What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
Fix That Bunny!
When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammarian, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature does. Also, rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and are the third-most surrendered animal to shelters.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
BIRU First day with us
Rasa nya video ni taken somewhere in June...Time ni Biru baru je nk mesra2 with us...Kiranya baru dalam proses suai kenal la...hehehe...First time tgk BIRU mmg dh jatuh hati...Kesian sgt...Coz according to my mum...BIRU time my mum jumpa merayau sorang2...then BIRU tido kt bawah keta...My mum takut if BIRU kena langgar ngan keta lain...That's the on;y reason my mum adopt BIRU....Now BIRU dh jadi our penyeri hidup...MMe me n my family syg sgt kt BIRU..
The story of BIRU
As 19/10/2008
Biru kena cirit birit...Tak tau la naper...Maybe sbb selalu tukar food kot...Iye la...this month friskies,pastu whiskas,n byk lagi...Rasanya that's why la perut BIRU meragam...Sian kt BIRU...
Dah la night before BIRU hampir-hampir terbakar..hehehe...Mana taknya...Dah la mlm tu black out...Pastu BIRU 'tercium' lilin...End up misai BIRU terbakar sket je...hehehe...
Teruk gak I kena marah ngan my mum...hehehe...Itu la..careless sgt..My mum cakap...apsal biar lilin kt lantai...Mana la BIRU tau how to differentiate whether lilin tu merbahaya or not...Pity her...
Friday, September 19, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Scratching Furniture/Declawing
First, please note that declawing your cat so he won't scratch your furniture is cruel and inhumane. It is the equivalent of cutting off your finger up to the first knuckle. There can be serious physical and psychological effects.
Instead, you should train your cat to use a scratching post. Other alternatives include a quick, painless trimming of his claws (which you can do at home using special clippers) or covering the claws with soft sheaths (which you can purchase relatively inexpensively).
Scratching is one of your cat's most ingrained instincts. Keep a scratching post near where the cat usually sleeps or, if he has already picked out a corner of your sofa, keep it next to that chosen spot. You may need to train your cat to use his scratching post. Do not pick him up and put his paws on the scratching post (that will only make him want to avoid it). Make the scratching post appealing to him: rub catnip on it or mist it with catnip spray; drape a heavy string (a long leather shoelace works great) over it and wiggle it to catch his interest; put treats on the very top.
Important: Invest in a scratching post that is 24" or 30" tall, with a sturdy base - your cat may be using the arm of the sofa because he can stretch higher than his scratching post will allow. Most of the ones you will find at the store are only 18" high so you may need to visit a pet supply store.
I recently found THE best scratching post for our cats! It's made out of rough sisal (NOT the rope, a weave!). It's tall (29 inches), doesn't fall over, doesn't wobble, and doesn't slide across the floor. And, of course, the best part: all the cats love it. It's called the TopCat Sisal Scratching Post.
A few cats don't like scratching on a vertical post, but will scratch willingly on a flat scratching pad. If your cat prefers a flat surface, you can either buy one of the cardboard scratching boxes (typically available from mail order or pet stores), or buy a scrap of plywood and a carpet remnant, large enough to fold around onto the back of the plywood. Cut the corners on an angle, fold the carpet remnant over the wood, and tack the carpet on using carpet tacks or heavy-duty staples.
Sometimes changing to a scratching post that is covered with sisal rope or a different texture will kindle his interest in the post, as well.
An additional idea, one that worked well when there were more vacant rooms in the house, is to follow the instructions above for a flat-surface scratching pad, then mount it on the wall at a convenient height for the cat, in a hallway or in the laundry room.
Other solutions: If he's scratching wood furniture, rub strong-smelling furniture polish into it. For sofa and chair sides, cover the edges of the sofa with heavy plastic (available at your local fabric store - typically used to cover footstools or protect tablecloths - you can buy twist-pins while you're there to hold the place neatly in place) or aluminum foil for a retro, funky look (use velcro or double-stick tape to hold in place). Or spray a cloth thoroughly with one of the sprays formulated for keeping a cat off the furniture, and pin it to the sofa, chair, or your speakers (don't spray directly onto the furniture). Or, put strips of self-adhesive velcro (loop side out) on the favored scratching spots. If all else fails, everytime you see him actively clawing the furniture, spray him lightly from a bottle of water (do this only when he is actually scratching, not when he is approaching or leaving the furniture).
Three to Six Months
Somewhere around four months, your kitten may start losing his baby teeth, as the adult teeth develop. His gums may be painful, and this would be an excellent time to start a program of dental care, by gently massaging his gums with gauze. Plastic drinking straws are also a proven aid to teething, and make for great interactive play with your kitten.
Kittens will start establishing their place in the "social ranking order" of your house during this time. It is not unusual to see a kitten "challenge" the alpha cat, which usually will earn the hapless youngster a cuff on the ears. Other cats, depending on their own social position and personalities, may defer to the kitten. Your kitten is still growing during this time, and it is not unusual to see a previously plump fluffball of a kitten suddenly grow long and lanky - then taller - and finally flesh out again. Kittens should continue to eat kitten food during this phase of growth - they need the additional nutrients for strong bones, health teeth and supple muscles.
Health Reminder:Your kitten can, and should, be spayed or neutered between three and six months. Cats' sexual maturity can vary, and both female and male kittens as young as four or five months have been known to become sexually active. Although some veterinarians still suggest waiting until six months, advocates of early spay and neuter are proving the benefits of that practice.
