Cat Flea Control Cat Flea Control: Fleas are the most common external parasite of cats in North America. Fleas are small wingless insects that use their specialized mouth to pierce the skin and siphon blood from their host.

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

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



Cat Flea Control




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


Flea Control With Cats and Dogs


Fleas are the most common external parasite of pets in North America. Fleas are small wingless insects that use their specialized mouth to pierce the skin and siphon blood from their host. When a flea bites, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to prevent the blood from coagulating. Some animals become sensitized to flea saliva and animals that are allergic can have severe itching and scratching from a single bite. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common disease among dogs.



Current flea control products are primarily either oral or topical systemic treatments. Most of the products may be used for prevention as well as to treat existing flea problems. One group of products control fleas by interrupting their development by killing or stopping the maturation of flea larvae and eggs. These drugs are called Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs). One common oral product used is lufenuron which is found in the Program® line of products which are administered orally in tablet or liquid form. Methoprene and pyriproxifen are also IGRs that are available as sprays or collars. The FDA shares regulation of these products with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because even the same products from other countries have not been approved by these agencies, it is illegal to purchase or import these products for use in the United States.



Currently the most popular flea control products kill adult fleas (adulticide), are applied topically and work rapidly. Popular topical products utilize fipronil which is the key ingredient in Frontline® Top Spot and imidacloprid which is in Advantage®. The most popular product on the market, Frontline Plus®, utilizes both an adulticide and an IGR. An oral adulticide that is also available is nitenpyram which is in Capstar® and begins to kill fleas in 30 minutes. Frontline Plus also kills ticks which makes it the most popular product where ongoing tick protection is required.



Consult with your veterinarian to determine which flea and tick control products are best for you. The choice of flea control will depend on your climate, environment, your pet's activities, and potential for exposure. However, with consistent use, it is almost always possible to control your flea problem. Using these products throughout the year typically will eliminate the need for regular insecticidal use. The following provide additional summary information on selected popular products.



Program from Novartis®



Program is available as a once a month pill or oral liquid suspension to be given with a full meal. Adult fleas that ingest Program's key ingredient, lufenuron, produce sterile eggs. Program does not kill adult fleas so pets remain susceptible to fleas hatching and maturing pupa already present in the environment. Therefore, some time may pass before the all fleas are killed in an environment. In order to stop the life cycle, every animal in the environment must receive lufenuron. Pets should also be sprayed with an adulticide during the first week or two of starting Program.



Advantage from Bayer®



Advantage is applied topically on both dogs and cats and seems to be very well-tolerated by sensitive cats. Advantage kills fleas within 24 hours and 100% protection can be maintained for cats for 21 days and 90% protection can be maintained for dogs for 28 days. Advantage is susceptible to washing off so dogs that are active outdoors and dogs that swim or must be bathed frequently should be re-treated frequently. Up to weekly re-treatment is allowed. The imidacloprid in Advantage does not effect ticks, but K-9Advantix, with permethrin does. K9 Advantix is only labeled for once a month K9 Advantix is ONLY FOR USE WITH DOGS and MUST NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO CATS.



Frontline Spray, Frontline Plus And Frontline Top Spot from Merial®



Frontline Spray, Frontline Plus, and Frontline Top Spot comprise the market leading Frontline flea control product line. The fipronil in Frontline products is a broad spectrum insecticide available as a spray or topical. Fipronil works by binding chemically to the pet's hair and is absorbed through the follicle by the sebaceous glands. As a spray, fipronil kills fleas at 95% for over 80 days after application on dogs and for 1 month with biweekly bathing. Frontline is labeled for puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks (10 weeks for Top Spot) and it is not washed off by bathing. Frontline is also affective against ticks. Some cats may show minor adverse reactions with high volume use of the alcohol based spray product which should be applied no more than once a month. Frontline Plus also contains the IGR, S-methoprene which inhibits the growth of immature fleas.



Capstar from Novartis®



Capstar is an oral tablet for dogs and cats that may be administered as young as 4 weeks of age. It offers extremely rapid and complete killing of adult fleas and is safe enough that the tablets may be used whenever fleas are seen on your pet as often as once per day. Capstar may be used in combination with an IGR to kill fleas immediately to compliment the long-term control of an IGR such as Program.
About the Author

(c) VetDepot.com - Discount Pet Medications Mark Smith is a staff writer for http://www.VetDepot.com. Vet Depot offers discount and wholesale brand name pet medications for cats


Baby Cats
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com



temperament of cats
New Article - The Temperament of cats


Also see : Sporotrichosis in cats
Sporotrichosis (fungal infection) is very common here and it can be a potentially serious fungal infection that can infect cats, dogs, or people. The risk of people contracting this disease from infected cats, the seriousness of this disease should never be underestimated and veterinarians or owners may often overlook Sporotrichosis as a potential cause of the symptoms.


