Cat - Cat Health Care - What You Need to Know Before You Adopt

Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store! Use coupon code CJ75. Deciding to adopt a pet is a big decision, and one that should not be made after a nostalgic late night viewing of the AristoCats. When deciding to adopt a cat, make sure that you're aware of everything involved in pet ownership. Measuring your commitment level is the first step in the decision to adopt a cat. While very self-sufficient animals, they still need your care and loving attention every day. Be prepared for the veterinarian bills that will come with your cat. There are a series of initial and annual vaccines that the cat will need to keep them healthy. In the initial meet and greet with your cat's new doctor, make sure to include a conversation about spaying or neutering your cat. These types of surgeries are not as traumatic to kittens as they are to older cats, so don't put off the decision for too long. Scratching is a normal and healthy part of a cat's existence. Most veterinarians will only declaw a cat in exigent circumstances; with the right environment and a little training, your cat and your nice furniture can peacefully coexist without leaving the cat defenseless. You will need a trip to the pet store as soon as you've adopted your new cat. Check off one litter box, a bag of cat litter, a poop scoop, food and water dishes, and a few cat toys to keep them occupied. Quality cat food formulated for the age of the cat will supply them with all of the nutrients they need and prevent health problems down the line. Keep in mind that cats are as finicky about smell as most people are when it comes to litter boxes. While you begin the task of training your cat to use the litter box, the most important step will be keeping it clean. If you don't like the litter box smell, you can count on your cat not liking it either! Cats normally like a bit of privacy while doing their business, so make sure you locate the litter box in a convenient spot that still affords them their dignity. A cat can be a great addition to any family and home, as long as the home and family are ready for the cat. Feeding and caring for any pet is a rewarding, life-long commitment. Jessica Lorber helps pet owners make their pets a part of their family. You can find more of her tips for cat health care and her personal recommendations for pet supplies at MyOtherKids.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Lorber Cat - Teach Cats to Understand English The cat has been living close to humans from around 3,500 and 8,000 years. There are dozens of breeds, and they exist in an assortment of different colors and temperaments. They are expert predators. Since my cats live indoors they like to hunt bugs, each other and me. Many are the time I've almost stepped on them because they shoot out from hiding, right into my path. I believe they reckon this as an attack. Cats are intelligent, and some can be taught or learn by themselves to operate simple devices such as lever-handled doors. I've even seen video's of cats flushing toilets and turning on tap water. Cats can also be taught to learn human words and phrases. For instance, my two boys practically fly to the sliding glass door when I say the word "bird." They know exactly what I'm saying. When I say "let's get some dinner," they immediately run to their food bowls. Another example is "lie down." I taught my cat, Max, this phrase because he loves to jump up on the sofa and cuddle with me, however he can't find that "just right" spot. He turns and turns and "makes biscuits" (a cute phrase that describes the kneading behavior they used to do to as kittens to stimulate milk in their mother). Now I say "lie down" and he does so right away. All one needs to do is keep repeating the word or phrase and associate it with an object or your own behavior. For instance the word "bird." Every time they saw a bird on the balcony they would chatter at it as cats do. I would then continually say the word "bird". Now I can tell them when I see a bird on the balcony and they come running. Another example is when I come in the door. They are always waiting for me right at the threshold so it's hard for me and what ever I'm carrying to get in the door without stepping on them. I started saying "back, back, back, while gently pushing them back. Now when I say it they just turn around and walk into the living room away from the front door. When I can't find one of them I just say "kitty, kitty, kitty" and they both come running because they know it means something good. When I say that, they always get a treat and I don't have to go looking in every nook and cranny to find them. To teach max to lie down, all I did was gently push down on his back and say the words and he now does it on his own when I say them. So far Harry and Max know 12 words/phrases and I intend to keep on teaching them. The only thing is if we're so smart, how come we can't learn what they're saying?