Babying your Bengal - Just the Basics

Your friend told you of this wonderful breeder in your area and the litter of extremely cute kittens he has. A friend of a friend or your Uncle Harry perhaps, tells you that these cats are the best you can have around you but that they need to be treated like your own children. What kind of cat is this? A Bengal! What is it about these cats that has folks fascinated and causes them to adore these little ones so much?

Well, first and foremost is their intriguing background. These cats are actually the offspring of the first cross breeding of an Asian leopard cat with a regular domestic cat. Some used to refer to this wonderful little animal as the “Leopardette” while others called it the “Bengali.” It appears that we can thank a Mrs. Jean Mill for this cat, since in the 1980s she acquired some of them from a geneticist and then bred them with some feral cats. The results are magnificently spotted or striped animals. Their fur is the first tip off to their ancestry, since it is a very thick pelt that may have spots and sometimes even carrying the signature stripes of the tabby. Colors may vary from the nut brown to a faint tan or gold. These cats actually still have the look of the wild in their eyes, and an enthusiasm for life and exploration to match. Nonetheless, they do have the domesticated cat’s temperament and are a good match for active people and families. They are small animals, weighing in at less th an fifteen pounds, and usually reaching only about eight pounds. One of the most amazing aspects of this breed is its fondness of water. Usually a cat will turn into a hissing ball of fur, claws and teeth if brought within the vicinity of water, yet this breed actually loves to play in water if given a chance!

If you have finally fallen in love with the perfect little kitten, it is time to consider the best place to put her when you introduce her to her new home and family. Ideally, you will confine her to a small room for the first couple of days; this way, she will have an easy time identifying her food dish, what it is that you are giving her as food in the first place, her water dish, as well as her litter box. Additionally, this will permit her to learn which of the accommodations in your home her bed is. By confining her to this small room, you are permitting the kitten to have quick and easy access to all the little things she needs, and she will not have to go looking through a whole big new world for her litter box. The quicker the latter is identified, by the way, the easier the box training will be. Should your kitten instead go off and do her business behind the sofa or under the kitchen table, it will be so much harder to discourage her from doing so in the future, especially since the smell will b e there. Similarly, you will want to establish early on if your little Bengal is allowed on the couch, bed, or easy chair, or if she will have to sleep only on her little kitty bed. Since these cats are fond of a soft lap and some snuggling, you may want to consider giving her couch and bed privileges.

Food is another big aspect of pampering your little feline. Be certain to purchase a high quality chow, and also feed at the age appropriate stages. Kitten food should be given until the cat is at least one year old. If you are breeding your cat, you will also want to feed this high fat and high protein mix to your pregnant or lactating cat. Conversely, you may wish to supplement dry food with canned food and by doing so you will offer your kitty a wonderful variety of flavors! Of course, remember that your kitten may become spoiled and may not want to go back to the dry food once she has tasted the wet food. Overall, baying your Bengal is very easy, give her lots of love and attention, some good food, a soft bed, and you will have a happily purring kitten on your hands!

Why Should a Cat Have Her Own Place in Your Home?

Cats love to do many things, but there are 2 things cats like to do more than anything else. They love to scratch and they love to sleep. That is why a kitty condo is the best option for any pet owner. Cats love to scratch anything that reaches higher than them and won't move when they touch it. Couches, chairs, and beds are prime targets for your cat's razor sharp claws. Cats also love to sleep. 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 doing by looking at you and purring.

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 cats' point of view, your furniture is THEIRS! If you are ok with that, you may stop reading here; you have officially become your cats' 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.

Now if you agree that a cat does not need to be scratching your stuff, then you need to buy your little feline a kitty condo. Once bought, don't expect her to just jump on and know what to do. The first thing she is going to do is look at it and then look at you with a "What the heck is that, and why are you looking at me like that?" look on her face. You are going to need to encourage her to use it; otherwise you just spent fifty to a hundred dollars on carpeted corner art. WOW!

There are a few things that you need to make sure your kitty condo has before bringing it home to display as art…I mean to give to your cat. It should have at least one scratching post, a cat perch, a cat bed, and a cat tree (A.K.A. a kitty condo). Scratching posts are probably the most important part of the whole deal. Cats NEED to scratch. This is how they keep their nails trimmed and healthy. They also get their exercise this way. Make sure it accommodates the amount and activity level of your cats.

