
Picking the right food for your pet will often mean not feeding them
human food, but checking the ingredients of pet food found in the stores.
You want to keep you pet just as healthy as you would want to keep
yourself. Proper nutrition for any animal is important to having your pet
around for many years. Some types of pets are more susceptible to
disease, like dogs with heart problems, but they can be monitored through
proper care.

Rabbit Care and Tips
Pets complete a home for single people and families. Children often
desire pets more than adults do as they think animals are cute and fun to
have. Adults of course know the work required. Like any pet, rabbits need
care. They need to go to the vet, get feed daily, and have their domain
cleaned. When you decide to purchase a rabbit, you will need to know
exactly what is required of you.
Before we get into your rabbits needs, you will want to know a few of the
species available. Most common are cottontails, dwarf, and lop eared
rabbits for pets. The dwarf rabbit is small and best kept indoors, while
the cottontails are not as sensitive to the weather and can be housed
outside in moderate climates. The lop eared rabbits like the cottontails
grow to be a good size and have long floppy ears. The type of rabbit you
wish to have for a pet will in part decide on the care.
First like cats and dogs, rabbits require shots from the vet to keep them
in good health. People carry diseases that can harm animals if we do not
wash before and after we handle our pet. Rabbits can be susceptible to
worms and other dietary parasites so it is important to take your rabbit
for its vet visit when needed. Speak with a vet about your rabbit’s care
and any questions you may have before you complete your purchase.
Rabbits eat pellets, hay and vegetables. Most rabbits like to munch on
carrots or lettuce. You want to feed your rabbit everyday to ensure they
are receiving the proper amount of food. Unlike cats that eat when they
are hungry, a rabbit can over eat and become over weight. Some
commercial feeds for rabbits contain nuts; however, these are typically
not good as they are high in fiber. You can feed your rabbit fruit as a
treat, but you should not do so daily.
Housing for a rabbit can be in your home or if you wish to keep them
outside a wooden cage will work. Most outside cages are designed to let
the waste fall through so they are not sitting on it or laying on it. The
cage should be built large enough to house an adult rabbit with bedding
spread out to make a nice little home. They should be given plenty of
water and have it changed out daily. Having a backyard for your pet
rabbit is a great idea. They can roam for a little exercise, which all
pets need.
You will want to clean their cages out at least once a week or more
depending on how messy or smelly it becomes. Your rabbit needs a clean
environment just like you to eliminate the possibilities of disease. An
important factor in having a long living rabbit is their environment.
Most rabbits live 5 to 10 years.
Rabbits with their fuzzy cottontails or floppy ears are just some of the
cutest pets you can own. They are a medium maintenance pet with proper
feeding and environment care you can have your rabbit for years. Your
children will enjoy showing off their pet rabbit to all their friends and
beg you to take him to show and tell. Pets are needed to complete a
family and provide enjoyment for everyone.

