NEW CAT!

Image by Jay Woodworth via Flickr

So recently I was sitting at home and my cat Yuuki (japanese for tender princess) was roaming around the house. Normally she doesn't pay any attention to me and just continues on her way, which I don't like but deal with and this time she actually jumps up in my lap and wants me to pet her. I was begginning to ask who had replaced my cat but I then thought what the heck and I petted her; but as soon as I stopped I was in for a suprise, she bit me. Now I knew this was not the mean evil bite but more of a cute "I want you to keep petting me now" kinda bite. I did not like this. I put her on the floor and had her go on her way. I now know that my cat may have just been not comfortable around me enough to present herself to me in such a manner as wanting to get petted. Well I still love my cat but she sure knows how to get her opinion across when she wants to!

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(Ask The Feline Advocate)Hello and welcome to my blog! We have a new segment where you ask me questions in a comment on this post and i answer them!

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Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

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Why Do Cats Eat Grass?




Author: Drew Pilton



Some cat owners make the mistake of preventing their cat from eating grass. There are various reasons for this, one being that they think it makes their cat ill or upsets their stomach. This is an incorrect assumption and in fact the eating of grass followed by regurgitation is a perfectly natural behavior for all cats.



Cats do not possess the ability to separate meat from fur bones or feathers before eating like we do so they have to eat the digestible parts along with the indigestible parts. When the cat has finished digesting what he can the rest has to be removed from the system. To try and pass this through the digestive tract could cause obstruction and severe illness so this is where grass eating comes in.




The habit of eating grass triggers the natural process of regurgitation of indigestible foods including its own fur balls which would otherwise obstruct the system. This can appear to us humans as if the cat is being violently ill but this is not the case and in fact is very beneficial to the cat.



What about other plants and vegetables?



Cats cannot produce the enzymes needed to break down plant matter. Even when pureed or powdered, vegetables simply pass through the digestive tract without leaving any of their nutritional content. This alone is not harmful to your cat, but when undigested plant matter mixes with highly digestible food such as meat, indigestion and other complications may occur. Grass is an exception however; some cats compulsively eat grass when you leave them outdoors. This will cause them to regurgitate the indigestible matter, including raw vegetables.



If your cat is unable to get access to grass he may attempt to eat your house plants instead. This could be dangerous because some house plants and flowers are toxic to cats, so if you have a house cat like a Ragdoll cat for example you should provide a regular supply of potted grass to prevent him looking elsewhere. And most importantly do not punish your cat for regurgitating on to you carpet because he will not know why you are punishing him. Regurgitation is an involuntary action of your cat’s stomach so he could not stop it happening even if he tried. Cleaning up after the occasional regurgitation should be an accepted part of being a loving cat owner as they are only doing what comes naturally.

Cats are awesome. I don't know if i could live without mine. What about you?

Toys that Cats will Absolutely Love

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Toys that Cats will Absolutely Love

Author: juliewksrfs

Do you wander throughout the pet store, view the numerous playthings available for your kitty cat, and wonder if the expense will be worth the cost? Cats may be unpredictable animals, but a good time can be obtained with almost any toy. Cats are similar to children they're going through phases and occasionally require age appropriate toys and can lose interest very easily. A number of ideas for playthings range from the cat towers, filled mice, small quantities of catnip, stuffed animals, ribbons, and plastic balls.

Through an early age, kittens learn how to pick up items in their jaws. It is really an behavioral instinct, the same as using their claws. When a cat plays, they like to grab and bit their toys. Let us look at the playthings listed above. A cat tower will be a terrific way to teach your cat where it's appropriate to climb. This will keep them from attacking the window blinds or drapes while providing them several hours of play. There are numerous types of cat towers from the two story systems to the types soaring towards the ceiling. The answer to your question is, the greater levels they have the more entertaining and pleasure they will get out of a cat tower. The cat will use the tower for play in addition to sleep. They prefer to bat at ropes and other things dangling from the tower as well as winding through small tunnels up to the top level. If you have 2 cats you should have fun watching them give pursuit to the top frequently trying to knock the other off. A cat tower can be practical simply because they will scratch at it as opposed to your couch.

Stuffed mice are also important to your kitty's playtime. Not all mice are created equal; most cats prefer the small leather-based mice with the multi colored fur and long tails. These mice come in twelve packs or three packs, and trust me if they are anything like my kitty they will rip them apart. Fabric mice are typically 2nd during playtime. If you discover your kitty to be uninterested in mice you might want to check the kind of mouse you have purchased for them.

Catnip playthings are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to become more rowdy, which can be a plus because they wear down more quickly. Catnip before going to bed is actually a great way to get your cat to nap for quite a while and leave you to sleep. Catnip ought to be given out sparingly. You do not want to supply your cat with catnip everyday since it can have adverse affects to their behavior. They can begin to develope an dependency on it and have mood swings.

