Most cat owners can attest to the fact that cats are finicky. They will only eat certain kinds of food out of a certain type of bowl. What many people don’t realize is that this rule applies to water as well. In general, cats do not drink enough water and this can lead to various health problems, but these problems can be avoided simply by observing the likes and dislikes of a feline with regards to water preferences.

To entice a cat to drink more water takes a little trial and error, but once the magical combination is found, a cat owner should have no problem with their cat remaining hydrated. Below are seven tips to encourage your furry friend to drink up!

1. Water Type
Many people think water is water, but this is not entirely true. There are various types of water from tap water to distilled to mineral. Each cat will have their own preference. Try putting out several bowls of different types of water and see which one they prefer, but make sure all the bowls are identical, as this can be a factor as well in whether or not a cat will drink.

2. Bowls
The type of bowl makes a huge difference. Stainless steel or ceramic will have the highest rate of success. Plastic is a porous material and tends to soak up odor. While a human may not be able to smell it, a cat will and may not want to drink it thinking the water is tainted. One must remember that cats are generally very picky about cleanliness.

3. Cleanliness
Water bowls should be cleaned with hot soapy water on a daily basis. Nobody likes to drink out of a dirty glass. It’s logical to believe a cat does not enjoy it either.

4. Placement
Cats also have a preference of where they want their water placed. Try placing several bowls throughout the house and see which ones show signs of having been used.

5. Multiple Cats
Having multiple cats in the home means having multiple food bowls, but it also means having multiple water bowls as well. Smelling another cat around their water bowl can deter the desire to drink water. Nobody likes drinking after another human being and cats do not like drinking after another cat either.

6. Food Additive
Until a cat owner is able to find the best way to encourage their cat to drink water, it may be necessary to use it as a food additive to ensure the cat stays hydrated. Water can be added to either dry or wet food. A bowl of water may also be “flavored” by adding chicken broth or some tuna juice. Normally a cat that will not drink water will go after a bowl of watered down broth.

7. Running Water
If all else fails, chances are the feline is one that prefers running water. It must be an instinct from the wild to prefer running water as opposed to stagnant, but many cat owners report their cats will only drink running water. To check the cats’ preference, simply turn on a faucet part way (high water pressure will most likely scare the poor thing) and place the cat next to the sink. There is a good chance the cat will investigate it cautiously at first and then start to drink. If the cat enjoys this, it will be obvious when they begin jumping up to the faucet and trying to drink without the water running. If they do indeed seem to like getting their water this way, a pet drinking fountain may be purchased to facilitate this.

The Importance of Hydration
Feline dehydration can be caused by many different factors from lack of available drinking water to illness. It’s extremely important to ensure a cat doesn’t become dehydrated, especially for those felines afflicted by diabetes or renal failure, as those two illnesses in particular cause increased urination which in turn causes increased risk for dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration are constipation, lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes, increased heart rate, poor skin elasticity, and poor capillary refill time. There are two tests an owner can perform to check for skin elasticity and capillary refill.

To check skin elasticity, grasp some skin at the base of the neck and then release. If the skin does not spring back immediately, the feline is in a state of dehydration.

To check capillary refill time, press a finger against the cats gum. Once the finger is removed, a white spot will be present. Time how long it takes for the white spot to turn pink again. It should only take one to two seconds. If it takes longer than that, the cat is dehydrated.

Enough cannot be said about ensuring a feline remains hydrated. A cat stuck inside a home or apartment 24/7 without water to drink that they enjoy, can easily lead to a state of dehydration. It’s extremely important to monitor a cat’s rate of water consumption and, if low, take measures to improve that rate. Dehydration can greatly shorten a feline’s life, but it’s normally a very preventable problem that only takes a little observation and trial and error to correct.

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.

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.

Recently my husband and I were giving Penelope our Torti a bath and after her towel drying session, (which might I add is the only part she seems to tolerate) we opened the door for her to make her great escape… when she was ambushed by Sammy “the bully”. He is the newest member of our kitty family and seems to like to shake things up a bit. This little squabble, escalated to a complete melee and all we could see were two balls of hair spinning and lots of screaming which makes for a rather formidable barrier, but being the hero he is, my husband stepped in and made an attempt to intervene and was able to break up the ball of furry masses.

Nevertheless, my husband was not pleased about this incident, as it has been the first of many to occur… as Sammy seems to be quite the despot. My husbands next words to me were… you need to handle this or I will…so my answer to all life’s problems are found online…so off I went to do a quick Google search and here is what I found… Bach Flower Remedies, which were developed by Dr. Edward Bach, an English Physician, in the early 1900′s. Bach Flower Remedies are a natural system of medicine that focuses on the emotional instead of the physical. Utilizing various plant and flowers, Bach created remedies aimed at a particular mental or emotional state to aid in unlocking the body’s natural healing power. These remedies were originally developed for humans, but also work beautifully on animals!

Bach Flower Remedies can be used on cats with great success and I can vouch for their effectiveness! These remedies can be very effective for the transition of new cats into the home, to discourage cats who are bullies, to help with grieving cats, assist in recovery from injury or illness, and to cope with the stress of a vet visit. That’s only a small sampling of what Bach Flower Remedies can offer to owners of cats experiencing aggression, stress or anxiety.

