Tips to Create Your Cat's Ideal Home Environment1

5 Tips to Create Your Cat's Ideal Home Environment

Imagine you're on assignment to learn about indoor cats, with pop culture as your resource. What would you find? Well, Garfield spits out sarcastic comments while lounging around the living room eating lasagna; meanwhile, Tom chases the mouse Jerry around the house until Tom invariably crashes into a mouse hole or a mallet falls on his head.

We all know those scenarios are not real, but it is true that indoor cats often lead pampered, easy lifestyles -- toys, litter boxes, regular food and water and loving humans. Spoiled, maybe, but easy? Not always. You'd think a cozy home and regular meals indoors would be a cat's dream, but if you consider the fact that most cats were outdoor animals up until around the 1970s, the house cat is still a fairly new concept.

By nature, cats are predators and explorers, they love high places, climbing and balancing. They are self-reliant but can be social as well. We bring them in our home to give them a better life but often, we repress some of these natural instincts -- keeping them indoors full-time rather than allowing them to roam the yard, hunting for small prey; ignoring them as they lie on the living room rug, instead of engaging them in play. According to Tony Buffington, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and professor at Ohio State University, this can make for unhappy and unhealthy cats. But, with a little knowledge, you can make your indoor environment as healthy and natural for a cat as the great outdoors.

Get Creative with Food and Water

Unlike humans, cats should be encouraged to play with their food. A great way to do this is to take yogurt containers (the kind with a reusable lid) and cut out small holes. Put pellets of dry food in the covered container and let the cat play with it, rattling and batting it until he's finally able to make the food drop out.

Back in the day, cats foraged for food anywhere from five to six hours a day. A cat might have eaten 10 mice a day, so he worked hard to capture those meals. Hunting kept the cat active and his predatory instincts sharp. Portion sizes stayed small and the cat ate several times a day.

Contrast this with the bowl of food you put out for your cat. If you eliminate hunting, you also eliminate exercise, causing obesity and poor health. After all, if you could eat whenever you wanted with minimal activity, wouldn't you be overweight? That's one reason obesity levels among people are so high!

A cat's need for water is also complex. By nature, it's an either-or situation; either the cat looks for food or for water but not both. After all, if you're trapping a mouse, can you stop for a drink? A full bowl of water next to your cat's food can lead to dehydration because the cat might continually choose food over water.

So, get creative. Instead of overflowing bowls of water and food side by side, set smaller bowls throughout the house, in high and low places to encourage exploration and climbing. A good rule of thumb? For each cat, place one food bowl and one water bowl in separate areas, plus a few extras to encourage exploration and roaming. Make food contraptions using boxes, small containers or paper bags so the cat has to work or play to get the food. These simple steps encourage exercise, agility and hunting, challenges that a cat loves and needs.

Give Them Something to Scratch

When your favorite feline scratches your antique dresser, it's not because he hates you. Cats scratch because it's an instinct, satisfying several needs:

- Scratching helps a cat sharpen claws and shed the outside layer of claw. This helps a cat's defensive abilities, even if it's an indoor cat, fighting no more than his shadow. It also is good for his claws.

- By scratching, a cat marks his territory. It's not just the actual mark; the bottom of a cat's foot has scent glands allowing the cat to mark areas by smell as well.

- Scratching is also stretching, helping the cat to flex his back and leg muscles. Like humans, cats often sit or lie for long periods of time, so they need to stretch.

Now that you know why cats scratch, your job is to make it easy for them. Without scratching posts, the cat will choose his own areas, creating many headaches for the humans in the household. For this reason, you want to place posts wherever the cat goes -- sleeping areas, his route to food, and in doorways. Ideally, scratching posts should be tall to allow a cat to reach up and stretch. Of course, some cats like horizontal posts, so it's good if you can have more than one post. And don't despair if you live in a smaller home; attach the post to the wall and your cat will have a place to scratch, and also get some climbing or leaping exercise in the process.

Give Them "Me" Time

On any given day, I wish I could retreat for a bit of "me" time, be it curled up with a book, taking a little nap, or just zoning out from the stress of the day. Well, I should have been a cat. Unlike dogs who can spend most of their day playing or basking in their human's gaze, cats need to get away -- from their humans, noise and other cats and household pets. A cat refuge is anywhere the cat is comfortable or surrounded by "his" things, food or water, a litter box, toys, a scratching post or rest area. So, a household rule of thumb -- if the cat retreats, let him.

