Pampering Your Cat

Something a little different for this post. A little humor on a serious subject from a friend of mine. OK, I have to admit I have never personally met Philip Humbert but I still consider him a good friend. You see I’ve been getting his newsletter for a few years now and it is one of the few that I actually look forward to.

Phil is a coach, author, speaker and success strategist. Sort of a business coach, success coach and a life coach all rolled into one. While he of course promotes his business, his newsletters always have something in them that benefits me in my life in general. I highly recommend you check him out at www.PhilipHumbert.com and sign up for his newsletter. If it’s not for you, just unsubscribe but I don’t think you will.

Strict Rules for Stray Cats

Here are some helpful rules for when you encounter a stray
cat (personal note: they work equally well for stray dogs).
Be sure to have lots of courage and determination when
following these strict rules! They have certainly helped
here in the Humbert household!

1. Stray cats will not be fed.

12. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must
sharpen claws on the new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching
post with three perches.

Thanks for letting me post this Phil. Pretty funny but I think it’s the truth for most of us. And folks, please have your pets spayed or neutered so we can cut down on the stray cat problem.

Cats have always been part of our social history; they are a completely classless pet. It does not take lots of money to keep one and this means that the benefits of owning a cat have been enjoyed by both rich and poor alike over many hundreds of years.

A cat does not care if you are Rockefeller or have no money at all, as long as it is loved and is fed regularly. Even with all of advancements in technology over recent times, the joys of owning a pet can never be beaten or underestimated.

Cats have been domesticated for so long that they are very often a perfect addition to a home and studies have shown that they can even have therapeutic benefits for the ill and the old as well.

Stroking a cat has proven to lower blood pressure and ease loneliness amongst those that are isolated by society such as the infirm and the very old. Caring for a cat allows a person to feel connect and loved again and gives them a purpose in their day to day life.

Cats won’t criticize or judge you and as long as they are loved and fed they will offer unconditional love for their owners – something that could be of key importance to someone that is suffering from depression or a long term illness.

The love that cats show can bring a calm and relaxed feel to a home which offers great comfort to those in distress. In fact many creatures from the animal kingdom can bring about peace and relaxation, take a tropical fish tank for example, you could easily become lost watching the calm movements of the fish and their wonderful colors!

For those who live alone, an energetic cat that is full of life can offer hours of amusement and entertainment, bringing joy to an old person who may not get to see their family as often as they would like.

Owning cat could enhance your life through many ways and those of us that lead happy, fulfilled lives very often live longer and are healthier – so really man’s affinity with animals is extremely important and we need them as much as they need us!

Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems

For anybody that is a cat owner, the joys of having a cat are endless.  Part of the charm of cats is their highly individualized personalities.    Unlike dogs, which seem happy simply to be accepted into a family, cats seem to expect gratitude from their owners for permitting them to be part of their lives.

This is not the only peculiarity attached to cats, of course.  Another part of being a cat owner is distinguishing between what is inherent to a cat’s individual personality and that which is a genuine behavioral problem.

To that end, Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems, an e Book written by Dr. Chris Suckow, DVM, provides present and would-be cat owners with a wealth of information on identifying and correcting cat behavioral problems.

Cat Behavior Problems

Scratching furniture, not using the litter box, biting, and other frustrating displays of unwanted behavior from your cat are all addressed in Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems. Written in a style that makes it easy for the reader not only to properly identify cat behavioral problems, but also to see the clinical reasoning behind such behavior, cat owners are able to derive effective and easy to implement solutions for those pesky feline behaviors from this eBook.

In a sense, this eBook is not only an excellent piece of reference material to have handy if you own a cat, but it also makes for an interesting and eye opening read.  You will gain invaluable insight into the mind of the cat, making it easier for owner and cat to connect.  Even if your cat does not have behavioral problems, Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems will definitely bring you and your cat closer.

Free Consultation

The eBook is interesting on its own, but a few additional goodies make Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems even better.  Unlike other paper or eBooks, Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems actually comes with a free consultation with Dr. Chris Suckow herself.  This is very useful when a particular cat behavioral problem falls outside traditional classifications.

As if the free consultation was not enough, three additional eBooks are also included covering everything from great recipes for homemade cat treats and remedies; to how to effectively give your cat a routine health exam; to outlining the process for selecting the right cat toys and accessories.

This eBook solves a frequent problem had by the majority of cat owners.  It, along with its bonus offerings, provides a reliable and well researched source of information.  Many times we have questions about our cat, but do not have a way to find a sound answer.  You then resort to tracking down different online recommendations or following old myths.

