When you own cats, you are at risk of having fleas on your cats and in your house. The odds are increased if they are indoor/outdoor cats. Fleas are almost microscopic in size and difficult to eliminate. If you want to know how to get rid of fleas in your house, then you need to understand your enemy (the flea).

Fleas are definitely a nuisance and their bite generally causes quite a bit of itching and irritation of the skin. Some people can have an allergic reaction called dermatitis caused by flea saliva during a flea bite.

It’s A Flea… Where’s The Danger?
Fleas are certainly a nuisance, but not a danger despite its infamous involvement in the past with the plague. Consequently, for the plague to occur, you need a rodent that carries the plague and a flea that bites the rodent and then bites a human. Personally, I believe mosquitoes to be more dangerous than fleas; a mosquito can spread diseases from far away, whereas a flea is only going to spread diseases that are present around your house. With that said, how many of us have the human plague around our homes?

Once you start seeing fleas in your house, most likely they’ve already gotten a jump on you (no pun intended) and it will take you 3-6 months to resolve the problem. An adult female flea can lay about 200 eggs per month. Flea eggs will fall off your pet in your house, on your carpets, rugs, sofa, bedding, etc.

There are 4 Stages in a Flea’s Life Cycle:

1. Egg
2. Larva (maggoty-like-thing)
3. Pupa (in a cocoon)
4. Adult

Note, getting rid of fleas on your cats isn’t enough – you’ll have to also rid the entire household environment of fleas in order to protect your cats from them for good. Getting rid of fleas in your house can be a daunting task, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to do some work.

Tackle The Cat First!
First, you’ll want to eliminate the fleas from your cats by bathing them in warm soapy water. Dunk your cats completely in the water up to their necks (never their head) for five minutes to drown the fleas and wash off the flea poop (which is flea larvae food). Have a flea comb ready and be prepared for fleas to start running up to your cats head, eyes and ears. Use the flea comb to remove the surviving fleas and drown them in the soapy water.

Next, you’ll want to gently towel dry your cat and then let them finish drying themselves off by licking. Wait several hours and make sure your cat is completely dry, preferable the next day. Then apply a “high quality” topical flea protection solution on your cat, this will most likely require a trip to the vet’s office to purchase, and follow the directions exactly. The two most popular brands of topical flea control treatments that I recommend are advantage and Frontline, which I have personally used on my cats with a lot of success. Never use cheap over-the-counter cat flea protection products or apply dog flea protection products on your cat, it can be dangerous to your cat’s health.

Continue to apply “high quality” topical flea protection products on your cat monthly and all year-round to maintain a proper defense against future flea infestation on your cats or in your home.

Treating The Cat Is Not Enough!
Even after you get rid of the fleas on your cat, 95% of the fleas still remain in the environment. Remember the life cycle of an adult flea, it will lay eggs, the eggs hatch into larvae (little worms) which then form into a cocoon called pupa. Flea eggs and larvae can be killed by spraying the house but it won’t affect the pupa, flea pupa can survive pretty much anything. Lastly, flea pupa hatch to become adult fleas and this is where a topical flea protection solution on your cat can stop the cycle and kill the adults, preventing them from laying eggs.

Lastly, spray your house with a “high quality” and safe flea spray called Knockout Spray, following the instructions exactly. This spray has been recommended by a 20 year veterinarian and is more effective at direct application than the typical “flea bomb” products that get onto your counter tops and tables where fleas don’t live.
In addition to using a flea spray, you’ll want to clean all the fabrics in your home using a shampoo. This means bedding, carpeting, upholstery, curtains, and especially areas where your cats sleep and play. Ridding your home of fleas is the best way to ensure you get rid of fleas from your cats for good so they won’t return.

Discover The Secrets To Protect Your Pet From Fleas!

Discover The Secrets To Protect Your Pet From Fleas!

If you’re a cat owner, then no doubt you have a litter box for your kitty. Unfortunately, some cats do need encouragement to use the litter box, and some owners end up wondering why they are not doing so.

First and foremost, if you’re having problems with your cat peeing outside the litter box; take your cat to the vet to have them examined to make certain that it’s not a medical condition causing the problem. If your cat checks out okay, then let’s take a look at some ways to encourage kitty to use the litter box:

Location, location, location…the first thing you’ll need to consider is the location of the litter box. Cats like their privacy, so if you have a basement or laundry room that is quiet, this can be an ideal place; it’s private and will keep odors away from the living areas of your home. If you don’t have a basement, laundry room or a suitable closet, try putting the litter tray under a table, preferably in a tiled or non-carpeted room for easy cleaning.

