Health Benefits of Cat Ownership

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Jennifer Heineman asked:


Health Benefits of Cat Ownership

You love your cats for the companionship that they provide. A sympathetic ear, great listening skills, and boundless affection are all great side benefits of cat ownership, but your cat may actually be doing more for you than you think. Recent studies have shown that keeping pets has a positive impact on your health and well being, especially when that pet is a cat.

General Health Benefits

Studies have proven that having contact with a pet is very calming and soothing, and have backed up this conjecture with medical facts. Vital signs taken after an individual’s interaction with a pet show positive effects on the blood pressure, pulse, and breathing frequency, and the results of these tests are surprisingly similar to the body’s condition after deep meditation. Some studies have even indicated that having pets reduces stress and results in a lowered risk of heart disease.

Cats and dogs but especially cats have been used in some hospitals and nursing homes as a kind of therapy for the bedridden and ill. The warmth of their furry bodies and open, purring friendship can drastically influence a person’s state of mind for the better. A study conducted in the states of New York, Missouri, and Texas found that nursing homes that allowed pets had lower medication costs than those that didn’t.

Lowered stress and increased calmness could be the cause, but studies over the last twenty years have also shown that people who own pets are much healthier than their non-pet owning counterparts; they are often less-prone to minor illnesses like colds and influenza, score better on psychological tests, and claim to feel a greater sense of well-being.

Children and Cats

Adults are not the only ones who benefit from caring for a cat. Children who have participated in the raising of a pet have shown higher self esteem levels, better social skills, and a greater sense of responsibility toward others. For young children and infants, exposure to cats at a young age can also help the child develop resistance to allergens and asthma.

Seniors and Cats

Older adults often lack companionship, social connections and opportunities for recreation during their retirement years. Owning a cat can significantly boost the health and happiness of a senior, giving them a feeling of purpose and the knowledge that they are needed.

Cats are ideal pets for seniors as they are relatively low-maintenance in comparison to dogs. They don’t need formal exercise like regular walks, or constant trips to the backyard, since they take care of their own exercise routine during play and confine their bathroom habits to a single area.

Cat ownership has been shown to improve the general health and well-being of men with HIV, reduce the loneliness of single women living by themselves, and even help victims of heart disease recover more quickly after a heart attack. Next time you’re cuddling with your cat on the couch, tossing that rubber ball across the linoleum for the sixty-third time, or even cleaning a hairball off the rug, remember that your cat might be doing a lot more for you than you think.



Cat Health Insurance: Care for Your Feline Friends With Extra Care and Compassion

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Robert Scott asked:


Cats are an inseparable part and parcel of our life. The creature is highly liked for its soft and abiding nature and can give the human life a new meaning. In fact, a new study says that terminally ill patients are healed faster with the help of pets. The mere presence of pets instills a sense of calm and provides compassion to the patients in the most painful phase of their life. Besides this, in our mundane lives too, we don’t seem to live without them. Yet it is a fact, that cats and other pets do fall ill due to some reason or other. Cat health insurance is the answer to most of your problems related to the health of your pet. With the help of this policy, you can provide your provide your cat with the best possible health care.

Getting a cat health insurance policy done for your cat, you are lessened of your worries related to taking care of your pets. You can cover all the expenses related to the cats as a daily routine and also go for the medical treatment in case your cat is unwell. Cats are the joy of our life. Since the creature is delicate and needs extra care, one should be free to get as much amount as is possible for its routine care and upkeep. An insurance policy is right thing to go for, since this is quite apt to provide your cat with exclusive medical and health care. Cat health insurance is a package designed for the pet lovers who wish to give that extra comfort for their pets. So go ahead with this policy, if you really care for your pet and wish its well being forever.

Pet insurance has existed in the western countries for long time now. The concept is similar to human health insurance policy and offers a safety net for your pets. It’s better to properly investigate about the nature of the insurance policy, before going ahead with it. Many of them don’t cover the expenses fro the treatment of chronic conditions, past injuries, flea control, dental and sterilization. Cat health insurance gives the pet owner a freedom to seek any kind of medical care from any veterinary clinic. In the pet insurance policy, mostly, 50% to 75% of the medical expenses are covered during a cat’s lifetime. Usually, this type of policy includes any sudden or possible expenses needed for the cat care and treatment. Besides, the cat insurance also depends upon the breed of cat you own and the insurance companies in this case, charge a higher rate.

