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Cat Allergies: What to Do When You Have Them – 7 Tips to know

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Cat Allergies: What to Do When You Have Them - 7 Tips to know

Cat Allergies: What to Do When You Have Them

Living with cats can result in frequent sneezing, watery eyes, runny noses, and wheezing for some poor humans. According to the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, severe cat allergies can worsen asthma symptoms.

Even while dealing with cat allergies might be a pain, trying to live without that little bundle of purring love is even worse. That, of course, is not an option either. So, how can people who suffer from cat allergies maintain some level of comfort while sharing their home with a feline companion?

If you have cat allergies and live with a cat, having a cat allergy remedy or two on hand will make your life a lot simpler.

Continue reading to find out how to choose the best kitty partner, how to keep your home as free of dander as possible, and how to provide routine care for your pet.

What Causes Cat Allergies and How Do They Develop?

If you have cat allergies, you’re not alone; in fact, you’re in the minority.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, humans are twice as likely as they are to be allergic to cats as they are to dogs. But what causes humans to develop cat allergies in the first place is unclear.

Every day, your immune system is hard at work searching for and eliminating foreign chemicals (or eject them through a sneeze).

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There are differences in the sensitivity of immune systems amongst people.

Cat allergy sufferers’ immune systems respond to minute proteins that are released by your cat in her dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine, which are generally harmless to them.

Many people feel that pet hair is the source of the problem, yet pet hair is not an allergen in and of itself. When your cat sheds, though, the hair can absorb pet dander, allowing it to be dispersed around your home at random intervals.

Furniture, mattresses, and carpets can all become encrusted with it, and it can even survive for an extended period of time merely hung in the air.

Some people are fortunate enough to build a long-term immunity to cat allergies as they grow older. While it is possible that allergic reactions can develop as a result of more exposure, this is not always the case.

It’s also possible that someone who has never had a cat allergy before will develop one in the future.

If you suddenly find yourself sneezing, wheezing, or sniffling while you are in the presence of your cat, you should consult your doctor about whether you may have an allergy to cats.

Choosing a Cat That Doesn’t Sneeze

You can’t help but sneeze when you see your furry friend for the first time, can you? Starting with the cat you choose to bring home, you may, however, minimize the likelihood of you or a family member developing allergic responses to it.

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A shorthaired cat is preferable to a longhaired cat for allergy-prone pet parents, yet there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.

Shorthaired cats shed less than longhaired cats, which means there is less cat hair in your environment for dander to attach itself to.

Hairless cats shed even less than their shorthaired counterparts, which is understandable given the circumstances.

The sphynx is a little cat with no hair and a very loving personality. Despite being a rarer breed, sphynx cats are often fairly expensive, and they will not completely eliminate allergies because hairless cats still produce saliva and dander.

Other breeds that are suitable for those who are allergic to cats are the Balinese, Cornish rex, Devon Rex, and Siberian husky.

Cleaning Your Home When You Have Cat Allergies

Once you have a cat, one of the most important things you can do to keep allergies at bay is to be diligent around the house.

  • Cleaning smooth surfaces in the home (including walls and floors) on a regular basis is a good idea. Microscopically little dander can adhere to any surface and is there even if you are not aware of its presence.
  • Make frequent use of a vacuum with a filter, and steam clean your carpets. It will also be beneficial to restrict the cat’s access to carpeted areas.
  • Any bedding or blankets that your cat uses should be washed on a regular basis.
  • Cat-free zones should be established in specific places, such as the allergic person’s bedroom.
  • Replace your upholstered furniture with something more durable. Furniture with a cloth covering, such as chairs and couches, can trap a lot of allergens and be difficult to clean. You can either try to keep your cat away from your upholstery (good luck with that!) or consider buying in wood, plastic, or leather furniture that is easy to wipe down.
  • Remove the drapes from your windows. Curtains, like upholstered furniture, can act as a magnet for cat hair and dander. Take into consideration replacing them with shades or other window treatments that are simple to clean. If you decide to maintain your curtains, make sure to wash them on a regular basis.
  • Invest in a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to keep your indoor air clean. These can be added to your furnace or air conditioner, or they can be used as a freestanding unit to cleanse the air. Regardless of which model you choose, their primary function is to minimize microscopic particles in the air.

Taking Good Care of Your Cat

Other ways to decrease the impact of cat allergies include things you should already be doing to care for your pet, such as brushing and cleaning his teeth.

By reducing shedding, regular brushing can aid in the decrease of allergic reactions – and your cat will thank you for the reduction in hairballs! When she’s shedding her winter coat in the spring, you can brush her more frequently than in the winter.

