However, there will come a time when you will need to bathe your cat. This could be prior to a cat show, an outdoor cat might get extremely dirty and need help to get the mud off or you might have a flea infestation that needs taking care of. Even indoor cats can get dirty, especially if you are painting or redecorating.

I strongly suggest you get your new kitten used to being bathed each week. This will make life much easier when it grows into an adult cat. However, you can still bathe an adult cat that is not used to it. You will just need more patience and some help.

If it is necessary for you to give your cat a bath, you need to be prepared. Choose which room you will bathe your cat in. I suggest either the laundry or the kitchen sink. Both rooms should have troughs deep enough to safely wash your cat while being at a good height for your back.

Have the following ready before you start.

A rubber mat to place in the sink so your cat won’t slip.
Two bowls of warm water for rinsing. Keep these close.
A towel to place your cat on when you have finished the bath as well as one or two more for drying.
Specialized cat shampoo. Never use human shampoo as it is too harsh for your cat’s skin. Even baby shampoo has additives in that you don’t want near your cat.
A face washer or small soft wash cloth.
Some treats for encouragement during and after the bath.
Someone to help you.

You need to get your cat used to the idea of being in the sink. Then, only use a few handfuls of water on the coat and massage it in. During these practice sessions don’t use shampoo, you are only getting the cat used to being in the sink and feeling the water. Talk gently and encouragingly to your cat at all times. If it wants to jump out, don’t force the issue. You will have to keep trying until it feels safe being there. By giving treats at each stage, you will hopefully keep your cat happy to stay in the sink.

When you and your cat are ready for the big day, make sure everything is in place and close at hand. This time wet the cat all over except for the head. Never pour water straight from the tap onto your cat and don’t put the plug in the sink as you don’t want the cat to be standing in water. Pour the water on your cat slowly or use the wet wash cloth. Then rub in the shampoo as though you are massaging your cat. Once the whole coat has been shampooed, you can rinse it off by pouring small amounts from the bowl. Once the shampoo has been rinsed out completely, place your cat on the towel and use the other towels to briskly rub it dry. Be wary of using a hair dryer as the noise and warm air could frighten your cat.

If your cat is a long hair breed, you might want to consider using a cat conditioner as well.

Always have the other person standing at the cat’s head, gently holding it, talking to it and giving it treats. I wouldn’t worry too much about the calories in the treats during bath time, you want your cat to be happy.

If your cat gets too upset at having a bath, don’t push it. Allow the vet or a trained professional groomer to take over. You don’t want to take the risk of being scratched or bitten, nor do you want to destroy your cat’s trust in you.

If you try to keep the process of bathing your cat to five minutes or under, you are doing well. Any longer and the cat will object.

Remember, giving your cat a bath shouldn’t be a chore. It needs to be something that you will both enjoy. And if you are considering adopting a kitten, start training it and getting it used to being bathed early.

Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660

The CAT 2010 test day is approaching nearer for many test takers. It is time you keep in mind what you are supposed to do and also not supposed to do on the test day. In this exclusive article, MBAUniverse.com brings to you the DO’s and DON’Ts of the CAT 2010 test day.

1) Do not discuss what you have not done
Ever had someone sit next to you in an exam who would always ask you about the topics you did and didn’t cover, right before an exam? Suddenly all those topics you had thought so trivial, the other night, start seeming so very important. Remember that spiraling feeling in the pit of your stomach, threatening to make you sick even before the paper began? We definitely don’t want that happening before CAT. Do not discuss what you left out or didn’t focus much on.

2) Try not catching the contagion of ‘tension’. Engage yourself in solitude
Before any paper, you find test takers huddled in grave discussions about how the test is going to be extremely tough and end up feeling unprepared. Confidence is crucial for performance, so avoid these ‘tension groups’ like the plague. And if you don’t find anyone with a similar approach, you would still be better off alone.

3) Do not be late
If you’re rushing to the CAT centre with one eye on the road and the other on your watch, don’t be surprised to find your nerves fried by the time you reach. Be there early, with plenty of time to relax and get used to your surroundings. Find out well in advance where you will be seated, and double check your admit card and stationery. In case you are late, do close your eyes for a moment and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself.

