Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Faces Of Pet Abuse

As much as people are fond of keeping pets, inhumane actions are often reported from across the globe. Pets serve as man's joy and relief, their furry, cozy, crawling, exotic, terrific, and enriching existence bring a few moments of joy to people's monotonous, tedious lives.

If pet owners eagerly keep pets it should be particularly clear that they fully take the charge and responsibility of their pets because animals too feel pain as human beings do.

Reports of pet abuse from all over the world shows what humans are oblivious of. There are millions of dead animals that have been found in various city corners. People out of some odd reasons and frustration tend to kill their pets and then to avoid getting caught they go and throw them near drums etc. It gives a grotesque picture of inhumanity and inconsideration.

The illiterate and uneducated people often tend to find ways of earning easy money and these are the people who make their dogs get in to fights. They train them by electrocuting them and burning their skins. When they are trained according them they are proud to win money when their dogs end up being horribly injured during fierce dog fights. Then they pat and love them which are more of an irony in the name of pet love.

There are celebrities who are known to wear fur of pet animals. Giving pets as gifts is a trend these days, just wrapped up like a commodity and presented to people without stopping to consider animals are not products.

There are people who keep horses and donkeys for carriages they too are like pets but these people beat their horses and donkeys and push them to carry extra loads without feeding them properly. They die of malnutrition and in some cases they even die of getting severely beaten up. There are vets in this world that treat sick pets with outdated medicines and they end up dead.

Some pets turn wild and hysterical because their owners treat them wildly. They would beat them, keep them chained, give them stale food and make them irritable. These kinds of pets resolve to biting and screaming to let out their feelings. Pets are found locked up in trunks, locked up in attics and forgotten till they are starved to death.

Some drug addicts drug their pets out of spite and watch their reactions as a vulgar means of entertainment. These and a million more faces of human vindictiveness, inconsideration, brutality and viciousness are widely observed yet not taken care of. Such pet abusers fail to realize that animals too are as flesh and blood as themselves.

Tips for Keeping Pets

Animals unlike humans cannot express their feelings and they cannot go on making demands and tell their owners when they need food. They are animals. Pet keepers bring home fish, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and birds home all the time eagerly but sadly, they fail to take proper care of their pets because of which their animals die. If pets can not speak out, pet keepers themselves should be humane enough to understand their pets heartily and give them their rights.

Some basic and simple tips for pet keepers can ensure a healthy and loving relation between themselves and their pets. As far as dogs are concerned it is advisable to keep it in a proper dog house which should be comfortable and cozy enough for it to reside in. Whenever you take out your dog for a walk make sure you leash it. They are playful animals, they love to jump and mingle with other animals and chase things. So avoid any bad circumstances it is always better to play it safe. Cats are well mannered and they are less messy than dogs. However they too need proper care. Dogs and cats should be bathed regularly and their utensils cleaned on daily bases. If your dog or cat ever urinate or excrete in your lounge, you should never leave it unclean. It is highly unhygienic for animals and pet keepers both.

The animals that you keep in cages need a little more attention. They are enslaved so it is better to make them at least feel free. Birds or rabbits should never be kept in small cages. They should be big enough so that your birds can easily flutter their wings and fly about. It should be big enough so that your rabbit can run about and hide when it wants to hide. Animals kept at home should provide them with a sense of being in their natural habitats. This way they feel free and they live happily. Their cages, their beddings should be cleansed thoroughly and regularly.

Animals should be vaccinated whenever they need to be. They should be taken for regular medical checkups so that they stay health and energetic. Animals too should be kept in a secured area and never be left out on their own. Pets are unlike the stray animals; they are vulnerable and require special attention. So pet keepers should make sure they take care of their pets the way they should be kept. They can always keep themselves updated through internet and magazines to acknowledge and fulfill their pet's needs.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Cat Show Preparation Tips

If you do not have a purebred cat, do not worry because you can still enter it in a cat show. Most associations cat luxury of allowing the cats are shown in one of four categories, Championship, Premiership, Kitten pets and homes.

If you're interested in learning more about the world of cat shows, contact organizations such as cat lovers' Association (CFA), the American car fans (CCPA) or the American Cat Association (ACA) for information about cat shows and local chapters of the club.

These organizations will be able to tell when and how you can register for upcoming shows and give you all the details about fees, rules, and different types of trial. All cats have different associations for registration guidelines, so do some research and ask questions about the rules, regulations and requirements for any show in which you participate.

So what is the preparation you need to do to show the cat? If you decide to show your cat, take him to the vet for a complete checkup, and make sure it is current on all vaccinations. Show organizers may ask you to provide proof that your cat has a clean bill of health.

