Cats Indoors Indoor Cats: Keeping Cats Indoors is for the Cats... Each year, millions of cats are run over by cars, mauled by dogs, poisoned and lost.

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery
The Cats and Kittens of CatNews.org

CatNews.org - HOME
Take me back to the front page



Cats Indoors




An Ezine for cat owners that changes each time you visit


Tell your friends about CatNews.org

If 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

Information Center
Find the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing

litter box
New Article - Photographing Your Elusive Feline




Free Cat and Kitten Content For Your Site

If 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


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/]


Kittys' Window
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com



temperament of cats
New Article - The Temperament of cats


Also see : Training a Cat to Hunt
How to train your cat to hunt with out eating the prey Does you cat seem to be hunting all the time, pouncing on the toys as they were going in for the kill, raking their claws over your feet as if they are a piece of meat ?


A cat accepts a lick from a cow at a dairy farm in Massachusetts
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Recently added articles

How to Use a Cat to Attract a Woman
Attention to all desperate men out there. Are you having trouble attracting women in your sexual life? Then go buy a cat! Cats are known to be extremely smart animals. They are known to drive all the negative energy away, they are very clean, sensitive, independent and of course they can help you impress most women.

Tips on Getting Your Cat to Eat
Cat owners are very familiar with the "fussy-eater" syndrome that most cats have. Many worry that their cat will become malnourished or just be constantly hungry all the time. There are several reasons why cats will not eat what's put before them. Here are a few tips on how to get your "fussy-eater" to try their food.

Cat History And Cat Classification Of Domestic Cats
Scientists classify living organisms into different kingdoms, family, and orders to study more about them. Although, most people do not get into such details, but certain individuals who love cats, will definitely want to know the scientific classification of cats.

Blindness in Cats - Five Common Causes of Feline Blindness
Cats naturally have superior vision. However, there are various conditions that can cause blindness in cats. Some of these conditions include hypertension, glaucoma, and cancer. Let's take a look at some of these causes of feline blindness.

The Importance of Potassium With Older Felines
As your cat ages, they will encounter numerous changes over time that will eventually lead to a failure of their organs and internal systems – this is a fact of life. However, it is possible to prolong their longevity by paying attention to the special needs that of older felines and by providing your cat with those elements that they will benefit from as they grow older.



temperament of cats
New Article - Abused Cats




temperament of cats
New Article - Floppy Cat


Also see : Pet Horoscopes - CANCER (6/21-7/21):
These little cats are very sensitive creatures and hate to be upset. They do not like loud noise or yelling. They are easily irritated by others and thrive on a calm, stable environment. Any change in their routine, or if a stranger is in the house, can cause them to retreat and be gone for hours and even days. Cancer cats are cautious about meeting new people. Once they trust you, though, you've made a friend for life. They do not like sharing the home with any other animals, as they want your undivided attention. They do not like to be left alone, and can tend to become a bit destructive if left alone too long

Improving the Veterinary Medical Attention of our Cat
The choice of a Veterinary Doctor for our cat is not always easy, we will have to find that professional who makes you and patient feel comfortable.


Kittens on Fence
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : The Mystery of Where Kittens Come From
Of course, we all know that kittens come from mother cats. But, where do mother cats get them. That is the mystery I am about to solve for you.

Contact Lens Wearing Cat
The Isle of Wight recently accomplished something that's never been done before. A 15 year old cat named Ernest received a set of contact lenses to correct a vision problem. Ernest, a popular resident at the RSPCA, had problems with the lids of its eyes being turned inside. This caused scratching on his eye balls that effectively hurt his vision.


Cat Party
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com



temperament of cats
New Article - I'll Take My Cat


Do You Have A Blog?

Kitten articles for your blog
Kitten articles for your blog


Also see : Basic Cat Training:
Every pet owner knows that if you and your pet have the same rules, the household is much happier. For instance, is there a place you do not want your cats? Perhaps the kitchen counter?

How to Clean Cat Urine:
When cat urine seeps through carpet, into padding and down to the floor beneath, it can give your home an unpleasant aroma (to say the very least!). In almost all cases, cat urine is the worst perpetrator of pet stains and pet odors


Sieste
Buy at AllPosters.com



temperament of cats
Pet Loss: Should You Clone Your Cat?


