Cats may be the most popular kind of pet in the world, beloved for their companionship and antics. Unfortunately, a common issue that arises from owning a cat is destruction of furniture. A cat's claws need maintenance, and they do this by scratching. In the wild, feline ancestors would use tree bark for this. In the home, they need replacements of some kind, and furniture often comes under attack as a result. There are ways to prevent or change this behavior, and here are some of the best ideas for protecting your furniture from a cat's claws.   Ensure An Alternative   As mentioned, a cat needs to maintain her claws. They do not scratch out of malice but out of necessity. Though they are not 'sharpening' their claws, they do need to shed the nail sheaths. Such activities also help mark territory, as they deposit scents on the object. Scratching is also good exercise, helping the cat to stretch almost like a yoga routine.   A cat does not have the choice to not scratch. This means that you have to provide alternatives to the furniture. The scratching post is the obvious one, but scratching beds are great as well. They can also enjoy thick ropes, tree branches, and similar things. It is best to provide many pieces of cat furniture, especially if you have several cats. You should still provide such scratching furniture if the cats may go outside.   Help the Cat Understand the Alternative   Cats are famous as creatures of habit and these habits can be hard to break. Some will instinctively use the provided scratching posts. Some will need to be shown where it is and what it is for. It can help to place the new scratching post near the furniture you wish to protect. You may also show the cat what it is for by taking her forepaws and gently rubbing them against the post -- she will often get the idea. You can then move the post by degrees to the desired location.   Encourage your cat with praise, petting, and treats when they use the proper places to scratch. Cats are stubborn creatures who respond better to the carrot than the stick. Rewarding them for good behavior is effective. Punishment for bad behavior rarely works.   Discouraging Scratching   One of the quirks of cat behavior is that they understand the world in a different way from humans. A cat will identify that a person has sprayed them with water, for example. But they will not learn that the behavior is bad. Instead they will learn to do it when they won't get caught. On the other hand, if a cat thinks she has been punished by 'the universe' in general, she is more likely to stop. This makes it more effective to set up a trap of sorts.   You can still discourage the behavior somewhat by squirting a cat with a water gun or a gardening spray can. However, it is more effective to use a motion-sensing air can and place it next to the object you wish to protect. These are available for a low price. When the cat approaches, the sensor will see them, and a harmless puff of air will be blasted at them. This will cause great surprise and usually a hasty retreat. And because it is something that 'just happens', the cat should soon learn not to attempt to scratch.   Armoring the Furniture   You can protect your furniture in a couple of other ways as well. A plastic cover of some sort will prevent damage while you help your cat adjust. You can also apply double-sided sticky tape to the furniture. Most cats strongly dislike the sensation of stickiness on their paws. This will lead them to seek other places to scratch, which you should have provided for them.   Claw Caps   If your cat proves determined to scratch the furniture no matter what, there is another option. Claw caps are small plastic covers which are affixed to the pet's front claws with the use of special glue. Usually you would trim the cat's nails (always be careful to avoid the quick of the nail!) before applying them. These soft objects ensure she cannot harm the furniture or indeed your skin but do no harm to her. The claw caps will fall off in time so be vigilant for when they need replacement.   Avoid Declawing   Declawing cats used to be a popular way to protect furniture, but it has begun to fall out of favor in recent years. This is because it is now often regarded as a cruel and mutilating procedure. The operation is the same as removing a human's fingers from the middle knuckles. It does far more than just taking away their claws. It can lead to psychological distress, an inability to defend herself against other animals, and chronic pain. Declawing leads to much more misbehavior than it prevents. In many countries the procedure is banned except where a vet deems it necessary for the cat's own health.   No matter how bad your cat's scratching might be, they should never be subjected to this procedure. There are always alternative ways to change their behavior.  So no matter how bad your cat's scratching might be, they should never be subjected to this procedure. There are always alternative ways to change their behavior.   Remember that your cats are unique, living beings. They have their own mannerisms and habits, and changing these takes time and effort. Use gentility and encouragement to help them learn what you do want them to do instead of trying to teach them what you do not want them to do. You can also use various things like spray bottles and claw covers to help protect your furniture while you and your pet work on their furniture scratching. As long as you are patient and caring, your cat will soon come to learn what to use for their claw care.

