Take Care of Your Pets During Winter

It is getting colder outside. From my previous posts, I have list some guidelines to help protect your pets. This article will add to the guidelines.

Did you know that a car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death? Then, you must not leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. Remember to make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Keep Your Cats Inside

It is cold outside. For those people who have pets, you must keep them inside. Always keep your cats inside now because felines can freeze. You must be aware that cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife. Outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

If Your Cat Keeps You Awake at Night

Here are some suggestions to prevent your cat from disturbing you while you sleep.

1. During the evening, make a schedule of few interactive play sessions with your cat. For example, use toys that can mimic the movement of mice and birds, such as toys that dangle and wiggle. For cats who like to fetch, games with ping-pong balls, soft balls and furry mice toys are great.
2. Just before your bedtime feed your cat a main meal. Did you know that cats tend to sleep after a big meal? However, make sure you reduce meal sizes so that your cat doesn’t gain weight.

3. During daylight hours incorporate a variety of enrichment activities to keep your cat busy. He’ll sleep at night if your cats are more active during the day.

4. Consider adding a second cat to your family if your cat is social with other cats.

5. If your cat tries to play with you or wake you while you’re sleeping, you might need to shut him out of your bedroom at night.

Cat’s Nighttime Activity

You probably know that cats are known for sleeping long hours. However, they can be very active. They often are active during the night. Most cats attempt to wake you after you’ve gone to bed, he may want to play, eat or simply enjoy your company. And take note that young cats, especially those under one year old, can drive their owners crazy from sleep deprivation.

Facts About Compulsive Disorders in Cats

Here are some few facts about compulsive disorders in cats.
1. Cats develop compulsive disorders when they are less than two years of age. Kittens start wool sucking as young as three to four months old.
2. Siamese are prone to developing compulsive behavior.
3. The most affected with psychogenic alopecia are female cats.
4. Cats who live exclusively indoors are more prone of developing compulsive behavior. Indoor cats are likely more prone to face stress, and gets less mental stimulation and physical exercise.
5. Cats can develop compulsive behaviors when moving to a new house, home remodeling, or addition of new pet or family member to the household.

Compulsive Behavior in Cats

When define compulsive as repetitive and irresistible. You probably know that compulsive behaviors include eating, grooming, moving around or sexual behaviors. For cats, its most compulsive behaviors include wool sucking or fabric eating and excessive licking, hair chewing or hair pulling. Compulsive behaviors can be harmful to a cat. For example, cats may suffer intestinal obstruction if she eats fabric. Cats may develop skin wounds if she is over-groom.

What To Do When Your Cat Meow?

When your cats do meow, never ignore it. It is always the safest thing to assume that there is something wrong with your cats like she may not have access to her litter box, her water bowl may be empty, or she may be locked in a closet. Always make sure that her needs are given with care and love. Furthermore, never hit or scold your cat if she meows too much.

Cats Meowing Excessively

If your cat is meowing a lot, you should take your cat to the veterinarian to ensure that she is in good health. This is to check about your cat’s medical condition and if your cat is in distress. There are numerous diseases that can cause your cats to feel very hungry, thirsty, restless and irritable. These unusual feelings lead to excessive meowing.

Reasons Why Cats Meow

There are reasons why cats meow.

1. Cats meow to get attention: Did you know that cats do enjoy interacting with people?
2. Cats meow to greet people: When the cat meets you in the house or yard, cats often meow to greet you or speak with you.
3. Cats meow to ask for food: When cats meow at you during mealtime, it means she is asking for food. She wanted to eat also.
4. Cats meow to ask to be let in or out: It is actually the cat’s primary way to let you know that she wants to go out or wants in.
5. Cats meow to find a mate: Cats meow to gain access to females or males.

Why Cats Meow?

You probably know that the cat’s meow is the way cats communicate with people. There are many reasons why cats meow, which include saying hello, to ask for things, and to tell us when something is wrong.

Did you know that cats do meow only at people, and not with other cats? However, kittens meow to their mother to let them know that they are cold or hungry. Once they get a bit older, cats no longer meow to other cats.