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Articles

The Best Dry Cat Food Recipes by Alice Pizae

Keep Off (My) Cat Repellent by June Sabe and Debra Garrison

Pet Grooming Basics: Excuses for Not Brushing by Jamie Covert

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The Best Dry Cat Food Recipes by Alice Pizae

Dry kibble is most useful for two reasons:

1. Dental health: Hard snack-sized morsels are good for kitty's dental health, especially if you don't feed homemade raw cat food. Just wet cat food alone doesn't scrape food off your cat's teeth. Supplementing the homemade wet cat food with homemade best dry cat foods is one way to assist this issue. 2. Convenience: Dry cat foods can be the easiest way to go when your pet must be boarded or when you need to travel. Combine this with a pre-prepared wet cat food is the ideal.

Homemade best dry cat food cannot be made in large batches. This food is made in small amounts and stored in airtight containers to preserve freshness. But, the best part about it is that you can continually rotate the kibble you choose to make, thus providing your cat with a variety of ingredients and protein sources.

Here is a recipe option for best dry cat food. This could also be used as treats:

Kibbles for Cats

Recipe Credit (stretcher.com/stories/03/03jan27a.cfm) 3 cups whole wheat flour 2 cups soy flour 1 cup wheat germ 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup non fat milk ½ cup brewer's yeast 1 (15 ounce) can mackerel 5 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon cod liver oil 2 cups of water or as needed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In another bowl, mash the mackerel into small pieces. Mix in the oil and water. Add the mackerel mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The dough is tough, so use your hands. Roll dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1/4-inch bits, using a knife or pizza cutter. Mound the bits onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 25 minutes. During baking, occasionally toss the bits with two wooden spoons, so they brown evenly. Turn the heat off and allow the treats to cool thoroughly before removing. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This cat food recipe freezes very well for longer storage.

To make other varieties of best dry cat food, you simply vary the grains used, the proteins, and even add in small amount of vegetables. Keep in mind the moisture content of your ingredients to adjust the levels of dry to wet ingredients.

Some ideas for different kibble mixtures:

* Replace cornmeal or some of the other flours with higher value grains like ground oat flour, barley, or brown rice flour. * Add in small amounts of puréed vegetables (even baby food ones) in place of small amounts of water. * Add an egg or two. This helps bind the ingredients together and adds beneficial protein. * Change the proteins! You shouldn't use fish all the time. Add in other meats like ground turkey or chicken. * Replace some of the oil with applesauce for a fruit choice.

The key is to cook the best dry cat food at a lower oven temperature to FULLY dry out the food. Keep the pieces very small and don't crowd the pan.

The best dry cat food is one that still looks at the nutritional needs of a cat. Ideally, dry cat food won't be the major component of your cat's diet, as it is still too high in carbohydrates, but when used in moderation, can be a good addition.

To learn more about the best dry cat food and other homemade cat food recipes visit http://www.catfoodrecipesonline.com. About the Author

This is Alice pizae a story writer about Best Dry Cat Food, cat food, Homemade cat food. For more tips and information about best cat food And cat food please check: Best Dry Cat Food, cat food, homemade cat food

Keep Off (My) Cat Repellent by June Sabe and Debra Garrison

Core vaccines are those that are recommended for nearly every cat and include Panleukopenia, Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Calicivirus, and Rabies. The first three are usually combined in a single injection that is given to kittens starting at 6-8 weeks of age and repeated every 3-4 weeks until at least sixteen weeks of age. Adult cats receive two doses initially, given 3-4 weeks apart. Thereafter, the combination vaccine is repeated every 1-3 years. The Rabies vaccination is given first at twelve weeks of age and repeated one year later. After that, Rabies vaccine is repeated every one to three years as determined by the laws in your area.

Feline Panleukopenia, or Feline Distemper, is a serious gastrointestinal disease. Symptoms resemble Parvovirus in dogs and include fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, loss of appetite, miscarriage in pregnant cats, and nervous system damage in newborns. It is highly contagious and commonly fatal in non-vaccinated cats. Panleukopenia is rare in properly vaccinated cats.

Feline Herpesvirus-1 (Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus) and Feline Calicivirus cause respiratory illness. Non-vaccinated cats may get severely ill or even die. These viruses are extremely contagious. Vaccination gives incomplete protection, but vaccinated cats get only mild symptoms if they get sick at all.

Rabies is an incurable disease of the nervous system that is nearly always fatal. Worse yet, it is transmitted between most animal species, including humans. Although rabies transmission requires direct body fluid contact, even indoor pets can be at risk since sick wild animals may enter homes or backyards. Regular rabies vaccination is mandated by law in many areas.

