Do You Know How to Stop Your Cat From Spraying Urine?

November 24, 2010 by  
Filed under Featured Articles

house cats
by kevindooley

Do You Know How to Stop Your Cat From Spraying Urine?

Spraying urine is one of the main problems a cat owner has to deal with. Cats use their urine to mark their territory and to notify other cats they have already been there. This typical behavior is known as urine spraying.

Your pets are not spraying in order to make you angry. It is part of cats’ natural behavior and is coded in the genes of every cat, no matter if it is domestic or wild.

Urination outside of the cat toilet is not spraying. What makes urination different from spraying is that urination is usually done on flat surface, e.g. a towel, a mat or rug, while spraying is done on vertical surface, e.g. a wall.

Male and female cats both spray urine but it is more common for male. They spray on vertical surfaces, such as walls and furniture.

Why Cats Spray Urine

Urine spraying is a social, sexual and territorial behavior that is typical for male cats. They mark their territory by spraying it with urine. This behavior is caused by hormonal changes and usually starts when cat reaches sexual maturity. Female cats also spray, especially during the mating season.

Spraying can be stopped by neutering. However, some neutered cats continue to spray urine due to the fact they have been neutered after they have reached sexual maturity. By that time, spraying has become a habit for the pet.

Spraying urine is used as a message that given territory belongs to the cat. Cats usually spray as they turn backsides to the object and spray urine usually at the level of other cats’ noses. Spraying may also mean the cat is ready to mate.

Spraying as a territorial behavior may occur when you move your pet into a new home or if you have more than one cat in the house. Cats may spray if they are stressed or just to mark an undesirable object or litter.

Occasionally cats may spray items that belong to a certain individual. Cats associate these belongings with bad experiences. Spraying could also mean the pet is angry, stressed or frustrated.

Pets can get stressed by changes in the house, such as your absences from home, changed work schedules that will prevent you from spending enough time with it. Your pet may also spray if you punish it in an inappropriate way or if it has a problem with another pet that accepts as a rival or threat.

Few Ideas to Stop your Cat Spraying?

1. The simplest way is to neuter it. This method is effective in 90% of all male neutered cats. However, neutering should be performed before the animal reaches sexual maturity – at the age of 4-6 months.

2. The litter box should be kept tidy and clean. The cat may start spraying if the box is dirty, scented or in a bad location. You shouldn’t use scented cleaning agents to wash it.

3. Try reducing the cat’s stress by maintaining a routine. Changes can make the pet spray.

4. Give your pet attention and affection. Play, massage, talk to him/her. Happy animals that are not threatened usually don’t spray urine.

5. Some cats spray urine near doors and windows where they see other cats. Try to reduce your cat’s exposure to other cats, so it doesn’t feel threatened by them.

6. You should clean soiled areas very well as cats commonly urinate on places that smell of urine. Avoid using cleaning products that contain ammonia. And keep in mind that your cat can smell many things that you probably can’t.

7. If you have many cats in the house, spraying may become very serious problem. Cats spray because of the competition between them. However, if spraying is caused by other reasons that cannot be determined or eliminated, drugs may have to be used to deal with the problem.

8. Hitting or yelling at the cat will not make your pet stop spraying. On the contrary, this will only make the problem worse. You should try to find out why the cat is doing so, not to punish it for doing it.

In case you can not solve the problem yourself, you should consult a vet or a cat behaviorist. There are different herbal remedies and prescription drugs that can be used in such cases

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Article from articlesbase.com

What to Know Before Adopting a Pet

October 30, 2010 by  
Filed under Featured Articles

adopting a pet
by CrayZT

What to Know Before Adopting a Pet

Before getting a pet, no matter where you get it from, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, and foremost, make sure that your entire family is ready, willing and able to care for a pet. Make sure that there is total agreement about the type of pet that you will be seeking. And, make sure that everyone knows what type of pet is absolutely not allowable for any reason!

If you are a first time pet owner, make sure that you understand what that means, exactly. Do you know the basic needs of the pet that you have in mind? Do you know the approximate expense involved? Adopting a pet means adopting an entire lifestyle as well, so do some research on the various breeds of pets to make the best choice for you and your family. If there is any possibility of allergies with your family members, then by all means visit shelters and pet shops and watch for reactions before making the leap. Also, consider taking your children to areas where they might interact with different animals and watch how they behave. Some children are just not big animal lovers, and they should never be forced to pet or talk to one, especially if they are afraid. A fearful child may make a dog or cat apprehensive enough to bite.

