Is Cat Adoption For You?

Well if you are considering of getting a cat, you need to know the basics in cat adoption. So you've just got your pension and your kids have families of their own and you're left alone. They say that dog is a man's best friend but you know better, you're allergic to them. Well there are plenty of options for you to be with pets that you might find comfortable living with. You can choose fish, guinea pig or maybe a cute cat. In most cases, people who feel alone find comfort in the company brought by cats because they are sweet and comfortable to be with.

First, you need to make sure you really want a cat. You need to learn more about the behavior and needs of this pet before deciding on owning one. Remember that all pets may have many things in common but cats are completely different. They have distinctive behaviors that differentiate them from any other pets. There is a lot involved such as food, treats, toys, and litter boxes, regular flea treatments, worming tablets, bedding, pet insurance, vaccinations and many others.

Just like human beings, or even more, they have basics needs that you need to attend to. At first, these things may be a little costly but in the long run you will be blessed having attended these things for your little companion. Cat adoption can be an exciting time for you and your family. Make sure that everyone is in agreement before adding another member to your household.

They need constant love and care just as all humans do. They need to feel that they are loved. Unlike dogs, felines can be left alone as long as they have plenty of food, water and litter out for them. If you get a kitten, be prepared for tons of mess to deal with, the noise and many other things that may be a little bit more than expected. These are just some of the many things that you need to consider before finally deciding on a cat adoption.

How to Deal With Cat Allergies

For a cat lover one of the worst things to happen is to develop an allergy to cats. Symptom include sneezing, runny nose and a headache and range from merely annoying to life threatening. Unfortunately, the bad news is for severe cases, the best remedy is often to part with your feline friend. The good news is that for mild allergy cases there are methods of minimizing the discomforts so you can continue living with your cat companion.

Allergies can show up in several parts of the body. The most common indication of an allergy is with the nose irritation such as itching and sneezing. With eyes, it's redness, puffiness and itching. There can also be issues with the throat, skin and ears.

The most critical of the cat allergies involve the lungs. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing and even shortness of breath. Sometimes these are more intense while doing certain activities such as grooming your cat or changing the litter box. In cases where you can't be sure it's the cat instead of another allergen, then testing is recommended, because the allergy may not be directly caused by the cat at all. Instead you may be reacting to the particular brand of kitty litter or something else.

Despite what's commonly believed, the material causing the allergy is not simply the cat hair. Instead it's a protein that's in the dander and saliva. These are microscopic particles that become airborne, are inhaled and cause the allergic reaction.

Cat allergies are also caused by an allergen called sebum, which is a protein that the glands near the base of the tail secrete to help with the condition of the skin and coat. When it dries, the sebum flakes off. The tiny particles can cling to almost anything and remain in the area long after the cat has gone. The sebum flakes can even be transferred to other locations that don't have cats simply by tagging along on clothing.

While researchers have found some cats to be less allergic than others, there is not practical way to know which they are in advance. One important indicator, though, is hormone levels. An unaltered male cat is generally sheds the much more allergen as compared to a female cat. Once neutered, the male sheds much less.

Unfortunately, the allergens may not be present in high enough levels in kittens to trigger a reaction. So a person may buy a kitten because they didn't have any symptoms of the allergy only to have it appear much later as the as the cat ages. It's when the cats skin becomes less supple that the sebum is secreted in greater quantities when then leads to the problem.

One of the most effective treatments for cat allergies is desensitization shots. This gradually increases a persons tolerance to the allergen up to 10 times their normal level. As mentioned previously, having the cat spayed or neutered can be helpful by decreasing the allergens. Other ways to reduce the allergens in your house include using a special, extra thick, HEPA filter in your vacuum; switching to hardwood flooring instead of carpeting; keeping your cat out of your bed; and using an air filtration system.

How Beneficial is a Cat Door in Your Home?