Also see : Training Your Cat for Aggression
The ears flatten backwards, cat is snarling with the sharp teeth exposed as he has his mouth wide open, and the eyes dilated. This is prime example of aggression in a cat.



Support Your Local Cat Adoption Programs

Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat
New Article - Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat


Keep your cat disease free
New Article - Home remedies for cats & other pets: Remedy for broken bones


Groom your cat to avoid hairballs
New Article - How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained


Cat Watching

Cat allergies

Even Healthy Cats Act Sick When Their Routine Is Disrupted

A cat regularly vomiting hairballs or refusing to eat probably isn't being finicky or otherwise "cat-like," despite what conventional wisdom might say. There is a good chance that the cat is acting sick because of the stress caused by changes in its environment, new research suggests.

Healthy cats were just as likely as chronically ill cats to refuse food, vomit frequently and leave waste outside their litter box in response to changes in their routine, according to the Ohio State University study. Veterinary clinicians refer to these acts as sickness behaviors. The researchers documented sickness behaviors in healthy cats and in cats with feline interstitial cystitis, a chronic illness characterized by recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and often both an urgent and frequent need to urinate.

When the cats experienced what were called "unusual external events," such as a change in feeding schedule or caretaker, the healthy cats were just as likely to exhibit sickness behaviors as were the chronically ill cats. The two groups had the same number of sickness behaviors in response to unusual events, and both groups were at more than three times the risk of acting sick when their routines were disrupted.

Previous research has indicated that a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, known as IC, in cats is strongly associated with a number of other health problems. The fact that healthy cats exhibit some of those same problems in the face of stress suggests that veterinary clinicians should consider cats' environmental conditions during assessments for health problems, researchers say.

"For veterinary clinicians, when you have a cat that's not eating, is not using the litter box or has stuff coming up out of its mouth, the quality of the environment is another cause that needs to be addressed in coming up with a diagnosis," said Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State and senior author of the study.
Continue Reading


American Bobtail

The American Bobtail has grown in popularity in recent years. Originally bred in the 1960s, John and Brenda Sanders found a male brown tabby cat with a bobbed tail while vacationing in Arizona and bred it with a Siamese female. The resulting litter was born with bobtails, but this feral looking cat is most likely not part Bobtail. American Bobtails are medium to large cats that have a naturally short tail (hence the name 'Bobtail') that is usually straight. The American Bobtail's hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. Females will reach and average weight of seven to twelve pounds and males can average over fifteen pounds.

American Bobtails are not considered fully matured until they are about three years old and will live an average of twelve to twenty-one years. Originally only a longhaired breed, American Bobtails are now both long and short haired. The longhaired Bobtails have slightly shaggy medium-long hair that does not mat. Shorthaired Bobtails have a medium length, semi-dense double coat that is also mat resistant.

American Bobtail coats come in all colors, though white and brown is the most popular color. Many allergy suffers find themselves more comfortable around American Bobtails, they are not considered hypoallergenic. This breed of cat makes an excellent family pet and does very well with children and other household pets. They do not mind much of the rough and tumble play children are fond of. American Bobtails are described as friendly, talkative and social. They enjoy climbing so an indoor cat tree or cat condo is a must.
Continue Reading




Dental disease in dogs and cats
New Article - Cat Litter Box Health Concerns You Need To Know:





temperament of cats
Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs?


Cat Health Articles

Cat health articles
Is your cat sick? Find out why.


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


The Flea Allergy In Dogs And Cats
Dogs and cats can suffer allergies due to the presence of fleas. The identified cause is the saliva of the fleas, especially when the flea has bitten and penetrated the skin of the dog or cat.

Tell a friend:

Dog with Cat and Yarn
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com



temperament of cats
New Article - About Your Cats Tongue





Cat and Kitten Picture Video Gallery



My Life With My Cats
New Article - My Life With My Cats


Cats With Diabetes Can Live Well
New Article - Cats With Diabetes Can Live Well




health risk of catnip
New Article - Feral Cats Can Make Good Pets


Why Rescue A Cat From A Shelter?
New Article - Why Rescue A Cat From A Shelter?


