Cat Behavior - Can Your Cat's Boredom Lead to Illness?

Imagine being a cat sitting home all day with the curtains closed with nothing to do and no one to interact with. If you lived in the wild your natural cat behavior would lead you to watch birds and bugs, roam, chase, jump, hide, pounce and spend half a day happily looking for a mouse to eat. You also could defend your territory and flex your muscles. However, indoor cats who do not get exercise, stimulation and wholesome food can suffer. Their boredom can lead to depression or illness.

Watch for Signs of Boredom

If your cat's behavior is not what you hoped it would be, it might be because he or she is bored or lonely. Here are some common cat behavior signs you may notice.

1. Moving small items or objects of clothing around the house while you are gone.

2. Pulling out clumps of its hair or obsessively over-grooming.

3. Knocking things off counter tops.

4. Spraying or squatting to mark territory with deposits of urine or stool.

5. Expressing with excessive vocalization, most likely to let you know its bored or lonely.

6. Displaying aggressive behavior or acting out, especially when you leave.

7. Overeating when there is nothing else to do that feels comforting.

Boredom and Depression Can Be Serious

Boredom can lead to depression in cats. If let go for too long, it can also lead to illness and other cat health challenges. Lack of exercise and stimulation can lead to unhappiness, weak muscles, a sluggish immune system and eventually depression or adrenal stress and disease. In fact, cat behavior related issues are also reportedly the most common reason for euthanasia and abandonment of otherwise healthy animals. Do NOT let your cat be put away or become bored!

Try these Healthy Cat Behavior Solutions

If you have only one cat, consider getting your cat a feline companion. According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive® and commissioned by ARM & HAMMER Multi-Cat Strength Cat Litter, animal experts now agree that cats are by nature social--not solitary--animals. When asked, more than 8 out of 10 vets agree that cats DO NOT prefer to be left alone. (It's almost as easy to take care of two cats as one.)
Offer to play with your cat around the same time every day. Cats love routine. Buy or make toys that simulate hunting, chasing, pouncing, jumping and hiding fun. Spend 20-30 minutes playing once or twice a day with your cats.
Establish some regular grooming time several days a week. Keep some brushes, combs and slickers handy. A good time to do this is after your cat has played and used up some its frustrated energy because they are ready to be mellow and cuddle up.
Before you leave your home every day, hide some favorite toys and treats. Rotate their favorite toys to different spots every day. Get a plastic whiffle ball and put in some healthy treats that take a little work to come out the slots. This provides exercise and challenge and the good cat behavior reward is welcome.
Give your cat some freedom to roam. Minimize confinement as much as possible. If you do not already have one, get a climbing tree or tower. Vertical space is as important to cat health as horizontal space for exercise and dexterity. You might also want to get a cat harness and leash and take your cat outdoors to explore, get some fresh air and sunshine.
Make a comfy place near a window. Cats love to look out windows and watch birds, bugs and any number of interesting things. If you can put up a bird feeder outside a window, where the birds will be safe and your cat can observe, it will provide hours of entertainment, mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction for your cat.
Give your cat a scratcher. This gives them a place to remove old nail sheaths plus it lets them exercise and tone their muscles to stay strong. Scratching also relieves stress, frustration and boredom or helps them "warm up" for some playful romping. But best of all, it gives them an appropriate way to mark their territory with the pads on their paws. (This is much better than inappropriate spraying or other marking or furniture damage!)
Most important of all, feed your cat high quality food with real meat, NOT meat by-products. It may cost more but it can can help prevent disease and promote better health so it will save you in the long run. Besides, cats will eat less and get better nutrition. Do all these things and your cat's health and behavior will transform to being calmer and happier. In all likelihood, you will both develop a closer bond, too.

SOURCES: Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, DVM, MSc, DACVB (a leading veterinary behaviorist and author) plus the experts at ARM & HAMMER Multi-Cat Strength Litter, who commissioned a CAT-PANION Crusade Study.

Researcher and writer Marika Ray at Natural Cat Lovers makes it easy and fast to learn nature's simple healing secrets from top veterinarians and cat experts. Claim a free lifetime subscription to 3-minute tips about natural cat health care [http://www.naturalcatlovers.com/pages/sign-up.html] and cat behavior solutions. You have permission to post this article, just include the author's name & link.

