Contrary to popular belief, it is far from impossible to train a cat. In fact, it may be much easier than you think. If you would like to train your cat to come when his/her name is called, then you will have to adopt different techniques to those used when training a dog. Nevertheless, with a little patience and some persistence, you should be able to train your kitty to come to you on command.

There are, of course, many benefits to training your cat basic obedience, such as approaching you when called, which include: being able to call your cat in from outside in the evenings or ensuring that in an emergency, such as a house fire, you can quickly locate your cat and make sure that he/she is protected from danger.

So, if you would like to begin training your cat to come when called, the following tips will help you develop the correct techniques that will make cat obedience training much easier.

1. First, it is a good idea to use the cat's name as a command call. Obviously, this is essential if you are in a home with multiple pets, but it is wise even if your cat is the only animal in the home, because cats, like dogs, quickly recognize and respond to the sound of their own names.

2. In order to encourage your cat to approach you, it is crucial that you offer a pleasant experience, such as a tasty treat, favorite toy or praise. The reward method you choose will depend on your individual cat and what motivates him/her most effectively. However, it is wise to use food rewards in moderation, because otherwise you will end up with a very overweight cat.

3. It is advisable to ensure that you do not call your cat only on occasions when you have something unpleasant to offer, such as crating, medication or a trip to the vet. If these are the only circumstances in which you call your cat, you will soon find that he/she will no longer come to you. Of course, there will be times when it is necessary to do something that the cat finds unpleasant, but, on these occasions, you should offer a treat before the unpleasantness.

4. You may need to exercise quite a bit of patience, especially if you are trying to train a particularly willful adult cat. If your cat flatly refuses to come to you, then simply wait until he/she chooses to approach you, then say the cat's name and provide lots of praise. Hopefully, the cat will soon associate coming to you when its name is called, with pleasant treats and attention.

5. As you may already know, cats do not have the longest attention span in the animal kingdom, so you might have to be prepared to perform your training over weeks, trying to get your kitty to come to you just once a day. Obviously, the time you can devote to training will depend on your lifestyle and the individual character of your cat.

6. One of the most important things to remember is to remain consistent. In other words, if you have chosen to offer your cat a favorite toy as a reward, you must continue to use this toy. Moreover, if there are other people in the house, ensure that they use the same reward that you are using. Cats are savvy and if the reward is not forthcoming, they may decide that they are no longer willing to comply with your command.

As mentioned above, training a cat to come when called can be incredibly easy, but it is important to remain patient and consistent.

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About the Author:
Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer based in the UK. She is proud to produce articles on behalf of remmeer.com, a high quality supplier of pet products. Visit remmeer.com for a wide range of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.remmeer.com/unique-cat-gifts-tc-90.html">cat & kitten gifts</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.remmeer.com/bags-totes-wallets-c-30.html">cat handbag & tote styles by Laurel Burch</a>.
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Your cat is a predator, a born hunter. While he enjoys prancing around, laying on comfy couches, and chasing jingle balls, nothing puts him in his element more than a trip outdoors. Many people are afraid to let their cat out in the yard because of the dangers of stray dogs, cars, or children. While those are valid fears, you can provide your cat with a safe place to play, learn, live, and encounter life. However, there are multiple benefits that outweigh the dangers, especially if you can provide a safe zone for your indoor/outdoor cat.

1.) Your cat needs sunshine. Much like a human, he gains multiple health benefits from basking in the sun. That's also not to mention that a warm cat is a happy cat. All cats absolutely adore basking in the sunshine, and letting your cat outdoors puts him closer to the action.

2.) Your cat enjoys the stimulus. There are boundless venues that will capture his attention, including dancing leaves, lightening-fast bugs, and climbing trees.

3.) Your cat needs the exercise. As a predator, your cat is built to be a lean, mean, fighting machine. If all he does is sit on the couch all day, he will not have the ability to exercise his muscles the way he should. He needs to opportunity to prowl, climb, pounce, and work on his hunting skills.

4.) You cat enjoys safe vantage points. Sitting on top of the fence, the grill, or the backyard tree provides him with a warm, secure spot from which to view the world.

5.) Your cat prefers a natural environment to eliminate in. It makes him feel safer and cleaner, and as an added benefit, you don't have to clean the litter box as often!

6.) The great outdoors gives your cat an ability to just be a cat. He can scratch, growl, sniff, and spray anything he wants to. He doesn't have to worry about being yelled at or being squirted with a water bottle for wanting to sharpen his claws.

7.) Your cat is a territorial creature. He wants to set his own boundaries, and allowing him to go outside gives him a (hopefully) safe extension to his territory.

8.) Your cat needs the socialization. A cat who has never been outside of the house will be fearful and scared upon being taken outdoors for any reason. He needs to meet different people, see different things, and encounter various animals from the safety of his own backyard.

To learn more about letting your cat venture into the backyard, visit Deer Busters. Be sure to check out their cat fencing products, as well as dog fencing and deer fencing.

