There are some real good reasons why we don’t often have to bathe cats. First of all, they typically do a good job of grooming themselves. Secondly, they hate it. If you find yourself needing to bathe your cat, follow these steps to get the job done.

Step 1: Put on a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt. Your cat will attempt to scratch you during his bath and you should attempt to protect yourself. (You can’t really blame him can you?) Read more

The addition of a new kitten into your family is always a joy whether it’s a pre-planned or spontaneous event. But with this addition comes much responsibility and usually one of the first orders of business is taking that kitten to the vet. Typically, the first question that needs answering is “At what age should I take my new kitten to the vet?” In addition to dishes, food, litter boxes, and toys, make sure that you need to know when to take the kitten to the vet for its first checkup.

There really isn’t a hard and fast rule established for the age at which the first visit to the vet should occur, although it is often recommended that you make an appointment within 24 to 72 hours of bringing the kitten home. Sometimes, taking the kitten to the vet when you are initially heading home with the kitten is a preference. A lot of the planning will relate to the circumstances behind bringing that kitten home.

For instance, in the case of kitten rescues or an urgent adoption, it may not be possible to take the kitten to the vet immediately. However, you should make every effort to get the cat to the vet in timely fashion. Should this be the case, you should take steps to quarantine the kitten from the other cats in the house (if there are others). Typically, the bathroom is the ideal candidate for kitten quarantine headquarters. Make sure that the kitten has food and water, as well as their own litter box as well.

The purpose of the quarantine is obvious – it reduces the chances of spreading disease or parasites to the other cats in the house. All too often, kittens are made available for adoption too early in their little lives. If it is possible, and you know that the kitten is still with the mother in the nursing stage, wait to adopt until they are about 9 to 10 weeks of age. This allows for three important aspects to occur:

· optimal health benefits (from the nursing stage)

· socialization process (giving the kitten time to adjust to its surroundings)

· weaning time (psychological effects on both mother cat and kitten)

So, for the purposes of health, socialization, and weaning, a kitten that is 9 to 10 weeks old benefits the most. If you notice that your kitten is sneezing or apparently having other health issues, remember that their first vaccination may have to wait until he or she is healthy. Additionally, it is suggested that you take a fecal sample to the vet with you as well.

The general rule of thumb with new kittens is that they should receive their first vaccinations between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks. If the mother cat has a healthy track record and has been receiving the proper veterinary care, then the kitten has a better chance of following suit. Again, circumstances will mandate how this is handled. In certain situations, kittens won’t have the luxury of the time factor if they are placed in the adoptive home. However, if the kitten is 6 weeks old or younger, take the kitten to the vet at your earliest convenience.

Cat health insurance is a great way to protect your feline from illness and injury. For literally a few bucks per month you can have peace of mind no matter what comes your way.

Taking good care of your cat requires diligence, awareness, and some monetary investment. As maintenance is the critical factor in preventing serious problems from occurring and minimizing the impact when issues do arise, going to the vet for 1 to 2 checkups per year is an essential minimum.

Many cat health insurance plans will cover routine visits to the vet. These regular office visits should consist of yearly vaccines, fecal and blood samples, and a thorough physical examination.

Without insurance you could expect to spend $75 to $200 per visit, per cat, depending on your exact regimen and the pricing in your region. A good cat insurance provider can save you substantially, even with 50% to 70% coverage.

Aside from your regularly scheduled exams, there is always the chance your cat(s) will need to go to the vet for unexpected reasons. Felines are potentially vulnerable to an entire range of specific ailments and diseases.

Problems like feline leukemia, distemper, and feline dental lesions are all very serious in nature, and likely to require expensive treatment. Cat health insurance will cover medical expenses associated with these and other illnesses.

Aside from pathological setbacks, felines are naturally prone to accident because of their curious and adventurous natures. Cat health insurance will help you pay for such traumas as vehicle accidents, poisoning, bite wounds, and more.

It’s not difficult to find cat insurance that offers coverage of 70%, 90%, and even 100%. And in many cases your deductible will be a very nominal $50 to $100.

In the event you accrue a veterinary bill of $1,000 or more (not uncommon by any means), a cat healthcare plan can make the difference between a major financial setback and a reasonable outlay. You should have no trouble finding numerous testimonials from cat owners who have saved tremendously because of their insurance policy.

Cat health insurance is available in a wide range of policy structures. You can choose a plan that covers only accidents, a program that handles accidents and selected illness, or even a complete system that supports all injury & disease, and includes a wellness plan.

Any good cat insurance company will provide you with a totally free quote. And you can then select your exact level of coverage according to your budget.

For many people, the question arises: What if I pay my cat health insurance for many years and my feline never gets ill or injured?

If this happens, congratulations! Your cat has led an amazingly healthy and fortunate life! And your insurance payments have allowed you to enjoy great peace of mind all the while.

It’s worth pointing out that all insurance, whether automotive, home, or health is largely about the comfort derived from knowing your coverage exists. Even if you never have to use your insurance plan, having it available will reduce your worry significantly.

And you can’t put a price tag on the peace and comfort of knowing you’ll be able to take good care of your feline friends no matter what comes up. These wonderful little creatures provide you with unconditional love and companionship for many years, it stands to reason that you return the favor by keeping them as safe as possible.