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Taking Care of an Older Cat

Cats are not turtles. Okay, I know what you're thinking, people aren't turtles, either. However, when you really think about it, people are a lot closer to turtles than cats in the sense that turtles, as well as people, can live to be 100 years or more. Not so for cats. In fact, in human terms, a cat who's surpassed twelve years would be applying for their old age pension. Certainly cats can live longer than twelve years and, in fact, thanks to many factors, cats really are living much longer these days.

Dedicated care from their human companions plus advances in veterinary medicine are the main reasons. Most experts consider a cat's "senior years" to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even the most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her resident human, a cat could enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.

As with humans, cats often lose the ability to hear as they get older. This often goes unnoticed by their human companion because they think their cat's lack of response is just typical feline aloofness. Unfortunately, without keen hearing and vision, an older cat becomes more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street, so it's probably a good idea to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves the fresh air, then make sure you supervise her in a protected area when she is allowed outdoors.

Even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat's senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Try adding moist food and warming her meals to amplify the scent and make her dinner more tantalizing.

Also, it's important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Pay attention to about how much water your cat drinks each day. If the amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, you should consider contacting your veterinarian.

Common problems people see their older cats develop include difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva production, less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold, gum disease and tooth loss, a change in litter habits, and difficulty sleeping well.

Recent studies have uncovered a problem with potassium balance in many older cats. Poor coat condition, loss of appetite and lethargy have been linked to a mild form of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium. Low blood potassium damages the cat's kidneys, which, in an older cat, are already weakening. This leads to a vicious cycle because declining kidney function increases the loss of potassium in the blood, which in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.

Arthritis and stiffness is fairly common in older cats as well and as it becomes more difficult to move, a geriatric cat spends more time sleeping. If her diet stays the same, she'll begin to put on a lot of extra weight. This can add to her discomfort which makes her more inclined not to move. Without exercise her muscles will weaken, so it's important to encourage an older cat to take part in some activity every day. Physical movement will help with digestion and bowel function, as well as keep her sharp mentally.

As a cat gets older, it spends less time grooming itself which may result in her hair becoming dry and matted. Regular grooming is required to keep her coat healthy and beautiful, so it's best to schedule daily brushing to remove loose hair that can form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach.

So, as I said, cats aren't turtles. However, with love and care they can live for fifteen years or more. But remember, just as senior humans require special care, so does your feline friend. Pay attention to their needs and help make them as comfortable as possible.

About the author:

Glenn Cutforth is a writer, publisher and graphic designer. His website, The Complete Cat at www.thecompletecat.com features The Complete Book of Cats & provides Cat owners a wealth of information and pictures on cats including Cat Care & Training, Cat Breeds, The History of the Cat and much more.


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Every wonder why a cat has to scratches everything in site. Your cat is sharpening claws and ridding the outer layer of old claw is one reason. After a cat has been declawed, they could continue to go though the motion of clawing.


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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.

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Everything About Cat Airline Travel You Need to Know

For a cat, airline travel is extremely stressful. Prevent anxiety and stress in your cat by following a few simple guidelines. Each airline has specific rules on traveling with your cat, so make sure you know if your cat will be stored in the baggage area or if you can keep your cat and cat carrier with you on the flight. Veterinary Approval Is Usually Required While a cat sits in his cat carrier waiting to be placed in the baggage compartment, he may be exposed to outside elements. Many airlines refuse to take responsibility for a cat becoming chilled or overheated. Therefore, they require pet owners to supply a letter from their veterinarian, called an acclimation certificate, stating the cat is healthy and able to withstand temperature extremes.

Some airlines will request proof of recent vaccinations, including rabies, before boarding your pet. If you are traveling out of the country, make sure you've checked to see if your animal will face a quarantine when you reach your destination. Quarantines are stressful on both pet owners and their cat.

Choosing a Cat Airline Carrier
Airlines all require cat crates for air travel. Your cat carrier should be large enough for a cat to move around. Once you've boarded your cat, airline personnel will not allow you to take the cat from the carrier if the cat is with you. Make sure the cat has room to move and that there is room for a food and water dish. The water dish should be one that is filled from the outside. While the cat is flying, you will not be able to open the cage door.

Other features to watch for:
•Area for writing your name and contact information in case the cat carrier is lost
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Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

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Learn how to film funny cat videos

Pets can be very funny. Watching them at play always makes a good time pass. Their simple antics and confusing behaviour can leave you in splits. Frolicking kittens trying to outdo each other can keep you engaged for hours. If you can capture the fun filled moments on video, you can enjoy them throughout your life. Freeze the moments for those who were not there when it happened.

HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH PETS
The spontaneous reaction of cats to awkward situations always makes great funny cat videos. Throw a crumb of bread before a kitten and watch them fight out. The greedy pull, desperation, impatience, squeaks, grab and run, wild chase, tumble can be the perfect dose for heartfelt laughter.

