How to care for your adult cat
December 10, 2011 | 
Author Puberty begins at about six months for your cat, and adulthood at 1-3 years (large or longhaired breeds may take longer). Although your cat is no longer a kitten, the daily routine of feeding, grooming, and playing remains the same. Any changes you notice should be brought to your vet’s attention.
One important difference between an adult cat and a kitten is that adults have the potential to breed – and they will breed if left to their own devices. Unless you have a pedigreed cat which you wish to mate, it is always advisable to ensure that your cat is neutered before it reaches sexual maturity. Cats that are not neutered, especially males, also tend to roam and fight more, and males will spray their territory, both indoors and outdoors, with pungent urine.
Cat Proofing Your House
You should try to ensure that your house is “cat proof” against accidents. Cats are rarely clumsy but they explore wherever they can. Any fragile items should be put well out of a cat’s reach, ideally in a cabinet rather than on an open shelf. Cats may crawl up chimneys, jump on a stove, bite through the extension cords on appliances, or knock over hot irons left on ironing boards.
They may chew on a poisonous plant, crawl into a washing machine or dryer, or sit under a car – or, even worse, crawl beneath the hood from below and perch right next to the engine. Kittens and young cats are the most likely to get into trouble. Stop them going near any potential hazard with a sharp “no!” and avoid tempting fate by closing doors, turning off appliances, and putting things away. Put screens on windows.
Cats, as well as kittens, require opportunities for games to prevent them from becoming bored and even destructive. If you are away from home for most of the day, it may be worth considering getting your cat a feline companion. A cat “multi-gym” or activity center provides exercise as well as entertainment and is particularly beneficial for an indoor cat.
If you do not wish to keep your cat indoors all the time, a pet door is very useful to allow it to come and go from the house as it pleases. If there is room, two doors are ideal: one leading into an enclosed porch or utility area and another with a lock leading into the house itself. A locked flap should stop unwanted “gifts” such as mice and birds being brought into the house while you are out.
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Take care of your pet fish
Taking care of your pet fish is considered to be low maintenance, therefore it is quite easier than what you may probably think of before. In comparison to dogs and cats, fish, although may also need to be taken care by its owner, do not really have to be too complicated as long as its owner put them in a good care. Feeding your fish on a daily regular basis and keep their environment clean are the most important things you should do. If you are a first time fish owner, the you may want to choose some fresh water fish that easier to be taken care of based on its filtration system in the aquarium than the tropical fish.
Keep your fish as minimum as you can put so that they may not get the stressful environment. Make sure that you keep the same kind of fish and not mix them with their predators. Add up some nooks and pebbles or gravel so that your pet fish can swim around and play hide and seek while enjoy their comfortable environment inside their aquarium.
If you are a busy person with so many paper works and activities to do but still want to have pets you can come home to and take care everyday, then pet fish may probably the best choice for you. Try it and have fun with your pet!
Cryptococcosis in dogs, symptoms and treatment
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection which is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Dogs which have acquired the infection usually suffer from severe problems that affect the central nervous system. The causative agent thrives well in soil and droppings of wild and domesticated pigeons. The feces of pigeons possess high levels of creatinine which creates a favorable environment for the fungus to flourish and survive.
The disease is transmitted through inhalation of infective spores. These spores can enter the body through cuts in the skin. Most cases of Crytpococcosis are found in cats but humans can also be infected. Dogs which are prone to the infection include those with compromised immune systems.
Cryptococcosis in dogs has been commonly observed in young adult dogs. Although it can affect any breed of dog, the cocker spaniel, Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, and great danes appear to be more prone to the disease compared to other breeds.
Upon inhalation, the fungal spores take residence in the respiratory tract and even in the lungs. In many healthy dogs, the fungus stays in the lungs without creating any problem however in weak animals or those with poor immune systems as a result of disease or of excessive use steroids, the disease can progress into an advanced state which is a systemic disease characterized by pneumonia, granulomas, and other systemic symptoms.
A high percentage of infected dogs manifest neurological signs while others have vision problems, severe weight loss, and skin lesions. Other symptoms include fever, cough and nasal discharge. Lesions can be found in the nasal cavity of the dog. Aside from the respiratory system and the nervous system, Cryptococcus neoformans can affect the heart, muscles, bones, prostate, pancreas, tonsils, thyroid and adrenal glands.
There are many ways to successfully diagnose Cryptococcosis infection in dogs. The causative agent exists in large numbers in the nasal discharge and/or skin lesions and can be seen when examined under the microscope. Your veterinarian may conduct a latex agglutination test which is a type of blood test to identify the fungus. Fungal culture and/or biopsies can also be performed to identify the causative agent.
The treatment regimen involves the use of oral itraconazole or ketoconazole. It involves long term therapy that may take several months. If there is a recurrent infection, the underlying problem should also be addressed to successfully treat the infection.
There is no available vaccine which can protect your pet from Cryptococcosis. The best way to prevent infection is to keep your pets away from areas where the causative agent is endemic.
Fish Aquariums
Having fish aquarium as part of your room decoration is something that could sooth the mood. It is one of beautiful furnishings you can simply have at home. Fish aquarium is not hard to be cleaned so you may probably think having it is one of your best choices. If you are planning on having this at home, you need to prepare the best place to put it. You can either put it on the special table for aquarium or you can give a special room on the wall to be specially installed for the aquarium.
The tank for your fish should also not overcrowd. Choose the fish that you want to buy. Some fish don’t match to be put together with other fish so you may want to make sure they don’t fight or eat each other when they are put together in one tank. If you love fish so much and you want some variation of fish then you can either go for the large tank or buy some small tanks and put them on several strategic places to add up your interior design.
Make sure that you put your fish tank at a convenient and low-noise place away from movements like the doorways to avoid fish stress.
Tips When Hiring A Pet Sitter
Most pet owners are not so keen about leaving their pets at home alone. If they cant bring them to where they will be going, they try to find somebody who can attend to their pets needs and give them the best care. When the circumstance arises, it is recommended to hire a credible pet sitter to ensure that your pet will be in good hands while youre away.
A pet sitter looks after your animal and provides its needs such as food, water and routine walks. Since you want your pet to be in the best hands when you leave, you need to find a reliable pet sitter. Pet sitters offer their services for a certain fee per hour, but you must keep in mind a few tips when you choose.
First, consider asking your neighbors for pet sitter referrals. Ask about their experience with the pet sitters services so you can have better judgment on their recommendations. Also, some veterinary clinics may have a technician who provides pet sitting service. You can also ask them directly if they can recommend a trusted and experienced sitter.
After getting the referrals, research about your pet sitter in Los Gatos. You can ask about specific questions about your pets needs to gauge his knowledge on proper pet care. Some credible pet sitters come from veterinary clinics, animal shelters or veterinary medicine schools. They are more likely to recognize if your pet is ill or may be able to attend to its special or medicinal needs more effectively.
Before you put your pet into somebody elses care, you should meet with them. Several weeks prior to your trip, ask your dog sitter in Los Gatos to visit your home and meet your pet. Observe how he handles your pet, whether he is invasive or non-invasive, gentle and caring. If you find the pet sitter reliable enough, give him a key to the house and give him a tour around while telling all the necessary care that should be given to your pet.
Lastly, dont forget to contact your pet sitter in Los Gatos about your travel plans before you leave town. Give all the necessary important contacts in case an emergency comes up. You must also check and call every once in a while to see if the pet sitter is efficiently attending to his job.