Monday 1 December 2014
Friday 15 August 2014
Bumble
 |
| Bumble - daughter of Muffin and Poppy (2 months old) |
.......................................................................................................................................
 |
| Bumble - 4 months old |
Mini Muffin
 |
| Mini Muffin - son of Muffin and Poppy at 6 weeks |
 |
| Mini Muffin - son of Muffin and Poppy at 2 years old in May 2016 |
 | |
|
Tuesday 12 August 2014
What Your Cat Should Not Eat - Part 1
Milk and Dairy Products. Cats love milk right? Wrong, most cats
are lactose-intolerant. Their digestive system cannot process dairy
foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea.
Tuna. Cats can easily get addicted to tuna (yes, even tuna for cats). A steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Too much tuna can also cause mercury poisoning.
Onions, Garlic, Chives, Tomatoes, Mushrooms (in all forms) can cause anemia. An occasional small dose probably won't hurt. But eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts frequently can cause onion poisoning. Onions, garlic and chives can also cause gastrointestinal upset.
Alcohol in general as well as foods containing alcohol is not good for your cat. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it.
Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. And, a small amount can make a cat ill.
Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and fits. Therefore do not feed your kitten caffeine rich food such as tea, coffee (any type), cocoa, chocolate, Red Bull, Coke, cold medicines and painkillers etc.
Chocolate (of all kinds) can be lethal for cats. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be encouraged to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
Candy and Gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause your cat's blood sugar to drop and also lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. The cat may have seizures soon after ingesting the xylitol, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.
Fat Trimmings and Bones. Both fat and bones can be dangerous for cats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. And a cat can choke on a bone. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your cat's digestive system.
Raw Eggs can cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli as well as skin and coat problems.
Raw Meat and Fish can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. Enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. A lack of thiamine can cause fatal neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma.
Dog Food. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished.
Liver. Eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones, problems associated with liver include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death.
Too Many Treats. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Yeast Dough can cause severe abdomen pain. When the yeast ferments it also produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Your Medicine. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Ingesting medicine prescribed for humans is a common cause of poisoning in cats. Never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet as some ingredients can be deadly for your cat.
If Your Cat Eats What It Shouldn't
Keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness however, no matter how careful you are, it's possible that your cat will find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's always a good idea to keep the number of your vet or local RSPCA handy. And if you think your cat has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help.
Tuna. Cats can easily get addicted to tuna (yes, even tuna for cats). A steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Too much tuna can also cause mercury poisoning.
Onions, Garlic, Chives, Tomatoes, Mushrooms (in all forms) can cause anemia. An occasional small dose probably won't hurt. But eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts frequently can cause onion poisoning. Onions, garlic and chives can also cause gastrointestinal upset.
Alcohol in general as well as foods containing alcohol is not good for your cat. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it.
Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. And, a small amount can make a cat ill.
Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and fits. Therefore do not feed your kitten caffeine rich food such as tea, coffee (any type), cocoa, chocolate, Red Bull, Coke, cold medicines and painkillers etc.
Chocolate (of all kinds) can be lethal for cats. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be encouraged to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
Candy and Gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause your cat's blood sugar to drop and also lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. The cat may have seizures soon after ingesting the xylitol, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.
Fat Trimmings and Bones. Both fat and bones can be dangerous for cats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. And a cat can choke on a bone. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your cat's digestive system.
Raw Eggs can cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli as well as skin and coat problems.
Raw Meat and Fish can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. Enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. A lack of thiamine can cause fatal neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma.
Dog Food. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished.
Liver. Eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones, problems associated with liver include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death.
Too Many Treats. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Yeast Dough can cause severe abdomen pain. When the yeast ferments it also produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Your Medicine. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Ingesting medicine prescribed for humans is a common cause of poisoning in cats. Never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet as some ingredients can be deadly for your cat.
If Your Cat Eats What It Shouldn't
Keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness however, no matter how careful you are, it's possible that your cat will find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's always a good idea to keep the number of your vet or local RSPCA handy. And if you think your cat has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help.
Sunday 10 August 2014
Friday 4 July 2014
New Born Kittens Development - Week 5
Activity increase. The kittens sight is fully developed at five weeks. The kittens are also very active and confident - I often find them climbing my guitar case and book shelf. Kitten at this stage will start exploring a
lot more, often stalking, wrestling and pouncing on their litter mates. The kittens may also experiment sleeping in different and somewhat awkward places (mine decided that my guitar amp is a great place to have a nap), gently move them to their bed so they can get used to their place of rest.
Weaning process starts. The weaning process can begin around five weeks of age. I started by leaving dry and wet kitten food available. Not all kittens will take to food immediately, so patience is important. Introduce a small amount, initially. You can introduce solids either by placing a small amount of food on your finger or in a cat bowl. Select a quality
brand of canned kitten food (ask your vet) with a named meat source as the first
ingredient (chicken is good). Many breeders and rescuers will have been
feeding this food to the mother cat, and the kittens will quickly
accommodate to eating mom's food.
Litter training. You can start this from week three. From week five however they should be able to confidently use the litter tray. Although you could still find some "accidents". Be patient! Make sure that the bedding is easily washable, so you can ensure the area remains clean. Provide your kittens with a small litter tray, and make sure it has litter which is safe for young kittens to use (and possibly eat).
