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Cat litter box: Primarily the health problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come from the first category and the most significant of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found.
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An Ezine for cat owners that changes each time you visitTell your friends about CatNews.orgIf you have a blog or a social network page please give CatNews.org a mention or better yet a link back to the site.Thanks for your help - Russell :) Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery Article Index Need to find information fast? Look here for our list of informative articles about cats and kittens. We add new articles monthly Litter box article index Cat peeing outside the litter box? Find help to combat cat urine order, cat urinary infections and cat spraying. Litter box training and cat urine odor - Urinating outside the litter box - Cat litter box health concerns - Cat litter box retraining - Teach your cat to use a litter box - Plus many more articles Mac Daddy Cat Challenge- Can your cat hack it? Think you have a Mac Daddy Cat? Upload your cats photos and let the world decide. Add Your URL To Our Directory Submit your link to our open link directory - all websites are welcome to post their link Information Center Find the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing New Article - Photographing Your Elusive Feline Free Cat and Kitten Content For Your SiteIf you are looking for cat and kitten articles for your budding site please feel free to copy this article.Important- If you use an article from my site you must give credit to the author and provide a link to the authors site.You must also give CatNews.org a link back from the posted article All the links you need are already in the code Image #2 HTML Code for Image #2 Cat Litter Box Health Concerns You Need To KnowCats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the latest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are as many answers to this question as there are cat owners, but the low health risks cats pose to their owners is certainly near the top of this list. Even though the potential health risks cats pose to people are small, it is important that cat owners are aware of these risks and understand how to reduce them. The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated with the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The first category contains health risks posed by bacteria and parasites to both cat owners and their cats. The second category contains injuries resulting from an automatic litter box or a self cleaning litter box. Primarily the health problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come from the first category and the most significant of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few people ever experience any symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as individuals infected with the HIV virus, are at risk and should take precautions to avoid being infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems to the individual or to a pregnant woman’s unborn child. Again, most of the 60 million plus American’s infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never experience any symptoms. Most of those who do experience symptoms will simply think they have the Flu as the most common symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. For those in the high risk group, Toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes and internal organs. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some children developing brain or eye problems years after birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite each year and as many as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2). So how does an individual contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat owners are infected with the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This happens when a person touches their mouth after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in contact with cat feces(3). People in the high risk group may wonder whether or not they should give up their cat to avoid infection. According to the CDC, it is not necessary for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it is important for them to protect themselves from infections. The USFDA makes the following recommendations for avoiding infections(2): 1) If possible, have someone else change the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards. 2) Change the litter box daily. The parasite doesn't become infectious until one to five days after the feces are deposited in the litter box. 3) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox because cats may have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards. 4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes. 5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat because it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite. 6) Keep indoor cats indoors. Be especially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors. 7) Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. 8) Don't get a new cat while you're pregnant. Safer Child, Inc. makes the following additional recommendations(4): 1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may want to consider having someone else keep your cat during your pregnancy. 2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox as a litter box. 3) Be aware of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys. Similar to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (commonly called E. coli) can infect humans thru contact with feline fecal material, although the primary means of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Almost all strains of the bacteria are harmless. However a few strains can produce powerful toxins and cause severe illness, especially in children under 5 years of age(5). Symptoms usually include diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children under 5, 2%-7% of E. coli cases can cause kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is easy to prevent. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly reduce the risks of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection. In addition to these human risks, there are a few health risks cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners should be aware of. Just as a dirty litter box poses health risks to humans, cats are equally at risk if forced to use a dirty litter box. Since cats stay clean by licking themselves, allowing a cat’s litter box to get too dirty can cause infections when a cat cleans it’s paws after using the dirty litter box. The most common infection is a urinary tract infection, and although this type of infection is rarely fatal it can be very uncomfortable for your cat and will most likely require treatment by your veterinarian. Finally, a lesser-known health risk to cats is actually caused by cat litter itself. What many cat owners do not realize is that some types of cat litter can be harmful or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose health problems to cats. Clumping cat litters are probably the most popular type of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the fact that clumping litters are required