Cats are notoriously known for their bad moods, self importance and arrogant behavior. However, sometimes cats can be a little too aggressive, especially if they have not been socialized properly. An aggressive cat is a potentially dangerous cat and so it is important to train them to lose part of that aggression whenever possible. So just how do you train a cat to be less aggressive?

Understanding Your Cats Aggression

Most cat aggression problems stem from a traumatic experience that the cat has previously had. For example, perhaps as a kitten your cat was hurt by another person? Or perhaps they were abandoned and that has taught them to be more wary of things around them?

Most of the time the aggression that your cat is showing you, is fear based aggression. So by understanding what your cats fear is, it is then easier to know how to train them and teach them that everything is ok. However, there are other causes of cat aggression and they include over excitement and illness. If your cat is ill for example, if you touch them in a certain place they may feel pain and they will strike out at you. Also, if you stroke your cat for long periods of time, it could become irritable and once again strike out at you.

By understanding what it is that makes your cat aggressive, you can then work on changing that behavior as best as you can.

Changing Aggressive Behavior

Changing a cat’s aggressive behavior can be hard but it is done similar to how you would train a dog not to bite or nip you.

Firstly it is always better to avoid the situation where possible. So if you know that certain things set your cat off, then make sure that you avoid doing it whenever possible. This could include playing with the cat where they become too excited within a certain time limit. If you know that the cat is going to get irritable after a few minutes, stop playing with them before that time and you will have successfully avoided the cat’s aggressive behavior.

Another thing that you can do to train your cat or kitten not to bite you is playing with them gently at first and keeping an eye on their behavior. As long as they are gentle with you, praise them. Eventually start making the game a little more excitable and look out for signs of claws being retracted and any signs of the cat going to bite you. If they do, stop playing and act dead and this should calm them down. If it doesn’t say ‘ouch’ as loud as you can.

Overall avoiding the behavior is always the best way to stop cat aggression, but if that isn’t possible then ignore the cat and do not give them any attention for a while.

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Whether you are adopting or have just adopted a cat, the excitement you are having should be great. No doubt it takes time and effort to be a responsible owner, the joy you would enjoy with your new companion overshadows all hard work. Doesn’t it just melt your heart when your “cutie pie” looks into your eyes with unreserved love?

When you have your new pet cat joining the family, you need to ensure that you have enough time to spend with it. This is the time when you could build the bonding and to understand your feline’s personality. No two cats have identical characteristics and traits, so it is always helpful to understand your very own pet. Sooner or later, depending on how much time you have spent with your cat, you should be able to understand your new companion, just like any human beings.

You may not see the reason behind as to why you need to understand your cat. But understanding your cat is extremely important if you want to be a good and responsible owner. Well, of course your cat cannot talk to you but by observing your cat’s behavior, you could figure out what it wants if you understand it well enough. So if you know what your feline wants, isn’t it easier for you to provide it with better care? Notwithstanding the fact that you should be able to understand your cat sooner or later, it would definitely benefit you with more information as in how you could better understand your cat.

To begin the journey of understanding your cat, you may like to start by observing its behavior to look out for signals which show that it is ready to attack anytime. The signal to attack out of anger and the signal to fight out of playfulness can be different. Cats can have anger issues though they are always tamed. To know when your cat is prepared to attack when agitated is important as you would not want it to injure any person or any other pet. When you see that your cat crouched with its head down, it may imply that it is not happy and you can expect it to pounce anytime. There are other signs you can look out for, like moving its tail horizontally, more of like lashing a whip back and forth. If your cat did not attack, it may also retreat to some places where it can find comfort to cool down.

There are also times when cats, especially kittens attack you, your family members or even other pets because they are in their playful mood. It’s not difficult to see their playful signals. An elated cat with a playful mood is always active and likes to run about. It may hide behind any object, crouched and fix its eyes on its target waiting for a good time to attack and run. If your cat purrs, a soft and low sound made by its throat could be heard, this is actually a signal showing to you that it is pleased. When this happened, you may like to cuddle it or stroke its head to show your extra attention on it.

As mentioned, it just melts your heart when your feline looks into your eyes with unreserved love. You can look for the signs from your cat when it is showing its love towards you. One way as some people believe is through licking and biting. Another signal is shown when a cat squint when it look at you, it is actually showing you its love and affection.

