Cat Nip: How does catnip effect kittens and elderly cats? Catnip does not effects kittens under the age of 3 months, and elderly cats are generally not effected either
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The Health Risk Of Giving Your Pet Catnip
Most people are familiar with the affinity cats have for catnip. After viewing your cat's reaction to catnip, you may become concerned and ask some common questions in relation to products composed of this substance. Here are a few facts and answers to common questions about catnip.
What exactly is catnip? Catnip is an herb from the Lamiaceae family group, and it is known as Nepeta cataria in scientific terms. It originated in the Mediterranean area, but is now commonly found in England, North America and Canada, though it can be grown almost anywhere. Most of these plants are herbaceous perennials, but some grow annually as well.
What does a catnip plant look like? It has a thick and sturdy stem, with heart shaped green to grayish leaves. The catnip plant has flowers, and they are usually pink, lilac, blue, or white in color. The flowers are tube shaped, and are sometimes flecked with tiny purple dots.
What are the effects of catnip on cats? Some cats react more dramatically to catnip than others. Common effects of catnip include running, jumping, excessive meowing or growling, licking, salivating, sniffing, pupil dilation, and rubbing or rolling on catnip. Instead, some cats may become sedated, tranquilized, or tired. Once a cat experiences a reaction to catnip, they lose interest and cannot be affected by it for at least an hour, sometimes two after their original exposure.
How does catnip work? The primary active ingredient in catnip is called Nepetalactone, which stimulates a response from the cat's olfactory system. Some people believe that catnip may also be tied to stimulating a cat's pheromonic receptor. That is, a pheromone produces a chemical reaction within a body (or plant) and produces an effect on behavior. Some common pheromones include: aggregation, primer, territorial, and sex pheromones.
How does catnip effect kittens and elderly cats? Catnip does not effects kittens under the age of 3 months, and elderly cats are generally not effected either. In fact, approximately ten to thirty percent of the entire cat population does not respond to the effects of catnip, no matter what their age. The reaction to catnip is also genetically based. Some cats are "made" to respond to catnip, while others simply aren't.
Can catnip be dangerous? Catnip is often inhaled by cats, not ingested. This means that they cannot "overdose" or consume too much. If a cat happens to consume catnip, they may vomit, but it is not harmful or toxic. Most times, when you see a cat nibbling on catnip, it is not because they want to eat it; they are simply trying to release the scent of the plant that activates their senses.
Cats love catnip. It is an herb that triggers their senses that elicits a playful response. It is not dangerous or toxic to your cat, as the scent is inhaled and the plant is not usually consumed. So, catnip toys and scratch posts are fine for your kitty; let them have a little fun, and enjoy their treat of catnip!
Also see :
How To Do Cat Litter Box Retraining: Cats stop using the cat litter box for a number of reasons. Once you discover the reason why and correct it, you may need to re-train your cat to use her box again. Despite what you think,
you can train a cat! For most cats, it's not hard
Top Toys That Your Cat Will Have A Ball With
Cats need to play, no mater how young or how old they are, they
need to have some toys in order to stay entertained. Cats love
all kinds of different toys and just like people each cat with
have his or her own special preferences.
Fancy a Cat Clone Sure, you can clone your favorite cat. But the copy will not necessarily act or even look like the original.
The Scottish Fold Cat The first Scottish Fold cat came from a farm in Pearthshire, Scotland, England in, 1961. The cat was discovered by a local shepherd who noticed the strange folded ears
Cats Help Shield Owners From Heart Attack Whether it's a frisky kitten or a tubby tabby, a cat at home could cut your heart attack risk by almost a third, a new study suggests
It is estimated that a cat can kill up to one hundred birds each year. Millions of birds are killed by pets and feral cats as are tens of millions of rodents and other small animals. Cats are not a natural part of the ecosystem. They were introduced to North America in large numbers in the 1800's. Unlike other predators, cats are fed and inoculated against disease, and are not reliant on their hunting skills for survival. In addition to killing birds through hunting, cats can transmit diseases, which kill wildlife.
Feral, or wild cats are descended from domesticated pets When cats are lost or abandoned, they return to a more primitive wild state, know as feral. Although feral cats may live alone, often they join large groups or colonies of other wild cats. Their lives are hard, and their life expectancies are much lower than their domesticated kin
Understanding Why Your Cat Stalks
By their very nature, cats are excellent hunters who thoroughly
enjoy stalking their prey. For domesticated cats, their "prey"
can be something as simple as an insect or a wind up toy. But,
is it always healthy and normal for a cat to stalk
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Cat training with a clicker: Clicker training is a reinforcement or reward for a cat when training them. Clickers are use most often for support when
training a cat for a reward
Litter Training a Cat
When you come home from being gone, at work all day and find the
cat has messed all over, or in one area. You have to go and get
it cleaned as the cat sits and stares at you as if they have
done nothing wrong. This is right!
