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Friday, April 2, 2010

Newborn Kitten - Tips On Chosing A Newborn Kitten

Kittens are often the best cats to start out with. With a newborn kitten you are starting with a clean slate and you will have a friend that will quickly bond with you. Kittens are excellent because they don't have any bad habits yet and you can begin training them your rules right away. Older cats are often best if you are a low energy person and you don't have time to constantly be looking after a kitten to ensure they are not getting in any mischief. Older cats have usually been spayed or neutered, may be declawed and their maintenance is much easier in terms of feeding and vaccinations. Ultimately, it will be up to you to determine if your lifestyle fits a kitten or an older cat.

There are numerous cat breeds and it is important to choose one that is right for you and your family.

When choosing a newborn kitten the first thing you need to think about is whether you will be able to deal with a cat that is vocal. Some breeds can be almost noisy. Many people do not mind this vocalization, as they know that the cat is merely communicating with them, but it might be a problem if you live in an apartment or you already have a house of loud kids.

Vocal breeds include:

  • Siamese
  • Korat
  • Bumese
Quiet cat breeds include:

  • Scottish Fold
  • Somali
  • America Curl
We all know that a newborn kitten decide who they want to cuddle with and when. This also means that you can choose a breed that loves to cuddle or, if you're not the cuddly type, then you may want a cat that is more aloof. Aloof cats are able to occupy themselves, while cuddly cats need more attention. Your lifestyle will also help you decide which type of cat you will want. Remember that cuddly cats are also best for children.
Cuddly cat breeds include:

  • Snowshoe
  • Abyssinian
  • Maine Coon
  • Ragdoll
  • Tonkinese
  • Himalayan Persian
Less sociable cats include:

  • Norwegian Forest Cat
  • Nebelung
  • Russian Shorthair
If you want a cat that is not always in mischief or one that needs to be able to amuse itself, then do not choose:

  • Sphynx
  • Siamese
  • Rex
  • Balinese
  • British Angora breeds
Kevin Lampard is a successful affiliate marketer who regularly makes a healthy living from the internet. Did you find those tips on buying your first kitten helpful? You can learn much more about cats at http://www.thecatguide.co.uk

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Sphynx Cats - Pros and Cons

The Sphynx cat is pretty obviously different from the average furred cat in how much hair it has, but what are the other traits of a Sphynx cat and will they be suitable for you?

One of the most quoted pros for a Sphynx is its supposed hypoallergenic properties, alas these claims are baseless as the most common allergy to cats are to a protein in their saliva, and Sphynx saliva is made up of the same proteins as other cat breeds.

A true pro for the breed is their personality. Well raised Sphynxes are outgoing, curious and attention seeking, a far cry from some other breeds that can be shy, arrogant and sullen. If you are looking for an amusing companion with energy and character then consider a Sphynx.

The lack of hair on a Sphynx does not, as some may think, reduce the amount of grooming a Sphynx requires. The opposite is the fact, as the natural skin oils that would have been distributed on the coat to give a glossy shine and protect the fur, sits on the skin of the Sphynx and will pick up dirt and dead skin flakes (dander) and sweat (yes Sphynx cats have sweat glands), all of this needs regular bathing to remove.

Sphynx cats are indoor cats because of their lack of hair. They cannot protect their skin form the sun, nor could they protect themselves in a fight with other cats, and they would suffer hypothermia quite quickly. Having a cat that does not go outside is a great help to the wildlife around your house. Cats are responsible for most of the deaths of lizards, birds and mammals and in some countries like Australia, have been responsible for near extinction of species.

The Sphynx digestive system is sensitive and loose and pungent stools will often be the result of something in their diet that is upsetting their tummy. Feeding Sphynxes raw wet foods will cut out most of the bowel issues and will prove cheaper than tinned cat foods.

This hairless cat breed is now being recognised as making fabulous companion cats and are being certified across the USA and globally. This work with special groups is helping to raise the profile of the Sphynx cat in the great community. Because they love to be near humans are revel in any attention, Sphynxes break through the boundaries that some aged and disabled people have, and encourage the expression of love and joy.