It is preferable to have someone who is not allergic to cats take on the job of brushing the cat and to do so near a window or outside on a leash if at all possible.

Keeping the litter box clean on a regular basis will also aid in the reduction of allergies, as the same proteins that are present in cat saliva, hair, and dander are also found in the urine of the cat.

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Once again, it is preferable if this responsibility is taken on by someone who is not allergic to cats. (What a fantastic strategy to avoid cleaning the litter box!) –

Finally, you can give your cat a bath with warm water and pet-safe soap to see if it helps. Some cats may find this practically impossible, whereas others aren’t bothered by it at all.

It is more effective to brush your cat’s fur than to give her regular baths because it will help minimize her dander.

You’ve done all of these precautions, but you’re still sneezing all the time. Consult with your doctor to determine whether antihistamines or allergy injections are appropriate for you.

For many people, living with cat allergies is a possibility as long as they take the necessary precautions to avoid exposure.

When picking a cat, keep allergies in mind, eliminate allergens in your home, properly groom and clean up after your pet, and you and your cat will be set up for many years of sneeze-free companionship!

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What Is It About Cats And Water That Makes Them So Fearful?

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Why does your cat hate water

What Is It About Cats And Water That Makes Them So Fearful?

 

Why does your cat hate water

However, is it true that cats and water don’t get along? Why do cats despise water so much if this is the case? It’s critical to distinguish fact from myth while trying to understand why many cats are reluctant to get into the water. Certain varieties of cats, such as Persians, even enjoy taking a dip in the pool.

Water and Cats Have a Discouraging Relationship

Cats dislike water for a variety of reasons, but no one knows for sure why this is the case for the majority of cats.

It is hypothesized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association that “The fact that cats originated in hot, dry areas may explain some of the animosity people have toward them.

What Is It About Cats And Water That Makes Them So Fearful?

 

Some other species of animals, such as birds and mammals, have a better understanding of water because of their early exposure to rivers, lakes, and rain.” In contrast to dogs, which like swimming and can even be trained to work in the water, most cats aren’t keen on getting their paws wet.

A second common explanation is that your dog or cat prefers a neatly groomed coat.

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When Cat’S ARE caught in the rain without an umbrella, you know how tough it is to handle wet hair, and cats don’t like it.

If your cat’s coat gets wet, it becomes heavy and inconvenient for her, and drying it might take a long time. About a third of the time a cat spends awake is spent grooming, according to the CVMA. Having to deal with a damp coat is quite challenging.

Getting Your Cat a Bath

What is it about water that your cat doesn’t like?

Another possibility is that your cat dislikes the smell of chemicals in tap water, as noted by Petful: “Cats are also sensitive to scents.” It’s much worse if you throw in shampoos with a plethora of unknown scents.

However, if your cat is in need of a bath, don’t be afraid to give her one. If you have the proper equipment and knowledge, you can accomplish your goal.

Towels, vinyl gloves, a light cleaner, and after-bath snacks are all essential.

However, a trusted friend or family member who will be patient with you and your maybe rambunctious cat is your best bet for a relaxing soak in the tub. In the event that your cat gets herself into a dirty or stinky mess, it is a good idea to know some of the tactics and tips of the trade.

Waterfall Hunting

Your pet may dread getting wet, but she enjoys playing in the water, as any pet parent can tell you.

Even if your cat doesn’t get her paws too wet, she loves to play with running water, whether it’s from the shower or the bathroom faucet. A pet fountain is another fantastic alternative if your cat needs to drink more water.

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A cat’s preference for moving water (such as a kitchen sink) over motionless water (such as a bathtub) is explained by experts as a playful curiosity.

Cats are drawn to the sound of water dripping, according to Animal Planet. Your cat may have a predisposition to prefer drinking from a flowing stream than a still one because her instincts tell her that a flowing stream is more likely to contain clean water.

Water Loving Cats

Water is a favourite hunting and cooling tool for their wild animals and their counterparts, such as tigers, although most domestic cats dislike it. The Maine Coon, Bengal, and Abyssinian are just a few of the domestic cat breeds that adore the water and occasionally take a dip in the pool.

Swimming Cat” is the moniker given to the Turkish Cat, a rare breed of cat that excels in the water. ”

They have a special texture to their cashmere-like coats that make them waterproof and lets them enjoy swimming and other water games,” says The International Cat Association. There is no limit to how far the Turkish van may go in her wetsuit.

Then why do cats despise water so much?

Yours, on the other hand, might not. Once you have a cat in your house, you’ll quickly learn about its likes and dislikes, as well as some new, exciting (and possibly messy) pastimes to play.

