Healthy Cat Blog

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Feb 4, 2010, Cat Grooming Techniques and Tips

Cat grooming techniques and tips for your healthy cat. How to brush your cat, bathe a cat, trim your cat's claws. Benefits of grooming your cat, when to groom your cat, the bonding experience.

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Nov 5, 2009, Pet Insurance for Cats

Do you need pet insurance? Pet insurance can be a blessing or a waste of money. Factors to help you decide if you need insurance. What to look for. Financial and emotional issues.

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Nov 3, 2009, Frontline Plus for Cats

Frontline Plus interrupts the flea life cycle and kills adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae. A very effective flea control medicine when your cat needs immediate relief from fleas.

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Nov 2, 2009, Flea Combing Your Cat

Flea combing is a safe and natural way to get rid of fleas. How to safely comb your cat for fleas. How often to comb your cat. A regular habit of flea combing helps prevent severe flea infestations.

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Oct 27, 2009, Declawing Alternatives

Declawing is surgery to amputate part of your cat's toes. Complications can arise from surgery. Safe alternatives to declawing. How to keep your cat healthy and protect your furniture.

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Oct 27, 2009, What are Cat Hairballs

Cat hairballs are a normal and natural cat health issue. In most cases, your cat can take care of the problem herself, but sometimes your cat or kitten will need some help.

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Oct 20, 2009, Worms in Cats

Overview of types of worms in cats, including ringworm, roundworms, tapeworm, hookworms, and lungworms

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Oct 19, 2009, Catnip Toys

Catnip toys can provide your cat with tons of fun. Choose a catnip toy or make your own.

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Oct 16, 2009, Natural Flea Control Methods

Natural flea control is a safer alternative to get rid of fleas. Make your own flea home remedy. Info on natural flea control products and ingredients.

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Oct 14, 2009, Combination Cat Carrier-Cat Bed

I've just come across a great product that cats love and that makes trips to the veterinarian so much easier for stressed cats.

It's called a Sleepypod Mobile Pet and you can see it on my Cat Carrier page.

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Aug 28, 2009, Choosing Safe Cat Collars

Proper fitting cat collars with current ID tags protect your cat. Choose safe collars that fit your cat the right way. Types of safe cat collars. Even indoor cats need collars and pet ID tags.

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Aug 1, 2009, High Protein Cat Food for Your Healthy Cat

Serving your cat high protein cat food based on animal sources is one of the best ways to ensure proper nutrition for your feline friend. Healthy diets help prevent obesity, allergies, and more.

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Jul 22, 2009, My Healthy Cat Privacy Policy

Updated Privacy Policy for MyHealthyCat.com.

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Jun 16, 2009, Plants Poisonous to Cats

Plants poisonous to cats can be fatal and should be kept out of your home. Choose safe and non-toxic plants. Protect your plants and give your cat her own safe plants to chew.

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Jun 1, 2009, The Multi-Cat Household

The multi-cat household can be glorious! But first, you need to make the proper introductions. This could take from a week to several months. Be patient. Let your cats set the pace.

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Feb 10, 2009, Pet ID Tag Information

A pet ID tag helps your lost cat get home. Without current identification, your lost cat has very little chance of being returned to you. Protect your cat with a safety collar and ID tag.

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Jan 15, 2009, Healthy Cat Pregnancy Symptoms

List of cat pregnancy symptoms to determine if your cat is pregnant. Cat pregnancy signs include changes to nipples, increased appetite, growing belly, and changes in cat behavior.

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Jan 2, 2009, Happy New Year to All Cat Lovers

and to our feline friends (and even our canine friends and dog lovers).

Last year, California had a great victory. Animals that are to be consumed as food are now supposed to be treated more humanely.

Let's hope that the new year brings even more compassion for others.

Dec 29, 2008, Techniques for Brushing Your Cat

Brushing your cat has many benefits for your cat. It keeps your cat healthy, prevents fur balls, and helps you to bond with your cat. Shorthaired cats, as well as longhaired cats need to be brushed.

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Dec 10, 2008, Bringing Home a New Cat or Kitten

A new cat is a joy! Help to ease your new cat's transition to her new home and other pets. Set up a safe place for your cat until she gets used to her new home. Be patient! This can be stressful.

