You are here: Home / Archives for Pet

What to Do With Your Cat at Night

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out cats are nocturnal creatures, and if you have a kitten who is very playful on top of that, as a pet owner your night may be very sleepless until you get used to your cat’s nighttime antics or they get used to yours. The first night of getting your kitten you need to set some rules that they will be able to abide by so you can get your sleep, but they can still roam, if you allow them too.
Make a bed that is specifically for your furry little kitten. Place his or her favorite toys into his newly made cat bed; this will make your kitty more likely to lay there if they recognize a familiar toy or pillow. You can buy a bed or make your own out of old blankets. Do what suits you and your cat’s needs the best.
If you are going to let your cat roam in the house at night, be sure to remove any food from your counter tops and possible poisonous plants that may be in pots around your kitchen. Also remove any breakables that may be lying about. Cats have a tendency to jump on table tops and counters and you don’t want a mess when you wake up the next morning and walk into your kitchen. If you don’t feel comfortable allowing your cat roaming the house at night or aren’t able to remove breakable things your cat could get to place him or her into a warm room such as a spare bedroom or bathroom so he can’t ruin any of your precious belongings.
If you want your cat to get on your sleeping schedule try placing your kitten into a small crate at night in a warm room. This will keep your kitten confined to one area. Place blankets to keep him warm and comfortable for a great night’s sleep.

Filed Under: Cat Tagged With: , ,

What to Do if I’m Allergic to My Cat.

a drawing of an anthro vixen
Image via Wikipedia

It isn’t uncommon for some cat owners to realize, after they’ve gotten a cat, that they either have allergies or have developed allergies to their cat. If you are a cat owner who has pet allergies, you do not need to necessarily get rid of your cat. You and your cat can get along just fine if you have allergies or have sensitivity to your kitty; you just need to know what causes certain pet allergies and how to reduce the effects. Certain allergens can collect in a cat’s fur which causes allergies and proteins in a cat’s saliva may cause allergies to others. The best thing to do if you have a cat and have allergies is to only own one cat and preferably a short-haired cat. If you wish to minimize your allergic reactions to your furry feline friend brush your cat outside. Cats have dander in their fur and most pet owners that have that have allergic reactions to cats are allergic to dander. Brush your cat often to keep shedding hair off of your cat’s body, but do not brush your cat inside. Brush your cat outside so any hair not collected in the brush will not collect on the floor and furniture of your home. Be sure to vacuum and sweep everyday to keep cat hair and dander out of your home. You may even need to vacuum and sweep more than once a day in areas that your cat is often lying around at; especially if this is an area you spend a lot of time in. Whenever you touch or pet your furry kitty be sure to wash your hands immediately after. This will eliminate dander getting into your eyes, mouth or nose that may cause an allergic reaction. If you continue to have allergic reaction to your cat see an allergists and medicine may be prescribed so you and your furry friend can get along.

Filed Under: Cat Tagged With: , ,

Is it O.K. for My Cat to Be Around My Baby?

An infant
Image via Wikipedia

When cat owners are bringing a baby home for the first time their biggest concern is making sure that baby is safe from harm. Many believe that cats can be harmful to a baby’s health, but there is no definite evidence that points to a cat being harmful or helpful to a baby’s health. A study in Detroit Michigan at the Henry Ford Hospital discovered that babies and small children that were exposed to cats at an early age had fewer problems with allergies than the small children that weren’t raised in a household with at least one cat. This study from Henry Ford Hospital had many doctors and scientist thinking that having a cat or cats around when children are small may help develop a stronger immune system, making them less likely to be sick as opposed to children who weren’t raised with cats.
Some cat owners may also believe that a cat may try to hurt their baby because they will become jealous. The cat may become jealous of the baby at some point, but if the cat is properly introduced and acclimated to the presence of a new baby there shouldn’t be any problems; if anything the cat will be like an extra look out for you when the baby is crying and needing your help. The most dangerous thing about cats being around a newborn baby is that they, the cat, may climb in the crib. Small infants can’t move much and if a cat lies down and covers the baby’s airway the child may suffocate; causing serious injuries and even death if not caught in time. Always keep the nursery door shut where a cat cannot enter. This will keep your newborn baby safe, as well as help your mental health as a pet owner knowing that your cat isn’t in your baby’s room.

Filed Under: Cat Tagged With: , ,

Getting An Old Cat to Like a New Cat

Panther, a cat using toilet, photographed in S...
Image via Wikipedia

As pet owners, we like to have as many animals as possible, but if you only like cats and want to have a household of cats this may become a problem. Most cats like to be the only cat living in their home, as they are very solitary creatures. If you’ve gotten yourself a new kitten or cat and want to introduce your old one to the new one in a friendly way, here are a few tips that may help. Remember, you old cat will eventually adjust to the new kitty in the household; it may take time though and make sure you are willing to take the time needed.
Place the new cat in a spare bedroom or bathroom for a day or two. This may seem mean, but it isn’t. This will give the new cat time to settle down is his or her new environment and get comfortable. This will give your older cat time to learn the new cat’s scent and get used to it being around the house. If you just let both cats roam without properly introducing them the new cat, being nervous in a new environment, will more than likely lash out and the old cat will take a new cat in the home as being a threat and lash out.
Give the new cat or kitten an area to eat at that is different from the old cat’s eating place. You can make it across the room, but do not let both cats eat next to one another until they are nice. You may even want to feed each of them at separate times if aren’t able to feed them in different areas. You will want to give the new cat his or her own litter box as well; especially if there are two male cats in the house. These changes won’t last forever only until the cats get used to being around one another.

Filed Under: Cat Tagged With: , ,
Newer Posts »