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De-clawing is physically and emotionally maiming cats. Case studies have shown that de-clawing is a cruel act of mutilating animals that result to the de-clawed animal becoming lame, not to mention developing arthritis, depression and a host of other long-term complications. Any way you look at it, de-clawing cats is inhumane. In fact, many countries consider de-clawing illegal. In the United States, however, self-serving cat owners practice this cruel act.

More than Just Trimming the Toenails

You may think that de-clawing simply involves trimming a cat’s toenails. In actuality, de-clawing is a surgical procedure wherein the cat’s toe bones are amputated so that claws can no longer grow. Cats that have been de-clawed undergo a post-operative recovery period that involves a lot of pain.

What they do have are litter boxes, and the pet owner’s place in which to stay as they regain the use of their feet — a process that is not without pain, to say the least, since cats can’t resist walking, jumping and scratching. These self-sufficient animals would rather hide their pain than be helpless. But they may also begin to exhibit untoward behavior to cope with their discomfort, putting your furniture and other property at risk of damage.

A De-clawed Cat is a Vulnerable and Hostile Cat

A de-clawed cat, once back in his litter box, will not be able to dig properly. Thus, he may wander off to other places where he can pee: on the living room carpet, the cupboard or by the door. Many cat owners discover that scratches on the drywall or floorboard are much easier to deal with than cat urine, which can penetrate deeply.

It is important to note that when a cat is de-clawed, his primary means of defending himself is permanently taken away from him. De-clawed cats are highly vulnerable to threats coming from other animals and predators, especially when they are outdoors without human protection. De-clawed cats also become less mobile and balanced, which invariably causes insecurity and leads to hostile and aggressive behavior towards people, including pet owners.

Mutilation in the First Degree

Claws are a natural part of every cat’s make up. Claws are what give cats their fearsome grace. Thus, de-clawing is literally crippling the cat, mutilation in the first degree. Many cat owners de-claw their cats in an effort to correct their cat’s "vices," but even the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) is strongly against this inhumane practice. In reality, de-clawing is an act of mutilation wherein only the pet owners benefit; de-clawed cats have to contend with both physical and emotional sufferings.

Alternatives to De-clawing

* If you do not want your cat clawing on your furnishings or scratching his claws on any part of your house, temporarily protect these areas with duct tape or aluminum foil. Cats typically are averse to scratching these surfaces.

* While you are training your cat, you can squirt him with water, blow a whistle or make loud noises whenever he claws or scratches on something that you do not want him to.

* Trim your cat’s toenails regularly.

* Get your cat a few scratching posts and place them in designated areas in the house. You can train your cat to use his claws on these scratching posts instead of using them on your furniture.

* If your feline is still a kitten, get him Soft Paws vinyl nail caps. They will keep your cat’s claws from damaging furniture. Soft Paws was developed by a veterinarian. As your cat’s nails grow, the nail caps fall off, ready to be replaced with new ones.

Clawing- Normal Cat Behavior

Scratching with claws is one way cats mark their turf. This is accomplished through glands beneath their paws that secrete a distinctive scent. The pulling and stretching of muscles in cats’ front quarters when they scratch also serves as a form of exercise that helps to keep them fit. This facility for clawing is such a natural part of these felines’ behavior that taking it away from them amounts to one of the more cruel forms of deprivation.

By: David P Lee -

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Cats do so much to enhance our lives; it is good to know that we can make their lives more comfortable. Cat furniture was designed for the sole comfort of our beloved pets. Cats come in many shapes and sizes and there are many different styles of cat furniture to accommodate them.

The cat litter box is on of the most important items you can get for your cat. Cat boxes are made in several varieties of shapes and have many colors. because of the private nature of you cat, cat boxes often have a lid and a door to go in and out of. The best litter box you can get your kitty is a cat litter cabinet. This cat litter furniture is a cat box hidden in a cabinet. It looks just like an end table so no one knows it realy for your cat!

Another critical piece of cat furniture is the cat tree with scratching sisal. Instead of ripping apart you couch the cat can do his instinctive scratching on the posts. Even a de-clawed cat will be drawn to use the post to perform this ritual.

