Cat Behavior Secrects Revealed
You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too
Excerpt : No one wants to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in furnishings only to see them ripped to shreds by an overzealous pet, however beloved. To many people the obvious answer is to have
No one wants to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in furnishings only to see them ripped to shreds by an overzealous pet, however beloved. To many people the obvious answer is to have their cats declawed, but it this really a reasonable alternative?
Its proponents depict it as a simple and painless operation, but it is neither simple or painless. Most people aren't aware that it's not just the claws that are removed. Declawing involves the amputation of the first joint of each toe, and as any amputee can tell you, the pain persists for months if not years. The only difference is your cat can't tell you it still hurts.
This doesn't mean you have to put up with shredded furniture and drapes, or snagged carpets. I have four cats of my own, none of then declawed, and my upholstery and curtains are intact and my rugs unsnagged. There are a
Buy this Art Print
Also see :
Feeding Your Elderly Cat
An elderly cat's metabolism slows down, just as it does in a
human. Owners should take this into consideration when feeding
their cat. Older pets get less exercise, which means less lean
muscle, so their food requirement is reduced. Owners should...read more
Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A feline diet that is too high in carbohydrates and magnesium, and low in protein can lead to FLUTD. When their cat is initially diagnosed with FLUTD,...read more
|
number of steps you can take to minimize or eliminate the damage.
1. Give them what they want.
Scratching is not just a means of sharpening claws, it's a vital form of exercise that tones and strengthens the muscles. Even declawed cats go through the motions. It's instinctive. Birds gotta swim, fish gotta fly, cats gotta scratch. Whatever. So give them something suitable to scratch on, preferably not one of those pint-sized carpet-covered pet department abominations. That only confuses them.
If that's what you already have, at least pull off the carpeting and wrap it with good quality jute or sisal rope, half-inch in diameter, wound tightly and secured with glue. If you sew, you might try making a slip cover you can easily remove and replace as necessary. Burlap is good for this, but almost any fabric with a heavy weave or a textured surface will work.
Buy this Mounted Print
My own cats are partial to upholstery velvet and corduroy. Ideally the post should be at least two inches higher than the cat can reach.
Many cats prefer a horizontal surface to scratch on, and take well to a commercial scratching pad made from corrugated cardboard.
Whatever you decide to use, spray it lightly with catnip extract (not synthetic - they WILL know the difference) and place it near your cat's favorite scratching spot. Once he or she becomes accustomed to the new surface, gradually move it to a more convenient location. These materials tend to be messy, so choose a spot where you can easily sweep or vacuum around it.
2. Use your good judgement when choosing fabrics and rugs.
Pass up all those lovely but delicate satin and damask weaves or the aforementioned textured surfaces. These are cat magnets. Knits and other stretchy fabrics are an
Buy this Art Print
Also see :
Cat Scratching Solutions
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides keeping her claws in top shape, the stretching involved in a good scratch keeps her upper body strong and loose. Also, every time a cat scratches a surface, scent glands between her toes...read more
Training a Cat to do Tricks
Are the tricks that your cat are doing, are these tricks that
you approve of your cat doing or are they bad habits or
behaviors? Did you know that you are able to teach a cat the
difference between good tricks and bad tricks?
Teaching...read more
|
open invitation to snags. Leather and faux leathers are also major no-no's. Sheer panels at the windows? Forget it!
Look for strong fabrics with a tight weave such as sailcloth or canvas. Most denims hold up well, also. For curtains, go with something like percale or chintz. Most of the curtains at my house are made from bedsheets, and are not only attractive but virtually indestructible. For carpeting, a medium or low plush is preferable to a berber or a sculptured pile. Remember, minimum texture is the key.
As long as we're on the subject, think brown. That way when your cat upchucks on it, and it will, it won't be such a disaster. If your cat is still drawn to the furniture, a number of companies sell clear plastic corner protectors that self-adhere to most fabrics.
3. Trim the claws.
It's not as difficult as it might seem, especially if you
Buy this Art Print
Also see :
Does the world need more cats?
Aren’t they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing and crawling little kittens leaves only the fiercest cat hater indifferent. But does the world need more cats? A cat is the second most popular pet in the world. People love them for all kinds of...read more
Stop Cat Scratching Today!
