Aging Cats: Difficulty Moving
Aging cats have trouble getting around - why? How can you keep your older cat active?
As your cat ages, it will naturally go through body changes and you can help your cat adapt. Here are a few things to look for.
What are the signs of arthritis in your cats?
Lack of mobility. Many times cats' favorite spots are up high or on ledges. If it does not jump up to its spot as often as it used to, it might be experiencing arthritis and may require a trip to the veterinarian. Some over-the-counter products give some relief, but it is best to check with your vet first about medications. Even if your vet prescribes it, you will want to follow the dosage. Cats have a very low tolerance for some anti-inflammatory medications.
Why is exercise important for your cats?
Cats lose muscle tone and mass when they do not exercise. Exercise is also important for their overall health. It helps their cardiovascular and nervous systems. If your cat is slowing down, it is important to keep them up and moving.
What happens if they cannot see their toys?
If for some reason your cats do not notice new toys, they may have a vision problem. Your cat should get an eye exam each year during its regular exam. If it is losing its sight, you will have to decide whether to move its food and water.
Should you move its food?
While you do want your cats to exercise, you do not want them to have to work for food or water. You may want to put their necessities on a level that's more accessible to them. The same goes for the litter box.
Should you feed them less?
When people age, their metabolisms slow. It also happens in many animals, but not in cats. You will want to give them the same amount of food as they age, to make sure they get the same amount of nutrition.
What else should you look for?
Once your cat starts to slow down, you will need to be aware of other diseases it could get. Lack of movement can slow its digestive track; in turn making it constipated. Perhaps set out more water to drink, this may also prevent hairballs. Constipation is also a sign of other diseases. If your cat is constipated, you should take it to the vet.
While many of these things might sound scary, many cats live very long happy lives. The more aware you are of their potential ailments, the more likely you can help relieve problems early on.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Persian Cats
Persian Cats
Persian cat info: description of the appearance, temperament, type of fur, grooming, and varieties of Persian cats along with a brief history of the breed.
Persian cats are medium to large in size and have stocky bodies with short thick legs. Their chests are deep and broad while their shoulders and hips are about equal in width. Persians have well-rounded midsections, but their muscles are well developed. Their well-rounded heads have domed foreheads, and their short necks make it appear that their heads sit directly on top of their shoulders. Full cheeks and a broad snub nose make them easy to recognize. Persians have large, round eyes that are set wide apart and may be in various brilliant colors that conform to their coats. Their wide-set ears are small with rounded tips, and they tilt forward. The legs are straight, and the feet are firm and well rounded with long tufts of hair between the toes. The tails are considerably fluffy, and the tail length is in proportion to the body length. Persian cats are known for their thick coats of fur that can be as long as six inches or fifteen centimeters in length. The fur is soft and dense.
Persian cats are calm and gentle animals and are quite lovable. They enjoy being admired and pampered and also enjoy company but are not demanding of attention. Persian cats also have a quality of serenity that enables them to sit like statues for long periods of time.
Daily grooming is required to keep a Persian cat clean and healthy. A big part of this comes with taking care of the eyes, which should be cleaned daily. Daily grooming of the fur is necessary as well since Persians shed all year long. If the dead hair is not regularly removed, matting and hairballs may plague the cat. Metal combs or brushes with long wire or natural bristles are recommended.
There are many varieties of Persian cats. Varieties are based on what colors the cats are, whether their colors are solid or shaded, and what pattern if any is visible in their fur. In the United States, all colors of Persian cats compete on the same standards at cat shows. Cats with pointed colors are called Himalayan Persians in most associations, but in other associations, they are still classified as Himalayans and judged as a separate breed. In Britain, Persians are referred to as Colorpoint Longhairs.
