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Toilet training your cat can be very rewarding and most that are litter box trained are able to learn this. They learned to use the litter box so they can learn to use a toilet. If your cat can use the toilet like a human does, there will be no more smelly, dusty litter box to clean!

A cat’s instinct is to bury their waste under dirt or sand but also likes to please its owner and can learn new ways if taught correctly. Wait until your cat is six months old because younger kittens might lack the ability to balance properly.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that you have to teach the cat in a serious of logical steps, drawing his focus gradually from the litter box to the toilet.

Move the litter box next to the toilet to get him accustomed to associating the bathroom with doing his business. Put some thick books or phone directories under it, to get him used to having to jump up. Make sure the box is stable because if the cat jumps up and it spills, he isn’t going to want to jump up again. This process can take days or weeks, depending whether your cat seems happy about it.

When your cat can do this, you can place the litter tray directly on the toilet. Alternative find an aluminum mixing bowl which fits snugly into the toilet bowl. Don’t use a plastic bowl. It might not be sturdy enough and a bowl tipping over, spilling litter all over the place will scare your cat! Make sure you use flushable litter because some will have to go down the toilet.

Gradually reduce the amount of litter in the bowl and make a small hole in it. Increase the hole slightly every couple of days and reduce the amount of litter in there. After a while you will have a bowl with a large hole in it and no litter.

After a couple of weeks, remove the tray. The cat should now be able to use the toilet.

A few points to remember:

” You cannot rush this - depending on the cat, it might take weeks or months to get them comfortable with using the toilet.
” Remember to leave the toilet lid up and the seat down!
” If you have two toilets in your house, try to have one for the cat and one for the humans.
” While your cat is learning to use the toilet, give him cat treats when he does it right, so he knows you are pleased.

If all this is done correctly, the smell of cat litter will be a thing of the past and your cat will be fully toilet trained for years to come.
To learn more about cat toilet training please visit: http://www.cattrainingtips.net/cat-toilet-training.html

A pets well-being manifests the type of nurturing afforded to it. While a number of pet owners have become quite adept in the ways of rearing healthy cats, wrongful notions often mislead many over feline nutrition to compromise cat health in the process. What seems to be a typical cat owner flaw in the context of nutrition is the tendency to match the food intake of felines with the diet of either canines or humans. Pet owners should keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores; therefore they have nutritional needs that are dissimilar from that of their owners and even from dogs.

An ideal approach to animal health care would require the willful adherence to holistic methods of cat health care and nutrition that will most likely produce healthy and disease-free felines. Moreover, the holistic approach would involve application of alternative treatments such as a pet herbal supplement formula whenever pet diseases come about. So whether it is a sprightly kitten or a cat in her prime that you are rearing, there are a handful of holistic cat healthcare methods and pet herbal supplement products that will not only serve to extend the life of your pet, but guarantee its sustained vigor even beyond the geriatric stage.

Nutrition

Animal-based proteins contain critical amino acids that are essential to sustained cat health. Thus, it is necessary for pet owners to feed cats with sizable proportions of whole meat products instead of meat by-products and fillings, to ensure that the feline meets its daily nutritional needs. Cats easily succumb to chronic dehydration, and feeding should likewise be adequately supplemented with water to prevent this condition, as well as the onset of kidney and bladder troubles borne of a sustenance based on dry food. More importantly, grains should only make a minute proportion of the feed considering that carbohydrates is not essential to cat health and could only disrupt the felines metabolic functions to cause diabetes, obesity, and irritable bowel disease.