 

The pet insurance package is usually large enough to cover sudden medical emergencies and the owners are able to save their pets from possible death due to the lack of medical care. Cat health insurance helps an owner to lower the costs of all medical expenses. Make a comparative study of the insurance providers before arriving for that final decision. A company should be selected for its years of proven expertise in the pet insurance cases and all the details should be properly understood. A reason why one should go for the pet insurance policy is the fact that it is after all such an affordable price to pay to for the quality medical care of your cat. As stitch on time saves the nine, the insurance policy also provides you with quality medical care on a timely basis.



Defining Dog Health Care

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

Roland Jefferson III asked:


It is most important to realize that to be successful in the goal of providing your companion with a happy and contented life style, the form of dog health care that works best for your pet, must include exercise and diet as well as frequent checkups with the vet.

Most people equate dog health care with rabies shots and the other series of immunizations that your vet has persuaded you that your doting animal requires. You, as the funding agent for your dogs health, feel obligated to accept all that your vet says. Given that you are most likely smarter than your dog, any other action would be taking advantage of the situation. Let’s face it, your dog cannot even spell dog care. In fact most, if not all dogs, cannot spell at all. Given that, you alone define the right dog health care for your trusting friend.

Exercising Your Dog

For the human and their companion, exercise is probably one of the most important aspects of health care. Holistic dog care must include an appropriate amount of exercise for your faithful friend. Although you can train your dog to sleep most of the day by your side and be as lazy as you, this is not good dog health care practice. To be happy dogs, dogs need to be active. This exercise does not need to be excessive. If you have a Puggle, it most likely does not need more than a walk around the block. Your average Labrador might need a couple of miles a day to feel contented. You should understand the needs of your dog and makes sure that it gets the exercise it needs. Unfortunately most dogs completely rely on their owners for exercise and it is important for the owners not to let them down.

Caring for Your Dogs Stomach

The final component in providing good dog care that is most often ignored is the provision of the right form of food. Cat owners have this down. Cats regularly regurgitate their food and their owners are normally determined to find food that reduces the frequency of their furry purring friend repeatedly doing this.

Animal throw up of all kinds is pretty disgusting to most human beings and we should all strive to minimize the activity for our own benefit. However, most dog owners do not regard the management of the dogs diet as part of an overall practice of good dog health care. They should. Particularly in Europe, dog foods are incredibly inconsistent in quality and content. You should read the labels carefully.

In Europe horse meat is common, in Australia most likely this is replaced with kangaroo meat. These are both difficult meats for the average dog to assimilate. Most dogs do better on milder foods such as lamb and rice. Dog health care practices should include a solid nutritional program that is customized to the sensitivity of the particular animal.



Cat Health And Cat Care Of Cat Skin And Cat Organs

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Martin Marks asked:


Cats have a dry skin just like humans. The fur on their body protects them from exposure to elements such as dirt. For pet cats that have dry skin, it is advisable to use moisturizing or soap-free products. Cats normally develop skin problems such as Seborrhea. The best way to treat this disorder is to use medicated shampoo.

Sensory Organs:

Cats have the great qualities. They are better than human beings in seeing things and hearing sounds around them. They smell and feel the nature very well. Due to these abilities, cats were often mistaken to possess black magic. The current era does not suspect cats of having an influence over the supernatural powers. It is necessary to know cats’ sense, which may help in understanding their behavior much better.

1. Sight: Cats have a good night vision. Where there is no enough light, cats see much better than humans. However, they are not able see in complete darkness. This ability comes at the cost of daytime vision, which is beneficial for nocturnal predators. Actually, cats fail to see distant objects at daytime. People know little about the colors that cats see visibly. Science says that, they can identify some of the colors than humans do. With their eyes, cats detect faster movement of things in their surroundings. On the other hand, it is hard for them to pay attention on slow moving objects.