Sphynx cats are still rare and as such the demand for them is high and the supply is low, leading to high prices compared to other cat breeds. I think this is a pro as only the most dedicated owner will want to spend the money to own one. This will also mean when you have one you are in a pretty exclusive club!

Allison Reynolds is a freelance author and Sphynx Cat enthusiast. She writes the Sphynx Cat Blog and recently released an eBook "Sphynx Cats - What Every (Potential) Owner Should Know"

Hypoallergenic Cats: Should you own one?

There are millions of allergy sufferers in the world today, many of whom just happen to be cat lovers. Sadly, most of the percentage of that population has lived their entire lives without having the companionship of a beautiful and loving cat. However, the introduction of hypoallergenic cats may have changed all of that.

A hypoallergenic cat is one that is not as likely to cause an allergic reaction in humans who were previously allergic to cats. Although there is no scientific proof, the Siberian and Russian Blue cat breeds are said to be naturally hypoallergenic. Other cat breeds like the Sphynx, LaPerm, Cornish Rex, and Devon Rex don't have some of the normal layers of cat fur possessed by more common breeds. These breeds can sometimes be tolerated by people with only mild allergies to cats. However, the most common allergy is to the cat's saliva rather than the fur, so for those people, even a hairless cat breed may not be the answer.

The Allerca Company announced in 2006 that they have been successful in breeding a line of hypoallergenic cats. Although there have been no studies reviewed on this claim, many people are already placing orders for hypoallergenic kittens. Felix Pets is another company who claims to be in the process of developing a hypoallergenic cat breed.

Obviously, for the true cat lover, news like this could be the answer to a dream for them if they have not been able to have a pet cat due to allergies. It offers them the chance to actually own and cuddle that long elusive cat. This is definitely the biggest advantage of owning a hypoallergenic cat. You would finally have your very own kitty, and not have to worry about it kicking up any of your allergy symptoms.

However, the cat breeds that are believed to be hypoallergenic are also quite an expensive investment. They run from $300 on the low end to $2000 on the high end for one of these special kittens. You would need to make very sure that you can afford the cost of buying and caring for a kitten like this.

Another thing to consider is making completely sure that you are going to respond well to the hypoallergenic kitten of your choice. It would be not only quite a waste of money, but heartbreaking as well, to buy your precious kitten only to find out afterward that your allergies are going to be irritated by it. Your doctor may be able to help you in testing this before you get too excited. If everything works out your way, then owning a hypoallergenic cat could be the answer for you.


About the Author

To learn about hypoallergenic cats please visit us at Hypoallergenic Cats and to buy or sell hypoallergenic cats please visit us at Felines4us.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Information Regarding the Sphynx Cat

Sphynx is one of the most extraordinary felines. It is remarkable for its appearance which comprises of a supple and hairless body. The singular appearance is owing to a mutated gene that renders the Sphynx into its individual morphological form. It is quite a rare mutation and has been seen for the last few decades in Europe and North America. However, the first known breeding program initiated in Canada in the mid nineteen sixties after a hairless kitten was born in a litter of regular domestic cats. Its remarkable appearance was noted and presence of hairless cats in subsequent litters led to the development of the breed in earnest. For its country of modern origin, the felid is also known as Canadian Hairless. Today Sphynx cats are universally recognized and greatly admired by cat fanciers.

A well built cat, Sphynx possesses a strong musculoskeletal framework. Body is long and so is the head, with large ears. Tail and legs are also long and slender. There are very small short hair present on the surface in the form of the down coat. They yield a leathery texture to the Sphynx's skin. Whiskers are often completely absent though. Skin is seen in all sorts of colors and patterns, the colors and markings being the same of their furs - were they to exist. Wrinkles are often present and serve to insulate the cat from outside temperatures.
Owing to lack of hair, Sphynxes are prone to hot and cold weathers and should be best kept indoors. In winter they are often seen snoozing under bed sheets and lying next to humans and each other to keep warm. Their skin feels warm to touch and is often oily since the hair that absorb skin's natural oil production are absent in Sphynx. Thus it is appropriate to periodically bathe and groom these cats. Despite popular belief they are not hypoallergenic cats.

