By Ian Spellfield

Cats that do not use their litter box pose a difficult problem for their owners. These people may be torn and unsure of what actions to take: after all, they love their pet, but they just can’t stand living in a house that reeks of cat urine. This stain is difficult to remove, but the following tips have proven helpful in most situations.

1. Find the stain. This can be relatively easy if the urine is wet, but if the stain is dry, you may have to get down on your knees and literally sniff out the source. A black light is an investment that can make this easier, because stains will glow underneath it.

2. Do not rub; blot. If you rub a urine stain, you will only spread the stain. Instead, use paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth to sop up the wet stain.

3. Use weight. Place dry paper towels on top of the wet stain and stand on top of the stack for at least 30 seconds. Your added weight will apply more pressure and soak up more urine faster. If the stain is dry, just use some water to get it wet again, and follow the process above.

4. Rinse the stain. Use warm water to rinse the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Again, cover the stain with paper towels and stand on them for at least 30 seconds. This will ensure that you soak up and remove as much urine as possible before using an enzyme cleaning product.

5. Use an enzyme cleaner. Make sure to use a product that has “enzyme” or “enzymatic” on its label. Many cleaners have fragrances or cleaners that make the odors undetectable to humans, but your pets have a better sense of smell and will still be able to smell the urine. Enzymes actually consume the odor particles instead of just covering them. Some good product choices are Urine Off (which includes a black light) and Nature’s Miracle. Make sure to test a small, covered area of the carpet or upholstery to be cleaned before you apply large amounts of these cleaners.

6. Cover the stain. After applying the enzyme cleaner, cover the area with foil. These cleaners take some time to work, and they are most effective when the area is saturated and covered. Make sure to follow all instructions on the label.

7. Use Feliway. This product mimics feline facial pheromones, which are natural substances cats use to communicate. Feliway can be purchased as a diffuser or a spray, and it may help calm a stressed cat. This is effective because stress is what causes many cats to urinate outside their litter boxes.

8. Don’t use carpet shampoo. Using a traditional detergent like this may actually work against the enzymatic cleaner and make it ineffective. Wait until after the urine stain is gone to clean your carpets. No matter how tempting it is to rent a carpet shampooer, but steam-cleaning may actually exacerbate the odor problem. (Steam and heat, when coupled with an already bad smell, do not get along very well.)

9. Other tips. Avoid cleaners that are ammonia-based. Because ammonia smells like cat urine, cleaning stains with these products may actually attract your pet back to the same spot. A good alternative is a citrus-scented cleaner, because cats hate the way they smell.

Remember: a cat that stops using its litter box may have a more serious medical problem. You should contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:
Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews.

By Renske Buursma

Before you select a cat, you need to decide which breed is right, not only for you, but also for the rest of your family. So follow this short guide to help you with the selection of your new pet.

Vocal Breeds
Consider whether or not you would like a vocal companion. Seriously, some cats can be pretty noisy. And although you may not find this to be an issue, local neighbors - especially in compact apartment arrangements - can find this annoying, especially at night.

Some cat breeds that are a bit heavy on the vocal side include: the Burmese, the Siamese Cat and the Korat. On the other end of the spectrum are: the American Curl, the Scottish Fold, and the Somali - all referred to as very quiet cats.

Cuddle Factor
You also need to consider if you prefer a cat that seeks attention and is cuddly. Or maybe you’d refer one that is aloof? Cuddly cats need lots more attention, but also give you more back in return, too. And cuddly pets such as these are usually better around children.

Some friendly cats are the Abyssinian, Tonkinese, Maine Coon, Snowshoe, Ragdoll and Himalayan Persian. More aloof cats include the Nebelung, the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Russian Shorthair.

Bad Hair Day
An important point to ponder is hair. Do you prefer long hair, not caring so much about grooming and shedding involved, or do you prefer to keep things simple with short hair breeds?

Note: long hair can get matted and messy and require a trip to the groomer or vet for shaving - while the cat is under sedation. So consider whether you have the time, tools and patience to help with grooming regularly.