Getting a new cat is an exciting time for everyone. Yet there can be challenges posed if you are introducing the new pet into a house with other cats. It is a myth that cats are solitary animals, but their social groups have complex rules of hierarchy. This means the introduction of a new cat can be disruptive and can lead to fighting or spraying. To avoid the worst of this, you can make the introduction easier by following this basic plan.   Before you get the new cat, your first task should be to choose a room and set it aside for them to live in temporarily. This should be a spacious room and one where you can spend plenty of time with the new pet yourself. You should also not use a room where your other cat's food or litter tray is located. Equip the room with the things the new cat will need; food and water dishes, a litter tray, and toys. Your new cat will live in this room at first, so ensure it has the required comforts.   Once you have your new pet, bring him or her home and put them straight into their room. There is no rush in making introductions, so the first thing to do will be to get the new cat acquainted with the room. Let them explore, smell things, show them where their food and litter tray are, and so forth. The cats may sniff at each other around the door, which is a good start for an introduction. Letting them get used to the smell of each other is an important early step in the process.   Your next step will involve first contact between the pets, but it is still constrained. Open the room's door by a couple of inches, enough to let a cat stick the tip of her nose through but denying passage. The cats should now seek to say 'hello' to each other, and should sniff at each other. There may be some growling, hissing, or attempted hitting, but this is not a problem at this point. Your aim is not a perfect first impression, it is to create the conditions for a happy life together. Some hostile incidents can be part of that without problems arising later. Close the door after a few minutes, and make sure you give the cats on both sides some personal attention.   You must use your judgment for when the time is right for the next steps, reviewing how your cats are coping. The whole process can be done in hours or it might take several days. When you feel both are ready, take one of your existing cats and place them in the room with the new one. You should be quite hands off here, and only intervene if a serious fight breaks out. Let them explore, say hello properly, sniff around at things, or even avoid or ignore each other. This first full contact will only last a few minutes. You should let the new cat have a rest before introducing the next cat, if you have more than one. Repeat this process after perhaps an hour, and increase the amount of time spent in contact.   Finally, when all your cats seem comfortable with each other, you can let the new one go free to run around your home. It may still prove wise in the first few days to keep them apart if nobody is home or when you are asleep. There could still be some conflict in the early days as the cats work out a new social hierarchy. They may also compete for places of comfort and security. Yet, with the above introductions made, it is likely to go far better than otherwise.    Remember, though, that each cat is an individual with their own personality. Some may be friendly and introductions will be complete within hours. Some may be much more hostile and it could take much longer. The cats may never form a close friendship, but as long as they can tolerate each other, that will not be a big issue. Remember also that this advice is much less relevant to young kittens. They will usually form quick friendships thanks to their lack of adult cat sensibilities.