In the solid color division, there are whites, creams, blacks, blues, reds, lilacs, and chocolates. All of these have brilliant copper eyes except for the white ones. Blue or copper eyes are found in white cats, or each eye may be a different color with one usually being blue and the other copper or yellow. In the shaded division, there are the chinchilla silver, goldens, cameos (white with red tips), as well as chinchilla and shaded versions of all the solid colors. The smoke division includes such colors as black smoke, cream smoke, blue smoke, cameo smoke, chocolate smoke, lilac smoke, and tortoiseshell smoke. Cats in the smoke class usually have copper eyes. In the tabby class, there are blue, brown, cameo, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, silver, and patched tabbies. Each one comes in four tabby patterns. The patterns are classic (patched), ticked, mackerel, and spotted. Most tabby cats have copper eyes. The tortoiseshell is the smallest section and consists of blue creams, chocolate creams, lilac creams, and tortoiseshell (red and black). This pattern is comprised of two colors that are randomly splotched all over the cat. Their eyes are typically copper colored. The particolor division or bicolor division is made up of calicos (white with red and black splotches), blue calico, chocolate calico, and lilac calico. In addition, any of the solid, smoke, shaded, tabby, or tortoiseshell colors with the addition of white will fall in this category. Their eyes are typically copper to orange in color. Himalayans fall into the newest division. This covers seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point, and lynx point. All Himalayans should have blue eyes.
The original Persian cats most likely developed a spontaneous mutation that gave them their long coats as a way to protect them from the cold climate. These cats became well known in Europe in the 1600s and were among the first breeds to be registered and shown. They were first called longhairs, and that term was used until the early 1960s when in the United States they were then called Himalayans. In Britain, they are still called longhairs, and each color is considered a separate breed. Many of the Persian cats found in the United States today came from the mating of Angora and Maine Coon cats. Many outstanding Persians in various blues were produced in Britain in the 1940s and 1950s, and they eventually became part of the breeding stock in United States catteries. The average cost of a Persian cat varies but usually averages between $350 and $500.
Persian cat info: description of the appearance, temperament, type of fur, grooming, and varieties of Persian cats along with a brief history of the breed.
Persian cats are medium to large in size and have stocky bodies with short thick legs. Their chests are deep and broad while their shoulders and hips are about equal in width. Persians have well-rounded midsections, but their muscles are well developed. Their well-rounded heads have domed foreheads, and their short necks make it appear that their heads sit directly on top of their shoulders. Full cheeks and a broad snub nose make them easy to recognize. Persians have large, round eyes that are set wide apart and may be in various brilliant colors that conform to their coats. Their wide-set ears are small with rounded tips, and they tilt forward. The legs are straight, and the feet are firm and well rounded with long tufts of hair between the toes. The tails are considerably fluffy, and the tail length is in proportion to the body length. Persian cats are known for their thick coats of fur that can be as long as six inches or fifteen centimeters in length. The fur is soft and dense.
Persian cats are calm and gentle animals and are quite lovable. They enjoy being admired and pampered and also enjoy company but are not demanding of attention. Persian cats also have a quality of serenity that enables them to sit like statues for long periods of time.
Daily grooming is required to keep a Persian cat clean and healthy. A big part of this comes with taking care of the eyes, which should be cleaned daily. Daily grooming of the fur is necessary as well since Persians shed all year long. If the dead hair is not regularly removed, matting and hairballs may plague the cat. Metal combs or brushes with long wire or natural bristles are recommended.
There are many varieties of Persian cats. Varieties are based on what colors the cats are, whether their colors are solid or shaded, and what pattern if any is visible in their fur. In the United States, all colors of Persian cats compete on the same standards at cat shows. Cats with pointed colors are called Himalayan Persians in most associations, but in other associations, they are still classified as Himalayans and judged as a separate breed. In Britain, Persians are referred to as Colorpoint Longhairs.