Age
Last but not least, decide if you prefer to raise your pet from early on; i.e. do you want a kitten? Or would you like to maybe help with a rescue of an older animal?

So wrap it up, consider all of the factors above before you choose your new cat. Look over the different characteristics and the various cat breeds of interest before you begin to seek out your new pet.

Check online for more information about cats. And reach out and call around to your local pet stores and to your local Humane Society chapter with more concerns you may have about cats.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles and a free newsletter about pet care at yourhealthypetsonline.com

By Elise Rogers

As cats age, they require more and more attention and loving care from their owners. Though cats tend to lead uneventful, happy lives, disease and discomfort increase as they age. Listed here are a few conditions and diseases to keep an eye out for that are common in elderly cats, in addition to a few tips in caring for your cat to aid in their graceful and comfortable aging.

Like humans and dogs, as cats age, they begin to show signs of degeneration. One of the most common signs of aging felines is their loss of litter box training. Some elderly cats acquire conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or decreased proper kidney function. These health issues can in turn lead to irregular urination and elimination processes. You may find your cat relieving him or herself outside the litter box. If this becomes a common practice, it is a good idea to buy one of or two more litter boxes and place them in various locations throughout your home. This will make litter boxes more accessible to your cat and will aid in their proper elimination practices.

A common feline condition is arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which inflammation of joints occurs. Signs of arthritis include swollen and tender joints, limping, lameness, and stiffness in joints, often occurring when they get up from lying down or when it is cold or rainy outside. You can help your cat by placing their litter box and food and water dishes in easily accessible places. If, for example, their litter box is upstairs and their food and water dishes are on top of the dryer in the laundry room, they will have difficulty getting to them when they are needed. The more you help ease the discomfort of your cat, the happier they will be!

Poor dental health and dental disease is fairly common in elderly felines. Tartar, gingivitis, and sensitive gums are often seen in older cats. Believe it or not, the tartar build up or dental disease in cats can spread to their heart or kidneys, which can cause serious problems. The best thing for you to do as an owner is to start early and clean your cat’s teeth regularly in addition to feeding them dry cat food, which will help clean their teeth on a daily basis.

Lastly, as cats age, they seem to lose interest in basic grooming practices. This may be due to arthritis or dental issues, but whatever the reason, it is something you will most likely need to help your cat with. Giving them weekly baths and gently brushing their coat will help tremendously. Cats feel better and are happier when they are clean and well groomed. Don’t forget to keep their claws trimmed regularly because their nails can become brittle in their older age.

Just as humans and dogs need extra care as they age, so do cats. By having a basic understanding of cats’ diseases and basic needs as they age will help increase their comfort dramatically. Understand your cat, and learn to take them of them properly in their mature stage of life; this will keep them happy, and will help you enjoy the final years of your cat’s life.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Discount Pet Mall features dog beds & elevated dog feeders .

By Melissa Turner

All cats need some form of medication or preventative treatment given monthly or annually. This can often times be a daunting experience: cats will sometimes hiss, scratch frantically, then run and hide. When administering medication to your pet kitty, it can often be helpful to have a few different tactics up your sleeve. Here are a few helpful hints to make the administration of medication a little easier!

Cat medication generally comes in 3 different ways of administration: pills, liquid, or topical treatments, like preventive flea or tick products. Depending on the form of medication, you will want to change your tactic. Cats can be picky, and they are often hard to trick- this requires skill on your part, but it can be done!

First we’ll look at medicinal pills for your kitty. You can try to either camouflage the pill in their dinner (which sometimes works, but it is not a sure thing), or you can put the pill in some soft baby food. The taste is new, interesting, and intriguing to cats; they may be so absorbed in this new treat that they do not notice the pill. If this does not work, more drastic measures are in order.

