By Mitch Endick

Cats can be a territorial lot and often do not take kindly to strangers, animal or human, intruding on their turf. In multi cat environments, there is often a dominate feline that simply will not tolerate other cats. Competition for things like attention and physical space can exacerbate the problem. Territoriality aside, aggressive or destructive behavior in cats can be more than just a nuisance.

While in college, I worked as maintenance person for a large luxury apartment complex. It was not uncommon to enter a tenants apartment while no one was home. One morning, with a repair order in hand, I went to fix a dishwasher. No sooner did I get in the door than a cat confronted me. With teeth bared and hissing up a storm, this cat was not about to let me get to the kitchen. Every time I would attempt to walk around the cat, he would lunge at me. The dishwasher would have to wait.

The tenant had a hard time believing that her precious tabby would act that way. She became a believer when I returned, and was confronted again by her attack cat.

Like their humans, pets react to stress in different ways. The sources of stress can vary from loneliness and neglect to a physical ailment. Cats are not immune to physiological and physiological problems some of which may be beyond the control of the owner. Abused animals are under enormous stress and can act out in very inappropriate ways. Clawing the furniture, spraying and aggressiveness can be symptoms of bigger problem beyond just a case of bad kitty syndrome.

As for pet cats, the problem of aggressive behavior can be compounded by how the owner responds. As a long time cat owner, I have received conflicting advice on how to handle a wayward kitty. Subjecting a pet cat to the same type of aversion discipline used with dogs is said by some experts to be ineffective. Others think that a cat simply cannot be trained. My own experience is that cats are creatures of habit and behavior modification usually involves breaking the cycle of habit.

Like pet dogs, pet cats can get bored. Maintaining an ample supply of toys and other amusements gives the cat something else to do besides clawing the couch. Scratching comes natural to a cat as they attempt to keep their claws sharp. This is a throwback to their feral instincts and also helps the cat to mark its territory.

One obvious way to keep clawing damage to a minimum is to keep the claws trimmed. Some cats did not seem to mind the process while others may put up a struggle. If your cat struggles or otherwise resists do not risk injury to yourself or your cat. Consult a professional pet groomer or veterinary professional.

Behaviors such as spraying and defecating in areas other than the litter box can be symptomatic of physical illness. Assuming that the litter box is clean and well maintained, spraying and other inappropriate urination can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Spraying is also a way for male and female cats to mark territory. Likewise, defecating outside the litter box can be symptomatic of an intestinal worm infestation.

Only your veterinary professional can determine if a physical ailment is to blame and it is important for you cat to have a thorough examination.

Pet cats can be a finicky lot, very independent and with their own personality quirks. The important thing to remember is that under that façade of independence lies an animal that is dependent on us for love, care attention. Behaviors can be our cats way of talking to us. As responsible pets owners, we have a responsibility to listen.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.
www.petpages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

By Sharon Cowherd

Have you ever wondered what your cat is feeling? Did you know that you can tell by the movement of their tail? A cat will convey their emotions through a simple motion of their tale. Just as we can show our feelings without talking through our body language, cats do the same with their tail.

Now to interpret their movements is going to allow you to know exactly what your cat is feeling or experiencing at that moment. This will also help you to leave a cat alone who does not want to be bothered or shower them with love when they want attention.

When your cat’s tail is swishing violently back and forth, sometimes called a Sword Tail, it is your indicator that they are agitated or anxious. This movement is also a warning that they could attack at any time. When you see your cat moving its tail in this motion you want to either leave it be and let it relax. You can also try to get its attention away from you or whatever is agitating it, by tossing a toy for it to play with.

A cat will curl up with its tail tucked all around it, showing that it is content. They may also want to keep to themselves for awhile in this position. Wrapping their tail around them also allows them to keep their feet warm and protected.

The tip of your cat’s tail will also tell you a lot when you are watching it. If your cat’s tail is lowered but the tip is curved upward, also known as the Tip-Off, it could mean that it is very nervous or unsure about its surroundings for something that has gotten its attention. You will want to approach your cat with caution when you see its tail in this position as it could get aggressive. You can soothingly talk to your cat to calm it down. If it continues to hold the tail with the tip curved upward give it space to calm down.

