Things That Are Dangerous to Your Cat

By Doris Canova
There are any number of things found in and around the home that are be harmful and even life threatening to you cat. You may not know what the cat has ingested to know how sevear the problem will be. If you notice any of the symptoms that may be listed below, see your vet immediately. It is better to act on the side of caution than not at all.

TOP LEFT: Poinsettias

TOP RIGHT: Mistletoe

LEFT: Holly

At Christmas time, keep holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias out of reach as they can cause your pet severe stomach upset. Tinsel off the Christmas tree isn't toxic, but if ingested, intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems. It is a good idea not to use tinsel around your cat.

Moth balls can be a problem because when ingested and metabolized, can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures.

Be aware that string-like items such as dental floss or yarn can also be dangerous and cause death if ingested. It may be wise to invest in covered trash cans for all rooms where pets may wander, and keep your knitting or crocheting projects in a closed bag.

If you cat should ingest antifreeze, kidney problems usually show up one to three days later. Urine output may initially increase but then decreases until urine is not produced at all.

Plug in air fresheners are also a "no-no". Plastic wrapper or plastic bags, rubber bands, and Easter grass are all very dangerous to a cat and can cause you a VERY BIG vet bill or even cost your cat its life.

TOP: Begonias
MIDDLE: Philodendron
BOTTOM: Aloe Vera













It will be necessary to consult your vet if you cat has ingested any toxic plants such as aloe-vera, begonia, mother-in-law tongue, philodendron, geranium, Easter lily, the green on a potato and many others. Cats experiencing nervous system disorders ingesting toxins are in serious trouble. Your cat will need to be taken for medical care immediately.

Keep your cat away for all outside cats because they can become carriers who spread viruses. The more outside cats your cat has contact with, the more likely one of these common deadly diseases will shorten his life.

Do not tie a cat out on a leash or leave her unsupervised, even for a few minutes. If you live in a small apartment or have multiple cats, this becomes an even bigger incentive! If your cat becomes destructive or non-house trained, consult your veterinarian or animal behaviorist to find ways to solve the problem. These symptoms can also be attributed to boredom and loneliness.

Remember that your cat is very curious and is always learning just as a child is. Make an inspection of your home and make it as safe for your pet as you would for a child.

NOTE: This article is for information only. See your veterinarian for medical advice.

We plan to post articles that are informative and helpful to other cat lovers. Having been "owned" by cat for years, we know they can be demanding, but also be very entertaining and fun. Please visit our site today for a wide array of products that will make "His Majesty" very happy - http://www.besthousecatcare.com or our blog for more information - http://www.besthousecatcare.blogspot.com

Understanding Your Cat - Cat Body Language
By K. L. Bonfiglio

We like to think of our cats as our fur-children, even though they really can't speak to us. Or can they? Cats may not be able to talk to us but they can communicate through body language. Did you know that if your cat wags her tail it's not a sign of happiness - she's actually annoyed? Here's a few more body language clues to help us discover what our cats are really trying to tell us...

Calm & Content: Cats who are in a calm and happy state of mind hold their ears alert and pricked. Their tails are still, held either straight up, or relaxed. If your cat is really relaxed, she'll gaze at you with half-lidded eyes. If she flutters her eyes at you, it means she trusts you and feels safe. Another way to tell if your cat is happy is if she kneads her paws. If your cat lies down on her side or back and exposes her belly, she's letting you know that she's happy, and wouldn't mind if you came over to give her some love. Often this means she's inviting you to rub her tummy. But be careful - not all cats like belly rubs. The ones that don't will soon let you know by grabbing your hands and giving a quick bite.

Pleased to See You: When your cat is happy to see you, she'll greet you with her tail held straight up. She'll rub her face against you, using the scent glands in her forehead, chin and whiskers to 'mark you' as part of her territory. She might also purr, but surprisingly, purring isn't always a sign that your cat is content.

