Cat - Read The Fine Print In Your Pets Food

In my ongoing effort to teach as many people as I can to understand the ins and outs of the pet food industry - this month I want to explain some of the fine print on your pet food label. Minerals are a required ingredient in human diets as well as diets for our pets. Copper, Iron and Zinc are common minerals found in pet foods. Just as they are - copper, iron, and zinc are basically rocks, very difficult for anyone or any pet to utilize. Science has developed several ways to introduce minerals into the body (human and pet) for better absorption thus benefiting the individual far more. This scientific development is called chelating or proteinating and it's actually been around for years. Through the chelating or proteinating process minerals are absorbed about 60% better than just the minerals alone. So why am I sharing this 'fine print' on the pet food label with you? Well, it is so simple and so beneficial for a pet food manufacturer to add chelated or proteinated minerals - any manufacturer that doesn't, in my opinion is cutting corners. And it leaves me with the feeling that if they cut this corner which is so simple to avoid, what other corners are they cutting? I don't like that feeling. Notice on your pet food label, way down on the list of ingredients the minerals. You are looking for minerals that read 'copper proteinate' or 'chelated copper'. If you see just the mineral listed, your pet is sort of like Charlie Brown at Halloween saying 'I got a rock'. And one more thing in the fine print...it's called friendly bacteria. Although 'friendly bacteria' sounds a little scary, the reason for it lies in your pets' intestinal system. A large portion of your pets' immune system is found within the intestinal system. So keeping the immune system healthy helps to keep the animal itself healthy. This friendly bacteria is similar to what's found in yogurt however in pet food it is introduced in a fashion that the cooking process doesn't destroy. It's a very simple benefit of science. Yet again, just like with minerals, many pet food manufacturers don't take the little added effort to provide our pets with them. Looking at the fine print on your pet food label, this time you are looking for lengthy, scientific words like Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidobacterium Thermophilum. Probably one of the words at the National Spelling Bee Championship! Again with the known scientific data as to the benefit of friendly bacteria, why would a pet food manufacturer not provide them to pets? If they don't it would appear they are cutting corners again. Thanks for listening! I hope everyone has a wonderful June. This is my birthday month, so I'm looking forward to a little celebrating with family and friends. But regardless of getting another year older (the only bad thing about birthdays!), I will be watching the pet food industry like a hawk and providing you with any updates you need to know. Until next month or the next message. Susan Thixton Pet Behavior and Nutrition Consultant Truth About Pet Food Petsumer Report? TruthAboutPetFood.com Susan Thixton has worked in the pet industry for over 20 years helping thousands of pet owners to enjoy their pets. She's produced an internationally distributed dog training video, authored the tell all book Truth About Pet Food, and recently has begun publication of a one-of-a-kind pet owning consumer report Petsumer Report. For more information please visit TruthAboutPetFood.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Thixton Cat - Dental Care For Cats Many people do not brush their cats teeth often enough, some have never done it. If your cat's teeth are not brushed, bacteria will build up and could result in loss of teeth. You should brush your cat's teeth every week. If you have a kitten you should start brushing when all of its 36 teeth have grown which is around 6 months of age. If you have an adult cat, introduce slowly and keep the sessions short. You can buy special toothbrushes designed for cats but a child's toothbrush will be just as good, just make sure the bristles are soft so they do not cut the gums. Do not use normal toothpaste because it will cause digestive problems and make your cat sick. You can buy special cat toothpaste from your pet shop, vet or online. To properly brush your cat's teeth start by gently brushing the outer surface of the teeth. Do not brush the inside of the teeth until your cat is used to the process. Brush in a circular motion from the bottom of the gum to the tips of the teeth. Some cats require professional cleaning when there is a severe build up of tartar. When brushing your cat's teeth note the condition of your cat's gums. Consult your vet if the gums are swollen, if there is any bleeding, bad breath, drooling, dark spots, sores, refusal to open mouth or reluctance to eat. If your cat has any of these symptoms there is a chance that it has gum disease. Gum disease is common in cats and can be fatal unless treated. It begins with the build up of plaque and tartar which causes the roots to become infected. This can be prevented by regular brushing.