Cat Poisoning Symptoms - Food and Plant Poisons
New Article - Cat Poisoning Symptoms - Food and Plant Poisons


Snowshoe Cat and Kitten Information
New Article - Snowshoe Cat and Kitten Information


How Cats Can Teach Children Responsibility
New Article - How Cats Can Teach Children Responsibility


Cat Shelters in San Antonio

San Antonio Pet Scene
San Antonio Pet Scene


Whats News

Amazon Shoppers Benefit Shelter Cats

Helping shelter cats by shopping on Amazon
cat gifts

A Backward Glance into the History of Cats
New Article - A Backward Glance into the History of Cats


Newest Cat and Kitten Articles

Me-Ow! Inflammatory Bowel Disease Can Affect Cats
Humans are not the only animals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, two specific disorders that fall under the umbrella term of IBD. Although it is hard to keep statistics on how many of our feline companions have the disease (dogs can be affected as well), it is not an uncommon diagnosis.

Photographing Your Elusive Feline
When Sasha sees the camera, “she won’t stay still for even a second,” says Formichelli. “It seems that if she’s not lying down, she’s in motion. We tried to get a photo of her on a bench with my other two cats to create a birthday card for a cat-loving friend, and she kept jumping down.”

On Declawing Cats: Declawing is a controversial procedure. Some people feel it is inhumane.
Some veterinarians won't do the surgery," says Dr. Greenfield. "I believe there are appropriate reasons and times for declawing to be performed. It is a valuable procedure in many circumstances. It can be a life-saving procedure when the options are to euthanize the cat or have it declawed

Pet Horoscopes - GEMINI (5/21-6/20):
Gemini cats are curious, friendly and loaded with energy. These cats may talk a lot. If possible, get a playmate for these animals as they hate to be alone. They are fast learners and can be trained well. Remember to always keep the door shut, or they will be off in a flash, exploring and looking for new friends. With both people and other animals, Gemini cats rarely have favorites. They just love the company of everyone

Abused Cats:
Abused cats can be terribly maimed and damaged on the outside. They can even appear quite normal on the outside and all the damage might be emotional. The emotional damage is harder to repair. A physically damaged cat will still

Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD:
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD



Cat
Shelter Cats Make Great Companions

Other Crazy Stuff

Shaadi.com, the world's oldest and most successful matrimonial service, has been trusted since 1996 by people all over the world to help them find their soulmates

Shaista's parents saw my profile on Shaadi.com and approached my family. Both the families got together and found out that we were perfect for each other. The entire wedding was planned and completed within 10 days. Thanks Shaadi.com for bringing us together



This woman is tough



Worlds First Bio-engineered Pet

GenPet
See The Gen Pets




Yemengzhu - The 3 billion dollar rock

Yemengzhu
Yemengzhu - 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

Red fluorescent cats

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.

Our Awards

'Purrfect Site' Award

Get help with your cat's health



Meet My Cats

I am a slave to 8 cats

'cat in heat

Rare Picture Of All My Cats



'cat behavior training
Trouble, Patches, and Sweetie Pie enjoying a sunny San Antonio Day. (What a life!)

'cat stomped to death
Cassidy and Snowflake Same mom different litters - Rescued from a feral colony in San Antonio

'custom road bike stand
Cassidy was born with a club foot and two different color eyes

'cat need a collar
Cassidy runs and plays just like her normal sisters

'introducing two cats
Sarafena - Queen of the Witches

'cat_whisperer
Cookie Monster came from a local flea market

'cat urine smells
Trouble (Grand Ma) weighs in at 18+ pounds. At 12 years old she still plays with the young cats.

'cats first vet visit
Starvin Marvin - AKA "Whizzer" - Our only Tom. Marvin Has FHIV but is healthy and living high on the hog.

Welcome to my website - Don't like what you see? Refresh the page for a whole new web adventure

Editor - Russell Clark (clark2368@aol.com)
Adopt a shelter cat today. - Better yet, adopt two.

Honoring Our Troops

'cat





'cat

Cat Fist Aid



Send Free Cell Phone Text Messages - I've added more International Carriers

Send Free Cell Phone Text Messages From Your Computer To Almost Anywhere in the World- Carriers from the U.S., Mexico, Canada, The UK, India, and many other Nations.