Reptilian Pets: The Snake Every Boys Dream Pet
Most girls and moms have an adverse reaction to having a snake or any
other dangerous animal as a pet, however with proper care and the correct
selection even those with aversions can become quite fascinated by the
snake as a pet. The key is to do a lot of research when buying a snake.
Most pet shops will sell the harmless snakes and teach you how to feed
them. If you always wanted a snake as a pet when you were a boy, you
might choose something a little more exotic. Tips to finding the right
snake for you or your child can come in handy when you are faced with the
task.
First you will want to research snakes in general. You have your garden-
variety snake that is very common and not dangerous. Then there are
pythons, kings, and boa constrictor snakes. Keep in mind if this is for a
child you probably want a harmless snake that will not grow to large. The
larger snakes mentioned above take more care and larger aquariums and are
not suited for smaller children.
The species of snake you chose will have a special diet. Most species
have different diets. You may have seen a pet snake in the pet store
eating mice while other snakes do not. It is important to choose a snake
you can provide proper food for at all times. You also do not want to
keep a wild snake, as they tend to carry diseases and stress with the
change in environment. It is best to shop at a trustworthy pet shop or
snake breeder.
Most king snakes and gopher snakes tend to eat mice and need to have
plenty of water to drink. You may have a little pond in your aquarium
with a tree branches, rocks, and dirt for your snake. Like food most
snakes require a special environment. You will want to research that
snake before choosing the environmental accessories. Snakes are often
tropical in nature so they require heat as well as moderate temperatures
in the evening. You have heard of the desert being cold at night. Snakes
are proliferating in the desert areas and rainforests. Being able to
provide the proper environment will ensure a long life for you new pet.
Touching on food again you also need to have a feeding schedule. Some
snakes do not have to eat every day. In fact, gopher snakes will not eat
every day. If you are getting a pet snake for you child you will want to
make sure they understand the feeding schedule. Most young adults can
handle having a pet snake while little children will need you to take
care of the snake.
Handling the snake is also important. The more a snake is used to human
contact the more contact the more domicile they tend to be. This means
those that are dangerous can be held given proper training and handling.
I recommend staying away from these snakes when you first have a pet
snake. It is important to take small steps when you have a pet snake to
get used to their special needs.
Snakes can make great pets if you take proper care of them. Many young
boys and even girls are fascinated with snakes. They have pretty colors
and just the lure of a little danger can add to the interest. Make sure
you are prepared for the requirements needed from you to have a pet snake
before giving in to a child’s demand.

Teaching Kids And Pets To Co-Exist Peacefully
It is possible for children and pets to coexist in the same household,
peacefully. Many people mistakenly think that as soon as they start
having children that their pet needs to head to the local shelter. They
fear that the cat or dog will not get along with the new child and it
will result in biting or scratching. This is not always the case and if
you take the time to introduce your pets to your children properly, your
kids and pets can live in harmony.
One of the biggest concerns that new parents have when it comes to pets
in the home is how it will react to a baby. Many of the old wives tales
such as cats sucking the breath out of babies simply are not true. In
fact, many cats and dogs readily accept a new child into the home and
become fiercely loyal and protective over the baby.
When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you should introduce
your pet to your new baby. Of course, these introductions need
supervision. Allow your cat or dog time to sniff your child at his or her
own pace. Make the introduction pleasant for your cat or dog. In most
cases, your cat or dog will not give your baby a second thought. Allow
your pet to adjust to the new situation on his or her own terms. When a
baby comes to the house, it is an adjustment for everybody.
The other thing that you might want to consider doing when you bring a
baby into the home is to make sure that your cat or dog is properly
groomed. This includes trimming your dog or cat nails. Your dog may want
to put a paw on your baby. If his or hers nails are long and sharp, your
dog may accidentally scratch your infant. While you can never eliminate
pet hair from your home, if your dog or cat clipped and brushed it will
certainly help your home stay a little cleaner. Many new parents also
worry about allergies. The fact is, many studies have shown that children
who are exposed to pets from a very young age, actually have less pet
allergies than children who are not exposed to pets.
Another good idea is to make sure that your pets do not have access to
your baby’s room during naptime or at night without supervision. While
your pet probably means no harm to your child, pets are naturally
curious. A cat may jump into your infant crib, or in large dogs could
easily a knock bassinet or cradle over. You should always supervise your
pet when it is around your new baby at all times. Most of all, you should
try to make sure that you are still spending quality time with your pet
when possible. This especially pertains to dogs, which are used to
playing in the backyard and going for walks.
As your child grows, you need to begin teaching your child proper pet
etiquette. If your dog or cat has learned to respect your child, then
your child also needs to learn to respect your pet. Teach your child from
a young age that they should never pull or yank a cat or dog's tail or
ears. Your child can learn proper pet etiquette even at a very young age.
You will also want to teach your child to respect your pet’s space. This
includes making sure that your child understands that he or she should
never wake a sleeping pet. This could cause your pet to become startled
and could result in biting or scratching.
In addition, you will want to make sure that your child understands to
stay out of your pet’s food, water and litter box. Your child will be
naturally curious, so it is always best to give your pet some private
space away from your child.

