Thursday, April 30, 2009

Improving Cat Food Taste - How to Make Your Cat Like Her Healthy Food


In order to own a healthier cat, you have decided to change your cat's food diet after much pondering and discussion with your veterinary. But knowing that you own a finicky and choosy cat, you wonder if there is anything you can do to help your cat likes its new diet.

First, you should introduce the food slowly and steadily, sudden and abrupt changes can force even the most easy to please cat reject her food for a day or two even when she is hungry. This is the last thing you want because experts feel that a starved cat is at a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease, and the fatter the cat, the higher the risk.

Apart some a gradual change of food, here are a list of things you can do to improve the taste of your cat's new food:

1. Add a dash of salt.

2. Food with a strong odor is enticing. Mix a little odiferous cat food or some meat baby food (no onions!).

3. Add some moistened cat treats.

4. Change the texture slightly, if it is ground, add some meat chunks, raw meat, or fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna).

5. Mix a teaspoon of old food, or change out old food, food left out loses preferred odor and texture. 6. Add warm water, homemade beef or chicken broth and warm the dish in the microwave or by steaming.

8. Try adding a different flavor or formula or add a little canned food with beef tallow in it. Mix different consistencies - wet and dry, canned pumpkin, minced sardines, tuna or clam juice.

9. Dab a little on his paw to get him accustomed to the taste as he cleans it off.

10. Top dress with cottage cheese.

Food aside, you can try changing the feeding dishes. Some cats prefer eating from a flat dish (don't ask me why!), some don't like plastic or metal material and prefer ceramic, others might just like heavier dishes that stay put on the floor as they eat.

If your cat is usually not a picky eater, there could be some other reasons why she is not eating as much or showing little interest. She could just be sick - down with a mouth disorder problem which makes eating painful and difficult or maybe a troubled digestive system.

The above cat food taste improvement tips should work fine if your healthy cat is refusing her food. Visit your veterinarian if she refuses to eat the new diet for a day, try not to go beyond 48 hours. The worse possible situation is to go back to her old diet food and change her diet from there gradually.

Author: Moses Wright

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Important nutritional information on cat food


Protein is crucial for your cat's health, and generally comes from fish, meat or poultry. Advertisers will often say their brand is beef, turkey or mackerel flavoured, but it may not actually contain those products, meaning it may not be rich in protein. Always ensure the food you buy but your cat has a sufficient amount of protein in it, irrespective of the flavour.

Cat Food Fact #2 Cat Food with Taurine Taurine is an important amino acid for your cat, and you should also check that the food you buy contains this supplement. Cats control their own levels and indicate these with their appetite. If you cat is eating a lot, the food you are buying may not have enough nutrients for a balanced diet. You can watch your cats weight by buying a nutrient rich food as your cat will eat less and you might even save money.

Cat Food Fact #3 Canned or Dry Cat Food? Cats require a varied diet, including a mixture of canned and dry food. Contrary to opinions that it doesn't matter, buying only one type of food because of convenience or price is a mistake, and can harm your cat's health. When the cat is alone or unattended for a period, carbohydrate rich dry food should be left out for your cat with a supply of fresh water. Tinned food is higher in protein due to the meat content, and contains higher water levels. Both are essential for a balanced diet, and a combination of both dry and canned food will keep essential variety in the diet and prevent the cat from seeking food elsewhere.

Cat Food Fact #4 Avoid fillers in cat food Protein is essential for your cat as part of a balanced diet. Ensure the food you buy is rich in protein, and not overly full of carbohydrates, common fillers used by manufacturers to build out volume. Always read the label, and check for overly high levels of carbohydrate and other by-products in the cat food.

Author: An Article by Jay Moncliff

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Cat Toys - Keeping Your Cat Amused

The simplest things can easily amuse cats. While people may go to the pet store to purchase expensive toys for their pet cats, it is more probable that cats will take favor to a piece of paper laying on the living room floor! Before you go and buy toys for your pet cat, think creatively and see if any old thing in your house could provide hours of amusement to your furry friend. In the end, you will find that you have saved money and provided your cat with the toy it really wants.

