So the big moment is finally here! You’ve just adopted a new cat or kitten from your local shelter or rescue, rampaged through the pet store to stock up on supplies, toys and goodies, and visited the vet for a health-check, shots, and neutering. Now its time to introduce kitty to her new home and the rest of the family. With just a little planning and patience, you can ensure that your cats adjustment period will be as rapid and stress-free as possible.

Home Is Where the Catnip Is: Cats are, by nature, highly territorial, which means that having a place to call their own is extremely important to their emotional well-being. Your new cat is already in a state of stress from having been in a shelter or being given up for adoption, and being brought to a strange new home only increases that stress. Your goal is to help make your new cat feel comfortable as quickly as possible. When you bring your new cat home, confine it to a single room for at least the first few days (with food and litter, of course!). Although this may seem cruel by human standards, it is actually a great kindness to allow your cat to claim ownership of a small new territory at its own pace and without competition.

Some shy cats may hide under the bed for as long as a week; others will be ready to come out into the house and go exploring after just a day. The important thing is to let the cat emerge whenever it feels ready. You should spend as much time as possible in the room with the cat, but you should never try to force it out of hiding. The cat will let you know when its ready to begin exploring more of the house. Be sure to leave fresh food and water out at all times, and check that it is being consumed. Even stressed cats like to eat, so no food for 24 hours or more is possibly a sign of illness and warrants a trip to the vet.

Meeting the Family: Naturally, everyone in the family, especially the kids, will be excited about the new arrival. Children should be invited to visit the new kitty in her room, one at a time. Try to keep your children quiet and seated on these visits, so they do not frighten the cat if he’s not used to kids. If the cat is friendly and approaches, have them offer an outstretched hand to sniff.

If the cat accepts this, they can gently pet the cat. As the cat becomes familiar with the child, they may play with a cat toy on a string or stick. NEVER let your children encourage a kitten to pounce on their fingers (or yours, for that matter). It may seem cute at first, but a full grown cat jumping on and biting a hand in play can be very painful or cause bleeding. Teach your children how to properly hold a cat: with one hand under the rump and one hand on the back, held up against their bodies. And don’t leave small children unsupervised with your cat.

Reassuring Jealous Cats: Cats are like children in many ways, so its not surprising that your older pet may be jealous of a new arrival. He may be fearful of losing territory or worried that he is about to be replaced. Extra love, attention and patience during this transition will help to reassure your pet that it is still the center of your universe! Be prepared for it to take from a week to a month before the new cat is accepted by the resident cat. Before bringing home your new cat, make sure that both old and new cats are healthy and current on their vaccinations, including Feline Leukemia. Let your cat continue to have run of the house while the new cat is confined, so that he understands he is not being pushed out of his territory. Allow him to sniff or paw under the door with your new cat, and exchange items to familiarize each animal with the others smell.

When the time comes for the two cats to meet face to face, try to give them short periods of contact, slowly increasing the time as they adapt to one another. Be sure to supervise their visits until you’re sure they are okay alone, and be prepared for some hissing and growling, which is quite normal for cats that are getting to know one another. Do not yell at or discipline either cat for hissing or growling, and in the unlikely event of a fight breaking out, break it up with a spray from a water bottle or a thrown towel, not your hands. Prevent the new cat from sleeping in any of your old cats favorite places (for example your bed) and provide each with separate food and water bowls and litter pans. They’ll probably use each others, but will appreciate having their own. Try to keep your older cats routine intact, and take every opportunity you can to pet and praise your older cat. Above all, be patient, and one day you will find your new cats grooming each other when they think you’re not looking!

Friendly Like Cats and Dogs: Most of the same advice applies to introducing cats and dogs. Again, let the dog have run of the house, and sniff at the cat under the door and exchange scented items during the first few days. You may wish to put up a baby gate in the doorway of the cats room or bring the cat into the house in a carrier so the animals can see each other before they actually meet.

