How to raise Siamese Cats

May 14th, 2008 by Sven Ullmann | View blog reactions

If you are someone who is looking for an affectionate pet, the Siamese cat is for you. These cats are intelligent and are famous for being extroverts. They are sociable cats which are very dependent to their owners and love to follow their favorite human family member around.

Their dependence to human beings is probably a means for their survival. There are certain traits that are common to cats that Siamese cats lack. Just like their color. Although their color is appealing to human beings, it is not effective for camouflaging. They also lack the ability to see through dim light which makes them inactive during the night as compared to other cat breeds. Like most blue eyed cats, their sense of hearing is not as sensitive as to the other kinds of cats.

Siamese cats are known to be outgoing. They love to socialize with human beings. They are even more vocal compared to other types of cats. Because of this, it is not good to leave them all by themselves for a period of time. If you are planning to raise one, make sure that there will be someone at home who will keep the cat company. If there is no one available, it is advised that you get them in pairs.

You can also have a different breed of cat to keep it company. Just make sure that you consult an expert if both breeds get along well. They also need to have something to occupy them. They have to be provided with toys to play with or a scratching post to keep them amused. This will also keep them from playing and damaging your furniture.

These cats have good appetite but they rarely overeat. They don’t get obese even if you give them more food than you should. If there are some leftovers after they have eaten, try to reduce the amount of food you give them the next time. Or if they seem to be looking for more food, add little amount of food until they are satisfied. You will eventually have the right amount of food serve to them.


Another thing that you should keep in mind is that, these cats mature earlier, even as early as five months. Since it is not advisable to spay your cat until it reaches six months, you have to give extra effort in looking after it because it will search for a mate on its fifth month. Keep her indoor and be more vigilant. If she gets the chance to get out, there’s a big chance that she’ll be pregnant when she gets home.

Siamese cats are commonly healthy. They are medium sized cats which can live as long as fifteen to twenty years if kept indoors. However, like any other cat breeds, they also have genetic weaknesses. That is why it is important to pay attention to their health as well.

Siamese cats have the tendency to develop tartar formation, plaque build up and even gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause more serious damage since it can lead to an inflammation around the root of the tooth. Eventually, this will affect the surrounding bones and tissues that will lead to tooth loss. If this is left untreated, this could affect the over all health of the Siamese cat.

It is recommended that they have their teeth cleaned by a veterinarian periodically, and if the cat is comfortable, you can give it a regular tooth brushing using cat toothbrush and cat toothpaste.

If you are planning to have a Siamese cat, make sure that its character fits yours. If you want to have a pet that loves to be cuddled and held, then getting one will be a sure match.

Posted in Siamese Cats | No Comments »

How to get rid of Cat Flea

May 12th, 2008 by Sven Ullmann | View blog reactions

Cat fleas are parasites found in the exterior of their host which sucks their host’s blood. Domestic cats are the primary host of cat fleas. But they can also infest other animals such as dogs and rabbits. Although few fleas on your cats or dogs can cause little harm, your pet may develop allergies known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) which could lead to more serious skin problems. Infestation at large on the other hand can cause the host to lose more blood resulting to anemia. Aside from that, fleas can also infect your pets with tapeworm and transmit other diseases and parasites.

How will you know if your cat is infected with flea? One obvious indicator that your cat has fleas is when they start scratching and biting their fur. But you have to take note that cats do this for other reasons as well. If you are unsure, check their coat and skin for yourself. You can identify them by looking for some dark brown insects on the cats fur and skin. This won’t be very visible if your cats are dark colored so you can also try checking their beddings.

Fleas easily fall off when your cats scratch themselves. You can also grab a white sheet of paper; let your cat stand on it and slightly rub its fur. After that, spray demister on the paper. If you see tiny pieces of brown spots which leaves red stains, then your cat is positive of fleas.

Getting rid of cat fleas without harming your cats is a very challenging task. This is because cats are very sensitive to chemicals. Some products used to treat your cats with cat fleas are flea collars, shampoo, flea combs, flea powders, oral suspensions and spot on treatments. These products vary on price and effectiveness.

These flea collars contain poison to kill the fleas. Flea collars usually kills adult flea on the head and neck of the cat but those found further down the cat’s body tends to survive.


Flea shampoo also contains elements that kill adult fleas. You have to be careful in using them on your cats because they might be irritated and will cause them discomfort.

The use of flea comb is a natural way of removing the fleas. If you’re planning to use this, have a small bowl of water with detergent ready. Drop the fleas there to drown them. For effectiveness, place a small amount of petroleum jelly on the flea comb so that the fleas will easily stick on it.

There are also flea powders but these can cause dryness on cat’s coat and irritation as well.

Oral suspension on the other hand is mixed with cat food. This will then be absorbed in the cat’s bloodstream. Fleas feed on blood that will directly affect them. The eggs laid by fleas won’t hatch since the chemical suspension prevents the eggs from maturing. It is best to couple it with products that target the adult flea.

Spot on treatment are topical products use to control fleas. There are different effective brands available. You can avail of one by asking your vet. If you are planning to use this product, make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully. This topical product can be applied once a month only.

To successfully control cat flea, you should not stop at treating your infected cat. If you have other pets, treat them as well because they can also be infested with cat flea. Fleas can be hiding in your carpet or curtains. Make sure that the entire house is cat flea free. And remember to treat the outdoors. Especially those places where your cats love to stay; since there might still be fleas there.

