Anyone who has owned a cat will tell you that cats are great at bonding with people, although they are very particular. Normally, a cat will choose someone in the home that he bonds with. You’ll know when a cat wants to bond with you, as he will hop on your lap seeking attention or snuggle up to you at night when you are sleeping. Purring is a strong sign of affections, especially with cats that are looking to bond.

Although many experts have tried to figure it out, no one really knows why cats choose a particular person whom they will bond with. It could be the individual’s manners, voice, or simply how that person treats the cat. Perhaps it may be the individual is really gentle, or maybe a little more forceful – bringing the best out in the cat.

There are a lot of ways that researchers have tried to take this subject, one of which being psychic. Some say that cats bond with someone due to a “psychic aura” that is compatible with both the person and the cat. If a cat feels that someone is giving them a bad vibe, they will simply ignore that person. Although this can be true to a sense for some, a majority of those who own cats will tell you that this couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Even though there are a lot of theories and speculation out there, no one really knows why cats bond with humans. There’s little to no proof available as well, other than cats and their natural instinct for physical survival. Those who own cats know that cats crave attention, simply to make them feel needed. They love to be pampered by their owners, and will shower you with attention and affection if you just give them the chance.

Those who are new to owning cats may find bonding to be very different. Cats are different from other animals, including dogs, in the sense that they bond different. Different breeds of cats will bond different with their owners, although most prefer affection and attention. The more time you spend around your cat, the more he will bond with you. Over the years, you’ll find that the bond you create with your pet has grown very strong – and simply cannot be broken.

Baits

Rodent, snail and slug baits are often used to keep pests at bay. But if ingested, these poisons are extremely harmful to pets. They are highly toxic and, without immediate veterinary attention, can be fatal. Rodent baits typically can result in blood clotting disorders, brain swelling or kidney failure, depending on which type is used, while snail and slug baits can result in severe tremoring or seizing.

Blood Meal

Used as an organic fertilizer, blood meal is flashfrozen animal blood that has been dried and ground. Unfortunately, many pets find this product very tasty and may even seek it out. If a large amount is ingested, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and severe inflammation of the pancreas.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is an organic fertilizer made from animal bones that have been ground to a powder. The “bone” is what makes it so palatable to dogs— but when ingested, bone meal can form a large, concrete-like obstruction in the stomach that could require surgical removal.

Insecticides

Most over-the-counter insecticides are basic gastrointestinal irritants to pets and are generally not cause for major concern. However, if your pet has ingested this type of chemical, contact a pet poison helpline right away to make sure your pet is safe. The insecticide bottle will have content information that you can relay to the helpline.

Fertilizers

Many fertilizers are basic gastrointestinal irritants. However, some are often combined with dangerous chemicals and compounds called organophosphates or carbamates, which can be harmful to pets. Ingestion can result in drooling, watery eyes, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, fever and even death. Immediate treatment with an antidote is necessary to improve your pet’s chance of survival.

Choose pet-safe options for substances like snail bait and weed and feed products, or go organic and try planting flowers like Mexican marigold, which naturally repel insects without harming animals. When all else fails, check the label and ask a gardening professional. If there’s a doubt about the product’s safety for your pet, don’t use it!

Some Plants That Are Reported To Be Toxic to Dogs, Cats or Rabbits
Azalea
Bittersweet
Caladium
Clematis
Crocus
Day Lily
Death Camas
Easter Lily
Ferns
Foxglove
Hyacinth
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Morning Glory
Oleander
Rhododendron
Tiger Lily
Tulip

If you plan to grow any of these plants, or are growing them already, ensure that the furry visitors to your yard won’t be harmed by accidentally ingesting any of these. Use aversives or fencing to keep the animals out of the area.

Information from www.petinsurance.com.

Scan the Surroundings

Get a handle on the situation by following these guidelines:
 Safely remove any remaining poisonous material from your pet’s reach.
 Gather the container or substance to bring to the veterinary hospital or to describe to a pet poison helpline expert.
 Collect a sample of any material that your pet may have vomited.

If your pet has ingested something that could be harmful, the prognosis is always better when immediately reported; it’s safer for your pet and less expensive to treat before your pet has developed symptoms. That’s because decontamination (like inducing vomiting, having the stomach pumped, or administering activated charcoal) can only be performed within a narrow window of time.

Even if your pet is not immediately exhibiting signs of poisoning, it’s important to seek professional advice if you suspect that your pet has ingested a poisonous substance. When in doubt, call for help first.

