EVERYDAY CAT CARE

Several cats in Wyoming have now been diagnosed with the bubonic plague. How? They strayed from their owners property and likely acquired the disease from wild rodents or fleas, which can be infected in the western U.S.

Its official. California has become the first state to ban the sale of any cat (or dog or rabbit) in a pet store unless it can be verified that the animal has come from a rescue center. If you must have a bred cat, such as a Persian or other breed, you can still purchase your pet from a private breeder - just not in a retail establishment.

If you think your cat sleeps an awful lot, youre right - and theres nothing wrong with that. Cats naturally sleep about 17 hours per day - fully two-thirds of their lives. But much of that slumber is not what we think of when we think of sleep. Its more akin to what your car does when it idles, ready to move at a moments notice. The trigger that might rouse your pet into becoming fully awake from her dozing might be prey, the smell of food, or someone entering the room. Your cat will be ready to respond as though she had not been asleep at all.

The question remains: Whats the best flea treatment for my home? Well, researchers discovered that in a typical flea-infested house, the adult fleas represent only about one to five percent of the flea population! So where are the rest of the pests? Flea eggs make up about 50 to nearly 60 percent, flea larvae makes up about 35 percent, and the pupae (a life stage of the flea that comes after larvae and before emergence as an adult) about 10 percent.

Q. We just got our first kitten and are very excited. What is a cat's life expectancy?Melissa ReardonSunapee, New HampshireDear Ms. Reardon,A. The average...

Youre not imagining it. Your cat does spend an inordinate about of time self-grooming-fully a third of her day. And she does it consciously, using her teeth to separate her fur and dig down and comb, and her tongue to brush everything smooth. So why even consider giving her a bath, given her already fussy dedication to self-cleansing?

I am hoping you can settle an ongoing difference of opinion between me and one of my friends. We are both long-time cat owners, and consider ourselves to be very good caretakers with healthy, happy cats over the past twenty or more years.

Pets enrich our lives in countless ways, but pet ownership does require responsibility and commitment. A cats basic needs arent that different from what we humans need - quality food, health care and personal belongings. Expenses can add up quickly, and sometimes balancing the necessities within your budget can become a juggling act. Budgeting strategies can include savvy shopping, knowing where to look for resources - and the areas where you should never scrimp. Here are some ways to control certain costs and care for your cat - without sacrificing her health and quality of life.

Its always fun to see playful kittens when you are at an adoption shelter (or anywhere, for that matter!). They are fluffy, adorable and hard to resist - but we also know that they require a lot of energy to raise properly. Sometimes, its the older cat sitting quietly in her cage who is the best choice for your particular household.

Who really knows why - and the cats not talking - but most hairballs seem to end up perfectly placed on a bedroom rug to be stepped on first thing in the morning. This cold, slimy mystery wad is just one of the things cat owners need to get used to because, well, hairballs are normal. They are the common byproduct of grooming.

There are a variety of employment opportunities within the veterinary profession that do not require you to become an actual veterinarian. Its understood that one must love animals, care deeply about their wellbeing and have an abundance of patience to work in the field. Just as importantly, specific skills, knowledge and educational requirements are necessary to be qualified for these employment opportunities.

Digestive system disorders are among the most frequently observed health problems in cats. Many of these disorders may be directly associated with organs such as the liver, pancreas and gall bladder, all of which play a crucial role in the digestive process. Many others, however, may arise in the alimentary canal, the long tube leading from a cats mouth and extending the full length of the animals body. A signal that something has gone wrong somewhere within this passageway often takes the form of a process scientifically termed emesis - but most commonly referred to as vomiting.