There is one tail position that will portray different emotions depending on other movements of your cat; this position is holding the tail straight up. If your cat is holding its tail straight up or curling slightly means it is in a friendly mood or really happy to see you. When a tail is straight up but quivering, your cat is showing its love. I have only seen this particular tail position in one of my cats. Cuddles used to jump on my lap and her tail would be straight up and quivering, it was a good feeling knowing that she loved me so much. You do however want to watch out for your cat when their tail is straight up and fully bristled, it is angry and is telling you to “Watch Out.”

Another tail movement that has more than one meaning is when your cat is swishing its tail back and forth. If the swishing movement is rapid and forceful, your cat is not in the mood to play. However, the opposite is true if the movement is gentle. A swishing motion is often an indication that something has caught your cat’s attention. It could be thinking about pouncing on a toy or climbing a tree. There is one movement that may appear cute or harmless, but if your cat is against something with its tail straight up and quivering it could mean that it is marking that object. This type of tail movement is an indication that it is spraying. If you catch your cat backing up to an object, get its attention away from spraying.

Have you seen your cat’s tail bush out to make it look larger than it really is? I have seen this type of tail movement in all of my cats. It is done when they are frightened or very irritated. I have only seen my cats’ tail in the bushy position when they get frightened, and it usually occurs when something catches them by surprise.

Another movement that only involves the tip of the tail is a tick tock motion. If the tip of the tail is sharply moving from side to side it is a very good sign that your cat is very irritated and that it wants to be left alone.

Knowing the different movements that your cat’s tail make is good to know, but what if your cat does not have a tail? There are breeds of cats that do not have tails, and a cat can also lose its tail in an accident. So how do you know what they are saying? If you have a cat without a tail, listen to its meow, purring, or watch how it is arching its back. It will show you what it is trying to tell you without its tail.

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 Thomas Proctor

Owning a cat can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Cats are fun, intelligent, and very independent. Sometimes, you can see aggressive cat behavior, but this is fairly easy to treat. Confer with a veterinarian, and see what suggestions you get for appropriate cat control. With professional help, you can resolve the problem.

Cat doctors, as well as trainers, can assist in tempering aggressive cat behavior. In addition, pet psychologists may help to root out the problem, locating it at its source. It wasn’t always considered appropriate or logical to use cat psychology. However, nowadays, pet owners realize that this may help to discover core reasons for aggressive cat behavior.

Just like humans, animals have issues with trust. If a cat has ever been abused by a previous owner, or abandoned, or simply had no other contact with people, he or she may feel frightened with taken in by someone as a pet. This could be where some aggressive cat behavior sprouts from.

In order to gain cat control, a loving and accepting environment must be created. If you show a cat that you can be trusted, the cat will in turn show you kindness and affection. One of the best things you can give a cat is space. Unlike dogs, cats thrive on independent lifestyles. They do not appreciate being coddled and overly adored.

A cat’s instincts enable it’s survival by letting it know how to hunt for food and provide for its safety by ensuring a wariness toward anything the cat does not recognize. A cat, therefore, may not be displaying aggressive cat behavior, it may be just following its instincts.

True aggressive traits in cats can include characteristics such as clawing humans, violently hissing as a threat to another person or cat, swatting or scratching or jumping upon other people or pets. These are clues that your cat may suffer from trust issues. In other words, a cat who shows this type of behavior, is just trying to communicate its overcompensation for protection. With knowledge and patience a tender heart, and space with lots of love. You can show your cat a different way of life. Although it is very important to learn to understand CAT language in order to react appropriately as these behaviors occur.

About the Author

Purrfect Cat Behavior: www.purrfectcatbehavior.com

By Carl Ringwall

At some point in every cat owner’s relationship with their feline, the day will come when the cat misbehaves. It’s a fact of pet life; sooner or later, your cat will do something that, to him, seems like normal cat behavior and to you seems like a bad feline offense. When that happens, it’s important to remember that no matter now inappropriate or inconvenient the behavior, most feline acts are quite normal — for your cat. Simply understanding the normal behavior of cats can help you live with (and even appreciate) your cat’s eccentricities.

What kinds of behavior problems exist in our pet cats? The most common, by far, is urination and defecation outside the litter box. Chances are good that every cat will have an “accident” at least once in her life; after all, cats naturally seek unsoiled areas in which to do their business. Whether or not a single event will develop into a repeated problem is unclear, but by far your safest bet is to try to prevent this from happening in the first place. As a general rule, you need at least one litter box for each cat in your home (single cats benefit from having at least two boxes). Another formula to use is the one-box-per-cat-plus-one-box rule: So if you live with three cats, up to four boxes should be used. Having enough boxes ensures that each cat will always be able to find a box that is clean, convenient, safe and private.

