Getting an Outdoor Cat House

If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors, whether that's because the value their freedom or because your not home to let them in, you can spend a lot of time worrying about whether they're safe, whether they've found some shelter in the latest storm or whether they're pawing at the door because the want to come home.

If you don't have a cat flap installed then your other option is to provide them somewhere safe to for them to curl up and sleep such as a shed or garage. But if they don't have one they can access when they need to, then the best option is an outdoor cat house. There are a number on the market. Some are better quality than others.

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When you're shopping for an outdoor cat house there are a number of things you should consider.

Does the house need to be waterproofed? If it's made of wood then it will definitely need sealing against the weather and this will need to be done a yearly basis. If at all possible opt for a plastic one which allows you to wipe it clean and will not need much yearly maintenance apart from a quick wipe down.

Does the outdoor cat house have a flap for a door? Some do and some don't. But there are also some that have an overhang and a recessed door which will also stop the weather from affected your cat while they're inside. Either feature is good to have.

How do you want it to look in your garden? If you're looking for something that looks stylish and is available in a wide range of colours then opt for a KatKabin. If you want your outdoor cat house to blend in with your garden, then go for Mr Snugs Outdoor Cat Kennel.

Is it heavy enough? Having a heavy cat house might not sound like a good idea but the heavier it is the house the less it will be blown about in the wind.

Getting an Outdoor Cat House

You can read more about outdoor cat house and information about Katkabins and Mr Snugs Outdoor Cat Kennels over at Cat Party.

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Getting a Second Cat - Tips on Introducing a Second Cat Into Your Home

Getting a second cat can be exciting for you, but a nightmare for your first cat. No matter what you do, there will be some fighting. But to help both cats adjust quicker there are several things that you can do.

First of all, remember that it will take much more than just one week for your new cat to adjust, sometimes months. Sometimes they will act up and urinate on shoes and rugs because they feel threatened. This will pass, if you have patience and try to create a buffer zone.

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Second, try to keep the new cat sequestered in another room for the first week, allowing both cats to sniff each other under the door. This way, the cats know of each other, and are gradually introduced to each other. Third, try to make the new cat of the same sex and much younger. Bringing in another adult cat, especially of the opposite sex can make it very hard for them to ever get along.

Your original cat will feel much less threatened by the new cat, if they are smaller and weaker. Fourth, try to show them an equal amount of attention. Don't cuddle with one cat and not the other. Try to pet one with each hand at the same time.

If you keep these tips in mind, the introduction will go smoother. But remember, whenever you are getting a second cat, expect them to fight a little bit at the beginning until they establish their pecking order.

Getting a Second Cat - Tips on Introducing a Second Cat Into Your Home

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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Getting to Know Your Cat

Spay or Neuter a New Cat
Millions of cats are euthanized each year in shelters due to the overcrowding of animals. Cats can easily have over 10 kittens in a given pregnancy leaving owners with problem of trying to find homes for these kittens. There is an easy remedy to this problem and that is spaying or neutering your cat. Not only is this the responsible thing to do but it is better for your cat. If unspayed female are more at risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, pyometra, tumors of the uterus & ovaries. While unneutered male cats run a risk of developing testicular cancer.

The Price of having a cat
When people see a cute kitten they immediately decide to adopt it. Once home they realize they have made a mistake. They are not prepared for the responsibility of a cat, not all members of the family are happy to have a cat, resident pets don't adapt well to the new addition or it just doesn't fit into your lifestyle. The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

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Checking the health of your new cat
When a household decides to adopt a cat, be it from the shelter or a breeder a great deal of time should go into selecting the right animal. Have questions about where the pet came from, how they have interacted with the staff, do the pet have a behavior issue, etc. If you are buying from a breeder, ensure they are registered with an appropriate cat council. When visiting the cattery check out the overall health of the animals. Always have everything in writing, including the final cost of the cat, health guarantees etc.

Buying purebreds from pet shops or backyard breeders
If you are buying a cat from a pet shop or a backyard breeder there is probably little chance that a proper screening of genetic problems has taken place. Pet shops generally charge more for purebred kittens than a registered breeder would. Not only this, but they most likely won't have certified paper to ensure their authenticity and health. As a result, you may be buying a cat that could have substantial medical bills in the future or even pass away suddenly.

Seek veterinary help
People don't realize the seriousness of a medical condition & fail to take appropriate action & get the cat to a vet. This may be due to the lack of knowledge they posses or funds. Cat owners should look into the cost of having pet health insurance or a special Cat Fund prepared in case of emergencies.

Flea Control Product
Unless recommended by your veterinarian, cats should be treated with a cat flea treatment only such as Frontline. Pet owners think they will save money by sharing their dog's flea control product with their cats. This can prove fatal as cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins & pyrethroids which are often in dog flea products. The use of these on cats can result in death.

An appropriate diet
Cats have very specific dietary needs and as such need a balanced diet. There are many commercially available brands of cat food available which will fulfill your cat's dietary requirements. Don't attempt to feed your cat a home-made diet or other human consumed foods unless you have spent a great deal of time researching, as certain food s can do more harm than good.