Why do cats purr, anyway? Kittens are able to purr by the time they're two days old. It's their way of communicating with their moms. As cats grow older, they continue to purr to indicate happiness. But did you know that cats also purr when they're sick or anxious? Some animal experts believe it's a form of self-soothing, like when a person hums to stave off nerves. Cats also purr to show submission to another cat, or to indicate friendliness.

Hunting, Curious & Playful: When your cat's in stalking or hunting mode, she'll drop her body low to the ground. She'll keep her tail down, while the tip twitches. Just before she's about to pounce, she might wag her butt. If your cat is mildly curious about something, she'll hold her tail at half mast and slowly switch it from side to side. An upright tail curved to one side or held in a 'question mark' means your kitty's excited, and might be ready to play.

Wants Something: You'll know when your cat wants something from you - whether it's food, affection or clean litter - when she leans into your legs with her whole body. Some cats will even do a little hop as they rub your legs. This is kitty language for, "Hey, you up there! We need something down here!"

Annoyed: It's easy to tell when a cat starts to get annoyed. When your cat's fed up or had enough petting, she'll flick the end of her tail back and forth. When she's really annoyed, she'll lash her tail back and forth. If she thumps her tail, watch out! She's really upset. Growling and swiping at you with her paws also are a result of extreme kitty annoyance.

Fear & Aggression: When your cat is afraid, she tries to make herself look smaller. She tucks her tail close to her body and hunkers down into a ball before backing away. She'll lay her ears back sideways and her pupils will be dilated. If she's afraid but on the defensive, she'll bare her teeth and expose her paws as she confronts the threat in a sideways stance. Aggressive cats look like "Halloween cats." They try to look as scary and intimidating as possible by arching their backs and puffing up the fur along their hackles and tails. This is known as piloerection. Your cat will also pull her whiskers back, with her paw raised and ready to swat, while her tensely-curved-tail will lash from side to side.

Hissing is an obvious sign of a fearful or aggressive cat. If she's ready to bite, she'll show her teeth, and give low warning growls. Although these behaviors should generally help you decipher what your cat is thinking, every cat is an individual with their own personal nuances and body language. Taking the time to figure out what your cat is really trying to say will deepen your bond with one another.

K.L. Bonfiglio is a freelance writer and owner of CuteCatGifts.com, a website dedicated to connecting cat lovers with cute cat gifts Looking for more information about cats? Visit our blog, which features informative cat articles, product spotlights, cat videos, funny cat photos and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._L._Bonfiglio

Identifying the: Tortoiseshell and Calico

Female tortoiseshell-and-white cat.

Tortoiseshell and Calico

This cat is also known as a Calimanco cat or Clouded Tiger cat, and by the nickname "tortie." In the cat fancy, a tortoiseshell cat is randomly patched over with red (or its dilute form, cream) and black (or its dilute blue) mottled throughout the coat. Additionally, the cat may have white spots in its fur, which make it a "tortoiseshell and white" cat or, if there is a significant amount of white in the fur and the red and black colors form a patchwork rather than a mottled aspect, the cat will be called a "calico." All calicos are tortoiseshell (as they carry both black and red), but not all tortoiseshells are calicos (which requires a significant amount of white in the fur and patching rather than mottling of the colors). The calico is also sometimes called a "tricolor cat." The Japanese refer to this pattern as mi-ke (meaning "triple fur"), while the Dutch call these cats lapjeskat (meaning "patches cat"). A true tricolor must consist of three colors: a reddish color, dark or light; white; and one other color, typically a brown, black or blue.^[60] Both tortoiseshell and calico cats are typically female because the coat pattern is the result of differential X chromosome inactivation in females (which, as with all normal female mammals, have two X chromosomes). Conversely, cats where the overall color is ginger (orange) are commonly male (roughly in a 3:1 ratio). In a litter sired by a ginger tom, the females will be tortoiseshell or ginger. Male tortoiseshells can occur as a result of chromosomal abnormalities (often linked to sterility) or by a phenomenon known as chimericism, where two early stage embryos are merged into a single kitten.