I've found the best toy may very well be one of your old stuffed animal lying around the house. My kitty, Pookie, likes bring me a toy when he wants to play and he has several stuffed animals in his toy box. You'll find nothing more humorous than observing my kitty bring me a stuffed toy bigger than he is and proceed to throw it in the air and pounce on it. Cats like the feeling of certain kinds of materials in their mouth; that is why they chew on paper, plastic as well as your blankets. The feel of the material in their mouths allows them to thoroughly clean their teeth or if they are teething help reduce the pain. You can dig out one of your old stuffed animal which can provide much enjoyment and keep them from playing with products that will cause them harm.

You don't have to go to great cost to supply your kitty with entertainment, however when you invest a little bit on playthings you will be able keep your kitty from getting to bored. You may even decide to hide away several playthings and bring them back out after a couple of weeks or months to keep yourself from having to buy new ones all the time. Just be sure it's not the favorite toy of your pet or they may find other ways to entertain themselves that you don't find amusing.
I am a dedicated cat lover.

Coaching Your Cats or Kittens With Positive Reinforcement

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Coaching Your Cats or Kittens With Positive Reinforcement.

Author: stepn6animal 

Training Your Cats or Kittens With Constructive Strengthening.

Pets make our house extra full by being there to greet you after a hard day at work or snuggling as much as you while you sleep. Cats have been termed essentially the most fickle of creatures; however, they are sweet lovable creatures if you happen to raise them from infancy.  Most cats recognize their owners by the sound of their voice, the automobile they drive, and who spoils them the most. Like canines, cats could be trained. A cat can be trained to return to your call, to bring their toys when they need to play, in addition to extra domestic points reminiscent of using a litter box.  The important thing to training a cat or kitten is reinforcement.

Reinforcement begins at any age, but it's typically wise to start out out with a kitten. Cats can't distinguish phrases, but they are very astute in distinguishing tones of your voice.  They'll know they have done one thing fallacious just by the tone of voice you use. This is the reason it is important to use your upset voice after they have done one thing mistaken, otherwise they'll develop into confused.  Let us return to reinforcement. Reinforcement is both optimistic or negative. Water is a detrimental reinforcement for a cat or kitten as a result of they typically despise being wet. Some optimistic reinforcement might be hugs or fully body petting, treats, or play time.

To train your kitty to return to your name is to repeat their title while they are taking a look at you. Look them in the eye while you're utilizing a pleasant tone of voice. One other method to call your cat is to have another sound, like snapping fingers, or clicking noises together with your tongue. These typically acquire the attention of your cat or kitten in order that they be taught to return if you call.

Litter box coaching is probably the best part of having a kitty in your life. It is best to keep them confined to at least one room, the room you'll have the litter field in to coach them.  They are going to learn by you placing them in the field and permitting them to familiarize themselves with the smell. Cats by nature understand the feel of litter associating it with dirt. You will have to choose them up once they first start to go if they don't perceive the litter field and place them inside.  Often a cat does not like the litter you use.  They show their displeasure by utilizing the floor.  This is a time to try something new.  Most female grownup cats will prepare their kittens so it will be significant they do not go away their mother’s care to quickly.  Food works in much the same way.  When you show them the place their meals bowls are they are going to continue to go there. Cats are creatures of habit. 

Habits are how you'll train your kitty to deliver you toys.  Some cats will merely meow after they need to play and casually bat their toy, however if you happen to give them optimistic reinforcement each time they carry a toy mouse or stuffed toy they will proceed to deliver the toy without the reinforcement of a treat.  For an instance my kitty, Spooky, is two.  She brings me a stuffed animal every afternoon or night when she wants to play.  She lays it down near the end of my sofa and meows until I acknowledge the good deed and begin to play with her.  

Cats are trainable, maybe not to the diploma; a dog is trainable with voice instructions, but they you can succeed in coaching them in some ways. Cats will enliven any dwelling and given numerous constructive reinforcement, they are often just as a lot enjoyable if no more enjoyable than different pets. Particularly once they offer you consolation by stepping on to your lap kneading and purring. These moments can take away a bad day at work within a number of seconds.

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New Content

As you may have noticed we have been adding more content to our site like tips and other things for taking care of your cat (pet). We hope you enjoy our posts and we thanks all the people who put them together so that we all can enjoy them.

Decorating an Outdoor Cat Enclosure - Making It Cat Friendly

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Decorating an Outdoor Cat Enclosure – Making it Cat Friendly

Author: Brans

Once you have purchased or constructed an outdoor cat enclosure for your cat, the next step is to make the interior friendly and an enjoyable place for your cat. While some cat owners go to extreme lengths to make the enclosures as nice as possible by installing mood lighting, piped music and fountains of running water you can make a cat enclosure as enjoyable as possible with next to little or no cost.  The following are some ideas and useful additions you can make to an outdoor cat enclosure to make it just that little bit more enjoyable for your cat.

