The Psychology of Persuasion - Why People Act the Way They Do

So how can you utilize the subconscious factors that come into play when people are making decisions. These are some of the more common ones:

1. The Likeability Rule: It may seem obvious, but people will more often say "yes" to someone they know and like, rather than to a complete stranger. Familiarity - through repeated, ongoing contact with someone - increases this, as long as the contact was positive rather than negative. Likeability includes physical appearance, which is why advertisers use beautiful models to sell products, rather than ordinary looking ones. Within your own industry, think of the people who have reached the top of their game, who are liked and respected and known for their ability to persuade other people. What is it about them that attracts other people? Being associated with these people, can have a "halo" effect on those around them.

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2. The Reciprocity Rule: one of the most powerful social "rules" is the reciprocity rule, whereby people feel compelled to repay a good turn to someone who has done a good turn for them. There was a an experiment once where sociologists sent out Christmas Cards to complete strangers to test how strongly they would feel obliged to reciprocate and over 95% of them sent cards back - even though the sender was a complete stranger to them. According to sociologists and anthropologists, this rule makes possible the development of continuing relationships and knowledge and resource sharing that is beneficial to society in general.

3. The Social Validation Rule: Given few other clues, or limited time in which to make a judgement, the majority of people will react towards others by copying the behaviour of the people around them. If other people act well towards you, then it will encourage the same behaviour from others. An older, less attractive man may compensate for his "shortcomings" by acquiring a "trophy wife" which will increase the man's perceived value when others see him with an attractive, younger woman.

Another example is when a long term unemployed person may negatively viewed by potential employers, even if they are highly skilled and experienced, as people will automatically attribute their lack of employment to some inherent character fault or weakness rather than because of an external situation. At the same time, someone who seems to be in high demand, a CEO of a major company for instance, may effortlessly attract better job offers and bigger pay packets, even if his/her performance is actually rather lacklustre. "Success attracts success" so the saying goes, and when people appear successful, then other people subconsciously look for other positive factors to explain that person's success, and overlook their faults.

4. The Authority Rule: People are more likely to believe, follow the recommendations or directions of someone they believe is an expert in some way, even if their expertise is in a completely different area to the one that requires a decision. Having a Dr in front of your name, or a PhD after it will also increase your perceived authority, even if is not relevant. Another way of demonstrating authority, is by the outward symbols of it, even if they are not backed up by anything; status symbols in the form of titles, clothes, cars, houses (even post codes) are part of this.

5. The "Rejection-Then-Retreat" Rule: This rule relies heavily on the social pressure which pushes people to reciprocate favours. By asking for an extreme request that you know will be rejected, you can then follow up with a lesser request - the one that you wanted all along - which will be more likely to be accepted.

6. The Public Commitment Rule: When a commitment is made by someone in a way which involves the person actively, voluntarily and publicly, it increases the likelihood that the person will follow up on that commitment. This is largely what weddings are about. Why are they so elaborate and public? Why are the vows exchanged in front of family, friends and witnesses? Why does society require a marriage certificate or contract which is signed by both parties in a public setting?

The public and ritualized way in which people get married increases the likelihood that the promises will be kept, because the internal and external pressures will require the married couple to live up to what they promised in public.

Equally, during other sorts of negotiations, it's important to get small commitments agreed and written down, even if they are small steps along the way to the much bigger commitment that you are aiming for.

7. The Scarcity Rule: This can be summarized as "Scarcity breeds Desire". (see also under "Social Validation Rule"). People tend to assign more value to things when they are perceived to be less available. The use of this principle for profit can be seen in the "limited offer" and "ends today" tactics. On a personal level, by having a unique or uncommon skill or expertise (a "USP") that makes you something of a rarity, you can create a demand for your product or services, that wouldn't otherwise exist. Never put your mobile 'phone number on your business card - this makes it just that little bit harder to contact you and it also suggests that you have so many contacts, you need to restrict your availability to them all.

8. The Reverse Psychology Rule: People use reverse psychology to "trick" people into choosing the opposite of what they really want, by playing on the instinctive human reaction against being told what to do. A real life example of this was used in promoting the classic Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody" which lasts 5 minutes and 55 seconds when played in its entirety. At the time of its release in 1975, most record companies felt that it was far too long to play on the radio, but Freddie Mercury gave a personal copy to his good friend, DJ Kenny Everett with specific instructions NOT to play it, knowing full well that Everett wouldn't be able to resist, which proved to be the case. If you've ever suffered from insomnia, you'll know that deliberately focusing on trying to fall asleep, will have the opposite effect and make the problem far worse.

9. The Simple Theme Rule: a theme is a verbal picture which communicates ideas far beyond the basic meaning of the words. If you are invited to a party with a theme - say, a murder mystery them or an Italian them, you will already broadly know, without being told, what to wear, what you will do at the party, the type of music, the type of food and so on. The theme has already given you a "word picture" which conveys a lot of information. Having a "microbrand" which moves around with you will instantly convey "Brand You".

10. The "How You Say It "Rule

It's easy to assume that a sentence like "I can't promise you that result." has only one meaning, but in reality, emphasis and tone provide much of the actual meaning. To test this, look at the each of the sentences below, each with a different word emphasized, and followed by the implied meaning.

1. I can't promise you that result. (But maybe somebody else can.)

2. I can't promise you that result. (There's no way that is possible.)

3. I can't promise you that result. (But you may get it anyway.)

4. I can't promise you that result. (But I can promise it to somebody else.)

5. I can't promise you that result. (But I can promise you another good result.)

6. I can't promise you that result. (But I can promise you something.)

The meaning of what we say is determined by which words we emphasize, and which words to underplay and if you can't promise someone that price, you can tell him "I can't promise you that RESULT," and the hearer may still feel good about the situation, especially if you immediately follow with something else that you can promise.

The Psychology of Persuasion - Why People Act the Way They Do

About the author

Sara Paine is a freelance technology and B2B public relations specialist, founder and head of Verona PR who lives and works in London and Kent.

Anyone who works in technology PR will know her, from her 20 years' public relations and marketing experience at several major agencies, and as press relations officer to several government ministers. She is known for her industry knowledge and ability to stay on top of market trends and for the last seven years, has continued to win extensive media coverage and identify new business opportunities for clients who value her ability to support their business objectives.

Having worked both client and agency side, she knows that clients want PR that sells and influences, not creative concepts that win awards.

For more information, visit: http://www.verona-pr.com or contact her at: Tel: 01474 361008 or E-mail: sara@verona-pr.com

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New Kitten Care -Ten Tips For Raising Your Kitten

You've picked your brand new kitten from a litter, and you're now ready to bring him home. You naturally want to give him the best possible start in life. Here are 10 tips to help him develop into a confident, affectionate adult cat who'll give you years of stress-free pleasure.

1. Make sure you're fully prepared for his arrival. Have his toys, food, litter box, scratching post and bed all ready for him. This will help him to settle in more quickly.

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2. Handle him - a lot. If kittens are handled a lot when they're young, they get used to it and learn to enjoy it. As a result, they're much more likely to turn into affectionate adults that love to be cuddled and stroked. Your new kitten should always be handled gently. If you have young kids, you'll need to supervise them with Kitty at first, to make sure they don't accidentally hurt him.

3. Get him used to receiving everyday care from you. This includes grooming him, washing his face, bathing him and cleaning his ears and eyes. If he gets comfortable with all this when he's a kitten, you'll have few problems with it when he's an adult.

4. Safely introduce him to the everyday things that will form part of his world as soon as possible. This may include other people, kids, other pets, travelling in your car, boarding at your sister's house when you go on holiday etc. etc. Doing this will turn him into a confident, happy, adaptable adult.

5. Play with him and talk to him every day. Bored kittens and cats often seek amusement in activities that you won't be too keen on, such as destroying the furniture. Playing with your kitten will build your relationship with him and help to prevent boredom.

6. Feed him a wide selection of foods that are suitable for kittens. This gets him used to a varied diet, and reduces the risk of him becoming a gourmet cuisine snob who'll only eat fresh wild salmon caught in the Scottish Highlands...

7. Gently and calmly set boundaries. Kittens are like kids - they'll push their luck to see how much they can get away with. Common naughty kitten behavior includes scratching, biting, jumping on the kitchen worktops, scratching the furniture and abseiling the curtains. If your kitten is being naughty, stop him, say "no" (don't shout) and move him away from the scene of his crime. It's much easier to train a new kitten to be good than an adult cat, so setting the boundaries whilst he's young can save you years of frustration in the future.

8. Don't give in to vocal blackmail. Some kittens try to get what they want by meowing non-stop. If you keep giving in to this, your kitten will turn into a very vocal adult cat who'll drive you nuts with his constant noisy demands.

9. Keep him safe. Nasty frights - for example falling down the toilet, being tormented by a kid or having a dog bark in his face - will have a negative impact on him. The more unpleasant experiences he has as a kitten, the more likely he is to become a nervous, mistrusting adult.

10. Accept that your new kitten is a baby with loads of energy. Whilst you can discourage him from acts of willful destruction, you'll need to accept that your house is unlikely to survive completely unscathed. But hey, he's worth it!