4) Know what you can carry in the exam hall
Carefully sift through the guidelines in the admit card and make yourself aware of the rules and regulations for the CAT exam. Know what you can and can’t carry. There have been innumerable cases where students thought they were allowed to carry a certain kind of equipment and had to face a lot of problems at the center. The CAT exam is a serious affair and you can expect the invigilators to be strict as far as discipline is concerned.

5) Do not relax till the last minute. The war is not won till the last battle is won. Neither is it lost till you lose the last battle
Once the bell rings and you start with the paper, do not hold back. Whether you do well, or not, your focus should be to give it your best shot. So many people from the IIMs that we have spoken with have later confessed that they really thought they had blundered up their paper. Many a times, it’s just paranoia.

6) Do not remind yourself of the tension by watching others
Sometimes we get tensed just watching other people who are tensed. Do not pay heed to any surprising remarks that a fellow test taker makes after watching the paper! When you are in the exam hall, keep your eyes to the paper and ears preferably closed. Literally, closed! Consider earplugs, maybe cotton balls, it worked for me when I took the exam! But be sure to check with your centre in case they prohibit that.

7) Do not let your eyes off the familiar stuff in the paper. This is what would get you into the IIMs
Your core competence is what will get you ahead of the pack. Besides, the CAT is no time to experiment. Make sure you are done with all the questions you are confident about, disregarding or giving lower priority to even those questions that may appear simple but you are not very familiar with.

8) Do not forget that there are enough questions in CAT that could fetch you enough to get a Call
The CAT was designed to be too lengthy for an average student to complete. Some may feel pressure thinking about this. But it really is a blessing in disguise, there are enough questions and variation to provide you with a considerably greater opportunity to fare well. Think what it would be like if there were just 4 questions, and you knew the answer to only 1. Get the point?

9) Do not come out saying …’ My God I did not spend enough time on the areas of my strength’
Keep your eyes peeled for questions that bare resemblance to areas that you are most confident about. If there is any question that is worth a little extra time, it’s the question that you have cracked several times already. Do not take chances by letting your mind wander over any other question, no matter how tempting, until you are sure that you have tackled all the questions relating to your strength areas first.

10) Last but not the least… ‘During the exam do not let your thoughts delve on the question ‘what if I do not crack CAT?’
Focusing on negative thoughts during the paper, such as ‘what if I don’t do well’, is not going to help anyone. You will be losing out on time, energy, and confidence. Instead, keep your thoughts engaged with the paper, your current question, your time management. You take care to put in your best efforts and let the rest take care of itself.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on CAT 2010.

MBAUniverse.com is one of India’s most comprehensive MBA portals.MBAUniverse.com was set up in 2006 to address the information asymmetry in the management education and practice domain.

Is your house your house or is your the cat’s house?

Is your cat climbing the curtains, chewing cords, digging in the garbage, jumping on counters or tables, ripping the carpet or rugs,

Here are some tips for training your cat in the house.

Curtains and drapes look great to your cat they can climb them and use them for chewing and shedding. Using tension rods when possible is great. When your cat tries to climb or scratch, they will come down and cause noise to your cat that will result in soon he will not want any part of it. For drapes that hand on rods that are in the wall, take thread and thread them on the rod. This will result in falling down when your cat tries to climb on them. After the cat has got the idea that, they will fall after a few times he will leave them alone. In addition, you will be able to put them back on the rod.

Vertical blinds are great for cats. Blinds usually made of plastic, which the cat will not be able to climb. With that, he will be able to move a slat on the blind and view the outside world with out tearing down the whole thing. Horizontal blinds are the greats to put up.

Chewing cords or other items: by putting distasteful substance on the item will help with your cat not to want to chew on it again. Cayenne pepper, biter apple, orange, nail polish orange peels lemon peels and you can get different sprays and creams at the pet store also to help with the chewing. In hardware and do, it your self-center there is molding that comes just for putting wires in. Tape such as duct tape, which can get messy or Gaffer’s tape is a tape in many colors and is not messy to use. Make sure, when putting the substance on the item that your cat is chewing on will not ruin it for you.