If you have more than one cat, make sure to give each cat their own litter box. It is recommended that you have one litter box per cat, with one additional. For example, if you have two cats, I would suggest having three litter boxes.

If your cat was using the litter box, but suddenly stopped, it may be a change you’ve made in the environment to cause the problem. For example, have you recently moved the box to a less private, higher traffic area?  Or perhaps the box needs cleaning more regularly, or you’ve changed to a different brand of kitty litter which is highly scented?

Other possible causes could be that your cat has simply outgrown their litter box and a bigger one is needed, or perhaps the litter isn’t deep enough for them to be able to dig and bury their business.

Cats are by nature very clean creatures, so make sure you keep their food area separate from their toilet area.  This is actually a good trick if your cat has started using a particular room that is off limits to do their business – either keep the door closed, or if that’s not practical, put their food in that room to discourage its use as a toilet.

Cats are creatures of habit, so any change in their environment or their routine can make them anxious until they adapt to the changes.  Always be patient if your cat is new to your family because it takes time for them to settle into their environment.  Likewise if you’ve recently moved, the cat has to get used to its new home all over again.  This can take anywhere from three weeks up to eight weeks to fully settle in.

A new home can be disturbing for your cat if they can smell that the previous owner had pets, especially if there is a lingering smell of the other cat’s urine. It goes without saying that you should never physically punish your cat for doing something you don’t like.  Rubbing your cat’s nose in the urine if they’ve peed where you didn’t want them to will not make them use the litter tray because the smell isn’t pungent to them like it is to humans.  Additionally, they won’t understand why you are punishing them – they will only know that you’ve hurt them and this can only make matters worse.

In conclusion, if your cat is peeing outside the litter box, always remember to be patient with your cat while you try the tips suggested above and you should soon have a well trained cat using their litter box as second nature.

Learn More on How to Stop Your Cat From Peeing Outside the Litter Box

Learn More on How to Stop Your Cat From Peeing Outside the Litter Box

Like most pets, cats have certain grooming and health requirements to keep them looking and feeling their best. The grooming process for most cats is often an unpleasant experience, especially when it comes to getting baths or having their nails trimmed, but these things must be done. The following tips will help cat owners learn how to groom their cats with as little resistance as possible.

When grooming your cat there are certain things that should be routine, such as periodic baths which can sometimes be one of the hardest aspects of the grooming process? However, cats can be made comfortable before taking a bath and it’s important to be sure that your cat is relaxed. Brushing the cat beforehand will help keep them as relaxed as possible, as well as remove any excess hair. Also, make sure that the bath water is lukewarm and not too hot or too cold and be sure to use shampoo that will benefit your cat’s coat. If your cat is allergic to any kind of soaps or shampoos, take this into consideration when shopping for pet shampoo.

Another important step in the grooming process is to brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help eliminate any dirt, tangles, or excess fur that may be ingested when your cat is grooming himself. It will also help to keep the fur clean and healthier by eliminating dirt, distributing natural oils throughout the fur, protecting from tangles and ensuring the skin stays clean and free from irritants. Cats that have longer hair need to be brushed more often than cats with shorter hair, since longer fur is more likely to tangle. Cats usually enjoy being brushed because it makes them feel relaxed and more comfortable, so it is not only good for their fur but also for their overall well-being and happiness.

For cats that have not been de-clawed, it is also important to be sure their nails are clipped regularly; this can often be difficult since cats don’t always cooperate. However, this process can be made easier by giving your cat a little foot rub before attempting to clip the nails. This will help them feel more relaxed and will make the process easier on both of you.

By making grooming a more pleasant experience for you and your cat, you will be able to keep your feline friend healthy and happy for many years to come.

There are about 250 different species of catnip, but the figure can easily be more if you consider hybrid species as well. This particular herb is believed to be effective for influencing cat behavior.

How does catnip work for cats?
This herb contains nepetalactone, which is a special type of essential oil found on the leaves and stem. If it’s sniffed by your cat, then several things can happen:

• Hyperactivity

• Significant increase in aggressive behavior

• Moderation of aggressive behavior (e.g. drooling and rolling on the floor)

All of these, as well as other types of reactions can happen because nepetalactone tends to have a hallucinogenic effect on felines. It’s been likened mostly to the effects of marijuana as well as the “sexual” high a creature has during intercourse or activities leading to the latter.

One thing you should know; however, is that catnip does not affect all cats.

• Studies show that only 50% of cats experience effects when exposed to this herb.

• Kittens appear not to be affected by exposure to catnip.

• Although the effects of this herb are also like an aphrodisiac, it has been proven that it can affect female cats as well as those which have been spayed.

