Robert Scott asked:


A person would like to enjoy his life to the fullest but somewhere in the corner of his heart there is a constant worry about the future. If given a choice we would all like to make sure that we have sufficient funds and means to take care of contingencies and any emergency situation that may occur. Insurance is one such sure shot method of preparing for unforeseen circumstances that may require a substantial amount of money at a short notice. We have insured our lives, our properties and every conceivable asset has some kind of insurance attached with it. When we are providing such security for our valuables maybe we should also give our pets the security of insurance. A pet insurance can make sure that your pet gets the best medical attention and health care at all times.

Many online websites are also venturing into the area of providing pet insurance online. The pet owner has the convenience of simply logging onto such a pet insurance online site and checking out all the plans available under insurance schemes for various pets. Irrespective of the age, breed and gender of your pet, you are sure to find a Pet insurance Online plan that suits your budget and fulfills all the health insurance requirements of your beloved pet. Even routine health check ups for the pet which include the regular vaccinations and minor medications are included under the health insurance plans. Pet care and a good vet can cost a good amount of money, so the insurance will insure that the owner can manage the finances easily.

Our pets can fall prey to a number of diseases and illnesses and at times even accidents that result in life threatening situations. However the advancement of technology has given a major boost to treatment procedures. Pet insurance online provides plans that take care of such expensive treatments without causing a financial burden for the owner. Regular installments paid in small amount for a pet insurance can go a long way in ensuring that the pet, be it a cat, dog or other animal, receives the attention that it deserves. Expensive treatment procedures like a kidney transplant or hip replacement for animals are being carried out successfully these days, provided you have the necessary finances to provide such treatment for your pet. Carefully go through all the plans and options available with a pet insurance company and then select one that best suits your needs.

Keeping a pet is not just about having a cute animal to entertain your family members and shower love on it as and when it suits you. A pet has many added responsibilities attached that include maintaining a regular hygiene program for the pet and ensuring proper diet and nutrition for your pet. Regular health check ups and visit to the vet should also be an essential part of your lives. Purchasing a pet insurance online for your beloved pet will ensure that you can continue to provide the loving care and support to the pet at all times and no pet has to have its life shortened due to lack of funds.

Manseo Sharma asked:


Siamese are known for their distinct coloring and blue eyes. Its refined coloring and too cold-blooded on appeal and he was at the height of its popularity in the 1950s. It is a well-loved breed today, but less attention is paid to today from its peak.

Almost everyone knows what that looks like a Siamese as they are known. This is partly due to their popularity in the mystery film genre. Many people think, it is curious nature makes them an ideal choice for a detective in the wizard.

Appearance – The characteristics of a Siamese cat are rectangular in shape along its body, a head wedge-shaped, large ears, long thin legs and elegant, a long graceful tail and brilliant blue, almond-shaped eyes. The Siamese is a breed of cat with short hair and is available in several colors and patterns such as Seal Point, Chocolate Point, Blue Point and Lilac Point. Should there be different coloring, it is considered a totally separate race, color point Shorthair Breed. Behavior and Characteristics – The Siamese cat is a loving, fun-loving and expect the owners of about most of the time. Siamese, which tend to have problems, are usually the cats that are too left to themselves and have nothing interesting to do or they can be thought of escape.

However, if you are a career oriented person and still have your heart on the possession of a Siamese, May you want to add a second cat at home. This allows your Siamese not to be isolated, and a partner in crime. But do not worry; they will wait patiently for their masters when masters not walk in the house.

This breed of cat is particularly devoted to his family and is more than willing to help with household chores, keep you company while you move from room to room or in your corner for a nice relaxing round of the evening. Siamese are very outgoing and meet and greet anyone who comes to the door. The older generation seems to have a penchant for elegance and affectionate Siamese breed. The Siamese is alert and lively and can take a lot of new stuff, such as to look to move forward in case of appeal or even recovery.

The Siamese: Siamese are a fickle race, which will require your attention and you need to give them. They do a lot of noise and if you leave them on their own for long periods of time, they will tear all around them. While these are the disadvantages to have a Siamese cat, it does not mean they cannot be very clean. This is especially true when you rise from infancy.

In most cases, Siamese cats have blue eyes and brown ears. You’ve probably seen this race if you’ve seen the film “Lady and the Tramp”. But the cats in the film were average, not the usual type of a Siamese cat. In most cases, the Siamese are affectionate breed that loves people. When they call the attention of their master, they meow a lot, just like babies do when they cry.

Judy Jantzen asked:


If you are having a difficult time training your cat then read the following very carefully . Successful cat training involves a lot of time playing with your cat. The playing should be gentle and regular as it helps with bonding and loving each other.  Most cat training e-books tell you that the food reward or treat is an important factor, but so is the love and trust factor. The cat has to want to please you.