One thing that I like most about using flower essence is that they’re non-toxic and won’t harm my cats, besides the fact that they are extremely effective. Even if you administer an essence they really don’t need it will simply have no effect . For example, in the case where you have two cats, an aggressive cat and a non-aggressive cat and give them both an essence for aggression,  it will simply have no effect on the non-aggressive cat. But, your aggressive cat will begin to become amiable and more tolerant of his other house-mates!

The following chart lists some of the most common flower essences used with cats and their purpose.

• Aspen = helps cats who experience fear of the unknown and constant anxiety.
• Beech = cats who have an intolerance of other animals or people, or changes in their routine.
• Centaury = cats who are meek and are picked on by other cats.
• Chicory = this flower essence is for manipulative, possessive, or clingy cats or cats with separation anxiety.
• Crab Apple = cats who are constantly over-grooming and have compulsive behavior.
• Elm = this flower essence is for cats that are easily overwhelmed, obsessive-compulsive behavior, or for territorial stress.
• Holly = helps cats who have experienced lost status or attention, jealousy, abandonment, or for abused cats.
• Impatiens = cats who are impatient, nervous, and irritable.
• Larch = this flower essence is for cats who feel intimidated by other cats, and cats who spray.
• Mimulus = this is for cats who have certain fears (like a trip to the vet) and also for timid cats and those that fear other animals or people.
• Pine = for cats feeling guilt even though they have done nothing wrong, or have feelings of rejection, abuse or fear.
• Rescue Remedy = a blend of five flower essences resulting in an essence all its own. For cats who have experienced trauma, an emergency or any stressful event. Drops or spray is recommended only. Do not use the cream or pastilles with animals because they are too strong.
• Star of Bethlehem = this essesene is for cats who have a need for comfort or have experienced some type of physical or emotional trauma/shock.
• Vine = for a dominating cat who is intent on control, who bullies and is aggressive towards other cats.
• Walnut = for cats who are going to experience a change… in a new environment, switching from outdoors to indoors only, or with meeting new animals.
• Water Violet = cats who are reclusive, loners, or for a cat that is grieving.

Another great advantage of flower essences is that it can be used in combination to treat a multi-faceted issue. When a problem develops, you can use several Bach Flower essences at the same time. For example, when Sammy started tormenting Penelope, we used Centaury to help Penelope who was being harrassed and then used Vine for Sammy’s aggressive behavior.

Bach Flower Essences can be purchased at most health food stores, and of course, over the internet. I order my flower essences from http://feelbach.com/ they seem to have the best prices on the internet. I also discovered a very interesting article on their website about Courtney Cuddler – who may soon be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living cat.

Bach Flower Remedies taste terrible! So remember to always dilute them in water before using any flower essence with your cats. Diluting the essence does not in any way dilute its effectiveness.

You may be asking yourself “Which Bach Flower remedy does my cat need?” Animals, especially cats, are surprisingly easy to “read” emotionally. All it takes is observation and a bit of insight and you’ll find the right flower essence for your cat’s specific needs.

I have eleven cats and I can’t imagine any of them would want to be without each other. They live like brothers and sisters, one big happy kitty family and I can’t picture me living with only one cat either.

For people who adore cats, having only one is never enough. Instead of having just one cat to call your own, you may have several. Those who have more than one cat understand that this is an excellent thing not only for the cat owner, but also for the cats as well. Cats like other cat company.

Are you currently thinking of getting another cat? Many people question if their cat would be okay with another cat joining their family. In the event your cat is alone for a lengthy period of time, then he might enjoy having another cat around for companionship. Older cats  will often develop a new lease on life when there is a new kitten brought into the home. There are some cats who do prefer their solitude though and territorial problems can cause difficulty.

A new kitten means having to undergo the frustrations of training another cat all over again. You’ll also need to consider the added expense of all the vaccines. If you add an adult cat to the house, this too can be a challenge simply because the cat will have to adjust to the new environment.

When choosing another cat to bring into your home, there is no need to get a cat that is the same breed as your current cat, however you might want to choose the best combination. For example; a Rex with his foolish behavior combined with a standoffish Russian Blue might not be the best blend. Cats with related traits may work better with one another. The Himalayan, Persian and also the Maine Coon breeds are so friendly that they will be able to adjust to any of the other breeds, even some of the most challenging breeds.

Set up a place for your new cat just before bringing him home. He might do better to remain in one area or your home until he adjusts to his new environment. Let him relax and settle in before you expose him to the rest of your family.

You’ll want to allow your original cat some time to adjust to having the new cat in his home. This might take a while, so be patient. For an easy transition, make sure he doesn’t need to share his litter box, his food or even his toys with the new cat. There are generally health reasons in addition to feelings that should be kept into consideration when it comes to this subject. Cats who are made to share a littler box may in fact choose to create their own area for a private box.

There are a lot of great benefits to having more than one cat. I believe one of the biggest reasons is that it provides more companionship for you and also for your beloved pets.