Six to Twelve Months
My, how time flies! Your kitten is starting to show the physical and social traits of a fully grown cat. No wonder - by the age of 12 months, he will have attained the physical growth of a 15 year old human teenager, and he will undoubtedly start showing some of the same personality attributes of that age. Don't allow yourself to brood over hurt feelings if your kitten doesn't seem as responsive to you. Like a human teenager, he is testing the waters of adulthood to see what it feels like. He is also playing a "dominance" game with you, just as he might with another cat or kitten. Be patient with him and give him all the affection and love he will take, but do it on his terms. I guarantee that he will come around when he is ready to stop playing "big guy."
Your feline youngster will continue to grow and develop for another year, and some breeds (Maine Coons are a notable one) are not fully developed for four years.
Whatever the ultimate size of your cat, don't lose site of the fact that his overall health and well-being are of prime importance.
Documenting His Growth with Photos
This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of kitten "parenthood," that of recording his growth with photos. If there is any way you can afford one, I'd suggest using a digital recorder, to capture the inimitable action of a kitten at play. You can not only produce movies with it, but your can clip out frames for still photos. Proud of your growing furball? Share your photos with my readers by sending them to me using the photo submittal guidelines.
Enjoy your kitten's first year, and he will continue to provide unconditional love for many, many years to come!
The First Six Weeks
The all-important first six weeks in a cat's life will accomplish much in determining his personality and character for the rest of his life. (Yes, cats have character. Ask anyone who is owned by one.) Healthwise, this period is also extremely important to the developing kitten, as very young kittens are susceptible to a number of threats, such as fleas and URIs.
Kittens will probably never grow again at the remarkable rate they accomplish during this period, and seeing the changes in their development from week to week is an incredible experience. Whether you personally have your kitten during this period or not, this article will help you understand exactly what takes place during the first six weeks.
Seven to Twelve Weeks
Kittens start developing their social skills during this time, by observing their mother, by play with other kittens and cats, or in a one-cat family, by playing and interacting with their humans. This period of time will be immensely enjoyable, both for you and for your kitten, as he practices running, jumping, stalking and pouncing. Kittens at this age love to play games of "hide and seek" with their humans, and open paper bags (handles removed) or cardboard boxes make great accessories for interactive play. Your kitten will continue to grow rapidly during this period, and his motor skills will continue to develop as he practices chasing and catching "prey." He will also start adopting "adult" sleeping habits instead of just flopping wherever he happens to be.
Health Reminder: Your kitten will need his first set of shots by eight weeks, and the second set three or four weeks later. If an initial veterinary exam was not done at the time of his adoption (highly recommended), he should also be tested for worms. Topical flea treatment can be started safely at eight weeks.
The all-important first six weeks in a cat's life will accomplish much in determining his personality and character for the rest of his life. (Yes, cats have character. Ask anyone who is owned by one.) Healthwise, this period is also extremely important to the developing kitten, as very young kittens are susceptible to a number of threats, such as fleas and URIs.
Kittens will probably never grow again at the remarkable rate they accomplish during this period, and seeing the changes in their development from week to week is an incredible experience. Whether you personally have your kitten during this period or not, this article will help you understand exactly what takes place during the first six weeks.
Seven to Twelve Weeks
Kittens start developing their social skills during this time, by observing their mother, by play with other kittens and cats, or in a one-cat family, by playing and interacting with their humans. This period of time will be immensely enjoyable, both for you and for your kitten, as he practices running, jumping, stalking and pouncing. Kittens at this age love to play games of "hide and seek" with their humans, and open paper bags (handles removed) or cardboard boxes make great accessories for interactive play. Your kitten will continue to grow rapidly during this period, and his motor skills will continue to develop as he practices chasing and catching "prey." He will also start adopting "adult" sleeping habits instead of just flopping wherever he happens to be.
Health Reminder: Your kitten will need his first set of shots by eight weeks, and the second set three or four weeks later. If an initial veterinary exam was not done at the time of his adoption (highly recommended), he should also be tested for worms. Topical flea treatment can be started safely at eight weeks.
Your Kitten's First Year
It is undeniable that a kitten's first year is vital to his ultimate physical development. Equally important is the human-feline bonding that will take place in the early weeks, which will set the pace, not only for your relationship with your cat, but also for his or her unique personality development. It has been mentioned before that kittens are not simply miniature cats. Their development into adult cats is a fascinating process, and each step of the way a kitten is in a unique place in life. The wise caregiver will recognize this fact and use it to understand what your kitten is experiencing, as well as what his actions are telling you.
In the wild, big cats often remain with the mother for the first full year, to learn the skills necessary for survival. With domesticated cats, this is rarely the case, but under ideal circumstances, a kitten should remain with his mother for at least 12 to 16 weeks. Although the mother will start weaning her kittens sometime between five and seven weeks, the additional time helps the kittens learn socialization skills. Let's explore the changes taking place in your kitten as he takes his journey to full growth.
Warm welcome from Biru the cat.
It was a pleasure introducing to the readers my lovely & unique cat.Her name is Biru.
The name was given by my mother (The co-finder).By this moment, her age is 6 months old.
You will wondering why she is called Biru if you are not looking to her. By viewing the pics that i attached below,you will knows.
Thats all right now,see ya for next story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)