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Best Nail Clippers for Cats 2019

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

In order to trim your cat’s nails, you need to pay full attention and care so that he won't get accidentally injuries. Sure, every cat owner wants to get a smooth and comfortable experience so that their pet won't be averse to next grooming.

Therefore, it’s important to know how to properly trim your pet’s nails. To do this, the first thing you need is to choose the right tools for the job done. It may be not easy to choose the best ones if you don’t know what to look for. Keep reading this post, we will help you.

Importance of Trimming Claws

It’s not hard to understand why we need to trim our cat’s claws. If their claws grow too long, they can hurt you if you happen to get in their way. Moreover, their claws may damage your sofa, drapes, carpet, as well as furniture at home.

The fact is that shorter claws can make your cat more relaxed. Trimming claws can help to prevent painful nails once they get caught in the carpet.

Styles of Cat Nail Clippers

When it comes to styles of cat nail clippers, they are divided into 4 main types. Now, let’s learn about each of them as below:

Scissors Style Trimmer

This type is a regular pair of scissors. This type is hard to clip your cat’s nails with a long blade. Also, it offers the contoured cutting edge. So, this device can fit perfectly a nail in. You know, regular scissors are made with straight blades.

Actually, this type is a popular choice because it’s familiar to everyone. It ensures to give your cat’s nails a solid cut because of the most intuitive and simplistic.

Pliers Style Trimmer

This is another style of trimmers. These trimmers are identical to that of regular pliers. If you are looking for a better grip, this type is a good choice for you. These trimmers come with superior leverage. So, they can offer a stronger cut when compared to a scissor style trimmer.

With these trimmers, you can speed up your grooming process. Many cat owners choose this type because of its grip and stronger cut when compared to a scissor style trimmer. These devices can be able to handle tough nails.

Guillotine Style Trimmer

The guillotine style trimmer comes with a ring on the head. Also, it has a blade in close proximity. Actually, this one may be difficult for a novice to deal with because sometimes it’s not easy to anticipate where you will cut.

This trimmer comes with a small gap located between its ring of the head. Moreover, there is the path of the blade. You know, it’s not simple to keep your furry friend for a long time so that you can fit his claw through the ring. But, this will become simple if you work around.

You just need to manage to align properly. Then, it can be very quick to cut. This is also an advantage of this style. You can receive great leverage to make a lot of force thanks to the handles. Therefore, you can easily get clean cuts without having any breaking or splintering.

Electric Style Trimmer

This type is reminiscent of a nail grinder for cats. It comes with the same pitfall. These devices can be able to reduce the risks of trimming too short because of its safety features. Moreover, these trimmers can handle quite well due to an operating perspective.

However, many owners don’t choose this type because of the noise. It can make your cat scared when trimming. Indeed, it’s difficult to keep your pet calm until you finish the trimming process. Also, you have to take some time to trim through your pet’s nails. However, it’s a good option for squirmy cats.

Top 5 Best Cat Nail Clippers

1. Safari 770045 Professional Nail Trimmer

This is a cheap and durable nail trimmer. Also, it’s a lightweight one. This device is easy to use and maneuver. This trimmer is made of stainless steel. You can get a sharp cutting edge from it. If you are looking for a reasonably priced machine, it’s for you.

It allows you to cut through big claws. Besides, it includes a metal plate. It’s easy to use and control because it has a soft grip. Moreover, it’s easy to avoid the quick. You won’t worry about cutting the nails too deep. There are locking blades that help to avoid accidental cuts when you don’t use the clipper.

However, this unit has some drawbacks. It can scare your cat because of the noise it makes. Because it is designed with the metal plate, it may become lose after you use it for a few weeks. It has no warranty.

2. Whisker Wishes Veterinarian Grade Pet Clippers

This option is perfect for both left and right-handed people. Just like the previous mentioning, it’s cheap and lightweight. Every cat owner can easily use it.

It’s a good choice for durability because of high-quality stainless steel blades. It helps you handles the thickest of claws. However, you need little pressure if you want to deal with cat claws.

This clipper is great for those who have arthritis because they don’t need a lot of pressure to cut their cat’s claws. You needn’t worry about that it can slip through your fingers because of rubber coated handles.

It provides users with handy tips on how to use the trimmer properly. Then, you can prevent your cat from getting pain during the clipping process. This clipper is available in 2 stylish designs, including white and violet.

Furthermore, this cat clipper can keep your pet calm because it doesn't make a lot of noise, unlike most products in the market.

However, it comes with no warranty. And, it’s not a great choice for users with large hands to control.

3. Four Paws Magic Coat Cat Claw Clipper

Another lightweight cat clipper is the Four Paws Magic Coat Cat Claw Clipper. It is accompanied by a long warranty for durability. Because it’s lightweight, it’s easy to use and maneuver.

It comes with curved edges, so it’s easy to make a clean cut without breaking or crushing it. You can choose this clipper to cut small cat claws. Your cat won't be distracted during the clipping process because this clipper is very quiet. Furthermore, this is a cheap clipper.

However, it comes with small finger holes. So, it’s not great for people with large fingers. Also, it has a too tight hinge. So, it doesn’t offer smooth cuts. Moreover, it can get stuck at times.

4. Cat Nail Clippers by Kitty Nails

Although it’s listed as one of the best nail clippers for cats, it's not the most durable one. It’s a good choice for vets and professional groomers. You can easily handle because its design is similar to a pair of scissors.

It allows you to easily cut through your cat’s claws without hurting him. Also, it may be used on other animals such as rabbits, dogs, and birds. This clipper is made of high-quality steel for many years long lasting.

This option is ideal for cat owners who don’t have experience in clipping their cat’s claws. It’s an affordable choice.

However, it comes with small finger holes, so it’s hard for people with large fingers to handle it. It may easily get stuck. Plus, it comes with no warranty.

5. Kurma Pet Supplier Best Cat Nail Clipper and Trimmer

This clipper is sharp and easy to use. It comes with a good safety lock feature. So, you can keep it in a closed place. It’s packed with stainless steel blades. It allows you to cut through the thickest of your cat claws.

You can easily clean the blades. Also, this is an adjustable blade, so you can adjust to trim any nail size. It has a guard safety to help you prevent clipping of the quick.

It comes with an instruction card. Read it if you want to know how to use the clipper properly. It’s suitable for most hand sizes. In addition, there is a comfortable grip. So, it’s not essential to worry about that the clipper slipping out of your hands.

However, this product is more expensive a bit when compared to the other clippers in our list today.

How to Select a Cat Nail Clipper

There are some important things you have to look into when choosing a cat nail clipper. Look at the following info for details:

Handle

For owners who don’t have pet used to having his claws clipped, it may be a challenge to clip their pet’s nails. That’s why it’s vital to look for a comfortable cat clipper to easily handle. These products allow you to avoid the chances of hurting your pet while clipping his claws.

Experience level

The best clipper for inexperienced users is the scissor style trimmer. On the contrary, the guillotine style trimmers are more suitable for experienced users.

Safety features

Sure, you will want to get a nail trimmed designed with safe locking blades, right? These blades actually allow you to avoid accidents when you don’t use the clipper.

Blade

It’s best to look for cat nail clippers made from stainless steel material. They can be able to last for a long time. Also, they ensure to help cut through the thickest of your cat’s nails with ease.

Weight

A lightweight cat nail clipper can make it easier to trim your cat’s claws. When looking for a cat nail clipper, you should consider ones that weigh less than a pound. It allows you to easily handle it. Avoid choosing a heavy cat nail clipper.

Sound

When shopping for a cat nail clipper, it’s best to choose products that make less noise when in use. In fact, most cats tend to be scared of the noise that nail clippers make. As a result, these cats may run away having their claws trimmed.

How to Trim a Cat’s Nails

After choosing the right nail clipper, the next thing to do is to know how to use it properly. Most vets advice cat owners to trim their cats while still young. This purposes to make your cat get used to the process early.

Don’t forget to make your furry friend relaxed first to use cat claw trimmers safely. To do this, you can teach your pet to lie on his back. Remember to reward him with easy-to-consume treats like small pieces of tuna.

Once your cat feels comfortable, it’s time to make him comfortable when having his claws handled. When clipping his claws, don’t cut the colored pink middle part of the claw. Otherwise, it can lead to bleeding and pain.

Be patient when clipping your pet’s claws. You may have to take 10 minutes to finish this process. If you accidentally cut his claws quickly, apply potassium of permanganate immediately in order to stop the bleeding.

Also, you can use ordinary household flour to prevent the bleeding in around five minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7KcGivV0-I

Conclusion

All of the cat nail clipper products mentioned above are solid choices for you when it comes to the best nail clippers for cats. Most of them are reasonably priced, though the Kurma Pet Supplier is more expensive a bit.

Kurma is also our best recommendation for you. There are many reasons for this. We’ve already mentioned previously. That’s just our suggestion. You can still choose other ones. It’s up to you!

https://all-about-cats.com/best-nail-clippers-for-cats-2019/

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Best Dry Cat Food Brands 2019

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

Many cat owners choose dry cat foods because they are easy to store. Also, these foods can offer a more diverse diet. Moreover, these foods are also cheaper when compared to wet cat foods. They have both pros and cons.