Here’s how you can safely administer the pill without fear of getting scratched or bitten: kneel on the floor and place your kitty between your knees (this allows your hands to remain free). Then, make sure your cat’s front paws are tucked safely and securely in between your knees so they are unable to move or crawl away. Next, gently place the palm of your hand on the top of your cat’s head, and put your thumb and index finger on either side of your cat’s jaw. This would gently pry open their mouth. Then, place the pill as far back in their mouth as you can, and keep their head tilted back until the pill is swallowed. Sometimes rubbing your kitty’s neck gently helps them swallow as well.

When administering liquid medicine, you can either opt to mix it with baby food, or use the same pinning procedure that was previously described. This time, all you will need is a medicine dropper or a sterile 10cc syringe (without the needle, please!) and measure the correct dosage of medication and as you tilt your cat’s head back squirt the medication into their mouth. Don’t worry, cats do not breathe through their mouths, so there is no need to fear choking your kitty. Because cats can sometimes vomit easily, it may be a good idea to give your kitty a treat after their medication to help settle their stomach.

Finally, topical treatment administration is often the simplest of the three. Wrap your cat in a towel, which restrains them and holds them securely in place. Simply grab the ruff of their neck in between their shoulder blades and clean and administer the medication.

Though giving your pets their needed medication can be a stressful experience for you and your cat, it doesn’t have to be. By following these indicated procedures, it should make the experience easier on the both of you. Good luck in your medication administration endeavors!

About the Author

Visit Dog-Bed.org & LVE Productions for more great content.

By Haziga Slamil

Neutering is an operation process that helps prevent a cat from producing endless supply of kittens. Some folks think that is cruel to allow your cat to undergo this operation but I beg to differ. I think it is cruel if one allows a cat to give birth to so many kittens, and avoiding responsibility by throwing all the kittens out on the streets, exposing them to many health risks which could lead to death, or leaving them in an animal shelter where they will be euthanized due to space constraints in the shelter.

Neutering which is also referred to as castration if the operation involves a male cat, or spaying for the female is actually an altering process that benefits both the owner and also the cat.

Here are 5 reasons why you should or must neuter a cat.

1) Reduce aggression - That’s right folks. Neutering will help transform an aggressive cat into a mellow one, provided that neutering is done at an early age, probably around the age of 5 months or so. If the process is done after the cat reaches adulthood, there’s no guarantee that neutering will curb its aggression. The key is to do it early.

2) Reduce chances of involving in traffic accidents - Cats are pretty adventurous by nature and the males especially, have a rather strong territorial behavior. They tend to wander outside a lot in order to mark their territories and this could lead many health risks, like getting run over by a car, motorcycle or worst….A dumpster truck! It’s a cat owner’s nightmare to find his/her beloved pet lying lifeless in the middle of the street. This can be avoided of course if you have your cat neutered as early as possible (the recommended minimum age is 5 months).

3) Decrease chances of picking up unwanted ailments, infections, and getting lost -Less roaming around would mean less chances of the cat picking up unwanted ailments, infections or getting lost.

4) Decrease urine odor - Believe it or not, neutering can actually decrease the cat’s urine odor. If you don’t believe me, try sniffing the cat’s urine before and after you have it neutered. You can really smell the difference. If sniffing it is not your cup of tea (I’m pretty sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea for that matter), you’re better off taking my word for it. I have lived with cats my whole life and I know what I’m talking about.

5) Prevent over population of stray cats - There are many strays cats roaming the streets currently, most of these stray cats will never live long and some might die violently thanks to some irresponsible cat owners who don’t believe in neutering their cats. This problem can be greatly reduced if one were to take some responsibility by neutering the cat.

So remember folks, neutering is really a good thing and your cat will most definitely live longer if the operation is performed early in the cat’s life.

About the Author

Haziga Slamil is a big time cat lover with over 20 years of experience living under the same roof with cats.

If you wish to obtain more info and tips on cat health care, nutrition, grooming behavior, and also a free ebook, visit her website at www.bubucats.com.

By Marion Greenfield

Boredom can sometimes be the root of feline behavior problems such as neurotic chewing, compulsive grooming, over eating, and in some cases aggression.