On that topic, a good refuge for a cat is a high perch or observation area. While curiosity may have never actually killed a cat, it is part of a cat's nature to observe. A high resting spot allows the cat to escape while still keeping a paw on the pulse of the household. Window sills, stairs, even the back of the sofa are great areas for the cat to have private, observation time. If you're in a one-story home, your cat may get more creative and find a spot on tops of cabinets or shelves; you can even purchase a multi-level kitty condo or play structure from a pet store. This will give your cat a play area, scratching post and area of refuge, all in one stop.

Give Them Something to Do

Pets are often like children -- if you don't give them something to do, they will find something on their own, and you may not be pleased with the outcome. Not to say you need to be with your cat 24 hours a day, but they need stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

Toys are important. Cats like predatory games, so feathers attached to a stick, furry mice or any game where he gets to find, pounce on or retrieve items is usually a big hit. This keeps your cat active and his instincts keen. And while cats will play by themselves, it's great if you can be involved in playtime with kitty; most cats do enjoy time with their humans, and playtime is one of the most enjoyable It's a good idea to put a majority of the toys away after play so that they'll remain interesting to your cat.

Despite their reputation as being somewhat aloof, cats are social creatures when they want to be. Many houses have more than one cat so the felines have company while humans are out. Cats may also be a faithful friend to the family dog, though somewhat of a tease.

Hanging out with the humans is another important social scenario, be it cuddling, being petted or groomed. However, don't forget the "me time" factor; cats like things on their own terms so if a cat doesn't want to be petted, you won't have much luck coercing him.

Give Them Rest

This is where being a cat gets really appealing. Cats typically sleep two-thirds of the day, so even if you are providing stimulation and exciting activities, the time will come when your cat needs to slip away for some shut-eye. Let them, because there's a very good chance that your cat was up at dawn, instinctively awake and moving around during what would be hunting time for an outdoor cat. Additionally, cats tend to be very active at dusk, another typical hunting window.

Cats need multiple resting places throughout the home, so if you're someone who likes to be able to nap on the couch, your easy chair, or in your bedroom, you understand. As a cat owner, make sure that your cat has comfortable areas to sleep. Pet stores boast lovely, expensive cat beds, but often all your cat wants is the arm of the sofa, a pillow or the top of your stairs. As long as it works, let them enjoy it; often spending the money on the fancy cat bed is a waste.

Again, remember to let your cat escape when he needs alone time. However, if your cat sleeps too much, they may be sleeping out of boredom. Ensure they have the social and physical stimulation that they need.

Cats were not always domesticated animals, so when you make one a part of your home, just remember what their inner cat needs.

Hamsters Choosing, Caring For, and Handling Pet Hamsters

Hamsters

Choosing, Caring For, and Handling Pet Hamsters

Use this guide to find out everything you need to know about hamsters including choosing what kind, caring for them, picking out toys, handling, and even breeding.

1. Choosing a Pet Hamster
Hamsters are popular pets for children but they aren't always the best pet for small hands. Different breeds are known for different traits and any potential owner to be should learn about the choices they have before picking one out to take home. Also specific kinds of hamsters should not be kept together while others enjoy company, therefore it is important to research your hamster of choice if you plan on getting more than one.

Chinese Hamsters - small and not as common as other kinds of hamsters.
Dwarf Hamster Varieties - several varieties exist and are similar to Chinese hamsters.

Syrian Hamsters - several color variations go by different names but are all types of this hamster.


2. Choosing a Healthy Hamster

Not every hamster in the pet store is of optimal health. Moving from supplier to store to a new home can be a stressful period for baby hamsters and they will often get sick from it. Learn how to choose a healthy hamster and what to watch for after you take it home. Hamsters that are younger are best as they will most likely be friendlier. Choose an active hamster and one that doesn't look like he has a wet bottom or weapy eyes. And even if a cage seems to have a few sick hamsters it is probably best to avoid buying any hamster from that group since hamster diseases are very contagious.


3. Hamster Cages and Supplies

There are many hamster cage options available online and at pet stores. But some cages are better than others. Several cages (like the ones with all the tubes and colors) may look cool but aren't very functional and difficult to clean while others aren't good for hamsters to live in at all (fish tanks). Smaller hamster breeds also have different cage considerations than the larger Syrian varieties. It's a good idea to get your hamster cage all set up with bedding, water bottle, chew toys, and other necessities before bringing your new hamster home. Check out what you need before you get your hamster, or just make sure you have what you should for the hamster you have now.

4. Hamster Diet

Is that store bought bag of seed mix really the best thing for your hamster? Do they need other protein, fruit, or vegetables? There are options available to you but what is really best for your pet?

Feeding Hamsters - Basics 
The basis of a hamster's diet should be a good quality store-bought food designed specifically for hamsters. Should you choose a pelleted diet or a diet based on a loose seed mix?

