Cat Q&A

Les Talents de Minou
7 Cat Tricks: Sit, Give the Paw, Give the Other Paw, Give Both Paws, Get Up, Lay Down, Roll Over)
with Eric Tremblay Special Thanks to Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats…

Casper will kiss his mummy just to get his treats.

Tricks tricks, Maggie knows more than 20 tricks. She understands more than 30 words/phrases including English and Chinese.

The number of house cats is increasing. More and more cat owners are deciding that it’s no longer safe for their cat to go outside unsupervised; cars, other animals, poisons and malicious people are just some of the reasons.

Indoor cats can lead very happy lives, but they do need to be entertained more than outdoor cats. If house cats aren’t stimulated enough, they’ll get bored and may become stressed or exhibit cat behavior problems such as scratching the furniture and ignoring their litter box.

Here are 8 tips for keeping your house cat happy and entertained:

1. Make sure he has plenty of cat toys. He should have toys in every room. To add interest, split his toys into two or three batches and rotate them every few days.

2. Get him some good cat furniture. A scratching post is a must. Two or three in different areas of the house is even better. If you can afford it, cat trees and cat condos are great for entertaining house cats. If you’re on a tight budget, you can make a cat condo using boxes, carpet, logs etc.

3. Use catnip. If your cat likes catnip, sprinkle it around his scratching post, bed and other favorite areas.

4. Provide seats for your cat near windows. Cats love to watch what’s going on outside, and to sit in the sun. Window views at garden or street level are likely to provide more entertainment than those at higher levels in the house.

5. Grow some cat grass in a pot. This is a good substitute for eating grass outside.

6. Get a DVD specifically made for cats. Yes they do exist! Some cats love them and some aren’t interested, but they’re relatively cheap so it’s worth a try.

7. Use a computer screensaver with swimming tropical fish. Some cats love this – it’s like ultimate cat TV.

8. Teach your cat to walk on a leash. This does take some time and patience, but if you can do it you can then take your house cats outdoors in total safety.

He’ll meow, and meow, and meow, until we walk downstairs with him, and pet him by his food. Is this kind of behavior normal in cats? He’s part siamese, and I heard they’re noisy, does that have something to do with it?

I’m not really worried about it, ’cause it’s actually kinda cute, but I am curious to hear what other people think.

Pets are our best companions. Whether one prefers to have something more exotic like reptiles or the usual like birds, fishes, dogs or cats, it is definitely a fact that any kind of pet one owns requires proper and good grooming at all times. Especially warm blooded pets like dogs and cats, which are our common buddies at home, it is deeply considered necessary to have them groomed at all cost. And, if you are the type of person who’s very fond of cats like Cleopatra during the Hellenistic Age, pet maintenance service like cat grooming in NY is always available anytime.

Treating your cat for a fur cut, toe trim, a massage and other grooming treats are actually means to show your pet how much you give value to it. The expenses might be costly at times, however, everything is considered worth it after seeing your cat strutting the streets happy, good-looking and healthy. And if you want your cat to be in the pace of pet fashion which is a trend nowadays, there are pet supplies like cat supplies in NY that are being sold anywhere. This gives you the chance to dress up your cat the way you want with the use of different charming and adorable pet accessories. Various supplies are offered starting from clothes made accordingly to the type of season up to accessories to match the look making you pet look hip and fabulous.

Some examples of cat supplies in Brooklyn, in line with food, are dental diets, canned beef premium, dry cat food, replacer milk for kittens, ocean fish cat canned food, and many more to ensure you cat is getting the proper nutrition it needs. These foods are highly recommended to keep them stay fit and healthy. These also guarantee that what your pet eats is safe and suits the type of diet it has. With this, proper diet also comes with good exercise. And for a cat to shape up, one simple way to do it is through playing around with its favorite and exciting cat toys and accessories like cat ropes, cat charmer, catnip toys, playpens and, the most eye-catching for a cat, a mouse flicker toy. There are various toys that you can buy for your cats which are very useful to give your cat an enjoyable leisure time while playing with you or simply playing alone.

