When you have more than one cat in your household, you can be sure there will be cat fights. Most often your cats may get along, but still fight some of the time. Although most people might not totally understand why their cats have conflicts, still they have their differences just the same as people do. Cats show their displeasure towards another cat by starting fights. This article will explain the 3 main reasons why cats fight and what you can do to prevent it.

Cats are territorial. A majority of cats fight as a result of territory. An example of this is when a cat feels threatened by another cat occupying their territory. It can even be a cat that they have resided together with for some time. A cats gender has hardly anything to do with it. In contrast to what most people think female cats can be territorial like male cats. Usually one cat will growl and hiss, take swats at the other anytime he feels his territory is being intruded upon. This certainly can occur when an additional cat is added to the household. They are only protecting their territory. 

Social ranking: Male cats often threaten and fight each other with regard to social ranking and neutered male cats will actually do this. Usually with more than one male cat around, normally one male cat is regarded as the “alpha male’ and will be known as the higher up on the cat hierarchy. A couple of cats may position their bodies, followed by screaming at each other. In case one of the cats back off then the catfight will have been prevented. Even when no one desires to back off from each other, the one cat will assault the other cat by leaping forward in an attempt to bite the neck Both cats will go through this process more than once before they stop the fight. Generally there are no wounds involved with these type of fights. 

Aggression: In addition cats fight by reason of redirected aggression which is reasonably common, particularly with indoor cats. If your cat sees another cat in the yard while looking out the window, he may become territorial as well as hostile towards this cat but this cat is unable to be approached and he may perhaps assault the other household cats.Another thing when you are offer treats to your cats. The cat who gets the treat first and starts eating it, will usually turn aggressive and start to swipe and growl at the other cat, who would like a bite. 

When you see your cats sometimes battling it out with each other, just consider this being normal behavior for cats. Almost all the time you are going to be able to know the difference between a fight, whether it’s a hostile or playful on. Only when a cat fight becomes nasty then it’s time to break it up, other than that let the cats work out their differences. If there’s a chance you need to break up a catfight, then prodceed with caution No matter how affectionate a cat is, still there’s always the risk your cat could bite or scratch you when feeling aggressive. To end a cat fight, it is best to produce some type of loud noise, like a handclap. Cats are usually surprised by sudden noises and both of them will cease to fight to find out where the noise is coming from. You can even spray them with water to put a stop to their aggressive behavior.   

If you find your cats in a middle of a fight, never disipline them for fighting. Cats can’t comprehend punishment and it is only part of their natural instincts to fight. The only time to intervene is when it starts to get out of hand. If you happen to observe your cats fighting more than normal, then you need to figure out why. Are the conflicts they have over a food bowl, a litter box or perhaps a prime spot in the window. See to it that every kitty has their own things along with an area to seek refuge whenever they become stressed out with other pets in the home. This will likely help avoid real catfights, which will be more pleasant for everyone.

Cat obesity is a life threatening disorder which can lead to Arthritis, Diabetes, Cancer, Fatty Liver Disease, Heart Disease, Lower Urinary Tract Disease as well as skin disorders. Also it can take an overweight cat longer to recover from anesthsesia after surgery when these drugs are being absorbed by the fat in his body. On top of everything having a fatty liver makes it harder for the liver to filter these drugs from the system. That is why it is best to treat cat obesity before it becomes fatal.

Some of the underlying causes of weight gain in cats can occur when: 

The body functions are slowed down by 20 to 25 when male and female cats are neutured.

Breed and Genetics can also affect body weight. Mixed breed cats are more susceptible to weight gain problems then Pure Breeds. 

Decreased levels of Thyroid Hormone can be a result of obesity in cats. 

The cat could be eating excessive amounts of calories and not getting enough exercise.

If you find your cat is putting on weight then consult your veterinarian first to find out if your cat has a health problem causing this. Your veterinarian can suggest a diet for weight loss or management. 

Cat owners need to reduce the calorie intake, increase exercise, plus regularly monitor their cat’s progress to ensure successful weight loss. 