for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Unfortunately, some clumping litters can be harmful to cats. Clay based clumping litters can contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which can be harmful or fatal to your cat. It is best to avoid using clay based cat litters, especially with kittens. Wheat or corn based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, World’s Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter work very well and are non-toxic(6). By their very nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cat’s urine or feces like clumping litters do. As a result, it is much harder to keep your cat’s litter box clean when using non-clumping litter. When using non-clumping litter it is important to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to reduce the chance of bacterial buildups that can cause urinary or other infections in your cat. The second category of health risks covers injuries caused by an automatic litter box or self cleaning litter box. Occurrences of this type of injury are rare, but they can happen. An automatic or self cleaning litter box does just what it’s name implies. Usually between 10-15 minutes after a cat uses the litter box, the litter box automatically cleans itself by “sweeping” or “raking” the cat waste into a sealed compartment or bag. For cat owners, injuries can occur if a small child or toddler plays with the automatic litter box during the cleaning cycle. All major brands of automatic litter boxes contain sensors to prevent the cleaning mechanism from activating when a cat or other foreign object is inside the box. However, children can still be injured if they put their hand inside the cleaning mechanism in such a manner as to avoid the sensors. Although these types of injuries are very rare it is best to take precautions. Placing the litter box in a location where your cat can get to it but small children can’t is an easy method. This is good advice for any litter box as this is the best way to keep children from contracting one of the illnesses described earlier in this article. If you can’t keep the automatic litter box out of a child’s reach then it is best to put the litter box inside a litter box cover. There are many types of covers and all of them will help prevent a child from reaching the litter box and the cleaning mechanism. A final option is to unplug the litter box or put it into a “manual operation” mode. Both of these options will require the cat owner to start the cleaning cycle whenever necessary. Although this reduces some of the convenience of an automatic litter box it certainly removes the danger to children. Automatic or self cleaning litter boxes are completely safe for almost all cats. However, most manufacturers recommend that the litter box be used in “manual operation” mode for cats under 5 lbs. Cats under 5 lbs many not be large enough to activate the sensors and the cleaning mechanism could cause injury. Since most adult cats weigh over 5 lbs, it is only necessary to use the “manual operation” mode until kittens grow to 5 lbs. This article is not intended to dissuade anyone from owning a cat. 70 Million cat owners can’t be wrong; cats make great pets! So, if you already own a cat or are thinking of becoming a cat owner it simply makes good sense to be aware of the health risks associated with cat ownership. Understanding the risks can definately increase the enjoyment of cat ownership. (1)Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm (2) While You're Pregnant – USFDA http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~pregnant/whiltoxo.html (3) Toxoplasmosis – An important Message for Cat Owners; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf (4) Safer Child, Inc.; http://www.saferchild.org/pets&.htm (5) Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fact Sheet; http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm (6) Stanford Cat Network’s – Guide to Caring for Your Adopted Cat or Kitten; http://www.stanford.edu/group/CATNET/articles/careguide.html#litter About the Author: 
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Support Your Local Cat Adoption ProgramsNew Article - Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat New Article - Home remedies for cats & other pets: Remedy for broken bones New Article - How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained Cat WatchingProblems That Aging Cats are Susceptible toIt’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old.Cats are now living longer than ever before with the average age of a house cat that has been well cared for being around 15 years of age. Additionally, cats that have been neutered or spayed tend to live longer than those that have not been. The speculation here is that cats that have not been “fixed” tend to roam around a lot more and are there prone to even fatal injuries. It also holds true that they succumb to diseases and health maladies because of exposure to the outside environment. Felines are amazing pieces of machinery, so to speak, in that they have the capability of repairing themselves. For instance, despite the fact that they have two kidneys, they only need a part of one of them in order to stay healthy. Eventually, the aging process in cats takes its toll on them, just like it does with us, and therefore they experience those bodily changes that are characteristically associated with getting older. The bottom line here is that the key elements of exercise, health care, and proper nutrition, combined with the special care they need once they have entered their “golden years,” will affect your cat’s life expectancy positively. The following list, though quite lengthy, are the more common conditions and problems that older cats may eventually face and that you as an owner will have to deal with when they arise: * Anemia * Arthritis and stiff joints * Blood pressure problems * Bone brittleness and weakness * Breathing issues resulting from less flexibility of the lung muscles * Cancer * Decreased brain cell count * Decreased control of body temperature * Decreased functions of the kidneys and liver * Decreased intestinal and stomach functions which oftentimes lead to impaired digestive processes * Decreased production of saliva and difficulties in swallowing * Decreased sensitivity to all the senses excluding touch * Dehydration resulting from a decreased sensitivity to thirst * Greater occurrence of infection due to increased susceptibility * Increased bone brittleness * Mouth ulcers * Muscle dysfunction and weakness * Periodontal conditions and tooth loss * Shallower sleeping patterns which leads to irritability and temperament issues * Skin abnormalities such as abnormally brittle or misshaped claws, alopecia, and dullness of the coat From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle. About the Author feline health For more easy, practical tips on taking great care of your cat be sure to visit the author’s feline health site now. New Article - Cat Litter Box Health Concerns You Need To Know:
Cat Health ArticlesIs your cat sick? Find out why. More Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, ArticlesAll About Cats: Cats are the members of the Felidae family of canivorous mammals. Lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, African wild cat are the members of the cat family. Their closest relatives are civets, hyenas and mongooses. 