Cat - Dental Care For Cats

Many people do not brush their cats teeth often enough, some have never done it. If your cat's teeth are not brushed, bacteria will build up and could result in loss of teeth. You should brush your cat's teeth every week. If you have a kitten you should start brushing when all of its 36 teeth have grown which is around 6 months of age. If you have an adult cat, introduce slowly and keep the sessions short. You can buy special toothbrushes designed for cats but a child's toothbrush will be just as good, just make sure the bristles are soft so they do not cut the gums. Do not use normal toothpaste because it will cause digestive problems and make your cat sick. You can buy special cat toothpaste from your pet shop, vet or online. To properly brush your cat's teeth start by gently brushing the outer surface of the teeth. Do not brush the inside of the teeth until your cat is used to the process. Brush in a circular motion from the bottom of the gum to the tips of the teeth. Some cats require professional cleaning when there is a severe build up of tartar. When brushing your cat's teeth note the condition of your cat's gums. Consult your vet if the gums are swollen, if there is any bleeding, bad breath, drooling, dark spots, sores, refusal to open mouth or reluctance to eat. If your cat has any of these symptoms there is a chance that it has gum disease. Gum disease is common in cats and can be fatal unless treated. It begins with the build up of plaque and tartar which causes the roots to become infected. This can be prevented by regular brushing. If you liked what you read here, visit iPod Articles for more information on all aspects of iPod. You may also be interested in iBid Blue and iBid Red Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_McGregor Cat - Great Gifts For Cat Lovers There are a lot of great gifts that you can give to cat lovers, although photo frames are among the most popular. Photo frames are very affordable, and make a great gift for anyone who owns a cat or other pet. Those who own more than one cat will truly appreciate photo frames - as it gives them a chance to show off their pet. Cat lovers can also frame pictures of their pet for memories as well - and keep them forever and ever. Before you give a cat lover a gift, you should take into consideration what type of cat the person owns. There are several breeds out there, including tabby, pure breeds, calico, Persian, and of course the infamous Siamese breeds. Someone may own several cats as well, which is why you should know a little bit about the breed or breeds someone owns before you get them a gift. You should take into consideration whether or not the cat lover has an outdoor or indoor cat. Cats, unlike dogs, are more than happy to spend all of their time outdoors. Outdoor cats can be a lot of fun, especially if the owner spends a lot of time outdoors. Cats have a natural urge to go outside, even if the owner has an indoor cat. Cats who reside indoors are less exposed to sicknesses and common health problems that outdoor cats are exposed to. Indoor cats are almost always trained to use the litter box, which makes them easy to maintain for their owners. Nearly all gifts that you can get for a cat lover are designed for those who keep their pet indoors. If you're looking for a humorous yet exciting gift, you can always give the gift of catnip. Catnip is one of the most popular treats for cats, as it's a naturally occurring plant that has a unique affect on a cat. Catnip gives off aromatic oils that will often make cats appear to be drunk and very hyper - which is always great entertainment for both owners and guests. Catnip is completely safe for cats to consume, often times being included with gifts such as chew toys and play balls. Other great gifts for cat lovers include decorative mats with cat pictures, which you can get personalized for the owner if you prefer. You can also give cat videos, musical cat dolls, cat shaped mail boxes, toys and treats, and various other goodies that are directed towards cat lovers. If you do your shopping on the Internet, you'll find that the possibilities are endless. Cats are very popular pets - meaning that you'll have no trouble finding the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life.

