Cat Health

There are numerous cat litter trays on market. The question is, how can you choose a proper one for your kitties? This selecting guide provides you with some information on how to get a right one to make both you and your cats satisfy. It is for sure that you will learn some new knowledge by the end of this article.

It is an essential item for cats to do their everyday business. Cat owners usually seek for litter trays with beautiful design and colour. However, owners should understand that cats have a relatively high standard of their own trays, and it is important for owner to choose a tray which can make cats comfortable base on their perspective.

These are factors that must be considered when choosing trays:

1. Types of trays:

There are different types of cat litter trays on market. In general, litter trays can be categorized into four categories, open trays, covered trays, basic trays and automatic cat litter boxes. Most cats are comfortable to use the open trays. They are relatively user-friendly, which ensures ventilation. While some cats enjoy using open litter trays, some love the privacy that covered trays provide. Owners should observe the reactions of kitties as some might feel being trapped by covered trays. As for automatic cat litter boxes, most owners one or more as they are easy to clean and are hygienic, however, it is possible that cats might get frightened by the motion and sound of this kind of trays, and might refuse to use them. Therefore, it is better to activate automatic litter boxes while the cats are not around.

2. Cat peeing positions:

Cat peeing position is another key factor while choosing proper cat litter trays. Usually, male cats stand up and pee, and in this case, it is better to choose covered trays with door entrance on side in order to prevent urine spreading on ground. Normally, this situation exacerbates in particular with unneutered males. While male cats stand up and pee, female cats tends to squat to pee, which cat owners find it easier to search trays for them. There is a possibility that cat peeing position may change from time to time because of health problems, therefore owners should regularly observe their cats when doing their business. For example, changing peeing position from squatting to standing up might suggest bone pain, therefore cat peeing positions are worth to be observed.

3. Breed Size / Size and Depth:

The breed size of cats is another factor that should put into consideration. Cat owners usually raise kittens and they will get new cat litter trays along cats' development. However, from cats' perspective, a new tray may cause unease, or even distress. It is better to choose choose trays by taking the breed size into account when you first meet your kitties. For example, Bengal cats and Norwegian Forest cats are viewed as large breed, while Siamese and Scottish Fold are considered as medium breeds. Ideally, trays should be at least 24 inches in both width and length, and depth should be at least 3 inches for kittens, and 6 inches for adults.

4. Ease of Cleaning

Basic cat litter trays are easier to clean because of their flat design, but the main issue of this type of trays is that cats may kick out litter frequently, and this may cause additional trouble for owners.

Covered trays can avoid the problem of basic trays, but owners have to remove covers to clean the trays, also, they may become smelly and stinky both for you and your cats because of poor ventilation.

Automatic cat litter boxes requires the least effort to clean although owners still have to empty the receptacle, and waste left over still have to be scooped out.

5. Cost

Basic cat litter trays are the cheapest, while automatic cat litter boxes are relatively expensive with life-span of around 1 to 1.5 years.

It is one of the basic responsibilities of cat owners to select a proper tray. Remember, the cats' satisfaction is in your hands.

Chiu Yu Lee

Chiu Yu Lee is a cat lover, he currently has two Bengal cats and treat them as his best friends. Please visit: http://www.catlittertrayssearch.com for more information on selecting perfect cat litter trays for your beloved cat.

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ByElla Hall

Accidents and natural disasters are inevitable. As a cat owner, you feel responsible for the safety of your little feline friend. Just the way you need clothing, food and shelter, cats need them too. However, giving your cat its basic needs is not quite enough. You have to set something aside, for a possible future emergency- a first aid kit.

It's better to be safe than sorry. Having a first aid kit for your cat is pretty much like getting an insurance policy for him/her. On the other hand, a first aid cannot cost much. But, it is surely important, therefore it is worth having one.

Here are the reasons why you need to own a first aid kit for your cat. Also take note of the essentials that goes with it. Do you travel a lot with your furry friend? Whether it is by land, sea or air; be sure to bring your cat carrier. In case you have more than one cat, make sure you bring with you their cat beds.

Ideally, each cat should have its own cat carrier and bed. Take note of the sizes of cat carriers and cat beds you are planning to purchase. Choose the size that is not too small or large for your pet. Second, they should have proper ventilation. Third, they should be sturdy enough to secure your pets when traveling.

Like cat carriers and cat beds, you can't afford not to provide your cat with a first aid kit. The things to include in the first aid kit may vary from one owner to another. First aid kit is pretty much like a vanity collection. Other people may not own the item that you already have. Nonetheless, here's a list of the things you are likely to include in the kit.

