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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Plante asked:


Man has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. If there is something that he absolutely would like to know, he would use all the means in his grasp to get that knowledge. But the research part can be quite a waste of time. Well, weve done all the hard work for you in order to present this insightful article.

Cats are curious by nature. Because of their curious nature, it is easy for cats to ingest poisons that can cause them to become very ill. Without proper treatment, a cat could die from poisoning.

Cat owners should be aware of the types of items around the home that can poison a cat. Household chemicals, plants, trees and shrubs can all cause a cat to become ill. When you think your cat has ingested a poisonous substance, it is helpful to your vet if you can identify what has made the cat sick. If your cat goes outdoors, sometimes it is impossible to know what the cat has ingested. Here are some common plants and household chemicals that can make your cat ill.

There are certain plants, trees and shrubs that can cause your cat to vomit, become dehydrated and have diarrhea. Sometimes when a cat ingests a toxic plant, they can foam at the mouth or have excessive drooling followed by a be needy to drink lots of water. Their mouth can become red and irritated. In extreme cases, a cat can fall into a coma and die.

Plants inside your home can pose a threat to your cat. Sometimes a cat does not even have to ingest the plant, but can have exposure on their skin, causing irritations. Fig plants, chrysanthemums, poinsettias can all cause reactions in cats. Most of the time these three kinds of plants mania simple cause skin irritation. More serious reactions such as staggering, swelling of the mouth and general weakness are caused by household plants such as Boston ivy, arrowhead vine, caladiums, elephant’s ear, heart leaf, peace lily and dumb cane plants.

If your cat has ingested a large amount of amaryllis, ivy, azalea, spider mum and creeping Charlie plants or flowers, you can expect a more serious reaction. These plants, among others can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors and heart and respiratory ailments. It will be necessary to consult your vet if you cat has ingested any toxic plants.

Outdoor plants can also pose generally of the same risks and some of the indoor plants. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, pain, and weakness, breathing difficulties and seizures and convulsions. Some of these plants and shrubs include larkspur, skunkweed, daffodils, foxglove, castor bean, almond plants, wild cherry, English holly, spinach, rhubarb, Jasmine, and pigweed. Other plants that can cause your cat to experience hallucinations include marijuana, nutmeg, peyote, and morning glories.

Chemicals and cleaners found around the house are also cause for concern. Cats can ingest a toxic chemical and become very ill quickly. A common poison for cats is antifreeze. They like the taste and will lick it off of the garage floor from a puddle. Antifreeze can cause seizures and if enough is ingested, can kill a cat. Other common poisons found around the house are rat poisons, and insect sprays and treatments. If you treat your home with insecticides it is very important to keep your cat away from the treated area for several hours. In addition, if you spray the inside of your home, thoroughly wash the cat’s food and water bowls to clean off any residue from the insecticide. Other common household items that can make a cat ill include bleach, alcohol, gasoline, turpentine, lead, acid, garbage waste and paint. Toads and salamanders can also cause cats to become very ill. If you cat eats a toad or salamander, it will be evident by excessive foaming at the mouth and drooling. Also, it is important to remember that if your cat eats a bird, insect or rat that has been infected by a poison, it is likely that your cat will become ill, as well.

It is always a good idea to contact your vet or the National Animal Poison Control Center if you think your cat has been poisoned. There will be different treatments for different poisons. Most vets will try to induce vomiting in call to eliminate the toxin from the body. If your cat has a toxin on the fur or skin, it will be necessary to thoroughly remove the residue by washing the cat’s fur. Both mineral oil and vegetable oil are effective for removing poisons such as gasoline or turpentine. Cats that are experiencing nervous system disorders from ingesting toxins are in serious trouble. Your cat will love to be taken to medical care immediately. Cat with nervous disorders will experience convulsions, unconsciousness and difficulty breathing.

Now wasnt that interesting? Only an expert can reveal this kind of insider information, and provide facts and trends that are often overlooked or misunderstood.