In the solid color division, there are whites, creams, blacks, blues, reds, lilacs, and chocolates. All of these have brilliant copper eyes except for the white ones. Blue or copper eyes are found in white cats, or each eye may be a different color with one usually being blue and the other copper or yellow. In the shaded division, there are the chinchilla silver, goldens, cameos (white with red tips), as well as chinchilla and shaded versions of all the solid colors. The smoke division includes such colors as black smoke, cream smoke, blue smoke, cameo smoke, chocolate smoke, lilac smoke, and tortoiseshell smoke. Cats in the smoke class usually have copper eyes. In the tabby class, there are blue, brown, cameo, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, silver, and patched tabbies. Each one comes in four tabby patterns. The patterns are classic (patched), ticked, mackerel, and spotted. Most tabby cats have copper eyes. The tortoiseshell is the smallest section and consists of blue creams, chocolate creams, lilac creams, and tortoiseshell (red and black). This pattern is comprised of two colors that are randomly splotched all over the cat. Their eyes are typically copper colored. The particolor division or bicolor division is made up of calicos (white with red and black splotches), blue calico, chocolate calico, and lilac calico. In addition, any of the solid, smoke, shaded, tabby, or tortoiseshell colors with the addition of white will fall in this category. Their eyes are typically copper to orange in color. Himalayans fall into the newest division. This covers seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point, and lynx point. All Himalayans should have blue eyes.
The original Persian cats most likely developed a spontaneous mutation that gave them their long coats as a way to protect them from the cold climate. These cats became well known in Europe in the 1600s and were among the first breeds to be registered and shown. They were first called longhairs, and that term was used until the early 1960s when in the United States they were then called Himalayans. In Britain, they are still called longhairs, and each color is considered a separate breed. Many of the Persian cats found in the United States today came from the mating of Angora and Maine Coon cats. Many outstanding Persians in various blues were produced in Britain in the 1940s and 1950s, and they eventually became part of the breeding stock in United States catteries. The average cost of a Persian cat varies but usually averages between $350 and $500.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Siamese Cat Info
Siamese Cat Info
Siamese cat info: description of the appearance, temperament, type of fur, grooming, and varieties of Siamese cats with a brief history of the breed.
Siamese cats are typically sleek and slender with medium-size body frames. They are long, graceful, and svelte with fine bones and firm muscles. Their heads are tapered wedges that start at their noses and then flair out in straight lines up to their ears to form triangles. Their almond-shaped eyes slant upward from their noses. The eyes of a Siamese are always a brilliant sapphire blue. Their ears are long and pointed with open bases, and their legs are long, slim, and dainty. The paws of the Siamese are small, and their thin tails taper to a fine point with no kinks.
All Siamese cats are classified as shorthairs, but the Balinese is sometimes referred to as the longhaired Siamese. The coat of a Balinese lies close to its body and is short and glossy with a fine texture. Grooming is minimal for Siamese cats. Owners may comb or brush the cats twice a week to remove dead hair and wipe the coat with a damp chamois to help the coat gleam.
Siamese cats are loveable and intelligent animals that will continually amuse you with their antics while frustrating you with their ability to get into everything. These cats demand attention and hate to be ignored or left alone. They become very mischievous when they are bored and lonely. Siamese cats are one of the more high-strung breeds and are agile and active.
Pricing Siamese cats is usually linked to the individual kitten's bloodline and type. Many breeders will allow cats to be picked up between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. At sixteen weeks, kittens should have their basic inoculations and have developed enough physical and social stability to adjust to a new environment. Older cats make wonderful pets, too, and may already exhibit good behavior patterns.
Many varieties of Siamese cats are available including: seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point, and lynx point. Seal point cats have cream-colored bodies with lighter patches on their stomachs and chests and darker patches on the back. Their points that consist of the mask, ears, legs, and tail are seal brown as are their paw pads and nose leather. Blue point cats have bluish white bodies with warmer tones on their stomachs and chests. Their points, nose leather, and paw pads are slate blue. Chocolate point cats have ivory bodies, milk chocolate points, and paw pads and nose leather that are cinnamon pink. Lilac point cats have glacial white or magnolia bodies, points that appear frosty gray with a hint of pink or lilac, and lavender pink nose leather and paw pads. Red point cats have pure white bodies with a shade of the points color. The points range from apricot to deep red with the nose leather and paw pads being coral pink or flesh colored. Tortie point cats have similar colors to the seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac points except they have a tabby pattern within the color. Irregular patches of red and/or cream appear in the points. Lynx point cats have similar colors to the above mentioned cats as well, but they have a striped pattern within the color instead of the tabby pattern.