In many parts of the world, Sphynx are outcrossed with Devon Rex cats even as experts discourage this practice these days owing to risk of acquiring some hereditary illnesses from the Devon gene pool. Generally though these are very healthy and robust cats who love to play and enjoy themselves.

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Sphynx cat.

Cats Questions & Answers

Another cat and Christmas tree dilemma.?
I have 3 cats and at first all they did was lay beneath the tree, now they like to steal and break the ornaments. There aren't any ornaments at the bottom so I have no model how they are getting them. We have a water bottle but...

Another Cat Question?
Ok, here I am again asking about my cat cuz I love her so much. So She's pretty old at 18 but is doing really good, there's simply one thing that's kind of odd that she does. She will walk out of her way to get water...

Another cross-question around my precious kitten and her eye?
Ohkay she had something that looked like cherry eye here: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/s... But a few people said it wasnt. Well my grandparents (Who I live next to. they are both very old and one of them trained to be a vet for a lone time) said that she...

Another interrogate going on for my cat...?
Okay so I will be petting her and she will like lick my hand (which I know is normal), but then for no judgment whatsoever, she will bite my hand. I don't know why, she just does it. Is there anything wrong? Or is she simply trying...

Another interview something like a stray (?) cat?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?... That was my first question. Further, theres a humane society about 10 minutes from my house, whether I were to bring this kitty there would they be able to contribute it it's needed shots and spade/neuter it? How much should I expect to have to pay...

Another kitty flea interview =]?
seeing the white stuff in the kittens poop means they ate a flea or sumthing and they have cassette worm right? so i get the tape worm fixed and do the anti flea thing on them nowadays..but do i really have to bomb the house?..i didnt visably...

Another middle of the darkness problem, kitten trying to gain milk from my spayed 1yr out-of-date?
I have a new kitten, she is 3 months old nowadays, we got her last week. The problem is is she is trying to get milk from my elder cat. My older cat is definitely not her Mom!! It was pissing my elder cat off big time...

Another quiz give or take a few cat food?
Alright, so I've asked plenty of questions about dry food- now on to showery food!I've noticed that Wellness also makes pouches in extension to their canned foods. Are these 'pouched' foods better, worse, or comparable to the canned? From what I've seen from their guaranteed analysis, they...

Ant Baits III next to kittens?
Ok so I have some ant baits III with the little station and the opening. I want to put them in the laundry room because since I got the kittens, I also got the ants. I verbs it about EVERY day because it stinks. I'm just worried...

Antidote for tylenol poisoning within cats.?
I know there is a immediate cure if caught for acetemetophin poisoning contained by cats but does anyone know what it is made of? The antidote.

Any alternatives to declawing a 5-year-old cat I haven't thought of?
I have had this cat since he was a kitten, and yes, I am aware of what the declaw procedure involves -- that's why he is nearly five years infirm and still has his claws.We have tried all bearing of scratching posts -- sisal, cardboard, carpet --...

Any angelic black cat name please?
I am looking for something cute, but also unique and not too long. Please no websites or halloween names like spooky or Midnight. Thanks!

Any biddable ways to product a kitten sleep more at dark?
Brand new kitten about 6 weeks old, have to be separated from her mom who is a stray. We have another cat who is just turning 1 and is still an over sized kitten. The problem is that while tiring out the kitten before bed seem like...

Any cat food experts around? How does this brand reputation?
My cats love this food. As far as i can tell the ingredients look good but i dont know much.. the food is AvoDerm by Breeder's Choice in the Beef cat/kitten range. Beef, Beef Broth, Ocean Fish, Turkey, Chicken, Kidney, Chicken Liver, Oat Bran, Rice Flour, Avocado...

Any concept why my kitten dose this?
she;s 6month and she licks all the time and bites for no reason ( she like necks for some reason x.x)

Any design on how the trade name a domestic made cat flap?
my front door is made of a thick solid wood.