Debbie Foster asked:


Having any family pet is a big responsibility so you must know all the underlying steps on how to take care of it. So if you are keen to keep a cat, you need to know more about feline care. Owning a pet cat is not as easy as feeding it daily. Food is not the only thing a pet cat requires to stay healthy and happy. Just like you and me, cats also need some of their basic needs to be met.  Caring for cats is more than just the caring part, you have to know what to do and how to do it. As a conscientious cat owner, here are some things to be aware of.

Some people feed their family cats leftover foods or table scraps, but you have to understand that human food may be harmful to cats.  A combination of the two gives the correct kind of nutritional food for your pet. It can be affordable if you include it in your monthly household shopping budget.

Next, they need a home. You have to make sure the immediate surroundings will be safe and secure for your pet. Much like the way we take care to remove all potentially dangerous and threatening items from the home area when we have a child in the house. Of course, there’s also the need for a litter box for your feline. These can be very inexpensive or more pricey like the self cleaning type. Cats love toys to bring out their playful side, so you’ll want a few of those. Then to further show you care, cozy cat beds are nice. Again, these run from very affordable to more expensive like in the temperature regulated heated cat beds.

Exactly like an infant, your cat needs to be looked over by their veterinarian on a regular basis. It’s also important to take them to the veterinarian to have them neutered or spayed unless you intentionally plan to breed. Cats require vaccinations from time to time, and the costs of such shots may vary. Cats also need annual check-ups with their vet. Regular veterinary visits, as well as emergency visits from illness or injury can turn into a sizeable sum, so be prepared and plan extra money into your budget. It’s better to be prepared for the worst than to be sorry later. Cat care may seem like a cake walk in the beginning, but it is a full-time commitment to be a fully responsible cat owner. Before you dream of owning a pet, or actually getting one, please make sure you’re able to care for it in every sense.

Tim Whiston asked:

Feline health is all about maintenance. This article will give you three easy steps for keeping your cat(s) happy and healthy on a long-term basis.

Cats are independent creatures in many ways. If you follow a few simple guidelines your feline friends will enjoy maximum health and a very long life.

Use the information below to formulate your own feline health care plan:

Feline Health Tip #1 Choosing The Right Food

It’s critical that you feed your cats a high quality food product. You might save money by going with a dollar store brand of cat food, but the end result will be poor health and possible even complications.

A quality food will ensure optimal feline health by providing the proper nutrition. A good product like Science Diet, Iams, or Eukanuba will boost your cat’s energy levels, give them a healthy, shiny coat, and support a strong digestive system.

Also, a higher-grade food will not contain the kind of fillers and junk found in low-grade stock. Such byproducts can cause digestion problems and sluggish performance over time.

Feline Health Tip #2 Providing A Cat-Friendly Environment

Feline health experts agree that cats living indoors fulltime live longer than cats that are allowed to go outside frequently. Obviously felines will encounter far fewer hazards in your home than they would when wandering the streets or countryside.

However, cats love being outside. So you may want to allow some outdoors time if you live a safe distance from a busy road and there are no free-roaming, aggressive dogs in your area.

Even cats that live inside can endanger themselves through their tendency to investigate unsafe areas. Go over your home as if you planned to childproof it to avoid problems that arise form curious felines.

Keep cleaning chemicals and other toxic materials locked away. Cats might be attracted to the sweet smell of cleaning solutions.

Also be sure any heating/cooling ducts are protected with the proper grates to prevent cats from getting stuck in the ductwork. And avoid leaving easy access to standing water in kitchen sinks or bathtubs.

Feline Health Tip #3 Cat Maintenance

It’s a good idea to pay close attention to your cat’s eyes, mouth, ears, and feet. Look for any liaisons, discharges, or other signs of injury or illness so you can prevent infection or serious complications resulting from their active lifestyle.

And be aware that cats are vulnerable to a whole range of dental, respiratory, and ear/eye complications. By keeping a close watch on any new developments or major behavioral changes you can stop an illness from becoming too serious.

Any changes in eating or drinking habits should be taken seriously. If a cat becomes disinterested in food or water or becomes unable to use the litter box contact your vet without delay.

These three very simple tips can help you keep your cat(s) happy and healthy for a very long time. These wonderful creatures rely on you to keep them healthy and safe, and diligence in this regard is a small price to pay for the companionship they offer.