What every cat needs is regular meals, some loving, and a nice warm bed. There is no doubt that your cat is just going to adore its new heated cat bed, if you decide to buy one.

A heated cat bed is just like a regular pad for your kitty, but it has heaters built in. With the thermostats you can control the temperature. Once the cat discovers how warm and cozy a heated cat bed is he/she will not want to sleep in any other place. Which is actually good for the owner also - less hair on sofas and other soft and comfortable places, where the cat would usually sleep.

There are different types of heated cat beds, pads and mats. Some beds have an optional AC power adapter so it is possible to heat them even in a car. Some have removable heaters, that allow you to use the bed all through the year. The power consumption of the beds is really low.

When buying a heated cat bed owners sometimes tend to pay too much attention on how the thing looks like and is going to suit with the furniture, rather than noticing other important details. Here are some quick tips, on what else you should pay attention to when you are buying a heated cat bed.

Buy a cat bed with a removable cover. You wouldn't want to throw it away after it gets dirty as without the removable cover, it's quite impossible to clean it properly. The cover should also be stain-resistant machine-washable to make cleaning easy. Buy some extra covers as well.
A wise choice would be to buy a heated cat bed that is weather-proof, especially when you are going to place it outdoors or in garage a porch. The weather-proof beds are usually also of higher quality and will last longer.
Safety. Make sure that the heated cat bed you are buying has a protective covering over the electrical cord. The cord is the only threat of the device, if your cat would bite or claw on it. Otherwise the beds are really safe. It will not get too hot or anything that could cause any type of damage to your kitty.

Who are producing the best cat beds? Many companies nowadays have the heated cat beds in their product list. But watch out! Don't just buy any. Many of them are of low quality. The most reliable company would probably be K&H. According to user reviews thay produce the most comfortable and safe beds. A very popular product they have is the Thermo Kitty Round Heated Pet Bed. You can order it online right now from here: K&H Cat Bed with a special price of just $55.99.

There is no doubt your cat will be 100% pleased if you provide him/her a new warm and comfortable place to sleep in.

-
About the Author:
Next? I'd suggest you to check out the K&H Thermo Kitty Round Heated Pet Bed
Article Source

It's one of those truisms that we tend to take for granted:  cats and dogs fight like, well, cats and dogs.  Everybody knows that cats and dogs don't get along.  Don't they?  Isn't it true?  Well, maybe not.  New research is casting doubt on this age-old stereotype about two of our best friends.

According to researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel, it's perfectly possible for cats and dogs to get along in the same home.  Researchers interviewed some 200 people who owned both cats and dogs for their study.  Surprisingly, they found that two-thirds of the respondents in the study reported that their cats and dogs got along fine and were friends.

One-fourth of the respondents reported that their pets were indifferent to each other.  And, in 10 percent of the homes, the cats and dogs actively disliked each other.  Aggression and fighting were reported in these homes.

There does appear to be a formula involved for nurturing a successful relationship between cats and dogs in the home.  The researchers reported that successful dog-cat relationships occurred most often when cats and dogs were introduced into the home at a young age (before six months for cats and before one year for dogs); and when the cat was present in the home first.

Researchers involved in the study suggested that one possible reason why cats and dogs have historically had problems getting along well lie with communication difficulties.  Afterall, they are different species with different body language.  For instance, a dog wags his tail to indicate friendship.  A cat swishes his tail to indicate irritation.  Cats and dogs signal aggression, playfulness and other emotions in different ways.  It may be hard for these species to read each other's body language unless they are raised together from a young age.

If you are introducing a dog into your home and you already have a cat, do try to do so while both animals are still young.  This will give you the best chance for success.  It's often best to have both animals in pet carriers when you first bring the new pet into the house.  Make sure that you have set aside a room or rooms in the house for the cat so he or she can have some space where the dog cannot go. You can do this by setting up some baby gates or pet gates in your home.

You can allow the cat (or kitten) and dog (or puppy) to see each other through their pet carriers for the first day or two just for a short time.  Your dog (or puppy) will likely be very curious about the cat and may try to hang around the rooms where your cat is seeking safety.  Make sure the dog cannot get into these rooms and don't let him harass the cat.

After a couple of days, depending on how the meetings in the pet carriers are going, you can allow the dog and cat to meet while the dog is leashed.  You may wish to keep the cat in the crate or hold on to him securely.  Be careful that you are not scratched.  Don't let the dog and cat get too close to each other.  You can continue to let them meet this way for a couple of days.  As they get used to each other you can judge when you feel like allowing them to meet standing on the floor.  Do have the cat's crate nearby in case the cat needs to make a hasty exit.

It may take a few days or even weeks for the cat and dog to work out their new relationship.  It's possible that your dog may get slapped a few times.  Use your best judgment about any injuries.  Most cat slaps will not seriously hurt your dog but will help establish boundaries that your dog needs to learn to respect.  However, if your dog is really hurt you need to take him to the veterinarian and keep your cat and dog apart for a while.

On the other hand, do not allow your dog to manhandle your cat.  If your cat and dog are approximately the same size then your cat should be able to handle the situation.  But, if the dog or puppy is much larger than your cat, it's possible that your dog could hurt your cat even if he's only trying to play.  Try to be on hand to supervise all interactions between the cat and dog until you are sure they have worked out their relationship.

Cats and dogs do not have to be enemies but it usually takes some work to ease into their relationship.  Help them as much as possible and your dog and cat can develop a friendship that will last for years.

