What is CatNip actually?

Have you heard of CatNip? Is it true that its a drug to your catss?? Lets read some info about it here.

CATNIP (scientifically known as Nepatia Cataria)


Fresh leaves of catnip may have a mint-like scent, while the dried ones smell like alfalfa (i dunno exactly what it is, i only know its a type of plant, hehe). It has a chemical within the stem and leaves called Nepetalactone.

Historically, over 2000 years ago, the Romans used catnip for cooking and healing. During Middle Ages, catnip was used for treatment of nervousness, colds, and gastrointestinal complaints. It was introduced to the New World by early settlers who cultivated the herb for medicinal purposes and food. As America expanded, so did the popularity of catnip.

Ok, back with cats. How did cats become acquainted with it?? Some say the Egytians , known for their worship of cats, were probably the first to offer catnip to cats.Some suggest that since the Egyptian introduced domestic cats to the Middle Easr, they may have introduced the pleasing effects of catnip; too. Whenever a cat comes across this growing in the garden, he/she will often rub up against it and roll around it, in a sort of drug trip. Young kittens dont react much though, and often repulsed by it. They dont learn to appreciate it until they are over 3 months old.

The responsive cat approaches the palnt and sniffs it. He then proceeds to lick,bite,chew and rub it repeatedly. He may purrs, growl, meow, roll over and even leap about! - mimic the movements seen when a cat is in heat.

You can say that feline addicts are lucky enough, because they suffer no side effects from this. Unlike humans (yes!) do when they smoke weed/cannabis, somewhat a 'cousin' to catnip. Haha..

Catnip is easy to grow and the fresher it is, the more the reaction. Many toys are sold 'with catnip' , supposedly to encourage your cats to play with it. But I doubt these really work (maybe a little) , since the toys have been on the shelf for some time already. But I do, and still buy catnip spray or fresh ones for my felines. I love seeing them sniffing and rolling like no one's business!

Well, my cats do fancy the catnip! How about yoursss??

(info:www.penmarric.ns.ca)

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Cat's Ear Mites! (part 2)

Yup!! Thats ear mitess!!

How to treat them?

Gentle ear cleaning goes a long way towards correcting this problem. These ears are very sensitive, and the ear drum (tympanic membrane) might even be damaged. You might want to bring your pet to the vet to clean the ears, if its your first attempt.

Usually, after the ears are gently cleaned, topical medication will be given. This medication contains anti-inflammatories to soothe inflamed ears, antibiotics to minimize secondary bacterial infection, and an anti-paracidicital to kill the mites. Daily cleaning of the ears and application of medication is continued until the problem is resolved, usually 7-10 days.

According to vets, in some cats they will use an injectable medication called Ivermectin. This drug is especially useful in cats with ears that are too sensitive to clean, or in cats that it is unlikely that you will be able to clean the ears at home on a daily basis. (Yes, my stubborn babybonn!) Ivermectin is very effective and is used commonly, although a very small percentage of cats can have a reaction to this drug and develop central nervous system signs.

Ok, till next timee...Dun forget to check your cats ears several times weekly and clean them as often as needed...

Cat's Ear Mites! (part 1)

Pesky Ear Mites!!! Does your cat have it?

These are the signs to look for:
-Persistent & excessive scratching around ears
-always shakes her/his head
-restless behavior
-brown material present in ears
-foul smelling odour!
-doesnt like to be touched on ear areas

(uh ohh...seems like my BabyBonn is havin' ear mites!!)

Okay..some info on ear mites..
This villain is a common parasite that lives on the surface of the skin lining in the ear canal.
Ear Mites pierce the skin surface to feed, causing inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated,
bacterial infections and loss of hearing may result.