The best example I have ever seen of domestic cat training was at a sunset celebration in Key West.The celebration is of tourists enjoying various entertainment acts put on by the locals.  If you liked the performance you were expected to drop some money in a hat.  There was a man by the name of Dominique Le Fort catmankeywest.com who had beautiful long hair, white cats.The cats each had a carrier for when they weren’t doing their thing.  When they were performing, they each had a simple bar stool that they sat on.  Unfazed by the crowd and all the noise, they would leap from stool to stool, through hoops and do all kinds of other neat tricks. It was truly incredible to watch.  He had to have spent many hours, days and months in training them. The cats were a delight for the big crowd.  Mr. LeForte and his cats are still performing at the Hilton Pier in Key West.

Most of us will be happy if we can get our cat to respond at all, to our summons or when we tell them no.  First they must learn  their name so use it often.  They must also learn your language, both verbal and how you react physically .  For each thing you try to  show them, use a food treat/reward.  Be generous with your praise  when they do something  correctly.  Do things in brief segments  because their attention span is short, if they aren’t in the stalking mode.  Make sure that what you are asking  your cat to do, is safe for the cat’s well being, or you will destroy  the trust factor.

Playing with your cat is  enjoyable  and can be accomplished in a couple of minutes here and there.  A TV commercial is an excellent time.  Make sure that the toys are safe.  Each cat seems to like different items to play with.   Our two cats have been rescued and they have very different requirements for what will get them to play.  They may get bored  with a toy after awhile and then you must find something new.  We have one cat who could be on a soccer team, she loves to play with a soft kids ball, but she wants to hide behind a curtain and bat the ball out to you.  Our  latest rescued cat loves bottle caps [food safe] which he directs under the pantry door.  Then he opens up the door and bats it back out.  He also likes us to use the back scratcher to gently scratch his back and tickel his tummy.  They have both become experts at opening our pocket doors, when they want out of a room.  Trial and patience’s will help you discover what your cat likes and enjoys.

A  energetic play time before your bedtime can help to ensure a good nights sleep.  The more jumping and running the better you will sleep.   If your cat is tired and well fed at night it will more likely sleep through the night.  Remember that a bored cat is a mischievous cat .  It will find something to do. Playing with your cat, gives it a good outlet for it’s mental and physical needs and also helps to keep it healthy, because it is exercising. Don’t just toss it a toy and ignore it.  A cat needs some show of love and attention.  It will also relieve your stress and gives you some exercise.

Please use a lot of common sense in choosing your cat’s  play things.  They must be safe. A good guide is would they be safe for a  toddler.  Stuffed toys should be machine washable and be very careful about what they are  filled with.  No nut shells or polystyrene beads. Cat nip is a mind altering drug.  Yarn, ribbons and strings can be chewed and ingested.  Put them away when play time is finished.  A trip to the vet is very expensive these days and you don’t want to harm your cat.   Don’t be sorry – keep your cat safe!

Jim Moore asked:


If you have a cat – or more than one cat – then you’re in the market for some quick and easy training tips. The following tips . . . tricks . . . and techniques cover a variety of situations that most cat owners encounter.

The key to effective training is consistency. Whatever you choose, be sure to do it on regularly, otherwise, you’ll be sending your cat mixed signals. And that will only make it that much harder to train her. Forget about cat training in 10 minutes!

Below are ten “must have” tips that will get you through your initial phase cat ownership.

1. Cats really don’t care that you punish them. It’s true. If you’ve owned a dog, you know that punishing him will help change his behavior. It doesn’t with cats. Bottom line. Don’t waste your time. They’ll sit there purring at you and just perform that same behavior again.

2. Corporal punishment is out of the question. Because a cat’s body is so delicate, you can’t “spank” a cat the way you do a dog to get its attention. That means when you’re training your cat, you have to match wits with it. Don’t worry. I’m confident you’ll win. There are things out there like cat clicker training, but I don’t recommend it.

3. Use a form of positive reinforcement. As you become a seasoned cat owner, you’ll discover that it’s difficult to catch your cat in the actual “crime”. It’s far easier, then, to reward your cat when you see her performing a right behavior. Keep some cat “treats” on hand. Feed one to your cat whenever she is doing something positive – like using the litter box or using her scratching post.

4. Keep plenty of toys – either store bought or make shift – around the house. Much of the “bad” behavior of cats is simply because they’re board. The feline is by nature a predatory animal. Remember the scene in the Disney movie, The Lion King, where little Simba gets “pouncing lessons.” When you think your cat is literally bouncing off the walls and tearing down the curtains, he’s only practicing his predatory skills. Provide him with alternatives and he’ll tame down – at least some.

