Pamper Your Cat - Cook for Them!

If you really want your cat to feel pampered, consider cooking for her. I know what you are thinking: "COOK? Who cooks for their CAT?" Well in all actuality, cooking for pets is a common practice that has many benefits. Home cooked food is fresher, healthier, and tastier than store bought food. Not to mention, it will also extend the life of your cat by five to ten years. There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking for your cat. Your cat has special dietary needs. She needs five times the amount of sodium and protein as a dog needs; so don't feed her dog food. It just won't do. Also you should avoid chocolate, alcohol, and pork of any kind, onions, raw fish, and raw eggs. These can tear up your cats' stomach. Here are a few recipes that you can try on your cat:

FISHY KITTY TREATS

Ingredients:

7 ounces mashed sardines

1/4 cup dry non-fat milk

1/2 cup wheat germ

Directions:

Mix ingredients. Roll into 24 small balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees until brown.

This recipe for Cat Cookies serves/makes 24.

SENIOR KITTY SOUP

Ingredients:

1 bouillon cube (chicken or veggie)

Chicken - boned and shredded

Grated cheese

1/2 cup water

Pour 1/2 cup warm water over bullion cube and stir to dissolve. Add shredded chicken to water mixture just enough to form soupy consistency. Sprinkle with grated cheese.

MEATY MORSELS

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef or turkey

1 small carrot -- finely grated

1 tablespoon cheese -- grated

1 teaspoon brewer's yeast

1 teaspoon dried catnip

1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1 egg -- beaten

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the meat, carrot, cheese, brewer's yeast, catnip and breadcrumbs in a bowl. Add the egg and tomato paste and mix well. Using your hands, roll the mixture into walnut - sized meatballs and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes until the meatballs are brown and firm. Cool the meatballs completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These freeze well.

KITTY KOOKIES

1-cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup soy flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup dried catnip

1/4 cup canned tuna (water packed) -- well drained

1/2 cup juice from drained tuna -- Add water if needed

1/2 cup corn oil

1 egg -- lightly whisked

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and mix. Then add remaining ingredients and stir to form stiff dough. If the dough seems too sticky, add a little more whole-wheat flour. Make dough into a ball shape and place on wax paper. Roll out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with animal shaped cookie cutters, if desired. Re-roll and cut more cookies until scraps are used. Bake on an un-greased cookie sheet for about 25 minutes. Store in a plastic bag, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator.

SACURA'S BISCUIT MIX

2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup powdered skim milk

1-teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg - beaten

Flavoring: Meat drippings, or broth (enough to make stiff dough).

Directions:

Combine flour, powdered milk and garlic powder in a medium sized bowl. Add beaten egg, flavoring and mix well with hands. Dough should be very stiff. If necessary add more flavoring. On a well floured surface; roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with shaped cookie cutters of your choice. Place biscuits on cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Store in a cookie jar or treat jar.

You can search the Internet or visit your local bookstore to get more recipes. There are hundreds of recipes for cat treats. There are cookbooks dedicated to making pet treats. Just do a little research and you will find anything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about home cooking for your cat. You will need to experiment with your cat to find what she likes and doesn't like. Once you find a few she does, she will look forward to getting those treats.

Cuddly and Cute - Cat Breeds that are best for Kids

If you have kids, then you will want a cat that does well with kids. You don't want any animal that has any aggression issues. There are 9 cats that pet owners and veterinarians all agree are best for children.

Abyssinian: The Abyssinian has a distinctly ticked, tawny coat. The tail and paws show tabby markings. They have beautiful eyes that are lined with dark fur around them and large ears. The coat is generally a warm golden color, gray, or cinnamon red. These are active and very playful cats, and are very curious and friendly. Not much of a lap cat, these animals will enjoy exploring and any playing a lot. Many toys and cathouses and gyms will be needed to keep these guys busy. If not entertained they can become depressed.