A diet high in protein like chicken, turkey, beef, or liver should consist of 50 percent of this diet to avoid a loss in lean body tissue. The protein levels should be over 50% in order to stimulate the metabolism and increase weight loss.

Fiber has bulk in it which will satisfy cats appetites making it easier for them to lose weight. If you increase your cat’s intake of fiber by up to 15-20 percent, do it under your veterinarians care.Too much fiber can tamper with the absorption of minerals and cause other nutritional problems. 

Get your cat to exercise. If he doesn’t mind a walking harness, take him out for short walks once or twice a day to get him moving. As your cat’s strength increases then you can slowly work up to longer walks Another thing you can do is have play sessions with him 4 times a day with him. These sessions can be for five to ten minutes of chasing a string, running after a ball or batting around a crumpled piece of paper. This will get him to burn more calories.

Also try some Cat Nip, which is an herb that makes your cat feel good and gets him in a playful mood. Best of all Cat Nip is harmless and won’t hurt your cat.

Cat health weight loss should be done slowly. Crash diets are just as unhealthy for cats as well as humans. Carefully monitor your cat’s progress and make sure he doesn’t lose too much weight. Keep in contact with your vet throughout your cat’s weight loss and don’t hesitate to ask them any questions you may have. It is important for your cat to be at his ideal weight in order for your cat to be healthy and disease free, and happier.

Feline Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases that affects cats over the age of 7. Although younger cats can be affected too based on the cause. The disease can suddenly happen or develop over time.

The symptoms associated with kidney disease in cats are: weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, increased urination, increased thirst, vomiting. If your cat has these symptoms, then you should have your veterinarin check him out. 

It is important to cooperate with your vet to find kidney disease treatments that work. The most effective treatment to use will depend on your cat’s diagnosis. If your cat is not in the advanced stages at least you can intervene before it further progresses. 

Also your cat could be dehydrated and not getting sufficient nutrtrition. Your vet may reccommend putting your cat on IV fluids to build up his strength. The duration of time for this will be a matter of how serious the disease is. In case your cat is not consuming enough fluids, then giving regular IV treatments at home may be needed. 

Medications may be given to take care of any infection that has been found. Exactly what will be prescribed will be based on the medical problems your cat has. With kidney disease there are additional medical issues that will come up.They will need to be taken care of for the treatment to be more effective. 

Diet is most crucial in treating feline kidney disease. Although there are prescription formulas available, still making your cat’s food is even better. The diet should have sufficient amounts of protein in it. These protein sources can come from chicken, cornish hen, duck or turkey. Don’t use any kind of grains, preservatives as well as antibiotics when preparing your cat’s meals. It is even healthier if you’re able to make their food from organic items. 

Furthermore, including Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids supplements with their food is benefical and will assist the body to become stronger. In addition, the body is going to have difficulty acquiring sufficient Vitamin B and C when the kidneys are malfunctioning. Always discuss with your vet the amount of supplements to give each day. 

You also need to take into consideration how much food you give your cat. Consult with your vet what the amount of food he should be eating. If your cat is overweight, you will definitely want to feed him a little less to help him lose weight. Also feeding your cat several small meals a day instead of two big meals will put less strain on his kidneys.

Then in addition your cat needs exercise to burn calories to help him lose weight. Get your cat toys you know he’ll enjoy and play with him for about 15 to 30 minutes each day.

Simply by being familiar with how your cat feels and why it’s acting a certain way will enable you to make sure your cat stays healthy.

Certainly , a variety of symptoms will inform you whenever your cat is not feeling well or when it is important to get it to the vet for a checkup.

For example, in the event that you notice your cat is vomiting, it is not really a problem except if it seems to be apathetic and has very little energy. Usually Cats will eat grass in order to vomit to get rid of hair they have consumed while cleaning themselves. If this type of thing is occurring regularly then you may have to take a little extra time grooming your cat to eliminate the excessive hair and prevent it from swallowing it anytime it licks itself.

Chilly food could also make your cat to throw up and getting the cat food straight from the refrigerator to give to your pet is not the best option. Try heating the food in a microwave for a couple of seconds prior to putting it in the dish and you may notice that your cat may have even less issues with its food. 

