Cat Massage - Bonding With Health Benefits

Cats are like humans who experience stress, body pain, anxiety, and other types of physical and mental problems. Humans tend to seek the effective treatment of massage therapy in healing, relaxing and strengthening their body. Today, cats are also entitled to having this type of pleasurable experience as a part of their medical care.

Cat massage therapy is fast becoming popular today due to the effectiveness of this technique both in calming and treating the pet's problems. It helps both pet and owner to bond and relax as they experience the benefits of the alternative therapy. It also aids the owner in getting familiar with its pet's body just by touching it with his or her fingers. Any out of the ordinary within the body can be easily spotted due to the constant touch that breeds familiarity to the cat's body. This also eases the cat during the therapy and heightens its trust with the human touch.

Although deep tissue massage on cats should only be done by professional therapists, cat massage can be conducted by any pet owner. This type of therapeutic massage doesn't require exact execution or proper education of the various massage strokes and techniques. Cat massage practitioners should also take note that the amount of pressure used on cats is significantly lesser than the average pressure used on humans. Our pets usually tend to get scared of too much pressure where they become defensive as they feel threatened by the action.

When performing a therapeutic massage on your cat, make sure that your pet stays calm and cooperative during the whole therapy session. You can do this by letting your pet play before the scheduled time for the massage so that his or her playfulness level decreases. As his or her activity level reduces, his or her struggle during the therapy is lesser. A good way to get your pet to settle down and enjoy a good massage is by getting it accustomed to having massage therapies. 

You can do this by gently touching the body of your pet in order to get familiar with the treatment. In informal massage therapy sessions, the owner can begin the therapy on their preferred areas. Working on the areas enjoyed by our pets is perhaps one of the best places to begin the massage. 

The more sessions you give to your pet, the more benefits it gains from the massage. Make sure that your furred friend stays controllable and cooperative during therapies so that he or she can receive the effects and benefits of the physical and emotional treatment.

As cats learn to behave during therapies, their body receives many benefits which includes reduce stress and blood pressure level, stretching and loosening of stiff muscle areas, improved mood, boost in the immune system, relief from body pain and many more.

Although the therapy may sound interesting and beneficial to your pet cat's health, consulting a veterinarian before you try cat massage on your cat is a good idea to avoid the risks and negative effects of this type of massage.

Risks and Negative Effects of Cat Massage

Massage therapy is a great way to remove stress and to relieve the body of humans from all sorts of body pain. Cats are similar in this way as they also need body stimulation, soothing, and treatment with ailments on their muscle areas. However, like all types of therapies, cat massage is surrounded by its risks and negative effects.

This technique of natural healing and relaxation used on cats use some strokes from a Swedish massage which includes effleurage and friction. Both of these strokes are essential in improving blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body. They also help in stimulating the nervous system in order to change the mood into a better one. Avoid performing deep tissue massage on your pet as it is not advisable to do such technique without proper training and knowledge.

Fingers and fingertips are often used to spot abnormalities and irregularities on the body of cats. Whole body assessment is usually practiced right before the therapy to allow the owner to get a full idea on the condition of the pet. Owners should start by running his or her fingers on the body of the cat.

Cat massage therapy also includes risks and negative effects just like any type of massage therapy used on humans. Massaging physical conditions that involve abnormalities such as swelling and bruising of the body are some of the risks of this type of massage. Bruising and swelling on any part of the cat's body should not be massaged and should be avoided to refrain from further damaging the body. Instead of touching and applying pressure on those areas of the body, the application of ice or any cold object is much suitable in treating those problems.

Risks also include massaging pregnant cats as professional service should be used on such cases. Although gentle strokes on the various parts of the pet's body may seem to be of no alarm, uneducated knowledge and inexperience can result to problems in the long run. Consulting the veterinarian is more acceptable than deciding for your own.

