Lice in Cats

Lice in cats can rapidly cause a very dry and scruffy coat in your pet, severe hair loss, as well as severe itching. But this will be no ordinary itching, as it can very easily stress your cat to the point that they can easily hurt themselves trying to get relief. There are several frightening aspects about lice, but one of the most frightening facts is that once they attack your cat, they will spend their entire life on their body.
Although lice infestations are not nearly as common in cats as they are in dogs, it is a misconception that cats cannot be affected by lice, and once they are, it can be very contagious in some circumstances.
What are Lice?
There are over 3,400 different species of lice in the world, and they are classified into two major groupings; sucking lice and biting or chewing lice. Anoplura is the name given to sucking lice and they make up a much smaller group than the chewing or biting forms, as there are only 460 different species. In the chewing or biting group, there are a whopping 3,000 different species, and they are referred to as the Mallophaga grouping.
Dogs are attacked by either form of this insect, but in the vast majority of all cases of lice in cats, it is the biting or chewing form that does most of the damage. The actual name for the species of lice that will affect your cat is referred to as Felicola subrostratus.
Lice can be seen with the naked eye and at first glance they look almost like dandruff or very small grains of rice. However, dandruff or rice does not move, but these very nasty insects do. They are flat and oval in shape and unlike other insects, they have no wings. For this reason, they are extremely host-specific in their attack and will not leave your cat. In fact, in most all cases they will live their entire life cycle on your cat's body and they have one objective, to bite your cat and survive.
Once they have infested your cat's body, they start to lay eggs, which are commonly referred to as nits. This breed of lice is quite particular on where they lay their eggs, as they specifically target the shaft of your cat's hair. Their complete life cycle is only twenty one days, but if they are not treated once they have started to infest your cat, this cycle will continue and can become very contagious.
In the vast majority of cases they are transmitted in one of two ways; by direct contact with another cat, or by some type of a grooming instrument. Since they do not have wings and do not fly, the contact with another cat has to very direct, as they will have to make actual body contact. However, as any cat owner knows, cats love to rub against each other, and if they rub against an infected cat, it will be passed very easily. A grooming comb or any other type of grooming instrument is also a very common cause of spreading this infestation.
Lice in cats can be transmitted to humans, but it is extremely rare. Although head lice can easily be transmitted from human to human, it is a misconception that lice in cats are also easily transmitted. The major reason again is quite simple, they target a specific host, in this case cats, not humans.
Symptoms:
Lice in cats do not show a lot of symptoms, and as such, they are very easy to spot and then identify. Lice on your cat will be very easy to spot once they have hatched and their life cycle process has begun. The first sign that you will see if the lice themselves, and they are easily confused with dandruff. However, if you look very close, they will appear much different than dandruff. They will be oval in their shape and about the size of a small grain of rice. However, there is one major difference; they are moving.
Once you have spotted them, if you take an ordinary magnifying glass used for reading, you can see them much clearer. They will definitely appear as oval shaped and they will have three distinctive characteristics; they are flat, they have no wings, and they are wiggling.
However, if you do not spot them, the next signs will begin to appear in your cat as these insects start to inflict their damage. Their fur coat will begin to dry out, and after a very short period of time it will become very scruffy in appearance. As this is intensifying, your cat will also start to lose their hair, usually in small patches. Dermatitis, which is a generalized term for skin allergies, may also start to develop. The allergy is usually the result of a hyper-sensitive reaction by your cat's body to the lice.
All this is laying the groundwork for the next symptom that is about to occur; itching. However, this will not be an ordinary form of itching. The itching will become so severe that your cat may also start to twist excessively as they are trying to get rid of this intense itching. In some case, the itching is so dramatic that your cat becomes stressed and may claw at themselves in an attempt to relieve the itching. This can be very dangerous, especially if they attack the areas where the skin has become exposed.
There may be one other symptom that may occur; pale gums. This will only occur if your cat has become infected by a sucking species of lice and they are sucking their blood, but this is extremely rare in cats.
Treatments:
Lice in cats have some very effective treatments, but in most cases, this is not a condition to try home remedies on, as they can be very difficult to kill. In fact, in most cases, it will take several treatments. For this reason, once you have identified that it is lice that is infesting your cat, you need to seek professional help.
Your veterinarian will usually prescribe a medicated shampoo, such as pyrethrin. Pyrethrin is a natural product that is made from extracts of the chrysanthemum plant and it is extremely effective in killing lice including the nits. There are some countries where you can buy this over the counter, but in most cases it must be prescribed. Once you have this medicated shampoo, thoroughly wash your cat and let them dry completely before the next step.
It will also be extremely important to wear gloves throughout this process just to be safe. Once your cat has dried thoroughly, there are pyrethrin sprays or powders that you will use next. This will help to kill any of the nits that may have survived the medicated shampoo. Some veterinarians may also prescribe a gel worm medication to use on your cat's fur, to help mediate it as well as sooth it.
However, even with these two processes, in some cases you will not kill all of the nits and you will have to repeat the process in about ten to fourteen days. If the second process does not work and your cat is still showing signs of lice, two percent lime sulfur treatments may be required. However, this has to be done by your veterinarian in most countries.
In the most severe cases of lice in cats where none of these treatments are effective, there is one other option. Your veterinarian will shave your cat and remove the nits one by one.
Summary:
Lice are not just a problem with dogs and people as these nasty insects can also affect your cat as well. In most cases, you can spot them very early, and if you do, the earlier the treatments are done, the more effective they will be.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.
He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.
After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.
After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.
I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.
Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website, Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets - http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

