? Who an April Fool About Cats

? Who an April Fool About Cats

Is your kitten over four months old and you haven't had her or him spayed or neutered

If you have other whole cats in your home, you are playing a dangerous game

Even if your female is the only cat in the household, she will soon be going into estrus (heat), a very uncomfortable, even painful condition

Or your male cat will soon be copiously spraying every surface with strong urine

I'm not judging you - I've made the same mistake, long ago

But since then, I've learned so much about the problem, that I feel compelled to share my knowledge with readers

The litter of kittens pictured here were fostered as a result of someone else's failure to spay and neuter.Please don't be an April Fool about Spay and Neuter. Photo Credit: © Laura White

When your cat is sick, do you call the veterinarian for an appointment, or do you email someone (such as yours truly), or search the Internet for a diagnosis and treatment advice? Please don't play games with your cats' lives

 Learn when to call your veterinarian, and if you are still reluctant because of money problems, check out these resources for help

Your cat's very life may depend urgently on veterinary treatment

Are you seriously thinking about declawing your cat because of claw damage to your home? Are you under the impression that declawing is just minor surgery

Some veterinarians consider it routine surgery, and may have even suggested it to be done at the same time as a spay or neuter of a kitten. Believe me, it is not routine to cats, who were born with claws for many reasons, and they need to keep them for the same reasons

While cats have evolved for thousands of years, their claws still remain an integral part of their anatomy

There are many other ways you might be playing the April Fool all year round

Read more to learn more

On the other paw, perhaps you are an April Fool like I am, all year round

You talk baby talk to your cats. You lavish them with toys, such as catnip mice; play laser beam games with them or spend hours wadding up paper balls for them to chase, or playing hide and seek. Your home spells "cat house" to visitors, because there are scratching posts and cat towers in almost every room, and photos of cats on every wall and table surface

And at night, you are lulled to sleep by the warm, furry, vibrating body lying next to you, knowing that all is right with the world

Special Needs for Cats

Special Needs for Cats

Special needs cats, or "other-baled" cats often need special care

They may have been born with special needs, contracted retroviruses such as FIV or fELv, developed diseases such as Diabetes, or Chronic Renal Failure, or lost limbs through accident, cruelty, or amputation. 

Blind or deaf cats may have come that way at birth, through malnutrition or disease, or by other means. Some cats may have a combination of special needs, e.g., a blind cat may also be FIV positive

The one thing all special needs cats share is the fact that they can be active, loving companion cats, despite what we humans might call "disabilities." I prefer "other-baled," which I first saw mentioned by Amy Shojai, Puppies Guide for About.com, and former Contributing Writer for Cat Behavior

Cats have an amazing ability to amplify their other senses and abilities when they lose one

As an example, blind cats can quite readily find their way about the home with their marvelous sense of scent and hearing, coupled with tactile "road maps" of whiskers and fur

Tripod kitties, such as Sierra, can get around quite readily, thanks to cats' innate ability to balance

What Is The Cat Mythology

 What Is The Cat Mythology

Cats as Deity
Cats as deities are most closely associated with ancient Egypt.
The ancient
Egyptians had several feline gods and goddesses.
Lions were said to guard the great god
Ra during his nightly journey through the underworld. 

The Egyptians had a fascination
with lions.
They created their sphinx with the body of a lion and the head of Pharaoh.
Three lion goddesses existed in ancient Egypt.
Sekhmet was a fierce and powerful
goddess.
She was a war goddess who was sent by her father Ra to earth to destroy his
enemies. 

She is usually depicted as a woman with the head of a lion.
Another lion headed
goddess was Tefnut whose name means moisture. She represented a primeval force of
nature.
The third lion goddess was Mafdet who was the goddess of protection.
Among her fierce sisters, gentle Bast may seem a bit out of place.
Often shown as a graceful cat wearing bracelets a broad collar and earrings, Bast was the protectress of domestic cats and those who cared for them.
Her principle gifts to the world were joy and pleasure.
She was a much beloved household deity.
Her principle temple was at Bubastis and was said to be one of the most beautiful and popular in all of Egypt.
She had a secondary seat in Memphis as well.
There is some evidence to believe that the ancient 

Egyptians believed that Bast and Sekhmet were actually two faces of the same divine
force.
Sekhmet representing the violent aspect of the divine, and Bast, the gentler qualities.
Egyptian children were often consecrated to Bastand placed under her protection.
Bast was considered a divine mother and was sometimes depicted with kittens.
 When a woman in ancient Egypt wanted to have children, she would often wear a bracelet or a necklace depicting the goddess Bast with kittens.
The number of kittens shown with the
goddess represented the number of children desired by the woman. 