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San Antonio Texas Pet SceneAdd a Shelter Cat to Your Family Today Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas (SCAT)P.O. Box 700571San Antonio, Texas 78270 Attn: Denise Duchaine SCAT runs weekend cat adoption centers at several PetSmart locations in San Antonio. San Antonio Feral Cat CoalitionSan Antonio Feral Cat CoalitionSan Antonio Feral Cat Coalition is organized to promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and public education of feral cat issues in the San Antonio area. South Texas Persian RescueSouth Texas Persian RescueWe are a rescue specializing in rescuing persians, himalayans, exotic shorthairs, and ragdolls. Most of our rescued cats are pulled from shelters. Some are given up by their owners due to family situations, financial situations, or a behavioral problem the cat is having. All cats are treated for any existing medical condition(s); they are spayed/neutered, FIV/FELV tested, and given all necessary immunizations before adoption; and any behavioral problem(s) the cat may have is addressed and resolved. All of our foster kitties are housed in actual homes with foster parents - so they get used to being in a home environment. The Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar CountyThe Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar CountyThe Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County has served Bexar County and its surrounding areas since 1952. Animal Defense LeagueAnimal Defense LeagueThe ADL has a nice Cat House and always has cats and kittens for adoption Become part of the San Antonio Pet SceneEmail me your Pet related announcements and I will post them for free. clark2368@aol.comNew Article - Are You Abusing Your Cat? Newest Cat and Kitten ArticlesNatural Treatments Offer Hope And Help For Cats With FIVJac was ill. The once proud tomcat was wasting away, and he'd developed a serious upper respiratory infection. Blood tests showed he was suffering the effects of Feline AIDS, otherwise known as the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV. This is a disease that attacks and impairs the immune system. It cannot be passed to humans and is not the same virus as HIV, although both viruses do attack their victims in a similar manner. Veterinarians said Jac's condition was untreatable, and they suggested putting him to sleep. Need-to-know Cat House Training Tips Many of us, getting a cat for the first time, assume that cat house training will somehow happen by itself, with the minimal input or effort from ourselves. Perhaps we credit the cat with more intelligence than it possesses, but many will underestimate how much time and patience is required before the cat learns to follow the basic house rules. In these early days, the new owner should refrain from smacking or slapping or even shaking the cat. A Detailed Guide To Grooming Cats: If you notice rice-like particles around your cats anus (or in her bed), she probably has worms and needs medication from a veterinarian. The grooming session is a good time to check your cat's ears, eyes, teeth and claws. If your cat is a young kitten, be sure to frequently manipulate these areas to get her used to handling How To Stop Your Cat Scratching And Ruining Your Furniture: It's natural for cats to scratch but often it destroys your good furniture. Thankfully there are some things that you can do to relieve the problem Important nutritional information on cat food Protein is crucial for your cat's health, and generally comes from fish, meat or poultry. Advertisers will often say their brand is beef, turkey or mackerel flavoured, but it may not actually contain those products Stop Cat Urine Smell By Removing Cat Litter Box Waste Cat urine smell is one of the most powerful pet odors imaginable. If you don't scoop the cat litter box and dispose of her waste, your kitty may deposit her waste all over your home. The 5 Things You Should Know Before Breeding Cats The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average cat owners should spay their cat, not breed. Still there are people who want to have a litter from their pet. But there’s a lot to think about before planning a feline family. Shelter Cats Make Great Companions Other Crazy StuffIdentity Theft a real threat to cats Identity Theft Is Real  Don't Be Fooled Catnews.org is currently investigating the real threat of identity theft to your cat or kitten. We have a reporter deep under cover to gather the facts. We will be reporting on this vital issue soon.  Our Reporter On The Inside An Engineer's Guide to CatsWorlds First Bio-engineered Pet
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Proof That Osama Bin Laden is Dead Dateline: Jan. 2008 Yemengzhu - The 3 billion dollar rockYemengzhu - The 3 Billion Dollar Rock What weighs 6.2 tons and is worth more then 3.1 billion dollars? Are your guessing a new high tech battleship or maybe a new stealth fighter? Well it's a big ball of glow in the dark fluorite. Thats right a rock! read more --- Yemengzhus, 亦稱傳奇光亮珍珠在中國, 是罕見的煥發的球在黑暗的熒石。 Red fluorescent cats