Starting your own business can be a creative and fulfilling way of earning some extra cash, and more people than ever before are turning their passions and hobbies into lucrative enterprises. While there are hundreds of resources online to help entrepreneurs build a startup company, it can sometimes be confusing which business you should invest your time and money in. Some people make the mistake of choosing a non-profitable business or one with an over-saturated market. Pet owners are a growing target market with a potential for high enjoyability while you earn, and for cat lovers, there are many options when it comes to starting a business.   1 Sitting Pet-sitters are always in demand, especially in middle class neighbourhoods and military towns where people vacation often. It is often the go-to startup for cat lovers, for good reason: it requires little equipment, maximises time with the animals, and pays well. There will likely be many pet-sitters in your area already, but the way to stand out is to deliver excellent service, charge competitive rates and set yourself up professionally with a business name and advertising. This will set you apart from that sector of competition made up by teenagers on summer vacation. Add that you will be happy to take care of plants, and be flexible - does the cat owner want someone to stay in the house full-time, daily visits, or are you able to take care of the cat in your own home?   2 Grooming Many breeds of cat have long, luxurious fur, which can be a source of joy and frustration for their owners. Lots of people love having long-haired cats for their appearance or temperament, but would rather not brush the animal twice a day. You can offer a mobile service or a salon in your own home, specialise in all-natural organic cleansers or speed of service. Be professional and gentle to the cat at all times. If done well, this type of business lends itself naturally to repeat customers.   3 Training Dog training springs to mind more readily than cat training, but therein lies a possibly lucrative niche. Many people abhor litter boxes, and it is possible to train a cat to use its owner's toilet, for example. Aside from this superficial training, cats are prone to many behavioural issues that, with loving attention and expert knowledge, can be resolved. Cat training can benefit multi-cat households where stress is an issue, or where there is significant upheaval taking place, e.g. a renovation. Educate yourself as much as you can, and if possible, get a recognised qualification to build trust. Treat the animal with the utmost care and have a limitless amount of patience. This is a very rewarding avenue, as you will be improving the animal's overall quality of life.   4 Education If you are very knowledgable about cats, turn that know-how into profit by releasing an ebook or instructional series of videos for pet owners. Lots of people want to know more about their pets and how to take care of them, and are willing to pay for instructional materials. It is completely free to create and upload an ebook to Amazon, and many people make a lot of money hosting short courses or webinars about their topic. Make connections to other professionals in the field and get known on sites such as Quora, which specialise in expert advice. Create a social media page and answer any questions promptly and without directing people first to your products: by building trust, you will create a quality word-of-mouth reputation as an expert.   5 Pet portraits If you are in any way artistically gifted, pet portraits can be a fun and rewarding startup for cat lovers. Owners' emotional bonds with their animals can be as strong as with any human being, and they often want to commemorate their relationship with an image or a painting. Also, if someone has lost a pet recently, they might want a meaningful way of remembering them. It is often easier to work from photographs rather from having a live animal sit for you, but it can be good to meet the animal in person at least once to get a feel for its character. The market is strong for professional, realistic work, but if you have an individual style let it shine. Draw a few pictures and give them away to friends and family as gifts to build your reputation, and build a website to showcase your work.   There are many more lucrative startups for cat owners, so use these ideas as a springboard to find your own venture. Remember: be professional and courteous at every stage, and respectful and gentle with the animals concerned. Never give medical advice unless you are a qualified veterinarian and let pet owners know exactly what to expect and what not to expect from your services. At the end of the day, honesty and customer service are key to a thriving business.

By Gail Fero   Congratulations, you've decided on a cat! Though the decision might have seemed monumental, it was only the first of many decisions you'll have to make. Your cat's well-being is be up to you; there is training to consider, as well as toys, food and bedding. But one of the most controversial decisions you'll have to make is whether or not to declaw your cat. You may have heard horror stories about cats tearing up carpets or shredding the curtains with their claws. But before you jump into the decision to declaw, here are some facts for you to consider.   1.     Declawing can cause lasting problems for your cat physically. Pain is only the first of these problems as they also include nerve damage, lameness, infection, possible regrowth and bone spurs.   2.     Declawing is almost exclusively an American solution to cat scratching. Most other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and large swatches of Europe, have banned it as inhumane.   3.     The surgery, which many people believe to be simply removing the nails, involves much more than you might think. It not only removes the nail but also the bone up to the last knuckle, similar to cutting off a finger's last bone. This is not just a fancy, permanent manicure, but a proper surgery, sometimes referred to as an amputation.   4.     Declawing is the removal of a cat's first line of defense. For indoor cats, this can mean a greater dependence on their teeth, but for outdoor cats, this is endangerment. Once you've declawed a cat, they should stay indoors to stay safe from predators.   5.     For many cats who go through the surgery, there can be behavioral changes. Poor pain management afterwards can make your cat wary of using the litter box. They will also start marking their territory in this way as their claws are gone. Some become more aggressive and start biting more.   6.     Because the surgery to declaw is more akin to an amputation than a simple removal of the nails, cats must relearn how to walk. With the balance changed by the removal of a bone, cats can suffer back pain and often struggle with the new balance required.   7.     The procedure of declawing is not necessary, despite the horror stories you've heard. Just as a dog needs training, a cat needs training as well. They can learn where they can scratch and where they can't, and they need to learn to be amenable to nail trimming. If these don't work, there are soft nail caps you can have put over the nails to stop scratching for indoor cats.   Choosing to declaw your cat is a big decision. Before you make it, you should ensure that you have all the facts. Think about what this might mean for you and what it will definitely mean for your cat.