Idle cats can be mischievous cats, so cat owners should provide entertainment for their feisty felines to keep them occupied. If your cat is an indoor cat, he doesn't have the ample opportunity to get the exercise an outdoor cat will, as it chases, climbs and runs about. Toys and playtime will satisfy your cat's natural desire to chase prey. And if you join them in their playtime, the interaction will establish a bond between the two of you - something which will be important to you both.

When choosing toys for your cat, keep safety in mind. You don't want anything with string, ribbon, or yarn hanging from it. This could easily be ingested, and you will have to possibly make an avoidable trip to the veterinarian with a medical emergency. Also, remove any loose or small parts. Chances are, a cat will eat anything that falls off the toy. Again, you will have another emergency. Avoid toys that contain dangerous filling such as beads. Remember, your cat does not know any better.

Some common items cats love to play with are inexpensive, and you may even have them in your own home. Plastic balls are a great source of entertainment for cats. They love to push and chase them. Ping-pong balls are wonderful also, as the holes allow the cat to carry them around. Cats love to chase, jump, and pounce. They also like to play hide and seek, and will while away hours with a simple paper bag. Just make sure the bag doesn't have handles, which could be dangerous. Empty cardboard tubes, from toilet or hand paper, or cardboard boxes will also provide activity for your pet.

Soft stuffed animals are also ideal for the cat to cuddle with, carry, or even wrestle. Just make sure it is not bigger than your cat. A catnip filled toy makes a good play item, as the cat is attracted to its scent. It also will leave a scent on your carpet that will be pleasing to your cat and make them happy.

With a little imagination, you can turn many items in your house into play toys for your cat. Add this to some store bought toys, and your cat will be in kitty heaven. Just keep in mind, cats can get easily bored, so rotate the toys every week or so. You can even hide some and let the cat find them. But more importantly, interact with your cat to make the most of his playtime. He will get the exercise he needs, the occupation he desires, and the love he will return.

Author: Matthew Hick

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Your Cat And Biting Habits

Cats look cute and adorable. That is until they launch stinging lowly unsuspecting soul beings. Cats require to be educated good deeds. A lot of wounding cat did that is an outcome of uncorrected bad actions.
Keep in brains the cats came from the brutish. Even still now cats have been domesticated and live in close friend with humans, their instincts stay the same. They are intuitive hunters and are equipped with the expected tools intended to rummage a kill.

Cats have greedy instincts

Biting is a part of a cat's security system. They do this when they feel threatened. Since mocking is a cat's way to shield themselves, humans have to be sensitive that their cats don't think they are threatening them in any way when they are singing with their cats.

Remember the cats are greedy by makeup. They exhibit this mannerism by teasingly pouncing and mordant the hands and feet of their owners.

It's important for owners not to tolerate the actions. Otherwise, their cats will think it is acceptable.

Cat owners should not support their cats to think that their hands and feet play stuff. A lot of cat owners who tolerate the deeds have scars to attest this unfortunate misjudge.

Look for the instigate

Sometimes cats exhibit bad manners such as scratching and wounding when they are ill or have an injury. They also do this when they feel angst or concern.

Cat owners necessity to pay close notice to the health of their cats. They also should to sift their cat's environment to assess if theirs something about their surroundings that is causing their cat's bad behavior.

Train your cat

When training a cat, owners should reward their pets for their good behavior and agreement! This encourages the cat to assert a good line. You can do this by giving them treats, or showering them with affection.

Fun activities

Sometimes cats nibble when they get listless. When the cat starts to scratch and bite, owners can put a stopover to this by distracting the cat with a fun activity. Give the cat a toy to play with. This will get the cat's notice, and keep the cat preoccupied.

Cats are wonderful pets to have. Not only are they virtuous creatures- they keep themselves wholesome by pasting their fur. Nevertheless they are also very handy. The Ancient Egyptians used to keep cats to latch rodents.

Nevertheless first stuff first, cats basic to be trained and trained the policy of the house. Luckily for cat owners, this means, no more piercing!

by : Joshua Simms

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Cat Tips - Good Ways in Caring a Cat Well

Taking care of a cat is sometimes exhausting especially when it related to the cat’s health condition. If you face trouble in this, then these cat tips will be useful for you. There are numerous things you must pay heed to your cat in relation to the cat tips. Check them out to make out what you have to do with regard to your cat’s health.

