Feral cats and kittens are an interesting dilemma. They capture our hearts and imaginations, and just leaving feral felines, even particularly unsociable ones, to the elements doesn’t sit well in the cat lover’s conscience. So what to do? Can you tame a feral cat? Let’s take a deeper look into this question, and some possible solutions to the feral cat conundrum. What are Feral Cats? First off, a feral cat is not domesticated. They don’t like people. They're distrustful of them, and will hiss and spit at their approach. Or just look to avoid human contact entirely. Feral cats shouldn’t be confused with stray cats. Strays are domesticated cats that have been abandoned, or have run away. These may still be skittish, but ultimately they are much more open to human contact than their feral cousins. Taming Feral Cats As a rule, taming feral cats is very difficult, if not impossible. This isn’t always the best solution. However, there have been recorded cases of successful domestications.   It is a long process that takes plenty of pet know-how, and even more patience. However, if you’re willing to take on the odds then you should follow this basic procedure: Leave out some food, and give them plenty of space. Cat’s respond to food and it usually is the number one builder of trust.   Be patient. This bond you’re trying to build may take weeks, months, or years to manifest. Never approach the cat. Let it come to you. It has to be the one to take the initiative. Just speak sweetly and leave the food bowl out, then go back to your house. Set a routine with feeding, and stick to it. Cats are creatures of habit. If they know food is coming at regular intervals, they’ll make sure to be on time. Also make a signal noise to indicate feeding time. You could whistle, call out “dinner time!” or something to that effect. After some time has passed, a few months perhaps, try sitting outside while they eat. It might not work at first, or at all, but this is the logical next step. Just don’t look at the cat while you’re outside with it. It’ll feel threatened. Eventually, if the cat accepts your presence during meals, it may want to check you out. Don’t try to pet it, or even move toward it. Resist the urge to pet. Leave your hand dangling, and it might start rubbing against that. Just be patient and allow the cat to take the initiative. Take things slow, and in due course, you may make a friend out of the feral feline. Always be wary of bites and scratches, and remember to move in a patient and sequential manner. If this intricate animal whispering process doesn’t sound ideal, then you will have to look for other options. Join us again tomorrow for part 2 of this post, and we’ll examine these other options together.  

We’ve gone through the basics of trimming dog’s nails and how to cut cat nails. Now it’s time go over the final details to make any claw clipping session a successful effort. First, let’s review the commonalities between clipping dog’s nails and cat’s nails. With either pet, you’ll need to get them acclimated to the idea of paw handling before ever attempting to trim those talons. You also can use similar tools for either canine or feline feet. These tools include guillotine, scissor, and plier style clippers.. Finally, for both dogs and cats you’ll need to cut above the quick of the nail or you’ll cause bleeding and pain for the animal in question. Now onto the unknown! When things go wrong while claw clipping, as they are occasionally bound to do, it’s important to have a backup plan. So if you accidentally clip a little too high and notice some blood flow accompanied by an uncomfortable cry from your animal, you’ll need to patch that wound up ASAP. That’s where a little bit of Styptic powder comes in very handy. Styptic powder is an Antihemorrhagic, which is doctor speak for something that stops bleeding. Apply this to the end of the claw, (assuming the animal will stay still enough for you to do so) and any leakage will be put to a stop in short order. If you don’t have any styptic powder, some cornstarch or flour can do in a pinch. The next thing you need to consider is a scenario where your dog or cat absolutely refuses to sit still and allow this process to continue. This can be a real mess. If you can, restrain the pet with your forearms placed firmly over their shoulders and hips. This weighs them down at the joints and makes it more difficult for them to move, however squirming isn’t completely eliminated. If this doesn’t work then you might need to recruit a friend to help hold the animal in place. And if that doesn’t work either , then you have no choice but to take your pet to the veterinarian’s office for assistance. Many vets will offer reasonably priced nail cuts for an unruly pet. In the most extreme circumstances this means putting a pet under anesthesia, but that is a very rare scenario reserved for behaviorally challenged pets who’s claws may end up growing into their own paws. One more thing to consider is what might happen without regular trimmings. In short, if left unchecked dog and cat nails will continue growing in ever shaper curves that will cut into their feet causing painful sores or be more prone to cracking, or tearing off when snagged. Thus cutting dogs claws as well as cats can be a very important preventative measure for their health. That about covers the bulk of the basic information on cutting your pet’s claws. So remember to keep it trim, and always come visit the Pet Bucket blog for helpful tips on pet care. Until next time!