A lot of time and effort is spent when you own any kind of a pet. And this is true for a cat as well, even though they are not as demanding as dogs. But all the same, cats need care especially when they are left alone with nobody to let them in and out of the home. Setting up a cat door is a good alternative to having the pet owner be always present at home. Of course, make sure that the door is big enough for your cat, but too small for any dogs or humans, so that you don't have any intruders in your home.

How Useful Is A Cat Door?

Some cats can be extremely persistent about going in and out of the home. With a pet door, you will not have to leave your favorite TV program, or worse still, wake up at night, to put your cat outdoors. Your cat can go in and out of the house as desired without your help.

If you have a cat as well as a big dog for a pet, besides, having a cat door leading outside, it'll be best to have one also fixed on a door leading into another room in your home. This will give your cat a chance to run to safety if it's being chased by your big dog, and keep them apart. And, of course, since dogs love eating, virtually, anything including cat food, you can keep the food in the room with the cat door, so that the dog will not get to it and start a fight.

During harsh winters, your cat could develop frostbite of the nose, ears and foot pads, if left outdoors for a very long time. Whether you live in the city or countryside, don't leave your cat outside at night, as it will be dangerous for the cat, since cars find it difficult to stop on snow-covered roads. With a cat door, your cat will be able to escape the cold and ice outside, if there's no one at home.

A special door will not only save you time and energy, but will also make your cat a happier pet. Cats, basically, are impatient, and can't be trained as easily as dogs. So, by setting up a cat door in your home, it would be beneficial to both, you and your cat to live a more comfy life together.

There are many models of cat door available to chose from and it can be difficult to select the one that's right for your cat. In general, it's a good idea to first determine the size of pet door you need. Then simply narrow down the available cat door options based on what they're made from and whether you'd prefer a flexible or rigid door.

Cat Insurance Protects Your Pet and Pocket

Any pet owner will tell you that along with the many joys of owning a pet there can also be a great deal of financial cost if the worst case scenario occurs and your pet is injured in an accident or falls ill. If you own a kitten or young cat then it might be wise to take out cat insurance to help you with the financial worries.

What might be included in pet insurance?

What you get in a cat insurance policy could depend largely on the insurance provider and the level of cover you choose to take. You could take the minimum insurance and pay just a small premium or choose a bumper package that provides you with a great deal financial security. Usually when looking for an insurance policy for your cat you might want to check that the insurance covers the following:

    * Up to so much of the vets bills.
    * Financial help towards advertising costs if your cat is stolen or lost.
    * Help towards legal costs that could arise if your cat injures someone or does damage to the property of a third party.
    * Money towards cattery fees if you become ill or have an accident and have to stay in the hospital.

The above are just the basics that could cause you worry and financial stress if they were to occur. Take into account that vets bills can soon add up if your cat has to undergo tests, surgery, treatments and have medication. You might be glad that you have an insurance policy to fall back onto if the worst happens. Legal costs are another thing that could mount up very quickly. For instance if a driver swerves to avoid your cat and damaged his car you could have to pay the costs for repairs if you are proved to be in ownership of the cat.

Checking out insurance for your furry friend online

The internet is one of the best places to find cat insurance for your furry friend. You can compare the cost of the insurance policy with many of the UK insurance providers who specialise in this type of insurance. Another benefit to shopping online for insurance is that you are given access to the policies documentation. This is called the small print of the insurance policy and tells you what is excluded from the insurance. For instance even though you might be able to claim for vet's fees, there are certain things that would be exempt from the insurance policy. For instance you might not be able to claim for a pre-existing medical condition or for any treatment that could arise from your pet giving birth or during their pregnancy. You need to know how much excess you have to pay on the insurance policy in the event of having to make a claim. This sum of money could differ between providers and usually the lower the excess the higher the premiums for insurance. Bear in mind that you have to find this sum of money if a claim is made before the insurance provider will pay the rest of the claim.

