Is There Something I'm Doing Wrong Since My Cat Is Overweight?

You've come to the realization that your cat is a little overweight. Even though you've thought about his eating habits, you can't seem to figure out why he has become so fat! Sure, he's a little bit lazy; but, aren't all felines? Believe it or not, 48% of cats are considered to be obese. Cats were once considered to be wild animals, so keeping them indoors can't be the only reason. He wouldn't get off the couch if the door was wide open anyway. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight, so does this mean he continues to gain? So, why exactly is your cat overweight?

First of all, there are many different variables that contribute to the health of a pet cat. For instance, the type and quality of cat food plays a major role. Many brands of dry and low quality cat foods contain large amounts of corn and grains that have a negative effect on the metabolism. Being that cats are carnivorous, their stomach digests natural, raw meat easier than a plant-based protein. Consuming large portions of vegetable-based products can increase weight in a short period of time.

Not only does dry cat food hold some responsibility for your obese cat, but the amount eaten holds another large part as well. Typically, people believe that if the cat bowl is completely full, then that's the amount that should be fed. This has been proven to be false. Studies have shown that cutting food intake by half and distributing twice a day will make a huge difference within one week.

Another question to ask is, How much does my cat exercise? The answer is just as important as the question. Regular exercise is healthy for a feline physically and mentally. It also can improve the bond between you and your cat which is the best gift. The activity that is more beneficial depends on whether he lives indoor or outdoor. Chances are, if he's overweight, then he's an indoor cat. Over 65% of indoor felines are overweight by at least 5 pounds.

There are scratching posts for the vastly passive cat and a multi-post "city" complete with beds and carpeted shelves for the adventurous ones. A number of toys combine the urge to scratch with the urge to hunt (play). Throw in some of your pet feline's natural curiosity and a toy, which can be very inexpensive, is designed. Regardless of the exercise of choice, the more active the cat is the less he will weigh. Combining the extra activity with the decreased amount of food will help solve the riddle of why your cat is overweight.

The fact is, it is half your fault as to why your cat is overweight. Saving money on cat food doesn't help provide him with all the nutrients that he needs. Not making any time to interact with him doesn't assist with the life change he needs to become a skinny kitty. The only way you are able to accept full blame is if you don't take this information and apply it. Now that you've been informed, it's time to do something about it.

Raised with six (6) cats I was not really aware of many of the problems poor nutrition and lack of exercise caused. I have since discovered so much, right here.

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Six Tell Tale Signs That Indicate Your Cat Is Suffering From Joint Pain

Cats are living creatures and in many ways, they suffer from the same ailments that affect humans too. As we age, we will find that our bones and joints become less strong. It is the same with your cat. In fact, it is quite common for senior cats to suffer from joint pain just like us, humans. But how can you tell for sure if kitty is indeed suffering in silence? Read on.

Older cats may suffer from Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. One possible cause of this disease is excess weight, the other is of course, age.

So how can you tell if your cat is indeed suffering from joint pain or Osteoarthritis? Here are 6 tell tale signs:-

1. Altered gait

-- You may suddenly notice that your cat does not walk the same she always does. Her gait may change or she may limp on one side indicating pain on one or 2 of her legs.

2. Difficulty getting into and out of the litter box

-- She may exhibit lethargy or stiffness when getting up and about. That includes getting into and out of her litter box. Such lethargy indicates pain in the legs or joints

3. Obvious pain when walking

-- You should be able to tell that kitty is obviously feeling pain when walking, like an old lady. That's another danger sign.

4. Not so willing to jump

-- If you notice kitty is not so "bouncy", that's a red alert. Healthy cats are normally playful so her reluctance to jump and play is not a good sign but an indication of pain somewhere in her body

5. Loss in appetite

-- Is your cat eating less these days? While this alone does not indicate joint pain but taken together with the other points above, you should, nonetheless, be concerned.

6. Personality changes

-- Another subtle indication is that your cat may suddenly become nervous, more aggressive or even depressed. These emotional changes are strong indications that things are not right.