You can send free SMS text messages from this website to almost anywhere in the world. Stop sending text messages from your phone; do it online with my free SMS Text messaging program.
keep your message short. SMS text messages are limited to 160 characters.
Don't forget to bookmark us!
Send Text Message Now


two faced cat

Frank and Louie, the cat with two faces

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Frank and Louie the cat was born with two faces, two mouths, two noses, three eyes — and lots of doubts about his future.
two faced cat

Read this amazing story and see the video



Banned TV Commercial - Cat Herding

I want to be a Cat herder



cat coupons

Money Saving Coupons for Cat Lovers



The Best Cat Jewelry on The Web

Help Homeless cat and kittens in San Antonio by buying your cat jewelry here

Cat Jewelry

catnews.org Kitty Card Shop
Check out my new Ecard shop. No sign up with dozens of cat and kitten cards to send

Need a new litterbox?

Help Homeless cat and kittens in San Antonio by buying your next litterbox here

Cat Jewelry

Whats News





'cat

Multi-Vitamin for Cats

Many pet owners wish to provide their animals with the best health possible by giving them a multi-vitamin for cats. Cats require a certain careful balance of vitamins and minerals as well as other nutrients in order to function at their best. By ingesting the proper combination of these vitamins, your cat will remain healthy and strong and is more likely to enjoy a long, happy, and illness free life.

The exact vitamins which your cat will need are slightly different from the vitamins which you may see in a human multi-vitamin supplement, however, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basics of feline nutrition before you purchase anything.

Benefits of Multi-Vitamins for Cats
Ideally, a good cat food will provide your pet with all of the different vitamins and nutrients that he needs. However, there are a number of reasons why he may still require a vitamin supplement as well. First, many cat foods do not provide the highest quality nutrients as a result of lower quality ingredients in the food. Second, sitting on the shelf for weeks or even longer can mean that the vitamins and nutrients which are naturally in cat food are reduced in quantity, thereby not giving your cat the nutrition he requires. For this reason, multi-vitamins are a good supplement to help your cat overall.

Components of a Cat Good Multi-Vitamin Cats require certain enzymes and amino acids that can only be found in meat sources. For this reason, cats that do not eat meat will not be healthy and, ultimately, will not survive. Thus, many of the multi-vitamin supplements that are available for cats focus on some of these types of nutrients which are usually found in meat sources. These include:
Continue Reading


Something cool for Bloggers

visit CatNews.org

Free changing picture gallery for your blog or webpage

Here 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 Health

Cat Health

Your Guide to Home Remedies For Cat Urinary Tract Infections

Home remedies for cat urinary tract infections are very effective at treating and preventing this common medical problem. In this article, you'll learn more about home remedies, the best ingredients and why they are much more effective than drugs.

First, let's talk about antibiotics. It's unfortunate, but most of us have been sold a bill of goods by the drug companies. Look at all the advertising they do. No wonder they've managed to program us. There are three things you need to know about the use of antibiotics in treating cat urinary tract infections:
Antibiotics suppress symptoms, but do not heal the conditions that caused them. Antibiotics have side effects which can make your cat's condition worse. Plus, we all know how sensitive cats are.

Since antibiotics do not heal cat urinary tract infections, this can lead to recurring problems.

Natural Treatment for Cat Urinary Tract Infections
Contrast the points above with the points below (note: we are talking about using a homeopathic remedy that is specifically formulated to treat cat urinary problems):
Continue Reading


FELINE AIDS

In 1986 in Northern California a disease that was causing illness and death in cats was found to be caused by a virus similar to HIV, or the AIDS virus found in humans. Since then, much research has been done on this virus and the disease it causes. To date scientists have not been successful in formulating a vaccine to prevent this infection in cats. There has also been little success in finding methods to treat those cats that have the disease, but we DO know enough about the disease to safeguard our pets from this fatal disorder.

Because of its similarity to the HIV virus, it was named FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and the disease it induces is known as FAIDS (feline acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The virus is classified in the same group of viruses as the HIV virus, but it is not identical. The HIV virus does not infect cats, and likewise the FIV virus does not infect humans. There is no danger that a person could catch AIDS from a cat or vice versa.

