Buff and Shine - How to Trim your Cat's Nails and Keep Your Skin Intact

You love your little kitty and there is no gadget you have not bought for her comfort. She has a snuggly bed to sleep in, a self-cleaning litter box, a treat dispenser, cat grass, every cat toy known to the pet shop owner, and a variety of scratching posts. Alas, the only scratching post she seems to enjoy is your sofa. You have tried spraying the numerous sprays that would allegedly cause her to turn up her little nose at your furniture, but to no avail. Unerringly, she still visits your sofa every day to sharpen her claws. You have tried the sticky tape trick, you know the one – you are supposed to put double sided tape over the spot she scratches so that next time she tries it she will be scared away by the stickiness of the tape, but this only made her go to the other side of the sofa to get her pedicure there. What is the cat owner to do? Trimming her nails is quite possibly the best option but how can you go about doing so and still live to tell the tale? After all, any time that you come near her with the grooming instrument, she turns into a spitting ball of fur, claws, and teeth!

When contemplating taking on the grooming of your kitty, it is important to work up to the big moment. Plunging right in will only cause for a traumatic experience for kitty and some cuts and bites for you. First and foremost, go ahead and get your cat accustomed to having her paws touched and massaged. This should be done well in advance of any grooming attempts, so that she does not associate having her paws touched with being groomed. Secondly, read up on the proper techniques. As you may know, there is a blood vessel running inside the claw that can belled profusely when being nicked. Similarly, a wound on her claw can easily become infected since your cat is digging with her paws inside her litter box, and no matter how clean you keep your litter, there are always some bacteria lurking in there. Thus, it is imperative that you avoid clipping too close to that blood vessel. Prior to actually doing the clipping, be sure to get out all the things you think you will need.

The most important tool you will need is the set of nail clippers. This is not the time to skimp and buy something cheap. Similarly, don’t use your nail clippers. Your clippers will most likely only rip the nail and may cause some serious damage. Instead, go ahead and visit your pet shop and invest in some heavy duty Guillotine-type nail clippers made from surgical steel. If they come with an extra blade, this would he even better since it will allow you to remove the other blade for sharpening. Practice using them before clipping day so you know how to hold them comfortably. Another implement you may need is a towel to wrap your kitty in. If she just doesn’t seem to calm down at all, it is best to simply wrap her snugly into a big, soft towel and work on her claws one paw at a time. You may wish to enlist the help of a friend to hold on to your little feline until you and kitty can work out a routine together. Last but not least you will need a good strong light to see the blood vessel that runs though the claws. Make every effort not to cut through this vessel!

Of course, there is no guarantee that you will succeed, and if your cat gets too upset, it is probably best to take a break for a few minutes, hours, or perhaps even days. Getting only one paw done is not the end of the world, and it is better to stop and let kitty regroup than having her traumatized to a point that she will run from you next time you unpack the clippers. Another thing to remember is that scolding your cat will accomplish nothing. Unlike dogs, cats do not take kindly to sternly spoken words, and unlike dogs, they may fear you if you persist in scolding them. The last thing you want to do is scare your little feline companion, so be sure to trim nails with compassion and common sense!

Five Ways to Choose the Best Cat Breed for your Family

Choosing a pet for your family takes time and preparation. Deciding what type of cat will best serve your family’s needs is not a light task. You must take into consideration if you have kids, allergies, a fear of lots of hairballs, etc. Do you want to adopt a cat or kitten or pick one from a litter? Do you want to have a pure bred from breeder with papers or just get a free tabby? These are just some of the things you need to think about before picking out a cat. You also need to make sure that once the cat is home you can provide food, toys, and vet cost. Cats need shots and vet visits too. Also think about grooming costs for a longhaired cat, it can get expensive. A free cat is not free, it costs money to own a pet and be a good pet owner.

