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I'm Allergic To My Cat!

Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise to me. Growing up, I had many pets - cats, dogs and birds. My family were animal lovers and pets abounded, so being in contact with animals was a daily occurance. No one ever seemed to suffer from a cat allergy or any kind of animal allergy for that matter.

After my teens and my last pet had died, I wasn't in a position to take on another pet for many years. Then, eleven years ago, a friend of a cousin was looking for a home for their last remaining kitten. And so it was that Kira came into my life. This was a cat with attitude (and still is!) and we bonded pretty much immediately. While she was still a kitten, I'd put her in the kitchen overnight with a little cat bed to sleep in and the litter box close by.

As she grew older, I started letting her sleep in the bedroom. It's surprising how relaxing a cat's purring can be in wee small hours.

A little over a year later, when down with the vet getting some supplies, I heard that there was a kitten that needed a home or it would have to be put to sleep. And so, Fritz came home with me that day.

Unfortuately, Kira was less than impressed with this interloper and I had to keep the two separated for several days before an uneasy truce ensued.

They're an odd pair - Kira has attitude, Fritz is much more companionable; what you'd call a "gentle soul". She's still the Queen around the house and occasionally puts Fritz in his place with a right-hook to the face when she feels the need to assert her authority.

As Fritz matured, he also was allowed into the bedroom. Both he and Kira would sleep there during the day and night, as was their want.

We all know that cats are the greatest creature-comfort-seeking animals on the planet and a comfy place to catnap is one of their major concerns. But the place your cat chooses to snooze may not be your first choice. While I didn't mind the cats sleeping on the bed, I did take exception to Fritz's tendency to charge in from the garden and sleep in a basket of warm, freshly dried laundry straight from the dryer.

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine recently conducted a poll of pet-owners on the sleeping habits of their pets and found that 60% of them sleep in bed with one of the family. Where cats are concerned, there are two potential problems here: one is that, somehow, they manage to take up 90% of the bed and the other has to do with allergies.

I found I had a mild cat allergy when I started producing weird wheezing noises any time I was doing something strenuous. Coughing eased it for a few minutes but it would always return. I figured I’d developed a mild form of asthma, probably due to bad air quality and pollution, so I went to the doctor to have it checked out. After listening to my lungs he asked me one question: "Do you have a cat?"

Well, yes, I did. Two in fact.

"You’re allergic to your cats", he intoned.

Then he asked if the cats slept in the bedroom. Of course they did.

"There’s your real problem", he said. "What you’re allergic to is the dander produced by your cats. When a cat sleeps on your bed, the dander ends up in the sheets and the duvet and you breathe it in deeply at night when you’re asleep. Not good. That’s what causes your wheeziness. Stop the cats sleeping in your bedroom for two or three weeks and see if that eases your symptoms. If not, you’ll probably need to use an inhaler for the rest of your life."

Ok, that last sentence kinda hit me between the eyes. Much as I love my two furballs, I didn’t want to suffer a long-lasting health problem that could possibly be avoided.

So why is dander such a problem? It's the layer of dead skin that's rich in animal protein, which is continuously shed by animals. Sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the skin also produce these protein allergens. Male cats have, on average, greater amounts of sebaceous secretions and therefore are more allergenic than female or neutered male cats. This is a result of testosterone hormone effects on sebaceous glands.

So, with that information and the prospect of an enduring health problem, I banned my cats from the bedroom, threw out the duvet (on the advice of the doctor), bought a new one and changed everything on the bed (including getting new pillows). I didn’t get too much sleep the first few nights with the cats meowing and scratching on the door to get in but they got used to the idea, finally. After three weeks in a cat free bedroom, my wheeziness had all but disappeared. The cats haven’t been allowed back in since.

Should you find yourself with a similar cat allergy problem, banning the cat from your bedroom is one possible course of action. Alternatively, you can get your cat his own cat bed and put that somewhere out of harm's way (yours and the cat's).

Since finding out I was mildly allergic to my cats, I've spoken to other cat owners about it and quite a number also suffer some mild form of allergic reaction - sneezing, wheezing, watering eyes, blocked sinuses and so on. Owners appear to become at least somewhat immune to their own cats insofar as the symptoms are not as pronounced as they become when they're around other people's cats.

But, having said that, none of us would ever part with our feline companions and would exhort others to adopt a cat as a pet, as the benefits far outweigh any minor inconveniences.