What should you do if your cat is suffering from joint pain? Obviously, bringing her to the vet is one option but this may be unnecessary and costly. So here are some things you can do at home to treat kitty:

1. Control her diet and weight

-- is kitty putting on too much weight? If so, she needs to slim down because excessive body weight can put pressure on her joints and cause joint pain. Put less food on her feeder but do so gradually, not suddenly.

2. More exercises

-- your cat may actually need more exercises to reduce her weight. But there is also another side to exercises - they warm up the joints so that kitty becomes more flexible. Give her more space to move and stretch, even to run around the house.

3. Provide more warm

-- warmth can be soothing for painful joints as it aids in blood circulation. You may want to buy heated pads for cats or simply provide more cushions and blankets to keep your cat warm

4. Gentle massages

-- gentle massages can help improve blood circulation and also ease pain.

If the above home treatment does not help, then it is time to take her to the vet.

Besides the above, you may also want to seriously consider giving your cat some product for cat pain relief. These pain relief remedies can help if your cat is really in pain and need immediate attention. Also, consider getting some pet or cat vitamins because cats do need these in order to keep healthy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_T

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Understanding Feline AIDS

FIV, also known as the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is one of the most serious cat health problems today, often having devastating consequences. Feline AIDs is said to have affected nearly 14% of the feline population worldwide while affecting nearly 2% within the United States. The following article describes some of the basic symptoms, causes and treatment as well as prevention techniques to understand and deal with this disease.

Causes of Feline AIDS

Blood and saliva are the two major transmitters of Feline AIDS. If your cat has gotten into a fight, there is a possibility of it contracting the disease through bites, cuts, and scratches etc. Interestingly, female cats can also get them during mating as they are prone to getting bitten or scratched then. Kittens might also contract this disease from their mothers during nursing. If your cats are spend long periods of times outdoors or with stray cats, they have a higher chance of contracting this condition.

Symptoms of Feline AIDS

Feline AIDS can basically be divided into three stages. The first is marked by the presence of fever, infection and swollen lymph nodes. Persistent puffiness around the region of the throat, dry nose, smelly litter box, and diarrhea combined with excessive thirst are all symptoms of the first stage of this disease. This stage lasts anywhere between a few weeks to months.

The second stage can last for months or years and can be misleading as your cat is often healthy while the virus is dormant during this period. The third stage is a chronic stage, where your pet will suffer from various cat health problems, including cancer, infections etc. Once the disease has reached the chronic stage, the cat unfortunately does not last for more than a year.

Treatment and Prevention

Feline AIDS cannot be treated successfully, although there are several treatments available to deal with the condition. However, this disease can be easily prevented through vaccination. It would thus be a good idea if you are able to vaccinate your pet against this disease as soon as possible.

Caring for your pet is very essential once it has contracted Feline AIDS. You should always ensure that it is fed properly and that infections are nipped in the bud. Immune boosters, replication inhibitors as well as food and diet supplements are some of the treatments available for this disease.

We hope that this article is useful to you in understanding feline AIDS and what you can do to prevent your pet from contracting this disease.

We hope that this article is informative to you. Visit our website today if you wish to learn more about feline leukemia symptoms and feline AIDS. Do not forget to sign up for your 7-part mini-course absolutely free for a limited time only!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flora_Westbrooks

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Understanding Frontline for Cats to Keep Your Pets Healthy

According to statistics quoted by humansociety.org, there are approximately 93.6 million owned cats in the United States and 21% of the owned cats have been adopted from animal shelters. Any pet, whether it's a cat or a dog, becomes a part of the family. You begin to care for him/her and take steps to ensure that he/she lives a happy and healthy life. Several medicines and other products are available in the market to help you take good care of your pets. Fleas and ticks can be quite dangerous for your pets and harm them. Moreover, through the body of your pets, these fleas and ticks enter your home and, thereafter, can be found on your carpet, bed sheets, cushions and even your house plants. An effective and easy to use remedy to deal with this problem is frontline for cats. This product not only kills fleas and ticks but also prevents their re-infestation.

