Important Tips for Cat Leash Training

Wouldn't it be great if you could take your cat for walks the way you take your dog for a walk? Just snap on the leash and you're off for some enjoyable trots around the neighborhood. Unfortunately this just isn't the case, and chances are you'll need to go through some cat leash training before you can take your feline outside with you. Just getting him onto the end of that least might be an ordeal in of itself! There are some quick tips you can consider when it comes to cat leash training, so let's go over a few right here.

Treat Your Cat

Yes, getting your cat into a harness is going to be difficult but doing so effectively is going to be part of successful cat leash training. Cats don't typically like things that confine them so it will take some time for him to get used to it. As you put him in it the first time, speak soothingly and be sure to pet him and praise him. Give him a special treat that he only gets when the harness is going on. Let him walk around with it on for several minutes a day for a week or so, then take your cat leash training to the next level by attaching the leash. This too will take a bit of practice for both of you. You need to remember that a cat is not as strong as a dog so any time you tug on your cat's leash, it should be very gentle and not sharp or abrupt. You're just trying to get his attention, not pull him toward you. This part of cat leash training is important to you because if you overdo it you'll make your cat hate being in the harness and on the leash at all.

Take It Slow

When cat leash training, you also need to go at your cat's pace. Remember that cats experience the outdoors differently than dogs. Dogs are eager to race ahead and just run around, whereas cats like to observe, carefully approach, and then linger around something they're curious about. A good part of cat leash training is going to rely on you as the one guiding the leash. You can't simply walk up and down your block with your cat but you need to be prepared to take things slower and let him explore and hang back if needed. You might also consider going out when the neighborhood is not very busy as your cat will probably feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Patience And Praise

Remember that there's more to cat leash training than just training your cat; you need to be prepared to do your part as well. Cats don't react to a leash the way dogs do and they need lots of patience and praise while you're training. But if you do, you'll find that that in the end they may love being on the leash as much as you enjoy taking them out on it!

If you'd like more of my Cat Training Tips, check out my "Insider Tricks and Secrets to Training Your Cat".

Caring for Older Cats

According to the website "Cat Care" older cats need a little bit more specialist care.

Outside, pet cats may show the same things- playing with toys around the home, taking naps sprawled on a favorite spot inside the home, snuggle up with you on the sofa, so it may be hard for a pet owner to notice a pet cat getting older. But inside, it might be a whole different thing, so health care for cats as they get old may change a little bit.

Most veterinarians generally estimate that cats start their geriatric years when they reach twelve years. This will usually be the time that caring for your pet cat would have to change to accommodate the needs that aging brings.

When caring your an aging cat, there are some things that a concerned pet owner should know about.

A major part of caring for older pet cats involve feeding them. As cats get older, their digestive systems do not function as efficiently as before. Aging cats may need to eat smaller and easily digestible meals in a day rather than just two square meals. Try also to make sure that you give your cat a variety of food to eat to ensure that it gets a well balanced diet.

There are also a variety of cat foods now available for the different life stages of your pet cat. There is cat food that is specially formulated for older cats as well as for the less active ones. The best advice in feeding your aging pet cat would be to ask your vet about the nutritional needs of your cat.

Dental problems may also become a concern for old cats when they become prone to having loose teeth, tartar buildup, and sore gums. This can have a big effect on your pet cat's well-being. Dental problems may be the reason why they are not eating well. A regular dental check up might be needed as part of health care for old cats.

When cats age, they also start to lead a less active lifestyle. Whereas cats enjoy playing around and hunting during their younger years, older cats seem to prefer spending more time quietly around the home. This would be a benefit for some pet owners since they no longer have to worry about their once playful cat overturning and breaking things around the house. But this sedentary lifestyle would not be good for the cat.

Even though your pet cat will do some activities you may still deliberately need to keep them active since the exercise would help keep them healthy. Try to have them be active as often as possible to keep them active. As they age, cats may also need to have their vaccinations up to date. Older cats have a less efficient immune system and may need vaccinations to keep them protected from diseases.

Going Green with Your Cat?

Website, catchannel.com has reported this week that Automated Pet Care Products, the company who brought us Litter-Robot, has revealed it will freely give away samples of a new ECO Unit Litter-Robot and Litter-Robot Ramp.

APCP said the purpose of the giveaway is to highlight to pet owners how they can lessen their cat’s environmental “paw print".

If you and your cat are interested in taking part, just go to the company’s website and post up why you're trying to reduce your environmental impact.

The deadline for the competition is June 01 2009, and a winner will be chosen at random on 8th June 2009. The name of the winner will be announced on the Litter-Robot Blog.

Brad Baxter, president of APCP listed a number of ways to make your cat more eco-friendly:

• Use brushes made of recycled rubber and packaging.
• Choose collars and leashes made of organic cotton, 100 percent recycled polyester or hemp.
• Use biodegradable pet-waste bags that are made of renewable, sustainable origin.
• Opt for natural stain, odor and shampoo products.
• Choose certified organic catnip.
• Buy cat beds that are made by environmentally aware companies.
• Buy organic cat treats.
• Reuse/recycle household items for cat toys (cardboard boxes, paper and paper shopping bags).
• Choose green litter-disposal systems or switch to natural cat litter.
• Recycle a pet — adopt a cat from the local animal shelter.
• Have your cat spayed or neutered.

UK Pets Hit By the Credit Crunch

Reuters has reported that the RSPCA, the UK animal welfare charity is concerned that people are abandoning their pets as the credit crunch bites deeper.

It wrote:

"Britons may have a reputation as animal-lovers but they are increasingly dumping their pets as they struggle to cope with the economic downturn. The number of abandoned animals soared 57 percent last year to 11,586, according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) -- the equivalent of more than 30 a day."

Read the Full Article