Excessive grooming in cats is something that may seem harmless at first but in fact is very bad for the cat. It is a stress-related condition that is a little like self-mutilation or obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. It can result in physical problems such as skin disorders but primarily it is a sign that the cat needs help and you should talk to your vet right away to see what can be done for your pet.

As you might expect, over-grooming usually starts with a stressful event, which is often a big change in your life too. This may be something like a new pet in the household, a move, a new baby, or something that means that you are around a lot less than you used to be. Normal grooming is pleasant and relaxing for the cat, like a massage. So when they feel stressed about anything, cats will tend to perform this activity to excess, constantly licking or pulling out fur, resulting in bald patches on the legs.

Sometimes over-grooming is not caused by stress but by skin irritations, allergies, ringworm or parasites such as fleas and mites. Either way, you should see your vet right away because either the physical cause or the stress will need to be treated. The longer the habit of over-grooming continues, the harder it will be for the cat to stop. Also, the constant licking at fur is very likely to cause hairballs in the cat’s stomach which can interfere with digestion and cause discomfort for the cat.

If your cat’s constant grooming is caused by stress, there are several things that you can do to help your pet get over it. You may be able to make changes in the house or in your life that will put things back to normal for your cat. Spending more time with the cat will help him adjust to most of the major changes that may have happened. When you see him licking and biting at his fur, don’t scold him but stroke him or talk gently to him.

Playing with the cat and encouraging him to take an interest in toys instead of in his own coat can help too. Take him with you when you go someplace if you can. If you have to leave him in the house when you are not home, think about leaving a cat video playing, put him in a room where he can easily watch out the window, or get a fish tank to keep him entertained.

Your veterinarian may also recommend medications to help relieve your cat’s stress and help him get over the constant grooming. It is possible to get anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds for pets and a course of these will help your cat to break his self-destructive habit. Excessive grooming in cats should not be ignored so do not hesitate about seeking treatment for your pet.

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Have you ever wondered how your cat can be so picky about cleaning her paws and so messy in your kitchen? Some cat owners get dish after dish, looking for the one that won’t spill when the cat plays with it.

You might as well forget finding the perfect dish. It’s not about the container. It’s about the natural feline instinct to play with their food. Don’t fight it – embrace it! Your tidy pile of cat nibbles in the dish are quickly scattered by your cat, who is “hunting� in the dish for the ideal bite.

Once chosen, your cat takes the nibble back to a favorite hiding place under your chair or behind a table. Your cat may play with the food for awhile before eating. That’s just the way cats are - so don’t try to rush the process.

No matter how comfy your cat’s place is in your home, in his heart, he’s a cat on the prowl. From kitchen food dish to hiding place, your cat treats food the same as he would out in the wild. At least, he tries if you don’t rush by picking up his “prey� and putting it back in the dish.

In the wild, cats spend quality time stalking and catching prey for dinner. Then they play with the mouse, let it go and run it down again. It’s almost like working up an appetite before dinner - at least in cat perspective.

When a pampered house cat has food delivered neatly to his dish twice daily, he misses the activity that he instinctively craves as part of his dining ritual. So don’t fuss at your cat for playing with his food.

Bowl-fed cats can give up the instinct and become fat, lazy fur balls. While it may result in neater eating habits, it’s not good for your cat’s health. Granted, you may not want to let live mice loose in your house just so your cat can get exercise.

You can choose cat toys that have re-fillable centers in which to place snacks. Scatter these toys around the house so your cat can “discover� the treat. The rolling toys also allow your cat to chase and conquer the toy, then extract the food. Dry foods like nibble types are perfect for these toys, since there’s no moisture or spoilage.

Knowing that your cat wants to hunt even inside the home, keep houseplants off the floor. Ivy, dieffenbachia, azaleas and poinsettias are poisonous to your cat and dangerous for children as well.

You can put those out of reach of a toddler, but remember that your cat easily scales the dining room table to get to the plant. Choose other types of plants. At the holidays, put real poinsettias on the porch or patio and use silk poinsettias inside the house.

Along with treat filled toys, leave toys around that your cat is allowed to chew. Some cats are as big on chewing as dogs are, so if that’s your cat’s method of play, give him something besides the sofa pillows to gnaw on.

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Helping Your Cat Stay Healthy

To keep your cat healthy a majority of time, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water. Like other living things however, cats can get sick from time to time no matter what you do.

As a cat owner, you’ll want to ensure that you feed your cat only the best. Premium cat food is the ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet happy and healthy. You?ll also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you’ll know when he’s sick and when to take him to the vet. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor, although there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.

Your cat’s behavior will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he is under the weather. Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are all signs that you need to take him to the vet immediately. His coat is also a good thing to watch as well. If you notice his coat dull and patchy or notice him shedding abnormally, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly can.

Diarrhea and vomiting are sometimes common, even with basic sickness. On the other hand, if your cat seems to be doing either one of the two for more than a day, you should contact your veterinarian. Coughing is common as well, simply because coughing will cats dislodge hairballs. If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, you should have him checked out as soon as possible.

To ensure that your cat isn’t subjected to various diseases, you should always make sure that he stays up do date with his vaccinations. There are several diseases out there that require vaccinations, including rabies and feline distemper. Feline distemper is one of most devastating diseases a cat can get, yet it is also one of the easiest to prevent as well. The disease strikes cats very fast, and leaves you as an own very little time to seek treatment.