What is in the garbage that your cat has to dig for? Make sure that your cat is on a good schedule for eating and this will help with digging. The garbage can should have a firm tight lid on it. Do not use the open swing type garbage cans. A good one would be one that you have to lift off the top or one that you have to use your foot to open. Place the garbage can out of site, in a pantry or under the sink a place where the cat is unable to get to the garbage. If your cat is tipping the garbage can over put something heavy enough so that they are unable to tip it over

Cats hate loud noises and surprises make sure that you leave on the counter or item that the cat is jumping on some things that will do this for you. Like odd utensils, empty aluminum cans on the edge with maybe pennies in them. Use foil paper, cats do not like the touch or the noise of the paper. Use regular dishwashing soap to leave on the counter, with it being sticky and slippery will keep the cat away. Never leave anything that a cat would want to get to on the counters.

Carpet ripping is not a great thing and can be very costly. A scratching pole cost a lot less than replacing carpeting or rugs. Scratching pole come with rug on it to help with his wanting to scratch the carpet. Put plastic runner down in the areas that the cat has started to scratch. Find some type of chemical or spray to use on the carpet to help with getting the cats scent off the carpet. Do not use fabric spray scent cats love the smell and will attracted to that area.

This is your house and not your cats; you share it, with your cat. Your cat can have a place in the home. Taking care of a cat is great for both you and your cat. Have a safe and happy environment for your cat. Give your cat a hug today.

Be sure to check out House Train your Cat

Feline hairballs are a normal phenomenon in cats and there are many methods to handle them. It is hair that was not digested, accrued, and coughed out. They may either move hair through their digestive system or the hair will develop in their bodies causing them to gag and heave until it’s out of their system.

The three most common cures to assist to reduce the frequency of this are special lubricants, fiber supplements, and better grooming. There are many dry meals especially formulated for this problem – but they may be pricey and will not always help. The most suitable way, of course, is prevention.

Fiber

One of the best ways to keep away from this problem is by using fiber. This will help your cat to defecate simpler by adding moisture and bulk towards the stool. Good resources of fiber consist of squash and canned pumpkin. These two foods can also be used to help you with bowel problems and diarrhea.

Lubricants

In case your cat continues to have this difficulty than you must ask advice from your vet, and she or he will advocate the most effective remedy that you can utilize. Many people will make use of petroleum based gels or lubricants, which are offered to them orally. These cannot cost you a lot and may be given as prescribed by a vet.

Grooming

Naturally the simplest way to avoid cat hairballs is usually to groom them. Every day you need to utilize a brush and take away any hair that is attempting to fall off their bodies. That way they will not lick it off when they clean themselves. Just make sure that you are gentle with them and won’t do it a whole lot that they wind up by losing more hair than what exactly is considered necessary.

It is important to know how to take care of Feline Hairballs. Also learn the best way to stop Cat Spraying.

With all the holiday’s coming up soon, there is still time to get your cat trained for the holidays. You will want to search out tips on saving the tree and table for the holidays,
with your cat around.

One thing you can start with is getting the cat some items that they would be able to play with that would represent the holidays. Cats like flashing lights and sparkly things. This you may want to stay away from with your decorations so there is no problem.

Once you get some items for the cat, start to play with them with your cat so that they will be interested more in the toys that you gave them, then one ones that you are putting up. When you are putting yours up make sure the cat has their around to play with. This will be good as if the cat does try to play with the decorations you can tell them no in a stern voice, and show them the ones that they are able to play with.

The family and you should be at all tease the cat with the decorations. This will only make them think that it is fun and games, and then the training will be over. A good idea to use is the clicker trainer, this way if you see them playing with the items you can click, and they should stop. This also would be a great time to look for holiday presents and treats for the cat. Make sure you remember your cat at the holidays, as they are your friend and they like presents too.