Another cause of out-of-box accidents is urine spraying, which is usually a territorial behavior. It is best treated by reducing the environmental or social stress that caused it. If your cat does miss the box one day, a potential headache may be averted by seeking help right away.

The social behavior of cats is also often doesn’t jive with our expectations. Many cat owners make an incorrect assumption that cats are happiest in numbers. In fact, given the choice, many cats will either live alone or will develop relationships only with a select group of others. Introducing an unfamiliar second or third cat into a household often leads to long-term conflicts. Cats are creatures of habit, like most animals, and introducing another cat to the group can often upset the social balance. Cat owners are understandably upset when their pets hiss and bat at one another. Understanding that one cat’s irritability does not imply “hatred” toward another can help owners live more peaceably with cat behavior. When conflicts occasionally result in fighting or loud chases, the problem can often be helped by a professional.

The rules of feline social behavior also extend to human family members. It is normal, again, for cats to occasionally assert themselves. Some cats, for example, simply do not enjoy long petting sessions, and may bite the hand extended to them; others will tolerate and invite endless stroking. Such personality differences cannot be changed, and the most harmonious households are those that accept them. But if irritability or aggression is serious and has the potential to harm family members, it is advisable to seek professional instruction and help.

Less serious, but equally bothersome behaviors include middle-of-the-night crying and playfulness, jumping on kitchen counters, and clawing the expensive furniture. Cats have their nightly work to do, after all, and few will miss an opportunity to do something that they consider fun. For cat lovers, such misbehaviors often double as endearing personality traits. It may be reassuring to know, however, that help is available if lack of sleep, paw prints on the counter or puddles on the floor become a problem.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Get Easy Solutions For Cat Behavior Problems

By David Lee

If you have a cat that doesn’t seem to want to use its litter box cabinet, don’t be concerned. You are not alone as many cat owners complain about this problem. Lets see why this might be the case and find out what you can do about it.

The most common cause of the cat not liking to use its litter box is that it simply may not be clean enough. Case states that if you feel at all this might be a problem, the first thing you should do is to scoop every day and change litter more often than previously. Keep in mind that all cat furniture should be cleaned often. A cat may also develop an aversion to its litter box simply because it is not accessible enough. Some cats either can’t or don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to find their litter box. Therefore, if you place the litter box in an accessible location, you take this obstacle away and make it easier for the cat to use. Another problem is that the cat may not like the spot you’ve designated for the litter box. Simply moving it may help this simple accessibility problem.

If your cat is under any kind of stress, he or she may also urinate outside the litter box. In multiple cat households, for example, stress is often present that an owner is unaware of. Cats’ group dynamics have recently become an interesting topic in behavioral research. Recent studies have shown that even though one cat may not be actually deliberately be kept away from the litter box, the cat may still be anxious and may be manifesting this by going to the bathroom inappropriately outside of the litter box or by even using “marking” behavior. Try using one litter box for each cat, placed in various locations. This gives each cat a choice of location and can also help the cat choose who he or she would like to share the litter box with, if at all.

Another reason for litter box aversion may be preference of material in the box or the box itself. Cats often either prefer soft absorbent surfaces or smooth porcelain ones, according to Case.

Another reason this behavior may occur is that your cat may have developed a urinary tract infection. This can cause a previously completely litter box trained cat to begin going to the bathroom outside of the litter box. Cats also can associate unpleasant memories with locations or with particular people. Therefore, if the cat has a urinary tract infection and goes to use its litter box, the cat may then associate the litter box with the pain of the infection. The cat therefore thinks that if he or she no longer uses the litter box, the pain will go away. Therefore, if the cat is normally very good about using the litter box and suddenly stops doing so, take your cat to the vet immediately and have it checked out for a urinary tract infection or another health problem.

Also, owners often complain that their cats “misbehave” and urinate on bedding or clothing when “parents” leave the house; many owners think that their cat is simply angry or upset with them and is showing its displeasure. However, this is not true. Cats don’t develop separation anxiety, although dogs might. Cats simply do not become as strongly attached to their owners, as many of us cat owners have come to relize. However, cats can become stressed by change. This can cause anxiety, which cats can manifest by inappropriately urinating or defecation outside of the litter box.