Kittens can acquire an ear mite infection from their mother. Ear mites can be transmitted from one household pet to another. If ear mites are present in a multiple-pet household or a kennel or cattery, it is likely that if one animal is treated, the mites will move to another resident. The

When the cat shakes its head excessively, blood vessels may rupture and soft swellings form on the ear flap. This condition is called hematoma and immediate treatment is needed to avoid pain to your pet and possible ear deformity.

Good ear health is vital to the well being of your pet because ear problems can have very serious consequences such as:

• Inflamed ears
• Painful ears
• Chronic Problems
• Constant medication
• Hearing loss
• Discharge and odor
• Intense scratching
• Ear infections
• Sores
• Painful blood clots
• Surgery
• Costly vet bills

How to get rid of these pesky mites???? Stay tune ..

(Info : PETCARETIPS.COM)

Caring for Older Cats

My SexyMama Girl here is about 6++ yrs old . Im not sure to categorize her as Older Cat, but she's the eldest feline in my house , though..

But I gotta swallow the truth, she is OLD and she acts like one. She seems like having a dementia ("mcm nyanyuk lar tu!) back these dayss..

Pee/poo in the kitchen/bathroom sink, in shoe/kitchen cabinets (yes! she opens the cabinet door by herself!), in plastic bags..oways meowing loudly in the middle of the dark .. *sigh* and the list goes on..

Okayy..how can you tell that your cat is OLD ? They can look much the same on the outside and she still adores to play mouse-catch with you. But we must consider the number of years that she's already been living through.

You might notice that older cats seems to nap a lot more, and its normal for them to sleep 18hrs a day! As a cat ages, her joints may stiffen and become difficult to move, making her lethargic about many types of activities, even her grooming ritual. But before you decide to do a thorough brushing for her, ask your veterinarian to make sure your cat's not seriously ill -- a lack of desire to groom can also be a sign of sickness.

However tempting it may be to treat her to table scraps, it's really not wise. Overfeeding a cat at any age -- especially with fatty foods -- is actually setting her up for obesity and related health problems in the future.

Above all, you'll need to start watching your geriatric cat very closely for hints of illness. After weeks of seeming healthy, a cat suddenly may display signs of being very ill, catching you, the owner, off guard. Too often, pet owners hope a small problem will go away, only to seek their veterinarian's advice when their cat is beyond help.

The best thing you can do is watch for signs and, if you spot anything amiss, visit your vet, at least!

Daaa~~~

(Info : PURINA.com)

Have you neuter/spay your feline?

I've had my MiuMiu neutered a few years ago. Since he's the only male cat @my house, I didnt get Girl & BabyBonn spayed (oopss..Babybonn is about 5 years and shes a virgin!) ..

In case you are unsure about Neuter & Spay, here's some info about it.

"Female cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia.

Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet."

WHy its GOOD to neuter/spay your pet?

• Spaying and neutering helps cats live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

So, why wait..if you havent get this done, consult your vet now yaaa...
Meoooowssss!!! -signing off-

Cat Fleas!

Your cat has fleas? Well, mine does!

Scratching & Biting at the fur is a good indicator your cat has fleas. Upon close inspection of the fur & skin, you can see the fleas on your cat ( yes! the darn brown-colored insect). Its easier to see on light colored cats.

How to get rid of them?

I usually use SPOT treatment (Frontline brand) on my cats.

This usually cost me about RM50 (about USD 12) for 3 vials. Its avalaible at most pet stores/vets. Its quite effective compared to flea powders or flea collars. But it is important to follow instructions when applying the chemical onto your cats, because cats are very sensitive towards chemicals (and so do we!)

Its recommended that you apply the treatment to the area between shoulder blades; this is to prevent your cat from ingesting it before it has time to spread through the coat.

Besides that, I always enjoy to handpick the fleas, too! Haha..
Oh well, my cats do have fleas apparently; I will need to stock up on Frontline later. I guess I will be broke by RM50 today ..

Till next timee...*purrrsss*

Litterbox Tips

This is Miumiu's mama..so called Girl.

