Free Cat and Kitten Content For Your Site

Important

Cats Indoors!

Keeping Cats Indoors is for the Cats...

Each year, millions of cats are run over by cars, mauled by dogs, poisoned and lost. Hundreds of millions of birds and small mammals are killed annually by free-roaming cats. The suffering of both cats and birds is all the more tragic because it is so unnecessary.

Today's cat owners face an important decision: "Should I keep my cat indoors?" For your cat's sake, and that of the birds and other wildlife in your neighborhood, the answer to that question must be "yes!"

The average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is just two to five years, while an indoor cat may survive for 17 or more years. Cats who roam are constantly in danger...

Cars - Millions of cats are run over by cars each year. Seeking warmth, outdoor cats crawl into car engines and are killed or maimed when the car is restarted. Motorists risk accidents in attempting to avoid hitting free-roaming cats.

Human Cruelty - Each year, animal shelters and veterinarians treat cats who have been shot, stabbed, or set on fire. Unsupervised cats may also be captured and sold to research laboratories or used as "bait" to train fighting dogs.

Animal Attacks - Torn ears, scratched eyes, abscesses, internal injuries, diseases, and sometimes death result from encounters with dogs, other cats, and wild animals like raccoons, coyotes and foxes. Overpopulation - Unaltered free-roaming cats are the single most important cause of cat overpopulation. As a result, millions of cats for whom there are no homes must be euthanized each year.

Disease - Cats allowed outdoors risk exposure to fatal diseases, including rabies, feline leukemia, distemper, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Vaccines are not 100 percent effective.

Parasites - Cats allowed outdoors are more likely to contract debilitating parasites such as worms, ticks, mites, and fleas.

Poisons and Traps - Exposure to pesticides, rodenticides and antifreeze poisons and kills thousands of outdoor cats each year. Cats are maimed and killed in traps set for furbearing animals.

...And for the Birds

Today, birds and other wildlife face more obstacles to their survival than ever before. Wildlife habitats are destroyed and degraded every day, and many species are declining as a result. Even the impacts of natural predators on their prey is changing based on how humans are altering natural environments. And the presence of an unnatural predator -- the domestic cat -- is having an impact as well. Scientists estimate that cats kill hundreds of millions of birds each year and three times as many small mammals. Most birds killed by cats are members of relatively common species, like the Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco; others are rare and endangered -- the California Least Tern, Piping Plover, Western Snowy Plover and California Gnatcatcher.

Regardless of the status of the species, each wild animal suffers when captured by a cat. By letting our cats outside, we -- perhaps without intent -- place a higher value on the freedom of our pet than on the life of that cardinal, that chickadee or that chipmunk she kills.

"Is it Nature's Way for Cats to Kill Birds?"

A descendant of the wild cat of Africa and southwestern Asia, the domestic cat instinctively hunts and captures prey. However, wildlife in the Western Hemisphere did not evolve in the presence of a small, abundant predator like the domestic cat, and thus did not develop defenses against them. Cats were introduced in North America by European immigrants only a few hundred years ago.

While cats may instinctively hunt wildlife, it is clear that they are not adapted to life in the wild as are our native wild cats like the bobcat and mountain lion.

Outdoor domestic cat populations are most commonly found in and around human settlements; most do not survive without direct or indirect support by humans. They are in this way very different from native predators.

Truths about Cats and Birds

We all know that cats don't have nine lives, but there are three other myths about cat predation we'd like to dispel.

1. "Belled" cats do kill wildlife. Cats with bells on their collars can learn to stalk their prey silently. Even if they don't, wild animals do not necessarily associate the ringing of a bell with danger.

2. Even well-fed cats kill wildlife. The urge to hunt and the urge to eat are controlled by different portions of the cat's brain. 3. Once caught by a cat, few birds survive, even if they appear to have escaped. Infection from the cat's teeth or claws or the stress of capture usually results in death.

Tips for Happy Indoor Cats

Kittens who are kept indoors usually show no desire to venture outside as cats. With knowledge, patience, and time, we can change most cats who roam outdoors into happy indoor pets. These tips will help.