-
About the Author:
David Beart is the owner of http://www.professorshouse.com . This site covers a wide selection of topics including relationships, family, cooking and other household issues.
Article Source

There are times when you need to hire a pet sitter for taking care of your lovely dog. It is a fact that you love your pet very much and you want to ensure that there should be a person dedicatedly taking care of your dogs. For that kind of dedication, you can hire a professional pet sitter who has years of experience in handling and dealing with pets. It is mainly because you may have to go places for your business interests or thinking of taking a vacation but taking your pet along can be a problem. It is mainly because most airlines do not allows pets on board. Many pets do not easily get comfortable with the new atmospheres and weather conditions and they are likely to fall sick. So, hiring a pet sitter makes the sense for your needs.

Find a Pet Sitter
After you decide to opt for finding an experienced pet sitter in your area, you may look for specific qualities that may help your pet to adjust better. You can ask friends, family, colleagues or acquaintances to give your recommendations. Talk to your pet's vet office if they know someone to take the responsibility. There are companies offering specialized pet services in many areas these days. You can contact such companies and get your work done. These companies are recognized by the authorized associations and help your pet in every way. Do not forget to check references for potential pet sitters before you choose one.

-
About the Author:
To learn more, please visit Pet Sitter San Diego and get the details about Find quality pet sitters
Article Source

Cats health concerns of scratching each other and humans really is a big issue. I have had my kitten for about four months now and she is probably three months old and she scratches everything in site. I am afraid my furniture is going to be torn apart from all of her scratching.

I have heard of lots of tricks and done a lot of things, but still even once in awhile she scratches the couch. I've heard putting tin foil on the corners of your couch etc., because I guess cats hate foil....I have gotten her many toys. I think the one thing that has helped a decent amount is the nice sized scratch post I got her.

I put it on the corner of the couch she likes to scratch, so instead of scratching the corner of the couch she scratches her post. She is constantly playful and even wrecks things without even trying. Her clumsiness gets her into trouble when she pounces and misses and ends up scratching up the side of our chair.

I have tried being stern, and I know she knows what I am saying, but she chooses not to listen as with any little kitten. I even got her some little toys to keep her occupied so she does not use our furniture to play on. I got her some toy balls and a cat nip mouse. She seems to enjoy these toys a lot, but gets bored with them easily. I can understand she is so wild because when I got her, she was off of a farm, and now she is confined into a small apartment, but how can I calm her down so she stops scratching?

-
About the Author:
Author Chris owns a cat and worries about cats health concerns. His cat a a serious scratching problem for years and he himself almost needed stitches at one point from a cat scratch. The whole idea of cats health concerns needs to be looked into when it comes to scratching.
Article Source

Has your feline been acting strange or showing signs of a cat pregnancy? Recognizing the symptoms of a pregnant cat is very important so that you can care for your queen properly during this stressful time.

Cats can become pregnant when you least expect, and many times they even show signs of being pregnant when they aren't.  It can take up to three weeks after conception for signs of cat pregnancy to truly begin to show themselves.   If you pay attention to your cat, these signs will easily be recognized. Here's what you need to look for:

1. She's Overly Friendly

Pregnant cats seek more attention than normal.  She may snuggle up to more or seek your hand for a scratch behind the ears.  She'll particularly appreciate very soft strokes on top of her head. She won't want to go outside as much, and she won't want to "carouse" with the opposite sex anymore.  No siree!  She'l just want to spend time with ger mommy or daddy!

2. Her Nipples Are Pinkish And Slightly Swollen

You may have never even noticed them before, but now you will.  They'll be slightly pink to light red in color and bigger than normal.  Of course. She's getting ready to feed a rowdy bunch of newborn kitties!

3. She Put On Weight

One of the most obvious signs of a cat pregnancy is that she'll gain weight.  This is most important because eve if she shows other signs of cat pregnancy, if she doesn't gain weight then it means she's probably not pregnant.  The change will happen gradually, and then almost overnight she'll have a big belly.

4. She's Always Hungry

Her appetite will probably double, maybe even triple.  Mixing regular cat food mixed with extra nutritious kitten food will give her all of the nutrients she needs to nurture the kitties in her belly. Remember that humans only eat for two (maybe three) when pregnant, but cats can have litters of up to 8 or more kittens. You shouldn't feed her every time she's hungry, but you should increase the amount of food you give her so that she gets enough nutrition. As the cat pregnancy progresses, her appetite will slowly decrease. 

Congratulations!  You cat is pregnant! 

Are you feeling unsure or scared? Don't worry, these feelings are completely normal.  In fact, it just shows how much you care about your feline friend.

You'll want to keep her healthy and safe during her pregnancy. You'll want her kittens to be born happy and healthy.

It's important that you know how to care for your cat during this critical time.  More importantly, it's critical that you know how to handle the actual birth.

Do you know how to properly cut a kitten's umbilical cord?  Do you know exactly how and what to feed her?  What if she tries, and can't deliver her kitties?  Would you know how to help her?

These are all important things you need to know.  The problem is that consulting a veterinarian can be very expensive, and not everyone has the extra money right now.

That's where books like How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat come in.

-
About the Author:
If you've discovered your cat is pregnant, and you don't know what to do…who to turn to for expert advice and information… then you MUST read this book. Get advice from ten successful breeders and specialized vets. <--Click Here-->
Article Source