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Cat Mailboxes Can Mean So Much
We love our cats. Throughout the centuries, Cats have been revered, even worshipped. They can be our cuddly friends or fearsome hunters. Through it all, they are our beloved pets. For some, coming through the door at the end of a long day, being greeted by a furry feline it the best part of the day. Our cats love us unconditionally; we can do no wrong with them. Now, there is something that can lift your spirits as soon as you turn into the driveway. A new and unique way to pay tribute to the one who enriches our lives in so many different ways and this is with cat mailboxes.
Cat mailboxes, what’s not to love? A cat mailbox is a cute, fun, decorative novelty item that can bring you home to life. It is a way to personalize your property. It can show to the world that you are friend to felines. The assortment of different cat mailboxes is as astounding. There are so many different shapes and sizes that it makes the decision to purchase just one difficult. There have been some who have purchased cat mailboxes just for décor. They can be created a playful kittens or in a stalking pose. The design is limited only by cat lovers’ imagination.
Cat mailboxes are approved by the United States Postal service and are made of heavy-duty steel that is rust and weather resistant. They also can be made out of wood, or vinyl, and are all durable to withstand the often-frigid temperatures of winter or scorching heat of summer. Cat mailboxes come in many different designs. They can be freestanding, or attach to a building. They can have locks attached by request.
By searching the Internet, there are hundreds of links that will assist the cat lover in finding the perfect cat mailbox. There are even sites that will create a specific cat mailbox from a picture that is sent. It can be made to be a life size model of the your favorite pet. What better was to express love for a furry feline friends. A cat mailbox can also have a message inscribed on it to welcome guests to your home. This services is usually offer by request only. These adorable designs are usually hand crafted, and made to look exactly like a treasured family pet.
A cat mailbox can even be made with movable whiskers and tails. They are a delightful novelty item that all cat lovers would love to receive as a gift.
A cat mailbox will make an incredible addition to a home that will keep friends and loved one amazed at the quality and workmanship of the design.
Most sites on the Internet will send a cat mailbox complete with everything you need for installation. This feature is appealing to most people as all they have to do is unwrap and install their cat mailbox for all to see.
Big or small, black or white a cat mailbox will be the talk of every neighborhood.
Cat Health and Cat Care
As a cat lover, you would naturally want to know as much as you can about your kitty’s health! Your little bundle of fur can be practically considered as part of the family, so why wouldn’t you make sure that he is happy and healthy?
In this article we will look at a few starting points for your cats health.
Cat health is strongly affected by what kitty eats. Obesity is a major factor in heart disease particularly as your cat gets older. Choose a pet food for your cat that is right for it’s age but feed it regularly. If in doubt get your veternarians advice as your cat can have completely different nurtient needs to what you would expect!
Longhaired cats should be groomed regularly for optimum cat health. Use a pet brush and groom no less than once a week. This is a great way to bond with kitty!
The litter box can be a danger to both cat health and human health if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Change your pet’s litter no less than once every four days or more remembering to clear the tray of faces as since cats are very clean animals and can smell up to 10 times better than humans! Your kitty will just love you for it! Also be careful as some litter can be very dusty, which can irritate kitty’s asthma.
If choosing to declaw your kitty, this can be a major factor in Cat health. If you choose to declaw your pet it is important to remember to keep them inside at all times! Although I would never recommend to declaw kitty as this is taking away what makes him a cat! Also sometimes declawing can be very painfull for your cat and he may become resentful! If you are worried about your furniture, invest in a cat scratcher and rub some cat nip over it, you will be suprised! Another option is only to trim the claws with great care.
Stressful situations like moving, travelling, natural disasters or even changes in the family can affect cat health as cats are very sensitive creatures. To minimize the effects of stress on your pet, ask your vet or pet store what to recommend to slightly sedate kitty. Cat nip is always a good option, when cat eats this plant it acts as a sedative.