Raw Food Diet For Cat and Kittens - Taking This One Step Prevents Cat Illness

There is increasing evidence accepted by holistic and traditional veterinarians that turning to a raw food diet for cat and kittens reduces the likelihood of many of today's common cat health problems. Its no secret that our cats are obese, have bladder problems or develop kidney disease or diabetes. Its looking like the same rules that apply to humans apply to cats - high carbohydrate, low protein diets and poor exercise habits lead to disease. The good news is that the number one step holistic vets recommend is that you switch your pet to a raw food diet for cat program.

Here's a short list of disorders that are fed by a low protein, high carbohydrate diet:

1. Dental disease

2. Bladder stones and Feline Urinary Tract Infection

3. Obesity

4. Diabetes

5. Kidney disease

6. Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

Read the hot topics in Cat Fancy and Catwatch and you'll find at least two articles, if not more, reporting on the increase in cat sicknesses like feline urinary tract infection, diabetes and the rest. What do most of our house cats have in common? What they eat.

Now for the full the scoop on a raw food diet for cat and kitten...

Cats are dependent on a meat protein diet. Since World War II we've been fooled into believing that the commercially prepared dry or canned cat foods are the greatest invention since cat litter. These cat food products did not exist prior to the 1940's. They were developed during this wartime economic period because it was cheaper to feed our pets corn than it was to keep them on a raw diet for cat, kitten or dog. As a nation, we started moving towards a more urbanized lifestyle and we lost touch with our meat sources in our backyard. For the past few decades we've been loading up our grocery carts with Mighty Bad For Dog and Kitty food.

Cats and kittens require meat products. They can not convert vegetable proteins into the nutritionally equivalent minerals and amino acids that meat provides them. When was the last time you noticed your cat hanging from a corn stalk chomping through a cob of corn? Try this...

Let your cat wander through a corn field and I be he returns with a rabbit, mouse or bird - meat stuff - no corn. That's the natural approach.

A simple holistic cat health care solution.

You can make this change to a raw food diet for cat successful. Yes, it will require more work on your part. You will need to find a source of fresh rabbit, chicken or beef - those are in order of preference. Rabbit has the most nutritional benefit to your cat.

Don't go overboard when you start your raw food diet for cat program. Keep the quantities you purchase minimal so that you aren't freezing a load of meat. Freezing causes meat to breakdown and loose nutritional value. When you do freeze your raw rabbit, chicken or beef, package it in chunks. Don't slice all the meat up before you freeze it. Slice it as you prep for a new batch.

To further arm your cat from problems associated with illnesses like feline urinary tract infection and bladder stones or diseases like diabetes, you may opt to give your cat a little boost. Help your cat rid himself of bad toxins and impurities that years of commercial cat food poured into him. Add a homeopathic remedy that is proven to help pets purge toxins.

Don't shy away from including natural remedies in your raw food diet for cat or kitten diet. Long before anyone knew anything about diabetes, cancer or urinary tract infections our ancestors used herbs and nature to treat themselves and their animals. The Romans revered cats because cats kept the snakes and rodents under control - hmm, a natural raw food diet for cat and kittens way back then...

Kate Rieger is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic where they provide affordable spay/neuter services to pet owners. She also shows pet owners how using natural alternatives for pet care can reduce vet bills and keep pets out of the sick room. Visit her today to learn more about treating a feline urinary tract infection and naturalize your cat health care today at http://www.Pet-Natural-Remedies.com.

Emotional Cat - Personality Changes in Your Cat Might Be Signs of an Illness

It is very important to be aware of your cat's personality, as often behavioral changes in cats are later confirmed as illnesses. Your instincts are better than you think, and quite often you will be able to notice subtle behavioral changes in your cat. These are some of the ways to spot personality changes in your cat:

- Look for changes in eating habits, and a loss of appetite. More than a day without eating is cause for concern. However, if he is an outdoor cat, his appetite may be affected by his hunting prowess, or the neighbors' generosity.