 

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Training Your Cat to Be Obedient – 5 Tips to Know

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Training Your Cat to Be Obedient Using a Variety of Techniques

Training Your Cat to Be Obedient Using a Variety of Techniques

 

Cats Obedient Training

Keep training sessions to a minimum. Concentrate on a single command at a time, and once it is mastered, move on to the next command.

Practice the commands in a variety of various locations around the house so that she becomes accustomed to responding to you in a variety of scenarios as she grows older.

If you’re having trouble with other elements of your kitten’s training, such as getting her to stay still for grooming or getting her acclimated to travelling by car, you can use the clicker approach to assist you.

What about your cat? We all know that dogs can be trained to follow basic orders, but what about your cat? Given that cats are more self-sufficient and less gregarious than dogs, they are less likely to seek praise in the same manner that dogs do.

However, as you are already aware, cats are extremely bright creatures who are capable of learning a wide range of behaviours and tricks.

The Care and Training of a Kitten

Beginning to train your kitten as soon as possible will ensure that she will be able to learn and respect the boundaries of your home as she grows older.

You don’t want your cat to be digging in the trash, chewing up your furniture, or leaping up on your counter all of the time, so keep them indoors.

Putting your kitten through obedience training can assist to keep her mind and body active, as well as teach her positive social skills and habits, as well as develop her bond with you.

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When it comes to educating your kitten, it is critical that she has a variety of toys at her disposal. Redirect her focus to the toys if she starts doing something she isn’t supposed to do.

Provide your cats toys as a thank-you for refraining from engaging in inappropriate behaviour.

Providing your kitten with toys to play with will keep him or her emotionally and physically active. Add some catnip to the mix to make her more interested in playing with you!

Cat Behavioral Issues That Are Common

Cat obedience training can be used to address a variety of typical feline behaviours. This can save you hours (or even days) of headaches while also keeping you more connected to your cat’s needs.

 

  • Scratching the furniture
  • Using a spray bottle and urinating
  • Keeping the litter box out of the way

Aggression toward people or other animals is defined as follows:

  • Stress
  • Fear or apprehension

Compulsive habits such as over-grooming, excessive scratching, or biting are examples of compulsive behaviours.

How to Teach a Cat New Tricks

With luck, your cat will be eager to learn your commands and happy to comply when you give them to him. There is a potential, though, that she will disregard you.

Every cat is unique, and teaching them may be quite taxing on your patience and perseverance. Assign tiny chunks of time each day to spend with her so that you may get to know her better.

If you have additional cats in your home, keep in mind that each one has a unique personality and needs to be trained in a different way than the others.

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You should be aware that cats do not comprehend or respond well to punishment.

Punishment will almost always cause your cat to flee and hide from you, and it can also induce stress, which can result in behavioural and health problems in your feline companion.

It is much more effective to reward good behaviour than it is to laud it, and the reward can take the shape of praise or a portion of sweet food, depending on the situation.

Using this method of reward-based training, your cat will learn to correlate good behaviour with favourable outcomes.

It is another sort of reward-based training that is used to train cats, and clicker training is one of the most commonly used approaches.

In order to teach your cat to sit, you can click the clicker as soon as she sits down and give her a small treat as soon as she sits down again. Finally, with enough repetition, she will come to identify the click with the behaviour as well as with receiving the reward.

Keep training sessions brief because cats have short attention spans and can become bored very quickly.

Concentrate on one command at a time, and only move on to the next if she has mastered the previous one.

Practice the set of commands in several locations around the house so that she becomes accustomed to responding to you in a variety of settings.

How to Deal with Your Cat’s Negative Behavior

There could be a variety of reasons why your cat is acting out: she could be stressed out due to a recent change in your household, she could be suffering from a medical problem, or she could simply be unaware that her conduct is inappropriate.

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It is common for people to believe that their cat is misbehaving because she is upset or spiteful toward them; however, this is not always the case.

Redirecting her conduct rather than penalizing her for it is more likely to result in her getting back on the right track. By punishing her, you run the risk of making her feel scared by you, which can lead to even more stress and unhealthy behaviours in the long run.

If your cat is afraid of you, this will also have a negative impact on your relationship with one another.

She should, on the other hand, be made aware of any undesirable habits. One method of accomplishing this is by associating negative behaviours with something unpleasant.

Cats, for example, are averse to certain odours, such as perfume and citrus fruits.

If you want to keep your cat away from places you don’t want her to go, soak cotton balls in these scents and scatter them throughout the house.

Always remember to provide your cat positive reinforcement for good behaviour as well. As a reward for a job well done, give her a treat, and she will learn to correlate her behaviours with her rewards.