To Vomit or Not To Vomit

Many people assume that they should induce vomiting if their pet has ingested something poisonous. However, forcing your pet to vomit could actually cause more harm or even be dangerous if done improperly or at the wrong time.

Keep these guidelines in mind:
 If your pet is already showing signs of poisoning, it’s too late to induce vomiting.
 If your pet has certain medical problems (like laryngeal paralysis or brachycephalic syndrome), inducing vomiting is not recommended and can make your pet’s condition worse.
 Certain toxins (such as corrosive cleaners and hydrocarbons such as gasoline, paint thinners and kerosene) should NOT be brought back up. Inducing vomiting after the ingestion of a corrosive material may ultimately cause more harm to your pet.

Most important, always seek veterinary advice before administering any kind of treatment yourself.

Home Remedies

In the panic of a poisoning emergency, many people give their pets kitchen staples such as milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil or salt — none of which should ever be given to an animal in distress.

Seemingly “common sense” home remedies should never be administered without veterinary supervision. Pets can experience adverse reactions to even the most “harmless” of remedies given by the most well-intentioned owners. Contact a veterinarian or a pet poison helpline first!

Transporting a Poisoned Pet

Handling an ill animal requires extra precautions to ensure the safety of both you and your pet. If your pet is sedate, carefully transport him to the car or, better yet, have someone drive while you watch your pet.

In rare circumstances when your pet may have ingested a specific type of gopher or mole poison (zinc phosphide), contact a pet poison helpline before attempting to administer first aid, as byproducts of these poisons can be extremely harmful to humans too.

Get Help

If your pet is unconscious, convulsing or having difficulty breathing, go immediately to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. While they are stabilizing your pet, you can call a pet poison helpline for treatment guidelines and recommendations.

Information from www.petinsurance.com.

Contrary to what many think, spraying isn’t a litter box problem, but rather a problem with marking. Cat urine that is sprayed contains pheromones, which is a substance that cats and other animals use for communicating. Pheromones are much like fingerprints with humans, as they are used to identify the cat to other animals.

When a cat sprays something, he is simply marking his territory through his urine. The spraying is simply the cat’s way of letting others know that the territory is his. Even though it may make you mad and annoys you, getting angry with your cat will solve nothing. If you raise your voice or show anger towards your cat, it can very well result in more spraying. The cat can become anxious around you, and that will result in other behavior issues.

Cats that are in heat are easily attracted to the odor of urine. For cats in heat, spraying is more or less an invitation for love. Sometimes cats that spray while in heat, and have access to other cats, will produce a litter of kittens in just a few short months. Keep in mind that cats not only spray during heat, as some will also spray during encounters with other cats, or when they are feeling stressed.

Although spraying is a way of communicating for cats, the smell for people is horrible. If you have an indoor cat that never goes outside, spraying can indeed be a problem. If you’ve noticed spraying in your home, you should take action and do something about it immediately.

The most effective and also the easiest way to stop spraying is to have your cat neutered or spayed. Most male cats that have been neutered will stop spraying the same day they have the surgery. If your cat is already neutered, then you need to look for other causes of the spraying. Have you recently brought a new cat into the house? Is there a cat walking outside that your cat sees but can’t get to? You’ll need to remediate any territorial issues between housemates or discourage the presence of outdoor cats.

Encourage other forms of marking, such as bunting (facial marking) and scratch marking. To encourage scratch marking, place scratching posts in areas where the urine marking is occurring. To encourage facial marking, spray Feliway, a synthetic analog of the feline facial pheromone, directly on places soiled by the cat, as well as other important locations in the environment.

The best thing to do in this situation is to talk to your veterinarian. He will be able to give you advice and treatment options. There may be a medical problem present that is causing the problem, which your vet can identify. You should always do something about spraying the moment it starts – simply because cat urine stinks and it can leave stains all over your home.

Clean affected areas thoroughly with an oxidizing cleanser. You want to be sure to remove all the ammonia from the area to keep the bacteria from growing.

Cats also use their claws for stretching, walking, and running. Scratching and stretching release endorphins, which make the cat feel good. The claws are also a cat’s primary source of defense against other animals and humans. Most cats keep their claws extremely sharp, as their claws and teeth are basically their only weapons. The claws are also essential for using the bathroom, as cats use them to cover up their mess with dirt.