The Inception of Cat Tips; Take Notice

The list of cat tips says that the first thing to carry out is to understand your cat well. It means taking notice to your cat’s behaviors. If you are familiar with your cat’s typical habits, it will be moderately easy to see any behavior changes. These changes could point toward the health problem presence.

Things to look at for would include any changes in their water and food intake, changes in the amount of waste in the litter box and the level of normal activity. For example, a cat with diabetes will initiate to drink more water, making them to pee more often.

Other Cat Tips

Another common health issue for cats is the development of hairballs. Usually this is not a major problem, but sometimes it is cause for concern. Sometimes, a cat will not be able to remove the hairball and it will get eaten. This could cause an intestinal blockage if the hairball does not pass. You can help prevent this problem by grooming your cat regularly. There are also particular of cat foods that claim to control hairballs.

Next on the list of healthy cat tips is prevention of worms. There are several different types of worms that can come in cats. You can often see them in their stool. Failure in gaining weight may also point to the presence of worms. Get your cat to the vet for cure if you suppose it has a worm problem.

One of the most regular health problem cat tips on our list is urinary tract infection. Common warning of this would include an unusually strong urine odor, and urination taking place in areas other than the litter box. If you expect this is occurring, you need to get your cat to the vet for treatment. You can also try foods that are recommended for this problem.

Aforementioned are some healthy cat tips that will help you in caring the cat. Since your cat could be affected by a lot of health problems, it is very required to recognize your cat’s problem early and treat it immediately. If it is compulsory, give medical handling to your cat. Of course, you would like your cat to be healthy and live a long, wouldn’t you?

Thus, does the above-mentioned information still not satisfy your need in knowing about cat tips?span Explore more the suitable information herein!

Author: Jason Rolances

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Secret to Training Cats

Despite all of the stereotypes, cats are not completely self-sufficient creatures. They still need their human families to feed and water them, and to protect them from the elements and other creatures And despite all of their protests against it, cats need their humans to love them. Adopting a cat can be a very rewarding feeling, as well as a major challenge at times. We want our family life to be calm and warm, not frantic and frustrating, so we need all of the members, including the furry ones, to be at their best behavior.Secrets to Training cats can ensure that you have a gentle, loving pet that does not claw your furniture and pee in your houseplants. Training your cat does not only protect it from potential dangers, but keeps your belongings safe from destruction as well.

Cats claw, scratch, bite,hiss and chew for many reasons. If they are doing these things to food items or their cat toys, that is great, but many times they will find something else. Cats that chew on the new divan or the electrical cords are not only destroying property, they are also potentially put their own lives in danger. Young cats will mouth or chew on things for the same reasons that puppies and human babies do- they are exploring their world, as well as teething. Give them substitutes and reward them for chewing on the right items. If an older cat has suddenly developed a urge to gnaw on things other than food or usual toys, then consider whether he is bored, or if it is possible that he has a nutritional deficiency. Secret to training cats can be a very rewarding for you and your furry friend.

Poorly trained kitties will often start using the entire house as their personal litter box. If you have ever walked in the house when the litter box needs to be changed, you know how disgusting that can truly be. If your cat is using items like your bed or favorite chair to potty on, he might be sending you a message. Does he loathe the new litter you bought? Did you move his litter box? Or, have you started spending too much time with that guy or gal in 2A that stomps his feet at kitty when you are not in the room? Although most cats will train well to the box and never have issues, some are more stubborn and this behavior can often be the deal breaker for many families.

A well-trained cat will charm and amuse your guests when they come to your home. He will make your days seem warmer and brighter. Because he knows what is expected of him, he will not have as much anxiety, leading to a calmer more easily controlled cat. Calmer cats are more affectionate because they are not nervous or high-strung. Training your cat allows him or her to focus on good behaviors and the things that make a cat's life a good one; napping, eating and stalking dust motes in the sunny patch by the window. Secret to training cats is patience never hit a cat or you will lose there trust and trust is hard to win back with a cat you will get much farther along by love after all love conquers all. Good luck to you.

Author: Stephen Daniel

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Top Five Cat Breeds

Choosing a cat breed can be a bit daunting, especially if you don’t know very much about cats! When considering a cat, you must be sure to choose a breed that will best suit your lifestyle. Some breeds require more physical activity than others, and some require much more grooming. Look below to find the top five most popular cat breeds. You will also find a brief description about each breed’s grooming requirements and personality type.

