Today’s domesticated cat has become the companion animal of choice for huge number of people around the world. In the United States alone, over 30 million domestic cats now outnumber the dog population by many millions, with the gap increasing every day. Why has the household feline gained in popularity? What is it about this puzzling animal that so many of us find appearling?

The answer to this certainly has to be the inscrutable personality of the cat. Extremely intelligent, it possess a rare amalgamation of characteristics not found in other houshold pets. Captivating and quiet, self-sufficent amd poised, athletic and fastidious, the domestic cat is seldom needy. It loves company but is also content to pass the time alone for hours at a stretch, making it the perfect pet for single people especially, let alone a family.

This independent trait, a result of felines in nature living a largely solitary life, gives the domestic feline a slightly cavalier attitude for life; for them, the sun does not rise and fall around people, although they will take us when they can get us, thank you very much.

The capability with which cats survive, with or without the help of humans may just be one of the main reasons why we like them so much. Emotionally needy pets (or people) tend to grate on the nerves after a time; cats are charming narcissists. This, combined with their beauty, grace, dignity, and ease of care, make them always desirable.

We also like cats for their ability to say, ” we are your roommate, not your servant,” and for their ability to recognize the value in taking a nap. And who can fail to appreciate the cat’s clean, fastidious nature and built-in toilet training? Try getting a Schnauzer puppy to use a litter box!

Cats enjoy all the attention we humans lavish upon them, though they will, given the chance, deny it. They are content to remain with us because we love them and carr for them, but if we disappeared from the planet tomorrow, it#s more than likely that the cat would mourn somewaht, meow some, and then continue with the business of finding a furry little meal - all the while laughing at the millions of rudderless, brokenhearted pooches aimlessly wandering about, trying to gigure out what to do next.

If my life experience is anything to go by, closer ties have been developed with a cat when an owner enables the cat to decide for itself when and where it wants affection from its owner. As my grandmother used to say: “You’ll never own a cat but one may choose to live with you”.

Just about anybody who owned an indoor cat knows what a pain it is, to take care of a cat litterbox and sanitize it frequently. And so many owners of indoor cats do know what an even greater chore it is when the cat doesn’t take the litter box! For sure there are those among us always dreaming of more important things and do not wish to improve litter box cleaning. For these kitty owners, there is good news now. Indeed, believe it or not, kitties can be trained, to use a real toilet. When you do the toilet training with your cat, you will teach it to move from using a litter box to using a toilet. If this sounds too good to be true, temper your imagination a little bit with the realization that you may still have to flush the toilet for your cat.

1. Moving Your Cat’s Litter Box

Just in case that your cat’s litter box is not already in the bathroom, you have to place it there. The box should be near the toilet on the ground for some days. After severals days you should raise the litter box up some inches using something very stable to sit under it. In case you have no furniture fitting this description, you could use books if they are stacked in a balanced pattern. The goal is, to reach the point where the edge of the cat box and the toilet bowl are on the same level. Only then you want to install a sturdy aluminum pan over the toilet bowl in a way that will support your cat without wobbling as you begin the toilet training with your cat. Reduce the amount of cat litter now to less than an inch across the bottom of the pan.

2. Getting your Cat Accustomed to the new Toilet

After you have taken away the litter box and have the kitty using only the pan, you are ready to begin the last part of toilet training of your cat. You should begin the training by making some holes in the bottom of one side of the pan. Of course, you will need to cut back on the cat litter so it doesn’t go down the toilet. And, you should think on using flushable cat litter at this time. The holes are supposed to force the kitty to put its front paws on the toilet seat when it needs to potty. When your kitty has been doing this for some days, you can put holes on the other side of the pan so that the cat will be standing completely on the toilet seat. The critical step of the toilet training is that you have to remove the pan after your cat has been doing this successfully for a while. If you have been successful with the cat toilet training, your cat will from now on take the bathroom toilet!