Welcome to part 2 of our series on how to cut your pet’s nails. Today we’ll be discussing the basics of clipping claws on cats. Luckily, if you read yesterday’s post, there’s a lot of overlap in feline and canine nail cutting techniques. However, cats are notoriously less social than dogs are so it might be a bit more difficult if you don’t work extra hard on conditioning your cat for trimming nails. Conditioning your Cat This process works very similarly to the one for dogs. You have to start handling a cat’s paws immediately. They are less likely to sit still for it, and much more likely to give you a painful bite or swat for your trouble. So to avoid a trip to the first aid kit, it would behoove you to wait for an ideal opportunity. Wait until your cat is taking one of its dozen daily naps and softly touch its paw. Most cats can’t stand this, so they’ll either pull away, or walk away. Don’t force the issue. If the cat is finished then let it be. However, every time you get the opportunity this is a process you should repeat. It’s best to combine paw handling with regular petting as well. That way the cat will start to associate their paws being touched with pleasant sensations. Eventually, the cat will become comfortable with you touching its paws. Now’s the time to take it a step further, and inspect the paw. Use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the cat’s finger joints. This will unsheathe the cat’s claws. You can see from there whether there are any splits or cracks. Those are clear signs it’s time for claw clipping. Claw Clipping Tools Many of the same tools used for trimming nails on dogs can be used for cat claws as well. However, a rotary tool should never be used on a cat, and scissors style clippers should only be used on the dew claw, which tends to grow in a circle because it isn’t ground down while walking or clawing. You can even use a regular pair of human nail clippers. Just make sure to be extra cautious. Quick Tips If you think your dog was upset when you accidentally trimmed too far, you’ll be shocked at the cat’s reaction. They’ll never forgive you. Cat quicks are easy to avoid because of their lightly colored claws. You can clearly see the pink hued quick within. If you have an especially squirmy kitty, have a friend hold it still while you’re claw clipping. Otherwise place your forearms firmly over the cat’s shoulders and hips to hold it in place while you’re trimming. Finishing Touches You’ll find it easier to clip more than one claw at a time in most cases, so fit as many claws beyond the cutting line as possible, make sure you aren’t beyond the quick, and make a surgical strike. It’s also best to keep nail trimming on a schedule. Once every 10 to 14 days is good. And never ever try to cut cat nails when the animal is agitated. It won’t go well. That’s all for today’s post. Check back again tomorrow for our final summation on animal claw clipping!

While most cats are usually lovable, adorable, and infinitely happy to be caressed, there are times when a feline can become aggressive. Curbing that aggression can be easier said than done. Cats are complex and moody creatures with a penchant for being unmanageable when they’re apt. Discovering why cats bite can be a lot of work. Understanding feline aggression means recognizing the signs of an outburst and knowing the causes thereof.   Causes of Cat Aggression: Play - When a cat, especially a young one, is at play it exhibits natural predator behavior. This means it’s swatting with claws out, scratching, and biting. This could be aimed at your hand or foot. They might even try to sneak attack you while you’re rounding a corner. Territorial- Cats are extremely territorial towards one another. If introduced in close proximity to another feline, your cat might have an adverse reaction. Prey- Cats are skilled predators. They’re stealthy, quick, agile, and they possess sharp claws and teeth great for eviscerating small prey. Their natural evolutionary drives have left them with a strong urge to attack and kill smaller birds or rodents. This can be one of the most difficult types of cat aggression to stop. Fear – When an unfamiliar and unwelcome stimulus pops up on the cat’s idyllic world they can often show unwanted aggression. This can be towards strangers, other animals, or even unfamiliar objects being introduced into their environments Pain- This is sort of a no brainer, but if a cat is suffering from some sort of medical condition, or is simply mishandled this can lead to hissing, scratching, and biting. Even long after the fact, in the case of injury. Misplaced- Cats can also get worked up by something they see and then immediately turn that anger toward another person or animal. An example of this could be a cat seeing something that displeases it outside the window, i.e. another cat, a bird, etc.; and then attacking you when you try to shoo it off of the window sill. Signs of Cat Aggression: Cats have body language just like people. It’s important to be able to read your cat, and learning to do that precisely will take time and observation. However, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look out for like dilated pupils, a twitching tail, a low crouch with feet tucked under, and ears that are quickly flicking back and forth. What to Do? First off, never punish your cat physically. It does nothing, they don’t understand it, and it’s likely to increase anxiety which will in turn increase aggression.  Secondly, take the cat to a vet. Many aggression issues are due to physical discomfort which a vet visit can quickly clear up. You can also quit paying any attention. Often a cat’s frustration is due to something you’re doing. As soon as they begin to exhibit aggressive behavior, simply walk away. Most importantly, if problems persist, you’ll need to see a pet behaviorist to diagnose and solve a problem with specificity.