Feline leukemia is another disease that is very deadly, yet can be prevented early on with the proper vaccinations. Although the disease isn’t possible for humans to contract, it can be spread quickly among cats. There are vaccinations that can treat the disease these days, although you’ll still want to be careful and not expose other cats around a cat you know has feline leukemia.

Another problem, which is very common with cats that stay outdoors, is worms. Cats that have worms will normally have a lackluster coat and little to no appetite. There are several different types of worms, including ringworm and hookworm. Worms can come from fleas, lice, or even the organs of dead rodents that cats consume. Normally, the cat will digest the eggs which will later mature and attach themselves to the walls of the intestines. If you feed your cat garlic frequently during feedings, it can help to protect him against worms.

If you take care of your cat, chances are you’ll keep him healthy for years to come. You should always make sure he has quality food, and doesn?t miss any of his scheduled checkups with the vet. If he gets the proper vaccinations when he is required to get them, he should be safe against numerous pests and diseases. Taking the proper steps with your cat now will prevent anything from happening in the future.

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Things To Know About Abused Cats

Cats that have been abused can appear severely maimed and damaged all over their exterior. Some may appear to be in perfect shape on the outside, although all of the damage they sustained may be internal or emotional. Even though physical damage is bad, emotional damage is much tougher to fix. Cats who have physical abuse will still answer to a soft touch and soft voice, as long as they know that the abuse has come to an end.

When you have a cat that has been emotionally abused, you’ll need to wait until the cat comes to you. You’ll need to use patience, as the cat will be confused and not know if you plan to hurt him or not. If you take your time and let him know that you are nothing to fear, he will eventually come to you. When he starts to come to you, you can let him sniff you and pet him. After a while, he will learn that he can trust you and he will come to you when you call him.

Yelling, raising your voice, or using disciplinary tools such as flyswatters or water guns the wrong way can lead to emotional damage. If you continue to use the wrong means of discipline on an emotionally damaged cat, the cat can become mean or lethargic. When a cat turns mean, it’s not always a bad thing. Meaner cats are easier to reach, as they still care a bit about what happens to them while lethargic cats could really care less.

Cats that have become lethargic won’t play, take treats, or respond to anything you say to them. With a lethargic cat, the ideal way to get him to respond is to bring in a companion cat. Over time, a lethargic cat will eventually look for attention, normally a scratch or a pat. When this happens, you should always use a soft voice and snuggle with him. Never raise your voice at this point, and make sure you let the cat know that his behavior is a lot better.

You should make slow movements around a lethargic cat, as he is still quite traumatic. Once he is coming around and letting you touch him again, he is getting back to his normal self. Keep in mind that it may take some time, which is to be expected with this type of situation. If your cat starts to get upset again or if you raise your voice, he will hide again. If you continue to use a soft voice and have patience, your cat will eventually get past this. If you get a cat that is lethargic, you should prepare yourself for a long and very intensive healing period.

Angry or mean cats on the other hand, will either fight and scratch with you, or simply run away from you. With mean cats, the best thing to do is use gentle treatment with a soft voice. You can never try to raise your voice or use strict discipline, as it will only make the cat meaner. Never attempt to trap the cat either, as trapping it will only make the cat react. If you take your time and let the cat know that you are there for him, he will eventually calm down.

Abused cats are truly a sad thing, although they are out there. Abused cats can be a sad thing to see indeed, especially those that were physically abused. Abused cats need a loving home and a loving owner who will give them the type of lifestyle they deserve. Always remember that if you are dealing with an abused cat you should always be as gentle as you possibly can.

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Cats Bonding With Their Owners

There are a lot of experts out there who say that cats are strictly independent animals. These very same experts state that cats have chosen to associate with humans due to their strategy of survival. Although many argue with this statement, there are many who agree as well - although those that agree are normally those in the percentile who don’t agree with cats.

Anyone who has owned a cat will tell you that cats are great at bonding with people, although they are very particular. Normally, a cat will choose someone in the home that he bonds with. You’ll know when a cat wants to bond with you, as he will hop on your lap seeking attention or snuggle up to you at night when you are sleeping. Purring is a strong sign of affections, especially with cats that are looking to bond.

Although many experts have tried to figure it out, no one really knows why cats choose a particular person whom they will bond with. It could be the individual’s manners, voice, or simply how that person treats the cat. Perhaps it may be the individual is really gentle, or maybe a little more forceful bringing the best out in the cat.

There are a lot of ways that researchers have tried to take this subject, one of which being psychic. Some say that cats bond with someone due to a “psychic aura” that is compatible with both the person and the cat. If a cat feels that someone is giving them a bad vibe, they will simply ignore that person. Although this can be true to a sense for some, a majority of those who own cats will tell you that this couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Even though there are a lot of theories and speculation out there, no one really knows why cats bond with humans. There’s little to no proof available as well, other than cats and their natural instinct for physical survival. Those who own cats know that cats crave attention, simply to make them feel needed. They love to be pampered by their owners, and will shower you with attention and affection if you just give them the chance.

Those who are new to owning cats may find bonding to be very different. Cats are different from other animals, including dogs, in the sense that they bond different. Different breeds of cats will bond different with their owners, although most prefer affection and attention. The more time you spend around your cat, the more he will bond with you. Over the years, you’ll find that the bond you create with your pet has grown very strong and simply cannot be broken.

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