Also see :
An Overview of Cat Breeds: Cats were one of the last animals to be domesticated. They were first found in households in Egypt about 5000 years ago.
Currently they are the most popular house pets, outnumbering
dogs by more than two to one
Also see : It is estimated that a cat can kill up to one hundred birds each year. Millions of birds are killed by pets and feral cats as are tens of millions of rodents and other small animals. Cats are not a natural part of the ecosystem. They were introduced to North America in large numbers in the 1800's. Unlike other predators, cats are fed and inoculated against disease, and are not reliant on their hunting skills for survival. In addition to killing birds through hunting, cats can transmit diseases, which kill wildlife.
Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat: Learning cat behaviors before you start training them would be an good idea for anyone that is going to train a cat's behavior. A cat can jump and land on its feet as this is a natural instinct for a cat.
Reasons For Neutering Your Cat
Cats are warm blooded carnivorous mammals and they certainly feed on protein-rich meat. They are predators and hunters and they usually prey upon rats and mice. Cats are also known for their great fighting skills.
Mac Daddy Cat Challenge- Can your cat hack it? Think you have a Mac Daddy Cat? Upload your cats photos and let the world decide. Monthly winners posted on CatNews.org. - Can your cat hack it?.
Save money and time by applying proven solutions to get rid of cat urine odor in your home Read more
Learn The Cat Training Secrets The Experts Don't Want You To Know! Read more
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Meow Mix House - Cat Reality Television
My friends at Meow Mix have done it again, they have produced a reality TV show staring 10 homeless cats.
All ten cats were chosen from animal shelters from around the country.
The cats are spending their time in a storefront window in New York City. The players are brought to life with the use of voice over and the public votes one of the cats out of the house each week. Sound like something you've watched before?
The best part is when the cats gets voted out of the Meow Mix House they go to an adopted new home and the winner will be the new Meow Mix spokes-cat.
Thanks to Meow Mix for providing great entertainment for us cat lovers.
If you have a cat - or more than one cat - then you're in the market for some quick and easy training tips. The following tips . . . tricks . . . and techniques cover a variety of situations that most cat owners encounter.
The key to effective training is consistency. Whatever you choose, be sure to do it on regularly, otherwise, you'll be sending your cat mixed signals. And that will only make it that much harder to train her. Forget about cat training in 10 minutes!
Below are ten "must have" tips that will get you through your initial phase cat ownership.
1. Cats really don't care that you punish them. It's true. If you've owned a dog, you know that punishing him will help change his behavior. It doesn't with cats. Bottom line. Don't waste your time. They'll sit there purring at you and just perform that same behavior again.
2. Corporal punishment is out of the question. Because a cat's body is so delicate, you can't "spank" a cat the way you do a dog to get its attention. That means when you're training your cat, you have to match wits with it. Don't worry. I'm confident you'll win. There are things out there like cat clicker training, but I don't recommend it.
3. Use a form of positive reinforcement. As you become a seasoned cat owner, you'll discover that it's difficult to catch your cat in the actual "crime". It's far easier, then, to reward your cat when you see her performing a right behavior. Keep some cat "treats" on hand. Feed one to your cat whenever she is doing something positive - like using the litter box or using her scratching post.
4. Keep plenty of toys - either store bought or make shift - around the house. Much of the "bad" behavior of cats is simply because they're board. The feline is by nature a predatory animal. Remember the scene in the Disney movie, The Lion King, where little Simba gets "pouncing lessons." When you think your cat is literally bouncing off the walls and tearing down the curtains, he's only practicing his predatory skills. Provide him with alternatives and he'll tame down - at least some.
5. When you're away, keep him busy. If your cat is used to company, he may get bored and inadvertently destruction while you're at work or are gone for any length of time. Here's a quick hint. Buy a timer for your television set, make sure the TV is tuned to an animal-friendly channel (an outdoor channel or Animal Planet for instance) and then have the television automatically turn on at different times of the day. Cats can see images on the screen. He'll come to investigate the noise and stay to watch the picture - at least for a while.
6. The value of a spray bottle of water. In some instances, spraying a cat with a harmless water bottle is enough to get their attention and stop the bad behavior. You only need a simple spray bottle that you use for misting plants. Squirt the cat if it misbehaves. Soon, he'll know that he can't do that.
7. Blow a harmless puff of air in your cat's face. Yes, this sounds crazy, but it really works. If your cat is literally in your face and you need to teach him to keep a certain distance and give you some space, try it. Blow a puff of air into his face. It'll startle and puzzle him. Soon, he'll associate the two and you won't be bothered by the unpleasant attention he gives you.