Even 15 minutes of quality play with your cat could prove to be beneficial when it comes to improving your cat’s mental health and physical well being. In addition, playing with your cat regularly will also help to strengthen your bond.

Here are some fun ideas to add a bit of excitement to your cat’s every day routine.

1. PAPER BAG
(without handles)Cats love little places where they think nobody can see them. Get out a paper bag, and watch how much fun your cat will have with such a simple item. They love to play in and out of it. You could even cut out a few holes in the bag and put in one of his favorite cat toys. This is sure to keep him busy!

2. BURIED TREASURE
Stuff one of his toys in between the couch cushions, or under a pillow. Your kitty will enjoy this hunting game. Once he has retrieved it, try another hiding place.

3. SWAT GAME
If you don’t have a cat toy that you could dangle in front of your cat, create one. Simply tie a string to the end of a chopstick and attach an object to the string. You could try a feather or one of his existing toys.

Cats love this game of back and forth SWAT!

4. TOILET PAPER ROLL
Make sure the toilet paper roll has no toilet paper on it. He will bat it around for quite a while. You could also put an object in it, such as a solid ball that has a bit weight to it, and then tape up the both ends of the roll. This gives it a wobble when he bats it around.

5. TISSUE IN A BOX
Your cat will enjoy taking the tissue out one by one. This could make a huge mess, but it’s worth it and your cat will have great fun doing this!

6. LASER LIGHT

Take caution when using a laser light. You should never shine it in the eyes!!! A flashlight may be used instead.

Your cat will love to chase the little light around the floors and walls; it’s a great challenge for him and gives him a bit of a workout.

7. BOUNCY BALLS
They are always BIG fun for your cat!

8. SOCKS
Your cat will surely enjoy a stuffed sock! Stuff an old sock with different sized cotton balls and a bit of catnip, and watch that crazy cat go!

9. ICE CUBES
Slide an ice cube back and forth across your kitchen floor. You now have a game of feline ice hockey that he is guaranteed to win!

10. PING PONG BALLS
A couple of ping-pong balls dropped in your empty bathtub is another great way to keep him entertained.

These are games your cat and you can enjoy together. Two or three play sessions a day, preferably at times when he tends to be most active will keep him happy and fit.

Have fun! Look In On: Kingdom Of Pets : Complete Cat Training.

About the Author

English. Published Poet. Londoner By Birth. Lives In Kent (Garden Of England)

By Sharon Cowherd

Have you ever received a cat massage? Do you know what a cat massage is? It is where your frisky little friend hops on your back and gives you a gentle massage. This little technique is actually something that my precious Cuddles made up on her own, and it had many benefits for both of us.

It was rather comical when it first started. I was lying in bed when Cuddles jumped on my back and started kneading away and purring up a storm. She was kneading with such intensity that it actually felt like I was at a spa getting a real massage.

She would not do it often, but I certainly enjoyed it when she was in her loving mood and I let her know with some extra hugs and stroking. She is gone now and the other cats have never done the kneading massage on my back, so now it is up to my husband to do the back massages.

There is another type of cat massage. It is a massage that you give your cat. You must do this with care as you do not want to turn your cat off to a wonderful bonding experience.

There are two main purposes of massaging your cat. Getting your cat to relax and for you to do a self-examination of your cat. It will also allow you to get to know your cat very well and create a special bond.

Massaging a cat can be a little tricky, depending on how touchy or loveable your cat can be with your touch. Some cats love to be rubbed down all over and some do not. It will take time for you to find the areas that your cat will allow you to do a gentle massage. Be patient and take it slow, you want it to be enjoyable for both of you.

While you are exploring with massaging your cat, notice how they feel to your touch. Get to know each area of them, at least the ones that they will allow you to touch and massage. After awhile you will notice your cat relaxing more and this will allow them to relieve any stress they have felt during the day.

