Cats Resources and Information

Cats and People: Comfortable Friends

2010-02-21T06:48:00.001-08:00

The cat makes a delightful pet. Although very independent and requiring little care, a cat offers wonderful companionship in any type of environment, from high-rise apartment to country estate. And companionship is the major reason why people own cats. Despite their independence, cfats are highly affectionate and love to be petted, stroked, and fondled. They take care of themselves with the utmost skill and are highly entertaining. It's a lot of fun to watch a cat as he investigate sounds and movements. Because cats are so adaptable,and easy to care for, they make ideal pets for bedridden or elderly people who would be unable to provide the care and exercise needed by a dog.

Also, it has been scientifically proven that owning a pet is good for you. After generations of taking the complex human/animal relationship for granted, scientists are now documenting the beneficial effects of pet ownership.

As a result of scientific research, there is now medical evidence to prove that the company of a cat can do some people more good than sophisticated medications. Scientists have discovered that Americans who own a pet live longer than those who don't, and that in the act of petting a cat a person's blood pressure drops.

Remember that owning a cat is a long-term commitment. A healthy cat may well live 15 years or more. So that adorable kitten playing with the kids will still be around when the kids are in college or off on their own. And he'll still be your responsibility.

Happy 1st Birthday, Troy Bolton!!!

2009-09-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Today is not really the day Troy was born, but the day when he was rescued from the street. That day is very special to us so i declared September 16 as his birthday. He was so little when we took him home from the street. He's skin and bones but he's so cute and lovely. All cats are! No matter what breed they are, they're all so wonderful and precious creatures on earth.

I created this slide show for Troy, these pics reminds me of how Troy gave us joy and laughter at home.

Happy 1st Birthday, Troy.
Always remember we love you soooo much!

And So We're Back!!!

2009-09-11T03:46:00.000-07:00

After so many months of no-updates and no-posts, we're back again and want to share you this cat video i found on youtube. The cat is sooo adorable. Also check out his own youtube channel. Enjoy!

Taking a Cat's Temperature

2009-03-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Just as with humans, a rise in a cat's body temperature indicates a problem, and a thermometer is an essential part of your home care kit. A thermometer with a narrow bulb end is best. To use it, shake the thermometer down until it reads below 96 degrees Fahrenheit / 35 degrees Celsius and cover it halfway with petrolium or K-Y Jelly. Hold the cat's tail, gently insert the thermometer into his rectum, and hold it there for at least a minute. Then remove the thermometer, wipe off the jelly with a tissue, and take the reading. A cat's normal body temperature is about 101 degrees Fahrenheit / 38.5 degrees Celsius. An elevated temperature in a cat is anything over 102 degrees Fahrenheit / 39 degrees Celsius and can indicate a number of conditions - some serious, some not - ranging from simple excitement to infection.

Cats and Dogs for Adoption - PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society)

2008-10-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

There are lots of Cats and Dogs waiting for a good home at PAWS. These lovely pets needs our love, care and protection to keep them away from harm. Most of them are rescued from the streets. A huge thanks to PAWS and its staffs for neverending love and support for these animals.

Have a heart, please help them find a better home.

Pictures can be found here:
Cats and Dogs for Adoption

You can contact PAWS at:
PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Blvd. (Near the corner of Katipunan Ave & Aurora Blvd.)
Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
4751688
philpaws@yahoo.com

October 4 - World Animal Day

2008-10-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology.

MISSION STATEMENT - WORLD ANIMAL DAY

To celebrate animal life in all its forms
To celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom
To acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives – from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives
To acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives

Article from:
http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk

Leashes and Grooming Aids

2008-05-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

The type of basic equipment you need – there’s not much of it, in any case – depends on whether you are going to let your cat go outside or not. Sooner or later, however, you will need these items:

Collar and Leash – In many areas, particularly urban areas, you are legally required to keep your cat on a leash. In any area, your cat should have a collar with an attached identification tag. If you are going to keep the cat indoors or not let him go outside in your company, a regular cat collar is all that is necessary. If you are going to let the cat outside on his own, you should get a collar that has an elastic band built in; if the collar gets caught on something ( a branch for instance) while the cat is jumping it will slip off rather than trap and strangle the cat.

Brush and Comb – A short-haired cat needs to be brushed with a medium-stiff brush. A long-haired cat should be comb before brushing.