In fact, not any cat food is totally perfect. Depending on your needs and budget you can choose a product that is the best for you. Now, keep reading this article to discover our favorite dry cat foods on the market today. Also, we give you some essential tips on how to choose the best dry cat foods.

Dry Cat Foods vs Wet Cat Foods

There is no right answer to the question which one is better than another. The fact is that premium wet and dry ones offer similar nutrition value.

The biggest difference between these types of cat foods is that the dry cat foods don’t give pets the same amount of moisture content when compared to their wet counterparts.

For cats fed with dry cat foods, it's important to let them drink at least one cup of water in a 24 hours window. That’s why we advise you to combine both dry and wet cat food at once. Your cat should stay hydrated.

Things to Look for in Dry Cat Foods

Besides the high-quality dry cat foods, there is also a variety of low-quality ones. They contain preservatives, fillers, as well as other nasty stuff. These ingredients are not essential in a cat’s natural diet. To make sure you are choosing the best nutritional value cat foods, let’s take a look at the following factors:

Life stage

The dry dog food must match to your cat’s life stage. The fact is that cats have unique nutritional needs when growing and developing. So, you need to choose the right food accordingly. Your cat needs a balanced diet to get plenty of nutrients as well as energy for his happy life.

Flavor

You may not know that your cat can be more finicky than others. So, it may be a challenge to look for a dry cat food your cat will love, especially when you decide to switch wet cat food to dry ones. As a pet owner, you should experiment with different protein sources. After that, you can determine a dry cat food that can attract your cat.

Essential nutrients

There are some certain nutrients your cat needs to thrive. They include vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. For example, your furry friend needs taurine to absorb through diet. It’s important to choose a food that can meet all of your cat’s daily requirements. One of the best things you can’t ignore in your cat’s diet is carbohydrates.

Specific Protein Source in Ingredients

There are so many cat food brands available out there. Most importantly, you have to look for high protein formulas. Make sure you know exactly where the protein is from. We advise you to find products that contain the protein source from salmon, chicken, and lamb.

Avoid choosing a poorer quality that comes from by-product meats. Instead, it’s better to choose regular meat sources.

Specific Fat Source in Ingredients

When it comes to choosing the fat source for your cat, keep in mind that you only can look for fat that isn’t from an artificial source.

If you want to choose a cat food for older cats, it’s important to keep fat levels to a minimum that is the same as in a less active cat.

Taurine

Choose cat foods with taurine. Actually, these products can provide your cat with an extra level of benefits. Also, it can help your pet to avoid eyesight degeneration. It can prevent him from getting heart disease as well.

Carbohydrate

Many cat owners don’t know if they should provide their cats with low or no carbohydrate. The fact is that dry cat foods are prone to be packed with filler ingredients. These foods are normally packed with wheat and corn. These ingredients can keep dry cat foods glued. However, grains are not a natural ingredient in a cat diet.

You should keep your cat in a diet with low levels of carbohydrates. At the same time, provide your pet with more healthy protein.

Top Dry Cat Food Brands 2019

1. BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free

This cat food is delicious and grain-free cat food. It’s made up of full of protein. The BLUE Wilderness is listed as one of the best dry cat foods today. This formula is cold-form that can prevent it from excess heat.

This purposes to keep all ingredients from losing nutritional value. It also means that you will lose some of the nutrients when cooking vegetables on high heat.

This formula provides your cat with natural and real chicken without any nasty by-products. Also, the food comes with no colors, artificial flavoring, wheat, grain, and soy.

It offers all essential ingredients, including proteins, amino acids, and fats. They ensure to give your cat all natural ingredients. The best thing you will love in this food is totally grain free.

2. Hills Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food

This cat food is made especially for indoor cats. However, you can also choose it for outdoor cats. The food is packed with super high-quality ingredients. It means that it comes with no artificial flavors and preservatives. It only offers the best sources of protein.

This is also a great option for the money. It promises to give your cat great value. It promises to provide your pet with a great number of health benefits like other expensive brands.

Feed your cat this formula, and he can maintain his muscles. Moreover, it ensures to keep him at a great weight. Like being said that, this cat food product can work well on both indoor and outdoor cats.

3. Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health Formula

If you are looking for cat foods that can promote urinary tract health, take consideration at this brand. It can be able to manage to provide your cat with a low magnesium content.

This is one of the best cat foods available on the market for adult cats. It’s packed with healthy omega 6 fatty acids. Therefore, it can help to boost your cat’s coat. Also, it helps to keep his skin healthy.

The food is known as a respected brand. It ensures to give your pet the highest quality. It provides your furry friend with the best natural sources of protein such as fish and real poultry. It contains 0% filler.

This cat food is available in a wide range of other formulas. It’s made at other health needs. You can choose this for cats that have sensitive digestion systems.

4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Cat Food

This product is packed full of natural probiotics. So, this is a great option for your cat’s digestion. If you are finding the best natural cat food, you should consider it. This formula is available in salmon, chicken, and brown rice.

It promises to offer your cat a very good value. It’s made especially for adult cats. The food contains real meat. It doesn’t contain preservatives and artificial flavors.

5. Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor

When it comes to the best selling dry cat foods around, the Purina Cat Chow is recommended highly. It offers plenty of natural fiber. Therefore, it can help to control hairballs through your pet’s system.

This food comes with no artificial flavors and preservatives. Instead, it’s made up of real meats listed as its main ingredients.

It can be able to provide your cat with the proper portion control. So, you can control your cat at a great weight. The food ensures to make your pet feel more full after he consumes fewer calories due to the low caloric density.

Actually, this formula is a great option for cats of various age ranges as well as weights. Sure, your cat will love it. However, this unit comes with some grain-based ingredients that are not good.

6. Blue Freedom Grain Free Adult Cat Food

If you are looking for the best holistic dry cat food, the Blue Freedom Grain Free Adult is made for you. It is a high-quality cat food. Feeding your cat this formula, you can give him a drastic improvement in fur as well as coat health. In addition, it can be able to maintain a healthy weight.

It comes with the gentle and digestion-friendly ingredients, so you can consider it for cats with sensitive digestive systems. You know, some certain cat breeds come in notoriously sensitive tummies. This cat food is a good solution for those breeds.

7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food

The food is built in a wide range of flavors and protein sources. So, your cat will be satisfied with this option. It ensures to give your cat healthy digestion. Also, it can limit an upset stomach.

The green peas are listed as the first ingredient of this food. Moreover, it contains a variety of meat sources such as chicken, duck, venison, and salmon.

This is grain-free cat food. It promises to give your cat balanced nutrition including omega 3&6 fatty acids. So, it can help to promote your cat a healthy coat. This food is easy to digest thanks to protein and fiber.

8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Adult Cat Food

Many cat owners overload their pets with treats. If your cat has to slim down, provide him with Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Adult Cat Food. This food is available in 15-pound bags.

There are so many ingredients available. They include high-protein, deboned chicken, veggies, a plethora of whole grains, spinach, brown rice, apples, pomegranate, vitamins, and antioxidants.

9. Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ocean Whitefish and Egg Recipe

If you want a grain-free food for your cat, take a look at this product. It is made up of no ground corn, soy, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, and wheat.

However, it’s added with ocean whitefish listed as the first ingredient of this food. Also, the food provides your cat with carbohydrate and fiber for energy. Plus, it offers him a great set of daily vitamins and minerals. It comes in 3 available bag sizes: 3,5, and 11 pounds.

10. IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food

This cat food product is made for cats under 1 year old. This formula offers the same nutrition as your cat’s milk. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient. Also, it is packed with omega 3 DHA, prebiotics, antioxidants, and beet pulp. They are important ingredients for your cat’s health. It can keep your cat happy and healthy. It is available in seven-pound bag sizes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve talked about what to consider in dry cat foods in general. Remember that each cat food coming in different caloric densities. So, you need to feed your cat appropriate portions to his weight. With that said, the list above is the best of dry cat foods you can choose. They offer high protein content as well as good health.

https://all-about-cats.com/best-dry-cat-food-brands/

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Best Cat Food for Older Cat 2019

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

Whether you've only recently adopted an older cat, or you've noticed your loved one going a little gray, the right diet can help them stay active and happy. But, there's a lot more to find the best cat food for older cats than just selecting the option with the "elder cat" label. We're taking an in-depth look at the best cat foods for a long and happy life!

  Choosing The Right Food For An Older Cat

You want your cat to keep everything they did before they aged right? The vitality, health, and even the occasional indifference to you for a good nap in the window. But, their bodies are changing, and you need to adapt their diet to help them retain the nutrition that they would usually get from their food.

Vitamin Levels

Sustaining your cat's vitamin levels is easier said than done. Because their bodies are slowing down, you might notice that your older cat is having more issues with their intestinal tract, or even kidney infections.

Signs of low vitamin levels can also include tooth loss and a loss of appetite. But, many foods are catered towards packing an extra vitamin punch for senior cats. You'll want to hit these essential vitamins every time:

Vitamin A

Vitamin E

Vitamin C

Common Senior Cat Issues

There's a lot of possible things to go wrong for senior cats, and nearly all of these issues should be avoided with a proper diet. You should start with a high volume of dietary fiber can help your cat from diabetes, constipation, and issues with their anal glands.