There are many things you can do to make sure that children and pets
coexist peacefully. Your children and pets need to learn to respect each
other from the very beginning. There is no reason to get rid of your cat
or dog just because you have a child in the home.

The Advantages Of The Microchip For Your Pets
Every pet owner wants to keep his or her beloved cat or dog as safe as
possible. You do everything you can do make sure your pet is well cared
for and healthy. If you have an indoor pet, you may not think that
keeping identification tags is important, but it is. What if your fuzzy
feline accidentally slips out of the door at night and you search to no
avail? What do you do, especially if your dog or cat has no
identification? Placing a collar with an identification tag is important,
but collars sometimes become lost. When you consider the fact that many
animal shelters only keep dogs and cats for seven days, you want to make
sure that your pet is properly identified. That is where the microchip
comes in handy. The microchip is the newest way to identify lost pets and
helps ensure that your lost pooch or feline finds his or her way back
home.
The technology of the microchip has become so popular that most animal
clinics and animal shelters have the ability to scan a cat or dog for
microchip identification. If you opt for the microchip, you should know
that it is a painless procedure for your pet. Your vet will insert a tiny
microchip about the size of a grain of rice directly under your pet’s
skin using a hypodermic needle. The microchip is usually placed behind
the neck. The microchip contains special digital number that has been
entered on a national microchip database. That information will give the
person your contact information. When you pet is lost, a veterinarian or
animal shelter can use a special scanner to retrieve the microchip
information. It is that easy.
Pet owners love the idea of the microchip because it is permanent. You
cannot remove the microchip and unlike a collar or tags, it cannot be
lost or destroyed. This is one of the best features of pet microchip,
especially for cats. If you place a collar on a cat, more than likely it
will be a breakaway collar. If your cat climbs a tree, or is caught on
something, the collar breaks off. If your cat does not have a microchip,
it will be very difficult to identify your cat if it is found.
There are a few important things to remember about pet microchips. First,
if your pet gets lost, you should never just sit back and wait for a
call, even if your pet has a microchip. Not all veterinarians and
shelters are equipped with this technology. You need to take the time to
call around and place “lost pet” flyers around your neighborhood. In
addition, you need to make sure you take the time to update your contact
information should you move. It does little to no good to have your pet
implanted with the microchip if the information on the national database
is incorrect. Your veterinarian can give you information on how to update
this information.
It is important to get your pet implanted with the microchip at a young
age. Puppies can have the microchip at age six weeks. Even small breeds
of dogs can handle this procedure. Kittens can also undergo this
procedure at six weeks. The insertion of the microchip is not painful and
feels like a regular vaccination shot. You can have your pet implanted
with the microchip at your veterinarian office and can expect to pay
between $30 and $50 for this service.