Give a plastic bottle cap to a kitten. It will go nuts batting it around and carrying it in his mouth. Its busy schedule with the cap is worth filming. Likewise allow cats to play with pull off tabs from milk jugs. The tabs may end up under the furniture but its struggle is a great thing to film.

Try filming two kittens in an empty bath tub playing with a toy like a spark ball. The sloped sides keep the ball rolling and the kittens keep pouncing and strutting on the seemingly live toy. And if you want to make the kittens dance to your tunes, direct a spot of light from a laser pointer at them. In a bid to catch it they fall over each other. Film their wild goose chase frenzy for it surely will be an all time rib tickler.

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How to Treat Cat Eye Infections - Secrets From a Holistic Veterinarian

Many cats have chronic problems with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye membranes). Often, the problem comes and goes. One or both eyes may be red, swollen, watery, crusty, or goopy. Causes include infection, congenital defects (small or absent tear ducts), facial conformation (Persian features), and scarring from previous infections. However, the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats is infection with a Herpes virus (but don't worry, your cat can't give it to you or your family!). In cats, Herpes is an upper respiratory virus; it's also called "rhinotracheitis" and is one of the components of the upper respiratory/panleukopenia (feline distemper) vaccine that is given to kittens. The vaccine does not actually prevent Herpes infection; its main function is to reduce the severity of the disease.

Virtually all cats are exposed to Herpesvirus as kittens. For most cats, no further problems occur. However, Herpes is a sneaky virus, and it likes to lie dormant until it gets a chance to get one up on the immune system. Because stress suppresses the immune system, cats under stress are particularly susceptible to recurrent Herpes flare-ups. Herpes is irritating and painful, and usually causes quite a bit of redness, puffiness, and a watery discharge or brownish crusty matter at the corners of the eyes. It often attacks only one eye, producing a lopsided squint. Often the cat will squint against bright light, or try to avoid it altogether.

There are several holistic treatment options for Herpes. One of the simplest is l-lysine, an amino acid that is inexpensive and readily available at the health food store. It comes in capsules or tablets, usually 500 mg. Capsules are much easier to work with, if you can get them. The dose is 500 mg twice a day for 5 days (total 1,000 mg/day). Lysine has a slightly salty taste, and is easily disguised by mixing with canned cat food or baby food. That seems like a lot--but that's what it takes to work. Once the acute episode is under control, a maintenance dose of 250 mg per day can be given indefinitely.

To relieve irritation and wash viral particles from the eye, you can make a homemade saline solution. Use 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup of water (room temperature). Three or four times a day, use a cotton ball to drizzle a small amount saline into the cat's eyes. Make the saline fresh each and every time, because bacteria could grow in the solution between treatments.

There is a human homeopathic formula that works very well, and very quickly, for cats. It's called "The Herpes Formula" by Aeura. Dissolve one tablet in a 1-ounce dropper bottle filled with a mixture of 80% water and 20% vodka (as a preservative), shake well, and give about half a dropperful by mouth once or twice a day. (Do NOT put it in the eyes!) If you make up a 1-ounce batch, it will last several weeks. It may seem a bit expensive up front, but one bottle of The Herpes Formula will provide years of treatment.
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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:
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An Introduction to Cat Pink Eye

Cat pink eye, also known as cat conjunctivitis, can be a chronic problem. This disease requires treatment to prevent further damage to the cat's eye. It's necessary to know the symptoms of cat conjunctivitis, so that it's treated before the infection advances and poses a risk to other cats.

What is Conjunctivitis?
A cat's eye contains the conjunctiva, a mucus membrane that surrounds the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which leads to swelling and redness in the eye.

How Do Cats Contract Conjunctivitis?
Foreign objects that may enter the cat's eye could cause irritation and lead to conjunctivitis. However, the most common cause of cat pink eye is a viral infection such as Feline Herpes Virus (FIV). Bacteria like chlamydophilia can also cause it. The infection may occur in either one eye or both. Although other factors such as fungal infections trigger conjunctivitis in cats, the occurrence is rare.

Feline pink eye may also be attributed to congenital defects. Persian cats are born with a turned in eyelid, so their eyelashes constantly come in contact with the eyeball, causing conjunctivitis. Cats that suffer from conjunctivitis due to environmental factors will have a sudden onset of pink eye, followed by speedy recovery.

Cat pink eye that occurs due to infections is more chronic in nature. Feline herpes virus-1 can lay dormant for a long period and become active when the immune system is low. Cats with conjunctivitis often show symptoms of respiratory illness. This occurs when the cat develops conjunctivitis due to low immune system functioning and an active herpes virus-1 infection.

Symptoms of Cat Pink Eye
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Understanding Cat Arthritis Symptoms - Caring For An Arthritic Cat

The increasing amount of cat owners feeding highly processed commercial cat food is reported by many veterinary experts to be a contributing factor in the increasing amount of cat arthritis happening in cats.