You don't need to spend a fortune on kitty condos with special beds in them. If you let your cat talk you into it, you could be spending well over a hundred bucks on a kitty condo 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 cat needs a bed that is private, clean, and quiet. Old blankets, pillows and towels work great. These things seem to be where they tend to sleep even if you buy the most expensive cat bed. They will be just as happy with this as they would a silk lined bed stuffed with Egyptian cotton.

Cats also LOVE perches. They love to be up high looking at everything around them. Some cat perches are designed to be placed on a windowsill so that your cat can look out of a window. This is something that cats love to do.

Kitty condos come in all shapes, sizes, colors, designs, and layouts that should meet the approval of your cat. They are usually carpeted and give your cat several levels for lots of enjoyment. It provides the perfect place for you cat to scratch, sleep, and perch from high on her throne. Every kitty needs a kitty condo. Most will serve the purpose of a throne as well, and what kitty queen is not happy with a throne? But just keep one thing in mind; if you spend more on your cats' condo than you did on yours, you need to rethink you and your cats' relationship. You should not be part of the staff. That's what the dog is for!

Little Tricks to Keep Them Clipped

Clipping your cat’s claws has many benefits beyond general upkeep. Shorter cat claws make playtime less painful for cat owners and also give furniture a rest from being kitty’s scratching post. It is advised that cat owners start claw trimming when your cat is a kitten. Start with a relaxed, sleepy cat, sharp clippers and a good light source, for best results. Regular human toenail or fingernail clippers work well, as well as guillotine-type cat clippers.

Claw Clipping Tips:

1.   Support your cat securely in your arm left arm with his front paw in your left hand. It may be easier at first to wrap him in a towel with only the paw extended. This is much easier when your cat is relaxed and sitting in your lap.

2.   Press gently but firmly on the pad area to extend a claw. Hold the front paw between your thumb and index finger and this should extend the claws. It isn't necessary to squeeze hard. (You may want to practice steps one and two a few days in advance of the actual trimming; to be sure he's comfortable with your handling his paws.)

3.   Examine the claw closely under light to find the pink area in the center called the 'quick.' This is a blood vessel, and will bleed if nicked. Cats will remember the pain and will make your next clipping more of an adventure than you might like.

4.   Holding the clippers parallel to the flat part of the claw, quickly snip off the tip, being careful not to cut into the quick, or the pink portion of the nail. Clip very little of the nail until your cat becomes accustomed to the process. Once your kitty relaxes, you can clip more. Don’t worry if you aren’t able to cut all the claws at once. Do as many as you can and give your cat a break. .

5.   Give kitty a treat and a few kind words for being such a good cat. This should be a treat you only give around the time of claw trimming or grooming activities. The more relaxed you and he both are, the easier the process will be.

6.   Repeat the previous five steps until you have finished the first paw. Remember there are 5 claws on each forepaw and 5 on each rear paw.

7.   If your cat is comfortable and compliant, continue until the nails on both front feet have been clipped. Usually, trimming the back toenails is unnecessary, and undesirable, if the cat is allowed outdoors. Clip the portion above the quick for each nail and don't forget the dewclaws. On cats, dewclaws are found only on the front paws, about where humans would have their thumbs -- they do not touch the ground. Some cats are polydactyl, and have up to seven claws on any paw. Normally there are four claws per paw, with one dewclaw on each of the front paws. Rear claws don't need to be trimmed as often or at all; they do not grow as quickly and are not as sharp. You should be able to hold any of the four paws with your off hand; it will become easier with practice.

8. If your cat refuses to allow you to trim her claws, get help from a veterinarian or groomer.

Tips:

Keep a barber's styptic pen or styptic powder handy in case you accidentally cut into the quick. If this should happen, apply the powder to the nail to stop the bleeding, and call it a day.

It may be easier if you have a second person holding the cat. Above all, it's important that you and your cat both be relaxed.

If at any time your cat becomes anxious, stop immediately. You can do one claw every day, if necessary.

If all else fails, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate the procedure for you, or schedule your cat for regular nail clips by a veterinarian or groomer. Most vets will perform this service for a minimal charge (@ $10).

Materials:

Nail clippers

Styptic powder/pencil

Towel

Reward treat or toy

Trim your cat’s claws every 2-6 weeks or make an appointment with your veterinarian to have them clipped.