 

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What is the significance of fibre in cat food? 5 Things to know

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What is the significance of fibre in cat food?

What is the significance of fibre in cat food?

High-fibre cat food has become a mainstay in the diets of cats who suffer from digestive problems. But why is fibre so crucial for your furball of a cat in the first place?

There are numerous instances where fibre is included in cat food to aid in digestion and improve the stool quality of cats who could otherwise suffer from digestive discomfort.

Diets high in fibre may be effective in the treatment of constipation as well as diarrhea, diabetes and obesity.

A Study of the Microbiome and Its Interaction with Cat Food Contains Fiber

Gut microbiome is the term used to describe the many millions of microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa, fungus, viruses) that dwell inside the digestive systems of cats (and other living things), including dogs, humans, and other animals. The digesting process is dependent on this ecosystem of living organisms.

Bacteria in the colon of dogs aid in the digestion of indigestible material and the production of useful substances such as vitamins and minerals.

When it comes to breaking down fibres, there is no better example of the former function than in this case. Fermentation is a term used to describe the interaction of bacteria with fibres.

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Cats, despite the fact that they are carnivores, can get tremendous benefits from consuming a cat chow that contains fibre.

Fibre in Cat Food Is Divided Into Types

Dietary fibre can be classified according to its solubility in water. Fibres that are easily soluble tend to dissolve in gastric juices and water in the gut, and some soluble fibres form gels that can contain water and make faeces easier to pass. Because they add volume to the food eaten, insoluble fibres can aid to control the transit of foodstuffs through the intestines, as well as improve the consistency of the faeces.

Fermentable fibres can be found in both soluble and insoluble forms. Because of the breakdown of these fibres by bacteria in the gut, the colon can develop new substances that can be used to nourish the cells of the colon.

Including Prebiotics in Cat Food That Also Has Fiber

Cat food containing fibre will often have a combination of soluble and insoluble fibre to aid in the promotion of a healthy gut and good stool quality.

Fibre elements that stimulate the growth of the “good bacteria” that live in the intestines are referred to as prebiotics. Prebiotics are substances, which are typically fermentable fibres, that help the body digest food.

Some high-fibre cat feeds are effective because they aid in the feeding of good bacteria and the promotion of a healthy microbiome in cats.

A variety of digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea, colitis, and constipation, can result in a bacterial imbalance in the gut.

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There are a variety of other reasons to provide high-fibre cat food.

Diabetic cats are normally fed high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals, but they may also benefit from high-fibre cat food if they are prone to getting overweight or if they have certain types of gastrointestinal disorders (GI diseases).

Some fibres inhibit the absorption of nutrients, allowing the sugars from carbohydrates to be taken more slowly and, as a result, allowing blood sugar levels to remain more stable over time.

Overweight cats or cats who are prone to weight gain may also benefit from high-fibre food since it may help them feel more satisfied than they would otherwise be — and weight loss may aid in the management of diabetes.

Furthermore, high-fibre cat food may be beneficial for cats suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses that damage the large intestine.

Fibre can assist in regulating the motility of the gastrointestinal tract as well as managing water balance in order to avoid the two extremes of constipation and diarrhea. Long-chain fatty acids, which are formed from the breakdown of fibre, may be able to replenish the colon via nourishing the intestinal lining.

Is High-Fiber Cat Food a Healthy Option?

When left to their own ways, cats eat a variety of foods that people consider indigestible, such as hair, bone, gristle, feathers, fish scales, and the stomach contents of their prey, among other things.

It’s disgusting, but it’s natural. Some of these are digestible to a certain extent, whilst others may contain fibre that is beneficial to digestion in some cases.

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While there is still much to learn about feline nutrition, experts are beginning to discover that carnivorous cats, in particular, can benefit from fibre consumption.

An investigation into the cheetahs’ feeding habits, published in the Journal of Animal Science, discovered that those that ate full prey — including the fur as well as the stomach contents — had a more favourable faecal profile than those who ate only raw meat.

Researchers have come to the conclusion that carnivore digestive systems must be doing something valuable with all of the extra roughage as a result of this.

The Importance of High-Fibre Cat Food

What if your veterinarian advises you to feed your cat low-fibre cat food instead?

Typically, veterinarians recommend a low-fibre diet for cats that have experienced a quick start of GI discomforts, such as vomiting or diarrhea, according to their clinical judgment. This type of food typically has higher quantities of other nutrients, like electrolytes and B-vitamins, which can aid in the healing of these cats.

When choosing a meal for your cat, always consult with a veterinarian first. If your cat is on a high-fibre diet, their veterinarian should keep an eye on them to ensure that any fibre-responsive conditions are being properly controlled.

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