The Importance of Pet Vaccinations
When you were a child you had to have vaccinations at certain points in
your life such as measles, tetanus, and other shots. This is important
for your pets as well. We will specifically look at dog vaccinations, as
they are a very common pet to have. Keep in mind during some of these
shots are required for cats as well.
Dogs need to have vaccinations to guard against disease. When your dog is
a puppy they will need a distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus,
parainfluenza, and corona combination between six to eight, nine to
eleven, twelve to fourteen, and sixteen to seventeen weeks. They will
also need these shots again every twelve months. The next vaccination is
a bordetella administered at fourteen weeks and every six months. Rabies
must be given at sixteen weeks and again every twelve to thirty- six
months.
Vaccinations protect your dog and other pets from human diseases as well
as other problems that could arise. Make sure you visit your pet on a
regular schedule. A few more vaccinations are the giardia at fourteen and
seventeen weeks, with a yearly dose. Lyme is another type administered
at fourteen and seventeen weeks as well as yearly.
Occasionally state regulations will require a different administering
chart. It is best to speak with your vet to gain the proper knowledge for
your breed of dog as well as the correct vaccinations. Dogs are “man’s
best friend” and thus it is important to give proper care that includes
treatments.
Other care besides vaccinations can be proper baths, toenail clipping,
and feeding your dog properly. Most health problems arise in a dog that
is either genetically susceptible or environmentally exposed to human
food. Human food because of its greasy qualities can block a dog’s
artery. So proper nutrition is often found in dog food or cooking meals
for your pet per vet guidelines if your dog has health issues.
Dogs also require a lot of attention and exercise. Breeds such as the
Huskies or golden retrievers require special care. Huskies are breed as
working dogs. They need to have a lot of exercise as well as play time
with their owners. Golden retrievers are social animals, will feel
lonely, and rejected if left alone for too long. Other breeds though
social may not react in the same manners of the latter two. Other breeds
can be content with a large yard and runner as long as they can play and
eat.
Part of owning a pet, especially a dog is to provide it with love and
attention just like you need. Proper care is very important on a day-to-
day basis like having a routine feeding time or visiting the vet for the
proper vaccinations. Vaccinations can determine the longevity of your dog
just like a proper diet and exercise. While your vet has spent a lot of
time, going to school for the proper care of animals it is always a great
idea to be knowledgeable about your pets care. Vaccinations when not
administered properly can harm the animal. I would stay away from
ordering medications and vaccinations online if you are not familiar with
the products and how to give them to your dog, this may cause some
medical problems. Any pet deserves the care we would give ourselves and
with today’s world, we are finding better ways to make going to a vet
easier.

The Toys Cats Will Love
Do you walk through the pet store, see the many toys available for your
cat, and wonder if the expense will be worth it? Cats can be fickle
creatures, but a good time can be found with almost any toy. Cats are
like children they go through stages and sometimes need age appropriate
toys and can get bored very easily. Some suggestions for toys include the
cat towers, stuffed mice, small amounts of catnip, stuffed animals,
ribbons, and plastic balls.
From an early age, kittens learn to pick up things in their mouths. It is
an instinct, just like using their claws. When a cat plays, they like to
grab and bit their toys. Let us look at the toys listed above. A cat
tower is a great way to teach you cat where it is appropriate to climb.
It will keep them off the blinds or curtains while giving them hours of
fun. There are many styles of cat towers from the two story towers to the
ones rising to the ceiling. The answer to your question is, the more
levels they have the more fun and enjoyment they will receive out of a
cat tower. A cat will use the tower for play as well as sleep. They like
to bat at ropes and other items dangling off the tower as well as going
through little tunnels up to the next level. If you have two cats you
will have fun watching them give chase to the top often trying to knock
the other off. A cat tower can be practical because they will scratch at
it rather than your couch.
Stuffed mice are also important to any kitty’s playtime. Not all mice are
the same; most cats prefer the small leather mice with the multi colored
fur and long tails. These mice come in twelve packs or three packs, and
believe me if they are anything like my kitty they will tear them apart.
Cloth mice are typically second during playtime. If you find your kitty
to be uninterested in mice you might want to check the type of mouse you
have bought them.
Catnip toys are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to be more
rowdy, which can be a plus because they wear down faster. Catnip before
bedtime is a great way to get your cat to sleep for quite a while and
leave you to slumber. Catnip should be given out sparingly. You do not
want to give your cat catnip everyday because it can have adverse affects
to their behavior. They can start to depend on it and have mood swings.
I have found the best toy may just be your old stuffed animal lying
around the house. My kitty, Spooky, will bring me a stuffed animal when
she is ready to play and she has stuffed animals in her toy basket. There
is nothing more amusing than watching my kitty brings me a stuffed animal
bigger than she is and proceeds to toss it in the air and pounce. Cats
like the feel of certain things in their mouths that is why they chew on
paper, plastic and even your blankets. The feel of the material in their
mouths allows them to clean their teeth or when they are teething help
reduce the pain. The stuffed animal can work in much the same way and
keep them away from harmful products.
To answer my above question you do not have to go to great expense to
entertain your cat, however when you spend a little on toys you keep your
kitty from getting bored. You may even decide to hide a few toys and
reintroduce them after a few months to keep from purchasing new ones all
the time. Just make sure it is not the favorite toy of your pet or they
may find other ways to entertain themselves that you do not find amusing.