The human to kitty cat connection can be quite caustic on occasion.  Unlike their canine counterparts, cats, while cute, are known to be quite hostile to humans they haven’t bonded with. Unfortunately, bonding with an angry kitty isn’t exactly an easy endeavor. It takes patience, perception, and more than a few cat treats. In an effort to curb chaotic human/feline relations, today we’ll talk about the steps necessary to courting a particularly cautious cat. To begin with, it’s important to note that not all cats are going to bond with everyone. Bonding with a cat is a delicate process, complicated by the fact that many of them are just downright finicky. However, with a little bit of can do attitude, and a lot of effort anything is possible. Unless your cat's feral. If that’s the case, you’re up a creek. But for today’s purposes let’s assume that you didn’t kidnap a bobcat from the forest, and start with some simple methods to bond with a cat. Some cats will walk right into your house like they own the place, others will be terribly frightened. You’ll need to isolate the latter in a small room so as to keep them from being overwhelmed. Fill this room with cat toys and treats. Don’t approach the cat, but patiently let it approach you. This may take a while, but it’s all part of caring for cats. If you’ve got a kitten on your hands then it’s important to expose it to as many people as possible and always arrange these circumstances to indicate a positive experience around human beings. Cats are very impressionable and inquisitive in their first month and a half of life. So if you manage to create some happy early memories of play time with people, it will likely create a lasting impression. Cat bonding can be elucidated with both petting and play. However, not all cats are created equal and many will far prefer one to the other. Figure out what your cat’s preferences are and shower them in their choice of affections. If a cat isn’t a fan of close physical contact, try the trusty laser pointer, or a toy with a long string. Eventually, your cat will become comfortable enough to approach you for physical contact. Another important facet of socializing a cat is the feeding. Cats associate their owners with provisions, and it’s probably the most important part of the relationship. Always establish specific feeding times, and never leave food out for the cat all day. If you do, your prominent role in the cat’s daily routine is severely marginalized. Finally it’s important to pay attention to the signals the cat is sending. Tail twitching? Are its pupils dilated? Best to give the kitty some space. Keep these tips in mind and you should no trouble socializing a cat. Just stay patient, and you’ll have a caring kitty companion in no time!

Man’s best friend has been responsible for a lot of wonderful human advancements throughout the ages. Thanks to the domestication of dogs, humans gained the ability to herd other domesticated animals and support ever larger populations. Dogs have been guards, babysitters, watchmen, hunters, and rescue personnel among numerous other nifty vocations. But in their ongoing effort to outdo themselves in pursuit of our affections, now dogs can smell cancer. And yes, the cats are furiously accusing them of being over achievers. So jealous. Dogs detect cancer by smelling the waste products of tumors. Usually, something as simple as a breath sample, taken from patients and stored in tubes, can be presented to one of these lifesaving scent connoisseurs, and from that single exhalation they can sniff out serious health conditions. In the case of dogs detecting cancer, they sniff out tiny particles called alkanes as well as some unknown aromatic compounds that are generated as waste byproducts in tumor cell production. The researchers working on these findings managed to train the dogs to examine a large amount of these scent samples. They were trained to ignore the ones from patients lacking cancerous cells in their system, but they would sit or lay down in front of the samples that smelled a little more deadly. For their efforts they were rewarded with tasty food treats and clicker noises. The amount of cancers dogs can detect isn’t limited either. Through use of stool samples dogs can sense bowel and bladder cancer as well as lung from the breath smells. For once the canine tendency to sniff butts might come in handy. Incredibly, dogs have a sense of smell that is on average 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than the human olfactory sense. This stupendously sharp schnozzle is effective, (according to various estimates) anywhere between 93 and 99 percent of the time. This has led to a lot of differing opinions on practical application of dogs as healthcare professionals. Dogs are already in widespread use as ambassadors of goodwill in elderly homes and terminally ill wards in hospitals all over. Thus many medical researchers are suggesting that thoroughly trained tumor tracing hounds be on hand for diagnostic purposes as well. That would mean a hospital dog could be as common as a drug or bomb detecting canine. On the other side of the spectrum, many suggest that cancer detecting dogs should be used in labs to determine which compounds are actually being found as x factors in the detection process. That way the researchers can develop advanced detection equipment and let the dogs get back to rolling in the mud. Where ever they end up, you can bet that they’ll show up with tongues lolling and tails wagging at the prospect of being helpful to their human counterparts. Man’s best friend is always going the extra mile to try and help out an owner in need, but this latest battery of good deeds might just end up saving lives. Keep checking back for more informative pet news from the friendly folks at Petbucket.com!    

