The Amazing Secrets of a Raw Food Diet and Water As Cat Food

A raw food diet differs from a home cooked diet in that the food is given to the cat raw. Advocates of a raw, or natural, diet argue that cooked or processed food is not natural for cats (after all, nature does not cook for cats), and the cooking process destroys necessary enzymes and vitamins in the food.

Because cats have stronger stomach acids than humans do, they are better able to digest raw (or natural) foods. Although it may be hard to convert a cat who is used to a traditional commercial food diet, cats usually can live well on a raw diet. If you are feeding your feline a raw diet, use caution when handling raw meat to avoid exposing yourself to E. coli and other bacteria that may be present in raw foods. Consult your veterinarian for advice and recipes before offering this diet.

If you feed your cat a home cooked or raw diet and go away on vacation, you will have to leave prepared food for him and show the person who is taking care of your pet exactly how to prepare the meals.

Water

All cats and kittens must have access to fresh, clean water at all times. If you live in an area where the water is treated or has high sulfur content, you may want to give your cat bottled water or filtered tap water. Cats have keen senses of smell and taste, and they may refuse to drink water that smells bad or tastes like chemicals.

Make sure to replace the water and wash the water dish every day. After all, your cat can not do it for himself. Depending in your cat's eating habits; you may have to refill the dish several times a day. Some cats drop food bits into it, play with it and knock it over, or shed hairs into it. If this happens, you need to change the water again. A cat will not drink out of a dirty water dish.

Do not panic if your cat or kitten does not look like he is drinking much water. Cats obtain most of the moisture that they require through the food that they eat, and they need less water than most other mammals. Canned food is about 78 percent water, semi moist food is approximately 35 percent water, and dry food ranges from 6 to 10 percent water, depending on the brand.

No matter what type of food that you feed, your cat or kitten always must have clean water available. Cats can become constipated if they do not get enough water. Offering him a bowl of milk is not a substitute for water. Despite the myth, many cats are lactose intolerant.

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Unlocking the Secrets of Cats - The Hidden Traits of Your Feline Friend May Be the Most Important

Many of us have wondered aloud about the secrets of our cats. The way they flick their tails, the inflection in their purr. What does it all mean?

Let's face it - more than any other common household creature, cats are without a doubt the most guarded about their feelings. When it comes to needs, wants, likes, and especially dislikes, our furry friends often have a tough time communicating with us. So how do we pet owners go about unlocking the secrets of cats?

Well, first of all, we have to listen! I can't begin to count how many times I've seen pet owners making the same mistake with the cat they love: they only behave in a way they think is best for the cat. They very rarely take stock of how the cat responds. A perfect example involves whether or not your feline compatriot enjoys being petted on the stomach. Watch how they respond to this treatment. If they begin to growl (not purr!), its probably best to stick to bestowing your love and affection solely on their head and back.

We also have to understand that very few cats are exactly alike. They all have their own preferences when it comes to a variety of things. If you're a cat owner with more than one feline slinking around the house, take care to develop behaviors for each of them separately. Don't adopt a one-size-fits all attitude.

Remember, the secrets of cats are worth unlocking! You just have to pay attention!

Nick Ocheltree is the proud owner of 8 cats, each of a different breed. He has written and published several e-articles on the understanding of feline traits and attributes, and is glad to bring his knowledge to the ezine articles community.

Secrets of Cats - A site detailing some of the lesser known traits of our feline friends

Complete Cat Training - Helpful hints to consider when training your feline friend

Learn The Secrets To Keeping Your Cat Healthy And Happy

Keeping a cat as a pet is a very rewarding experience. Cats can provide comfort, companionship, even entertainment. However, when something goes wrong and your feline friend is not feeling well, the results can be devastating. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to help keep your cat healthy and happy.

Keeping your cat up-to-date on the necessary vaccinations will go a long way toward keeping your cat healthy and happy. Vaccinations ("shots") can help keep your cat from getting many of the serious diseases which can make your cat sick, or even perhaps threaten your cat's life. Your cat's individual lifestyle and situation will determine which vaccinations your cat needs to have and how often these vaccines need to be given. Your cat's veterinarian can help you determine what is right for your cat. Do not make the mistake of assuming that your cat does not need vaccinations if your cat lives indoors and never goes outside. This is simply not true, and there are diseases which your cat may be at risk for even if he/she never ventures outside. Nothing is more frustrating than watching your cat suffer through an illness that could easily have been prevented. If you do not know which vaccinations your cat needs, or whether your cat is up-to-date on these vaccines, please contact your veterinarian right now to find out.

Your cat also needs to be tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (also called feline AIDS). These viruses are common and are passed from one cat to another. The viruses can be passed to kittens from their mother as well. A positive test for either of these viruses indicates that your cat has been exposed to that particular virus. If your cat is positive, his/her immune system may be compromised and your cat needs to observed even more closely. Veterinary care should be sought at the first sign of even mild disease symptoms. A positive test also indicates that your cat could potentially spread the disease to other cats, so your cat should be isolated from other cats if he/she is positive for either feline leukemia or feline AIDS.