Provide a safe, outside enclosure, such as a screened porch.

Provide window shelves to permit cats to monitor the outdoors from the safety of the indoors.

Play with your cat each day. Paper bags and cardboard boxes are sources of unending delight when you are away.

Plant kitty grass (available from pet supply stores) in indoor pots so your cat can graze.

Clean litter boxes regularly.

Because indoor cats may slip out an open door, it's important to keep in mind the other essentials of responsible pet ownership:

Spay or neuter your kitten as early as possible;

Put an identification tag on your cat's collar- it's her ticket home if she slips out; and

Where such programs exist, license your cat.

For the Sake of All Cats... Support local cat control and protection plans; Support legislation requiring cat owners to register their cats and prevent them from roaming;

Do not feed unowned or free-ranging cats without making a commitment to giving or finding them a permanent indoor home; and Take cats for whom you cannot care to your local animal shelter to give them the best possible chance of adoption into loving, lifelong homes.

More for the Birds

Support efforts in your community to protect wildlife and their habitats. All wild animals have three basic needs: food, water and plants that provide escape cover and nesting sites. If you feed birds in your yard, locate feeders away from windows and brushy vegetation that permits neighborhood cats to hide. Keep your feeders clean and well stocked. Where possible, establish a brush pile for wildlife away from feeders. Avoid using pesticides.

Cats cannot be blamed for killing wildlife. It is the responsibility of cat owners to ensure that their cats are safely indoors. The Humane Society of the United States, American Humane Association, and other groups are working with American Bird Conservancy on "Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats." Through this campaign, we will educate and encourage cat owners to protect cats, birds and other wildlife by keeping cats indoors.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.

About the author:

Adapted from the Cats Indoors Isn't Just For The Birds brochure, part of "Cats Indoors! The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats". For more information, please visit www.abcbirds.org.

Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more about the vet clinic and our staff, visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]

Buy at AllPosters.com

Also see : Groom Your Cat To Avoid Hairballs - Kitty Will Love You For It: As loving cat owners we hate to think that our beloved pets are feeling unwell. That can be the first impression when your cat starts making hacking noises. Usually this is the first signs of the cat trying to get rid of a hairball. You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too No one wants to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in furnishings only to see them ripped to shreds by an overzealous pet, however beloved.

Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Recently added articles Korean scientists clone red fluorescent cats Korean scientists have cloned cats possessing red fluorescence protein (RFP) that can be used to treat human genetic diseases Fancy a Cat Clone Sure, you can clone your favorite cat. But the copy will not necessarily act or even look like the original. The Scottish Fold Cat The first Scottish Fold cat came from a farm in Pearthshire, Scotland, England in, 1961. The cat was discovered by a local shepherd who noticed the strange folded ears Cats Help Shield Owners From Heart Attack Whether it's a frisky kitten or a tubby tabby, a cat at home could cut your heart attack risk by almost a third, a new study suggests It is estimated that a cat can kill up to one hundred birds each year. Millions of birds are killed by pets and feral cats as are tens of millions of rodents and other small animals. Cats are not a natural part of the ecosystem. They were introduced to North America in large numbers in the 1800's. Unlike other predators, cats are fed and inoculated against disease, and are not reliant on their hunting skills for survival. In addition to killing birds through hunting, cats can transmit diseases, which kill wildlife. Feral, or wild cats are descended from domesticated pets When cats are lost or abandoned, they return to a more primitive wild state, know as feral. Although feral cats may live alone, often they join large groups or colonies of other wild cats. Their lives are hard, and their life expectancies are much lower than their domesticated kin The two most obvious reasons a cat may no longer want its food, is firstly has the food gone bad. Sometimes cat food can become tainted in its packaging, check to see if the can has any dents in it or if there is damage to the packaging in any way. Smell the food your self and see if there are any unusual odours or any mould on the food. Secondly, is the cat ill in any way? Sometimes bad teeth can cause problems or they have a stomach bug. A vet should check out any suspicions of illness immediately. Build a four-perch cat tree Complete plans for a cool cat tree Even though felines tend to be very healthy for the duration of their lives, they do have some common cat ailments. For the most part, a healthy diet and careful grooming will alleviate and even prevent many common cat ailments. If your cat changes its behavior or schedule of activities, a checkup with a veterinarian is highly recommended. While the turnout may be one or more common cat ailments, it never hurts to be on the safe side. Cat Stomped to Death in Film Draws Outrage Cyber sadists have figured out a way to profit from cruelty to small creatures Animal rights activists say it's high time China enacts tough laws to stamp out such abuse. A Potential New Pet Food Scare The issue this time is jerky treats made in China. Specifically, veterinarians are reporting an increase in cases of dogs being sick after eating certain jerky treats. The symptoms of the sickness include vomiting, diarrhea and severe lack of energy. Fortunately, no pet deaths have been reported as of yet although veterinarians are only becoming aware of the problem on a large scale now. Also see : Norwegian Forest Cat - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know Norwegian Forest Cats lived in a harsh and cold climate for most of the year, so their coats are adapted to this environment. It is long and thick to protect them from the hash winters and virtually waterproof. They get a summer coat in spring, resulting in shedding that needs to be attended to. Some say that grooming so not necessary, regular grooming of a Norwegian Forest Cat is a useful tool in combating shedding, though they shed far less than other longhairs. They require regular brushing to help deal with tangles and matting and may require a bath at times if they get too oily (the oil is what makes the coat water resistant). The coats themselves appear in many colors and patterns. Help Keep The Pet Population Under Control, And Your Cat Healthy - Neuter Your Kitten: If you, or a family member, received a kitten as a Christmas present there are many things you need to think about. It is essential that you take the time to really consider whether or not you should neuter your cat

Buy at AllPosters.com

Also see : Curbing Your Cat's Aggression: Most cats are not aggressive towards people, but if you have one that is, it can be a nightmare. Cat bites and scratches are not normally as harmful as those from a dog Leashing a Cat Shadow had been the cat in our house for over seven years when we moved from the country into town. His usual lifestyle including roaming our five acres whenever he wished. Moving to town required him to be a "house" cat"

Buy this Matted Print at AllPosters.com

Is Your Cat A Mac Daddy Cat? 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.Can your cat hack it? Check out today's featured article! Also see : Pet Horoscopes - PISCES (2/19-3/21): Pisces cats are the gentle, peace loving pets that hate shouting and fighting. They are sensitive to your moods and will plant themselves securely at your side if you are sick and upset. If your Pisces cat needs discipline, be very careful how you go about it. They tend to be quite intuitive and can sense when you are angry or upset. they will stop what they are doing in order to please you. They don't need a lot of wide, open space and are good cats for people living in condos or apartments. You may begin to feel as if you have a "psychic link" with these animals because they can easily pick up on your thoughts. They also love music Do You Want To Find a Purebred Cat?: For some of us, a common-or-garden Tom cat is not enough. We want quality feline company with a pedigree and the only way to guarantee that a cat is a purebreed is to contact one of the national cat associations

Buy at AllPosters.com

Also see : Your Cats Health Cats need only be provided with decent shelter, food and water and they will be quite healthy most of the time. Like any other living thing, however, they can get sick and can come down with anything from a minor cold to a major ailment.

Support Your Local Cat Adoption Programs

New Article - Pet nutrition basics for dogs cats


New Article - Keep your cat disease free


New Article - Groom your cat to avoid hairballs


New Article - Dental disease in dogs and cats


New Article - Cat litter box location strategies

Add Your URL To Our Directory
Submit your link to our open link directory - all websites are welcome to post their link

---

More Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles

A Pregnant Stray Cat Adopted You – And Now What?:
It happens all too often. A family or cat friend gets adopted by a stray cat. And after a few weeks it turns out she’s pregnant. In the US alone there must be millions of sweet but homeless cats. And many of them get pregnant several times a year

What is a Cat Whisperer?
Similar to a horse or dog whisperer, a Cat Whisperer is a person who relates particularly well with cats. A Cat Whisperer has unusual luck and success with cats. Often people bring cats or a single cat will just "show up" at their home.