1: Choose a personality

When choosing a cat, pay close attention to what their personality is. Is the animal playful, skittish, rough, quiet or loud? If you have children you may want to go with a more mellow and relaxed cat. One that isn’t bothered by noise and sudden movements, it will be less likely to scratch or hiss at the kids. If you are picking out a kitten than it can be hard to know which ones are going to be what as they grow. The kitty that pays you the most attention should be the one you get. Let your cat pick you out. Have patience with your cat as you discover his/her personality. Nighttime friskiness is to be expected and even the mellowest cat will play through the night.

2: Kitten or Cat?

Many people want a sweet little kitten. What is not to love about kittens? Well, for starters they attack everything, including the baby, the plants, your clothes, your body, and just about anything that peaks their fancy at that moment. If you can handle picking up after your new little tornado and can handle litter box training (not all kittens come trained), then you might enjoy the playfulness a kitten can bring. If you don’t want to deal with those things and are worried about small children getting scratched than adopting a mature cat might be a better option for you. Adopting an older cat cost less initially as well. You will pay an adoption fee, usually somewhere between $30-$50, and you cat comes with all its shots and fixed. You will be responsible for the cost of all that when getting a kitten. Older cats also tend to be more passive and instead of scratching kids, they know how to simply avoid them.

3: Short hair or long hair?

Long or short hair, now that’s the question. It can be hard to tell if a kitten is going to be long or shorthaired, they all are fluffy and fuzzy when they are little. Also with domestic cats you can’t rely on what the parents look like either. Shorthaired kittens tend to look a bit less fluffy than longhaired. All cats shed no matter what hair type they have and so cleaning will be a must for both. Shorthaired cats seem to have hair all over the place, where longhaired cats seem to have clumps here and there. Longer haired cats also require more maintenance. Some require daily brushings to keep the hair untangled and clean. Grooming visits to trim the cat’s hair from the back end helps fervent nasty litter box mishaps, but can be costly. Shorthaired cats require hair brushing too, to minimize their shedding. Another thing to consider is a hairless cat, which are great if you are allergic to cat fur. Grooming is a part of any pet owner’s life, how much time you want to invest is what you need to fig ure out.

4: Breed

There are thousands of types of cats out there to choose from. Even a domestic cat comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Choosing a breed really is a personal option. If you are looking for a pure bread cat and are willing to pay good money for it then you want to research the different breeds and what to expect. Each breed has its own unique things to consider that may make the difference when adopting. Some breeds have a longer life span. Some are more territorial. Some are more aggressive. Some have a tendency to go blind. Some do not like other pets or children. Most pure bread cats come with health and purity certificates. If you are picking a kitten from a domestic litter or adoption then it is more of what color and hair length do you want. Most domestic cats are free and can be found listed in the paper, grocery store bulletin board, or word of mouth. Remember a free cat really isn’t free, it may require defleaing before coming home and will need to go to the vet immediately if not adopted fr om a shelter.

5: Commitment

Cats live ten to fifteen, sometime twenty years. When you are adopting a cat, you are adopting a long-term commitment to care for that cat. You are adopting a commitment to feed that cat. You are adopting a commitment to protect that cat. You are taking on the responsibility to provide medical care, love, and time to care for this pet. Cats may be lower maintenance animals but they require all the same things other animals do. Their litter boxes need regular cleaning and they need affection. Being a pet owner is a big commitment and should not be taken lightly.

Give your Pampered Kitty a Workout with a Cat Gym

You spent a lot of money on couches, sofas, chairs, curtains, beds, rugs, and carpets, or even if you didn't they still cost a good chunk of change to repair or replace. From your cat's point of view, your furniture is THEIRS! If you are ok with that, you may stop reading here; you have officially become your cat's indentured servant. Good luck with that life of servitude. There is an expression that every cat owner will agree to: "Dogs have masters, cats have staff". If you are part of the staff, then your entire house is a kitty condo and this article serves no purpose. If you are the master just letting your cat think she has a staff, (lets face it, those are the only 2 options!) then lets continue.