We’re picking up right where we left off from yesterday with part two of our list of common cat ailments and their symptoms. First up is… Feline Panleukopenia This condition is caused by a virus and is most commonly known as feline distemper. Though any cat can contract this illness, kittens are most at risk. Distemper is a contagious infection usually spread through litter boxes. If infected, your cat may become listless and lethargic. They may have severe diarrhea, vomiting, and refuse to eat or drink. Their skin will become dry due to dehydration, and fur may fall out or begin to look dull. If you suspect distemper, get to your vet as soon as possible. Distemper can be diagnosed through the observation of symptoms, or a white blood cell count. There is no medication to fight the virus but an antibiotic will be administered to fight off secondary infections. The bad news is that distemper is very difficult to fight off, and many cats die from the infection. Fortunately, there is a vaccine, and cats should be vaccinated against distemper while they’re kittens as part of routine veterinary care. Chronic Kidney Failure Kidney failure is most common in senior cats. Their kidneys begin to deteriorate and lose their ability to properly remove waste from the blood stream. Symptoms include: constipation, lack of appetite, lethargy, and nausea. As the kidneys fail they require more liquid to process toxins. Eventually, the cat can’t drink enough water and the toxins begin to affect its entire body. Your veterinarian will most likely use blood and urine tests to confirm kidney failure. There is no cure for renal failure but your veterinarian may be able to suggest treatments that prolong your cat's life. Common treatments include an IV drip or even a dialysis machine. This special machine can help your pet filter the toxins, but is also be very costly. Diabetes Much like people, cats can develop diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to properly maintain blood sugar levels. If diabetes isn’t properly diagnosed it can drastically shorten a cat’s lifespan. Early symptoms of feline diabetes may include increased appetite with no weight gain or even weight loss in your pet. Excessive drinking and urination is also common. As the disease progresses your cat becomes less active and their coat loses its luster. They could also experience weakness, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. Breathing will become labored and signs of dehydration will be evident. Your veterinarian will run both blood and urine tests to screen your cat for diabetes. If the results are positive there are a number of treatments available depending on the severity of the disease. Many cats will require insulin shots once or twice a day along with a special diet. A very sick cat will need to be treated for dehydration and other issues before insulin and diet can help. Your veterinarian will work out a treatment for your pet as needed.  So be on the lookout for these common cat ailments, and take good care of your favorite feline companion!  

Despite great interest, there is a lack of common knowledge about cat healthcare.  Oftentimes, we’re at a loss when our sick cats seem out of sorts. It can make you feel helpless. Spotting symptoms early will lead to quick treatment, and less overall stress for your pet. Remember that only your veterinarian can properly diagnose and treat a sick cat's illnesses, but in the name of preparedness: here’s a short list of common illnesses, the symptoms, and the general treatment a veterinarian might offer.   Urinary Tract Infection Cats can get urinary tract infections just like people. Signs of this in cats will vary depending on circumstance. Many cats will whine when using the litter box, and you might find blood in their urine. They may also have accidents even if they are otherwise housetrained. You may notice your cat making frequent trips to the box but they seem to have trouble doing their business. UTI’s will range significantly in severity and you may not even know that there is a problem. These extremely mild cases will most often clear up before you become aware of an issue. If however, you do notice something’s wrong, it’s probably time to visit your veterinarian. Antibiotics are the common first step in treating UTI’s and will most likely clear up the problem so long as it’s diagnosed early. Your veterinarian should do a series of tests to determine the origin of the problem. In some cases, the infection may spread to the kidney and the situation becomes more complicated. Your kitty could be in a lot of pain. If you see any of these symptoms, make an appointment as soon as possible. Because any blockage that prevents your cat from urinating can become life threatening very quickly. Upper Respiratory Infection This is much like a human cold. The good news is that it’s rare for an indoor pet to contract this infection. This illness is contagious and one cat must come in contact with another to catch it. If your cats stay inside and you don't go around petting every sick kitty you see then you probably don’t have to worry about it. Cats that do go outside however, are significantly more at risk. A cat with a respiratory infection will sneeze, cough, have a runny nose, or even develop a fever. You may also notice watery eyes and a raspy meow. In many cases, this is only a minor annoyance to the cat and veterinarian’s visits won’t be needed. If you notice your cat is not eating or drinking or seems lethargic, they may be very sick so schedule a visit ASAP. URI’s are generally caused by viruses. Antibiotics are generally administered not to treat the virus but to hold off any secondary bacterial problems that can pop up while your cat is sick. Your veterinarian may also give your cat medications to break up mucus so your cat can breathe easier. In severe cases your cat may become dehydrated and will require a fluid drip. That’s all for now, Check back tomorrow for part 2 of this list!