Disease Treatment and Prevention

Cat urinary tract infection and ear mites are just a few of the many pet diseases that materialize as a consequence of improper pet feeding practices. Know that too much vaccination and prolonged use of antibiotics can disrupt your pets healthy gut flora and impair the immune system as well, which would not do well in the fight against systemic pathogens so that simple infections could severely debilitate cat health eventually. A more holistic approach would be the administration of pet herbal supplement formulas; a combination of potent herbal remedies available in therapeutic doses that work to soothe the symptoms while treating the underlying causes of the disease. Moreover, a pet herbal supplement formula operates as a tonic to revive the functioning of a diseased organ and restore the well being of your pet. To top it all, a bottle of pet herbal supplement will not bring about the side effects typical with veterinary medicine. Adopt the holistic methods to pet health care today and nurture your pets well-being the right way.
Bruce Maul is a partner in Goldf Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting myherbalremedystore.com

As a frequent visitor to pet forums, a topic that comes up way too regularly is that of cat dandruff. It’s a problem that affects most of us cat owners, and if you own a cat, it’s a matter of time before you have to deal with it. If you own a black cat, you have my utmost sympathies…

But fear not, there is a home remedy for cat dandruff that you can try without spending an expensive trip to the vet, just by observing the symptoms and environment and taking action based on these symptoms.

Most cat dandruff issues are invariably linked to 3 factors:

An aged or overweight cat with dandruff on her rump or tail

If you have a cat that is overweight or a cat with sudden weight gain and dandruff on her rump and tail, it’s a sure sign that she’s unable to reach these areas to clean herself. This is also a problem for aged cats that lack the mobility to groom themselves.

A good brushing would help in this case and it might be a good idea to groom your cat every couple of months. If you are able to bathe your cat without getting yourself scratched too badly in the process, then it would an excellent idea to do this every couple of months. But if you do so, avoid using human shampoos as that might dry her skin further and exacerbate the condition. If you must, use a cat shampoo and remember to wash thoroughly as excess shampoo stuck on her undercoat will only make matters worse.

It’s winter If your cat only experiences dandruff issues in winter, then it could be the result of the cold and dry weather. Worse of all, most cats like to laze about in the warm comforts of the fireplace, which rapidly dries her skin causing it to flake.

Simply move her away from the fireplace every once in a while and observe if the problem persists. Getting a good humidifier would be an excellent idea, both for your feline friend and also yourself (humans get dry skin too…)

My cat is neither fat nor old, and neither is it winter now! Help! Relax…if none of the above apply, just think, have you bought any new furniture lately? A new carpet perhaps? Check if there are any changes to her environment that she might be sensitive to and try to make the necessary adjustments.

If this doesn’t help, then it’s most likely a diet issue. You see, cats hate water and most wouldn’t go near it even when they’re thirsty. The only way our feline friends get their water requirement is through the moisture content of their cat food. Problem is, most of us go for cheap dry cat food that do not contain enough moisture content, hence causing her skin to dry and flake.

Make a change to high quality canned food and add some fish oil to her diet and you’ll see results in no time!
Darren Chan’s research has made him an expert in cat related issues. He is the webmaster of Cat Dandruff Away - A Step by Step Guide to Cure Cat Dandruff as well as a contributor to Catzine - The Best Cat Articles and Resources Online

No matter how much love and attention you give, felines experience cat illnesses. Recognizing cat health symptoms is challenging because, unlike their human caregiver, cats are rather stoic soldiers. They don’t go around grumping when they have a belly ache.

Here are 5 Hot Cat Health Conditions that should alert you that your feline is fighting off sickness or injury.

#1– A Loss of Appetite

Train yourself to be a responsive and observant caregiver. Take notice when a cat has stopped eating or skipped a meal. If your cat experiences trouble eating, drinking or swallowing, then there is a cause for concern. It is a big RED, FLASHING LIGHT that something is wrong.

A change or lack of appetite can happen slowly or suddenly. Recognizing a change in appetite can be complicated if food is left out for cats to share in a multi-cat household. Her appetite may be off because she is struggling with a hairball or she ate a bad mouse. Far worse, she consumed a poisoned mouse and she is now poisoned, or she is in the early stages of a serious illness like kidney disease or fatty liver syndrome.

When your cat misses a couple of meals it is time for a visit to the vet. Do not wait to see if she is going to suddenly start eating. The sudden drop in food intake causes damage to the liver. This turns into a vicious cycle where the cat won’t eat because her liver is sick and no food intake aggravates the liver damage.

