Benefits of Brushing Your Cat's Fur Daily

How often do I need to groom my cat?

The amount of grooming your feline companion requires depends on a number of factors. For example, indoor cats require more frequent nail trimmings, since outdoor kitties tend to file and sharpen their claws on rough surfaces outside the house. And long-haired cats need to be combed and brushed more often than the short-haired breeds. 

However, there are several benefits to brushing your cat's fur daily...

1. Brushing your cat's fur daily will prevent matting

 

Prevention is more effective than the cure, and it will keep you more sane when it comes to removing tangles. If your kitty is prone to matted fur, it may be a good idea to comb, and then brush, it daily. Doing so will help avoid matting of the fur, thus saving you the trouble of trying to remove the mats and tangles once they have become a problem. 

2. Brushing your cat's fur daily will give her a soft, smooth coat

 

I brush my Siamese kitten Loki's fur every morning, and she is the softest kitty I've ever petted. Without all the loose hairs on her body, her coat looks sleek and shiny. As it does with people, shiny hair makes our feline friends appear healthy and vibrant. 

3. Brushing your cat's fur daily means less shedding

 

No one likes to sit on a hair-covered sofa, so try to keep the hair loss to a minimum. Daily brushing may not help her avoid shedding altogether, but it sure does help. I like to use a slicker brush on my cat. If your cat has long hair, you may want to try combing it first. For short-haired kitties, run the brush against the direction of hair growth to remove even more more loose fur. 

4. Brushing your cat's fur daily reduces hairballs, and sometimes helps avoid them altogether

 

My Loki has never coughed up a hairball, which I believe is due in part to her daily brushing sessions. Brushing removes a good amount of loose fur, keeping the amount of hair she is able to swallow while cleaning herself to a minimum. 

5. Brushing your cat's fur daily means more bonding time for the two of you

 

It's strange how my kitty loved to be brushed when she was just a fuzzy little thing and suddenly started running away every time the brush came out. After she was spayed, Loki calmed down, and suddenly loved having her fur brushed again. You should hear her purr now! She rolls onto her back sometimes so I can brush her tummy, and even rubs her face against the handle. 

Not only does brushing your cat's fur daily provide great health benefits, but it brings you two closer together. Brushing every few days or even once a week will suffice. But even if your kitty doesn't require daily grooming, she will likely grow to love your special time together, as long as you make it a pleasant experience. I know my Loki enjoys the special attention she receives every morning. 

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

How to Care for Your Siamese Cat

Siamese cat care tips

by Tonya Mickelson 

Is a Siamese cat the right pet for you? It is a cat that is favored by many, with its blue eyes and elegant coat. The Siamese cat, however, is quirky and particular. If you have decided that this is, indeed, the right pet for you, there are a few things you will need to know about caring for a Siamese cat. 

Play with him often

If he doesn't receive adequate attention, he will demand it using typical Siamese quirks. He may constantly interrupt what you are doing until he gets what he wants and he may even become destructive if he doesn't receive the attention he deserves. Play with your Siamese cat to avoid your belongings becoming destroyed and give him enough room to run around.

Click to learn more about Siamese cats and anxiety

Socialize him with other pets

A lonely cat is an unhappy cat. If he doesn't have any other pets as playmates, your Siamese cat may become very unhappy and may even become destructive. If you aren't able to get any other pets, schedule play dates with other cats so he can have some friends to run around with. 

Provide a constant supply of food

It is recommended that your Siamese cat always have access to dry food and fresh water. Change the water several times a day, since hair and other things can collect in the bowl. If you need to go away for a while, consider using self-feeding and watering products or having a friend come over to check on your cat's food and water supply. 

Groom him regularly

Grooming is usually not a problem with Siamese cats, as they have smooth, fine hair. You may brush his fur occasionally to help with shedding and to prevent hairballs. You probably won't need to bathe him often, though, unless his fur is especially dirty from being outside. 

Keep the litter box clean

This is one of the most tedious and important chores in caring for your Siamese cat. Place your cat's litter box in a private area of the house and clean it out once a week. Litter should be scooped at least once a day, though, to keep it fresh and to encourage your cat to keep using it. 

Finally, remember to visit the veterinarian regularly to get the required shots. To keep your cat's teeth healthy, brush them and feed him plaque fighting treats. And, to prevent hairballs, brush your Siamese often.

Siamese Cats and Anxiety

I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Okay, here goes: I get very anxious around strange people, and even more anxious around other animals (besides my Morkie sister, Mila).

We get visitors occasionally, and it really freaks me out. I don't mind as much when people come over, but when they bring DOGS...I have a full-blown anxiety attack. Is that a Siamese cat thing? Or, just a cat thing? I'm not really sure, because I don't really know any other cats. (Let's keep it that way, please!)