Cat - Great Gifts For Cat Lovers

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! There are a lot of great gifts that you can give to cat lovers, although photo frames are among the most popular. Photo frames are very affordable, and make a great gift for anyone who owns a cat or other pet. Those who own more than one cat will truly appreciate photo frames - as it gives them a chance to show off their pet. Cat lovers can also frame pictures of their pet for memories as well - and keep them forever and ever. Before you give a cat lover a gift, you should take into consideration what type of cat the person owns. There are several breeds out there, including tabby, pure breeds, calico, Persian, and of course the infamous Siamese breeds. Someone may own several cats as well, which is why you should know a little bit about the breed or breeds someone owns before you get them a gift. You should take into consideration whether or not the cat lover has an outdoor or indoor cat. Cats, unlike dogs, are more than happy to spend all of their time outdoors. Outdoor cats can be a lot of fun, especially if the owner spends a lot of time outdoors. Cats have a natural urge to go outside, even if the owner has an indoor cat. Cats who reside indoors are less exposed to sicknesses and common health problems that outdoor cats are exposed to. Indoor cats are almost always trained to use the litter box, which makes them easy to maintain for their owners. Nearly all gifts that you can get for a cat lover are designed for those who keep their pet indoors. If you're looking for a humorous yet exciting gift, you can always give the gift of catnip. Catnip is one of the most popular treats for cats, as it's a naturally occurring plant that has a unique affect on a cat. Catnip gives off aromatic oils that will often make cats appear to be drunk and very hyper - which is always great entertainment for both owners and guests. Catnip is completely safe for cats to consume, often times being included with gifts such as chew toys and play balls. Other great gifts for cat lovers include decorative mats with cat pictures, which you can get personalized for the owner if you prefer. You can also give cat videos, musical cat dolls, cat shaped mail boxes, toys and treats, and various other goodies that are directed towards cat lovers. If you do your shopping on the Internet, you'll find that the possibilities are endless. Cats are very popular pets - meaning that you'll have no trouble finding the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life. For more useful information about your cat visit us at http://www.Catslovers.info Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Zysblatt Cat - How To Toilet Train Your Cat The idea of how to toilet train your cat has grown in popularity ever since the release of the movie "Meet The Parents" where the kitty, Jinx, used the toilet instead of a litter box. As funny and outrageous as the idea of a cat using a toilet is, toilet training a cat can be done if you have the desire and the patience to put forth the effort. There are pros and cons to toilet training a cat. The negative side of this task is the amount of effort and time it may take you to get your cat fully toilet trained. Of course, once the cat is trained you can say goodbye to the smelly, disgusting litter box and that fact alone is enough to convince many cat owners to take on the task. So once you make the decision to toilet train your cat, how do you do it? There are toilet training kits available; however, you can train your cat to use the toilet without spending a lot of money on toilet training kits. Besides the cat and the toilet, you will also need to have flushable kitty litter and aluminum foil cooking pans that will sit on the rim of the toilet while still hanging inside the bowl. The lowering of the toilet seat onto the pan should hold the pan in place. To begin, replace the cats litter box with the same size aluminum foil cooking pan that will eventually go into the toilet. Place the new litter box next to the toilet that you want the cat to use. This can be done gradually or all at once depending on your cat. Once the litter box is next to the toilet, you can start to gradually raise the litter box by placing something underneath. You can use a stack of newspapers or a cardboard box, etc. Just ensure that the litter box is not sitting on a slick surface as you don't want it to slide while the cat is attempting to use it. Continue this process until the bottom of the litter box is level with the top of the toilet seat. Again, the length of time it will take to get your cat to this point really depends on the cat and how comfortable they are with the changes. If, during this process, you find the cat not utilizing the litter box you will know that you have moved too fast in their training and will need to slow it down. Next, place the litter box tray into the toilet. Remember, the tray goes under the seat. The seat should hold it in place. The cat should now be jumping onto the toilet seat and using the litter box. Once you feel your cat is used to this process, start reducing the amount of litter in the tray and make a small hole (approximately 1" diameter) in the bottom of the tray. Since you are reducing the amount of kitty litter you will have to clean the litter box more often so the cat will continue to utilize their litter box. The cat may begin by sitting completely in the tray so you will want to make sure the tray is secure and sturdy enough to hold the cat's weight. You don't want your cat to fall into the toilet. As funny as that may look, you will lose ground in your training. Gradually enlarge the hole in the bottom of the tray. Again, how often you enlarge the hole in the tray will depend on your cat but a good rule of thumb is about a half an inch a week. As the hole in the tray gets larger, the cat will start to move their paws out of the litter box and onto the toilet seat. Eventually your cat will have all four paws on the toilet seat and will squat over the litter box to do his/her business. As the hole gets bigger and the amount of kitty litter decreases your cat will begin to get used to the sound of their waste hitting the water instead of the litter and you will also slowly recondition them of their need to scratch and cover up their waste. Using treats to reward your cat for using the litter box lined toilet may help move the training along a little faster. Once your cat keeps all four paws on the toilet seat and is used to their waste hitting the water instead of the litter you can take the tray away. You have just successfully learned how to toilet train your cat.

