Monday, October 22, 2007

SICK CAT ? SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR CAT


The Subtle Signs of Sickness in Cats
1. Inappropriate Elimination Behaviour
or Litter Box Use
Inappropriate and annoying elimination behaviors
by your cat can often indicate an underlying medical
condition and do not mean your cat is trying “to get
back” at you. These behaviors can include urinating or
defecating outside the litter box or other problems. A
cat with these behaviors may have any number of conditions,
including lower urinary tract disease, kidney
disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus.
2. Changes in Interaction
Cats are social animals and enjoy interactions with
their human family and often with other pets. Changes
in those interactions may signal problems such as disease,
fear and anxiety. It may also signal pain, which
can cause aggression.
3. Changes in Activity
A decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a
number of conditions. Discomfort from joint disease
or systemic illnesses can also lead to a decrease in
activity. Increased activity is often seen with hyperthyroidism.
It’s important to understand cats don’t usually
slow down just because they are old.
4. Changes in Sleeping Habits
The average adult cat may spend 16 to 18 hours per
day sleeping. The key to differentiating abnormal
lethargy from normal napping is knowing your cat’s
sleeping patterns and noting any changes.

READ MORE;http://www.catclinic.com.au/newsletters-pdf/catsonly_Toxoetc2006.pdf

FAT CAT ? PUT YOUR CAT ON A DIET


Obesity in cats is as rampant as obesity in people in the United States. It is your job as a responsible pet owner to help fluffy trim those extra pounds. And it will be hard on both of you.
How did this happen? Obesity in cats has the same root causes as obesity in people: too much to eat, especially carbohydrates, too little exercise, and too many snacks. Many cats are fed "free choice", which means there is food available all the time and the cat eats whenever it wants.
Free choice feeding has probably been the biggest single factor contributing to feline obesity. Although kitty kibble is fast and convenient, it is loaded with carbohydrates in the form of flour and sugar that hold the other ingredients together. Read more:http://qualitycatresources.com/putting-a-cat-on-a-diet-2007-09-11

CALIFORNIA PROPOSED CAT SPAY / NEUTER LAW

AB1634 - California’s Proposed Cat Neutering Law
They’re rioting in Texas! The McAllen, Texas Monitor is adding fuel to the flames by reprinting an article from the Orange County, CA Register - they want nationwide protests. The government is getting into our private business again. What is the big deal? The furor is caused by a proposed California law, AB1634 that requires neutering of animals that come into contact with animal control officers. The owner will be fined (unless they neuter their pet, then). Oh whoa-is-me.
The proponents cite the hundreds of thousands of euthanized animals each year and the cost to catch and house them until they are put down. The detractors say, "It is not the government’s business". The proponents say that an un-neutered female cat can have 100’s of kittens in her lifetime. Actually the number varies depending on your source from 100 to 70,000 (including the offspring of the first cat’s kittens and grandkittens). The opponents say, "It is not the government’s business". No one even mentions the number of kittens that can be fathered by an un-neutered male cat. READ MORE;http://qualitycatresources.com/ab1634-californias-proposed-cat-neutering-law-2007-08-09