How to Help Your Kitty Retain that Pampered, Lithe Figure

You love your cat and your cat loves you. There is nothing more rewarding than returning home after a long day at work or school and be greeted with a happy meow from your furry little companion, as she rubs against her legs and loudly announces to the world how happy she is that you have finally returned. After giving her a lot of attention and a good back rub, you fix yourself some dinner; but one look at the big eyes convinces you to make up an extra little plate for your furry friend. Sure, she has a bowl of cat food sitting next to her, and it pretty much holds as much food as it did when you last filled it this morning before you left for work or school, but what possible damage could a little bit of “human food” do to your meowing friend? As a matter of fact, it could do quite a lot of damage! Here are four tips on how to help your kitty retain that pampered, lithe figure.

First and foremost, resist the urge to give in to those begging eyes and loud meows. Table scraps may smell heavenly to your little feline companion, and it may make you feel like a wonderful bonding time to be eating dinner with your cat, but keep in mind that some foods, such as chocolate and onions, are actually toxic to your cat and your giving in to her does her no favors. Additionally, considering how much fat is in our foods, it is only a logical conclusion that your table scraps will introduce to much fat into her system to be properly digested. The result of this will be an overweight, unhealthy cat. Quite possibly the worst consequence of your giving your furry companion some of your food for dinner is the fact that it will sate her appetite, and she will turn up her little nose at her own food. Now cats have special dietary requirements that are germane to the species, and a lack of intake of these nutrients will result in sickness and might even cause death. This is not to say that a little pl ate for Thanksgiving, Christmas or your kitty’s birthday or adoption day will spell death and destruction for her. As a matter of fact, a little bit of turkey will be good for her! Just make sure that this is the exception rather than the rule, and resist the temptation to feed her from your table and instead fix her a special bowl before the meal.

Secondly, inappropriate feeding may lead to a number of health risks in your cat. Fatty liver disease, obesity, and painful urinary tract disorders are at the top of the list of problems encountered when cats are not properly fed. Please keep in mind that these illnesses are not only the result of being fed table scraps, but –depending on the cat- may also be the result of inferior quality commercial cat food. Probably the biggest myth that many cat lovers fall victim to this the tale that all cat food is created equal. This is simply not true, and you will do well to discuss cat food options in general and those for your little furry companion specifically with your veterinarian.

Third, and probably just as importantly, get into a good working relationship with a veterinarian. Cat food choices have become so complex, with each manufacturer touting its own brand over all others, that the average cat owner will become quite confused by the varied claims. Additionally, keeping in mind that a lot of cat foods have been manufactured keeping our human sensitivities in mind, such as the idea of shape, size, color, and even smell, it is no wonder that it is hard to discern which food is actually meeting your kitty’s nutritional needs and which is simply making her bloated and maybe even sick. A veterinarian will be able to help you maneuver through the maze of a cat’s nutritional needs, understand the difference between taurine and other nutrients listed on the label, and she or he will also help you to finally put to rest the nagging question: dried or canned?

Easy Tips to Choosing the Right Cat for You

You are ready to add a furry companion to your household, and you know just what you want: an independent yet loving feline who will have few needs, bestow lots of attention on you, and won’t mind being left alone for long periods of time. If it were only this easy! Before you go out looking for a feline companion, here are some easy tips to follow and important decisions to make when choosing the right cat for you.

Do you want a kitten or a grown up cat? A kitten is just like a toddler and will get into everything and anything, given half a chance. Similarly, it will require some training to get the kitten acquainted with the rules of your household and to assure that all will run smoothly. A mature cat will require less supervision and also will not have the hectic energy of a kitten. If you have small children, an adult cat might be a better choice, especially if the kids want to carry it around. A small kitten might get hurt by a fall, whereas a cat will most likely be able to not only withstand some rough handling, but also make her displeasure known quite memorably to a child who may thoughtlessly pull a tail.

Do you want a long haired or a short haired cat? While any cat will require some brushing to keep its fur shiny, matt free and the number of hairballs to a minimum, those cats with long hair will require extra amounts of attention and grooming. If you have the time and willingness to take on more extensive grooming duties, then a long haired cat may fit the bill; if you are somewhat rushed for time, or cannot envision years of grooming, then perhaps a short hair is more up your alley.

How do the other household members feel about the coming addition? If you have children, they are probably very excited, but your pet hamster, fish or bird may not feel quite so enthusiastic. Your dog may also be a bit apprehensive. Work out the details of adding a cat before you bring home a cat! If you have a fish tank, is it secure, so the lid cannot be pried open by a curious cat? Will the hamster and bird be safe? Is there a safe room to put the cat while she and the dog work out the pecking order in the household?