To curb other common senior cat issues, you could consider easier to digest forms of carbohydrates and protein. These easier to digest ingredients can help your cat avoid kidney problems. It’s also great for their urinary health.

The last thing to look for in cat foods is a low sodium level. Just like people cats are susceptible to heart problems as they get older. That means watching their sodium levels and increasing the number of amino acids.

Type of Cat Food

Although many cats eat dry food through their younger years, the benefits of dry food are lackluster for senior cats. While adult cats can get some dental benefits from kibble, most cats should eat wet food

Wet food is the better option for senior cats because it’s easier to eat, easier to digest and the proteins are usually better quality. But, there are so many options now it's not as easy as dry or wet food anymore. There is liquid, canned food, frozen food, and even fresh food subscriptions.

List of the 5 Best Cat Food for Older Cats Cat Food Feature Price Our Rated 1. Nutro Wild Frontier High-protein dry food $$ 5/5 Buy from Chewy 2. Nutro Wholesome Tons of Omega-3s $$ 5/5 Buy from Chewy 3. Purina Pro Plan Grain-free $$ 4/5 Buy from Chewy 4. Blue Buffalo Grain-free $$ 4/5 Buy from Chewy 5. Royal Canin Aging Chunky texture $$$ 4/5 Buy from Chewy

Top 5 Cat Foods for Older Cats

These are the best cat foods for older cats, and we were sure to include a wide variety of different types of cat foods. But, the thing that all of these have in common is that they're all high-quality foods packed with a lot of vitamins and easy to digest proteins.

1. Nutro Wild Frontier Senior Open Valley Recipe – High Protein and Grain-Free

High-protein dry food

Grain-free

It isn’t easy to find an easy-to-digest, high-protein dry cat food, but Nutro Wilk Frontier has managed to create the recipe everyone’s been looking for. The recipe has 42% crude protein, no-GMOs and is completely grain-free. Although the gluten-free movement is a few years behind us, generally cats don't need grains.

The thing we like best about this recipe is that its dry food. Most homes that have pets use dry food. It's almost unreasonable to ask everyone to switch to wet food. Senior cats especially might be more moody or cranky about changes to their diet. If you can swap one kibble for another, that’s probably the best course of action.

There’s not much to dislike about Nutro’s Wild Frontier for Seniors other than a few preservatives and a lack of vitamins. They bulk up their recipe with amino acids which is good for urinary tract health. But, they miss out on some vitamins and the necessary beta-carotenes.

If your cat has grown old on kibble and doesn’t seem to mind it, you should give them an easy transition into senior food. Dry food for senior like this shouldn't come with any urinary tract or digestive risks. But, you should always be careful to transition your cat's food slowly.

If you are worried about the lack of vitamins you can always get vitamin rich treats, or add-ins for their dry food. They’re usually flavored so that even the pickiest eaters will find them appealing! It’s worth giving this dry cat food a shot even if it means using an add-in or treat to supplement their nutritional needs on occasion.

2. Nutro Wholesome Indoor Senior Dry Cat Food

36% Crude protein

Tons of Omega-3s

Another dry cat food option from Nutro, but the primary differences between this option and the last I that there’s less protein, but more essential vitamins and fatty acids. This formula is exactly what you would expect for an indoor cat diet. You’re looking for something to keep up a moderate level of energy while also easing digestion.

The great thing about this formula is how it caters towards indoor cat lifestyles. Indoor cats aren’t necessarily less active, but they are lower energy. The high protein and fiber will keep your cat active, but the few grains will keep them at a healthy weight.

The only downside is the fact that its dry food. If this level of protein and nutrients were in a wet form, it would be outstanding. However, the kibble itself can be hard for cats with lost teeth or declining gum health to eat. There's also the outstanding issue that dry food may leave cats dehydrated.

This is a great option for any healthy senior cat. The amount of protein to vitamins and carbs is excellent. But, if your cat is losing teeth or previously has had urinary tract problems a dry food formula probably isn’t right for you.

When you’re ready to transition your cat over to a senior food like this one, consider going through the transition slower than usual. Picky cats can often sniff out changes in their food and might reject this new formula altogether.

3. Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Senior Canned Cat Food

Grain-free

White fish and Shrimp

When you’re looking for a great wet food senior cat food, Purina takes care to hit on every mark. This formula is made for easy digestion, but chunky and “flavorful” enough to keep senior cats interested. Part of the struggle in feeding any cat is transitioning them to a new food. Purina focuses on proteins that they would find in the wild like fish to keep cats engaged.

As we've said before, keeping cats hydrated is a struggle. But with 78% moisture in each can, you won't have a problem with hydration. Now, you're not feeding your cat food that is sitting in water. Instead, they use bone and chicken broth to maintain hydration without losing valuable nutrients.

The downside is that this formula doesn't have a lot of protein, or fiber and uses an unknown "meat by-products" which in the past has caused issues for pet owners. The ingredients list makes it clear where things have gone wrong in this formula. The use of oils and organ meat such as the liver make this formula high in fat.

If your senior cat is regularly active, then this isn't a bad option, although they will need more than one can a day. But if you are feeding an indoor cat, you should probably look for something with lower fat content and higher fiber.

The tradeoff here is that you're getting high-quality hydration, for the likelihood of your cat being low energy and gaining weight. The only way to combat these issues is with lots of playtimes and maybe a few protein add-ins. Some people use Purina plus as a treat for their senior cats. They’ll get more vitamins and nutrients from this can of wet food than a dry treat.

4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Mature Chicken Recipe Canned Cat Food

Larger cans (5.5 oz)

Grain-free

There's not much more than Blue Buffalo could deliver. Although they've had some issues in the past, they've turned around their practices and are now producing the high-quality food they promised from the start. This formula helps senior cats’ digestion and their urinary health. Both of these issues can lead to an early decline in health.

Can size! Without a doubt, the 5.5 oz can size these different from the other canned cat food options available. Kittens need many, small-sized servings throughout the day while they are very active. But, older cats will usually eat only once or twice during the day with mild activity between feedings. You can divide this can into 2 feedings or let them chow down on one big meal.

Some cats are picky, but many cat owners report that their picky cats won’t touch this recipe. You can lead a cat to the food bowl, but you can’t make him eat. The common factor that many pet owners who have tried Blue Buffalo Freedom are the smell.

The smell isn’t pleasant but generally smells like any other wet cat food. However, cats must decide what they’ll eat for themselves.

This is an amazing formula for senior cats. Because senior cats refer to any cat over the age of 7, you can seamlessly switch to this food option even if your cat is in perfect health. The goal is to provide a balance of protein, carbs, and fats, which Blue Buffalo does very well in this recipe.

Although the formula has a lower percentage of crude protein (7%) the ingredients used are of higher quality. The first 3 ingredients are chicken, chicken broth and chicken liver. Unlike alternative that uses meal and by-product, you won't see a hyper-concentration of protein because it's just not natural. Instead

5. Royal Canin Aging Canned Cat Food

3 oz Cans

Chunky texture

Using a well-developed macronutrient profile, aging cats with declining health can get a variety of benefits from this formula. Royal Canin is well-known for their outstanding dedication to catering towards specific needs. They market this canned cat food as a complement to kibble and nutritionally beneficial.

We love the macronutrients profile. With 9% of crude protein, 2.5% of crude fat and 82% of vitamin-rich moisture it is perfect for an aging cat. But even with this high protein count, the kcal is pretty low, which means that this formula is also a great option for cats that have a little extra weight they need to drop.

The downside of this wonderful macronutrient profile is how they achieved high levels of protein with an exceptionally low-fat content. The first ingredient is water for processing, following by pork by-products, pork liver and so on until you finally find wheat flour gelatin and vegetable oil. The filler products mean that your cat won't be hungry, but they’re missing out on high-quality ingredients.

Royal Canin is a great brand, and although their ingredients list in this formula is a bit disappointing, they offer a lot when it comes to aging cats. The ingredients do specifically address issues that senior cats usually run into such as digestive problems, and urinary tract health issues.

If your cat is declining in health, you should consider Royal Canin cat food foraging. The soft texture of the meat slices makes it easy to eat even if cats have lost teeth or have gum disease. While the gravy can help keep your cat hydrated while getting an extra boost of vitamins.

The Clear Winner…

The best cat food for older cats is the wet-food option from Blue Buffalo. The Blue Buffalo Freedom for Indoor Mature cats brings together a healthy balance of protein (chicken), carbs (sweet potato) and fats (flax seed) to help maintain a healthy weight. But this formula uses fibrous ingredients such as the sweet potato to aid in digestion, and it even helps with hairballs.

