Our feline friends have been around for 6,000 years now and they are our favorite travel pals. These feline creatures have wild streak since they are born in the wild. Bear in mind that these furry and cuddly cats come from the wild cat species of Africa and Southeast Asia. It means that even if your cats are domesticated they would still opt to enjoy the sun and discover the great outdoors. To keep them safe from the dangers that exist outside the best thing you can get your cats is a cat enclosure.

Your feline cats need a cat enclosure for many other reasons. These reasons are the most considerable among them:

Your cats will be protected from stray animals that might prey on your cuddly Siamese. Most cats are not raised outdoors so they inherently lack the basic survival skills they need. You should know by now the saying about curiosity and the cat!

You can prevent your pet cats from preying on local and perhaps rare species of birds that might be endangered in nature.

Your cat can now play on his own whether indoors or out with or without you watching him.

Your cat won’t be able to scratch your furniture or your landscaped lawn. You know how cats like scratching their paws on any hard surface.

Your cats will not be disturbing your neighbors. With a cat enclosure, they are allowed to roam only in specified areas. They are restricted from climbing on you and your next door neighbor’s roof.

Your cats will be safely protected from running cars.

Your cat enclosure can be used in any part of the house, whether indoors or outdoors. The following are some areas where you can set up the cat enclosure for its maximum use:

A cat enclosure can be attached to the cat door for him to have maximum access to the front or back yard.

You can place it beside the pool where he can have the view of children playing, without any fear of him falling into it.

It can be attached to your apartment window for your cat to have just enough space for him to feel the sunshine on his fur.

Your lovely patio can be a great place for your pet cat to see a different view when there’s a cat enclosure to protect him.

One thing you should not forget to complete your cat fence set-up is to place a litter box for your little furry kitty. Your pet is sure to experience holiday each day he is out in the sun.

For many cat owners, the choice of whether to keep their cat indoors or to let it roam free at least part of the time is difficult. Some cat lovers believe keeping your cat cooped up indoors all of the time amounts to cruelty. Other cat lovers argue that the dangers of allowing domesticated cats to run in the streets far outweighs any potential benefits for the cat. From the title of this piece, you can probably guess which side of the issue I’m going to side with. But I think it’s important for people to realize how dangerous things can be for cats on the streets.

The Disease Factor

Cats that spend even part of the time outside are at a significantly higher risk of catching one of the common feline diseases than those who live indoors. And don’t assume your cat is not at risk because he or she has been vaccinated. According to the Community Animal Welfare Society, most vaccines only provide up to 85% protection against these diseases so your cat is still a risk of becoming gravely ill.

Feline Leukemia is one of the most common diseases in cats and is transmitted through cat saliva, which means a stray cat that licks your roaming pet or a water source used by multiple cats can be a source of the disease. A second serious disease is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This disease is transmitted through cat blood so if your pet becomes involved in a fight with another cat while roaming outdoors he could contract the disease. Unfortunately, FIV is fatal and no cure is available at this time.

The Human Element

While cats do run a serious risk of catching disease from other felines outdoors, that’s not the only risk they face. Not everyone in your community is going to appreciate the activity of these free-roaming cats. A neighbor fed up with the cat’s visits to their yard, might deliberately leave out poisoned cat food or other dangerous things for cats. In other cases, toxic chemicals, such as those in antifreeze, are located in places where cats like to end up and can result in their death.

Humans can also be cruel. Around Halloween every year, hundreds of black cats are killed around the country in pranks. Cats that roam the streets are a very likely target for this type of behavior, especially since most owners let them out for the night when pranksters are most often on the prowl. They can also be caught and sold to research facilities, or taken to a shelter, where they will be euthanized in as little as 2 days if you don’t know he is lost.

Other Risks

Besides disease and human cruelty, roaming cats have other reasons to be afraid. They are an easy victim for dogs and other predators, and traffic. Who knows how many pets can be found flattened on the pavement every night. Cats can also be killed by cars in other ways since they like to sleep under them.

Cats that run in the neighborhood are also much more likely to contribute to the out-of-control cat population. Unless you have spayed or neutered your free roaming feline, you are undoubtedly adding to the problem. Too many cats are already euthanized daily because they do not have a proper home.