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Cat Wallpapers and Picture

 

Wordless Wednesday Sunshine

Dona Nobis Pacem

TockTober

It's Derby's Birthday!
Show some Tocks!

Wordless Wednesday in the Window

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Meow Like A Pirate Day!

The Meowers from Missouri have set sail yet again
on Th' Cat O' Nine Tails
for the 4th Annual Meow Like A Pirate Day!

All are welcome to join in...

Aaaarrrrrrggghhhhh

With not enough time for th' new post
we had t' make due wit' th' flashbacks...
Oh, but I had a fine time!
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2009
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2008

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2007

It's Mo Cat Day Today!

It's Mo Cats Day today!

Derby proclaimed it last year when someone thought that there were too many cats on the Internet! Well, we are posting lots of cats every September 9th from now on because cats are a very important presence on the Blogosphere!
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Who wouldn't want to have more cats on the internet,
I don't know???
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Here I am in all my glory close-up
to celebrate Cats on the Internet!!!!!
(Yes, I am on my Big Janitor Dad's lap!)

Tongue Tuesday and China Cat's Birthday

Yippee Ya-Hooey! It's China Cat's Birthday today!
She is 14 years old and
I have known her my whole entire life! Six whole years!
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Billy the Birthday Bear sang Happy Birthday to her this morning! I'm licking my lips because I know she is getting some special treats tonight. She said she would share with me!
I can hardly wait!!!

Farewell Dear Friends

We lost two dear friends from the Cat Blogosphere.
It was with great sadness I found out today that both
Fat Eric and Luxor had each gone off to the Rainbow Bridge.
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Our thoughts and prayers and purrs
are with both of their families.

God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.

When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.

You’ve left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you’re always by our side.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.

- Author Unknown

In the Window with Tabby

I'm glad that my Food Lady put this nice cushioned stool in front of the window for me. Whenever she leaves the house I like to sit here and survey my kingdom while waiting for my Food Lady to return. You can see that I have a little tabby cat named Tabby that sits here with me. My Food Lady dressed up Tabby in a patriotic outfit for the summer because of Memorial Day, 4th of July Independence Day and Labor Day. Tabby also has a witch costume for Halloween, a Santa costume for Christmas and a bunny costume for Easter.Oh, look, there is my Food Lady now!
I had better run over to the door to see her!
I am so happy that she is back home again!
Do you think that she'll give me some treats???
I was such a good kitty guard while she was gone!!!

Easy Like Sunday On The Rug

I jumped up on my Big Janitor Dad's lap and was making muffins and enjoying his company until he decided that he was done sitting in the recliner. My Food Lady had just been about to take a picture of us enjoying our Sunday when my Big Janitor stood up. My Food Lady said hey I wanted to take a picture of the two of you. So my Big Janitor gently knocked me over and rubbed my tummy so that we could get some pictures. OK, they were only pictures of me but check out that tummy!

Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday Waiting

Saturday Caturday

It's extremely hot and humid outside today. China Cat and my Big Janitor Dad really like hot and humid weather but my Food Lady and I don't like humid and hot much at all. We decided to stay inside where it is air conditioned instead of outside where it's 98 degrees Fahrenheit!

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On the couch with me is the roller that my Food Lady uses to remove my fur from her clothes. I will never understand why she doesn't want to enhance her clothes with my beautiful white fur. Especially since she wears a lot of black and my fur looks terrific against a black background!

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I like the way that the roller smells and my Food Lady rolls it on me sometimes. That's what we did and then it was my nap time in the nice, cool, air-conditioned family room!

Wordless Wednesday

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My Bubbles on Monday

This is starting out to be a great week.
Look what I was lucky enough to play with...
Bubbles......all by myself...
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I think I like to play with bubbles...
or is that bubble playing with me......they aren't moving......oh, I can sneak up and get those bubbles... Woo Hoo, these are Kookamunga Catnip Bubbles!
Like I said, this should be a great week for me!