New Kitten Care -Ten Tips For Raising Your Kitten

Liz Allan is a cat behavior expert with 25 years experience of caring for cats. She lived and worked in a cat rescue centre for 3 years, and has fostered hundreds of cats at home. Click on this link for lots more useful tips on kitten care.

For advice on cat care, breeds, illnesses and behavior problems, visit her website: http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/index.html

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Facts About Cats' Eating Behavior

Knowing what to feed your cat can make the difference between a healthy and happy cat, and one that is malnourished and hard to control. There are several misconceptions when it comes to feeding cats, what they like, and what they should eat. Here are some of the most basic facts about cats' eating behavior.

· Cats don't eat fruits and vegetables. There are many individuals who believe that cats eat the same things as human beings. This is not true; in fact feeding a cat fruits and vegetables can make a cat ill. Many people believe that wild cats roam the outdoors eating fruits and vegetable types of foods. This is a misconception as most wild cats eat meat, which is what your cat should mostly eat.

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· Most cats need at least 140g of mouse per day. This measures out to be at least 5 mice a day that cats need in order to meet their caloric intake requirement.

· Cats are carnivores. Cats live and thrive mainly off of an exclusive animal diet and don't need the same kind of nutrients that we do.

· Many researchers believe that cats can distinguish between the four different tastes; sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Cats do not have a great attraction to sweet tastes.

· For the most part, cats enjoy eating things like fish, meats, and other proteins. Sometimes they can exhibit strange eating behaviors such as eating plants or green leafy vegetables they find lying around. Eating plants and greens makes cats vomit which can help get rid of hair balls in their throat. They will naturally eat grass in the wild to help with digestion so don't be too surprised when they start munching on house plants. They're just trying to find a substitute for grass.

· The key to good cat food is its nutritional content which should mimic nutritional composition of a "natural" diet for cats. The term natural refers to anything that they can catch and feed themselves. While supplemental food is sometimes needed, the natural foods are best for the health and diet of your cat. Cat food can sometimes be considered natural and contain no artificial ingredients, but it's not really a "natural" food in the same sense of what cats eat in the wild.

· A wild cat will instinctively know what they want and like to eat, while a domesticated cat does not. They are so used to being around people and "people" food that they don't really act like cats are supposed to act. As the owner of a cat it is your job to show them what kinds of foods they should be eating by providing for them. When owners don't provide the appropriate foods for their cats, it can lead to malnutrition and unhealthy eating habits.

· Cats can lose their appetite just as easily as an adult can lose theirs, and for various reasons. Loss of appetite can be a symptom of illness or something else. It's important to know your own cat's eating behaviors so you can properly assess the situation. Some cats will eat their meals quickly and others will eat slowly and are more reluctant eaters.

These are just some general eating behaviors that can be seen in most cat breeds, however in order to really assess the eating habits of your cat you need to pay close attention to them every time they eat. Watch to see if they eat slow, or fast, or what kinds of foods they prefer. Do they eat mice or just hunt them? Are they chewing on plants around the house? Every little thing can make a difference when it comes to eating patterns so watch carefully.

Facts About Cats' Eating Behavior

Visit http://www.litterboxroundup.com for more cat care tips, including all about cat breeds.

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Different Cat Breeds Pedigree or Mongrel Cat?

Cats are prehaps the easiest of all household pets to look after and the simple reason is because they are very independent, undemanding and very self sufficient, but which cat should you go for? Pedigree Cat or a Mongrel Cat?

Different Cat Breeds Pedigree Cat:

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Pedigree cats are usually acquired deliberately, rather than accidentally, and tend to be more carefully supervised than most mongrels. They are perhaps more prone to suffer from over feeding and lack of exercise.

Their character is an important consideration. The foreign and Oriental breeds, particularly the Siamese, are untypical of cats in that they are loyal to one person, from whom they demand a great deal of attention in the most vocal way. Some are notorious for being very noisy cats, especially the females when calling, but their undoubted grace and intelligence outweighs this disadvantage for most people.

Orientals are also unusual in so far as they will allow themselves to be exercised on a lead. Longhaired cats, whether pedigree or mongrel, are demanding in that they should be groomed at least once every day. In fact, devotees of longhaired breeds often groom them two to three times a day.

Different Cat Breeds Mongrel Cat:

Most household cats are mongrel, and very often they have been adopted by a family on impulse. Such easily acquired cats may not have been inoculated against the infectious diseases, or may not have been wormed.

As soon as you acquire one, you should take it to your veterinary surgeon to be examined, and then neutered. It should be understood that although they may cost nothing at all to adopt, once taken into your household they will cost just as much as any other cat.

There is no reason, however, why these mongrel cats should not make delightful companions for us. Many of mongrel cats are beautiful and all are graceful in there own ways. You will find that nearly all mongrel cats are very easy to care for. Mongrel cats tend to be stronger than highly bred cats, mongrels are a product of immature parents and what you will find is that their kittens tend to be undersize.

Different Cat Breeds Pedigree or Mongrel Cat?

Complete Pet Guide [http://www.completepetguide.com/] is committed to bringing you high quality resources and information on dog and cat pet care and training. For great articles, resource and tips try Complete Pet Guide Blog [http://www.completepetguide.com/blog]

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Five Non-Shedding Dog Breeds

There are many people who would love to bring a dog into their home but, for various reasons, would prefer a non-shedding dog. Some have allergies and cannot tolerate the hair and the dander while others simply do not want to deal with the constant grooming and cleanup required when one owns a dog that sheds.

Below are five non-shedding dogs that will allow those want a pet dog to have one without having to deal with flying fur.

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It is important to keep in mind that not all non-shedding dogs are going to be appropriate for someone with allergies as some of them do still produce dander that can be problematic to allergy sufferers. The best way to be sure your allergies will not affected by a certain dog is to spend time with that dog before bringing him home.

American Hairless Terrier This may be one of the best choices for people with allergies as it is one of the truly "hairless" breeds. These dogs are born with a bit of short, fuzzy hair that soon falls out. These are intelligent and energetic dogs. Because they completely lack a coat, provisions must be made to keep them warm in winter, and sunscreen should be applied to prevent burning. Bichon Frise Many people are surprised to learn that these fluffy white dogs do not shed. While they do not shed, daily grooming is required to maintain their long coats. According to the American Kennel Club, calling this dog "non-shedding" is a bit misleading. The curly outer coat helps to prevent the dander from escaping and the daily grooming that is required removes the large majority of the hair before it has a chance to shed. These dogs are also a good choice for people with allergies. Havanese The American Kennel Club calls this breed playful. As with most dogs that are considered to be non-shedding, a small amount of hair is going to fall from the coat. While many people with allergies do fine with this dog, those with severe allergies may not tolerate this breed. While a small amount of hair will be shed, it will not be so much that daily cleanup of the hair from furniture of the floor will be required. Schnauzer This breed has a wiry coat and sheds very little. Because it comes in three sizes, the smaller version would be a good choice for apartment dwellers. This breed is alert and courageous, making it a good watch dog. Scottish Terrier The American Kennel Club calls this breed "alert and playful". A Scottie is not going to leave a hairy mess throughout your home, but there is a minimal amount of shedding. For that reason, people with allergies may not be able to tolerate this breed.

To call a dog "non-shedding" is a bit misleading. Most, with the exception of the truly hairless breeds such as the American Hairless Terrier, are going to have some shedding. "Low-shedding" is a more accurate term for most of these dogs.

If your concern is keeping hair off of the furniture then all five of these non-shedding, or low-shedding, breeds would be a good match. If, however, allergies are your concern, you'll need to spend some time with each breed to see how well you can tolerate them.

Five Non-Shedding Dog Breeds

Neil Lemons is a pet lover and Online Journalist. He has had the privilege of owning several cats and dogs over the years, some living into their 90s (in dog years). For information on where you can buy no wheat dog treats, check out http://www.N-Bone.com, world authority on healthy animal treats for your dog, cat, or ferret.

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How To Do Cat Litter Box Retraining

Cats stop using the cat litter box for a number of reasons. Once you discover the reason why and correct it, you may need to re-train your cat to use her box again. Despite what you think, you can train a cat! For most cats, it's not hard. They
instinctively want to use a place with sand-like material to do their business.

To re-train your cat back to her good litter box habits, confine her to one room. It's hard to say exactly for how long, but most cats are back in the habit within a week.

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Pick a nice sunny room for kitty. Set up a clean cat litter box, food, water, toys, and bedding for her to sleep on. Be sure to put her food and water as far away from her litter box as possible.

Keep kitty in this room while you're gone. Many cat owners purchase kitty DVDs for their cat to watch all day long while they're gone. These DVDs feature birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other critters that dart around. You can set up the DVD to play in a continuous loop all day long. These videos are also available in VHS tape format.

Let kitty out under your supervision. If she looks like she's heading for her favorite corner to make an illegal dump, get her back to her room immediately, and place her in the cat litter box. If she uses it, praise her.

Generally, cats "get it" very quickly. For one thing, they get lonely being in a room by themselves. For another, it's a cat's
natural inclination to use a litter box. As long as you've corrected the source of her problem with the litter box, she'll go back to using it.

If you can't let your cat out and supervise her, be sure to visit kitty often. Sit in the room with her, and keep her company. Watch the DVD with her!