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My Cats and I - An Insight Into Cat Behaviour

One rainy day back in October 2009, we stumbled across a local cat protection website. We browsed through the website and found two wee cats aged two years old - brother and sister who were needing to be rehomed. One of their owners had passed away and the other decided they no longer wanted the cats and so informed the cat protection that if they didn't take them, then they'd be left on the street. The two cats are indoor cats and would never have survived the outdoors. Thats when we stepped in and requested to take them in and after the cat protection visited our home, they decided we were suitable owners. Later that day we went and got them and we instantly fell in love with them, and although they were friendly, it was obvious that the upheaval had made them timid and frightened.
The first few weeks were dedicated to breaking them into their new home, where we grew to love them and learned about their personalities, but once they had settled in, they began rampaging up and down the stairs everyday - which is nice until they decided to go "scat cat" and rip the wallpaper, dig at the carpets, and spend the whole night meowing and crying for our attention. So we decided to try setting a proper bedtime routine for them - they're not allowed in the bedrooms, they only get limited amounts of biscuits and treats, and we've tried placing pepper on the walls to stop them scratching the wallpaper alongside moving their scratch post so they can access it easily. As for the meowing at who knows what hour of the night? well we decided that we would place them both on blankets before we go to bed and turn all the lights off this didn't work, and they began chasing each other round the house all night as well so we gave in! they meow to their hearts content, however we've found we all have a much sounder sleep if we play with them right before bedtime and turn the lights out so they become tired and sleep most of the night.
When the cats want their Go Cat biscuits they come through meowing at us to give them to them, we only give them out as a treat - ie small handfuls two or three times a week and we ensure we play with them for at least an hour everyday.
We have a coal fire, and when the cats first arrived with us, we made a rule that they weren't allowed past the fire hearth and whenever they pushed their luck to get closer to the fire, we would move them back, and after roughly a month they never did it again and now happily stay away from the fire.
Apart from disciplining them like children, we treat them like children too. They love nothing more than being picked up for a cuddle, they love being played with, they love cuddling each other and cleaning each other and they also give us the best welcome in the morning. When we get up in the morning they get so excited to see us that they roll on our feet and chase after us. They purr, meow and give lots of attention to us and were always happy to see them. In fact, we work from home as a family business, and when we go to work at 8:45am they come to the office and we have blankets placed on the work desks for them where they sleep cuddled into each other. We get them up for lunch break and they come back to the office after lunch is over and go downstairs to play at 5pm when were all finished work for the day.
Our cats have been with us almost a year now and it feels like a lifetime. Any cat can adapt to a new home, its up to you to discipline and treat them properly. If you talk to them aggressively then they will be aggressive towards you, if you are in a bad mood your cat will avoid you, you should never take your moods out on any pets your have. Far from being saints, we know we treat our cats very well, and they look after us just as much as we do them - we've genuinely never been happier.