Cat - How To Toilet Train Your Cat

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! The idea of how to toilet train your cat has grown in popularity ever since the release of the movie "Meet The Parents" where the kitty, Jinx, used the toilet instead of a litter box. As funny and outrageous as the idea of a cat using a toilet is, toilet training a cat can be done if you have the desire and the patience to put forth the effort. There are pros and cons to toilet training a cat. The negative side of this task is the amount of effort and time it may take you to get your cat fully toilet trained. Of course, once the cat is trained you can say goodbye to the smelly, disgusting litter box and that fact alone is enough to convince many cat owners to take on the task. So once you make the decision to toilet train your cat, how do you do it? There are toilet training kits available; however, you can train your cat to use the toilet without spending a lot of money on toilet training kits. Besides the cat and the toilet, you will also need to have flushable kitty litter and aluminum foil cooking pans that will sit on the rim of the toilet while still hanging inside the bowl. The lowering of the toilet seat onto the pan should hold the pan in place. To begin, replace the cats litter box with the same size aluminum foil cooking pan that will eventually go into the toilet. Place the new litter box next to the toilet that you want the cat to use. This can be done gradually or all at once depending on your cat. Once the litter box is next to the toilet, you can start to gradually raise the litter box by placing something underneath. You can use a stack of newspapers or a cardboard box, etc. Just ensure that the litter box is not sitting on a slick surface as you don't want it to slide while the cat is attempting to use it. Continue this process until the bottom of the litter box is level with the top of the toilet seat. Again, the length of time it will take to get your cat to this point really depends on the cat and how comfortable they are with the changes. If, during this process, you find the cat not utilizing the litter box you will know that you have moved too fast in their training and will need to slow it down. Next, place the litter box tray into the toilet. Remember, the tray goes under the seat. The seat should hold it in place. The cat should now be jumping onto the toilet seat and using the litter box. Once you feel your cat is used to this process, start reducing the amount of litter in the tray and make a small hole (approximately 1" diameter) in the bottom of the tray. Since you are reducing the amount of kitty litter you will have to clean the litter box more often so the cat will continue to utilize their litter box. The cat may begin by sitting completely in the tray so you will want to make sure the tray is secure and sturdy enough to hold the cat's weight. You don't want your cat to fall into the toilet. As funny as that may look, you will lose ground in your training. Gradually enlarge the hole in the bottom of the tray. Again, how often you enlarge the hole in the tray will depend on your cat but a good rule of thumb is about a half an inch a week. As the hole in the tray gets larger, the cat will start to move their paws out of the litter box and onto the toilet seat. Eventually your cat will have all four paws on the toilet seat and will squat over the litter box to do his/her business. As the hole gets bigger and the amount of kitty litter decreases your cat will begin to get used to the sound of their waste hitting the water instead of the litter and you will also slowly recondition them of their need to scratch and cover up their waste. Using treats to reward your cat for using the litter box lined toilet may help move the training along a little faster. Once your cat keeps all four paws on the toilet seat and is used to their waste hitting the water instead of the litter you can take the tray away. You have just successfully learned how to toilet train your cat. Did you know that cats are more likely to have more severe reactions to Heartworm Disease than dogs, even sudden death? Even indoor cats are at risk for heartworm disease. The best treatment for Heartworm disease is Preventative Treatment. Click Here To Better Your Cat's Health Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Vanderhaar Cat - Feline Lukemia - A Guide for Cat Lovers Feline Leukemia, known as FeLV is a viral disease. Young kittens and older cats exposed to diseased cats are the most susceptible. The disease is spread through bites, mother to offspring, or diseased cat to healthy cats. The saliva, urine, and feces of an infected cat can pass the virus. However, the disease does not live more than a couple hours outside of the cat's body. Some people believe indoor cats can contract the disease if a person carries the virus on their hands or clothes. There is no known cure at this time, and the disease kills 80% of all infected cats within a three year period. The disease can cause an array of health issues; cancer, blood disorders, and secondary diseases such as respiratory infections and diabetes. In laymen's terms, the bones shut down and anemia occurs, which eventually leads to death. To prevent your pet from contract Feline Leukemia, do the following: 1. Keep your cat indoors. This will eliminate your cat's exposure to FeLV. 2. If you have stray cats in your neighborhood and you pet them, wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap before you pet your indoor cat. 3. Before you merge your healthy cat with a new cat or kitten, have the new pet tested for FeLV. If it has FeLV, it needs to be kept away from healthy cats. 4. Consider having your healthy cat vaccinated against Feline Leukemia. Unlike the Feline Aids vaccine, the Feline Leukemia vaccine does not affect a veterinarian's ability to test your pet for the disease at a later date. Please keep in mind that while the Feline Leukemia vaccine is highly effective, it will not prevent all cats from contracting the disease. This is why it's best to keep your cat indoors and away from potentially infected cats. If your cat contracts Feline Leukemia, you should do the following: 1. Test all other cats in the household. 2. Remove infected cats from healthy cats. Keep them in separate areas at all times. 3. If you spend time with infected cats, change your clothes and wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap before you pet your healthy cats. 4. Feed your infected cats a well balanced diet. Many individuals swear by herbal supplements. 5. Maintain separate areas, food dishes and litter pans for the infected cats. Do not share these pet accessories with your healthy cats. If you have a cat that dies of Feline Leukemia, and you wish to adopt another cat, scrub everything in your house thoroughly. Most likely the Feline Leukemia virus will die within a few hours after your pet passes away, but since Feline Leukemia often carries secondary disease, you should scrub everything with an anti-bacterial soap. I once rescued a very pitiful looking feral cat. He tested positive (and high) for both Feline Aids and Leukemia. Remarkably, once he was moved indoors, he lived another four years'my vet said this was remarkable. When my FeLV infected cat contracted liver cancer and started having difficulty walking and urinating, I made a "no-win" decision to euthanize him. He had already endured several steroid shots and I was concerned he was suffering. None of my other cats contracted the disease, but I was always careful to wash my hands and I kept the cat separated from my healthy cats.