 Red fluorescent cats: This picture, taken through a special filter in a dark room, shows a cat, left, possessing a red fluorescent protein that makes the animal glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays, appearing next to a normal cloned cat. Pet Classifieds Free Pet Classifieds Our Awards
Meet My CatsI am a slave to 8 cats Rare Picture Of All My Cats Trouble, Patches, and Sweetie Pie enjoying a sunny San Antonio Day. (What a life!)  Cassidy and Snowflake Same mom different litters - Rescued from a feral colony in San Antonio  Cassidy was born with a club foot and two different color eyes  Cassidy runs and plays just like her normal sisters  Sarafena - Queen of the Witches  Cookie Monster came from a local flea market  Trouble (Grand Ma) weighs in at 18+ pounds. At 12 years old she still plays with the young cats.  Starvin Marvin - AKA "Whizzer" - Our only Tom. Marvin Has FHIV but is healthy and living high on the hog.
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Welcome to my website - Don't like what you see? Refresh the page for a whole new web adventureEditor - Russell Clark (clark2368@aol.com)Adopt a shelter cat today. - Better yet, adopt two. Honoring Our TroopsCat Fist AidSomething New!Sign My Guest BookWhats NewsHelping You Cat Express Its Creativity Through ScratchingMost cats enjoy scratching, there's no question about it.And indoor cats are no different. Just because a tree is not available, it does not decrease their desire to "leave a mark on the world" by scratching. From a cat's point of view, chairs, sofas, and even the woodwork can serve as a good substitute. But cat owners often take a different view. They see scratching as a destructive behavior, and seek to redirect or stop it. In many cases, a scratching post can be a good compromise. But even better, why not help your feline pal create original pieces of art you will be proud to display in your home or office? Ever since he was a kitten, my cat Henry has always loved to scratch. He soon grew tired of the scratching post I bought him and went on to create interesting textures on the living room sofa and chair. I was determined not to have him declawed. So what was the answer? I remembered hearing that a friend's cat liked to scratch a piece of carpet she had nailed onto the wall. So I went to the surplus store and bought a few pieces of carpet remnants. It did not take Henry long to catch on. Almost as soon as I nailed the carpet up on the wall, he discovered that he really enjoyed scratching it. He was very pleased that it didn't turn over with him like his old scratching post sometimes did, and he enjoyed working with the texture. Continue Reading QUICK CAT FACTSARE GINGER CATS ALWAYS MALE? No. This is a common misconception. Ginger cats can be either male or female although ginger females are less common. The genetics of ginger is explained in more detail in Tortoiseshell and Tri-Colour Cats (ginger is caused by the same gene as tortoiseshell), but this is a short version for those wanting a quick answer. The ginger gene changes black pigment into a reddish pigment. The ginger gene is carried on the X chromosome. A normal male cat has XY genetic makeup so he only needs to inherit one ginger gene for him to be a ginger cat. A normal female is XX genetic makeup so she must inherit two ginger genes to be a ginger cat. If she inherits only one ginger gene, she will be tortoiseshell with some ginger areas and some black/brown areas. The ginger gene is called a sex-linked gene because it is carried on a sex chromosome. Also, if you look closely, ginger cats have tabby markings though these may be faint or only visible on the face, tail and lower legs. They are also visible in the ginger areas of tortie cats. This is because the gene that turns off tabby to give solid colour cats does not work on the ginger colour. ARE GINGER FEMALES RARE? No. They are less common than ginger males, but they are not rare. It is possible to selectively breed ginger female cats by mating ginger males and ginger females together. They will have ginger offspring. ARE GINGER FEMALES STERILE? Continue Reading SOMETHING NEW FOR BLOGGERSFree changing picture gallery for your blog or webpageHere is your chance to put a rotating picture gallery of the cats of CatNews.org on your blog or website.Drop this code into your page and the gallery will function just like the pictures you see on my site, changing each time your visitor refreshes the page. I am always adding pictures to these galleries. They already has quite a few in them. Gallery 1 Gallery 2 Gallery 3 Focus On Cat HealthThree Common Feline Skin DiseasesFeline skin diseases are some of the most common health problems that can affect your cat. The condition of your cat's skin and coat of hair is an important indicator of your cat's overall health, so it's important to be aware of it. Let's take a look at a few common feline skin