Persian
Maine Coon
Exotic
Siamese
Abyssinian
Ragdoll
Birman
American Shorthair
Oriental
Sphynx

In addition to the top ten cat breeds listed above, there are many lesser known breeds that have a faithful following. You may have a dissimilar opinion on what is a unique or interesting breed of cat but the truth is that cat breeds are a very popular part of the pet population around the world now. Each breed has unique character and personalities and will vary by area of the world. Each individual breed has its own special qualities that are attractive to pet lovers far and wide.

Cats in general have a very fascinating history and it has been recently been revealed in a study that it is possible cats have been around since 8000BC. Given the long history, it is no wonder why cats and humans have such a solid bond.

The first item you need in your cat grooming toolbox is a brush. This brush has bristles that are strong enough to eliminate mats and debris from your cat’s coat, but still soft enough that they won’t drag and tear at your cat’s delicate skin. If you have a cat that seems to be particularly prone to getting substantial knots in its coat you will want to invest in a specially designed mat spreader.

Unless you have had your house cat declawed your cat will need to have its nail clipped. In the wild, cats need their sharp claws to defend themselves and to help them capture and kill prey. Undomesticated cats keep their nail from becoming overly long by walking around on hard surfaces that wear down the nail, keeping it sharp. The only real use house cats have for their claws is scratching furniture and occasionally swiping at their human caretakers. It is the caretaker’s responsibility to make sure the cat’s nails get trimmed when they get long. If you have never trimmed a cat’s nails watch a professional pet groomer or your cat’s veterinarian trim your cat’s nail first.

Dental care is an important part of your cat’s general health. It is important to make sure that your cat’s teeth are clean and free of signs of decay. Consult your veterinarian who will be able to help you choose products designed for optimal feline health.

First, always remember to have a collar around your cat’s neck. A collar let’s people know your cat is not a stray cat, and outfit the collar with an ID tag that displays the cat’s name and your current home or cell phone number. Register your cat and if you’re able, use a microchip, a chip that is implanted in your cat that serves as a full means of identification.

Also remember to have up-to-date photos of your cat. If your cat goes missing, you can post flyers up around the neighborhood that includes its picture so that if the cat is seen or found, it can be reported to you. Make sure you note any unique markings, such as scars or spots.

Finally, keep a full list of your local animal control authorities and “lost and found” registries, so you can check up on those sources immediately and/or report your cat at those locations.

A missing animal can come across a lot of dangers, and it’s especially hard to tell what’s going on with a lost cat since they can spend so much time away from home. If you find your cat’s gone missing, take action right away so your cat can be found.

The answer is yes. The more you feed your cat like she would eat in the wild, the longer your cat will live. This means feeding her uncooked meat, veggies, and greens. This not only saves you money on expensive cat food brands, but is a great alternative to the not so great-tasting prepackaged pet foods that is often fed to animals. Because they are getting the nutrition they need from real food, their immune system also becomes much stronger which means fewer visits to the vet.

Sometimes feeding your cat real food may take more time than simply pouring out food from a bag, but it’s definitely worth it. But do your homework! Some foods are poisonous to cats, including onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Cats are also usually lactose intolerant, which means if you feed your kitten milk they won’t die, but they may not feel very good either. Check to see if your cat has any allergies and avoid feeding her those foods. It may sound like a lot of work, but eventually you learn the dos and don’ts and feeding your cat becomes second nature.

Cats, like most animals, are naturally curious and need their own space where they can just be animals. For cat owners, this means providing your pet with a play center where he can climb, scratch, and rest when he needs kitty stimulation. Providing your cat with bouncy, springy toys is also a necessity if your cat has taken to clawing your things.

If your cat continues to get at particular areas in your house, then consider keeping him away from those areas using barricades, child locks, or closed doors. You can also use taste or odor aversion by spraying the area with an unpleasant smell that will keep them away. Never physically punish your cat, as this could cause serious psychological damage.

