Cats | Pet Lover Blog

A leash can help you keep control of your cat when you don’t want her to stray too far away, but still get some exercise.

Even if you never plan to take your cat for regular walks like you would a dog, you still need to insure that your cat can tolerate the collar and leash. You will need to take her to the vet and getting her used to it now can help considerably. There are specific collars, harnesses and leashes designed for the cat that you can use.

Cat Leashes

Leashes are designed in several ways from a standard form to a retractable one. No matter which you choose, make sure that it is lightweight enough to allow the cat the ability to move under its weight. Retractable will allow the cat to explore their surroundings in a park or other traffic safe areas. You’ll want to keep the cats close when walking to and from their homes.

Getting used to the leash takes training. Cats don’t do well with negative correction so by tugging on the leash you will not get them to stay at your side. Instead of negative feedback, cats do better with praise and positive reinforcement. Ignore her when she does something wrong. You can teach the cat to tolerate the leash but more than likely she will not be consistently healing or obeying commands.

Collars

Cat collars are not commonly made for leashes. Because the cat’s head is shaped so, it can easily slide any collar off. Collars are used for other reasons such as accessories. For example, a jeweled collar offers a cute look for the cat. Others use cat collars to hold identification tags in case the animal gets lost. Also, you can use the collar to warn birds that he’s in the area and approaching by using bells or a low tech alarm system.

The Harness

The harness is another option that the owner has. These stay on your cat securely so that the cat leash can be used. A simple nylon harness for your cat is a good choice or you can go with the deluxe models that look like padded vests. The only thing that is important is that they are completely adjustable.

If possible start training the cat when she is a kitten of eight to ten weeks old. Put the harness on her and allow her to walk around in it unrestrained. Then, add the leash a few times later. Don’t apply any pressure to the leash though. Once she’s used to the leash, you can pick it up and teach her that you can be on the other end of it. Use a little pressure on the leash and call your cat to you. When she does what you want him to, praise her and reward him. Eventually, she’ll be okay with it.

The leash allows you to take your cat outside for a walk to just to explore the yard. You don’t have to worry, then, that she’ll escape or get into trouble.

Cat leashes and harnesses are just some of the fun and practical products available from Best Pet Health Information. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links remain intact.

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Not long ago, our cat climbed the tall trees around our house and refused to come down.

We tried all the tricks:

• Opening a can of tuna and putting it at the base of the tree.
• Standing below and sweet talking it.
• Leaving it alone till it figured out how to come down on its own.

Nothing worked. She cried all day and all night.

It was pitiful.

The first time she did this, I was traveling for the week. My wife called and said, “What do I do?”

“She got herself up there. She’ll come down when she’s ready,” I said.

That advice was filed in the “no-help” category. She called the volunteer fire department. They really didn’t want to call out the boys to come drag the cat out of the tree either.

At the end of the second day, I called her back and told her that according to resources on the web, cat’s (almost) always come down between the third and fifth day when they get hungry enough.

“FIVE DAYS!?” came roaring through the phone line. “I’m not waiting five days. She’ll be dead!”

She was overreacting of course. The cat came down, hungry and tired, and extremely affectionate for an otherwise crabby cat.

“See,” I said. “You just have to let nature take care of itself. We didn’t have to worry about her. She knew how to solve her own problem.”

Two weeks later, I was working from home. The cat went up another tree - all the way to the top! All day, while my wife was at school teaching and I was home, tapping my computer at the kitchen table, while the cat cried outside the window.

On the second day, I stood at the base of the tree and talked to the cat trying to coax her down. With her big eyes locked into mine, she talked back to me as if she were pleading for help. After breakfast I put the little bit of yogurt that remained my bowl under the tree and clanged the spoon against the side of the dish. That sound always draws her.

She looked at me crying even harder. If I could talk CAT, I’m sure she was saying, “Of course, I want that yogurt, you idiot. But do you see me - I’m 50 feet in the air in this huge tree!”

I was feeling pretty helpless.

After lunch, I dragged the 40-foot extension ladder to the tree and precariously positioned it on a slanting hillside so I could get a little higher in the tree. Then, donning a long sleeve shirt and leather gloves, up I went, one shaky step at a time.

The cat went higher.

I stepped on the top rung - right on the yellow sign warning me not to use the top rung as a step - and climbed another 7 or 8 feet up the tree.

As I looked down, I realized I’m a 52-year old seditary man, 20 pounds overweight (on a good day) and about 50 feet off the ground coaxing a scared cat to come a little closer so I can grab her - or worse - so she can grab me.