diseases.Acne One of the most common feline skin diseases is acne. The most noticeable symptom of this condition is the formation of blackheads on your cat's chin. Although an exact cause is known, dermatitis, food allergies, and poor grooming can play a role. The veterinarian may not choose to treat feline acne is the case is mild enough. If treatment of the acne is necessary, it usually comes in three forms. Your may have to bath your cat in a special shampoo that helps get rid of excess oil on your cat's skin. You may also have the option of using an antibiotic twice a day to get rid of the condition. If your cat is experiencing excessive inflammation, the veterinarian may choose to use corticosteroids. Ringworm Ringworm is also one of the most common feline skin diseases. This skin fungus frequently affects young, old, and long-haired cats although any cat can be affected. Symptoms include crusting, redness on the skin, and scaling. Some cats react to the fungus by over-grooming themselves which can cause hair loss. Treatment methods of ringworm include oral medication, shampoo, or clipping the cat's coat. You may also need to get rid of the fungus in the surrounding environment. Continue Reading PICA In Cats: EATING THE INEDIBLEPica means eating non-food items. The behaviour ranges from sucking, chewing and biting through to swallowing bites of items. Pica (from the Latin for "magpie"). It should not be confused with the suckling/nursing behaviour that some cats retain into adulthood. Commonly consumed target items include wool, string, elastic bands, electrical cords, tissues, tinsel and houseplants. Other objects have included cassette tape and the rubber "teat" section of a child's dummy (pacifier). Eating a little grass or herbs is normal cat behaviour; indoor cats may eat houseplants if there is no grass accessible.Like many obsessive or abnormal behaviours, the cat persists in doing it because the it is comforting or rewarding. The reward might be a nice taste, a full stomach or simply getting attention from the owner. The challenge is to make the behaviour unrewarding and redirect the behaviour into something rewarding for the cat and acceptable to the owner. Sometimes it is a displacement activity where an abnormal activity is substituted for normal behaviour because the cat can't express the more normal behaviour i.e. the normal behaviour is being thwarted. PICA, WOOL-SUCKING OR PREY-PLUCKING? Wool-sucking (or fabric-sucking) is a misdirected form of nursing. It's similar to a child's thumb-sucking in providing comfort.. Though sometimes mistaken for wool-eating, the item (sweater, blanket etc) is only sucked, not chewed, bitten or swallowed. Other commonly suckled objects include the cat's own tail, other cats or pet dogs. Behavioural treatment may be needed to build up the cat's confidence so it no longer resorts to "comfort nursing". In general, the younger a kitten is when it is weaned, the stronger the urge to nurse and the more persistent the comfort-nursing. Usually it decreases naturally as the kitten grows up, but it may persist or resurface in early-weaned or hand-reared cats, particularly at times of stress. More rarely it becomes a compulsive behaviour or progresses to pica. Some owners provide an old sweater for the cat to suckle on while protecting other garments by storing them away from the cat or dabbing hot chilli sauce onto them. Plucking the target resembles pica but is a misdirected prey-related activity. The cat holds down the (often woollen) blanket or garment with its paws and uses its teeth to pluck or tear at it. This is the same behaviour found when a cat plucks or tears fur, feather or flesh from larger prey items (e.g. pigeons). The clothing/blanket isn't swallowed anything the cats tears off is discarded. One of my cats, Sappho, exhibited this behaviour towards crochet blankets. In the case of one Siamese cat, it took a sock to its eating area and plucked at it periodically during the meal (canned food). The owner attributed this to "teeth cleaning" but it was probably misdirected prey-plucking/tearing behaviour as it only occurred at mealtimes. BREED PREDISPOSITIONS Continue Reading Focus On Cat BreedsThe Rarest Domestic Cat Breed on EarthThere are many domestic cat breeds. Most people including cat lovers will not have heard of a number of them. They will almost certainly be unaware of this rarest of breeds.There is little hard fact surrounding the history of the Sokoke Cat. The breed was named after the forest from where she originated on the coast of Kenya. The Sokoke Forest is the largest on the east of Africa and contains much interesting wildlife. Close to the forest is the African Savanna, the home of another cat, this time a wild cat called the Serval. The local people, the Giriama tribe, who live close to the Sokoke Forest have been aware of the Sokoke for a long time and they say this breed of cat has been living in the area for perhaps centuries. They say that the Sokoke is neither a domestic cat