Confinement is not cruel if it's done properly. If your cat won't use the litter box during her confinement period, then the cat urine odor damage is limited to one room. If after a few days, your cat is still not using her cat litter box, please consult with your vet. There may a deeper issue that you simply can't tell from observation.

How To Do Cat Litter Box Retraining

Nancy stopped the cat urine odor problem at her home, and kept the kitty that caused it. "18 Ways to Stop Cat Urine Odor Problems" saves you money, time and frustration by solving your cat urine odor problem - permanently.

http://www.stopcaturineodor.com

advice@stopcaturineodor.com

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Cat Breeds

There are two distinct schools of thought when it comes to cat owners. The majority are quite happy sharing their home with a "moggie" which is any mixed bred cat. Generally, especially after neutering or spaying they are loving affectionate creatures that in return for some tender loving care will give you joy and affection.

However, there is also another school of cat owners who are devoted to one of the pure breeds of cat. There are over 70 plus separate breeds of cat which are officially recognized by the national cat societies. Although cat breeds do not differ in shape and size as much as canines there are still large differences between the various breeds.

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In simple terms cats can be divided between short-haired and long-haired varieties British, American and Oriental short-haired varieties come in a range of different colors. Apart from the more common black, white, tabby (calico) and ginger cats there are also cream, lilac and chocolate colored short-haired varieties.

The most well know of the long-haired cat breeds is possibly the Persian. It is believed that the Persian Longhair was probably the fist pedigree breed that was imported into the UK and USA. They are believed to be descended from Angora cats of Turkey and Iran and were bought back to Europe by sailors sometime in the sixteenth century.

Other non Persian long-haired breeds include Angora, Balinese, Chinchilla and Birman. In the USA the Maine Coon is a popular long haired breed as are the Norwegian Forest cat and the Ragdoll. Owners of the long-haired breed will tell you that their pets can be very placid and docile and they seem to lack the aggressive tendencies of some other breeds. On the downside long-haired cats do require a great deal of grooming and are very prone to getting hairballs.

Short-haired breeds include Abyssinian American Wirehair, Bengal, Egyptian Mau, Rex and of course the Siamese considered by some to be the real aristocrats of the cat world. Because of their short coats they do not need as much grooming as their long haired cousins.

Pedigree cats tend can cost a lot of money especially if they are descended from winners at major cat shows. Whether you opt for "moggie" from your local cat rescue centre or go to a specialist breeder you are going to a pet that is going to become part of yours and your family's life.

Cat Breeds

Being a cat owner comes with responsibilities you need to know about Cat Care. To find free articles about looking after your cat visit http://www.cat-lovers.co.uk

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How To Select The Best Cat Food

People who own a cat usually just adore and love them. Cats have a special ability to be a perfect comfort animal when a person is sad, happy, or needs a friend. For cat owners everywhere, cat food is something that is important to the health of your pet. But how do you know what kind of cat food to buy in order to maintain your cat's health?

Instead of going into all of the food brands, lets go over the things that the cat meals should contain in order to keep your pet healthy. The food product should contain the necessary nutrition and vitamins to make sure your pet's fur and teeth stay healthy. When tooth decay sets in, it can be very detrimental to your pet's health as other diseases and problems can occur with this type of issue. Making sure the product you buy for them has necessary ingredients to give them the most nutrition is important.

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Be very wary of food that has high concentrations of fat and cholesterol. Cat's who suffer from being overweight also increase the risks of other health concerns happening. To make sure you keep you cat healthy and happy,make sure you visit your veterinarian who will help you to know the things that should be in your cat's food to keep them healthy. This will also help you to select the product that will best fit the needs of your cat while also staying within your budget. We hope these tips will help you to make better selections in the future.

How To Select The Best Cat Food

Scott writes articles about wellness cat food and for wellness cat food

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Cat Eye Infections - How to Treat and Prevent Common Cat Eye Care Problems

Feline conjunctivitis is a cat eye infection is characterized by an inflamed pink membrane that lines the inner eyelid and the white part of the eye. Oftentimes conjunctivitis occurs only in one eye rather than both. In this article you'll learn how to recognize and treat cat eye infections without costly prescriptions or antibiotics.

If your cat or kitten has conjunctivitis it is an eye infection that can occur intermittently for a few months to several years. It may or may not occur in conjunction with other eye problems. Sometimes feline conjunctivitis also presents with a cornea erosion or ulcer; corneal inflammation, called Keratitis; or intraocular inflammation, called uveitis. These other cat eye infections are often instigated by Feline Herpesvirus-1.

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A conjunctivitis cat eye infection is most often caused by Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Chlamydia or Feline Mycoplasma. One, two or all three of these organisms probably caused your cat's eye problem.

What are the Signs of Cat Eye Infections?

1. Occasional or continual squinting - your kitty looks sort of like Popeye. If her squinting is severe, it may indicate a corneal ulcer or erosion.

2. Watery or mucous-like discharge that's clear, yellow, gray, or a rusty dark red color that resembles blood - but it's not blood.

3. The pink membrane lining, or conjunctiva, that surrounds her eye is red and possibly swollen.

4. The cornea, the clear dome over her eye, may be cloudy; this can signify a cat eye infection involving a corneal ulcer or erosion.

5. The iris, the colored part of her eye, may appear duller than usual or be an entirely different color; this can signal an infection involving uveitis.

6. One, several or all of these cat eye infection signs may be present. They may be present in one or both eyes.

7. Sometimes infections are accompanied by frequent sneezing and possibly an upper respiratory tract infection.

How Do Veterinarians Treat Cat Eye Infections?

Cat eye infections caused by Feline Chlamydia and Feline Mycoplasma can be treated with topical antibiotics. Feline Mycoplasma-induced infections respond very well. But Feline Chlamydia cat eye infections may recur. Sometimes topical antiviral medicines may also be prescribed.

FHV-1 cat eye infections are stubborn little boogers to treat. They don't respond at all to topical antibiotics.

Nearly every cat in the world has FHV-1; they are exposed to the virus when they're kittens. This virus lies dormant in a cat's body for its entire life; it can flare up to cause a cat eye infection at any time. The deciding factor in whether FHV-1 flares up is stress. Although your cat isn't a briefcase-toting stock broker on Wall Street, she can still experience stress! Stress suppresses the immune system.

Some kitties may never experience an infection. Other kitties may go for years between each cat eye infection, and yet other kitties may experience frequent flare-ups. Without proper treatment, your kitty would experience long-term discomfort and pain.

FHV-1 conjunctivitis and keratitis that cause infections cannot be cured-but they can be controlled.

How to Control Cat Eye Infections

Holistic vets and cat owners are finding great success in using homeopathic remedies made of natural substances. These eye tonics are a combination of burdock, rosemary, meadowsweet and Chelidonium majus. Feline conjunctivitis is often the result of a weakened immune system and may occur along side other illnesses such as respiratory infections. Your cat may need some immune boosting supplements to help her body naturally fight off infectious agents - without the side effects of antibiotic therapy.

Cat Eye Infections - How to Treat and Prevent Common Cat Eye Care Problems

About The Author:

Find a non-prescription treatment that is proven safe and effective for treating cat eye infections. Kate Rieger is partnered with the Kentucky SNIP clinic where they provide affordable, natural alternatives for treating your pet. Visit Kate's site today to find more options for treating your best 4-legged friend naturally at http://www.Coolest-Cat-Care.com/CatEyeCareDeals

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Is Your Cat Missing the Litter Box?

The most common question about cat ownership concerns the litter box... especially if kitty isn't using it.

But there is a secondary litter box problem that involves other issues, especially when the cat seems unaware of going over the side of the box, onto the floor.

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This appears to be as much an annoyance to people as the cat going behind the couch, for some reason. Many owners get the idea that kitty is wreaking some kind of revenge for a perceived mistreatment or situation the cat is upset about.

While it's possible a cat may not appreciate certain conditions at your home, it's not reasonable to believe it's a motivation for getting even. Cats are not emotionally equipped for the human emotion of revenge. They do things we don't like for reasons of their own, which we may never discover.

However, there are things we can do to help kitty do a better job.

1. First and foremost, it's critical to be sure there are no health issues causing the problem. Get a wellness exam with a veterinarian before you get angry with the cat. After all, if you yell at him when he's in pain from a urinary infection, he may decide to avoid the box altogether.

2. One mistake many new cat owners make is to overfill the litter box. Just from a volumetric perspective, there may be so much sand in the box that kitty is standing at the level of the top edge of the box itself. There is no place to paw the sand to cover the wastes or for him to realize he's close to the edge. Use only enough sand to cover the bottom so there is room in the box for kitty to comfortably get into position. Most cats prefer a sand depth of about 2 inches at most, and some do well with just one inch.

3. Another way to help kitty stay within the confines of the box is to use one with high sides. Unless the cat is unable to hop in due to size (tiny or large), advancing age, disease or disability, even an ordinary tote box with 18 inch sides makes a great litter box. Cut out a small "door way" for access if the cat can't hop in but still needs a box with higher sides. And still use only a couple inches of sand.

4. Another option is to use a covered litter box. However, not all cats like being in an enclosed space with wastes and odors, especially if another cat has been contributing to that box, so this may not work. But there are cats who don't mind, so it's worth a try.