In some cases, very cruel owners will have their cats de-clawed but still allow them to roam the streets at night. This leaves the cat defenseless in the face of an attack. Not only can the cat not fight back against predators or other cats, but he or she cannot even scale a tree or a fence for protection from the attackers or from other threats.

The bottom line is that letting your cat outside provides no real benefits – only very real risks – to your cat’s health and safety.

Don’t do it.

If you feel your cat is missing out, provide him with a good cat condo, if you lack the space you can always buy cheap Ikea shelves, glue on pieces of carpet that you can get as scrap at carpet places, and put them on the wall so your cat can climb up on the wall. They even look cool!

Give him or her a nice window seat to look out.

Teach them to walk on a leash. Yes they can be trained. They will initially feel confined by the harness, and their first attempts at walking on a leash might look uncomfortable and a waste of time, but with love and patience on your part, most cats will enjoy leash walking.

Build them an outdoor condo where they can come out and enjoy the sunshine if you have the space. You don’t have to spend a fortune.

Get them a mesh front carrier. Most are for dogs, but they can be used for cats as well. You can take them with you and go for walks, or get them a kitty stroller. You can get them at good prices online.

The point is, you can keep them safe and satisfied, and exercised, and they will never miss the great outdoors.

If you want to read more stories and find very useful information about your cats and dogs, please visit me at http://www.yourpetsuniverse.com

Rebeca has been interested in animals and Feng Shui for many years and now she wants to share her knowledge of these subjects with people in a very light and personal way. Feng Shui has improved her life in many ways, and her cats and dogs, and the fish that came as a part of her passion for Feng Shui, are now a very important part of her, and she’s very happy to share her experiences with everybody.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/good-reasons-to-keep-your-cat-indoors-945047.html

During hot summer months, it can get pretty hot. Learning how to take care of a cat during this season is important.As a cat owner it is important for you to take extra precautions for your cat’s health during hot weather, otherwise, your cat may suffer from dehydration.  Since your cat can’t tell you when it is feeling dehydrated, it is up to you to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and provide cooler living conditions if necessary to prevent overheating.

Pet cats don’t have the same street smarts as stray cats.  They may not be able to find a cool place outdoors.  If they do find one your cat will probably not come home until after the sun goes down.  It’s a good idea, then, to keep your cat inside during hot weather.  Concrete, which may be a cool place for your cat to lay when the weather is not hot, gets too hot for a cat’s tender paws during the hottest seasons.

If you are the kind of cat owner who likes to take your cat with you in the car, take extra care to get the cat out of the car with you every time you park.  In a very short period of time the interior temperature of your car can soar on a sunny day. 

Your car can even get too hot when you park in the shade.  The sun moves, as it does the heat travels from hotter to cooler regions.  Your cat can’t alert a passerby if it is getting to hot.  A cat can pass out and die in only fifteen minutes in a hot car. 

Groom your cat to keep its fur short to help keep it cool.  A good combing will remove shed fur that is hanging on adding a layer of heat insulation.  Long-haired cats, like Persians and Siberians, almost leave you with no other option than providing a cooler environment.

Make sure your cat always has access to a bowl of clean water, regardless of the season.  You must always help guard against dehydration.   Change the water often during the summer to keep it cool.  The important thing is to help your cat maintain a healthy body temperature. Keep some of these tips when you are also choosing a pet for kids.

If you live with a feline diabetic, you need to know about hypoglycemia. Since high blood glucose levels are a problem with feline diabetes, it seems that lower blood sugar levels would be better. But this isn’t the case. If your pet’s glucose levels drop too low, it can be fatal quickly. Learn what causes hypoglycemia, what symptoms to watch for, and how to treat it by reading this article.

What Is Hypoglycemia?

If a cat’s glucose levels are well-regulated, they should be around 100 mg/dl. 80 mg/dl is considered low, and 40 mg/dl or below is extremely dangerous. To be on the safe side, it’s better for your pet’s levels to be higher, not lower, as levels that are too low will kill him.

What Causes Hypoglycemia In A Diabetic Cat?