Understanding your cat isn’t that difficult as long as you put your heart into it. The examples which I’ve mentioned above were only a fraction of the signals you can look out for as a start. Spend a little more time with your new companion, observe it carefully, and take note of its personalities. In no time at all, you will understand you new friend inside out.

Any responsible cat owner will provide the best care for his or her feline. Sign up for a Free 10 Day eCourse on tips to properly care and train for your feline at http://www.jeffboo.com/recommend/catcare.html

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Potty training is often the most important priority because of hygiene reasons. Obviously you do not want to come back from work or invite friends over, only to discover nasty surprises everywhere. To teach your cats to go to the toilet you need to experiment on your pet’s preferences on litter and boxes. Therefore, you need to provide choice for your kitty and your kitty will let you know which toilet and litter he/she prefers. When you have established what they like, you need to rub its paws into the box which leaves a scent for your pet to come back to.

Scratching is also something which you have to correct in your little tiger. Scratching is natural for your animal because it is a way to sharpen their claws however you still don’t want your furniture or valuable goods taking the punishment for your cat’s behavior. Instead you should provide a clawing post so that your kittens can enjoy what they do best. So, how do you get them using the clawing post? You should try to make it as appealing as possible by adding feathers or even spraying some catnip on the pole. You should also make sure the pole is sturdy as kittens do not like to be off balance. You should always praise your feline when he/she does use the dedicated pillar as this reinforce they have done a good job.

Finally if you want your little tiger from leaving marks on particular furnishing you can spray specific repellents and put foil around it.

Attention all frustrated cat owners imagine what it would be like having an obedient pussycat. You can if you know what to do. You can solve problems such as scratching, aggressiveness, spraying, and bad toilet behavior.

We show you how to look after its well being, get use to new surroundings and how to have create good relationships within household if you have other animals. You can even learn to save your its life by finding out if it is suppose to go outside. Pussycats can easily be attacked and killed by each other if they can’t survive outside. You can make sure they understand that scratching is only allowed on their scratching posts and not all over your wood furniture. Also we teach you ways to calm them down. This is vital when getting them to the vets and getting them to take medication.

Remember understanding is the key to a happy relationship. Our guide helps you to have the perfect relationship. In short he/she will be the perfect, loving and tender.

Click Here Solve Your Problems

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Here are a few examples of cat body signals:

1. Face language

• ears up and pointed forward: “I’m alert and ready for action”
• ears forward and slightly outward: “I’m at ease but observing”
• ears up and pointed backwards: “I’m angry, confident and ready to fight”
• ears pulled back and molded against the skull: “I’m scared and prepared to defend myself”
• ears down and sideways: “I’m submissive”
• slowly blinking eyes: “I feel peaceful and relaxed”
• dilated pupils: “I’m scared”, “I’m angry and scared” or “I’m excited”
• narrow pupils: “I’m confident and watchful”
• whiskers forward: “Interested”
• whiskers backwards: “Anxious”

2. Talking tails

• tail bent forward over the head: “I’m full of myself”
• tail lifted straight up: “All is well, I am pleased”
• tail straight up and quivering: “I am so happy to see you!”
• tail straight up and waving gently: “I am curious, I want to explore”
• tail straight up, tail tip hooked: “I’d like to be friendly but not sure if everything is OK”
• tail straight up and bushy: “I’m angry, watch out”
• tail slightly up: “Not sure”
• tail mid up, whipping from side to side: “I’m irate and frustrated, get lost!”
• tail horizontal: “I’m ready to be friends”
• tail down, tail tip twitching: “I’m bit annoyed”
• tail down between the back legs: “I’m afraid”

3. Other body messages

• purring and relaxed: “I’m happy and content”
• purring and tense: “I’m nervous and frightened” or “I’m in pain”
• rubbing against your legs: “I love you and you are mine”
• kneading with the paws: “I feel good”
• shaking paws: “Yuk, disgusting”
• giving you head butts: “You’re my buddy and I like you”

By misreading cat’s body signals and by responding in the wrong way, cat could develop unpleasant behavior problems, it could become distrusting, timid, aggressive and unpredictable. Understanding cat body language is of vital importance for owners adopting a cat from shelters. These cats have often been abused and suffer emotional trauma. They need to be approached very gently and carefully observed for any signs of defensiveness or aggression as they may be confused and not know if new person plans to hurt them or not. Pinpointing the reasons and solving many cat behavior problems they may have will require understanding attitude and lot of patience.