5. Be sure the litter box is large enough by length and width, too. Some stores sell less expensive litter trays that are very small. These may work well inside a cage and for temporary use, but for everyday littering, get as large a box as will fit in the space you have and that you can afford.

6. One cat shelter is having great success with round plastic "wash tubs" with a 20-inch diameter across the top. These work well because the sides are 12 inches high with a slight outward angle, and have two handhold slots so they are easy to lift for emptying and washing.

Whatever remedies you use to help your kitty clean up his act, just be careful not to punish him or hurt him, or he may refuse to use any box you provide because it represents a negative experience.

Is Your Cat Missing the Litter Box?

For more information and advice about cat litter box problems, visit http://www.theproblemcat.com/faq.html

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Cat Behavior - Is My Cat Sick Or is it a Behavior Problem?

For most people, if they see a change in their cat's behavior they think it is strictly behavior related and not due to a possible medical cause. This can be a big mistake and can delay needed medical attention for your cat.

Remember, that whenever your cat has a behavior change it is important to rule out a possible medical cause first, and then focus on correcting feline behavioral problems.

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Another reason to correct medical problems quickly is that if they go on long enough, medical problems can lead to behavior problems. For example, a cat that stops using the litter box because of a urinary tract infection might continue to not use the litter box after the infection is treated, because not using the litter box is a learned behavior.

Some medical causes of cat behavior changes could be hyperthyroidism, urinary tract infection, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and even reproductive causes.

Hyperthyroidism can make a cat loss weight, not groom, and lead to an increased activity level where they are restless and nervous.

A urinary tract infection or FLUTD can cause cats to not use the litter box and to urinary frequently outside the litter box.

If a cat is in heat it will act much more affectionate or could actually act more aggressive towards its owners.

So if you are wondering if your cat is sick or is it a behavior problem, see a veterinarian first. Prompt treatment of medical causes can prevent a cat behavioral problems from forming.

Cat Behavior - Is My Cat Sick Or is it a Behavior Problem?

Whatever the cause of your cat's bad behavior, the important thing is to correct it quickly. To learn how to do this correctly, visit: Solutions To Cat Behavior Problems!

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Keeping Your Cat Fit With a Cat Exercise Wheel

Obesity is a problem with many cats these days. This is especially a problem for cats who stay indoors all the time and don't have a chance to exercise that often. If a cat has the opportunity to eat as much as it wants whenever it wants to this also can add to the problem. The best way to deal with obesity is to prevent it in the first place. One way to do this is to get your cat to exercise more often through the use of cat toys. One cat toy that is particularly useful for this is the cat exercise wheel.

This Wheel is just what it sounds like. It looks like an extra large version of the exercise wheels used by hamsters and other small animals. They are usually made of metal and measure between 36 and 48 inches in diameter. The one side of the wheel is open so the cat can get into the Cat Exercise Wheel and the other side is either solid or spokes depending on the manufacturer. The wheels with spokes also have a clear plastic piece you can put on that side if you are worried the cat would get hurt by the spokes.

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The Wheel was created originally for use by Bengal cats, but any cat can use this type of exercise wheel. Most cats seem to like running on the wheel, but some are a bit unsure of it at first and might need to be coached on how to use it. There are a variety of videos on the internet of cats using a Cat Exercise Wheel if you are interested in seeing how these work and whether or not the cats appear to enjoy them.

If your cat is already obese, it could still benefit from the use of a Cat Exercise Wheel. Usually it is recommended that an owner try to help an obese cat slowly lose about 20 percent of it's weight through diet and exercise changes. A Cat Exercise Wheel is a great way to get your cat to exercise without having to constantly have to coax them with a cat toy. Just be careful not to try to force the cat to lose too much weight too quickly, as this can put the cat at risk for liver disease and other health problems. Slow weight loss is also the most likely to last, as is the case with people.

Keeping Your Cat Fit With a Cat Exercise Wheel

Trevor Kassulke owns and operates http://www.catcareguidance.com

Cat Exercise Wheel

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Cat Behaviour Problems - How to Deal With Excessive Meowing

A cat meows when he is hungry, when he smells something, and when he wants your attention. This behaviour is normal, but it can be very annoying when a cat doesn't stop meowing.

Some causes of excessive meowing:

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a. Cat has a medical problem.

b. Cat is feeling stressed and bored. These are some factors that can make cat stressed: a sudden change around your cat such as if you move to another house or you raise a new pet.

c. Emotional problem such as if he loses his owner, he is jealous to another cat or if he has to share his owner, his food and his toys with other pets.

d. Cat gets less attention from his owner.

e. Cat is losing his hearing. It usually affects old cats. Since he can't hear his voice clearly, he will try increasing the volume of his voice.

How to deal with excessive meowing:

a. Ignore cats when he doesn't want to stop meowing and give him reward when he is quiet. This is one of the best training to stop this bad behaviour problem.

b. Set up a playtime with your cat. You can use toys or home made items such as balls, strings and catnip items to play with him.

c. Give him more attention. A cat will be bored when he doesn't get enough attention.

d. Do not ever punish or shout your cat.

e. Be patient, it needs time to change this bad behaviour problem.

Thanks for reading my article...

Cat Behaviour Problems - How to Deal With Excessive Meowing

Yulistina Fitri, the blog owner of game copy wizard and game copy monster, is a full internet marketer who also likes writing about pets...

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The Ragdoll Cat

The Ragdoll is one of the highly prized cat breeds around the world. The beautiful cat dates its origin back to the nineteen sixties when it was first developed in California, United States. Since then it has undergone a few changes but it still remains one of the best varieties among domestic cats as far as temperament and looks are concerned. A relatively big cat, the average Ragdoll weighs in the range of ten to twenty pounds, with males being larger than average females.

With its deep chested muscular physique the Ragdoll is an impressive physical specimen amongst house cats. Its long silky coat comes in four patterns, namely mitted, van, bicolor and colorpoint. Established fur colors are six. These include blue, chocolate, cream, lilac, red and seal. Points exist on face, ears, tail and legs like the Siamese, in various patterns including lynx, tortie and solid. Ragdolls are slow in development and do not reach their full size with a well developed coat until three to four years of age. When fully grown they have a curved profile with large hindquarters. They have big beautiful blue eyes and a very sweet facial expression.

CAT BREEDERS

Ragdolls are the most laid back of all cats. They almost never get into fights and don't known how to defend themselves. Therefore they must never be left outdoors. It is often reported that they go limp when picked up though this may not be true in all cases.

Owing to their loving and sweet nature, Ragdolls make excellent pets for a household. They are playful though they keep their claws sheathed during play. They are gentle and affectionate animals and are also considered often to be the most loving of all cats. They follow their humans around everywhere, displaying a tender attitude towards them. The single layered coat doesn't shed or tangle easily and therefore does not require as through grooming as that of the Persian.

The Ragdoll Cat

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Ragdoll cats.

CAT BREEDERS

How to Introduce My New Cat to My Old Cat?

Getting a new cat can be a very exciting time, however it can be very stressful for the cats involved. But if you take your time and follow a few simple steps you can make the whole situation go a lot smoother and hopefully allow both cats to accept each other quicker.

Whenever you bring a new cat home, make sure you keep it in a room by itself for the first several days. This way the new cat can get used to the smells of the house and it will give it a spot to rest for a while.

CAT BREEDERS

After a few days you can lock up your old cat, and let the new cat roam around the house for a while so it can get used to the surroundings. Once the new cat is used to the house then you can introduce the two cats to each other.

Only do the introductions for short time periods at the beginning and then separate them again. During the first several initial introductions, always make sure that you are around to supervise them.

That way if there is any fighting you can immediately separate them. Remember though, that there will be some degree of fighting and hissing possibly but if you do the introduction slowly over time it should be minimized.

Also, remember its a good idea to trim both cats nails before introducing them to help minimize any damage from fighting. If you take your time and slowly introduce them then the amount of fighting should be dramatically less and sometimes even zero.

How to Introduce My New Cat to My Old Cat?

Whatever the cause of your cat's bad behavior, the important thing is to correct it quickly. To learn how to do this correctly, visit: Solutions To Cat Behavior Problems!

CAT BREEDERS

Selecting a Cat Cage to Fit Your Needs

Like most people who own cats, or to be more correct are OWNED by the cats in the household, we want them to be as safe as possible. Many areas are putting restrictions on cats being allowed to run free about the neighborhood and for good reason. Like any pet allowed to roam without restriction, they can be hurt by traffic, attacked by other animals or just generally get into mischief that can be a real problem and can cause some major expense with your Veterinarian. If your community has a local posting board or newspaper, look and see how many missing or lost pets are posted every day and you will quickly realize how heartbreaking, but preventable this can be.

Cats do like to be outside when possible and should be able to enjoy that freedom just like we humans do. A great way to allow this freedom is using a large cat cage. When people think of a cage, they picture in their mind a small enclosure with the cat pacing back and forth waiting on when it's time to be released from their prison, but it does not have to be this way. Large cat cages allow the cat to play in a protected area without the worry of harm from other animals and these cages keep your pet in a controlled area. Some of these cages have shelves, toys, playgrounds, chairs, items that you would have in your home available for your feline friend while in the cage.