Purebred or mix? Do you want to enter your cat in shows and become an active member of a fancier club in your area? If this is the case, you will want to make sure you visit a reputable breeder to purchase a purebred cat with a traceable heritage. If, however, you simply want a companion and couldn’t care less about pedigree, please consider bypassing the lure of kittens in the pet shop window and instead visit the local animal shelter where many cats and kittens are in dire needs of homes.

As you can see, there is more to adding a feline companion to your household than simply picking one up from the nearest animal shelter. Don’t be enthralled by the first cat you meet, but instead walk past the cages and make eye contact with the cats. Get a feel for them and gage their personalities. If you feel you find one that is compatible with your needs and wants, and that seems to display the personality traits you are looking for in a cat, ask a shelter assistant to let you hold the cat and see how she reacts to direct contact. If she turns into a ball of claws and teeth, you will have an uphill battle on your hands and need to evaluate if you really have the time and patience to tame this little fur ball. On the other hand, if she just melts into your arm and erupts into loud purrs, you might have found your perfect feline match. Please remember, whatever you decide, spay or neuter your new feline companion as soon as possible, unless you want to set up shop as a purebred breeder yourself. Befor e choosing to do the latter, however, please be sure to talk with some breeders in your area to find out about the rules, regulations, and also how to keep the animals safe and healthy.

Primp and pamper your Way to a Kitty Picture Purr-fect Moment

Taking photographs of your kitty can be easier than you think with a little planning and patience. Although pets are unpredictable and have a direction all their own, they can be shy and moody and be set in their habits. Pets are naturals in front of the camera, with their innate grace and beauty, and there is virtually no pose or position that would make a bad photo. To achieve the optimal pet photograph, requires planning, patience and props. Also be sure to allot enough time for catching candid poses. Cats work according to their schedules, not ours.

Simple backgrounds and props as well as lighting should be ironed out before you bring your pet to the scene. Drape a colored sheet over a recliner and get ready to go! Experiment with colors and holding props. Buckets, boxes, and sleighs are cute to use for props. Posing or grooming tables are also handy to set your pet on. Or you can opt for a natural shot outdoors or one of kitty curled up on the windowsill. Try to get shots that capture your pet’s natural coloring and mood.

First decide whether you want a close-up, full-length, or whichever pose captures your pet’s expression best. Have patience. Set your shutter speed at @ 1/125th so you don’t get a blob on film. Cat’s sudden movements may not be able to be caught with a regular shutter speed setting. For indoor photos, make sure to have a high speed film on hand such as ISO 400 or 800. For an alert kitty snapshot, keep your cat’s iris and eyes in the frame of the camera. Kitty ears should be perky and kitty noses should be wet and shiny. Choose a familiar spot indoors and capture the furry texture of your pet with the proper exposure setting on your camera. Zoom lenses work best as they get close-up but do not intimidate your pet or scare him away. A tired pet is much more manageable so try to wear your pet out before your photo shoot. Get rid of clutter that will take away from and not add to the story behind the pet photo.

Lighting choices include sunlight, flash, artificial light and available light. A bright overcast day with natural outside light is ideal. Don’t use a flash unless your cat is black. A flash will cause red-eye but using one not attached to the camera will bring out the texture and shading of a black cat. Get down on your pet’s level whether it be on the ground, in the grass, or up on the mantel. Don’t look up or down at your pet when taking a photo. For facial photos, get as much of the face in the frame as possible while still keeping focus. If you have to, make goofy noises to get your pet’s gaze focused on the camera lens. Bring your cat’s favorite toy to dangle in front of the lens.

Group pet photos are also quite charming. Be sure to keep the area confined to keep curious creatures at bay. Baskets make outstanding photos. If you can, try to capture your cats peering over the edge of your prop, whether it is a basket or a box. Use food as a lure and reward. A toy marinated in catnip might work wonders. You can also shake a rattle or a piggy bank full of coins to get your cat’s attention. Be ready to snap the photo as your pet’s glance will be lightning fast. Dangling a feather in front of the lens will also get your cat’s attention. When the cat looks at the feather is your time to snap. You have your first cat photo!

For funny pet photos, catch your pet doing the activity that makes her unique, such as chasing flies or licking the lasagna pan. A natural pet expression or one where your cat is not looking can make some of the best pet pictures!