Wednesday 18 June 2014
New Born Kittens Development - Week 4
I can't believe four weeks have passed already. A month has passed and the kittens are developing at fast speed - they do grow up too fast! At this stage you will notice the following:
1. Depth perception has developed. That's why they cling on to you for they dear lives with their tiny claws.
2. Sense of smell is fully developed.
3. The sense of hearing is now well developed. They will run and hide if they hear loud noise.
3. The sense of hearing is now well developed. They will run and hide if they hear loud noise.
4. Baby teeth will start to show.
5. Kittens are learning to walk without stumbling. Some of the kittens may even started running randomly.
6. The kittens are becoming more and more active. They also look for adventure outside their kitten "cot". They will interact more with their siblings. I've heard this interactions can even lead them to form "alliances" which may or may not be gender-based.
7. The mother will begin to leave her kittens for short periods of time. At this stage, you can provide a small bowl of water for the kittens to drink from.
7. The mother will begin to leave her kittens for short periods of time. At this stage, you can provide a small bowl of water for the kittens to drink from.
Monday 9 June 2014
New Born Kittens Development - Week 3
You will start to notice more activity now that the kittens have reached week 3 as they sleep less and want to play more, also 4 things have taken place:
Tuesday 27 May 2014
New Born Kittens Development - Week 2
1. Growth - Kittens are continuing their growth at a very fast rate (around 10 grams per day).
2. Eyes development - Their eyes have started to open and will be completely open at 9 to 14 days old or so. All kittens' eyes are blue, and will remain so for several weeks. Their vision will be blurred at first, and their pupils don't dilate and contract readily, so they should be protected from bright lights.
3. Sense of Smell - The kittens' sense of smell is developing, and they might even hiss at unfamiliar odours.
4. Sex - You might be able to determine the sex of the kittens around this time.
Friday 16 May 2014
New Born Kittens Development - Week 1
During the first week of a kitten's life he will be concentrating on feeding and growth. At this point you might be asking yourself a few questions, here are a few answers that might help:
1. When will the new born kittens open their eyes? By the second week their eyes will begin to open although their vision will not be very clear at this stage. Do not force their eyes open as it could result in damage. All kittens have blue eyes at this stage.
2. When will the umbilical chord fall off? The umbilical cord should fall off within two or three days, but it could also take up to a week or so. However their eyes and ear canals will not be open yet.
3. When should I get my kitten vaccinated? Provided the mother has been vaccinated, or has natural immunity, the
kittens will receive the same immunity for the first 24-48 hours
through her colostrum (first milk). They will need to receive a vaccination course at 9 and 12 weeks.
4. Should I let other animals near the new born kittens? Animals can be unpredictable, I have heard of male cats damaging new born kittens, so the short answer is NO.
Saturday 26 April 2014
4 Helpful Tips For Cat Owners
I have always had cats but I love my British Blue kittens, they are really affectionate and considerate cats. Here are a few things I've observed as a British Blue Shorthair cat owner and would like to share with you. I am by no means a cat expert, I am however a good observer and hope these tips will help you.
1. What gets rewarded gets repeated. I've noticed that this can be true even for cats. You can encourage your cat to use the cat scratcher (instead of the sofa or wallpaper) merely by stroking him while using it and using affirming words such as "Good boy Muffin!" with a pleasing tone. I've noticed that, contrary to what people think, your cat does want to please you.
2. Clip those claws. I have also noticed that my cats scratch less when their claws are shorter. You can clip your cats claws if you want - just make sure you only clip the transparent part of their nails not the opaque area otherwise you might hurt them and cause bleeding.
3. Fun doesn't have to cost money. Muffin's favourite toy is a paper ball and he loves to play catch. I use paper balls to play with my kittens and they love it. Fun doesn't have to cost money and even a piece of string can turn a boring evening into fun for all.
4. Call them by name before dinner. Call them by their names so they can get used to it and actually respond. I also make a distinctive 'pssssh, psssh, psssh' sound when I serve them food in order for them to associate the sound with dinner. This also helps when you simply want them to come to you just for fun. Make sure you also reward them every now and then with treats as what gets rewarded gets repeated.
Friday 3 January 2014
Why Does My Cat Have Whiskers?
Whiskers are extraordinary sensory devices that help your cat interact with the world. They go deeper into your cat's skin and connect with many more nerve endings. Whiskers are very sensitive to touch and vibrations and tell your cat a lot about the size and shape of objects in the dark, they are pathways that carry information to your cat's brain in the same way that fingers do to humans. Never cut or remove them as your cat needs them, without their whiskers a cat may become disoriented or insecure. Whiskers fall out and re-grow naturally
Mood Detector
Whiskers can also help to identify your cat's mood.
Relaxed and sticking out sideways = Your cat is calm.
Pushed forward = They are excited and alert.
Flattened against their cheeks = Angry or scared
Strategically Positioned
You will find whiskers on the side of your cat's cheeks, further back on the cheeks and above the eyes. They are as long as the width of their bodies, which help gauge the width of openings in the dark. Whiskers above the eyes send signal to the brain providing blinking reflexes so that your cat can close their eyes quickly in order to prevent something from entering their eyes. Legs whiskers help your cat with prey detection and facilitate safe landing.