“This is a disaster in the making,” I remember thinking.

Latching onto the cat by scruff of the neck, I held her at arm’s length so that her horizontal paws, flailing at me like a small windmill with claws attached, couldn’t get me. I shinnied down the big oak leaving deposits of flesh from my one arm wrapped tightly around the bark while peeling the cat off of every limb within paw-reach.

Slowly, and sweating off most of that 20 pounds, we made it to the ground.

When my wife came home, she looked at the tree where the ladder still leaned and said, “Tell me you didn’t climb that tree.”

I confessed.

“I couldn’t take it anymore. The cat needed our help and somebody had to rescue her. She gets scared of something, runs up the tree and can’t come down by herself.”

She thought for moment, looked at me, and said, “That’s Ryan, too, you know.”

My youngest son, scared for the moment, climbs a metaphorical tree and can’t come down. So, for years I, or another member of his family, climbed up to rescue him.

I hate it when she’s right!

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Many people believe that it is impossible for cats and dogs to live together peacefully. Perhaps this belief is brought on by images seen in cartoons or by one or two negative experiences between cats and dogs. But, in reality, it is quite possible for the two species to live together peacefully - and even to live together as friends.

Genetics

Genetically, there are reasons for cats and dogs to dislike each other. By nature, dogs are predators that tend to chase things that move quickly and that are smaller than them. Of course, cats fit this description, making them the perfect play toy for dogs wanting to utilize their predatory skills.

Cats, who are also predatory, can also exhibit stalking behaviours toward dogs; despite the fact the dog is usually much bigger. In addition, cats will defend themselves, so thus begins the rivalry.

Environmental Influence

Of course genetics and instinct alone isn’t the only reason why dogs and cats sometimes don’t get along. During the first 2 to 3 months of an animal’s life, it learns who its friends and its enemies are. Therefore, a puppy raised with cats will most likely tend to get along better with the cats. Similarly, a kitten raised with dogs will not think much of the dogs. In fact, it is often easier to raise a new kitten in a household with dogs than the other way around because cats tend to be more territorial than dogs. A highly predatory dog, however, will make it more difficult to introduce a new kitten to the household.

Training Pets to Live in Peace and Harmony

Teaching cats and dogs that don’t get along with each other to live together can be a somewhat difficult task, but it is possible. The best way to accomplish this is to allow the animals to spend time together while a human chaperone is present. The more time animals spend with one another, the more tolerant they become of the other. In fact, this can often lead to a very affectionate relationship. Puppies and kittens that are raised together have the best chance of developing a positive relationship.

If a dog has been particularly cruel to cats in the past, however, it is probably not a good idea to try to get the two species to co-exist. Even if the dog doesn’t manage to get the cat, it will most likely make the cat’s life difficult by continually chasing after it. Similarly, a puppy might need to be protected from a particularly territorial or mean cat.

Dogs can also be trained to leave cats alone, just as they can be trained to fetch, sit or stand still. For a pet owner who has the time and patience, the dog can be leashed with a training collar. Another person can bring the cat increasingly closer to the dog. If the dog sits still it, should be praised. If it attempts to lunge after the cat, the leash should be pulled and the dog should be told “No. Leave it!” Some dogs learn quickly while others take a little longer.

Another approach for training the dog can also be utilized. This approach uses positive association. Each time the dog is in the same room as the cat, it is provided with extra attention and treats. Soon, the dog realizes having the cat in the room is a good thing because it gets something good out of it. In this way, it positively associates the cat with things that it desires - affection and tasty treats!

Feeding Time

Even cats and dogs that get along might start fighting during mealtime. Most animals are very protective of their food. In addition, they tend to be quite curious about the food the other animal is enjoying. For this reason, it is best to have separate feeding stations for cats and dogs.

It is best to place the cat’s food in a high, hard to reach area. Otherwise, the dog will have a tendency to eat the cat’s food, or to at least try to eat it. Of course, the food should still be placed in an area the cat can easily reach and eat comfortably. Cats don’t generally try to eat dog food. But, in the case of a cat that does, this behaviour should be discouraged. The best way to do this is to feed the two animals at the same time, but in different places.

It is also important to remember that cat and dog food each have different nutrients, so one should not be used in place of the other. Therefore, it is not only necessary to keep the food separate in order for the pets to live in harmony; it is also necessary to keep them healthy.

For more information on caring for your Cat check out Paul’s site at http://www.basic-cat-care.co.uk.

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