Part of managing cat health is making sure dangerous poisons like antifreeze are inaccessible to your pet just as you would with your own toddler. Some household plants are fatal to cats so make sure to raise your plants and lock your toxins! If you have an indoor kitty, invest in a few cat-friendly plants such as Cat nip, Cat grass, Honeysuckle etc with the bonus of giving kitty much needed nutrients and minerals not generally found in manufactured pet food!
Cat’s often have mouth diseases and this can impact cat health. Cat’s are just as prone to gingivitis as humans and cats can also develop. Take kitty to the vet at least once a year to have his teeth regulary checked and cleaned, even switching to a food that prevents tatar buildup is always a bonus.
As always one of the greatest factors in cat health is deciding if your cat goes outdoors. Cars, children, other animals and toxins, ALL are all dangerous and should be avoided by keeping your cat indoors. Sometimes this isn’t the solution for every kitty as you will need to stock up on the cat toys! And can be very hard to stop your kitty if he already has been accustomed to the outdoors!
Cat Furniture
I remember dreading the day I found the perfect couch to go in our appartment. Binx was never particular with what he liked scratching on and I realised that if I bought this couch, that it would end up looking like a shreaded pin cushion in a matter of hours not days!
Just moving into a new appartment (or having been there a long time) introducing your kitty to his new surroundings can be quite tough and you want to keep him inside for about a week to three weeks until you are satisfied that he is happy to know where home is and he is settled himself before deciding to let him outside. While he is inside for those one to three weeks, if you are unfortunate enough not to be able to stay home and watch your kitty 24/7, you will likely to come home and find the couch has been attacked or worse, I used to come home and find the base of my bed had been attacked!
Now declawing is definately out of the option, the only other choice left was to look at is Cat Furniture for your kitty. For starters a cat scratcher especially if you have an indoor kitty! Now I was very warey how Binx would take to this new carpeted object sitting in the lounge, and it was quite lucky I had bought him a Cat Nip plant!
Your kitty will probably go nutty over Cat Nip, but not all cats react the same way to it. If your kitty is not taking any notice of his new scratching pole, and is still using your couch, break a couple of leaves off the Cat Nip plant and proceed to rub it all over the carpeted pole. It took a few days of sniffing for Binx to actually get any interest in the pole, but once your kitty gets the idea or if need be, show kitty how it should be used first, and praise him each time he uses it properly!
Make sure the pole is secured down properly because it might topple onto kitty while he’s using it, and it will just scare him off using the pole for good! I had ours wedged underneath the TV Cabnet and now the Coffee table and removed the bell attached to the top of the pole as it seemed to scare Binx everytime it jingled behind him! And guess what – He has not touched our new couch, ONCE!
Caring for Cats – the easy way
You will need a great deal of commitment in order to own a cat as they do require some care (although not as much as dogs!) and can live as old as 15 years (or even longer in some cases).
Cats require feeding (daily), care and ‘play time’ on a regular basis. You will also have to take into consideration, before getting your cat, that you will have vets’ bills to pay for annual vaccines, worming and if treatment is required for any illnesses. These bills can sometimes be very costly, but you can purchase insurance for pets – it may be a good idea to ‘shop around’ to get the best deal.
Before getting your cat, you should purchase bowls for food and water, a collar (if you want the cat to wear one), a bed (or pet quilt), a few suitable toys, and some food.
A kitten should be fed throughout the day 4 times with a small amount of food each meal, reducing to 3 times a day at 3 months old, then at 6-8 months 2 meals per day. Older cats (over 12 months) should only be fed twice in the day (usually morning and early evening).
Cats groom themselves, but using a soft brush on the cat, especially the long haired variety, will help to cut down the number of hairballs in the cat’s stomach, which are caused by them licking / grooming themselves.
If you decide to have a cat-flap fitted to your door in order that the cat can come and go as it pleases, you will have to train it to use the flap. You can use tit-bits to entice the cat to go through the flap, when it is fully open. Start by opening the flap fully, just showing the tit-bit, then next time close the flap a little bit and keep on doing so until the cat realises that the flap will open with a small push of the head.