Sarah is a veterinarian with special interest in cat psychology and cat training. She owns Cat Behavior Problems Site where people can find practical training tips & advice on cat behavior problems

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Author: Sara Williams

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Causes of Abdominal Distention

One possible cause of abdominal distension is the accumulation of fluid. This accumulation can be caused by a number of different health issues. These include:

• Blood from an internal hemorrhage

• Urine from a urinary tract tear

• Exudate, a fluid caused by infection

• Transudates, which are fluids that are leaked from vessels

Abdominal distension can also be caused when an organ becomes enlarged, such as the spleen, liver or kidney. Your cat may also experience abdominal distension due to injury, during pregnancy or due to tension in the abdominal area or other organs.

Symptoms of Abdominal Distension

In addition to having an enlarged abdominal cavity, there are other signs and symptoms (some extremely serious) that are commonly associated with abdominal distension. Some other symptoms your cat may exhibit include:

• Change in urinary habits

• Change in bowel habits

• Decreased appetite

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty breathing

• Diminished activity level

• Loss of fat

• Loss of muscle

• Sudden weakness

• Vomiting

• Wretching

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important to contact your veterinarian right away so your cat can be examined. Failure to act quickly can lead to an increase in the severity of the condition, unneeded surgery, or even death.

Diagnosing and Treating Abdominal Distension

Diagnosing abdominal distension involves determining the cause. As such, your veterinarian will likely complete a number of different procedures in order to determine the specific problem. These procedures include:

• Abdominal ultrasounds

• Abdominal x-rays

• Abdominocentesis

• Biopsy

• Blood tests

• Chest x-rays

• Physical examination

• Specific tests on organs

• Urinalysis

After determining the cause of the abdominal distension, your doctor will be able to effectively treat the disorder. If the distension was caused by fluid in the abdomen, the fluid will be drained or your veterinarian may choose to administer a diuretic to remove the fluid. If the abdominal distension is caused by organ enlargement, the veterinarian may need to perform surgery to investigate further.

If the abdominal distension is caused by liquid accumulation resulting from diseases such as heart failure or cirrhosis, the veterinarian will need to take steps to treat these diseases while also draining the fluids in order to alleviate the pressure.

Abdominal distension is usually caused by a very serious disease or disorder. Therefore, it is essential for you to seek medical treatment for your cat right away if you notice abdominal enlargement. Quick action on your part to seek treatment will increase the likelihood your precious kitty will get through the disorder safely. Waiting too long, on the other hand, can lead to devastating effects for you and your feline friend.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s resource for cats for sale.

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The most common vocal communication is “meow”. But its meaning changes from time to time. You must get use to your cat’s variation of tones. This way you can know what your cat really means. As we all know a cat does a demanding loud meow when he is hungry. The position he is standing will conform his demand. Cats do an almost inaudible meow to say “hey, I am here”. This way they draw your attention to them. They do it so wonderfully so that no one could avoid the temptation to do a little petting.

Another sound they use is howling. A Loud howl indicates pain or they are seriously upset. In such a moment it is worth to do a little check to find out whether they are injured or not. But some cats howl to draw your attention. When they know they could get your attention, they may continue doing it. So, if it becomes continues you better ignore it for some time.

Screeching is associated with fighting. A cat always meows before a fight. Sometimes it helps them to scare away the opponent without any fight. A cat puffs up its hair to show that he is bigger than the opponent. A cat gives a stare with wide open eyes, to say that he is not afraid. And his ears turn back when he feels threatened. If there were any fight their screeching will continue throughout the fight.

Hissing is an also a strong sign. It is an act of defense. It may be directed to a cat, dog or a human. The meaning is same for all of them (“Back off or get attacked”). It would be a real foolishness to ignore such a strong message, unless you want to be attacked by the cat. It doesn’t matter how much you trust your cat. It is better to leave him alone, if you get such a sign.

Don’t ever interrupt a cat fight yourself. In a fight they would hardly notice that we humans have much soft skin than cats. So, the best ways to break up a cat fight would be using a blanket or using a water bucket.

When a cat is interested in something he will raise his head up. His ears get in picked up position. Sometimes he may turn picked up ears around so he can hear the sound clearly without moving his head. When he is up to hunt his prey, he twitches his tail at the tip.

However even after these years of experience that I have with cats, I still believe that our cats understand us better than we humans understand them. They know when, what and how while we humans get so frustrated by their behaviors we get from interrupting them.