Make sure the first visits in the house are supervised, with the dog on a leash if you are unsure about how friendly he will be. Encourage you dog with gentle praise if he is friendly. If the cat runs from your dog, do not allow the dog to chase it, and don’t force a cat that seems uncomfortable to be in the same room with the dog. Keep the first visits brief, then extend them as the animals become familiar with each other. Be patient, give them time, and they’ll soon learn to get along.

Most people realize that any dog, no matter the size or breed has the potential to bite, whether it be another dog or a person. Dog bites are extremely common and often end up in court. There are some things you should know about how to avoid dog bites and possible legal action.

The first and most obvious thing is to know your dog’s temperament and his or her tolerance for different stressful situations that could provoke a bite. Small dogs are actually just as likely to bite as a bigger dog. The main difference is the amount of damage caused by a small dog, versus the bite of a larger dog. Some breeds or breed mixes may be more prone to biting, not because they are a “vicious” breed,  but because they were bred for a certain purpose. A herding dog, like a border collie, uses its mouth to move the animals its herding, so he may try to do that with a group of children. Hunting dogs have a high prey drive and may be likely to chase after other animals or small kids that are running around. Guard and protection dogs, may react to what they determine is a threat. In all these cases, proper socialization to other people and situations is crucial.

What would cause a dog to bite? It is usually a case of fight or flight because the dog feels stressed or threatened. A child playing with a dog may be teasing the dog without realizing it.  A dog that is sick or in pain may also be likely to bite. There are warning signs to watch for that can help you avoid a dog bite. Aside from the dog growling and baring its teeth, a dog that is agitated will stiffen its body and tail. The hair on the dog’s back often stands up and, if you can see the whites of the dog’s eyes, this is a sign that he or she is ready to attack. The best thing to do in this situation is to slowly back away from the dog. Keep your eyes averted and your head lowered. This will signal submission and the dog may back down. Although it may seem like the best thing, do not turn and run away. This tells the dog that he should chase you. If it is possible, put something between you and the dog. You can even wrap your forearm in a jacket and use that to protect your head and neck.

A dog that is panting without his or her tongue hanging out is stressed. Other behaviors that could indicate a dog is feeling stressed or threatened include nervous actions like, shaking, biting his paw, sudden interest in self grooming or unusual interest in a familiar object. These actions are things to dog may do to avoid or distract itself from whatever is causing the agitation.

If you have a dog that can not be trusted to be around people without a threat of a biting incident, you should keep your dog separated from people, either by keeping him crated, or in a fenced area. If you need to take your dog out in public, to the vet for instance, use a muzzle on your dog.

If your dog bites someone, be as polite and accommodating as possible. Be apologetic and offer to get a copy of your dog’s vaccination records. Offer to drive them to the doctor or hospital. Offer to pay or have your insurance pay the bills. Write down the name of the victim, when and where it happened, and what the person and the dog were doing at the time of the incident. If there were any witnesses to the incident, get their names and contact information in case there is a lawsuit.

With some knowledge and care, dog bites can usually be avoided. They are traumatic for everyone involved. You  must be a responsible dog owner to protect people and other animals from your dog, and protect you and your dog from the consequences of a dog bite situation. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol

Spay or Neuter a New Cat
Millions of cats are euthanized each year in shelters due to the overcrowding of animals. Cats can easily have over 10 kittens in a given pregnancy leaving owners with problem of trying to find homes for these kittens. There is an easy remedy to this problem and that is spaying or neutering your cat. Not only is this the responsible thing to do but it is better for your cat. If unspayed female are more at risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, pyometra, tumors of the uterus & ovaries. While unneutered male cats run a risk of developing testicular cancer. 

The Price of having a cat
When people see a cute kitten they immediately decide to adopt it. Once home they realize they have made a mistake. They are not prepared for the responsibility of a cat, not all members of the family are happy to have a cat, resident pets don’t adapt well to the new addition or it just doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Checking the health of your new cat
When a household decides to adopt a cat, be it from the shelter or a breeder a great deal of time should go into selecting the right animal. Have questions about where the pet came from, how they have interacted with the staff, do the pet have a behavior issue, etc. If you are buying from a breeder, ensure they are registered with an appropriate cat council. When visiting the cattery check out the overall health of the animals. Always have everything in writing, including the final cost of the cat, health guarantees etc.