Pelleted Diets 

Pelleted foods offer a completely balanced diet, and for this reason I generally recommend pelleted diets. As explained below, a hamster can be picky iwth loose mixes resulting in an imbalanced diet. However, pelleted diets are a bit monotonous and some hamsters will refuse them. A pelleted mix can be supplemented with a variety of other items, as long as the pelleted food makes up the bulk of the diet to ensure well-balanced nutrition.


Loose Mix/Seed Diets 
It is important to pick a loose mix diet that contains a variety of foods such as grains and dried vegetables along with some seeds -- and some loose mixed foods also contained a balanced pellet food as part of the mix. As mentioned previously, the biggest problem with loose mixes is that hamsters can pick and choose their favorite bits, which could result in a dietary imbalance. When feeding a loose mix, make sure your hamster empties the food bowl before adding more as this is the best way to make sure your hamster does not just eat his or her favorite parts.

My recommendation: try to get your hamster to eat a pelleted diet, and supplement it with a vareity of other foods such as human foods. If you like, you can even sprinkle a bit of a loose mix diet in with the pellets to add a bit of variety.

Fresh Foods and Treats 

You can feed your hamster a variety of human foods, as long as you stick to healthy human foods and limit the treats to no more than about 10 percent of the diet. Skip the the junk food and stick to healthy things like whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits (in moderation, or diarrhea may result). Store-bought treats such as yogurt drops and honey/seed sticks are generally sugary, and I recommend avoiding them.
Note: since dwarf hamsters are somewhat prone to diabetes, it is prudent to avoid much sugar in their diet, so avoid fruits as treats for dwarf hamsters.

Some suggested fruits and vegetables:

apples (no seeds!)

bananas

blueberries
broccoli
carrots
cauliflower
cucumber
dandelions greens
grapes
kale
peas
potato (cooked)
romaine lettuce
spinach
straewberries
sweet potato
squash
Other treats:

hay
whole grain bread or toast
whole wheat pasta (cooked)
brown rice (cooked)
whole grain cereal (no sugary cereal)
meal worms
crickets or
small pieces of cooked chicken
bit of hard boiled eggs
nuts (no almonds; unsalted)
unsalted peanuts
pumpkin seeds
lentils
sunflower seeds
plain air popped popcorn (no butter or salt!)
Hamsters usually love peanut butter, but it must be fed carefully (as with any other sticky food) because it can get stuck in their cheek pouches and cause severe problems. A very thin layer on a piece of wood is okay as an occasional treat, but peanut butter must be given with caution.

What to Avoid

apple seeds
raw beans
raw potatoes
almonds
citrus fruit
garlic
onions
rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb
chocolate
any sugary or salty foods

any junk food



7. Hamster Breeding

Hamster breeding is not something the casual hamster owner should do. It is best left to hamster breeders who are breeding for specific qualities and temperaments. But accidents happen and sometimes you end up with baby hamsters. Learn a bit about hamster breeding and see what you can expect with a pregnant hamster
A Note About Breeding:


Breeding your hamster is not a decision to make lightly and you absolutely must consider what you will do with any babies that result. Most pet stores have established suppliers already and there is no shortage of hamsters available. You should also carefully consider the temperament and health of the hamsters you are breeding. The information here may be helpful if you find yourself with a pregnant female by accident, or perhaps from the pet store.

Age of Sexual Maturity:

Syrian hamsters may reach sexual maturity as early as 4-5 weeks of age. However, females should not be bred for the first time until they are closer to 4 months old (males can be bred by 2-3 months of age). They should not be bred for the first time after 6 months of age, however.

Estrus Cycle:

Female hamsters come into estrus (heat) every 4 days or so (this is the time they will be fertile and receptive to a male).

Length of Pregnancy:

The gestation period of syrian hamsters is 16-18 days (average is 16 days)

Litter Size:

Litter size is quite variable, but typically there are 5-10 pups per litter (litters of over 20 have been reported).

Age of Weaning:


Syrian hamsters can be weaned at 21 days; this is a good age to separate male pups from the female pups.

How to Teach a Cat Tricks

Tricks, clickers, commands … Those are just for dogs, right?

Contrary to popular belief, cats are trainable. You can teach them useful behaviors as well as novelty tricks. You can even train them to compete in agility tournaments.

There are some differences between the way cats and dogs are trained, of course. According to the ASPCA website cats aren’t as likely to be motivated by praise as dogs. Cats are also less instinctively driven to work in partnership with their human companions. But that doesn’t mean they’re not superstars in waiting. With the right methods — and a little creativity on your part — your cat will soon amaze you with the things he can learn.