A nice blanket, special pillow, even catnip plant would be just some things to mention for the present. New treat for the training would be another great idea when looking for the perfect gift for the cat. A new scathing post or one that maybe added on to the other one that they might have to make it better and bigger. A new leash or harness would be another great item, or something that they may not have. You can search the internet at the different pet sites for new and different items to get ideas for your pet. Make sure you wrap the item to put under the tree for Christmas, as the cat will have fun with the paper and the new gift.

With the tree, if you get a real tree make sure, there is plenty of water in the base, and you will want to cover it as good as you can so that the cat does not think they can drink that.
Make sure the presents are not one that you want open so that incase the cat decides it is play time and tears them open. Decorations should not be down on the bottom of the tree. This will only temp your cat to play with the decorations.

One the fireplace mantel you will want to make sure the items are in place so that if your cat is a climber that they are unable to get maybe a sock to get up on the mantel or other items that maybe hanging from the mantel. Cat love to jump and climb with this would be fun for your cat.

Cats do not like having the nails and paws caught in lose fabric. Getting some netting and using around some of the decoration that maybe be temping the cat could help you out. Make nice netting bows large enough for the tree around the bottom this way the cat will stay away. Gather the netting and put around decorations that the cat may want play with.

Holidays are fun for both the family and your cat. Make sure your cat is included in activities around the holiday and not forgotten. They will enjoy it as much as you do.
Not including them may cause damage to the holidays and for the cat, feeling left out.
Have a great holiday, and don’t forget to get a gift for your friend , your cat

Be sure to check out Holiday Training your Cat

Good oral hygiene is a must for dogs and cats and can become a major pet health issue if not taken seriously. Healthy gums and clean teeth are also indicative of good pet health. Unfortunately, dogs and cats can’t brush their teeth like humans can and therefore, with a few years start developing dental disease that is a major pet health issue. When ignored, dental disease can damage the pet health and lead to pain and much discomfort for the pooch or feline. Slowly, with time, pet health suffers as their dental condition starts to deteriorate with time.

When we brush, the plaque accumulated on our teeth is removed thus, prevent build-up of bacteria. However, since dogs and cats can’t brush their teeth like us, the plaque tends to accumulate on their teeth and as it ages, becomes hard and forms tartar turning into a serious dental pet health issue if left unattended. Plaque is a yellowish colored soft and sticky substance that is actually just bacteria build-up on the teeth.

Plaque and tartar in the mouths of dogs and cats cause teeth decay leading to poor pet health. It can also lead to inflammation of the gums, which is a painful condition, referred as gingivitis. Bacteria inside the mouth can be highly destructive and plaque causes periodontal disease where the roots of the teeth are damaged beyond repair and pet health damaged for ever. Typically, periodontal disease is a pet health issue that slowly progresses to teeth loss if not treated in time.

Unfortunately, periodontal disease can also lead to several other pet health issues. The bacteria that cause dental disease in cats and dogs are also responsible for halitosis or bad breath condition. These bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and spread to the main organs like the heart and kidneys further causing irreparable damage to pet health if not diagnosed on time.

Some of the main factors that contribute to the onset of dental disease in dogs and cats are:

Improper oral hygiene: a serious pet health issue oversight is not brushing your pet’s teeth. This leads to accumulation of plaque, tartar and progress to other diseases ailing pet health in the long run.
Diet: Feeding soft and moist food to your pet means inviting bacteria to invade the animal’s mouth. The reason why vets encourage consumptions of dry food is because such food is highly effective in getting rid of the plaque.
Age: With age, dogs and cats become more susceptible to dental disease.
Genetics: In some particular breeds, the pet health is genetically vulnerable to dental disease because of the shape of the canine/feline head and the misalignment of their teeth. This is more typically in smaller dog breeds and in cat breeds like the Somali and Abyssinian.
Concurrent Disease: Dental disease can also become a pet health issue if the dog/cat is suffering from concurrent disease like Feline Leukemia Virus, or kidney disease, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Chewing Habits: Dogs and cats that are partial to one side of their mouth for chewing tend to have dental disease pet health issue on the unused side of their mouth.