Dilani is really interested in cats and their behavior. She writes with the inspiration she got from her two cats’ behavior and the books she read. You can read more at Understanding your cat

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Lets face it, the biggest problem that we humans have to overcome before we can understand our cats behaviour, is the belief that we are the superior species.

Cat lovers all over the world have experienced that withering look of superiority and indifference that accompany our very best efforts to entertain, show affection, feed or in anyway communicate with them. And when they do acknowledge us, it is often strictly on their terms. But when they do respond, the joy this furry little creature brings knows no bounds.

And so, what follows is perhaps futile attempt to infiltrate the cats psyche and to penetrate into the cats world. While stumbling around the world of this most illusive of creatures, it may become clear that we humans belong to a somewhat lower order (well, I am sure that’s how my cats feel anyway!).

In what, at times, will be an ever-so tongue-in-cheek article, we will cover some familiar ways to understand your cats behaviour. But please note that while trying to keep this information on the light side, it has, none the less, a more serious purpose. And that is to give us the skills to truly understand our cats behaviour.

For sure, we must put in the effort to understand them because, by and large, cats are totally indifferent to trying to understand us!

Purring

Generally a sign of contentment but cats will also purr if ill or distressed in some way. More often though, this is the behaviour of a happy cat. A mother will reassure her kittens by purring and kittens will respond likewise. Cats will also purr at the perceived threat of another cat to show that they pose no threat to them.

Scientists are still uncertain about the mechanics of the purr. There are a couple of theories as to how a cat produces the sound, but without getting all technical, it is probably safe to say that both are right, or wrong, but then again, who cares! (Unless you’re a scientist of course.)

Some cats may seem not to purr. However, it could be that a particular cats purr resonates beyond our hearing range. Because of the difficulty studying this particular cat behaviour, no one can be sure why some cats seem not to purr.

Meowing

A whole stand alone section could be written on this aspect of cat behaviour and when coupled with a various expressions and body postures a host of moods can be conveyed.

Cats mainly communicate with each other through body language and scent. But the exasperated moggy soon learns that humans are unable to pickup this subtle art and therefore resorts to a much cruder form of language, just for us.

Short meow – greeting with affection – “hi, by the way, any food?”

Multiple meows – attention grabber/excitement – “Hello!, I’m so glad you’re here. Now, what about that food ?”

Low grumbling meow – complaining – “I don’t mean to push you but some food would be nice.”

Loud, rounded, long mewing – “no, really pay some attention, I need feeding, NOW!”

Eating purr – content -”thank you so much, you took your time but better late than never”

Growl – complaint/annoyance – ” look I’ve just been fed and want to go to sleep. GO AWAY!”

Screaming – Often heard before fighting or mating. (only if dinners not ready)

But more seriously, vocalisation could also be sign of distress or discomfort.

Sharp, high pitched meows could be and indication of pain especially if followed by growls or rumbles. Get to know your cat, if your cats behaviour seems out of character seek professional advise from your vet. Remember if in doubt, ask.

Kneading

Typical happy cat behaviour! A kitten will paw its mother when content and/or to encourage the flow of milk.

Rubbing/Head butting

Going up on hind legs and rubbing against you is a sign of greeting and deep affection (and also cupboard love when food is in the offering !). Also a way of claiming you. With scent glands along the tail, lips, either side of the head, chin, tail base, paws etc.the cat will “scent” you by rubbing and head butting, it also does this to pick up your scent.

Happy greeting

Tail erect tip bent forward, sometimes the tail will quiver with excitement. Eyes often half closed and blinking slowly. Try mimicking this eye action, this often gets a very positive response !

Tail swish

No need to elaborate on this aspect of cat behaviour. Just watch out !

Tail and fur fluff/ ears flat

Very, very annoyed. Trying to intimidate by making themselves look as big as possible. Best to leave well alone!

Biting

Hay why not ! Sometime we humans just have to be put in our place. This often happens when petting. You see, what we fail to realise is that in cat world the subservient beast will often groom the superior. we stroke the cat, get it! So when his lordship/her ladyship has had enough a nip or cuff will soon show who’s in charge.

But a nip can also be a sign of much affection often accompanied by licking. It shows acceptance of you as an equal (well maybe!)

Gift giving

There are a number of theories about this aspect of a cats behaviour. Probably a combination of these apply. Predominantly it seems to be another token of affection tinged with concern that you are totally unable to hunt and provide for yourself !