Tell a friend:

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

---

Vote for our site

Pet Classifieds Free Pet Classifieds

Our Awards

Identity 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

Worlds First Bio-engineered Pet

See The Gen Pets

An Engineer's Guide to Cats

New Article - Five cat food factors that discourage feline utd


New Article - Training a cat to do tricks




New Article - Health risk of catnip


New Article - Feral cats

More Articles from my Article Directory

Senior Cats Have Senior Moments Too!
The increased availability and advances made in animal care and medication has now afforded our pet cats a much longer life than ever before. It is not so unusual these days for a cat to live well beyond 16 years of age and as much as we benefit from having our pets with us longer, it does give rise to some health problems associated with the older cat.

Cat Furniture Buyer's Guide:
Cat furniture is a commodity that is known by many names. The most common include Cat Trees, Cat Condos, Kitty Condos, Cat Towers, Cat Climbers, Cat Scratchers and Cat Gyms. There are dozens more, but whatever term you use to describe cat furniture

Cat Toilet Training:
One of the first things as an owner that wants to toilet train your cat is to know about your cat

Dog and Cat Behavior Consultations:
Why Behavior Consultations? More than half of all cat owners experience behavior problems with theirs pets

Four Cat Litter Box Location Sites In Your Home:
You've heard that in real estate location is everything. This applies equally to your cat's litter box. Successful, consistent cat litter box habits depend upon several factors, and the litter location is crucial

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

Training Your Cat to go to a Veterinary
Why train a cat to go to the veterinary? Shots will be need, exams, medical attention when the cat needs this type of attention. When taking them to the veterinarian, cats will meet many different people, other cats, and animals.




New Article - Cloned cat kittens


New Article - Natural food for dogs and cats


New Article - Scottish Fold Cat


New Article - The right cat litter box for your cat


New Article - When to vaccinate your cat your kitten


New Article - Cats and kidney disease


New Article - Dog and cat allergies


New Article - Your cats first Vet visit


New Article - Train a cat to listen

Newest Cat and Kitten Articles

Cats and Dogs Living Together: There is a common misconception among some pet owners that dogs and cats cannot co-exist together within a house.
While there are some breeds of dogs that do not naturally interact well with other pets most breeds of dogs can be socialized to interact appropriately with cats and live together in a house. The way that the two species are introduced to each other as well as the age of both the dog and cat are key. In addition the pets prior history with the other species really makes a difference as well

Home remedies for cats & other pets: Diarrhea
If you detect any hint of diarrhea in your pet, ensure that pet is drinking lots of fluids. You can stop feeding for 24 hours from the onset of the disease. When the pet is ready to eat again, try giving easily digestible food every 4 hours for 2-3 days moving to regular food when your pet is diarrhea free. If the problem still persists, seek medical treatment as it could be more serious issue

Testing for feline UTI yourself: Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty, and unnecessary trips to your vet?
Would you like to know if your cat is developing crystals in her urine that could lead to a feline UTI? - It's easy to do with this check-at-home method

Cat Litter Box Problems: 7 Essential Keys To Solve The Problem Quickly!:
Has this ever happened to you? Your cat's peeing outside the litter box, and you're desperately trying to clean up after your cat, wondering if you're actually doing anything to stop it from happening in the first place!

Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccination in Cats:
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a common agent in cats that is usually transmitted through virus-infected saliva via cat fight wounds, mutual grooming, or sharing food and water dishes

Proper Grooming Of Your Pet Dogs And Cats
Do you have a pet dog or cat in your house? We treat them as part of the household; we are obliged to give proper care and attention for them to make them look good and healthy, just like what we are doing to other family members.

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.

Training Your Cat To Be Nice To Your House
Is your cat taking over the house? Climbing curtains, chewing cords, knocking over the trash and jumping on the counters? Well you don't have to put up with it!

I 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.