Pleasing 4 Pets

Cats are fickle pets. They love you and the next second hate you, as their claws tear at your skin. Over the last few articles we have been trying to give you an insight into some of the most common pet traits.

Why do cats sometimes smell through their mouth?

When a cat has picked up a scent of something they like, they will sometimes open their mouths and suck the air as if trying to savour the aroma. They do this to pull air over their Jacobson’s organ, which is located in the roof of their mouth. In the wild cats will do this to determine the difference between the scent smells of rival cats to work out who is in their neighbourhood. You’ll find that domestic cats will do this too; so if your cat does this to your shoes, it’s likely you’ve trodden in feline pee.

In this next article about cats we are going to discuss another of your feline friend’s favourite traits – blinking.

Why do cats blink?

Every cat owner will have seen heir cat blink at them. This is usually when the cat is contented or happy. And you can actually communicate to your cat just by blinking back.

A cat blink is also called a cat kiss. And if your cat is blinking at you, you should try to blink back. The mutual blinking improves the bond between you and your pet and is one of the few ways your cat can truly tell you how they feel about you.

In part one of our article we described how although a cat may not be man’s best friend, they are much easier to care for than a dog. In this article we will discuss a common feline trait - kneading.

Why do cats knead?

It might seen like a cat is simply kneading your furniture or upholstery to get up your nose, but there is a reason for this behaviour. Cats knead their mothers soon after birth to stimulate milk production and milk release. They carry this on into their adult lives as a form of acceptance. So if a cat kneads you, it is simply saying ‘I accept you as my parent and I respect you - sorry about my sharp claws’

Having a pet can make a real difference to your life, but with the ups pets bring, there are also the downs. Like people, pets have good days and bad days and they have to be taught how to behave in certain situations.

So what do you do if you have a pet that constantly does something you are not happy with such as a cat scratching furniture?

We should start out here by saying here that disciplining your pet by smacking or by using an electirc shock collar is an absolute no no. Under no circumstances should you ever hit or hurt an animal.

Conditioning therapy works the best with most pets. Put simply it’s is a system of reward and non-reward for the things your pet does well or not so well. Think Pavlov’s Dogs. The more you reward good behaviour the more good behaviour you are likely to get.

If your pet scratches in one particular place stop them by moving that item or by providing an alternative place you don’t mind them scratching, such as a scratching post. If all else fails you can place citrus fruit peel around the items for a few days which should keep your cat away.

Many homes in the UK have a pet with most homeowners choosing either a cat or a dog. We’ve said before that bringing a pet into your home should be given plenty of thought, so we’re not going to harp on about that point here. What we will say is if you are torn between a cat and a dog it’s worth reading our five part article about cats before making your choice.

Cats - Your feline friend

Whereas a dog will dote on you, a cat will simply share your home with you. And this statement is not far from the truth. While a dog may wag its tail and shower you with affection when you arrive home after a hard day at work, a cat may simply give you a look of disdain at waking it from its slumber. Cats have other advantages though so don’t let this put you off. If you own a dog your work day is not complete until you have put on the dog’s lead and taken it for a walk. A cat can simply walk itself when it wants.

Life these days is like a rat race for most.  So much to do and so little time to do it all.  But one of the best forms of busting that stress is a love abd owning a pet.

Most people who own a pet - no matter what it is, probably treats it as part of the family and the love you and loyalty you get from these furry freinds is unconditional.

That said, it does entail a lot of resposibility and commitment so in a way, if youve not had a pet before you have to be ready and sure of the life style change it could bring to your daily routine as it is.  Specifically if you own a dog.  Early morning walks, late night walks, ina ll weathers. Making sure you are there all the time and if you pop away for the weekend and you can’t take it with you, making sure you can take it to someone who’ll look after it as good as you can.  Phew - sounds too much to me

Just like having a new baby really but this one doen’t grow up and turn into something that answers you back!

Not literally - I mean abroad!

The ASPCA recommends that you don’t take your pets on board a plane but with the right preparation you can make sure the journey is as safte and comfortable as possible.

Cna you imagine a plane full of cats and dogs - I’ve never seen this before but unless your animal is small enough to fit under your seat (Are any?) the ASPCA recommends for you not to check them on as cargo!

top tips:

• Get the vet to check your pet over and obtain a health certificate
• make sure  your pet has been microchipped and is wearing a collar and ID tag.
• Direct flights are best
  
• ensure you ahve a USDA-approved shipping crate which is big enough for your pet to move around in.
• mark the crate ‘live animal’ clearly so everyone can see

Always check you have done everyting possible to enusre your pet has the healthiest and safest journey possible.

My friend has just moved into a new flat by herself so  and as a pet lover she fancies having a kitten.  So, she contacted the RSPCA as didn’t want to get just any old moggy and wanted to contribute to a worthy cause.  She paid a visit to view the  3 week old kitten - and subject to them checking the area where the flat is situated she was told she’d soon be the owner of her new fluffy bundle of joy.

Or so she thought but nope. The RSPCA visited her flat and as it backed onto a busy road she wasn’t allowed one, even though it would have been kept inside and would have been treated like a princess - no kidding!

So although the RSPCA has recently rescued a kitten from a flat full of smack heads who used the poor thing as dart board, my friend who lives in a lovely ground floor flat and who would have spoilt it rotten wasn’t.

Anyhoo - all ended well as after searching high and lowhe now has a kitten on the way from a family who can’t keep it so everyone is happy.

Ok so I’m not an animal lover - this is quite clear and most of my friends are more than aware of this!  Not only because I don’t particularly like them but also because I’m allergic to them which comes in very useful when dogs or cats come my way for a pat or a stroke on the head - I just come out in a itchy rash!

So why is it that many of them, who  have pets, may they be cats dogs or pigeons, always add their names to the greeting cards which they send to me?  Add the name of the baby - fine they are part of the family after all.

For any friends which may read this - please leave off the cats and dogs name in future

I don’t know if you’ve seen the new series of Britains got Talent?  But the other saturday the cutiest little girl came on the stage, she must of only been about 7 or 8.  She was going to say a poem - hmmm it could’ve been excellent or completely died of death.

Beofre she started though off she dissapeared to the side of the stage and only came back with the biggest python you have ever seen wrapped round her tiny neck - it was her beloved pet snake!

The poem was fantatsic - all about animals so the snake tied in quite well, but I think all those watching were probably urging the poem to be said and the snake taken off her!