2. Sound: Cats have very sharp ears. Even when fast asleep, cats trace the noisy sounds of small rodents. Their ability to hear sounds is three times as high as that of human beings. Cats move their large ears sideways to capture the sound more accurately. For this, they first locate the place from where the sound actually comes. While chasing the target, they sometimes pause to listen and determine the location of their prey.

3. Smell: Cats largely depend on their sense of smell. They always sniff their food before eating. Smelling things is the essential part of feline communication. There is a mechanism at the top of their mouth, which makes possible for them to analyze smell. With the help of this mechanism, cats twist their lips, open their mouth, and express disgust over certain things.

4. Taste: Cats use this sense to decide the foods good for them. They are truly carnivores. As such, their sense of taste best lies in recognizing fat and protein. Unlike dogs, cats prefer to stay away from sweets. In addition, cats do not respond well to the taste of salt. Experts suggest the reason behind this as, cats get enough salt from the meat food.

5. Touch: Cats have touch receptors all over their body. These receptors are nerve cells that transfer sensations of pain, pressure and temperature from any point to the brain. The nerve cells are concentrated mainly on their front paws and face. The hair, covering body of cats, help them to stay alert even on the slightest touch of air passing by.



Why Learn About Cat Care?

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Christopher Byrnes asked:


A Few Simple Reasons To Improve Your Cat Care

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.



General Cat Care

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

generalcatcare
Karen Corey asked:

Cats make wonderful companions, however they can be somewhat of a mystery. Knowing and understanding your feline companions is the way to keep them happy. Even though cats have the reputation for being independent and aloof, they actually thrive on affection.

If you are getting a cat or kitten for the first time you might want to make sure that no one in your family is allergic to cats. You should take your family to a rescue centre or have them play with a friend’s cat to see if they show any signs of an allergic reaction. Some symptoms to look for are; eye irritations, sneezing, and watery eyes. This way you will know beforehand instead of after you bring home the new cat or kitten and have become attached to them.

When it comes to the nutritional requirements of cats they are clearly different from dogs. Cats are strict carnivores and have to eat meat to remain healthy. Cats need protein in their daily diet to provide amino acids which turn into protein. Proteins are required for tissue growth and repair and to help with metabolism.

Fat and oils contain fatty acids which perform several functions and are a form of energy. If your cat’s diet is lacking fatty acids it could result in a dry coat and dandruff.

Vitamins and minerals are also important to a cat’s diet. There are 4 vitamins and 2 minerals that your cat needs to live a long healthy life. Vitamin A helps stimulate growth in kittens and renewal in adult cats, Vitamin B is important for growth, the nervous system and for the heart. Vitamin D helps in bone development and Vitamin E is for shiny coats. Water is the most important element in a cat’s diet. It transports nutrients, vital to temperature regulation, and essential for digestion. Most active cats will drink around 85ml of water daily.

To make sure your cat stays in good health you need to pay attention to them and notice any changes in their behaviour. At least once a week you should do a “check-up” on your cat. This can be done just by holding and petting your cat while you look for signs of fleas, skin problems, ear mites or for overly long claws. Some signs to watch for are; if their coats start looking rough instead of sleek and shiny and they stop grooming themselves properly. If you notice any of these signs you should take your pet into the vet for a check-up.

Depending on the breed of cat you have will determine how much grooming you will have to do. If you have a long-haired cat, such a Persian they need daily brushing and combing. If you have a short hair they can be groomed occasionally. Most cats will try to keep themselves groomed.

Another thing to remember is to have an out of the way place for their litter box. It is important to make sure you clean it often, especially if you have a multi-cat home. Cats are easy animals to care for. They like to play so make sure you have plenty of things for them to chase and bat around. If you have an inside cat make sure you also provide them with a scratching post of some sort. This way they won’t be using the furniture for that purpose. Cats make great companions and if kept healthy and happy they will give you enjoyment and comfort for a long time.

To protect your feline companions you might want to consider buying pet insurance for your cats. Not only will this give you peace of mind; it will help you to afford expensive medical costs if your pet becomes ill or has an accident. Cat insurance can help ease the strain on your budget if you were faced with high veterinary bills.

