Natural Pet Health

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms

No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairballs

There are other types of pets that may suit you better than the traditional ones like a dog or a cat. These can include small well-known pets such as mice, hamsters or fish, but can also include more exotic pets like snakes, lizards or even monkeys. The type of pet that may be right for you is strictly a personal choice, but there are too many other types of pets you may want to consider.

Hamsters – The most common type of Hamster that is kept as a pet today is the Syrian Hamster. Although there are other varieties, different varieties go not get along together. Even with the Syrian Hamster it is better to keep one Hamster to itself in a cage as often having more than one will cause fighting.

Well, you have done all your research and homework and made the commitment to adopting a pet into your home. Before you bring the new addition home, to be a good pet owner you will need to make your home pet friendly. Yes, there are certain preparations that you can make that will make your pet integrate better into your household. Some should be done before you bring your pet onto the premises and some will evolve as you get to know your pet.

If you have decided to bring a new puppy into your home, before he arrives prepare your house for his arrival. Here are a few tips to get your home pet-ready:

So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your existing cat, for companionship. And you remember how much fun your cat was when she was a new kitten, and you would love to re-live those days.

It is generally thought that cats thrive better with the company of another feline, especially cats confined indoors. But before you rush off to your local cat shelter or breeder, here are a few tips to make bringing home a new kitten as stress free as possible.

Choose a time when your home is not too busy and you will have time to devote to your new kitty and your existing cat, avoid holidays, for example, or other times when friends and family are likely to visit.

Are you planning a trip? Are you taking your ferret along? Before you do, there are certain things that you must know. Traveling with a ferret is different than traveling with a cat or a dog.

First, if you are taking a car trip, your ferret will enjoy going, but he will have pent up energy that he needs to burn. Make sure that you bring along a harness and leash, and that you plan frequent stops for your ferret to ‘stretch his legs.’

Make sure that you bring along a small traveling cage (you won’t want him loose in the car), food, water, and a small litter box as well.

Cats are playful animals. If you are planning to get one, you should know the basics about house cat care.

The moment the cat is brought into the house, you should give it his or her own room for the time being with food, water and a bed. If it has not yet been toilet trained, you should start teaching it so there are no stains in the carpet.

Teaching the cat how to use the litter box can initially be done by carrying it to the box when nature calls. When you see the cat is able to do it, praise and reward your pet so they know that this is the right to do.

Often feline UTI, or feline urinary tract infection, is mistaken as a behavioral problem with your cat. If you find your cat is urinating in odd places, or missing her litter box, she may be suffering from a cat UTI. Here are some tips for spotting this condition in your cat.

If you notice you cat is licking his genital area more often than usual you need to look for other signs of a feline UTI. Here are 5 telltale signs that your precious is suffering from a cat urinary tract infection.

1) He licks, and licks and licks in his genital area
2) He misses his litter box (more than usual)
3) He becomes withdrawn and doesn’t participate in playtime
4) He starts biting or nibbling on his rear-end
5) He ‘takes off’ in a spastic episodes

Worms in dogs and cats are tenacious parasites and treatment can be frustrating. In spite of the treatment that you may adhere to for your pet, there is always an underlying risk of re-infection. This is due to the fact that worm larva and eggs can stay dormant in the tissues and intestines for a long time before maturing.

The above mentioned condition makes prevention a pertinent aspect of controlling worms in dogs. It is also important to note that some intestinal parasites can only be controlled and total eradication is not possible.

Prevention and treatment of worms depend upon the typical lifecycle of each type of worm. Dog tapeworm and cat tapeworm infest cats and dogs mainly when an infected flea or rodent is consumed. One species of roundworms need a foreign host to mature whereas others can infect cats directly. Some others can infect kittens through mother’s milk too.

Have you ever wondered how your cat would tell you that she was suffering from a feline urinary tract infection? Here are 5 messages from your cat telling you she has this problem and tips on how to deal with a cat urinary tract infection.

You have experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) sometime in your life. You had that burning, itchy nag down in your lower tract and remembered your Mother prescribing cranberry juice for you to drink. While cranberries helped relieve your distress, just what would your cat do if she had a similar infection?

Bringing home another cat

Cats are loners by nature and do not prefer to mingle with any one else, be it one of their own kind. If you are planning to have another cat at home, make sure that you do it slowly and carefully. It would be helpful to keep these points in mind if you are are bringing a new companion in your home for your current cat so that their relationship becomes a pleasant one for both the cats and you.

Cats take a lot of time to accept other cats in the same house.

The older cat may not be able to share their things with someone who is new.