Remember: Cats respond to positive reinforcement, not negative punishment

Cats should only be taught new behaviors with positive, reward-based training. Punishment and dominance are not healthy methods, nor are they effective. “Punishment creates stress, and stress is one of the most common causes for problem behaviors in cats, including eliminating outside of the litter box and compulsive grooming,” says the ASPCA website. So with that in mind, here are some steps to get you started:

 1. The best reinforcements you can use are treats — but not just any treats. ”My foster cats love to train with me,” says Jane Harrell, Petfinder’s senior producer and long-time cat foster mom. “But they won’t work for just anything. They want the soft, gooey, stinky treats.” And Jane’s fosters aren’t alone. Many cats need something special to motivate them. This means you should toss the kibble back in the cat food bin and look through your cabinets for the good stuff your cat loves. Diced chicken or turkey, low-sodium tuna, meat-flavored baby food and commercial cat treats might be effective, depending on your cat’s individual preferences.

2. Get your cat used to receiving rewards in response to specific behaviors. Start with a simple trick like “high five” to show your cat that good things happen during your training sessions. Watch this video to learn how to teach a cat high five.

3. Practice, practice, practice… but not too much. Repeat this training process several times in a row so that your cat learns why he’s getting rewarded.

You don’t want to wear your cat out or bore him, but you do want to drive home the relationship between a particular reward and behavior — as well as the command associated with that behavior. Petplace.com recommends teaching only one command or trick at a time and limiting sessions to 10 to 15 minutes of practicing. You will, however, want to repeat the routine again the next day and continue it on a regular basis so that your cat doesn’t forget what he’s learned.

4. Try using a clicker to reinforce timing and – eventually — cut down on treats.

It’s important for your cat to be rewarded as soon as she performs the desired action, but it can be difficult for many people to time their rewards precisely with their cat’s behavior. A clicker can help with timing by introducing a sound that tells the cat that what they just did was good.  To teach your cat what the clicker means, “charge” the clicker by clicking and treating your cat without requesting any action. After a few times your cat will learn that the clicker noise means good things are coming and, eventually, the clicker can be its own reward. You now have an aid for perfecting the timing of a reward.

5. Once your cat has fully mastered his first trick, move on to others. Using treats and your clicker, you can introduce common tricks like “down,” “stay” and “come.” But feel free to get creative. You might also want to consider teaching your cat practical behaviors like how to walk on a leash.


If you’re committed to teaching your cat tricks but are having trouble with the process, contact a trainer in your area. Just be sure that he or she has expertise in working with cats. Also be certain that anyone you hire shares your belief in positive reinforcement.

HOW TO CARE YOUR PETS

Taking care of your pet is more then just feeding him/her with the cheapest dog/cat food you can find...keep reading to find out how your pet can have a long

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Make sure your furry "family member" has a food that suits their nutritional needs. Try to buy natural pet food for your family member; not only will she/he appreciate it,they will have a shiner coat, more energy, be happier etc. Feeding them table scraps - no matter how cute they are when they beg - is not a good idea since people food often has minerals and items in it that can be harmful to our feline and canine friends.

2. If you have a dog take them on walks. It will give you and her/him exercise. This also acts as bonding 

Give your "family member" a bath at least once every few weeks. If you have a cat go to your local vet and have them give them a bath (that way you don't end up with a million scratches on you). There are also special shampoos (even ones that don't use water) that you can use on your pet. All they require are a washcloth and a loving hand. Brushing your cat often feels like a they are getting a good scratch, so this can be a great way to follow up their bath time.

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If you have a dog, make sure to cut his/her nails every two months or so. If you have an inside cat, and you don't want your house to look like a bear was in it, it might be a good idea to get her/him de-clawed. If you would like your cat to keep his/her claws, be sure to invest a few dollars in a good scratching post and take the time to teach them how to use it. This will save you and your pet SEVERAL headaches later on.

5.Just like you have to go to the doctor for regular check-ups to make sure you are healthy, be sure to bring your friend to the vet for a check-up as well. Since they can't talk, sometimes it takes an expert look to find out if they are well or not

6.Go to a dog park with your dog, play Frisbee or ball whatever gets them moving. If you have a cat, go to your local pet store and get him/her a cat toy. Don't be surprised though if your cat doesn't like the toy you've chosen n(they are known to be picky). Keep trying and know that sometimes, their favorite toy may be a spot of light or a ball of rolled up paper.

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Most importantly, spend time with your pet. Let them know you love them, and they will be sure to love you back, plus give it a treat sometimes, they will love you if you do that.