Sniffing versus eating
Cats do not always end up sniffing this herb. Sometimes, you’ll find your cat eating it instead. If this happens, then most of the time the herb will act as a sedative instead and cause your cat to feel sleepy. This can be beneficial when dealing with an aggressive cat as it will help to put an end to their aggressive behavior, especially if it has become uncontrollable.

Is It Dangerous to your cat’s health?
No. The possibility of your pet overdosing on it is quite low – or even nil in fact. Like many animals in the world, cats are smart creatures and they will know when they’ve had too much of something. If they’ve reached their limit, then they will be the first to shy away from having to continually sniff or even swallow this herb.

How long do the effects last?
In most cases, the effects of this herb on cat behavior would last about five to ten minutes. It depends on various factors, such as how long your cat’s been sniffing it or what its natural level of susceptibility is to catnip. Once the effects wear off, you will notice that your cat want have anything else to do with the herb. You will have to wait maybe two hours at least before you can “reintroduce” the herb to your cat.

Other Benefits
Although most people know it as a benefit to feline health and behavior, this herb actually has benefits in other areas to offer as well. Studies show that this herb can get rid of insects and pests like cockroaches, mice, and even ants. It can also be of help to humans.

Where to get catnip
If you are hoping to use this to influence your cat’s behavior and make it easier to train, then you have two choices – you can either buy it from your local pet store or you can grow catnip in your own herb garden, your cat will thank you for it!

Our pets help us live longer healthier lives. This is especially true of the elderly and those who live alone. Pets make great trustworthy companions, because they are always there for us. Nevertheless, this kind of relationship may turn out to be strained, and sometimes broken when someone in the household develops an allergy to a beloved pet.

Research has shown that roughly 15% of the population is affected with an allergic reaction to a pet, and about 1 / 3 of those with an allergy to felines decide to live in a household with their cat despite the allergy. A few allergy sufferers live happily with their pets for a couple of years before an allergy develops.

There is sometimes long term health implications of recurring allergy flair up’s, particularly for children. Repetitive flair-up’s can trigger long term lung damage in kids. This should be discussed with your physician.

In the event the allergy sufferer only has a light response to the animal there can be ways for them to live together in harmony, but it takes work. Your pet shouldn’t be allowed inside the allergy sufferers’ bedroom or on the bed. Keep your animal off upholstered furniture in the house as dander can end up being transferred to upholstered furnishings. Get rid of carpets from the house when possible and replace with wood floors. Wash area rugs on a regular basis with warm water. Use a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifier to get rid of airborne animal dander and also use a vacuum that uses a HEPA filter so you can trap the dander. In addition to vacuuming frequently, you can also use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home. Vapor steam cleaners are proven by research to be very helpful in killing the cat proteins/dander, which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergens. The allergy sufferer should wash his or her face as well as hands after handling the pet. Bathing your cat weekly with specially formulated shampoo that removes dander will also help to reduce your allergy flair-up’s.

Sometimes when the aforementioned strategies and over the counter antihistamines and decongestants do not work, the allergy sufferer may need to seek the guidance of an allergist. Immunotherapy may be thought of just like a vaccination against your allergies. Given on a regular basis as shots, immunotherapy helps your body develop a purely natural tolerance to specific allergens.

By using the above mentioned methods you can actually live a long and healthy life with your beloved pet!

Simply mention the “V” word, and you will most likely have frantic cats along with cowering canines. But a trip to the vet doesn’t have to be disturbing. Here are a few suggestions for making the experience much more pleasant for everyone:

1. Be relaxed as well as upbeat. Animals pick up on our body language. In the event that you are extremely distressed and nervous, your animal may end up being so too.

2. Help your pet to loosen up. Calming agents, like Feliway Comfort Spray, may help reduce your cat’s stress and anxiety. It will help comfort your cat in new or stressful environments like a trip to the vet, and can also be used when moving to a new home, while traveling or boarding, and when introducing a new cat to your home. Comfort Zone Feliway’s ingredients mimic feline pheromones that calm stressed cats and works quickly and effectively.

3. Leave your own cat’s carrier out all the time. Put a towel inside in addition to sprinkling it with catnip. The cat will associate the carrier with a pleasant, private place to nap as opposed to a ride in the car. If your pet doesn’t hear you getting the carrier from a closet, he will not have the chance to wedge himself underneath a bed.

4. Get your pets accustomed to riding in the car. Even a fast spin around the block will help your dog or cat associate riding in the car with a pleasant experience. Open the windows a bit and tune the stereo to a classical music station. Classical music is comforting to animals. Whenever you get home, reward your “traveler” with a few treats. Never leave your animal alone inside a locked car, even for a few moments.

