Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
There are some special considerations you have to make when caring for things like gardenias once you make the decision to grow them indoors. Care for gardenias indoors with help from a professional gardener in this free video clip.
Feeding your cat in natural ways will help keep it healthy. Learn about a natural way to feed a cat with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Though limb amputation seems like a traumatic procedure for a feline to endure, most cats adjust surprisingly well to having a leg removed. Despite some pain and an adjustment period, cats instinctively learn to compensate for the loss of a back or front leg. Whether the reason for amputation is injury or disease, prompt veterinarian attention and loving care following the procedure are vital to help a cat with a newly-amputated leg heal and adapt.
A cat that has a blown pupil or unequal pupil size is called feline amisocoria. The pupil is the circular opening in the middle of the eye that lets light pass through; it expands and contracts when light is present or absent. There are many causes for the condition, such as glaucoma, infection, hereditary defects or possibly even head injury. If your cat has a blown pupil, take your pet to the vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Bronze headboards often have an antiqued appearance, making them quite forgiving when it comes to small scratches. Still, scratches can impact the look of your headboard, and periodic polishing will bring out the natural luster of the bronze. Before you use any product on your bronze, check the manufacturer's recommendations, and use the suggested products when possible. Likewise, it's important to avoid using cleaning and polishing products that are not recommended for use on bronze furniture.
If your cat has suffered some kind of injury that has resulted in an open wound, use a homemade saline solution to treat it. Saline solution makes a safe topical treatment for fresh-wound care. Use it by itself or in conjunction with other treatments. For instance, you might clean deep wounds with saline solution before taking a wounded cat to your local veterinarian.
Many people declaw their cat’s front paws to keep them from scratching on the furniture in their home. Cats are not trying to be destructive, but scratch things to keep their nails in a very sharp condition. Cats are digitigrades and actually walk on their claws in a tiptoe fashion. Maintenance of the back nails is important for balance, running and climbing.
Properly treating scratches on your cat's nose is essential to promote healing and keep infections at bay. Dirt and bacteria can easily contaminate the abrasions and worsen the injury. Indoor and outdoor cats alike are prone to accidents while exploring their surroundings. Scratches on your cat's nose can be caused by anything from catfights to sharp objects. They're considered minor injuries and can be treated right at home.
Cats make excellent additions to any farm. Not only do they keep the rodent population down significantly, they also provide amusement for horses. Keeping horses engaged is essential to avoid "cribbing," or the phenomenon whereby a horse starts to chew on his stall. Though barn cats are generally outdoor cats and do not require the same attention that indoor cats generally receive, they still require necessities such as clean water and comfortable bedding to keep them happy and healthy.
Neutering your male cat is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner, since neutering prevents your cat from creating more cats that will need homes of their own. Spay and neuter surgeries tend to make cats calmer and bring an end to behavior such as constant crying and nervous pacing. Male cats that are neutered are less likely to "roam" due to their mating drive, which prevents fighting, disease contraction and injuries. Once your cat has been neutered, take steps to provide a quiet and comfortable environment for him to heal.
Water is essential to the well-being and health of your cat. According to Doctors Foster and Smith, if your cat doesn't drink enough water, it can lead to conditions such as urinary tract stones, bladder infections and digestive problems. If you don't serve the water in your cat's preferred manner, she may not drink it. It may take multiple attempts to find out what your cat's drinking preference is, but once you figure it out, you know that she's getting the water she needs.
If you're attempting to fatten up your cat you should pay close attention to what you're actually feeding it. Learn what you can feed your cat to fatten it up with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
You may notice that your cat has a tendency to scratch the floor after it eats. Learn about getting a cat to stop scratching the floor after eating with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
You can get your cat to stop scratching on the corner of the couch in a variety of different ways depending on your resources. Learn about a solution for a cat scratching on the corner of the couch with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
Feeding your cat a pill is often the absolute last thing the animal wants to do. Learn how to feed your cat a pill with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
Shedding is a natural and healthy part of any feline's life. It is an important aspect of the thinning and regrowth of the under- and top-coat. But having to vacuum your couch cushions every time you want to entertain guests and keeping a constant stock of lint rollers in your car can grow annoying after awhile. While there is no permanent way of resolving the shedding problem, there are simple steps you can take to prevent the buildup of hair on your clothes and around the house.