Cushions
One addition that owners like to add to their outdoor cat enclosures is cushions. Adding a cushion not only makes the enclosure look more comfortable and cosy.  Having an array of cushions also gives the cat an area for it to snuggle up and rest. Cushions are a cheap and easy addition that can be made to any enclosure.

Cat Items
When decorating a cat enclosure ask yourself the question “if I were a cat what would I like to play with?” and the ideas will come flowing in. For example we know that most cats like to play with a ball of wool. By adding a simple item like this for example hanging down from a cat scratcher you will make the outdoor cat enclosure a lot more appealing and fun for your cat.

Climbing Spots
Many cats enjoy the freedom of running, jumping and more importantly climbing. To make a cat enclosure more exciting and adventurous for a cat having a place to climb up onto is an excellent idea. This can be done by installing thick tree limbs (to make it look as natural as possible) or by creating man made steps or stairs from bits of wood or other related materials.

Scratching Post
The last item which would make a cat enclosure more enjoyable is a scratching post. Most cats like to keep their claws sharp and clean and this is usually done by scratching them on a surface they can dig into.  This can be simply done by wrapping a piece of old carpet around a square piece of wood.  Another method you can use is to find a tree branch and cut it to the required size and position it in the corner of the enclosure.

  

Pet Loss - Helping Your Child Get Through The Grief

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Pet Loss - Helping Your Child Get Through The Grief

Author: Sachin K Airan

It is always difficult to deal with the loss of a pet, but it can be even more devastating to a child. Children often find it hard to understand what happened to their pet, and older children who do understand are often distraught. When you have to help your child deal with this loss, it can be a bit more difficult for you. Not only do you need to help your child with this loss, but you also have to cope with it yourself. It is natural for your child to grieve. To help you give your child the help that they need, here are some ideas that you can use to help your child get through this time of grief.

Encourage Discussion About the Pet

The first thing you can do to help your child get through the grieving process for your pet is to encourage discussion about the pet. Allow them to talk about their pet. You should be open about your pet as well. Encourage them to talk to others about their pet too. Discussing the pet can make them feel closer to their pet, even though the pet is gone. Grieving is all about openness and talking about the pet can be very helpful to children who are grieving.

Share Your Own Feelings

Another important thing you can do to help your child deal with pet loss is to share your own feelings. You need to let your child know that you are upset as well and that you feel the pain of loss and sadness. Sometimes the best thing you can do to help your child is to shed some tears together. They will feel like you are there with them, feeling the same pain, which will help them get through this.

Try to Answer Questions Honestly

You also need to try to answer questions honestly with your children if they ask you about the loss of a pet. Sometimes for smaller children, this can be a bit more difficult. Consider the age of your children and do your best to give honest answers that are age appropriate. It may not be easy, but honesty can help them get through this time, even though it is difficult.

Take Time for a Memorial to Your Pet

Taking time out to have a memorial to your pet is a wonderful idea if you have kids that are grieving over the loss of their pet. Whether you simply have a time of silence in the back yard, you bury your pet, or have them put in a pet urn, a special memorial can help your child have a sense of closure. When you formally grieve the pet, it can help your child get through this process, feeling that they have taken the time out to grieve their pet.

These are just a few ideas that you can use to help your child as they go through pet loss with you. Use these tips to help them deal with the loss and make sure that you take time to grieve your pet as well.

We now have a Facebook and Twitter account

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The cat in the corner

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Once again I was at my local animal shelter and I met a shy cat who was in the back of his cage kinda hiding and crouched down. I was curious why he was acting this way and when i asked it turned out that he had been there for a long time and no one seemed to want him because he was older than most of the other cats in there. It got me thinking, when I get old will people just through me in a home and never want anything to do with me again. If you have a light to shine on this topic please chime in a comment! Boy what if you were treated like that???

Justin: The Feline Advocate

Hello this is my second post and I am just now taking off. For my first act I will be volunteering at my local animal shelter, Saving Grace; located in Roseburg, OR. It is a great shelter and they take great care of their animals. I am sad to say that they are not a no kill shelter but I hope with this blog there will be people out there that will donate to them by donating through me or just by sending them a check and maybe one day they will have the funding to be a NO KILL shelter. If you want to donate to them you can visit their website at savinggrace.info or if you want to donate to me and help me with gas you can do that as well. I will be posting pictures on this blog as soon as I can!

If you donate to me or them or want more info leave a comment or send me an email at animefan541@yahoo.com

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My Start

Hello my name is Justin Smith and I am a huge supporter of cats. I was raised all my life around cats and I now want to help protect and care for them. I am going to be doing many different activites to support my favorite organizations. I hope that you enjoy and support the different causes I will be speaking for. All donations will be sent to the designated organization for which I am supporting at that time. If you have more questions or concerns feel free to e-mail me @ animefan541@yahoo.com