This cat food came out on top because of its ingredients list which focuses on high-quality items rather than a meal or by-product proteins. Blue Buffalo Freedom for Indoor Mature cats is rich in Vitamin B5, B6, B7, B12, and B9. As well as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and potassium. The Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help not only the digestive system but their skin and coat as well. This formula hits every mark and outperforms the competition.

https://all-about-cats.com/best-cat-food-older-cat/

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Best Cat Carrier for Nervous Cats

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

As a pet owner, you know how nervous cats can get especially when they go outside their comfort zone. Cats can easily get overwhelmed when traveling as well. Pet owners should always help their cats feel safe and secure whenever they are anxious. Getting a comfortable cat carrier will help them through the process.

Cats that are used to being indoors can be taken outside for air or a visit to the vet. Most cats can be aggressive when anxious and may run away. Trying to get a cat into a carrier for the first time is usually challenging. They should never be forced into the carrier as this may affect the relationship between the cat and its owner.

The health of a cat may be impaired when you’re having trouble taking them outside. Routine visits to the vet will not be possible and this may reduce the lifespan of your cat due to inadequate vaccinations and late diagnosis of disease. The solution to this problem is to train your cat to go into the carrier on its own. Some tips in this article can help.

Getting the Cat into the Carrier

Cats should be taught to enter into the carrier with positive reinforcements. A slow approach ensures the best results. Cats tend to avoid the carrier at first. It is wise to place the carrier in the middle of the room where your pet can closely inspect it.

Leaving it open with familiar bedding and treats inside will see your cat going inside without any effort from you. This is very effective in making your animal get used to the carrier.

You can start with placing a familiar blanket in the same room as the carrier and move it closer to the carrier as the cat gets used to sleeping comfortably on it. Giving treats to your pet for calmness on the blanket helps hasten the training process.

When the cat gets used to lying in the carrier with the blanket inside, let it be your pet’s bed or hiding place for a while. Be sure that your cat is very calm and relaxed in the carrier before trying to close the door or even lift it.

If you have an emergency trip and your cat is still not comfortable with being in the carrier, there are tricks to get your cat in it without much trouble. For carriers that open from the side, calmly place the cat tail first into the carrier. You can slowly lower the cat into the carrier if it opens from the top.

The cat should be wrapped in its favorite blanket and never facing the open door of the carrier. Carriers should be placed on a firm surface to minimize the anxiety of the cat. You can use a spray of synthetic cat pheromones on the carrier to make it seem familiar to your pet.

Choosing a Suitable Cat Carrier

Picking the right carrier for your cat makes traveling less demanding. These carriers come in different shapes and sizes with some added features like extra pockets for storing treats. There are other things to consider when picking out a suitable cat carrier.

Comfort

It should have enough openings for easy ventilation. If it is too tight, your cat may become anxious and begin to scratch or hiss when it hears a strange noise. It should also not be too large to make your cat lose balance when it is being moved.

The space in the carrier should be sufficient enough to allow cats to turn around or stay in any position they like with ease. If you are getting a carrier for 2 cats, you may consider buying one with a partition separating both sides for cats that don’t get along.

Lightweight and Accessible

Consider buying a carrier made of light materials that you can easily carry. The weight of the carrier increases once there is a cat inside. Carrier doors should be easily accessible. One with a zipper works best for nervous cats.

Easy to Clean

Most cat carriers have a hard base that can be easily detached and cleaned. Ensure that you choose a cat carrier that can be washed or cleaned easily, whether it is made of plastic or fabric.

Secure

A good cat carrier should be made of durable material that can withstand scratching from cat claws. It should be designed in such a way that the cat cannot easily squeeze itself out of the carrier.

7 Best Cat Carriers for Nervous Cats

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Carrier

The Sleepypod is a cat carrier that can also double as a bed for your pet. It is spacious and very comfortable. It has been crash-tested and meets car safety standards. It is made of durable material that is water repellent.

The well-padded interiors allow for proper relaxation of your pet while traveling. The shoulder strap is adjustable for easy carrying. This makes it comfortable for the pet owner who is carrying the pet.

Things We Liked

Made with water repellent material

Durable and can withstand clawing by your pet

Spacious enough for many cat species

Works as a permanent bed for cats

Comes with an adjustable zipper on the top for easy access.

Things We Didn’t Like

Not suitable for large cats

Not allowed by some airlines

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 Petmate Two-Door Top Load Kennel

The Petmate carrier is comfortable, durable and has enough space for your cat to stay in any position it likes. With one door on the side and another on top, the carrier is easily accessible when training your cat.

The doors are made of plastic and steel wire, which improves visibility and allows free flow of air. It has a strong handle that makes it easy to carry. Your cat’s favorite blanket can fit into the carrier to make it comfortable.

Things We Liked

Quite suitable for air travel

Its doors have a sturdy design and open securely for easy entry or exit of your pet

Comes with a secure latch that prevents your cat from escaping mid-travel.

Cleaning the carrier is not difficult

Spacious enough for most cats

Things We Didn’t Like

Not suitable for large cats that weigh over 20 pounds

It is quite bulky

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Gen7Pets Roller Carrier

The Gen7Pets roller carrier makes traveling with your pet easy and convenient. It can be accessed from the top and in front. The rollers make moving around with your pet easy. It can also be transformed into a backpack to enable the pet owner carry it up a flight of stairs.

This would be difficult with ordinary pet carriers. The carrier is also large enough to contain your cat’s blanket to make it feel more like home.  It is partly made of fabric with a strong level platform for increased balance. It may be an excellent option for your pet.

Things We Liked

Offers a hard level platform to help the cat maintain balance when the carrier is moved around.

Comes in two different sizes for smaller and larger cats

Comes with extra pockets for carrying your cat’s favorite treats

Suitable for air travel

Comes with a seatbelt strap for secure car travel and soft padded sides for comfort

Things We Didn’t Like

Requires manual cleaning without a washing machine

The sound of the rolling wheels may be a nuisance

https://amzn.to/2FMMNXR

Sherpa Delta Pet Carrier

The Sherpa Deluxe pet carrier may be a very good product that comes at an affordable price. It is spacious and designed in such a way to allow free flow of air.

It has mesh on all sides, making it possible for your pet to have a good view of its surrounding. The sides of the carrier are soft with easily collapsible frames that enable it to fit under seats. It has zippers on the top and the side of the carrier for easy access.

Things We Liked

Carrier meets in-cabin flight requirements

Comes with a comfortable mat that is machine-washable

Lightweight and easy to carry

Comes with privacy flaps that cover the mesh windows

Offers two doors for easy entry and exit of your pet

Things We Didn’t Like

Hasn’t been crash-tested for car travel

https://amzn.to/2FDgA5X

Petpeppy Premium Expandable Pet Carrier

The Petpeppy cat carrier can be expanded to increase the leg room of your pet. It has enough mesh windows for easy ventilation and a steel frame that enables the carrier to stay erect.

Your pet can have a good view of its surrounding through the mesh lining. This helps ensure that your cat remains calm and not anxious. The well-padded interiors allow for proper relaxation of your pet while traveling. The shoulder strap is adjustable for easy carrying.

Things We Liked

Comes with extra pockets for carrying your cat’s favorite treats

Suitable for air travel

Easily foldable for storage

Lightweight design and easy to carry

Spacious enough for most cats and can be expanded for more room

Things We Didn’t Like

Carrier isn’t allowed by some airlines

https://amzn.to/2FLWjuw

PetLuv Premium Soft-Sided Carrier

The PetLuv soft-sided carrier is very comfortable and airy due to the mesh windows on all four sides. It is suitable for nervous cats as it has zippers on the top and all four sides for easy entry and exit of your cat.

There is enough room for the cat to stand or turn around. Cats can have a good view of their surroundings through the mesh windows. There are privacy flaps for use at your discretion.

Things We Liked

Suitable for large cats

Foldable for easy storage

Lightweight and easy to carry

Comes with secure zippers to ensure that the cat does not escape from the carrier mid-flight.

Comes with several doors that make it easy for entry and exit of your pet

Things We Didn’t Like

Larger than average

https://amzn.to/2FDbCGy

 Pawfect Pet Travel Carrier

The Pawfect Pet Travel Carrier is durable and comfortable, making it fit for traveling with nervous cats. It has a sturdy design and does not fall over when your pet sits on one side of the carrier.

There are buckles on the zip to secure it and prevent the cat from squeezing out of the carrier. The well-padded interiors allow for proper relaxation of your pet while traveling. The shoulder strap is adjustable for easy carrying.

Things We Liked

Durable and cannot be damaged by the claws of your pet

Made of water repellent material

Lightweight and easy to carry

Comes with secure zippers to keep the cat safe mid-flight.

Comes with 2 comfortable mats that are machine-washable

Things We Didn’t Like

Not suitable for large cats

https://amzn.to/2FMXOZ5

Conclusion

Traveling with a pet can be challenging for those doing it for the first time. Nervous cats tend to urinate. If not cleaned properly, the odor from the urine can cause discomfort. The base of your carrier should be made of suitable material that is easy to clean.

Some carriers come with a replacement mat that can be swapped while traveling. Not all cat carriers are approved for air travel. Be sure to verify the pet carriers that are allowed by your preferred airline.

However, our pick for the best cat carrier for nervous cats is the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Carrier. It has been crash-tested and safe for car travel. Being made of water repellent material minimizes stain from liquid spills.