Frontline for Cats: Composition And Working

The generic name of frontline for cats is Fipronil, a broad spectrum insecticide and methoprene. The manufacturers of this product claim that it: 

• Kills 100% of all adult fleas on your cats within 18 hours and
• Kills flea eggs and larvae of all ticks within 48 hours

Precautions While Using Frontline for Cats

Several precautions need to be taken while using frontline for cats so as to avoid any kind of harm to your adorable pet. 

• The product should be stored in a cool and dry place. One should never place any unused portion of the product in any indoor or outdoor drain.
• The product should be used only in the original container.
• The original container should never be reused.
• One should not refrigerate frontline for cats.
• Children should not be allowed to put it on your pet.
• Use this product only on cats that are eight weeks or older.
• In case of overdose, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Application and Side Effects of Frontline for Cats

This product needs to be used properly and its improper application will not produce the desired results. The product's package should not be opened until your cat is ready to be treated. It is essential that you first clam your cat in a neutral area, bring it into your lap and wait until it is relaxed to apply the product. You may need somebody's help to hold the cat. The usage involves snapping of the application tip from the Frontline tip and then placing it between the cat's shoulder blades. Some temporary irritation may be experienced by your cat after application of frontline for cats.

You can buy Frontline For Cats or any other medical product for pets from www.Petplanrx.com, a leading pet pharmacy offering a wide range of products and medicines for your pets. The company sells branded products as well as generic products at competitive prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Banks

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Tips to Use Advantage Flea Control for Your Cat

Research has proven that one female flea is capable of producing more than a trillion descendants within a year. Advantage flea control works by restricting the adult fleas from laying eggs. The active ingredient in the medication, imidacloprid, also kills larvae in less than 20 minutes of contact, thereby breaking the flea life cycle and eradicating the fleas on your cat. Besides, imidacloprid is completely water-resistant and works effectively even after exposure to harsh sunlight.

It prevents fleas from biting on your cat's skin in 3-5 minutes of application. And, 98 to 100 percent of the fleas die in less than 12 hours. Fleas that re-infest are terminated within 2 hours. A single treatment with this medication can defend your cat from fleas for almost a month.

How to Effectively Apply Advantage Flea Control on Your Cat

This product is a topical solution, which is to be applied on your cat's neck. It will seep through its coat and protect the whole-body from flea. Ensure that the product does not get in your cat's' mouth or eyes. It tastes bitter and may trigger chronic salvation for some time if your cat licks it when freshly applied on the skin.

Some other instruction guidelines to use Advantage Flea Control are: 

• Take only one applicator tube at a time from the package.
• Hold the applicator tube in a vertical position.
• Twist the cap to break the seal and pull it off from the tube.
• Part the hair on your cat's neck till the skin is visible.
• Place the tube's tip on your cat's skin and squeeze the solution on it directly.
• Discard the empty tube in the trash by wrapping it in multiple layers of paper. This is because if your cat accidentally tastes it, there may produce detrimental bodily reactions.

Safety Considerations

This product has lower toxicity than other traditional flea control medications, particularly those containing organophosphates or carbamates. A majority of veterinarians consider Advantage an effective and safe method of flea control. It even works on kittens as young as eight weeks old.

Advantage Flea Control can be safely used on lactating and pregnant cats. In fact, if your cat is nursing and undergoing treatment with this medication, the kittens will also be protected from fleas.

Hot to Buy Advantage Flea Control

This medication is available in two dosage sizes, in packages containing four or six tubes. Your cat will have to be weighed to be prescribed the right dosage. Advantage Flea Control can be purchased even without a vet's prescription. You can get it at a veterinarian's office or you could choose a more affordable option- buying it online.

Visit a reputable discount pet pharmacy like www.petplanrx.com to get great deals on several branded and generic medications like Advantage Flea Control for keeping your cat hail and hearty. This site also offers live assistance to help you find the best medical solutions to your cat's problems.