nor a wild cat as the cat's appearance is distinctly different. Living as they have with this cat for so long they are to be believed. Although the Sokoke is the size of a domestic cat she is rangy and exotic looking having the appearance of a cross between the Serval and a Bengal. It is feasible to argue that such as mating did in fact take place. But there is no hard evidence to substantiate that. DNA testing of the cat shows no evidence of wild cat genes. The Sokoke is probably a feral domestic cat living in and around the villages of the Grimiama tribe who used the cat as a source of food at one time. The tribal people called the cat "Khadzonzo". This word means "look like tree bark". This is because the coat color and pattern is reminiscent of tree bark being a modified marbled tabby pattern with "ticked" blotches. Continue Reading History, Temperament of the Maine Coon.History of the Maine Coon CatMaine Coons have been on this earth for many centuries, they were well documented at being in large numbers at American Cat Shows in the mid 1800’s alongside the other popular breed at the time the Persian cat. There are several theories as to the origin of Maine Coons, the Darwin Theory of an animal’s origin being disregarded and obscured, from being an outcross between a Bobcat/Wildcat and a domestic, coming across as ship cats from Scandinavian countries as Forest type cats and mating with the domestic cats, to Marie Antoinette sending her royal cats on a ship to the safety of Maine, prior to her beheading. Nobody really knows and the cat’s aren’t saying. Maine Coons are a natural breed of cat or at least the original ones were, and anyone who has ever met one and to everyone who has ever lived with one, the Maine Coon is a very special breed of cat. [1] Appearance of The Maine Coon Cat Maine Coons are the largest breed of domestic cat and have a rugged, working cat appearance. They have a lovely semi-longhaired coat of varying lengths and were well built to survive in the harsh North American winters. This coat is very water repellent, but quite soft to the touch. An amazing plumed tail of large proportions finishes off this wonderful coat. They come in a large variety of colours and in several tabby patterns as well as solid and particolours. Brown tabby is the original colouring of a Maine Coon but the rainbow of colours range through blues, reds and creams, silvers tortoiseshell and solid blacks through to solid white. Continue Reading Newest ArticlesProblems That Aging Cats are Susceptible toIt’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old. Top 15 Cat Quotations Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels about you and life in general with these enlightening quotations about cats The Singapura Cat A shorthair feline, Singapura is said to have originated from Singapore. It is thought to have lived there for many years with locals reporting their sightings to go back as far as three centuries. However, it is not the commonest cat in the alleys of Singapore, and is often referred to as the drain or river cat owing to its habit of staying around water bodies in summer months. The cat was imported to United States in nineteen seventies and given championship status in early eighties. America's Interest in Cats American interest in the cat is often said to have originated within the 20th century, since the advent of exhibitions and the taking up of the cat-cult by the public. This impression is not borne out by facts. The first cat-shows were held in Maine between 1860 and 1870, even before the great exhibition instituted in London in 1871 by the well-known animal painter, Harrison Weir. But cat-shows in America were not known outside of Maine until one was held in the Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1895. Pork Chops With Tomato Rice, Homemade Salad Dressing and a Bundt Cake All Diabetic Friendly It's time to bring out the economical family recipes to help struggling families with their food budgets. Here is a menu that will allow you to feed your family without busting your food budget About Your Cats Tongue A feeling of rough sandpaper as you are licked by your cat is a reminder that its long, muscular tongue serves many functions, including grooming. 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Magic Square Puzzle Article Authors WantedI have my article directory up and running. Anyone with a good article can submit it for posting I am trying to increases my PR with the search engines and am looking For Authors that will give me a back link to their site. I don’t require a back link for you to post on my site, but it would help me reach my goal of 1 million back links within the next three years.Thanks for visiting my site Russell - Vist the new article directory Check out my new Ecard shop. No sign up with dozens of cat and kitten cards to send Delicious Recipes from my visitors - Add Your RecipesRecipe BoxHave a yummy dish? Post it here and share it with everyone Information CenterInformation