Using it as a permanent bed for your cat ensures that the pet feels safe while traveling. The comfort of your pet should be the most important consideration when choosing a pet carrier. Considering some of these options may help you to make an informed decision.

https://all-about-cats.com/best-cat-carrier-for-nervous-cats/

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How to Take care of a 5 Week Old Kitten

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

You do not need to know anything about 5 week old kitten care to adopt one. You can easily learn the basics as you nurture her into adulthood.

You would probably make a lot of mistakes in those early days. Most new cat parents must have made a number of mistake with feeding, littering and so on.

The more you discover about 5 week old kitty, the more you will love her. It is a step by step process that requires patience.

We want you to have the most valuable information regarding feeding, general care, and maintenance. So, we wrote this fun, easy-to-read article.

What to Feed a 5 Week Old Kitten?

Feed your 5 week old kitty a quality diet. Spending a few extra cents on a better choice of food. After all, it keeps your kitten healthier, and that pays off big when she gets older.

At five weeks, your kitty would probably not require frequent nursing. In the wild, a mother cat would start to discourage her young one from suckling milk. You should probably do the same.

During the period of weaning, you should allow your kitten to bottle feed, although at lengthening intervals as the kitty’s hunger is satisfied increasingly with more solid food.

Weaned kittens need about five meals daily of a sufficient quantity, which can be eaten within a few minutes.

You should reduce the frequency of feeds gradually so that by the time your kitten attain maturity she should be receiving a few meals daily.

Formula

At five weeks old, you should try to get your kitten to start eating solid food, but stay with 5 to 7 bottle feedings per day to ensure she gets her 128 cc of formula a day.

Age (weeks) Body Weight (ounce) Total Formula/Day (cc) Number of Feedings A Day 1 4 33 9-12 2 7 56 7-9 3 10 80 7-9 4 13 104 5-7 5 16 128 5-7

For an active 5 week old kitten, we recommend a kitten formula that closely replicates constituents of a cat’s milk, which should be about 45 percent protein, 25 percent fat, 25 percent carbs, and 5 percent ash.

The calcium to phosphorous ratio should be ideal at around 1.2 to 1. The energy density should be about 5, which simply means it is concentrated food.

Give your kitty just enough at each feeding to enlarge her abdomen slightly without bloating it, and do not overfeed. Stick to the feeding schedule, and stop bottle feeding before the kitty does.

We strongly suggest that you encourage your kitty to drink the formula from a bowl. This will make it easier for you to wean her off the bottle.

Solid Food: Wet or Dry

At 5 weeks old, your kitten should weigh around 16 ounces, if you are feeding her right. To achieve and maintain a healthy weight you will have to include solid food in her diet.

Add a high protein dry cereal, such as oats or cereals to the formula. You should consider kitty food that is specified for growth.

Such kinds of foods comprise higher quantities of protein, minerals, fats, and vitamins for energy and fast growth.

Is Wet or Dry Food Better for Your 5 Week Old Kitten?

Whether or not dry or wet food is better for your 5 week old kitty is an ongoing debate among cat parents. The weaning process hasn’t made her much of an eater, but she does need the energy boost.

The best choice for a kitten during the weaning process is wet food, which usually features soft mousse that will help your 5 week old cat transition easily from formula feeding to solid food.

The best wet food brands usually contain antioxidants complex that reinforces the immune system of the growing kitten.

Make sure the wet food you buy has a macronutrient profile. Basically, a macronutrient profile offers a balance between carbs, fats, and proteins.

Dry foods aren’t bad for your 5 week old kitten, but they often contain too many carbohydrates that kittens, in general, have a hard time digesting.

Dry foods also contain a lot more plant protein than animal protein as its ingredient. There is an issue of low water content. Also, dry foods tend to be highly processed with limited nutritional value.

How Much Wet Food Should A 5 Week Old Kitten Eat?

Like we mentioned earlier with formula feeding, it is not a good idea to overfeed your 5-year-old kitten. Here is a table with some useful suggestions.

Age (weeks) Weight (pounds) Suggested Daily Intake (grams) 4 0.8 to 1.7 25 to 40 4 to 8 1.8 to 3.0 40 to 50 8 to 12 3.1 to 4.0 50 to 55 12 to 16 4.1 to 5.0 55 to 60 16 to 20 5.1 to 6.0 60 to 70

5 Week Old Kitten Potty/Litter Box Training

One of the main parts of 5 week old kitten care is potty training. Usually, you are supposed to start training your kitten to use the litter box as early as 3 weeks old.

There are a few things you have to know about litter training if you recently acquired a 5 week old kitty.

The Basics

Kittens like a clean litter box as well as clean litter.

The size of the litter box matters to your kitten; use a litter box three times the length of your baby cat from nose to tail.

You must have a good location for the box where the kitty would not feel trapped or too exposed. Avoid high traffic areas in the house.

Normally, cats, whether young or not, do not like to share a litter box. So, make sure there is one for every kitten.

Make sure the box has low sides, which will be easier and more comfortable for your five week old kitten to get in or out.

Use non-clumping litter in the box. Most five weeks old cats are likely to ingest the litter. You should know that consumption of clumping litter can be harmful to your kitten. The clumping litter can cause intestinal blockage.

Steps to Follow When Training a 5 Week old Kitten to Use the Litter Box

Come up with a regular feeding schedule for your 5-week old kitty, which will help her to develop a consistent potty routine.

Pay close attention to your kitten so you can mark and reward when she eliminates in the proper area when litter training becomes a problem.

Call your kitty to use the box from more than one location in the house. These should mainly include soiled areas.

Remember to wake up your kitty after a two-hour nap and bring her to the litter box, and always encourage her to get into the box by herself.

Never punish your kitten for making a mistake. Instead, you should immediately clean the spot with white vinegar and water to eliminate any traces of the smell.

Always scoop away any messes from the litter box. This will remind the kitty that a box is a clean place where she can be comfortable.

How to Give Your 5 Week Old Kitten a Flea Treatment Bath

Your kitten may probably not need frequent bathing if she has been indoors for a few weeks. However, the same can’t be said for a rescued 5-week kitty.

A rescued kitten would require brushing, grooming, and bathing for her to be free of fleas and dirt. This is a very important part of 5-week old kitten care.

Brushing/Grooming

To take good care of your kitty’s coat, you will need a comb. The teeth of the comb can be coarse, medium, or fine, depending on the type of your kitten’s fur.

Medium to coarse combs is ideal for longhaired kittens, while medium to fine combs works great for shorthaired kitties.

If your kitten is shorthaired, she can do great with regular sessions using cat brush gloves. These gloves have inset rubber nubs in the palm that smooth the fur and remove loose hair.

Your kitty will definitely love the gloves because the action seems like you are petting her. Not to mention that the gloves stimulate the skin for a healthier, shinier coat.

Bathing

There are two types of baths you can give your five-week-old kitten: spot and full.

Spot Bath

You will need a washcloth soaked in soapy, warm water to clean a localized part of your kitten’s body. But you should always avoid the mouth, nose, ears, and eyes.

Full Bath

For a flea treating bath, we don’t recommend using chemical treatment because the kitty’s body is so small and vulnerable.

Instead, you should consider a flea bath. For this bath, you will need a washcloth, a couple of clean towels, warm water, and the best kitten flea control shampoo.

Here are a few steps you should follow:

Step 1: Create a ring of soap/shampoo around her neck to prevent the fleas from going towards the head

Step 2: Hold her gently and securely while you wet (warm water) and shampoo her body from the neck and towards the tail.

Step 3: Use your palm or a washcloth to get rid of the fleas and dirt from the fur.

Step 4: Then go ahead and rinse her. Make sure the water is comfortably warm.

Step 5: Dry her coat immediately with a clean towel to keep her warm. It is normally difficult for your kitten to regulate her body temperature.

Step 6: Use cotton rounds to spot bath her head while avoiding sensitive parts, such as the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Play Safely With Your Kitten

This is the most interesting part of 5-week old kitten care. She can become very vibrant, especially when investigating new objects.

For this reason, you should not tease her with your hands or feet. You do not want her to learn that hands and feet are play toys.

There are three play modes you can teach your 5-week old kitten: locomotive, predatory, and social.

Locomotive

The play behaviors associated with this mode are leaping, climbing, running, and finding places they can go into and come out of quickly, such as a box or a paper bag.

Predatory

The play behaviors associated with this mode are chasing, grabbing, pouncing, and throwing things in the air.

Social

This mode involves her playing with other pets or people in the house. This is an amazing time to use interactive toys with your kitten so she can learn to enjoy playtime with people other than you.

5 Week Old Kitten Won’t Poop

There are a few health issues that you five-week-old kitty may suffer from. You can handle the minor ones at home, but always consult your vet when you see alarming symptoms.

A rescued 5-week old kitty may need your help to defecate and urinate as her reflux eliminator. A kitten undergoing the weaning process may require stimulating after every meal.

For stimulation, you will need paper towels or clean cotton squares, warm water, and a container for the elimination.

After feeding, hold your kitty in one hand with her tummy cupped in the palm of your hand. Soak the cotton square with warm water and gently stimulate her urethra and anus area in a circular motion.