Fleas and ticks can not only make your cat very itchy and uncomfortable, they can also carry disease which can cause serious illness for your cat. In addition to causing problems for your cat, fleas and ticks can also attack people, and can spread disease to us as well. You should make a habit of checking your cat's coat regularly for fleas and ticks and act immediately if you find evidence of these creatures on your cat. Fortunately, with the products we have available today, controlling or, better yet, preventing fleas and ticks is very simple. There are many products available that are safe, effective, and simple to use. Often, monthly application is all that is needed. Even cats which live indoors can get fleas. Fleas are small enough to sneak inside very easily. Preventing fleas and ticks will help keep your cat comfortable and healthy.

Preventing intestinal parasites, commonly called "worms", is also important in keeping your cat healthy. Finding out whether your cat has worms is as easy as collecting a sample from your cat's litter box and taking it to your cat's veterinarian for testing. You should do this regularly. If you see worms in your cat's feces, you should collect the worm, along with the feces, and take it to your cat's veterinarian. However, you should not assume that your cat does not have worms because you are not seeing them yourself. Your veterinarian will use special laboratory techniques to check for worm eggs which you cannot see.

Spaying or neutering your cat is another simple way to help keep your cat healthy. Spaying your female cat not only keeps your cat from coming into "heat" and becoming pregnant, but spaying also provides many health benefits for your cat. Spayed cats do not develop the serious, life-threatening uterine infections which are fairly common in cats which are not spayed. And spaying your cat at a young age will also dramatically lower the chances of breast cancer occurring later in life.

For male cats, neutering helps prevent unwanted litters of kittens. However, it also makes living with your male cat more pleasant. The odor of your cat's urine will be more tolerable if neutered, and he is not as likely to "spray" (urinate) inside of your house. He is also more likely to stay at home and less likely to get into cat fights if neutered. Neutering (or spaying) your cat will only improve your cats personality.

Regular physical examinations by your cat's veterinarian are also mandatory to help keep your cat healthy. Often, a thorough physical examination will find evidence of a health problem while the problem is still in the early stages. Many illnesses are more easily treated when detected early, and treatment is often more successful as well. Finding and treating health problems early can save your cat a great deal of suffering and even extend your cat's life by many years.

Copyright 2006 The Pet Med Site

Lorie Huston has been a veterinarian for over 20 years, working with both dogs and cats. She emphasizes the use of routine preventive pet health care to keep your pets healthy and safe. Lorie is the owner, editor, and webmaster of The Pet Med Site where you will find a library of information pertaining to pet health care, including free audio recordings describing the secrets to keeping your dog or cat healthy. For more information, visit http://www.thepetmedsite.com/cat-health/

Cat Dental Care Secrets From the Experts

Practicing good dental hygiene on your cat prevents gum disease, tooth loss and the buildup of tartar and plaque. If possible, begin a dental care routine when your cat is young or still a kitten so that he gets used to the process.

An adult cat who has never had his teeth cleaned before will resist it, because cats do not like having their mouths or teeth touched, so be patient. If he refuses to let you brush his teeth, take him to the veterinarian and let her do it for you. She also can remove any hardened tartar and built up plaque on the teeth. Most vets recommend brushing a cat's teeth once a week.

Before you begin brushing, get your cat used to you working around his mouth by opening it and looking at his gum and teeth. To open his mouth, hold him in your lap (or have someone else hold him) and put your middle finger and thumb at the corners. Hook your fingers gently inside and tilt your cat's head back. When his mouth opens, look inside. You can also peek inside when he yawns. The gums should look pink and healthy and the teeth should be intact. If you see pale, swollen, or bleeding gums or missing, cracked or crooked teeth, take your cat to the vet right away.

After examining your cat's mouth, gather your dental care supplies. You should have a toothbrush or finger cap designed for cats, as well as feline safe toothpaste. Most come in flavors such as tuna, chicken, or beef, so your cat should like the taste. Never use the toothpaste designed for humans, it could make him seriously ill.

Now you are ready to brush your cat's teeth. Here's how:

- First, wet the toothbrush (or finger cap), then apply a tiny bit of toothpaste to it.

- Next, brush the teeth one row at a time. So not scrub hard, just pass the toothbrush or finger cap lightly over the outside of the teeth.

You only need to clean the outside because a cat's rough tongue brushes the inside of the teeth. There is no need to rinse his mouth because the toothpaste is edible.

Your cat may struggle a bit at first, but he should settle down when he realizes that the toothpaste tastes good. If he becomes too upset by the whole process, stop what you are doing and let him go. You can try again another time when he has calmed down.

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