Nail Clippers – If you have not had your cat declawed, clipping his nails may spare your furniture a lot of damage. Don’t ever use human nail clippers on your cat. You can get special cat nail clippers from any pet supplier. If you don’t know what to get, ask your veterinarian.

Cat Carrier – A cat carrier is a must for every cat owner. It’s a container, usually made like a wide-bottomed suitcase, with a carrying handle, plenty of ventilation holes, and sometimes a peephole or window. Carriers come I many styles. Some have a clear plastic or wire mesh upper half or front so that the cat can see out, but some nervous cats prefer not to see out. Cats feel very safe in the carrier – the confinement is reassuring – and using carrier is by far the easiest way to transport the cat to the veterinarian, groomer, or boarding kennel. Carriers come in a variety of styles and materials and are available from any pet supply store.

Cat Trivia

2008-02-28T22:54:00.000-08:00

Learn some fascinating things about our feline friends!

1.) About how many house cats are there in the world?
Answer: 600 million

There are an estimated 600 million house cats in the world. With a human population of roughly 6.6 billion, there's one house cat for every 10 people on the planet. Cats are small, mainly carnivorous animals that are popular as household pets, and valuable for killing mice and rats. Like other members of the cat family, the domestic cat has retractile claws; keen hearing and smell; remarkable night vision; and a compact, muscular and highly supple body. Cats possess excellent memory and exhibit considerable aptitude for learning by observation and experience. The natural life span of a domestic cat is about 15 years.

2.) Which ancient civilization is widely believed to have been the first to domesticate cats?
Answer: Egyptian

Most authorities agree that the domestic cat descended from the Caffre cat, a small breed of African wildcat that was domesticated in ancient Egypt, possibly as early as 2500 BC. Ancient Egyptians considered cats objects of worship, and despite Egyptian laws that forbade the removal of the sacred cats, Phoenician sailors smuggled them out of the country. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Romans were the first to bring cats to the British Isles. The earliest archaeological record of cats and people together comes from a 9,500-year-old grave discovered in a Neolithic village on the island of Cyprus: a human was found buried with a cat, along with seashells and other decorations.

3.) Which breed of long-haired cat became popular in Britain during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria?
Answer: Persian

Persians became popular in 19th-century Britain during Queen Victoria's reign; she and other members of the royal family kept blue Persians. Persians probably originated in Asia Minor; they were introduced to Europe in the 1700s, where they were called French cats or Angoras. When short, stocky long-haired cats from Iran (formerly known as Persia) were incorporated into the gene pool, the breed became known as Persians. They have been exhibited in cat shows as a recognized breed for more than a hundred years. More Persians are registered with the Cat Fanciers' Association, the largest feline registering body in the United States, than any other breed of cat.

4.) At about what age does a domestic cat reach puberty?
Answer: 9 or 10 months

The domestic cat usually reaches puberty at around 9 or 10 months of age. A sexually mature female cat goes into heat, or estrus, several times a year; during estrus, she is both receptive to, and attractive to, male cats. The gestation period of the cat is about 65 days; the average litter consists of four kittens. Kittens are born blind, deaf and helpless. Their eyes open at 8 to 10 days of age, and they begin to be weaned about six weeks after birth.

5.) Which two pigment colors form the basis for all coat colors in the modern domestic cat?
Answer: Black and Orange

Two pigments, black and orange, form the basis for all coat colors in the modern domestic cat. These pigments may be combined with each other or with white (the absence of pigment). A single gene, the O (Orange) gene, determines whether a cat's coat contains black or orange pigment. The O gene can be thought of as a switch that is either on (orange) or off (black). The gene is located on the X chromosome, so its inheritance is sex-linked.

6.) Which breed of short-haired cat is known for its rabbitlike gait and the absence of a tail?
Answer: Manx

Manx is a breed of short-haired cat whose most distinctive features are a rabbitlike gait and the absence of a tail. The breed is native to the Isle of Man, a British island off the coast of Great Britain -- although there are many stories about how tailless cats first came to the island, it is most likely that the genetic mutation originated there. The absence of a tail is caused by a dominant gene that affects the entire spinal column and which may, in some specimens, cause serious defects. Although kitten mortality is high due to problems in spinal development, Manx that survive the neonatal stage grow to be strong, healthy adults.