She's quite old already..about 6 years ++ . She's so forgetful nowadays..and very clumsy. I supposed this is due to her aging process, haha. She always pee in the kitchen/bathroom sink , poops in her foodbowl..and the list goes on (phew!) And yuppp...she hardly uses the LITTERBOX!

But here's some tips on Litterbox issue (regardless my Girl's case)

Place the litter box in a clean, relatively quiet and accessible location. Keep it away from high-traffic areas and be sure your cat has access to it any time she needs it. Be sure to keep the litter box out of reach of children as well as the other animals in the household.

Show kitty where it is. Place her in the box and let her sniff. Some people have found it useful to rake their fingers through the litter to show their cat what they want her to do.

If you have more than one cat, consider a separate litter box for each. Cats generally don't like to eliminate in the same place as other cats.

Keep the litter box clean. Scoop out soiled litter daily, and change the entire box every week, putting in fresh litter. You can wash out the box with a solution of water and vinegar to help reduce the odor, and then add a little baking soda to the litter itself. An inch and a half of fresh litter is usuall plenty.

Don't place her litter box near her food and water. Cats don't like to eliminate where they eat. (hmmm..but girl poops@foodbowl!)

Clean any accidents immediately. If kitty does have an accident, clean the area right away with a half and half solution of white vinegar and water. This will help to eliminate the odor and hopefully prevent kitty from returning to that spot.

Never punish your cat for having an accident. Do not strike her or rub her nose in the mess; Instead, firmly say "No!", then place her in her litter box and praise her there.

Hope this helps! Meooowsss

Cats need bath, too

This is one of my cats , so-called BabyBonn. She's the most mischievous one..and she hates Bathing..

Okayy...lets get it goin

Just a tip on bathing your cat.

Giving cat a bath can be very easy or very difficult (tremendously easy on my miumiu), depending on the cat temperament (darn babybonn!).

Remember that cats, unlike dogs, have five weapons: four sets of claws and teeth!

• STEP 1: Adopt a calm, positive attitude before and during the bath'it will help ease your cat's anxiety.

• STEP 2: Consider trimming your cat's claws beforehand to reduce your risk of getting scratched
  

• STEP 3: Bring your cat into the bathroom. Close the door and keep it closed until you are finished.

• STEP 4: Fill the bathtub/sink with enough lukewarm water to cover your cat's paws.

• STEP 5: Gently set your cat in the tub/sink.

• STEP 6: Give your cat free rein in the bathtub using minimal restraint, but gently hold on to the back of her neck if she tries to escape. (scuff him..good boyy..good boy)

• STEP 7: You can try to apply a drop of baby or olive oil to your cat's eyes to prevent irritation from the shampoo.

• STEP 8: Scoop water in a plastic cup, and pour it over the cat until her fur is wet, making sure to avoid her eyes.

• STEP 9: Apply a regular shampoo made for cats, or a flea shampoo if needed, and rub it into the cat's fur. Use caution around the eyes.

• STEP 10: Hold your cat under the faucet or scoop clean water over her to rinse.

• STEP 11: Quickly pat or rub your cat dry with a towel ( i use a large towel for miumiu, he likes to be cuddled with the towel :) )

• STEP 12: Comb through your cat's fur to spend quality time together as she dries, then give her a special treat such as catnip or kibble for a job well done.

• Be sure to remove all soap when rinsing, since cats will groom themselves and ingest anything left on their fur.

Understanding your cat's body language

On Patrol of Territory

1. Perked ears indicate curiosity
2. Tail provides balance
3. Whiskers measure width
4. Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance with a distinct smell
5. Paws planted firmly and confidently on the ground
6. Paw pads act as shock absorbers

Ready To Take Action

1. Tail acts as a counterbalance as center of gravity shifts forward
2. Smooth body fur indicates confidence
3. Forward ears show assertiveness
4. Dilated pupils indicate excitement
5. Concentrated expression
6. Hind legs bent, ready for action

Relaxed and Content

1. Each whisker is used for sensory perception
2. Direct eye contact demonstrates trust
3. Tail in relaxed position
4. Slanted eyes indicate contentment
5. Nose pad receptors
6. Ears always attentive

Info source : PURINA.com

Your cat sleeps too much?