Congratulations on your new kitten!  Getting a kitten is an exciting time for your entire family.  As you may have already learned, caring for a kitten is an exercise in patience.  Not only do you have to work to care for your new pet, but kittens are full of boundless energy.  This means that you're going to need to play with her, too.  Fortunately, kittens are easy to please.  Here are six easy games to play with your kitten:   Ping-Pong Balls:   Ping-pong balls are a cheap and easy way to entertain any young cat.  Bounce the ball into walls, roll it under beds, and watch as your kitten dashes after it.  One fun activity involves putting your kitten and the ball into an empty bathtub.  The ball will bounce off the sides of the tub and work your kitten up into a fur-flying frenzy.   Paper Bags:   Cats love the sound of crinkling paper.  They also love to investigate enclosed spaces.  A paper bag provides the best of both worlds.  Put one on the floor and watch your kitten as she crawls over and inside it.  Try tapping your finger on the outside of the bag - she might try to catch it!   Puzzles:   With a puzzle game, you can help your kitten strengthen her growing brain.  Plastic balls with small holes in them are available at many pet shops.  Fill these toys with a few treats or kibble and see if your cat can figure out how to get the snack.  Show her how to do it by batting at the toy yourself if she can't figure it out.  Once she does figure it out, this is a game she'll love to play again and again.   Crumpled Paper Ball:   Something about paper drives cats wild.  Crumple some paper into a ball and roll it towards your kitten.  Chances are she will jump at it and start ripping it apart.  Just be sure not to let her eat any of it - some cats are notorious paper eaters.   Hide-And-Seek:   In the wild, cats will find a hiding place where they can wait and stalk their prey.  You can unleash your kitten's instincts with hide-and-seek games.  If you see your cat hiding under a sofa or chair, drag a toy nearby where she can just see it.  You'll both have a blast as she reaches out to try to catch it.   Mobile Games:   Who would have guessed that a cat could play a mobile game?  Although not all cats will respond to games on phones or tablets, some do.  You can download games specifically for cats.  Try downloading one of these apps and then putting your phone or tablet on the floor.  Many kittens will bat and swipe at the motions they see.  If she doesn't seem interested, try showing her a YouTube video or TV show.  Some cats can even become real couch potatoes.   Playing with your new kitten doesn't have to be difficult or expensive.  Kittens, as it turns out, love playing with almost anything.  So relax and try these six easy games to play with your kitten.  You and your new pet are both sure to find something that you both love!