Cats like to sharpen their claws on most household furniture! Suites, corners of walls (thick paper), carpets. Invest in a scratch post – there are many to choose from. When the cat starts to scratch, lift the cat and place him/her next to the scratch post, they will soon get the message and use the post instead of the furniture.
If you are concerned about your cat going missing, or it being involved in an accident, you can have a micro-chip (approximately the size of a grain of rice) inserted into the back of the cat’s neck. The chip contains information, which can help to identify the cat as belonging to you.
It is often said that ‘a cat looks after itself’. This is obviously not really true, but they do have a more independent nature than some other domesticated pets. That said, they still make ideal companions when they ‘allow’ you to be their friend.
Caring For Cats
Cat lovers need not feel down in the mouth about protecting their pets from serious disease. In fact, their cat’s mouth is a good place to start. A recent study shows that cats with common forms of oral disease have a higher rate of testing positive for more serious diseases.
The good news is that with early detection and proper veterinary care, cats with serious diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), the feline version of HIV, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can live long and healthy lives. Having cats tested is a key factor in slowing the spread of these diseases.
An estimated 31 million cats in the U.S. are at risk for FIV and FeLV. These diseases are spread from cat to cat (they cannot be spread to people) and are highly contagious. Since cats with FIV and FeLV often have no visible symptoms and many cat owners are not aware their cat has been exposed, it’s vitally important to have cats tested. Treatment usually consists of a nutritional diet, closer monitoring and more frequent visits to the vet.
The study, conducted by veterinary clinics around the country, found one in every eight cats that had some type of oral disease also tested positive for FIV, FeLV or both. Cats with oral diseases are four times more likely to have those conditions than cats without.
“This study encourages testing cats that have gingivitis and other oral diseases for FIV and FeLV infection. This gives veterinarians valuable new information in their efforts to fight these contagious viruses,” said Dr. Jan Bellows, a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Cat owners should work with their veterinarian to establish a regular schedule of comprehensive wellness exams, including dental screenings and FIV/FeLV testing.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners says a cat should also be tested for FIV/FeLV:
• When sick, regardless of previous negative results. Signs of illness may include changes in behavior, grooming and eating habits.
• When cats and kittens, regardless of age, are newly adopted.
• When cats live in households with unknown infection status. Infected cats who don’t have symptoms can still transmit the viruses to uninfected cats.
• When cats have had potential exposure, whether they snuck outdoors or got in a fight with a cat of unknown infection status.
• Annually, especially for cats that fight or live with infected cats.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends cat owners visit their veterinarians for a wellness exam twice a year.
Allergic To Your Dog Or Cat?
Pets definitely help us live longer and healthier lives. This is especially true of the elderly and those of us who live alone. Pets make wonderful and faithful companions. They are always there for us. However, this relationship can become strained, and sometimes even be broken when someone in the household develops an allergy to a beloved pet.
Studies show that approximately 15% of the population suffers from an allergy to a dog or cat, and about one third of those with an allergy to cats choose to live in a household with a cat despite the allergy. Some allergy suffers live happily with a pet for a year or two before an allergy starts.
There are sometimes long term health ramifications of repeated allergy flair up’s, especially for children. Repeated flair-up’s can cause permanent lung damage in children. This should be carefully and thoroughly discussed with your physician. One of the ways to live happily with an animal you are allergic to is to decrease your exposure to the animal. Keep the animal outside if possible.
If the allergy sufferer only has a mild reaction to the animal there are ways for the two of them to live together in harmony, but it takes work. The animal should not be allowed in the allergy sufferers bedroom or on the bed. Keep the animal off of any upholstered furniture in the house as dander can be transferred to upholstered furniture. Use a room purifier to remove airborne animal dander. Remove carpets from the home if possible and replace with wood floors. Wash area rugs on a regular basis with warm water. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter in order to trap dander. The allergy sufferer should wash his or her face and hands after handling the animal. The animal can be bathed weekly in specially formulated shampoo that removes dander.