Most kitty condos also serve as a kitty gym. The main difference is that kitty gyms have more levels so your cat can jump around more. They are completely carpeted so your cat can scratch to her heart's content, which is the best exercise for her. Be sure to check around for the kitty condo of your choice. If you want a certain look or specific style, then a pet store will probably be your best bet. If a simple gym is suitable, then try a general shopping store that may have only a few selections but often will have better prices.

You don't need to spend a fortune on kitty gyms with special beds on them. If you let your cat talk you into it, you could be spending well over a hundred bucks on a kitty gym that does not serve the needs of your cat. Remember, regardless of what your cat may tell you, YOU are the master. Try not to forget that.

A kitty gym should have a perch or a platform on it that she can lay on, but not a bed. You want to encourage her to exercise when on it, not sleep. Get a kitty condo for that. They are basically the same thing, but if she has one to play on, and one to sleep on, she won't get bored. On average cats sleep about 16 hours a day. They spend about 2 hours a day scratching and the rest of the day annoying someone to pet them and caress them and feed them and just about anything else your cat has talked you into do by looking at you and purring. A kitty gym will give them a place to scratch, the condo a place to sleep, and as for the rest, well I think you know your place.

One way to get your cat to start using this new gym is to walk her through what to do. Your cat will think you are just playing, but she is learning what is acceptable at the same time. Start by placing her at the base of the kitty gym. Caress her and play with her a second to get her comfortable around the gym. Then place her two front paws on the scratching post, squeezing slightly so she extracts her claws. Run her claws down the scratching post very lightly. You want her to get the idea that it's OK to scratch here, but you don't want to rip her claws out in the process. Once you do this, you may just want to place her on a couple of the levels and just play with her on the gym. You will get some personal time with her. She will get some exercise and get to figure out what the heck this contraption you brought home is. Introducing your cat to her new tool like this is very good for you and her.

After a week or so, you should see her play on it more often. She will scratch it, lounge on it, and chase her toys on it. You may even hide a treat or two on some of the levels to encourage her to jump around on it occasionally to look for treats. A kitty gym will be a great investment for your cats' health and entertainment.

Travel in Style with your Cat - How to Pamper Them on the Go

Cats can be rather difficult to travel with. To most cat owners they can be quite a challenge. Most cats whine, scream, hiss, and act as though they are being killed slowly and painfully when you put them in the kennel carrier to put them in the car. Only about one in every hundred actually curls up and will relax when you put them in the carrier to go anywhere. No one really knows why most of them go completely crazy when you do it.

The first thing you will need to get is some kind of fabric crate, preferably one designed for cats. Since cats are not the best travelers and pet supply companies do not generally design stuff for the traveling cat, this step may pose some issues and problems. Keep in mind they do make them; they do exist, just keep looking. Fabric ones is the safest for you cat. Usually when you place a cat in a kennel or crate, they go into defense mode. They jump around sometimes trying to escape. A fabric crate stops them from injuring themselves in the process. They may still scream and hiss and make other horrifying noises, but you can have the peace of mind that you know your cat won't hurt itself in the process. Not to mention once your cat becomes accustomed to the crate, fabric is much more comfortable than plastic. After all, isn't it all about pampering your cat?

Once you buy the crate, the best thing to do is to get your cat accustomed to it so that traveling in it can be peaceful, relaxing, and hopefully very uneventful. The best way to do this is to get the crate as far in advance as possible. Place it in an area your cat passes by a lot. Place a treat in front of the crate. If your cat eats the treat, praise her; pet her; make her feel all good and pampered. When she is not looking place another treat just inside the door. Again, if your cat eats the treat, praise her; pet her; make her feel all good and pampered. When she is not looking place another treat further in. Again, if your cat eats the treat, praise her; pet her; make her feel all good and pampered. Do this everyday for a few days. You may even try putting her favorite toy or pillow in there. Some people even feed them in there. The point is to make your cat feel comfortable and safe in the crate. In her mind, she just found a neat little den and hideaway. She knows it is OK to play with, bec ause you give her treats and praise her and pet her when she uses it. If your cat feels comfortable and safe in the crate, it won't go into defense mode when you travel with her. She will just curl up and relax, and you can drive in peace! You may want to do some short car trips prior to your long trip, just get your cat used to the car and the moving.