CenterFind the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing New Article - Common cat ailments New Article - Taking care of an older cat Meow Mix House - Cat Reality TelevisionMy friends at Meow Mix have done it again, they have produced a reality TV show staring 10 homeless cats. All ten cats were chosen from animal shelters from around the country.The cats are spending their time in a storefront window in New York City. The players are brought to life with the use of voice over and the public votes one of the cats out of the house each week. Sound like something you've watched before? The best part is when the cats gets voted out of the Meow Mix House they go to an adopted new home and the winner will be the new Meow Mix spokes-cat. Thanks to Meow Mix for providing great entertainment for us cat lovers. View the episodesEpisode 1Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10 Meow Mix House Cat Reality Television Cat and Kitten Picture GalleryNeed Cat Articles For Your Web Site?Free Feline Content For Your Cat, Kitten or Pet SiteLooking for quality cat and kitten articles to post on your site? I have done the formatting work for you. I am posting the Article of The Day on this page ready to copy and insert into your site. Attention Authors—New Section - Post Your ArticlesSelf-Posting Article DirectoryAll subjects welcome  Link Exchange If you have a pet related site and you'd like to link to Catnews.org feel free! Just copy the HTML code beneath the banner you want and paste it into your web page. If you want a reciprocal link in our link directory please email me at clark2368@aol.com with the page you have posted our banner and the information and graphic for your link Link Directory Visit our friends who support this site Hey are you a Pussy cat? Join the CAT WARS - Upload Your Picture and do battle with me and my friends - Can you hack it? Recently Added Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles
Feline Obesity - A Growing Concern Obesity in cats is a growing concern. In fact, 25 to 30 percent of pet cats seen by veterinarians these days are overweight. The condition seems to be more prevalent today than it was 20 years ago, primarily because of differences in lifestyle and feeding. A large number of cats are exclusively indoor pets who are rarely called upon to defend their territory, stalk their prey or do little more than beg for their next meal. Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly virus that lethally infects cats and, until recently, had no vaccination. While there is no cure, there are preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of your cat contracting this disease Training Your Cat for a New Family Member Has you cat had the run of the house for years and now someone is moving to the house to stay, don't let the cat be the first one leaving. Your Cat or Kitten Will Love You More, When You Follow this Guide to Feline Feeding You can take the easy option and throw some discount cat feed into a bowl for your feline friend, but will she remain your friend for long if you don't give a bit more thought into what you feed her? Here is some advice New Article - Declawing - What You Should Know About Persian Cats Owning a Persian cat is really wonderful. This beauty is somewhat a cross between a small dog and a domestic cat. They most definitely have a personality all their own. I know this because I am the owner of 6 Persians. They are just the sweetest animals that our God has created and I love mine very much. 3 of the 6 Persians that I own are from Rescues. Home Care for the Declawed Cat: Remember, you are now rehabilitating a handicapped indoor animal, so plenty of TLC is necessary, especially for the older cat How Many Cat Litter Boxes Do You Need?: The number of cat litter boxes available for your kitties is another key to good litter box habits. Many cats are fussy about their litter boxes, and if they aren't happy with number you provide, they communicate their unhappiness Thyroid illness in cats and dogs Common clinical signs of hypothyroidism in dogs include weight gain, lethargy, reduced exercise tolerance and poor coat quality. However, the disease affects almost all body systems Train Your Cat for Behavior Problems and Basic Commands. You want to train your cat to come, sit, and stay. You can also teach your cat not to scratch at things. When you are teaching your cat to not scratch, sometimes they seem like they are pawing at you and they start scratching you. On this... read more New Article - Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,
New Article Link Exchange If you have a pet related site and you'd like to link to Catnews.org feel free! Just copy the HTML code beneath the banner you want and paste it into your web page. If you want a reciprocal link please email me at clark2368@aol.com with the page you have posted our banner and the information and graphic for your link Attention Authors—New Section
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