The Oriental is one of the most popular cat breeds around. This breed is a very intelligent, loyal companion and tends to bond deeply with its family. It has large, pointed ears, and although its body is very sleek, it is still quite a muscular breed.

The American Shorthair is extremely popular with families, as they tend to be very affectionate and friendly. The American shorthair originally was a working breed, mostly for mouse hunting, which explains the agile muscular structure and short hair. They do need a little exercise, but most are quite content being a lap cat.

The Birman breed is thought to have originated from Burma. It is perhaps best recognized by its blue eyes, white body, and smoky-brown face, ears, legs, and tail. Birmans possess a long, sturdy body structure with long, mat-resistant hair. They love to play and are quite gentle. They are affectionate without being too needy.

If you’re looking for a very affectionate, cuddly cat, then a Sphynx may be the breed for you. Although they look like they have no fur, they actually have a peach-like fuzz all over their body. As they don’t have much hair to protect their skin, they should strictly be kept indoors. This breed does require a bit of extra care, particularly with room temperature, as this breed can easily become too cold.

A very mild and gentle cat breed is the Ragdoll, appropriately named such as it can be quite floppy and relaxed when picked up. If you love a cat that accompanies you from room to room, this breed would likely be a wonderful match for you. They are very careful not to use teeth or claws when playing around, so they would also make an excellent cat for children.

Now that you have a better idea about the most popular, yet very different, breeds out there, hopefully you find choosing a cat to be a little less daunting than before. Be sure to remember that lifestyles are important factors to consider; so if you aren’t very active, you probably shouldn’t choose a cat that requires a lot of activity, and vice versa.

Author: Lucky Cat Furniture

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Cats and Their Cat Toys

One thing owners and cats enjoy doing together is play, especially with cat toys. There are several reasons play-time is essential to your relationship with your pet.

  1. Playing lets your cat improve their hunting skills. Your cat will be able to practice looking for the target, creating a sly approach, learn to pounce, and enjoying its victory. All of this is achieved through playing with your cat and their cat toys.
  2. Playing gives your cat an opportunity to get some exercise and be able to maintain a healthy weight which is extremely important to their long term health.
  3. Playing is also a way for your cat to be able to release all their negative energy and prevents them from attacking you or anyone in their vicinity frequently.
  4. Playing strengthens the relationship that you have with your pet, and allows for bonding time.
  5. It also helps your cat overcome its shyness and gain more confidence through interactivity.
  6. Playing with your cat, especially with a new one, helps them to adjust comfortably with their new home, new cat toys, and other surroundings.
  7. Lastly, playing is just plain fun for you and your cat!

Cat toys include so many items in different shapes and sizes. You have so much to choose from to keep your cat entertained.

  1. Ball Toys provide entertainment with the addition of a feather, squeezy center, hair/fiber creating a shag look, wires, glittered pom-poms, mice-shaped, or with cat nip scent. They come in packs of two, three, five or even just one piece. These balls usually measure about 1.25 inches to 2 inches thereby allowing your cat to be able to grab it and play with it easily. It's small enough for cats and/or kittens to grab it but big enough so as not to allow for swallowing and accidental choking.
  2. There are also interactive toys that the cat owner can use. These include items placed at the end of a cord or stick and you, the cat owner, waving around the rod while the cat follows it. Interactive toys also include battery-charged mice that run around with the cat trying to catch it. Some of these toys even have remote controls and rattling sounds.
  3. There are mouse toys available to let your cat practice capturing its target. They usually squeak or rattle and measures from two to four inches.

How should you play with your cat? There are no set rules. There are only guidelines to help the cat owner play with their cats to achieve maximum satisfaction for both parties.