According to T.J. Dunn, DVM, one of the likely leading causes of feline obesity is "free choice" feeding. In free choice feeding, the cat owner leaves food out for the cat at all times and allows the cat to eat at will. This reverses the diet and exercise patterns that cats experience in the wild, where they must exert themselves by hunting prey before eating. To combat weight gain, transition your cat to periodic small portions of nutrient-rich food.
As cats grow older, their bodies and digestive systems grow more delicate and require special care. Though each cat varies, clear signs of aging usually begin around 13 years of age. Along with easily digestible foods and clean water, some geriatric cats may need a prescription diet to prevent or manage certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, obesity or disease of the heart, liver or kidney. Consult a trained veterinarian for detailed instructions regarding your specific case.
Cats need to scratch. The action keeps their claws healthy and releases scent markings, defining the areas where they spend time. Although scratching is natural for a cat, it can be frustrating for a cat guardian. Door scratches take time and money to repair, there are several safe and effective materials you can put on a door to keep your cat from scratching.
According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 86 million domesticated cats live in some 38 million households. Cats are carnivorous creatures, needing an ample amount of meat in their diet. However, the amount of food and frequency of meals hinges heavily on the stage of the cat's life. Meat options for cats are lamb, chicken or beef.
Grooming, regulating temperature, repelling water, removing scent other than their own and coping with stress are all reasons that cats are seemingly forever licking their fur. All that licking keeps them impeccably clean, and experts agree that, particular breeds excepted, cats require bathing in very few circumstances.
Cats are intrinsically clean creatures who clean themselves daily, and most seem to think their own personal hygiene is enough. The key to avoid the inevitable battle of wills over bathing your cat is preparation and organization. If you have everything ready before you lift the cat into the tub or sink, your chance of success is much better. To avoid resistance at bathing time, start bathing your cat as a kitten so it's used to the process and it won't be as much of a struggle when she needs a bath as an adult.
After making your airline reservation for your cat, you need to prepare it for its flight. Obtain an airline-approved carrier for your pet to travel in, with accessible food and water dishes. Depending on how your cat will fly, either via cargo or with you in-cabin, feed it according to airline regulations before the flight. Keep in mind that a cat can only wait to relieve itself for seven to eight hours.
Depending on how long you plan to be away from your cat, you need to make arrangements for its care and feeding in your absence. For short trips, no more than 24 to 48 hours, you can leave your cat with a sufficient supply of food to keep it well nourished. If you're taking a longer vacation, you'll have to explore other options.
Persian cats are prized for their luxurious coats, unique faces and gentle personalities. While Persian cats are a distinct breed, the flatness of the face varies between individual Persians. Persians with the flattest faces have the highest risk of developing eye and sinus infections or breathing difficulties. Regardless of the degree of flatness of the face, all Persian cats require the same basic care.
Avocados do not come true from seed, but are easy to grow from seed, even from store-bought fruits. Standard-sized avocado trees may grow indoors as houseplants if pruned keeping their size in check. Dwarf avocados are available for container culture. Avocados are not cold-tolerant plants, so keep them in a warm area of your home, and do not to place them close to doors or windows in winter.
Cats generally do not require a bath; however, there are times when bathing is necessary. Breaking up the bathing process into small grooming steps reduces some of the stress associated with bathing cats. Because cats do not like sprays or being restrained, using a standard pet buckle harness, spending a few minutes preparing the cat for a bath, and assembling your supplies reduces stress and makes giving a bath less dangerous and more efficient.
The collar a cat will wear when it's hurt or after an operation is called the Elizabethan collar. This collar is placed on the cat by a veterinarian after an operation or when there is a skin issue to keep your pet from biting or irritating the area with its mouth. The cat will not be able to turn its head around to the rest of its body and will have problems eating with this obstruction. Help your cat get the nutrients it needs with a few small feeding changes.