Caff-FUR-ino Kitties
Buy this Art 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 : FELINE DENTAL DISEASE
The current status of feline dental disease consists of several well-recognized conditions. Proper and aggressive treatment of these conditions can greatly contribute to the well being and longevity of the patient.

Pet Horoscopes - ARIES: (3/21-4/20):
Aries cats are always bursting with energy. They love attention, petting and cuddling and are never shy. In fact, it may be hard to keep up with these hyperactive animals. Quick tempered, they are not the type to back down from a fight. They are easily embarrassed, so don't scold them in public. Reward good behavior with a special snack. Never give your cat "people food." Strong flavored and spicy treats are their favorite. The most difficult aspect of keeping an Aries cat is to get them to obey you. They may be difficult to housebreak. Firmness, a schedule, and repetition is what is needed.


Cats Rule
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : How To Have A Healthy Happy Cat:
Giving your cat a simple monthly examination can help prevent potential problems for years, here's what to look for


Don't Quit
Buy this Matted Print 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 : 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

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.


The Milk Dish
Buy at AllPosters.com



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


Also see : 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

Where Does Your Cat Nap? Make Him As Comfortable As Possible
Giving your pet his own snoozing area gives you the ability to take back all of the space in your house that he has taken over. You may even want to give him several places to call his own to keep him happy!



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

New Kitten Care - How to Kitten-proof Your Home

A very important aspect of new kitten care is keeping your kitten safe from danger. There are a lot of potential hazards round the home for little kittens. This article lists the most common ones and suggests ways you can minimize risks to your kitten and keep her safe.

Washing machine and tumble dryer:
If you leave the door open and there are clothes inside, there's a good chance your kitten will climb in and go to sleep. Always check your kitten isn't inside these before you use them.

Fridge and freezer:
As soon as you've used these, shut the door.

Hob and oven:
Shut the oven door as soon as you've finished with it. Cover hot hob plates.

Raw meat:
Keep it out of reach - it can give your kitten food poisoning.

Garbage:
Put all garbage in a sealed bin that your kitten can't access.

Plants:
Many plants are poisonous to cats. If you're not sure whether a certain plant is safe for your kitten if she eats it, put it out of her reach.

Pot pourri:
The oils used to scent this can be poisonous.

Open fires and candles:
Use a guard on the fire. Never leave a kitten in a room alone with lit candles.

Electrical wires:
If your kitten is a wire chewer, you'll need to put wires out of her reach or buy plastic covers for them.

Curtain tie-backs and cords on window blinds:
Kittens can get caught in these. Either remove them completely or tie them up out of reach.

Filled bathtubs and sinks:
Make sure your kitten doesn't have access to the room when the tub or sink is full.

Open toilet:
Try to get into the habit of keeping the lid down when the toilet's not in use.

Medications:
Keep them in a cupboard that your kitten can't get into.

Small objects:
Kittens can swallow small things like paper clips, rubber bands, staples and needles.

String, wool, fishing line and thread:
Kittens can swallow large quantities of these. For this reason, balls of wool or string and pom-poms aren't good toys for cats.

Household chemicals:
Most cleaners etc. are highly poisonous to cats and need to be kept somewhere your kitten can't access.

Tobacco:
Tobacco, nicotine patches and nicotine gum are all poisonous to cats.

Reclining chairs, futons, folding beds, drawers:
If kittens get caught when this type of furniture is moved, they can get crushed. Make sure your kitten isn't asleep somewhere she could get trapped before you use any of these.

Safety is a major factor for new kitten care. It's fairly easy to keep your kitten safe as long as you anticipate potential dangers and take the necessary steps to prevent them. Putting brightly colored post it notes up around your home is a good way to do this. Stick the notes on or near potential dangers - for example the fridge, washing machine, oven, toilet and futon - and anywhere else that could be a hazard.

About the Author
Liz Allan
Liz Allan has 25 years experience of caring for cats. To find out more about new kitten care, visit: http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com/all-about-kittens.html

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


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

Tips On How To Groom Your Cat
Before we begin to give you additional information on this topic, take a moment to think about what you already know. Cats are basically very tidy creatures. They are in the habit of grooming themselves by licking every part of their body clean

Tell a friend:

Car Cats
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

How to Provide the Best Quality of Life for the Geriatric Cat
Older cats are prone to aches, pains and health issues just like their human owners. Such problems come with advancing age. The average lifespan of the cat has increased and chances cat owners will see age-related issues have increased as well.