Your roaming cat
Some owners feel that having your cat roam outside the home is beneficial for them. In actuality it may do more harm as free roaming cats & their lifespan is considerably shorter than that of indoor only cats, or cats with limited/supervised access outside. Outdoor cats run the risk of being highly stress by been hit by a car, attacked by another cat or dog, plus many other dangers they encounter which is very traumatizing.

Declawing VS not Declawing
Declawing has been a heated debate for many veterinarians, cat advocates, and owners alike. Some veterinarians consider declawing a "routine" surgery, while cat advocates consider it cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary in almost every case. Declawing is not for everyone and cat owners should have all the facts before making this decision.

Litter Box Maintenance
Cats will use a litter box only if it is kept clean, and if the litter is not scented or pleasant to the cat's feet. Carefully maintaining your cat's litter box will almost guarantee that you will not be faced with litter box avoidance problems. Don't try to over clean the box with disinfectant or bleach as cats are very sensitive to these and other chemicals. It is also recommended to have an automatic litter box to help in reducing the maintenance. If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside the box despite your careful maintenance, you should immediately suspect a urinary tract problem and call your veterinarian.

Getting to Know Your Cat

For more information on this subject or any additional pet health articles please visit www.entirelypets.com

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Getting a Pet Cat

Even the coldest heart melts when presented with cute Kitten. A kitten is small and cuddly, full of mischief, and relatively easy to care for. However, a kitten is a living creature which will grow into a full grown cat. Responsible pet lovers, would never acquire a kitten without very careful thought.

Today cats are the UK's 'top pet', ahead of dogs in the popularity stakes. It is true that cats often fit better into today's busy lifestyle. Even if you spend several hours a day away from home at work or school you can keep a cat as a pet. Cats will usually be content to be on their own for a large part of the day.

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A Cat is relatively easy to care for, and has many endearing qualities which make it a delightful pet.

The cat is a rewarding companion for both young and old alike. Children who grow up with kittens in the home will learn to respect life and to be caring - assuming that they are properly supervised, of course. Caring for a kitten or a cat can teach a child responsibility.

There is a cat or kitten to suit everyone. There are many different breeds and colours, as well as the common, lovable pet cat or moggy that come in a variety of shapes and colours. A cat will happily be kept purely as an indoor pet (if it is used to this from kittenhood).

Chosen with care, your new kitten will easily adapt to your lifestyle, with the added bonus that a cat can be inexpensive both to buy and to keep. A healthy cat will usually have a lifespan of 15 years or more.

Selection

Often cat owners tell me that they never actually selected their cat: it selected them! You may find a stray cat in your garden and decide to give it a home. Please take reasonable care to ensure that your new cat is a genuine stray and you aren't leaving another household heartbroken over their missing cherished pet.

You may find a friend or neighbour has a cat with unplanned litter.

An opportunist approach can work out very well, but please never take on a kitten just because it is so cute and appealing. Please ensure that you will be able to care properly for a cat for all of its natural life. Rule out somebody in your household being allergic to cats? Be prepared for scratch marks on your furniture, is this going to be a disaster? Please involve the whole family in the decision making before taking the step of getting a pet cat. Think carefully before you bring a kitten home, to avoid the heartbreak, 0f having to part with it at a later date.

There are thousands of unwanted cats in the UK; many are put to sleep by animal charities simply because there are not enough good homes available. Many of these cats are abandoned, simply because the novelty of owning a kitten wore off when it was no longer quite so small and cute.

Pedigree or Non-Pedigree

Most people will simply opt for a non-pedigree, sometimes called a 'moggy', these make great pets for millions of people. Non-pedigree kittens are relatively easy to come by, and will be very inexpensive to buy, sometimes being offered as 'free to good homes'.

A great place, from which to obtain your non-pedigree kitten is your local animal shelter, or Cats Protection League. The staff will be on hand to help you to select a suitable kitten, and they can also give you advice regarding its care. Be prepared to answer several questions about yourself, they will want to ensure that you are a suitable cat owner. The kittens at a shelter will have been checked over by a vet, so you can be reasonably certain that you will acquire a healthy kitten - something which is not always the case when you pick a kitten from the litter down the road.

Please bear in mind that there are many adult cats in shelters all over the country, waiting for new homes. An adult cat can make just as good a pet as a Kitten.

When looking for a pedigree kitten, then you should do some research before hand. A pedigree kitten has an advantage over the non-pedigree: you should be better able to predict a cat's behavior and temperament as an adult, as most individuals within a particular breed follow the same basic behaviour patterns. If you want a well-bred cat of a particular appearance that will have a temperament to suit you and your family, then opt for a pedigree kitten. A pedigree kitten will cost considerably more (often several hundred pounds) but you are paying for the knowledge that you have a carefully bred and reared kitten. It's parents should have been tested for hereditary diseases and is likely grow up just as you want it. A pedigree kitten will also have had its inoculations by the time you buy it, which is seldom the case with non-pedigrees.

A responsible breeder will ask your questions about you and the environment that you intend to take your new cat home to.

Getting a Pet Cat

Terry King runs Parcel Pets [http://www.pets2home.co.uk], a leading UK pet supplies [http://www.pets2home.co.uk] web site and has had pets all his life. He lives with his wife Louise, dog Sam, Cat Sabrina and 5 fish!

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