There is now a reliable blood test, which your veterinarian can perform on your cat to see if it is infected with FIV. As in people, we refer to a cat that tests positive as being "FIV positive" but that cat does not necessarily yet have FAIDS, and may not become sick for months or years or in some cases not at all. When a cat does develop illness, the body's natural defense against disease is broken down. The cat is then susceptible to a great variety of infections, cancers, etc. No one specific symptom is typical. It might be a sickly cat that is not recovering promptly from an illness, or has a chronic illness such as infected teeth or gums, frequent diarrhea or discharge from the nose or eyes. While we do our best to control other infections these cats may acquire, we cannot cure them of the FIV infection, and it is usually fatal.

The FIV virus affects only cats, so the risk for any cat of catching the virus comes through contact with another cat that is infected. The virus does not survive outside the cat's body, so it is not blown through the air or carried on a person's hands or clothing from cat to cat. An indoor cat that does not come in contact with other cats would be at no risk of catching the virus. Cats that are allowed to roam outdoors and may encounter stray cats have to be considered at risk to catch FIV. Studies have shown that the infection is worldwide, and in every area of the United States where stray cats have been tested the infection is present in a certain percentage of those cats. Because cats can live for months or even years while infected, they can transmit the infection to other cats.

Many studies are currently investigating exactly how FIV is transmitted cat to cat. The most common method of transmission is through a bite wound inflicted by an infected cat. In this case the virus in its saliva enters the blood stream of the bite victim. Bite wounds, however, are not the only method of transmission and virus-to-blood contact is not always necessary. FIV infected mothers can transmit the virus to their offspring but not in utero. The transmission to offspring probably takes place during nursing, and experts feel the majority of kittens nursing FIV positive mothers don't get the disease. It is still unknown whether transmission takes place during mating, but since biting can be part of the mating ritual, we have to assume it could. Experimentally scientists have been able to infect cats by giving the virus orally. We don't know, however, in the natural setting of mutual grooming, sharing food bowls, etc., how often this occurs. It appears that in a setting where one cat in a house is FIV positive and has non-biting contact with other cats, those cats have a low probability of becoming infected.
Continue Reading


Cat Blood Types

Cats have A, B and AB (rare) blood types. Most cats in the United States have type A blood - something like 99% of domestic shorthair cats have Type A blood. This ratio varies from country to country. Other cat breeds have a much higher incidence of Type B blood. As the popularity of purebred cats increases it is likely that the ratio of cats with Type B blood will also increase.

There is no "universal donor" blood type in cats - a very small amount of the wrong blood type can kill a cat if is is sensitized to the blood. This can be an issue in some cat breeds. In particular, British Shorthair, Cornish Rex and Devon Rex cats, where the percentage of Type B cats is much higher, perhaps as high as 50%. Other breeds with significant percentages of Type B blood include the Abyssinian, Himalayan, Japanese Bobtail, Persian, Somali and Sphinx breeds. (preceding information from Urs Giger, University of Pennsylvania, Kirk's XI).

If a Type B queen (mother cat) gives birth to Type A kittens, severe reactions can occur in the kittens
Continue Reading


Lab Blood Work Tests for Cats

Cats require blood work tests when they need to diagnosed for different diseases. Blood tests are widely used in veterinary medicine. The results are measured against normal values, which are typically present in healthy pets; these values differ across species. The lab test results may be influenced by certain drugs, so always inform your vet about the medication of your pet prior to blood tests. Prior to certain blood tests, your cat should fast.

Complete Blood Count
The complete blood count is a blood test that is very frequently employed to inform the vet about the amount of different types of cells in the blood flow of the cat.

The red blood cell count as well as the white blood cell count and the hemoglobin are important values to determine the condition of the cat. Red blood cells transport the oxygen to the vital organs, while white cells help fighting infections.

A low red blood cell count can indicate anemia, while a high amount of white blood cells can indicate an infection or a viral disease.

Platelets help the blood to clot. If the platelet count is low the cat may have a destroyed bone marrow or an autoimmune disease.

Hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) may also measure the red blood cell count.

Commonly Performed Blood Tests There are numerous tests that can be performed on a cat to determine his health condition. Some tests will show how a particular organ functions, while other tests will give a general overview.