The original Siamese cat, which can still be found in Thailand today, bears little resemblance to the American version of this show cat. The Siamese cats in Thailand are stockier and have rounded heads crossed-eyes, and kinked tails. In the Siamese cats' native land, they were worshipped and protected in temples and palaces for centuries. They were prominently featured in art and literature as well. The breed became known to the world when the royal family of Siam presented the Siamese cats as gifts to visiting dignitaries. Siamese cats began appearing in British cat shows as early as the late nineteenth century and in America in the early 1900s. At that time, only seal points were accepted in the cat shows, but slowly the other varieties were introduced. Cat fanciers debated the issue, and some associations finally accepted the colorful varieties of Siamese while other associations only accepted them as a separate breed: Colorpoint Shorthairs.
Siamese cat info: description of the appearance, temperament, type of fur, grooming, and varieties of Siamese cats with a brief history of the breed.
Siamese cats are typically sleek and slender with medium-size body frames. They are long, graceful, and svelte with fine bones and firm muscles. Their heads are tapered wedges that start at their noses and then flair out in straight lines up to their ears to form triangles. Their almond-shaped eyes slant upward from their noses. The eyes of a Siamese are always a brilliant sapphire blue. Their ears are long and pointed with open bases, and their legs are long, slim, and dainty. The paws of the Siamese are small, and their thin tails taper to a fine point with no kinks.
All Siamese cats are classified as shorthairs, but the Balinese is sometimes referred to as the longhaired Siamese. The coat of a Balinese lies close to its body and is short and glossy with a fine texture. Grooming is minimal for Siamese cats. Owners may comb or brush the cats twice a week to remove dead hair and wipe the coat with a damp chamois to help the coat gleam.
Siamese cats are loveable and intelligent animals that will continually amuse you with their antics while frustrating you with their ability to get into everything. These cats demand attention and hate to be ignored or left alone. They become very mischievous when they are bored and lonely. Siamese cats are one of the more high-strung breeds and are agile and active.
Pricing Siamese cats is usually linked to the individual kitten's bloodline and type. Many breeders will allow cats to be picked up between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. At sixteen weeks, kittens should have their basic inoculations and have developed enough physical and social stability to adjust to a new environment. Older cats make wonderful pets, too, and may already exhibit good behavior patterns.
Many varieties of Siamese cats are available including: seal point, blue point, chocolate point, lilac point, red point, tortie point, and lynx point. Seal point cats have cream-colored bodies with lighter patches on their stomachs and chests and darker patches on the back. Their points that consist of the mask, ears, legs, and tail are seal brown as are their paw pads and nose leather. Blue point cats have bluish white bodies with warmer tones on their stomachs and chests. Their points, nose leather, and paw pads are slate blue. Chocolate point cats have ivory bodies, milk chocolate points, and paw pads and nose leather that are cinnamon pink. Lilac point cats have glacial white or magnolia bodies, points that appear frosty gray with a hint of pink or lilac, and lavender pink nose leather and paw pads. Red point cats have pure white bodies with a shade of the points color. The points range from apricot to deep red with the nose leather and paw pads being coral pink or flesh colored. Tortie point cats have similar colors to the seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac points except they have a tabby pattern within the color. Irregular patches of red and/or cream appear in the points. Lynx point cats have similar colors to the above mentioned cats as well, but they have a striped pattern within the color instead of the tabby pattern.
The original Siamese cat, which can still be found in Thailand today, bears little resemblance to the American version of this show cat. The Siamese cats in Thailand are stockier and have rounded heads crossed-eyes, and kinked tails. In the Siamese cats' native land, they were worshipped and protected in temples and palaces for centuries. They were prominently featured in art and literature as well. The breed became known to the world when the royal family of Siam presented the Siamese cats as gifts to visiting dignitaries. Siamese cats began appearing in British cat shows as early as the late nineteenth century and in America in the early 1900s. At that time, only seal points were accepted in the cat shows, but slowly the other varieties were introduced. Cat fanciers debated the issue, and some associations finally accepted the colorful varieties of Siamese while other associations only accepted them as a separate breed: Colorpoint Shorthairs.
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