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About the Author:

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The attractions of vacation are often sought by many and as vacation times get longer a lot of individuals realize themselves including their family dog in the holiday plans.   As a member of the family many people happily welcome their four legged friends on their journeys going above and beyond to find accommodations to satisfy the requirements of their pet.   

The primary area that's usually addressed is finding accommodations which share the similar welcoming appearance of pets as the owners themselves.   When lodging is found, the vacation planner then seeks areas that are pet friendly, serving to include vacation plans that are welcoming to all vacationers, including their dog.

With all of the time that owners place into incorporating their pet into their vacation it's stunning to see the number of pet owners that leave their home with many suitcases, but only a water bowl and dog food for their pet.   While most dogs aren't thought-about as a high maintenance pet, it's important to recollect when traveling that even your dog will profit from means of entertainment and some of the comforts of home.  

Remember that while many hotels welcome pets they'll not give the same comforts for pets like they are doing with human guests such as the simplicity of dog beds.   With this being the case, make certain that you remember dog beds so that they will have the comfort of home in an unfamiliar environment.

Your pet's dog beds might be a nice gesture to keep them calm and comfy in the evening however keep in mind that they have the identical attraction to entertainment as you do.   Dog toys are an important item to bear in mind when going on any vacation for any length of time.   With dog toys your pet can remain entertained on their own or when you have the opportunity to interact with them while on vacation.   

Dog toys are a nice treat  your dog while on vacation so the new dog toys will absorb several of the odors of the new space that you are visiting.   For your smaller dogs it could also be important to remember your pet carriers. Smaller animal's frighten easy and are typically more tough to keep track of therefore the advantages of bringing your pet carriers can be of major benefit.

Dog beds, dog toys and pet carriers are all important things to bring on vacation, however one of the most important is surprisingly found with dog clothes.   Most animals are adjusted to the atmospheric condition they live in therefore dog garments helps an animal cope when exposed to a new environment.

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About the Author:
DOGS and the CITY was founded by Lisa Wolfenden, in 2004 for the express purpose of combining quality, elegant and stylish dog products and accessories that are designed to complement a contemporary lifestyle, with a sound knowledge of what is good for your dogs safety and comfort, and most importantly, their welfare. If you discover that you are missing some of the vital items required when going on vacation with your pet, including dog clothes visit Lisa's website and satisfy your vacationing needs.
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If you think that your pet has a male cat urinary tract infection, don't ignore it because it will not go away on its own. In this article, you'll learn how to recognize the symptoms and how to treat the infection using a natural method that does not require using prescription drugs. You will also learn how to prevent it from coming back.

Recognizing male cat urinary tract infection symptoms is the first step. Obviously, you don't want to treat your cat, unless he actually has the symptoms. It is important to confirm these symptoms with your vet.

The only way that your cat can tell you that something is wrong is through its behavior. It's important to know what is normal for your cat, so you can see when he is doing something that shows there's something wrong. That said, below are the most common male cat urinary tract infection symptoms:

Going the bathroom outside the litter box. If your cat is suffering from a painful urinary tract issue, he may associate the pain with the litter box, which is why he goes outside it.
Constant licking of the genitals. If your cat annoys you with how frequently he licks his genitals, then understand that he's trying to tell you something is wrong.
Excessive drinking of water. If you're having to fill your cat's water bowl more than usual, this is another sign that there is an issue.

If your pet has a male cat urinary tract infection, the next step is to treat it. Although your vet will probably recommend antibiotics, this is often not the best course of action. Antibiotics can actually make some cats suffer more because they are not a cure and only suppress the symptoms in the hopes that the body will heal itself. Also, if the antibiotics are resistant to the strain of bacteria that are causing the infection, this can make your cat susceptible to recurring urinary tract issues.

An alternative to antibiotics are natural remedies. Made from medicinal herbs that pets chew on if allowed to roam freely in the wild, these formulation actually cure the cause of the infection, stopping it in its tracks. They do this by restoring the proper pH of the bladder which kills off the bacteria and soothes and heals inflamed tissues. Although these herbs are effective at healing a male cat urinary tract infection, they are also gentle enough to use daily for prevention, even for aging cats.

If you need to give your cat a daily herbal supplement for prevention, there are some other things that you can do that will also help your cat. First, make sure that your pet eats nutritious food. Many commercial brands are full of preservatives and cheap fillers. Feeding these processed foods to your cat is like giving him a bowl of chemicals to eat. Second, make sure your pet gets lots of fresh water, which helps remove toxins from the body and keeps the bladder healthy.

Male cat urinary tract infection symptoms can be treated easily and effectively with a minimum of pain and suffering for your pet.