The final option is declawing, though declawing should only be used as a last resort. Consult with your vet to see what his professional opinion is and to find out what he recommends.

Dust, pollen, or other airborne particles could be causing sinus irritation in cats. If there’s an open window, a lighted candle or fireplace, or if you’ve turned on the heat or air conditioner after not using it for a while, this could be causing your cat’s sneezes.

Allergies are also a major cause of sneezing in pets. Runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing are as common to cats as they are to people, so look at any and all changes that your cat may have recently been exposed to, such as something new in his diet, a new cleaning product, or pollen.

Cigarette smoke is the most common cause of respiratory problems in cats, so if someone’s smoking in the house, it may be damaging to your cat.

Finally, it may be an infection. If your cat has recently roomed or been groomed around other cats, she may have picked something up. If the problem persists, go see your veterinarian and see what he recommends.

Well, actually, it’s completely normal. It’s natural for cats to sleep most of the time. It’s an adaptation they developed in order to survive in the wild. In the wild, cats are usually only active when there’s food available. For a short period in the day they’ll hunt, and then they’ll spend the rest of the day conserving their energy, sleeping, eating, and resting.

This is also why cats seem bipolar. Either they’re running around hectically, or they’re sleeping. Lazing in the sun is just as normal as racing around the house and scratching. If your cat seems to sleep more than most cats, take him to your vet and let him know. He may perform a full exam and tell you if anything is wrong.

Hunting is the most natural way for cats to eat, so it’s usually not very dangerous for cats to eat what they kill. The most dangerous thing a cat can eat is an animal or rodent that may be carrying rabies, such as bats or squirrels. Protect your cat from this danger by making sure it is up to date with all vaccinations, and never expose yourself to any animal that may have rabies, including skunks, raccoons, foxes, and even coyotes. If you must handle these animals to prevent your cat from consuming them, be sure to wear gloves. More often, your cat is safe since these are not commonly hunted by cats.

Other things your cat may be exposed to if he enjoys life in the great outdoors are minor, such as bacterial or fungal infections. Be sure to take your kitty to the vet every 12 months to keep him healthy and happy.

There is not much you can do to prevent your cat from hunting. You can try outfitting him with a bell collar which often scares away prey, but even some cats are still effective hunters with these on. Remember: it’s natural and you shouldn’t worry too much.

Dead animals at your doorstep? Completely normal. Cats are natural hunters and these dead rodents are their prey. Normally, cats would go out hunting and bring food back to their kittens. After acting out their natural instincts, however, they go back to being tame domesticated animals, so you shouldn’t worry.

Does your cat chew on anything wool? Again, this is common but you should still go see your vet about it. The motive behind chewing up wool is either physical or psychological, and should be investigated. Physically, your cat may need more roughage in his or her diet, roughage that may be replaced by your cat through wool. Look for roughage-rich herbs that entice cats at your local pet store, and if this doesn’t work, ask your vet. If the problem stems from a psychological cause, your cat may be stressed. Cats often display obsessive behavior that manifests itself on your most precious cardigan. Your veterinarian should be able to make a diagnosis and recommend a treatment.

Is your cat completely and totally against water? Cats are notorious for their aversion to water, but if you acclimatize them to water early on, it won’t be such a big problem. Work with your kitten, routinely bathing her and showing her water is alright and she may even enjoy it as an adult.

The most common cause behind cats hiding their food is that they find the scent offensive.  They can often do this when they’re ill and don’t feel like eating or when their diet is suddenly changed. If the cat continues to eat normally, then there may be something else behind the strange behavior.

Sometimes it’s just instincts. In the wild, cats would have to hide their food to protect it from predators and scavengers and return to it later. Another reason could be for fun. Hiding and uncovering the food could be your cat’s way of playing. Cats are expert finders and they could simply be trying to entertain themselves.

Either way, it’s not a serious problem. It’s a cute personality quirk that at worst is fun to watch.