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Why Do Some Cats Bite When You Pet Them

Many of us who are parents to cats notice that when we pet them, they sometimes turn around a bite our hands. Why do cats do that? Dog parents smugly state that their dogs wag their tails, pant and lick their hand. They claim that dogs don't bite the hand that pets them. While this is not a competition between cats and dogs, I'll give the dogs this one. I had a beautiful dog for many years (she passed away at 12) and she never bit me when I petted her. However, each and every cat (except one) has nipped at my hand.
So, why do cats bite the hand that pets them? As usual, I decided to do a little research to see if I can find the answer. From what I can tell, it looks like experts do not agree on the reasons for this pet-then-bite behavior, therefore many theories abound regarding what is called petting-induced aggression.
One theory is that unlike dogs, which are more social, petting may be something outside of a cat's normal instinctive behavior. A suggested remedy is that cats need to be socialized to people as very young kittens. Even 5 minutes of human contact each day of a cat's life up to 7 weeks of age will produce a much more trusting cat than those cats that did not have human contact until they were older than 7 weeks. However, this remedy does not explain all petting-induced aggressive behavior since properly socialized cats can still display this behavior. And this remedy does not help those of us who adopted adult cats.
Some experts theorize that a cat may bite once the petting exceeds her sensitivity threshold. While the cat enjoys the human contact at first, the repetitiveness of the petting becomes irritating and the cat turns and bites as a way of saying "Enough". Another theory is that the petting not only causes irritation but that it may also cause static electricity or actual pain because of the cat's nervous system. Or, sometimes the cat may have a pain in a particular area and your touch or even the belief that you will touch that area may trigger the aggressive behavior.
Sometimes cats may find petting so pleasurable that they actually fall asleep (with open eyes). If they wake up suddenly, they may not recognize that they are being petted and may believe that you are trying to confine them. Instinctively they may bite and run before they are fully aware that they were being petted. The final theory I found is one of control. Some cats need to control the situation where they determine when the petting starts and when it stops. What is perceived as petting-induced aggression is a way for the cat let you know who is in charge. I think behavior is more in line with my experience.
No matter the reason for the petting-induced aggression, there are some things that you can do to decrease the chance your cat will suddenly bite you while being petted.
It is important to find out if your cat has a medical condition that may cause pain when he is being petted, therefore take him to the vet for a thorough examination. Petting may cause the pain to worsen or the cat to become anxious that you may touch a painful area.
Like it or not, we just need to realize that some cats simply do no enjoy being petted. Cats are unique and while some cats enjoy human contact, love to cuddled and petted, others do not like human-initiated contact. These cats may enjoy some human closeness like sitting on your lap, but they don't want to be picked up and petted. We need to understand that just like you cannot change the basic personality of humans with whom we interact, you will not be able to change the basic personality of your cat and need to accept him as he is.
While we may miss the warnings, cats seldom suddenly turn and bite. An observant cat parent will notice the following clues before the aggressive behavior starts:
• ears may go flat or back
• stiffening of the body
• twitching of the skin or tail
• dilated pupils
• a low growl
• unsheathing of the claws
If you see any of these signs, stop petting immediately and allow the cat to leave.
Once you are aware of the warning signs, you can begin to predict your cat's petting tolerance level. Begin by timing from when you begin to pet your cat to the first instance of the warning signs. You can do this over the course of a week or so. Then, the next time you pet, make sure that you do not exceed this time limit. However, while timing may provide a good guide you still need to watch out for the warning clues.
You can also change the way in which you pet your cat. Some cats may prefer to receive short small strokes; others prefer to be scratched under the chin or between the ears. Not all cats enjoy whole-body petting. Try to pet you cat using the different methods. It should become pretty clear very quickly which methods are tolerable and which are not.
If your cat does bite during petting, please do not physically correct her as this may cause more aggression. However, you can reward your cat for not biting; you can give your cat a treat after each stroke she tolerates. Over time, your cat may associate the petting with treats and, barring any pain, may experience an increased petting tolerance threshold.