My cat sleeps all day long...why???

Thats plainly because...Cats like to sleep :)

According to PURINA.COM,
Don't worry if your cat seems to sleep a lot. On average they sleep 16 to 18 hours per day! Research shows that cats do enter a stage of sleep in which dreams occur. Their brain activity indicates that they have dreams, but the real question is, "What do cats dream about?" Hehehe

And the specific personality and breed of the cat will determine where the cat chooses to sleep. In my case, my miumiu is a mix-persian breed. And persian breed is quite a lazy type..so expect a straight 2-figure number of hours nap from them!

Some like to be in secluded places where no one can disturb them. They like to lie in high cupboards and similar places. Other breeds of cats like to sleep in places where everyone is converging. These cats like to be noticed. So they sleep at the center of the foyer, in the middle of the stairs and even on the couch, especially when there are guests. Yeapp..sounds like my 'Oh so vain' felines..

Nonetheless, as cats get older, they tend to sleep more. But be sure that, if he/she wakes up, she is alert and active. If your cat is eating and drinking okay, using the litter box okay, and seems fine otherwise, no need to be too concerned. If the sleeping all day is a relatively sudden development, however, and you’re concerned, I’d zip the cat over to the vet for a quick examination.

DO YOU KNOW???
The cats natural low frequency purring is known for it´s exceptional therapeutic calming and stress relief effectsand has a natural steady lulling rhythm, during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz. The low frequency purr vibration is spread throughout the body.This makes you deeply relaxed and will help youor your child to fall asleep.

Are you cat-natics?

Are you a cat lover? Well, I do ! If you're one, you'll treasure my portal for sharing information and thoughts about the lovely felines. You will know and understand the laughter, the joy, the companionship, that your cat can bring to your (our) life..well..some people dont just understand this..including some of my friends and family members.

If you are not sure whether you are a freaky CAT PERSON (like i am) or not, make a checklist from below stats:

[1] You take your cats name as your online name ( yes, I do)

[2] You dare not move a muscle when a kitty falls asleep at your feet

[3] You cried more than your cat did the day you dropped him at the vet's to be neutered

[4] You sleep in the addest positions, just so you can accomodate your cat, even if he/she chooses to plonk itself in the middle of your bed

[5] Furs on your black velvety jacket, getting stray particles of kitty litter from your cat's paw doesnt really bother you

[6] If you own more that 1 cat, you can tell which cat threw up@ pee @ by just a hint of smell or looking at the pile (funny, but this is true)

[7] You constantly go the grocery in a hurry, just to get cat food/litter before the grocery closes

[8] When someone else yells at your cat (or any cat), you'll get annoyed and will say "Hey! She/He's only a cat"

[9] You have a normal conversation with cats , and you think its normal

[10] You think that they understand you and communicate back

[11] You take more pics of your cat, than your own

[12] Your cats are all you are thinking when you're away from them (i.e holiday)

[13] Your cat eats the most expensive cat food available, but you subsist on Instant cupnoodles for dinner

[14] You refer yourself as Mama or Sister when communicating with your cat

[15] Your cat has more nicknames than you (or your other half) do

[16] You spend a date telling your date all about your cats and nothing about yourself

[17] You post pictures of your cat on your webpages and your spouse has no picture posted!

[18] You dont mind sharing your meal with your cat

[19] You've stopped caring about the amount of fur on your clothing on the rare occasions when you go out in public

[20] You actually read every single words herewith :)


So, if you say YES for more than 10 stats above, you're a serious cat fanatic like I do !
Stay tune for more updatess...Thanks

*miaoowwss*