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves are frayed. Your cat thinks you have morphed into someone he doesn't know and you need a solution to his inappropriate scratching behavior now! Sound familiar? Well, this was our situation a...read more
|
start them as kittens. Use a specifically designed animal nail trimmer and start out slow. Begin by just handling the paws, and practice extending the claws without trying to trim. The cat will become accustomed to being handled and will be less likely to react violently to the actual trimming. After a few days of this, try trimming, just one or two nails at a time, and only take off the very tips. If you still find it troublesome, most professional groomers will do it for a minimal fee.
4. Claw caps.
These are soft plastic covers that are glued onto the claws and last for up to 4-6 weeks. I've never tried them myself, but many people report good results.
Cats and people have shared living quarters for thousand of years, and with a little forethought and cooperation we should be able to maintain a harmonious relationship between ourselves, our pets, and
Buy this Poster
Also see :
Training your cat for the outdoors
Your cat will love to go outdoors; the environment is excellent
for him and good way to get exercise and the energy that he will
need to use to settle for a while so that he may not be up all
night wanting to go out.
The birdfeeder is a...read more
Using Flower Essences with Cats
Are you are trying to integrate a new cat into your feline family? Do your cats fight with each other? Is your new cat grieving its lost human companion who had to go into a nursing home? Flower remedies or essences are helpful in many...read more
|
our furniture.
copyright 2005
Kathie Freeman is the author of Catwalk, a Feline Odyssey.
For more of her articles and short stories visit Kathie's Stories and Tails at http://home.att.net/~kathiefreeman/
This article is free to use as long as the byline and this source information is included.
About the Author
Kathie Freeman is a life-long cat person who along with her husband has been owned by as many as 13 cats at once. They currently share their California home with four cats and a dog.
She is the author of "Catwalk, a Feline Odyssey", the captivating story of a wandering tabby cat and the people she meets on her journey of adventure and discovery.
Ms Freeman is also the author of "The Retro", as well as numerous short stories and
More Cats Articles
Five Cat Food Factors That Discourage Feline UTD
One of the most common causes of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is what your cat eats. A...
I'm Allergic To My Cat!
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise to me. Growing up, I had many pets - cats,...
Buy this Art Print
For Cat Lovers Like You and Me
|
sitemap
copyright www.kittykittystore.com 2006
|
Recently Added Cats Articles
"Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care"
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from their humans, and advances in veterinary medicine. Most experts consider a cat's "senior years" to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, the aging process begins to slow in even...read more
Cat Litter Box Health Concerns You Need To Know
Cats are the most popular pets in the United States. According to the latest version of the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats in the United States. Why are cats so popular? There are as...read more
Flea Control in dogs and cats
Flea control can be a very hard thing to do especially if you live in areas where fleas are largely populated. Weather has a lot to do with fleas and trying to keep them outdoors and off of your pets can be very changeling. You can try many of the...read more
If You Seriously Want Your Cat To Be Happy and Healthy, You Must Help With Grooming
Although your cat may take the time to clean himself through
licking his paws and face, he does still need you. Cats don't
want to be dirty and they need you to help them stay clean.
Grooming your cat has to happen. You need to do it to...read more
Photographing Your Cat with Close-Up Techniques
Other than photographing our kids, there's probably nothing we enjoy photographing more than our pets--in my case my two Ragdoll cats. (In case you've never seen Ragdolls, they're "giant" cats that were first bred in the 1960s. They're big,...read more
A Review of Cat Fancy Magazine
Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is totally fun and such is the case with my assignment to review Cat Fancy Magazine. My own two Bengal cats volunteered to assist with my research but in the end both of them were found sleeping on the...read more
At Last! Cat Litter Boxes Don't Have To Be Evil
There is nothing worse for cat or cat owner than a smelly litter
box.
For many people, the litter box is the worst of part of owning a
cat. Not only is it something people dread to clean but it is
also dusty and dirty. And, those who have to...read more
"Finding the Perfect Cat or Kitten for You and Your Family"
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they only want to have a cat as a pet. That doesn't mean that just any cat will be the right companion. When choosing a cat to be your companion, be certain to make the choice that will...read more
How To Stop Your Cat Scratching And Ruining Your Furniture
It's natural for cats to scratch but often it destroys your good
furniture. Thankfully there are some things that you can do to
relieve the problem.
Many people watch in sadness as their cat destroys virtually
everything that he can get his...read more
Tips for Introducing Two Cats
Adding a new member to your feline family is usually more exciting for you than your current cat. Even though they are solitary by nature, most cats eventually learn to accept or at least tolerate newcomers. Because they are very territorial, the...read more
How To Make Your Cat Adore You
Some News About Cats
|