Pets, like humans, are living longer and just like humans, their needs change over the years. When your cat was a kitten, his or her needs may have been few, but now that your cat has reached the twilight years, he or she is going to need greater consideration to ensure a good quality of life.   Why are cats living longer?   Cat food now has greater nutritional content with foods that are suited to individual conditions, such as coat maintenance, dental care and even obesity management. Veterinary care has also improved and there is the benefit of increased uptake of pet insurance that makes previously uneconomical medical treatments affordable.   When does a cat become elderly?   A cat is thought to be middle-aged when he or she reaches 7 or 8 years old. As cats age faster than humans, a cat can be considered elderly or senior when they reach 10 or 12 years.   Common symptoms of old age   Noticeable symptoms of old age in cats include a deterioration in the look and feel of the fur, with the coat becoming less glossy and threaded with white hairs. Skin is less elastic and there is slow but noticeable weight loss. In behavioral terms, an elderly cat will sleep more often and for longer, but may experience nocturnal wakefulness, when they prowl the house and yowl loudly. They may also have impaired eyesight and hearing.   Alternative toilet arrangements   An elderly cat will be slower on their feet than a younger animal, and so may feel vulnerable if required to urinate and defecate outside. It is, therefore, kind to place a litter tray inside the home for their use. Avoid trays that have high sides as an elderly cat may have difficulty lifting their legs due to arthritis.   Feeding and associated conditions   An elderly cat's diet requires less protein and more calorie content than a younger cat needs, so you may want to start your puss on a dry food that has been developed specifically for elderly cats. Hyperthyroidism is common in elderly cats; with this condition, the cat seems to eat constantly, yet lose weight. Weighing your cat frequently will enable you to keep an eye on their weight and register any sudden weight loss. Also keep an eye out for your cat drinking more than usual, as this can be a sign of kidney disease.   Grooming   Elderly cats will lose joint mobility and may, therefore, be unable to groom themselves as well as they once did. You can help them to groom by brushing them two or three times a week with a cat brush or comb. Remember to be gentle, as their bones will likely be quite prominent. An elderly cat is also not likely to use a scratching post often and this can result in claws growing long and curling under, possibly penetrating the soft pad of the paw. Keep an eye on claws and clip them when they grow too long, ensuring that you do not clip them too short and cause them to bleed.   Your elderly cat needs care and consideration to enjoy the longer life scientific developments have gifted them with. Making a few changes in your home and being extra vigilant regarding their feeding habits and behavior can alert to you any issues and help prevent these becoming problems.

Do you have more than one cat in your home? Cats are social creatures and will co-exist peacefully, but if several cats are competing for food, space and attention, you run the risk of putting your pets -- and yourself -- under stress. These tips will guide you in creating a calm environment for you and your cats.   1. Multiply your supplies Cats will often feel competitive if you only have one feeding station and litterbox in the home. The best thing to do is have one set of resources for each cat: two litterboxes if you have two cats, three feed and water bowls if you have three, and so on, but sometimes this is not practical. Set up one separate food and water source in another room, and this may help reduce stress in your cats.   2. Make hiding spaces Your pets will feel more at ease if they feel they can 'escape' -- even if it is only behind the sofa! Clear the spaces underneath tables, between large appliances and behind doors so that your cats can take time out if they feel threatened. They will prefer spaces beside high-traffic areas, where they feel sheltered but have a good view of what is going on.   3. Purchase cat calming products Feliway diffusers and sprays come highly recommended by veterinarians. You can purchase cheaper alternatives, but the originals do the job best. These products contain synthetic cat pheromones, sending peaceful and familiar signals into the cat's environment. Your cat uses his or her own pheromones when they rub their face against something they like, leaving behind a message that tells them: 'this is safe'. Use the sprays on blankets and new furniture, and plug in diffusers whenever you are redecorating or in high-tension rooms.   4. Check your room's scent Cats in particular have a very developed sense of smell and will respond to scents in their home. Check your cleaning products and make sure they do not smell too strong and that you use them sparingly -- have you recently switched to a new brand? Scented candles and oils can also cause discomfort. Cats particularly dislike orange, lemon, wintergreen and cinnamon. If you still wish to burn home scents, opt for lavender and chamomile, and check the products are as natural as possible with few chemicals. Consider switching out your cleaning products for natural, chemical-free alternatives such as lemon juice and vinegar.   5. Check for other cats If your cats appear nervous and skittish, they may be worried about other cats in their territory. Watch for telltale signs such as digging in flowerbeds, droppings and scratches on fences and furniture that might signal a new cat is visiting your garden. If your cats have never faced this kind of problem before they can become very alarmed. Unfortunately there is no way of repelling other cats from your garden without affecting your own pets' use of the space, but if you use male urine in a spray bottle -- as a last resort! -- and spray around garden boundaries and anywhere the felines may enter, it should dissuade unwanted cats from the area.   Cats should never be allowed to remain in a stressful environment for too long. Use these tips as a guide to make your home as pet-friendly and calm as possible.

