The Best Stuff For Your Cat

A meowing cat can drive you up the wall-or at least away from home to seek relief for a few hours. Does your cat meow too much? I’m not referring to a meek little meow now and then, but the “Chinese water torture” kind of meowing that goes on, and on, and on.

Before you do anything about your cat’s excessive meowing, you need to figure out the reason behind this problem behavior, one that can become serious, if no steps are taken to curb it. Here are 5 of the most common reasons cats meow too much:

1. Your cat may be ill and meow to let you know he or she needs help.

If your fairly quiet cat suddenly starts meowing excessively, it is time to check it out for a physical problem. Look the cat over thoroughly, checking for scratches, tender spots, a tendency to favor one or more paws when walking, reluctance to walk at all, listlessness, discharge from eyes, ears, or nose, etc.

Any one of these cat behavior problems may merit a prompt visit to a veterinarian to make sure needed treatment is started as soon as possible. Solving the cat’s health problem usually also solves the problem meowing behavior, too.

2. Most cats meow when they want you to do something for them.

And most cat owners recognize this type of meow. It is usually loud and insistent and can mean, “I want food and water,” “My litter box is full,” “I want to go outside,” or “I want to come inside.” When you fulfill the “command,” whatever it is, the meowing usually ends—at least until they want you to do something else for them.

3. A cat may meow to alert their owners that something is amiss.

Not all cats pay attention to anything beyond the 4 walls of the house they live in, but some act almost like “watchdogs” for their owners. As soon as a neighborhood cat, dog, raccoon, or other intruder (even a two-legged one) comes anywhere near the house, “Watchdog” cats begin to meow.

Some even growl. Unfortunately, they seldom stop until the intruder leaves the premises so you might as well leave that comfy easy chair and venture outside to take care of the problem if you want any peace and quiet for the rest of the evening. Intruder gone-cat behavior problem of excessive meowing solved.

4. Some breeds of cats are noted for meowing more than others.

If you have a Siamese cat (as I did at one time) you are probably in for being treated to more meowing than with most other breeds, but you still need to check for causes that may indicate trouble. Siamese cats are noted for not only the frequency of their meowing, but also for the loudness, so if excessive meowing is a problem for you, try for a breed that is not noted for being so vocal.

5. Cats are basically social and meow when they just want attention.

Most of us become cat owners in the first place because cats are so appealing. They are cuddly creatures who love to be held and petted, and are great company. All these things are true, but there is one problem. Most cats want to cuddle, to be held and petted, and to share their company with you on their schedule, not yours. And, if you happen to be busy when they decide it is time for some of this attention from you, their response is to meow until it is forthcoming.

If this happens too frequently at your house, and you feel your cat is already receiving sufficient attention, try short periods of banishment from your presence. Put the cat in another room or even in the garage for a short time as soon as the meowing begins, and it won’t be long before your cat learns there are certain times he or she needs to be a quieter companion in order to remain in close proximity to you.

Those are five of the most common reasons cats meow too much, and you could probably add a few more from observing your own cat’s behavior. Since there are so many causes for excessive meowing in cats, it seems that no one solution to the problem will apply to all. Each of us needs to determine what is behind the excessive meowing of our own particular cat, and then decide where to go from there.

Jeanne Gibson is a math and English teacher who lives in Springfield, Oregon with her husband and an 8-year-old cat named Snoopy. For more Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems, check out her Squidoo lens.

We have always been fascinated by what that cat tail is doing, from the question mark shape it makes to swishing side to side or standing bolt upright.

Did you know that when you see your cat’s tail, swishing from side to side, means that it is extremely angry.  I for sure know, that when I’m curled up watching a film and my cat gets petted the wrong way, that tail will start moving from side to side.  Talk about a short fuse!

How To Read A Cat’s Tail

Upright tail:
A friendly greeting to another cat or human, that are feel no threat.

Upright tail with the tail tipped:
A greeting, but the cat may have some reservations.

Gentle Downward Curve but the curve tipped up:
Total relaxation and contentment.

Tail is still but the tip is actively twitching:
Very irritated and annoyed.

Upright and fully bristled tail:
Aggression or defense from another cat.

Fluffed out and lowered tail:
Fear and trying to avoid confrontation of another cat.

Tail downward and tucked between the legs:
Submission or defeat.

Tail is wrapped around the body:
Contentment or slightly defensive.

So just when you think you may have it all figured out, watch out, because the results may shock you; keep yourself well informed before you decide to pet your cat, and reach out that hand.  Trust me, because I had to learn the hard way!

Cats are mysterious creatures indeed, but with time and experience we have certainly developed some clues towards understanding what they are thinking.

By Cristian Stan

It seems that cats have become a common fixture in our household. Many people own one, and in fact, having cats as pets has been a practice for over thousands of years.

Just like dogs, though not as many, cats also have numerous breeds, but the popular ones are Siamese and Persian.  If you plan to get one for a pet, there are factors you have to consider, and among these is the cost.

Just like owning any other pet, it will cost some money to own a cat.  Of course, you will need to buy food, medicines, clinic visits, and also a litter.  The basic essentials you should have are: food plate, water plate, and a litter box.  Additionally, cats love to play, so buying toys would be recommended.  Other paraphernalia you will need: cat collar, bed, carrier, and scratching post.

Feeding Your Cat

The kind of food and frequency of feeding vary with age. When a cat is still very young – a kitten – he will need to be fed several times a day; as he grows older, you can feed him twice daily, or even with one big meal. To be more specific, before he reaches 12 weeks, you will have to feed him at least 4x daily; when he reaches 3-6 months, feeding is lowered down to thrice daily.

Do’s and Don’ts

• - Never feed him food that has been left out for more than half an hour.
• Canned food can be given, but these can be expensive. For some reason, cats love canned meals but these do not really have any advantage to dental health in the way that dry meals do. So, you might want to consider giving him dry food too.
• When giving dry food, see to it that your cat gets sufficient water intake on a day to day basis.
• When buying dry food, make sure that you look at the nutritional value it offers and not buy it because it is cheap. Usually, generic food does not contain enough nutrients that your cat needs.
• Kittens should only be given kitten food, and do not feed yours with adult cat food.
• Do not keep on giving your cat milk. They love milk, but it causes diarrhea.
• Do make sure to wash his plate everyday.
• When giving treats, keep it to a minimum as this will make your cat fat.
• You can feed your cat human food occasionally, but still mix it with his regular food.
• Brush their coat once daily to avoid hairballs, and at the same time, it helps keep their coat shiny and clean.
• Clean their litter box at least once a week because cats hate it when their litter box is dirty.
• Take regular visits to his vet, and make sure required shots are given.

Well, if you may have noticed, owning a cat is not always that easy as they require maintenance and care. But cats are wonderful, loving creatures who will keep you company for many, many years. In the end, it is going to be worth it.

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