Ancient Egyptians
seemed to consider cats to be the height of beauty.
The styles of makeup they used,
especially around the eyes, tended to give them a feline look.
Cats were so highly regarded by the ancient Egyptians that the penalty for killing
one was death.
When a family cat died of accident or old age, its' human family would
go into mourning.
They would shave their eyebrows off to show their grief.

Cats were
often mummified.  One royal cat was buried in a marble coffin. The hieroglyphs on her
coffin referred to her as "Lady Cat".
Bast was said to be the wife of the god Ptah. Ptah was the creator god of the universe.
Ptah and Bast were said to have had a son, the fierce lion god Maahes.
 Maahes originated as a Nubian god.
During the New Kingdom, his worship moved northward
where he was incorporated into the Egyptian pantheon as the son of Bast and Ptah. On
becoming a divine mother, Bast became associated with the protectress of Lower Egypt,
Wadjet.
They became linked as Wadjet-Bast.
A similar association was created in the
Upper Kingdom By the combination of Sekhmet and the Upper Kingdom protectress
Nekhbet.
The constantly changing nature of Egyptian religion can be rather confusing.
They had an inclusive attitude towards other gods and religions.
The ancient Egyptians
freely adapted and adopted these others into their own cosmology.
 This attitude makes it
difficult for modern readers to understand.
 Most of us have been raised in religions
whose nature is highly exclusive.
With an exclusive religion, outside influences are
rejected or even actively repelled.
The Egyptians, as demonstrated by the story of Bast
and Maahes, had a very different way at looking at religion.

What is The Importance Of Cat Care Websites

 What is The Importance Of  Cat Care Websites

Cats can be a good companion.
Be a good care giver to them by providing for your pets like you will do for your own children.
You have to take note that cats have their basic needs that you must suffice.
Food Alert
Do not feed your cats your leftovers. The nutrient requirements of your pets are different from yours.

So make them eat cat food.
You need not be threatened by how much it would add up on your budget.
The idea is to find the right brand that is known for its quality as well as affordability.
Allot about $10 to $13 a month for this purpose.
This is just about the cost of a movie ticket for two.
 You surely can sacrifice some movie viewing habits to be able to give your cats what they need to stay fit and healthy
You can ask your vets for suggestions for this purpose. Actually, you need to partner with a good and reliable vet to be able to raise your pets well and good.
So from the start of your venture in caring for cats, find the right doc nearest you.
Safety Alert
If you are used to clutter, then you better move fast in having everything in their proper places before you let your pet into it.
You have to make everything safe for them. 

Do not let anything that is poisonous lying around.
You don't want to be the reason for anything dangerous that might befall on your pet cat.
So make sure that you tidy up your place and that it is harmless for your feline friend.
And take note, you cat's sense of smell is 14 times sharper than yours.
They are so sensitive to such and won't go on anywhere that stinks.
This also goes to the litter boxes that you provide for them. You have to keep them cleaned and well maintained.
If you will not do that, your cat may then opt to look for better places to do their thing.
Do you want them to hide their poops on your recently vacuumed carpet?
You certainly wouldn’t want to find that kind of surprise on your basket of newly washed clothes.
Veterinarian Alert
Yes, you can always look up on the Web to find some quick fixes on your problems regarding your pets.
But there is no better ally for simple to complex health situations for your cats than your trusted vets.
Aside from the annual physical exam, your feline friend must also have the required vaccinations.
Plus, they needed to be examined by the doc whenever they show signs that they are acting far from the usual.
As its owner, you have to watch out whenever they are lacking their appetite.
You have to be wary if there is something far from ordinary about their bowel.
You need to be alarmed if they seem to be depressed.

All these must be related to the vet for further diagnosis.
For the rest of your queries, you can always log in on the Internet to be enlightened.
There are many cat care websites which were done by cat-loving people just like you.
It will also be okay to learn from other pet owners' experiences. 

So explore the cyberspace and click your way through the vast resource it provides you for your cat care needs.

What Before Breeding Your Cat?