5. Make sure your animal can tolerate being handled. Touch their feet and toes, open your pet’s mouth area, look in their ears, and get them accustomed to being touched on almost all parts of their entire body.

6. Socialize your animals. Make an effort to get your dog or cat familiar with hearing, seeing as well as being touched by different people. Even leaving a television or radio station on for indoor cats will help them get accustomed to the sounds of different human voices.

7. Lavish your pet with praise. During the vet visit as well as afterwards, reward your animal with praise for being calm and also cooperative. Several treats on the ride home may help make your pet think the entire experience had been well worth it.

In the event you may be among the fortuitous people in the world to own one or possibly many cats, then congratulations you’ve chosen one of the best domestic pets to own. If you’ve made the decision to own a cat, then you’ll want to be the best cat owner possible. Obviously you do. Much like parents who go all out purchasing everything they can for their brand new babies, you’ll want to make certain you have all the cat furniture and supplies you need for welcoming your new feline companion into your home and for providing it a long and healthy life.

If owning cat furniture seems somewhat excessive to you, then perhaps you aren’t cut out to own a feline. Actually, I would declare that true cat lovers realize that owning some basic cat furniture can help to make all the difference in their relationship with their furry friends and is actually necessary to a cat’s well-being. Cat Furniture is made to address the instinctual needs of cats and helps relieve the stress your cat can develop when sharing their environment with humans and other pets. So think carefully and decide if you are willing to be a cat owner that will make this type of investment for your pet.

If you’re prepared to take the next step and invest in some quality cat furniture, then let the adventure begin. There is a wide selection of cat furniture, so you’ll need to do a little research and find out exactly what is best for you as well as your cat. Do this by talking with other cat owners first. Get advice from friends and family who are cat owners and find out exactly what type of cat furniture they’re using. Being a cat owner myself I found that certain cat furniture was essential in my home. For example, I needed a cat scratching post to keep my cats from scratching the furniture. I have two cat trees; since I have multiple cats in my home they need to establish their own territory and a cat tree is essential for this and will even prevent urine marking as cats do this as a way of establishing their territory. I also have a window perch which gives them a comfortable observation point for bird watching. This seems to help my kitties forget all about jumping on my tabletop and counters.

You should also visit your local pet store when determining the best cat furniture for your home. Talking with experts and people who have experience with cats and living with cats is actually a terrific way to learn. Store associates may be able to help you with different types of cat furniture and assist you in comparing the pros and cons of each while you’re still in the store. You certainly don’t want to buy cat furniture and then wind up regretting it when you get it home.

Quality cat furniture can be purchased new or used at a number of places in stores and online. You can also check your local newspaper and see if anyone is selling their used cat furniture. Always be on the lookout for specials and deals on cat furniture and you’ll have no problem finding the right furniture that fits your needs and your budget.

Declawing can be described as significant surgical treatment known as onychectomy, carried out under anesthesia that takes away the end of each digit (from the very first knuckle out) of the cat’s forepaws. There exists a slight possibility of death within the surgical treatment, and a declawed cat might have an elevated chance of infection along with life-long soreness in its paws. This kind of surgical treatment is not recommended for an adult cat and it’s regarded in certain countries (see below) as an act of animal cruelty.

Individuals commonly have cats declawed to keep their pet from hunting and from harming furniture. In the US, some landlords require that tenants’ cats be declawed.

Veterinarians are generally critical of the procedure and a few won’t even perform it due to the fact that the absence of claws in a cat:

1. Deprives the cat of its primary defense abilities, which includes getting away from potential predators by climbing trees;
2. Impairs its stretching as well as physical exercise routines, ultimately causing muscle atrophy;
3. Jeopardizes its ability to balance on slim surfaces including railings plus fence tops, ultimately causing injuries from falls;
4. Could cause insecurity along with a subsequent inclination to bite.

This operation is uncommon beyond North America. Throughout Finland, Germany, the Netherlands as well as Switzerland, declawing is forbidden by the laws against cruelty to animals. Within many other European countries, it is not allowed under the conditions of the European Convention for the Protection of Pets, unless of course “a veterinarian considers [such] non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons as well as for the advantage of (the) animal”. Within Britain, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported cats which have already been declawed and consequently most are usually euthanized.

An alternative to declawing is the application of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are usually affixed to the claws with nontoxic glue, like “soft paws” requires regular replacement when the cat sheds its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). However, the cat may nonetheless experience difficulties due to the fact the capped nails are not as powerful as claws.