The following tests are most commonly performed in felines:
Continue Reading


Focus On Cat Breeds

cat breeds

Grooming Tips for Preventing Matted Cat Hair

Matted cat hair is entangled hair that ends up in tight knots. Long haired breeds are more susceptible to the condition than other pets. Cat hair is divided into three categories as each type of hair performs a certain role. The types of cat hair include awn hair, down hair and guard hair. The various function of cat hair involves protection from environmental contaminants, heat and cold. The uppermost layer of cat hair also determines the color of individual pets.

Cat Hair Conditions
Cats shed their fur during specific periods. However, fur loss that's caused due to skin conditions such as alopecia, dermatitis or skin allergy needs medical treatment. Although cats routinely groom themselves to maintain their fur coats, pets also develop conditions such as cat hairball due to the ingestion of hair during routine grooming. Pet owners should thus groom the cat with a brush to avoid excessive self-grooming and cat hairballs. Cats that appear sick or lethargic may avoid their routine grooming which in turn leads to matted hair. Thick knots are difficult to detangle with a comb and may cause the pet pain, if the mats are located towards sensitive areas of the body.

Tips to Separate Matted Cat Hair
Continue Reading


norwegian-forest-cat

Newest Articles

How To Find Cat Mailboxes
You can add a personal touch to your home or give a personalized gift that will be treasured for years with a handcrafted cat mailbox. Choose from adorable wall mount, house mount, or freestanding mailboxes adorned with your favorite feline in playful, adorable designs. Heavy duty, rust resistant mailboxes that are weather-tight and feature tough, durable exteriors with enchanting cat paintings or fully sculptured cat likenesses will charm and amuse your friends and family. Cat lovers can express their love of the furry felines with the beautiful, playful addition of a cat mailbox.

Siberian Cat and Kitten Information
Thought to date back some 1000 years, the Siberian Cat has a unique thick triple coat that helps to protect them from the harsh, cold climate of Siberia. A medium to large size cat, the Siberian is well built, has large eyes and powerful musculature. Male cats can range from 15 to 20 pounds and females from 10 to 15 pounds. All colors are recognized for show.

The Importance of Sterilizing Cats!
Numerous articles have been written about the importance of spaying and neutering cats and the health benefits that are gained by doing so. Many people are aware that the sterilization process is a good thing and abide by the usual recommendations. However, every once in a while it is a good thing to write a reminder to those, who do not believe in spaying or neutering, about why they should.

How to Treat Cat Bites and the Cat Scratch Disease
All cat owners will know that there are times when the cat will nip at you. Cat bites can causing anything from a tiny scratch to an open wound. It is crucial for cat owners and those who only have occasional contact with cats to understand the criticalness of cat bites and how to treat cat bites to prevent cat-related diseases.

Is Gourmet Cat Food Really Tastier?
Cats need a different type of diet than humans and dogs. While the latter can eat and digest animal and plant matter fairly easily, cats are considered obligate carnivores. This means they are physically better able to digest meat products than anything else.

Homemade Bread Batter for White, Whole-wheat, Rye, and Herb Breads
Now you can make your own breads just like you remember grandma doing. Here is a white bread batter recipe with modifications to make whole-wheat, rye, and herb breads. Give your family a taste of homemade bread!

Old Time Banana Cake
As a child this was and still is my favorite cake, it is a really a moist and a tasty cake as well. I have never had a cake as good as this before. Ok lets get started, I assume that everyone knows that all ingredients should be at room temperature.



Cat
New Article - Keeping Your Geriatric Cat Healthy


Article Authors Wanted

I have my article directory up and running. Anyone with a good article can submit it for posting
Thanks for visiting my site
Russell - Vist the new article directory

Just For Fun

Cat and Kitten Video Gallery




State Trivia
Just select a state below.

Select a state:

Capital:

Admitted On:

State Flower:

State Bird:



Blackjack: Play Free Blackjack

the most popular casino game in the world free blackjack
Play Blackjack


Magic Square Puzzle

Try to eliminate all the boxes to win. When you check a box, all the squares around it (one above, one below, and one to each side) are unselected. You can play in five different levels of difficulty.
Magic Square Puzzle
Magic Square Puzzle


Cat litter box location strategies

Delicious Recipes from my visitors - Add Your Recipes

Recipe Box
Have a yummy dish? Post it here and share it with everyone

Honey Baked Bean Recipe
Howdy, Rick Sutherland here to tell you about a honey baked bean recipe that I created in my kitchen.