You can position the kitten over a litter box to catch the urine. Go on stimulating for 10 seconds to induce defecation.

Be patient for her to finish. A 5-week old kitten normally eliminates every twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The stool should be brownish yellow and slightly firm.

If she has diarrhea or loose stool, she will strain after elimination. Make sure you address diarrhea and loose stool with your vet to evade rectal prolapse from excessive straining.

Always take her to the vet when she has:

Green diarrhea or loose stool

Warms

Constipation

Fever

Conclusion

What we have covered in this article are important parts of 5-week old kitten care. However, there are other things that you can learn from your vet and other cat parents.

At 5 weeks old, you should not be overly concerned about vaccination. The initial vaccination is usually necessary from the age of 6 weeks.

If you are new to cat parenting, we urge you to avoid unrealistic expectations, especially when dealing with an orphan kitten.

She is likely to mess on the floor. Instead of punishing her, you should clean the mess and continue potty training. Also, remember to reward her whenever she uses the litter box.

https://all-about-cats.com/5-week-old-kitten/

[allaboutcatsblog]

How to Take Care 3 Week Old Kitten

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

[caption id="attachment_160" align="alignright" width="326"] Via flickr.com[/caption]

A 3-week old kitten is a fascinating sight to behold. At such a tender age, they’re a cute bundle of coats, with a unique round potbelly and gangly limbs. At three weeks old, kittens now have the ability to move around.

They will spend much of the time wandering around the environment around them. This is why a 3-week old kitten needs adequate care and attention.

When they are not touring the environment around them, they will either be sleeping or eating. 3-week old kitten development and growth place a lot of caloric burden on them. You need to feed your kitten very well in order for it to keep up with the demands of its developmental stage.

As a result, you need to know how to feed a 3-week old kitten and how much should a 3-week old kitten eat. This is also the stage when kittens start to transition to solid food. Hence, it is crucial that you transit your kitten at this time to a source of food that has enough nutrition to support their continued growth.

When looking for the best kind of food to give a 3-week old kitten, there are certain things you need to take into consideration. Considering these factors will ensure that your kitten has a nice and successful development phase, transiting it into the next phase.

Kittens and Nutrition

When figuring out the best kind of food to give your 3-week old kitten, the first and most important thing you need to do is to have a better understanding of what kittens eat. Cats are considered as obligate Carnivore. This means the meal of a cat must comprise of meat. While dogs are considered omnivores, cats cannot process berries, vegetables, or fruits.

Instead, cats in the wild get their full nutrition from the bodies of their prey. While you can’t settle for such an option or while your cuddly and cute little friend can’t fend for itself, it is crucial that you get the best food for your 3-week old kitten.

A 3-week old kitten needs a diet that is very rich in protein. In addition, the protein needs to be gotten from meals with the highest quality.

You should also try to avoid meals that contain starchy vegetables, such as sweet potato or corn fillers, or berries or fruits. These types of food do not contain the necessary nutrition that your 3-week old kitten needs.

Nutritional Density and 3-week Old Kitten Formula

When a kitten is 3-weeks old, it is at the point of transitioning to solid food. This means you are to start adding increased amounts of kitten food into the diet of your kitten to aid the milk it gets from its mother or an artificial source.

At this point, you might want to ask “how much formula should a 3-week old kitten eat?” While the answer to this question is relative, it is crucial for you to know that kittens must be fed different meal from adult cats.

The food formula of a kitten is in line with a much more rigorous nutritional profile than the normal food for adult cats. The reason is that when kittens are adjusted for body weight, they require about two times the amount of calories that adult cats need.

In order to meet the caloric demand of kittens and provide them with the necessary minerals and vitamins to enhance adequate development, the food of kitten is formulated using more nutrient dense food sources.

The food of a kitten is designed to surpass thresholds put in place by the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officers). This means foods that are specifically designed for kittens are supposed to meet the adequate development needs of a kitten.

Hence, if you are looking for food for your kitten, you need to opt for one that has been studied and approved by the AAFCO. This is a sign that the food is nutritionally dense to support your kitten through its developmental phase.

3-week Old Kitten Development Phases

When a kitten is three weeks old, there are certain developments that you will begin to observe on the kitten. At this stage, the ear canals of the kitten will be completely open. The sense of hearing is still developing at this point. Nevertheless, a 3-week old kitten may respond to loud sounds. At this age, the ears may also be fully erect.

Kittens usually have blue eyes. The eye of a 3-4 week old kitten may start changing from the normal blue eyes to the adult hue. The sense of smell of the kitten will also be well developed. At this point, they can voluntarily eliminate, as their digestive system is developing.

They will be cleaned by the mother cat until they learn how to groom. At this tender age, some kittens might start purring. The kitten might also start developing baby teeth at this stage. Some 3-4 week old kittens might also start standing.

3-week Old Kitten Care – Temperature

Kittens need to be warm at all time. Cold is not really good for their health at such a tender age. If your kitten is cold, you can slowly warm the kitten by holding him/her against your bare skin. This would enable the kitten to absorb the heat of your body. If you are not indoors, then your ambit can serve as a great incubator. Cold is highly detrimental to a kitten, especially when they are four weeks and below.

It is highly advised that you don’t submerge your kitten in water. You shouldn’t also apply any method that will get your kitten warm too quickly. At this point, kittens are not able to generate their own heat. Wrapping them in a towel or blanket is not even enough. You must try as much as possible to provide heat for the kitten.

It is also not advisable to feed a 3-week old kitten when it’s cold. Before you feed a kitten, make sure the body heat of the kitten is about 90-degrees Fahrenheit or more.

Make a Box for Your Kitten

Put a heating pad in a box that has enough space to contain the heating pad with sufficient space that isn't covered by the heating pad. The kitten will move towards the heat whenever it is cold and move away whenever it is warm. If they are not provided with enough space to enable them to move away from the heat, they might get dehydrated and die.

Set the operation of the heating pad to low and use a towel to cover it. Don’t allow the kitten to lie on the pad directly. Position the box in a draft-free and warm place.

Don’t Bathe a 3-Week Old Kitten

It is not recommended to bath a 3-week old kitten. You can only bath it when it is absolutely necessary. If you must bath the kitten, make sure the temperature of the kitten is normal. This means it has to be 90-degrees Fahrenheit or more. If your kitten has fleas, then the best option you have is flea combing.

If you must bathe your kitten, it is recommended that you use a small amount of Lemon Joy. Lemon Joy is safe for kittens, and the citrus in it kills fleas. Do not use flea shampoos on a 3-week old kitten. After bathing the kitten, use a towel to dry the body as much as possible. After drying the kitten, put it back in the box. Do not use a hair dryer on 3-4 week old kittens.

3-week Old Kitten Feeding

Daily weight gain is a sign that the meal you are feeding your kitten with is meeting the nutritional needs of your kitten. Kittens should gain an average of a ½ ounce on a daily basis or four ounces on a weekly basis.

If you notice a kitten does not eat enough in one feeding, increase the feeding frequency. Better still, you can go back to that kitten after feeding the others to give it one more chance to take more food.

Never Overfeed a Young Kitten

Overfeeding your kittens is one thing you shouldn’t do. Some kittens will continue to eat and eat provided they are offered food. To feed your kittens properly, you need to stick to the guidelines and instructions on the container of kitten formula.

When a kitten is between the age of three and four weeks, you can start weaning the kitten with baby food. A 3-week old kitten can be fed with beef, turkey, or GERBER chicken. They can also be fed with canned food mixed with KMR.

Tips for Bottle Feeding 3-week Old Orphaned Kittens

Kittens must not be cold. They can’t properly digest food when they are cold.

Combine two parts water to one part powdered Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR). Do not give your kitten a cow’s milk. Also, make sure they are all on the same formula.

You should feed kittens 30 ccs or two tablespoons of formula per four ounces of body weight in a space of twenty-four hours.

A 3-week old kitten should be fed every three to four hours. If you notice that your kitten sleeps for longer periods during the night, don’t wake them up to feed.

If your kitten is weak or doesn’t eat much, you should feed it more frequently.

Make sure the kitten is flat on their belly or leaning forward while feeding.

Make sure the formula is warm (around 100-degree Fahrenheit), but not hot.

Hold the bottle at an angle of 45-degree while feeding.

Defecation and Urination Stimulation

Mother cats are responsible for grooming their young ones to stimulate defecation and urination on a regular basis. However, when rendering a 3-week old orphan kitten care, this responsibility is yours. Young kittens cannot go through this process alone. They need your help to be able to defecate and urinate. Hence, this is a very important aspect of 3-week old kitten care.

Before and after every feeding, you should gently rub the lower abdomen of the kitten. You should also rub the rectum and genitals with a cotton ball dipped in a fragrance-free baby wipe or warm water. Ensure you rub only to get the kitten to eliminate because if you overstimulate that area, it will be irritating.

Watch out for lingering dirt and chafing. In the process, don’t allow the kitten to get chilled. Kittens should defecate at least once a day. They should also, almost always, urinate during every stimulation. You should stimulate your kittens until they are over 3-weeks old. Once they get to about four weeks old, they can carry out this process of eliminating body wastes on their own.