8. Make sure you cat has "a room with a view". You know what they say, "curiosity killed the cat." More appropriately, an irate owner went berserk over something a bored cat got into. Much of the bad behavior of your cat is simply due to his innate curiosity. Make sure he has a ledge or window sill that he can sit in comfortably to check out the birds and squirrels in your yard. If your window sill isn't large enough for him to sit for extended periods, you can by an extension at the pet store. Or, if someone you know is handy, you can make your own.
9. Spend quality time with your cat. As a training technique, this may sound a bit unorthodox. But, it's really a savvy move on your part. The more time you spend with your kitty, the better you'll be able to communicate with her. Cats definitely have a form of communication skills that involves more than just "talking." The better you know your cat - and just as importantly, the better your cat knows you - you'll be able "to read her mind". You'll just "know" when she's considering an improper move. And she'll know when you disapprove just by reading your body language and the look on your face.
10. Confine the aggressive cat. Reward the victim. Got more than one cat? Then you probably have that occasional "cat fight." Felines are territorial animals. They will get into a fight now and then over their "catdom." If you view the fight, your first step is to disengage the action. Using a water sprayer is the best method. Squirt the aggressor. Try to avoid squirting the victim. After that, confine the "bully" in a less attractive space. In the meantime, reward the cat who didn't attack - even when she was being attacked. Give her a treat and let her free roam the house. When you do put this pair of felines together again, try to keep them as supervised as possible.
These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg when you're training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you'll discover a language of your own. It may be through speech - you talk and she meows. But more than likely, the two of you will eventually be able to read each other's body language. You'll soon learn the subtle nuances of this very effective form of communication . . . and teaching your cat what she needs to know will be easier than you can ever imagine.
About The Author Jim Moore Jim has come to appreciate throughout his life how you should take care and give loving attention to your cat.
7 Secrets to Successful Cat Toilet Training My family never thought of cat toilet training, but like to rear cats at home. I do not really mind them around, but the problem of dealing with their wastes poses some challenges to me.
Red fluorescent cats
Red fluorescent cats: This picture, taken through a special filter in a dark room, shows a cat, left, possessing a red fluorescent protein that makes the animal glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays, appearing next to a normal cloned cat.
Link Exchange If you have a pet related site and you'd like to link to Catnews.org feel free! Just copy the HTML code beneath the banner you want and paste it into your web page. If you want a reciprocal link in our link directory please email me at clark2368@aol.com with the page you have posted our banner and the information and graphic for your link
Flea Control For Cats And Dogs: As a pet owner I'm sure you'd be frustrated at the sight of your pet scratching and suffering from fleas. If you look into the veterinary arsenal you will see that there are a number of products that help you fight the war against fleas
House train your cat: Is your house your house or is your cat's house?
Is your cat climbing the curtains, chewing cords, digging in the
garbage, jumping on counters or tables, ripping the carpet or
rugs?
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
Add Your URL To Our Directory Submit your link to our open link directory - all websites are welcome to post their link
A Detailed Guide To Grooming Cats: It is a waste of time brushing your cat with a normal comb/brush. The advantages of using a cat brush is that it shelters the natural body oils, the bristles gently remove tangles and after brushing your cat it will have a shiny, good looking and healthy coat. But most importantly it is designed to remove excess hair, then in future when your cat cleans itself it does not swallow as much hair, preventing it from having a hairball
Could Your Dog or Cat Be at Risk for Kidney Disease?: Catching an Illness at an Early Stage Is Your Best Strategy Just like people, animals are susceptible to illness and stress. And, just like people, there is a lot you can do to keep them healthy.
Flea Control in dogs and cats: Flea control can be a very hard thing to do especially if you live in areas where fleas are largely populated. Weather has a lot to do with fleas and trying to keep them outdoors and off of your pets can be very changeling
THERE ARE OVER 50 CAT BREEDS. WHAT BREED MAKES THE BEST PET?
How to choose the perfect cat breed for you is easy if you do your research first. Cats are the world's most popular pets. They are independent but at the same time make for great company.
You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too
No one wants to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in furnishings only to see them ripped to shreds by an overzealous pet, however beloved.
Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,
openDemocracy continues its Ulysses series with Erik Orsenna's travels along the 21st century cotton trail. From Mali to China, via the US, Brazil, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, he explores the mechanisms of globalisation, trade and livelihood. 26 - 09 ...
Proof That Osama Bin Laden is Dead
Dateline: Jan. 2008
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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 --- Yemengzhus, 亦稱傳奇光亮珍珠在中國, 是罕見的煥發的球在黑暗的熒石。
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