There are a lot of different products available to control cat fleas but before you apply anything on your cat, consult your veterinarian first. Keep in mind that these products are toxic and may poison you and your pet.

Posted in Cat health | No Comments »

Preparing homemade cat food

May 11th, 2008 by Sven Ullmann | View blog reactions

It is a cat owner’s responsibility to provide his cat with the nutrition it needs to grow healthy. Cats need to have the right amount of fat, protein and carbohydrates in their diet. There are a lot of commercial cat foods which provides the right amount of nutrients your cat needs. You can even choose from the different types of cat food available. You have canned good, dry food or semi-moist cat food.

How about preparing homemade cat food for your pets? Only few would recommend preparing your own homemade cat food since it is time consuming and difficult. And it may not contain the right nutrients needed by your cat or if it does, it may not be in the right proportion. But there are already a lot of recipes available online for those who want to give the homemade cat food a try.

There are owners who prefer homemade cat food because of the commercial cat food recalls in the past. There were products being recalled because of chemical exposure or bacteria contamination. This can be very damaging to cats which can even cause death.

Homemade cat food will surely cut your spending on cat foods but you have to be cautious. Before you prepare your own cat food, do a lot of researches first. You don’t want to risk your cat’s health to cut on cat food expenses. You have to make extra effort in searching for the right amount of nutrient appropriate for your cat’s age. Keep in mind that a kitten’s needs are different from an adult cat’s needs. You also have to take note of the ingredients that are harmful to your cats.


There are ingredients that are good for human beings which are bad for cats. Root crops such as garlic and onion contains a certain substance that attacks the red blood cells of cats. So before you put anything on the cat’s diet, make sure that it won’t harm them.

If you have been feeding your cat with commercial products, then shifting to homemade cat food won’t be easy. Cats won’t easily dive into new food the instant they see it. It will need time and patience for them to actually adapt to the new diet. Don’t be discouraged if your cat won’t eat the homemade food you prepared. Observe how the cat responds to the food. A cat can either go for it immediately while others will just sniff it and walk away.

For your cat to slowly adjust to the food you are giving, try mixing it with the food you use to give it. This way, they can get used to the taste and will eventually eat the homemade food.

Since there are a lot of homemade cat recipe right now. It is easier to prepare homemade cat food. Although preparing is a bit time consuming, you can do it for a one time preparation that will last for a month.

There is also available information on what supplement to add to your recipe to ensure that your cat will get the right nutrition. Although it is easier to get this from canned goods or other commercial products, owners are becoming hesitant to rely on them. Some commercial food may contain ingredients that can cause allergies to your cat.

You don’t have to worry about not getting the right proportion in making homemade cat food. There are a lot of easy to follow recipes right now that will surely give your pet the right amount of nutrients it needs. You can not only cut on cost, but you will also eliminate the risk of giving your cat contaminated commercial food.

Posted in Cat Food | 1 Comment »

Cats and dogs living together

May 9th, 2008 by Sven Ullmann | View blog reactions


Many would think that cats and dogs don’t get along. The idea that they hate each other may be brought about by the nature of dogs to chase smaller animals. Television programs showcasing their dislike to each other have strengthened the notion that they are enemies.

One common thing about cats and dogs is that they are both predators. Cats readily jump on anything that moves, like rats, birds and even butterflies. Dogs on the other hand love to chase anything that runs or abruptly moves. What urges the dog to chase smaller animals is its prey drive. Although domesticated, dogs still act upon what nature has designed them to do.

Kittens on the other hand enhance their hunting skills by practicing on certain things such as curtains, plants and dog tails. Dogs are often challenged by the sudden movement of the cat which leads to chases. To avoid this problem, owners having them both as pets keep them as far away from each other as possible.

How a cat reacts on a dog’s presence varies. It may isolate itself because it is not accustomed to having a dog around. Or it can develop a friendly relationship with the dog and play.

If you are planning to have a cat and dog under the same roof, you have to supervise them. You also have to make sure that they can get along. You will know if both parties are receptive or not to each other’s presence by observing them. If you think that they can’t get along that easily, you might need help in training them.


You can train your dog to ignore the cat even if it suddenly moves. Praise the dog if he is able to ignore the cat no matter how distracting the cat’s activity may be.

Dogs should also be taught that the cat is a part of the family and not a toy. You can incorporate this to the dog that having a cat is a good thing by giving the dog treats every time the cat is in the same room as he is.

It is not a good idea to introduce a cat to two dogs or more at the same time. Although one of the dogs is trained to leave the cat alone, the other dog may entice him to hunt. It is best to introduce the cat to one dog at a time. This way, a dog will be able to understand that the cat is a friend and not a prey.

Keep them away from each other during meal time. Aside from having different dietary needs, the cat and dog might fight over their food if they eat together. The dog is very possessive when it comes to its food, it might see the cat as a threat if they eat together and attack it.

If your dog has a strong prey drive, make sure to train him of the “leave it” command. This way, you can easily control its chase impulse. It is in the dog’s nature to chase and catch smaller animals for food. This is something that they do on an instinct. The prey drive of dogs will always have the tendency to be triggered. If you are able to train him to stop chasing something once you give the command, then it wouldn’t be a problem.

Give both pets attention as much as possible. You can teach your dog to sit when you are holding the cat on your lap or play with the dog while the cat is resting.

Contradictory to the popular notion about cat and dog not getting along, they can live peacefully together. This can be achieved once the owners understand the behavior of each animal. Owners must also be patient in training their pets to live harmoniously together.

Posted in Cats general | No Comments »