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Importance of Frontline for Cats

Any pet, whether it's a cat, a dog or a horse, is precious to its owner and requires adequate care. You can guarantee a happy and healthy life for your pet by giving him/her love and affection, proper food and nutrition and adequate treatment in case of illness. Of the various problems that may be faced by your pet, viruses and infections caused by fleas and ticks are the most dangerous. One should take steps to control flea and tick outbreaks on their cats or kittens, particularly if the cat plays outdoors. Frontline for cats has been found to be very effective in controlling the spread of fleas and ticks.

Role of Frontline for Cats in Flea and Tick Control

Although several types of flea shampoos and flea collars are available for the treatment of fleas and ticks in cats, frontline for cats has been found to provide long lasting results. The product is one of several new treatments that get rid of fleas before they can produce more fleas in your cat. These products also prevent the production and multiplication of the fleas and ticks for a month, even after washing. Another major advantage of this product is that it is waterproof and works even when your cat gets wet.

The product contains Fipronil, a broad spectrum insecticide, and Methoprene, an insect growth regulator which kills flea eggs and larvae. Frontline for cats spreads over the cat's body by a process called translocation. Fipronil, the active ingredient in Frontline gets stored in the old glands under your pet's skin. It is then distributed continuously to the skin and the hair of your pet through hair follicles. The translocation process can take up to 24 hours to complete. The fleas will die within 12 hours of contact with your treated pet, and ticks will die within 48 hours.

One should not panic if one sees more flies after the application of the frontline for cats. This is actually an indication that the treatment is working. Frontline makes the fleas hyper-excited, drawing them to the top of the haircoat before dying. This makes them more visible.

The product is quite useful to eliminate the indoor flea life cycle if applied for several consecutive months. So, you may see some fleas in your home even after using frontline.

This treatment for fleas and ticks should be applied on the body of your cat only when its skin is totally dry. Again, ensure that your cat's body remains dry for 24 hours after the application of the medicine. Although frontline for cats has minimal side effects, your cat may experience some temporary irritation at the site of application. Frontline is approved for use on breeding, pregnant or nursing cats.

You can buy Frontline For Cats and several other pet medications at affordable prices from www.petplanrx.com, a leading pharmacy for pet products. The company offers its customers the facility to place their orders over the phone or via the internet or even by fax.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Banks

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How To Avoid An Expensive Appointment With The Vet With These Home Remedies For Cat Hair Loss

Is your feline friend not as furry as before? Do not worry, cat hair loss is a common and treatable disease. If you visit your vet or pet store, you will find that there are various remedies to stop the hair loss problem in cats. However, buying over the counter medicines can sometimes give nasty surprises. What if you want to try to ease your pet's misery at home rather than fixing an expensive appointment with the vet? This is where home remedies can come into play. Most of these home remedies are simple, easily available, and free of any bad side effects.

Some of these remedies can be used during your cat's regular grooming sessions such as using natural shampoo while bathing your kitty. In addition, you may want to choose shampoos and soaps that come with catnip. This ingredient does a few things at once; it calms the cat, kills any existing fleas, and also makes sure that the skin of your cat remains insect-free.

Just like catnip, chamomile too can assist in relaxing your cat and keeping its stress levels under check. As some cats may often feel stressed while having their bath because of their discomfort with water, chamomile can be used to keep them in a good mood. Lack of stress is often a factor in preventing cat hair loss. Cleavers can also be tried as they provide excellent protection against dandruff. Using a flea comb to brush the fur of your cat is another good idea. However, the ideal comb should have 32 teeth in every inch. As soon as the fleas fall, make sure you kill them in detergent water.

The best way to keep your cat free from fleas and other parasites is to keep its environment clean. In addition, you can also massage your cat's body with a mixture of water and white vinegar. Spray this mildly on her body, at various places of the house, and on your kitty's bed and sitting areas for added protection.

There are some fatty acid supplements that can help in further growth of hair or can prevent too much cat hair loss. Omega 3 is a great starter and sunflower seed oils and flax seed oils are also believed to be quite effective in such cases.

Try out these home remedies for cat hair loss and you might be able to prevent an expensive trip to the vet!

Visit our website today for more information on cat hair loss and cat dandruff. Remember to sign up for your 7-part Healing Your Pets At Home mini-course, absolutely free for a limited time only!

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