My cats all have their claws and personally for me I would not consider declawing, I prefer to keep my cats nails clipped and provide plenty of cat scratching posts to keep them from scratching my furniture. If you are having problems with your cat scratching the furniture I would also suggest a training spray, I have used SmartyKat Scratch Not spray with much success.

There are quite a few cat breeds on the market. If you’re like most people, you don’t understand much about them. In order to help you make an informed decision about the different cat breeds, here’s some helpful information.

Do you want a cat that will entertain himself and not get into trouble? Then don’t consider the Sphynx, the Rex, the British Angora or the Siamese. These cat breeds are very energetic and seem to look for trouble. For those who are trying to find a cat to provide them with amusement, these are the ideal choice. The Rex is a silly cat who will definitely entertain you.

There are other crucial elements to consider when choosing a breed. For example, when trying to decide if you’d like to own a long hair or a short hair cat, think about how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to grooming, if you don’t feel you have the time for daily grooming, you shouldn’t consider a long haired breed. Those who choose a long haired cat will need to recognize the commitment to taking care of that coat. Should you not, it may tangle and also matt and have to end up being shaven and it can also present a health risk.

Vocal cats are often something which many people either think about or want absolutely nothing to do with. They may be very loud. Many cat owners don’t have a problem with vocal cats, they recognize that communication with them is essential. While other pet parents don’t feel that a vocal cat is a good choice for them.

Vocal/Loud Feline Breeds:

• Siamese
• Burmese
• Korat

Quiet Feline Breeds:

• American Curl
• Scottish Fold
• Somali

Attitude is your next determining aspect. Some cats want to be held and cuddled, while others want absolutely nothing to do with people at all. Some cats want the attention while others don’t. Selecting which one is right for you is a personal decision you will need to make as a pet owner.

Loving Breeds are perfect for children:

• Snowshoe
• Maine Coon
• Ragdoll
• Abyssinian
• Tonkinese
• Himalayan Persian

Reserved Breeds:

• Nebelung
• Russian Shorthair
• Norwegian Forest Cat

Finally, in the event that you would like to opt for a kitten or even an abandoned older cat, bear in mind that kittens have to be trained; however adult cats can be set in their ways. You can discover a number of breeds to choose from at the nearby cat show and look for these breeds at your neighborhood humane society as well. These types of cats need homes and these organizations are generally full to the brim with them.

I hope that you found this information helpful and you’re able to discover the best breed that is right for you and your family.

So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your current cat for companionship. And you remembered how much fun your cat was when she was a kitten, and you might love to re-live those glory days.

It’s generally thought that cats thrive better with the company of one more feline, particularly cats limited indoors. However, before you rush off to your local cat shelter or breeder, here are a few suggestions to make bringing home a new kitten as relaxed as possible.

Choose a time when your home is not too active and you have the time and energy to dedicate to your brand new kitty and your existing pet, avoid holidays, for example, or some other occasions when family and friends tend to visit.

Before bringing home the new kitten, take her to your animal medical practitioner to get her examined in addition to vaccinated, kittens possess fragile immune systems and are generally more likely to pick up something at the shelter or perhaps cattery. Consider adopting a kitty of the opposite gender to your current cat, this will steer clear of same sex competition and also associated issues. For several reasons all your felines should be spayed/neutered.

If possible arrange to bathe your new cat at a friend’s house before you bring it home, this will neutralize kitty’s odor, and go along way in preventing further disturbance with your current cat.

A shorter isolation period is important when presenting a completely new cat. It would be ideal to have a separate room for the brand new kitten; your new kitty will need her own litter box, water and food bowl. A few cats will hide out beneath furniture for a few days, much more adventurous ones will be eager to investigate their new house almost straightaway. Don’t try and pressure your new kitten to leave the area, you’ll know when she is ready.

Give your new kitty time to explore your house while your older cat is in another area. Help make the introduction, slowly, bit by bit, it’s an excellent idea to allow your current cat the opportunity to smell your new kitten’s blanket a couple of times before they actually meet. Help make the preliminary periods of contact short. Progressively increase the time they invest together as they get used to one another. It’s not uncommon for them to end up having a couple of quarrels in these first meetings, therefore do not let them be together unsupervised for long periods until they get along. If a fight should break out, distract the combatants and get them directly into individual rooms as soon as possible, never punish either cat.

The process of introducing a new kitten to an older cat can be relatively relaxed and need not be full of problems. The bottom line is making the introduction slowly, and perhaps the best idea would be to give your more mature cat just as much attention as well as affection as you give the newcomer.

Before long you will have two feline friends that enjoy each others company.