The Social Life of 3-week Old Kittens

When kittens are three weeks of age, they need exercise to enhance circulatory and muscular development. They also need to learn some social skills at this age. If they are not orphaned, they will start to learn from their mom and play with their littermates. It is also advisable to start regular daily handling of kittens for them to get used to contact with people.

To help your kittens develop socially and physically, you must teach them how to play. You also need to give them that freedom to play. For orphaned kittens with no mom to groom them regularly, you need to always keep them clean and teach them to groom.

Playing with them is a bit daunting, but someone has to do it to make sure that they are well socialized and friendly to people. They will learn how to socialize faster with their mom and littermates if they have them. This is one reason why you need to pair single, same-age kittens when adopting them.

3-4 week old kittens will start exploring and playing around their environment. At this point, you need to provide them with stimulation and toys in their cage. You can provide them with paper towels, cardboard rolls, pipe cleaners, and traditional kitten toys to play with.

Conclusion

Taking care of a 3-week old kitten is just like taking care of an infant. You need to put in so much effort. The training and teaching process also needs a lot of time and patience. Your 3-week old kitten needs more attention to cope very well at such age.

Your kitten is your sole responsibility. Hence, you need to know how to take care of it in order for it to grow into a healthy, pretty cat.

https://all-about-cats.com/3-week-old-kitten/

[allaboutcatsblog]

Best Cat Litter for Odor Control

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

Face it, not everyone likes taking care of the litter box. Even the best clay litter can leave a sticky, stinking mess stuck to the bottom of the box.

If it were you using the litter box, you would certainly not be able to put up with the smell of cat remains. Hygiene is very important to cats.

So, what’s the solution? It is simple, buy the best cat litter for odor control.

There are numerous options to choose from as far as cat litters are concerned. Different cats have their own distinctive preference for absorbency, fragrance, and texture.

Now, let’s help you find the best cat litter for odor control.

Cat Litters Comparison

Product Name Size (pounds) Clumping/Non-Clumping Single or Multi-Cat Price Ever Clean Extra Strength Cat Litter 25 and 42 Clumping Single Cat Strength Check Price Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal Litter 28 Clumping Multi-Cat Strength Check Price Dr. Elsey’s Cat Ultra-Premium Clumping Litter 18 and 40 Clumping Multi-Cat Strength Check Price World’s Best Cat Litter 7, 14, and 28 Clumping Multi-Cat Strength Check Price Purina Yesterday’s News Paper Cat Litter 13.2, 26.4, 30, and 5 Non-Clumping Single Cat Strength Check Price

Choosing the ideal cat litter can be quite confusing. With so many variants it can be difficult to decide what litter would be best for both you and your cat.

Cats are fussy concerning the litter their owners use. Therefore, it is extremely important to settle for a formula that is not only easy to clean, but it is also healthy and safe for your cat.

Types of Cat Litters

There are several types of cat litters you can consider for your kitty, which include:

Paper

This is one of the most widely available types of litter in the market. It can range from torn-up paper to pellets. Instead of being able to top this type of litter up, it has to be completely replaced every two days.

Typically, paper litters have less odor control when compared to other forms of odor control. The paper type helps you save on kitty litter.

In fact, you can make your own paper kitty odor control. Most pet owners make their own kitty litter from the shredded newspaper.

If you have a paper shredding machine in your home office, just feed your old newspapers through the machine, and place a good amount of the shredded paper in the cat’s litter box.

Crystal

This type of odor control can be dusty as it is made from silica crystals. This kind of litter is able to perform a sudden surface assimilation of smells and urine. The water evaporates immediately, leaving the cat box completely dry.

The silica crystals will absorb the kitty urine without letting the formula get clumped, as such you would not require any additional product to control the odor. Do not worry if the granules change color, as this will not affect the formula’s absorbing power.

Clay

Clay kitty litter is one of the inexpensive choices and it is remarkable at absorbing urine. It also scoops easily to get rid of the feces. Pure clay formula is not too great at odor control; so, you can consider products that are incorporated with baking soda or fragrance to mask odors.

You use only a small amount of this litter at a time, about an inch deep in the tray. We strongly urge you to completely replace clay litters frequently because they are dusty and can pose a health risk for your kitty.

Clumping Clay

The clumping associated with this formula results from the use of bentonite clay that is very effective at capturing urine before it sinks to the bottom of the box and holds it in a clump.

This makes maintaining the kitty tray a breeze. Just scoop everything solid daily and add fresh litter. About once a month, you should dump all the litter and replace with clean one.

For odor control, baking soda and fragrance are usually added to these products, especially for multi-cat formulas.

What To Look For In Cat Litters?

Knowing the different types of kitty litters is not enough. You need to shop for a product that is highly absorbent, masks odor, and easy to clean.

Highly Absorbent

This is, in fact, one of the most important considerations when shopping for the best kitty litter for odor control. You can choose between clumping and non-clumping formulas.

Clumping formula is normally composed of bentonite (a highly absorbent clay material) that creates solid clumps when it comes in contact with your cat’s waste.

Clumping makes scooping and cleaning the box remarkably easy. However, clumping litters are non-biodegradable, dusty, and can be heavy to move.

On the other hand, non-clumping litter is made from other clay materials. This kind of formula will absorb waste, but will not form clumps.

Non-clumping litter gets fouler sooner rather than later and you are likely to leave some waste behind when you clean the tray.

Easy To Clean

The best cat litter for odor control is one that is easy to clean. When choosing between clumping and non-clumping formulas, you should consider one that is easy to scoop.

Usually, the most convenient choice is clumping litter because it is highly absorbent and easy to scoop. Many, but not all, clumping litters can be flushed down the toilet along with urine and poop.

Ability to Mask Odor

Litter additives intended to absorb or mask litter box smell can be objectionable to your cat due to their strong scent or the increased dust they add to the box.

However, you need a formula that is capable of masking the smell. Therefore, you should choose a product that does not present an excessively strong scent that your cat cannot tolerate.

Low Tracking

You also need to choose a low tracking litter that will not stick to your cat’s feet. You do not want your kitty to spread the litter all over the house, giving you extra cleaning chores.

Tips to Help with Odor Control

Keep your kitty litter box in a highly ventilated area. Do not keep it in a closed location; this may make it harder for you to control the smell.

Scoop the tray on daily basis. You do not want the old waste to stay in the box for more than a day or else the smell will be hard to eliminate. And the kitty may probably avoid the box because of the old waste.

Make an effort to replace the cat litter at least twice a week. You are likely to miss some small clumps of waste when scooping. So, replacement of the formula helps to maintain total hygiene.

Settle for a litter product that smells right for you and your cat. Avoid heavily scented products that may be harmful to your kitty.

Now that you have an idea of what to look for in the market when shopping for cat litter, let’s go ahead and review our top five picks for your selection.

Top 5 Best Cat Litter for Odor Control

Ever Clean

If you are looking for the best cat litter for odor control at an affordable price range, look no further than the Ever Clean Extra-Strength Cat Litter.

This product will pamper your kitty with the freshest litter box. Ever Clean Extra is a strong clumping formula that makes scooping and cleaning of waste easy.

The formula offers maximum odor protection, ensuring that you and your cat are not subjected to stinking odors, thanks to the activated carbon that gets rid of the bad smell on contact.

If you have a sensitive cat, then this is the ideal product for her. It is unscented and free of any harmful additives that may deteriorate the health of your feline.

Pros:

Unscented formula is effective for sensitive nose

Advanced moisture lock provides strong clumps

Long lasting freshness for your kitty

Has coarse sand-like texture that is cat-friendly

Does not stick on your feline’s feet

Cons:

The unscented formula may not be ideal for some cat owners

Arm & Hammer

Second on our list is the Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal. This is the best clumping kitty litter that is designed for multi-cat use.

Its formulation will not only seal but also eliminate smells before they spread. Its particles are derived from plants, which generate solid clumps when in contact with urine or poop.

Unlike conventional formulas in the market, the Arm & Hammer litter features micro-granules that are moisture activated. The granules create tight seals when in contact with waste for effortless scooping.

If you or your kitten have respiratory issues, then Arm & Hammer is the ideal choice. It is completely dust free and suitable for the sensitive nose.

Pros:

The multi-cat formula you can use with several boxes

Particles are plant-derived for sensitive cats

Moisture activated granules provide tight odor sealing

Seven days smell-free home guarantee

Dust free formula

Cons:

Litter sticks on cat feet, messing up the floor when the cat moves around

Requires frequent replacement

Dr. Elsey’s

Unlike most brands in the market, Dr. Elsey’s manufactured a litter which drives usage. This product features a combination of medium grain clay and heavy non-tracking granules.

The heavy non-tracking granules provide strong clumping when they are in contact with kitty poop or urine. Moisture will never hit the bottom of the box.

One of the outstanding attributes of this product is the lack of deodorants or perfumes, making it a suitable choice for pets with respiratory issues. It controls smells natural.

The manufacturer recommends removing the clumps on a daily basis, leaving the rest of the litter behind until it is time to completely dump the box.