Remember, taking care of your pet health, especially maintaining good oral health can be really challenging. Speak to your vet to find more ways to improve your dog/cat’s oral hygiene.

If you think your dog or cat may have a dental disease and there may be a serious pet health issue take a look at our pet health articles or dental section, we also have a pet health Forum where you can post any question on dental problems or general pet health.

Owing a cat can be a very gratifying experience especially if you’ve done your homework and understand the tasks involved in having one as a pet.

The First Few Days
It is only natural that when you take your new kitten home, it may feel lost and disorientated. It will meow in search of her mother, hide in tiny places, refuse to eat and in general be sad. The way to alleviate this stress is to try and make her feel at home and comfortable all the time.

Cats, like many other pets, like good habits. It is important to keep a clean litter pan as they are very fussy. Feeding should be carried out at regular intervals especially in the first few days. It is wise to check the diet required for particular breeds, as various foods will be composed of different nutrients and vitamins which may apply to some breeds and less to others

Attitude and Training
Cats are an independent species and can be very hard to control especially if they have reached a certain age. It is advisable that training starts from the first few weeks. If this is done properly, the sacrifice and time spent to train your cat will serve a lifetime. Here is a short list of some cat attitudes and their meaning:

Biting %26#8211; starting to having new teeth
Constant meowing %26#8211; hungry, lonely or possibly dirty environment
Trying to get out the minute you open the door %26#8211; need more outdoor time
Burying everywhere except the litter box %26#8211; not pleased with litter box
Rubbing of head against you %26#8211; marking you or your stuff as its territory
Scratching against windows %26#8211; frustration of not getting hold of what’s out there
Hissing while petting %26#8211; thank you, but I had enough of stroking and petting for today!

Care
Brushing and grooming is very important for your cat. As much as diet is the primary important factor in taking care of your cat, psychological attention forms an important part in the formation and character of your cat’s actions. Taking care of your cat, however, does not stop in giving it food and petting it. Reproduction is an aspect one needs to consider when owing a cat. Unless breeding is something you are into, taking precautions such as spaying and neutering your cat are some things to consider.

The experience of owning a cat should be a pleasant one both for you and the cat. Cats are very difficult pets to please and they are very choosy in what they like, but with some research, particularly on the breed one prefers and some good advise, the feeling of having a cat or even many of them, is without doubt an enjoyable and rewarding one.

Sandro Azzopardi is a professional author who writes articles on his web site and local newspapers. http://www.theinfopit.com/science/animals/cats.php

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that causes swelling of the lymph nodes, and is due to a scratch, lick, or bite of a cat. Ninety percent of the people that contact this disease get it through a cat or kitten. This disease is known as Bartonella henselae, and is found in all places of the world. There are about 22,000 cases of this disease reported in the United States every year. Most often during the fall and winter and usually in kids because they are most likely to play with cats and can be bitten or scratched.

Fleas spread the bacteria between cats, although there’s no evidence that fleas can transmit the disease to humans. The bacteria live in infected cats’ saliva but don’t make the animals sick; in fact, kittens or cats may carry the bacteria for months.

Experts believe that almost half of all cats have a Bartonella henselae infection at some time in their lives, with those younger than a year old are more likely to be infected.

Signs and Symptoms

Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:

Many people with cat scratch disease remember being around a cat, but often cannot recall receiving a scratch or a bite. A blister or a small bump develops several days after the scratch or bite and may be mistaken for a bug bite. This blister or bump is called an inoculation lesion (a wound at the site where the bacteria enter the body), and it is most commonly found on the arms and hands, head, or scalp. These lesions are generally not painful.
Usually within a couple of weeks of a scratch or bite, one or more lymph nodes close to the area of the inoculation lesion will swell and become tender. (Lymph nodes are round or oval-shaped organs of the immune system that are often called glands.) For example, if the inoculation lesion is on the arm, the lymph nodes in the elbow or armpit will swell.
These swollen lymph nodes appear most often in the underarm or neck areas, although if the inoculation lesion is on the leg, the nodes in the groin will be affected. They range in size from about ½ inch to 2 inches in diameter and may be surrounded by a larger area of swelling under the skin. The skin over these swollen lymph nodes can become warm and red, and occasionally the lymph nodes drain pus.
In most kids, swollen lymph nodes are the main symptom of the disease and the illness often is mild. If people have other general symptoms, they might include fever (usually less than 101° F or 38.3° C ), fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, rash, sore throat, and an overall ill feeling.