#2 — She Is Lethargic

A noticeable change in your cat’s energy levels is also a good indicator that something is awry. Cats do sleep a lot, as much as 18-20 hours a day. However, if you notice she has zero interest in her beloved toys or catnip, she is quietly telling you something is wrong. She has pain or a fever and feels lousy.

#3 — She’s Losing Weight

She probably isn’t eating well. When cats are sick they stop eating. When you lift your cat does she feel lighter than normal? Weight loss goes hand-in-hand with loss of appetite, but it can also be a sign of kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes and cancer. Weight loss is considered a serious sign of cat illness and should prompt an immediate trip to the veterinarian.

#4 — She’s Drinking A Lot of Water (Urinating A Lot Too!)

Does she fall to sleep while drinking at the water bowl? The good news is that she’s still drinking. A increased need for water leads to an increase in urine. Obviously the two are linked together. After all, if she takes a lot of water in, it has got to go out sometime. Common causes of excessive thirst and urination include kidney disease, diabetes and elevated thyroid levels.

#5 — Urination Is Painful or Interrupted

When a cat strains using the litter box, has accidents outside the box, squats for a long time, cries, or repositions herself over and over, you have spotted a problem indicating one or more cat illnesses. If you could view her urine under a microscope, odds are you would find traces of blood.

Male cats may lick at the tip of the penis or suddenly lose his appetite, vomit or become very vocal during urination. More than likely he is experiencing a complete blockage. A male cat that is straining during urination is having a fire-alarm emergency. Get him to the vet pronto.

When a female cat strains during urination it may not be a complete blockage because her urethra (the tube that drains the bladder to the outside) is wider than a male cat’s and is less likely to clog. However, if she can’t urinate that means she can’t eliminate her body’s liquid waste. A blocked cat becomes ill in 24 hours and can die in 72 hours — don’t wait for the weekend to pass!

Your veterinarian can unblock the urethra by inserting a catheter. This removes the obstruction allowing the urine to drain. It is most easily accomplished with early detection of the problem.

Urinary problems can be caused by a number of things, including bladder stones in the urethra, dietary causes, bacterial infections and the least understood problem, feline lower urinary tract disorder (FLUTD). This illness can be related to stress or a virus similar to a human’s cold sore.

Some cat illness can be handled with gentle care and love at home, but other conditions are potentially life-threatening requiring immediate medical attention. As a feline caregiver, there is a certain amount of on-the-job training, but delaying a trip to the vet or waiting to see if things improve can be expensive or even cost your feline her life.

Your relationship with your cat is what helps you get through your personal trials and rough times. If you lost her because you failed to recognize a life-threatening, but treatable condition would you always regret your ignorance? The answer is obvious isn’t it?

Bottom line: Don’t be shy about calling your vet. Also, find a trusted resource to coach you through cat behavior or cat care questions and your chances for having a delightful, loving and long-lived feline partner become a whole lot better.
About The Author: Kate Rieger has been owned by 15+ cats and is a champion of spay and release for her feral cat neighbors. She is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic and together through adoptions, education programs and spay/neuter efforts, they provide affordable solutions to reducing the pet overpopulation crisis in the Kentuckiana region. While she would like to extend the concept of spay/neuter to some of the human population, she swears she’s only into altering cats. Never one to be short on opinion, she is on good behavior during her speaking engagements at local schools, organizations, Fortune 100 companies, and on local and national radio talk shows.

Drop by and pick up a free copy of her eBook 111 Things You Don’t Know That Could Harm Your Cat, that shows you how to protect your cat from conditions that could harm her. Pick up a free copy and protect your cat today.

Last year we purchased a home that been soiled by the previous owners’ cat. We thought that having the carpets professionally cleaned would take care of it but it just made the problem worse.

After using several well-advertised and expensive cat urine removal products that didn’t work, I was searching on the web for a solution and found a homemade remedy that uses three simple household products. Desperate I tried it and wouldn’t you know it - it worked!

So well that I had to find out why and researched the chemistry and origins of the recipe. I found out it was developed originally by a chemist for neutralizing the proteins in skunk odor, which are the same proteins found in cat urine and give it it’s horrible smell!