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About the Author:
Laura Ramirez is researches safe, natural alternatives that keep pets vibrant and healthy. Get more information on her web site at www.pet-ut-health.com
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Nutrition is essential for the good health and long life of every creature. Cats are not an exception. Young cats are especially pliable to nutritional imbalances and feeding errors. The feeding habits of the cat established after weaning are very important for its future health status. Cat owners should be familiar with the nutritional requirements of their cats.

Cats are carnivorous animals and cannot receive nutrition from the majority of vegetable proteins. Wild cats eat the whole of their preys - muscles, organs, viscera, bones, offal, skin. Thus, they ingest the digested food the prey has eaten. This gives the cat the opportunity to receive nutrition from various sources - meat and vegetable sources.

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements - cats need more protein and have greater tolerance for fat.

We cannot mention one particular food that all cats will like. Cat foods can be found in different flavors and textures. When you find the food your cat likes, and if it meets the nutritional requirements, stick to it and don't change it often because frequent changes may make the cat fastidious and may cause digestive problems.

What Do Cats Need?

Cat owners should choose foods that provide all necessary nutrients and promote the good health of their cat. There are foods specially developed for kittens, mature cats, pregnant cats, but all food should contain the following essential nutrients: water, proteins (essential amino acids and nitrogen), essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Proteins provide energy. They contain amino acids which stimulate the body to rebuild tissues and to perform its functions. Fats are a good source of concentrated energy and unsaturated fatty acids. Minerals regulate the functions in cat's body. Minerals include macro minerals - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and micro minerals - copper, manganese, iron, and iodine. Vitamins are involved in many physiological processes and can be divided into two groups: fat-soluble - vitamins A, D, E and K, and water-soluble - thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12.

Types of Cat Food

There is a variety of cat foods on the market produced by different manufacturers. We can divide cat foods into three main categories:

Dry Food

It contains approximately 6-10% moisture and has an abrasive function, so it cleans the teeth and gums, and keeps them healthy. Dry foods have a long shelf life. Food that contains 34-38% protein and 19-22% fat provides a healthy balance.

Soft - Moist Food

It contains about 23-40% moisture and cat owners prefer it because it is convenient and has a long shelf life. However, soft-moist foods are more expensive than dry foods. You should be careful because soft-moist foods contain a lot of preservatives.

Canned Food

Canned food contains approximately 68-70% moisture and most cats like it most of all other foods. However, it is not recommended to feed your cat with canned food only because it sticks to the cat's teeth and this may lead to dental problems.

You should give your cat small amounts of canned food two times per day and leave some dry food because most cats like eating dry food all day long.

What Should You be Careful About when You Feed Your Cat?

Cats don't need to eat the whole day long. Do not give your cat more food than your vet has recommended. Distribute the amount of food into two or three meals and give it to the cat throughout the day.

Do not give your cat dog's food because it doesn't have the necessary amounts of protein and amino acids. For the same reason, avoid feeding the cat with vegetarian food. Do not over feed your cat as obesity can cause diseases, pre-mature aging and early death.

Do not give your cat chocolate, alcohol, onions, pork, raw fish, raw eggs and bones.

Consult your vet if your cat refuses to eat more than two days because fasting may be harmful and may cause serious liver problems.

Do not put your cat's food near her litter box. Cats eat far away from the place she eliminates. If you put her food near her litter box, the cat may eliminate away from the litter box.

You shouldn't give your cat hairball remedy around her meal because many hairball remedies and treats contain mineral oil or petroleum jelly which will extract the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K from the intestines.

Reduce the usage of tuna because it contains high levels of mercury.

Tips About Feeding your Cat

1. Cats that live free in the wild eat grass every day. Domestic cats will also eat grass if they have the opportunity, so cat owners should provide sources of green vegetation for their cats.

2. Milk is a food, not a drink. The only drink that cats use is water. Milk is a good source of calcium and phosphorus which make bones and teeth stronger. It also provides many vitamins and minerals. However, you should keep in mind that many cats cannot digest milk as they grow older.

3. Provide your cat with varied food. You can mix some of the new food with the old for 3-5 days in order to make gradual changes.

4. Cats should be fed in quiet parts of the house where no one will bother them because they feel vulnerable while they eat.

5. If you have more cats, you should provide each of them with a separate food bowl and you shouldn't keep them close to each other while they are eating, because cats compete for their food and feel uncomfortable if they are too close to one another.

6. It is recommended that you don't feed your cat from plastic bowl. Provide ceramic or stainless steel bowls because plastic dishes may give shelter to bacteria. Moreover, some cats may develop allergies to plastic and may get pimples on their chins.

7. Older cats would like you to raise their food and water bowl a few inches off the floor because this will make it easier on their backs and necks.

8. You should observe your pet closely after you give it new food. Any changes in the coat, appetite, weight or mood may indicate a problem. If you have any questions about the dietary plant of you cat, consult your vet for advices.

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About the Author:
Check out all the nice products, which your kitty will love. Our online cat store specializes in items such as cat pet feeder, cat beds and condos, houses, trees and towers. We also have lots of well designed cat toys.
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