Devon Rex - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know
In the 1950s in England, a stray cat gave birth to a litter of kittens with a curly coat. Through crossbreeding and inbreeding, this interesting trait was maintained, resulting in today's Devon Rex. It was once thought that the same mutation caused this and the Cornish Rex mutation (the fine, curly coat), but genetic testing has shown that this is not the case, making the Devon Rex a separate and distinct breed of cat. Due to crossbreeding, Devon Rexes come a wide variety of colors including black, white, blue, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, and caramel. They can also have various markings and patterns such as smoke, tabby, tortie, bi-color, tri-color and pointed. The Devon Rex coat can also come in a variety of coverings.

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.

Stop Cat Scratching Today!
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves are frayed. Your cat thinks you have morphed into someone he doesn't know and you need a solution to his inappropriate scratching behavior now! Sound familiar?

"Your Guide to Cat Breeds"
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans, cats pretty much took care of their own breeding. People kept them for one purpose - hunting rodent - and they are already perfectly designed for that.



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



Protect Your Feline With House Plants That Are Safe For Cats

Finding house plants safe for cats is not always the easiest thing to do. However, responsible pet owners search through the listings of poisonous and not poisonous plants put out by the ASPCA for appropriate plants. Then they decorate their homes with the plants that are safe for their precious cats.

Sometimes, you get a cat after you have already decorated your home. In this case, you bring your brand new kitty home and you do not give a second thought to your house plants. You go about your daily life never even thinking that those plants could be poisonous to your new edition.

Then one day, you come home from what is usually an otherwise normal day at work to find your cat a little ill. You have no idea what is wrong. This scenario goes on for a few days before you take your precious kitty to the vet and find your feline has been nibbling on a house plant. This is when you find out that the English ivy that you have had for years is actually poisonous to your kitty cat. Lucky for you, your cat did not ingest enough to be fatal but did ingest enough to get ill.

You quickly rush home and check the ASPCA's website and throw out all the potentially harmful house plants before something serious happens to your cat.
Continue Reading


When The Indoor Kitty Decides to Escape

I think that the most frightening thing that can happen to an indoor cat owner is to have their dearly beloved cat escape out the door. Whether it is an accident, where the cat broke through a screen, or someone leaving the door ajar and the cat's curiosity got the best of it. It is an experience that can make even the bravest of cat owners fall to their knees.

However, accidents do happen, no matter how careful we are. So what should a cat owner do first? In some instances prepare yourself for a long day or night of endless searching and calling.

Many studies have shown that indoor cats often show certain types of behavior when they find themselves in strange and unknown territory.

Most often they will go into what is called a "shut down mode" which is a type of self-preservation mode due to the fact that they are frightened and overwhelmed.

Most indoor-only cats have never seen the new sights and sounds of the outdoors and the experience is not only over whelming, but also down right scary.

If you are lucky enough to see your cat escape, keep a watchful eye on where it is going if it is at all possible. A frightened cat generally will not come when called, and now that you are outside, you too, are considered a scary person by the cat.

An indoor-only cat's first impulse is to hide somewhere that is why if you can keep your eye on the escapee you have a better chance of catching him/her.

A word of warning here, however, even if you know where Kitty is hiding, the chances of him/her coming into your arms willingly are slim and none.

First try offering food or treats, should you get no response do not be dismayed, as your cat may just be too frightened or distracted and does not realize you are its friend and not an enemy. If you try to grab the cat or make a fast motion toward it, you are only frightening it more. Talking softly and moving slowly will work better; again, keep in mind that Kitty is frightened and when you try to pick him/her up, Kitty may scratch or bite. This is a defense mechanism and has nothing to do with you. Remember how you would react if someone came toward you when you were frightened, how would you react?

If you know where Kitty is and if you can leave your door open, try to position yourself behind Kitty and sort of nudge the cat toward home territory. Again talking softly and no fast or sudden moves as you encourage the cat toward the house.
Continue Reading




'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

Ibs And Your Cat

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome is among the most common gastrointestinal disorders among cats. It is the condition which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.

When a cat suffers from feline irritable bowel syndrome, this only suggests that it is subject under abnormal contractions of the intestines. This then interferes with the normal passage of food and waste material, which therefore creates more toxins and mucus in the tool.

This accumulation of digested material will set stage for obstruction of stool and gas in the digestive tract. The whole process will result to bloating, diarrhea and constipation.

