Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Feline Arthritis

If you have lived with your cat for quite a number of years now, and you have noticed changes in its gait and even its personality, then your aging cat may be having feline osteoarthritis. Feline osteoarthritis usually strikes aging cats. It is a very painful experience for them because the cartilages that connect their joints have started to tear down. As a result the bones frequently rub on each other, causing a lot of friction resulting to pain.
Normally, cartilages cover the ends of the bones and help build a bridge between joints. They serve not only as connectors to these bones but also as protection so the bones that have nerve endings will not rub on each other. When feline osteoarthritis starts to have its degenerative process on the joints, then apart from the cartilages tearing away, osteophytes also build up around the joints that cause even more stiffness and pain.
Feline ostearthritis has many causes apart from aging. With aging, mother nature takes its natural course on every living thing, which is the wear and tear. Other causes might be that there is an abnormal stress put on the joints of the cat, which may be excess weight. Another might be due to metabolic or nutritional disorders, or that of immuno-deficiency disorders. But whatever the cause, having feline osteoarthritis takes the life away from the cat.
Cats are like women who like to hide what they feel. You'll know that there is something wrong when they start to limp or get lethargic. They will also frequently lick the affected part. Other signs that should alarm you is when there are changes in their behavior. If back then they used to cuddle a lot, now when you approach and try to pat them, they become aggressive and violent.
For more more information on All-Natural Joint Pain Relief for Your Pet go to http://felinearthritis.org.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Cat Tree Condo

If you have a cat or several of them in your home and you don not want them to obliterate your furniture, you should think about getting a Cat scratching post or some Cat tree furniture. A good scratching post or cat tree condo with a scratching post built into it, will save you a lot of money and trouble.
Kittens enjoy sleeping on or in, a specially built cat condo. Many kitty condos come with a built in house, and a fleece covered bed, for kitties nap time. Some even come with a hammock, so they can swing themselves to sleep.
Many people settle on not de-clawing their pet kittens since when you do have their claws removed surgically, the kitten may become very scared of people and can eternally be afraid of people who come to your house. So, a Cat tree condo as described above is a wonderful solution to a widespread problem. When your kitty gets used to the scratching surfaces in the unit, it will leave the carpet and the couch alone.
Most people who study feline illnesses and symptoms know they enjoy playing. They also know that cat furniture, especially a cat tree condo, is a wonderful source of playing for the domesticated feline. They can jump, run and play in and around the tree like structure all they want and also use it as a spot to lie down, rest and slumber. Some of the more intricate cat tree condos set aside spaces for the animal to go into and hide. A lot of kittens love to be inside an enclosed space or beneath something so they can be away from view or not out in the open.
There are many places to buy your cat furniture online. Some people even like to create their own and you can do so too by finding some cat scratch post plans and making your very own customized cat tree condo.
A fine cat scratch post built into a cat tree condo is a win-win situation for all cats and cat fans alike. Not only do they look good but they are truly practical and save your valuable furniture from getting damaged by those amazing pets you adore.
If your are serious about keeping your cats and saving your furniture from being torn to shreds then you must invest in a a cat tree condo that has a cat scratching post built into it. For more information visithttp://www.pussycatfurniture.com/cattreecondo/index.html

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Cat Towers Bring Joy to Indoor Cats' Lives By Suzanne Shares

To the naked eye, your cat is simply sitting on top of your bookcase, staring into empty space. However, inside his mind he's been transported on top of a rugged rock outcropping and your cat towers over the plains of the expansive Serengeti Desert, carefully watching his environment for an approaching threat or delightful treat. To him, that dust bunny blowing across the floor holds within it the possibility of prey as his inner predator plays out the act that Nature intended for your cat. Why not cultivate the amazing strength, agility and imagination of your cat by providing him with an attractive cat tower, giving him more playful options for leaping, jumping and dashing than what can be provided from your bookcase.
Supplying more than just a place to perch, many of the modern cat towers include features that encourage your cat to be active and playful. Hanging toys, ladders, cabins, dens, and sisal rope scratching posts are just some of the features that will keep your cat occupied and out of mischief when you are not at home.
Cat towers can provide the perfect remedy for cats that have a tendency to play in the middle of the night when the rest of the house is asleep. It's natural for your pet to stay awake in the nocturnal hours since this is considered prime hunting time for cats in the wild. Instincts take over, even if you live in the city and have to get up early to go to work. While you are away during the day, your cat may choose that time to rest so that he is awake when you get home. To break the habit of midnight romping, why not play with your cat so that he is tired out by the time the lights go out.
Creative play with your cat can be done in his tower. One challenge your cat may enjoy is chasing the little red beam of a laser toy up and down the kitty gym. Be careful not to shine the light in your cat's eye; however, you will be amazed at how good of a workout this game gives your cat. Imagine the pleasure you will receive from watching him jump from platform to platform, chasing the red beam.
Another way to encourage activity is to take a light ping pong ball and toss it into one of the cabins or dens that can be found on many cat towers. This can instigate a game of hide and seek, keeping your cat amused and tiring her out before bedtime.
As you can see, cat towers can provide so much more than an attractive place for your cat to perch and rest during the day. It can become a sort of jungle gym for your pet that opens up their playful imagination, keeping them active and healthy. In this case, something that is beautiful for your home can also be a wonderful gift of healthy living for your cat.
Passionate about pets? Suzanne has dedicated her life to the rescue of disadvantaged cats and dogs. Her cat Cleo enjoys indoor life thanks to cat trees and her older dog Leo rests easy on his pet bed from Ace Cat Furniture.