Tips For Bathing Your Cat
Cats normally do not need help getting and staying clean. They are
fastidious about their cleanliness and spend much of their day primping
and preening. Cats learn from a very young age to stay clean, as the
mother always teaches their young the art of bathing. Cat owners rarely
need to give their cats a bath, however, there are some situations where
you may find it is time to bath kitty. You never know when your cat will
get so dirty that they need a little extra help. If your cat is afflicted
with skin allergies or has a flea infestation, you might need to bathe
your cat. Sick and older cats may have a difficult time keeping clean,
too. You will find that your cat probably resists getting a bath, but you
can do it if you are prepared.
Get Your Supplies
The best place to bath your cat is in a small, enclosed room. If you have
a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly. A deep bathroom
sink would also do the trick. The idea is to get your cat in a small area
to help him or her feel safer during the process. Another idea is to use
a baby tub and place it inside your own bathtub. This might cause an
aching back on your part, but may be just the thing for your cat.
In addition, you will want to make sure that you have everything you need
on hand before you begin. It will be almost impossible to stop what you
are doing with a struggling cat to run and get a towel or shampoo. You
will need several old towels, mild, non-irritating shampoo such as baby
shampoo or pet shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. You might even consider
using a turkey-basting tool to reach under the chin, around the neck and
between the legs. In addition, if your cat’s fur is matted, you might
want to consider cutting these mats away before beginning.
Get the Bath Ready
When you have gotten all of your supplies where you need them, you will
want to prepare the bath. Your cat will not like very hot or very cold
water, so lukewarm water works best. Think of the temperature you would
use to bath an infant. That is what you need when you wash your cat.
Next, fill up the tub or sink. You do not need a lot of water when you
bath your cat--just enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a good idea
to place a non-skid mat or folded bath towel in the bottom of the sink or
tub before you begin filling it with water. This prevents the cat from
slipping around on the bottom of the sink or tub.
Ease your Cat into the Water
It is now time for the hard part. You have to get your cat and ease him
or her into the water. This may sound easier than it is. Some cats may
struggle with you more than others may. Only you know your cat’s
personality. The best way to go about doing this is to lower your cat
into the water. Do this by placing one hand under the cat’s belly and one
hand firmly, but gently on the cat’s back. Lower the cat from its hind
legs into the water. If your cat is still struggling, you might want to
wrap a towel around your cat to prevent scratches. You might be surprised
by your cat’s reaction. Some cats will sit there quietly and let you
work. Others will be scared and will try to run from you. You will get
wet, but you may think about holding the cat’s body close to your own
while bathing so he or she feels more secure. Never raise your voice or
move too fast, as this can send your cat into a frenzy.
Begin the Bath
After your cat is somewhat situated in the water, you can begin to bathe.
Work quickly, but gently. The best method for bathing your cat is to

start with the head and work your way down. Be careful not to get water
or shampoo in your cat’s ears or eyes. You will only need a very small
amount of shampoo. If you get too much, you will have to rinse longer. If
you are treating fleas, then you will want to follow the directions on
the flea shampoo at this point. You can use vegetable oil if you need to
remove sticky substances from your cat’s fur. Use this sparingly because
this will leave an oil residue on your cat’s fur, although it is
harmless.

