If you own a feline friend, then you know what I mean when I refer to ‘unwelcomed cats’. We love, snuggle, pet and adore our own animals. However the neighbor’s cats down the street that seem to be a bit overwhelming from time to time are a different story. There are a few options we have in this respect though.

The first option that comes to any pet owners mind is a microchip cat flap. This is a door that is installed in your own homes door that allows your cat’s unlimited access to the outdoors as well as back inside with no intervention from yourselves. The great idea behind this is the fact that the cat flap senses your cat’s pre-existing microchip and only opens for your cats. This eliminates the entry of any other cat into your home. Basically it is your cat’s magic house key.

If you are not enthused with placing a hole in your door then there are other options available for you. A more manual approach is a small water gun. Whenever an unwelcomed cat comes around and tries to make the dive in the door be prepared to squirt them with one squirt of water from the squirt gun and a stern ‘No’. They will leave as quickly as they came.

You can always rely on Grandma’s theory of using a tin can with some rocks inside. It is advisable to keep this next to the door and readily available. When you have a cat making an approach on your property or nearing your door shake the can loudly enough to scare the cat off. Remember that your own feline counterpart will probably hear it as well and be scared to. So immediately after shaking the can pick up your kitty and love on her letting her know it was not intended for them but for the other cat.

There are also some sprays available on the market these days; there are huge concerns with these however. If you are using any type of spray there may be an adverse reaction to your very own cats. Your own animals could be allergic and there is always the possibility of it not deterring the unwelcomed cat but your cat themselves. I personally do not suggest using a spray with chemicals in it I cannot pronounce. Think of it this way. The average cat’s nose is approximately 9 inches off the ground. That is very close to breath in a chemical sprayed on the ground. Especially when you really do not know 100% what it is they are inhaling.

When making the decision to become a pet owner, you must consider every avenue and circumstance. There is teaching, training, health and hygiene that are vital to the health and well being of your animal. The reason it is so important to keep unwelcomed cats out of your own cats area is simple, you may very well care for your animals properly but do you know about the other cat? No one wants to take that chance with a family pet, because after all they are only pets for so long before they become family.

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Imagine how or cats and kittens feel when the majority of the fleas live on them and not on humans. They simply jump on us and bite, then leave. They actually live on out cats. The good news is that you can stop it before it gets out of hand.

Heat is your best weapon. Wash all bedding in hot water in the washing machine. When washing the bedding put approximately ¼ of a cup of white vinegar in with the regular laundry soap. When you are done washing dry in a high heat dryer. This should kill of the remaining eggs that have been planted.

Proper grooming and hygiene. Combing, brushing and bathing are important for your cats. Even though they seem to lick themselves constantly, that is not a deep skin bath. If you are unsure on exactly what type of cat shampoo to use, simply use a very mild baby shampoo. It is gentle enough for your cat’s sensitive skin and will pull off the remaining fleas and eggs that the brushing and combing missed.

Clean your house thoroughly and use a spray that kills fleas if necessary – following the instructions on the can very carefully. Any fabric that cannot be washed in the washing machine needs to be vacuumed thoroughly. It is recommended that when you do own cats you vacuum at least every other day, preferably every day with a vacuum cleaner designed for pet owners. This will help keep down the infestations from being tracked in from outside as well as from the eggs that are being hatched.

You can get a good quality flea treatment from your vet or a chemist over the counter such as Advantage or Frontline but don’t purchase the flea collars or treatments off the shelf in a supermarket or pet shop because they aren’t sufficiently strong enough and fleas could become immune to the ingredients.

It seems simple enough, but without following simple techniques and treatment options a small problem can turn into a huge issue in no time. It only takes 7-10 days from an egg to gestate to a flea, within that time your home can become an infestation if it is not stopped in its tracks. Maintenance is the key in keeping them minimal and keeping you and your furry friends happy and healthy. Good Luck!

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There is a saying ‘a dog comes when you call, an owner comes when a cat calls’. This rings true in many cases. But what do you do when they all do not get along when under the same roof? If you find one of your cats being bullied by your other cats there are a few options you have.

In some cases a cat is bullied because it is sick. Felines can sense medical anomalies in each other that humans cannot. If you find one of your cats being bullied more than usual a simple vet check up may be in order for blood work to eliminate this option. If all is clear then there are other options.

There may not be enough space for them to call their own. Cats are very territorial animals and they live under their own rules. If you have multiple cats you may want to consider getting another cat box and place it in a different area of the home. Making sure you have a separate set of feeding dishes for every animal is also wise. Even though it does not matter what bowl they eat out of, they will not have to fight for the first bite.

Check the height escapes. If cats can escape they will. They do not go looking for the fight; they actually try to get away from it. Try to have a sectioned cat tree that they can climb and just hide for a moment or two when they are overwhelmed. This will cause less stress in the home and should ultimately lead to a calmer, stress free atmosphere in your home.

By implementing these ideas and by not adding any additional cats to your home while you are still retraining the bully can allow you a happy home life with your feline friends. Good Luck!

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Whether you are installing it into a UPVC or wooden door the principle is the same. Only if you are fitting the cat flap into a glass door should you contact a glazier to make the required hole.

One of the first things you will need to do it measure carefully and study the instructions supplied with your cat flap of choice. Usually the ideal height for a cat flap placement is approximately 5 inches from the floor to the bottom of the cat flap. Remembering this is only an estimate and may vary if you have a larger or smaller cat than normal. Then you place the bottom of the cat flap on the 5 inch mark and transfer the height and width measurements onto the door with a pencil. Making sure you have it on the precise area you want it then trace the entire inside of the cat flap and not just the corners.

You will need to draw a line from each corner crossing each other like an ‘X’ with your pencil to find the middle of the area before you begin drilling. Now you can drill a hole into each corner of the square you have made. Remove your drill and place your keyhole or scroll saw at the holes and begin sawing out the opening for your new cat flap. After you are done sawing you can smooth out any roughness with a piece of sandpaper.

Place the inside frame that encases the lock or flap into the door snug. This is when you install the screws into the designated screw holes only tightening them down by hand, not to tight. Now place the outer frame on the outer side of the door and connect with the screws using a hand screwdriver to guard against over-tightening.

It may take a few days for some kittens and cats to get used to the cat flap being available to them. An owner’s use of patience and cat flap training are vital here. While using both you are sure to have a very self reliant pet in no time.

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Unfortunately there is not a whole lot we as owners can do to prevent it. It is definitely considered a territorial issue with all cats.

One main reason cats spray is to ‘mark their territory’. The dominant male cat sees it as a warning to other cats that they are in charge and are the ruler of their domain.

You may find male cats are likely to spray directly in front of others, felines and humans alike with no discretion. When a male cat sprays it is a very thick, sticky and odorous spray.

Another reason why cats spray is when there is a new cat added to the family. Whether it be a kitten or an adult cat the original feline resident will take that as a threat. As the spraying commences you will need to be prepared to disinfect and retrain your feline with each and every spray.

A more plausible reason to feline spraying is the introduction of new furniture, accessories or people. As this is a hard one to avoid, since our lives are ever-changing and improving, the cats have a harder time dealing with change.

When you introduce new furniture it may have the smell of the factory on it and they are threatened by it.

There are three things to keep in mind as a simple solution to ridding your home of the dreaded smell of spraying done by your cats. White vinegar and water, baking soda and water, and hydrogen peroxide. These are three home remedies that have been proven over the years to be effective.

Now you can enjoy your home with your feline friends even more than before.