In some cases where the above methods and the use of over the counter antihistamines and decongestants do not help, the allergy sufferer may need to seek the help of an allergist. Immunotherapy can be thought of like a vaccination against your allergies. Given on a regular basis as shots, immunotherapy helps your body build up a natural tolerance to specific allergens.
With the use of the above methods you’ll be able to live a long and healthy life with your pet!
A Look at Custom Pet Tags
Customized pet ID tags feature information chosen by the customer and can include personal messages, information about medical conditions or dietary needs. Made-to-order tags can be engraved, embossed, personalized, and reflective.
Engraved tags are available in different colors and styles such as bone, mouse, round, square, and more. They cost as little as $3.00. Large tags may have five lines of information and small may have only three lines of engraved text. Both sides of tags can have engraved text. Tags can have engraved art work and logos of the customer’s choice. Laser engraved tags displaying information on both sides are expensive. Personalized engraved tags can be made on order. Both computer and hand-engraved pet tags are available in the market.
Wear-proof and sturdy personalized pet tags can have engraved text on both the sides. The text may contain two phone numbers, and vet and medical information. All personalized ID tags should have name of pet and the owner, address and telephone number. They may carry a “reward” depending on owner’s willingness to pay a reward if lost pet is found. Tags can be designed in different shapes, sizes and colors. Light-weight tags come in stainless steel, plastic and aluminum. Personalized pet tags can be bought at as little as $3.00.
Reflective pet tags feature a reflective sticker on their back for reflecting headlights to make drivers aware of pets roaming on the roads. Reflective pet tag stickers cost as little as $1.00. They protect pets especially in the night. Reflective tags make pets visible even from a distance when vehicle light falls on the tag surface. Reflective tags without batteries save pets in the night and offer emergency data.
Reflective pet tags were introduced a decade ago. They are brightly colored stickers that shine. The reflective coating is placed on non-engraved side of the tags. The coating reflects only in very low light conditions.
A Black Cat is Just a Cat
Copyright 2006 John Young
When my old cat died, I decided to pick one out of the Humane Society. They had named the first cat I saw “Batman”, and I fell in love with him on sight.
But when I brought him home, I discovered he didn’t quite have the courage of the comic book hero. I made some mistakes which resulted in a month long struggle to coax him out of his hiding place to join the family.
I renamed him Bear, and he is wonderful cat, but my guests seem a little uncomfortable when he comes into the room. After all, he is completely black.
He is a black cat and some people are afraid of Black Cats…
The Black Cat in History
Historically, black cats have been associated with omens, bad luck and, well…evil.
The poor unfortunate kitties have been used in rituals, and were supposedly the “familiars” of witches. Anarchism has used the symbol of the black cat, as has Wicca, the modern day expression of Witchcraft. Superstition has associated bad luck with having a black cat cross your path.
All-in-all, the black cat has been getting some really bad press for centuries, and all of that is not easily overcome in just a few short lines of this article.
Scaredy Cat
A very highly sensitive cat, our new black Bear was far more scared of us than we were of him, and we made a number of mistakes in the first hour of his introduction that practically destroyed our chances for introducing him to our home.
The process of first finding Bear where he had hidden in the house and gradually coaxing him out of his hiding place to join the family was long and agonizing. It took over a month, and I had almost despaired that we would ever acclimate him.
Patience won out, though…
Superstition Dispelled
Since then, Bear has been rolling around on my lap enjoying his daily pettings, sleeping in my bed, yowling at the females he sees from his perch in the kitchen window and just generally bringing a lot of joy to our lives.
He is here to dispel the notion that a black cat means bad luck. He is one of the sweetest cats you’ll ever meet, and there’s absolutely *nothing* scary about him. And I can tell you for a fact that no bad luck is connected with Bear. He’s crossed my path innumerable times, and so far I haven’t experienced anything one might think of as “bad luck”.
