Cat Grass
You might not be surprised to find a kitten chewing on an electrical cord. But why would an adult cat develop a sudden liking for this activity?

You may find your cell phone charger cord bitten in two or your iPod headphones suddenly not working due to a well-placed cat tooth. Besides the frustration and expense of replacing your things, you worry that kitty may get electrocuted if he chews a cord that is plugged into the wall.

Your feline is expressing a craving for grass. Yes, kitties like to chew on grass. But, you may not want to just open the door and let your pet graze in your yard. Besides the chance that the animal will run away, your lawn probably has chemicals on it to kill weeds or help it grow.

Enter cat grass also known as pet grass. This kind of grass is the type that many felines prefer and is totally safe for chewing. You can find it pre-grown and ready for consumption, or you can get kits that allow you to have a good stand in about ten days. If you are into gardening, you can purchase the seeds and grow it in one of your own containers.

My cats and dog love it. The cord-chewer even removed the grass, sod and all, from the container and hauled it around the house like a toy. So far, we have not had more chewed cords, but we are also being more diligent about keeping them away from the pets. Cell phone chargers are expensive!

Those thin cords like you find on chargers and headphones are more reminiscent of grass which is why cats are more likely to chew on them. Give your kitty a treat and save yourself from possible headaches by getting some cat grass!

Weight control is not only an issue for humans. Obese cats can have many health concerns, too. Why are so many kitties overweight?

Just like humans, many cats do not get enough exercise. Their owners have busy lives and may not have much time for playing with their pet. Bored felines have a tendency to rest and sleep more which means they don’t expend enough energy. In the wild, cats expend a tremendous amount of energy to hunt their prey so that they have something to eat. Modern kitties just have food dumped in their bowl and only have to make the effort to waddle to the food bowl.

Another culprit is the food that is fed. Many foods marketed to pets are not that nutritious and are overprocessed. Just like in people, a diet of unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain. Kitties love cat treats and people love to spoil their pets with them, but too many can cause the pounds to creep on.

For cats that eat dry food, many owners leave food out all day. Since the food is there, many felines will eat more than what they need. And, the owner can’t accurately measure how much the pet is taking in.

When a cat is obese, often diseases or other problems set in that further sap the animal’s energy levels and ability to exercise. This can often just lead to even more weight gain.

Since obese cats are prone to health problems and a shorter lifespan, work with your veterinarian to make sure that your kitty is on an appropriate diet. Take the time to play with your cat daily, and consider getting a feline playmate to give your kitty plenty of exercise.

Is your cat scratching its ears constantly or have a dark substance inside the ears? Your cat may have ear mites. Learn about what they are and what you can do to get rid of them.

Cat ear mites are tiny, white organisms that are difficult to see with the human eye. Not only can they infest your kitty’s ears, but they can also migrate to other parts of the cats body. However, they feed off the discharge and lining of the ear instead of other parts of the body.

Ear mites begin as an egg and three weeks after hatching, become an adult. Adults can live in the ear for about sixty days. Females are can deposit eggs every day, so you can see how a small infestation can grow rapidly.

Cats can display several symptoms if they have ear mites. They often will shake their heads or continuously scratch their ears. If you look inside the ear, you may see a dark material that resembles coffee grounds, and you may smell a foul odor.

If you suspect ear mites, your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian. There are various ear drops or other medications that can be given to kill the mites. You will also probably be advised to clean your kitty’s ears daily.

If the condition goes untreated, serious infection can result. This could even cause the eardrum to rupture. Therefore, it is very important that you get your cat treatment if you suspect an infestation.

Ear mites are very contagious. If you have other cats or pets in the home such as dogs, they are likely to be infected, too. If one pet is found to have ear mites, you will need to get your other pets examined by a veterinarian and treated at the same time to help eradicate the problem.

Ear mites can be very uncomfortable for your kitty and may lead to serious complications if untreated. Make examining your cat’s ears a regular habit to catch this condition before damage is done.