It is certainly not coincidence that owners who feed their cats homemade and raw food see lower occurrence of degenerative arthritis in their cats.

Today, although there are no concrete proof to show that commercial cat food contribute to arthritis development in cats, it is widely believe that they play a big part, From there, we understand that your cat’s diet would play a major effect in preventing this stressful cat disease.

Apart from diet, overweight older cats are also more likely to develop arthritis because of the extra pressure they put on their joints causing the cartilage and bones to wear off faster. Naturally, a cat who enjoys a healthy diet and who exercise regularly will be less likely to suffer from the same condition.

The symptoms of arthritis in cats would be that he will find it difficult to walk around and run. Moving around stiffly, he will not make jumps that he use to make and will have difficulty in climbing up stairs. Showing signs of depression, your cat would hide away and appear listless and even bad tempered. Not allowing you to touch and stroke him in areas where he is painful, he might cry out if you touch him on a painful joint.

To diagnose arthritis in cats, veterinary will observe, use blood test and most importantly the x-ray examination. The X-ray will show joint degeneration in areas of worn, irregular bone position and possible distortion of the joint and see if the bone is causing pain and forcing the cat to stand in an awkward position to compensate for the discomfort.
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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
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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:
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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
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 Buying a Cat
Buying a cat is not like picking out an item of furniture . The furniture will not be interacting with your family and you - it's not alive with it's own needs and personality. Neither is buying a cat as simple as pointing your finger at a cat in the shop and saying that you want that one. Buying a cat is an exciting time, which will result in a new member being added to your family. It is your choice what type of cat you purchase, as well as where the animal comes from, but you should know what you are getting into before taking a kitten or cat off someone else’s hands.

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 Chat: How Cats Communicate
Of course, cats meow. And the type of meow they use gives you a good idea of what they're trying to communicate with you. This is especially true if your pet is a Siamese cat. This type of cat is very vocal. One Siamese owner had a cat that meowed loudly - and persistently - whenever it wanted to play a game of hide and seek. Every time the cat used his "special meow", which the owner recognized, she knew that he was "hiding" and needed to be "found." She dutifully played.

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.



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Corned Beef and Cabbage Casserole Dinner--suitable for Diabetics,
Here's a quick and easy meal for busy families. What's easier than having your meat, potatoes, cabbage, and cheese all in one dish. That covers, meat, vegetable, salad, and dairy all in one. And that's exactly what this Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe does for you. Add a simple microwave dessert of Date-Oat Bars for the fruit and grains.

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.

Barbecue Roasted Salmon and Parsley Rice, Both Diabetic Friendly Recipes
If you are looking for a different way to prepare salmon , give this barbecue roast salmon a try. This recipe is suitable for diabetics as well as others. Surprise you family and friends with this different recipe. Serve with parsley rice which is also suitable for diabetics as it has a high protein to carbs ratio. Both dishes require baking but you can bake the rice first and then roast the salmon while the rice dish sits for a few minutes. Complete your meal with your favorite salad and a light dessert.



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What You Need to Know About Uva Ursi For Cats
Although you may have recently heard about using Uva Ursi for cats, it is a well-known natural medicine that has been around for centuries. It has been used in homeopathic remedies to quickly and effectively treat bladder conditions in humans and pets.

How To Reduce Hair From Your Shedding Cat
when his hair is clinging to everything from the living room couch to your favorite sweater. And if he is prone to hairballs this can really be quite messy and uncomfortable for the cat. While excessive shedding can be a sign of illness, most shedding is natural for the cat and is just part of living with these lovely creatures.

Persian cat grooming; what you need to know
Whether you bought your Persian cat as a show cat or simply as a house pet, the fact is that Persians need more grooming than the average cat and that responsibility falls upon you. If you don't know where to start with learning how to groom your cat then this article is for you.

Good Things To Know About Russian Blue Cats:
The Russian Blue cats are very intelligent, as their most important characteristic is that they always look carefully before leaping. Apart from the fact that the Russian Blue will have gained a large amount of play time from you at your first meeting

Do You Want To Find a Purebred Cat?:
For some of us, a common-or-garden Tom cat is not enough. We want quality feline company with a pedigree and the only way to guarantee that a cat is a purebreed is to contact one of the national cat associations



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New Article - Declawing - What You Should Know About

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.

More Games You Can Play With Your Cat
When you return home, your cat may be watching for you at the window. Tracing your finger on the window can be great fun.

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

Cat Training Tips:
When starting to train a cat, a couple of things you will want to take in consideration. Learn more about your cat, have the proper tools to do the training and have lots of patience

Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats:
periodontal disease (problems in the area around the teeth) is one of the most common health problems in companion animals. It is estimated that 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats older than 3 years of age suffer from some level of periodontal disease



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