One of the most common problems that veterinarians report seeing in cats is poor dental hygiene. Since you probably don't get that many opportunities to see your kitty's teeth, it can be easy to forget that they need care, and many cat owners go for years without ever addressing their pets' dental health. Unfortunately, many cats struggle with tooth decay and gum disease, and you might not always know if your feline friend is one of them. Left untreated for too long, dental issues can lead to much more serious health problems including heart disease and cancer. Here is a look at six steps you can take to care for you cat's teeth and ensure that they don't cause discomfort or other complications. 1. Take a Whiff - Have you always written off Fluffy's terrible breath as something that's unavoidable? In reality, cats shouldn't have bad breath as long as their teeth and gums are healthy. Obviously, kitties' mouths aren't likely to smell great all the time (especially after eating), but if you've noticed an extremely strong, lingering odor, then it's time to consider a trip to the vet. 2. Look Closely - As you spend time with your cat, there are likely to be plenty of opportunities to peek inside his mouth. Try to take a good look the next time catch your kitty meowing or yawning, and keep an eye out for common indicators of dental or periodontal disease, including swollen gums, bleeding, discolored teeth, or pus. 3. Watch Out for Hints - Cats tend to be very stoic animals, and many of them won't show any obvious signs that they are in pain from dental problems. It's important, therefore, for you to be a good detective, and watch out for any hints from your kitty that she might be having problems with her mouth. Slow eating or a decrease in appetite could both be signs that your cat is suffering from pain. She might also paw at her mouth often or struggle with excessive drooling.  4. Brush Teeth Regularly - The simplest way to prevent dental issues for your cat is to brush his teeth regularly. You may be wary about how your cat will react to home brushings, but you are much more likely to be successful if you ease your pet into the idea. Begin by spending some time touching Kitty's teeth and gums with a finger or some gauze dipped in chicken broth or tuna juice. Next, let your cat lick some treats off the toothbrush before switching to kitty toothpaste with a tempting flavour. Finally, you can try brushing gently, paying the closest attention to your cat's canines and molars. If you repeat this routine weekly, you should see a noticeable decrease in tartar buildup before long.  5. Dry Food and Dental Treats - While wet cat food will just coat Tiger's teeth with plaque-causing particles, dry food is hard enough that it should scrape away some of the tartar if your cat eats it often. You can also find dedicated dental chews at your local pet store in order to help clean your kitty's teeth without too much effort on your part. 6. Regular Cleanings - Just as people are supposed to make routine visits to the dentist, you should occasionally have the vet give your kitty a more thorough teeth cleaning. These procedures are performed under general anaesthesia and they typically include plaque removal, scaling, and fluoride treatment. Most cats only need professional cleanings a few times in their lives, but you should ask your vet what she recommends. Putting a little extra effort into caring for your kitty's teeth might seem like a big ordeal, but you'll be amazed how much it can help. You owe it to your cat to do everything you can to be a good owner, and maintaining Fluffy's oral health is just one part of the commitment you make when you adopt a feline pal.

Whether you're thinking about adopting a stray or you want to make the cat you already feed into a more permanent member of your family, there are several advantages to bringing an outdoor cat into your home. The outside world is full of hazards for felines, including cars, predators, poisonous plants, and bad people, so it's no wonder why indoor cats have a much longer average lifespan than their outdoor counterparts. Of course, if Fluffy has always lived outside, you may (understandably) be nervous about how she will transition to a life confined by walls. Here is a look at some of the most important considerations when transitioning a cat to live indoors.   Litter Box Training Perhaps the biggest transition when adapting a kitty to live inside is the prospect of litter box training. In the past, you may have never seen Fluffy do her business--outdoor cats often try to hide their bathroom habits entirely--and you may have no idea whether she will understand how to use a litter box (or ever care to). The best way to get your furry friend in the habit of using the box is to fill it with unscented kitty litter that closely resembles the soil she's probably been squatting on outside. You may even want to opt for sand or topsoil in the litter box while the kitty figures out what it's supposed to be used for. You can start by placing the box next to the door leading outside and try to coax the cat into using it whenever she has the urge to go out. After the habit starts to stick, slowly move the box a little each day until you get it to the place where you want it to stay.   