Negative effects on cats include fear and aggression from improper use of pressure and massage strokes on certain areas of the body. Keep in mind that not all cats are the same and that they enjoy the same techniques used on the other cats. There are areas on the cat's body which are off limits to human touch or should not be often caressed or massaged during the therapy as they become uncomfortable. Familiarity with the pet often plays an important role during a therapy as it lets the owner do the various massage techniques with fewer struggles, minimized risks, and lowered percentage of negative effects acquired.

Owners should gather tons of great information regarding cat massage therapy in order to avoid higher risks of inflicting injuries instead of benefits to their beloved pet. This information also helps the owner to properly bond with their pet during the therapy with the pet receiving the affection, benefits and good effects of the therapy.

The Well Behaved Cat

Cats make wonderful pets, just ask any cat owner, especially if they are well behaved. A cat with behavior problems is usually an unhappy cat. As someone who has been owned by a half-dozen of these animals over the years, I am savvy about their care and feeding, their need for companionship, and their need to be left alone at times. More than most animals, cats are creatures of habit. Thus they will notice any lack of attention and act in ways guaranteed to get a response from you.

The most important thing you should ask yourself before you decide to get one is whether or not you have the patience, time and disposition for it. Are you a cat person? 

Do you want a house or outdoor cat? If you live where your cat can be outdoors during the day that is a different consideration than if you live in an apartment and he runs out every time you open the door. Are you getting the cat because your child wants a one? Your child may be wonderful with the cat, but most kids soon tire of taking care of animals. These are the things you should think about before choosing to get one since these are areas where behavioral problems often begin.

Those who have no familiarity with the cat family believe the old saw that felines are solitary critters who do not need affection or friendship. Quite the contrary, most are affectionate, friendly, and, yes, loyal. Though they may not be lap-sitters, even the most seemingly aloof will often sit quietly near or beside their owners.

One of the most troublesome tasks when living with a cat, is keeping them amused. They are naturally inquisitive, and if kept as house pets, can become destructive out of boredom. To counter this, you must get your cat some toys so he can amuse himself and use up some energy playing and stalking. They love squeaky toys, scratch poles, and small fabric houses with several entrances which are inexpensive. If you can afford a cat condo with several rooms on it, your pet would love one.

If you are lucky and live either in the country or in an area where you can safely let your cat out during the day, Mother Nature will easily take care of their need to use up some energy. They can stalk small critters, run up trees, dig up the ground, and have a great time. Of course, all cats should be brought in before dark so predators, such as coyotes and others, cannot get at them.

Last but not least, one of the most common reasons for your cat to misbehave is because he is feeling stressed. They can be stressed by many things: moving to a new home, for example, is a great stressor for cats; very loud noises; strange odors, dogs, or other animals in the neighborhood; illness; and any mistreatment. Cats love and expect routine.

A well behaved cat is a joy to have around, and paying attention to basics in caring for your pet will go a long way toward keeping him healthy and happy. So often, the obvious is often overlooked.

• Don't overfeed OR underfeed your pet. 

• Keep litter box clean. 

• Be sure there is always fresh water. 

• Make certain the sleeping area is snug and protected. 

• Be sure to have a safe, confined spot for your pet if there is thunder or other loud noises. 

• Make sure your pet has as much exercise as possible every day. 

• Bring your cat to a veterinarian regularly, as health issues often show up first as bad behavior.

Every Cat Needs A Toy Box

Does your cat have a toy box? Do they have a preference to little mice or balls or something that moves on its own? Do they root around in that toy box and select a toy of their choice? Try a variety of toys and see what suits their fancy. A cat can never have too many toys!

My cats love their cat toys. Their toy box is filled with balls, toys that jingle, toys that you wind up and even a remote controlled mouse! Their mouse toys are stored in a small cardboard box so that they can help themselves to the item that they want to play with.

When playing with a little mouse and it disappears under the stove or dishwasher, they will sit in front of the appliance and stare at it wearing the most pitiful look on their little faces. They will stretch their arms out trying to retrieve it until they get so tired, they often fall asleep right where they are!

