Cat Depression

Have you experienced a loss in the family, another pet or human? Maybe you recently had a big change in your work schedule or have moved to a new home? These are just a few things that can bring on a state of depression in your cat. It may seem silly to think of cats having such strong emotional reactions to these situations but it's very possible.

Maybe your cat has a big decrease in appetite or has become lethargic and has lost all interest in things they usually love to do. This can be a sign that your cat is depressed. Sometimes they will seclude themselves and sleep all day in spots they wouldn't normally nap in. Acting out and being destructive is also another sign of something going on with your cat. If you notice odd behavior such as this, you should make sure to give your cat extra love and attention. Play with them and interact with them more than normal, they will need this sort of attention if they are depressed. If this doesn't work, taking them into the vet is necessary.  You don't want it to go on untreated, it can make them physically ill.

If you know that you and your pets will be going through some kind of change that they will have to adapt to, it's good to try and prepare them the best you can. They are part of your family so they need to be treated that way.

Cat Nip - Good or Bad?

Many people assume that catnip is bad for your cats since it alters their behavior in different ways. I can reassure you that catnip is harmless. The great thing about it is your cat can actually tell when they have had enough and they will lay off. You don't have to worry about them overdosing on it either.

Not all cats have the same reaction to catnip. Some may not even react at all. They can get super playful and hyper, very loving and affectionate or maybe even just take a cat nap. There are a few different ways to give this to your cats... you can grow your own if you want, buy it from the store or they even have toys that already have catnip in them. My experience with this is that it's something fun for them to experience every one in a while, it's harmless.

There are different kinds of catnip out there which are a part of the mint family. A few that come to mind are Common Catnip, Greek Catnip, Camphor Catnip and Catmint. The Common catnip is the most popular with cats and they say catnip can also be healthy for humans as well. Many people grow it in their herb gardens.http://the-persian-kitty.blogspot.com/

What Not to Feed Your Cats

It's important that everyone knows what to feed their cat(s) but it's even more important to know what not to feed them. Here is a list of a few things that can be poisonous or harmful to your little fuzzy friends...

*Onions & Garlic - the substances that are in both of these can cause Anemia in your cat
*Green Tomatoes & Raw Potatoes - these can cause lower gastrointestinal problems
*Milk - if your cat is lactose intolerant which many are, it can cause stomach problems. Cats do not need milk.
*Chocolate - just like dogs this is very toxic for cats as well. They can get chocolate toxicity which has many severe side effects.

These are just a few types of food that come to mind to keep your cat healthy. You really shouldn't be feeding your cat human food as it is. There are so many foods to fit different needs for every cat that are nutritious and won't harm them.