About the Author

David Lee is owner and designer of Ace Cat Furniture and Ace Cat Health web sites. See his sites for more information on cat health, cat flea control , or Nutrition in cat food check out these sites. You can also find great cat furniture, cat trees, pet carriers at www.acecatfurniture.com

By Albert Tang

Cat training is not always easy, but it is possible if you want to have a well trained cat that will add a lot of fun, joy and laughter to your family. A cat that is not properly trained will not understand what is acceptable and what is not, which is why cat training is so important to both the cat and his/her owner.

It is much easier to instill good habits on a kitten as opposed to an older cat, which is something that every cat owner should take into consideration prior to selecting a new addition to their family. It is thus best to begin your cat training as early as possible.

Well first, let us at some basic fundamentals when training your cat:

1) The bonding process is especially important while you attempt cat training.

2) It is important to remember that reprimands don’t work well in cat training. This is a totally unacceptable method and instead of having a positive impact will have a negative impact.

3) Cat training tries to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior.

Now, let’s look at some of the problems you may face as a cat owner and how to resolve them.

So is there any method to prevent or reduce scratching?

One method would be to spray some lemon juice on certain targeted areas where your cat is about to scratch. Another method is to use repellants instead. However, using repellants may not be a good way as your cat may be sensitive to them. Of course the cat will never stop scratching but using caps is also a good method to prevent damage when your cat scratches something. Cat training for indoor cats may also involve the implementation of a scratching post, which will prevent them from ruining furniture or carpet with their nails.

These are some of the house cat training methods to prevent your cat from scratching your favorite furniture or objects.

Another typical problem that many cat owners face is training them how to use the litterbox.

One method to train your cat will cover a period of several weeks during which the litterbox is elevated and moved until it is near the toilet. During this period, the litter can be suspended above the toilet using either a small bowl or box. At the end of this training period involving the toilet, the cat will be able to use the toilet by perching over the bowl.

Being a cat owner is not a one day process, it takes time and patience to train your cat to your ideal expectations but remember not to rush things as it will have a detrimental effect instead.

About the Author

Albert recently developed a eCourse for looking after your cat’s mental and physical needs. If you are interest in learning more about this free eCourse and taking good care of your cat, please go to http://catcentral.justastore.com or you can send an email to catcentral@getresponse.com to request for your free eCourse.

By Matthew Hick

The simplest things can easily amuse cats. While people may go to the pet store to purchase expensive toys for their pet cats, it is more probable that cats will take favor to a piece of paper laying on the living room floor! Before you go and buy toys for your pet cat, think creatively and see if any old thing in your house could provide hours of amusement to your furry friend. In the end, you will find that you have saved money and provided your cat with the toy it really wants.

Idle cats can be mischievous cats, so cat owners should provide entertainment for their feisty felines to keep them occupied. If your cat is an indoor cat, he doesn’t have the ample opportunity to get the exercise an outdoor cat will, as it chases, climbs and runs about. Toys and playtime will satisfy your cat’s natural desire to chase prey. And if you join them in their playtime, the interaction will establish a bond between the two of you – something which will be important to you both.

When choosing toys for your cat, keep safety in mind. You don’t want anything with string, ribbon, or yarn hanging from it. This could easily be ingested, and you will have to possibly make an avoidable trip to the veterinarian with a medical emergency. Also, remove any loose or small parts. Chances are, a cat will eat anything that falls off the toy. Again, you will have another emergency. Avoid toys that contain dangerous filling such as beads. Remember, your cat does not know any better.

Some common items cats love to play with are inexpensive, and you may even have them in your own home. Plastic balls are a great source of entertainment for cats. They love to push and chase them. Ping-pong balls are wonderful also, as the holes allow the cat to carry them around. Cats love to chase, jump, and pounce. They also like to play hide and seek, and will while away hours with a simple paper bag. Just make sure the bag doesn’t have handles, which could be dangerous. Empty cardboard tubes, from toilet or hand paper, or cardboard boxes will also provide activity for your pet.

Soft stuffed animals are also ideal for the cat to cuddle with, carry, or even wrestle. Just make sure it is not bigger than your cat. A catnip filled toy makes a good play item, as the cat is attracted to its scent. It also will leave a scent on your carpet that will be pleasing to your cat and make them happy.

With a little imagination, you can turn many items in your house into play toys for your cat. Add this to some store bought toys, and your cat will be in kitty heaven. Just keep in mind, cats can get easily bored, so rotate the toys every week or so. You can even hide some and let the cat find them. But more importantly, interact with your cat to make the most of his playtime. He will get the exercise he needs, the occupation he desires, and the love he will return.