Animal dander allergy can significantly contribute to respiratory problems involving the sinuses, nasal passages, and eyes, as well as causing upper respiratory tract problems that can result in asthma (as in my case). These problems can significantly diminish your quality of life despite various medical treatments. For some people, it can be even more serious, leading to recurrent acute asthmatic attacks that can be life threatening, requiring emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The good news is that most people who are allergic to their pets can keep their symptoms under control if they know the facts.

About the Author

Gary Nugent has been a life-long animal lover, especially of cats and is the webmaster of http://www.just-pet-cats.com - a site that helps you make the best choices to keep your cat healthy, happy and long-lived. Information about cats in general, health issues, behavior patterns and their history. And, not to forget about you...there are a few things on the site to keep cat owners amused as well.


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From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle. About the Author
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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:
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Potty Training For Your Feline Friends

Cats are basically clean animals. Perhaps you have seen one or two grooming himself or one another, or covering a recent defecated area. Although sometimes, due to medical conditions and stress cats tend to eliminate body wastes anywhere they choose to, so it is a must to potty train them to prevent any inconvenience inappropriate elimination can make. Cat potty training is best started when your pet is still a kitten, just like children it is then when foundations are built.

To start potty training the first thing you need is to find a good litter box, one that is made of plastic is preferable since this kind of material is cheaper, easier to clean, and will not let the odor out after usage.

Next, find a good cat litter as there are two kinds of cat litter the clumping and the non-clumping. The clumping kind makes cleaning of the litter box easier, but they are both effective so it's entirely up to you to choose between them. When filling the litter box with cat litter, it is best to fill it up a third of the way full, because cats like to dig on the surface before defecating.

After preparing the materials needed simply follow these cat potty training steps:
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I Think My Cat is In Heat, What Do I Do?

Cat's Heat Cycle
If you ahve an un-spayed cat, whether because you haven't gotten around to having her spayed or because you don't believe it spaying female animals or whatever the reason, you should be prepared for the cat to go into heat.

Usually a cat will come into her first season between 4 and 10 months old. That is a pretty lengthy time span, which is why if you don't want to deal with the cat going into heat, you should consider spaying the cat as soon as your vet recommends.

A cat's normal heat cycle lasts between 7 to 10 days, and occurs every 2 to 3 weeks.

If you do not spay your cat and you do not breed her, there is a high risk that the female cat will develop cancer in her reproductive organs or she can develop pyometra, which is a fatal infection in the uterus. So, needless to say if you do not want to breed your cat, then it's highly suggested that you spay the cat by at least 6 months old.

Signs of a Cat in Heat
Any or all of the below signs may indicate that your cat is in heat.
* More affectionate.
* Rolls around on the floor more than usual.
* Carries tail to one side.
* Very vocal, meowing a lot, with a more piercing tone.
* Points bum in the air with head and front half of the body on the ground.
* Licking vulva area.
* Rubs face against you or furniture more than usual.
* If an inside cat, she may try desperately to escape and run outside.
Precautions to Consider When Your Cat is In Heat
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How does catnip work?

"Catnip" is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America.

­Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response.

Because there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent.

Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.

The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to "reset." Then, the same reaction can occur again. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.

Cat Lovers are People who...

Cat lovers come in many different shapes and sizes. There will be times, unexpectedly, you find out someone you know is a cat lover. Maybe he or she didn’t seem like the kind of person to have cats. Or you had an image in your head of what a stereotypical cat lover looks like.

One thing all cat lovers have in common is that they are also animal lovers. They seem have a soft spot in their heart for furry friends, and shows deep compassion for other animals and other living things.

They also feel a connection with their pets, expressing the belief that they can sense what it is feeling.

Some owners form a kind of companionship with their pets, especially if they are single or unmarried. It’s common for individuals to get a kitten, raise it, become very attached to it’s companionship, almost as if it is their partner.
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Focus On Cat Health

Cat Health





Coughing Cat - Mysterious Causes You Must Know

A coughing cat demands cat pet care. The cat does not necessarily mean that the cat is sick or ill. Maybe the cat has diarrhea or maybe there are simply cat hairballs. There are several causes for a coughing cat. They are enumerated here.

Asthma and bronchitis may be a cause for a coughing cat. If asthma is causing the coughing then your cat will be given an x-ray. Your cat will have an inhaler, some asthma medication, and some steroids. Your cat may have bronchitis as shown by the x-ray. This is normally treated with steroids. Some cats may also have allergic reactions to airborne elements which may cause their asthma.