Unusual cases do occur, but are uncommon. In such cases, someone might have infections of the liver, spleen, bones, joints, or lungs, or a lingering high fever without other symptoms. Some get an eye infection (Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome), with symptoms including a small sore on the conjunctiva (the membrane lining the eye or inner eyelid), redness of the eye, and swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear. Others may develop inflammation of the brain or seizures. Although this is rare. All of these complications of cat scratch disease usually resolve without any lasting illness.

Contagiousness

Cat scratch disease is not contagious from person to person. The bacteria are spread by the scratch or bite of an infected animal, most often a kitten. They can also be transmitted if the animal’s saliva comes in contact with an eye or through broken skin. Sometimes multiple cases occur in the same family, usually via contact with the same infected animal.

Having one episode of cat scratch disease usually makes people immune for the rest of their lives.

Prevention

If you’re concerned about cat scratch disease, you do not need to get rid of the family pet. The illness is relatively rare and usually mild, and a few steps can help limit your kids’ chances of contracting it.

Teaching kids to avoid stray or unfamiliar cats can reduce their exposure to sources of the bacteria.
To lower the risk of getting the disease from a family pet or familiar cat, kids should avoid rough play with any pets so they can avoid being scratched or bitten.
Have your family members wash their hands after handling or playing with a cat.

If your child is scratched by a pet, wash the injured area thoroughly with soap and water. Keeping the house and your pet free of fleas will reduce the risk that your cat could become infected with the bacteria in the first place.

If you suspect that someone caught cat scratch disease from your family pet, don’t worry that your cat will have to be euthanized (put to sleep). Talk with your veterinarian about how to handle the problem.

Incubation and Duration

It usually takes 3 to 10 days for a blister or small bump to appear at the site of a scratch or bite. Lymph node swelling begins about 1 to 4 weeks later.

The inoculation lesion where the bacteria entered the body usually takes days to heal. The swollen lymph nodes disappear within 2 to 4 months, although occasionally last much longer.

Treatment

Doctors usually diagnose cat scratch disease based on a child’s history of exposure to a cat or kitten and a physical examination. During the exam, the doctor will look for signs of a cat scratch or bite and swollen lymph nodes.

In some cases, doctors use laboratory tests to help make the diagnosis, including:

skin tests, blood tests, and cultures to rule out other causes of swollen lymph nodes
a blood test that is positive for cat scratch disease
a microscopic examination of a removed lymph node that shows signs of cat scratch disease.

Most cases of cat scratch disease resolve without any treatment. Rarely, a swollen lymph node becomes so large and painful that the doctor may recommend removing fluid from the node with a needle and syringe.

Antibiotics sometimes are used to treat the disease. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, give them to your child on schedule and for as many days as prescribed.

Kids with cat scratch disease don’t need to be isolated from other family members. Bed rest is not necessary, but can help if a child tires easily. If your child feels like playing, encourage quiet play while being careful to avoid injuring swollen lymph nodes. To ease sore nodes, try warm, moist compresses or give your child nonprescription medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

When to Call the Doctor

Call the doctor whenever your child has swollen or painful lymph nodes in any area of the body. And always call your doctor if a child is bitten by an animal, especially if: the bite or scratch was from a cat and the wound does not seem to be healing an area of redness around the wound keeps expanding for several days.

The child develops a fever that lasts for a few days after receiving the scratch or bite.

If your child has already been diagnosed with cat scratch disease, call the doctor if your child has a high fever, lots of pain in a lymph node, seems very sick, or develops new symptoms.