Any design on how to detain an illusive cat?
China has a vet appointment and she sure knows! lol I've used adjectives my usual tricks, help, I've been trying for a few hours now.

Any design to bring back a cat to stop scratch at one spot? (specifically the face)?
My cat scratches at her face until she bleeds, and we can't get her to stop. We've tried medication, changing diet, and claw covers. Nothing is working. Got any other ideas?

Any design why my cat is twitching and flipping out?
She's been acting more tired and cuddly the last few days, but every once in a while she basically flips out! She'll be laying on the chair and all of a sudden act like she's got an itch on her rear hind billet, her whole body...

Any domestic remedies for a cats foot sprain or injury?
I'm asking here because I don't have the money to take him to a vet. DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT I TAKE HIM TO A VET please. I know I should... but I can't afford to take myself to a doctor whether I was shot, much less a...

Any Dwayne Wade fan out nearby who just this minute give up their cat?
I know this is strange.My boyfriend recently adopted a cat named D'Wade surrounded by Mchenry county, IL. I think his owner was a Dwayne Wade fan. If your out in that, he is in good hands, surrounded by a loving home and is such a good boy!Dwade...

Any entitle planning for two kittens?
I am going to be adopting a pair of kittens this weekend, and I'm trying to come up with some witty name. They are both calico (one has very little white and one is normal calico). Anyway, I'm trying to come up near something really...

Any experience next to a feral cat terrorising the others?
In my neighbourhood, there are many feral cats that I and another woman feed. Among theem is a huge male cat, who scares the others. He doesn't even inevitability to attack them, when he appears and meows they run away scared! One of them got hit by...

Any guidance on introducing 2 cats ?
we have a 19 month old cat lucy who came to live beside us 7 months ago with her sister who sadly got run over 6 weeks ago,we be worried lucy would be lonely so 3 weeks ago we got a 7 month old kitten,we have tried...

Any idea's for a brand new kitten's first name? She's a womanly, thin on top Sphynx.?
We are adopting a hairless kitten at the end of December and are have a hard time deciding on names for our different baby kitty. There are two little girls in the family and we are trying to speech them out of "princess"! Any cool...

Any insist on on persian tresses?
I adopted two adult persian cats from a shelter in March and am getting on beside them very well. They are pretty good near being groomed if my partner holds them and I comb and brush. However there is fur adjectives over the house no...

Any kittens for mart?
I am looking for a young male or female kitten...which is credibly priced...Anybody know of any?

Any moral low cost nutering places for cats?
i need to know some good low costing nutering places for cats, but i can't find any,

Any name for a 3 month antiquated Siamese kitten?
She is a stray. Only had her for 6 days and is still in hiding. I thought if I could telephone call her by a name she would respond better.She has a black face approaching a raccoon, so cute, blue eyes, of course. Don't...

Any odd cat stories to share?
Today, I was cleaning out the litter box and one of my cats needed to use it. Apparently, he could not wait for me to finish, he hopped into the trash can and used it as his litter box. Thankfully I had a trash backpack in it...

More Cats Q&A Please visit : PetsAsk.com

About the Author

Any odd cat stories to share? Today, I was cleaning out the litter box and one of my cats needed to use it. Apparently, he could not wait for me to finish, he hopped into the trash can and used it as his litter box. Thankfully I had a trash backpack in it...

Monday, January 18, 2010

The Peterbald Cat

A relatively new feline breed, Peterbald has emerged from Russia. It traces its origin to St. Petersburg in the mid nineteen nineties when a Don Sphynx male was crossed with an Oriental Shorthair female. The resulting litters contained kittens of an individual and distinct disposition. They had inherited attributes from both their parents and yet were unique in their appearance. Their breeding was thereafter started and the development continues to date. With time they are gaining gradual recognition by international registration bodies. However, it is one of the newest feline breeds and requires time before universal acceptance by cat fanciers is achieved.