Where you live will determine the size or type of the pet that you should look at adopting. If you are an apartment dweller, your lease may not allow any pets at all, or may restrict you to certain small, caged pets. Small homes and small yards will rule out larger breed dogs who need lots of room to roam and stretch out their big legs. Some toy breed dogs are not appropriate with younger children- they tend to be hyper, delicate and will nip at the drop of a hat. Make sure that you ask lots of questions during the adoption process- if you do not know what to expect of a certain breed, make sure to do the research, ask the questions or look for another pet option.

Again, before even going to the shelter to adopt a pet, know what you would like to find, and what you do not want to bring home. Make sure that everyone knows from the start of the process what your intentions are- including the shelter staff. Do not let an overzealous worker talk you into a pet that is not really right for you or your family. This is a serious commitment, and not one that should be taken lightly.

Is your best friend getting older and having problems with pain or arthritis? Take a look at Pet Bounce. Have a wonderful day!


Article from articlesbase.com

NBC-5 News talks about Adopt-a-Pet.com’s pet-adoption campaign featuring Mark and Jamie Buehrle.
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What You Should Know About Cat Pet Care and Veterinary Needs

August 16, 2010 by  
Filed under Pet Talk

Cat lovers everywhere attest to the sheer joy that is brought to them by their beloved pets. Those who also want to experience such blissful companionship should, however, first learn how to responsibly raise these lovely creatures in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County. They should do their homework on proper cat pet care, including their veterinary needs and training needs.

All cats are naturally clean. They lick themselves and their kittens clean. When defecating outdoors, they cover their waste with dirt. A pet owner who intends to keep a cat indoors should, therefore, train the cat how to use a litter box. This should be done while the cat is still a kitten. It should be brought to the litter box a minimum of four to five times a day, based on the times when the kitten is expected to go. Lavish praise should be showered on the kitten whenever it successfully uses the litter box. To encourage compliance, the litter box should be placed away from busy areas and far from the feeding and drinking area. The litter box should then be emptied twice a day or more and thoroughly washed with soap and water once a week or more.

The cat should be brought to a veterinarian for its shots as soon as the pet owner receives it. The veterinarian will prescribe the necessary vaccines and their schedules. Strict compliance is necessary to protect the cat from rabies, feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, distemper and other deadly diseases.

If the cat has fleas, ticks or other parasites, the veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate repellants that are safe to use. The veterinarian should also be consulted on how to keep the cat and the home free from any future infestations. Commercial repellants should not be used indiscriminately because they can be toxic to the cat.

Unless the cat owner is a licensed professional breeder, the veterinarian should also be consulted on the proper time to schedule spaying or neutering for the cat. This is usually done between the ages of six to eight weeks. Spaying or neutering prevents the overpopulation of cats and is believed to prevent cancer. The pet owner will be taught proper home care after the procedure.

The new pet owner can make sure that all the health care needs of the cat are met properly by finding a reliable veterinarian working at a reputable full service animal hospital or veterinary clinic in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County and establishing a long term working relationship with them. If a large animal hospital is chosen, it will expectedly have complete facilities to treat various types of pets such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, fish and rabbits.

The ideal veterinary clinic should be able to offer not only routine check ups and medical consultations but also emergency services, medical diagnostics and laboratory analysis. This veterinary clinic should be able to do surgical procedures in case this becomes necessary, including laser surgery.

Aside from veterinary care, it would be good if the veterinary clinic also provides pet boarding. This way, both the cat and the pet owner will not feel anxious whenever the owner has to go out of town. Pet boarding in the same animal clinic will ensure that the cat is in familiar surroundings with familiar people who can give the best possible care.

With the proper information on cat pet care, veterinary care and training, any cat lover in Wesley Chapel 33544, Hillsborough County, Tampa 33647 and Pasco County can be ready to take on the responsibility of raising his or her very own cat.