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When shopping for a cat cage, I suggest the bigger the better. This gives your pet plenty of room to move around in the cage so they do not feel confined. Pay attention to the quality of the metal used in the cage and the size of the openings in the metal. If the openings are too large, the cat may be able to get it's head through and become trapped. Examine the door opening and the security of the door latch.

Consider a modular cat cage system. These systems use panels which can be added or subtracted to, making the cage very versatile. Remove a few panels and you can move the cage indoors when you are away from home to keep your pet in the area you want. Take the cage outside and add a few more panels and you can create a large playground and not worry about where your pet is. A good quality cat cage must be able to do 2 things, keep your pet in the area you want them to be and protect them from other roaming animals. I have seen fabric cat enclosures which may work well indoors, but I would never consider them for use outdoors as they offer no protection from a wandering neighborhood dog.

Selecting a Cat Cage to Fit Your Needs

I suggest people to visit Cats-on-line which has a great selection of quality cat cages and cat products. These people know pets and can help you find the right cage to suit your needs.

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Leopards - The Smaller Cats

Forests are shelter places for a number of many wild animals that make our nature beautiful. They are helpful to humans in a number of ways. Their bright colours, soft fur, extremely developed running capability makes them immensely successful among the predators. We are talking about the leopards. Leopards come under the kingdom Animalia and phylum Chordata. They are placed in the class Mammalia, order Carnivora as they are carnivores and the family Felidae. The scientific name of the leopard is Panthera pardus. They are the smallest of the four big cats which includes lion, tiger and the jaguar. Earlier they were distributed across the eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa but now their population has declined heavily because of mass killing and they are now confined to areas of sub-Saharan Africa and also in fragmented numbers in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indochina and China. IUCN has kept leopards in the category of Near Threatened species as they are on the verge of being extinct.

savannah cat

Leopards have short legs, long body and large skull in comparison to others members of the cat family. It resembles jaguar but is smaller and somewhat slightly built. The body fur is marked by rosettes similar to that of the jaguar but the rosettes are somewhat smaller and are more densely packed and lack the central spots as the jaguars possess. Jaguars and leopards both are melanistic and are commonly called as black panthers. Leopards are popular for their opportunistic hunting behaviour as they are having the ability to adapt to a wide variety of habitats and are capable of running with extremely fast speed which may be 58 kilometers per hour and are capable of climbing the trees swiftly even when carrying a heavy carcass. They are also notorious thieves and can steal the prey within a minute. It can easily catch and consume any animal it hunts. It is available from the rainforests to the desert terrains.

SAVANNAH CAT

Taxonomy and Evolution

In the earlier times it was believed that leopard is the hybrid of lion and panther. The generic name Panthera pardus is taken from a Greek word which means spotted fur. Like all other members of the Felidae genus Panthera is also a subject of debate and the exact relations between all the four species including the snow leopard and the clouded leopard is still a mystery. It is believed that the members of the family Felidae evolved about 11 million years ago. The last ancestor of lion, tiger, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard and the clouded leopard made its existence about 6.37 million years ago on the planet earth. A study conducted by Yu and Zhang on the mitochondrial DNA in 2005 shows that the leopard is very closely related to the snow leopard. Johnson et al., also supports this view as they conducted a study in 2006. It is believed that leopard originated in Asia and later on migrated to Africa. About 27 subspecies of leopard were suggested during the 18th century. But later on only nine sub species were recognized.

Physical Characteristics

Leopard is a agile and stealthy predator. Although it is smallest among the other members of the genus Panthera but it bears a massive skull with strong and powerful jaw muscle. The body is comparatively long and the legs are short. The head and body length is about 125 cm and 165 cm. the tail length is about 110 to 160 cm. the height of the shoulders is about 45-80 cm. the muscles that are attached to the scapula are extremely strong and are responsible for providing the ability to the leopard to climb trees. The size of the adult leopards varies among the members of the family. It has been reported the males are 30% larger in size as compared to the females. The average body weight of males is about 30 to 91 kg while that of the female is 3 to 60 kg. The males of the Kruger National Park, South America are reported to weigh 91 kg while those that are found in the coastal mountains of South Africa are smaller and weigh about 30 kg only. This variability in body weight may be due to the differences in the habitats. The leopards of the Middle East are also smaller in body size.

Leopards may be sometimes confused with other cat members like the cheetah and the jaguar. The three can be distinguished by the pattern of the spots. The cheetah has small, simple and densely packed spots while the jaguars have small spots inside the rosettes. The leopards have smaller and rounder rosettes in comparison to that of the jaguars. The leopards are larger and much stronger than the cheetah but they are smaller in size as compared to the jaguars and lightly built. Leopards also show wide variation among the colour of the fur as well as the pattern of rosettes. The leopards of the East Africa have circular rosettes while those of the South Africa have square shaped rosettes. The colour of the coat is cream coloured of more pale in the desert populations and those of the colder climates have shades of gray. The species dwelling in the rainforests have more golden coloured coat. The coat under the belly is generally lighter in colour and the spots or the rosettes are often seen on the face and the legs.

Colour Variation

The mountainous regions and the rain forests house a melanistic form of the leopards. The colour of the fur is black and is inherited by the offspring and is basically caused by the recessive gene loci. These forms are called as black panthers. The melanistic leopards are common to the Malayan Peninsula and according to a report of 2007 all the leopards of the Taman Negara National Park were melanistic. The advantage of such melanism may be helping in protection but exact reason is not clear. It has also been believed that melanism helps in strengthening the immune system in an unknown way. In Africa the black leopards are less common and their black colouration seems to have no role in their protection while the black leopards are very much common in the Ethiopian Highlands. Pseudo-melanism or abundism has also been noticed in case of leopards. The pseudo-melanistic leopard has the normal background colour but the spots are more densely packed and merge together to match with the golden brown colour. The face and the under parts are as usual as in the normal ones.

Behaviour and Biology

The leopards are known to be experts in climbing the trees and are often seen resting on the branches of the trees. They are often noticed to climb rapidly over the trees with prey in their grip and are also seen enjoying their prey on the branches. They are also masters in swimming but not as great in comparison to other members of the cat family. They can run with a speed of about 58 kilometers per hour and are having the leaping capacity of 6 meters and jumping horizontally ability of 3 meters vertically. They perform a number of activities like roaring, grunting, growling, meowing and sawing sounds. Leopards are nocturnal creatures easily studied in the open savannah habitats. The leopards inhabiting the rain forests of West Africa are diurnal and crepuscular. The leopards inhabiting in the forests are known to exhibit specialization in the prey selection and seasonal activity patterns.

Diet

Leopards are dynamic and opportunistic hunters seen hunting in the open savannas between the sunrise and the sunset by taking the advantage of the bushes and the cloudy sky. The leopard stalks near its prey very silently and then grabs its throat and the neck region. They are often seen to carry their prey over the branches of the trees to enjoy it in a relaxed mood. They are capable of taking the prey about three times heavier than their own body weight swiftly to the tree branch. The leopards are the only known big cats that are capable of taking the prey to the branch of the tree. The dietary demand of the leopards and the diversity of prey are extremely elaborate in comparison to other species of the genus Panthera. The leopards are known to prey on smaller animals like the dung beetles to large size animals including the ungulates, monkeys and also they prefer to feed on rodents, amphibians, fishes, birds as well as reptiles. In Africa the chitals, black bucks and the antelopes form the favourite food of the leopards.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The mating cycle of leopards continues throughout the year or seasonally during January and February depending upon the regions. The female stays in the receptive condition for about 7 days and the estrous cycle lasts for about 46 days. The gestation period is of 90-105 days. The cubs are born in groups of 2-4 and only 1 or 2 survive after the first year as the mortality rate is 40-50%. The cubs are born in the caves, dens or under crevices. The eyes of the cubs are closed when they are born and the eyes take 4-9 days to open. The coat of the young ones is stronger and thicker in comparison to that of the adults. The colour of the fur is paler with lesser number of spots. When the cubs are three months old they start following their mother during the act of hunting. At the age of one year they become completely independent and are able to feed and defend themselves on their own but they tend to remain with their mother for about 18-24 months. The life span of the leopards is noted to be around 21 years in captivity. The home range of leopards is about 30-78 kilometers which includes 15-16 females. Leopards are solitary and apart from mating and hunting they are also known to participate in aggressive encounters. Leopards are known to survive to a temperature range of 25°C.

Ecological Significance

Leopards have been observed to compete for food and shelter with other predators like the lions, tigers, spotted hyenas and both African and Asiatic wild dogs. The predators may also cause damage to the young cubs or they may often kill the cubs. Even a tiger or a lion can kill a leopard. Leopards have adapted certain features to remain protected from these terrific enemy and they often avoid those areas which are frequently visited by these predators. They often climb on the trees in order to protect themselves but the lions often get successful in snatching the preys taken by the leopards to the trees.

Hybrids

Cross breeding between the leopards and other members of Panthera has resulted in the production of hybrids. A cross conducted between a male leopard and a female lioness resulted in the production of the offspring what we call a leopon. Leopons are produced under captivity and are surviving in the Koshien Hanshin Park in Nishinomiya, Japan in the late 1950s. A cross between the male jaguar and a female leopard results in the production of jagupard and the reverse cross results in the production of lepjags. A cross between a puma and the leopard is called as pumapard.