Training Your Cats or Kittens With Positive Reinforcement.
Pets make our home more complete by being there to greet you after a hard
day at work or snuggling up to you while you sleep. Cats have been termed
the most fickle of creatures; however, they are sweet lovable creatures
if you raise them from infancy. Most cats recognize their owners by the
sound of their voice, the car they drive, and who spoils them the most.
Like dogs, cats can be trained. A cat can be trained to come to your
call, to bring their toys when they want to play, as well as more
domestic issues such as using a litter box. The key to training a cat or
kitten is reinforcement.
Reinforcement starts at any age, but it is typically wise to start out
with a kitten. Cats cannot distinguish words, but they are very astute in
distinguishing tones of your voice. They will know they have done
something wrong just by the tone of voice you use. This is why it is
important to use your upset voice when they have done something wrong,
otherwise they will become confused. Let us go back to reinforcement.
Reinforcement is either positive or negative. Water is a negative
reinforcement for a cat or kitten because they typically despise being
wet. Some positive reinforcement can be hugs or fully body petting,
treats, or play time.
To train your kitty to come to your call is to repeat their name while
they are looking at you. Look them in the eye while you are using a nice
tone of voice. Another way to call your cat is to have another sound,
like snapping fingers, or clicking noises with your tongue. These
typically gain the attention of your cat or kitten so they learn to come
when you call.
Litter box training is perhaps the easiest part of having a kitty in your
life. It is best to keep them confined to one room, the room you will
have the litter box in to train them. They will learn by you putting
them in the box and allowing them to familiarize themselves with the
smell. Cats by nature understand the feel of litter associating it with
dirt. You may have to pick them up when they first begin to go if they do
not understand the litter box and place them inside. Occasionally a cat
does not like the litter you use. They show their displeasure by using
the floor. This is a time to try something new. Most female adult cats
will train their kittens so it is important they do not leave their
mother’s care to quickly. Food works in much the same way. Once you
show them where their food bowls are they will continue to go there. Cats
are creatures of habit.
Habits are how you will train your kitty to bring you toys. Some cats
will simply meow when they want to play and casually bat their toy,
however if you give them positive reinforcement every time they carry a
toy mouse or stuffed toy they will continue to bring the toy without the
reinforcement of a treat. For an example my kitty, Spooky, is two. She
brings me a stuffed animal every afternoon or evening when she wants to
play. She lays it down near the end of my couch and meows until I
recognize the good deed and begin to play with her.
Cats are trainable, perhaps not to the degree; a dog is trainable with
voice commands, but they you can succeed in training them in some ways.
Cats will enliven any home and given a lot of positive reinforcement,
they can be just as much fun if not more fun than other pets. Especially
when they give you comfort by stepping on to your lap kneading and
purring. These moments can take away a bad day at work within a few
seconds.