Wordless Wednesday

Friday In The Box

It's raining today. China Cat went back to bed but I decided to lay down in front of the sliding glass door to watch for bunnies and chipmunks. The problem came when it got really bright outside and then there was a huge boom! I am terrified of thunder so I had to run and hide under the bed!
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After a while I thought it was safe to come out. I snuck down the hall and into the family room. There wasn't any more thunder but right there in the family room I found a lovely yellow box. I'm sure that my Food Lady must have put it there for me! I jumped right in to see if I would fit in it! Look at me - I do fit in it! I think it might be a good napping spot... Maybe it will be more comfortable this way... Oh, look there is my Food Lady!
I bet that she cannot see me snuggled up in my yellow box.
I turned my laser eyes bright yellow to match the box!P. S. Happy 55th Anniversary to my Grandparents today,
they are my Lap Lady's parents!

Happy Gotcha Day to Me!

Today is my Gotcha Day!
Wasn't I a cute kitten?
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My Food Lady brought me home from the Humane Society
when I was only 2 months old. She said I was Adorable!
And tonight China Cat and I get to share a special treat
called Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cats.
The label says that it is "White Meat Chicken & Flaked Tuna Appetizer in a Delicate Broth" and I think that sounds very yummy, indeed!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates Easter today!
My Food Lady put this Happy Easter sign on the couch before she took it outside to put on the magnetic sign holder in the front yard. When she saw me watching her over the sign she thought "what a great photographic opportunity to get a picture of Willow with the Happy Easter sign" and she hurried to get her camera. I thought that it was a great idea too so I waited for her to get the camera and let her take my Easter picture! Then I got to go out in our screened-in porch and watch 3 ducks swimming in our pool top! I meowed very loudly at them so that they knew who was in charge here!
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I hope that everyone had a great Sunday like I did!Look at all the other fun cats are having this weekend...
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Weekend Cat Blogging #252 is being hosted by
Nikita Cat
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Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos #114 is hosted by
Samantha Black and the Orange Kitty
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The Carnival of Cats #316 is being hosted by
Mind of Mog

Wordless Wednesday

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2010

Mew-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra, Mew-ra-loo-ra-li
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May your days be touched by
a bit of Irish luck,
brightened by a song
in your heart,
and warmed by the smiles of
the people you love! I hope that everyone has a wonderfully
Happy St. Catrick's Day!

My New Napping Playing Place

I am so happy with my Food Lady.
Do you see what I am laying on here?
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You are right if you guessed that it is a Christmas Garland. Now even though Christmas was like a squillion days ago, my Christmas Garland is still out in my living room. When my Food Lady took the Garland down and set it on the living room rug, I found it. I sniffed it and then rolled around on it. I liked it a lot. In the afternoon the sun comes in the living room window and I curled up on the Christmas Garland and took a nap. My Big Janitor Dad kept telling my Food Lady that she needed to put away ALL of the Christmas decorations. But after I brought over my catnip banana with me to the Christmas Garland and my Food Lady thought that I was so cute... She let me keep the Christmas Garland out for a while longer!
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So that is why I am so happy with my Food Lady;
It's almost the end of February but I still
have my Christmas Garland!

Happy Valentine's Day

It's my 6th Birthday Today!

Today is my 6th Birthday!
I am ready to begin my special birthday party...
Hey, Food Lady, isn't it time for my party to start???
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Oh, China Cat just told me that the party
won't start until later...
But she did see my Food Lady taking out some
Fancy Feast Appetizers for the party!!!
Oh, I can't wait...
I hope that tonight comes fast!
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China Cat thinks I might get some new toys too!
But in the meantime, she said I should come nap
with her on the Super Bowl Football pillow.
I think that I will go look for China Cat,
as it is her 12th Gotcha Day and
she really likes me to snuggle with her!
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This should be a Really Great Birthday!