Several cat breeds have a curly coat, which comes in both long- and short-haired lengths. The Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, LaPerm and American Wirehair all have a genetic mutation that causes the hair on their coats to curl, giving these cats a sheep- or teddy bear-like appearance. To groom your curly haired cat to keep it clean or to prepare it for a show, you need to make sure it is free of dirt, debris and oils that can sometimes build up in the curls; buildup like this is harder to remove than on a traditional cat.
Dracaena marginata, commonly called Madagascar dragon tree, is a commonly grown houseplant. It can reach six to eight feet high, but grows very slowly. Typical form is a skinny, upright trunk topped with a cluster of long, thin, pointed leaves. Depending on the variety of plant, the edges of the leaves are striped with red, pink, purple or white. It is a very hardy houseplant, and tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
There are more than 40 types of yucca plant, some of which are native to the southwestern states of America. Some of the most commonly grown in gardens are Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa), Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa) and Yucca aloifolia (Spanish bayonet). As the common names suggest, this tree or shrub is characterized by its sharp, narrow leaves, which grow vertically in clusters and can be up to 3 feet long. It thrives in the garden, either in containers or planted directly in the soil, in the warm, dry climate of the Southwest.
The surgery procedure for spaying a cat is much more involved than neutering a cat. This is because the veterinarian must remove ovaries and a uterus that are internal, requiring minor abdominal surgery. Despite this, spaying is largely considered beneficial to the cat as it prevents unwanted pregnancies and kittens, breast cancer and some behavior problems. Your cat will need several days of special care following this surgery to prevent infection and help the healing process.
Urine is a protein-based stain that can be removed from most materials quickly and easily with cold water. However, some carpets, especially handmade, vegetable-dyed wool rugs, require a little more care to completely remove the stain and the odor. If the urine on the carpet has come from a pet, it is likely that your pet will urinate in the same spot again if the odor is not neutralized.
Purebred cats are not the only ones that can be entered into cat shows. Organizations such as the Cat Fancier's Association and the American Cat Fancier's Association have categories in many of their shows for household pets, which includes mixed-breed and non-pedigreed cats. By following the guidelines and requirements set about by these groups, you can enter your mixed breed cat into a show and possibly earn a ribbon or prize.
The Intratec Cat 45 is a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol that holds seven rounds fully loaded. Intratec firearms is no longer in business, as of 2011. The company flourished in the early 1990s with the Tec-9 pistol. As with all weapons, the Intratec Cat 45 requires periodic maintenance from time to time. The Cat 45 pistol experienced specific problems with the firing pin mechanism during its production. You can replace the Intratec Cat 45's firing pin with minimal difficulty.
"Catios" are the new catwalk and are all the rage in New York, according to New York Times columnist Jennifer Kingson. Catios are an outdoor space cats can enjoy safely. There are many dangers to cats allowed to roam freely outside, both in the city and in the country. Pens, runs and secure playgrounds provide safe alternatives to free roaming with all the benefits of fresh air and interesting things to watch. A catio may be as simple as chicken wire and frame box to an elaborate pen complete with cat house, trees and cat beds.
Most recently popular in the 1970s and 1980s, the mustache seems to be reemerging. The ability to grow facial hair is a sign of manhood, and young men often will grow long mustaches and style them in different ways. While a mustache can bring out the best features in a man's face, it is important to remember that, like the rest of your body, a mustache must be groomed. Take the time to comb and wax your mustache for a tidy appearance.
An indoor herb garden has its advantages: You can keep it going all year, even in cold climates, it's convenient, and the greenery adds a fresh-looking element to the kitchen windowsill or a covered porch. Once you get your parsley potted up and growing, ongoing care is important. Water application and fertilizer differ from parsley planted outdoors in the soil or even in containers outside. Grow parsley indoors for a continuous supply of fresh herbs.