It is important to rotate their play things to keep them challenged and interested in the things that their toy box holds. Whether it is a cardboard box or a plastic container, the play box should always be available to them to select a play item when they feel like playing. Encouraging your cat to play promotes healthy exercise. Cats often amuse themselves quite easily but playing with your cat is important as well. Playing with your cat not only encourages regular play but helps to create a bond of trust, loyalty and love.

Changing out their toys by rotating the selection that they have to play with will help to keep their interest in rooting around in their toy box for the right toy for the moment. Periodically take some toys from the toy box and store them where the kitties can't see or smell them. Every few weeks take those that have been stored and exchange for some that have been in the active play items. Even though they see the same items at different intervals, they think it's a new toy and play with it with the interest that they had in it when it first arrived. While new things have a new scent and will attract their attention right away. Rotating the older toys works much the same way. Store toys that are catnip scented in a zip lock bag to keep the catnip smell fresh and inviting.

If you want your feline friend healthy and happy, don't let them turn into couch potatoes. Cats that don't get enough exercise often are overweight, cute but not healthy. Cat naps are necessary and play time is equally important.

It is great exercise for them and great laugh therapy for you. Watching them play with toys is more entertaining than going to a hit movie. My cats love their cat toys and yours will too. Keep plenty of toys on hand to give them exercise and keep them healthy.

Are Feral Cats Safe to Keep?

There are so many feral cats in this world that need a home. Many people are afraid of them because they are naturally very leery and can become aggressive if threatened or cornered. And who can blame them? Most of them have never had homes (which is the definition of a feral cat, one who has had no human contact) and not been treated very well by the humans they have come in contact with. 

I have had many cats over the years. I currently have 26 cats, most of them feral. I am at the point now where I can pet most of them and they crave my attention and touch. I won't say this has been easy. It takes a huge amount of patience to get a feral cat to trust you and accept you. But it is one of the most rewarding things when they do. So, yes, feral cats are safe to keep. It just takes some time and caution at first.

The first question about the cat being safe is does it have diseases you are afraid of contracting? The good news is that many diseases that cats get are not harmful to you. Some, like rabies, are however, so you do have to be cautious.The obvious best solution to this question is if you can trap the feral cat and take it to the vet for a full checkup. 

This can sometimes be simple if you can get the cat to go into a Havahart type of trap. It's long and narrow and you put food at the very end of it. There is a metal plate that the cat steps on near the food and this closes the door. It's very humane and from there your vet will have his own way of getting the cat out and sedating them to check them out.

However, there are many cats that won't fall for this. They aren't stupid and know somehow this is a trap. If this is the case, you are going to have to be prepared to win the cat over until you can get them to go into a carrier or some other "trap". This is where patience, patience, patience comes in. You feed the cat every day at a certain time (or twice a day) and go away. 

Don't try to touch them or have any interaction with them for a few weeks. Then you can try standing off at a distance while they eat and watch them out of the corner of your eye. Then try moving a little closer and squat down near them (but not too close). This process needs to move slowly and might take months. Eventually you hope to get to the point where they will let you stand just a foot or two from them. The main thing is to act naturally around them, not like you're waiting to pounce and grab them! As you can see, it can be a long process, but if you have a love for animals like I do, it is well worth the effort.

Back to the safety issue. During this whole process you do have to be careful. You don't want to be bitten before you've had the chance for a vet to give them a good physical and some tests. If the cat is acting in a normal manor (don't count the hissing and growling) and has no obvious signs of injuries, that's a great start. Just watch for anything unusual like drooling excessively or lethargic behavior. Once you get to the point where they let you pet them, still be careful until you can get them to the vet. 

As a whole, I have had very few of my ferals that were sick and had to be put to sleep. So don't feel that a feral cat is automatically sick or diseased, but use common sense and be careful. When that day comes that they rub up against your leg and want to curl up in your lap, you will feel an enormous sense of accomplishment. You took a helpless, homeless cat that never had a human to care for them, and turned them into a friendly, loving feline.