- Often, changes in litter-box habits is really a sign of a health problem. Avoiding the litter-box, or using it more than normal could mean a problem. A cat with a urinary-tract infection, or feline diabetes, might break his normal litter-box habits.

- Changes in your cat's grooming habits could be an issue. If he is normally fastidious, but has recently looked unkempt, there could be a health problem. Grooming is one of the most important parts of a cat's routine, so if he is not taking care of his coat, he may not be well.

- Be aware of changes in your cat's drinking habits. He will probably drink more during the warmer months, and a little less during the cooler ones, but anything out of the ordinary might be an indication of illness.

- Since you most likely know the particular sounds of your cat, changes in your cat's voice, whether he is noisier than usual, quieter, or the sound is different, probably means something is going on.

Greg has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. His newest interest is in home remodeling. Please visit his latest website that discusses home remodeling products such as cabinet door pulls and the best in Amerock cabinet hardware and related products that every home needs for that extra design touch.

Monitoring Your Older Cat For Illness

Listed are the primary centers to be observant about for changes in feline wellness:
Appetite, Gums and Tooth Decay
Deafness and Ear Infections
Fur Irregularities and Skin Disorders
Blindness and Eye Infections
Urinary Problems, Kidney and Wetting Disorders
Lack of Movement and Reduced Flexibility in the Back Hip and Legs
Blood Sugar Disease - Diabetes
It is not uncommon that symptoms are very similar for a variety of conditions. Just as in us humans, where dizziness or nausea can be symptom of a multitude of different diseases, so it is in cats. A refusal to take in food or water can point to a variety of problem areas, for example, so your smartest trip is always to your local and trusted veterinary or pet clinic.

Appetite, Gums and Tooth Decay

This is a sore subject. For sure the best thing is to brush them, starting from early kitty care so they get used to it, but truth is I always thought baby cat breath was fresh and sweet smelling and I was resisting making my cats uncomfortable in any way. And it is a time-consuming little chore.

But teeth do require attention or they will go south same as in people. For home care use a thin washcloth or a baby size soft toothbrush, but do not use toothpaste! Rub or brush very gently so as not to injure the gums, and you will have to be patient as this is not a natural grooming procedure for your young kitty.

Your local pet clinic will be happy to schedule for regular cleanings and there they can also take away the plaque build-up which, if not removed, eventually will lead to sore and loose teeth as your cats gets older.

Dirty teeth with tartar on them will make the teeth tender, is a site for infections, and can produce red and bleeding gums, even before the actual tooth falls out. If your Senior cat is already there you must give it only soft and mushy food, stay away from dry kibbles as it only will increase thirst, and also change to only soft toys.

Deafness and Ear Infections

Signs that your senior cat may have become hard of hearing are when it does not turn its head when you come into a room or does not come when called. Your cat may not arrive as punctually when the food is dished out, with its inevitable sounds of cans being opened or dry pebbles hitting the bowl.

Nothing can really be done for this medically, but you can help out by being careful not to touch it without showing yourself first, and also make a special effort to go and pet it often during the day for assurance and to give some stimuli, remember that Seniors world is now comparatively dull without one of his senses.

Use caution, and at best supervision, for outside visits as there are dangers in the form of cars, other animals and even people and the early warning signal, hearing, is now on low.

Your cats ear is a prime area for disease, open to the world, but also warm and further inside disease can take root (otitis). Without seeing any outer changes to the ear such as brown film or discharge, you may notice behavioral changes like repeated scratching and licking of ears or not wanting to eat.

This is the time for a professional visit for a proper diagnosis and medicine. I have noticed that sometimes inner ear infections result in a less sure-footed cat with balance problems. This is when the distance from one place to another seems to be misjudged, or walking on a narrow ledge becomes swaying.

Fur Irregularities and Skin Disorders

I personally do not believe in special shine shampoos as they have chemicals and perfumes that may irritate the skin further and I prefer not to bathe my older cats that often. Look at a dull fur or skin with sores as a symptom, a signal for help sent out by the body, and as always see an expert if there is no improvement.

