Kitty Tips-Collars and I.D. Tags

This 'Kitty Tips' is going to be all about collars, I.D. tags, lashes, catios, and microchips! These are all things that can help prevent your cat from getting lost. Having multiple or even all of these things is safest. Although, just one may save your cat's life.

First I'll talk about collars. Collars are wonderful to have for your cat, but they aren't very helpful when your cat gets lost if they don't have a small bell or an I.D. tag. A cat's I.D. tag is a rabies license. An I.D. tag on a lost cat's collar tells the person that finds the cat that this kitty is some one's pet.

Collars have to be a certain length away from a cat's neck. To be sure that your cat's collar is the perfect distance away from his or her neck, put two of your fingers, you pointer finger and your middle finger, together. Slip them between your cat's neck and collar. Can your fingers fit snugly in the space? If they can't, then adjust the collar and repeat the previous steps. Continue doing this until the collar is the perfect length away from your cat's neck. This is important to do because if the collar is too tight, than you cat will suffocate. If the collar is too lose, then your cat's collar could get snagged on something and your cat could hang itself.

Another collar safety check is to make sure that your cat's collar is breakable. If a non-breakable collar gets caught on something, the cat's life could be in danger. Buy a breakable collar for your cat's safety. Petco®, a pet store, is one of the places that sells breakable cat collars. Here are some links to a few of the breakable collars that they sell: http://www.petco.com/product/110849/Coastal-Pet-Safe-Cat-Reflective-Breakaway-Collar-in-Pink-Circle-Print.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
http://www.petco.com/product/110851/Coastal-Pet-Safe-Cat-Reflective-Breakaway-Collar-in-Pink-Daisy-Print.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
http://www.petco.com/product/117061/Petco-Nylon-Adjustable-Urban-Plaid-Cat-Collar-in-Pink-and-Black.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

A different safe cat collar that Petco® sells is the reflective nylon collar. This collar reflects light and shines. This way, people diving at night will be able to see you cat better. Here are links to two of these collars: http://www.petco.com/product/111003/Coastal-Pet-Lil-Pals-Lavender-Reflective-Kitten-Collar-with-Bell.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
http://www.petco.com/product/111003/Coastal-Pet-Lil-Pals-Lavender-Reflective-Kitten-Collar-with-Bell.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

For more collars on Petco®, click on this link: http://www.petco.com/shop/searchresults.aspx?Ntt=breakable%20cat%20collars

Bells are good to have on your kitty's collar. You will be alerted that your furry friend is close to an open door. They are also a sign to people that your cat has a owner if she or e does get out of the house.

Leashes are also very good and handy things that you can attach to your cat's collar. It is best to train your cat when your cat is a kitten or when it is still under one years old, but an adult or mature adult cat can still be trained to be led on a leash. They just won't have as high of a tolerance for it as a younger cat would.

Another thing that will help your cat be brought safely back home to you if he or she is lost is the microchip. Microchips are special, tiny chips of metal that can get inserted into your cat's skin. If your cat gets lost, then someone may find him or her. When they do, they might take her to the local vet clinic for a short checkup. The vets at the vet clinic will probably check the cat for a microchip. If the kitty has one, then your cat can be safely taken back home to you.

Catios are large, wire-enclosed, weather-proof space. A catio is a safe place for your kitty to get some fresh air. Your cat can watch birds and squirrels from a perch inside of the catio without anyone getting hurt. A tunnel leads from the house to the catio. There are wooden planks that your cat can jump onto inside of the catio. You can put cat trees and wooden poles for your cat to climb and scratch. Climbing, playing, stalking, pouncing and jumping in their catios keeps a house cat stimulated and active. A catio is also a wonderful place for your cat to happily sleep in the sunlight without a worry in the world.

I hope that readers use one of these things for the safety of their kitties. And i also hope that whether your cat has a catio or a collar, a leash or a microchip, it will always be cherished by the person it loves.

-KittyLover8

Kitty Tips-Traveling With Your Cat

In this "Kitty Tips" I will talk about traveling with you cat. The first thing that I should cover is that you don't have to bring your cat with you when you're traveling. There are many ways you can handle this. You can bring your cat with you, leave your cat at home with a catsitter, or board your cat somewhere, like at a vet clinic.

If you are going to bring your kitty friend along, you should always put her in a cat carrier. Make sure that she is comfortable. Put down a towel and perhaps her favorite toy. It is important that she isn't stressed out, because stress can lead to sickness. Make sure that you have enough of your cat's regular food on hand while traveling. A change of food can add to your cat's stress.

Planes are not good places to have your cat. People cat put their pets in the storage aria of the plane, but this is uncomfortable and scary for a cat. Most likely it is best to drive to your destination if you're bringing your cat then to fly on a plane.

Of course, you can also leave your cat at home. This is much less stressful for your cat. You can leave your cat at home unsupervised for one to two whole days. If you chose to do this, then leave lots of food and water. Also, cat-proof your house right before you leave, just to be sure that you fuzzy friend won't get into any trouble.