  1. Always change up the toys your cats play. If they see the same toy over and over again, they will recognize it and get bored and tired easily. Keep a few different toys on hand for use. Change it up every time you play with your cat. You don't have to spend a lot and buy every cat toy available. You can even use some items in your home like an old stuffed animal, straw, flashlight, etc.
  2. Do some role playing. Be the target that your cat is looking for. Make your toy act and impersonate a mouse or bird. Pretend its running away and hiding. This creates a chase for your cat and will excite him or her. Be subtle though and do not role play too much or the cat can grow bored or think play time is all the time.
  3. Try to pay attention to the different settings that your cat likes to play. He may like to play when it's dark or when you're alone. Pretty soon, you'll be able to get the hang of it.
  4. Let your cat enjoy his victory and don't let him win too easily. Make your cat work hard for his prize.
  5. Once you do something he likes to do, remember to include it in your play sessions regularly. You cat will definitely enjoy this.

Have fun playing with your cat and their cat toys!


Author: Kaila West

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All About Feeding Your Cat

Cats are very similar to people in many ways. Just as it is important to watch what is going into you cats tummy, you also need to keep an eye on how much is going into your cat's tummy. When people eat too much food, over time they become overweight.

Cats are the same, if they become used to eating however much they want, when they want, it is a sure bet that you will have a pretty fat cat on your hands after a while. This is especially true as your cat gets older and less active. If you aren't sure if your cat is fat or not, there are a few telling signs that you can look for that are pretty similar as to when you can tell if a person is overweight.

  • A double chin is always a telling sign of a weight problem. If you find that your cat has a bunch of fat underneath their chin, they might have a weight problem.
  • A big stomach is another sign, if their stomach is hanging, they might have a weight problem
  • Another is whether or not you can feel your cat's ribs. On a healthy cat you should be able to feel their rib cage, if you cannot feel your cat's rib cage then you cat is definitely overweight.
Just as people think that their weight might not be a big deal, many cat owners might not feel it too distressing that their cat is a little overweight. The reality is that being overweight can cause many health problems in your cat. The more weight your cat has on their body, the more weight and pressure they have to carry around on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what and how much your cat is eating. If you do find that your cat is overweight you should probably speak to your veterinarian about it and look into buying a specially formulated cat food for overweight cats.

Whether you have an overweight cat or not, it's important to make sure that your cat gets the exercise they need. If you can't isn't overweight then the exercise will help keep them active and avoid such a predicament, but if your cat is overweight then the exercise will help them to trim off a few pounds.

The great thing is that exercising with your cat doesn't have to be a tedious activity; it can be a lot of fun. Below are a few ideas that will help you get an exercise program started with your cat.

  • Try to get your cat to run around some
  • Take a walk with your cat
  • Get your cat some new toys that will encourage him to exercise and jump around
  • Strategically place toys and treats all around the house to encourage your cat to walk around
  • Switch up the games that you play with your cat so he doesn't get bored
  • Even if you are away for the day, leave approved toys out for your cat to play with.
  • Also, it sometimes helps your cat's activity level if they have another feline companion to play with while you are away

Just because you like to switch your food around because something was cheaper at the store, or a new product looked better, doesn't mean that you cat should jump around from one cat food to another. Pets are funny this way, once they become used to a certain type of food, switching to another brand because it was on sale doesn't always agree with their stomachs.

If it happens that you want to switch your cat's food then you need to do it slowly. Do not just decide to replace cat food A with cat food B the next day, if so you might find you have a cat with a very upset stomach. In order to switch your cat's food without all of the digestion trouble you will need to put just a bit more into each meal, this process can take a few weeks before the switch is complete.

Trying to Feed Your Kitten

Dealing with a kitten is completely different that feed a grown cat. A kitten is essentially a baby in every way and needs the right amount of nutrition in order to go from being a kitten to a healthy grown cat. Kittens are just like babies in that they need to eat right in order to have strong bones, muscles, and nervous system. You can't feed a kitten the same things that a full grown cat eats; they need their own special food until they are old enough to move onto the next step.

It's always smart to consult with your doctor before you start a regular feeding routine for your kitten, but you do need to recognize that because they have such high energy, they need the proper food to fuel their bodies. You will find that your kitten will nibble throughout the day because they have smaller stomach than a full grown cat.

Just as with human babies, there are going to be times that your kitten doesn't seem particularly interested in food such as when they are teething or have lost a baby tooth. In the same instance your kitten may eat a little more during growth spurts and such. Even when you kitten begins to look and act like an adult cat, don't rush out and buy adult cat food, they need to stick with the kitten cat food until they are a year old because of their need for a lot of calories.