Look Into Abused Cats

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Jay Schindler asked:


Cats that have been abused can appear severely maimed and damaged all over their exterior.  Some may appear to be in perfect shape on the outside, although all of the damage they sustained may be internal or emotional.  Even though physical damage is bad, emotional damage is much tougher to fix.  Cats who have physical abuse will still answer to a soft touch and soft voice, as long as they know that the abuse has come to an end.

When you have a cat that has been emotionally abused, you’ll need to wait until the cat comes to you.  You’ll need to use patience, as the cat will be confused and not know if you plan to hurt him or not.  If you take your time and let him know that you are nothing to fear, he will eventually come to you.  When he starts to come to you, you can let him sniff you and pet him.  After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.

Yelling, raising your voice, or using disciplinary tools such as flyswatters or water guns the wrong way can lead to emotional damage.  If you continue to use the wrong means of discipline on an emotionally damaged cat, the cat can become mean or lethargic.  When a cat turns mean, it’s not always a bad thing.  Meaner cats are easier to reach, as they still care a bit about what happens to them – while lethargic cats could really care less.

Cats that have become lethargic won’t play, take treats, or respond to anything you say to them.  With a lethargic cat, the ideal way to get him to respond is to bring in a companion cat.  Over time, a lethargic cat will eventually look for attention, normally a scratch or a pat.  When this happens, you should always use a soft voice and snuggle with him.  Never raise your voice at this point, and make sure you let the cat know that his behavior is a lot better.

You should make slow movements around a lethargic cat, as he is still quite traumatic.  Once he is coming around and letting you touch him again, he is getting back to his normal self.  Keep in mind that it may take some time, which is to be expected with this type of situation.  If your cat starts to get upset again or if you raise your voice, he will hide again.  If you continue to use a soft voice and have patience, your cat will eventually get past this.  If you get a cat that is lethargic, you should prepare yourself for a long and very intensive healing period.

Angry or mean cats on the other hand, will either fight and scratch with you, or simply run away from you.  With mean cats, the best thing to do is use gentle treatment with a soft voice.  You can never try to raise your voice or use strict discipline, as it will only make the cat meaner.  Never attempt to trap the cat either, as trapping it will only make the cat react.  If you take your time and let the cat know that you are there for him, he will eventually calm down. 

Abused cats are truly a sad thing, although they are out there.  Abused cats can be a sad thing to see indeed, especially those that were physically abused.  Abused cats need a loving home and a loving owner who will give them the type of lifestyle they deserve.  Always remember that if you are dealing with an abused cat – you should always be as gentle as you possibly can.



Why You Should Be Concerned with Your Cat Health Care

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Health

cathealthcare
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.

Helping our Pet Companions Recover and Maintain Natural Health

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

Jennifer Kays asked:


Anyone who has experienced having a pet, knows beyond a doubt of their vital importance for our lives and emotional health. Whether it’s a dog that warns us of danger, protects us or comforts us when we’re feeling “down” or it’s a cat in a hospice that curls up beside a dying patient to be with and comfort them in a time of deep, mystical transition beyond words and cognitive understanding. Pets have been a important part of providing companionship and comfort for elderly people. Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals have been our children’s teachers providing lessons of love, responsibility, confidence, sharing, comfort, strength, courage, play, communication, laughter and many other essential life lessons. It has been shown that the touch of a pet literally improves our physical health as well as our emotional health.

We share so much in common with our animal friends. We realize that part of what we share with our pets are health concerns. Just as we do, our pets can suffer from allergies, infections, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, kidney and urinary distress, wounds, excess weight gain, joint pain, eye conditions, skin disorders and other health concerns or chronic disease. It is extremely painful to be in close relationship with our pet for years and then lose it to an illness that cannot be reversed or treated. Often the powerful drugs that carry the risk of harmful side effects also carry that risk for our pets. Often these drugs only suppress the symptoms of an unwanted health condition. In time, these health conditions can become worse and require more frequent does of drugs or stronger drugs. Often the drugs seem to have cured the health disorder only to have the health disorder return with increased discomfort when the drugs are stopped.