Relationship with Humans

Leopards are the source of strength and have been used by human beings since time immemorial in the art, mythology and culture. Leopards as pets have been used by certain kings of the olden times. Many national parks and sanctuaries have been established all over the world which are providing not only protection to these species but are also a source of earning good currency. Generally leopards avoid killing human beings but loss of habitats and insufficient quantity of prey compels them to attack human beings.

Leopards are the beautiful creatures which make our environment beautiful and we must take care of these animals which are on the verge of extinction.

Leopards - The Smaller Cats

Navodita Maurice

SAVANNAH CAT

Can My Cat Catch a Cold?

If you are like me, you probably have never had a cat with a cold, but cats with colds are fairly common.

cat carrier

How does a cat get a cold? The first thought that comes to mind is "can my cat catch my cold?"

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The answer to that is no and "no" you cannot catch your cat's cold. It is said that cold viruses are species-specific, which means pets and humans cannot pass a cold back and forth.

While we can (for the most part) "doctor" our colds with over-the-counter remedies, our cats cannot.

A cold is serious business for a cat and even more serious if you have a multiple cat household.

Oddly enough, your cat's symptoms will be very similar to yours, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge either from its nose or mouth. It is also possible for your cat to have a breathing problem, cold sore type ulcers around it mouth and red teary eyes that have a discharge.

Cat colds are very contagious and interestingly, cats are more susceptible to colds in the summer time.

Where can your cat pick up a cold?

At a boarding kennel, the groomers, at your vets and if your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, it can pick up the virus from any cat it encounters outside.

What can you do for your cat's cold?

First of all do not try any human over-the-counter remedies. Usually a cat cold lasts just about as long as a human cold (7 to 10 days) and the cat will get over it just as we do.

Where it gets complicated is, if the viral infection travels to the lungs or bronchial area causing a lower respiratory infection or if a secondary bacterial infection occurs in the nose, mouth or eye area.

This is why at the first sign your cat is coming down with a cold, you should call your vet. This ounce of prevention can honestly save you many vet dollars, should the cold develop into something more serious.

Once a cat gets a respiratory infection it is possible that it will re-occur time and time again (like the proverbial bad penny.)

Another important thing to take under consideration is cats smell their food before they eat it. This is normal cat behavior and if your cat has a stuffy nose, it cannot smell its food.

What happens when a cat can't smell its food?

The cat will not eat or even drink. The cat becomes dehydrated and starts using up its own fat stores for energy.

A cat needs to eat and drink (most canned cat food provides not only nutrition, but water,) the result of not eating can cause a condition known as hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver syndrome, which can be life threatening.

This is why, if your cat shows any sign of a cold or stops eating for any reason call your vet at once.

I can't say this enough, that one simple phone call may save you many future vet dollars.

A cat's cold can be a simple runny nose (wipe it with a warm wet washcloth, cats can't blow) and require nothing more than some TLC from you, but check with your vet first.

There are two types of viruses that can cause a cat to have cold like symptoms, the first is felline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV). Keep up all of your cat's recommended vaccinations as the vaccine for FHV and FCV is given at regular intervals.

Keeping your cat indoors is truly the best way to protect your cat from being the recipient of "what is going around."

Can My Cat Catch a Cold?

Having a cat is an interesting experience. I have three at the present time and have had as many as six. Each cat is as individual as any person I have ever known. Personalities and temperament between cats is as different as night and day. I work very hard at trying to understand my three and as soon as I think I have it all figured out, they find some way to mess it all up. If you enjoyed this article please come and visit me at http://cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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Cat Odor Removal - Living With Cat Odor?

Anyone who owns a cat knows that odors can sometimes be a problem. And even a bigger and more difficult problem is cat odor removal. Your cats Litter box, urine and other "accidents", can give your home an unpleasant aroma. Its almost like living in a litter box. Thorough cleaning is important, as there are different approaches and products that can help with even the most difficult to remove odors.

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Some odor problems can be more stubborn. There are a assortment of products in the marketplace claiming to remove urine and fecal odors from carpets and furniture, some containing enzymes that will smash up the source of the odor. Used correctly, and in some severe situations more than one application may be needed. Some other solutions for cat odor removal include scrubbing the effected area with a diluted liquid laundry detergent, or with various all-purpose cleaners. Try to clean a not easily seen area of the carpet or furniture before using on a more obvious area.

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Cat owners need to be extra cautious about removing all signs of the odor, because if the scent remains, the cat will do it again in the same spot. Unfortunately, in some worst cases you may have to remove the soiled carpet, and possibly even seal or replacing the floor and sub floor below! To avoid this, deal with the spot at the first sign of odor. Prevent it from happening again. Submit an application of a odor removal product, and place your cats litter box on top of the effected area.

Be sure to follow the manufactures instructions on the product you are going to use and in some cases use in a well ventilated area. The longer the urine remains on a surface, the harder it will be to remove. Prevention goes a long way!

Cat Odor Removal - Living With Cat Odor?

Removing nasty pet odors like cat urine, and cat spray can seem like an impossible task. Is the smell of cat urine driving you crazy? Discover How a "crazy lady" with 37 cats was forced to find a homemade recipe that will totally remove cat urine odor, using ingredients your have in your home right now. Inexpensive, easy to make,easy to apply! Get this Formula for yourself at Cat Odor Removal.

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Teaching Your Cat to Say Cheese: How to Take the Best Cat Pictures

There is nothing cuter than a picture of a cat, fur, whiskers, paws and all; there is something irresistibly adorable about a kitty busily playing with a ball of yarn, chasing a butterfly in the meadows or hanging out with a bunch of puppies. Most cat owners would naturally want to take pictures of their lovely pets as a souvenir or simply because they are such interesting photography subjects. It truly shows that you are caring for cats when you have cute pictures of them posted everywhere. Learning a few tips on how to create the best cat pictures will help a cat owner capture their pet's cute cuddly image, their hunting prowess or climbing skill whether they are still or in action. First off, a decent digital camera is highly important; Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras are recommended. Needless to say, the cat's cooperation is the most challenging part; cats see cameras as strange clicking objects so one must make sure first that the cat gets used to him carrying it around.

The best cat pictures owe their greatness to the angle; the next is to make sure that the cat and the photographer is on the same level if a close-up picture is to be taken or position oneself high above the cat if planning to capture snuggling poses. Experimenting with several different angles and deciding on which ones to keep during the editing phase will help enable one to surely end up with an amazing photo. One must also be sure to get enough of the cat in the frame and to not take too much of the dead space. Pre-planning where the cat should be placed, setting the background ahead of time and imagining which angles are to be taken is absolutely necessary; one could make use of a bait such as a toy to lure the cat into the zone. It is also useful to get a hand from a friend who is willing to operate the tease while one concentrates on getting good shots; the person can also help in getting the cat's attention, enabling one to authentically capture priceless gestures such as pricked ears and alert eyes.

SAVANNAH CAT BREEDERS

The best cat photos often make use of natural light instead of flash; one must either take photos outdoors or in a room which allows a generous entry of daylight. If using the flash is unavoidable, one must utilize the red-eye setting or manipulate angles to avoid laser eyes; a white tissue paper over the flash helps in diffusing the light. One must be creative in manipulating the cat to assume the position that they desire; for example, if one wants the cat to sit over a chair, one could drape a piece of colorful cloth over it to coax the curious kitty. Lastly, one should be strict in deleting bad photos; one must remember, it's not uncommon to take fifty or more shots in order to come up with at least a perfect one. With these basic techniques and the right kitty treats, one can even make their pet look forward to every photography session.

Teaching Your Cat to Say Cheese: How to Take the Best Cat Pictures

Adam Fisher writes about caring for cats and general information about cats.

SAVANNAH CAT BREEDERS

Common Cat Illnesses

Sometimes your cat can seem under the weather, but you don't know what's wrong. Cats can suffer from a number of common illnesses, but because they can't talk, they have no way of telling us what is wrong. Here are some of the common illnesses that cats can get, how to identify them, and what to do.

If your cat seems to be experiencing pain when using the litter box, or you find signs of blood in her urine, she may have a urinary tract infection. Cats can get these infections the same way that we can. A cat suffering from a UTI might also have more accidents on the carpet than a healthy one, or make more trips to the box than usual. Extremely mild UTIs will clear up before you even notice, but severe ones can cause trouble for your cat. If you suspect your cat has a UTI, visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Antibiotics are the first step to treating this condition. If you have caught the UTI early, the antibiotics generally will clear things up. If the infection has progressed to the bladder or kidney, your cat might have to have surgery.

CAT BREEDERS

Cats can also suffer from upper respiratory infections, like the common cold in humans. Fortunately, most indoor cats won't get these, but outdoor cats are at risk because they can contact other, infected cats. Upper respiratory infections are signaled by sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. Your cat may also have runny eyes or a raspy meow. Generally, vet care is unnecessary for this condition, but if lethargy or a decrease in appetite occur, you should have your cat looked at professionally.