A Final Word on Toilet Training your Cat

These two steps may last as long as two to three months with a stubborn, senior cat. So be patient with your canine. Always remember a wet environment isn’t something felines are naturally comfortable around. Don’t stop if your cat does not want to use the toilet a couple of times in a row. You should keep your pan in case your feline friend is resistant or is momentarily not in the mood using the toilet. You can simply put the pan back again on the toilet seat and the cat can re-learn to take the toilet again quite fast. The advantages of toilet training your cat are many.

There are many surprises to new cat owners, including that of the numerous health problems that are very common among most cats.

No matter what breed of cat you own, cat health is one of the major topics you will have to know about.  With any breed certain problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Worms are a common and recurring problem for every breed of cat.

Some of the most typical worms to infect cats are tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Please make certain that you have them treated with medication, otherwise worms can prove to be fatal.

Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cats stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball - as a popular cat owner manual confirmed recently. Although it is kind of gross, cats can usually get rid of the hairballs without difficulty. Although rare, a hairball can occassionally become lodged in the cats intestines, this creates blockage.

Blockages are not to be ignored, since they can kill you if left untreated. If your cat becomes constipated, isnt eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.

If you want to prevent your cat from getting hairballs and blokages, you should get rid of shedding hair by brushing your cat 2 to 3 times every week. Urinary tract infection and hairballs are common ailments in cats. You can purchase food specifically designed to control hairballs.

Female and male cats can suffer from urinary tract infections, however, this is more likely to occur in male cats that have not been neutered. This is the normal cause as to why a cat stops using the litter box. If a cat’s urine smells unusually strong, the cat may have a urinary tract infection and should be taken to the vet. Your vet will supply you with the proper medicine, and give recommendations on how to avoid this issue in the future.

In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesnt happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. If you take cat care seriously, take him to the vet and keep him healthy he will be your companion for years to come.

Cats in shelters get a bad rap.  People assume if they are there, it’s because they are dirty, unloving, and don’t make good pets.  People bypass the cat and go for the tiny kittens.  Although there’s nothing wrong with getting a kitten from a shelter, there’s something truly special about a cat that’s lived a mile or two on this planet.

Fluffy is there for no other reason than someone else couldn’t give her the love and justice she needed.  Look at the big kitties.  They are just begging you for a scratch behind the ears, a cuddle, and some lovin’.  Just because they are older, doesn’t mean they won’t play either, bring a piece of string, you will find the playful one you are looking for.

Imagine Fluffy is a six year old cat that has obviously eaten well, but sits there month after month because she’s a little more docile and is a little bit older.  These older cats have much to offer.  If you are looking for someone to give lots of love too and someone who will give lots of love in return, one of these older cats may be the right choice for you. 

Shelters have been known to find homes for cats in their senior years too, although this is rare.  A cat being older doesn’t mean he or she isn’t going to be a good cat.  She may not leap and play any more, she may not even help catch mice, but she will give you all the loving days she has left without question. 

What about a cat with a few minor health issues?  What if fluffy didn’t have four legs and was left with only three?  Would she be any less loveable?  Fluffy just wants to be loved, without reservation.  She’s already been through enough; she just wants to have a reason to purr. 

You could go to your local pet store or to a neighbours home for a kitten, but what a joy it is to find a cat who will simply be content to cuddle.  The big rambunctious play days may be gone, but that doesn’t mean she’s lost her spunk.  Cats have a way of talking to you, let the cat choose you, they often do anyways, don’t they?  A cat’s love is truly PURRFECT, with the right cat; you will have that purrfect friend you’ve been looking for. 

Pet adoption is a great way to give these older cats a chance for love and life, next time you consider adding a feline to your home, consider adoption; it’s a life you will be happy you saved.

Ruth is actively involved with the internet. She is a wife, a stepmom a dog owner. She is married for almost 30 years. One of her dogs is a Certified Therapy Dog. Her passion is dog adoption for all and dog training. http://www.choose-dog-adoption.com/Blog & http://www.happypetstop.com/blog