American and Exotic Shorthair: American and Exotic Shorthair cats will be gentle kitties. They love to play with children and are very common. They come in all shapes and sizes and a vast array of colors. These cats are good natured and relaxed. They get along with other cats and dogs as well. These cats are also more likely to think they are people and will bond great with all family members. They tend to be gentle with small children and don’t tend to scratch as much as other breeds do.

Birman: A large, long stocky cat. It has long silky hair, not as thick as that of the Persian, and is of a texture that doesn't mat. The color of the coat is light, preferably with a golden cast, as if misted with gold. Birmans are gentle, active, and playful, but quiet and unobtrusive if you are busy with other things. This is a great cat for kids.

Burmese: These are great cats in the hair department. They have a silky short coat that doesn’t need more than a good petting as far as grooming goes. They are clumsy and playful and stay that way throughout their lives. These are also very vocal cats and will talk to you and each other a lot. They are the life of the party and great for entertainment.

Maine Coon: The Maine Coon is well known for its loving nature. They are very friendly, playful and intelligent. They love to explore and play with toys. These cats have longer hair and do require grooming to keep it soft and unmated. They are vocal and love to shower their owners with meows. Maine Coons are also great with other cats and dogs too.

Manx: The interesting thing about these cats it their tails, or lack thereof. They come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They also can be found with long or short hair, and a variety of tail lengths. Some have no tail at all, some have varying lengths of a nub, and others seem to have a normal tail. They love kids and get along with just about any other animal.

Persian: Persians are the most popular cat breeds today. They have long fluffy fur and squished little faces. They do need regular grooming to keep their coats free of matting and hairballs. They love children. Persians are most at home in an atmosphere of security and peace and quiet, but with love and reassurance, can easily adapt to the most active of households. Their quiet, melodious voices are pleasant and non-abrasive. They communicate delightfully with their large eyes and make perfect pets for all ages.

Ragdoll: Ragdolls adore their owners. They run to greet you at the door, follow you everywhere, lie on you, sleep with you, and love you. They seem to worship the ground you walk on. They are gentle, carefully avoid scratching people, and are good with children, the elderly, and dogs. Ragdolls tend not to jump. They feel that humans prefer purrs to yowls, and keep their voices soft.

Somali: The Somali is an amazing cat to look at. It looks a lot like a little fox, with its large ears, masked face, full ruff and bushy tail. They have soft voices and are usually quiet. They love their owners and adore children. They love to play and nuzzle their owners. They are the true lap cat, and love attention.

These are the most common cats among parents and cat owners. These have been known to live best with kids. That's not to say that another cat won't do just as well, but these do best.

Top Six Fancy, Fluffy Felines

You have finally decided to add that feline companion to your household and now your friends and family have suddenly turned into cat experts and deluging your with good advise as to which type of cat you should choose. Uncle Harry swears on his “mixes are more loving” belief, while great aunt Gertrude will hear nothing about any breed except the Siamese. What is the prospective cat owner to do? Take a look at this list of the top six fancy, fluffy felines and see if one of these sounds right to you.

One of the most popular breeds is the Burmese cat. This breed can trace its origins back to a very sleek and fashionable cat named Wong Mau. This cat was imported from Burma but lived in the early 1930s in the home of Joseph Thompson of San Francisco, and is described as having been of nut brown color. Mr. Thompson bred Wong Mau with Seal Point Siamese cats. In spite of some mixed kittens, Wong Mau soon became the proud mother of some sable colored kittens, and cat fanciers recognized that the Burmese is indeed a breed of its own. These cats are heavy for their small sizes, and have short, soft coat. This type of cat is the closest a cat owner will come to ever having a dog, because these cats exhibit many dog-like qualities when it comes to loyalty and interactivity. Be forewarned, however, that these cats should only be kept as indoor animals, since they lack the basic survival instincts and street smarts to survive outside.