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Aug 15, 2008, Pet Health Alert: Protect Fido and Fluffy from Fleas

The following article is from the ASPCA News Alert dated August 15, 2008. The story is called, "It's Flea Season—Do You Know Where Your Pets Are?"

"As the festive days of summer wane in many parts of the country, one little parasite keeps the party hopping in warm, humid areas where he reigns. With nearly 2,000 species and subspecies, the flea thrives at temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees and feeds on the blood of the unsuspecting—especially cats and dogs.

Fleas are hearty and nimble pests, and when searching for a host, they can jump up to two feet, 10,000 times in a row—that adds up to the length of three football fields! They can also cause troublesome health problems in companion animals, such as anemia, skin allergies and tapeworms. These legendary leapers are tough to fight, but the ASPCA offers tips that will rub your pets the right way:

• Know your enemy: Confirm your pet has fleas by identifying signs such as droppings or 'flea dirt' in your pet's coat, excessive scratching and scabs.

• What goes around comes around: Treat all of your pets, not just those who show outward signs of infestation.

• Shine on, pet parent: Thoroughly clean your house, including rugs, bedding and upholstery, and discard any used vacuum bags.

• Honor—and trim—nature's gifts: Since fleas love long grass and shady outdoor spots, remember to treat and maintain your yard as carefully as your house.

• Doctor knows best: Talk to your vet about choosing the right, species-specific treatment for your pet, such as a topical, liquid insecticide applied to the back of the neck. Never use products for dogs on cats, and vice versa. Also ask your vet to recommend products for treating your yard.'Cats especially are extremely sensitive to insecticides, and pets can die from improper use of flea control products,' says Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President. 'Just a few drops of concentrated permethrin, present in many spot-on treatments for dogs, can be lethal to cats.'"

Click on the permalink for information about natural flea control methods.

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Aug 14, 2008, Pet Sites that Spam

For the last week, I've been receiving spam emails every day from a company that sells "PediPaws," a pet nail trimmer. It is not email I asked for and I had never visited their site.

In fact, I received three (!) emails from these people today.

I really dislike spam (I could even use the word "hate," which I normally don't like to use). When a company employs this method of unsolicited advertising, I will never use their product, even if it might be a good one. I won't consider it.

Aug 6, 2008, Petsmart Coupon for August

You can save $5 on orders over $30 at this popular pet supply store. Click on the permalink for the coupon.

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Jul 13, 2008, Stable Home for You and Your Pet

Please don't adopt a cat or kitten or other pet if you aren't sure of your living situation. If you think you may need to move soon, please wait until after you've moved and are in a stable living environment to adopt a pet.

While it may seem to be a good idea to give a pet a home as soon as possible, if you're in an unstable living situation and you take in the orphan cat, kitten, puppy, or dog, it's not a good idea.

If you find you have to give up your pet, then the fact that the pet is older because it lived with you for a while is just going to make it that much more difficult to find another home. People generally prefer kittens and puppies, not older pets.

Jul 11, 2008, Petsmart Coupon for July

Petsmart is one of the online pet supplies stores I recommend for cat supplies at a decent price. (For a healthy cat food store, see my Cat Food page.)

Petsmart is offering 15% off purchases totaling over $65 for the month of July. Click on the permalink for the "coupon."

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Jun 30, 2008, Flea Life Cycle

Flea treatment efforts must consider all parts of the flea life cycle. The cycle can be as short as 20 days, or as long as one year. 95% of all flea populations are not adult fleas.

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Jun 28, 2008, Vegetarian Cats

Vegetarian cats are missing essential amino acids in their diets. Cats need taurine in their diets to be healthy.

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Jun 27, 2008, Care for a Pregnant Cat

How to care for a pregnant cat during the early and later stages of feline pregnancy.

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Jun 26, 2008, FDA Seizes Pet Food from PETCO

Seems that the United States Food and Drug Administration has seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions at the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center. Read the full FDA news release.

For info about safe and healthy cat food, click the "permalink."