Like with human irritable bowel syndrome, the cause of the feline IBS is not known. Contributing factors, however, provide us ideas of what must be fixed to facilitate treatment. Stress, poor eating habits, allergies, improper use of antibiotics, viral and bacterial infections, and viruses can all help in the exacerbation of the symptoms.

Symptoms of feline irritable bowel movement include abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, bloating, anorexia and flatulence.
Continue Reading


Cat Hyperthyroidism-a Brief Introduction

As cat owners, there's nothing more distressing than finding out that your feline friend is sick. In the case of a disorder such as feline hyperthyroidism, the consequences can be severe and have the potential to rob your pet of its health, comfort, and even its life. However, when armed with some basic knowledge, you'll be better able to help your cat through its illness and to hopefully catch the problem early on so you can ease your pet's suffering and improve its health with early treatment and intervention.

The Feline Thyroid Gland
The thyroid is a double-lobed gland located in the cat's neck, wrapped around its trachea. Consisting of spherical follicles, this gland is responsible for secreting the two thyroid hormones -- thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These two iodine-containing hormones play a significant role in a number of physiological functions and have an effect on every cell in the feline body. In particular, T4 helps to regulate the cat's metabolic rate, or the rate at which the cat's cells burn energy.

Feline Hyperthyroidism
When a cat's thyroid does not function properly and produces too much of the T4 hormone, the cat develops the endocrine disorder known as hyperthyroidism. This disorder is most common in middle-aged and elderly cats and affects male and female cats equally. Since thyroid hormones have an effect on every part of the feline physiological system, hyperthyroidism can also affect every organ. As a result, this endocrine disorder can have numerous negative effects on a feline patient and can quickly become extremely dangerous if left untreated.

Consequences of Hyperthyroidism
Since the thyroxine hormone controls the metabolic rate of a cat's body, elevated levels of this hormone result in a higher rate of metabolic function. This causes an increase in blood pressure as well as an increased heart rate. This excessive stress upon the feline heart can eventually cause it to expand in size. Known as myocardial hypertrophy, this heart condition causes the organ to wear out more quickly than a normal heart and will eventually lead to heart failure if the myocardial hypertrophy and hyperthyroidism continue to go untreated.

Symptoms and Warning Signs
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

Birman - The Facts Every Owner Of This Cat Breed Should Know

The history of the Birman cat is steeped in mystery. According to legend, the people of Asia built a temple to worship a golden goddess with sapphire-blue eyes. A priest often knelt in meditation with a white temple cat. One night the temple was attacked at the priest killed. As the priest died, the cat placed his feet upon the priest and faced the golden goddess. As he did, the hairs of his white body turned golden, and his yellow eyes to sapphire-blue, his four white legs turned brown, but where his paws rested, they remained white. Where this legend ends, history begins.

The temple was raided at the beginning of the 20th century. Two westerners, Auguste Pavie and Major Gordon Russell, came to the aid of the priests. As a gesture of gratitude the priests later sent the two men a pair of Birman. The male cat did not survive the trip but the female, who was pregnant, did. The Birman is an average size cat (males generally ranging from eight to twelve pounds, females seven to nine pounds).

Birmans have a medium length coat that requires very little grooming. The coats are usually a light color on the face and darker over the rest of the coat, with golden shades being the most popular.
Continue Reading


The Rarest Domestic Cat Breed on Earth

There 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



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

Why Does My Cat Have a Urinary Blockage and What Can I Do About It?
If you notice that only drops of urine come out at a time when your cat tries to urinate and he is urinating a lot more often than usual, he may be suffering from a cat urinary blockage.

Burmese - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know
The modern Burmese breed has roots muddled in history. It is generally believed that Burmese are a man made breed descending from the crossbreeding of a Siamese and an ancient version of a pure Burmese (that later died out). This Burmese breed had almost died out until a breeder named Dr. J. Thompson brought one of these remaining cats, Wong Mau (who may have actually been a Tonkinese), to America in the 1930s because of his interest in Wong Mau's markings. The doctor wanted to study these markings and bred Wong Mau to a seal point Siamese. The resulting liter was the first Burmese kittens.

Tonkinese - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know
The Tonkinese breed is widely considered a 'newer' breed, a cross between a Burmese and a Siamese, though some dispute this saying the breed existed in the 1800s. The first known Tonkinese was Wong Mau, a descendant of ancient Burmese. Wong Mau was bred with a Siamese and over time, the Tonkinese was bred into its own separate breed but it was not recognized as a distinct breed until 1984. This cat is a medium sized breed with males weighing eight to twelve pounds and females six to eight pounds.