Double Decker Pastry
This recipe is an experience for anyone, it's kind of unique and very different from today's baking. Today all you need to do is go to the market and pick something off of the shelf, put it in the microwave and you have it. Well I'm old fashioned when it is something I'm going to eat and enjoy, I need to have hands on and do it the old way. OK enough jabber let's get on with the recipe so we can enjoy it, remember your ingredients should be room temperature or close to it.

My Special Blueberry Muffins
This is my special blueberry muffin recipe that I created over 30 years ago and I like it so much that I have never stopped using it. It has a magnificent flavor and a wonderful texture, the freshness life of this muffin is about 4 days but if frozen it will last for months. The part that I like about this muffin is that it is very versatile, you can use any kind of fruit in it besides blueberries, for example you can use cranberries, raspberries, apples, and if you add some solid pack pumpkin with seasonings you have pumpkin muffins and so on, let your imagination run away with you.



Information Center

Information Center
Find the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing

Cat
New Article - Common cat ailments


Cat
New Article - Pros and Cons of Outside Cats


Over 5000 Cat & Kitten Pictures and Videos

temperament of cats

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery I


Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery II


Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery III


Cat and Kitten Picture Video Gallery



Recently Added Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles


Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Explained by a Holistic Veterinarian
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a particularly nasty disease-one that causes great confusion and distress. The name itself is misleading; the only absolutely true point about the name is the "feline," since it is not especially infectious, nor is it always peritonitis (inflammation in the abdominal cavity). Unfortunately, the disease is almost always fatal in its active form.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus - Everything You Need to Know
As its name suggests, the feline immunodeficiency virus attacks your cat's immune system. It eventually disables the immune system's ability to battle cancers and infections. The feline immunodeficiency virus is usually targets roaming cats. It can also affect larger felines such as tigers, lions and leopards.

Chylothorax in cats: There are a few conditions, such as trauma, cancer, or heart disease, that are known to cause chylothorax under some conditions. There are also some cats that get chylothorax for unknown reasons.
"Build-up of fluid around the lungs makes it difficult for the cat to breathe. Signs may include open mouth breathing or increased respiratory rate," notes Dr. Appel.

Learn These Problems Now, And You Can Avoid Your Cat Becoming Ill In The Future
Cats, like any other animal out there, can become sick. There are several health problems that can affect your cat.

"Make Your Home Cat-Safe - How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy"



temperament of cats
New Article - Declawing - What You Should Know About


Can My Cat Catch a Cold?
If you are like me, you probably have never had a cat with a cold, but cats with colds are fairly common.

Is Your Cat Fat?
Fatter cats may be cuddlier, but they don't live as long as average weight cats. Sad but true. Fat cats are twice as likely to die in middle age. They are also 4.5 times more likely to develop diabetes, seven times more likely to become lame from arthritis and three times more likely to have skin problems.

Abyssinian Cat Breeders - Abyssinian Cat Breeders Have A Wild Time
If you hang around Abyssinian cat breeders you will be convinced that must have raised squirrels at some point in their lives. Abyssinian cat breeders and owners say that living with an Abyssinian is like living with squirrels.

How to Avoid a Bad Cat Breeder
Bad breeders are ignorant to the fact that they are incapable of being a proper breeder. They are not aware that they are not fully educated and informed about the proper lifestyle and etiquette of a professional breeder. Being in the pet business may bring lucrative profits, hence the temptation to take advantage of it to make a fortune. These unscrupulous breeders are easy to sniff out, and are also known as backyard breeders who usually run their operations through newspapers and Internet ads with the claims of selling good pedigree cats with unbelievably low price tags.



temperament of cats

Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,

  • IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!

    <table bgColor="#ffffbb" border="1px"><td>Go to the&nbsp;<a href="http://api.bing.com/rss.aspx?Source=News&amp;Market=en-US&amp;Version=2.0&amp;Query=Cat%2c+kitten%2c+cat+litter%2c+free+content%2c">new RSS page</a>&nbsp;and renew your subscription.</td></table>

  • In The Know - January 29

    All foster



cat urine
New Article


Attention Authors—New Section
CatNews.org - Self-Posting Article Directory

Self-Posting Article Directory
All subjects welcome

cat whisperer
New Article

cat urine
New Article