Each one of my cats is different in the areas that they will allow me to massage. Tiggy is very fussy about her tummy and refuses to let me rub or massage it, so I leave it alone and just work the rest of her muscles. Cooper loves a massage anyway he can get it, as long as it is when he wants it. Leena also does not like her tummy to be rubbed or massaged, but she sure does love her neck to be rubbed.

When massaging them also pay attention to things like lumps, bumps, or anything that doesn’t feel normal. Or even a new irritation that they didn’t have with the massage before. I actually found a lump on Leena’s neck during one of her massages. I did not like how it felt, so I immediately made an appointment for her to see the vet. She had a skin infection on her chin and it was her limp nodes that I felt as being lumpy. I am glad that I found it, because she could have gotten really sick from the infection.

Learning to give your cat a massage has many benefits. You create a loving bond with your cat. It releases any stress and relaxes them, so they feel better. And you can even discover a condition that is not normal and have it looked at before it becomes serious.

Get your cat and discover the benefits of massage with them, maybe you will even be lucky and they will surprise you by giving you a massage.

About the Author

Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats. You can read more about Sharon and her cats at www.caringforyourcat.com

By Ron King

Cats and hairballs go together. Cat hairballs are hair that was not digested, accumulated and coughed out. Cats will either pass hair through their digestive system or the hair will build up in their bodies causing the retching and heaving required to get rid of it. Cats follow rich grooming practices. They lick their body most vigorously capturing any loose, dead fur. Their rough tongue makes it hard on them to spit out any offending fur. Most often hair passes through their digesting system and disposed naturally. When hair accumulates inside their tummy, blocking paths in their digestive system, vomiting or coughing hairballs happen.

Cats with long fur a lot of times develop more hairballs than other cats. If a cat is not able to rid itself of cat hairballs through vomiting or through the digestive system, it could suffer from a blockage in the intestine or stomach. Left untreated for too long, it might be life-threatening. Without surgery, that blockage caused by a hairball could be deadly. Cat hairballs are wide spread in felines and seem to be harmless, yet that is a false view. Cats and hairballs may seem to go together, yet some times complications happen. To minimize hairballs you can assist your cat with taking care of dead hair. First, brush your cat to strengthen the hair. Secondly, improve your cats eating habits. Feed it healthy food containing minerals that strengthen the hair and assist the digestive system with getting rid of the hair. Research different manufactures that produces such kind of food.

Special treats for your cats containing petroleum products can also help against cat hairballs. These petroleum-based treats help coat the tummy and digestive system for smooth passage through the body. There are several possibilities to administer these petroleum-based treats. Some cats can be fed simply by spoon. With others, try putting some food on their snout and see if they will lick it off. If these methods fail, apply some on their paws and watch them lick the treats off that way. If you follow this advice you will encounter the cats and hairballs phenomenon less and less.

When a blockage caused by cat hairballs will happen is impossible to predict, yet once it happens you must look for complication symptoms. If the cat coughs for 24 hours with no relief, if it lacks appetite, and can not release his bowel movements you must act immediately. Take it to a vet for surgery, because this may be the only way to remove the blockage. Keep a close eye on your cat and take preventive measures.

About the Author

For more info, see Cats And Hairballs and Cat Hairballs. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cats.

By Idham Effendi

Cats are naturally territorial animals. This becomes a problem when your cat decides to mark it’s territory on your curtains, carpet and couches. It can be a difficult situation to deal with, especially in multi-cat households, where cats tend to return to the “scene of the crime.”

There are a lot of people who deal with the bad habits of their cats, because these cats are not house trained. On the other hand, cat owners may be having no alternative and they must leave their cats home alone for longer periods of time. This may stress the animals. Stress often leads them toward leaving their urine outside their litter box, on the carpets, furniture and even more awkward places, like cupboards and flower pots.

Pour cold water directly over the area and blot the wet area again with paper towels. You can also use a moist sponge, a towel, or whatever you want to use for a blotter. White is the best color for because you can see when there is no more yellow urine being absorbed. lso, make sure you “blot”, rather than “scrub” the carpet in the early stages. This will help remove the cat urine rather than grind it deeper into the carpet fibers. Keep blotting until the yellow urine is no longer visible on the white blotter.