Sometimes keeping a steady job can be difficult. Especially if you have a pet at home who’s attention starved and lonely. Those ten hour shifts won’t work themselves and if you happen to be living the bachelor(ette) lifestyle it can be an easy thing to let your animal companions fall into neglect. Pets feed on human attention at almost the same rate they feed on their kibbles and bits, but you’ve got to work, so what’s to be done? Well, luckily for you there is a whole section of professionals dedicated to helping your provide your pet with the care that they deserve. Professional pet sitters are common, affordable, and flexible enough to mesh with almost any schedule.  However, seeing as you care so much for your dog or cat that you feel the need to provide for them while you’re away, it’s probably pretty important to you to make sure that you’re hiring someone with credentials, character, and enough experience to get the job done right. So how do you pick the perfect pet professional? There are a few important steps to take whenever letting anyone have access to your home and beloved dog or cat. First off you need to determine exactly what you’re going to require. Does your pet need more than one daily visit? How long do they need to spend with your pet? Are there other services you’ll require, like getting the mail, watering the plants, etc.? All these factors and more will affect the price of your pet sitter. Just make certain you have track of all the variables involved. Next you need to go through the screening, interviewing, and hiring processes. Those of you with managerial experience will find this to be a familiar task. First, you need to find a reliable set of sitters from which to peruse. Used to be you’d have to consult your Yellow pages. That’s technically still an option if you’re feeling old school, but with the world wide web network to browse, paper and ink might be more of a time waster than anything else.  Care.com or Craigslist are good places to start. The aforementioned yellow pages do have a website as well. There’s also a couple of national pet sitter hotlines: Pet Sitters International (336-983-9222) or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (856-439-0324). You’ll also need to get through an interview process. Don’t just stick with your first inquiry. Build a list of potential pet sitters, and screen them all by phone. They’ll give you a list of references which you should look into individually to confirm that they aren’t just scammers or unqualified. If you’re feeling extra cautious you can pay to have a background check performed as well. Although that’s pushing the line of paranoia, still you can’t be too careful when it comes to home security. There’s plenty more to cover on such a complex subject , So this post will have to be concluded tomorrow.  Stay tuned for more advice on picking professional pet sitters!                        

Everyone hears about how owning a pet can improve their quality of life. However, it’s easy to take such claims with a grain of salt. Perhaps if people knew to a greater degree the benefits of pets, they may just go out and adopt a litter all to themselves! With the aim of education in mind, let’s take a look at some of the incredible ways our animal companions can have a significant effect on our health. For starters, pets increase serotonin and decrease cortisol. These two chemicals are associated with pleasure and stress, respectively. So the first health benefit of pet ownership is quite literally, medicinal-quality mood enhancement. Their very presence can alter human body chemistry! That alone is incredible, but the pet ownership perks don’t stop there. It’s also been shown that a lower resting blood pressure rate is one of the benefits of pets. They’ve even been attributed with the ability to relieve hypertension in children to a small degree.  Pet owners on average are usually less prone to high cholesterol and triglyceride counts, although no direct link between the animal and these health benefits have been established. It may be that people who own pets are predisposed to having a healthier lifestyle in which they go on daily walks, engage in more activity, and are less sedentary by default. Dogs and cats both actually have significant statistical impacts on heart disease as well, with cat owners  being far less susceptible to cardiac problems than their fellow folk who are rocking it feline free . Similarly, dog owners who did suffer heart attacks and survived are far more likely to make full recoveries within one year after their attacks take place, as compared to people without dogs that is. While pet ownership is a handful no matter what kind of animal you keep, dogs in particular have a habit of keeping you on your feet and moving. Because of their constant need for walks, outdoor play, and physical interaction, dog owners tend to have a far less prevalent occurrence of obesity and associated weight problems.  Combine these pet benefits with an Atkins diet and you’ll be beach ready in no time! Although dogs have an advantage in the physical fitness category, cats have a corner on the market of creepy intangible pet benefits. For some unknown and unquantifiable reason, cat owners are far less likely to suffer a stroke. The debilitating blood clots to the brain that can doom a person to a lifetime of paralyzed facial features can be prevented by having an odd furry roommate you’ve taught to poop in a box. Life certainly has its mysteries. Perhaps that’s why the Egyptians worshiped them. Regardless of whether you prefer a precious purring pussycat or a dutiful and delightful doggy, you can rest assured that owning either puts you ahead of the game in the health department. These are actually only a few of the incredible health benefits that pet ownership can provide. So remember to give your animal companion an extra treat for all that they do to protect their families!   Image via 55 weeks of photography blog