4 Love of Cats

Most people who have owned, or been owned by, a highly independent cat, would never even conceive of the idea of putting a harness, or leash (leash!!) on their kitty and taking her for a walk. The mere thought is bound to produce some deep rumbling chuckles within the cat owner. Their cat on a leash, being told where to go? Sounds unbelievable, but read on, your kitty may be about to discover a whole new exciting world!

Despite all this, there are cat owners who have successfully trained their cats to walk outdoors while wearing a lead or a leash, much like dogs who wear a leash to go out for a daily walk with their owners. It may sound absurd, but in some cats it can be done.

Training your cat to the leash is best done in small steps. First, allow the cat to get familiar with the leash by placing somewhere it can be sniffed and evaluated. Then, in baby steps, put the leash or walking jacket on your cat.

When you first take your cat out she may get scared. Especially if your cat has never been outside before. Start with some quiet places where there are interesting things to sniff. Make the first few times short, quiet and bring lots of treats.

For an inside cat the outside world will seem frightening at first, so be patient and gentle. Before long your cat will learn to love the excitement of going outside.

Don’t buy a leash that is designed for a small dog, but instead look into purchasing a leash or lead that is specifically designed with a cat in mind. These leads wrap around your cat, giving you control of the cat and keeping the cat from choking itself in a frantic attempt to get away.

Before venturing outside you may want to practice with the lead at home first. Don’t be overly concerned with your cat’s reaction at this. Once outside they do tend to get a selective focus, tending to forget all about their leash as they sniff and explore a myriad of fascinating items.

While persistence and patience pays off in making your cat get used to not only a leash and harness, but also going outside, if it is obvious that your cat is not getting less stressed and is indeed suffering, then maybe you are better off finding some other way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors.

If you have been patiently trying, taking small steps, taking your cat to a quiet place with interesting things to sniff and she you see no improvement in her comfort level, then, maybe walking on a leash is not for your cat.

However, before long you may be surprised at your cat. She may begin to see her safe outside excursions as a highlight of her day. Something fun, interesting and stimulating to break up the monotony of being inside.

Virginia Sutherland writes extensively about cats and cat health. She has a deep interest in Alternative Medicine For Cats and proven Herbal Treatment For Cat.

Whether you are thinking about breeding your cat or you are simply concerned that she might have accidentally become pregnant, you will find that there are a number of facts that you need to be aware of.

While younger cats have a more difficult time getting pregnant than older cats, you will find that the cat pregnancy length, the time between mating and birth is actually quite standardized.

For the majority of the time, you will find that a cats pregnancy length is anywhere between 57 to 70 days. The average for most cats though is around 64 days which is about 9 weeks.

When you are trying to decide if your cat is pregnant, there are several signs you can look for. The first thing you will notice is that your cat will no longer go into heat. Cats that are not spayed will go into heat every ten to fourteen days.

If she suddenly stops giving the signs of having gone into heat, there is a good chance that she might be pregnant. The first physical sign that you are likely to see is that her nipples will have a swollen, slightly tender look and they might turn pinker in color.

A pregnant cats appetite will also increase as her body is looking for more nourishment. Your cat may also vomit a few times. Any more then that though and you should either call or visit your vet to make sure your cat is not having a problem pregnancy.

In the fifth week of pregnancy, around 35 days, your cats stomach will begin to get swollen from her kittens growing larger. From here, her stomach will continually get bigger until she has her litter.

It is important for you to take some time to get familiar with the process of your cats pregnancy as this will be important for you and the health of your cat.

If you are wondering how to tell if your cat is pregnant then chances are fairly high you have a pregnant cat on your hands and you will need to get information on how to care for her. One thing you should consider is feeding your cat homemade cat food. Learn how to tell if your cat is pregnant and how to feed your cat homemade cat food.

No Heads Out Windows: It’s very unsafe for you to let your dogs stick their heads out the window while you are driving. It is an easy way for your pet to get injured by flying debris form the road. You should also never let your pet travel in the bed of your truck. There are so many things that can go wrong (some not even your fault) that this is illegal is most states.