Next, you’ll want to add some soda water to the area. Soda water is great because the carbonation penetrates the carpet fibers thoroughly. Add approximately 1/2 cup of soda water to the urine soaked area (use more or less depending on the amount of urine). After pouring the water on the affected area, repeat the blotting for several minutes.

If you prefer to use a commercial carpet cleaner, add it to the soiled area and follow the directions on the product. Alternatively you can use a mixture of water and white vinegar. Mix 1/4 cup tap water (hot), and 1/4 cup of vinegar into a measuring cup. our 1/2 the mixture over the area and scrub it with a brush (an old dish washing brush will work) Add the remainder of the vinegar and water mixture and let it sit for several minutes. Then blot the area again until it’s almost dry.

Finally, pour a generous amount of baking soda over the damp area and scrub it in with the brush. Let the soiled area sit for several hours until dry. Once dry, sweep up the baking soda with a broom and dustpan. Lastly, vacuum up the baking soda. Get More: http://cat-world.50webs.com

About the Author

Idham Effendi Email: chip_arm@yahoo.com. Website: http://cat-world.50webs.com

By Sharon Cowherd

Have you experienced the loss of your beloved cat? If you have, you know that it is not easy. It was a year ago today that we had to make the most difficult decision ever with one of your cats. Cuddles was only five and a half years old but she was very sick. Her liver had quit working and we found out that she was also diabetic. She had also quit eating and was drinking very little water. We made the difficult decision to let her go. That was a year ago and it was the hardest day that we have had to go through. It is still hard today as there are so many reminders of her all around, I still find myself tearing at times just thinking about her. It is very difficult to even write this, but I wanted to share as I know that there are many others out there who have gone through the same experience.

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a pet, it does not matter how young or how old your cat is when it dies, it does not make it easier to cope with. As a cat lover, I have formed a loving bond with all of my cats and I see them as my babies not as another animal. Many pet lovers have the same feelings and will understand the pain that one goes through when there is a loss.

I miss Cuddles and I always will. We had a routine that was disrupted and adjusted a year ago. Every morning when I woke up she would be on the bathroom sink ready for me to brush my teeth so that she could play in the water. She was always there in the afternoon too when I would clean up for bed. But the one thing that I miss the most about her is bedtime. She would lie in bed next to me, and I would put my thumb out for her and she would suckle on it for awhile before she would go to sleep. I always thought that it was so silly, but it is the one thing that I miss the most. She loved to cuddle on either my lap or my husband’s. Her favorite spot was next to her sister, Tiggy, lying on the couch sleeping the day away.

I did find that it made it easier to know that she was no longer in pain, but it still does not eliminate the pain. But what if your cat lived a long life and did not have a sickness that required you to let them go. I have not gone through the experience of losing a cat to old age. I am sure that I will still feel the same and will miss them just as much, and every person is going to react differently to the death of their cat and will have their own grieving process.

I was even told by some that I should go right out and get another cat to replace Cuddles. But no cat will ever replace Cuddles and I found it hard to just start looking for another cat. I knew that Tiggy also needed time to cope with the loss of her sister and bringing a new cat in right away would not only change mine and my husband’s life but Tiggy’s too and I had to consider that. I did start looking for another cat, but I started looking when I was ready. And I found not one but two to bring home. I was only able to do it when my heart was ready to give again. You will know when you are ready to get another cat after the loss of your dear beloved kitty. For some they may not get another one for a very long time, but it will be up to you. The loss of a cat does not mean that you will never be able to move on, but you will never forget the love that they gave you and the special things you did together. They are dear to our hearts and will remain their forever.

About the Author

Sharon Cowherd maintains Caring for Your Cat, a blog about her experiences and knowledge of caring for her cats. You can read more about Sharon and her cats at www.caringforyourcat.com