Peterbalds have an elegant and slender physique. They are finely built and have a long and sleek body type. Head is triangular with bright almond-shaped eyes, well developed cheek bones and big high-set ears. Owing to a genetic transformation, Peterbalds have very short down hair in their coat. All fur colors and patterns are currently accepted. Tail and legs are thin yet strongly built. Overall appearance is that of a lean well muscled cat.

Peterbalds are still quite recent as a breed and not much is known about their health and the presence of any hereditary recurring medical conditions in them. They have an oriental look and are bred variously to Siamese, Orientals and Russian Blues to maintain genetic diversity and incorporate desirable attributes into their gene pool.

Owing to their short fur, Peterbalds are prone to losing heat quickly in winter and thus should be kept indoors. They have a very rapid metabolic rate and eat more and heal faster from their injuries than most other cats. Friendly and active animals, they adjust well to all members of a household. They shed little and don't require excessive grooming. Not overly vocal or demanding, the graceful Peterbalds are very calm and adoring by nature.

About the Author

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Peterbald cat.

Sphynx Cat and Kitten Information

The Sphynx cat is a very unusual and rare breed. They are often referred to as the Canadian Hairless Cat. They have very little fur and lack of whiskers. What fur some Sphynx cats may have will appear as a very fine down. The skin of the Sphynx can exhibit colors and markings and they have sometime been mistaken for Chihuahuas.
  The face of the Sphynx is quite expressive and dominated by its large eyes and ears. Naturally occurring skin oils means that the Sphynx needs occasional bath. This is an intelligent cat that is devoted to favored humans. Affectionate and playful, this unique breed can make a great companion cat.

Sphynx Cat History
The Sphynx cat originated from a natural mutation in a kitten born in Toronto, Canada in 1966. The Cat Fanciers Association included this breed in the miscellaneous category in February 1998 and championship show recognition in 2002.

The ancestor of all domestic cats is the African Wildcat, the genus Felis Lybica. This genus is comprised of smaller cats. Cats are thought to have been domesticated with the advent of farming and the storage of grain. The grain attracted rats and other vermin which naturally attracted wild cats. As time evolved, certain of these cats were domesticated for the mutual benefit of both cat and man. The African Wildcat has certain features which is obvious in the housecat of today.

Feline Health Considerations
Cats who reside in the house should generally visit the veterinarian yearly, unless health problems are evident. Cats who enjoy the outdoors may need to see the vet as many as four times a year. When you take your cat to the vet, be sure to bring along a fresh stool sample so the vet can do a fecal exam to check for internal parasites such as tapeworm, round worm, whip worms and hook worms. The vet will also check for external parasites such as fleas, ticks and ear mites.

Any vet check should include a dental examination and a cleaning if necessary. Cats who are eight years of age or older are considered geriatric and additional blood and urine tests may be necessary to screen for any health problems. At about six months of age, the kitten should also be examined for sexual maturity and decisions about birth control should be made.

Behavioral Traits
Gets along with other pets They like to cuddle Some are less allergic to owners than other breeds They like to be the center of attention

Sphynx Cat Registries and Clubs
Sphynx and Rex Association The Rex and Sphynx Club of Denmark Cat Fanciers Association CFA International Cat Association TICA The Traditional Cat Association TCA Canadian Cat Association CCA The Australian Cat Federation The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts AACE American Cat Fanciers Association ACFA United Feline Organization UFO Cats United International

Kitten Care
Sphynx kittens can be hard to come by and it is not uncommon for buyers to be placed on a waiting list. Unlike puppies, kittens should not be separated from their mother until twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Some very important developmental stages occur during this period including emotional, mental and health. Curtailing this development may lead to any number of medical and behavioral problems.

Kittens that are separated from their mother at too young an age often fail to gain weight fast enough, have immune system problems because they have not had enough mothers milk. The may also develop eating and eliminating problems, and can have problems socializing with other cats and with people.

Every cat and kitten is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your cat or kitten. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular framed picture and panorama site Milwaukee Skyline.com. He provides informative advice on purchasing beautiful, framed Milwaukee Skyline panoramas and pictures. Shop Milwaukee Skyline.com today.