Training Your Pet Parrot
Parrots are wonderful pets. You will quickly find that these birds
extremely smart and their ability to learn make them fun to train. Keep
in mind that any animal that shows signs of high intelligence can easily
get bored, so your job is to train your pet parrot and spend the time it
takes to make your bird into a wonderful pet. It takes time and patience
to train a parrot, but with the proper training, your parrot will provide
you with many years of friendship.
You can train your parrot when you follow a few steps. Whenever “school
is in” for your parrot, it is always best to remove your parrot from his
or her cage and train in a small quiet space. Your parrot is more likely
to remain attentive and retain information when it is in a new
environment. The next thing you will want to do, eliminate all
distractions in your home. If your parrot becomes distracted during
training, it will not learn well. That means that you need to turn off
the radio, television and perhaps even the telephone. Also, remember that
parrots are a lot like children. They have short attention spans, so
short training sessions are recommended.
In addition, try to plan your parrot’s training time around their
schedule, not yours. After mealtime is always, a good time for training
because your parrot will be content and will pay attention. Your parrot
will also appreciate plenty of praise. Even if you find that you were not
very successful, do not let your parrot see your stress levels rise. This
makes it an unpleasant experience for your bird and you will have a
harder time getting your parrot interested in learning in the future.
When you are ready to teach your parrot a new trick, your pet parrot will
respond well to treats and praise. Remember that all animals respond
better to praise than punishment. Try to avoid punishing your parrot,
even if he or she is acting naughty. Ignoring this behavior is your best
bet when training your pet parrot. Parrots do not understand punishment
or negative reinforcement. In fact, if you respond to your parrot’s bad
behavior, your pet may actually see this as positive attention. Keep in
mind that while your parrot will love food treats as rewards, try to
accentuate the positive and encourage good behavior with lots of praise
and play time. Otherwise, your parrot may only perform the tricks you
want them to when some kind of food reward is available.
Repetition is the key to successfully training your pet parrot. Repeating
these basic steps repeatedly until your pet “gets” the trick is the best
way to train your parrot to perform. This works well for basic commands
and advanced tricks. If you have just gotten your pet parrot, start out
with very simple tricks, such as teaching your parrot to sit on your
finger on command. Find a word for each trick and use it every time you
train. Most of all, never force your parrot to train. If you find your
parrot is tired or uninterested, then stop and try again another time.
As your parrot learns more command and tricks, you can begin moving your
training session closer and closer to the bird’s cage. As they get better
at their new skill, they will feel comfortable performing in his or her
cage and in the hustle and bustle of your household. Birds learn quickly
in most cases, and sometimes just by listening when not in training,
which may cause embarrassment to you if they learn something
inappropriate.
Training a parrot takes a lot of time and patience. You must love your
bird and have a lot of time and dedication to make this partnership

worthwhile. With patient training and love, you end up with a fantastic
and well-behaved pet that will be with you for a very long time to come.

Understanding Why Cats Fight
If you have a household with multiple cats, you know that cat fights do
happen. Even if you cats generally get along, at times, they can still
fight. While humans may not completely understand why their kitties are
fighting, cats have their reasons for fighting. Some of these reasons
are similar to the reasons that humans have disputes. Cats express their
discontent with other cats by picking fights. The reasons why cats fight
can help you determine how to prevent your cats from fighting in the
future.
Fighting for their territory: Many cats fight because of their territory.
One of the reasons that cats fight is because they feel like an unwanted
cat has invaded their territory, even if it is a cat that has lived with
them for a long time. Cats are much more territorial than dogs and the
gender of the cat has very little to do with it. Contrary to what many
people believe, female cats are sometimes just as territorial as their
male counterparts are. If you have two cats in your home, you might
notice that one cat hisses and swats at the other whenever he feels his
territory has been invaded. This can also happen if you bring a new cat
into the home. They are simply defending their territory.
Social ranking: Either male cats frequently threaten and fight with each
other for social ranking or despite what you may think; even neutered
males may do this. If you have multiple cats, especially more than one
male cat, one cat is usually considered the “alpha male” and will be at
the top of the cat hierarchy. Two cats might posture their bodies, then
begin howling and screaming at one another. If one of the cats walks
away or backs down, then the catfight is usually avoided. However, if
neither one wants to throw in the towel and surrender, then one cat will
attack the other by jumping forward and attempting to bite the neck. The
other cat will fall on his back and tries to bite or scratch the attacker
with its hind legs. The two cats might go through this several times
before walking away. There are usually no injuries sustained in these
kinds of fights. You may even notice that kittens or young cats play with
one another this way. Most of the time, you will not need to interfere.
Aggression: Cats also fight as a result of some kind of redirected
aggression and this is quite common, especially with indoor cats. Your
cat might be looking outside the window at another cat or dog crossing
the yard. Your cat begins to feel territorial and aggressive at this
cat, but since this other cat cannot be reached, he may instead attack
the other family cat. Another example is if you are giving your cats
treats. One cat may reach the treat first and begin eating. The other one
wants a bite, but the cat that is eating may become aggressive over the
treat and begin to swipe or yowl and the other cat.
If you find your cats fighting occasionally, you should know that this is
common and quite typical of cats. Most of the time, you will be able to
tell whether or not your cats are fighting for “blood” or just playing
around. The time to stop a fight is when it gets nasty otherwise; allow
your cats to work it out themselves. If you feel the need to stop a
catfight, then you should do it carefully. Even the most loving cat can
bite or scratch you in aggressive passion. To stop a fight, you should
make some kind of loud noise, such as a handclap. Since cats are
startled by loud noises, they will both stop to see what is making the
noise. You can also spray water on them to interfere with the aggressive
behavior..