In the end, only you know your cat and while you can try all of the suggestions, you may have a cat that simply does not like to be petted. While it is hard to resist that fuzzy little belly, chin, neck, etc., you may simply have to find another more mutually enjoyable way of expressing your affection to your cat.

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Why a Cat Collar Is a Must for Your Cat Safety

 A cat collar is one of the most important items a person can buy for their feline friend. Many pets become lost each year. The pets that are most likely to be reunited with their owners are those that have collars. People who have a house cat don't think they should purchase a collar, because they believe there is no risk that their pet will ever get separated from them. But that is not true.
Even a house cat could become separated from their owner, therefore they should also have a cat collar which lists owner information. What if there was a small fire in the home or other abnormal incident which scared the animal and they left the home? What if workers doing repairs in the home scared the animal and they managed to get outside? Both of those incidents are things that can happen. No one wants to think about what being without their pet would be like. They should not take the risk of not purchasing a collar for their pet. They are inexpensive and come in all types of colors and materials. One can be found to meet the needs of every cat and its owner. There are fancy ones and there a plain ones. Some are mass production and some are one of a kind, handmade items.
Protect our feline friends with a cat collar. They are the item that can increase the likelihood that a cat will be returned to its home. The collar can contain a phone number where the owner can be reached, the entire address does not have to be listed. It is important to make sure that if the owner gets a new telephone number, they get the cat a new collar. It would do no good for the cat to have a collar with an outdated contact number. The only alternative to a cat collar would probably be to have the animal microchipped at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter which provides that service. The only downside is that a person who find a cat would have to bring it in to a place that has a microchip reader to be able to find the owner.

Find out more about the benefits of cat collar and which are the most popular types of cat collar for your feline.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chin_Tsai_Low

How to Keep Your Cat Out of the Christmas Tree

How Do I Keep My Cat Off the Christmas Tree?
Okay, so throughout the year, you buy your kitten or cat climbing posts and shiny, dangling toys that they love to play with. Then comes Christmas time and you walk in with the biggest, shiniest play thing they've ever seen, with not just one, but tons of dangling strings and balls just for them! Combine your cats love for climbing trees with all the new toys hanging from it and you've got yourself one excited kitten and one serious problem!
Cats knocking down and destroying your beautiful Christmas tree is not a new problem. Cat owners have tried everything from tying the tree to the wall, using artificial trees (if your cat's like mine, this makes no difference!), spraying the cat with a water bottle, or using Bitter Apple Spray.
Well, I would immediately disregard the water bottle trick when it involves electric Christmas lights! Bitter Apple works for some, but wears off quickly and must be frequently re-applied with the lights unplugged. Some pet owners have stated their cats actually love the taste, while others claim it works for the cat, but the dog loves it! Lastly, Bitter Apple works as a taste deterrent. If your cat is already tasting the tree, isn't it too late already!? Don't be discouraged. There is a solution available that is completely safe for children and pets and has worked for years for our customers. Keep Away works differently by using smell as the deterrent instead of taste. It produces a pleasant mint smell to us, but to cats and dogs it is the equivalent of us taking a deep sniff of horseradish! Keep Away stops them before they are climbing the tree, swallowing the tinsel and knocking down all the ornaments, or chewing up your favorite shoes!