I have to say, though, that on Halloween night he seems to be scared of his own black shadow. But I try to keep him calmed down and happy to be where he is…in my lap purring as loud as he can!
“Alternative” necklaces for our cats and dogs
Alternative Veterinary Medicine is the practice that analyzes and takes into consideration a wide range of topics that have a direct impact on the well being of your pet. It includes the areas of Holistic, Integrative and Complementary practices that use a combination of conventional and alternative methods to find the best answers for solving your pet’s problem or distress.
Many doctors that understand alternative canine and feline medical practice will give a comprehensive evaluation that encompasses your pet’s behaviors, diet, environment, emotional stresses, and a variety of other factors. Veterinarians that recognize these practices will provide many additional services that go beyond a standard physical examination.
You can now revitalize your pet’s senses with hand made collections of healing gemstone necklaces! What about that? Yes, now is possible to offer “alternative” necklaces to your “kid”. On a simple search on the Internet you will find pet boutiques that sell unique pet jewelry and accessories online. Be sure to check out the matching bracelet collections, too – they are truly small treasures. The gemstones are not only beautiful but also have the wonderful ability to rejuvenate your four legged friend through alternative healing methods.
Aromatherapy is also an effective complementary therapy in psychological treatment, beneficial in alleviating many conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. There is an undeniable connection between smell and memory. The term Aromatherapy refers to the therapeutic use of aromatic oils, or “essential oils”. Essential oils are the concentrated aromatic essences extracted from plant sources such as woods, flowers, fruits, stems, leaves, and resins.
Did you know that breathing in pleasant scents eases psychological problems by activating positive emotional responses from the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion?
Browse for specialized pet web sites and you will be able to purchase adorable fragrant charms, in variety of textile designs and several colorful styles. And be sure you get them made of 100% cotton! They look good and smell great! Or… you might prefer an exclusive collection of aromatic bandanas. This special accessory provides a unique healing essence while keeping your pet in style. They also come in a variety of colorful designs and should be made of high quality 100% cotton. The bandanas are stuffed with aromatic filling containing essential oil. Choose your favorite bandana style that fits your dog or cats aromatherapy needs.
Wouldn’t you like to keep your pet as healthy as stylish? I wouldn’t waste anymore time and I would check out the Internet!
Tips on Buying Cat Furniture
There are different varieties of cat furniture in the market today and therefore it becomes difficult to choose the right set for your cat. All buyers must understand that not all cat trees are the same. At the same time as some cat tunnels tend to have a lot of fun things for the kitty to play with, the base is not strong enough to support a large cat or multiple cats on it. Therefore, the base is one of the most important components of a cat tunnel. The base is known to be the support for all cat trees and hence should be strong enough so that it does not sway or slip when the cat plays on it.
In addition, it is always suggestive to choose a larger base for your cat tunnel. The base should rest flat on the ground so that it doesn’t rock when the cat plays on it. At the moment, cat furniture is available in a selection of colors, styles and different price ranges. While selecting on the color, the shape as well as the options they offer, you must carefully assess the size of the base before making a purchase. A few manufacturers offer an option to pick an extra large base for the tunnel. Although it may perhaps seem a little expensive, it comes with a lot of benefits and ensures safety for your pet.
A few manufacturers allow you to customize the base of the tunnel. Therefore, you must know the area where you are going to place your cat tunnel. For an instance, as opposed to carpeted floors, you can build the base of the tunnel a little differently for wood or tile floors. If you were to buy from the online pet supply store, you must also decide on the other features including the color and the number of branches. As a rule, you must have a larger base for more branches in order to support the structure. There are various pet supply stores, online as well as offline. Therefore, you must do some basic research in order to choose the best furniture at an affordable price.
matters such as joint supplements
with glucosamine for dogs and
your general everyday puppy care