Stop Frequently: You should take frequent stops to let your pet walk around for a few minutes and use the bathroom. Most rest stops and travel assistance areas will have specific areas for you to take your pet. Always pickup after your pet and try to stay in the designated “pet zone” when walking your pet. Always keep your pet on a lease and make sure that they have proper identification on their collar whenever they are outside of the car.

Keep Them Hydrated: During your rest stops make sure to provide your pet with some fresh water so that they can re-hydrate themselves. Occasionally, traveling in a car can upset your pet’s stomach and keeping them hydrated will work to help prevent any ‘accidents.’ Another trick is to bring ice cubes for your pet as it’s easier than having to bring large amounts of water (plus by the time you’re done with the trip it IS just water).

Watch Their Food Intake: It is suggested that you keep feeding to a minimum while traveling. This also means feeding them their regular pet food and not whatever part of your fast-food that you didn’t finish. Pets and french fries, burgers or any other sort of fast-food item usually are not a good mix.

Don’t Leave Them Stranded: Never leave your pet by themselves in a parked vehicle. On average warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even if you have the windows slightly open. Another reason to not leave them in the car is it sometimes can act as an open invitation to pet thieves.

Keep Them Restrained: Make sure that your pet is safely restrained while in your car. Using a pet safety-harness or travel kennel are the easiest ways to keep your pet safe. These will not only protect your pet from harm, but they also help by keeping them from distracting you while you are driving. A pet safety harness acts the same way as a regular seatbelt does. While your typical pet will not find any problems adjusting to it, you may want to let them test it out by wearing the harness by itself a few times before using it in the car. If your dog prefers a travel kennel, make sure that the kennel is well ventilated and stabilized. Many pet owners prefer vehicle barriers, particularly for larger pets. Vehicle barriers are best suited for SUVs or other cars with large connected storage areas. No matter what method you choose, back seat travel is always safer for your pet than in the passenger seat.

Staying Safe and Comfortable: Comfort should be a priority regardless of how you choose to travel with your pets. Just as it’s important for your seat to be comfortable on long road trips, your pet’s seat should be comfortable too (by seat we mean seating area). Usually your pets favorite blanket or travel bed will do the trick to quickly put them at ease. If you don’t mind spending the extra money, there are many different pet travel seats available that you can buy which are designed with your pets safety and comfort in mind.

Get answers to your own pet questions by visiting the Online Pet Vet.

If you notice some hair loss with your dog, it could be that it has alopecia. This common disorder is found in dogs and requires immediate treatment. This hair loss can be caused by trauma, immune disorder or an inflamed hair follicle.

Delaying treatment can affect the dog’s lymphatic system or their immune system. Alopecia can affect dogs and cats alike. No matter age, breed or gender and it can be gradual so if you notice something out of the ordinary, get your pet to the vet.

If your dog is chewing or you notice patches of hair either varied or symmetrical, it’s best to get the dog to the vet. The skin can get infected quickly which is not good for your dog. If you dog has alopecia, then it’s always recommended you check your cat because it can be transferred.

One of the most common causes of hair loss or alopecia is mange. We have all heard of mange which is caused by the mite Demodex. Regular bathing of your dog and thorough checking can help control this nasty disorder.

If there are multiple missing patches of hair, it could be associated with an inflammation of the hair follicle. A loss over a larger area may be a sign something more specific and further testing might be required. There is not much that can be done in order to prevent alopecia.

Several remedies might be involved in treating your dog’s condition. Everything from medical shampoos to topical creams and they must be maintained in order to control the problem. Some additional testing might be required such as checking your dog’s hormonal levels to see if there are underlying problems.

Dogs are also prone to ringworms, which cause patchy hair loss and reddening of the skin with chaffing. If you suspect that your dog has ringworms, get him to the vet for treatment. Additionally, ringworms are extremely contagious so wash your hands after touching your dog’s affected area.

Dog’s can experience hair loss or alopecia for a number of reasons. The type of loss and can vary from symmetrical to patchy. Many pet stores will have information in the pet dog supplies area if you need more information.