Antiseptic cleanserEmergency ice packClean TweezersSterile gauze padsSterile gauze rollersCotton ballsCotton padsRectal thermometer (preferably the digital model)Surgical scissorsHydrogen peroxideHydro-cortisone ointmentEye droppersClean bandageEyewash solutionSurgical tape

Aside from those essentials mentioned earlier, here are some add-ons you might want to include:

Zip-lock bags - These bags are useful to avoid liquids from spilling.
Emergency numbers - This includes owner's number (yours) and vet's number. Write this on a quarter paper and secure it on a waterproof packet.
Food supply - Prepare a vacuum packed cat food. Check on its expiration details. Note that the food supply should have at least 5 years shelf life.
Poop bags - You surely need these bags when traveling, if you don't want to annoy others.
Leads and toys - Include these items if you still have so much space in your kit. These items will save your pet from boring sessions.
Water - Water is needed to keep your cat from dehydration during calamities when water is not accessible.
Mild soap - This is needed to wash the wound.

With first aid kit, your pet cat is more secured. However, note that first aid kit is not a substitute for a veterinarian visit. It is only needed to give care prior to regular medication. For serious cases, visit the veterinarian. Lastly, keep an eye on items' expiration dates.

Ella Hall enjoys writing for Thecatpetshop.com which sells cat carrier and cat beds as well as a host of additional products.

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Once a kitten comes into your home you may consider attaching some form of identification label on your new pet. However, there are a couple of problems with this. Firstly the standard cat collars needed to attach a disc or capsule will almost certainly be too large for a kitten to wear. Additionally kittens grow at a very fast rate and any collar could quickly become too tight around their necks. Another point is that kittens should not really be allowed to wander away from the home during the early part of their lives.

As the kitten grows so will its curiosity and it is then they will want to investigate the great world beyond your front door. This is the time to consider fitting your kitten with a means of identification. There is large range of options when it comes to choosing something to attach to your cats collar. Probably the most common is the engraved metal tag. These are available from pet shops and engravers and unless your cat loses the tag, (which does sometimes happen) or you move will last the cat's lifetime. Another popular option is a small metal or plastic cylinder in which you can insert and secure a piece of paper containing the important information. If you use one of the methods relying on paper written information you will have to ensure that the container will protect it from water. You should also use permanent ink that is unlikely to fade over time.

The next question is what information to put on the identification label. All that is needed is either yours or the cats name and a telephone number. If you are writing the information make sure that it is easy to read, possibly using block capitals is best especially if your writing is not always easy to decipher.

An alternative to a collar and tag is to have your kitten or cat implanted with an ID chip. This is a simply procedure which your vet can do for you. Quite often owners will have their cats micro chipped at the same time they are being neutered, ideally between 6 to 8 months. The details of all micro chipped pets are retained on a computer and should a chipped animal be found they can be quickly reunited with their owners. The major advantage of the micro chip is that once the chip is implanted it is for life and there is no fear of the cat losing its ID information.

. In summary there is no need for a kitten to be tagged while it is small and confined to the house and supervised in your garden. However, once it becomes a little more curious and brave you should seriously consider either giving your kitten a collar and tag or having them micro chipped.

Being a cat owner comes with responsibilities you need to know about Cat Care. To find free articles about looking after your cat visit http://www.cat-lovers.co.uk

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A pregnant cat, also known as the 'queen', has to be taken cared of properly, specifically given more focus by the owner. It is important for cat owners to take certain steps to ensure the health and safety of their queens, as that will help them ensure the safety and the health of the babies inside the wombs of their pets. Your cat may be pregnant if you observe these symptoms of pregnancy or cat pregnancy signs:

1. Queens more often than not become more affectionate toward their masters. They actually do things to get the attention of their owners. If your feline is beginning to show more 'interest' in you e.g. always goes to your side, always follows you wherever you go, and the like, you may actually be owning a pregnant cat.

2. Cat owners who notice their cats being hungry all the time or have increased appetites should become aware that this is one of the usual signals that their felines may be holding babies. This is one of the symptoms of pregnancy that are observed in humans, and in most pregnant animals as well e.g. dogs, cats, etc. It is best that you mix her adult cat food with some kitten food, in order to increase the nutrients and vitamins she'll get. Remember that there are fetuses inside her that need the right and enough nutrition, too.

3. Swollen nipples are also one of the very first cat pregnancy signs you'll notice if you have a pregnant cat. The nipples will actually turn into pinkish hues, and will start swelling or growing bigger at the same time. After the female feline and the male feline mate, count 3 weeks and you'll see the nipples getting swollen and pinker, provided that the egg cell and the sperm cell of both cats succeeded in meeting and forming babies.

4. Part of the list of symptoms of pregnancy that cat owners should know is vomiting. If pregnant humans have morning sickness, realize that your pet can also experience that too. There is therefore no need to worry if a pregnant cat vomits occasionally, but, if the vomiting is almost non stop, send her immediately to the vet for check up and proper treatment.

Other cat pregnancy signs that you should be aware of if you own a female cat include: an abdomen that starts swelling or protruding; an increase in your cat's weight; nesting actions e.g. during the time labor is near, your cat starts searching for a private and quiet spot where she can actually give birth. Cat owners should prepare special areas where their felines can give birth e.g. place a large enough box in a quiet area and place some blankets inside the box to make their pregnant cats comfortable enough to have labor there.

Karen Winton finds cats as good companions. Learn to care for your pregnant feline. See: Your Pregnant Cat. Interested in owning siamese cats? Read this first: Siamese Cat Secrets.

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