Cats also use their claws to scratch things, which marks their territory. This is a visual cue to other cats that the territory is taken. Their paws have glands, which contain a secretion. When they leave their mark on something, the secretion is transferred to the area they scratched. This is detectable to other cats, although not to humans. Sometimes, they will also scratch something to remove the older claw, which will fall off and reveal a new claw that resides underneath.

Some cat owners are afraid that their cat will ruin their furniture or carpet, and, therefore, will choose to get their cat declawed. Getting a cat’s claws removed is a surgical procedure, one that can only be performed by a veterinarian. The owner will need a good reason though, as a vet won’t do the surgery just to keep one’s furniture or carpet protected. Declawing involves removing an entire joint from every digit — not a small surgery in any way.

You may or may not see behavior changes in your cat after the surgery. Cats usually won’t become more aggressive after a declaw, but you may think that he’s using his teeth more often if you didn’t notice that he was using his teeth often before the surgery — you may have been more focused on the scratching. The cat will continue to scratch to mark his territory (your furniture) or release endorphins, but there won’t be any damage. If you used to chase your cat away from the furniture before the surgery, you won’t be chasing the cat away after the surgery. Your cat may miss that attention, and he might find other ways to get your attention — good or bad.

If scratching your furniture is your main reason for wanting to get your cat’s claws removed, read our article about redirecting scratching. You can also try keeping the nails trimmed. Plastic nail caps are also available to cover the claws. These are applied to the nails using an adhesive and require replacing every six to 12 weeks as the nails grow. Some cats and people may have an adverse reaction to the adhesive. Have your veterinarian show you how to apply them the first time; after that, you should be able to do it on your own.

In the end, if you feel you must declaw or give up your cat, we would rather see your cat stay in your home and be your lifelong companion. If you do decide to have your cat declawed, have the surgery done at the same time she’s spayed (or neutered if your cat is a male), that you only declaw the front paws and that you always keep your cat indoors.

If you are introducing kittens to one another, the entire introduction process can be short, lasting as little as 10 – 15 days. Introducing cats to each other depends on their temperament and their personality. When you introduce a new cat to your current cat, you should always make sure that you give your current cat plenty of love and attention. This way, your cat will feel secure and know that he isn’t in competition with your new cat for affection.

When you bring your new cat home, you should let him stay in a safe room until you have finished introducing the cats. Your safe room can be any small room in your home, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom. In the room, you should leave your new cat a scratching post, bed, water dish, litter box, and food dish.

At first, your current cat may howl and hiss when he stands at the door, trying to tell the other cat that he doesn’t belong. When this happens you should ignore it, as punishing your cat for his behavior will only lead to more problems. After a while, the first cat will start to act calm when he is near the new cat’s door. As he starts to act calm, you should pet him and give him praise.

When your first cat starts to go by your new cat’s door and doesn’t howl or hiss; you can start introducing them to each other. Begin by feeding them on opposite sides of the door, but not too close to the door that they become irritated. Gradually move the dishes closer together until the cats are eating directly on either side of the door. Then, use two doorstops to prop open the door just enough to allow the cats to see each other, and repeat the whole process.

Swap scents between the two cats. Give each cat a blanket to sit on, and then switch the blankets between the cats. This way the cats can smell each other without actually having to see each other.

Allow the new cat time to explore the house without the resident cat being present. The best way to do this is to put the resident cat into the safe room and let the new cat out. In this way the new cat can become acquainted with the house without being frightened by the other cat. Additionally, your resident cat will be able to smell more of the new cat in the safe room.

When you introduce them to each other in the same room, a bit of growling and hissing is to be expected. Although they may be used to each other’s scent; your first cat will still feel a bit awkward with your new cat being in his territory. You should play with them both at first, so they can smell one another and greet in their own way. If they start to fight you should break them up, and give them some time apart.

Avoid any interactions between your cats that result in either aggressive or fearful behaviors. These responses can be difficult to change if they become a habit. It’s better to introduce your pets gradually so that neither animal becomes upset. If you rush the process and have to start over, you can prolong the amount of time you’ll need to properly introduce them.

Keep the new cat in the safe room while you are away even if the introductions are going well. Don’t let the cats out together until you are sure that they won’t fight.

It may take some time to get them fully used to one another, although once they do – they may become playmates for life. Cats love to be social, although it may be a bit rough at first, especially for your first cat. Cats can be very territorial, especially if you have a kitten around. If you get both of them used to each other early on – it will be a lot easier to add future cats to your home. Even with proper introductions, though, there is no guarantee that the cats will become best friends. If you have a peaceful coexistence, that is a good outcome.