There might also come instances that you need to consult with your veterinarian about your cat's food needs such as if your female feline becomes pregnant or if you cat has health problems that are related to what they eat.

Author: Joshua Simms

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Taking Better Care Of Your Cat

A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.

Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:

  • Take care of your cat's health.

    As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.

    Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.

    If you see them 'shedding' excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.

    Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.

  • Groom your cat properly.

    Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.

    In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.

    Brush your cat's fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.

    There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.

    Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.

    Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.

    Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.

    This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.

    Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.

    When bathing your cat, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Do not be tempted to use your shampoo because of the great smell...it could have adverse effects on your cat's skin and fur. Prepare the following before bathing:

    -a small tub or sink
    -slip-proof mat
    -water spray attachment
    -clean, dry towels
    -shampoo
    -comb

    Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat's body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.

    After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.

    This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.

    Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed. Most cats can't tolerate dirty paws and will lick them clean but they can't yet trim their own nails.

    Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean the eyes, teeth and ears. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.

    Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat's eyes, ears, teeth and nails.
  • Feed them on time.

    Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.

    Your feline friends can learn how to "stick" to a schedule with your guidance and training.

    Make time in your busy day to feed them.

    Along with homemade and natural cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.

    If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve. And a lot of cats are too finiky to eat after another one.
  • Shower them with love and attention.

    By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention.

    In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.

    By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner.

    Author: Lynne Gordon

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  • Being Aware of Pet Food Recalls Can Save Your Animal's Life

    In recent years there have been several pet food recalls (cat and dog alike) that have left pet owners nationwide mystified as to why it has been happening. There have even been a handful of people who are convinced that some of the manufacturers are actually guilty of foul play. Thousands of pets have died as a result of tainted ingredients and even more became seriously ill. Suffice it to say, it has become cause for alarm as these pet owners depend on these commercial entities to package healthy foods and snacks for their animals.
    Mycotoxins, which are toxins that are produced by different fungi, have been the major culprit. As a result of these tainted pet foods and snacks being discovered, the FDA has gotten involved and mandated that the commercial manufacturers issue these recalls. The goal of course is that the FDA and commercial manufacturers work in conjunction with one another to prevent further outbreaks of pet deaths and illnesses.

    Sometimes, keeping your pet healthy is simply a matter of knowing what to look for as well as knowing what you should avoid. In other words, knowledge of what is going on is your most powerful weapon and could be the soundest way of protecting your pet. Here are 4 suggestions on how to prevent as well as spot potential problems. In the long run, you could be saving the life of your pet.

    1. Always look for an expiration date on the container or packaging before you purchase canned or dry pet foods. In addition to helping you identify items that are about to expire and go bad, this is just a common sense move on your part. Additionally, chemicals that have been added for flavor, as well as preservatives added for longevity of product life can be potentially harmful to your pet. The best suggestion is that you feed your pet an organic food.
    2. If there is no expiration date, check for either a foul odor or staleness. It's not likely that you will get your money back on expired pet food that you purchased, but this is not the key issue - you have a responsibility to not only your pet, but to the other owners and pets out there. So make sure that you report issues like this to both the commercial manufacturer as well as the retailer where you made the purchase.

      This is all well and good, but common sense would mandate that you rethink purchasing any consumable for your pet that is lacking an expiration date. Will you purchase food for your family that had an expired date or was about to expire soon? Here's more food for thought. What if that phone call you make instigates more action which eventually leads to another recall? And what if that recall saves the lives of a few thousand more pets?
    3. Symptoms of abnormal or unusual behavior always warrant a call to your veterinarian. The earlier you treat the symptoms, the greater the chance of a quicker recovery. Unfortunately, many more pet's lives could have been saved had their owners responded at the first sign of these symptoms. Never take these situations lightly and contact your veterinarian immediately.
    4. Always keep abreast of media reports regarding pet food recalls. Current news, media reports, and news updates are all over the internet. Simply type in "pet food recalls" into the browser/search bar and start doing your homework.
    Here's a final tip. Avoid any information that commercial manufacturers publish regarding their products. Though the information they put forth may be accurate, remember that they produced the pet food or snack in question, and it is the job of that company's market department to "sugarcoat" the situation as much as possible so they do not lose market share.

    Author: Jeff Nenadic

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