Article Source: www.articlesbase.com

About the Author:

Cat Toys Articles and Tips at http://Cats-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Adsense Website Network at http://eWebCreator.com. Matthew Hick has been designing profitable Niche Adsense Websites for over 5 years.

Author: Julia Camden

While many individuals fear cats because they possess claws that may strike at any moment, there are some felines that appear scary because they bite. This rather undesirable behavior may strike at any time with any cat when they feel threatened or unable to express their discontent with their current circumstances. Many times an unexpected intolerance to the amount of petting or stroking that a cat may allow is the cause for a quick nip. Below you will find a few suggestions as to what kind of signs surface when a cat has had enough.

Have you ever settled into bed or nestled into the couch and who should appear but your precious cat? She situates herself within hand’s reach and you start to stroke her addictingly soft fur. She is appreciative, emitting a rhythmic purr. All of sudden, after a stretch of time has passed; your cat suddenly bites your hand. You are puzzled as to why she would react in such a way. For some cats, this is their means of communicating that they have had enough petting. This is not always the case - other felines remove themselves from the action or slowly wander away.

Some owners are appalled the first time their cat has bitten them and want to make sure the act doesn’t occur again. In most cases, there are signs that a cat gives to warn of an impending nip or bite, but often an owner is unaware of what each signal means. For instance, when the tail of a cat begins to twitch with a rolling flick motion, a bite may soon follow.

The ears of the cat are also quite telling. When they begin to turn towards the back or become flattened against the head, she is letting out a warning. If your cat appears restless, stiffens her body, or begins to stare at your hand, these are also signs that a sharp attack may occur.

When any of the above signs presents themselves during a session of stroking, it is suggested to stop the petting and allow your cat to remain positioned beside you or on your lap, jump down, or walk away when they feel ready. Whatever they decide to do, biting doesn’t have to become one of the options.

If your cat bites you, it never pays to punish your pet for the action. Not only does it not work, but also many cats start to equate punishment with your presence and don’t even consider biting as a bad behavior. As hard as it may seem, but if you have missed the cue that a bite is coming, the proper way to handle the situation is to not pull the hand away or push the cat aside. Freezing is the best solution because often, a cat will not puncture the skin if they feel their message was received in full. Their aim is to stop you from petting them, not to cause intentional harm.

Some cats revert to aggression for a many number of reasons. They may have inherited the behavior through genetics or learned the conduct as a kitten. Owners who allow their kittens to chew on their hand during play have learned that it is OK to respond in this manner when they have “had enough” of the stroking and warning signals have been ignored.

Some owners have found ways to make petting a more enjoyable activity for their cat by using treats as incentives to encourage a lengthening of their tolerance. Overall, avoiding a cat bite means paying attention to the signs and signals associated with your feline.

About the Author:

Have a cat behavior problem, but don’t know how to fix it? If so, you’ll want to visit secretsofcats.com today to find out how to train your cat and eliminate bad cat behavior quickly.

Author: Lee Dobbins

The development of the cat litter tray has truly become a milestone for pet ownership. The modern use of cat litter in boxes or trays has allowed the cat owner to easily take care of their cats waste as well as provide a great place for indoor cats to do their business.

But some cats tend not to do their elimination activities at designated places like the cat litter tray. It is important that you observe your pet closely and find out whether the litter tray is being used by the cat.

There are several possible factors that could prevent the cat from opting to use the cat litter tray. For one, cats need ample space to squat, turn around and dig when they do their thing.
Thus, if the cat litter tray is too small, the cat may not have enough space to move around. Even you would not be comfortable doing such in a very tightly spaced bathroom, right?

Another factor would be the litter used in the tray. For years, manufacturers have used clay and silica as litter substrates.
But lately, experts advise them to refrain from using such materials since cats are not comfortable digging through them.

There are two types of litter trays being sold in the market currently. One is the open-spaced type, and the other is the closed litter box. Based on observations and pet owners’
experiences, cats usually prefer the open-type one because it provides ample room for movement. However, most pet owners prefer the closed-type because it hides the waste and keeps the smell from permeating throughout the house.

When buying cat litter trays for the first time, it is recommended that you purchase both types. That way, you can determine which type is preferred by the cat. Remember, it is the cat that would use the litter tray, not you, so respect the animal’s preference.