A myriad of other vaccines are available for cats. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right ones for your cat.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is an incurable immunosuppressive disease that causes cancers and makes cats extremely vulnerable to other illnesses. Although infected cats can remain healthy for several years, it is eventually fatal in most cases. FeLV is transmitted by close, direct contact between cats, so vaccination is most important for cats that go outside or otherwise contact potentially infected cats. Cats should be tested for FeLV before vaccination, since the vaccine doesn't help cats that already have the virus. Two doses of vaccine are given 3-4 weeks apart, as early as eight weeks of age. Annual re-vaccination is recommended.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is another incurable immunosuppressive disease, sometimes called Feline AIDS. Infected cats often appear healthy for years, but it is ultimately fatal in most cases. FIV is usually transmitted by cat bites. Unfortunately, available tests for FIV cannot distinguish an infected cat from a vaccinated cat.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an incurable disease that makes the immune system turn itself on. It is usually fatal. The vaccine is most beneficial when given to cats that have previously tested negative and that are about to enter a high-risk environment such as an animal shelter or cat breeding facility.

Feline Chlamydia causes a severe eye infection. Its spread by direct contact and is common in places where large numbers of cats are housed together. Vaccination is recommended for cats at risk.

Feline Bordetella causes upper respiratory illness and coughing. Its highly contagious, but is primarily a concern for animal shelters and cat breeding facilities. Vaccination is recommended for cats at risk.

Ringworm is a contagious disease that causes hair loss and skin irritation. It can be transmitted to other animals and people. However, the vaccination seems to be mainly beneficial for treating cats that already have ringworm.

Preventive health care for your cat means more than just vaccinations. Checkups every six to twelve months can catch many health problems while they are easily treatable. Parasite control,including heartworm prevention in endemic regions, good nutrition, and regular dental care are other keys to keeping your cat healthy for years to come.

Similar Articles Cat Health Insurance Pet Dog And Cat Health Dog And Cat Insurance Fitness Health And Exercise Free Cat Health Advice Health Of The Heart Health Problems And Solutions Keep Cat From Spraying Keep Cat Off Car Keep Off Cat Repellent Life Health Insurance Companies Litter Training A Kitten Major Signs Of Depression Private Health Insurance Coverage Symptoms Of Kidney Disease Urinary Health Cat Food Learn The Secrets To Keeping Your Cat Healthy And Happy Cat Health - Common Issues Keeping Your Cat Healthy Keeping your Cat Healthy with Vaccinations » More on Cats Health Vaccinations can protect your cat against serious infectious illnesses, but they aren't one size fits all. Your veterinarian can help you select the vaccines your cat needs based on age, health status, lifestyle and other risk factors. Even though he may not need vaccines that often, your cat should have a veterinary checkup every six to twelve months.

Core vaccines are those that are recommended for nearly every cat and include Panleukopenia, Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Calicivirus, and Rabies. The first three are usually combined in a single injection that is given to kittens starting at 6-8 weeks of age and repeated every 3-4 weeks until at least sixteen weeks of age. Adult cats receive two doses initially, given 3-4 weeks apart. Thereafter, the combination vaccine is repeated every 1-3 years. The Rabies vaccination is given first at twelve weeks of age and repeated one year later. After that, Rabies vaccine is repeated every one to three years as determined by the laws in your area.

Feline Panleukopenia, or Feline Distemper, is a serious gastrointestinal disease. Symptoms resemble Parvovirus in dogs and include fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, loss of appetite, miscarriage in pregnant cats, and nervous system damage in newborns. It is highly contagious and commonly fatal in non-vaccinated cats. Panleukopenia is rare in properly vaccinated cats.

Feline Herpesvirus-1 (Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus) and Feline Calicivirus cause respiratory illness. Non-vaccinated cats may get severely ill or even die. These viruses are extremely contagious. Vaccination gives incomplete protection, but vaccinated cats get only mild symptoms if they get sick at all.

Rabies is an incurable disease of the nervous system that is nearly always fatal. Worse yet, it is transmitted between most animal species, including humans. Although rabies transmission requires direct body fluid contact, even indoor pets can be at risk since sick wild animals may enter homes or backyards. Regular rabies vaccination is mandated by law in many areas.