Conclusion

Cat scratch disease is not life threating, however, be sure to observe the individual with the disease so that the signs don’t worsen and they take their medication as prescribed by a doctor.

I care about pet cats and dogs and just like to communicate information to help new and existing pet owners take good care of their pets.

Please check out my website at http://www.petsstore4u.com. There you will find other article resources about cats and dogs and stuff to buy as well.

http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/feline-health-supplements-can-fight-disease-build-immunity-and-promote-health-2153681.html

For us cats there are several sweet advantages in having a human as a pet. But remember you are taking on a big responsibility when you adopt one or more humans. Humans are demanding pets that need daily care and attention.
With responsibility come both advantages and disadvantages. If you adopt a human you must get used to spending time at home. Your human does not deal well with being left alone – they will get into all sorts of mischief. For example, if you are gone just two or three days you run the risk of seeing posters put up all over the neighborhood. Your human will put out an APB on you ! Often with an embarrassing text that reveals all sorts of personal details – and usually accompanied by an unflattering photo of you – with morning fur and crumpled whiskers. Exactly the kind of thing that attracts ridicule from all the neighbor cats.
So please consider carefully if you are ready for a life with humans. And remember humans generally grow very old, so there is a big chance that you will spend the rest of your life with your human.

Entertaining your Human
The litter box provides a great opportunity for entertaining your human. Naturally there is all the fun your human can have cleaning and scooping out the box. A lot of human time can also be used getting fresh litter – going to the pet store, transporting it home etc. However many humans like new challenges. Utilize your litter box time in making interesting and artistic renderings of countries or well known islands. Your human will have lots of fun guessing which one you made. Humans like game-shows – so this should be a popular activity. When your human increases in skill you can also make portraits of family and friends. Start with profile portraits – this will make it easer for your human.

Shredding
Make it a priority to shed indoors on appropriate surfaces. Fleece is a particularly suitable material to shred on. All you need to do is pass close by your human when he or she is wearing fleece. All cat hair within a radius of about 2 feet from the fabric will immediately be transferred to your human. No brushing necessary for several days ! Another good solution is to get access to a filled clothes hamper. Jump into it and give all contents a good work over. An extra bonus with this method is that most cat hairs will survive a trip to the washing machine. Your human will be stylishly accessorized with cat hair on all outfits.

Extra Food
All chances for a bit of extra food must and should be taken advantage of. Whenever your human is in the kitchen there is a prime opportunity of getting an extra snack. When your human is busy at the kitchen table place yourself in your humans blind angle (just behind the ankle is usually a good spot). And the second your human moves one of both feet you jump back screaming your most heart-wrenching cry. Your human will automatically assume that he/she stepped on you. When your human looks back scared to see what is happening look up at him/her with a painful expression on your face (practice this before hand in front of a mirror). Your human’s bad conscience will often result an edible apology.

Grass Etiquette
Before you eat grass make sure that you are close to a suitable place to throw up on. Delicate furniture fabrics, precious carpets, and shoes are all good places. If you choose furniture aim for the part that has non-removable fabric. When you are getting down to business make sure you back up a step or two so that you cover the largest area possible. Another technique is to do several items with pauses in-between. Persian carpets will give a good camouflage effect and your little gift will often not be discovered until somebody steps in it.

Preventing your human from wasting valuable time
One of the most important tasks we cats have is to prevent humans in wasting their time. Humans love to spend their time on things with no relevance for cats. For example watching TV, reading, talking on the phone – and many other things that have no entertainment value for us cats what so ever. A lot of methods can be used to prevent human time waste – use your imagination. Some especially effective techniques will be mentioned here.
Watching TV; make sure that you always position yourself between the TV and your human. On the coffee table for example. You can also lie on the TV and let you tail or paws swing down in front of the screen. This method is most effective on small screens where you can cover a large percentage of the screen. It is a bit trickier with a flat screen – and only recommended for the agile kitty. A variation can be used with a computer screen. The new flat screens often leave a lot of empty space on the desk – so just get up in front – remind your human of how wonderful you are.
Cleaning; stalk the vacuum cleaner and attack when it passes by. You can also pretend that you want to attack the vacuum cleaner but ‘accidentally’ catch a foot instead.
Garden work; jump repeatedly up-and-down and scatter any leaves that your human has raked together. Attack gardening tools – especially while they’re being used. Immediately dig up any newly planted seeds, plants and flowers.