In case you see your cat scratching itself frequently then this could be an indication that more grooming is needed to get rid of fleas or ticks. You can usually observe flea debris in the fur and even if you are unable to locate any fleas while grooming this means they are presently there and should be eradicated.

While there are a number of different treatments out there for fleas, from pills to powders, as well as collars which can be placed around the neck. You have to securely put a collar on a cat since they are likely to climb and these are liable to get trapped in branches as well as other things which might end up in dangerous and life threatening situations. 

There are certain flea treatments that could make your cat sick for a day or two after using them, therefore check for any signs and apply some other treatment if you think your cat is having a bad reaction to it.

Most people feed their cats a diet of dried food for the reason that it’s more convenient and their cats enjoy it. Plus, it’s cost effective as well, unfortunately this is not good for their health.

The majority of the dry foods for pets lack qualtiy nutrition, in opposition to what the manufacturers want you to believe. A healthier diet you can provide for your cat is one that is similar to what they would eat in the wild.

The food cats eat in the wild is much higher in protein compared to most of the commercial dry foods. Another thing to be concerned about dry food is that it is deficient in moisture and it is essential for the cat to drink plenty of fresh water when eating mostly dry food.

Although, there are formulations for young and old cats, fur ball formulas, and a variety of combinations intended to enhance your cat’s health, a diet consisted of fresh meat, fish and poultry will improve your cat’s health even more those processed foods.

Then there are high quality canned cat foods on the market that contain high protein and adequate moisture to maintain your cats health.

However you need to know about the ingredients being used in these canned cat foods, while there are still some actually high in carbohydrates which can result in your cat becoming diabetic.

There are many byproducts put in pet foods which are not of high nutritional value. Also most cat foods have wheat products, garlic, and onion, corn and other ingredients that aren’t just bad for your cat, but can make your cat very ill.

Making sure your cat gets good nutrition is as important as providing a safe environment to see to it that you’ll have the joy of having him around in the years to come.

Exactly what should your cat be eating?

You have to understand what cats in the wild require in order to choose the best quality food sources for them. Cats in the wild will eat mice and birds. This type of diet is high in protein and and it is important for your cat to have adequate protein to sustain good health. 

A steady diet of feeding your cat carbohydrates could result in not producing enough insulin and not being able to maintain normal blood glucose levels. 

A few symptoms that your cat is becoming diabetic could be from drinking large amounts of water in addition to eating more often than before. You could have also observed a sign of weakness in the back legs as they are likely to wobble somewhat while walking.  

The most effective way to find out if your cat is developing diabetes is to get a blood test done. However you could have the urine tested to examine the blood glucose levels, although not the most accurate method.

In contrast to humans and other animals it is possible for cats with diabetes to go into remission when high carbohydrates are cut out of their diet. Additional protein will help get the blood glucose back at normal levels.

Most dry commercial food is especially harmful to cats due to being high in carbohydrates and although your cat may enjoy eating it, as a result of the additives being put into these dry foods, it doesn’t do much good for their health.

The reason dry food is well-liked is simply because it’s convenient and cats tend to be very picky eaters. Unfortunately, they will eat anything that appeals to their tastebuds even though it is not healthy for them. That is why it is important to make sure you feed them a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. There are commercial foods on the market that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, free of harmful ingredients. The first ingredient on the label should be animal based protein. The entire protein should be listed first. Essential fatty acids must be added – this is the utmost importance for allergies, arthritis and cancer prevention. It should also contain additional antioxidents, such as vitamin E, vitamin C and flavanoids. Also making your cats food is another option to consider.

Cats that have suffered abuse may have bodies that look horribly maimed and damaged, while others may come across unscathed in their physical appearance, they may have endured internal and emotional damage, which is harder to overcome. Cats who have been through physical abuse will still respond to a soft touch and soft voice, once they know the abuse is over for good.