Finally, if you want to give your pet cat some pampering while in bed taking its’ nap because of playing all day, cat beds and accessories are also being sold around NY. A comfortable bed will surely give complete relaxation while your cat sleeps. You can choose whether you want a thermo kitty mat, a luxury cat bed, a silky pet corduroy, a kitty snooze den, or a crinkle cat den for your pet to utilize during its sleeping hours. Your pet will surely have the best time in the world starting from having the nicest clothes and accessories to wear, nutritious food to eat up to the most comfortable beds to use to sleep on. If you are traveling and want to bring your pet over, soft sided crates and carriers are also made available in the market. Touring around with you pet will certainly be better without worrying where you will locate them. So better get one of those cat supplies and give your pet the best treats it can get.

How Much Playtime Do Cats Need? Cats needs at least 10-15 minutes of exercise three to four times a day. The exact amount varies with age, breed, health and physical condition.

Indoor cats need to play 3 to 4 times as much as outdoor cats to satisfy their needs for exercise. One hour of playful exercise increases your cat’s lifespan by 4 hours.

TIP: If your cat is neutered he is twice as likely to get chubby, so decrease his calories by one third and play more. Be creative think up games that stimulate your cat’s natural instincts.

Exercise Is Fun With Felines!

Exercise is integral to life. Not only is it essential for optimal health, it also improves circulation, stimulates vital organs, facilitates digestion and helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body. Exercise provides aerobic activity that stimulates your cat mentally and physically. Playful exercise is fun too. The more you play with your cat the more trusting and alert he’ll become. It is a great way to bond, and it is as good for you as it is for your cat. Most owners end up looking forward to this “special time” as much as their cats do.

Cats have different types of personalities, just like people. Figure out what kind of cat you have-shy, curious, sedate or wild. Adapt the type of play you choose to the personality of your cat.

Cat nip is a perfectly safe herb that many cats enjoy. Once a week, sprinkle the fresh herb on the floor or on a couple favorite toys. Cats generally play, roll and frolic. Your cat will have fun and so will you.

Exercise Goals

Exercise promotes confidence, self-esteem and well being. If you make the commitment to eat right and playfully exercise at least 10 minutes four times a day, you and your cat will look good and feel great! Exercise enhances your health, your looks and your life.

If you and your cat can’t exercise, feline massage is an alternative. It’s therapeutic and stimulates vital tissues. It’s also fun and feels great.

Cats love a ritual-especially before a good meal. Set play sessions for the same time each day and soon your cat will be there eagerly waiting for you.

The love you bestow on your cat and the relationship you share will become a source of continued happiness in your life.

TOYS

Toys provide a positive outlet for cats of all ages. Many are educational, some are interactive, and others are just plain fun. In additional to physical benefits,

they stimulate cats mentally; help prevent boredom, destruction and anxiety. Some toys are also a form of exercise like laser mice and many can be stuffed or rubbed with treats like catnip. Get a variety of toys and rotate them every few days.

GREAT SAFE CAT TOYS:

* Crumpled Paper Balls

* Peacock Feathers

* Empty Paper Bags

* Card Board Boxes

* Pieces of real fur (2 cm X 5 cm)

* Pinecones

* Ping Pong Balls

* A pile of shredded paper

* Empty 35MM film containers (or filled 1/3 with raw lentils)

* The occasional full toilet paper roll (for shredding)

Anything dangling from a fishing line makes a good toy:

Frozen green beans, Walnut shells, Sea-shells,

Plastic lids from bottled water, Leaves at the top of a Celery Stalk, Pipe Cleaners twisted up like Butterflies

TOYS

Cats judge toys based on their size, texture, sound and smell. Small, light weight items like crocheted mice, fish and birds especially with unpredictable, erratic movements are favorites for many felines.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

CREATE INTERACTIVE GAMES FOR YOUR CAT:

Kitty Hockey: throw a couple plastic rings from a milk jug on a smooth floor — your feline will fly for the puck

Create snakelike toys: then sneak & slither them over chairs and up & down stairs

Make a kitty racquetball court: put a ping pong ball in a small box and cut a small paw sized hole in one end

Create a feline obstacle course: place several boxes upside down or paper bags on their side and cut holes in each to enter & exit

Improve balance & coordination with a multi-leveled cat tree: entice your cat to jump from 1 perch to the next during interactive play sessions

Encourage scratching and stretching with a few sturdy scratching posts covered with hemp or the rough backing of a piece of carpet

INTERACTIVE GAMES

Wiggle a fishing line with feathers on one end over

perches, playgrounds and obstacle courses to get your cat to stretch and keep his muscles toned

FACT: Play is soothing to the soul-yours and your cats.

My cat was really friendly right before she went into labor which was kind of strange b/c she isn’t an affectionate cat. She has now had her kittens,its been about a day, and she constantly follows me around meowing and wanting me to pet her. Also when I look at the kits she just rubs up against me. Is it normal for cats to do this after they give birth, also this is her first litter.

If you have a cat – or more than one cat – then you’re in the market for some quick and easy training tips. The following tips . . . tricks . . . and techniques cover a variety of situations that most cat owners encounter.

The key to effective training is consistency. Whatever you choose, be sure to do it on regularly, otherwise, you’ll be sending your cat mixed signals. And that will only make it that much harder to train her. Forget about cat training in 10 minutes!

Below are ten “must have” tips that will get you through your initial phase cat ownership.

1. Cats really don’t care that you punish them. It’s true. If you’ve owned a dog, you know that punishing him will help change his behavior. It doesn’t with cats. Bottom line. Don’t waste your time. They’ll sit there purring at you and just perform that same behavior again.

2. Corporal punishment is out of the question. Because a cat’s body is so delicate, you can’t “spank” a cat the way you do a dog to get its attention. That means when you’re training your cat, you have to match wits with it. Don’t worry. I’m confident you’ll win. There are things out there like cat clicker training, but I don’t recommend it.

3. Use a form of positive reinforcement. As you become a seasoned cat owner, you’ll discover that it’s difficult to catch your cat in the actual “crime”. It’s far easier, then, to reward your cat when you see her performing a right behavior. Keep some cat “treats” on hand. Feed one to your cat whenever she is doing something positive – like using the litter box or using her scratching post.

4. Keep plenty of toys – either store bought or make shift – around the house. Much of the “bad” behavior of cats is simply because they’re board. The feline is by nature a predatory animal. Remember the scene in the Disney movie, The Lion King, where little Simba gets “pouncing lessons.” When you think your cat is literally bouncing off the walls and tearing down the curtains, he’s only practicing his predatory skills. Provide him with alternatives and he’ll tame down – at least some.

5. When you’re away, keep him busy. If your cat is used to company, he may get bored and inadvertently destruction while you’re at work or are gone for any length of time. Here’s a quick hint. Buy a timer for your television set, make sure the TV is tuned to an animal-friendly channel (an outdoor channel or Animal Planet for instance) and then have the television automatically turn on at different times of the day. Cats can see images on the screen. He’ll come to investigate the noise and stay to watch the picture – at least for a while.

6. The value of a spray bottle of water. In some instances, spraying a cat with a harmless water bottle is enough to get their attention and stop the bad behavior. You only need a simple spray bottle that you use for misting plants. Squirt the cat if it misbehaves. Soon, he’ll know that he can’t do that.

7. Blow a harmless puff of air in your cat’s face. Yes, this sounds crazy, but it really works. If your cat is literally in your face and you need to teach him to keep a certain distance and give you some space, try it. Blow a puff of air into his face. It’ll startle and puzzle him. Soon, he’ll associate the two and you won’t be bothered by the unpleasant attention he gives you.