Cat urine is not much different from any other urine, be it human or other animals. It is made up urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium and other electrolytes. When cat urine dries the urea gets broken down by bacteria which gives it that distinctive ammonia smell. As it decomposes further it releases thiols which make the cat urine odor worse yet.

The recipe works because the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda produces large amount of oxygen. The oxygen molecules bond to the thiols, breaking them up into carbon dioxide and ammonia, that evaporates quickly thereby effectively neutralizing the thoils and their foul-smelling odor.

THE RECIPE

1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide

1/4 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon of liquid soap

Gently mix all ingredients in a non-metal container. Do not mix or shake vigorously!

The mixture is best used when fresh but can be stored. Do not keep mixture in an airtight container as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide when mixed together release loads of oxygen. We don’t want an explosion on our hands on top of the mess we already have!

I mix and keep mine in a large spray bottle I bought from Home Depot but on old plastic liter soda bottle works just a well. Just remember to keep the cap on loose.

3% hydrogen peroxide can be bought at most grocery and drug stores in pint and quart bottles.

A word of caution:

Surfaces that are porous may swell e.g. drywall, wood flooring, particle board, etc. with application of this recipe. But if your surface is already ruined by cat urine and you want to get rid of the odor until you can replace it - give it a try.

Always test for color-fastness when using first. Apply to a small area and wait 24-48 hours until dry before using on an entire area. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent in stronger concentrations (think teeth whiteners) and can lighten materials that are not color-fast.
For specific applications and details on how to use the recipe for carpets, sofas, mattresses, comforters, hardwood floors and many other things, please visit http://www.remove-cat-urine.com

Individuals that want to have cats may be unable to keep them because of allergies. Depending on the exact nature of your allergy, hairless cats, or Sphinxes may or may not be of help to you. These amazing cats have no hair at all on their bodies. Despite this, their skin coloring often mimics what their fur would look like. As an example, you might see hairless cats with white paws or splashes on their noses.

If your allergy is specifically related to cat hair, you may want to consider purchasing a hairless cats. Even though a hairless cat does not have fur, it still secretes oils that would normally be used to keep fur healthy and shiny. If you are allergic to these oils, or dandruff, hairless cats may even make matters worse.

Considering how expensive hairless cats can be, you might want to have some special allergy tests. If it turns out that the oils are setting off your allergies, you may want to pursue a tolerance improvement program. Typically, your doctor will give you a series of inoculations that will help you overcome the allergic response.

Aside from cost, it would be very unfair to purchase a hairless cat that you cannot care for properly. Among other things, their skin is delicate and abrades easily. Other pets, and even household items can easily tear at the skin. Even though hairless cats are hearty, you will need to make sure that they are protected as much as possible. This includes making sure that the home is warm enough for them. You may also need to give hairless cats an occasional bath to make sure that their skin stays as healthy. As may be expected, it is best to acclimate them to washing while they are still kittens.

As with any other pet, it is also important to understand that a pair of hairless cats is not a license to start a cat breeding mill. Today, hairless cats are an established breed of cat. Unfortunately, there are likely to be irresponsible breeders that force the mother cats to have too many litters. Others may inbreed to the point where the resulting kittens have health problems. If you are considering purchasing hairless cats, do not hesitate to ask about the family lines and health conditions of the parent animals. Similar to dogs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than taking home a new pet, and then see it suffer in later years with genetic ailments.

Today, many people operate under the false assumption that hairless cats will solve their allergy problems. Depending on what part of the cat you are allergic to, hairless cats may be an option. Because hairless cats require a good bit of care, you may want to make sure that you will not develop an allergy to them. Irregardless of why you want to purchase hairless cats, you will also need to carefully investigate breeders. Similar to purchasing a pedigree dog, you will want to know the health history of the kitten’s family, as well as the names of the cats in each parent’s blood lines.
CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 45 cat breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/cat_breeds_a_z.html

Even if you love your cat to pieces, it can be frustrating to deal with a feline who insists on using your couch as his personal scratching post. If you have babies or small children, you may be afraid that your cat will scratch them. Since declawing is not a humane solution, what other options do you have? Let’s go over some of them: Trimming your cat’s claws, training your cat to use a scratching post, and gluing Soft Paws to your cat’s claws.