The night before the show, bathe your cat and give him a good brushing so that its fur is glossy and free of tangles. Ask a friend or relative to accompany you to the event and act as a helper when you need an extra set of hands. In addition to her cat and a large crate so that he is in, you need to bring a litter box, food and water dishes, grooming and supplies.

Once you have come to show the location, you will be given instructions on what to do and assigned a place to settle. Follow the instructions given, but do not be afraid to ask questions if you're confused about something. Enjoy the show.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Bladder Crystals in Cats

Bladder crystals in cats is a topic not often discussed outside veterinary clinics. Nevertheless, this topic is worth investigating further especially if you are feeding your favorite feline a diet that consists solely of high mineral content dry food.

Bladder crystals are formed when minerals such as calcium and magnesium clump together. In most cases they are simply flushed out through the urethra in the normal process of urination. Other times they simply stealthily reside in the bladder for years without your cat showing any sign of discomfort. A problem arises only when these tiny bladder crystals bond together, forming an entity that is too large to comfortably reside in the bladder or cannot be passed out of the urinary tract.

There are a number of viable explanations for their formation. The most widely accepted conclusions have to do with three basic factors, diet, infection and urine concentration. Cats that are fed a diet high in minerals (specifically calcium and magnesium) are more prone to be victimized by bladder crystals. It is not fully understood what starts the process, but it is likely that an abundance of minerals in the urinary tract seem to be as likely a starting point as any.

Note: Cat foods often suggested for magnesium phosphate crystals are Hills Prescription Diet Feline s/d, Purina UR St/Ox, and Eukanuba Low pH/S.

If the minerals are not flushed out of the system they will tend to form bladder crystals. Once the crystal is formed it is much like a snowball rolling down a hill, if not flushed out the crystal simply gets bigger over time. At some point it can no longer be eliminated through natural means. This is a point you should try to avoid at all costs, both for your wallet and your pets health.

Prevention is an important part of overall pet health and the subject of bladder crystal in cats in no different. Most experts would suggest that an effective preventative approach would include a diet low in calcium and magnesium, promoting a consistently high water intake, and avoiding mineral laden dry cat foods. Additionally, many cat owners are implementing natural preventative therapies such as homeopathy. Homeopathic formulas for pet urinary tract health work naturally to improve urine flow, restore healthy pH levels, and are effective in improving bladder and overall urinary tract health.

Monday, May 11, 2009

How to Care For Cats

Cats bring joy in our lives and are a wonderful companion and pet in our homes. They are playful and are excellent with children. A responsible cat owner entails more than just love and devotion - it also involves knowing how to care for cats.

This article will give you a few basic tips on how to care for your cats so that you can thoroughly enjoy your pets. After all, with your loveable furry family members it is all about being a responsible cat owner so you and your family will have years of enjoyment and devotion.

Caring for cats does involve a bit of basic care. Things such as ensuring that your cats are given fresh and clean water everyday. Also making sure that the water basin is clean as this will help prevent contamination and the possible spreading of diseases.

Caring for cats also means giving them the proper amount of nutrition by selecting cat food with good a nutritional value. Cats are naturally carnivorous, so they should be fed meat, fish, and poultry as their primary diet.


How to Toilet Train a Cat

Step 1: Start with a regular litter box placed in the bathroom by the toilet. Give the cat a few days and then raise it up using a phone book.

A couple of days after that, you will have to raise it again so you may have to be creative with items to use in order to lift it up. I used multiple phone books and then a crate as I lifted it higher.

That is our next step. Over time, your goal is to raise the litter box up until it is parallel to the toilet. The idea is to get the cat used to jumping up to relieve himself/herself.

Tip: Go slow. If your cat gets confused he or she may find a place in your home to "go" where they feel more secure. A couple of these accidents and it may be hard to break this bad habit so let the behavior of your pet dictate when to advance to the next step.... after a word from our sponsor....

Step 2: Move the litter box on top of the toilet and remove the phone books, boxes or crates.

After a couple of days of your pet jumping on top of the toilet to use the litter box, get your aluminum tray and flushable litter ready.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Is Uva Ursi Safe For Cats?

If your pet has a bladder infection, you may have read some articles online and are wondering: is Uva Ursi safe for cats. The short answer is yes, but there are some important things you need to know. In this article, you'll learn more about this effective herb, what you need to be aware of and what to look for in a good formulation.

The Uva Ursi herb is typically made into a tonic that promotes bladder health in humans and pets. It works by balancing pH levels in the bladder, reducing pain and inflammation and strengthening the tissues. Proper pH levels prevent the formation of bladder and kidney stones and the growth of bacteria. This is essential in treating and preventing diseases of the bladder.