These types of cat furniture are usually constructed out of wood that is covered with carpet and cats of all shapes and sizes go wild playing on them. A scratching post can be horizontal or vertical and if you are really creative, you can design one for yourself.

Another reason to get you cat a tree is for play time and excercise. A cat tree can also be a babysitter while mom and dad are at work. Going a step further you can get a cat gym. A cat gym is similar to a cat tree but has more opportunity for recreation and excercise. It usually has toys, hoops and other activities.

Another piece of cat furniture is a cat house. This may sound simple, but when you start shopping for one, you will find it anything but simple. There are several different types of cat houses, from a single level box to a multi-level condo. There are some that come with a suite of rooms. The more deluxe models have their own cat furniture, such as cat beds or even their litter box built right into the condo. Cat houses and condos serve another purpose. They allow your cat a place to hide, away from an active household and allow them to sneak a ‘cat nap’.

If you have a cat up in years cat furniture can be a big help to him. While some may have special needs or are handicapped cat furniture can assist them in different ways. An older cat can benefit from pet steps or a quiet cat house to rest up in. A small cat tree or scratching post can give needed exercise to a kitty that does not get out much.

So remember every kitty is special and needs a castle to call home. With all the choices out there, you can find that special piece of cat furniture that your kitty deserves.

By: David Lee

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In recent years, there has been a serious surge in the production of so called "premium cat food" or "gourmet cat food", and people are beginning to wonder if these more expensive brands on the market are actually worth all the hype, and of course the money. These gourmet cat food brands are meant to taste more lavish than the traditional brands of cat food found in the average supermarket. Gourmet cat food sales are increasing at a pretty alarming rate in an industry that is consistently evolving to produce higher quality products.

One of the primary reasons why there is such an increase in demand for these products is because consumers are looking for cat food products that are closer to the quality of home prepared foods. Current research is supporting that inferior ingredients in cat food can be detrimental to the health of the cat; more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives. Many gourmet cat food brands are touting the ability to provide high quality, natural cat food products based on ingredients that are more wholesome than traditional commercially prepared foods.

Every year we seem to see an increase in cat disease, obesity and other serious issues which can now be rectified to a degree by the healthfulness of gourmet cat food products. Most gourmet cat food products come in smaller packages which tend to discourage over feeding in order to fight obesity. These small packages are attractive both to consumers who are looking for dietary management, and for those who are looking for convenience when feeding their pets.

Many cat food brands, like Purina for example, offer a variety of different types of gourmet cat food, these include "Fancy Feast" and "Gourmet Gold" for example. These brands claim to be restaurant quality, and come in a variety of different types and choices. The obvious benefit to the pet food company is that they can demand a higher price for these luxury cat food products. This is by putting increased care into the design, presentation and manufacturing of the cat food, the company can fetch increased profits. Because consumers know the products are of a higher quality, they are generally willing to pay more.

There seems to be an implied understanding that the higher price means the higher quality when it comes to cat food products. This is not completely true, because gourmet cat food is not always offering a healthy balanced diet. Common brands of cat food can still create a balanced and healthy diet when mixed with the right ingredients. Cat owners should not assume that the gourmet brands are necessarily better.

Instead, they should consult their veterinarian to appraise which brand and food is ideal for each individual cat’s needs. This is the most ideal way to determine which type of cat food will best suit their needs nutritionally. While improved taste may be the greatest feature of many gourmet cat foods, gourmet cat food does not necessarily mean it contains improved nutrition.

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Learn to your cat animal use the toilet

It is very important for you to be close to your cat. Know what their normal everyday habits are. Pay attention to how much they eat and how often.

It is important to know these things, because if you don’t know them you will not be able to realize if something is wrong and they are acting differently.

If you have a cat that is normally overactive and even somewhat hyper and then one day they just lie around and do nothing there is a good chance that there is something bothering your pet.

Do You Know The Symptoms?
Knowing the symptoms of certain feline illness is also a deciding factor of getting your cat help in time or losing them to a possible disease.