5. When you’re away, keep him busy. If your cat is used to company, he may get bored and inadvertently destruction while you’re at work or are gone for any length of time. Here’s a quick hint. Buy a timer for your television set, make sure the TV is tuned to an animal-friendly channel (an outdoor channel or Animal Planet for instance) and then have the television automatically turn on at different times of the day. Cats can see images on the screen. He’ll come to investigate the noise and stay to watch the picture – at least for a while.

6. The value of a spray bottle of water. In some instances, spraying a cat with a harmless water bottle is enough to get their attention and stop the bad behavior. You only need a simple spray bottle that you use for misting plants. ****** the cat if it misbehaves. Soon, he’ll know that he can’t do that.

7. Blow a harmless puff of air in your cat’s face. Yes, this sounds crazy, but it really works. If your cat is literally in your face and you need to teach him to keep a certain distance and give you some space, try it. Blow a puff of air into his face. It’ll startle and puzzle him. Soon, he’ll associate the two and you won’t be bothered by the unpleasant attention he gives you.

8. Make sure you cat has “a room with a view”. You know what they say, “curiosity killed the cat.” More appropriately, an irate owner went berserk over something a bored cat got into. Much of the bad behavior of your cat is simply due to his innate curiosity. Make sure he has a ledge or window sill that he can sit in comfortably to check out the birds and squirrels in your yard. If your window sill isn’t large enough for him to sit for extended periods, you can by an extension at the pet store. Or, if someone you know is handy, you can make your own.

9. Spend quality time with your cat. As a training technique, this may sound a bit unorthodox. But, it’s really a savvy move on your part. The more time you spend with your kitty, the better you’ll be able to communicate with her. Cats definitely have a form of communication skills that involves more than just “talking.” The better you know your cat – and just as importantly, the better your cat knows you – you’ll be able “to read her mind”. You’ll just “know” when she’s considering an improper move. And she’ll know when you disapprove just by reading your body language and the look on your face.

10. Confine the aggressive cat. Reward the victim. Got more than one cat? Then you probably have that occasional “cat fight.” Felines are territorial animals. They will get into a fight now and then over their “catdom.” If you view the fight, your first step is to disengage the action. Using a water sprayer is the best method. ****** the aggressor. Try to avoid ********* the victim. After that, confine the “bully” in a less attractive space. In the meantime, reward the cat who didn’t attack – even when she was being attacked. Give her a treat and let her free roam the house. When you do put this pair of felines together again, try to keep them as supervised as possible.

These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg when you’re training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you’ll discover a language of your own. It may be through speech – you talk and she meows. But more than likely, the two of you will eventually be able to read each other’s body language. You’ll soon learn the subtle nuances of this very effective form of communication . . . and teaching your cat what she needs to know will be easier than you can ever imagine.

Jay Schindler asked:


If dog is man’s best friend, then cats are a man’s caprice. 

Aside from being expensive, purebred cats are difficult to care for as they require their owner’s love and attention. Cats are like babies, because they need to be fed, sometimes bathed, combed, played with and cared for.

Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.

If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.

Top cat breeds

If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.

1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.

2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.

3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.

4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat.  Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.

5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.

No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.

Gail Metcalf asked:

The more fully you educate yourself about the ins and outs of cat care, the more able you will be to create an ideal care regimen for your pet. The better your cat care, the longer your cat will live, and the higher the quality of life it will have. In case that isn’t reason enough for you to invest a bit of time and energy in learning to offer your feline pet the best possible cat care, here is a quick breakdown of a few of the many benefits to outstanding cat care.

Great cat care means that when your cat needs medical treatment, you will recognize the signs early, possibly even long before invasive or costly procedures or drugs are necessary. Conscientious cat care will help you notice any health problems as soon as they manifest in even minor symptoms. This can help you catch issues early, when they are at their most easily treatable. By providing great cat care, you are helping to stop diseases and other health problems in their tracks by getting your cat the medical attention he or she needs as early as possible.

Regular, excellent cat care means that you will be able to be more efficient and save time in your cat care regimen. If you take a bit of time each day to complete a few simple cat care tasks, you will be sure that nothing builds up until it gets out of hand. In fact, you can spend less time overall by making efficient cat care a part of every day. Habitual and thorough cat care can actually be less work than taking care of a cat who you have ignored even a little bit. After all, grooming a slightly scruffy cat once every week is easier overall than grooming an utterly filthy cat once a month.

