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Cat Care Tips
Do You Know How to Read Your Cat? |
 Back to Pet Care Tips |
Does Your Cat Have Frequent Hairballs? |
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Uncover the Secrets
of Brushing Your Cat’s Coat. |
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If you have a cat care tip that you would like to share, please send to: lori@homewithPETS.com |
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| Do You Know How to Read Your Cat? While every cat is different they all use a common set of signals. Learning how to read your cat is essential in communicating with her. The position of her body and the motion of her tail can give you important clues about her feelings and intentions. While petting your cat if her back is rising to touch your hand, she is telling you it feels good. If the back of your companion appears to collapse away under your touch though, she does not like to be held in that particular moment. If your cat stands on her toes, she is asking to be picked up. A quivering tail is the greatest expression of love a cat can show towards a human. On the other hand, a thrashing tail is a sign that your cat feels anxiety and discomfort. Raising hair on the back and crouching low to the ground are universal signs of hostility or uneasiness. Back to the Top Does Your Cat Have Frequent Hairballs? Almost every cat owner has experience the frustration of dealing with hairballs. Over 50 percent of cat owners report that their cat produces hairballs as frequently as once a month. Hairballs are formed when a cat grooms itself and swallows hairs. Hairballs not only cause the unpleasant "hack-hack-hack" sound; they pose a potential danger by blocking the passage of digested food through the intestines, causing an impaction. To recognize a hairball problems look for one of these symptoms: constipation, dry and matted coat, frequent dry coughing or hacking, or lack of interest in eating. The best way to prevent hairballs is BRUSHING YOUR CAT regularly! That way you will remove any excess hair and prevent it from getting in your cats stomach. For extra care there are hairball treatment products (gels, oils, treats, and diets) which are designed to keep hairballs from building up. They can be found in most pet care stores. Back to the Top Uncover the Secrets of Brushing Your Cat’s Coat The only way to keep your cat’s coat beautiful is brushing and combing it regularly. Brushing removes dead hair, prevents tangles and matting of the fur, as well as helps to keep the coat looking good. For shorthaired breeds, use a short-bristled, slightly stiff brush that won't irritate the skin, or use a comb with close, small teeth. For longhaired breeds use a wide-spaced comb. Brush daily or at least three times a week, depending on fur length and density. Start brushing at the head and neck using the wide-spaced part of the comb. Comb down the body, following the lie of the hair. When you reach behind the ears or under the legs pay special attention; this is where mats usually develop. Keep combing until you feel no more mats and you've collected all the loose hair. To remove large mats, gently pull them apart and comb them out, making sure not to hurt your cat. Also keep in mind that a cat that is brushed regularly and frequently will not need a bath very often. This will save you time and hassle. Back to the Top |