Because of this, many of us have chosen to actively treat and prevent our pet’s health disorders with alternative therapies that are fulling a large gap left by conventional animal medicine. Many alternative natural pet care supplements and remedies are a measure of prevention that will save our pets unnecessary suffering and discomfort and provide our pets a general healthy well being that greatly improves our lives and enhances our relationship with our pet companions. It is our responsibility to do for our pet friends what they are unable to do for themselves.

We can help our pet companions by avoiding feeding them foods with high fat content or excess grain. Even then, many pet foods lack essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids vital for our pet’s health. We have available to us, many natural vitamin and mineral supplements. Some of these natural vitamins and mineral supplements are in “treat” form that excite and please our pets and afford us a chance for playful interaction with our pet friends. Natural pet health care products help with joint pain recovery, motion sickness, nerve calming, muscle relaxants, digestive health, skin and fur health and eye drops for clarity, oral health, weight control and bladder i.e. urinary health. Also available are natural shampoos and insect repellents for our pet’s comfort and health. We even have available to us, natural aromatherapy products to control unwanted order and enhance our pet’s emotional wellbeing.

We are grateful for all the wonderful ways that our pet companions enhance our lives and help improve and our physical and emotional health and well being. We are grateful for the lessons that our pets have taught and continue to teach us. We can actively demonstrate our appreciation, respect and responsibility for our animal friends, by attending to their physical and, yes, emotional health by providing our pets with natural pet health care products that keep them safe, healthy, vibrant, and active. Our efforts are beyond obligation. Our caring for our pets is motivated by our gratitude and love.



Cat Insurance Is A Must For Your Emotional And Financial Benefit

May 10, 2011 by  
Filed under Pets

MIKE SELVON asked:


Even though your cat probably doesn’t come to you when called and seems to have an agenda of her own most days, your life would undoubtedly be missing something special if your feline friend was not part of your household. It is also very distressing to the cat lover who’s cat has become ill and needs veterinary pet attention. For these situations, cat insurance policies can be both a financial and an emotional benefit to the owner.

When an adorable cat becomes ill or is somehow injured, most cat owners will worry and stress over the cost of proper veterinary care. Because all health costs have been soaring in both the animal welfare segment of the market, as well as in the case of human health care, there has been an increase in interest in pet health insurance. Because felines are one of the most popular types of house pets, insurance for health and wellness care has become very much sought after.

One aspect of cat insurance that is very important to cat owners is the peace of mind they enjoy by knowing that if their beloved cat encounters an illness, that the costs will be covered. This can greatly reduce the stress levels of a cat owner who may already be distressed by the illness or injury to which their feline companion has succumbed.

If covered by insurance, then this means that the animal will receive treatment more quickly. This is because the cat owner can immediately take action by getting the animal to the veterinary pet office, when there is an indication of illness or in the event of injury. Unfortunately, some pet owners must delay veterinarian visits because of the financial aspect of the office call.

With feline insurance coverage in place, you will not need to delay the visit and can relax knowing that the majority of the costs will be taken care of by the pet health insurance policy. The ability to quickly get the animal in to see the vet can make the difference between a quick and full recovery, or possible long-term health problems and even death.

In the worst case scenario, when a pet owner does not have insurance to help with the high expenses of animal care, it could mean having the cat put down to sleep. This occurs when there is simply no way that the family can bear the cost of expensive veterinary pet treatment or surgery that might be needed to extend the life of the animal. While pet health insurance cannot guarantee that your cat will never succumb to a fatal illness, the best pet insurance benefit is knowing that your pet will be guaranteed proper treatment.

There are many options that you can choose from regarding cat health insurance, which will have a direct impact on the cost of the pet insurance premium you will pay. You can choose a policy that will cover wellness care and preventative health care procedures, such as vaccinations and routine health screenings.

You might choose a form of cat insurance that only covers veterinary pet treatment for times of illness or to cover diseases and injury. This approach will help to reduce the cost of your premiums, but means that you would need to pay for preventative care out of your own pocket. Many times your veterinarian can guide you in making coverage decisions because they can provide insights about your family pets based on the animal’s health history and age.



« Previous PageNext Page »