When you find your cats fighting, it is best not to punish the cats for
their fight. Cats do not understand punishment and fighting is a natural
instinct in cats. The best thing to do is only interfere when necessary.
If you find your cats are fighting more than they should, it is time that
you find out why. Do they fight over a litter box, a food bowl or a prime
window location? Make sure each kitty has his or her own “things” and a
place to retreat when they feel overwhelmed by other pets in the house.
This will go a long way in preventing real catfights.

What To Do About Litter Box Accidents
There is probably nothing more frustrating to a cat owner than litter box
accidents. In fact, habitual litter box accidents are the number one
reason why cat owners give their cats up to animal shelters. When your
cat refuses to use the litter box, there is usually an underlying reason.
Before you become exasperated by your cat's inability to make it to the
litter box, here are some common causes for this problem.
Litter Box Woes
One of the main reasons why a cat begins to refuse to use the litter box
is because their own litter box is dirty. Many cats are extremely fussy
about the condition of their litter box, while others will use it no
matter how full it looks. If your cat has a litter box accident, the
first place you should check is the litter box. Some pets prefer that
their litter box cleaned out after each use. While this is time consuming
for you, it may be a simple fix to this problem. You should start a daily
routine of cleaning out your cat box and you may find that this solves
your problem.
Another common problem related to the litter box is there are not enough
litter boxes for the number of cats you have. For example, if you have
four cats in your home, and you should have at least one litter box per
cat. Cats like to have their own space, and this is especially true when
it comes to their litter box. In fact, many veterinarians recommend that
even if you have only one cat, you should have at least two litter boxes.
In addition, when it comes to litter box accidents, look at the type of
litter you are using and the size and shape of the litter box. If you
have a tray litter box without a lid, maybe your cat would feel more
secure in a closed box. If you have an older cat, or a young kitten, you
cat may have a difficult time getting in and out of a closed top box.
Watch your cat carefully when he or she uses the litter box. If you find
that, they are having a difficult time getting in and out of the litter
box and consider getting a different box. Also, look at the type of
litter you use. Your cat may be extremely fussy about the smell or
texture of the litter. Many people preferred using the scoop away litter;
however, many cats will not use this type of litter, because it sticks in
the paws. You may also find that the litter you use causes a lot of dust
that is disagreeable to your cat.
Health Issues
Your cat may be refusing to use the litter box, because of health related
issues. If you have tried all the above tips and nothing seems to be
working, then it is time to visit your veterinarian. Cats that have
bladder problems, urinary tract infections, kidney failure and diabetes
are more prone to litter box accidents than healthy cats. You need to
take your cat to the vet and have a thorough health exam performed to
find out if your cat is suffering around an ailment. If this is the case,
your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help your cat.
Habit and Your Cat’s Territory
If your cat has been ill or have stopped using the litter box for any of
reason, you may find that your cat returns to their old ways out of
habit. It is extremely important that when your cat has a litter box
accident, that you clean the area thoroughly to get rid of any odors that
may remain. In addition, your cat may have not stopped using the litter
box at all but instead, your cat is marking his or her territory. This
is especially common in multi-cat households or when you bring in new pet

into the home. This is also more common in males than females. Even male
cats that are neutered can mark their territory by spraying urine.
When you determine why your cat is having litter box accidents, you can
find a solution. It takes time and patience; however, this is much more
preferable than getting rid of your cat.

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