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Jun 17, 2008, Treatment for Cat Hairballs

Remedies and treatment for cat hairballs are only necessary when your cat or kitten cannot get rid of the hairball by himself. Cats usually vomit out hairballs or pass them in their stool.

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Jun 16, 2008, Choosing the Best Cat Furniture

Cat furniture ideas for your healthy cat. What does your cat really need? Save money and make your own cat furniture.

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Jun 16, 2008, Choosing the Right Cat Carrier

Do you need a cat carrier? Here's info on different types of cat carriers, choosing a carrier to fit your cat, and how to introduce your cat to the carrier.

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Jun 12, 2008, Best Cat Feeding Schedule

The right cat feeding schedule will help you and your cat. Is your cat a grazer or set mealtime cat?

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May 14, 2008, Healthy Cat Search Engine

Cat Search Engine to search MyHealthyCat.com and the internet for cat health information and cat products

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May 9, 2008, Tape Worm Tab Dosage

Bridgette from the U.S. writes:

"Hello,

I purchased Tape worm tabs. Does my cat only get 1 pill? Please help me out. I do not know the dosage.

Thank you so much!"

The proper dosage is based on your kitty's weight. Please see the "permalink" for more details.

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Apr 11, 2008, Choosing the Best Cat Food

Premium cat food nutrition is essential for your cat's good health. What to look for on cat food labels...how much to serve...dry food or wet food...treats for your cat. Info on pet food recall.

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Mar 7, 2008, Plan to Sleep In This Weekend?

"My cat informs me that my desire to sleep in on the weekend is directly proportional to his need to attack my foot at 4:30 a.m."

--Chris Thornton

Jan 28, 2008, Cat and Kitten Needing Different Food

Barb Thomas writes: I have a new kitten who has a poor tummy. She does well on kitten food, but I also have a cat who will eat whatever. Can the Cat eat kitten food? It would be about 4 months (Tess, the kitten, is about 6 months old already).

Dear Barb,

Thank you for your email. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but this website is a part-time endeavor for me. (I hope that I encourage people enough to contact their vets if there is a problem with their kitties!)

Yes, the older cat "can eat kitten food." The problem is that age-specific (and other "specialty" foods) are formulated for specific cats. So your older cat may not get what she needs in her diet. This can potentially lead to health problems later on. It's important to keep Tess on the kitten food as it will provide her with the extra nutrition she needs to grow.

You really need to find a way to give them both the "right" food. (I know how difficult that can be! I have a neighbor whose cats I care for frequently and I have to stay and supervise their eating.) If there's no way to supervise your kitties, I would contact your vet and ask them for a pet food recommendation (or go to Only Natural Pet Store). They also have a vet you can write to, but it takes them a while to respond. Unfortunately, both responses may be that you just have to feed them separately.

Good luck,
Debra

Dec 22, 2007, How to Heat a Cat Bed

Heated cat beds are great at this time of year (for those of us who live in cold places, of course). However, they can be costly. I personally have some concerns about their safety, but I tend to be very cautious when it comes to the health of my kitties.

I recently heard of another great way to warm up my cat's bed. I tried it and my older cat loves it! The trick? Add a hot water bottle to your cat's bed.

Of course, it will depend on your kitty's bed as to where the best place will be to put the hot water bottle in relation to the bed. You want to be careful that your cat doesn't puncture it (not only will this make a mess, but it could burn your cat!).

Hot water bottles usually are made from very thick material, but you may want to put another layer or two around the bottle. You could use, for example, a towel.

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Dec 22, 2007, Mistletoe is a Poisonous Plant

This from the ASPCA:

"While it may be nice to run into your sweetie under the mistletoe, this traditional holiday plant can be potentially toxic to our animal companions.

Found throughout the United States, American mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant that lives off a variety of different tree species. If ingested in large enough quantities, mistletoe can potentially produce gastrointestinal irritation, excessive thirst and urination, a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, coma and even death in pets. According to our experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), however, most animal ingestions involve small quantities—not more than the amount found in a sprig or two—and typically result in mild stomach upset that resolves with little or no treatment.

Remember, if you suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially toxic substance, contact your local veterinarian or APCC at (888) 426-4435. For more pet poison prevention tips, visit ASPCA.org."