When Your Cat Won’t Use The Litter Tray

You could help make the tray be a comfortable place for your cat. For one, strategically place the tray where the cat could easily spot it and have access to it.

Do not place the cat litter tray at hidden areas like under some furniture, at the garage, under the air conditioner, or somewhere else where people could not easily spot the box.
Chances are, the cat would also find it hard to find the litter tray, and it could no longer hold its urge before it finds the tray.

Manufacturers also advise that as much as possible, put litter trays in all floors of the house so the cat could easily have access to them once they feel the urge.

Do not put deodorizer or air fresheners on top or beneath the cat litter tray. The cat may not like the smell of the chemicals coming from such fresheners. If you want to make sure no smell would originate from the tray, you could put some baking soda underneath the tray. Baking soda would not be detected by the cat because it does not secrete harsh smell that may annoy the cat’s sharp olfactory senses.

Since the cat is also a territorial animal, make sure each cat, if you have several at home, has its own designated cat litter tray. They would not want to share territories.

Buy trays that are using very fine materials, as fine as sand, as litter substrate. As mentioned earlier, silica and clay are not preferred by cats anymore.

If all else fails, your cat must have some sort of behavioral problems. Thus, seek the help of your veterinarian at once.

About the author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://catlitter.topicgiant.com where you can learn more about cat litter and using the cat litter tray.

Author: Kit Marsters

If you are an expecting family, it is natural to worry about the safety of your baby. There are many tales going around about newborns and cats, some of them none too pleasant. There’s no need to worry, though. Cats and babies have lived together harmoniously throughout the ages, and there are many things you can do to help them become friends.

If you are a cat owner, I am certain that you love your feline friend and worry that now that a baby is on his/her way, you may have to rehome your feline. This can be a heartbreaking thought, and I can assure you that it is not necessary.

Before Birth

There are a few things you can do to allow a cat to get used to the upcoming changes in your household. This will make the introduction of a new family member that much easier, and will allow your cat to learn that a baby’s presence poses no threat.

- It is important to familiarise your feline with the sounds and smells of a baby. Experts recommend expecting mothers to wear, for example, baby lotions and powders of their chosen brands.
Allow your feline to sniff these smells and get used to them, praise her and give her a treat, to develop positive associations.

- If you have friends or family with a baby, ask them to visit you a few times, bringing the baby along. This way, your cat can get used to having a baby in the house.

- A baby’s crying can be unsettling to a feline. Not many cats enjoy loud noises, so it’s best to get her used to it in advance, to learn that there is nothing to fear. Experts advise to get a recording of a baby crying. Play this recording softly and for a short while, then build up to a louder volume and a lengthier amount of time. Be sure to praise your cat and treat her, again to develop positive associations.

- Cats are always curious about any changes in the house, so when you are setting up the nursery, allow your cat to investigate, but teach her that she is not allowed to get inside the cot, pram or bath. You can provide yourself with a cot and/or pram net. Do make sure that you pull the cot netting taut, otherwise it might make for a very inviting sleeping spot!

- If you are still worried about your cat having access to the nursery, my best advice is to get your feline used to the idea that that space is out of bounds, at least whilst the baby is asleep and/or being bathed.

Health Issues

- Though, yes, cats can indeed harbour diseases, there are very few that are transferable from cat to human. In fact, it is quite rare for a human to pick up anything from a cat. Still, it is advisable to take your cat to the vet for a check-up before the baby is born.

- Make sure to wear protective gloves when cleaning the litter tray and wash your hands afterwards. Alternatively, ask someone else to clean the tray for you.

- Regularly de-worm and de-flea your cat.

After The Happy Event

- Don’t be worried if your feline is curious about the newcomer and wants to sniff him/her. This is only natural, and it will help your cat grow familiar with the newborn.

- To avoid any jealousy issues, do spend some quality time with your feline. Make sure she knows she still has your affection. Giving your cat a little treat when feeding the baby can be helpful in building good relations and letting her know you are thinking about her.

- Some cats are more wary of change than others. Don’t be offended if it takes a while before your cat shows any enthusiasm for the new addition to your family. She might be a bit quiet and withdrawn until she is used to the situation.

In Summary

Please don’t worry about the urban legends about cats and babies. With a bit of care and good judgement they can happily coexist, just as they have done throughout the ages.

And when your child gets older, no doubt he/she will become great friends with your feline and both will bring you many smiles.

About the author:
This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.