When you fully understand the different aspects of cat care, you can be sure that you aren’t neglecting any part of the cat care equation. Cat care is a multifaceted process that includes everything from stern training to playful snuggling, and an inexperienced or uneducated cat owner may not be aware of all of these different sides to having a cat. When a cat doesn’t have all of its needs fulfilled, it can develop behavior or health problems that could have been avoided through simple, responsible care on the part of the owner.

Last but not least, one great reason to improve your cat care is simply that there is no good reason not to. Learning how to care for your cat more fully and completely is easy, so you might as well give it a try. Even if you think that you already know everything under the sun about cat care, it never hurts to double check. Take some time to skim a book or a few websites on the subject, and you just may discover your own reasons to improve the way you care for your pet.

Mikael Rieck asked:


Cats make some of the best pets you can have. They are especially good pets for people who have busy lives and schedules that can’t afford to give a pet all of their time and attention. Cats are pretty private animals that don’t constantly need your attention, which frees up a lot of time. They are also fairly quiet pets which make them nice pets for people who live in apartments.

There are a lot of different aspects to taking care of cats that everyone should probably learn about before bringing home a new cat. One of the most important aspects of taking care of any cat is the type of diet your cat has. Nutrition and the type of food your cat eats will determine how long your cat’s life span is. There are tons of different brands and tons of different types that all claim to be the healthiest choice for your cat. You should do a little research and make sure that none of the companies you are considering have had any type of recalls lately. Also if you aren’t sure which one is truly the healthiest you should contact your vet who can help you pick the best brand for your kitty. The vet can also give you instructions about how much to feed your cat.

It’s extremely important to make sure that you avoid overfeeding your cat. By overfeeding your cat you may cause your cat to gain a lot of weight. This weight gain can eventually lead to your cat being very obese and unhealthy. This can shorten your cat’s life span and end up being fatal to your beloved pet. Cats don’t typically need the same kind of exercise that dogs do. They tend to get their exercise throughout the day around the house.

Grooming is another essential to taking proper care of your pet cat. You should divide up the grooming duties between those that need to be done daily, and those you can do weekly. Brushing out your cat’s loose hair is something you should probably do daily as this will also improve the shine of your cat’s coat. You should also check your cat for fleas and ticks regularly while playing with them and petting on them. Make sure you get the right type of shampoo to wash your cat in as well. You may want to sport some elbow high rubber type gloves when washing your cat to avoid getting scratched.

While cats are private animals that don’t exactly do back flips to get your attention, that doesn’t mean you should never play with your cat and spend time with him. Make a little time each day just to sit down and pet your cat or get out his favorite toy and just play with him. As stated earlier this is the perfect time to check and make sure he or she doesn’t have any ticks or fleas as well.

Having a cat for a pet is a wonderful experience that millions all over the world enjoy every single day. If you are looking for a pet that doesn’t require your constant attention, yet you can still cuddle and pet, a cat is the perfect pet for you. Make sure that if you have any questions you call your vet and ask so that you can be sure you are providing your pet cat with all the care and attention he or she needs. Your cat isn’t simply an animal that sits around the house; he or she is now another member of your own family.

Glenn Cutforth asked:


Cats are not turtles. Okay, I know what you’re thinking, people aren’t turtles, either. However, when you really think about it, people are a lot closer to turtles than cats in the sense that turtles, as well as people, can live to be 100 years or more. Not so for cats. In fact, in human terms, a cat who’s surpassed twelve years would be applying for their old age pension. Certainly cats can live longer than twelve years and, in fact, thanks to many factors, cats really are living much longer these days.

Dedicated care from their human companions plus advances in veterinary medicine are the main reasons. Most experts consider a cat’s “senior years” to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her resident human, a cat could enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.

As with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they get older. This often goes unnoticed by their human companion because they think their cat’s lack of response is just typical feline aloofness. Unfortunately, without keen hearing and vision, an older cat becomes more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street, so it’s probably a good idea to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, then make sure you supervise her in a protected area when she is allowed outdoors.

Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat’s senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Try adding moist food and warming her meals to amplify the scent and make her dinner more tantalizing.

Also, it’s important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Pay attention to about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, you should consider contacting your veterinarian.

Common problems people see their older cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and difficulty sleeping well.

Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat’s kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.

Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats as well and as it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she’ll begin to put on a lot of extra weight. This can add to her discomfort which makes her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken, so it’s important to encourage an older cat to take part in some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.

As a cat gets older, it spends less time grooming itself which may result in her hair becoming dry and matted. Regular grooming is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful, so it’s best to schedule daily brushing to remove loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.

So, as I said, cats aren’t turtles. However, with love and care they can live for fifteen years or more. But remember, just as senior humans require special care, so does your feline friend. Pay attention to their needs and help make them as comfortable as possible.