  What Before Breeding Your Cat?
The population of cats is the United States alone is unbelievable.
 Nearly all experts will tell you that you should spay your cat instead of breed it.
 No matter what experts have to say, a lot of people want to have a litter of kittens from their cat. 
Before you decide to breed your cat, there are a few things that you should think about.
The first thing you should know is that breeding cats takes time. 
For the next two months after the litter is born, you’ll need to clean the area on a daily basis.
 You’ll also need to watch over the kittens as well, and keep a close eye on how they are developing.
 If you plan to breed a litter of cats, you won’t have time for much of anything else.
Breeding cats will also require a good degree of space as well.  If you have a small apartment, you shouldn’t attempt to breed a cat.
 You should also make sure that your family agrees with the idea, as it isn’t good for the kittens if you keep them locked up. 
Keep in mind that kittens like to see things; they’ll end up going all over your home as well. 
Breeding cats also requires a degree of responsibility as well. 
You should always have a plan of approach, including homes for the kittens to go that you aren’t planning to keep. 

Keep in mind that things can change, someone who wanted a cat may change his mind once the litter is born.
 In this event, you must decide whether or not you can keep a kitten that doesn’t have a home.
Breeding also requires some education as well.
 You should be prepared for any problems along the way, as well as what takes place during birth. 
From cutting umbilical cords to delivering early, you’ll need to be well prepared. 
You should also have the proper supplies, and know how to handle things in the event of a c-section.
 You’ll also need to know what to feed pregnant cats, as their diets are very important if you are breeding.
Breeding will also cost money as well, with kittens costing a lot more money than you may think. 
The food isn’t the only thing that’s expensive, as the vet bills can also get expensive.
 Even though you may go through the entire pregnancy without going to the vet, you’ll still need de-worming and vaccination medicines as well.
In short, there is a lot to think about where breeding is concerned.
 If you have your mind set on it and you want to breed, you should be sure that you have the proper knowledge and everything you need before hand.
 You should always be ready to handle anything associated with breeding – and prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario.

What You Know About Abused Cats

what you Know About Abused Cats
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.

Your Cats And Your Garden

Your Cats And Your Garden
Your first line of defense when keeping cats out of your garden is to make sure that you have your boundaries secure. 
If there are any gaps in your fence, you should make sure that you block them to prevent any low access. 
Cats are very agile animals, and can jump very high.  

Normally they can jump a fence, which is why you should also invest in string or taut wire across the top.
If a cat has made his way into your garden, it may be hard to get him out. 
Most people choose to use dogs, simply because dogs are known to dislike cats.
 There are several dog breeds out there that completely dislike cats, such as pit bulls and Dobermans. 
Cats are completely fearful of these breeds, and will flee if they see them around.
All cats are known to despise water as well.
 If you spot a cat in your garden, water almost always gets him out.
 All it takes is a bucket of water or a well aimed squirt with a garden hose to make him run away. 
After you have hit the cat with water several times, he should get the hint not to come back anymore.  

If he comes back, simply squirt him or throw more water on him until he gets the idea.
Protecting your plants is a different story.
 Mothballs are said to be very effective, as cats don’t like the smell.
 You can use mothballs around your plants, garden borders, or even along the fence.
 There are other repellents that you can use as well, such as cayenne peppers, tobacco, lavender oil, citronella oil, mustard oil, and even lemon grass oil.
If you visit your local hardware or lawn store, you can find motion activated sprinklers. 
They work great in keeping cats out of your garden. 
Once you install the sprinkler system and a cat comes into the area, the detector will pick up the cat’s presence and immediately shoot out a jet of water that will douse the cat.
 In most cases, all it takes is a few times of exposure to the sprinkler before a cat learns to stay out of that area.
Sound devices that feature high frequencies are also a great way to scare off cats, although they aren’t annoying to humans.
 To use this type of device, you’ll need to make sure that the model you have is strong enough to cover the entire area.
 If you model you are using is strong enough to cover your entire garden, it should suffice in scaring off any unwanted animals.
You can also use commercial repellents as well.  

Commercial repellents use scents to keep cats away, and shouldn’t be used near any food crops.
You can find them at your local department store, with several varieties to choose from, many of which will fend off other animals from your garden as well.
If you have a garden, it can be very annoying if cats and other animals decide to make your garden their home. 

If you stick to your guns and do your part, you can prevent them from bothering your garden or your crops. 
Once you have secured your boundaries around the garden, you should try using water first. 
If water doesn’t seem to work, you can look into another method, such as commercial repellents.