Feline distemper is a common danger to cats. If your cat has been properly vaccinated, she should be out of risk, but young kittens or wild cats can contract it. The symptoms include listlessness, diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat and drink. If you suspect that your cat has distemper, rush her to the vet. This condition is very hard to combat, and many cats die from it. If it is caught early, your cat has a chance to survive. However, the best way to deal with distemper to to have your cat vaccinated against it at a young age.

Senior cats sometimes suffer from kidney failure. This almost always happens because of old age, although recently some instances were caused by tainted food. Lack of appetite, lethargy, and nausea can be signs of kidney failure. The veterinarian can test for this condition and help you do things to prolong your pet's life.

Common Cat Illnesses

For more information on Cat Health [http://www.mybestcat.com/cat_health/Cat_Health.html], try visiting [http://www.mybestcat.com], a popular website that provides tips, advice and resources on caring for cats.

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Cat Urinating in the House - How to Stop This Problem

Let's face it - at one time in our lives, if we own cats, we could probably have asked this question: "Why is my cat urinating in the house?" The answer is simple. Cats, like humans, can undergo medical problems concerning their urinary system. The issue of a cat urinating in the house may be caused by such a medical problem. When you notice that your cat is beginning to have frequent urination in the house, the first thing you must do is to take the matter seriously.

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You may find a remedy for the problem or seek the advice of a cat professional. The best thing to do would be to take your cat to a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. There are several factors which could cause a cat to urinate excessively up to the point that it could no longer hold its urine; hence the incidents in the house. At times, this could be caused by a behavioral problem in the cat. In some instances, however, urinating inside may be a sign of a more severe problem, such as cat urinary tract infection, which is commonly known as feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD).

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Feline lower urinary tract disorder is a condition which have multiple underlying causes but which may be characterized by the same symptoms. The symptoms of FLUTD are the following:

o Cat urinating in house, often in the most inappropriate places

o Excessive urination

o Incontinence or inability to control the flow of urine

o Smelly urine

o Cloudy urine

o Bloody urine

o Having crystals or stones in the urine

o Licking of the genital area

o Straining in pain while urinating

o Crying in the litter box

o Producing only trickles or a small amount of urine

o Inability to urinate

Cats with the above symptoms may also exhibit signs of depression, loss of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. The help of a veterinarian is crucial when your cat begins to exhibit these signs. Feline urinary tract disease is an extremely serious and sometimes fatal condition in cats. When not treated immediately, a cat with these symptoms may not have long to live.

Your veterinarian may perform the necessary physical exams and laboratory tests to determine the cause of the problem. If the cause of the problem of your cat urinating in house is inflammation or infection, the veterinarian would most likely give antibiotics and a special diet to help suppress and fight the growth of bacteria causing the infection. However, if the problem is caused by other factors, the veterinarian may give other forms of treatment and perform appropriate medical procedures.

You can help cure your cat's urinating problem by giving him a homeopathic remedy. Some homeopathic remedies are known to strengthen the cat's immune system and support its normal functioning. Such remedies likewise helps prevent the recurrence of cat urinary problems, keeping your cat in top shape and in the peak of health.

So if your cat is urinating in your house, it is important to remember the following useful tips:

o Make an evaluation of the situation.

o Seek the help of a veterinarian.

o Follow the advice of the cat professional.

o Give your cat a homeopathic remedy.

So next time you are tempted to ask this question: "Why is my cat urinating in the house", you already know what to do.

Cat Urinating in the House - How to Stop This Problem

Melissa Simmonds has looked at different sources on the problems affecting cats, including that of a cat urinating in house.

For more information, visit the most comprehensive resource online answering your question why is my cat urinating in the house.

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Reasons Why Your Cat Might Be Losing Its Fur

It is important to remember that cats are very sensitive to changes in the home. Even small factors such as a friend coming to stay will represent worry for the cat as they are unsure as to the intentions of the new guest. Telltale signs of environmental unhappiness will be displayed by a change in behaviour patterns. A cat will often groom itself excessively to ease environmental stress. A further way of displaying stress is shown by a cat repeating certain manoeuvres, such as asking for food, or asking to go outside.

If you are certain that no environmental changes have occurred, there are other 3 main causes of fur loss, these are:

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1) Allergies. Like humans, cats can become allergic to some stimuli within the air or natural environment. Some allergies stimulate excessive grooming which can over a short period cause unintentional fur loss. Once isolated this can easily be controlled. Professional advice is the best way to establish if your cat is suffering from an allergy, although this often proves to be expensive. If you suspect the fur l oss is an allergy and do not which to enlist specialist assistance, the best way is to monitor your cats behaviour and note at which periods fur loss occurs. If you notice a regular pattern you can approach a vet or dermatologist with a diagnosis and then ask for advice, although this process takes longer it is often cheaper and can lead to a better cause of treatment.

2) Infections. Although rare internal infections of the kidneys can cause an unpleasant pain for your cat which can lead it to groom the area excessively in an attempt to make the pain go away. The best way to treat this is a trip to the vet. They will often be able to prescribe an affective treatment which will ease the pain. Usually towards the end of the treatment you should notice your cat ceasing the excessive grooming as the pain diminishes.

3) External Parasites - If your cat is losing fur all over its body a likely explanation is the appearance of external parasites. Parasites such as mites and fleas create constant irritation for cats and can cause rapid fur loss. The solution involves either [another] expensive trip to your local veterinary specialist or the purchase of anti parasite products. These can be purchased from any veterinary agent and are often very simple to apply.

Summary: Fur loss can often be as upsetting for the owner as for the cat. Although expensive, a trip to your local veterinary specialist is often the best solution as the problem can be diagnosed and treated more quickly than relying on home diagnosis.

Reasons Why Your Cat Might Be Losing Its Fur

John Sanderson is a keen cat lover who has recently written a 5 day mini course on cat training. Did you know that there are 5 foods that you must not feed your cat? To find out what they are and more please go to Cat training Secrets.

If you enjoyed these tips and would like more detailed in depth tips to cater for all your cat training needs please visit [http://www.SecretsOfCats.info]

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Communicating With Your Deaf Cat

By understanding and responding the unique needs of your deaf cat, the two of you will develop a closer relationship and better communication skills. The sensitive pet owner can learn from watching how his or her pet reacts and adapts to its surroundings. It takes time, persistence, and patience for both owner and pet to know each other and learn to "speak" each other's language.

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Since there is no hearing to rely on, the remaining senses of the deaf cat are usually heightened. For example, a deaf pet may rely on vibration (touch), odors (smell), or lights (vision) for stimulation. My cat, Beau, a lovely and very rambunctious white Turkish Angora is profoundly deaf. He was a rescue from a shelter, and came to me at two years old, depressed and withdrawn due to his inability to connect to others. This beautiful cat sat under my coffee table for a month, forlorn and in his own little world, only coming out to eat, or use his cat box. In the following weeks, I watched his behavior and noticed that he responded when anyone walked on the hardwood floors around him. He could feel the vibrations in the floor and woke up whenever he felt movement.

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To use the knowledge that he responded to vibration, I taught Beau to respond to my tapping on the floor, to come to dinner. He learned this quickly, along with quick, simple signs (wiggling my finger as to say "Come here", for example). This was stimulating to him and his mood perked up with each new connection to his new family. He wanted to connect, and by giving him the ability to do this lifted his mood. In time, I used this combination of simple visual signs and floor tapping to teach him other basic commands ( such as "no", "good kitty", etc) as well.

Also, in observing him, I noticed that Beau sleeps very soundly but jumps through the roof if petted abruptly. Too much sudden touch stimulation is startling to him. So, to remedy this, I gently touch or tap whatever he is laying on, to let him know I am there and about to approach. This has cut down in the startle response tremendously.

Watching Beau in his everyday life, I also noticed that he enjoys fast moving lights and shadows. He will sit for hours, entertaining himself with any sudden movement on the walls. So, to give him a little play, using this knowledge, I bought a faceted, crystal ball sun catcher and hung it in the window. When sun hits it, rainbows fly everywhere. Being in Florida, there are always rainbows in my living room from this ball. Beau will spend the entire day chasing rainbows and will come sit next to me if there aren't any. He looks toward the window, as if to ask if I'll bring the rainbows back. This sun catcher is his only toy, as Beau doesn't find normal cat toys the least bit entertaining. It is such an accomplishment for him to have something that truly makes him happy and excited.

Seeing how Beau reacts with happiness to touch, I have made a point to pet pet him frequently. If I walk by him, my hand reaches out to stroke him as I walk by. He melts like a furry, white blob of mush whenever touched, tail flapping happily. When he sees me get his brush out, he knows it is meant to use on him and sits expectantly, waiting for it. Something as small as a brush is a comfort to him, as if the brushing is like the grooming of his fur by his mother long ago.

Another way I use to connect to Beau is by holding him and talking into his fur so that he can feel the vibrations of my voice box. He purrs when I do this, delighted to know I am "talking" to him. When in college years ago, next door was a school for the deaf. I remember how hard of hearing or deaf people still liked to go to rock concerts. When I asked a friend of mine (who is partially deaf) why she liked concerts, she told me it was because she could feel the vibrations of the music. Her experience to music was different than that of mine, but still just as powerfully felt. So, I use this thought when it comes in talking into Beau's fur as I hold him. He feels me talk and though it isn't the same as word speaking, he finds the experience positive in his own way.