Buying purebreds from pet shops or backyard breeders
If you are buying a cat from a pet shop or a backyard breeder there is probably little chance that a proper screening of genetic problems has taken place. Pet shops generally charge more for purebred kittens than a registered breeder would. Not only this, but they most likely won’t have certified paper to ensure their authenticity and health. As a result, you may be buying a cat that could have substantial medical bills in the future or even pass away suddenly. 

Seek veterinary help
People don’t realize the seriousness of a medical condition & fail to take appropriate action & get the cat to a vet. This may be due to the lack of knowledge they posses or funds. Cat owners should look into the cost of having pet health insurance or a special Cat Fund prepared in case of emergencies.

Flea Control Product
Unless recommended by your veterinarian, cats should be treated with a cat flea treatment only such as Frontline. Pet owners think they will save money by sharing their dog’s flea control product with their cats. This can prove fatal as cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins & pyrethroids which are often in dog flea products. The use of these on cats can result in death.

An appropriate diet
Cats have very specific dietary needs and as such need a balanced diet. There are many commercially available brands of cat food available which will fulfill your cat’s dietary requirements. Don’t attempt to feed your cat a home-made diet or other human consumed foods unless you have spent a great deal of time researching, as certain food s can do more harm than good.

Your roaming cat
Some owners feel that having your cat roam outside the home is beneficial for them. In actuality it may do more harm as free roaming cats & their lifespan is considerably shorter than that of indoor only cats, or cats with limited/supervised access outside. Outdoor cats run the risk of being highly stress by been hit by a car, attacked by another cat or dog, plus many other dangers they encounter which is very traumatizing.

Declawing VS not Declawing
Declawing has been a heated debate for many veterinarians, cat advocates, and owners alike. Some veterinarians consider declawing a “routine” surgery, while cat advocates consider it cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary in almost every case. Declawing is not for everyone and cat owners should have all the facts before making this decision.

Litter Box Maintenance
Cats will use a litter box only if it is kept clean, and if the litter is not scented or pleasant to the cat’s feet. Carefully maintaining your cat’s litter box will almost guarantee that you will not be faced with litter box avoidance problems. Don’t try to over clean the box with disinfectant or bleach as cats are very sensitive to these and other chemicals. It is also recommended to have an automatic litter box to help in reducing the maintenance. If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside the box despite your careful maintenance, you should immediately suspect a urinary tract problem and call your veterinarian.

Cats are born with claws, the same way that humans are born with fingernails and toe nails. Cats need claws in order to mark or scratch a specific place or territory that they have been in. Humans need finger nails to, scratch themselves or others, or for opening a letter envelope. Cats basically stretch their agile bodies in order to prepare their muscles when they dig their claws deeply into wood perhaps or a tree, and then they pull back from their hold. Scratching is a basic physiological need of cats. 

So do cats need to be declawed? If cat owners truly care for the welfare of their cats, they would have to think twice on declawing their cats. 

Declawing, what is it?

Declawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat. In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being. For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.

Though the recovery of declawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and/or psychological effects could last a cat’s lifetime.

The following are the possible results once a cat has been declawed. 

Ouch, ouch and ouch

Immediately after surgery, declawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing.  Declawed cats could be considered as amputees. Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from aches.

Complications after the surgery

After the surgery, declawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects: presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth.  Based on studies performed on declawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. The same result has been found on cats who went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to declawing. It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.

Stiffness of the joints

Cats that are declawed experience stiffness of the joints since the tendons that manipulate the toes retract because of the surgery. As time goes by, these same joints freeze and ultimately they will no longer be able to extend their toes.