Pros:

Ideal for multi and single cat families

Highly hypoallergenic, doesn’t contain deodorants or perfumes

Controls odor naturally

9% dust-free and suitable for sensitive nose

Perfect for mechanical/sifting boxes

Cons:

May cause itching on some cats

World’s Best Formula

Have you tried countless cat litters in search for better odor control, less tracking, and minimal dust concentration?

If you have the solution is the World’s Best Cat Litter. This amazing product is made from whole kernel corn, which is safe and healthy for all cats.

There is no clay silica dust and we can’t believe how it absorbs smells. Clumping is superb, and it is the easiest kitty litter to manage from our point of view.

Because it is biodegradable and all-natural, you simply scoop out the clumps and flush them in the toilet for easy cleaning.

Pros:

No clay, no silica dust

Biodegradable and all-natural

Superior clumping, no sticky litter box residue

Stays fresh, lasts much longer

Safe for cats as well as kids

Absolute odor control

Cons:

Some defective products may contain bugs before use

Purina Yesterday’s News

Last on our list is the famous Purina Yesterday’s News. This litter is highly recommended by veterinarians in the United States.

This unique formula is created from recycled paper, and it has superior moisture absorption when compared to conventional clay-based litter.

The recycled paper pellets are non-abrasive and paw-friendly, they will never hurt your kitty. It is low tracking so you don’t have to worry about the messy floor.

Is your kitten sensitive to harmful chemicals? If she is, then the Purina Yesterday’s News will offer her the much-needed peace because it is free of dangerous chemicals.

This product is not easy to scoop since it is non-clumping. You will have to remove the upper layer in order to access the wet litter at the bottom before you return the dry litter.

Pros:

Superior absorption compared to clay

9% dust free

Absolute odor control

Low tracking

No additives, such deodorants

Cons:

Non-clumping little is difficult to scoop

Conclusion

Selecting the best cat litter for odor control may not be as easy as you would have imagined. However, we have presented you with detailed info to help you choose the ideal product.

Just make sure you choose a safer cat litter. Today’s ubiquitous litter varieties are made of different ingredients and not all of them are completely safe for your cat.

Move your cat away from litter varieties that may be harmful to their health, and consider better ones. You should even consider consulting a vet for advice.

https://all-about-cats.com/best-cat-litters/

[allaboutcatsblog]

Best Cat Harnesses for No Escape 2019

#allaboutcats #catcare #catfood

If you have a cat who loves living outdoors and want to go with you on walks. Sure, you want to look for a cat harness for him. However, it’s not easy to choose the right harness due to a wide range of products available on the market today. That’s why we’re here to give you our recommendations on the best cat harnesses.

Cat Harness and Leash

Actually, they connect together to your cat. It's a partial, jacket, or full-body vest. It is secured around your pet's neck and chest thanks to a system of adjustable straps. It can be able to help you keep a close eye on your furry friend's outdoor adventures if you know how to use it properly.

In addition, you will get the control to steer your cat in the proper direction. It also keeps him away from dangers. Moreover, it's great to help your cat lead the way.

Cat Harness Fitting

When looking for a harness for your cat, it's important to choose ones with the perfect size-fit for your cat. You can determine the appropriate size for the product through the product descriptions when it comes to vests and jackets.

You will get a custom fit for your cat from strappy harnesses because of their adjustable straps. There is a wide range of choices when looking for a vest or strap form. The harness you are going to apply for your cat shouldn't give him much pressure on his neck.

Best Cat Harness for No Escape

There are a lot of combinations of water resistance, inside padding, and breathability. Choosing the best harness for your cat depends on your current outdoor conditions. Here are best harnesses on the market today:

Bestag Cat Harnesses with Leash and Collar

This harness is a fashionable product. These products are available in various sizes, including medium, large, and extra-large sizes. It is made of knitted fabric as well as cotton. So, this is a comfy and breathable choice. It allows you to adjust to many different cat sizes. It comes with a leash, vest, and collar.

The Kitty Holster Cat Harness

It's designed similarly to a vest. It's made of the soft cotton lining. This choice is also great for a wide range of cat sizes from extra-small to extra-large. It offers hook and loop closures. In addition, it comes with a D-ring attached the leash.

Dexil Luxury Cat Harness Padded and Water Resistant

This product offers the benefits of typical strap-based ones. In fact, it can make the more adjustable size than the usual. This is a perfect choice for not only colder climes with padding but also water resistant when you walk with your cat in the rain.

Adjustable Cat Harness Nylon Strap Collar with Leash

The harness you choose needs to keep your cat from escaping. This product has straps around your cat’s neck and back. It’s easy to secure as well as remove from the body because of snap-lock buckles. If you are looking for a product for smaller cats, don’t ignore this unit. It comes with adjustable neck and chest straps.

RC Pet Products ½ Kitty Cat Harness

In fact, sometimes you need a bigger harness than others. Then, the RC Products ½ Kitty Cat Harness is a solution for this. It's designed with straps around the check and neck. It's available in many different sizes from small to large sizes. This product is soft. Also, it can offer your cat full of comfort. Plus, it's also easy to put it on.

PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash

This unit is a safe option. It can be able to prevent you from putting pressure on your cat's throat area. It's an adjustable product, so you can comfortably adjust to fit your cat.

How to Choose a Cat Harness

There are some essential things you need to consider when it comes to choosing a cat harness.

Not too big or too small size

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a cat harness is the size. If you choose a too large harness, it may be easily lost. And, a too small one can lead to discomfort.

You can take your cat to the pet store, and then let him try some on. It's best to look for adjustable cat harnesses. These products may be still perfect for your cat when he grows over time.

Durability

This is also an important factor to consider when choosing a cat harness. If you have a cat who lives mostly outdoor, it’s best to buy a nylon harness. On the contrary, it’s a good idea to choose a nylon harness for your cat if he lives indoors. These harnesses are not only stylish but also comfortable for your cat. In addition, you should also choose machine washable harnesses. You can also choose products that allow you to easily wipe down just by a damp cloth.

Safety

This factor is also listed as one of the most concern of pet owners. We recommend you to look for a product with a quick-release closure. If your cat lives outdoors, choose harnesses made of reflective material. In order to determine if your cat is identified properly, you need to add a collar. It’s great to place a microchip under your pet’s skin. You should ask your vet to do this.

Types of Cat Harness

Cat harnesses are available in four main types, including H-harness, figure eight, Step-in harnesses, and V-style. If you need one for walking your furry friend, we advise you to choose the figure eight. These products can be able to move on with your cat.

In addition, they also tighten to prevent your cat from slipping out. If you are looking for a harness for longer periods of time, you should choose H-harness or V-style. These 2 types allow you to easily get on and off your cat.

V-style harnesses

They are great for cats who need extra security when walking with you. If you want the maximum security for your cat, choose a vest-style harness. They are similar to a piece of clothing. They come with wide straps that offer your cat more comfortable. These products normally are pretty heavy. So, it's not a good idea to apply them to your cat for long periods of time because they're too bulky.

Step-in harnesses

They are great choices for cats who want maximum mobility. They are easy to use. They come with 2 armholes. These products are less secure than V-style harnesses. However, these harnesses provide your cat with greater mobility than V-style harnesses because of their wider necks, lower surface area, and larger armholes. If you tend to walk your cat for a long time, it's best to consider the mobility and lightweight.

H-harnesses

This type is perfect for calm and confident cats. They are wrapped around your cat’s body. They are lightweight harnesses for cats. They have narrow straps that can press on your cat. Many cat owners choose this type because of their affordable prices.

Figure 8 harnesses

This type is great for low-risk situations. These products are made of a continuous length of webbing. They also come with narrow straps that are not good for sensitive cats. If you want the most comfortable type, this type is not for you. They are lightweight. Also, they are great for calm and outdoor cats in low-risk situations.

Reasons to Walk Your Cat Anyway

There is a lot of benefits your cat can get from that you take him outside with a harness.

Exercise

This is a great way to exercise. It’s a great way to keep your cat slim and fit as well. Furthermore, this way can be able to promote better overall health.

An increased cat-human bond

By taking your cat outside anyway, you can help your relationship with your cat reach a new level. In addition, you can also listen to your pet’s cues. By this way, you can also know exactly what your cat’s interested in.

Mental stimulation

Most cats love being outside because of the sounds, sights, smells, as well as the touchable wonder of nature. Just when your cat has opportunities to feel the breeze running through his whiskers, he can get more stimulation. Also, by walking your cat, you can help he feels less bored.

Reduced stress

Walking your cat is also a great way to relieve stress. It can offer your cat an active lifestyle. So, he can release energy. If you have a cat with stress issues such as anxiety, shyness, and aggression, there is no reason why you don’t walk him anyway.

Wrap it up

There are many reasons we want to take our cats out traveling, hiking, or camping with us. As mentioned above, your cat will get many benefits from this. Once you tend to take your cat out, the first important thing you need to do is choosing the right harness.

Hopefully, our article has given you useful information you need to know about cat harness. If you are looking for one for your pet, consult one of the products we reviewed above.

https://all-about-cats.com/best-cat-harnesses/