With a emotionally abused cat you will need to be patient with him and let him know you are nothing to fear. Give the cat time to come to you, he doesn’t know whether you will hurt him or not. When he does come to you, let him sniff you, speak to him in a soothing tone of voice while you pet him. In a matter of time he will be able to trust you and come to you when you call him.

If you yell, raise your voice, incorrectly use flyswatters or water guns as disciplinary tools it can cause emotional damage. With an emotionally scrarred cat, repeating the wrong type of disipline can make the cat mean or lethargic. Mean cats are easier to work with, because they are concerned about what will become of them, while lethargic cats simply don’t care anymore.

Cats that become lethargic refuse to play, accept treats, or respond to anything you say to them.

With a lethargic cat, the best way to get him to respond is to take in a companion cat. In a matter of time a lethargic cat will seek attention, usually a scratch or a pat. When this happens, you should talk to him if a soothing voice and snuggle with him. Never raise your voice at this stage, and always let the cat know his behavior has changed for the better. 

Always be careful when moving around a lethargic cat for he hasn’t recovered from the trauma. Any sudden movement or raising your voice will only frighten the cat and drive him back into hiding. You need to continue to speak to him in a soft voice and be patient. Overtime your cat will eventually overcome this. Expect to go through a long and intensive healing period when dealing with a lethargic cat. It will take patience on your part.

On the other hand, mean cats will fight or scratch you, or run away from you. When working with mean cats, it is best to treat them gently while using a soft voice. It will only make the cat meaner if you raise your voice or use strict disipline. Don’t ever trap a cat, trapping will only further upset the cat. The cat will eventually calm down if you take your time and let him know you are there for him. 

Sadly, there are cats who have suffered horrific abuse. Abused cats need a caring owner who will provide a loving, stable home environment for them. They have been through a traumatic experience and need to be treated with tender loving care.

If you are planning on traveling by airplane and want to take your cat with you. Then you will want to know what to do to prepare your cat for air travel in order for the trip to go more smoothly.

First of all you need to know what the restrictions and policies are for pet travel. Not all airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin with their owners, but only in the cargo hold.

Which can be dangerous to your cat. Cargo holds are noisy and the temperature changes can be severe. As a result he could experience psychological damage, even die from frostbite or heatstroke. Then there’s always the risk the cat will end up getting lost.

To ensure your cat’s safety while flying, it is better to choose an airline that will let your cat ride in the cabin with you. If someone tells you that pets are permitted in the cabin, then get it in writing to prevent unpleasant surprises at the airport.

You’ll have to purchase an airline ticket for your pet. The cost of the ticket is determined by the type and size and the airline.

Get a pet carrier that is durable, non-collasible, locking carrier. Also the carrier must meet airline requirements as far as size and dimension is concerned. Each airline has different requirements.

Take your cat to the vet for a check-up to be up to date on your cat’s health and any vacinations that may be required when traveling with your cat. You’ll need a health verification certificate from your veterinarian 10 days before your flight to ensure your pet will be able to board the plane.

Provide your cat with a portable water bowl, mini food dish, a pee pad and other things he may need while traveling.

It is important for your cat to wear a collar with an ID tag for the duration of the trip. Also the carrier should have your name, both home and cell numbers, home address, travel destination. Plus include your pet’s name, gender, age, specie type, any health issues he may have. The veterinarians name and phone number should be provided as well.

Take into consideration that cats don’t like to be taken out of their territory, so you may want to sedate him for the flight. Always give your cat lots of tender loving care to sooth him.

If you are looking to give your cat that sleek look, then you will want to start with the top cat grooming tools. With so many different kinds of brushes, combs and shampoos to choose from – how do you know which tools are right for your cat? The following information in this article will help you better decide.

A soft bristle brush works well on any cat, shorthaired or longhaired. Picking a brush with a broad head and supple bristle will make brushing more pleasant for your kitty as well as you. The soft bristles remove loose hairs and stimulate the cat’s skin oils. Longhaired cats need to be brushed at least two times a week. Brushing alone might not get rid of all the mats and tangles, so additional tools may be needed.

A metal comb has stiff, sturdy tines can effectively loosen mats, A steel comb works best for grooming wirehair cats.