Your pet can develop hypoglycemia for several reasons:

*Too much insulin was given by mistake.
*The kitty received a double dose of insulin from two people in the family. It’s best if only one person is in charge of giving insulin injections to prevent this situation.
*The diabetic cat was given insulin before a meal, and then either didn’t eat, or threw up after eating.
*Your kitty was a lot more active than he usually is.

Sometimes a kitty will have a spontaneous remission from diabetes in cats, which means insulin injections are no longer necessary.

Symptoms Of Feline Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia affects the brain first, because unlike other organs, the brain doesn’t store glucose for later use. Your kitty may show the following symptoms:

*Extreme hunger or no interest in eating at all
*Restlessness
*Acting weak or lethargic
*Tilting his head
*Shivering because his body temperature is dropping
*Staggering around, or becoming increasingly uncoordinated
*Acts like he can’t see
*Disoriented–walking in circles, yowling, or hiding
*Seizures
*Coma

Your kitty may be drooling, or have glassy eyes. He could vomit or be sleepy, too. Watch for strange behavior that’s out of the ordinary.

First Aid For A Hypoglycemic Kitty

If symptoms are mild, try feeding your pet his normal food. If he won’t eat it, tempt him with a treat, as he needs to eat something right away. Try mixing a little honey with his food to get those levels where they belong.

Always keep honey or corn syrup on hand, along with some empty syringes (without needles). If your kitty’s sugar levels drop too low, squirt a little honey or syrup into his mouth. If he’s unconscious and can’t swallow, rub some on his gums. If he’s having seizures, be careful you don’t get bitten.  

In severe cases, wrap your pet in a blanket to keep him warm, and take him to the vet right away. If your kitty responds well to being given corn syrup or honey, talk to your vet before giving him any more insulin, as his dosage may need to be adjusted.

Natural Remedies For Cats Can Help To Regulate Glucose Levels

Many pet owners have had great success using herbal pet remedies to regulate their pets’ glucose levels naturally. Research has shown that the herbs goat’s rue, fenugreek, and astragalus, in combination with the mineral chromium, are safe and effective to use with cats. You’ll want to find a remedy formulated especially for pets, not people, and deal only with a company that produces the highest-quality herbal pet remedies.

Talk to your vet today about using natural remedies for cats. You may be able to lower or eliminate your diabetic cat’s insulin injections, and reduce his risk of developing feline hypoglycemia.

Darlene Norris has combined her experience working at a vet clinic with her long-time interest in natural healing to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Diabetes Control. Visit http://NaturalPetDiabetesControl.com now to
learn how natural remedies for cats can make life easier for your diabetic cat.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/diabetes-in-cats-and-feline-hypoglycemia-what-you-must-know-942063.html

Whether you are bringing a cat home for the first time, or you have not hosted a cat in your home for a while, you may need a refresher course in basic house cat care. A house cat, like any other pet, has certain needs, and the more you know, the better equipped you will be to make sure that you cat is healthy and happy. Take the time to familiarize yourself with some of the basic tips to keep your cat in tip-top shape.

The first step is cat-proofing your home. You should try to see through the cat’s eyes before you bring the cat home. Go through the rooms of the house that your cat will be in and watch for any risky places that could endanger the cat. To spare yourself any hassles in the future, just move the furniture that you really don’t want damaged to another area where the cat won’t be around it.

Keep in mind that house cat care includes providing a litter box for the cat, of course. You will need to scoop the waste from the litter box daily, sometimes more frequently, and it can’t be in an area of the house with heavy traffic, or around other animals or young children. Cats naturally know how to use the litter box, but when you introduce it to them, you may have to put them in it and just show them how to scratch at the loose gravel.

If you have a long hair cat, you have to regularly brush your cat’s hair. If you stay consistent with the practice of brushing your cat, you won’t have the unpleasant problem of your cat swallowing its hair and developing hairballs.

You could run into worse health issues because of this later. House cat care requires that you handle and brush your cat. To make things easier, start this practice when your cat is a kitten, if you are able to.

In general, the best way to care for a cat is to use common sense and, remember to watch your cat. See if he or she is doing anything out of the ordinary and figure if their behavior changes and why. Good observation can keep a little problem from turning into a big one, and you’ll find that it is a great way to get to know the newest addition to your family!