7.) A cat's "righting reflex" allows it to:
Answer: Always land on four feet when falling from a reasonable height

A cat's "righting reflex" allows it to always land on four feet. A cat reflexively rights itself when its head is not square with the ground -- thus, when dropped or when falling through the air from a reasonable height, the animal lands on its feet regardless of the position in which it begins its descent. Its supple spine allows it to twist midair and, given enough room, the cat's muscles relax, minimizing injury upon impact. Because this reflex coordinates input from both the eyes and the middle ear, newborn kittens whose eyes have not yet opened do not fall so gracefully.

8.) Allergies to cats are one of the most common allergies in humans. What causes cat allergies in people?
Answer: A protein in the cat's skin and saliva

A protein in the cat's skin and saliva causes a reaction in people with cat allergies, leading to itching, sneezing and other allergy symptoms. For allergic people who wish to have a cat, allergists recommend keeping the cat out of the bedroom; bathing the cat, if the cat tolerates washing; using air purifiers to remove allergens; and, in some cases, receiving injections to desensitize the body against the allergen.

9.) What breed of hairless cat, first bred in Canada in 1966, was given full Championship Class status in 2002 by the Cat Fanciers' Association?
Answer: Sphynx

The Sphynx -- a breed of mostly hairless cat, the result of a natural mutation -- was given full Championship Class status in 2002 by the Cat Fanciers' Association. The Sphynx is an example of a change in breed characteristics that occurred naturally rather than through a selective process by cat breeders. The first Sphynx was bred in Ontario, Canada, in 1966. Hairless cats had been seen before, especially in the early 20th century when a cat known as the New Mexican Hairless appeared in exhibitions. Efforts to develop the hairless cat as a breed did not begin until after this Canadian cat was born.

10.) British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's successful musical "Cats" (1981) was based on which work of literature:
Answer: "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" (1939) by T. S. Eliot

British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's successful musical "Cats" (1981) was based on poet T. S. Eliot's book for children, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" (1939). "Cats" the musical is an almost plotless story about a group of cats in a junkyard. The show was an immense success in both London's West End and in New York City's Broadway, winning seven Tony Awards and being the longest-running show on Broadway for many years. Its final performance on Broadway was on September 10, 2000.

Declawing Your Cats

2008-02-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

Declawing - is a surgical procedure that involves removing the nails from their attachment to the toes. It’s done to stop the cat wrecking the furniture by scratching it. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires a couple of day’s hospitalization. The stitches are usually removed before the cat goes home. Declawing is a service to the owner, not to the cat. However, despite the many horror stories you may have heard about declawing (none of them are true), declawed cats live a normal life, jump as high as they used to, run, and hide from danger, just as they did when they had claws. Nor do they become biters to compensate for no linger having claws.

If you get a cat as a kitten you may (as mentioned earlier) be able to avoid having him declawed by training him early to sharpen his claws on a scratching post instead of on your own antique tapestry loveseat. Despite all efforts, however, some cats spurn a scratching post and continue to make that cat a welcome pet; you may decide to have him declawed. Most veterinarians recommend declawing only the front two paws; the back ones seldom inflict damage to you or the furniture. If you are I doubt, discuss the procedure with your veterinarian. After the cat is declawed the cat’s feet will be tender for up to a week. The veterinarian may also advice you to use shredded newspaper instead of litter in thebox for a few days to lessen the chances of irritation and infection.

The Male Cat and Neutering / Castrating

2008-01-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

The male usually becomes sexually mature at 11 to 12 months of age and in most cases the signs may be all too evident to the owner. The cat may begin to spray urine around the house, backing up against furniture or drapes with his tail held high and quivering, and urinating in a standing position. This behavior is a way of marking his territory. The strong male odor of the urine is supposed to invite all female cats into his den and warn other males that he “owns” the territory. The male cat’s desire to roam increases and he may be reluctant to stay in the house. He’s also likely to vocalize at odd hours – usually while you are sleeping.

Neutering, or castrating, the male cat involves the surgical removal of both testes from the scrotum. It is a simple, inexpensive procedure and presents few problems. It’s done in the veterinary hospital under a general anesthetic and the cat can usually go home the same or the next day. Most veterinarians advice that the male cat should be neutered at the age of eight to nine months.

