How to Bath a Cat

Today you will learn how to bath a cat! Bathing a cat is a tedious process that must be done with care. Cats are strange creatures, and very delicate. You want to be as gentle as possible while you give you feisty feline a bath. How to bath a cat properly is not as easy as it sounds.

First you have to understand that cats hate - hate water. So keep that in mind as you bathe them. You want to make sure that your cat actually needs a bath. You don't want to torture your feline with that dreadful water if the cat doesn't need the bath.

If you have decided that your cat needs to be bathed, next step is to figure out what water temperature you need to have to give your cat a nice bath. You don't want to get the water too cold because just like everyone else no moggy likes a cold bath. You also want to make sure that the water is not too hot. This is very important as a cold bath can make it uncomfortable for the cat but a hot bath can hurt the cat and burn it.

Now that you have figured out the right temperature you want to fill the bathtub with about 4-5 inches of water. You want to fill the tub before you bring the cat in as the running water will only frighten the cat. Bring the cat in and gently lower the cat into the tub. Make sure not to drop the cat in too fast as this too will scare the cat. Ease the cat down to the water letting it know that the water is safe.

Once you have the cat in you want to get a cloth and dampen it by the water in the tub. You want to make sure you have the right shampoo for your cat. You can get these at any pet store and will give your cat a clean feeling! DO NOT use normal shampoo - it will dry the skin out.

Make sure to rub thoroughly but not too hard. You want to make sure the shampoo gets down to the skin to clean any dirt the cat may have. Rinse cat of all shampoo and grab a towel. Gently dry off the cat. Make sure not to leave fur wet. You now have a clean and happy cat!

How to Communicate with Your Cat

Many people do not enjoy living their life without a beloved pet by their side, as nothing can replace the inner warmth that an animal can provide for its owner. Although sometimes having pets around can cause a lot of extra stress, many find that being without them can cause even more.

While owning a small dog seems to be the popular choice for pet owners these days, some still find that having a cat is the way to go, and the more emotionally rewarding animal to call your own. Establishing a good relationship with your cat is very beneficial to not only the cat, but to you as well. The best way to do so is being able to communicate with your cat and let it know that you understand its needs.

However, this must be a two-way street, as you must allow the cat to understand you as well. Having this two-way street of communication will go a long way in creating a warm and loving relationship between you and your pet.

There are several ways to communicate with your cat, both verbally and non-verbally. Using a specific tone of voice with your cat is crucial, as you must establish a different tone of voice to address various acts. For example, when it is time to eat, you want to use a nice high pitched voice to show the pet that it is time for a rewarding experience. However, when the cat does something bad, you want to use a low pitched mean sounding voice, so then the cat will begin to understand when it is doing something that is not acceptable. The way you use your voice is key and will go a long way in developing a solid foundation of communication.

Furthermore, it is also a good idea to form a pattern with your cat, as they often will be much more comfortable with their surroundings if they know what to expect on a daily bases. Be sure to listen to your cat very closely as well, as a long drawled out meow noise, normally means they are angry or possibly in some type of trouble. Short quick meows usually means that it is hungry, or thirsty. Learning to understand the pet’s noises will allow you to be more responsive and better equipped to properly communicate with your cat. Using these tips will allow you and your beloved moggy to have a cross-species relationship like you never thought possible!

5 Incredible Domestic Cat Facts

Felis silvestris catus, better known as the domestic cat, is an eternally popular choice for pet owners. There are hundreds if not thousands of cat breeds that are able to survive almost anywhere that humans are able to live. They are, without fail, the most popular pets in the world. They are valued for their independence, their cleanliness, and their propensity to hunt vermin that live within their environment. Usually we see cats and do not give them a second thought. However, there are some things you may not know about these animals! Here are five things you didn't know about domestic cats.

It seems that, with millions of cats across the world, they would have to be descended from many different cats. Actually, a study in 2007 showed that all cats have the same lineage: five or more of the members of the subspecies Felis silvestris lybica, or the African wildcat.

It is commonly known that the Egyptians believed that cats were sacred; as such, it makes sense to think that cats were first domesticated in Ancient Egypt, right? Wrong! Cats may have been domesticated as early as the Neolithic Era, which is part of the so-called Stone Age. This was over 12000 years ago!

Cats of all types, including domesticated cats, are some of the best hunters in the animal kingdom. They have the ability to retrace their steps in order to minimize visible tracks - they will step with their forepaws, and then place their hind paws in the same exactly spot. Due to the padding on their paws, they are also exceptionally quiet when walking. Their sharp claws and teeth are ideal for hunting - after all, think of the term "cat and mouse"!

Many domesticated animals quickly become used to their new surroundings, rendering them incapable of surviving outside of the home. This is especially true for dogs, who quickly become accustomed to these comforts. Cats do not suffer from domestication in quite the same way. They retain many of the skills that allowed them to thrive in the wild, such as their sharp claws and teeth, and their taste for meat. A cat in good condition can run up to 31 miles per hour. Because of these features, even the most well-trained and domesticated house cat can survive in the wild, in unfamiliar conditions.

The sound that humans most associate with cats is their meow. However, cats can produce over 200 unique sounds from growls and hisses to purrs. They retain their meow for humans only. Cats are also the only animals who naturally purr as a form of communication.

Cats are unique and wonderful creatures that have been near and dear to human's hearts for thousands of years. Perhaps their mysterious nature is justified - after all, there are many things we don't really know about them!