A myriad of other vaccines are available for cats. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right ones for your cat.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is an incurable immunosuppressive disease that causes cancers and makes cats extremely vulnerable to other illnesses. Although infected cats can remain healthy for several years, it is eventually fatal in most cases. FeLV is transmitted by close, direct contact between cats, so vaccination is most important for cats that go outside or otherwise contact potentially infected cats. Cats should be tested for FeLV before vaccination, since the vaccine doesn't help cats that already have the virus. Two doses of vaccine are given 3-4 weeks apart, as early as eight weeks of age. Annual re-vaccination is recommended.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is another incurable immunosuppressive disease, sometimes called Feline AIDS. Infected cats often appear healthy for years, but it is ultimately fatal in most cases. FIV is usually transmitted by cat bites. Unfortunately, available tests for FIV cannot distinguish an infected cat from a vaccinated cat.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is an incurable disease that makes the immune system turn itself on. It is usually fatal. The vaccine is most beneficial when given to cats that have previously tested negative and that are about to enter a high-risk environment such as an animal shelter or cat breeding facility.

Feline Chlamydia causes a severe eye infection. Its spread by direct contact and is common in places where large numbers of cats are housed together. Vaccination is recommended for cats at risk.

Feline Bordetella causes upper respiratory illness and coughing. Its highly contagious, but is primarily a concern for animal shelters and cat breeding facilities. Vaccination is recommended for cats at risk.

Ringworm is a contagious disease that causes hair loss and skin irritation. It can be transmitted to other animals and people. However, the vaccination seems to be mainly beneficial for treating cats that already have ringworm.

Preventive health care for your cat means more than just vaccinations. Checkups every six to twelve months can catch many health problems while they are easily treatable. Parasite control,including heartworm prevention in endemic regions, good nutrition, and regular dental care are other keys to keeping your cat healthy for years to come. Keep Off Cat Repellent Never leave an animal in a car: All pet owners should know the dangers of leaving any pet in a hot car, even if it is just for a few minutes. This especially applies to dog owners. Dogs love riding in the car and it is very tempting to let your dog ride to the grocery store with you. However, pet owners should never leave cats or dogs inside a car during hot weather. Even with the windows open, a car parked in the hot sun can reach sweltering temperatures. Pets left in hot cars can die within minutes or can suffer from severe dehydration. The best rule of thumb is the leave your pet at home in the cool air conditioner during the hot weather. You should also know that if you are a dog owner that allowing your dog a ride the bed of a truck could be very dangerous for a dog at any time of the year. One jolt can send your dog flying out of the bed of the truck, resulting in injury or worse. Even putting your dog unsupervised in the bed of a truck in a public place can be a recipe for disaster. Be extra careful with your pet during traveling. If you must travel with your dog or cat, secure your pet in the car and leave the air conditioning on at all times. Let your pets take frequent breaks on long trips and give them a chance to get a drink of water.

Be Careful Walking the Dog: There are many areas where the temperatures soar in the warm months. In places where the temperatures reach an all-time high, it is a good idea to walk your dog either in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower. During the summer, temperatures will be at the highest during midday. You should refrain from walking your dog during this time. Not only will you and your dog become hot and dehydrated, the hot concrete can burn your dog's sensitive paws. When you do walk during hot weather, take along water for your dog and stop frequently to let your dog drink. Your dog will thank you for this.

Practice Proper Pet Grooming: It is always a good idea to keep your pet properly groomed, but it is especially important during the summer months. If your dog has very long fur, it is like wearing a fur coat in 95-degree weather. It is not comfortable to your pet. Also, keep an eye out for pets that have much of their fur trimmed off, such as poodles. Longhaired dogs can quickly overheat in the high temperatures. Poodles and other breeds with short cuts can get sunburned. Sunscreen does not protect dogs. With long haired dogs, regular brushing also helps remove the winter undercoat and can help your dog better regulate body temperatures during hot weather. Regular clipping of long hair can also help keep your dog cool. Even longhaired cats can benefit from a summer clipping. Longhaired cats are easily overheated, even if they do stay indoors.

Watch for Insects: Insects can be bothersome to your pet during the warm, summer months. Spring and summer are when fleas and ticks are the highest. Mosquitoes are also out during this time of year. It is always a good idea to make sure your dog and cat are getting their monthly flea and tick preventative. Your dog also needs to stay current on heartworm preventative, as mosquito bites can cause heartworms. Also, keep a first aid kit on hand for bee or wasp stings.

Outdoor safety: Summer is often when people spend a lot of times outdoors. Whether it is working in the yard, visiting the lake or swimming in the pool, you need to take extra caution when your pets are with you outside. If you mow your yard or put chemicals on the grass, be sure your pets are indoors and away from the dangers. Also, if your dog enjoys the water, keep a close eye on your pet. Most pets can swim instinctively, but it is always a good idea to watch. If you enjoy taking your dog out boating, you can buy life preserver vests for your dog to wear. You can never be too safe when it comes to your beloved furry friend.