If your cat still screams and fusses or gets motion sickness, call your vet and ask for a sedative. If you don't like the idea of medicating your cat, please keep in mind that it is for the safety of your cat. She will be very confused and disoriented and scared the whole trip. This will stress her out, which can cause heart problems and possibly kill her. Which would you prefer: Medicated and alive or non-medicated and dead from stress? You decide.

Bringing along some pet toys and snacks for your pet will also make her feel better about this trip. Remember, trips may be fun and relaxing to you, but not to your cat. Your cat prefers to be at home, being lazy, sleeping, taunting the dog, and cleaning itself. Trips are stressful for cats. Bringing a toy, or a snack, or some of its food, or something with catnip in it will help your cat feel comfortable and pampered during this stressful car trip. A pampered cat is a happy cat, and a happy cat is a safe cat.

The Latest in Luxurious Accommodations while Traveling

Take your pet along in style. Now you can choose from many different traveling kitty carriers for your traveling convenience.

One type of cat carrier comes in two different sizes. It is a tubular shaped carrying case that is made from liquid-proof heavy duty fabric. One model contains a cushioned flat bottom that serves as a soft place for your cat to stay in while riding in an automobile. This type of carrier is more versatile, because it adapts more to the shape of your pet than the regular square plastic or metal pet carriers. It has a convenient carrying handle for easy transport to and from the car.

Another one of the latest models of pet carriers is the type that you can carry with you on bike rides, mountain trails, scooter or motorbike. This carrier is well ventilated, and roomy enough for a small to average sized cat to enjoy the effects of movement from an outdoor trip. Cats like this movement, which is very similar to the effect of a child who likes car rides. This unit attaches to the back of a human just like a backpack.

For this type of carrier is usually a rain cover. This will ensure that your cat stays dry on the trip. You know how most cats hate water. This will carry cats up to 13 pounds.

Other types of pet carrier include the trendily decorated carriers that come in a variety of colors, often with an emblem on them. For example, you can get a bright red pet carrier that looks just like a purse with two handles for easy toting. One model of this type has a skull and crossbones design imprinted on it. Others of this come in colors such bright blue, and hot pink or bright green, with various emblems imprinted on them such as a horseshoe or other object for a decorative theme. Each of these pet carriers comes with a name tag, in case of loss.

There are many, many other purse-like pet carrier designs to choose from, some sitting upright, and others sitting sideways, and made out of a variety of materials. Some are constructed from leather, while others are made from softer fabrics, or imitation animal materials.

Another type of pet carrier in which to use is the carrier type that also acts as a play tube. This combo can keep your feline pet occupied, especially on longer trips. It has a carrying handling similar to the tubular carrier mentioned and an opening on the front for the cat to climb out when allowed.

Another type of carrier is the compact plastic type that is lightweight and ventilated enough to carry a pet for miles. This type is long lasting, and will take your pet anywhere you go.

You have an idea now of the latest models of kitty carriers. You have a wide selection to choose from, and you are apt to find one that fits your needs. You also have many sizes and shapes to choose from, and they often are manufactured from a variety of materials.

Some of the materials that pet carriers are made from are heavy duty waterproof fabrics such as nylon, or durable materials such as plastic, or a form of aluminum or steel. These materials provide for varying degrees of comfort and convenience for you to take your pet along with you anywhere you go. Some even come with toys and other accessories which keep your pet occupied during long trips.

With the hundreds of different types of pet carriers available to you for short and long distance travel, you are sure to find one that is appropriate for your use. You can also be certain that you will find one that will help your pet feel comfortable during travel.

Feel free to look around here and search for more information regarding cat carriers and other accessories for your feline pet. You have access to a world of resources available to you regarding the use of pet carriers. This information can help you make an educated decision upon purchasing the right one for your pet.

Take advantage of all the free information right at your fingertips, and often only one or two clicks away. You and your cat will be grateful you did.