Older felines are not as good cleaning themselves as when they were younger, it takes a lot of energy and effort, so help your aging cat out by doing a daily comb-through. This will be a bonding experience for your cat and you can also check for pests and fleas, sores or dry skin, visit the ears, eyes teeth and toes to make sure all is well at the same time.

As a home remedy you can put a dab of olive oil in your hands and then apply it lightly to the fur. I have also found some of my old ones like to lick a little butter from my fingers every now and then, in moderation of course, and that may also help to give some moisture and lubrication back to their skin and fur.

Blindness and Eye Infections

A signal that Senior cannot see as well as it used to is if it acts startled by things or when you notice simply that it responds more to your voice and touch than the sight of you. If so, try to make your older friend as comfortable as possible by installing night lights, by not moving the furniture around or redecorating just now, and again, go to visit often and reassure with some soft talk and a petting. Again, be watchful if you decide to let your cat go outside with this impaired vision.

It could be a milky white spot in the eye, called cataracts, which does lower the ability to see clearly and can lead to blindness.

Sometimes the eyes are drippy and have clear or yellow discharge coming out of them. Some types (breeds) of cats are more prone to this than others, and you can do a lot by washing it away (always downward stroke) with a lukewarm cloth. There are also both store-bought or prescription creams you can apply according to the directions on the package.

Both with the running eyes and the onset of limited vision, if you can make a visit to a vet this is recommended, to determine if there is an illness and what treatment is possible.

Urinary Problems, Kidney and Wetting Disorders

Your older cat needs a change in the type of food you give it. Kittens need high protein, but aging seniors require a lower protein diet, preferably canned, as it is wetter and has a higher water content. There are many different brands to pick from all specially designed for older cats. Felines in the wild get much of their water in their kills, blood contains a lot of water, and dry kibbles actually make your cat even thirstier.

Often early signs of aging go along with a lowered kidney function. The kidneys job is to eliminate toxins from the blood and to get rid of them in the urine. An older kidney that cannot perform as well compensates by making more urine. If your cat then drinks more to get back some liquid this is all OK.

The problem is that with every urination there is also a loss of potassium. The kidney needs potassium to do its job, and when all the potassium is peed away the kidney does not work as well. So the body tries to get rid of the bad things in the blood by producing even more urine. Which lowers the potassium levels even further. A really twisted cycle as you can see. Ask your vet if you should give potassium as pills or powder sprinkled into the food.

This condition of lowered kidney function, and probably lowered potassium, makes your cat thirsty to drink more water, and it may also not always go to the litter in time when it needs to. This is called incontinence, and older humans also suffer from this, but we can and do wear plastic diapers specially designed for grownups. Now Senior Kitty has no such option and may not even realize that it wets outside the kitty litter or in bed.

So please be kind and understanding and refrain from punishment, this is not a sudden rebellious habit or a cry for attention, nor pure senility, but an actual physical function that your older cat cannot correct even if it knew it was wetting in all the wrong places.

Lack of Movement and Reduced Flexibility in the Back Hip and Legs

The older cat may not be as limber as it used to be or have a touch of arthritis. Senior may hesitate before jumping up onto the counter, or you may observe it following a butterfly with its eyes but make no effort to go after it. If you notice hesitation or difficulty getting up and down from its favorite chair or sleeping place, there are step stools or ramps that can be made or bought. Try pulling a lower stool closer to the windowsill, for example, if that is where your cat is used to sitting in the sun.

Sometimes a cat will altogether change out their favorite places as they now have different needs for comfort, support, or even temperature. Certainly the very small places that required kitty to coil up tightly are not a favorite anymore and you can experiment with beanbags or larger sleeping pads as well as kitty litter boxes that have lower sides and no flap doors.

The supplement Glucosamine and or Chondroitin works well to minimize the arthritis pains, so ask your pet clinic if this is an option.

Blood Sugar Disease; Diabetes

This is a complex disorder and for a medial explanation read about human diabetes as the function is the same for cats. Indications are a constant need to urinate, thirst, generalized weakness, and if left untreated your cat can go into a coma. I know that the symptoms are similar to a bunch of other diseases, so again, best to take kitty in for blood tests and let the veterinarian give recommendations. Often insulin will be helpful.

