Toilet training kittens can be a time consuming process, but it is important that you take the time to do this when they are young, as this will make it much easier for you when they are grown up as they will be more likely to use the litter trays provided rather than doing their business on the floor or furniture.

Equipment
Cats do not always like sharing litter trays, so if you have more than one kitten then you will need to buy at least two litter trays for them to use. Also make sure you have a good brand of litter sand that will absorb the fluids and smells, as this will also encourage the cats to use the tray inbetween cleaning times, and will also help to prevent too many smells in your home. Get some cleaning equipment as well such as a small shovel for the litter, some disinfectant and cleaning clothes, and try to clean the litter tray out every morning or at least once a day, as cats more likely to avoid using the litter tray if it is dirty.

Basic Training
Kittens that are under 6 weeks old are too young to respond to any kind of training stimulus, so you will need to wait until they are a bit older before you try any basic toilet training. If your kittens are still with their mother after 6 weeks then they may well learn to use the litter tray by following her example, so it is important you keep the tray clean and full of fresh litter during this time to encourage this. However if you have 6 week old kittens on their own then you will need to help them out, and direct their natural instinct to cover their wastes with soil or sand to the litter box. To begin watch your kitten have their meals and then when they have finished put them gently in the clean litter tray and let them get a feel for it.

Their natural instinct at first will be to go to the toilet shortly after eating, and so by giving them the perfect environment for disposing off their wastes you can encourage their natural instinct and eventually they will come to the litter tray on their own. Always place the litter tray in a quiet area against a wall away from the food bowls so that it feels safe and secluded, and don’t move it around as this will confuse the kitten.

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Cats can be very loving and placid pets that fit in well to family environments, but they can also be complex creatures that have a very strong predatory instinct, and a sedentary domestic lifestyle can often leave them with surplus energy. Cats can also become depressed and anxious, and this can lead them to misbehaving, either by being aggressive or by scratching furniture and urinating around the house.

Biting and Scratching

Cats often react to environmental or emotional pressures, and if they feel vulnerable due to illness or injury or feel threatened in any other way they can assume a natural self-defence of scratching and biting. Cats can also confuse owners by being aggressive for no reasons. This can often be a result of severe feelings of insecurity, such as strangers in the house, loud noises (building works, music etc) or moving home, and cats can also pick up on tension from other members in the house which can make them very anxious and confused. Cats can also get jealous of new pets or even new human members to the household, and this can make them feel neglected and lonely, which can also result in aggressive behaviour.

Most often cats that are not normally aggressive will give a ‘warning shot’, by scratching just once or twice before backing off, or by nipping rather than biting, which hurts but does not break the skin. If you persist in trying to interact with your cat past this point then they take more serious action by biting or scratching more severely, so take note of the warning and back off until your cat has calmed down and feels less threatened.

To help avoid aggression it is important that you never neglect your cat, and set some time aside every day to give them your undivided attention, either by playing a few games with them or by giving them a thorough groom. Feed your cat with different foods to keep their interest, as a momentous diet can also make them depressed and bored, and also make sure you have a proper cat bed so that they have a safe place to retreat to if visitors turn up or loud noises are going on in the house.

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There are many breeds of hairless dogs, from the popular Lhasa Apso to the Chinese Crested, and these unique pets require their own special care routine to keep them happy and in the very best of health. The benefits of owning hairless breeds include minimal dander, fleas and shedding, and so they are ideal for those people who suffer from pet allergies, but the lack of a protective coat also means that these hairless dogs are vulnerable to skin and dental problems and so do require careful looking after.

Skin Problems
Hairless dogs can suffer from a number of skin problems including allergies, infections and even acne, and they will need bathing regularly to remove dirt and allergens from their vulnerable skin. You will also need to be careful about taking hairless dogs out in extreme temperatures as they have little protection against the heat and cold, so in the winter a special dog sweater made with natural fibres will help to prevent them from getting cold outdoors, and a lightweight UV protective coat and also hypoallergenic sunscreen applied in the summer will help prevent them from getting sun burn. Hairless dogs can also suffer from dry skin, so only use a gentle dog shampoo when washing them and apply moisturizer often to keep the skin supple and smooth.

A healthy diet is also important in skin condition, so make sure you speak to your vet to get more advice on a suitable feeding plan for your hairless dog.

Dental Problems
Hairless dogs can suffer from problems with their teeth and gums, so you do need to book them in to the vets for a regular dental check up and dental hygiene session, which should help prevent conditions such as plaque, bad breath and problems caused to the heart, liver and kidneys by bacteria entering the blood stream through the gums.

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There are many breeds of medium long hair and ultra long hair cats, from Persian through to Balinese, and these need special care in order to prevent their coats from becoming unhealthy looking and tangled.

Cat Grooming
It is important that you groom long hair cats every day to prevent their coats from becoming matted, as when this happens it is not only uncomfortable for the cat, but will also be very difficult to untangle and you may end up having to shave sections of fur off in order to start again. Daily grooming will also help you to lessen the effects of shedding, which can get all over furniture and also cause your cat to get hairballs, and this will also help you to create a strong, loving bond with your pet.

It is very important to get your long hair cat used to grooming when they are a kitten, as you may have to tug the fur quite hard at times to tease out tangles, and adult cats who are not used to this can take a dislike to being groomed, and so this will make your job much more difficult. Cats that have been groomed since they were kittens will grow to love being brushed and petted every day, and will most likely stand there enjoying the attention for as long as you are willing to give it.

Cat Nutrition
A healthy balanced diet is also essential for ensuring that your long hair cat has a healthy coat, and you should also make sure your cat has a supply of clean fresh water, especially if you are feeding them dry foods. Speak to your vet about suitable diets for particular breeds, or you could buy pet food off the shelf that is designed for long hair cats, which will be balanced with most of the necessary vitamins and minerals they need.

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