The above is a very brief insight into cat behaviour. But cats are notoriously elusive, independent creatures and each individual has its own unique character (much like humans, but more refined of course!) and this is, I think, their attraction. Unlike us and our other erstwhile companion, the dog, they are not a pack animal. The total lack of need for social contact gives them a freedom that we both admire and envy. Therefore when bonds have been made we feel privileged to be allowed into their world .

I hope you have enjoyed this all to brief introduction. Further articles will concentrate on the more practical aspects of cat behaviour and cat care.

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Author: Jenny Harper

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Even if you have had your cat wormed, she could still get roundworms or hookworms. What is even worse, your cat can pass these parasites on to her kittens. These nasty little bugs can cause diarrhea or other types of symptoms in a kitten, but most of the time they leave no trace that a kitten is infested. If you have children in the home, these little kittens can pass these worms onto them, which is one reason why it is so important to have new kittens seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will likely send you home with a prescription worm medication for the mother cat and the kittens, just in case. Laboratory tests are not one hundred percent accurate in detecting this type of parasite, particularly in young kittens, so it is better to treat them all, just to be on the safe side.

Another silent internal parasite that often preys on tiny kittens is coccidian, which like to party in the kittens intestinal lining, often causing no noticeable symptoms at all, and luckily, no harm to the kitten or anyone else in the family. In some cases, your kitten may have diarrhea, but usually the vet will not prescribe any medication, and will let nature handle the problem.

Just about every woman who has even been pregnant before knows or has heard about cats and toxoplasmosis, as it can be extremely dangerous for anyone who comes into contact with infected litter, particularly a pregnant woman. Your cat can suffer from this deadly parasite at any age, and since it can also be passed to humans, it is extremely important that any pregnant woman avoid changing a litter box or coming in contact with cat litter boxes. These organisms can cause severe birth defects and other problems for an unborn child.

If at all possible, a pregnant woman who owns a house cat should have someone else empty and clean the cat litter box for her. If this is not possible, then extra care must be taken when the litter box must be changed and cleaned. Using disposable gloves to avoid skin contact with contaminated particles along with a dust mask to protect against inhaling airborne contaminants may reduce the risk; however it is well advised that a pregnant woman never change a litter box. Having your cat stay with a family member until after the baby is born is another way to help protect the unborn child.

Cats are exposed to toxoplasmosis when they eat any type of raw meat, whether it is from a rodent they have caught or from raw butcher scraps. These raw scraps could be from any type of meat, so it is best to avoid all table scraps for your kitty.

Your cat should be seen regularly by a veterinarian for health checkups. It should be noted however that you are the first line of defense for your beloved cat, and by reporting any changes in your cat’s behavior, you may catch an infestation before it becomes life threatening for your kitty.

For more information about your cats health and information on how to remove intestinal parasites please visit http://natureshealthypet.com

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Author: Jean Morgan

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Understanding the Origins of the Fear

The first step toward helping your cat become a little less jittery is to gain a better understanding of what causes it to be fearful in the first place. For the most part, there are four general things that scaredy cats are afraid of. These include:

People and other cats – these cats usually have little experience with people and other cats, which causes them to run away, hide or become overly aggressive when confronted by them.

Noises – certain sounds, whether loud or soft, could potentially cause your cat to cower or run away.

Situations – some cats are afraid of certain situation, such as going to the vet or traveling in a vehicle. This fear may have developed out of association, particularly if the only times your cat travels is to go to the vet and veterinary visits are always negative experiences.

Separation – cats can become quite attached to their human masters and may become distraught whenever they are separated. This may be demonstrated by soiling the house, crying or refusal to eat.

After you have gained a better understanding of what has caused the fear to develop, you can begin taking steps to try to help your cat get over the fear.

Moving Your Cat Beyond Fear

In most cases, desensitizing your cat to the thing it fears is the best way to help it move beyond the fear. This involves exposing your cat to the thing or situation it fears slowly. Start off at low levels and then gradually increase your cat’s exposure to the object or situation. For example, if your cat is afraid of a certain noise, expose it to that sound at a low volume before gradually increasing the volume. Or, if your cat is afraid of another cat in your household, keep them separated and gradually allow the two animals to spend more time with each other and to get close to one another.

When desensitizing your cat, however, you shouldn’t follow a set pattern of exposure. Rather, move forward in a random manner. For example, play the sound your cat is afraid of at a volume of four, and then back it down to 2 before taking it back up again and later increasing it to a volume of 5. This way, your cat will get a bit of a break between the higher levels of exposure.

Author: CS Swarens