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In the articles within this section you will find valuable information and insight into how to prepare for her needs. A blueprint if you will toward building a brighter and healthier future for you and your cat. Kitten care, Senior Care, learning what needs to be done, what warning signs you need to watch out for, it's all here.


 Please be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter your cat. Bringing up kittens is not easy as many rescuers will attest to, and there are so many unwanted kittens in shelters and foster homes now. If you have the urge to have a kitten, please just adopt one... or maybe two!

51 cat care article submissions by the TheCatSite.com community.
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Caring for Cats and Dogs

  • Last updated 2/7/12 by Anne
Can dogs and cats live in peace and harmony under one roof? Of course, but it takes a bit of doing on the part of the human involved. Introduction - Cat to Dog Bringing a cat into a household where a dog already lives is a scary thing for the cat. Here’s a new environment, new people and this big, hairy non-cat to deal with too. Slow introductions are in order - no cat wants a cold dog nose on his behind! Give the cat a space to himself to start. His food, water and litter box will be there and a nice bed to relax on. Keep the door closed. The dog will... read more

The Deaf Cat

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
What is deafness? Deafness is a temporary or permanent loss of hearing due to age, genetic defect, infection, mites, injury or as a side effect of certain kinds of drugs like antibiotics or diuretics. Deafness can be one ear or both, total or partial, and originate from the ear itself or from the brain’s inability to process information. Hearing loss due to age As cats get older, they experience hearing loss to some degree, as people do. You can see signs of this when your cat doesn’t react to loud noises nearby or when walking, he may have balance problems.... read more

How To Remove Cat Urine

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by Laurie Goldstein We regularly see recommendations for home-made formulas to clean cat urine stains here on the forums of TheCatSite.com. These formulas are widely circulated on the Internet, and typically include either vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Of course, many people unfamiliar with the problem of cleaning cat urine stains simply try to clean up cat pee as they would any other stain, only to find out later it didn’t work. In fact, using traditional household cleaners on cat urine actually “sets” the stain. This makes the stain even... read more

Combat Cat Urine

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by Mary Anne Miller Cats can and do add pleasure to our lives. But oftentimes when they share our lives on a daily basis, they can grow ill. When a cat is sick, or stressed, the target organ for that stress is generally the bladder. That is when litter pan accidents result as cats find alternative places to urinate or defecate. If you are lucky, your cat will choose a smooth slick surface, like the bathtub, shower or sink to relieve herself. Cat urine in these places is a snap to clean up, because of the non-porous surface. A quick spray with a regular... read more

Bathing Your Cat - A Battle of Wills?

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by TheCatSite Many cat owners wince when they are faced with the prospect of bathing their cat. Past experience - or lurid second-hand tales from traumatized friends - often conjures up images of wet chaos with the blurred shape of a soaked cat climbing the walls (or, worse, your arms) with claws fully extended. As a result, most owners avoid bathing their cat altogether. In fact, cats can be accustomed to regular bathing - professional cat breeders often bathe their cats as part of the grooming regime. A continuous repetition of the procedure accustoms... read more

Beware The Dreaded Cat Carrier

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by Mary Anne Miller It is time to go to the vet, and suddenly Fluffy is nowhere in sight. You just brought the carrier out of the closet, and thought you saw Fluff dive under the bed, so you peer underneath the bed and there she is hunched in the farthest corner hissing at you. Try as you might, you can't get her out, so with a red-face you call your vet make your apologies and reschedule the appointment. Now what do you do? You return to basics and in doing so, you will allow your cat to become desensitized to the perceived threat of the cat carrier.... read more

Cat Enclosures

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
The Indoors/Outdoors Dilemma The question of whether a house cat should be allowed outside bothers many cat owners. Many dangers lurk outside. Cars, dogs, hostile people and even other cats can pose a real threat for your cat. In some areas, other critters and even large predators are also a cause for concern. Another aspect to consider is the effect that your cat can have on local wildlife. Some cats are talented hunters and are able inflict serious damage on the population of birds and rodents. Purr...fect Fence Keeping your cat happy and safe...... read more

How to Best Take Care of Cat Claws

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
The cat's claws, complex retractable appendages, are usually withdrawn within their sheathes above the toe pads. The cat may extend its claws when necessary in order to climb, grip, or defend itself. The visible part of the claw is made up of two main parts: The center of the claw, called the "quick," which contains the nerve endings and blood vessels nourishing the claw. The claw's outer cover, which is made of layers of material called keratin.   The claw grows throughout the cat's life. It is renewed continuously as the older outer layers wear down.... read more

Declawing - More than Just a Manicure

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by Maryjean Ballner At the veterinarian's office, the family proudly smiled at their newest addition to the family. But the cat didn't smile back; it was still groggy from the anesthesia. That was just as well; blood was seeping through two of the four bandages covering his little paws. The children were eager to cuddle him, but the vet patiently explained that the cat needed rest, and soon he'd be good as new. The vet tech who held the cat pondered that. "Good as new? How could that be? He's just been mutilated, for goodness sakes. And once the... read more

Declawing and Alternatives

  • Last updated 1/15/12 by Anne
Written by Heidi Bickel Should I Declaw My Cat? You should discuss with your veterinarian why you want to declaw your cat, what other methods you have tried to alleviate the problem behavior, or if there is a medical necessity to declaw, and the actual procedure of declawing. Once you have the facts about the procedure and the alternatives to it, you can decide if this is what you want for your cat and you. Scratching is not a behavior problem. It is a natural function of a cat, and it is important to the health of their toes and nails. Physiologically, cats... read more
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