A close second is the Siamese cat. It is said that the original breed dates back to the 1350s when they were “employed” as temple guards in Thailand, which was then called Siam. The Siamese cat came to England when Siam gifted it to an ambassador. At this time, the Seal Point is the most common kind of Siamese; it is easily recognized with the seal brown flanks and paws. Other kinds are the Chocolate Point, Blue Point, and Lilac Point. These cats are extremely strong willed and will quickly take over the household. They are vociferous in their expressions of displeasure.

Another quite popular breed is the Ragdoll. This cat is a product of the 1960s and can be traced back to a Californian breeder by the name of Ann Baker. Ms. Baker bred her pet cat Josephine, a long haired cat displaying distinct Siamese markings, to other cats with long hair and Siamese markings. Some believe that Josephine was actual an Angora, but that is hard to substantiate. It is quite well known, however, is that these cats tend to have beautiful long hair, markings reminiscent of Siamese, and a weight that may top at twenty pounds, sometimes even more. Generally speaking, this breed is extremely loving and quiet, and seems to get along with pretty much everyone and anything.

The American Bobtail is another popular breed. Looking like a small bobcat with a short tail, this cat comes in both the long haired and short haired varieties. It is said that this breed was first recognized in the 1960s when a couple who lived on an Arizona Indian Reservation found a feral tabby kitten of a nut brown color with a bobbed tail. This kitten was named Yodie and bred with a domestic cat; the resulting litter all had bobtails and a new breed was born. These cats may weigh as little as twelve and as much as twenty pounds. A bit more reserved than Ragdolls, they still exhibit many similar qualities.

The American Shorthair is another quite popular breed. Tracing its ancestry to the early settlers and the Mayflower itself, this cat has firmly established itself in the hearts of its adoring public. These cats tend to be smaller, the top weight only being about fifteen pounds, but of a very easy going nature.

Last but most certainly not least, is the Persian. This cat all but calls to its doting owner for attention, and it is no surprise that so many cat lovers have at least one Persian in their homes. Because of their almost childlike innocence and lack of street smarts, this cat needs to be kept as an indoor cat only. It is said that this cat arrived from Persia as quite possibly stowaways, yet this cannot be truly verified.

Five Breeds of Cats You Never Knew Existed

Sphynx: In 1966 a domestic house cat gave birth to a hairless kitten somewhere in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered through many scientific tests, to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence. These are some of the rarest domestic cats in existence. The Sphynx is not always totally hairless; some have very light "fuzz" close to their bodies, which makes it feel like a warm peach. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. The texture of the Sphynx skin has been likened to suede, or faux leather, or a heated chamois. They come in a wide variety of cat colors. The color is seen in the pigment of the skin and the few hairs that they do have. One of the questions most frequently asked is "Don't they get cold?" Well, of course, if it is too cold for you it will be too cold for a hairless cat too. Don’t be surprised to find this kitty under the covers with you or curled up with all your clothes.

Havana Brown: There are several theories about how the Havana Brown cat got its name. Some people believe it was named after the rabbit of the same color, some people believe they were named after the cigar. Their eyes are green in color, oval in shape, and lower on the face than other cats. This gives the appearance of a cat looking down its nose. The result of which, makes the cat appear to have an alert appearance. Very little is actually known about this breed

Croshca: Croshcas are an ancient breed of longhaired cats. This breed was thought to be a combination of all modern longhaired cats including both the Angora and the Persian. Sometimes it is referred to as simply the "Siberian Cat" or the "Siberia". This breed was common to Russia. They have a thick fur, waterproof, oily coat that protects them from the cold. In Russia at the time people could not have pets, pedigreed or otherwise, because of the food shortage, so this cat was very rare. Another interesting fact about these cats is that they are believed to be hypoallergenic. People, who are usually allergic to cats, seem to tolerate this cat fairly easily.

Devon: The Devon has a soft, downy coat with waves as if he had just stepped out of a hair styling salon. They have a velvety, short undercoat. It gives a most extraordinary appearance. You can't truly appreciate this unique coat until you have had an opportunity to feel the velvety soft texture. It is something you'll never forget. The Devon's ears are very large. They are wide at the base and set low on the head. The head is also short and wide. These cats are hypoallergenic and hardly even shed.