The Uva Ursi herb is sometimes called bearberry and can be found on low-growing shrubs that grow in different parts of the world. Its active ingredients are Ursolic Acid, Allantoin and Arbutin.

Doses of this herb should be standardized and the herb should be given as a tonic along with other herbs that support bladder health and reduce pain and inflammation, including Berberis and Staphysagris. To answer the question: is Uva Ursi safe for cats, you have to understand that too much of a good thing can be dangerous, especially when we're talking about medication. This is why I don't recommend that you try to administer this herb yourself. Instead, find a good quality homeopathic remedy that contains the Uva Ursi herb and has been formulated under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist.

These remedies are safe, effective and inexpensive. They are gentle enough to use for prevention, yet strong enough to eliminate cat urinary tract infections and even dissolve certain types of bladder stones.

In addition to giving the Uva Ursi herb for bladder issues, make sure to feed your cat healthy cat food without preservatives or fillers, keep the litter box clean and always makes sure your cat has fresh, clean water.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Cat Facts For New Cat Owners

Adopting a new cat is exciting and scary all at the same time. There are so many things you need to consider and understand when it comes to owning a new pet. Cats are generally low maintenance animals, however without the proper care, grooming, and nutrition they can quickly become high maintenance and cost you much more money than you would expect. Here are some cat facts for new cat owners.

Health and Nutrition

These two aspects in a cats life are probably two of the most important. Health and nutrition play a vital role in how a cat functions, behaves, and basically how they live. When it comes to nutrition, cats are carnivores and require a meat diet. Despite what people may think, cats do not eat fruits and vegetables in their diet at all, and doing so can make them really sick. They are strictly carnivorous animals and are incapable of digesting nutrition from vegetable and fruit proteins. It is just in their physical nature to eat meat. This is most of the reason behind cat food being more expensive than dog food; there's more meat. Ideally your cat should be eating things like whole mice, crickets, lizards, etc. but since that is unlikely in the event that you have an indoor cat, cat food can act as a substitute. You can buy cat food dry or in cans. Dry foods are the least expensive and can actually help keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy. Soft and canned foods are more expensive but have more of an appeal to cats than the dry food. Milk is also another source of food for cats; this is not considered a drink. The only drink for a cat is water. Milk provides cats with calcium needed for strong bones and teeth as well as other vitamins and minerals. In order to keep your cat healthy you need to make sure you feed them what their bodies need.

Regular Check ups and Vaccinations

As a new cat owner you may be unaware of how many visits you should make to the vet so don't be afraid to ask someone. Cats, just like children and adults need regular visits to the vet to make sure they stay healthy. As a responsible cat owner, it is your job to get them to the vet as often as necessary and provide them with the vaccinations needed to keep them healthy and strong. There are many diseases which your cat may be immunized for. Here are a few of those diseases that vaccinating will help prevent:

· Feline Panleukopenia. This is an extremely contagious viral disease that normally affects young kittens.
· Feline Leukemia. Feline Leukemia is the leading cause of disease and death in cats today.
· Rabies. The fatal disease can affect the central nervous system in all mammals, including humans. Cats are at an increased risk because they are more likely to roam at night causing them to come in contact with wild animals.

Vaccinating your cat for disease and having them spayed or neutered can help decrease their chances of becoming ill, and extend their life up to three years.

Sleep Behavior

It's important to know that cats generally sleep for most of the day. They love sleeping and will do so for several hours at a time. On average cats sleep between twelve and sixteen hours a day, while kittens may sleep longer as they are still in their growing phase. There are several things that can contribute to so much sleep, genetics, the food they eat, and even boredom. Understand that it is important for your cat to rest, but providing them with stimulating activities and a stimulating environment when they're not asleep will keep them from oversleeping.

Most cats will make great companions and family pets. Remember to keep these basic facts for new cat owners in mind when it comes to health and nutrition, check ups, and sleeping patterns. This will help you get a better feel for your cat, and more opportunity to better meet their needs.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

What Should a Cat Owner Do?

Bloody feline urine should be a matter of concern for a cat owner. You should observe your cat closely for any symptoms of discomfort and treat it appropriately. This is especially true with the problem of bloody urine in cats, as it could be fatal if left untreated for a long time.

Feline urine blood, also known as hematuria, could be caused by:

* urinary tract infections
* kidney stones
* intestinal parasites
* cancer of the urinary bladder

It is usually accompanied by some symptoms like:

* vomiting
* fever,
* loss of appetite
* frequent urination (but only a few drops at a time)
* painful urination
* inactivity
* lethargy.

