Archive for October 2011

Indoor cats have many needs, most of which can be accommodated by a bowl of food, water and daily attention. Although cats are self-sufficient, they do require lots of love and play time by their owners. This helps with their overall moral and happiness that can only be provided through touch and attention. Ever notice their mood after you’ve been away for a day or two?

Cats also have a need to have a scratching post. The post helps them by allowing them to have something to use aside from furniture or draperies. It is their instinct to scratch and by giving your cat something to use will prevent damage done on something else. Claws tend to grow constantly and without having something to scratch on, the happiness of the cat may be altered.

When I first brought my cats to my new place, I did not have a scratching post for them. They turned to my dining room chairs as a resort for doing their scratching. I wasn’t happy with their solution and went and bought them a new post to use. No sooner than I brought it into the house, both of them were all over it. They wouldn’t leave it alone and stood by it and scratched on it for 10 minutes straight. They were in heaven.

Different cats prefer different types of posts. I have seen that the rope style post is the most popular for cats to use. This may be because it resembles tree bark and is a good alternative to actually bringing a tree into the house. You can bring in a log and place it against a wall for them to use, but this may be unsteady unless you can actually secure it somehow in a base. So, by getting a scratching post that is made of rope with a base on it may be the best route unless you are crafty.

They do make scratching posts that are carpet based. This is good for some cats as it provides a place for them to climb on. Cats are by nature active animals and the added exercise that this will give them in beneficial.
I would not suggest declawing your cat as an alternative to buying a scratching post. This is because cats, whether indoor or outdoor, have basic survival needs that need to be met. Their nails are a form of their basic survival, and without them, they could lose that sense of security.

When it comes to long haired cats, the question sometimes lingers; should I shave my cat? If you are thinking you might need to, chances are that you probably should. There are many reasons and benefits to giving your cat a haircut.

The reasons to get your cat groomed can be endless. Maybe you don’t have much time or patience to comb them every day, but obviously you don’t want them to be matted or knotted. It also would be a good idea if you live in a warm or hot climate. The shave will help keep your cat feeling cool and would make it easier for her to groom herself. Shedding and hairballs tend to go away after getting that haircut. Giving your longhaired cat a shave also will reduce hairballs because there is less fur available for them to digest.

Usually, the best time to shave your long haired feline is before the coat has time to mat and knot. Mats generally wear the blades down and cause the process of giving your cat a haircut is much more difficult. Mats also add discomfort to your pet. By removing the fur, it will allow your cat to feel better about him and live a happier lifestyle. Many people believe that long hair cats do not like being shaved. Although they may not like the actual process of being shaved, they do enjoy the feeling of comfort that it brings.

When I shave my Persians, they tend to be happier. This is because they don’t have the constant strain of any mats or knots that could occur prior to my combing them. It also helps them be cleaner, and cats are obsessed with being clean. Ever notice how much they clean themselves? They do it a lot.