Closed Doors
Under no circumstances accept closed doors that separate you from your human. At any and all times you have a right to know what your human is doing. If the situation do arise when you by accident have been placed on the wrong side of a door you need to make your human aware of this ASAP so he/she can remedy the situation immediately. Loud meows and scratching on the door should be sufficient to get your humans attention. If this is ignored you need to take more drastic measures: Make a sound as if you are going to throw up. This sound can be heard by all humans in a 50 feet radius. This sound can also be heard through closed doors. The ‘puke sound’ will always result in your human’s immediate presence.

Sleeping Time
It is important for us cats to prioritize our sleeping time. The objective is to get as much sleep done as possible while your human is awake. You will then be especially well rested and bushy-tailed at night when it is your job to keep your human awake. You can for example use the classical ‘cat-play with toes’ and attack everything that moves under the duvet. You can also reenact highlights from last year’s Grand National Steeplechase by revealingly galloping across the bed. A couple of loud meows will give it an extra exiting dimension for your human

Houseguests
Houseguests require special attention and handling. The following procedures should be followed:
Houseguests that either do not like us or are allergic to us: As soon as they sit down – jump onto their lap.
Noisy children that run after you and/or pull your tail: It is your duty to punish them – it can be necessary to use both claws and teeth. However be prepared that this can result in noise that is even more annoying and of an even louder decibel level.
Guests that try to get in contact with you by ingratiating themselves and speaking in a sweet voice: Should just be ignored. If they try to approach you, back away 5-6 feet – never further away than they feel encouraged to try again. With a bit of practice this game can he kept going for hours.

Bad Weather
Even in bad weather it can be necessary to go outside. The rain and wet ground will result in an unpleasant layer of dirt and mud on your paws. However this can easily be dried off on certain appropriate indoor spots. Find a light carpet, a duvet cover or nice piece of furniture and walk over it a couple of times. When your paw tracks are almost invisible your paws are clean and you are ready to go outside again.

Training your Human
Sometimes it can be necessary to discipline even a well-trained human. However do remember never to hit a human. At the most mark with a soft paw on the human’s arm or hands. But try first to make your human understand what it has done wrong. And most importantly: be patient! The human intellect is relatively limited and it can be difficult for them to understand our wishes and needs.
Even after approximately 5000 years of domestication the human species still has primitive instincts and it does take time to train your human completely.

Door Training
One of the first things you need to teach your human is to open the front door, the garden door and backdoor when required. This is done by walking up to a door and make an impatient and very loud meow. Make some tripping steps with your back paws obviously indicating that you need to go to the outdoor litter box. When your human has gotten up from the couch and opened the door you decide that you do not really need to go outside right now. Just for appearances you can stand in the open door and pretend that you are thinking about the situation for a few seconds before you turn around to go inside again. Repeat this procedure several times a day. This will keep your human in good door opening form.

Inspection of the House
A house usually has unlimited possibilities for suitable sleeping spots. Every possibility no matter how theoretical should be investigated and tested. Cardboard boxes, cupboards, drawers, couches and beds are obvious localities, but places such as old slippers (size 11 or higher) open gymbags or kitchen cupboards should not be overlooked.
The house should further be investigated for all possible toys. An old sock can represent several hours of entertainment if you get your claw on a loose end and unravel a couple of miles worth of yarn. You human will love to tidy up after your play.

Martine Carlsen is owned by two wonderful silver abyssinian cats, Sonny and Cher. She is also a web designer and the proud owner and creator of http://www.carlsencards.com. And as you can tell from her website, cats play a big part in both her life and her work.