Cat Care 101

It seems that cats have become a common fixture in our household. Many people own one, and in fact, having cats as pets has been a practice for over thousands of years.

Just like dogs, though not as many, cats also have numerous breeds, but the popular ones are Siamese and Persian. If you plan to get one for a pet, there are factors you have to consider, and among these is the cost.

Just like owning any other pet, it will cost some money to own a cat. Of course, you will need to buy food, medicines, clinic visits, and also a litter. The basic essentials you should have are: food plate, water plate, and a litter box. Additionally, cats love to play so buying toys would be recommended. Other paraphernalia you will need: cat collar, bed, carrier, and scratching post.

Feeding Your Cat

The kind of food and frequency of feeding vary with age. When a cat is still very young- a kitten- he will need to be fed several times a day; as he grows older, you can feed him twice daily, or even with one big meal. To be more specific, before he reaches 12 weeks, you will have to feed him at least 4x daily; when he reaches 3-6 months, feeding is lowered down to thrice daily.

Dos and Don’ts

1. Never feed him food that has been left out for more than half an hour.

2. Canned food can be given, but these can be expensive. For some reason, cats love canned meals but these do not really have any advantage to dental health in the way that dry meals do. So you might want to consider giving him dry food too.

3. When giving dry food, see to it that your cat gets sufficient water intake on a day to day basis.

4. When buying dry food, make sure that you look at the nutritional value it offers and not buy it because it is cheap. Usually, generic food does not contain enough nutrients that your cat needs.

5. Kittens should only be given kitten food, and do not feed yours with adult cat food.

6. Do not keep on giving your cat milk. They love milk but it causes diarrhea.

7. Do make sure to wash his plate everyday.

8. When giving treats, keep it to a minimum as this will make your cat fat.

9. You can feed your cat human food occasionally but still mix it with his regular food.

10. Brush their coat once daily to avoid hairballs, and at the same time, it helps keep their coat shiny and clean.

11. Clean their litter box at least once a week because cats hate it when their litter box is dirty.

12. Take regular visits to his vet, and make sure required shots are given.

Well, if you may have noticed, owning a cat is not always that easy as they require maintenance and care. But cats are wonderful, loving creatures who will keep you company for many, many years. In the end, it is going to be worth it.

Maine Coon Cats of Today

This beautiful cat which has a delightful bushy tail, and which is striped and with long fur, is in fact a domestic cat which is surprising considering how large it is. The Maine Coon is native to North America and furthermore is actually native to the state of Maine, where it has been made the State Cat.

The Maine Coon has been around for more than a century, and it is believed that their physical design enables them to withstand the harsh winters of New England. Everything from their overall size, to the shape of their paws, to the thickness of their fur makes them suitable animals for harsh winter weather. Furthermore, their fur has a water resistant quality to it.

Could the Maine Coon have come into existence as a result of the local domestic cats mating with cats brought over by the Vikings? There is after all a definite likeness between the Maine Coon, and the Norwegian Forest Cat. Some people think this is a more likely possibilty rather than the suggestion that local cats mated with raccoons, an idea which has been discounted by the experts.

The Maine Coon Cats of today would not have been considered as a part of the breed at one time. Only brown tabbies were referred to as Maine Coon Cats, and any ‘Maine Coon’ of a different color was referred to as a Maine Shag Cat. Cat experts largely agree that the Maine Coon is a product of mating between short haired domestic cats with long hair cats from overseas, at a time when people began migrating from Europe.

Maine Coons have very special personaities similar in many ways to the family dog. Call out their name, and they will come bounding towards you. Go out for the day, and on your return you will find them eagerly waiting for you on the doorstep. They love people, and other animals, and in return they like a lot of love and attention themselves.

You may or may not be aware that cat shows have been taking place around the country since 1861, and it was in the 1900’s, with the introduction of the Persian cat, that the Maine Coons popularity began to wane. But they bounced back again in the 1950’s and their own Association was formed in 1968, the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association, with the express purpose of protecting the breed. However it was another 12 years before all the cat registries recognized the breed.

Nowadays there are many, many people who are fortunate enough to own, exhibit and love a Maine Coon Cat. The Association which was founded many years ago by a mere six breeders has now grown to well over 200 breeders, and there are over 2000 other members who are not breeders as well.

Cat Litter Box Tips-6

If your cat is not using the litter box consistently or even at all, here are 6 things to try that could make a huge difference to your cat and you.

1. Keep it Clean--Your cat's nose is much more sensitive than human noses. So keeping the litter box clean and inviting is one of the easiest ways you can entice your cat to use the litter box rather than your carpet or rugs.

2. Fine Tune the Location--Cats need their privacy too. Placing the litter box in a place that is easily accessible to your cat, but is out of the main traffic pattern through your home will make a big difference.

You probably don't necessarily want to watch your cat defecate, and it would probably enjoy privacy as well. The laundry room, bath room or hallways are all great picks. Be sure to put plenty of space between the food and litter box.

3. Check on Health--Sometimes a cat who suddenly develops improper elimination issues has a urinary tract infection or some other health problem that presents this way. Seek immediate advice from your vet.

4. If the problem stems from a physical problem, quick diagnosis and treatment can avoid having this behavior turn into a habit.

5. Maintain a Routine in the Midst of Change--Cats are creatures of habit, and a disruption to their schedule can wreak havoc with their elimination habits. A new baby, another pet, a move to a new home, or even a change in work hours of the primary care giver can all cause your cat to be stressed.

Stress often translates into inappropriate elimination. Reduce your cat's stress by gently guiding it to the litter box when it makes a mistake. Harsh treatment, perish the thought, only increases stress and will cause even more problems.

Pick a spot for the box that is always accessible and does not depend on your opening a door for your cat to use it, and leave it in the same place so your cat always knows where to find it.

6. Try a Different Type of Litter--Cats do have a reputation for being finicky, and maybe it just doesn't like your pick of litter. Try changing from one type to another by slowing adding more of the new as you decrease the old. Scents can be off-putting, so try a brand without an odor.

7. Don't Make Them Share--If you have more than one cat, provide a box for each one. Even though we think nothing of sharing a bathroom, cats don't like it, and you will probably have more success if each has a litter box of its own.