For example knowing that weight loss, frequent vomiting, and increased thirst and urination are all symptoms of feline diabetes would enable you to get them the help they need before it is too late.

Your cat can not tell you that something is wrong. They can’t walk up to you and say ‘I am just not feeling right today.’ It is your responsibility to take care of them and to know when they are not feeling like they should be.

Pay attention to your cat’s liter box, if you ever see that your cat is having problems relieving themselves, than you know there is something wrong.

Checking The Litter Box
If you see that your cat is in the litter box more or less often these are also signs of possible illness. When it is painful for your cat to use his box he will become irritated and his personality will change for the worse. All of these are subtle little changes and it takes a watchful eye to pick up on them.

A cat’s coat, nose or eyes are also telling symptoms of problems. A cat’s fur is just a reflection of what is going on, on the inside. Their fur should be healthy looking and thick. If you notice that your cat is losing a lot of hair at once or suddenly has bald spots then you need to take them to the VET immediately as these can be signs of almost every problem a cat can have.

If your cat has more eye or nose draining than normal there is something wrong also. If the cat looks like he has been crying have the vet check out his sinus. It is just a mild problem as opposed to kidney failure which also shows through the leaking eyes and runny nose symptoms.

When brushing your cat make a special point out of feeling along the cat’s limbs. Any new bumps or lumps could indicate cancer. If there are changes like these then it is better to let your vet determine how serious they are and what risk it inflicts on your cat.

It is very important that you are not too embarrassed to talk to your vet. Never feel like you are over reacting, your vet is there to help you and your pet. They understand that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you live by that motto, than your cat should live a long healthy life.

No matter how old your cat is they are still like newborn babies. If you had any reason at all to think your new baby was sick you wouldn’t hesitate to take it to the doctor at every little cough or sneeze.

By thinking like this you create the difference between whether a sick cat recovers or dies. Taking the time to connect with your cat, and paying attention to it will not only build a strong unbreakable bond between the two of you, it could also save a life.

By: John Sommer

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Preparing for your own financial outcome after an injury is the same as having the US pet health insurance dog and cat polices in case a need arises. As many people realize taking care of a pet requires shots and sometimes surgery. If you have a pet and they need surgery, the financial burden may be overwhelming. Pet insurance protects you just the way your insurance protects your loved ones from this financial burden in the case of injury or illness.

If you have the US pet health insurance dog and cat policy, you will have some help in maintaining your pet’s health. If an emergency arises, your pets need to be protected by a health insurance policy to provide some financial help. In some case a dog or cat involved in an accident, the cost could rise into the thousands. If you love your pets, you always want to make them better, and this is where health insurance helps you keep your beloved pets alive.

The Quick Care Pet Dog and Cat Insurance

A company that pays your pet’s medical costs in case of an accident needs to be easy to find. The US pet insurance company for dog and cat policies gives you a good coverage plan and puts your mind at ease. Some pet insurance companies do not offer the same coverage as this insurance company. You need coverage for injuries, diseases and lost of life or loss due to missing or theft.

The Quick Care Gold Plan Program

Of all the coverage plans, this plan seems to be the best coverage that offers insurance to pets between the ages of eight weeks old up to ten years old. US pet health insurance dog cat coverage provides coverage for accident victims, you pay the seventy-five dollar deductible, and they cover up to seventy percent. In the case that your deductible is fifty dollars, they will cover one hundred percent of the costs. The total amount of one accident coverage is twenty-five hundred dollars.

Dog and Cat Disease Coverage

Looking at the disease coverage, the deductible and payout amounts remain the same. This insurance pays for blood system, breathing and heart, ears, skin, cancer, infectious diseases, muscular system along with the nervous system and the digestive system. These diseases will be covered if your pet develops any problems and needs treatment.

