March 01, 2011
What's in This Issue:
Updates to the site
The Flea Products Page is completely new. You'll want to stock up, and I've found some great deals - from drops and sprays to shampoos. Home and Garden, too!
One of my goals for 2011 is to the THE Cat Whisperer, much as we associate Cesar Milan as The Dog Whisperer. In order to do that, I ask my readers to step up, step out, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Please tell your friends about my services and how I've helped you.
Talk me up, Twitter, Facebook (I'm tn-morgen) and friend me. Talk to everyone and let's see how much closer I get to being "THE Cat Whisperer" in 2011!
~ Morgen
Articles
Aghhh! My Cat Has Got Fleas... by Larry Chamberlain
Grooming Your Cat...The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. by Michael Ipp
Tips For Photographing Your Cat by Hani Masgidi
Offers
Don't forget the interactive pages...
Bragging Rights For Readers
Bad Cat Behaviors From Readers
Submit Your Story or Tribute
These pages are all user-generated! That means you can write about your cat, your favorite cat story, or get help from other visitors (sometimes even me!) if you have a serious problem with a cat.
Use the Cat Whisperer Contact form if you or a friend has a problem that is involved or delicate.
Aghhh! My Cat Has Got Fleas... by Larry Chamberlain
So, how come my cat has got fleas?Cats that are allowed outside pick up fleas by socializing with other cats or just by walking through territory where other cats have been.
Think that your indoor only cat is safe? Not so, fleas can travel into your home on your clothing (white garments seem particularly attractive to fleas). Once inside your home they easily transfer themselves to your cat who is a much more desirable host.
A cat that has picked up fleas may scratch vigorously around its neck and may groom the spine obsessively. Using a metal flea comb, groom your cat paying attention to behind the ears, the neck and the base of the spine. Make sure that the comb reaches your cat's skin. If you find black, or deep brown gritty specks on the comb put these on a dampened tissue. If red seeps from them they are flea droppings, which are composed of dried blood.
Fleas lay their eggs in your cat's fur. These eggs fall out and hatch into larvae in your cats bedding, cracks in the floor boards, in upholstery and in your carpets. The larvae evolve into fleas that attach themselves and feed from any host that comes by, your cat being ideal. Fleas live anything from two months to two years, and can be feeding for a good deal of that time.
Many anti-flea preparations, such as shampoos, sprays and powders are available from veterinary offices and pet stores. You will want to treat both your cat and your home. Sprays that are designed to be long lasting are the best bet for ridding your home of fleas but before using the spray, vacuum all carpeting, drapes, mattresses and upholstered furniture making sure that you vacuum underneath the furniture. Vacuum and then wash your cat's bedding in very hot water.
Before you start, pop a mothball into the cleaner bag and when you are satisfied that you have vacuumed thoroughly seal the cleaner bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it outside.
If you are opposed to the use of chemicals, fill a shallow bowl with sudsy water and stand a safety candle (night light) just above it. Alternatively use a battery light. In the dark fleas will jump at the light, fall into the water and drown. This will work but you will need at the least one for each room, and you may not get every last one of the fleas.
If your cat is allowed into your garden, keep your lawn cut and free of weeds. The larvae of fleas love a humid environment and hate sunlight. Remove any piles of leaves or earth from your cat's territory.
Ask your veterinarian about treatment for your cat. One of the most effective treatments is a parasiticide that is applied to a small area at the back of the neck. There are products that control fleas by preventing them from reproducing.
Give your cat a bath once a week. If your cat simply refuses to be bathed ask your vet about alternative methods.
About the Author Cat Art - and a whole lot more about cats.
Grooming Your Cat...The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. by Michael Ipp
What? Clean my cat? It's not self cleaning?My wife and I have done a lot of kitten fostering through the years and were quite shocked on how many people did not realize they need to groom their new additions. So we decided to write a short guide on how to. Sometimes its good, when they lay on their back and let you brush their belly, it can be bad when they just dont want their nails cut. And it can be downright ugly when you try to bathe them. I still have scars.
All felines require some form of grooming. The time you spend caring for your cat and the approach you use to do this, mostly depends on the breed and your kitty's temperament. A kitten has been groomed by the mother as soon as it is born, the mother kitty starts her kitten's breathing by licking it. This is the reason why care is such a instinctive thing to do.
There are numerous cat care supplies which are purchasable either in stores or online. These can range from cat combs, cat shampoo, cat clippers etc. Or if you want to treat your pet to something extraordinary, you can reserve your cat a day in a cat spa.
Cats normally take care of their own grooming and just desire some aid from their owners. Kitty Cats are very clean animals and rather picky and often preen themselves all afternoon. But there are loads of reasons why you should also groom your cat.
One of the main reasons for taking care of your cat is to help put a stop to hairballs. These not only make your cat ill, but can cause intestinal blockages in extreme cases. Long-haired cats notably need assistance with this to avoid tangled fur.
An additional good reason to habitually groom your cat is that it gives you the occasion to do a broad health check. Not only can you check out the cat fur for parasites and knots, but you can check its skin and ears. Check for any irregular lumps, bites or scratches from other cats. Cats are inclined to ear mites, especially kittens. So when you groom your cat looking for a dark brown wax in your cat's ear, which is the first symptom of ear mites.