8. Make sure you cat has “a room with a view”. You know what they say, “curiosity killed the cat.” More appropriately, an irate owner went berserk over something a bored cat got into. Much of the bad behavior of your cat is simply due to his innate curiosity. Make sure he has a ledge or window sill that he can sit in comfortably to check out the birds and squirrels in your yard. If your window sill isn’t large enough for him to sit for extended periods, you can by an extension at the pet store. Or, if someone you know is handy, you can make your own.

9. Spend quality time with your cat. As a training technique, this may sound a bit unorthodox. But, it’s really a savvy move on your part. The more time you spend with your kitty, the better you’ll be able to communicate with her. Cats definitely have a form of communication skills that involves more than just “talking.” The better you know your cat – and just as importantly, the better your cat knows you – you’ll be able “to read her mind”. You’ll just “know” when she’s considering an improper move. And she’ll know when you disapprove just by reading your body language and the look on your face.

10. Confine the aggressive cat. Reward the victim. Got more than one cat? Then you probably have that occasional “cat fight.” Felines are territorial animals. They will get into a fight now and then over their “catdom.” If you view the fight, your first step is to disengage the action. Using a water sprayer is the best method. Squirt the aggressor. Try to avoid squirting the victim. After that, confine the “bully” in a less attractive space. In the meantime, reward the cat who didn’t attack – even when she was being attacked. Give her a treat and let her free roam the house. When you do put this pair of felines together again, try to keep them as supervised as possible.

These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg when you’re training your cat. As you and your pet begin to know each better, you’ll discover a language of your own. It may be through speech – you talk and she meows. But more than likely, the two of you will eventually be able to read each other’s body language. You’ll soon learn the subtle nuances of this very effective form of communication . . . and teaching your cat what she needs to know will be easier than you can ever imagine.

Is It Necessary To Train Cats?

People who own cats may come across this question very often. Well, the answer is yes. Imagine a cat causing damage to valuable articles at home such as glassware, the sofa set, electronic items such as DVD player or computer.

The owner may run wild even at the thought of the cat doing this. Hence, it is essential to train cats so that they become familiar and get used to the environment around them. For the human-cat relationship to last long, it is recommended for owners to train their cats with extreme love and affection.

Bases Of Trainability:

Cats show their own interest in particular things. Cats like nutritional food and do activities that refresh them. Recreational activities may include watching squirrels climb the tree, pouncing on passing toys and finding out the things hidden in the cardboard box, left in the center of the living room.

Cat owners know that cats are curious by nature. They like to examine things around them, especially new things. They smell it and sometimes even sleep on it. To help a cat overcome shyness, the owner may move a catnip mouse across the room to catch the attention of the cat. This will draw the cat nearer to the object and help get over the tough task easily. This helps the cat to mix up with other members of the family quickly.

In the wild, cats tend to work alone. However, when they become part of a family, they rely on their owners for their usual tasks such as eating and bathing. This way cats develop an eternal relationship with their owners and other cats as well. Cat owners need to train their cats on normal activities and things such as relaxing, playing and eating.

Cats have the habit of playing, scratching and rubbing their body against objects. Many cats jump, look from the windows, sleep in many places and hang out with their owners in certain locations.

Some cats run back and forth in a house for no reason. Here, the activity can cause damage to the furniture. If the owner troubles the cat, the cat may raise its claw in self-defense. Several institutes engaged in training pet animals do their bit to bring abilities of pets at the forefront. Owners may take some time out of their busy schedule to visit such institutes for the betterment of their cats.

Cats – Waste Disposal

Disposal of cat waste is not a problem. Generally, cats tend to remain clean. It is in their nature to bury or hide their droppings. Owners may make available litter trays for their cats.

They may bury solid waste from the litter trays. The uncontaminated litter can be left in the tray. Pet shops sell biodegradable cat litters that break easily, when they add it to garden beds.

Litters built of clay break down slowly and as they are white in color, the owner can easily notice them in the garden bed. Cat owners may even wrap the contaminated litter and place it in garbage bins at home.