Trimming the claws can be a little tricky, but it can be done if you’re careful and patient with your cat. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t want to cut the quick of the claw! The quick is the pink tissue you see inside the claw. If you cut this, it will bleed freely. You want to cut halfway between the tip and the quick of the claw.

You can use regular nail clippers for the job, but it’s easier to use special clippers made just for cats. Either way, you’ll want your cat to be relaxed; it’s a good idea to start when he’s dozing in your lap.

Now for the scratching post method. You’ll need a tall, sturdy post that can support your cat’s weight and lets him stretch. Ideally, the post should be covered with a material that’s easy to shred. Cats find great satisfaction in shredding things.

Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is going to take some time. You want to do this by rewarding your cat every time he uses the scratching post: Praise him, give him a treat. Make the scratching post more attractive with catnip.

You can discourage him from using the couch by making it as undesirable as possible. You could spray the area down with a citrus scent, something cats loathe. Or you could cover his favorite scratching spot with double-sided tape.

Finally, you could cover your cat’s claws with the vinyl Soft Paws caps. You can order these online in sets of 40. They come in a wide variety of colors, though there are also transparent Soft Paws if you prefer not to make your cat look as though you painted his nails.

Unfortunately, Soft Paws don’t stay on your cat’s claws forever. You’ll need to replace them periodically. However, if you can’t seem to encourage your cat to use a scratching post, or if you’re afraid of your cat scratching your kids, it’s another option.

Although it will require a little patience on your part, it’s possible to do something about your cat’s scratching without getting him declawed. If you prefer to minimize the damage your cat does, considering trimming his claws or using Soft Paws. Teaching your cat to use a scratching post can also be effective if you’re willing to be consistent and patient.
Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about cats. To learn more about declawing alternatives, visit Should You Declaw Your Cat on Squidoo.

The secret to train your cat is to understand the key points about the cat behavior. Feline behavior differs substantially from dog behavior. As does happen with the dogs, force training methods don’t work with the cats.

Below mentioned are some of the simple rules for training cats:-

Never wake up the cat for training, they won’t co-operate.

In case the cat is permitted to free feed, put them on the feeding schedule and then train them prior to feeding time.

Maintain very short training session, each session lasting 3 to 5 minutes.

Use play toy, food, pat or good scratch pat as a reward.

Don’t try to train the cat before nap time.

The best method of training the cat is by using the shaping methods. In case the cat owner wants to teach the way of jumping onto the shoulder from the back of the couch, begin by putting the cat at the back of the couch.

Secrets to Cat Training:

The secrets to cat training are that the owner needs to be inventive and observe the likes and dislikes of the cat. Cat owners need to keep in mind that the special rewards need to be obtainable only when the cat is in the training. In case the cat has free access to the reward, it won’t respond and do things in return of special reward.

To keep the cat on the back of the couch, tease the cat with a treat. The cat may require to be placed on the back of the couch. Next, permit the cat to have the crumb of the treat and then lure onto the shoulder with the treat. This process may require to progress in steps. The first step may require the cat to reach for the treat by putting the paws on the arms. Next, the cat may reach with the paws on the shoulder, but won’t jump up. In this case, the cat owner would have to lower the shoulder almost level with the top of the couch so as to get the cat jump onto the shoulder. Let the cat jump further, till the cat goes back to the couch and jumps on the shoulder. Give the cat a reward with each step of the way which is a possibility to swat at a special toy.

With proper rewards and firm faith, training a cat is not that difficult as it is made out to be.

Do you want a well behaved cat? Discover the proven techniques for quick results. Click here.
Felix Greenberg is the owner of 4MyCat.net, A Website that Helps Cat Owners to Train Their Cat.

