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 | Don't forget that Black Cat Month starts on Saturday, and the Cats of the Week will be chosen from the "Why I Love Black Cats Show and Tell gallery. Even if you submitted a story in prior years, you may submit new pictures and story for 2011. Facebook | Twitter | |
Your Cat's Urinary Tract Health and Litter Box Problems
 Disease of the cat's lower urinary tract is no laughing matter. If the warning signs are not seen or ignored, a cat can die; it's as serious as that. When our cat Bubba was alive he almost died a painful early death because we hadn't seen the warning symptoms. Why? Because during those days, Bubba was one of our last two family cats who were indoor-outdoor cats. We didn't even own a litter box back then - he had access outdoors at all times.
Photo Credit: © iStock Photos
While no cat is exempt from this serious disease (cats of all ages are susceptible), there are many preventative measures we can take, including early detection of the symptoms. I encourage you to read the headlined article, Your Cat's Urinary Tract Health and Litter Box Problems, so you and your cats won't have to experience the trauma that we and Bubba went through.
| Foreclosed Pets
In a former life when I was a real estate broker, I had a listing; a house that was vacant, except for the pregnant cat who had been left behind, and the resultant five kittens born under the wraparound porch of the southern colonial style house. Caring neighbors were feeding the cats, evidenced by a bag of cat food and full water bowl under the porch. My routine checks of my listings included visiting this house daily to bring extra food and a largee bottle of water for the furry gang. In talking to the neighbors, I found a caring woman who was willing to adopt the mother cat and one of the kittens, providing I could find homes for the others. As soon as the kittens were weaned, mama cat and the chosen kitten were whisked away to their new home with my contribution toward the mom cat's spaying. I was able to arrange through a local foster group to foster the kittens until suitable homes were found for them. Unfortunately, in today's shaky economy, more and more homes are being foreclosed, ... Read more
| Cats' Body Language
We can learn a lot about our cats' temperament, as well as their health at any given time by learning and observing their body language. They may or may not vocalize, but in most cases, cats' body language is unmistakable. As an example, the "third eyelid," known also as the nictitating membrane, in the inner corner of the eye, normally barely shows. However, when a cat is very sick, the third eyelid will show. Combined with a "glassy look" and other symptoms, the appearance of the third eyelid is an indication, in this case, for immediate veterinary intervention.
| "R" is for Responsibility in Cat Ownership
 Kittens are adorable, aren't they? Even the hardest heart will soften at the sight of soft, cuddly balls of fur. But kittens grow up all too soon, and unless their human guardians educate themselves in the proper care and training of their feline companions, they may become cats with unpopular habits, such as soiling antique rugs and scratching your new leather recliner. At times like these, without their protective cloaks of cuteness, cats may be looked on by some people as "disposable goods," and thus the line is drawn between cat owners and cat lovers.
Since you're likely a responsible caregiver, you may choose to skip this article. However, it also offers lots of ways you can spread the habit around to those who need to learn responsibility.
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