Final Words

I have been repeating this, probably under every heading, but your vet or pet clinic are the experts here and your cat deserves a visit even if only to be told that there is no disease and only old age.

What you can do, though, is to show consideration and understanding with a good dose of love, and be observant of any changes that may be seniors only way to tell you it is hurting. And plan daily grooming sessions to help with hygiene and also to check everything out. Your cat already loves and depends on you, and private time cannot be beat.

Catmans blog is full of pointers and health advise collected from his long experience with his feline friends. Take a peek at How to Live with Older Cats in http://livingwitholdercats.blogspot.com

Raw Food Diet For Cat and Kittens - Taking This One Step Prevents Cat Illness

There is increasing evidence accepted by holistic and traditional veterinarians that turning to a raw food diet for cat and kittens reduces the likelihood of many of today's common cat health problems. Its no secret that our cats are obese, have bladder problems or develop kidney disease or diabetes. Its looking like the same rules that apply to humans apply to cats - high carbohydrate, low protein diets and poor exercise habits lead to disease. The good news is that the number one step holistic vets recommend is that you switch your pet to a raw food diet for cat program.

Here's a short list of disorders that are fed by a low protein, high carbohydrate diet:

1. Dental disease

2. Bladder stones and Feline Urinary Tract Infection

3. Obesity

4. Diabetes

5. Kidney disease

6. Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

Read the hot topics in Cat Fancy and Catwatch and you'll find at least two articles, if not more, reporting on the increase in cat sicknesses like feline urinary tract infection, diabetes and the rest. What do most of our house cats have in common? What they eat.

Now for the full the scoop on a raw food diet for cat and kitten...

Cats are dependent on a meat protein diet. Since World War II we've been fooled into believing that the commercially prepared dry or canned cat foods are the greatest invention since cat litter. These cat food products did not exist prior to the 1940's. They were developed during this wartime economic period because it was cheaper to feed our pets corn than it was to keep them on a raw diet for cat, kitten or dog. As a nation, we started moving towards a more urbanized lifestyle and we lost touch with our meat sources in our backyard. For the past few decades we've been loading up our grocery carts with Mighty Bad For Dog and Kitty food.

Cats and kittens require meat products. They can not convert vegetable proteins into the nutritionally equivalent minerals and amino acids that meat provides them. When was the last time you noticed your cat hanging from a corn stalk chomping through a cob of corn? Try this...

Let your cat wander through a corn field and I be he returns with a rabbit, mouse or bird - meat stuff - no corn. That's the natural approach.

A simple holistic cat health care solution.

You can make this change to a raw food diet for cat successful. Yes, it will require more work on your part. You will need to find a source of fresh rabbit, chicken or beef - those are in order of preference. Rabbit has the most nutritional benefit to your cat.

Don't go overboard when you start your raw food diet for cat program. Keep the quantities you purchase minimal so that you aren't freezing a load of meat. Freezing causes meat to breakdown and loose nutritional value. When you do freeze your raw rabbit, chicken or beef, package it in chunks. Don't slice all the meat up before you freeze it. Slice it as you prep for a new batch.

To further arm your cat from problems associated with illnesses like feline urinary tract infection and bladder stones or diseases like diabetes, you may opt to give your cat a little boost. Help your cat rid himself of bad toxins and impurities that years of commercial cat food poured into him. Add a homeopathic remedy that is proven to help pets purge toxins.

Don't shy away from including natural remedies in your raw food diet for cat or kitten diet. Long before anyone knew anything about diabetes, cancer or urinary tract infections our ancestors used herbs and nature to treat themselves and their animals. The Romans revered cats because cats kept the snakes and rodents under control - hmm, a natural raw food diet for cat and kittens way back then...

Kate Rieger is partnered with the Kentucky S.N.I.P clinic where they provide affordable spay/neuter services to pet owners. She also shows pet owners how using natural alternatives for pet care can reduce vet bills and keep pets out of the sick room. Visit her today to learn more about treating a feline urinary tract infection and naturalize your cat health care today at http://www.Pet-Natural-Remedies.com.