To learn more about Keep Away, visit: http://www.earthsbalance.com/petsupplies/pc/Deterrents-and-Training-Aids-c13.htm

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Reasons Why Your Cat Need Spa Retreat

Attention to all of the cat lovers out there. Is the Queen or King of your castle of feline persuasion? Do you have one or more cats who love attention, and would benefit from having someone pamper him or her for a few hours or even a few days? Do you need somewhere that will understand that your favorite feline is a picky eater? Have you ever wondered why spa services were geared to the dogs lovers? This is not the case anymore. Cat Spas and Cat Grooming services have become very popular around the country.
Climate controlled environments and customizable breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are just the beginning. Knowing that your cat may be a bit uptight from being away from home, many boarding services now offer extensive pampering as a part of their services.  Manicures, pedicures and massages are all now a growing part of Cat Grooming.
Cat Grooming include many different services. Some of these are dematting, and a complete comb or brush out. This is essential for long haired cats. Although this is something that you attempt to do at home, sometimes the level of dematting demands the services of an expert. Most spa services offer a water bath and a blow out.  Additional conditioning will leave your cat feeling smooth and silky. Just think how wonderful it feels when you go to the beautician for a day of pampering, your cat can feel the same way. How about a full lion like shave down or a full or half belly shave. Most treatments include cleaning the cats ears and eyes and most packages include trimming their nails.

 
Cat Grooming packages are available but many of the services are offered as stand alone services. You can have as little or as much as you want. Be aware if your cat is extremely matted or extremely difficult to groom additional fees may be charged. Whatever your desire for services are for your favorite friend, you are surely able to find it as close as your local groomer or at any cat spa.

Find out more about cat grooming and what are the important grooming process and needs being taken care of for your cat grooming. Once it is taken care of, the cats are cleaner, healthier and happier.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chin_Tsai_Low

Lost Cat Prevention Tips

It's fairly safe to say that a lot of people have a soft spot for animals, especially cats and dogs. We dedicate hours of our lives to our pets, ensuring they are well cared for and happy and naturally in some cases this involves letting them outside occasionally.
The difference between cats and dogs though is that when we let our dogs out we are usually with them to keep an eye on them. Unlike cats, we just open up the door and let them go off and do their own thing as cats are far more independent.
So how can you, the owner minimize the chances of your beloved cat not returning one evening when you let them out? Here are some of my top tips:
- Of course the younger the cat the more effective these tips will be as it becomes more of a routine over time. If your cat is male it's worth considering getting him neutered as this would help to curb his need to roam his territory and stray too far from home. Always consult your vet before though for further information.
- Keep your cat indoor's for at least a month minimum before letting them out for the first time. This gives them time to familiarize themselves with their new home, the scent and to relate home with food which is a big incentive for cats.
- Try to get your cat used to two meals per day. One in the morning and one in the evening are ideal. After about a week or two of this try letting them out about an hour or so before their evening feed, this will ensure two things. Firstly they won't wonder far and secondly it will help them to connect the time with hunger and home with food.
- Try taking your cat around the garden in a harness to help them to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. To a young cat the outside provides many many new and interesting things and they can easily get carried away and possibly lost and unsure of the way home.
- The final tip has been labelled by some people as nothing more than an old wives tale but from personal experience it has never failed me or anyone who I have recommended it too. Before letting your cat our coat their paws in butter. This has two reasons. Firstly when they get outside the first thing they will do is sit by the door and clean themselves. This gives them time to gradually take things in about their surroundings. The smell, sounds and other sensations without being completely overwhelmed then when the cat begins to wander they will have the scent of the butter to follow back.
So there you have it, my top picks for helping to prevent your cat from going missing. Of course none of these offer 100% certainty but will most definitely help. Just remember that cats are very smart and independent and as such they will inevitably do what they want.
I also feel it worth mentioning how important chipping is. I would highly recommend getting your cat mocrochipped should the scenario that your cat goes missing should ever occur. It's also a good idea to fit your cat with a collar and tag including contact information. If you feel that chipping is cruel to the animal there are other alternative such as unique ID tags which are available online.
James Jay
Pets Bureau

Pets Bureau is a service which works to reunite lost pets with their owners. For more information on how you can protect your cat or dog further, visit the Pets Bureau site at http://www.petsbureau.co.uk/

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