Our pets can’t tell us when something is wrong. Let’ be conscientious of our pet’s health and watch for early signs of alopecia. Early detection can eliminate the unnecessary discomfort our dogs may experience with this disorder.

Have an Animal that you Love? Visit Catherine’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs online store that uses nature’s highest quality ingredients. They have the most wonderful Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

These days more and more people take their pets with them on vacations and business trips that it’s almost hard to remember that not too long ago the only way pets were allowed on airplanes were if they were either a seeing eye dog or locked in a small cage beneath the plane with the luggage. Over time it’s been discovered that the luggage compartment can sometimes be a health hazard to any caged animal as temperatures run the risk of fluctuating from extreme cold to extreme heat if not properly insulated. This has lead almost all the airlines to drastically alter both the way they build their planes to the way they train their employees. Now most airlines train their flight attendants as well as baggage handlers in how to treat both a well-behaved and ill-behaved pet whether their traveling in a kennel below or a small dog carrier in the cabin. We’re also starting to see airlines coming out with new ways of insulating storage containers to stop the fluctuation in mid-flight temperatures which will help keep your pet calm and happy for the duration of the flight.

If your traveling companion is a small dog then you most likely will be able to them them with you onboard the plane just so long as they meet the requirements put forth by the airline. Most airlines will let you travel with a small pet as long as the pet and carrier have a combined weight of less than 40 pounds and can fit securely underneath the seat in front of you. Due to passenger discomfort and allergies there usually is a limit to the number of animals allowed on each flight so make sure to contact your airline early on so that you can be sure to get one of those pet-friendly spots.

Each airline has a different set of policies towards traveling with animals, covering both the smaller pets who are allowed in the cabin all the way down to larger pets who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side make sure to contact your airline ahead of time to learn both what their policies are as well as what type of conditions your pet will be encountering if they are traveling in the luggage carriage. Most airline employees will be more than happy to cool any worries you might have about harsh conditions or ill-treatment. Some airlines even train their employees to help passengers schedule flights that are best suited for traveling pets. An example would be early morning or late-evening flights during the middle of summer when the mid-day heat can be scorching.

Regardless of how your pet will travel, there are precautions owners need to take to be sure traveling is safe and healthy for the animal. AAHA suggests, and major airlines require, that traveling pets be examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before to the date of departure. You will also be required to provide the necessary rabies vaccination certifications when you check in to the airport prior to boarding. Because their feeding schedule might be affected ask your veterinarian for tips on how to keep your pet fed and happy. The age and size of the pet, time and distance of the flight and regular dietary routine all will play a part in your pet’s well-being. There is also a Federal Regulations that states that dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and weaned at least five days before flying. If you’re meeting your pet at the airport on a different flight, you will need to be there when it lands. No late-pickups!

A sturdy pet carrier or kennel, available from most airline or pet shops, is another important precaution to ensure a safe flight. The carrier should have all hard sides-with the exception of soft-carriers for pets small enough to travel in the cabin, those are specifically designed for airline travel and will help keep your pet calm and content during the trip. These pet carriers or dog kennels should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides (to allow for a steady flow of air), with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow, and its also very important that the carrier or kennel is large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in. This more so applies to dogs traveling in the luggage compartment but it also will keep your small cabin-traveling dog comfortable as well. Both the kennels and dog carriers should have water resistant bottoms with plenty of soft material at the base, this will help contain any potential accidents due to your pet getting startled during flight. Your kennel should also be marked with a large, highly visible label reading “Live Animal,” at least one inch tall, including arrows indicating the carrier’s upright position. Finally, both the pet and the carrier should be well marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and the pet’s updated health certificate and the feeding plan from the veterinarian should be posted on the carrier.

Taking your pet on a vacation with you is a rewarding experience and in the end you’ll be the only one who can truly judge whether or not they’d be able to handle themselves on the flight. There are a lot of both dogs and cats who are overly sensitive to changes in cabin pressure and flying may not be for them.

To read more pet-related articles or to even have your own questions answered by our veterinarian online for free head on over to OnlinePetAnswers.com.