Brushing or combing is the generally the common way of grooming a cat. A long haired cat could need grooming daily to prevent the coat becoming dull. Brushing also helps reduce the amount of unwelcome cat fur off the furnishings in your house or your clothes. For all long or short haired cats shed is now a gadget called the Furminator. It removes the undercoat and loose fur and cuts back the shedding of up to 90% of fur. This is intended to induce the animal's natural oils, promoting better skin and a shiny coat. It is also great to eliminate hairballs.
If the only solution is to give it a bath, be outfitted. If possible, ask the help of one more person, so they can hold the cat and you can wash it. Use a suitable container ex. Washbasin or baby bathtub, a gentle cloth and a large clean dry towel. You also want special cat shampoo (by no means use regular shampoo) and a pitcher for rinsing.
If you wash your cat because of parasites, you will also need a special shampoo for cat fleas. Always check the temperature of the water before you put your cat in. Add shampoo in the water and hold your cat properly, lower him in. Avoid getting soap in your cat's eyes, work in soapy water from the neck down. Rinse your cat well, using the pitcher. Finally, wrap your cat in a towel and carefully dry. Some cats may let you use a hair dryer on them but put it on low, but these cats are few and far between. If you really think that your cat will not let you wash him, you can wipe it with a soft damp cloth or Kitty Wipes which are now available.
Clipping your cats claws as part of their grooming and something that should be done with care. Numerous cat owners would rather have it done at a vets. But you can buy special claw Clippers. Using them yourself you are not likely to cut your cat but it requires patience and a cat you know will stay calm.
Begin grooming your kitty while they are young because it will almost certainly get him into the custom of being groomed. It is best done when your cat is tranquil and content. It not only builds a connection between you and your cat, but grooming can be a relaxing and pleasant activity for both cats and their owners.
So good luck, happy grooming and always remember: A wet, soapy cat is a deadly weapon.
Happy grooming!
About the Author
Michael has been fostering cats for 6 years and during that time writing on related subjects. Come visit his latest website over at Cat Brush Review where he reviews the best Cat brushes
Tips For Photographing Your Cat by Hani Masgidi
Every cat owner is proud of his or her friendly feline. Cats make perfect subjects to photograph. You can catch your cat in a variety of interesting and fun poses when you know how to take pictures of your cat. If you are interested in photographing your cat, here are some tips to help you get the best shots.Catch your Cat Napping
Nothing looks quite as relaxing as a cat taking a nap. Cats do sleep a lot, so if you take a picture of your cat napping, you have plenty of opportunity. The best time to take a picture of your cat is to catch it when it is asleep. You can take close-ups of your cat either as it sleeps, or gently wake your cat up for a relaxed look. For a nice shot of your cat, try gently rubbing your cat's belly right when you want to snap a picture. This will encourage your cat to roll over on its back.
Natural Sunlight
When you think of a sleeping cat, where do most cats enjoy sleeping? You can usually find a cat napping in the sun. If you have a window that gets full or filtered sunlight during the day, then try to open the curtains or blinds to encourage cat- napping. As soon as you see your cat sit in the sun, try to take a few pictures. When the sunlight is good, try a few shots without using your flash. This will give your picture a nice natural glowing effect. In addition, natural light often works best anyway because if you use a bright flash, your cat will usually close his or her eyes or the eyes could end up looking red.
Forget Posing and Planning
Cats aren/t much for posing. You cannot really ask that a cat to stay and sit. When you take pictures of your cat, you should always have your camera on hand for candid shots. Look at your cat during the day and determine your cat's schedule and favorite places. Work around your cat and you will get better pictures. Try to be spontaneous, and above all stay patient. It may take several tries to get a couple of great shots, but posing your cat rarely works.
I have tried to get my three cats to pose and let me take a picture, but even though they sleep and play together, they cannot stand or sit next to each without someone starting something. If I had three people to help and set back out of the picture, it might work. As you can see, cats need to do what cats do and take your pictures that way.
Get Help
Another good tip for taking pictures of your cat is to get help. You can get great pictures of playful cats and kittens by having someone help you wiggle a string, then throw a ball or call the cat's name. It is very difficult to try to play with your cat and take pictures at the same time. Your pictures will turn out much better if you get someone to help you. In addition, if you are trying to get a picture of your cat looking directly at your camera, have someone stand above you who can call the cat's name, or make a noise that will prompt the cat to look directly above your head.
If you are patient and willing, you can get some excellent shots of your cat. Cats are so fun to take pictures of because you never know what they will do. Keep your camera handy and ready to go as soon as your cat springs into action. Cats normal activities seem to make us smile and laugh, their antics always make wonderful pictures. Pictures of kittens playing from birth on, also make for some great pictures. If you have the camera, you will never miss the perfect picture.
Offers
Havahart® Live Animal Traps 10% Off All Repellents! Code HHREPEL Begins Feb 11
| Itch Free Cats |
Safari Flea Comb for Cats
| Advantage for Cats, Purple, Over 9lbs. 6 Month Supply
|
JW Gripsoft Soft Slicker Brush for Cats
| Frontline Topspot for Cats, 6 Month Supply
|
New! Furminator for Large Cats
| Rechargable Flea Collar
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