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• English To Hawaiian Language, by John Davison • How To Become A Patent Agent, by Daniel Millions • Journey Of Your Life, by Koz Huseyin • Keep Off Cat Repellent, by Debra Garrison • Top Ten Reasons To Date A Wrestler, by David Jordan About Author Both Debra Garrison & June Sabe are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Debra Garrison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cat Health Problems, Travel and Leisure. Debra Garrison, DVM is a small animal veterinarian in Spring, Texas. Her goal is to promote the bond between the veterinarian, pets and their caretakers through education and information.. Debra Garrison's top article generates over 3600 views. Bookmark Debra Garrison to your Favourites.

June Sabe has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cats, Pet Guinea Pigs and Cats. Want to find out about bali tiger and. June Sabe's top article generates over 4400 views. Bookmark June Sabe to your Favourites.

Pet Grooming Basics: Excuses for Not Brushing by Jamie Covert

Let me dismiss a very common myth: The fact that you own a brush does not equal the act of actually brushing your pet. Seriously, do you really think that nasty old brush you bought 20 years ago--or even that brand new one (still sealed in plastic)--is jumping out of the box marked "dog stuff" or crawling out from under the couch and leaping onto your pet's back while you're at work? While I'm certain one day that we will all have robo-maids that will perform a multitude of household tasks for us--including brushing our pets--that day has yet to come.

I have heard every excuse imagined for not grooming a pet with a brush. Following are the top three:

1. No time. 2. It's the kids' job. 3. My pet won't let me brush him. (My personal fave.)

Let's look at these in order. Time. None of us seem to have enough of it. On the other hand, there are some who seem to have too much. I've said it myself many times over the years; "I don't have time to... (fill in the blank)." Sometimes it's actually true depending on the day. But I've often also used that excuse to get out of doing something I just really don't want to do. C'mon...you know you do it, too.

First of all, brushing (the easiest, cheapest and most effective part of pet grooming) your pet doesn't have to take up much time at all--IF you keep up with it and do it regularly. If you don't brush and let the hair matt or tangle, or if you let that under coat just have its way, it will be time consuming when you finally get around to brushing. But, if you brush your pet every single day, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes for a cat or small dog, 1o minutes for a medium dog and 15 minutes (tops!) for a large or giant breed. The reason this is true, is that if you're brushing every single day, you're not trying to undo 2, 4, or 6 months of ignoring your pet's grooming. You are preserving the coat--preventing mats from taking root in the first place--and your brush will slide through your pet's coat like butter.

Now, if you really don't have time to brush your dog, then pay a competent pet groomer to do it. Take them weekly (between regular grooming appointments) just to be brushed. If money is a concern, talk to your groomer about it and, while I can really only speak for myself, I'd be willing to bet he or she would be willing to work out some sort of deal. If not, and you have kids, then make the brushing part of grooming the dog (or cat) one of the tasks they have to do for their allowance. Good luck with that!

Which brings us to our next excuse: "it's the kids' job to brush the dog". Some of you may actually have a kid who loves to take care of the family pet--including grooming--and does a good job. I was one of those kids. For most of you, sadly, after the newness of getting a pet wears off, so does the enthusiasm for taking care of it. This is because the job of pet grooming quickly seems to become more like work than fun. Admit it--that's why you don't want to do it either. We all know passing off dirty jobs to kids is one of the reasons we have kids in the first place. Ultimately, we also know that even if the task gets done by the kids, it isn't going to be the best job they could have done. Unless of course, you have one of those 'animal-ly gifted' kids. So stop using them as an excuse and just do it yourself. You know you'll have to do it anyway. And as for time--it should only take about as long as it takes to do a load of laundry. Besides, you might get a tail wag and a big kiss for your efforts--laundry won't do that.

Now to my personal favorite excuse for not brushing (and the most common one): "My dog/cat won't let me". Okay, I'll give you this one in the case of a cat. Some like grooming--some don't. One thing all cat people know and give in to, is that cats make their own rules and we live by them. Enough said. As for dogs, when clients tell me their dog won't let them brush him or her, my reply every time is this: "Your dog has you t

About the Author

I have been grooming for 30 years and own a small grooming and pet retail shop in Michigan. I enjoy writing with a healthy sense of humor and an occaisional shot of sarcasm. I hope at least a few of you enjoy my articles.

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