Animal Wellness Centre of Wesley Chapel
2710 Windguard Circle
Wesley Chapel FL 33544
Phone: (813) 991-6126
Fax: (813) 991-6407
Email: awcwc@verizon.net
Website: www.animalwellnesscentreofwc.com

Anyone know a reputable pet health insurance company?

July 20, 2010 by  
Filed under Dog Training

Who do you use? Do you like them? Who would you stay away from? I just don’t want to go with a random one. Thanks!

All You Need to Know About Siamese Cats

April 15, 2010 by  
Filed under Pet Talk

Currently, Siamese cats are one of the world’s most popular breeds. Mainly, this is because the breed is well known for its affection and interest towards its human owners. As the name of the breed suggests, the Siamese originated in Siam, which is now Thailand, in the late 19th century. The breed was soon transported throughout the rest of the world and became a firm favorite in each and every country that it was introduced to.

The Appearance of Siamese Cats

The most remarkable feature of a Siamese cat is its bright, sapphire colored eyes, which are a big hit with many owners. The breed has a very thin, delicate body. Nonetheless, it is muscular and physically fit. They are also known for their long slender legs that add to the delicate and athletic appearance of the breed. Additionally, the Siamese has a wedge-shaped head and a long, thin tail.

The breed has a very short coat, which, typically, does not require a lot of brushing. Owners will notice that the Siamese has a particularly glossy coat, which is predominantly cream colored with patches of different color on the legs, tail, ears and face. The most common colors are lilac, seal, blue or chocolate. However, they can also be apricot, fawn, red and cinnamon colored.

A healthy Siamese, will be slim in appearance. Typically, the females weigh between 5 and 6 pounds, whereas the males are often between 5 and 7 pounds.

Character

As previously mentioned, one of the main reasons that Siamese cats are so popular is because they are so sociable and affectionate. The breed is known for having a strong character and outgoing nature. However, it is agreed that the breed can be incredibly noisy on occasion. Some owners state that the noise made by a Siamese cat is very similar to the sound of a crying baby, so this should be considered by all prospective owners.

Unlike most breeds of cat, the Siamese longs to be part of the family and will become frustrated if he, or she, is ignored. Subsequently, owners will find that their pet wants constant attention and fuss.

Owning a Siamese

Because Siamese cats are very sociable, it is not wise to consider welcoming one into your family if it will be left alone for extended periods during the day. Sometimes, this can be remedied with the companionship of a fellow Siamese, which is why you will often see the breed in pairs. However, it is worth bearing in mind that a Siamese is unlikely to fair well if boarded for family vacations.

Obviously, all breeds of cat should be kept active, especially if they are indoor cats. However, due to the superior intelligence of the Siamese, it is particular important that he, or she, has enough toys and other items of stimulation. Otherwise, boredom and frustration can lead to unpleasant behavior and the ruin of your furniture.

Often, owners of the breed notice that Siamese are not happy about sharing their home with another animal. Due to their intelligence and affection, the breed can become jealous if it has to share its owner. There are, obviously, incidents when Siamese cats have happily integrated with other animals. However, in general the breed is happiest when it has its owner’s undivided attention.

Siamese cats are incredibly beautiful, making them one of the most recognizable and popular breeds the world has ever known. However, they can be demanding of your time and attention. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that you can cater for a Siamese’s needs before welcoming one into your household.

Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer. She is currently writing articles on behalf of Remmeer.com, an online supplier of pet products. Remmeer.com provides its customers with an array of gift ideas for cat owners, cat lover gifts and products for all breeds of cat, such as cat & kitten feeding dishes.

Does anyone know a free website I can go to get pet health information?

February 23, 2010 by  
Filed under Dog Training

I usually use a website like WEBMD when it is something revolving around a human, but since this is an animal I wonder if there is a website that is dedicated to pet health?

WWW.GOODNEWS.WS House cats know what they want and how to get it from you

February 5, 2010 by  
Filed under Pet Talk

How do you know if your parakeets are getting along?

December 28, 2009 by  
Filed under Pet Talk

Well I got a parakeet then later I got another Parakeet. At first they were in separate cages then today I put them in one cage. I feel like the Green one that I have won’t get along with the blue one because were using the Green parakeets old cage and the Green Parakeet might be annoyed about the fact that she’ll have to share her cage. How do I know if they hate each other or if they’re great friends.