Indoor Stimulation Outdoor cats spend most of their days roaming the grounds and trying to find their next meal. Once this daily activity is taken away, your cat is likely to become bored if she's stuck inside all day. To combat the tedium, make sure to get plenty of cat toys that Fluffy can play with often. You should also clear a spot on the windowsill so that your kitty can spend part of the day surveying the world outside. Scratching posts and cat trees won't just protect your furniture--they will also keep your pal occupied and help her feel like this strange new place is actually her home.   Create a Safe Environment Depending on whether or not your new indoor cat has ever been allowed through the front door before, she may or may not know how to feel safe inside your home. If your cat is skittish and constantly hiding when you first let her in, don't be too alarmed. It's a good idea to dedicate one room of your house as a "cat sanctuary." Put Fluffy's toys and litter box in this room and keep her shut in until she starts to feel more comfortable. You should fill this room (and any others in which your cat will be allowed to roam) with plenty of adequate hiding places, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, or cat tunnels. Your kitty is more likely to be happy indoors if she feels like she can always find a safe place when necessary.   Break the Outdoor Habit At first, you should be prepared for Fluffy to make a mad dash toward the front door every time it's opened. You need to use caution as you begin the transition until your cat realizes that the outside world is no longer her domain. If your kitty has a hard time getting used to the new situation, try making loud noises outside the door or spraying water from outside so that she starts to make negative associations with the great outdoors. You should also give your cat plenty of positive reinforcement for sticking inside. Try tossing a treat away from the door before you leave, and give Fluffy plenty of praise when she uses the litter box instead of yowling to get out.   While transitioning your cat to live indoors may sound like a difficult endeavor, there's a good chance that she will quickly discover the benefits of living with a roof over her head. Once the learning experience is complete, Fluffy will be kept safe inside, and you will have a feline friend you can look forward to seeing when you come home each day.

  Dogs and cats are the ultimate human companions in contemporary society. So much so, that people end up self-identifying as either one type of person or another.  Dogs win the popularity contest easily, in both terms of ownership and self-identification. More people like dogs, and more people own them. What’s really interesting about pet ownership is what it says about the pet owners. According to recent studies, someone who considers themselves a cat person is more likely to be independent, creative, and somewhat neurotic. Whereas dog people end up being more eager to please, conscientious, and extroverted. These are of course, only slight differences, in between the 10 to 20 percent range, but are interesting findings nonetheless. These traits make perfect sense even at first glance. Dog ownership consists of attentive and hands on care, as well as a great deal of social interaction. Cats on the other hand require far less upkeep, and a more individualistic sort of companionship than can be expected from the pack animal mentality of their canine counterparts. The slightly off-kilter attitude of cats, their--shall we say finicky nature has had a very negative impact on their popularity. People are considerably more likely to be anti-cat, and anti-cat owner than with dogs. Though by looking through internet memes, you’d never guess it. This cat discrimination is probably due to a cat’s antisocial instincts. Cats are territorial creatures as well as fierce and formidable predators. For their size, they pack a lot of power and sharp surfaces into an adorable little package. People often misunderstand the best way to approach cats or take offense at their perceived snotty attitudes. It also doesn’t help that lonely spinsters occasionally settle in large houses with more than ten of them dwelling within. This all adds up to a negative vision of cats and cat people overall. However, this is a woefully inaccurate portrayal of only a single aspect of cats and their people. Cat resourcefulness, intelligence, and dynamic aptitude at problem solving can be witnessed in their owners as well. A recent British study cited in an article by The Telegraph reveals that cat owners are much more likely to have degrees from a university than dog owners are. Of course, this can be attributed to working longer hours and choosing a pet that better fits their lifestyles, but it is a curious coincidence. Dog people on the other hand don’t really suffer from any negative stereotypes. Unless they own pit bulls, but that’s a stigma that’s due in the most part to the savage and deplorable practice of dog fighting. Dogs generally get along well with anyone that doesn’t mind a wagging tail and the occasional lick on the face. Dog owners as well, have that reputation for being extroverts. It’s even rumored that single guys have been using puppies as an effective way to meet women… And by rumored, I mean confirmed. It totally works. Just make sure you’re adopting your pet for the right reasons!