It is very important to look out for these additional symptoms, as blood in cat's urine is not always visible to naked eyes. Sometimes, there will be visible traces of blood and sometimes, it will be microscopic. In such cases, you need to look out for the symptoms mentioned above to find out if your cat has a problem or not.

Blood is almost always a sign a of a problem that should be treated by a veterinarian. Once diagnosed you can look at some of the care options listed below for longer term prevention.

What most cat owners do when they find out this problem is that they immediately give antibiotics to their cat.

Another complementary option is natural homeopathic supplements. They differ from antibiotics, or any other medication for that matter, in three important ways.

1. They can not only treat feline urine blood, but they can also prevent that problem from recurring. They maintain the right pH levels in your cat's urine and soothe its bladder.

2. They are very safe for your cats. Even if taken regularly for a long time, they do not cause any side effects whatsoever.

3. With regular consumption, they tend to strengthen your cat's immune system and improve its urogenital health.

Some of the important herbal extracts you should look out for while buying natural homeopathic medications for your cat include berberis vulgaris, cantharis, arctostaphylos uva ursi, and staphysagris. All these substances are very potent and can treat almost any kind of urinary problem in your cat.

Along with natural supplements, make sure you give your cat the right kind of food in order to prevent bloody feline urine. Your cat's food should have high water content and should contain very little magnesium. If not, try high quality canned food that is salty in nature. This will make your cat thirsty and drink lots of water. Above all, keep your cat happy. Play with her, take her out, keep her active, and let her unwind at times as well. This is the perfect way to take care of your cat.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Cat Care

One of the most exciting times in a person's life is the moment when a new kitten becomes a part of that individual's home. If you are bringing a new kitten into your life, it is important that you understand the basics of cat care. Through this article you are provided an overview of cat care, particular the care that is needed for a kitten that is now joining your family.

The first factor that you need to keep in mind is the confusion and fear that your new little friend will experience when he or she enters into your home for the first time. Even if the kitten has had some time away from his or her mother, relocating to a new environment can be very difficult for a kitten. Therefore, perhaps the most important cat care tip and pointer that you need to keep in mind when bringing a kitten home is the need for you to spend time with the little guy or gal. (The kitten needs to get to know you as well!)

The next pointer to bear in mind when it comes to cat care and your new kitten is to make sure that he or she understands where the litter box is located. (Obviously, this is for the benefit of the kitten - and for you.) In this regard, you will want to place the litter box in a location at which the cat can have some privacy when he or she is tending to business. Moreover, you want to make sure that the litter box is at a location in which your kitten will not feel trapped when attending to his or her personal matters.

Finally, you will want to make sure that you have appropriate food for your kitten and plenty of water as part of your initial cat care efforts for your new kitten. You will want to select quality food for your new friend that specifically is designed for a kitten.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Cats Impact Human Behavior

Are you the owner of a cat? Is there anything about your cat when you picked her that her? I have a cat named Pepper who collected a garbage when it was 24 hours old. I know, what can you say about a little kitten that does not even have our eyes open. I'm not sure, but that is what made me choose Pepper, functioned properly.

There are several studies that have been made to test whether there is a relationship between cats and their owners' interactions with other human beings. Specifically, owning a cat ellicit compassion to animals and then translates into more compassionate towards other beings humans. An Australian study conducted at the University of Central Queensland proved such a link exists.

The University of Pennsylvania studied another aspect of this - if you have a pet as a child would make a much more compassionate towards animals and humans as adults. The results showed that children who had strong relationships with their cats or dogs as children are more humane attitudes towards animals and humans as adults. It also showed that children have grown and the animals had strong relationships with them, developing stronger relationships with people in adulthood.

Why is that cats in particular that shows our compassion? Be like a cat owner, I can say what you are saying pepper by the tone of his voice, his facial expressions and posture. It's like having a baby who can not speak, but as you come to know her, you start to understand their moods and needs. The development of this sense of the needs of your pet and moods may well allow a better "read" other as adults.

There is something about the dogs and puppies that we want to grow. Are soft, small, stuffed animals and give love. Compassion that brings us naturally. Studies have shown this is especially true for women, perhaps because of the innate maternal instinct inside. Although the men who had strong relationships with their dogs or cats as children showed more compassion in the future relations as those who had no pets. Whatever it is, we show compassion to animals do not translate to show more compassion towards human beings, which is something positive.

Most of these research studies using dogs and their owners because cats can be picked up and loved, even as adults. For those who have never seen the dogs that no value for us and society in general, you may want to reconsider. That might help us to treat each other a little better.