Ragdoll - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know
The Ragdoll breed of cat was developed by a breeder in California, Ann Baker, in the 1960s. She bred a white female Persian that carried Siamese markings to a male Birman. She introduced those offspring to a female Burmese, resulting in today's Ragdoll, a medium sized breed with oval blue eyes and a medium length coat with Siamese markings. Mature Ragdolls (considered adult around age three), are heavier than other breeds; males will weigh anywhere from twelve to twenty pounds and females ten to fifteen pounds. They will live an average of twelve to twenty years. Their fur does not tend to mat or shed excessively, all though regular grooming is a must (something this breed does not mind).

Cat Poisoning - What You Need To Know
Many kinds of poisons from many sources can kill cats. Sometimes the poisoning occurs when a cat consumes a toxic substance. Other times it is the result of a cats self-grooming and ingesting poison. For example, a cat may walk through a rodent tracking powder, a petroleum product or antifreeze and consequent consumption of the toxic substance occurs during grooming. Still other poisons may be absorbed through the skin, particularly petroleum-based chemicals or coal-tar products.



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

Zucchini Pancake Recipe
I know that almost everyone has had potato pancakes but did you ever try zucchini pancakes, when I was a child I was a very picky eater and there was very little things that I would eat, my favorite was potato pancakes, I just loved them so much I could eat them every day so one day I came home from school and my mother had potato pancakes or so I taught, I sat down to dinner and began eating my favorite food but something seemed a little strange, I said to my mother these pancakes taste different and she said I used a different kind of potato this time and so I was satisfied with her explanation and kept on eating my fill as usual, when dinner was over she asked me how I liked dinner and I said it was wonderful as usual, then she replied these were a new zucchini pancake recipe that she just got from a neighbor and decided to try it on me. I was never so surprised in my life and since then I have been making the same zucchini pancake recipe and now I am passing it on to you.

The Original Old Fashion Punczki Recipe
This is the original recipe for making punczki that was brought from Europe by my wife's grandmother when she first arrived at Ellis Island and the onward to Pennsylvania Where she finally settled. Just how old this recipe really is I have no idea but the only thing I know is how good the punczki's are. You must follow this recipe exactly or it will not work well, I know, I have tried to create some shortcuts that were ok but not as good.



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


Sporotrichosis in cats
Sporotrichosis (fungal infection) is very common here and it can be a potentially serious fungal infection that can infect cats, dogs, or people. The risk of people contracting this disease from infected cats, the seriousness of this disease should never be underestimated and veterinarians or owners may often overlook Sporotrichosis as a potential cause of the symptoms.

Mammary Cancer In Cats: Any adult female cat can develop mammary cancer, but the average age is usually 10-14 years of age.
Siamese cats appear to have a genetic predisposition for developing mammary cancer and are twice as likely to develop it as other breeds. Unspayed females are at a much greater risk of developing mammary cancer. Female cats that were spayed after having one to several heat cycles, with or without having kittens, are also at a greater risk than a cat that was spayed before her first heat cycle.

How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy - Playtime for Kitty:
While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are often left to their own devices, having to find their own ways of exercising if they are kept indoors. Cats have gone from working animals to creatures of leisure

What type of cat is trainable?
Not all cats are trainable and some of them are not easy to train. Take a look at the different, easy to train cats and some that are not easy to train.



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


Dealing with Pet Loss - By a 17 Year Old
Losing a pet is like losing a family member; it is very hard to deal with especially if they have been a part of your life for a long time. There are no real set ways to deal with this loss. Losing your pet it is heart wrenching, sad, depressing and deeply hurtful. It takes a long time to mourn. Everyone needs to find their own way to cope with these feelings.

If you're ready to create your own cat disaster preparedness plan
use these resources to create a plan custom-fitted for you. Your local Emergency Response Team can assist you in locating animal-friendly shelters in case of evacuation. They will also be able to provide you with any and all requirements necessary to house animals in such a shelter. (In most cases pets will need to be crated and will need to bring copies of their immunization records).

All 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.

Inhalant Allergies In Dogs And Cats
Several objects in the environment can be inhaled by pets and can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and cats. These objects induce the cells of the pets to release substances such as histamine. With histamine, the irritation begins.

Ragdoll Cat History is Stranger Than Fiction
The origins of Ragdoll cats are full of myth and controversy. This cat's history is often contradictory and confusing; some of the Ragdoll story is just not possible. Other parts we know to be factual.



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>



  • What human foods are toxic to

  • 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