One puzzling behavior Beau regularly confounds me with is his midnight opera singing. This is my latest puzzle to figure out. Being deaf, he doesn't realize that when he sings at the tops of his lungs, he wakes everyone up in the house. Sometimes he will sit in the big windows overlooking the lake, and sing loudly at the neighbors walking by. It is cute to see him try to communicate with others, but I am working to teach him ways to channel his singing talents without scaring anyone. By keeping him awake and stimulated all day, I found that Beau sleeps through the night, and that cuts down on the moonlight serenades. It's all about adapting to eachother. We are still learning on this one.

Living with a deaf pet is a challenging yet very rewarding experience. Beau has added variety, love and much song to our lives. He is happy, loving and very good at letting me know what he needs now. We have developed a working system of communication, and as a result, he is by my side as I work in my home office, daily. He has taught me to be more sensitive and I have taught him to come out of hiding and enjoy life. With a little teamwork, we have both grown. I highly recommend adopting a deaf pet for anyone who is patient, caring and willing to put forth effort in understanding their new family member. Each pet is different, read about other deaf animals and learn. The result is a happy, well-adjusted cat who will give you endless love and devotion, and the peace of mind in knowing that you saved a pet from a life of total solitude. It is well worth the effort in the end.

Communicating With Your Deaf Cat

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico for two years, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. Her focus is on realistic, natural artwork and illustration through her website, http://www.zazzle.com/twopurringcats She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

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Keeping Your Houseplants Safe With Cat Grass and Catnip

Do your cats nibble incessantly on your houseplants? If you're tired of little bite marks in your ferns and waking up to your bamboo on the floor, get them something of their own!

Cat grass (Dactylis glomerata) gives cats something to munch on, and supplements their diet with a variety of essential nutrients. Cats can eat a few blades of grass every day, so give them ample amounts of it to keep them coming back.

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It's best to plant a bunch of it in a short, wide pot and place it within easy reach of the cats. The wide pot prevents the cats from tipping it over, which would create even more mess.

Some cats end up expelling the cat grass through vomiting. While this is good for the cats (by reducing hairball problems) it can cause all kinds of headaches around the house. You can buy small quantities of cat grass to test your cat's reaction to it before buying a plant that will make your cat puke all over the place.

You can supplement the cat grass with catnip for an extra treat for the cats that will hold their attention, leaving your house plants alone. Make extra sure that the pot is sturdy and hard to knock over (it may help to weight the base) as cats tend to go batty around catnip. Catnip doesn't make cats throw up, so if your cat ends up puking after eating cat grass, catnip is a great way to go.

Keep the cat plants in a container away from the food, so they don't see the plants as regular food.

Keeping Your Houseplants Safe With Cat Grass and Catnip

If you find that your cat still goes after your plants, there are a number of ways you can train your cats to leave your plants alone. Take a look at this guide on cat training to help deter munching on houseplants as well as a variety of other bad habits your cat may have.

There are plenty of other ways you can keep your cats happy, well trained, and polite to your household plants and furniture. Ultimate cat secrets is one of the most informative guides I've ever read on connecting with your cat and making your relationship with kitty a wonderfully happy one!

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How to Care For a Diabetic Cat

It is important to know how to care for a diabetic cat; to achieve this you will need to stick to a strict routine. Another vital part of caring for your diabetic cat is to make sure you monitor your cat closely and make sure you notice any changes in behaviour. This will allow you to take control immediately if there are any major changes and allow you to avoid serious complications.

It is essential that you get a good vet; one that you can work closely with so that you can give your cat the best chance possible. Your vet will show you how to inject insulin, the dose of the insulin required, the amount of food you should feed your cat, and the type of foods you should be feeding your cat.

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Diabetes is most common in older cats, although it is important to note that male cats, neutered cats as well as obese cats are at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

A recommendation from vets is that you put your diabetic cat on a low carbohydrate diet, as this will significantly lower insulin requirements in your cat. Try not to vary your cat's diet to dramatically; it is best to implement a diet that is suitable for your diabetic cat.

Make sure that you feed your cat at the same time each day; this is essential for proper management of this disease. If your cat is on insulin, there will be times that their blood sugar levels will drop, this is known as hypoglycemia. The signs to be aware of include staggering and falling, salivating, disoriented, shaking, and seizures. The best way to handle this is to always keep some karo syrup on hand and apply by placing it on your cat's gums and call your vet immediately.

Knowing how to care for a diabetic cat can be time consuming, especially if you do require giving them insulin injections. It is just a matter of good planning and effective management. By providing a healthy nutritious well-balanced diet, plenty of fresh water, heaps of cuddles and play times as well as a happy stress free environment your cat will be well on it's way to achieving optimum health.

In summary, following are a few tips on how to care for a diabetic cat:

Make sure you research well about diabetes and how it effects your cat Decide on how you are going to take care of your diabetic cat Ensure that you get a very good vet that you can work closely with and rely on Make sure your cat is eating the right foods to help the diabetes Make sure that your cat receives the right medication at the right times Monitor your cat's blood glucose and urine glucose - you vet will be able to tell you more about how to do this Most of all spend plenty of time with your cat and give heaps of cuddles

It is important to know how to care for a diabetic cat so that you can allow your cat to achieve optimum health and live happily for as long as possible.

How to Care For a Diabetic Cat

Sue Kennedy is the author of the physician-endorsed e-book "Defeat Diabetes Now," and operates a membership channel devoted to health & wellness. Readers of her book also receive instant access to expert interviews, articles, diet plans and other resources designed to maintain optimum health and prevent disease. Learn how you can defeat diabetes now.

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Special Cat Tricks for Humans

How to Give a Cat a Pill

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Successfully giving a your feline friend a pill requires determination and a little advance preparation.
Fill an eye dropper with water.
First find the cat. Since our furry friends read our minds, they usually evaporate before we convert the 'give the pet a pill' thought to action.
Place the your favorite feline on a chair or bed. Open the cat's mouth and pop the pill in, getting it on the back of the throat. Ignore the growl coming from the cat.
Empty the eyedropper filled with water into the cat's mouth. Ignore the louder growl rumbling from the tummy up through the mouth.
Hold the cat's mouth closed and massage the throat until you feel a swallow. Ignore the thrashing around the growl.
Pick up the pill from the bed or chair, mash it together and try again, beginning with finding the cat.
When the pill is ptuied a second time, take the pill yourself. If the pill is an antibiotic, you probably need it at this point to counteract all the cat scratches you have gotten giving your favorite feline a pill.

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Teaching a Cat to Walk on a Harness and Leash

Spend a few moments getting to know the harness. It will have several openings, only one of which is for the cat's head (unless you have been blessed with a two-headed cat).
First, find the cat. Be sure to let your cat know what you are doing. Send thought pictures of the two of you walking around your yard together. While the cat is distracted by laughing at the thought pictures you have sent, pick up the harness.
Place one hand on the cat's back, and attempt to guide his or her head into the harness with your other hand. Continue to follow the fast moving cat head until you catch it and load it into the harness.
Beware of the cat's powerful reverse gear-it activates automatically sometimes when a harness nears the cat's head. Ignore all hissing and spitting, growls and yowls.
Once the cat's head is through the harness, the hardest part is done. Now you only have to guide the cat's left paw through the harness and buckle the harness on the right side of a wiggling cat. Piece of cake.
If this process takes more than two hours, take the harness back to the pet store and get a refund.

How to Teach a Cat to Play Fetch
First, find the cat. Then get you, your cat, and your cat's favorite wand toy into the same room. Tell the cat that you want it to learn to play Fetch. Ignore comments from the cat such as "Why you lazy human! Fetch the blasted stick yourself!"
Engage your cat in active play with the wand toy. Then throw the toy across the room. Your cat will look at you and then at the toy.
Encourage your cat to go get the toy and bring it to you. Tell the cat that play time is over unless it gets the toy.
Direct the cat's attention to the toy by pointing to it and saying things like, "Go get the toy. Fetch the toy." Ignore the cat's unsettling stare which, roughly translated, means "You buffoon, what is your problem?"
Continue to encourage your cat to fetch the toy. Promise your cat treats for getting the toy and bringing it to you. Promise to scratch or rub a favorite spot on the cat if the cat complies. Then go get the toy yourself.

How to Have a Typical Conversation with a Cat

First, find the cat. Cats may or may not want to talk with you. Unfortunately, a typical conversation between a human and a cat goes much like this.

Human: How's my fuzzy wuzzy widdle catikins?

Cat: Got something hot in your mouth, do you?

Human: Has my sweetie pie been a gooood boy todaaaaay?

Cat: You really need to spit whatever that is out so you can talk better.

Human: Are you ready for din-dins?

Cat: What do you have to offer?

Human: How about a widdle bit of chicken tonight?

Cat: A 'widdle' bit? That amount sounds like it wouldn't satisfy a flea if I had one. How about I get up on the counter and help you measure?

Human: Bad Kitty! Get Down!

Cat: Well, if you insist, but I'm up here all day while you're away. I don't see what the difference is.

Human: That's my widdle sweetums!

Cat: Hot stuff, in the mouth again!

Special Cat Tricks for Humans

S. Suzanne Fisher, who is owned by 4 cats who have taught her these important lessons.

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