Male cats that are not neutered will spray urine and have tendency to roam. Neutering usually reduces or eliminates these bad habits without altering the cat’s basic personality – he may even become more affectionate. It’s not true that neutered cats become fat and lazy. However, weight gain after neutering is possible if the cat is overfed, so diet control is important.

A big advantage of neutering is that it lessens the cat’s chances of getting into fights with other tomcats. These fights between male inflict a lot of bites that develop into painful abscesses.

Merry Christmas to Everyone

2007-12-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

Have a Blessed and Merry Meowy Christmas to you! Luna, in behalf of 'Feline Lounge' would like to send you our warmest greetings.

I would like to share this video of Jingle Cats and I'm sure everyone will truly love.
Great job awesome and wonderful cats!

The FEMALE Cats and Spaying

2007-12-18T21:07:00.000-08:00

The female cat reaches sexual maturity somewhere between five and eight months of age. The cat's heat season occurs twice a year and in each season she may cycle in and out of heat two or three times. Thus the female cat can be in heat many as six times a year.

A female cat is made incapable of breeding by a surgical procedure called ovariohysterectomy, more commonly known as spaying. This involves the removal of the ovaries and the uterus; the female's heat periods stop and she cannot, of course, have kittens.

Ideally, the female cat should be spayed at about six months of age, before the heat cycles normally begin, when the procedure is simpler and recovery faster. However, spaying can be done at any age with no lasting ill effects. Spaying while she's young significantly reduces the cat's risk of breast cancer and prevents infection of the uterus (pyometra). Spaying also stops her trying to escape from the house each time you open the door. And, most important from the point of view of your own convenience, the cessation of the heat cycle means you won't have a mob of very vocal feline suitors around your home anywhere up to six times a year.

Spaying does alter the metabolism of the female cat to some extent, and she may put on weight unless her diet is controlled.

Spaying is done under a general anesthetic. An incision is made in the abdomen, the ovaries and uterus removed, and the incision closed with stitches. Th cat must be kept quiet for three to four days, and the stitches can usually be removed after ten days.

Classy Cats

2007-12-14T00:17:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for a cat with class, the following are some of the pure breeds you can choose from. These are the twelve most popular breeds:

ABYSSINIAN:
Thought to have descended from the cats of ancient Egypt. Looks like a miniature cougar. Gentle, affectionate and playful. Very intelligent. Soft, resilient coat that's easy to care for.

AMERICAN DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR:
Basic, domestic, mixed breed cat. Loyal family pet for hundreds of years. Medium to large cat with short, thick coat. Very hardy.

BALINESE:
Long-haired version of the Siamese. Long, silky coat. Gentle, curious and intelligent. Not as vocal as the Siamese.

BURMESE:
Descended from Burmese/Siamese mix and developed through inter-breeding. Medium breed but heavy on the size. Short, glossy coat. Affectionate, very active.

CORNISH REX:
Descended from a curly-coated English cat. Closed-fitting curled coat. Affectionate. Hardy. Very intelligent. Sheds little. Needs little grooming. Good for allergic people.

HIMALAYAN:
Persian-type long-haired cat with Siamese coloring. Affectionate, gentle but not good with small children. Requires daily grooming.

MAINE COON:
Traditional AMerican breed dating back to the early 1800s. Shaggy coat. Quiet. Intelligent. Good with children.

MANX:
The famous cat without a tail. Originated on an island on the Irish Sea. Double coat. Lively. Curious. Intelligent. Affectionate. Very healthy.

PERSIAN:
Glamorous long-haired cat. Distinctive pushed-in "Peke" face. Result of over a hundred years of careful breeding. Gentle. Intelligent. Does not like to be held. Not good with small children. Requires daily grooming.

RAGDOLL:
Attractive long-haired cat. Rabbit-textured coat. Intelligent. Placid. Affectionate.

RUSSIAN BLUE:
Short, plushy coat with silver-tipped hairs. Originated in Scandinavia and North Russia. Very quiet cat. Affectionate. Loyal.

SIAMESE:
Exotic, streamlined cat. Blue eyes. Distinctive cream-colored body and darker "points" on face, ears, tail, legs and feet. Standard colors are seal point, blue point, lilac point and chocolate point. Temperamental. Very social. Loves human companionship.

Cats and People: Comfortable Friends

2007-12-13T07:26:00.000-08:00