Cat hairballs may be one of the causes. If your cat has long hair then it is very likely that their coughing is caused by falling hair. This is one thing that you can treat at the comfort of your own home. You can purchase one of several over-the-counter remedies for hairballs at your vet's office, pet shop, or pharmacy. If you want to use a natural treatment for your cat's hairballs then you can use papaya treatments instead.

The coughing may be caused by cardiomyopathy. When your cat has this kind of illness, their heart will not pump blood properly. As a result, there will be a build up of pressure. This will cause the fluid in the lungs to be come congested and thus, cause the cat to cough.
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Focus On Cat Breeds

cat breeds

The Aegean Cat

Aegean is a natural breed of cats. It is the only feline breed native to Greece. It is said to have originated from Greek Cycladic Islands located in the Aegean Sea. Formal development was initiated in the last decade of twentieth century by Cat Fancy breeders of Greece. As such it is one of the newer cat breeds and often mistakenly thought by some to be somewhat rare, even as the Aegean Cat itself is widespread throughout Greece.

Aegean Cat is a medium sized feline with a predominantly white coat. There are other colors too including red, blue, cream and black, though a third to two thirds of the fur is white. Overall appearance is bi-colored or tri-colored. Though less profuse than those of Turkish Angora, hair are longish that protect it against cold winter, with a ruff around neck. There are no down hair. Built is athletic and muscular and the cat is known to be a good mouse hunter, a source of its admiration, particularly in rural areas. Body and tail are long. Head is broad and ears are widely set on the skull. Eyes are oriental in their shape with a color often in shades of green. Legs are strong and paws rounded.
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Sphynx Cat

The Sphynx cat is a very unusual and rare breed. They are often referred to as the Canadian Hairless Cat. They have very little fur and lack of whiskers. What fur some Sphynx cats may have will appear as a very fine down. The skin of the Sphynx can exhibit colors and markings and they have sometime been mistaken for Chihuahuas.

The face of the Sphynx is quite expressive and dominated by its large eyes and ears. Naturally occurring skin oils means that the Sphynx needs occasional bath. This is an intelligent cat that is devoted to favored humans. Affectionate and playful, this unique breed can make a great companion cat.

Sphynx Cat History
The Sphynx cat originated from a natural mutation in a kitten born in Toronto, Canada in 1966. The Cat Fanciers Association included this breed in the miscellaneous category in February 1998 and championship show recognition in 2002.

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wildcat, the genus Felis Lybica. This genus is comprised of smaller cats. Cats are thought to have been domesticated with the advent of farming and the storage of grain. The grain attracted rats and other vermin which naturally attracted wild cats. As time evolved, certain of these cats were domesticated for the mutual benefit of both cat and man. The African Wildcat has certain features which is obvious in the housecat of today.

Feline Health Considerations
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Good Things To Know About Russian Blue Cats

People say that no other cat breed can be as beautiful as the Russian Blue! They are indeed wonderful cats, which can steal anyone's heart with their emerald green eyes, silver-tipped fur, refined boning and plushy coats! These cats have a very strong personality. It is not the owner who chooses to take in a Russian Blue cat, but it is the cat that chooses to accept him! The cat has the final say as to how the relationship develops. If you are lucky enough to win her trust, you will get her full loyalty and love. The cat will treasure you more than anyone in the whole world. Unlike the other cats which are usually very friendly to people, the Russian Blue kitten is rather shy when meeting a stranger. The little one hides in a safe place, most of the times behind pieces of furniture. From there the kitten can review all the new aspects of her life. The only working strategy at this point is to sit down, quietly dangle a shoelace or move a cat teaser back and forth slowly and wait. The Russian will be unable to ignore the motion and will most certainly try to catch the moving object.
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Cat allergies

Newest Articles

The Amazing Cat Species
We all know that cats are loving and truly wonderful creatures. These days, it isn't out of the ordinary to see a cat in virtually every other home, sleeping in the window or cuddling up on the laps of their owners. Although cats have been popular pets for as long as most can remember, they weren't domesticated less than 5,000 years or so ago. Domestication took place in the valley of the Nile, which is what research tells us today.