If you will be gone any longer then two days, then hire a trustworthy catsitter to watch your cat while you're away or board your cat. The catsitter that you pick out should be a family member, good friend, or a catsitter who has a good reputation with cats. You want you kitty to be in good hands. You should meet and talk with the catsitter beforehand, telling him or her about your cat's needs and what is and isn't normal.

If you are going to board your cat, then find a good place for your cat to be. One place that is very safe for your cat is your nearby vet clinic. Not all vet clinics board animals, but that's a good place to look at.

Another place where you can board your cat is a kennel. Talk to your veterinarian about what kennels the may recommended. Your veterinarian might know some patents that have complained about a certain kennel or might have treated cats with diseases that they got from a kennel. Make sure that the kennel you chose keeps your cat up to date on it's shots. Tell the owner of the kennel you chose your cat's regular food and any illnesses that your cat might have. If your cat does have a contagious diseases, then cure the sickness before you take them to the kennel. Other cats might get ill from your cat's sickness.

So, those are some of the ways you can travel with or without your cat. As someone who volunteered at a vet clinic that boarded cats, I recommend leaving your cat at home with a catsitter or at a vet clinic. Try to find the solution best for you and your cat. I hope that I helped!

Thank you for reading!

-KittyLover8

© 2012

Kitty Tips-Vet Checkups

Vet checkups are very important in a cats life. Once every six months you should take your cat to a vet clinic.

When you first get your new BFF, take him or her to a vet clinic for a checkup and shots. This will prevent parasites like Worms (Hookworms, Tapeworms, Roundworms, est.), Ticks, Mosquitoes and Fleas. This will also prevent diseases like Rabies.

Just because you got your new cat from the SPCA, doesn't mean that they don't have parasites infections or diseases. The shelter might not treat the cats when they find them or receive them. Even if they do treat the cats, you should still give your new friend a vet checkup.

If you did buy your cat from a SPCA, Animal Shelter, Farmers Market or another place, you should ask for your new cat's health records, when they were born, if they were spayed or neutered (depending on if they are a male or female) and what diseases, infections and/or parasites he or she might have.

Here is a list of some unhealthy things that cats may do that indicate illness or infection:

1. Vomiting frequently.
2. Constipation or Diarrhea.
3. Abnormal Urination.
4. Rashes and/or discharge in the eyes, nose and ears.
5. Abnormal behavior.

Report any of these signs to your vet.

Please remember: You are your cat's guardian and friend. View and use some advice and facts about cats. Take note that not everything is true. Some people will not find the right facts. Find different web sites and/or books and compere. It is important for the health of your cat that you get the right information.
Thank you for reading!
-KittyLover8
© 2012

Kitty Tips-Christmas Safety

Christmas season can be a very dangerous season for cats. People decorate their homes with plants that are poisonous to cats and with ribbons that cats can choke on. I will list some alternatives that are safe for your cat.

Poinsettias and mistletoe are poisonous to cats. Instead of decorating the house with the real plants, buy fake mistletoe and poinsettias. They look just as festive and are much more safe.


Ribbons look like grass to cats, so they are naturally drawn to chewing on the ends of ribbons. A way to solve this is to buy cat grass for your cat. This could help them distracted from the ribbons and other dangerous things around the house.

Cats are kind and curious animals. Taking care of your cat is important. Alternatives and relinquishing a few minor things can help you and your cat on the magnificent journey of life.

-KittyLover8

© 2011

Kitty Tips-Grooming Your Cat

If your cat is a long hair, then a wide-toothed comb would work best for his fur. On a short haired cat, use a bristle brush or a baby brush. Be sure to be gentle, but firm at all times. Your cat's legs, belly, and tail should be brushed with a bristle brush, no matter what his fur length is. If your cat is a short hair, brush his fur once or twice a week. If he is long haired, brush his fur three to four times a week.

Clip your cat's claws monthly, if your cat's fur is dark (Black, dark gray, dark brown, etc.), his claws will probably dark, too. If the pink bundle of nerves within the claws is hard to see, you might what a specialist to clip your cats claws.

Grooming your cat is a special and important time for you and your cat. Grooming your cat can help you bond with him and keeps him healthy.


-KittyLover8

© 2011

Kitty Tips-Feeding Your Cat

Cat foods can have multiple different textures; dry, semimoist, and wet foods. Dry foods are best to feed a young cat, because they clean their teeth. When a cat is older, sometimes it is easier for them to eat wet food or semimoist food. Depending on the life stage, kitten (Less then one year old), adult (One to six years old), and mature adult (Seven to fifteen or more years old), it is up to you, your cat, and your vet to decide on witch food is best for your cat.

Wight gain can be a big problem. The amount of food given to your cat daily differs depending on your cats size. Half a cup to a cup of food is a good amount. Finding a properly balanced food brand can be hard. Nutrients that your cat should have are, vitamin A, C , and E, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, carbohydrates, fats, and omegas three and six.

Cats need to have grass to chew. If they have eaten anything toxic, grass will make them regurgitate. You can buy grass that is healthy for cats to eat. If you don't do this, your cat might eat your potted plants inside your house. Some of which may be poisonous.

Be sure to give your cat the proper type of food (dry, wet, and semimoist), the right amount (this depends on your cat), and a perfect balance of nutrients with some grass to have a healthy cat.

-KittyLover8
© 2011