Cats

Teaching newborn kitten to use a litter box is fairly straight forward. They have an instinctual knowledge that bowel and bladder elimination must be deposited in a hole dug in the earth and then covered up. If you have just adopted an adult cat and want to train her to use the litter box, patiently start from the beginning.

In order to integrate your new cat into your home you need to be committed to helping your cat get comfortable with both you and it's new environment. Cats in general will eventually get accustomed to their physical environment and those who live with them, however, a shy cat will usually hide when first introduced to a new environment.

A cat can live for twenty years or more but the average is probably closer to fifteen years. Signs of advancing years are decreased activity, gray hair, hearing loss, decaying teeth, lethargic movements, clouded eyes, bad breath, a craving for warmth, inactivity, and a demand for more attention.

If you've noticed a sudden change in your cat's behavior that includes changes toward your other cat(s), it's important to make an appointment with your vet. Any change in an animal's behavior could indicate a medical problem that only a veterinarian can diagnose and treat.

There are medical as well as behavioral reasons why cats chew, lick, or eat non-food objects. A kitten, just like a baby, will take everything into her mouth just out of curiosity. It is thought, though not scientifically proven, that an adult cat who persists on chewing and eating a non-food item may be lacking certain nutrients in her diet.