Sokoke: Sokoke cats have nice long legs and a medium build torso. They have very dense short coat without any undercoat. Their markings can be compared with a cheetah. The most usual colors are light brown, dark chestnut and chocolate. In the wild Sokoke cats are never found to be white, but domesticated types come sometimes in a white tabby. The body of a Sokoke cat is very muscular and elegant. Their back legs are longer than the front legs; it allows the cats to run very fast. The tail is long and whip-like. Sokoke Cats are very rare, perhaps the rarest cat breed in the world. Only about 100 exist today. Cat and feline societies have been trying to promote the breeding of this rare breed, but finding breeders are very difficult. Some countries do not have breeding standards, so most attempts are restricted to the United States and the United Kingdom. Hopefully this breed will come back before it becomes extinct.

Five Homemade Toys to Keep your Kitty Happy

Sometimes cats can be very easily amused. Don't be surprised or offended if your cat has more fun with the packaging of the toy you just spent a fortune on. Here are some ideas for FREE toys that your cat should enjoy

1: Paper Balls

Again, simple things can very easily amuse cats. Take for example: paper balls. Grab a sheet of scrap paper and crumble it into a ball. "Abra Cadabra" you just made your first cat toy. Throw this to your cat and watch him chase it for hours. A little piece of paper will fascinate her. She will love the way it just rolls around and she just can't seem to catch it. You think I am kidding, don't you? Go ahead. Try it. What harm can it do? If she does not like it, you spent ABSOLUTLY NOTHING! So go ahead and try it.

Cats love these things, and unlike balls with smooth surfaces, these things can roll in any unpredictable direction, and on floors they tend to make a scratching noise that cats go bonkers over.

2: Old Socks

Yes, you read correct: Old Socks. Tie them in a knot the size of a mouse and you have the perfect cat toy. It is best if the sock is from you or someone the cat really likes. They will smell you on it, and therefore love it even more. Stuff some catnip in with it to spice things up. You cat will chase this around for hours. You might even consider tying a string to the end and dragging it along the floor. This will make your free toy an interactive free toy!

3: Cylinders

There are two basic ways to go about creating a cylinder toy for your cat. You can make a noisy one or a quiet one. We all know from experience, most pets love things that make noise. Cats, dogs, and husbands, as well as other varieties of pets love to make noise.

A film canister is one of the easiest things to make a toy out of. To make it noisy, just fill it with some rice or a few small pebbles. If you do this make sure you securely close the lid. Using some type of non-toxic glue is best. You don't want your cat eating raw rice. It can cause lots of digestive problems that, unlike your film canister, are not free.

You can also use old paper towel rolls; toilet tissue rolls, or just about anything shaped like a cylinder. Your cats will roll it around for hours. If it is something large, like a carpet roll, your cat may also climb in it and have a blast.

4: Boxes

Cats love boxes. They love to explore them and claim them as their new home. If you bring home a new TV, make sure you check the box for any of your feline friends, because she will almost certainly be in there. It seems that there is an invisible message written on boxes that only cats can see that says "VACANCY- FREE ROOM!" Cats seem to be attracted to boxes. They will get in, jump out, get back in, jump back out, and usually end up falling asleep in their new home. To them, you just brought home a palace. You are such a good servant. She will reward you later, by allowing you to pet her!

5: Catnip

Place a little catnip in anything you can stuff it in that your cat plays with. Socks, stockings, cylinders, make sachets and place them in boxes, corners, and kitty condos. Your cat will get a sniff of this and go nuts. She will be happy for hours. Please remember that catnip does not work on all cats. Usually they do not affect kittens and older cats, and some are just genetically immune to the effects of this mint. If nothing else, you can always make a tea out of it and drink it yourself. Catnip tea is a great herbal tea for people. But if your cat does like catnip, don't let her catch you stealing her catnip, or else it will be, "Off with your head!!"