Some More Coverage

US pet health insurance dog and cat provides coverage if your pet dies because of an accident up to five hundred dollars for the cost you paid for your pet. If your pet requires hospitalization, they pay twenty-five dollars a day up to two hundred and fifty dollar. If your pet goes missing, you get one hundred and fifty dollars for advertising costs and if your dog or cat needs euthanasia, the insurance pays one hundred dollars. The US pet health insurance dog and cat coverage does cover many costs that could affect your financial status.

By: Mandy Fain

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Watch a video cat using the Toilet

Upper respiratory infection is very common among the cats and is also known as kitty cold by their owners. The symptoms are very similar to the cold of the humans, accompanied by sneezing and running nose. Even though it seems to be alike, the infections caused in the cats are very different as one species get infected by the other species. But, it can be contagious among the cats. The upper respiratory tract infection can lead to loss of appetite and can affect them from days to weeks. The cats must be made to eat, which can be encouraged by warming their foods and applying a warm, moist cloth to keep the cat’s nose and eyes free from any kind of discharge. If the loss of appetite persists and if the discharge becomes yellowish green in color and thicker, they have to be taken to the veterinarian immediately as it will be a serious problem.

Feline Chlamydia is a kind of bacteria which affects the cats, usually infesting the eye, causing conjunctivitis. The symptoms of feline Chlamydia are anorexia, cough, breathing problem, pneumonia, fever, sneezing, running nose, watery eyes etc. It is best treated with the help of antibiotics. This is also one of the common cat diseases.

Panleukopenia is a cat disease that makes the cat’s white blood cell count to drop drastically. As white blood cells are very important for the cat’s immunity, this condition makes the cats susceptible to many deadly infections. This virus is transmitted through body secretions, mainly via feces and can be carried by water or shoes.

Feline leukemia virus can cause many cat diseases. One among them is leukemia otherwise known as the cancer of the white blood cells. There is no known treatment for this disease and might lead to death after months or years after the incidence of this disease. It is usually transmitted during cat fights. Other reasons for transmission may be through foods shared among them, through water bowls, from mother to the kittens in the womb etc.

Parasites are organisms which feed on other living being for their own survival. Cats are affected by parasites, which feed on their blood. External parasites such as ear mites, fleas etc can be seen on the skin or fur of the cats and in their ears. Internal parasites detection may be bit difficult, but can be known through sighting small rice like debris lingering to the cat’s anus or in the cat’s bedding. Some of the internal parasites are ring worms, hook worms, tape worms etc.

Coccidia is a microscopic parasite which lives in the lining cells of the intestines. The symptom associated with this parasite is diarrhea which if left untreated, can lead to dehydration and even death. Ear mites usually take up residence in the cat’s ear canals causing severe itching.

By: Subasree

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Taking your cat for some leisurely walk will be great for it. Indeed, the animal is bound to benefit immensely from this physical activity. To engage in this activity in a regular manner will not only keep your cat fully exercised, so would you. Imagine the health benefits that you and your beloved animal can derived from such activity.

Another positive effect on cat walking is that it is exposed to new things. Remember, cats can become quite bored. Boredom consequently can lead to it becoming irritated. It is therefore good that we do not bore our cats by limit their walking and loitering areas within our homes. Confinement will also cause your pet to become depressed. Cats will appreciate it if they will be allowed to enjoy ample time outdoors. This is one way of pampering your pet, by letting it enjoy the warmth of the sun and not keep it in the seclusion of your home.

Pet cat walking is a great form of physical activity and probably one of the best exercises that your animal can perform. If it stays at home all day, everyday, it will tend to become obese. Obesity is a cat disease than can threaten the good health of your pet. Walk your cat and you will help it develop and maintain a very healthy life.

By: bongski

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Train Your Cat To Use The Toilet here

When we feel pain in our bodies, we can easily tell someone that there is something wrong and that person will be able to take you to the infirmary. Pets cannot do that merely observing them can tell you a lot of things. which is why owners should employ cat care and be aware of the symptoms.

Discussed beneath are a few diseases and their symptoms you should look out for.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease by cat owners. It is a acknowledged fact, that it is the leading cause of death amongst cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and what is yet worse, is that the symptoms are very much like other diseases so it is really hard to diagnose.

There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Just like the human variant, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat.