Asian Semi-longhair Cat
Asian Semi-longhair is a beautiful cat breed. It is said to have originated in Britain during the 1980's. The cat also goes by the name of Tiffanie. Both names are used in different regions across the world. The origin of this pretty feline dates back to experimental breeding of the long-haired Burmilla cats with Chinchillas. The result of this breeding was this semi-longhaired attractive cat whose silky bur did not tangle and whose personality was an ideal combination of play and affection. Thereafter the cat was selectively developed and gained recognition of Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of United Kingdom, though it is still not recognized in the United States. Efforts are underway though to generate formal recognition of this cat in the United States.

How to Find a Cat-friendly Apartment
One of the biggest challenges cat owners face when relocating is finding a landlord who hasn't had a bad experience with destructive or malodorous pets. But before you cross out any listing in the paper that reads "NO PETS!", consider these tips for improving your chances of you and your feline finding a new apartment.

Crescia Bread or Italian Cheese Bread
If you don't like locatelli cheese then don't even bother making this bread; this bread has such a great aroma and flavor that you will eat an entire loaf by yourself, it is also perfect for gift giving and the best part is that you can freeze it weeks in advance and everyone will think that you just made it that day.



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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.
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Article Authors Wanted

I have my article directory up and running. Anyone with a good article can submit it for posting I am trying to increases my PR with the search engines and am looking For Authors that will give me a back link to their site. I don’t require a back link for you to post on my site, but it would help me reach my goal of 1 million back links within the next three years.
Thanks for visiting my site
Russell - Vist the new article directory

catnews.org Kitty Card Shop
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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

Lemon-herb Leg of Lamb Meal Suitable for Diabetics
This menu features a lemon-herb leg of lamb prepared with fresh lemon juice and delicious spices such as rosemary, oregano, and thyme. Just imagine the aroma coming from your oven! We've gone back to our vintage recipes and pulled out an old-fashion recipe for lacy potato fritters for this meal. We know diabetics have to be cautious about potatoes but this fritter recipe contains two eggs which suppy protein to counteract some of the starchy carbs in the potatoes. Serve with our creamy lettuce salad, where boiled eggs also add to the protein count in this meal. Finish off your meal with a dessert of delicious and lite assorted mini-cheesecakes that are diabetic friendly and they are delicious for anyone. No need for a diabetic dessert and a regular dessert.

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.



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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.

View the episodes

Episode 1
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Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Meow Mix House
Cat Reality Television



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


TOXOPLASMOSIS
Toxoplasmosis (commonly called toxo) is a disease caused by a microscopic protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. You may have heard about this infection because of the danger to newborn children if a woman becomes infected while pregnant. Another reason cat owners should be aware of toxo is that the cat is considered the "definitive host" of the toxoplasma organism, meaning it is the only animal that sheds infectious toxo in its feces.

Clumping cat litter - Health Alert
One new development of science that has me concerned is that of the "clumping cat litters". Touted to be easier to clean, non-tracking, and cost-effective, it is often "scented" and "deodorizing". It is chemically altered and I believe harmful to our animals.

Raw Food Diet For Cat and Kittens - Taking This One Step Prevents Cat Illness
There is increasing evidence accepted by holistic and traditional veterinarians that turning to a raw food diet for cat and kittens reduces the likelihood of many of today's common cat health problems. Its no secret that our cats are obese, have bladder problems or develop kidney disease or diabetes. Its looking like the same rules that apply to humans apply to cats - high carbohydrate, low protein diets and poor exercise habits lead to disease. The good news is that the number one step holistic vets recommend is that you switch your pet to a raw food diet for cat program.

Cat Allergy - What Can I Do, I Love Cats:
According to a recent report, between six and ten million people (that’s approximately two percent of the population!) in the United States are allergic to cats or exhibit symptoms of cat allergy. However, people often misunderstand these symptoms. Majority believe that cat allergy are caused by allergens from the fur or cat dander (scales of the skin), when, in fact, most of the potent allergens come mainly from saliva and sweat

How To Select Cat Toys:
In the next few paragraphs, we will explore new ideas and thoughts that may help you achieve your goal and decide what is best for you when choosing toys for your cats



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


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

How to Make Your Cat's Life, and YOUR Life, Happier - Training Your Cat:
Imagine that you are scolding your cat for scratching at your new furniture, and Kitty is sitting staring at you. Suddenly you realize how silly you look and how futile your scolding is. So how do you train your cat to respect your home?

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.



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