Unfortunately, this more often than not results in finding information that is contradictory and simply confuses us even more.  What is worse, some of the information that is obtained can be detrimental to solving the cat behavioral problem in the first place.  Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems solves all of this.

With her years of experience, Dr. Chris Suckow has made explaining the complexities involved with cat behavior problems easy to understand; and more importantly, easy to rectify.  Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems is definitely a must read for all cat owners.

Bird Flu Virus, or Avian Influenza, can sicken cats who eat infected poultry. Cats also develop symptoms when housed with already infected cats. Reported Bird Flu Symptoms: Feline bird flu symptoms include fever, labored breathing, lethargy and other signs of severe lung disease. The human symptoms of sore throats and muscle aches cannot be verified in cats.

So far, domestic cats in North America are not considered at risk.

Deaths among farm cats have been noted in Thailand and other countries in Asia where the disease is prevalent.

This prompted a study last year to determine if cats could have played a role in the rapid spread of avian influenza between locations there.

Thijs Kuiken, the lead veterinary pathologist for the study at Rotterdam’s Erasmus Medical Center states, “The novelty in our study is that H5N1 virus causes disease and can be fatal in cats. In most previous experimental studies, influenza virus infection did not cause clinical signs or death in cats.”

Based on this study, Kuiken says, “The role of cats in the spread of H5N1 virus between poultry farms, and from poultry to humans, needs to be reassessed.”

He feels in areas where H5N1 virus is active, cats who have contact with infected poultry and their feces, should be considered a possible source of infection for humans. This is also true of cats who have been fed infected poultry.

Avian Influenza Type A (H5N1)
A Special Concern for WHO
Dr. Shigeru Omi, the Western and Pacific Rim Director of the World Health Organization, warned public health officials in December of 2004, “A pandemic is very likely to occur and we think that it could spread to most of the world within weeks.”
H5N1 is so dangerous because:
1. It mutates rapidly and quickly takes on genes from viruses infecting other species.
2. Documented cases of severe human disease have already occurred.
3. Laboratory studies suggest it can become even more virulent as it spreads.
4. Expected resistance to available drug treatments.

Only four drugs are currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of influenza. Some strains of H5N1 viruses found in humans and chickens across Asia in 2004 already appear to be resistant to two of these medications.

Keep Cats Away from Domestic Ducks
A joint statement just issued by the World Health Organization, the Food and Animal Organization (FAO) and The World Organization for Animal Health warns that domestic ducks may be providing a “silent reservoir” for Asian Bird Flu that could help the deadly virus spread.
While wild waterfowl have long been known carriers of various influenza viruses, up until now domestic ducks were considered resistant. A new study has shown that even while they show no signs of illness, healthy-looking domestic ducks shed the virus at rates as high as infected chickens.

This means that pet ducks as well as backyard mixed poultry flocks could become health risks to house cats and their human companions if Avian Influenza type A (H5N1) spreads as expected.

We are monitoring this situation and will post updates as they become available.

Check back for information regarding precautions cat owners can take if an outbreak of bird flu occurs in your area.

Kay Marmaduke
The O’Cayce Company
Visit our free e-mail Pet Health News Alerts Archives here:
http://www.Always-Healthy-People-AND-Pets.com/

Caring for an Older Cat

Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from their humans, and advances in veterinary medicine. Most experts consider a cat’s “senior years” to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her owner, Miss Kitty might enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.Just as with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they age. This often goes unnoticed by owners, who might chalk their cat’s lack of response to typical feline aloofness.

Without keen hearing and vision, however, an older cat is more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street. It is best to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, make sure you supervise her in a protected area.Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat’s senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Adding moist food and warming her meals will amplify the scent and make it more tantalizing.

Moist food will increase the amount of water in your cat’s diet.It is important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Take note of about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, contact your veterinarian.Remember that there have been huge advances in medical care for cats in recent years. Online shopping for cat medication has become popular, but remember that there is no substitute for regular check-ups with your veterinarian.Common problems owners see their geriatric cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and not sleeping well.Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats.

Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat’s kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats. Because it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she’ll begin to pack on the pounds.

The extra weight adds to her discomfort, making her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken. It is important to encourage an older cat into some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.An older cat spends less time grooming herself than in her youth. As a result, her hair becomes dry and painfully matted.

Regular grooming from her owner is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful. Daily brushing removes loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.As your cat gets older its important that she is comfortable. You should ensure that your cat has a comfortable, warm bed that she can stretch out on. Cushions and hammock bed on radiators are popular..

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Cat Health Secrets

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