Cats can as well be infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that causes fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Fortuitously, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is carried through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Unlike the other two, it is unable to survive that long in the environment so it is only transmissible when the infected cat stays with some other cat for a long period of time.

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you do not need to do anything to make it go away. It will in time clear up but it may just take a few months.

If you have a overweight cat, then the prospects are it will already have feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease are pretty easy to see and are excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Veterinaries are of yet uncertain what is the cause of this, but recent research studies that have been done, have indicated that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and particular medications.

The symptoms of most of the above diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for more than 5 days in one leg, a reduction in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly while at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests, at your local veterinary surgeons.

Your veterinarian will take some blood, urine and feces samples and ask for input from you, about any observation you have made. When the tests results come back, only then will the proper treatment be administered to your cat as each case is different, so what worked for another cat may not have the identical positive effect with yours.

Your cat will always be healthy if you give it constant attention. This is done by giving it leading quality natural food, giving it fresh water daily, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making sure it stays indoors and taking it for frequent visits to your veterinary surgeon.

If you miss any of these simple steps, then something wrong is certain to happen to your cat and you will soon notice a change in the behavior of your cat and if you do nothing about it, it is just going to make matters far worse. So you require to observe proper cat care and watch out for any symptoms.

By: G D Williams

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If he gives the mess a disdainful glare and sits down in front of the cat food bowl looking for more food, you don’t need to be too concerned. Your cat simply had a load of undigested food in his belly and landed on the floor too hard which caused him to throw up his
dinner. While overeating and cat hairballs commonly cause cat vomiting, here are some other reasons why your cat is vomiting and how you should react to them.

1. Swallowing a foreign object, like a plant that irritates the stomach; or dental floss or string, that has tangled itself inside his intestine
2. Pancreatitis
3. Diabetes
4. Hyperthyroidism
5. Kidney disease
6. Inflammatory bowel disease
7. Feline urinary tract infection

If there is blood in the vomit, either bright red or black, get your cat to the vet immediately. This is a sure sign that he’s eaten something poisonous.

Cats aren’t cows, but they do enjoy occasionally eating grass and plants. If your cat is vomiting over and over, but shows no other signs of illness, hold off feeding him for 12 to 24 hours. If he becomes lethargic and won’t eat after 24 hours get him to the vet - fast. He may have ingested something poisonous, or even have another illness like pancreatitis.

Cats love to play with strings of all types: dental floss, thread, yarn, tinsel, fishing line. When they swallow the string it has a chance to tangle up inside his intestines and even cause a blockage.

If your cat is vomiting repeatedly and doesn’t let up, this is a sure sign that he’s swallowed something foreign. An intestinal blockage is life threatening. Get him to the vet.

If you cat is a chronic vomiter - he vomits on a regular basis, but perhaps only once or twice a month he may be suffering from irritable
bowel disease. If he drinks and urinates excessively in conjunction with cat vomiting, he may be diabetic, have kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, cancer, heartworm disease, or event a feline urinary tract infection.

If you are a cat owner whose cat is suffering from entangled intestines, or poisoning, or is a chronic vomiter, your cat needs proper diagnosis by a veterinarian. If the diagnosis requires long-term medical treatment, talk to you vet about herbal solutions for your cat.

Vets are turning more today to herbal solutions for treating the illnesses that cause chronic cat vomiting. Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) is an excellent tonic for the entire digestive tract including your cat’s intestines, bladder and kidneys.

Urtica urens is used in modern herbalism to promote a healthy metabolism and supports strong thyroid and adrenal functions. Galega
officinalis (Goat’s Rue) helps improve pancreatic health and maintain healthy insulin levels in cats. Arctostaphylos uva ursi helps maintain normal pH levels in your cat’s urinary tract.

If your cat is vomiting and you suspect one of these illnesses, natural herbal remedies play a large part in eliminating disease and maintaining wellness. Better yet, help your cat stick to a simple pet health care program that actually gets him on the fast track to recovery using simple, natural herbal solutions.

By: Kate Rieger

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