While cats are capable of self-grooming and typically demand a minimal amount of human interference, there are times when oil and dirt build up can lead to tangles and knots on a cat's abdomen. While regular brushing can keep knots to a minimum, this does not always prevent them from occurring. Knot removal is important because knots can cause cats pain and discomfort and potentially lead to infection if hair-pulling leads to broken skin.
The Long-Haired Chihuahua's coat is displayed and judged in its natural state at dog shows and competitions. The quality of the coat is one of the standards by which the dogs are judged. The Chihuahua's long coat is shown natural but minimal trimming is needed to keep the lines created by the coat neat and tidy. The trim should only concern flyaway hairs and feathering the neck and legs.
Although thought by some to be a behavioral problem, cats that scratch objects are generally doing it for a specific reason. The purpose can be for physical maintenance or as a form of communication to other cats or even its human masters who reside in the house. Precautions, such as giving the cats something else to scratch or maintaining certain grooming and household routines for the cats, can lessen or eliminate the problem.
Men typically stick to short hair, while women stick to longer hair, but there are men who keep their hair long, just as there are women who keep their hair short. For men who choose to keep their hair long, there are a few things that can be learned from women on how to properly groom and keep long hair. It will require more work than short hair, but you should always groom your hair in a way that makes you comfortable.
The coats of long-haired cats can become matted quite easily, and become uncomfortable for the cat. Mats can usually be removed with mat-removing tools, slicker brushes and combs. But sometimes mats can be so thick that they need to be removed with an electric razor or grooming clippers. Most of the time you can remove the mats yourself, but there are times you should consult a professional groomer or veterinarian.
An old folk saying says that cats always land on their feet. Though often true, a cat's ability to right itself doesn't help it prevent injury, and serious falls can lead to injury, broken limbs and even death. Open windows present a serious danger to cats, which are more than happy to jump out of them in chase of birds, bugs, fear or their own mysterious whims. Make sure your windows aren't posing a hidden threat to your cat's safety.
Nail caps provide a painless alternative to declawing your cats, a procedure that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does not recommend. You apply these soft, vinyl caps over your cat's claws to cover them and prevent the cat from doing any damage when it scratches items in your home. The caps also prevent injury to adults, children or other animals from sharp claws. The caps come as part of a kit and last from four to six weeks after application, requiring little maintenance during this period.
Cats need to scratch because it is a natural, instinctual behavior. In the wild, cats visually mark their territories by scratching. Scratching is also necessary for health, as using the claws to shred material helps to keep them sharp and to remove buildup like dirt and dead cells. Although scratching is a natural behavior, that does not mean it is a desirable one in cats kept as pets. This is especially true when cats use couches to scratch. However, owners can take action to prevent and deter their cats from scratching couches by using training techniques and aids and by…
Though most owners are aware of their cat’s ability to shed fur, the almost-as-frequent behavior of claw shedding is not as well-known. Claw shedding occurs throughout the year as necessary and is as painless to your fluffy feline as fur shedding. This remarkable feat is directly related to the way a cat walks and is a necessity that helps cats continue to be nimble and quick as they run, play and hunt.
Many people consider cats to be an aloof and independent pet. However, there are a number of cat breeds that are noted for being markedly more affectionate than others. Many of these breeds are already favored among pet owners who enjoy a lot of attention from their animals, but it is worth mentioning that like people, every cat has its own distinct personality, and some individuals are more affectionate than others.
Cats scratch for stimulation and to work their claws, but this natural behavior is less than ideal when they practice it on your carpet. Cats’ claws snag on carpet and can even puncture straight through, leaving unsightly holes in your carpeting. While a large hole may require professional intervention, a small hole can be patched easily enough. Patch any hole as soon as you see it, so that it does not have a chance to get larger.
The outdoor variegated schefflera is suitable as an outside shrub or an indoor houseplant, dependent on where you live. If the temperatures in your climate never reach the freezing point, the variegated shefflera will grow well outside, needing little care in your landscaping. The variegated leaves are an attractive contrast to other solid-colored leaves, adding interest to your yard.