For more info, go to 4Mycat.net & discover how easy it is to train your cat. or Visit my blog there you find Tips & Tricks on Cat Training

Does your cat spray inside your house? If so, you know that awful smell and just how difficult stopping the behavior can be. If you can find the reason for the kitty’s behavior, you can address the issue and hopefully get the spraying stopped.

The most common reason that felines spray is territory marking to announce to other cats that they exist. The cat may also be interested in mating. Other kitties may spray due to conflicts with other cats living in the same house or as a display of aggression. The sight of a strange cat outside the window can be enough to cause the behavior. Yet another cause is stress which could be created by new human or animal family members, a move to a new residence, or other changes in routines.

Male cats are usually the spraying culprits. But, some females spray under stress or when in heat. Chemicals from the anal glands mix with urine to give the spray its characteristic odor which is different from regular urine.

Spaying or neutering your pet may be the fastest method to stop spraying if your cat has not already been altered. Most will stop spraying after the surgery. Altering felines is best done by six months of age. Unfortunately, some animals can be altered and still spray.

Do not punish your cat for spraying. Kitties are unable to make a connection between the behavior and the punishment. In fact, he or she may spray even more due to the stress of a beloved owner being angry with them.

Litter boxes must be scooped daily and cleaned regularly as some cats will register their displeasure with litter box cleanliness by spraying. Household routines should be consistent such as times for feeding, playtime, and litter box maintenance. Any sprayed areas should be cleaned with an enzyme cleaner as these cleaners remove the odor that if allowed to remain, may cause your kitty to soil that area again.

If you are not successful in determining why your cat is spraying, consult your veterinarian. Health issues such as bladder infections can cause the behavior. Anti-anxiety drugs such as Prozac can also be prescribed, since anxiety may be causing the behavior even if you cannot tell that the animal is anxious.

If conflicts with other felines are causing the problem, separate the fighters to different areas of your home. You may have to give one pet to another home if they cannot exist peaceably. The cat may not display the behavior if moved to a new environment, especially if there are no other kitties there.

As spraying is territorial, you can try confining the cat to only a room or two in the house. Then, he or she will have a smaller area to defend, and may not continue to spray.

Cat behaviorists work with owners to solve behavior-related issues. You may want to consult with one if other actions to solve the issue fail. They can help you retrain the animal to display preferred behaviors such as using the litter box.
Read Part II of How to Keep Your Cat from Spraying to learn even more ways to prevent spraying.

The author, Annie Clark, is the proud owner of two felines. Read more cat articles at her Feline Info website.

Birds need a place to live, and also a place that provides food, water and shelter from predators.

When it gets cold and the winter winds blow, many “snow bunnies” move south to live in warmer weather. Many birds migrate south also, taking advantage of milder temperatures and southern cuisine with a greater variety of insects and seeds. However, you have many year-round residents who are joined by other birds that migrate only as far as your backyard so it is important to create a living area that is enticing to them.

Check over your back yard. Provide a pile of brush or bushes for birds and animals to hide in when predators approach. Small birds will look for shelter from sparrow hawks and other predators. Leave dead trees standing through the winter so woodpeckers can find food and build nests in cavities. Consider providing plants and trees with fruits and berries? The search for food starts at dawn and continues till dusk. If birds are able to eat enough, they will store enough energy to survive a very cold winter’s night. Then they start the process all over again for another day.

Meals for your winter birds must be served in appropriate bird feeders and not just thrown on the ground where it can be spoiled by dampness, mold and pesticides. Choose a location that has easy access for you, so the bird feeders can be refilled in cold weather. Select a place where discarded seed shells and bird droppings won’t be a cleanup problem. Place your feeders out of reach of the neighborhood cats and other predators. The most effective way to attract a large variety of birds to your yard is to put out separate feeders for each of your banquets for the birds.

Don’t forget that even in winter, birds need to drink. Eating snow (if there is any) just doesn’t get it. Sometimes the birds suffer more for lack of water than food. A heated birdbath with fresh unfrozen water will prove attractive to many of your winter visitors.
Backyard bird supplies are found at: http://www.birdsdunrite.com Jerry