I try my best to keep those dogs at bay, and most of the time, it works. But if they get too close, they are bound to get a swat on the nose and, if necessary, a hiss. Once, I even had to growl at a dog that wouldn't leave me alone!

Here's my deepest secret: When people stay overnight at our house, I get so anxious that I feel the need to poop on the bedding after they leave. My mom and dad usually try to wash bedding right away, but last weekend, they tossed the used sheets down the laundry chute and it was just waiting there in the basement for me to get rid of that 'stranger' smell. Boy, when my parents realized I'd been using the dirty laundry instead of my litter box, they sure were irate! But I blame them for leaving the dirty bedding in easy access.

Does your Siamese cat suffer anxiety?

1. Watch for signs of stress. It may be excessive grooming, meowing, pacing, hiding, scratching, changes in eating habits, and of course, urinating or defecating in places other than the litterbox.
2. Determine the cause of your cat's stress. Take note of any patterns that might be causing your pet to show these signs of anxiety.
3. Eliminate or reduce the stress. Take care of physical stressors, such as fleas or long claws. Eliminate boredom by giving your cat plenty of toys - and spend time interacting with your cat. Reduce environmental stress by turning down loud music.
4. Finally, never yell at your cat. This will only confuse him or her, and will cause even more anxiety.

Of course, there will always be unavoidable stress that needs to be managed. Make sure your cat is happy and well-fed, and make sure to give him or her plenty of attention. Reward good behavior with treats. Keep the litter box clean.

If you are unable to control the anxiety, you may need to visit your veterinarian to discuss possible treatments for your cat's anxiety.

Good luck!

Paws and kisses,
Loki

Safety & Comfort While Traveling With Cats

Call me a recluse, but I haven't left the house in nearly a year -- and I like it that way. So imagine my dismay when the people get my kennel out and lock me inside it. Then they pick me up, and carry me outside and into the car. Oh, no! We're going to the vet! I cry.

This is me when I was just 2 months old.

We didn't go to the vet this time. We just drove around, made some stops and came back home. During the trip, I was both scared and curious at the same time. I didn't know what was happening, and I so badly wanted to find out.

Later, I overheard them talking about moving. They said they need to help me, slowly, get used to riding in the car and being in new places. Next time, we're going to someone's house, I think.

Are you planning on moving to a new home with your pets? It can be stressful for cats who are homebodies. We are creatures of habit, and don't particularly enjoy being uprooted. Here are some ways to make the move easier on your feline friends -- and to keep them safe during travel.

1. Keep a collar with your pet's ID tag on at all times during travel. If your cat is not used to wearing a collar, start out a month ahead of time by securing it around your cat's neck for short, then longer increments of time. Keep it on for at least a month after moving, in case your cat escapes.
2. Carry a Bill of Health certificate if you are crossing state lines. You can get one from your veterinarian, certifying that your pet has the required vaccinations.
3. Keep your pets confined for everyone's safety. Especially if they are prone to getting excited and bolting. It can be dangerous to all involved if there is a cat jumping around the car and onto the driver's lap. Keep your pets in carriers or safety harnesses during travel.
4. Leash your pet during stops. Okay, this is just plain common sense. Do not let your cat freely roam at rest areas or gas stations; you never know what a scared kitty might do or escape to. If your cat is not used to being harnessed, start out by securing a harness around her at home, a month ahead of time.
5. Make sure your pets have access to food, water and a litter box. Many cats will drink and eat very little, due to stress, but it's important that they at least drink at least a little each day. Carefully monitor your cat's intake and output, and contact a veterinarian if her eating habits don't return to normal after the move.
6. Prevent carsickness as much as possible. Talk to your veterinarian about prescribing a medication, and discuss ways you can minimize sickness.
7. Carry baby wipes and paper towel in case of accidents. They can happen, especially while your cat is under stress.
8. Carry blankets or bath towels in the car. Keep one at the bottom of the carrier so your cat will feel more comfortable. Use another to cover the carrier -- to provide a warmer environment and to calm an anxious kitty, especially while driving through busy cities.
9. Give your pets a room to themselves. When you arrive at your new home, put your cat in this room with her things, and let her get used to the new environment. Stay a while, talk to your cat and comfort her. Surround her with familiar objects and scents. Once you have settled in, she can have access to the rest of the house.

 What have you done to make your pets more comfortable during travel, and to keep them safe?

Are Siamese Cats at Risk for Health Problems?

As much as I would like to say we Siamese are perfect in every way, there is something you should know about us. Yes, even we are not immune to health problems. There are two defects that are common in the Siamese cat; read Rena Sherwood's article about "Siamese Cats: Common Health Problems" to learn what they are.

~

"Siamese cats are the most popular shorthaired purebred cat. But those beautiful blue eyes and graceful long bodies come at a price...

...Breeders are trying to breed out these health problems, but they may show up after a cat has already been bred."

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