It has been thought though that cats really do not miss their claws since they also “scratch” continually even if they no longer have anything to scratch with. However, this act is really the cats’ way to stretch those frozen joints.

Catarthritis

Believe it or not, research shows that declawed cats immediately shift the weight of their bodies to the back and onto the larger pad in the front of their feet, away from their toes. The result is still evident despite giving these cats strong anti-pain relievers. If such an effect continues after declawing, the cat will ultimately stress its own joints in the leg, its spine and eventually suffer from arthritis. 

Cats who cannot claw, bite

Since the natural instinct of cats is to claw especially when threatened or scared, in the absence of claws cats are forced to resort to another form of defense – their teeth. Declawed cats that are aggressive naturally are more prone to biting.

Declawed cats have no “nine lives”.

There is a serious risk of death for cats that are declawed. Death could be brought on by the anesthesia they received, or any complications in surgery or hemorrhage. 

Declawed cats that resort to biting run the risk of being abandoned by their owners. These cats could then be put in a shelter, and since they turn to biting, the probability of being adopted becomes slim. Usually un-adoptable cats are put to sleep or they are used to train dogs to fight usually as bait. 

In summary, cats are extremely and highly trainable to be taught to use a post for scratching instead of common household furniture, rugs or curtains. Though declawing  cats is one of the options a cat owner can take, it is basically an unkind and a very animal-unfriendly thing to do. It all depends on the cat owner whether Kitty is more (or less than) valuable than that expensive Italian rug. The choice is theirs.

Dogs are men’s best friends. We dress them up not just to look more attractive but more importantly to protect their coats.

People love their pets so much. They treat their pets as a member of their family. They think that their family would not be complete without their pets. Many of us take care of dogs. We love them so much that we treat them like human beings already. They are very loyal, adorable and fun to play with. We turn to our dogs sometimes when no one else would listen to us. They relieve us from stress after a day’s work.

They are like best friends to us already. We buy them clothes and dress them up. We sometimes buy matching designs as our clothes so they will be better associated to us. We find them cute when they don these apparels.

Dog coats are the most common apparels we make our pets wear. They come in a great variety of colors, sizes, designs and materials. You will easily find these in pet stores. Some veterinary clinics also sell these dog clothings.

At first, it may look like it is too much for dogs to wear clothes like human beings. They are just animals after all no matter how much we become attached to them. Some groups are against this practice thinking that such extravagance in dogs is not necessary at this time when there are many people suffering.

It may seem like mere ostentation at the initial glance. It’s cute to look at when dogs walk the streets wearing coats. The passersby will give stares in admiration. Some will even take pictures at the adorable sight. But then again, these coats are not just to make dogs look more appealing.

Coats are more for protection. It helps dogs battle many different diseases brought about by extreme weather conditions. As owners of the dog, it is our responsibility also to keep our pets clean and always safe from diseases. It is not only because we love them, but it is more so our responsibility to other people around us.

We walk our dogs everyday. They come in contact with many people as they stroll the public streets. They are so lovely to look at that some could not resist but touch them. They will slide their hands on the furs in admiration. Imagine how fast and easy it will be for dogs to spread diseases if they are not clean?

Making them wear coats is one effective way to keep dogs healthy and clean, especially now that our surroundings are not as clean as they once were. It is easy for dogs to catch dirt because of their furs. And then we bring them home with us, and our children will play with and hug the pets. The chances of dogs catching a disease are very well reduced when they wear coats.

Dog coats were made also to protect against the cold, especially come winter season. Just like human, dogs can get colds from too much cold temperature. These coats will protect your dogs and give them the warm that they need for their body.

In United States the Star design dog coats is very popular in the Hollywood world. The Hollywood stars use these kinds of coats for their dogs. They find it cute and more appealing to look at. The star design dog coats are very attractive to see. With this on a comfortable fabric, it can surely turn lot of heads to your dog. This can give lots of enthusiast to all the dog owners.

These coats can also be decorated to look more pleasant. You can add beads, stones of pearls, buttons and many other things that can be used for decorations.