A grooming glove is ideal for cats who don’t like to be brushed. You put the mitt over your hand and run the glove over the cat in a petting motion while the rubber bristles catch the loose fur.

The de-matting tool is designed with specially-shaped tapered metal tines placed at a right angle to the handle. This tool works best for loosening those stubborn mats, which is perfect for longhaired cats.

The tangle splitter works best on the most difficult mats. This device is equipped with one or two blade-like tines for spot grooming.

And if your cat has fleas, the flea comb has narrow tines to help remove fleas while you comb the cat.

Wet shampoo: Shampooing your cat is a question of whether he needs it or not. If your cat requires a bath then choose shampoos that are strictly for cats to prevent your kitty from being exposed to any dangerous chemicals. Also take into consideration what your cats needs are when choosing a shampoo. There are products that are tearless, protein-enhanched for a sleeker coat, de-shedding, color-enhanching, flea eliminating or kitten friendly.

Dry shampoo: You can try dry shampoo if your kitty can’t stand taking a bath. Dry shampoo comes in a spray bottle and safely remains on the cat’s coat after spritzing – no water is needed

Eyes and Ears Grooming Tools

Cotton balls work best to reduce the stress while cleaning the cat’s eyes and ears. When cleaning a cat’s ears, dip a cotton ball into a ear flushing solution formulated only for cats. Be careful and don’t over-soak the cottonball, because the excess liquid could get inside their ears. Carefully pull back the cat’s ear and wipe the inside with cotton, but avoid pressing too far into the canal. 

You can also use a similar technique to clean a cat’s eye with a cotton ball swabbed in an eye-flushing solution.

Tear stain remover works by applying a small amount of the solution to the stained area using a cotton ball. For best results, repeat this practice for over several days to maintain a stain-free eye area.

Claws And Teeth Grooming Tools

Feline nail clipper: Nail clippers designed only for cats will increase the safety of the claw-clipping procedure. Cats have a vein in their nails called a quick, which can be painful to clip into, so only clip the tips of the claws. Press the pad so only the nails stick out. Start clipping at the very end and clip only a little bit at a time. If the nail starts to look pink, then it’s time to quit.

Feline toothbrush: A brush with bristles works best for oral hygiene care. Unfortunately most cats will not tolerate even the smallest toothbrush. As an alternative, there is A user-friendly feline toothbrush that fits right over your finger for easy cleaning.

With the right grooming tools and approach you will have your kitty looking healthy and pretty in the least amount of time.

Cats are naturally nightime creatures. In the wild they do most of their hunting at night and sleep during the day. But your cat is in indoor cat and doesn’t need to hunt for his food. Still he keeps you up at night due to his nocturnal instincts. The good news is you help him meet his needs and you can still get good nights rest.

Here’s what you can do. Play vigorously with him for 30 minutes before you go to bed. When you play with him use toys he can, stalk, chase and capture. After playing, give him food high in protein. This will satisfy his hunting needs. Afterward take the time to groom him to further relax him. He will then be sleepy.

Also you can provide your cat with many different toys, scratching posts, cat trees and cat activity centers to help him use up excess energy during the day, which in turn will make him less active at night.

Just don’t play with him at night before bed but schedule a time to play during the day as well. Cats enjoy human companionship and it’s a great way for you to bond with your kitty. Which means he won’t be waking you up for attention.

If your cat wakes you up at night, don’t get up to play and feed him this will only encourage him to wake you up at night, thus becoming a habit. Better yet, keep your cat in another room with food, water, toys, litter box, scratching post and a comfortable bed to keep him from disturbing you at night.

Don’t use physical punishment on a cat when trying to solve any problem behavior. It will only make the cat afraid of you and it won’t solve anything. Instead get the cat to associate the bad behavior with negative consquences.

Another thing, if your cat has been quiet during the night but has started disturibing your sleep then taking him to the vet might uncover a medical problem you weren’t aware of.

Now that you know what you need to do to calm your cat down, hopefully you can sleep peacefully. Sweet dreams!

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