Cat Hair Air Purifier - 4 Filters That Will Make Your Purifier Effective

Cat hair is a fact of life if your cat lets you live with him or her. The additional hair can range from unsightly to unhealthy. There's nothing like having cat hair rain down when the heat or air conditioning comes on in the middle of dinner for guests.

But the health issue that literally attaches to cat hair is even more of a problem. Cat dander (small dead skin flakes) is a powerful allergen that can trigger asthma and allergies and is almost always attached to hair.

Being able to remove both hair and dander is important. Check the technical specifications of the unit you are considering making sure it has following 4 filters. Only then can your cleaner be effective at solving your problem.

One of the most important features in any cleaner is multiple filtrations. This means that each set of filters is designed to remove particles of different sizes based on the openings in the filter.

The benefit to you is that instead of having one filter catch everything, fill up quickly, and need replacing every 6 months, you have multiple filters that are geared to specifically remove only certain size particles.

This means each filter lasts longer, and the overall benefit is that you are not spending money to replace filters. And you are not losing filtration time due to frequent maintenance. Multiple filtration is both cost effective and efficient.

Large Particle Pre-Filter---This is the first line of defense against the particles you can see such as cat hair. But the benefit is that it can remove particulates that are not necessarily a result of your feline friend. It is designed to remove dust and hair from both you and your pet.

Medium Particle Pre-Filter---This is the second line of defense designed to remove mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollens that find their way indoors.

HEPA-This term is a common one in the air purification industry and is formed by using the first letters of the following 4 words---high efficiency particle arresting. By definition this type of filter must be able to remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particles that are.3 microns in size or greater. This includes dander, bacteria, and viruses.

Carbon Cloth---Originally designed by the British Military to combat chemical warfare, this type of filter is excellent at removing gases, odors, and airborne chemicals, and because it is a cloth, it gives an added layer of particle elimination.

Checking to make sure your cleaner contains all of these filters will save you time, money, and enjoy. And you'll be surprised at how much more enjoyable life with your cat can be without so much hair in the air.

Buy Modern Cat Furniture for Your Beloved Pets

If you have a cat, you'd know by now that cats can be pretty compulsive when it comes to scratching your furniture or other items in your house and sharpening their claws. Felines have a tendency to scratch their 'favorite' items repeatedly, and just like dogs, they too need their own toys to play with. 

It must be known that cats don't often scratch furniture just to be destructive or difficult; rather, it's their way of communicating and 'marking' their territory. Cats are very territorial, just like dogs, and most pet felines also graze their claws against furniture while they are stretching, playing, greeting their owners, or are angry.

Since we obviously cannot change the behavior of a cat (and we shouldn't seek to do so either), it would be a good thing to buy some modern cat furniture for your beloved pet's well-being. Such furniture can be found in brick and mortar, as well as online stores that offer both contemporary and traditional designs and ideas.

By their very nature, most pet cats prefer 'enclosed' spaces, so if you are looking to include modern cat furniture in your home, a modern cat house or a mini kitty condo makes for a great choice. The materials used are scratch resistant, which is a given for any cat toys or furniture. If your pet feline is young, you can go the extra mile and purchase, design, or hire someone to make a cat tree or playhouse for your pet. Your cat will love perching on its own little hideout and playing with its toys there without you having to worry about your furniture getting damaged.

If you are up for designing a personal space for your cat, you'll need a bit of inspiration and creativity. There are plenty of modern cat furniture sites from which you can get some ideas and tricks for building your own cat furniture.

Cats can be pretty selective, so if you're looking to purchase some furniture for your pet and are finding it hard to decide on a modern, sleek design or a traditional, retro one, just let your cat do all the choosing! If your feline takes to a particular space, it will let you know. Just make sure your pick is functional, with the ability to last for many years to come.

When it comes to the materials for a modern cat house or furniture, you can take your pick from scratch resistant wicker, fabric, and leather accessories that will complement the décor of your home.